I'm sooo sorry I haven't updated in so long T.T Thank you very much Nicoule-Curiosity for favoriting me ;P Yes Naomi, I'm talking to you. Everyone welcome one of my friends, Naomi, to the wonderful group who reads my story. Thank you all who even bothered to review my story, you made me REALLY happy!! So THANK YOU SO MUCH! Anyways, you guys probably just wanna read the chapter, huh? So, ONWARDS!!

Disclaimer: I do not own FMA, just my OC's.

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I write down some more things in the notebook laid out on my desk before me, bored to death. It was the final class of the day and the time just seemed to keep getting slower and slower. Maybe it was because I kept peering at the clock to check the time, or maybe just because I was impatient. I don't really know, but all I want is to get out of this prison, alive, right now.

Sighing, I flip my book closed and put away some of my supplies. I decide to just sit and wait, going into my little world. Time always did seem to speed up a little bit when I went there. But before I even could though, an announcement from our principle came...

"Good afternoon, students," He says, making all of my classmates stop what they were doing and quiet down. I could tell all of them just wanted to hear the magic words of 'you can go now'. "Teachers, please excuse this final announcement before the end of the day. I would just like to say that I hope everyone enjoys their vacation, starting today."

Whoa, what? Looking around at all the excited faces, I become confused. That starts today...?

"Be sure to be back and ready to learn though in January after all of your activities. And don't forget exams are next month as well." He reminds us and I audibly groan.

"My life would've been so much better if you hadn't reminded me, thank you." I mutter. I absolutely hated exams, but then again, what person in this life does? I especially hate the studying. My memory sucks, no matter what I do to try and at least remember some of the stuff I learned from this semester. No to mention that I still have to help the Elric brothers, as best as I can, in my spare time. Sliding my hand over my face, I murmur a, "Damn..."

"Have a great vacation everyone." Our principle finishes. And not too long after that, the echo of our bell rang through the halls and classrooms.

I sigh, gathering all of my things together and standing up. Instead of leaving the classroom in an excited manner-which is running out blindly and hoping you don't run into anything- like the rest of my classmates, I wait for everyone to leave first. I start to go through my mind of all the things I have to and need to do the next few weeks, before it turned into the next few months.

"Oh! I also have to go shopping sometime soon, too." I add to my list of things, frowning at how much I need to do. "Damn Ed and his appetite...."

I feel someone hit me over the back of my head, "How many times do I have to tell you? Language!" They growl as I rub the back of my head in pain. Recognizing the voice, I turn quickly to look up at my substitute teacher, .

"Sorry. I've just got a lot on my mind." I sigh.

"Fine. I guess I can let it go this one more time." We start walking down the hall together, weaving through all the people just wanting to get out of here. "What's on your mind?"

"My extremely busy schedule." I reply, dodging a paper plane. We're in high school and everyone, even some of the teachers, act like little kids. Well, I guess I shouldn't really be talking...

"You worry too much, Kat." She tells me and I sigh again. I have to agree with that one. "You shouldn't. Just try doing everything at your own pace while still trying to enjoy your life. You're too young to be stressing yourself out the way you are."

"I know, I know." Waving my hand around, I try dismiss that one subject. I've heard that lecture of 'don't stress yourself' and yatta yatta yatta about a billion times before. Especially around Exams...

"Here," She stops me from walking, taking a small notebook from her pocket along with a pen. Quickly jotting something down, she hands it to me, "Call me if you need anything."

"Why are you helping me so much?" I ask, slowly taking the number.

"I can see you're going through a lot right now; especially emotionally." She smirks. She pats my shoulder once before heading somewhere else, "Don't be afraid to call if you have any questions."

I stand there for a minute, watching her disappear into the crowd of swarming students. Slowly, a smile comes to my face and I chuckle a little, "She knows me better than she's supposed to. It's almost like she's my mother..."

Shaking the thought away, I walk the rest of the way to my locker. Mel wasn't there, so I figured she walked home already. She probably had some family business after school or something. I'm not really sure since she never mentioned anything. Meh, it doesn't matter.

After quickly packing all of my crap, I exit the school. I sigh, pulling some hair away from my face. Sure, I've always wanted my life to be a little less ordinary, but I never ever expected this to happen. It's like I'm in some screwed up fanfiction and the author has serious problems.

