I stood in front of Room 1C for a moment wondering what it is that we're going to talk about. Is it about the Furher? Is it about the Homunculi? Or do I have to be sent somewhere for safety? I'm not sure. As I enter the room, I realize that the question I was just asking myself was way off since every voice I'm familiar with yell out…
All: Surprise!
I froze for a second, clutch my chest, and stumble a bit as if I was about to faint. I hear Riza tell me…
Riza: Serenity, just breathe.
I took a couple of deep breathes then said…
Me: Oh my God. I was so unaware…
Alphonse: You were supposed to be unaware of it. It was a surprise we planned for you.
Havoc: There's no need to be mad all day. Today is your birthday, Serenity. While you were so busy going out, we pitched in to make it the best eighteenth birthday you ever had.
Winry: That's right. After all, you only turn eighteen once…
Me: Yeah. That' true…
Breda: To make it really good, we have a table for Virgin Margaritas and Virgin Strawberry Daiquiris, your favorite mixers.
For those of you who don't know what mixers are, they're beverages that don't have alcohol in it unless you put in tequila. Add it with crushed ice, and its perfect!
Fuery: Happy Birthday, Serenity! We all love you very much!
Me: So…what're we waiting for? Let's celebrate!
As the minutes elapse, we were having a great time. I fetched myself a Virgin Margarita, and I soon as I did, I fell a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Edward, and Mustang.
Me: Hey, guys. What's up?
Edward: Hey, Serenity, can the colonel and I talk to you about something in private. It'll be quick…
Me: What about?
Mustang: The Furher.
After Mustang replied, I thought about it for a second. I thought that it could be a way to keep myself away from the Furher. So, I answer…
Me: Okay.
Mustang, Edward, and I step out of the room, and walked away from Room 1C a bit. When we found a good spot, Edward asks me…
Edward: You know that the Furher is a Homunculus right?
Me: Yes. Why?
Mustang: Judging on how you looked at him at the office, we figured you would know.
Me: Oh…
Edward: So, if you knew that Bradley's a Homunculus, why would you leave the office with him?
Me: I was trying to escape from him, but I couldn't. Then he mentioned…
Edward: Mentioned what?
Me: *sighs* My parents.
Mustang: Your parents?
Me: He was telling me that I was just like my parents because they're weak, and it's one of the reasons that they're dead.
Edward: Your parents were murdered right?
I nod "yes", and then Mustang says…
Mustang: Her father was not weak. He was made General by the time the war in Ishval came around, and was close friends with Armstrong.
Me: So, what lead to their murder?
Mustang: Before the war, he fell in love with an Ishvalan woman. I believe that since he can't be with the woman, both he and the woman were murdered.
Me: Nobody still doesn't know the culprit of their murder?
Mustang: No…
Me: *in thought* I'm part Ishvalan…
In the middle of the conversation, Ling comes out of the room, and says…
Ling: Hey, birthday girl, everybody is wondering where you went.
Me: I was just in…
Edward: It's okay, Serenity. That's all we wanted to talk about. Let's go back, and have fun.
I smile, and then I say…
Me: Okay.
Soon after, we got back to our party. I'm with Winry, Paninya, and May while drinking a Virgin Margarita. Even though we're talking about something else, I had my mind on Envy for a moment. I did see him minutes ago, but now, I'm missing him. I guess that's how it feels when you just got a boyfriend…but my boyfriend is a Homunculus which makes it so special. I really want to hear him joke around me for just a while, and I want him hugging me right now too. I feel someone tap me, and call me.
Paninya: Reni!
Me: Hmm? Huh? What?
Paninya: Are you…okay?
Me: Yeah. I'm fine…
Winry gets out of her seat, and leans over to my face with this serious expression in my face. I say to her…
Me: What the hell, Winry!?
Winry: You're not okay. You know why?
Me: *nervously* No…
Winry: You met a boy!
May & Paninya: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Me: You guys don't have to be so loud. And, no, I didn't meet a boy at all.
Paninya: Yes you did. I saw you daydreaming.
Me: Even though I was daydreaming, it wasn't about a boy…because the boys in Central suck. I don't want any of them even if one is actually a gentleman.
Paninya: So, if I took you to Rush Valley, and you say the guys there, would you date anyone of them?
Me: *quickly lies* No.
Paninya: Alrighty…
May: How about the men of Xing?
Me: No.
Winry: Resembool?
Me: No. Listen, I'm very picky on boys. Pretty soon I'll find someone. My adulthood just got started. I don't have to find a man just yet, okay? For now, I rather stay single.
Winry: Okay, but I know that the right man will come around sooner or later.
Me: Yeah. Me too…
Fast Forward…
It's 5:30 p.m. and the sun is setting. Mustang, Riza, Armstrong and I were heading to the cemetery of Central where Hughes and my parents rest in peace. Before we got here, we got three bouquets of roses for each of their graves. I've been to Hughes' grave a couple of times, so now, Armstrong is taking me to see my parents. We got to their tombstones, and I put each bouquet by the tombstones. On the left is Raphael Marcus Hickman's tombstone and on the right is Balqis Hadi Azimi-Hickman's tombstone. My father is an Amestrian and my mother is an Ishvalan.
Armstrong: Here. This is the picture of your parents.
I take the picture from Armstrong, and I take a long look at it with a smile. My father, Raphael, was almost as big as Armstrong, and was bald. My mother, Balqis, was a petite woman with white, long, curly hair, and she was holding a newborn child in her arms. That child is me. I put the picture in my pocket, and I say to Armstrong…
Me: Can I have some time alone for a moment?
Armstrong: Sure…
Armstrong leaves me, and I face the tombstones alone. What I'm about to do is something that you guys might think is crazy, but it's something I never done with my parents.
Me: Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. This is your only child speaking to you. Today is my birthday, so I'm eighteen now; I'm a grown woman. I live with the military, and I have a very loyal pet named Dex. Trust me, Dad, your comrades are taking good care of me. They've been taking care of me when I was only a helpless infant. I'm happy right now, but I still hold a grudge against the people of Central. Mom, Dad, they hate me…a lot especially the girls around here. Honestly, I really don't care because I'm doing my thing, and it's all good. I got a question for you both. What happens when two people from two different sides fall in love with each other? I'm asking because…* looks around*…I lost my virginity to a Homunculus. Apparently, the military is on their ass as well as the Homunculi are on theirs. I have been secretly meeting with one, and next thing you know…I'm no longer a virgin. I know about the Ishvalan war, and the Amestrians were against the Ishvalans, so I have a feeling that you guys should know…even if mine seems to be the worst one…
Mustang: *yells* Serenity, we're heading back now! Come on!
Me: *yells back* Okay! I'm coming! *to her parents* Please help me on this…or your daughter will be a sin…or dead…