Hey everyone... um, sorry for this late update. My bad.

OH MY GOD, IT'S CHAPTER TWENTY! :D WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

So yeah, last chapter there was some drunkness and then some hangovers. Basically it. :P

Thank you, my lovely readers for reviewing last chapter and thank you to my wonderful editor, Dani, for her awesome-sauce work on editing. :)

Hope you enjoy!

"So, where are you going to for vacation, Winry?" Gracia asked loudly. Between the roar of the rain pounding on the dorm windows and a dorm full of teens talking and laughing, a person had to shout to be over heard.

"I'm going to my grandma's house," Winry answered gloomily as she played with her food. "She bought me a plane ticket already."

"Well, at least you'll be with family," Sheska said at an attempt to make her feel better.

"Yeah I guess…"

It was now Wednesday and the rain that had started on Sunday had hardly relented at all. The grounds had turned into swamps and hardly anyone reached a class anymore without being completely drenched. The dryers in the dorms were working over time as students tried to dry their clothes during free periods. The bitter cold rain had ended classes early yesterday, when an announcement told everyone to return to their dorms after fourth period. Today, the rain had turned into heavy sleet and classes had been canceled completely, cheering up students considerably.

Despite the weather, everyone talked about their mini vacation that would happen at the end of the month when classes would end for Thanksgiving. A notice had been passed around yesterday, confirming that everyone had a plan for the time off of school so that if needed, water and electricity would be given to those who were staying, even though no one ever did. Winry, who had been in a good mood ever since her hangover dissipated, became sulky and depressed at the thought of spending a Thanksgiving away from her parents. The anger and resentment that came when Winry first found out that her parents were leaving her returned and she now ignored all phone calls from her parents.

"Hey guys," Riza said as she entered their room with Rebecca trailing behind her.

"Hey, Riza," Sheska said brightly as the blond girl took a seat at Sheska's desk. Rebecca sat down on the floor next to the heating vent.

"God damn, is it just me or is this place freezing?" Rebecca asked as she huddled by the heater.

Rebecca was bundled up in thick hoodie, which Winry thought she could see the grey of the school sweater poking out from underneath the hood, at least one pair of sweatpants, and probably three pairs of socks, due to the large than normal size of her feet. On her hands he wore a pair of gloves and a hat on her head.

"It's a little chilly," Winry said, noting that she was wrapped up in her warmest, flannel pajama pants along with a long-sleeved shirt and a sweater.

"Rebecca doesn't do cold very well," Riza said with a slight smirk.

"You know, for a school that we pay a shit-load for, they sure are stingy with the heat!"

"I think you're a bit over-dramatic," Gracia said with a roll of her eyes before she blew on a bit of re-heated spaghetti.

"And so what if I am? I'm cold, damn it," Rebecca growled. "And where's your other half, Gracia?"

"Oh, the poor thing, Maes is sick," Gracia said, looking very somber. "He woke up and he was just coughing and sneezing and his forehead was on fire. He's laying downstairs in the nurse's office. He asked me not to see him because he didn't want me to get sick because of him."

Lot's of students were coming down with colds and flues after spending time out in the cold rain. There was a small infirmary in everyone's dorm room, which contained a couple of beds, medicine, and a very harassed nurse. The nurse, who Winry had met when she went down to get some cough medicine on Tuesday, was nice but do to the over-whelming number of students in need of her assistance, she seemed to have very limited patience.

"Do you think the rain will stop tomorrow?" Sheska asked as she peaked out the rain-washed window. "I still haven't finished my English paper and it should have been due today."

"Sheska!" Riza cried in exasperation. "You've been given two extra days where you didn't need to go to that class and you still haven't finished it?"

"Well I was gonna do it last night but I forgot," Sheska said, looking worried. "The conclusion's getting me and I want it to be perfect."

"Well no matter how you write your paper, you still won't be his favorite, Sheska," said a voice from the doorway.