I am nervous about all this stuff, but at the same time I wouldn't want it any other way. I like having the brothers around. I like researching Alchemy with them. I like coming home after school to be greated by them. But at the same time, I don't like the fact that I don't know what's going to happen in the future. I don't like how I feel around Ed and being totally clueless as to why I am. And I especially don't like the fact that I might never get to see them again....

Too late Mel, I'm already attached. And it's gonna hurt real bad when they leave, if we ever do find a way for them to go back.

"Ahhh shit, man. Why did my life have to become so complicated?" I groan.

I cross the snow covered fields, desperately trying to shove these thoughts to the back of my mind. I really didn't want to be so down right now. Especially when I need to try to keep my spirits up; for myself and the brothers. We need a whole lotta hope right now if we're ever gonna find what we're looking for. And I really gotta hope this feeling I have around Ed is just my feelings screwing with me...

I open up my back door, calling out, "I'm home!" to let them know I'm back. I walk into my living room, throwing my backpack onto the floor and falling into the closest chair, "Ah, finally! Holidays! I have never been so happy in my life!!"

"Holidays? So you don't have to go to school anymore?" Al asks, taking a break from his reading. Ed does the same.

I nod, "Yup. For at least two to three weeks I'm off. This also means I get to help you guys more. Even though my stupid teachers still gave me homework.... I don't see why though. Practically everyone in my class is probably not going to do it."

"Won't you fail?" The younger Elric continues to question me as Ed rolls his eyes. Probably at my class.

"It'll lower our grade, for sure. But I honestly don't give a crap. I almost fail some classes every year because I always procrastinate on my work." I reply as I start to dig through my stuffed backpack. I hear Edward scoff and I stick my tongue out at him, "You know I'm awesome."

"Awesome isn't the word I would choose." He says. "What are you looking for anyways?"

"I got some more notes for you guys from the library. It was a good thing I did too since I won't be able to for a while." I answer him, as I finally find what I'm looking for. But taped to the front of the notes was a letter with my name on the front. I roll my eyes, quickly taking it before handing the notes over to the brothers. I knew this writing. It was Melina's and it only made me wonder what she wanted now. "I knew I should've never told her my combination...." I say to myself as I rip open the letter.

Kat, it started, sorry I couldn't walk home with you. My family wanted to go shopping this afternoon and, you know, I can't fight with them. They always win, no matter what. Anyways, I was wondering what you and the brothers were going to do over the Holidays? I wanted to ask you earlier but I never got a chance. What's up, by the way? You seem like you have a lot on your mind.

Oh, she has no idea.

Are you going to try and get a Christmas tree, as well? I know you like to decorate them. That's practically the only thing you really like about Christmas. Besides the presents, of course :P. Are you going to get the brothers Christmas presents? I was planning on doing it, make their time here a little more memorable, but are you? Anyways, I should end this letter here since it's almost the end of class. I'll phone ya later, Melina. And it ended there.

I honestly never really thought about that. I knew Christmas (1) was coming but didn't give it much thought. I never really did, now that I think about it. I'm not exactly one of those happy-go-lucky Christmas people. I can't stand the Christmas shopping-well, I hate all kinds of shopping actually...-, I don't like wrapping the presents, I don't like decorating and I don't like all the crowds. My friends all call me Scrooge whenever Christmas came around. They thought it was hilarious how I always grumbled about shopping, and the prices and stuff at this time of year. Maybe because whenever this Holiday comes around I always look at the bad parts, not the good things I actually like about it.

I did like some stuff. I absolutely loved decorating the tree, I love the snow (even if it's cold), and, this may be a bit corny, but I love seeing the happy looks of kids on Christmas morning. It just gives me a warm feeling inside. Oh, and of course I like opening the presents. What person doesn't?

I probably will end up getting the brothers gifts. Every year I got my friends gifts. It's just a way for me to show I care, since I don't usually show it very often. But it's just not in my DNA! I've never really been a person to talk about my feelings to anybody, even if they are my closest friends, my sister or even my parents! The luffles thing I guess came up as either a joke or a way to somewhat show I care. Or to jokingly show I care. I honestly don't know.

