Geez...I'm relly bad at updating, aren't I? Well, I'm really sorry, and I really hope you won't stop reading this because of my horrible updating skills. Life's been busy. Thanks for the reviews, though! They inspired me to update! Now, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist in any way, shape, or form.

Hero for One

Chapter Four

Week Four: Hoping Again

Day 1

Dear diary,

I think things are starting to look up! I have friends who like me, and the older kids don't bother me as much at school. Keith is a really good friend, even if he doesn't talk that much. Ed and Al are so much fun! I love to play with them after school! I used to spend a lot of time in my room, writing poems and reading books. But now I get to go outside and play in the snow.

Mommy is still mad at Daddy. I don't understand why. Is it because he left me alone that one time? Or is it for some other reason…?

My bruises are still there, but they don't hurt that much. I can move without being in pain. That's good, because I can spend more time with Ed and Al!

Hope is a good friend, too. Even though she isn't real, and can't talk, I still like to talk to her. I wish she could talk, though…

Goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!

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Day Two

I don't understand adults. Mommy won't tell me what's going on, and neither will Daddy. They just told me to stay quiet and go back to my room.

Ed and Al didn't come over today. They were probably busy. It's okay. I can wait.

The kids at school don't push me anymore. They still glare at me, though, and call me names. At least they don't hit me. That hurts, and I don't want to be in pain again.

Hope and I watched the snow fall outside from my window. I wasn't allowed to play in the snow, so I decided to watch it fall to the ground. It looks so pretty, with all the sparkling and whiteness. I love to watch it cover the street and grass, like it's putting a big white blanket over everything.

Hope says goodnight. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

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Day Three

Dear diary,

Everyone at school was really talkative today. Well, Keith wasn't, but I'm used to that. They were all talking about a man with a scar that appeared in the city today. I wonder who they were talking about. It must be someone famous or something, if everyone was talking about him during lunch.

Daddy stayed at the military place later than usual today. Maybe because of the man with the scar? I don't know. That might also be why Ed and Al didn't come over today, either. Ed told me he was in the military, so he was probably busy with military stuff, too.

Mommy wouldn't talk to me today. When I got home, she yelled at me to go to my room and stay there until dinner. All I did was ask why she yells at Daddy so much. I don't understand. Maybe Ed and Al will tell me.

Keith told me that he was happy I sat with him at lunch. He said that he was glad that I was his friend. I'm so happy that he said that! He's becoming my best friend!

I didn't go outside today. Mommy wouldn't let me. Oh well. Goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!

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Day Four

Dear diary,

There wasn't a lot going on today. It was very boring. Well, it was boring in the morning and afternoon. At night, it was scary. Really scary. But I'll tell you that in a minute.

Keith is now my official best friend. You come in close second, though, tied with Hope, Ed, and Al. It was snowing outside during school. It was so pretty! I could barely concentrate. Keith and I played in the snow a little bit on the way home. We had fun. Well, I did. Keith never looks like he has fun. He's always frowning, or looking sad. My goal is to make him smile one day!

Now I'll tell you why the night was scary. During dinner, Mommy and Daddy started arguing. Just talking angrily, for awhile. Then they started shouting at each other, and stood up. I sat in my chair, tears in my eyes. I don't like it when they fight.

"You're never home, you don't talk to me anymore, and you don't even sleep in the same bed with me! What is wrong with you! Why are you avoiding me!?" Mommy yelled.

"There's nothing wrong with me! And I'm only avoiding you to avoid your yelling! I'm always busy during the day, with all this talk about a murderer on the loose! Do you want me to stop working and let this killer run free?!"

"I'm not saying that! And yes, there is something wrong! How can you be so busy to ignore my phone calls?! I've tried calling during the day, but you never answer!"

"Because of my job, woman! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have a phone to call with! Now, shut your mouth!"

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY! After I work hard to keep our home clean and in order, and put food on the table, your off with…with some other woman!"

"IF I WAS WITH ANOTHER WOMAN, IT WOULD BE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T OFFER ME ANYTHING ANYMORE!!" Daddy left the room, practically stomping on the tile. Mommy yelled after him until she heard the door shut. Then she started crying, and screamed at me to go to my room. I ran up here quickly. I blinked my tears away. I shouldn't cry. I need to be strong for Mommy.

I really hope Mommy and Daddy stop arguing. It scares me.

