Awful
Aelita was bored. She was sitting out on a bench in the park. Ulrich, Yumi, and Jeremy had gone home for Christmas Break because their families wouldn't let it happen any other way. She had been left nearly completely alone, except for Odd, who was in lunch even though she had left fifteen minutes ago. Maybe he would have something to do. Sure enough, Odd came out.
"Hey, princess," he said. "How go things?"
"Boring. I can't believe we're going to have to suffer another week of this." There was an awkward silence. Neither had forgotten Plan Open Mind. Odd hadn't guessed why she wanted him to do it instead of Jeremy. She had tried to make it look like a 'let's even the score' plot. Luckily, he seemed to have bought it.
But it wasn't Odd's way to try to pretend the issue wasn't awkward. He decided to attack it head on with comedy.
"Do you remember Plan Open Mind?"
"Yes, Odd, I do."
"You tasted awful," he said, grinning. "Like a dead mouse."
"Oh, and you know how a dead mouse tastes?" she asked.
"I do now!"
"I don't even know what you tasted like. Somewhere between rotten eggs and sweaty socks."
"You know what they taste like?"
"Do now." There was another silence.
"I thought Jeremy was going to strangle me. It was hilarious. He's really obsessed with you, you know."
"Yeah. I know."
"You liked him back."
"Yeah."
"Not anymore."
"I know." It was weird hearing Odd the comedian saying this out loud.
"You're not sure, are you? It must not feel great."
"That's true."
"I know how it feels. I have the same problems with Sam. We aren't a couple anymore, really." Why was he saying all this to her? It wasn't her business. But she knew it was. She had been closest to Jeremy for a while, but she was closer to Odd now. They were better friends after that fight. She was glad it had happened.
"I'm sorry." For some reason she wasn't. She was glad that Odd wasn't dating anyone.
"Don't be," said Odd. "I know how it feels. The mask goes back on around the others, but you understand."
"Is it a mask?"
"No. It's me. It's the happy side of me. You're the only one who gets to see anything else," he said, looking slightly glum. Then he brightened. "But if anyone gets to see the down side, I'm glad it's you."
"Thanks. Maybe you didn't taste like rotten eggs."
"Maybe you didn't taste like a dead mouse." They were leaning in and their lips touched. They stayed like that for a few seconds, and then broke apart. They smiled and spoke simultaneously.
"Awful."