Hello there guys! Forgive me for not updating… school has started, and it's hectic now… So I will try to update once in a while… a big, big thanks to people who reviewed! I got at least 14 for chapter 25 alone! THANK YOU SO MUCH. I appreciated them so much. :)

And yes, now I am back with chapter 26… I hope you enjoy it as well, and please, review if you can. :)

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CHAPTER 26: A Broken Heart

The entire council got back just in time for dinner. Ms. Ramirez was waiting for them in the dining hall, and when they got there, the entire Green Grove council and some teachers were there too. Some Green Grove council members stood up and greeted them with hugs. Stella became such good friends with Andreia, Francis, Ryan and Victor were in one table and were busy chatting and exchanging stories. Everyone was in a good mood as they waited for the food to be served. Roy, Hughes, Riza and Ed were left standing up, mingling with Kaitlyn and Luisa. Then someone interrupted the happy chatter.

"Mind if I join you guys?" It was Michael. Kaitlyn smiled and allowed him inside the small circle.

"Maybe it would be better if we all sat down now… it wouldn't be nice if we were blocking the way." Roy suggested.

"Good point." Kaitlyn replied with a smile and they all went over to a table. Roy decided to go ahead, wishing to pull out a chair for Riza. Michael, who wanted to spend as much time now with Riza walked faster and almost collided with Roy as they got to the table. They tried to make nothing of it, but they both accidentally knocked over a chair and it fell to the floor with a loud crash. Silence fell in the dining hall and everyone was looking at them. Hughes and Ed were on the verge of letting out loud laughs, while Kaitlyn, Riza and Luisa had expressions of shock on their faces.

"Sorry… my bad." Roy softly said, as he returned the chair to its original position. At that, the happy chatter returned and the rest sat down. Michael had no choice but to sit grumpily beside the chair Roy intended for Riza.

"Riza." Roy said as he pulled out a chair for her.

"Thanks, Roy…" Riza smiled sweetly, a pink tinge appearing on her cheeks. When they were both seated, their conversation continued.

"So… Riza, you sure you don't want to spend one more day here?" Kaitlyn asked.

"As much as I would like to do so, unfortunately, I have to get back to work…" Riza explained. "I have a lot to catch up too, since we're running out of time."

"I see… I do hope that sometimes you come back here for a visit." Kaitlyn added. Riza just nodded with a smile.

"Riza…" Michael interjected. She turned to him, and Roy's eyes immediately narrowed.

"I was wondering if you'd like to come over… you know, like say hi to my mom. She's been dying to see you… remember that she and your mom were…"

"Good friends… Yes Mike, I remember." Riza said. "As much as I would like to accept, I don't think Ms. Ramirez will allow it."

"I will not allow what?" A voice interjected from behind. They all turned and saw Ms. Ramirez standing behind them.

"Oh, good evening Ms. Ramirez. I was wondering if you would allow Riza to visit my parents for a while… Her parents and mine were very close… I'll make sure she gets back here before nine."

"I see… I don't see a problem with that. After dinner then. Make sure she will be back here before nine. However, if I need Riza here before nine, I will ask someone to fetch her. Please leave your address with me." Ms. Ramirez instructed.

"Of course…" Michael nodded, very happy, and took out a small notebook from his pocket and scribbled his address on it. After he tore out the page and handed it to Ms. Ramirez. Ms. Ramirez nodded and went back to her seat as soon as the food arrived.

They ate dinner in silence. It was evident that Michael was smiling. Roy was in a rather bad mood following that. The last thing he needed was him having an 'alone time' with Riza.

"Roy." Hughes whispered. Roy raised an eyebrow as if to say 'what?'"

"You look jealous." Hughes said with a wide grin.

"Shut up."

"I'm serious…. Just admit it."

"This is not the time for this, Hughes."

"What are we talking about here?" Ed interrupted.

"Oh butt out, Elric. I'm not talking to you."

"Sorry that you're such a grouch, Mustang. If it's something about your love life, then I'm interested."

"Shut up." Riza let out a fake cough as if warning them. Their voices dropped further into a whisper.

"None of your business, Ed." Roy snarled.

"Excuse me… I'll just go get my coat so we can be on our way, Mike." Riza said as she stood up. She wasn't smiling, but she didn't look very angry either.

"Alright. I'll meet you in the front hall. I'll just tell Mr. Shaw that we'll go ahead." Michael said.

"Excuse me as well." Roy said as he stood up.

"Leaving so soon, Roy?" Kaitlyn asked, looking up from her dessert.

"I'm not feeling quite well… maybe tired. I think I'll rest in my room." He replied.

"Oh… I hope you'll feel better!" Luisa wished.

"Thank you, Luisa." Roy said.

"Hey, I'll come with you…" Riza said as they both left the dining hall. They were both silent as they walked up the stairs.

"Riza…"

"Mm."

"Take care of yourself. If it's past nine, I'll get the address from Ms. R. and fetch you myself."

"No need to over-react Roy. Mike's not going to push me off a cliff." Riza said with a small laugh.

"I'm not over-reacting." Roy said, very serious, as he held her hand. "I love you a lot, and I won't like it if he makes you sad."