Well, I'm tired. So, goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!

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Day Five

Dear diary,

Daddy didn't come home yesterday. After his and Mommy's argument, he left, and didn't come home this morning. I'm worried about him. What if he's hurt?

I think some of the older kids wanted to insult me today. But Keith was with me, and he glared at them. They left me alone. Did I ever mention that Keith is older than me? Well, he is. He's one year older.

Ed and Al visited today. Not for long, but they still came. Mommy was in her bedroom, so we just went outside and played in the snow until it got dark out. I had so much fun! I even brought Hope out with us! Al made her a chair out of snow. Now she can be a queen! She's inside, now, but tomorrow when we play I'll put her back outside, on her throne.

I'm really worried about Daddy. He hasn't come home, and he usually is home by now. I wonder if he went to the military place. And where did he sleep, if he didn't go there? Hope he's okay…

I'm tired. Goodnight, I'll talk to you tomorrow!

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Day Six

Dear diary,

Daddy still isn't home. Mommy only comes out of her room to eat and feed me. Other than that, she stays in there, and yells out at me to bring her stuff. I hope she's okay. I don't like it when Mommy is hurting. I wish I could make her better. I wish Daddy would come home.

Keith said I was the best friend he ever had. I'm so happy, despite all the troubles with Mommy and Daddy. Keith makes me feel special, and important. He protects me at school, and walks me home after, even if his house is farther away. His birthday is in a week or two, I think. I'll have to ask him again. What should I get him? It'll have to be something really special.

I'm so glad Ed and Al come over to play with me. They're such good friends! They showed me their alkemy today. Is that how you spell it? I'm not sure. Anyway, Al drew a circle in the snow, put his hands on it, and made it glow! The light was a really pretty blue! Then, some flowers grew up from the ground! They were so pretty! I made them into a tiara, and put it on Ed. It looked really funny on him! He gave it an annoyed look at first, but didn't take it off during their whole visit.

I wish this week would never end. I have a new best friend, Keith, and two other great friends, Ed and Al. I have Hope, my stuffed kitty who stays by my side all night. And I have you, to talk to at night. Writing makes me feel better. I'm not as sad anymore.

I'm tired. I can hear Mommy crying in the room next to me. I'm gonna go to bed now. Goodnight, I'll talk to you tomorrow!

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Day Seven

Dear diary,

Daddy still isn't home. I'm really worried now. Super worried. I hope he's okay. I really want him to come home. Mommy won't come out of her room. She makes me bring her food and stuff. She'll hurt me if I don't.

I was brining her dinner, even if it wasn't very good. I just made a sandwich. I'm not allowed to use the oven. When I showed it to Mommy, she narrowed her eyes at me and growled.

"That's not food, girl," she said. "Go cook me something!"

I shook my head at her. "I can't cook something, Mommy. I'm too small to use the oven or stove."

She sat up in her bed and leaned forward, almost in my face. "Don't you disobey me, Amanda!" Then she slapped me hard across the cheek. I nodded, and went back into the kitchen. I tried making soup with the stove. It didn't turn out as badly as I thought it would. At least Mommy didn't hit me again.

Most of my bruises from being beaten by those boys are healed. There's still one on my side, where I was kicked really hard. It doesn't hurt that much, though. IT should be better soon. I hope the red mark from Mommy's slap is gone by tomorrow. I don't want to worry Ed and Al.

You'll never guess what happened yesterday! I didn't mention it, so I'm sorry. Anyway, the boys that beat me up came up to Keith and me while were walking home yesterday. They looked kinda ashamed of themselves. The leader one, the biggest boy, looked me in the eye, and they apologized! I was so shocked! I just nodded. Keith seemed happier after that. I think he's happy for me.

Ed and Al didn't come over today. That's okay. I played with them a lot yesterday, so it's okay. I don't mind. Although, Mommy wouldn't let me outside to play in the snow.

Everything is starting to look up. I have three great friends, who all care for me. Mommy and Daddy aren't being nicer to me, but that's okay now. I have things to look forward to now. Maybe it's okay to start hoping again.

Goodnight! I'll talk to you tomorrow!

There! Done! Now, click on that pretty little button down there, and tell me what you think. Reviews give me inspiration. Inspiration makes me update. And I don't mind if you nag me. As long as you include at least one word about your poinion on the story. Unless it's a flame. Then don't bother.