Hey guys! Summer is finally here for this authoress; do you know what that means?? More work hours, yay me! Seriously though, I do have more work hours but I should be able to update more often. Yay for you guys, right?

Anyway, just to let you guys know, I have this story all planned out and I hoping it will be my best story yet. So please let me know what you think about this story as it goes along. Remember; reviews are love. Not to mention, they make me smile like an idiot, so you guys are usually responsible for the weird stares I get after I read my e-mails.

Disclaimer: as always I own nothing except the storyline. Damn.

Now, without further ado, I present your chapter.

-----XXXXX-----

"Mr. Elric. Please open the door for our guest." Ms. Hawkeye said, not turning from the board from which she was writing on.

---Knock, Knock.

Who's there?

Your own personal hell.

Your own personal hell who…what?---

At the door was none other than Roy Mustang.

What had I done to deserve this?

"Mr. Elric, who's at the door? What are you waiting for; let whomever it is in, please. We have very little time, Mr. Elric so make haste." Ms. Hawkeye tapped her foot impatiently.

"Uhm," I cleared my throat nervously, "Right, let him in."

I quickly raised a sweaty left hand to the door and grasped the door knob. As I went to turn it my hand slipped round the knob. I swiftly brought my hand to my shirt and wiped it there and tried the knob again; it turned. I gave the door a small push so he could enter.

Oh god, oh crap, oh no, oh dear.

I lowered my eyes so he couldn't see the rising panic in my now wide eyes.

"Finally," a low voice chuckled, "I thought you'd never open the damn thing."

At his voice, the panic that had been rising bubbled to the surface and I let out a small, psychotic giggle.

Oh yeah, great move!

"Well…are you going to move out of the way so I can give these papers to Ms. Hawkeye or am I going to have to make you?" Roy asked.

Just at the thought of him even touching me made me bush and I was now very thankful for my curtains I call bangs.

"Uh…y-yeah of course." I stuttered and mentally grimaced.

What is wrong with me? I'm never, ever, this nervous with anything! Except Roy Mustang. God, I must sound so freaking girly right now to him. I mean I'm fucking giggling!

I stepped back to the side and, as luck would have it I tripped over my shoelace, that had come out of it's knot, falling backwards. I cursed as I fell, falling silent when I heard my own head crack on the desk behind where I was originally standing.

I didn't feel myself hit the floor or any pain as I heard the fading voices calling my name; I let the blackness take me in.

I don't know how long it was before I came to. All I know is that I may not have felt pain before but, damn it, I feel it now. The back of my head throbbed with pain and I moaned.

"Ed?"

It was Winry. I'd recognize that voice anywhere, and for once, I was actually thankful for it. I opened my eyes and blinked to clear the blur. The light hurt my eyes so I squinted as my eyes met the worried, blue ones of Winry. She was sitting next to the bed in an orange plastic chair staring at me with a frown upon her lips.

"Winry," my voice was hoarse, "how long was I out? Why are these damn lights so bright?"

Winry smiled a relieved smile and turned the lights out, the only light now coming from the window. I thanked her and asked again how long I was out for. "It's been about 2 hours now; the nurse thinks you might have a concussion. You should be fine with a goodnight's rest, but you need to take it easy the next couple of days. The nurse is at lunch right now, so it's just me and you but she told me if you wake up that you couldn't leave."

"Shit," I groaned and sat up slightly in the bed, "Can I have some freaking ibuprofen or something? I have a head ache from hell. What exactly happened I remember tripping and falling but never actually landing...?"

"Well," Winry recalled getting out of the chair and looking through her purse, "Ms. Hawkeye asked you to get the door and he was there," she pulled out a bottle of generic Tylenol and opened it, putting two pills into her hand, " You stood there gawking at the guy for like a whole minute and he asked you something," I blushed as I remember what he told me, " and then you stepped back, tripped, and hit your head on Breda's desk and knocked yourself out." She walked into the little bathroom connected to the room and filled a small plastic cup with water.

My eyes followed her as she walked back toward me with the medicine and water in hand. "Oh, well, that'd be why I didn't remember hitting the ground, I was out before I even hit the ground. What about after that? How'd I get here?" I gratefully took the items from her as she sat back down in the orange chair, crossing her legs. I plopped the pills in my mouth, swallowing them dry and then dragging them all the way down my throat with some water.

