Thank you so much for reading this to the end! I hope you liked it! I know I had fun writing it.

Note: I am not responsible for any nosebleeds and/or fainting this chapter may cause :P

~Basketcase

---

"YOU WHAT?" Felicia screamed later that morning when Clarissa explained to her what had happened. "Well, did he ask you out, or what?"

"No, he just...left."

"He left. He should have given you time to say how you felt!"

It wouldn't have made much of a difference, she thought. I would have just sounded like a bumbling idiot trying to explain my feelings after a kiss like that.

"Well," Felicia said, "you should still try and talk to him about it as soon as possible."

Throughout the day Clarissa tried texting Al several times, but didn't quite know what to say and gave up.

That afternoon Felicia was lazing around in the living room, reading, with her leg propped up in front of her. Clarissa was in her bedroom when she heard a clanking sound on her window. She peered through her curtains and saw Ed standing outside throwing pebbles at her window. He motioned for her to go outside, and then put a finger to his lip, which Clarissa interpreted as 'don't tell Felicia'.

"Hey, Felicia, I'm just going out for a quick walk," she said at the door. She heard an "Okay," from her roommate and then met Ed outside.

"What is it, Ed?" He looked somewhat nervous.

"I just wanted to ask something quick about Felicia."

"Shoot."

"What's...what are her favourite flowers?"

That was an easy question. "Tulips. Definitely yellow tulips."

"Okay, thanks. Oh, I was wondering if something happened between you and Alphonse when he brought you your phone this morning. He's been acting strange since he came back from the lab."

"Well, yeah...something happened."

Ed raised an eyebrow as if for her to continue.

Clarissa's face reddened. "Just – just ask him yourself if you really want to know!" She then huffed and hurried back to her apartment.

"That was a short walk," Felicia said from the living room.

"Yeah, I didn't get very far before I decided against it," she invented.

"That is so you."

Clarissa was dreading going to her poetry class Tuesday morning. She and Al hadn't spoken a word the rest of the weekend, and she didn't know what to expect about confronting him. She tried arriving early to the classroom and talking to him before class, but when she got there he was already sitting down in their usual spot, and Professor Peterson was preparing for his class. Several other students were milling around.

This isn't a good spot to talk to him...

"Hey, Al..." she said and sat down in her seat.

"Hey," he replied without looking at her. "You made it to class on time for once."

"Yeah..."

There was an uneasiness in the air between them, and Clarissa suspected that even Professor Peterson could feel it because every few seconds he glanced up to look at them.

"Hey, um, do you think we can talk after class?" Clarissa asked, her palms sweating.

He gulped. "Yeah, sure."

Clarissa exhaled in relief.

The class seemed to drag on and on, as if it was never going to end. I wonder what Al's thinking...Clarissa thought several times throughout class.

"And remember," Professor Peterson concluded, "don't forget that your midterm assignments are due this Friday, oxin."

Clarissa fumbled with her books as she tried to shove them in her bag. Why am I so nervous?

"So...what did you want to talk about?" Al asked.

Clarissa shook her head. "Not here. Come on."

They walked out of the building in silence. It was not even noon yet, but the sun was shining brightly, and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Clarissa smiled to herself. What a beautiful day. I hope I don't mess it up...

Al stopped walking when Clarissa turned away from campus and began walking along a hiking path.

"Where are you taking me?" he asked. "Why can't we just talk here?"

"Come on, I want to show you something first."

He followed after her and they were soon surrounded by trees and shrubs. It was instantly cooler in the shade and Clarissa rubbed the goosebumps on her arms.

Maybe wearing a skirt today wasn't the best idea. I didn't think I'd be trudging through the woods, though.

Al wordlessly handed her his sweater.

"Oh, thanks," she said and shrugged it on. It smelled like him, and she could still feel his body heat. They walked in silence for several minutes.

"If I'm right, it should be right about here..." she said, looking around. The trees began to thin and the path opened to an expanse of beach sand, and a familiar damp smell fanned over her. "Ah, here we are."