Hm... I don't know what I would get the Elric's though. I know them, but at the same time, I know nothing about them. My friends aren't that hard to deal with; get Nicoule something to do with Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy - or more like anything to do with Reno and Axel - , Melina will probably be another joke gift - easiest thing to get when it comes to her - , and Bob and Teal are REALLY easy! Bob could settle with just a pack of cookies while Teal would settle on anything that included candy or something that would include my embarrassment. The latter would make her really happy...

I'll just talk to Melina later about it. She did say she was going to call me... I think, peering at the clock from the corner of my eye. It was barely even past three. Okay.... Knowing her family, it's going to take a while before she gets home.... I need a way to take my mind off this stuff....

Pondering on that thought for a few minutes, a bored look spread over my face and slouching in my chair, my impending doom (or depression) from earlier is completely forgotten. I suddenly jump up, raising a fist into the air and a determined gleam in my eye.

"I wants a juice box!!" I chirp happily before skipping towards my kitchen. I'm always too lazy to either get a glass or make my own juice. Milk isn't an option. It is NEVER an option. I absolutely hate it, and think it's disgusting. My family and friends find this odd because before I was twelve, I liked it. I don't really get it either, but shrugged it off after a while.

When I reached the cupboards that held what I wanted, I fling them open to find....nothing... I gape at the empty container that once held my precious juice boxes. I swear, that was full yesterday! Well, maybe before I got my hands on it, that is....

"Noooo!" I whine, "My juice boxes are gone!! They left me so sooooooon! Now however will I survive!?" My ears perk up when they hear the sound of someone yawning. Looking over my shoulder, back into the living room, I realize it was Ed. Well, it definitely wouldn't be good if I went alone, would it?

"Oh, Eeeeeed!" I sing, skipping back into the living room. I see him visibly flinch and mentally snicker. Whenever I'm in my random/hyper mood, he was usually my victim. I picked on Al too, but he just never reacts as well as his older brother! Once I reach him, I place my hands on my hips, talking in a matter-of-fact tone, "You seem officially bored! Or maybe you're tired! You should come for a walk with me, get that blood pumping through ya! Yup, yup, that's what you should do! Come, come!"

I grab his arm before he could object, dragging him towards the door. Waving back happily at Alphonse, I happen to miss the amused look on his face as I pull Ed around the corner to my back door. Quickly throwing the blonde his jacket and placing my wallet in my pocket, I then proceed to pull him out the door. He barely even had any time to put on his shoe's.

Why he wasn't fighting back, like he usually did, was beyond me at this moment.

When we reach a fair distance from my house, and after making sure Ed has no chance of escaping, I let his arm go. I stretch, reaching for the sky in my sad attempt to reach the clouds. Hm.. It looked like it's gonna snow soon. Cool! I always like a good snow. It's calming, to me. It helps clear my mind. Since I was little, I would always stare out the window as it was snowing, day dreaming about stuff with this smile across my face. For some reason, it always creeped my sister out....

Now then.... I reach into my pocket, pulling out my black and purple wallet. Flipping it open, I count how much money I have with me and estimate how much a pack of juice boxes would be. It seems I have some extra money! Which means....

"Cool! I can get some pocky, too!" I grin, returning my wallet to it's rightful place in my pocket.

"This isn't just about me and getting some exercise, is it?" Ed asks dully.

"Of course it isn't. When was the last time I ever actually cared about you and getting exercise?" I respond pointedly.

There's a slight pause. "...Never." He sighs.

"Exactly! I needed to go get more juice boxes!" I tell him, ".... Actually, I should probably just go grocery shopping. We're running low on some supplies, anyways..." I add as an afterthought.

"So why did you drag me along with you? Literally..." He asks, baffled.

I pout, "I would've been lonely going by myself."

"And I care, why?" It was pretty obvious he was irritated, but I didn't really care. I've pissed him off way too many times to count.

"Because you're secretly madly in love with me." I smirk, watching as his face immediately turns bright red and his golden eyes to widen in shock. After a while, I couldn't stand it anymore. I burst out laughing, "Bwahaha! Your face is hilarious!!"

"Why would I love you?" He grinds out. I stop laughing almost instantly, feeling a pang to my heart.... What the hell is that all about..?

I try to gulp down the feeling, wanting to maintain the way I was acting. No way would I ever let Ed see I got hurt so easily; just from one thing he said! Why does it even matter if he wouldn't love me? Why do I even care...?