"After that, everybody crowded around you before Ms. Hawkeye cleared it up and then Roy Mustang volunteered to take you to the nurse, that is, after he handed the papers to her. He picked you up off the floor and- Ed! These are brand new jeans!"

I spit my water out at her.

I sputtered, the water that didn't end up on Winry's jeans, going down the wrong tube. When I could talk again I asked, "He what!?" I was horrified. "Why didn't you take me? Why didn't Breda take me, I mean, I knocked myself out on his desk!"

"Ed, first off, you may be sma- I mean, not as big as the other guys, but with those limbs of yours, you are no feather. Second, do you really want Breda taking you? He's kind of scary…"

I had to admit, she had a point. Oh my god, he must think I'm stupid. I acted like an idiot then I knock myself out, ugh. Damn it all.

"Winry, how could you? Ugh, he probably thinks I'm so fucking stupid! I can believe I tripped in front of him; he'll never talk to me. If I ever had a chance of talking to him, it's gone now!"

"Ed, I'd love to help you with your little spas-attack, but I've got to get back to class. Now stop acting like a girl, get a freaking grip! I'll come back for you at the end of the day. Al's driving the truck home and you will go home with me. No driving with a concussion, now. I'll see you later, Ed." Winry smirked slightly then kissed my forehead, a friendly gesture that she always did when I wasn't well. As annoying as she was to me, I still loved her as a sister and a friend. She walked past the light switch, swinging her purse onto her shoulder, asking if she should turn them on or leave them off. I chose to leave them off. She smiled again and then she was gone.

I was glad to be alone, the throbbing was starting to ease and I was getting tired. I sunk back into the bed I was laying in and closed my eyes, trying to sleep. Sleep wasn't going to come easy for me. I rolled over and laid there for a few minutes then I rolled over to the other side, waiting again for another few minutes. I finally gave up, rolling onto my back, huffing out a breath. Winry was right; I was acting girly, no normal guy would care if he tripped in front of Roy. I blushed when I used his name. Ugh, get a fucking grip, Ed!

I snapped myself from my thoughts when I heard footsteps approaching. I figured it was Winry; she must've forgotten something.

"Hey Winry what'd you forg-" I sat up, opening my eyes but stopped short when the lights were flipped on. "What the hell!? Turn off the damn lights!" I squeezed my eyes together tightly.

"Sitting around with the lights off will ruin your eyes you know." His deep voice held humor, but regardless, behind my eyelids, I could see the room was dark again.

I stopped breathing. What was he doing here? I kept my eyes shut.

"What? Not even a 'hello' after your rude greeting?" his voice still held humor. What the hell was so damn funny?

"Why are you here?" I didn't open my eyes.

"Well," he paused, choosing his words and pulling the chair towards him, "I came to apologize. I know I'm scary and all, but not that scary." I heard the orange plastic chair complain under Roy's weight as he sat down.

Well, scary wasn't the word I had in mind…

"I didn't mean for you to knock yourself out; I was just kidding when I said you had to move. I couldn't care less. I was missing class. I felt bad because you hurt yourself when you tripped trying to move out of the way for me. Though, don't get me wrong, it was pretty funny." He laughed at the end.

His laughter died quickly but I stayed silent, committing the sound to memory.

"So, uh, Edward right?"

My eyes snapped open and met his. They were black in the darkness of the room.

"Yeah, you know, it's not a big deal. I tripped, it's not your fault, but, uh, I accept your apology." I smiled slightly, trying my best to keep it cool.

"Great, well, I'm glad. I'm not a jackass, if that's what you were thinking earlier." He smirked and my breath caught in my throat and I coughed. He frowned, "You are okay, aren't you? Nothing serious?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, no permanent damage, just a concussion." Roy seemed relieved and for a moment it actually felt like he cared for me, I smiled at the thought but reality smacked the thought away. He could never care for me, he could be concerned for me, but that's about it.

I frowned. Roy noticed. "Something the matter?"

God this guy noticed everything! "Huh? Oh, no, it's nothing; just I got a head ache. You know; concussion." I breathed a laugh.