She gave Al a few moments to look around. She had brought him to a small lake. She knew at this time of the day there should have been few – or no – people around. And her planning had been correct; they had the place to themselves.

Clarissa removed her sandals and walked through the warm sand barefoot, tossing her shoes and bag to the side.. She watched the sunlight sparkle over the clear water. Al trailed behind her, his hands in his pockets.

"This is one of East City's smallest lakes. Not very many people even know about it. I used to come here all the time...my parents' house is only a ten minute walk from here. I'd come here if I ever had something on my mind, or there was something that I had to think about...It was my only escape."

Behind her, Al stopped walking and sighed. "Why are you doing this to me?"

Clarissa blinked at him, but he didn't give her a chance to reply.

He continued, staring at his feet, "Why are you dragging this out? Just come out and say that you don't want to be with me. I could tell I wasn't good enough for you. Clearly I don't have the same effect on you as you have on me."

Is that what he was thinking all along?

Tears formed in her eyes. "Al, I brought you here because it's important to me. Because you're important to me. This is my favourite place on earth and I wanted to share it with you." She sniffed and despite her best efforts she started to cry. "I was worried I was going to mess this all up, and now I have."

He rushed over to her, his eyes saddened. He wiped away her tears and then put his arms gently around her, rubbing her back. "You haven't ruined anything. It's beautiful here...you're beautiful."

She sniffed and wrapped her arms around his back. "Really?"

"Yes," he whispered, kissing the top of her hair.

"I can't believe you think you don't have an effect on me, Al."

He froze. "I don't understand."

"You doaffect me, Al! You have all along. Like at the club when I pushed you away and said you're apoplectic. Do you know what that means?"

"No..."

"It means intense enough to cause a stroke. I didn't think my heart could handle how you were making me feel." Al held her tighter as she spoke. "And the next morning...when you...when we...I almost fainted afterwards. It was my very first kiss. Felicia found me in a heap on the floor! And at the movie, and when I saw you in a towel, and when we fell in the fountain, and when we hold hands, and–"

He silenced her by placing his hands on either side of her face, and after brushing her long hair behind her ears he planted his lips on hers. She closed her eyes tight. The feeling was much the same as the first time; electricity coursed up her spine, and heat surfaced to her cheeks and neck. This time, her hands were free so she wrapped them around his neck, deepening the kiss and making Al shiver. He ran his hands under the back of her shirt, touching her bare skin. Clarissa gasped and broke away, only to press her lips against his once more. She twirled her fingers through the short hair at the base of his neck and smiled when she felt him shudder against her. This time it was Al who cut away from the kiss, and he rested his cheek against hers, holding her tightly in his arms. She continued to twirl her fingers through his hair and soon felt a dampness against her cheek. Tears.

"Oh, Al..." she said and rubbed his back.

"You were my first kiss, too," he whispered.

They remained fastened together for several minutes, simply sharing each other's embrace. Clarissa inhaled and breathed Al's scent. Then she held his face up so she could dry his cheeks. She looked into his golden eyes.

"I love you, Alphonse."

He tightened his hold on her. "Why didn't you say anything the morning I kissed you?"

"Because I was stunned! Before I had the chance to form any coherent words in my head you were already gone."

"I thought when you didn't say anything that you didn't want me. I was worried that you were mad at me for kissing you. And then we didn't talk again until class. I thought when you brought me here that you were going to let me go."

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't know what to say. I'm really sorry for making you feel that way, Al."

He grinned and slipped his fingers through hers. "That doesn't matter anymore. I still can't believe it, but now that I have you I'm never going to let you go."

"It's about time!" Felicia shouted when they came through the front door holding hands. "Me and Ed have been trying to hook you two up for ages! Sheesh!"

The next day Clarissa received a strange text from Al.

Ed wants me to tell you to make sure Felicia's wearing something nice today. It's a surprise.

Clarissa wanted to know what the surprise was, but she was aware that if she knew what it was she wouldn't be able to keep it from Felicia. She replied back that she would make sure.

