Five days later, Edward was going back to school
- You're ready to go back? Trisha asked him as he was taking his bag
- Yes, I think I am
- Hurry up Ed, we're gonna be late, Winry and Alphonse called from outside.
- I have to go, I'll see you when I'll come back, he told his mom
And so he went out, walking with Winry and Al toward the school.
Before they arrived, though, he turned to Winry
- Before you let anyone know we're together, just give me a little time to break up with Rose, it shouldn't take long.
- Ok
And so, they arrived in front of the school.
When they entered, all eyes were on Edward. For a few seconds, it was silent. Then, a lot of people came toward him asking him all sort of question about what had happened and celebrating him as a hero.
Though, he quickly saw Rose coming toward him.
- Aww Ed, I missed you sooo much, she exclaimed, trying to hug him
But he pushed her away, he wouldn't fall for it.
- Rose, there's no need to act anymore, even before I left, I doubted you were only going out with me because I was popular, but now that I've heard from my friends what you were saying about me while I wasn't there, I'm sure of it. So don't bother acting anymore, I'm breaking up with you.
Everyone was shocked hearing him ditch her in front of the whole school. She was too. But she didn't look sad or anything, just angry.
She quickly flew away ashamed.
After a few minutes though, he noticed he had lost track of Winry. He searched for her and soon noticed she was corned by Rose and two of her friends. He quickly made his way through the crowd toward them.
- Leave her alone, he said coldly when he was close enough to them
- You still help her even when because of her you suffered a full year Rose retorted
Hearing that, Winry was looking down guiltily
- She's not the one who got me injured, who hurt me, I decided by myself to protect her, and if it's anyone's fault it's Hoheneim's and certainly not Winry's.
Hearing that, Winry was relieved to know he wasn't blaming her, though, she continued to blame herself.
- Now I'd advise you to leave her alone or I'd have to force you to leave, he said, glaring daggers at Rose
Rose's two friends had already backed away. Even though, Ed was smaller than them (seeing as he has not grown a lot the past year, as he was food deprived) they had both read the newspaper stating he had taken down and adult man who had a knife with his bare hands, so they didn't want to fight him.
Seeing she was now alone, Rose quickly got away too.
When he noticed Winry's expression, he immediately knew she was blaming herself. So he quickly made a few steps to be closer to her and set both his hands on her shoulders.
- Win, look at me, he asked softly
She shyly raised her head and looked him in the eyes
- You know that's not true, you're not responsible for it, he said softly
- But-but if I hadn't fallen, he wouldn't have caught us, she answered
- He would have found another moment to get to me, now, please, stop blaming yourself, I'm back, so smile, you're much prettier when you're smiling, he cooed, softly caressing her cheek.
She blushed a lot hearing that, but smiled anyway, if she could please him that easily.
- Thank you Ed, she finally said, before pecking him on the cheek.
- You're welcome, he answered, before also kissing her cheek.
And so, after that, they both went to class, they were both starting with the same class.
After all that had happened, their life slowly went back to the way it was before, except that now, Ed and Winry weren't hiding their feeling for each other anymore.