The girls turned to see Roy and Jean standing in the doorway, also layer up against the chilly weather.

"Gracia's Mr. H's favorite after all," Roy said, smirking.

"I am not," Gracia said quietly, flushing.

"Yeah right," Roy said, flopping next to Rebecca in an attempt to warm up; Rebecca quickly shoved him away from her. "Mr. H. is always like, 'look at how wonderful Gracia's paper is' and 'Gracia got the top score on the test again'."

"Maybe you're just jealous because she keeps getting better grades than you," Winry said. "And suddenly getting good grades makes a person their favorite?"

"Well it helps," Jean said with a shrug. "You should hear him in our class, right Sheska? He drops hints all the time that we're a bunch of slack-jawed monkey's compared to a certain student in his honor's class. A certain girl."

Gracia whole body seemed to blush but she turned her head down and began playing with her food.

"It could be anyone," Gracia muttered. "We all get good grades in that class. It could be Riza or Winry or someone else."

"All I'm saying is that Maes better watch out," Roy said, grinning. "There's another man with his eyes on you."

"Yeah, well," Gracia said in an unusually high voice. "I've only got eyes for Maes so he hasn't got a chance with me in a million years."

"Not to mention it's kinda illegal in so many ways," Riza said.

"Yeah and since when have rules and laws applied to us?" Jean asked, grinning.

"Come on, pick up, pick up," Winry muttered as she sat on the stairwell, waiting for the person on the other line to pick up.

After the topic of Mr. Huston had been finished, the group quickly moved back onto the topic of vacation. She sat there for several minutes, pretending to enjoy hearing stories of family outings and traditions, which she was sure she would have actually enjoyed if she had been in a better mood, before she could hardly take it anymore. Winry excused herself by saying she needed some air and ran out into the stairwell. With her phone in hand she dialed the number of the only person she could vent to who wasn't busy chatting about their families.

"Hel-lo?"

"Paninya!" Winry exclaimed in relief when she heard her friend's voice.

"Yo what's up, Winry?"

"Nothing really…" Winry said quietly, picking at a piece of rubber from the bottom of her sneakers. "Just really bummed. And the weather's not helping any."

"I'm sorry," Paninya said with a sigh. "I'm guessing you're going to your granny's house for Thanksgiving, right?"

"Yeah," she sighed into her phone.

"That sucks. I was really hoping to see you."

"Same here," Winry muttered, eyes watering slightly. "I just wish I could stay with you or something… just so that I could see you and see my house. I think it would make me feel better."

"Well… I could always try and take a trip to your Gran's during the break," Paninya offered. "I mean, we both have the last week off right?"

"Yeah but, I don't want you to waste your entire vacation in a car just for me."

"Pff, sounds like a highlight if you ask me," Paninya sighed. "You know it's not like there's some big family gathering I've got to be to."

Paninya had been orphaned as a small child after her parents died in a car accident. She had moved to Winry's town three years ago into a new foster home and had moved out the year previously to her own apartment. Winry had forgotten until this moment that her friend had no plans for Thanksgiving, seeing as she had spent the past three at Winry's house.

"Well, I'm sure Granny wouldn't mind," Winry said, thinking about it. I could call her and see what she thinks and then I'd call you back."

"Sound's like a plan," Paninya said happily before she switched gears. "So, how is Mission Edward?"

Winry blushed at her friends comment and regretted, for probably the millionth time, telling her friend about her failed plan to learn about the blond-haired boy by observing him. Winry had stopped trying to do this after a particularly close call one afternoon in East library when she Ed had caught her eyes amidst the spines of books on the bookshelves. She sprinted out of the library before he could investigate further.

"I already told you, Paninya," Winry said, sighing. "I gave that dumb thing up like, two months ago."

"So? I can still ask how the object of you affection is doing?"

"I don't know!" Winry growled. "He's fine, I guess. He spends most of his free time in his room or in the library."