"All right, well, I've got to be going but I really am sorry you got hurt. See you around." I watched his dark form walk to the doorway and he waved as he went into the hall.

I huffed out another breath after I heard his footsteps fade away completely. I heart beat had accelerated in the time we were talking but it didn't take long for it to calm. I sunk back down into the bed and snuggled under the sheets, falling asleep quickly. Roy Mustang actually felt something for me, even if it wasn't love, it was something and that would do for now.

-----XXXXX-----

Winry woke me up later and took me home after school had ended. The killer head ache had returned with vengeance and I was drowsy. I somehow managed to stay awake through the car ride home. Al had driven the truck home and though he had a key, he was waiting on the front porch with his eyebrows knitted together, his eyes downcast, and a frown on his face. That was the expression he wore when he was really worried about something.

Winry pulled into our drive way and told me she would help me out of the car. I nodded and closed my eyes again. I heard Al speaking to Winry outside my door.

"Is brother alright? When you gave me the keys and told me to drive home you didn't even give me an explanation! I was worried sick since lunch!"

"Well Al I didn't have time!" Winry raised her voice an octave, as she did in an argument.

"Didn't have time!? He's hurt and you don't have time to tell me?" I didn't want them fighting so I found the handle to the car door and opened it, stopping their little battle all together. They both stared at me.

"Ed, I told you to wait; I was going to help you." She looked at me with a disapproving expression across her face.

"Well, hell, you two started fighting and I'm not waiting in the damn car; I'm tired, I want to be in bed." I started to stand but my knees gave out and I closed my eyes waiting for the impact. It never came. Al had caught me by the arms, holding me up gingerly.

"Easy there, brother. Let's get you inside and in bed so Winry and I can…talk." Al didn't mean talk, he meant argue.

"Damn it Al, you two are not fighting after I get in bed. I swear to you I will try my damnest to get down those stairs and if I fall it will be your fault. Not to mention, you two are in love, no fighting." I closed my eyes; I knew they were both blushing.

"Whatever." Al dismissed the whole conversation and, with Winry's help, drug me up the stairs and put me in bed. I still had my eyes closed but I heard Al drop my keys on the nightstand and my books on the floor, before he took off my shoes. After making sure I was alright, he and Winry left my room, closing the door behind them. I stayed awake just until I heard Winry's car leave our driveway and then I fell into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Al woke me up at 7a.m.

"Hey, Ed, are you going to school today?"

I groggily opened my eyes to find Al, fully dressed with a tray in his hands with my breakfast on it.

"Ugh, no," I spoke slowly and roughly, "I feel horrible. My head hurts like a bitch."

I just hit my damn head, why do I feel so bad?

"Geez, brother, I wish you'd watch your language." Al shook his head.

I closed my eyes again.

"Ah, Ah, Ah. Sit up and eat; you didn't have dinner. I have some medicine on here, too."

I moaned but sat up anyway. Medicine sounded great right now. He sat the tray on my lap and I located the pills first and swallowed them down first with a gulp of orange juice. The juice felt nice on my throat; it was dry and scratchy from not being used for a while.

On the plate was two pieces of buttered toast, some eggs, and two pieces of bacon. I went for the toast first, then the eggs, and finally the bacon. When I was done Al, who had left the room to eat his own breakfast, returned and took the tray from me.

"Do you need they keys to the truck?" I reached for them on the wooden night stand but Al's voice stopped me.

"No, I'm having Winry take me, saves gas." Al smiled. "I'll get your homework. Go back to sleep, alright?"

"Nah, I'm awake. I need to take a shower anyway, I feel kind of gross. Maybe the shower will help with the headache." I threw the covers off me standing up, wobbling slightly.

Al pursed his lips, "Alright, be careful brother, if you feel faint, sit down and rest. Don't be driving today."

"Alright, alright," I waved dismissively, "have a good day."

Al waved back and left my room, turning for his. Just then, I heard a car pull into the driveway and heard the horn of Winry's jeep.

"Winry's here!" I announced.

"I know!" Al waved again as he rushed down the stairs. I smiled as I watched Al get in her jeep hugging her awkwardly in the car before they drove away.

