3.
Winry lay on her bed for god knows how many hours, practically the whole day. As her sore eyes closed, she drifted off, finally waking up to realise that it was sunset. Her step-sisters would be angry that she hadn't done her chores, but she didn't care. Finally deciding to get up, Winry sneaked down the stairs quietly and out the back door, into the forest behind her house. She cursed as she realised that she had forgotten a coat, especially as it was winter, but she didn't want to turn back now- her sisters might catch her. Instead she travelled deep into the forest, mumbling to herself miserably, until she reached the small serene lake that she always came to when she needed to reflect her thoughts. As she sat on the embankment, she watched the rippling castle in it's watery surface, knowing that everyone up there would be preparing for the grand ball tomorrow night. A sob was about to creep into her throat again, but she smothered it by burying her face in her knees. She couldn't bear the thought of being alone, whilst everyone was up there, having fun... But what else could she do? Her step-sisters were right, she didn't have anything to wear anyway...
She suddenly flinched and her back stood straight as the noise of a twig breaking reached her ears. Winry swiftly turned her head round, grabbing her wrench out her pocket for protection... What had she been thinking? Coming out here alone at night, anyone could be out, murderers, o-or worse...! Tightening her grip on her wrench, she inched towards the origin of the noise carefully. Suddenly, a figure in a long red coat stepped out, making Winry scream; she slammed down the wrench on the person's head before bolting away from whoever it was, not looking back. She thought she heard a voice cry out to her, but she didn't stop until she reached the mansion, out of breath. Part of her ached with curiosity at who the mysterious figure was, but she locked the feeling away by convincing herself it was probably just strange man who wanted to... Shivering, she pushed open the back door, and went into the house.
She was beautiful. Ed watched the young blonde girl as she sat miserably by the lakeside, his face burrowed into a frown. Even though she was dressed in mere rags, her face was breathtaking; He'd never seen anyone like her before. He began to creep towards her carefully, not wanting to scare her, but his intention was denied as he stepped on a stick under his foot with a loud crack.Damn it... He watched as the girl jumped and looked up wide-eyed. He stood out to try and convince her that he wasn't a threat but - WAS THAT A WRENCH?! He fell to the floor, his head in agony as the girl screamed and slammed a wrench down onto his head.
"W-Wait, come back!" He yelled after her, watching as she ran away, without even realising who he was. Groaning, he sat up clutching his head and muttering angrily to himself about what an idiot he was for scaring her. If only he knew her name! The prince stood up and began to walk back to the palace, trying to ignore the new intense throbbing now in his head. He regretted not being able to speak to her, but he had one hope; That she would come to the ball. Feeling a bit happier, he stumbled into the palace, ignoring the servants startled looks, and went to his bedroom to prepare himself for the long, night ahead him tomorrow.