A/N: Okay, sorry I haven't gotten around to this I'm such a lazy ass aren't I? XD

Oh well, enjoy this chapter okay:P

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, though I can't deny I'd like to...

CHAPTER 4: HESITATION

Rize and I are supposed to do the scenery for the play. I guess that could be fun...

We've been too formal towards each other lately. She won't even call me Roy anymore. I'm afraid something will happen to our friendship. I know I'll regret it if we lose our trust.

Something's been wedged between us.

-Roy Mustang, Random planner space in the back

"HEY!" Roy scrambled away from Riza as quick as he could, slipping on some paint on the floor as he did. He looked ridiculous as he lay sprawled out on the floor. And although the man attempted to get up he just collapsed again.

For awhile she just stared at him. It seemed like the young teacher was very cold, infact she usually was, but it happened that she was suppressing a laugh.

But of course then he made a gesture, as if cheering her on to do so. "Would you help me? You know it's your fault for getting this green paint all over my face."

"And you for getting all this purple smeared on mine."

"Would you help me up already?"

"Sure I'll help you," Riza rolled her eyes but managed to laugh softly as she grabbed onto his hand. "You really should be more careful sir–"

"Tsk, tsk!" Roy scolded as he led her back to the scenery they were supposed to be painting. He smiled at her, he missed her laugh though. He wished she would do that more.

He got just the opposite when the she scowled at him, "...Roy..."

"Aw, come on!" He nudged her in the side as she glared at him.

"Are you watching where–"

"I mean really Riza you could be a little more tolerant." He shrugged and ignored her.

"Really, I think you should–"

"Now I know you can conquer this little setback. Just stop calling me 'Sir'. Let's be good friends like old times, hmm?"

"SIR! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE–" But it was too late, the damage had already been done. They had slipped and fell, breathing heavily as the embarrassed coach toppled onto him in a quite suggestive position. Her hands slapping the ground on either side of his shoulders to catch herself.

Neither of them said anything. They just lay there not getting up.

"You know you should probably get off me before someone comes in and gets the wrong idea," Roy said calmly, playing up a smirk as she attempted to elbow him, in the process her arms giving out.

"Mmmm, I'm too tired..." The woman sighed in uneasiness as she fell limp on top of him, not able to get up. "Six hours of painting can do that to you. Besides it's ten at night, who's going to find us at this hour? I doubt anyone is still here in the first place." But she glared at him anyways.

"I guess..." There was a long moment of strange tranquility as Roy trailed off. Hesitantly he smeared some of the paint on her face with his thumb, grinning suspiciously as he did so. "Now what'll we do with you? You know wearing purple all over your face is distracting."

She looked at him quizzically and then prodded at him with the edge of her paintbrush. That's when they began to laugh like old friends. The same as years past when faded allusions were brought up.

Even so he couldn't help treasuring that rare and special smile.

xoxox

ARGH! EVERYONE WAS ACTING SO GOD-DAMN WEIRD! Winry glared at Edward as he looked upwards.

"Helloooooo?"

He continued to look up until she slapped him across the back of the head in annoyance.

Getting a goofy look on his face and then smiling sheepishly, Edward seemed to come back from his twisted little dreamworld. He was mentally apologizing with a sincere glimpse over at her in which she responded to with a nod and a playful smack at his shoulder.

Beside her Al was also staring into space but Winry knew he had good reason to. He was thinking of girls after all, right?

Right?

Lyra walked slowly beside Edward, dressed all in black and sending a blank look her way. What was up with this girl and why was she hanging all over Edward all of a sudden–

Her thoughts were RUDELY interrupted when a red-eyed Rose shoved her way through the crowd, rubbing her eyes excessively. Winry glared at her for a moment.

Wait? Was she crying?

On a whim, she grabbed Rose by the shoulder. The girl just glowered at her but all Winry could see was a girl wallowing in sorrow. She looked at the girl with sympathy before turning her loose and letting her stomp through the crowd and into the school.

"Edward!" she hissed, pulling his sleeve so they were cheek to cheek, "What's up with Rose?"

He shrugged and pulled away in a fuss, looking stranger to her, why was his face all red and sweaty? He wasn't looking back at her. Had she done something wrong?

She shrugged and glanced over before shooting a sad and confused look at him. What was with him?

Nonetheless all day the only thing she could think of was the pitiful look on Rose's face. Why was she feeling sorry for a girl like that? Winry shook off the notion as she entered the school and then the class room as Mr. Hughes began rambling on about his family.

Things would just have to wait.

xoxox

All day the teachers were gossiping, whispering loudly to others as their eyes went wide in shock at the "scandal."

And the worst part? They thought she couldn't hear them!

Riza ignored more whispering as she continued down the halls and into the gym, changing into her track suit. She was about to exit the office when a young woman stumbled into her room, frantically picking up the books she had dropped when coming in only resulting in more of a mess.

"Uh! So sorry... I-I j-j-just wasn't t-thinking!" The woman straightened the round glasses that sat on her nose andhastily smoothed her hairwith one hand. She shakily set down the books on Riza's desk. "H-hi I'm, Sh-sh-sh-shezka!"

"Yes, I know. Librarian right?" Riza said calmly with a sigh as she rearranged the pile of books into a neat stack.

"Y-yes..." Sheska seemed to calm down a little at the gym teacher's cool demeanor. "This is very high on the literature level. Are you sure you'll be able to–"

With an annoyed look towards the librarian Riza replied, "Just because I'm a gym teacher doesn't mean I'm an idiot."

"W-why aren't you an English teacher then?" She inquired, getting a little jittery again. The woman scared her.

"Roy and I both worked at a middle school where I taught English, but there weren't any spots open when I transferred to teach here. In a few years he and I are thinking about moving to teach at a University. There I'll probably be teaching English." She replied sharply. It was interesting: the only time she hesitated to call him by name was to him himself

Sheska nodded and headed for the door. "O-okay. Sorry I didn't mean to offend you!" It looked as if the brunette woman was about to run off, but she came back into the room just as soon as she darted out. "Are the rumors true?"

Riza managed a small smile towards the sudden pang of courage in the meek librarian when she turned more serious and walked closer to her. "No. We fell asleep while painting scenery that's all. The rumors aren't true. That's why they're called rumors Miss. Sheska." With that she really did leave.

No, there was no love affair between her and Roy. They were friends and there was no way she was going to let go of that trust.

So that could never be.