Hey, y'all. Sorry for not updating sooner. I've been busy with school, a wedding, etc. Enjoy!
ooooooooOOBuBBlesOOoooooooo: Thank you! Don't worry, she'll meet Ed very soon!
Hero for One
Week 3: New Friends
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Monday, 10:00 P.M.
Dear diary,
I'm sorry for not writing yesterday. I wasn't able to, because something happened. It wasn't really a good thing, but I'm still happy that it happened. Here's what happened. I'll write it like a story!
I was out with Daddy, and we were heading home. Daddy had taken me out to buy me a present. He said I could pick whatever I wanted, so I chose a stuffed angel cat. She's pink and pretty! I'll call her Hope. I like that name. Anyway, we were walking past the big iron gates of the military place when some soldier ran outside. He came up to us and spoke to Daddy in a quiet voice. I couldn't hear him, but I didn't really care, so I just talked softly to Hope. I was just telling her about you when Daddy kneeled down to look me in the face. He told me to stay where I was while he went inside really quick. I nodded. I knew I wouldn't be alone, because Hope was with me.
Daddy went inside the gates with the soldier, and I was left outside with Hope. It started to snow after a few minutes, so I wrapped Hope in my scarf to keep the snow out of her fur. I stood for a bit, but my legs started to hurt, so I sat down against the wall, Hope next to me. I waited even longer, and Daddy still didn't come out. I listened to him, though, and stayed where I was. I wanted to be a good daughter.
I saw small people coming towards me from the side, so I stood up and held Hope in my hand. The small people came closer and I saw that they were actually kids, like me. I stood still and waited for them to pass with my head down. But they didn't pass me. They stopped in front of me. When I looked up, I saw that each of the three boys had evil look sin their eyes. I started to back up, but couldn't because the wall was behind me. They asked what I was doing there, and called me a loser. I didn't answer, 'cause I didn't want to get in trouble.
They seemed to get mad, and the bigger one grabbed my coat. He said something mean to me and shoved me back, hitting me against the wall. My head hit the hard blocks, and I think I saw some sparkles. The boy pulled me away from the wall and pushed me to the side. Another boy stopped me from falling, but pushed me again. The other boy did the same thing, and shoved me into the older, bigger boy again. He glared at me. I don't know why, I didn't do anything. He said I would pay for being born.
Then he hit me, punching my face. I fell to my knees holding my cheek. I t really hurt, and I got tears in my eyes from it. The other boys crowded around me. One punched me in the eye. That really hurt. The other boy kicked my side. The other two kicked me, too, making me fall to all fours. I glanced up through the snow and pain to see Hope lying away from us. I was happy that she didn't have to suffer like me.
The boys beat me up some more, then left when it got too cold. They laughed as they hit me, calling me names and laughing at my pain. I felt tears fall down my face and into the snow.
It started to get colder, and Daddy wasn't back yet. I felt dizzy, so I laid my head down. I saw Hope lying nearby. I reached out to grab her and pull her closer to me so she wouldn't get cold, but I couldn't reach. I tried for a bit, but my arm got tired, and I couldn't reach around the boy. I felt really dizzy.
Suddenly, a voice rang out through the laughter of the boys. The three stopped, looking to the military place. I think I saw one of them become scared, but I'm not sure. I couldn't see very well. I heard the voice again, followed by footsteps. The three boys ran away, laughing. I felt so weak and the snow was so thick and cold, I could only watch as two shadows, one big and one smaller than the other, coming towards me. I watched as the smaller one crouched down beside me, asking if I was okay. I couldn't move my head, so I whimpered out a small noise. I don't even know if I spoke. I felt myself be lifted onto one warm arm and one cold one. I felt safe and comfy compared to the old ground, so I started to go to sleep. The last thing I saw was the larger shadow picking up Hope.
I'm really tired, so I'll tell you the rest tomorrow. Goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!
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Tuesday, 9:45 P.M.
Dear diary,
Nothing much happened today. Everything at school is the same. Mommy yells at Daddy more often now. Probably for leaving me alone on Sunday. I'll tell you the rest now, okay?
When I woke up, the first thing I felt was warmth. I snuggled deeper into the warmer thing covering me, which I thought was a blanket. I tired opening both my eyes, but my left one wouldn't open. So, I only opened my right eye.