"Hmm, well, you should keep trying to get his attention, Win," Paninya said after a minute. "Just maybe don't act as stalkery as before, 'kay?"

Winry rolled her eyes at her friend.

"Yeah because I'm the stalker between the two of us," Winry said sarcastically. "I'm not the one who followed some senior around for all of freshmen year and watched every one of his football practices."

"I never said you were more or less of a stalker than I was," Paninya said, causing Winry to laugh slightly. "But seriously, I think if you put some real effort into this guy, he'll eventually become putty in your hand."

"I think the only way I would be putty in his hands if I transformed into some giant book," Winry said gloomily. "But yeah… everything's worth a second shot."

"That's the spirit! Now go get him!"

"Alright," Winry sighed, suppressing a smile. "But I'll go and call Granny and see if you can stay over."

"Awesome! Talk to you later, Win!"

"Bye."

"Buh-bye."

Smiling slightly, Winry hung up her phone and stuffed her phone into her pajama pocket. Maybe her holiday wouldn't be as bad if Paninya were allowed to stay over at her Grandmother's. It would make her feel more at home. The only thing missing would be her parents…

Winry felt her eyes well up with tears again but quickly tried to surpass them when she heard someone walking up the stairs. She turned around and saw Al walking up towards her, wearing a ridiculously yellow coat that was slick with rain.

"Hey, Al," Winry said, smiling. "Nice rain jacket."

"Thanks," Al said, catching her sarcasm.

"What were you doing outside? I don't think I would go outside if someone paid me."

"Oh well, it's brother's favorite down in the dining hall and I just though it might cheer him up," Al said, motioning to the plastic bags in his hands. "He really hates this kind of weather."

"That's nice of you," Winry said, slightly surprised by his act of kindness. "What'd you get him?"

"Beef stew and apple pie," Al said, smiling. "It doesn't quite tastes like how our mom makes it but he says it's a good second. Anyways, I better get into some dry clothes before I get sick."

"Alright, see ya, Al," Winry said with a wave, a plan forming in her brain.

"Bye, Winry."

She watched Al open the door to their floor and disappear as the door closed. In a few seconds, a plan had formed in Winry's head for a way to get Ed to notice her. Didn't her mother always say that the way through a man's heart was through his stomach?

Ed curled up on his bunk and flipped the page of the book he was reading. This storm was something of a blessing to him. Having only yesterday morning taken up and being given all of today to do nothing allowed him plenty of time to read. Sure, at the pace he was going, he might have to brave the storm and go to the library but it'd be worth it. A loud shout from out in the hall broke him out of his mindset, which annoyed him greatly. Then again, this storm was something of a curse, seeing as almost every occupant of East dorm was confided inside meant that the ability to read in peace and quiet was non-existence.

But Ed needed to keep working. He needed to keep moving along and looking for a possible cure for his mother; at the very least, he needed to discover a diagnosis. He would never forget the day when he was twelve and he had come home from school with Al and saw his mother passed out on the kitchen floor.

They had called 9-1-1 like they had been taught to and then called their father, who was at work at the time. The doctors had no idea what had caused the collapse or even why Trisha continued to suffer from random collapses along with seizures and unexplained internal pains. No one knew why this was happening to her… this woman who was the nicest person in the entire world.

"Ed?"

Ed looked up over his book and saw Al standing in the doorway, dressed in a bright yellow rain jacket that was dripping all over the floor. In one of his hands was a blue plastic bag, which seemed to contain several plastic and Styrofoam containers.

"Man, you look like drowned rat," Ed commented, smiling lightly. "Or really, a drowned banana."

"Gee thanks," Al said as he tossed the wet coat into the bathroom. "Is that the kind of thing you say to a person who just braved the elements to get you your favorite lunch special?"

