Thank you again to everyone who reviewed- I'm getting so much attention for this story it surprises me!
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"This is stupid!" Ed threw up his hands at Falman, papers soaring to the four corners of the office. The aging man really didn't know what to say. Edward had become increasingly difficult to answer to as the morning continued, the boy outraged at the requirements of his preliminary training. But fianlly, Falman got lucky. Just as Ed started to head for Roy's door in order to tell him off and refuse to go, Riza stepped in.
Literally, she stood and quickly side-stepped to grab Ed's shoudlers. Falman didn't hear what she said, but it worked like a charm.
"Edward, for the sake of all involved, don't try to get out of this," she whispered, looking him in the eye with concern and sympathy. "All soldiers who join this military must go through basic training. It's military law. If you don't, you'll be discharged."
Ed looked down at his feet, a sulky expression on his wide face. Hawkeye whispered again, "Ed, just remember one thing while you're in there, alright? Remember that if you can just survive for three weeks, you'll never have to see any of these men again and you can go back to doing eveything your own way. Just do as they say and learn what you need to perform in the parade. Take it from me, Edward, do as they say and don't make a fuss."
Ed continued to pout as he pulled away from Riza and went back to his chair to finish reading the papers.
The next morning at around five 'o' clock, Riza volunteered to drive Ed out to the barracks. As he started to nod off in the car, unused to being up so early, Riza spoke quietly, pulling something from her jacket pocket.
"Edward. Don't fall asleep, youo need to be alert," she chided softly. "Do you remember what I told you?"
"Do as they say and tough it out," Ed grumbled.
"I got you a journal. I kow you'll want to talk back, but you can write your thoughts in here instead. Remember, don't let anyone find it." Seh slid the little book across the seat to Ed and he looked at it with surprise.
"Keep your thoughts private," she counseled. He nodded.
"Thanks."
Riza dropped him off and watched him figure out which squad was the second. He looked so cute in a white T-shirt and dark pants, she thought. The lace-up boots looked strange on him, especially because they didn't add to his height at all, but she liked the way he looked. Almost normal and not like such a lone wolf or a rebel outsider.
As she backed out of her spot, then put the car in gear, she felt a small pang in her chest looking at him lined up with the eight other soldiers in his squad. He was the shortest there by more than a foot and the only one with hair longer than a centimeter or two.
She drove away hoping the journal would keep him sane. It had worked for her but she had been prepared. Still it made her sad to see that fiery kid heading into boot camp. It reminded her of her own experience there. If only Ed would come out untouched, she would know that not everyone can be broken...
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Really short chap, I know. Sorry.