I was lying on my back on a couch, in a living room different from the one at my house. I looked around, noticing that I was under a blanket, and a pillow was behind my head. A window was nearby, and I saw that it was still dark out. I scanned the room and saw Hope sitting on the other end of the couch. I sighed in relief. I was so glad she was okay. I tried to sit up, but my chest and sides hurt. So, I fell back down on the comfy couch and lied there, staring around the room.
After a few minutes, a lady walked in. She was carrying a small towel and bowl, probably filled with water. She looked a little shocked to see me, but instantly smiled at me. I sat up, ignoring the pain. The lady came over and set the bowl down on the table next to me. She sat on the edge of the couch, still smiling. When she spoke, she sounded like a mommy.
"Are you feeling better?" I didn't answer. Mommy told me to never talk t strangers, and that's what I planned to do. The lady seemed to figure that out, 'cause she smiled and spoke again.
"I'm Gracia Hughes, but you can call me Mrs. Hughes. You don't have to be afraid of me. I'll help you feel better, okay?" I didn't do anything. I still didn't want to make Mommy mad again by talking to strangers. I liked her name. It was pretty.
Mrs. Hughes put the towel in the bowl, squeezed it out a bit, and reached up for my face. She put one hand on my right cheek, and lifted the towel to my left eye. I flinched back, avoiding the cloth. She smiled comfortingly and spoke again.
"You don't have to be afraid. I'm going to help you." I watched her a moment, then let her brush the towel against my eyelid when she tried again. I felt I could trust her, though I don't know why. The water on the cloth felt warm against my eyelid, but it still hurt a little. It felt weird, like it was swollen. My cheek felt weird, too. They were both probably swollen.
Mrs. Hughes wiped down my eyelid and cheek, taking care to be gentle and stopping for a short moment whenever I flinched from the sting. She was nice. I liked her.
"Is she awake yet?" Another voice broke through the silence. I looked to the doorway with Mrs. Hughes and almost fell off the couch. It was the blond boy from the military place! The metal boy was standing behind him. I think the metal boy asked the question.
Mrs. Hughes nodded. "As you can see, yes she is." I watched the blond boy, and I felt some recognition spark within me. Then I realized that he was the one who helped me, him and the metal boy. So I asked him, my voice quiet and altered because of my swollen cheek.
"Did you save me?" The blond boy smiled at me and nodded.
"Yeah, my brother and me." He pointed to the metal boy behind him. "I'm Edward Elric." The metal boy spoke up.
"And I'm Alphonse Elric, Ed's younger brother." I almost gaped, but remembered my manners. Still, I found it hard to believe.
"You mean you're the older brother? Than why are you so small?" Edward seemed to grow angry and turn to the side, but he still smiled. I wondered if I had said something wrong.
"Y-yeah, we get that a lot!" Alphonse said hurriedly, holding one of Edward's shoulders. I think his eyebrow was twitching, but I wasn't sure. I thought I saw his fist shake a bit, too. Edward calmed down after a minute, and faced me again. He smiled again at me, and I returned the smile.
"I'm Amanda DeRon." Edward continued to smile. "My daddy works in the military. He's really important." But his smile soon fell, and his voice grew serious.
"Amanda, why were those boys hurting you?" I shrugged, frowning.
"I don't know. I guess because I'm a loser, or because I sit with another boy who is all alone at lunchtime. I'm not sure. The older kids always pick on me. They've just never hit me before." Edward and Mrs. Hughes frowned, probably thinking over what I had just said. I didn't mind. People usually grew quiet around me, so I was used to it.
Then Edward met my gaze, and smiled. "Well, I'm just glad you weren't hurt any worse."
I felt a little weird after he said that. No one's ever been really concerned with me before, except for Mommy and Daddy. They usually all ignore me. Maybe I'll know what was wrong with me later.
I think I'll stop writing now. My hand hurts, and I'm tired. Goodnight! I'l talk to you tomorrow!
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Wednesday, 9:55 P.M.
Dear diary,
Keith is such a good friend! I woke up late this morning, so I forgot to pack my lunch while I was hurrying around. When I realized it, I almost cried. But Keith shared his lunch with me. It wasn't much, but I still appreciated it. I smiled at him, but he didn't do anything. I hope he'll smile back one day.
I'll finish telling you what happened to me now. There's not much left, really.
Edward and Alphonse didn't ask anymore questions after that. They left soon after, so Mrs. Hughes could check the rest of my injuries. There was a bunch of bruises covering my sides and chest. It really hurt to sit up. It still does, actually.
