A/N: Hey, everybody! I'm really sorry I couldn't update sooner but my computer shut down on me and then I got writers block. I'm sooo sorry about that. I really am.
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! Except my OC's.
Pulling a red sweatshirt over my head, which had my name on the back and a soft ball on the left side of my chest, I exit my room. Ed and Al waited for me at my back door, both of them dressed in warm clothes for the cold weather outside of my house. I was as well, but I was pretty much used to this weather. I've had to live with it, every winter, my whole life.
It's been a few days since Zach and Teal found out about the two brothers. Thankfully, they've been quiet about it as well. I never knew they had it in them. Anyways, their reactions were another thing. Teal tried to glomp them - if it wasn't for me and my wicked awesome ninja moves!- and Zach tried to get them to high five him. Instead, they stared at him like he should be in the nutty house. Mel, Teal and I all agree.
Getting back to the present, I decided it's been enough time keeping the brothers secluded from the outside world. So I thought I'd take them for a walk. I was planning on taking them around the mountain -which really isn't very big for a mountain- then through uptown to get back to my house. It was kind of a mixture of getting to see our wildlife and our actual town. Who knows, they might even get to meet more people since some of my friends live in that general area.
Outside, my exposed skin gets bit by the cold December air. The three of us walk down my driveway as I lead the way. I don't need them getting lost, now do I? That would suck though. Getting lost in a town you barely even know that's filled with people that you don't know. Yep, would definitely suck.
We pass my High School, which looked like it was practically abandoned. The whole town seemed that way. It was just that people don't really want to go outside in this cold weather. It was also because this part of town was usually quiet. When I was younger, one of my friends and I would go on a lot of walks. But we would always meet each other half way, so I would always have to walk through this part of town by myself. It was so creepy. Especially in the Fall. In the Fall, this town looks like it could be the set for a horror movie.
I turn around, walking backwards so I can look at the brothers, "How's the research going?" I ask, curiosity obvious on my face.
"It's been okay." Al answers me. "But we haven't really found anything out."
"Oh." My head drops as I spin back around. "Sorry. I know I haven't really been the greatest help lately. It's damn school I tell you. They invented it to make my life suck! Stupid teachers always acting like they're smarter than you and classes so boring it could put an insomniac to sleep."
"It's fine, Kat." Ed says, looking off to the side, "You're helping us the best way you can. Trust me, we appreciate it." I smile. He didn't really hate me after all, he just acted like it. It felt good knowing he didn't totally despise me.
"Hey Edo?" I tap his shoulder, bringing his attention over to me. "I was wondering something."
"What?"
Ever since Izumi told me that Edward probably did think of me as a friend, I wanted to make sure. I mean, you never know, right? It's hard to tell what goes on in that blonde's head. "Do you consider me a friend?" I ask, leaning forward so I'm looking up at him and blinking my eyes cutely. A light pink dusts over his cheeks and I smirk. The things you pick up on in the Ouran High School Host Club manga. Man, I'm sad. I'm picking up tips from a manga; a host club manga at that.
He crosses his arms over his chest, looking away once more, "You're annoying, immature and totally clueless half the time." My face falls. Izumi was wrong, and I will so get her for this. If she doesn't kill me first.... Suddenly, he turns to me, smiling, "But yeah, I do."
Scratch out what I recently said, and replace it with, 'THANK YOU IZUMI!! She was so right, and I will have to give her a bone crushing hug as my appreciation! If she doesn't kill me first..'. Yeah, that's more up to date.
I grin at him, slinging an arm over each of the brothers necks. I was pretty glad I was pretty tall for my age. But surprisingly, Ed was about an inch taller than me. That was depressing. "Y'know, you guys are pretty much my best friends."
"What about Mel?" Al asks, tilting his head to the side.
"She's my sister. An un-blood related sister, but my sister no less." I state matter-of-factly. "You guys practically changed my life. Not in a bad way, but a good way. I'm really happy I met you."
I really was. They made me open my eyes to things that were happening in the world and made me think twice about my actions. I learned a lot from just the anime, I never imagined how much I would learn from them in person. But hey, I get to finally learn their worlds alchemy. It's not like I can actually do it though. That's the bummer there.
"Can you let go of me now?" Ed whines, trying to remove my arm from his neck.
"Oh no. Legs suddenly stop working. Losing all strength in body." I taunt, taking my arm from Al and grabbing Ed's shoulder, putting practically all of my body weight onto him. Al laughs at his older brother trying to hold up both of our weights. I was finding it pretty amusing myself. It didn't really matter if we fall either, 'cause I don't care.
"You're really heavy.." He groans, hands holding onto my arms.
I jerk my head to look up at him, "Are you claiming that I'm fat?" I frown.
"I never said I wasn't."
Glaring up at him, I push him with as much force I could muster. Apparently, it was a lot because he fell backwards with a startled yelp and landed right in a snow pile. With a triumphant smirk, I place my hands on my hips and walk away. My job was done, for now. I mean, who else is supposed to annoy the heck out of the great Edward Elric. Usually it's Mustang, but he ain't exactly here at the moment. Thus, it must be my job. Plus, I enjoy doing it.
