"Aelita, with your wings on you really do look like an angel on Lyoko", Yumi said.

"Now you can really kick monsters' butts", added Odd.

"Yes, I absolutely love them! I can't believe how Jeremie managed to keep that wing design a secret from me for so long…" Aelita replied.

Jeremie felt heat rising to his cheeks as he was listening to the conversation while he and his friends were walking under the arches towards their next class. Thankfully, Jeremie thought, he was walking slightly behind her with Ulrich, so Aelita did not notice his blush.

He rose his sight from the ground and looked at Aelita. He could easily imagine her new virtual avatar; after all he designed them for all his friends himself. It cost him a lot of effort and research to make all of his friends' equipment suitable to new dangers awaiting them in the network. However, he paid extra attention to Aelita's design, as he felt particularly responsible for her. She needed to feel more safe and independent in the battle, which, he assumed, was now going to be tougher than ever. He also really wanted to give her something special and unique, just like she was special and unique to him. And, judging by Aelita's reaction after she found out about her wings, it looked like his effort paid off.

Now he could imagine them really clearly - a pair of beautiful, pink wings, spread widely behind her. He saw how Aelita was avoiding Xana's monsters and William with speed and agility she never experienced before. He could see a proud, strong warrior whom Xana had to respect.

He really enjoyed that image, which made his blush a shade darker.

You are the wind beneath my wings, he recalled her saying that earlier on Lyoko.

You are the wind beneath mine, too, he thought.

He hoped that one day he 'd free himself from the chains of timidity and say it all out loud. He knew deep inside that his time has not come yet...

They stopped near the classroom and said goodbye to Yumi, who headed towards the science building.

"You've got to show me how you did it! You must've done some neat programming there, Jeremie", Aelita said joyfully as she turned around to face him.

"But firstly, it's an old trick, and secondly, I have nothing to hide", Jeremie admitted, and smiled.

"I'm talking about the wings", Aelita said, putting accent on 'wings'. "Oh, and good to know", she added and smiled back.

"S-sure." Slightly confused, Jeremie entered the classroom.