"Hey, Felicia, what are you wearing today?" Clarissa asked and walked into her room. Felicia was laying on her bed, reading from her manga collection, her sore ankle outstretched.

"Why?"

Clarissa saw that she was wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt, and her hair was a mess.

"You need to take a shower."

"Why?"

"Just take a shower!"

Felicia mumbled and limped to the bathroom. She knew if she tried to resist then Clarissa would continue pestering her.

Clarissa continued, "I'll pick some clothes out for you."

She laid out a pair of tight black shorts and a pretty summery top to go with it.

When Felicia was finished in the shower and was getting dressed, Clarissa received another text from Al saying that he and Ed were on their way over. She replied back with a heart.

"What are you giggling about?" Felicia asked. "I can hear you all the way in here."

Clarissa nearly dropped her phone, unaware that she had been laughing. "What? Oh, Ed and Al are on their way here."

"So that's what you were giggling about," she teased.

Minutes later Clarissa let Ed and Al into the apartment.

"You look great today," Al said, placing his hands on her hips and then kissing her on the nose.

"Thanks," she said and blushed.

"What are you doing laying around in bed all day?" Ed demanded once he found Felicia in her room.

"Hi, Ed! And my ankle's still twisted from dancing."

"It's been nearly a week! And it still hurts?"

Felicia nodded, and Ed slouched, looking as if he wanted to rip his hair out. Then he sighed.

"Well, I guess there's no other way..."

"What're you –"

Ed scooped her up off the bed, one arm under her legs and the other at her back, bridal style.

"I'm taking you somewhere, and it's a surprise," he winked.

"Edward!" she screamed. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Would you rather I carry you over my shoulder?"

"No!" she screamed, latching her arms around his neck. "Please don't do that, this if fine!"

"That's what I thought," he laughed. "Alright, let's go. Al, Clarissa, I want you two to come with, too."

"Are you sure this is okay?" Felicia asked. "I mean with your metal leg..."

"My leg is fine," he said, carrying her down the stairs. "I'm more than capable of carrying around my one hundred pound girlfriend. Remember, I used to be the Fullmetal Alchemist."

It's a good thing I didn't pick out a dress or skirt for her, Clarissa thought. Then she whispered to Al, "Do you know where Ed's taking us?"

"I have no idea," he replied. "All he said was that he wanted us to come along."

They walked mostly in silence, however every couple of minutes Felicia demanded to be put down.

"People are looking at us strange," she said.

"I don't care," was Ed's reply.

"My ankle is better, it's much better, now"

Ed laughed. "You're not going to get me to put you down until we're there."

Clarissa and Al walked behind them, holding hands.

After they'd been walking for about fifteen minutes, Ed said, "We're almost there. Time to close your eyes."

"Huh?"

"Don't you trust me?"

"I do..." Felicia said. She then closed her eyes and buried her face in his neck. Ed smiled.

When Clarissa saw where they were, her breath caught in her throat.

"Oh, wow," she said. I didn't know Ed was this much of a sweetheart.

"What is it?" Felicia asked.

"No peeking!" Ed said.

"I'm not!"

A few more steps, and Ed stopped walking. "Alright, I'm going to put you down but you have to keep your eyes closed."

"Okay."

He put her down on her feet and steadied her. Then he turned her so her back was facing him and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Alright, open your eyes."

Clarissa smiled at Felicia's expression when she opened her eyes. Before her was a field of hundreds of red and yellow tulips. Felicia covered her mouth as she eyed the field.

"Do you like it?" Ed asked. "They're in your and my favourite colours. Yellow and red, combined together. Yellow tulips symbolize joy, and red tulips represent "perfect love" which are the two things I want for both of us."

"They're beautiful, Ed!" she said and turned around to hug him. "Thank you so much for bringing me here. This is wonderful. How did you know tulips were my favourite flower?"

So that's why he asked...Clarissa thought.