My headache was starting to fade so I made my way to the bathroom and turned on the water, adjusting it to just the right temperature.

I undressed and stepped in the warm stream of water. I groaned aloud. My joints and muscles were sore from sleeping in jeans last night; Al just took off my shoes but left me in everything else. I stretched and stood in the stream letting the warm water message the soreness away. It worked for the most part. I grabbed for my shampoo and poured a generous amount in my hand and then started working it into my scalp and throughout the rest of my hair. It felt amazing. I did the same with the conditioner. I grabbed a bar of soap and cleaned the rest of my body working out the rest of the soreness that lingered in my muscles.

When I was satisfied with my cleanliness, I shut off the water and grabbed a towel from the towel rack beside the shower. I ran it through my hair and then wrapped it around the lower half of my body. I walked out of the bathroom, a puff of steam following me out into the hallway.

I went to my room and got dressed. I ended up in just my boxers and an undershirt. I brushed my hair and decided to leave it down. I shrugged at my appearance in the mirror. It was only me here right now.

I walked downstairs feeling much better. I sat on the couch on the living room and turned on the TV. I flipped though the channels and finally decided on the Discovery Channel. It was talking about a man named Nicolas Flammel and this ancient science called alchemy. I watched that entire program. It was interesting. When it was over I ended up falling asleep on the couch.

Al woke me up when he got home, asking me what I wanted for dinner. We ate, talked about our days (he gave me my homework), and then, after dinner, we watched some TV together. At around 10:30, Al was ready to turn in for the night. I agreed and we both said our goodnights to each other. I did the small amount of homework and regardless of my nap today, I fell asleep quickly.

I woke up early the next morning and brushed my teeth and braided my hair tying a black elastic at the end. It was raining to I grabbed a red jacket from my closet along with a white logo shirt to wear. I pulled a pair of jeans, a pair of boxers from my dresser and undressed from the small amount of clothing I was wearing, redressing in the clothing I pulled from the closet and dresser. I opened my sock drawer and pulled out two socks, yanking them on; my Nike's following.

I grabbed my books and keys and headed down the stairs where Al had already made breakfast. We ate, making small talk and then left the house in the truck. We arrived at school and we said our usual goodbyes and went our separate ways for the school day.

I arrived at my first hour on time for once, which surprised everyone. I smiled as I took my seat a good 5 minutes before the tardy bell rang. When class started Mr. Hughes asked for the homework he sent home with Al and asked if I was feeling better. I gave him the completed homework, which also surprised him, and told him I was fine. We got an easy day; we got to watch a movie. The class period went rather quickly and when the bell rang I didn't rush out. I walked out of the class room and started heading for my locker to retrieve my biology book.

I was caught way off guard when I heard I male voice calling out my name.

"Hey Edward!" I looked around for the source of the voice. There was no way it was him.

But it was.

Roy Mustang walked down the hall with his arm up as if hailing a taxi with another guy off the basketball team who had blue eyes and I tuff of blonde hair for bangs; they were friends.

I stopped and waited for him to make his way to me. I tried to suppress the shock on my face into pleasant surprise; I don't think I was doing too well though.

"Hey, Havoc, this is that guy I told you about who knocked himself out because of me." he pointed a finger at me.

"Heh, wow Mustang, you are an asshole." Havoc smiled and elbowed Roy in the ribs.

"Hey I apologized! Introducing him to you wasn't the only reason I called him over."

…It wasn't? What else could there be?

"Oh yeah?" Havoc raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Mustang turned to me and I felt my eyes widen slightly, "hey, Edward, I still feel bad about you and your concussion so I was wondering if I could make it up to you somehow? How about we hang out and I'll take you to the movies with myself and a bunch of friends? If you don't want to do that, how about money or a beer?"

"No, no money or…beer. Going to the movies will be fine I guess…but it's really not necessary." I was surprised that I didn't make a run for it or start blushing.

"Great, I'll talk to you about it later. See you later!" he waved and started walking again and I heard him mutter to Havoc, "See? I'm not an asshole!"

…did I actually just agree to that?

-----XXXXX-----

YAY extra long chapter for my readers!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think, improvements I could make, ect.

-Lynn