SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, this is my first story, and I really hope you guys like it! I plan for this to be ten chapters, but only if people like this. I am working on a oneshot also; look for that soon.

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Something was wrong with Odd's expression.

As usual, the blonde epitome of ADD was shoveling food down his throat, but when he did stop, Ulrich noticed that his smile was forced; there was a slight strain on it, almost as if it was being held in place by metal bars. This unusual reaction had Ulrich worried for only a moment before he thought of the fight. Odd's girlfriend of exactly 2 weeks and one day had woken him up last night by shouting to half the school about how Odd was a two-timing, sniveling little… yeah, the usual. Ulrich had only given it a moment's thought before going back to sleep, but maybe his best friend had been more shaken up than he originally thought.

His thoughts were interrupted by Aelita saying "My father is still nowhere to be found, but every day I am getting closer to cracking the map's key.

Once Aelita had restarted the supercomputer to make sure XANA was really gone, she had found a coded map to where her father had hidden a data version of himself, one that Jeremie could use code earth to bring back. Basically, the computer was no longer dangerous; it was just a big computer.

Aelita then said "So Odd how was the shouting match last night? What did you do this time; cheat on her with her sister?

"You know, I actually broke up with her."

The silence at the table was deafening, and Odd was timing how long it would take them to get over the shock.

45 seconds later, Jeremie asked "Why then, was she shouting about you cheating on her?"

"Apparently, when I break up with a girl, it automatically means there's someone else."

"USUALLY THERE IS!"

"Ok, but not this time. I just want to focus on some other things right now.

The truth was, Odd was lost. Nothing, not even Kiwi or soccer with Ulrich could make him stop thinking that he was missing something in his life. No girl helped him get over it either. His last 5 girlfriends had only increased this feeling.

Jeremie started to press Odd for more info, but Ulrich put a finger to his lips and said "We are always here for you; XANA may be gone, but we are still friends."

"That really means a lot to me, you know that?"

At this point, the 5 exited the lunchroom, dodged Sissy, and headed up to the dorm of the smartest kid in Kadic.

Jeremie sat down at his computer and began typing, while the others sat on the bed and waited.

"Last night, I finally located the remains of the skid, and managed to get them from the bottom of the digital sea." Jeremie said. "Although it is mangled, and about a quarter of it has been completely destroyed, I began the restoration program. It was close, but the program managed to begin repairs. The process should take about two weeks, although, you guys should visit lyoko once in a while to make sure it is working." At this Jeremie lapsed into incoherent mumblings about program codes that nobody except Aelita understood.

After about half an hour of watching Jeremie type, Odd and Ulrich left for some one on one soccer. They quickly changed and began kicking the ball around. After an hour, Ulrich was leading 5-0, so they took a break and went to go sit in the grass.

"Odd?"

"Yes Ulrich?"

"Why do we understand each other so much better when we are playing soccer?

"Huh?"

"Whenever we play soccer, I can read you like a book; I can see your emotions, your ideas, even whether you're hungry or not. But today, all I'm seeing is frustration.

"You know, I can do that with you to, though not to that extent. And I'm frustrated because I'm trying to find something that will make me truly happy. Lately, everything that I do just feels halfhearted; I can't feel meaning in it. I think that playing soccer with you has been the happiest thing I have done all week. Other than that, I'm fine.

Ulrich was silent for a moment, absorbed in his own thoughts. Finally, he said "I understand, and I think what you need is something new. I've got to admit, life is slightly less exciting without XANA, and so what you need is a new hobby. As for you breaking up with Miranda, it was for the best. That girl was dragging you down even deeper if you ask me. I promise you, whatever new adventure you find, I'll be right by your side."

Odd gave Ulrich his biggest smile, then started chasing after the ball.

Later that night, the five decided to go to a movie. It was October, so the local cinema had all sorts of classic horror movies. They selected Frankenstein and grabbed popcorn, with Odd getting a large for himself, and the rest getting one to share. The gang all filed into the movie theater just as the previews were starting, and sat down. 40 minutes into the movie, Aelita, (who had never seen a horror movie in her life) was trembling and spilling popcorn everywhere, while the rest were yawning. As Odd was grabbing his popcorn, his hand brushed against Ulrich's arm. Then he felt the spark.

It was everything he had been looking for, and it was right in front of him. Warmth blossomed in his stomach, and he felt himself blushing. This was nothing like his many girlfriends, this was beauty, strength and cleverness in perfect harmony, and all Odd wanted to do was drink it up. Then it ended, and Odd just sat there, panting like a dog.

Ulrich leaned over and asked "are you okay?"

"yeayayhuhuhuhumumumyeah"

"Okay…"

For the rest of the movie, all Odd could think of was Ulrich. His face. His lips. His eyes-cheeks-nose. He thought of the time they had spent talking and goofing off, and how he was always there for Odd, and his kindness and gentle power.

At the end of the movie, Odd held Ulrich back, intending to tell him what he had felt, but something told him not to reveal this just yet. So he just said "tomorrow, I'm going to find a new hobby, like you told me to. I want to figure out why I'm feeling like this, and I can't do it without you."

After Ulrich agreed to help him out tomorrow, they went back to the dorms. Ulrich and Odd both went to bed, but only one fell asleep.

After Odd got his thoughts in order, he knew that the answer to his problem was Ulrich. Whether this was love he was not sure, but one thing was clear; Ulrich is the only thing he needs.

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Let me know how you like it, really, just tell me if I should continue