Hot Chocolate
It was a biting cold winter day at Kadic Academy. The trees looked harsh and barren, and the sky was a gloomy gray. Aelita's cheeks were flushed pink as she made her way through campus. She zipped her faux fur-lined jacket up a little farther, bundling herself up some more.
Darn this cold, she thought as she lost feeling in her nose. Xana may have been trying to murder me back in Lyoko, but at least there was no temperature.
She scurried quickly around to the corner to the dormitories, glad she was so close to the warmth. Just a little farther, Aelita, she coached herself. Then, before her eyes, appeared a familiar face.
"Jeremie!" she called out. His head perked up and turned in her direction. He gave her a bashful smile, and made a small effort to reach her more quickly. Immediately as he reached her she clung to his arm. He blushed.
"Share your body heat," she giggled jokingly, "it's freezing out here!"
Jeremie smiled to himself. He was nervous having her so close, but it felt so right. "Oh, it's only 43 degrees," he chuckled. She snuggled closer.
"Only," she repeated sarcastically. He smiled.
They reached the dormitories now; Jeremie opened the door and a flood of warmth caressed their skin. Aelita sighed a sigh of relief, loosening her grip on Jeremie's arm a bit.
"How do you stand weather like this?" she laughed. "I thought my nose would fall off!"
"Sheer evolution," he answered confidently. "And a little cheating." He gave her a mysterious smile. She cocked her head and squinted her eyes at him curiously. "Come back to my room, I'll show you," he offered. She nodded happily.
-
"What is this?" Aelita asked as Jeremie handed her a steaming cup of... something.
"Hot chocolate," he answered. "Not the best, instant, but it's better than nothing," he smiled. "Take a drink."
She sipped the new beverage carefully, making sure not to burn her taste buds. "Mm, this is good," she responded, delighted. "You came up with this?" she questioned.
"No," he chuckled. "It's been around for a long time." She figured as much.
"Well you make it very well," she complimented. He blushed.
"Thank Swiss Miss," he joked.
Aelita sat cross-legged on his bed with her hot chocolate in her lap. "Why are you all the way over there?" she asked, patting the space on his bed next to her. Jeremie moved from his previous space leaning against his computer desk to a more comfortable seat next to Aelita. She smiled and snuggled close to him. His face flushed crimson.
"This is my solution to the cold." She nuzzled closer to him. "Only with you of course," she added quietly with a blush. Jeremie's cheeks grew warm.
"I like your way better," he smiled shyly, hugging her close.
