FullMetal Alchemist Falling in love with Envy

Disruption Of Reality

I have walked these streets my whole life; I know them just the same as if etched in my head with a sharp knife. It was bright, a festival of light along these usually dark streets, where you could easily drown in the crowd. It was a Saturday evening; I was at the market finishing my shopping list. The grocery bags weren't only many but heavy, times like that made me wish I had at least bought a bicycle with a basket.
The people of Central aren't all sweet and loving, making life in Central very finicky. Thankfully my neighborhood was a safe place. No one had a grudge against anyone, no hatred. Everyone just wanted peace.
I was almost done with the list when I took a detour to the library. I saw the lights on and wondered, why was Alfred still open at this time. He usually closes at ten PM.
The familiar sound of the chimes as I open the door drew a happy smile on my face, the smell of books was a cherry on top. Alfred was behind his desk with his reading glasses on, flipping through a book. He doesn't usually pay attention to whoever is coming in, always so immersed in his readings. Sneaking close, I was able to read the title of the book.
"Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield." I startled him. "The ending is quite a twist."
Alfred took off his reading glasses and laughed.
"Is it your hobby to startle people? And no, thank you. I would very much like to know the ending myself."
"Any new books you would like to recommend?" I asked as I took a seat in front of his desk.
"You finished reading the three books I gave you last week?"
"Alfred, three books don't make such a challenge."
"Well, in this case, how about you take five books home?"
"Really?"
"Pick any, and you can keep them if you finish them all in a week."
I got excited and jumped up, making my way to the bookshelves to pick five books just like Alfred told me to.
Alfred Kings was my father's closest friend. They were an inseparable pair since their university days. My father was a scientist, and Alfred was a doctor; they worked on extraordinary projects together, award-winning projects, that made them very well-known and famous. Some of those projects were secret. One unforgettable night, I sneaked up to my father's laboratory in the basement to take a peek at what they do, to satisfy the curiosity inside me. At first glimpse, it seemed as if an earthquake had everything tossed from its place. Weird books were lying around on the floor and table, strange symbols everywhere drawn with white chalk. My father and Alfred were talking about things I couldn't comprehend. It seemed as if they were arguing, but they were helping each other. They were drowning in worry, I concluded from their expressions and the shivers of both their hands.
A light emerged suddenly; it was the kind of brightness that seers into your retinas, making you close them for fear of going blind. I wouldn't know where it came from, and it didn't last long. After the glow, my father collapsed on the ground, and Alfred aided him.
I felt the need to ask Alfred about what happened on that day countless times, but I was afraid of letting him know that I witnessed something that my father forbid me from seeing. Since then, I never stepped foot in that basement ever again.
I placed the pile of books on the desk, and they gave a loud thud due to their weight. Alfred took a look at the titles and gave an impressed look.
"Good luck finishing them."
"Say goodbye to them already."
"You have a lot of self-confidence, young lady!" He giggled. "Just like your father." He sighed.
There was an awkward pause that didn't last long.
"You should get going before it gets too late, my dear. No matter how safe the neighborhood is, there is always room for some very nasty people of the night."
"Don't fret Alfred. I'm a big girl!"
"I bet you are!" He giggled
"Before I go, how about you bring the misses tomorrow for dinner and a nice crunchy apple pie for dessert?"
"How can I turn down an offer like that? You make the best apple pies in town. Why don't you open up a bakery?"
"Because I am too lazy to wake up early and bake!"
Alfred laughed and pinched my cheek, a habit he had since I was a little girl. It annoyed me sometimes, but the nostalgia is delightful. We said our goodbyes, and I made my way out with extra weight on me than just the grocery bags; my hands, were fully occupied. I opened the door with my back, giving Alfred one last smile and watching him make his way back to his desk. My body jerked to the side abruptly as I accidentally crashed into someone, and my bags fell. Without caring whom I crashed into, I hurried to gather what was on the ground. Standing back up, I looked for the fool.
He saw the shock register on my face before I could hide it. I'm glad I saw him before I heard his voice; I'd never have put the two of them together otherwise.
"Here" His words were like vanilla pudding, sweet in their ordinary sort of way; it was the richness of his tone, luxurious and warm. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. I think he is used to others' expressions pausing suddenly; and all the weak smiles with the nonchalant gaze. He had tousled dark hair, thick and lustrous. His eyes were a mesmerizing deep ocean blue, with flickering light dancing throughout them. Dark eyebrows as a frame. His lips were ripe for kissing. He was tall, not too tall; it seemed like a perfect height.
"I think this is yours." He said, handing me an apple I forgot to pick up. I knew for sure I looked taken by his good looks; a small smile played on his lips. My heart skipped a beat. Worried and embarrassed about the situation I was in, I kept yelling at myself, with an inner voice in my head, screaming: "Just wake up Beauty!" However, I was still a statue. I took the apple from him and felt motion running through my bloodstream once I noticed him turn around and walked away.
"Where are you going?" I asked before I could stop myself. What was I doing? Was I going insane? He turned back and locked eyes with mine. My heart stopped, and I could barely breathe; all I could manage was a thank you.
"I'm guessing you're asking for an apology too?" His voice was soft and mellow, sending a warm vibe throughout my body.
"How do you know?"
"I saw your face."
There was a moment of silence, but our eyes still connected. It felt like hours have passed, but in reality, they were merely milliseconds.
He turned back around and walked away.
What just happened? What happened to me? Why was I so confused and lost? I placed the apple he gave me in one of the bags, no matter which one, and hurried home.
Once home, Mishka ran to me barking happily, and wiggling her tail. My comfort zone was anywhere with her by my side. She has been my best friend since my parents died; she helped me with my depression and showed me that there is another reason for life other than dying and suicide. Alfred gave her to me after visiting my parents' grave, a few months after they died. She was just a small puppy at the time, but she's always been a bundle of joy and a ball of energy and happiness.
My arms were sore from the heavyweight; a warm bath would help me relax. I quickly grabbed one of the books I got with me and relaxed in the bubbly tub. I opened the book and began with the first page; the smell of Paper was my favorite chapter. As I read the lines, I began to lose focus and found myself daydreaming as my eyes only scanned the page. I wasn't reading the content, only letters passed by like street lights seen from the window of a speeding car. I tried again and began from the top of the page, reading carefully word by word and drinking them in. Mid-page, I noticed myself losing focus yet again. Something was off; why was this happening? Maybe I wasn't in the mood for reading yet. I closed the book and let it fall to the ground a little far away from the tub. I closed my eyes, took a breath, and drowned myself in the warm water.
Flashbacks of his smile, his eyes, his face, and his voice began swimming in my mind. I couldn't get him out of my head; it was torturous yet, it drew a small smile in the corner of my mouth. Every time I replayed the part where he notices how mesmerized I was with his beautiful features, I couldn't help but bite my lips.
Who was that guy?