"Oh dear… don't over-react. Calm down… Mike is a friend of mine, and I think my parents would have liked me to visit them."

"I know but…"

"Roy Mustang, I love you too. There's no need to worry about me, remember, my dad left me on my own when I was younger… surely I can keep myself safe." Riza assured him with a smile as she entered her room.

After Riza retrieved her coat, she knocked on Roy's door. He opened the door, looking very tired.

"You really do look sick… better rest, Roy. I'm going now." Riza told him.

"Be safe." He said as he opened the door and hugged her tight.

"Geez Roy… I'm not going to die." Riza laughed. Roy still looked so serious. "Lighten up… see you in a while. Rest alright." She said with a smile as she went down the stairs. Roy didn't close the door until she completely disappeared from his view.

--

"Ready?" Michael was waiting for Riza by the door.

"Yeah…"

"It's just a short walk… you remember right?" He asked her as they left the building.

"Of course I do."

"Right then…" Michael said softly, slightly disappointed.

--

The walk to Michael's house was uneventful. Riza said very little, and Michael couldn't find the courage or the words to say to Riza.

"Um, the sky's pretty clear tonight so you can see the stars." Michael said, without thinking. Riza turned to him.

"I know."

"Um, so, why'd you move without telling me?"

"Are we going back to that issue again?" Riza replied with a sigh.

"No, um, it's just that…"

"You know, I noticed that you've changed, from the first time you confronted me about that and now. Remember, you were shouting at me before, and now, you're mellow, and acting all sweet."

"Riza, I know I acted dumb the last time, just allow me to explain myself."

"Okay, fine, let's talk then. Go on, explain before we get to your house." Riza said, her expression showing slight annoyance.

"You see, I acted that way because when you left, I thought I lost my best friend. I mean, I love you a lot, we grew up together, and I couldn't accept that some as strong as you would submit to the wishes of your aunts. I mean, if your parents were alive, you wouldn't do that."

"Exactly my point, if my parents were alive. But they're not, Michael, and I think my aunts just wanted the best for me."

"Maybe they just wanted you out of the way."

"I know they don't like me, but to keep them happy, I just obey. My grandfather doesn't like the idea, but either way, neither of us have a choice. Don't get mad, I think it's for the best. I'm happy now anyway."

"But I'm not." Michael protested, and Riza looked at him once more.

"You know I always wondered what went into your mind. What you thought of me." Michael continued softly. "I wondered if you thought I was being nice to you and all that."

"Mike, you're such a good friend, and I'll never forget you, no matter the distance."

"I think that's all I'll ever be… a friend." Michael said sadly as they entered the front gate of his house. He took out a key from his pocket and opened the door. Immediately, Riza noticed the change in his expressions. He became happy and lively.

"Hey mom, dad! I'm home and Riza's here!" Michael called out.

"In the dining room son." His father called out.

"May I take your coat?" Michael asked. Riza obliged, took off her coat and gave it to him. Then she followed him into the dining room. It was exactly as Riza remembered it when she was last there, and that was so long ago. The light blue curtains were drawn, and the lights, bright as ever. The beautiful paintings that his mother painted when she was younger still hung on the walls. Immediately, Michael's mother stood up, and gave a Riza a hug.

"Oh, Riza my dear… how have you been?" She said, very happy. "It makes me happy that you came here."

"Thank you for inviting me, Aunt Liezl. I'm fine thanks."

"Please sit." She said as she pointed Riza to a seat beside Michael's sister, Cara. "So my dear, how is your new school? I was quite surprised when Mike told me that you were here on a leadership training… you never called." She continued quite disappointed.

"I'm so sorry about that… I was quite busy too, adjusting to the new system, and I've been doing a low to there, since I live with my cousin."

"Nevertheless, have you gone to visit your house?"

"Um, actually yes… I had to get a few things and I just went back there for a while."

"So Riza, how is life there in Midgale? Busy?" Michael's father asked.

"Well it's much busier than here, Uncle Rob. But I've adjusted already… it's fun to live there, there's a lot to do."

"There's a lot to do here too." Michael interjected from across the table.

"Yeah, I know that… but it's different there." Riza said, smiling. Inside she was very annoyed at the way he was acting towards her.

"Big brother's been upset the past few days… something about you and a boy from your new school." Cara said in a sweet voice. Michael gave her a glare and kicked her from under the table.

"Ouch! Mommy!" Cara whined.

"Cara, please… you're thirteen. Please act your age, and don't mention things like that." Her mother warned her.

"But--"

"Stay out of it, Cara." Michael snarled.

"Michael, watch your tone." His father warned.

"I'm going to take Riza up to the living room, so we can talk." Michael said standing up and Riza stood up as well.

"Oh me too!" Cara enthusiastically said.

"Cara Nicola Thompson you will do no such thing. Go to your room and start on your homework." Michael led Riza out to the living room before she could hear more of Cara's complaints. They both sat down on the brown sofa, and said nothing to each other.

"You… um… want to watch TV?" Michael asked after a while.

