Disclaimer: I only own Ben, and the old blonde guy at the bar...
Clasped So Tight
Good karma was brought into this world to help people; Do something good for someone, or something, and it will come back to you. Because you gave something, you will get something just as good. Bad karma is the exact opposite; As soon as you act in a way that you know you shouldn't, the same will happen. Now that I think of it, good karma and bad karma remind me of equivalent exchange. Not all people believe in karma, as you would say the same for equal exchange. I do, because Ed taught me the way of the alchemist; And I can relate it to karma. I wish I didn't, because then I would know that what was about to happen to me was in exchange for leaving Ed and Al.
Ben dragged me out of his car, his arm rapped tightly over my shoulder, and around my neck. It was late, the street lights where barley showing any signs of light. This new place was nothing like Ben's apartment, or the city of lights in that matter. Instead it was old and scummy; The bar was located on a lonely dead end, an abandoned street. A few old buildings stood tall over us, with broken windows, and garbage pales knocked to the sidewalk. Rats hid in the sewers beneath us, and you could hear they scurrying under the leaves. People screamed and laughed from a far away building, where we were headed.
We walked through the doors slowly, to a loud crowd of people. It was extremely crowded, every seat at the bar was taken. Ben's arm slid down my arm, to my hand as he pulled me to the front of a table, close to the bar tender. Ben smiled and talked to the man behind the counter, as the two laughed loudly. A man with his girl friend waved to Ben from across the bar, then at me. I waved back with a smile, as they looked at me strangely. After a few minutes, a drunk couple wobbled out, as Ben and I quickly sat, stealing their seats. Ben ordered a drink. I couldn't understand what he said, or what it was called; But I know he ordered two. When the bar tender returned with our drinks, I decided to speak.
"Hey, I don't really want anything. You didn't ask me-"
"Relax babe, it's on me." He smirked, tilting his head backward, swallowing the liquid, as I totally decided to ignore that, 'babe' comment. I was under aged, not to mention, I had no idea what it was in front of me! The man I thought I trusted continued to talk to the man behind the counter, as I folded my hands shyly, starring at the drink. I smelled it. The smell of alcohol filled my body as I began to require a taste for it. I lifted my hands taking a small sip, as a man on the other side of me with short, blonde hair turned toward me.
"Hey there, hon. What's your name?" He slurred, breathing out air that matched he smell of the room. Ben heard the man speak to me, rapping his arm back around my waist, yet still commenting to his friend in front of him. The short blonde man watched Ben's sturdy arm relax around my hip, before he spoke up. "You seem pretty, damn lonely, ya' know that?" I blushed turning away, and grabbing my drink for a second sip. He had a deep voice, something I had never heard of before. Different then anything...
"Do you know what this is?" I asked in a high pitched voice, yet still quiet enough so Ben wouldn't know what I had said. I picked up the glass, and took another sip. The blonde man bent over to view the glass, pleased I had finally returned his comment. He looked confused, even more then he already did.
"Nah, never 'saw that before Miss." He let out a deep chuckle and burped. I picked up the glass, and took another sip. It was then I noticed Ben had already finished his glass, and was on his second; Not to mention, there was another young, girl on the other side of him, talking up some sort of conversation. Somehow, that seemed to upset me, so I looked away. I picked up the glass, and took another sip. If I continued to live with Ben, was this what it was going to be like for now on? I wonder if everyone who dies on this side of the gate as well as the other, go to the same heaven. Maybe that meant I would see everyone one day. Maybe, or maybe it was karma. Maybe if I put enough effort into this world, I would have an amazing life when I crossed the other side.
I picked up the glass, and took another sip.
xxx
Author's Note: Ok, so I know you all want an update on Ed, right? I promise, you will find out everything soon! I just don't want to rush anything, and make it sound crappy. Plus, things are about to get 'interesting' between Ben and Winry... One last thing, I'm sorry that the chapters have been coming slower. School is rough.