Disclaimer: I don't own FMA… GEEZ DO I REALLY NEED TO SAY IT OUT LOUD AT THIS POINT!

While Hughes an I were weaving through Central, I had my nose buried in one of the remaining books, concentrating hard but making sure to keep Hughes in my sight, unconsciously following him as I read the alchemy book.

"Geez, the more I look at her, the more she reminds me of those crazy brothers," I heard Hughes mumble, before speaking to me in a louder tone, "Lynette, don't read while you're walking. You might bump into people." I waved him off with one hand, keeping my eyes on the book I held in my other hand.

"I'm cramming, Mr. Hughes, I need this to make sure I pass the exam," I said, my eyes quickly scanning lines of complicated words. Man, even though I'm a genius in English, I might even need a dictionary to understand some of this fully. But since a dictionary was unavailable, I guess I could try to grasp the meaning based on how the words are used, and then they started to make sense.

"Really," Hughes said, and I was sure he sweat dropped, but was too focused on the book. I'm used to multitasking. I mean, this isn't the first time I've done this. All through fourth, fifth, and sixth every time I entered school, I was always reading a book. But luckily the school layout was fairly simple, so I could easily navigate to my classroom. Seventh grade, which I'm now in, is home schooled. Well, look on the bright side. I'll be ahead in science!

Lucky for me, I was always the top of my class, no matter how little I studied. I was lucky, I had a brain that only needed to be taught something once. So, I just had to pay attention in class, take notes, and remember the important parts. No, I didn't have a photographic memory, I was just weird like that. My brain was really weird, it was horrible at remembering things people said, but could remember processes of equations perfectly. And, ever since I learned to write with both of my hands, its hard to focus on learning unless I multi task, like listening to music. I just used following Hughes my other task. Although I was lucky enough that I was talented like this, or else I'd be making a chair for the exam.

"Lynette, we're here," I heard Hughes say a while later. I was half way through the book, and at a good part I planned to use in my demonstration. I looked up, irritated at the interruption, but it was soon swept away by awe.

The building was really big. It towered over me, making me feel like an ant. Even the white pillars in the front were like seven of me stacked onto each other. Yeah, it was that tall. A big version of the military symbol was placed on the front, gleaming golden in the light.

"Ooh, fancy," I drawled. I looked at Hughes, who was watching me gape at the building.

"So, how long until the exam?" I asked.

"About four hours." Hughes assured me. I sighed in relief. It had taken us about a half hour to get here, and I was safe on time. More studying time! But I needed to find a place to stay…..

"Mr. Hughes, do you know any hotels around here?" I asked. Hughes waved my question away.

"Consider that problem taken care of. You can stay with my family, " He said, his face brightening, "We'd love to have you!"

So, I ended up following Hughes to his home. On the way there, Hughes gushed about his daughter and wife so much, I was sure he had gone a bit nuts.

"Daddy!" I heard a child squeal. The door opened to reveal a little girl, who dashed over to Hughes to give him a hug. While he was obsessing over his daughter, leaving me to laugh, a woman walked out, and over to me.

"Hello, Mrs. Gracia Hughes. My name is Lynette." I introduced myself, smiling at her. She smiled back and shook my hand. I could see why he gushed over his wife and daughter: His wife was beautiful, and his daughter was absolutely adorable.

"Come on in," Gracia said, opening the door wider for me and gesturing me to follow her.

"Maes told me a bit about you," Gracia said, ushering her husband and her daughter in the house.

"He did?" I said, surprised. Then I remembered they had phones here too, and mentally laughed.

"You're taking the state exam, right?" She asked, gesturing for me to follow her down a hallway.

"Yes."

"How old are you? I heard you were young."

"Oh, I'm twelve years old." Gracia stopped to turn to me, her eyes wide.

"So young! Why did they let another child in?" She asked worriedly.

"Oh, you mean besides Edward Elric? Um… I got special permission from the Fuhrer himself after he saw me do a martial arts demonstration. I requested to try as an alchemist, so he gave me the chance." I said, "And, in East City, I turned in four cerial killers. I was also recognized by that, too." I informed her. She shook her head as she resumed leading me down the hallway.

"Have you met the Elric brothers?" She asked.

"Yes, I stayed with them for two days while I was in East City. They helped me a little with my alchemy," I said sheepishly, "Mustang introduced me to them when he heard I was going to take the state exam."

Gracia stopped at a door at the end of the hallway.

"You can use this room," She said, opening the door to reveal a fairly nice bedroom. "You're welcome to stay with us while you're in Central." Gracia smiled sweetly at me. I returned it, thinking, she is definetly one of the kindest people I've ever met, taking me in without a word even though they didn't know me that well. I then made it my purpose to do one thing, at least one thing to save them.

I was absolute on saving Hughes. No hummonculi would ever get in my way.

I was set on this.

Hey guys! I really liked this chapter. It was nice to write. It focused more on Lynette and her problems, but also showed a relationship beginning to develop between her and Hughes and his family that will be very important later in the story. Also, it was a more calm chapter. There wasn't much humor or sadness, it was kind of information packed. And I think, after the whole issue with Scar and Nina, and reliving her past, Lynette deserves some peace. Don't you guys think so too?

Well, my lovely readers, please review~

Thanks!