I force out a laugh; even through my ears it sounded so fake, "I'm joking, Edward. You shouldn't take everything so seriously."

He stares at me intently, and I shift uneasily. A few minutes later, he looks away, mumbling something under his breath. I ignore it, instead breathing a sigh of relief. He was studying me like a textbook! The feeling it gave me was weird, and I didn't quite enjoy it. Self concious, nervous, embarassed, all of those wrapped into one. I hated it. But I have a feeling, I'm going to have to start getting used to it.

I stare down at my feet as we walk, pointing out old foot prints and tire tracks in my mind, trying to avoid looking at Ed. I could feel the air getting a bit more tense with each passing second. It was almost suffocating, even if we were outside. I swallow down the sudden feeling of nausea, my mind changing subjects every few moments. It went to a whole bunch of things from my past that makes me relate the feeling I have now, to then. And it makes me realize that I'm really upset. I wish I never brought him along. Then all of this never would've happened. I just keep messing everything up....

I guess I was a little too deep in thought, so I neglected to notice a mother and her child. Ed had to grab my arm to stop me, and to pull me out of my thoughts. We watch as the two passed; the mother pulling her daughter along behind her on a sled. They were both laughing, either because of something one of them said, or just because. It's weird... It's weird how seeing something can make so many memories - small or important - come rushing back to you. These new ones push the depressing thoughts into one of the old files, storing them for some other time. And then they play over for me, making me smile at all the old sledding days I had when I was younger. Making our own hills in my backyard with my sister.... The first time Melina and I ever went sledding together.... Sledding with Josiah before he moved away.... Garbage bag sledding with Nicoule (2)..... All of those were so fun while they lasted.

But seeing them also made me realize something. Life will get hard. It will get to a point where you just might not understand everything that's happening. Or to a point where you just want to give up. You have to keep moving forward, and by tomorrow, those moments will just become a memory. You'll still have them in the back of your mind to recall. Remembering them might make you laugh at your mistake, or smile, or just remember and put it back into the file it had been in. But all of them will remain precious to me, remain the most prized things that I have.

"What are you smiling about?" Ed asks, raising an eyebrow.

I just shake my head, "Nothing. Just...recalling a little bit of my childhood. Now come on, let's get there before it closes."

The light outside was just starting to dim when we reach the local grocery store. Quickly grabbing a basket, we begin walking up and down aisles and picking up things we needed or just wanted. It was going pretty fast because one; we wanted to get home before dark. And two; because I don't like grocery shopping, so I wanted to get it finished as fast as possible.

But life hates me today...

Just as I place the pack of juice boxes I wanted into the basket, footsteps are heard coming up behind us. Ed turns but I just ignore it, double checking the things we had to see if we did get everything we needed.

"Do you need any help finding anything?" The person asks. Their voice was of a males, and he sounded quite bored. Like he didn't want to be here, but HAD to.

"No, I think we're-" I cut off mid sentence as I turn. My eyes subconciously grow wider and my mouth just stays open. The boy about my age seems to react the same way. My mouth turns dry. My palms become sweaty. Every muscle in my entire body tenses. But I swallow, finishing my sentence in a whisper, "..fine."

"Katrina...hi..." He says nervously, shifting under my gaze.

I immediately turn my gaze to the ground, "..Hi..."

But some memories, you just want to forget.....

~*~

(1) - Well I celebrate Christmas sooo I decided to do it in my story...

(2) - Garbage bag sledding is pretty much self explanatory, but I figured I'd explain it just in case. Pretty much you just take a garbage bag, hike up a hill, sit in said garbage bag and slide down the hill. It's really fun xD

Again, I'm sooo sorry I haven't updated in so long!! School and homework suck! But yay for long weekends xD! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I actually had a lot of fun writing this one, and I don't know why...

Anyways, enjoys the little story at the end. It's not the greatest but next chapters will be more funny!!

Little End Story

I was watching the new episode of Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood the other day when I had to pause it to go get something. When I came back, though, I looked at where I had paused it. It was still in the beginning, in the new OP, when you just see Ed lying in the grass with his hand outstreched towards you. And my first thought was 'High Five' ...

Now it's a joke between my friend and I.