Ed's eyes widened and quickly breathed in the scents of cinnamon and beefy broth. His stomach began to growl and his mouth quickly turned into a waterfall. Ed set down his book on his bed, hopped out of bed and rushed over to where his brother had set the containers on their desks.

"You are the best brother ever, Alphonse," Ed sighed as he began opening the several containers that were in the bag.

"Tell me something I don't know," Al said with a smile as he opened his own plastic container of stew and began digging in.

That night, students all over the campus of Amestris Academy wished and prayed for another day off. Unfortunately for them, they would not get it. The relentless and harsh sleet turned into fluffy and harmless snow flakes overnight, which blanketed the campus in white. The path's were plowed and salted and everyone was expected to be at their classes on time.

Bundled up against the cold, the students left the warm sanctuary of their dormitories and went out into the freezing winter wonderland, thinking that it would at least be warm in their next class.

"Hey, Gracia," Winry said quietly as she sat her things down in a seat next to Gracia in Mr. Huston's class.

"What's up, Winry?" Gracia asked, sitting down next to her.

"I was wondering if you could maybe help me with something."

"Like what?" she asked innocently.

Winry went to open her mouth but was cut off by the arrival of Mr. Huston. His dark hair was covered in snow and he too was bundled up in a thick winter jacket. Like usual, a few girls giggled and called 'good morning' to him.

"Settle down, settle down," he said lazily as he began placing his items on his desk in the front of the room. "Now, I would like to remind everyone that we have about two months left until out midterm exams."

During a great chorus of groans and moans and complaints, Gracia turned to look at Winry and gave her a meaningful look. Winry shook her head and mouthed 'later' before she turned back to Mr. Huston.

The previous night, when she couldn't fall asleep, Winry had begun working on her new plan. Yes, she could possibly make the plan work without help from anyone but for the best results, Winry knew she needed the help of two people. Gracia was a better cook and baker than herself so it would be wise to ask for her help. And as for the other person, well, she'd just have to ask him later when they stood less chance of being overheard.

Before their third period Government class, Gracia attempted to ask Winry again but she shooed her away. Winry decided to wait until their free period together to spring her idea on the brunette. Once safely inside the warm and empty common room of East dormitory, Winry sat Gracia down on one of the comfy couches and revealing her plan.

"What's up?"Gracia asked pleasantly as she brushed some snow out of her hair.

"I need you help," Winry said quickly.

"With what?" she asked, sounding slightly hesitant.

"With Ed."

Gracia raised her eyebrows, looking slightly confused but before she could speak, Winry held up her hands to stop her and began speaking very quickly.

"Listen. So yesterday, I saw Al and he said that the cafeteria had Ed's favorite foods so he went to get him because he was in a bad mood or whatever. And Al said that the cafeteria food was almost like their mom's cooking. But like, I was thinking that maybe if I was able to make those foods better than the cafeteria, Ed would possibly like me more or something."

Winry trailed off and turned her eyes to the opposite of the side of the wall, suddenly feeling very silly and stupid. Would it really matter if Winry was able to make the food as well as Ed's mom? And even if she managed to make a decent meal, what would she say? 'Oh here, I secretly found out what your favorite foods are and I made them in a petty attempt for you to possibly put down your book for more than five seconds so that you maybe go out with me?' Winry rolled her eyes at herself and cursed, not quite believing how foolish she had been.

"Never mind," Winry said quickly, standing up. "Forget I ever said anything. It was-"

"Yeah, I'll help you," Gracia said, smiling slightly. "But I think it would help if I knew what I would be helping you make."

Winry stared at the girl for a second before shaking her head in defeat.

"No, really, never mind," Winry said sternly. "It's a dumb plan."

"I think it's a good plan."

"But what would I even say to him when I gave it to him? Huh?" Winry asked, throwing her arms into the air. "I would look like a total stalker to him."

"Hmm…no, I think I can work around that for now," Gracia said, smiling confidently as she stood up too. "But what is it that he likes? I don't know. No one does."