"I looked all over East City for a good place to say this to you. And then I came across this place." He held her hands in his. "I know we haven't known each other for a long time, and I may not be a complete man, with a missing limb and all. But I think I can complete your heart. I promise I'll stay by your side for the rest of my life. And I was hoping you would do the same for me."

"Of course I would, Ed!"

"And if I ever break my promise, then...you can beat me up or something. With Al and Clarissa here as my witnesses."

"If he breaks his promise, I'll beat him up myself," Clarissa said.

"Thanks again for bringing me here," Felicia said, her eyes glistening. "This really means a lot to me." Ed wrapped his arms around her and they looked over the flowers together.

Clarissa turned to Al and whispered, "So was that a proposal, or...?"

"Nah," he whispered back. "Just think of it as a promise to stay together. Ed said he wasn't going to do anything like that for another year or two. But don't tell Felicia that! Ed wants to keep it a surprise."

Clarissa could hear Ed and Felicia whispering to each other. "I love you," he said. "I'll stay by your side forever."

When they all returned to the apartment, Al and Clarissa decided to work on their midterm assignments. Felicia and Ed watched a movie together in the living room.

For their assignment, they had to write and submit three different poems on things that hold a lot of meaning to them. On Friday they would have to pick one of the poems and read it to the class.

At the kitchen table they brainstormed a list of things important to them.

"Friendship...anime...family...books...rockets..." Clarissa read off the list.

"Food!" Felicia suggested.

"I think I'll write one of mine on milk," Al joked. "Want to hear it, Ed?"

"Watch it, Alphonse," was his reply.

"Hmm, I can't think of any good ideas, yet," Clarissa said.

"Whatever you write will be great," Al said. "After all, you're the star of the class. The professor's practically in love with you."

Clarissa blushed. "My poems aren't that great."

Al smiled and gave her hand a squeeze. "They'll be better than mine, that's for sure."

When Felicia and Ed's movie was over, the brothers headed home.

"See you in class on Friday," Al said and smiled. He kissed her hair and then left.

Friday morning at class, Clarissa knew which poem she would be most comfortable reading to the class. She honestly thought this one was the best written, too.

"O'Gonnor, why don't you begin the midterm readings, oxin?" Professor Peterson asked.

Clarissa mumbled to herself, "Why do I have to be the first one?"

Al gave her an encouraging smile as she stood up to read her poem.

"This poem is about starry skies, because it's really important to me. I titled it 'Ode to the Heavens'."

She cleared her throat and then began reading her poem. She told the class of the brightness of the stars against the black sky. She expressed clearly how she felt as she looked up at the stars and was filled with a sense of amazement. As she read, one word flowed into the next, and her poem was more like a melody, as if the stars were telling their own story.

When she finished, she exhaled. Professor Peterson began applauding, and the rest of the class joined in.

"Very well done, O'Gonnor," he said. "Your word choice was spectacular, and you really got your message across, oxin. I expected nothing less. Nicely done."

Clarissa sat down back in her seat.

"I didn't know you liked the stars so much," Al said. "Maybe tonight we can sit outside and watch them together."

Clarissa grinned from ear to ear. "I'd really like that."

The rest of the class was reluctant to read out their own poems. And Clarissa could see why. The drug addicts had poems about drugs. The rich people all talked about money. Jake Hollins, the boy who always teased her about her last name, wrote about porn. Clarissa shook her head.

"Do we have any other volunteers, oxin?" the professor asked.

I never had a choice...Clarissa thought.

"I'll read mine," Al said and stood up.

"Ah, yes, go ahead."

Al took a deep breath. "This is about something very important to me. It's untitled." Eyes turned to Clarissa as he read his poem.

I met a girl with a strange last name

on the very first day of classes.

She was the very last person to arrive,

and at first I thought she needed glasses

because she quite literally fell through the door.

To add to that, she fainted after class.

What a strange person this girl was.

I got to know her better after that,

and her beauty shone through with everything she did.

I became quite fond of this strange girl

and now she has become the most important person in the world to me.

Someone help me because I'm

A Goner

And it all started with a poetry class.

The End~