Chapter 3

First Day – Part 3

Alphonse

"Let's meet near the office during break okay? See ya in a bit." Edward smiled.

"All right, brother. See ya then."

With that, Alphonse strode into his classroom with a smile.

I was smiling, but... so many people were staring at me. I expected it since I was new and all, but that doesn't mean it's any less nerve-wracking. Everything was paused, just because I walked in...

The homeroom teacher took a step to me. I handed her my program card. She smiled and introduced herself.

I turned to ace the class when she asked me to introduce myself.

Let's see, my name; my grade; something I like; and an interesting thing about myself. Alright.

– Alphonse smiled sweetly –

"Hi! I'm Alphonse Elric, but you can call me Al if you like. I'm in ninth grade. I really like cats, aaand... – I knew just what to say – I have an older brother. He transferred here, same as me."

"Thank you Alphonse. There are a few seats open, please take one."

I nodded to my teacher and looked over the prospective seats. One was next to a cinnamon brunette. She was pretty, but she didn't look like she wanted me sitting there. The next one I saw was beside a guy with black hair, dark, round eyes and glasses. He had a round face and his hair was spiked up. He smiled at me and I walked over.

"Is it okay if I sit here," I asked, smiling.

"Sure, go ahead. Name's Kain Fuery, but you can just call me Fuery."

"Hey Al. Welcome to ECAHS."

After I sat down and heard the voice, I turned to my left to see a friendly-looking face. He was a dusty blond with his hair parted in the middle, framing his face, and a strand sticking out at the divide – it was a little like brother's, but it wasn't as wild and it was cut short in the back. He was kinda dopey looking, but his jade eyes were kindly.

"Denny Brosh – just Brosh is fine – it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh, haha. Thanks"

"And this girl over here," – he pointed to the girl sitting ahead of me –,"is Maria Ross."

"Hello there," she said to me with a soft, close-eyed, smile. Though, when she open them, I noticed they were a dark, midnight blue. They were very pretty.

Her hair was cut pretty short – waaay short – and there were a couple of locks jutting across the right of her forehead on her round face.

Oh, heh heh, she has a mole on left cheek, underneath her eye. That's a unique trait.

"Oh wow. Your eyes. They're the same color as your hair!"

Oh... she noticed...great.

"O-oh, yeah... It's not a big deal though."

"No way – that's so cool." Brosh was in awe.

"You don't see that kind of thing everyday, you know." Fuery was smiling.

"B-but... I do." All three of them stared at me.

"Every morning; in the mirror." I closed my eyes and smiled nervously.

They laughed.

Not at me though. At my joke.

I was thankful for that.

"So Alphonse," it was Fuery,"where're you from? I'm from here in East City."

"And Denny and I are from Central."

"Wow, that's kinda far from here..."

"It is, but things happen, you know," Brosh expressed.

"Yeah, I guess I do...

I'm from Resembool."

"That's the sheep herding town, right?" Maria asked.

"Yep."

"What's it like over there?"

"I don't know, I guess the same as here, but with less buildings and more grass."

"Sounds kinda boring," Brosh voiced.

"Well sooorry. Didn't know my 'country-boy' ways wouldn't live up to your big 'city-slicker' expectations," I retorted.

Fuery chuckled.

"Well, with a wit like that, I'm sure you'll like it here," he assured me after finishing his laughter.

" – I chuckled – Thanks guys, I feel welcomed already!"

We all smiled and the bell rang.

Maria took my program card,"You're next class is down the hall to the left."

"Oh, thank you."

"By the way, this school functions on a block schedule so we have classes 1 – 3 on Mondays and Wednesdays, with break between classes 1 and 2, and lunch between 2 and 3. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the same but with classes 4 – 6 instead. Fridays are all classes, but you'll figure it out, I'm sure." Fuery advised me.

I looked at him appreciatively. I thanked all of them and we all left for our classes.

I think I'm going to like it here. I hope brother will, too.