Now then, if you know how Edwards and my fights go, you'd know he would try to get revenge. Revenge he did try to get. But he did not succeed. My ninja skills were too much for his stubbornness.
"Mwahahahaha!" I laugh maniacally, running from the furious boy. Okay, it wasn't exactly ninja skills. It was more like slipping on ice, missing his snowball and then running for my life. But it was close enough, dammit!
"Brother! Kat! Wait!" Al calls, chasing after us.
"Sorry Al! I can't stop or else shorty will kill me!!" I wave over my shoulder at the boy, who in turn sighs when his older brother goes on another rant.
I stick my tongue out, over my shoulder, at Ed. He growls, picking up his speed to try and catch me. I just laugh, turning back to face forward. "Oh crap!" I yell, skidding to a halt upon seeing someone on the path ahead of me. It was hard with the ice, but I did it!! That is, before Ed tackled me to the ground. "Ow!" I yelp, hitting the snowy floor hard. But hey, I'm not complaining, I've had worse. Ever since I was little, I've been quite accident prone.
I hear a laugh from the person I almost ran into, her voice loud and devious, "Wow, Kat, seems you finally got a boyfriend." Ed and I look up at her, noting her brown hair and hazel eyes.
I groan, hitting the back of my head against the ground, "Hi Nicoule." Nicoule is one of my friends, she has been since we were really little. The only problem is that we always pick little fights with each other and tease each other to death. About many things.
She clasps her hands together in front of her chest, doing a dramatic sigh, "Little Katrina is growing up so fast. I remember just yesterday when we still believed in Neopets, and Pokemon."
I snort, "Like how we tried to catch one? Dude, we were eight and delusional."
"I didn't even know you knew that word, 'Kind of-actually-really'."
"Shut up, that happened in the eighth grade! Why won't you let me live it down!?"
"Uh, brother?" Ed and I look up at the younger Elric. "Why are you on Katrina?"
Ed and I look at each other, realization coming to us slowly. But when it came, oh did it hit us hard. His hands were holding down my shoulders, and his legs were straddling my hips. I didn't know what to do and it seemed my body moved on it's own. While his grip on me was weak, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. And with that, Nicoule burst out laughing.
He was shocked, to say the least, and that made it easier to shove him off of me. As I stood, he seemed to get his senses back, "What the hell was that for!?"
"You know what, you little pervert!!" I screamed at him, holding up my fist as a threat. Not like it could be a big one anyways, he was way stronger than me.
"Who are you calling little!? You're shorter than me!!!" He yells back at me, on his feet in about two seconds flat.
"So you're saying that you are a pervert!?"
"No!! I'm not a pervert either!!"
Al sighs, once again, standing off to the side next to Nicoule. He always had to sit through their fights, listening to there bickers over such stupid things. He can kind of understand why Katrina would be angry though.
"This happen a lot?" Nicoule asks him, smirking slightly at the view before them.
"Yes. Yes it does." He replies, looking at her and examining her a little better. For her age, which he guessed was around Katrina's, she looked quite childish. Her brown hair was pulled into a loose pony tail, bangs hanging over her right eye. Now, her eyes were another thing. They looked so mischievous, like she had an evil plan and was ready to put it to use. But she just seemed like that. She just had this aura around her that felt so devious. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel comfortable around her. He could already tell she was going to be an interesting person.
"So who are you guys? And how do you know Kat?" She wonders, finally turning to look at him.
"Um, I'm Alphonse. That's my older brother Edward-." He didn't even get to finish.
"Did you just say Edward?" She interrupts him, an evil grin slowly creeping up onto her face.
"Yes?" He didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing to answer her question. But he knew he would find out soon enough.
"He's Edward? The guy who's name you yelled out in the middle of class, Kat?"
I immediately freeze, my mouth still open from yelling at the short tempered blonde. I clamp it shut and stand straight nervously. A blush creeps up onto my cheeks as Ed looks at me in shock or confusion. Or even both. Why must my life suck so much?
"Why did you do that anyways?" She asks, a sly smirk on her face. "Was it because you were dreaming about him? You did fall asleep in class just before you yelled out his name."
"I-er-just-....SHUSH!!!" I cry, covering my face with my hands at my sad attempt to hide my blush. "I did not dream about him!!"
She scoffs, "Kat, you know as well as I do that it's practically obvious when ever you lie. I don't even know why you try. It's such a shame."
"I repeat; SHHHUUUUSSSHHH!!!" I spin around, glaring fiercely at her.
Another smirk, "You like him, don't ya?"
"Of course I do, he's one of my best friends." I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.
She circles around me, examining my posture and facial expression. It was like I was her prey and she was ready to strike at any moment. My friends are so cruel to me sometimes. They always pick on me and never let me live stuff down. Either that's how they show their affection or it's revenge for when ever I pick on them. Could be either one.
That's how I show how I care, sometimes. It's kind of reverse psychology for me. I pick on the people I care about. I'm just weird like that.
