Chapter 8: I'll Tell You: Part One
"Thanks again, Winifred. You're a wonderful mechanic!"
Winry smiled at the stout, older woman. The woman held her radio in both hands, a light tune coming from it.
"I'm so glad you fixed it. What do I owe you, dear?" the woman asked.
Winry held her hands up in front of her. "Oh, no Mrs. Tyler, don't worry about it. It's on me."
Mrs. Tyler frowned. "Now, Winry, I don't feel right about not paying you for your services."
Winry frowned, and then her face brightened as she snapped her fingers.
"How about this," she began. "Instead of paying me money, make me a batch of your delicious cupcakes. They're my favorite!"
Mrs. Tyler laughed at the young woman. "All right then." She assented. "When should I bring them?"
"Oh, I'll come get them." Winry replied. She gave the woman's arm a fond pat, and then turned to walk down the steps leading up to Mrs. Tyler's porch.
"Bye, Winifred!" the woman called out.
Winry turned around and gave a short wave. "Bye!"
Winry walked down the yard's drive and found Al sitting on a bench near the edge of the road. He was reading the school's letter when she came up to him. She almost laughed. That was the tenth time he'd read it!
"All done." She declared. Al looked up quickly and smiled sheepishly, putting the letter into his pant pocket.
"Are we going to the school now?" he asked; a hint of worry in his voice. Winry noticed his anxiety and replied calmly,
"Don't worry, Al. It's only the orientation. I'll be there with you the whole time." She patted him lightly on the shoulder, winking as she did.
He gave a sigh of relief. "Okay, let's go."
OOO
Ed's heart pounded. Not just because he was running down the street. It pounded with an emotion he hadn't felt in a long time. It was an emotion he'd only felt toward one other woman: His mother.
The town was coming into view over the rise. He almost smacked himself. Where was her appointment? He had no idea! He didn't know where to find her. He stopped running and waited to catch his breath.
Wait! He thought, looking out across the valley. She's also taking Al to the school. I can go there!
Wasting no time, he took off once again. Even though he was scared, and unsure, a flicker of happiness was taking root in his heart. It was strange, this feeling he had. He couldn't explain it, but just knowing that Winry might love him…that thought alone was enough to make him smile. He had to know. He had to tell her how sorry he was for leaving her all alone, how angry he was for never saying so before, but…
I love you, Winry. Ed looked past the town into the golden hills.
The evening sunset gleamed along the horizon. Ed could still remember the day he'd come back there, getting off the train with Al, looking around at the town, seeing so many familiar things. He'd been content. And seeing Winry, so much older, and no less beautiful, he'd felt a love for her that few people ever received from him.
Ed's mind was set on one thing: Finding Winry. And when he did, there wouldn't be any hesitation. He would tell her how he felt, even if she didn't feel the same. All he had to do was say so.
Just say so, he thought, and with that in mind, he picked up speed.
OOO
The school gate shone in the setting sun. Many children, along with their parents, stood around in the courtyard of the school entrance. Some of the children were little, clinging to their parents skirts and pants for security. Others were chatting with friends, catching up with everyone before the upcoming school year.
Winry stood with Al in the thick of it all. She cast a glance down and found that Al still looked shy and nervous. Winry frowned sadly. What can I do? I wish he could talk to people more easily. She twisted a strand of loose hair around her finger. Poor Al…
Winry tried to snap Alphonse out of his shy attitude. "So Al, whatcha think? It's nice, isn't it?" she commented.
Al shot her a quick glance before hastily looking around. His gaze lingered on a group of kids his age over by the picnic tables. There were two girls and three boys. They were laughing and joking. They looked nice enough. Why wasn't Al going over and introducing himself? Winry wondered.
"Al," she spoke sympathetically, "I know it's hard to make friends, but these kids look nice." She pretended to just then notice the group of kids near them. "Why don't you talk to those kids, over by the picnic table?"
Al looked to Winry, his eyes pleading. "Winry, I can't."
Winry grew determined. "Al, think about it. You've faced far worse than talking to people your own age, haven't you?" She wasn't exactly sure what escapades Al and his brother had undertaken, but she was sure they'd been dangerous.
Al seemed to think over her words. His eyes took on an independent air, and squaring his shoulders, he said, "All right, I'm going."
Looking at him just then, he reminded Winry a lot of Ed. He's growing up, she thought, watching as he made his way over to the group of kids. She crossed her fingers as Al caught their attention and introduced himself. One of the guys said something back, and the girl next to him smiled and Al laughed. She let out a sigh. Good, it looks like they're getting along.
I'm happy for you, Al. She thought.
"Students! Newcomers! Please come with me and we'll begin the orientation!" A woman dressed in a blue suit with a clip board in hand stood at the double doors of the school. She began to usher in the students. Winry searched for Al in the sea of people.
She spotted him. He was walking with those kids from earlier. He caught her eye and waved; a big grin on his face. Winry smirked. Well, it looks like he doesn't need me after all.
He doesn't need me…The words made her smirk disappear. She frowned, biting her lip. Does he need me? The real question burning in her heart was: Does Ed need me?
Al's words of encouragement came back to her. Maybe she should talk to him. It would be hard. More than anything she feared what Edward would think of her. Would he return her feelings? Would he laugh and call her silly? So many scenarios played out in her head.
Perhaps the only thing she could dowas say, "Ed, do you feel anything for me besides a friend?" She couldn't dream of saying, "Do you love me?" She would die of embarrassment. But…if she didn't, she would never know.
"I…I'll tell him. Al's right. I can't let me fears come between us." Winry whispered softly. Just then,a rustling of leaves caught her attention and she looked up.
There, running toward her, was Edward Elric.
At first, she thought he was in trouble, and a worried frown creased her brow. Then, she saw his grin, his light eyes, and his happy expression, and her worry diminished. Instead, she felt confusion. What was he so happy about? And why was he running to her?
He ran to her, and did something she never thought he would. He swept her up into a hug, his breathing heavy from running, his warm body against hers. She felt her cheeks flare up, and her heart burst with emotions. Was this real?
"Ed…?" was all she could get out. His arms were around her waist, pulling her closer. His chin resting on her shoulder, his breath tickling her ear: It was like a dream she'd had for so long, and it was coming true. All she could do was listen to her wildly beating heart, praying that Ed couldn't hear it.
His breath grew calm, and from his lips came his voice, soft and gruff all at once. His tone made her skin tingle with some unknown feeling. She stood still, waiting for what he had to say. His voice cracked slightly as he said this one sentence, one that Winry had never expected to hear.
"Winry, I…I love you."
AN: Wow…I hate to leave you all there, but Part Two is sure to come. Ed confessed! And now it's Winry's turn…