After Mrs. Hughes finished, she let the two brothers come back in. They sat across from me, on another couch, and talked to me. It was fun. Maybe they'll be my friends! A man wearing glasses came in, too. He said his name was Mr. Hughes. He talked to me, too. I like him. He's nice. I met his daughter, too. She's younger than me, but I still like her. She's fun to play with!
Mr. and Mrs. Hughes let me spend the night. Edward and Alphonse left, but rpmoisedme they'd come back tomorrow. I got to sleep on a really comfy bed. It was so much fun! The brothers came back and ate breakfast with us.
After awhile, Mr. Hughes had to take me home. I told him where I lived, and Daddy's name. I didn't want to go, but I had to. Hr. Hughes took me home, along with Ed and Al (They told me to call them that). Mommy hugged me when we got there, and Daddy apologized, but I don't think it was sincere. Mr. Hughes talked to m parents in the livng room while Ed and Al played with me in my room. We had to be careful, though, because of my bruises. I was sad when they had to leave. I didn't want them to leave and forget about me. So I asked them something.
"Will you come over tomorrow/ I have school, but you can come after, right Mommy?" Mommy gave me a weird look, but didn't say anything. Ed smiled at me, and I could tell Al was, too.
"Sure, we'll come over. That okay with you, Al?"
"Yep." Ed nodded.
"Then, if it's okay with your parents…" He looked to Mommy and Daddy. They looked to each other, but still nodded. I almost jumped up for joy, but I quickly remembered my bruises. Instead I smiled and happily said goodbye.
They really did come over the next day, and the day after that. We played in the snow, and built a snowman! I named him Henry. I can't wait 'till they come over tomorrow! Goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!
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Thursday, 9:50 P.M.
Dear diary,
Ed and Al came over again today. I'm so happy! They play with me after school, and sometimes they help me with my homework. It's nice to have friends.
Keith is being more of a friend, too. He talks to a little now, though he doesn't smile. I wish he would. I think it would look nice if he smiled. We walk together in the hallways, too. Some of the other kids yell at us, but we ignore them. I'm getting used to ignoring the insults and name-calling. It's better when Keith is with me.
Mommy and Daddy aren't getting along as well as they did before. I wonder why? I'll ask them tomorrow. Maybe they'll tell me. Goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!
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Friday, 10:05 P.M.
Dear diary,
Mommy wouldn't tell me anything when I asked, and Daddy just changed the subject. I wish they would tell me stuff more often.
The boys who beat me up before met me in the hallway at school today. It was after school, and I had stopped to get something from a teacher, so no one else was in the hallway. I wanted to run away, 'cause they looked mean. But Keith told met o stand up for myself, so I didn't run.
They asked me why I wasn't dead yet. They sadi they weren't sorry, because they wanted to free the world of someone like me. I left. I didn't want to hear anymore. I ran all the way home, and hid in my room. I was sad. Do people really want me to die? Do they really hate me that much? I was confused and upset. But I pushed it all away when Ed and Al came over. I didn't want to worry them.
I'm really tired. I wish Mommy would stop shouting so I can sleep. I think I'll go to bed now. Goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!
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Saturday, 9:55 P.M.
Dear diary,
Keith asked me what I like to do. I smiled and told him, glad to be able to tell him about myself. I asked him some questions, and he answered all of them. I think we're becoming better friends.
I asked Ed and Al why Mommy yells at Daddy. They just looked at each other and asked me if I wanted tdo build a snowman. I really wantd to, so I ignored their lack of an answer and agreed. While we built the snowman, I saw a worried look on Ed's face. I wonder why he would be worried. Do you know?
Mommy doesn't greet me at home any more. She ignores me a lot more. I don't care. I'm still a little mad at her for sending me to bed without dinner that one time.
Goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!
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Sunday, 10:30 P.M.
Dear diary,
Ed and AL took me out to eat lunch today. I had so much fun! We went to my favorite place to eat. Then they took me to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes's house. I got to play with Elicia, Ed, and Al. I wish I could live there. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are so nice.
Keith is such a good friend. After I told him about the boys that beat me up(my bruises are a little batter, by the way) he went with me everywhere. He never leaves me alone at school, and walks me to the military place after school. He started this yesterday. I saw him talking to Ed and Al at the military place one morning. I 'll ask him about it tomorrow.
Goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!
There, that's chapter three. So, what do you think of it? Let me know in a review! I'll get chapter four up A.S.A.P.