"Well… he apparently like beef stew and apple pie," Winry muttered, still feeling foolish.

"Perfect!" Gracia said, throwing her arms into the air. "I know how to help you and make it look completely innocent."

"But… how?" the blond asked.

"Weren't you listening to Ms. Cole in Cooking?" Gracia asked, placing her hands on her hips but kept the smile on her face.

"I probably was at the time…"

"Well for our exam, we have to make something that we've been taught to do, right?" Gracia asked excitedly.

"Yeah…" Winry muttered, not catching on.

"Well, hello! Didn't we make pies like, three weeks ago?"

"Um… yeah, but I still don't quiet get it."

Gracia let out an exasperated noise that made Winry jump slightly.

"We can make an apple pie for the exam and then we can have the other's eat it and make an excuse for why you're giving Ed apple pie!"

Winry blinked, thinking it over, before she smiled and began nodding.

"Yeah but… what about the stew?"

"We don't have time for that now!" Gracia cried exasperatedly. "We can work on making that another time but for right now, we need to get working on the pie."

"Alright but we need to talk to someone else about this."

"Who?"

"Al," Winry answered. "He's the only one who knows how it's supposed to taste like and it won't matter if it doesn't taste right."

"Well… that we can work around. In fact, it's probably better that way because he is in our group after all," Gracia said. "He needs to know what we're making anyhow. But we'll talk to him in Foods or during lunch if we can."

"Right," Winry said, nodding.

"And hopefully, this'll get that bookworm to open his eyes and see the beauty in front of him!" Gracia exclaimed, doing a little dance and causing Winry to blush slightly.

"But… what if it doesn't work?" she asked hesitantly.

"Well that's where we start learning how to make stew!"

"So…you want me to help you get my brother to like you?" Al asked slowly as he leaned against the counter of their kitchen in the Home Economics room.

"Well… yes," Winry answered in a hushed voice, feeling stupid again. "And don't talk to loud!"

"Sorry," Al apologized.

"But will you help?"

"Well… I don't know how much it'll help, seeing how oblivious my brother is," Al muttered. "But I mean, why not? If nothing else, you can learn how to make an amazing apple pie."

"Thanks, Al," Winry said before she hugged the sandy-haired teen tightly.

"No problem," he sighed.

Winry broke away when Ms. Cole came bursting into the room, informing them all of what today's plan would be. Al listened with rapt attention, not wanting to mess up any of the instructions again. He wasn't the best cook in the class and he constantly had to be told what to do and how to do it. Today they were making a spaghetti dinner and Al was bent on getting every instruction right.

"Get started!" Ms. Cole yelled. "You have forty minutes before you need to start cleaning up."

"Okay so, Maria, I need you to get the pasta and boil it in a medium sized pot," Gracia ordered as she read the instructions from the cook book; Gracia was usually the one in charge in their group. "And Al and Mei, can you get the ingredients out for the meatballs?"

Al followed Mei across the room to where their needed supplies were. He looked up at the board again to see the listed ingredients and quickly reached for the onions at the same time as Mei did. Their hands bumped and the onion rolled onto the floor.

"Sorry," Al said as he bent down to reach the fallen vegetable. "I keep having trouble with this class."

When Al stood up again, he saw Mei's face, bright red and her large dark eyes seemed to be twinkling at him. But it was probably just the trick of the light, right? He stood there for a second, looking at the small girl, and realized a few seconds too late that he was staring at Mei longer than needed.

"Okay so what else do we need?" Al muttered as he quickly turned away, feeling odd as Mei continued to stare at him. "Uh, we need garlic. Right."

The two quickly gathered up the supplies they needed and moved back to their station. As the group worked on the meal Al tried to shake off the odd feeling he had got before but it didn't seem to want to leave him.

So Winry's coming up with a plan of attack. Should be interesting. :P

More teenaged drama happening next! Please send a review my way!

Thanks for reading! :D

-FSK