A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long to update. Laziness + Geometry homework + myspace Big waste of time. o.o Please enjoy!

8. Scieszka x Al – There Are Other Things I Love Besides Books

"Thanks for carrying my books for me," said Scieszka brightly to Al as he walked her home.

"No problem," said Al, stopping at Scieszka's door and opening up his chest plate. Dozens of books were stacked up inside.

"I really hope this isn't embarrassing or degrading for you," Scieszka apologized worriedly, her large, dramatic hazel eyes widening. "I mean, using you like some kind of suitcase or something… because I'm really sorry if it is! And also, um… thanks for paying for all of those new encyclopedia volumes and mystery novels…" Scieszka scratched at her mousy brown hair nervously.

"No, really, it's not a problem." Al closed his chest plate and put a metal hand on the small of Scieszka's back. "I know how much you like books, Scieszka. Don't worry about it."

Al had taken her into town to the large bookstore while Ed had been off doing something for the military. "You'll be okay on your own, Al?" he had asked before leaving, and Al had nodded, knowing exactly what to do in lieu of Ed's absence; for a long time – ever since they had met, actually – Al had been wanting to go out with Scieszka, the cute girl who used to work at the Central Library.

At the bookstore, Scieszka, overexcited as expected, had bounded around from shelf to shelf, gasping and gazing at the hundreds of neatly-bound tomes of nonfiction and novels, encyclopedias and comic books. She had had a hard time containing herself.

Finally, Scieszka had decided on about three dozen different books to buy, and Al had generously paid the entire expense. Like Ed, he had a costly habit of buying whatever his lady friend desired.

Scieszka blushed at Al's kindness and gave him her biggest, cutest smile. The dimples in her cheeks stood out attractively, and the face of Al's armor seemed to grin as well. She's such a great girl…

"Thanks again, Al," Scieszka said, taking a stack of books from Al's chest plate and continuing to smile lovingly. "I had a great time with you tonight."

"Me too, Scieszka," said Al. "I, um… was also hoping we would be able to do this again soon… I… I know a good bookstore in my own hometown, Rizembul…"

Scieszka's smile mellowed slightly as she looked into Al's kind eyes and replied, "Al, there are other things I love besides books. Why don't we just go out for a walk in the park? You know, so I can spend time with you. Because I really like you, Al. Really, I do!"

Al exclaimed excitedly and gave Scieszka a hug. "I'm so glad!" he said. "I like you too, Scieszka!"

"Then it's a date?"

"Sure is!"

A/N: Ha ha, a bit corny, but… I think it's cute that Scieszka has other interests – like that sexy hunk a' junk, Al-chan – besides books. Lz. ;) Please review.

--crazykitsune17--