Okay, so first off, I just want to apologize for writing ANOTHER story. . I know, I'm bad! But anywho...

When something is written in this style it represents someone's thoughts. Enjoy. ^^


Ulrich lay in bed, staring at his pillow. He was thinking about his day. His friends. His enemies. Kiwi, his small dog, jumped up onto his back and licked the back of his neck.

"Not now, Kiwi, I'm not in the mood..." He pushed the animal onto the floor. He jumped back up and licked Ulrichs face, his dog-speak for 'I love you.' Ulrich caved and started petting him. There was a knock at the door. "Yeah?"

"Ulrich? It's Aelita. Can I come in?" A gentle voice called through the door.

"Yeah." He said. "Why not."

"How are you feeling?" She asked, crossing the room and talking a seat next to him on his bed.

"Like a fool...nothing new." He shrugged, shaking his head in shame.

"Well...it's not your fault." She ran her fingers through his hair absently. "No one knew she would do that."

"Yeah...that doesn't change much..." Ulrich leaned his head towards her. He loved people playing with his hair.

"Well..I know." She smiled. "But it's not like you can get in any trouble with the school for it. And if you get bullied the whole school's gonna get a lecture, and no one wants that."

"I'm more worried about being taken out of my room with Odd..." Ulrich sighed.

"They can't do that. It's considered descrimination." Aelita smiled softly at him.

"Well then what's Odd gonna say? The way he looked at me..." Ulrich rested his head on her shoulder.

"I think he'll understand." She said, wrapping her arms around him.

"Aelita..this isn't just some little thing that everyone's gonna forget about. This is a huge part of me that everyone knows and it wasn't even my choice. I wasn't ready to tell Odd..let alone the whole school." He said as he leaned back against her. "I don't even know how she found out."

The door opened at this point and Jeremy walked in. He smiled at Ulrich, and Ulrich just shook his head in defeat.

"Did you here the rumors flying around out there?" Jeremy asked.

Ulrich nodded. "The same one's that've been going since breakfast?"

"The ones that Sissy made the whole thing up!" Jeremy shook his head. "I mean, come on, who comes up with this stuff? No one ever sticks to the truth anymore."

"You..you knew?!" Ulrichs eyes widened dramatically. "You knew it all? Couldn't you have mentioned this a little sooner?"

"What difference does it make if I know or not?" Jeremy asked.

"It makes a whole world of difference! I've been worried sick over this all day! About what you'd all think of me!" Ulrich nearly screamed. 'Especially Odd.'

"Over what I would think? Or over what Odd would think?" Jeremy laughed humorlessly.

"Well..honestly...Odd. I don't know what to do." Ulrich flopped down on his bed, throwing an arm over his eyes.

"Is your gaydar broken?" Yumi asked from the door.

"What?" Ulrich looked up at her.

"Need me to spell it out? Odd. Is. Gay." She explained. "Hello, what straight man wears purple everyday?"

"Just because a man wears purple doesn't mean he's gay." Ulrich said, sitting up, a confused expression painted across his face. He'd always trusted Yumi, but her head must've taken a serious blow.

"Trust me, he won't be all that..upset..by the news." She winked and walked away. Her voice floated back down the hallway. "Hey Odd. There's a regular party going on in your room."

"Really?" Odd's ever cheerful voice floated down the hall with a chuckle. "Guess I better go break it up before we get in trouble."

A moment later, much to Ulrich's despare, Odd walked into the room.

"Come on, everyone. Time to clear out." Odd said.

Jeremy and Aelita nodded and, after Aelita hugged Ulrich, left. Ulrich bit his lip hard.

"Sissy's a real bitch, you know that? Did you write it in your journal, or tell anyone?" Odd asked him. Ulrich nodded.

"I joined a website.." He admitted.

"See, it's easier to stay closet, if you actually stay closet." Odd laughed.

"Are you closet?" Ulrich asked, tilting his head.

"Now, if I told you, I wouldn't be closet, would I?" Odd smiled.

"Well, no, but..." Ulrich started.

"But no, I'm not closet." Odd said. "But I don't broadcast it either. I just don't care."

"Oh." Ulrich stared at him.

"You know why she told everyone? Because she knew you were scared of people knowing. If she told everyone about me, nothing would change. That's why she hasn't." Odd shrugged.

"I see." Ulrich said, running his fingers through his hair.

"You look tired." Odd pointed out. "Your hair is all messed up and your eyes are baggy. And a little red. You've been crying."

"Stop picking me apart." Ulrich said, tossing a shoe at Odd.

"I'm not. It's just the obvious." Odd said. "Get some sleep, alright? We'll talk tomorrow."

"Yeah.." Ulrich nodded, laying in his bed still fully clothed. He wrapped the blanket around himself and curled into a ball with his eyes shut tight.

Odd smiled almost saddly at him and flicked the light off. 'Get some sleep, Ulrich. Tomorrow won't be easy.' He stayed up a while and watched Ulrich sleep. 'No..tomorrow won't be easy for either of us...it's gonna be one of the hardest days we'll ever have to face. But we'll face it together.'