"Okay." Riza replied simply and Michael turned on the TV.

"Is there anything you'd like to watch in particular?"

"No… anything's fine with me." Riza replied and Michael started surfing channels, before stopping on the movie channel which was showing 'A Walk To Remember'. They watched in silence for a while.

"I remember when we watched this for the first time… You, me… Kaitlyn, Camilla, Francis…"

"Yeah, I remember that." Riza said, smiling.

"That's the first time I saw you smile tonight." He noted, slightly happier now.

"Those were the days…." Riza simply said.

"Happier times, yes." He let out a small sigh. "I wish things were still like that."

"Mike, it's inevitable that change will happen… I mean, there are a lot of events that have changed us, changed the way things went."

"But I wish we're still friends…"

"We are friends, Mike. You're still a friend of mine, even if I'm far away."

"But… someone else owns your heart." Michael softly, but sadly said. Riza fell silent at that.

"Mike…"

"I know that you like him a lot… but isn't it too soon? You only met him a few months back." Michael argued.

"Mike, if I didn't know any better, you were jealous. Roy is a very good friend of mine. He's the nicest person who accepted me immediately for who I am. I've met his family too and they're very welcoming."

"Isn't mine welcoming?"

"Mike, you are acting like such a kid. I love your family too. I love your family a lot. But understand… somehow, I… don't get offended or anything, but I see you as my friend."

"I knew it… a friend and nothing more."

"Mike… I love you as a friend, you have a special place in my heart. And that will never go away even if times change. So no hard feelings, and don't take it against Roy either…"

"Well… fine… if you think that that is what's good for you, then I'll support you in any way I can." Michael said smiling. "Hug?" Riza smiled and the two friends hugged.

"I'm going to miss you, Ri. You take care of yourself… and keep in touch, please?"

"Alright, Mike, that's fine for me." Riza said with a smile. "I'm going to miss you a lot too."

--

Michael's father was nice enough to drive Riza back to the school, and Michael said goodbye once more before she went back into the school. When he got back to his house, he planned to do homework, but somehow couldn't bring himself to do so. He sat on his bed silently, and looked at the photo on his bedside table. It was taken during the previous school year, during happier times. It was at the park, and he, Riza and Camilla were there, smiling and very happy.

Riza's words rang in his head.

"I see you as my friend…" he felt sad.

'She sees me as a friend… and only as a friend.' Michael tried to get his mind off that and tried to read his books, but couldn't concentrate properly. She was different. He tried to concentrate really hard, but somehow all that he thought of had her in it. He tried to listen to some music, but the music still reminded him of her. Then his phone rang, and he checked it. There's was a text message from an unfamiliar number.

"Hey Mike… it's me, Riza… I'm sorry for the ways things have turned out. Thanks for everything. Hopefully, you'll find your own source of happiness too. I'll never forget you, you'll forever be my best friend. All the best, Ri."

Mike's eyes welled with tears as he lay back on his bed. He was going to miss her so much.

--

When Riza got back, she bumped into Roy in the lobby.

"You're back." He told her.

"Yeah… how are you feeling?" She asked, concerned.

"Fine… Ms. R. gave me some medicine, and told me to rest. How about you? How'd it go?" He asked as they went up the stairs. He put his arm around her, and gave her a small kiss on the cheek.

"It was fine… we had a little talk. We patched up our differences."

"At least he didn't hurt you…"

"Roy, that's too extreme, Mike's still my friend." Riza said smiling.

"Okay, if you say so. Oh by the way, I got a text from Daniella, we have a paper to submit for English. She'll tell us more of it when we get back." Roy told her.

"Oh okay… I'll talk to her anyway tomorrow." Riza said. They got to their rooms. "Are you packed already?"

"Almost… although, if Maes keeps rummaging through my stuff for no particular reason, then maybe I'll never finish." Roy said running his hand through his hair. Riza laughed.

"You two never fail to amuse me. Go on, pack up and get some rest… it wouldn't be good for you if you got sick, remember, we have to catch up on a lot of stuff."

"Thanks. Good night, Riza." Roy said as he went towards her and gave her a hug. "Good night…"

"Good night too, Roy."

--

They all woke up early to go to the station by bus. Some people from the council were there to send them off.

"Thank you so much, for everything. Hopefully, you'll be able to visit Fountain Hill as well." Ms. Ramirez said as she shook Mr. Shaw's hand.

"Of course, we'd love to visit. When you feel like it, please, come back and visit us here."

After they exchanged good-byes and other greetings, they got on the train and soon they were on their way back home.

"You're going to miss the place aren't you?" Roy said as they left the station. Riza was looking out the window, somehow sad.

"Of course… it was my home for years. Now I feel like I went back to the day when I left for Fountain for the first time."

"But at least you carry in your heart more memories."

"I carry more than memories…. Remember I still have letters to read." Riza said smiling.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about those. Tell me all about them, okay?"

"Of course."

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So sorry to end it there guys! I've been doing a lot these past few days, and I try to write whenever I can… so if this took too long, and if the other chapters take too long, please bear with me. Rest assured I will try to update.

Please review if you can, it makes me happy. :)