She puts a hand to her chin, gaining a thoughtful expression, "Either you're actually getting good at lying and hiding the truth from your amazing friends-." Cue eye roll from me. "Or you're telling the truth. I just can't tell."
"It's the end of the world when Nicoule can't figure me out." I chuckle.
"I've known you for how long? Hell, all of us have known each other since Kindergarten practically. That's what we get for living in a small town." She shrugs, brushing her bangs behind her ear just to have them fall in front of her eye again.
"What are you doing off the mountain anyway?" I ask, "Usually you're a loner up there."
Nicoule lives up by the ski hill-a very small ski hill, but a ski hill no less- and you either need a car or a lot of energy to come down and back up the mountain. Although, Nicoule does have a lot of energy and is practically hyper 24/7, she doesn't usually come down unless she's hanging with someone, renting a movie/video game or to get something to eat.
"I am not a loner, I have my mom and sister up there and my dad when ever he isn't working, thank you very much. You're the loner most of the time. You're always home alone and hanging out on the computer. You seriously need to get out more."
"Nicoule, Nicoule, Nicoule. Can't you see that it's winter. You know I don't like coming out much when it's winter."
"You're like a freaking bear; hibernating every time winter comes along."
"Don't be such a gooey chocolate chip cookie, Nicoule."(1)
"Stop saying that!!"
I snicker, crossing my arms over my chest to provide some more warmth for myself. She just huffs, glaring at me. Suddenly, we hear the crunch of snow; someone was heading towards us.
"I found you!!" Nicoule's younger sister cries, pointing an accusing finger at her. Her sister was albino; with the usual pale skin, white hair and pinkish eyes. Because of her appearance, she almost blended into the snow, but her jacket gave her away.
"ItwasreallynicetalkingtoyoubutIgottogonow,bye!!!!" I almost didn't understand what the hell she even said. But, knowing me and people in my class, talking quickly wasn't rare and you get used to it after a while. Anyways, after her sentence was finished, she bolted down the way Ed, Al and I came with her little sister chasing after her. As Nicoule ran off into the distance, I could hear her singing, "I got a jar of dirt, I got a jar of dirt, I got a jar of dirt and guess what's inside it!!" (2)
I laugh, "I knew there was something going on if she wasn't at her house."
"What?" Ed asks, looking completely exasperated.
"Hm? Oh, I kinda forgot you guys were here." I smile nervously, scratching the back of my neck, "Um, Nicoule usually gets into fights and stuff with her younger sister and mom. They're never serious, so don't worry about it. It's more like....play fighting! It's pretty amusing to watch, in my opinion."
"Who was that girl?" Al asks as I start leading our little group again.
"Her younger sister. Before you even ask, she's albino." I reply.
It falls silent after that and I figure the brother's figured out all they wanted to know about my friend and her sister. I was stoked that they let the 'calling out Ed's name in the middle of class' and 'dreaming of him' and all that crap go. It made me do a little mental happy dance 'cause I wasn't being annoying to death about it.
"So you dreamed of brother, huh?"
Until that question came. What the hell-since when is Al evil?!
I halt causing the two of them to almost run into me at my sudden stop. "Th-that isn't important!" I blush again, my voice shaking on account of how nervous I was. I didn't want Ed thinking that I liked him, just after I found out he actually thought of me as a friend! That would screw everything up!
"Really?" Al asks, coming up beside me and peering at my face. "Then why are you blushing?"
"What the hell, dude? Since when did you become your brother!?" I throw my hands towards the sky in annoyance. If you looked closely, you could actually see my eye twitching. "What happened to the lovable, nice, innocent boy I once knew and loved?"
"And I'm none of those things?" Ed asks.
"Are you kidding? Your stubborn, short tempered and foul mouthed." I respond.
"So are you!"
"Yeah, but that's what makes me amazing."
"You like brother, don't you?" Al interrupts us, making both of us blush.
I clear my throat, trying to erase the blush from my face, "Alphonse, I can honestly say that yes, I like your brother very much. I like you, too. You two are practically a part of my family now. But you know, I mean this truthfully, if I did like your brother the way everyone claims I do, I wouldn't know. I can't understand heads or tails about my feelings towards boys. I could love someone and not even know it. There, that's that." I point forward. "Now onward my minions!!!"
I meant what I said. I've never fallen in love with a person before so I have no idea what the hell it even feels like. I've thought, many times in my past, that I was in love with someone but it turned out to be a simple crush that went away in a weeks time. I'm just an idiot. I'll never understand what it feels like to love someone.
I sigh, shaking my head to try and rid my head of these thoughts. I shouldn't worry about this stuff, my main goal right now is to try and help the Elric brothers. Screw school, and guys and crap, this is way more important right now.
(1)- It's from a show called Psych that I watch. I really like the line so threw it in there :P
(2)- My friend sings that A LOT and she really likes Pirates of the Carribean so decided to throw that in there as well
Me: Yay, I'm finally finished! I really hope you enjoyed the chapter and hopefully the next one will come out faster than this one had.