Chapter 1 (Revamped)

In an unknown place

Odd could barely breathe. His chest felt like it was going to explode as he ran as fast as he could. He needed to escape. But Ulrich was already catching up to Odd; it seemed that no matter how fast Odd ran, Ulrich was just a few steps behind him. When he got near the corner, he let out a small boost of speed and went around the corner, and into an alleyway. He stopped to catch his breath; he was sure he was safe. He turned around and saw Jeremie standing in front of him. "Jeremie, you have to help me! Ulrich's out of his mind! He just started chasing me and swinging at me with a steel bat!" Odd cried. Jeremie stood in place and said nothing. "Jeremie, are you okay?" Still, Jeremie said nothing and just stared at Odd. "Um... okay, I'm just gonna-" Odd was cut off. Jeremie grabbed Odd by the throat and started shaking him. "Jer- can't- br-" Odd gasped as Jeremie began to choke him. After a few seconds, Jeremie smiled an evil smile and threw him to the ground. "Why... did you do that?" Odd coughed out while looking up at Jeremie. Odd stood up, and Jeremie began to back him out of the alley. When the two got out, Jeremie stopped and laughed. Odd looked to the side only to see Ulrich running over, bat in hand He looked to the other side, and he saw Yumi running over, wielding a crossbow. When the three were near each other, they all stared at Odd with menacing looks. "Guys, what's going on? Why are you guys doing this to me!?" The three said nothing. "Guys?" Ulrich and Yumi took aim with their weapons, and Jeremie grabbed him by the throat again. "Guys?" he choked out. Then everything went white.

"Odd! Odd! Wake up!" whispered Yumi as she poked Odd, hoping to wake him up. He groggily raised his head, looked up, and rubbed his eyes. He could here small bouts of laughter from the other students. "Odd, if you're going to sleep in my class, you might as well join Mr. Delmas in an hour detention." Mrs. Hertz declared. "No, it's okay Mrs. Hertz! He just had trouble sleeping last night, I'll make sure it doesn't happen again!" Yumi argued. "Very well. Just make sure it doesn't, or we're going to have a problem." Odd sat up in his seat and yawned. He jumped a little in place when he saw the look that Yumi was giving him. He simply sighed, and looked up at the board with a blank stare. Why did it matter if he was there or not? Awake or asleep? Mrs. Hertz knew as well as he did that he was never going to understand the material. It was like trying to decode an alien language. But he figured he could pass with a C just as long as he showed up to class each day.

After class, Aelita, Yumi, Ulrich, Jeremie met up with Odd. "Hey Odd, what was up in class? You were asleep for a good half hour before Mrs. Hertz even noticed you. I'd actually say that's a new record!" Jeremie joked. "Yeah, Odd. How come you fell asleep for so long in class?" asked Yumi. "I was up all night playing that new game I got last week. It's so fun, I've been staying up late trying to play it. Sleep is never important when it comes to games!" he yelled as he made the victory pose with his fingers and laughed. The others simply laugh and shook their heads. Except Ulrich. Odd noticed this, and tried to lighten his mood a little. "Hey Ulrich, why the long face? Why not make it shorter?" He joked as he poked Ulrich in the stomach. Ulrich took a while to respond, but finally said "Huh?"

"That's exactly what I'm talking about. You've seemed pretty out of it lately. What's the matter?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Odd knew otherwise, but he also knew not to pry when it came to Ulrich. The two were best friends, and Ulrich would tell Odd eventually. Either way he would get the information he wanted. Odd jumped back into the conversation with the others, talking about him falling asleep in class, the new Mutant Ninja Slime Movie that was coming out, and how Sissy hadn't been messing with anyone lately. The whole time, Ulrich hadn't jumped in or commented even once. "Hey Ulrich, you sure you're alright?" asked Aelita. He simply nodded and gave her a weak smile. She smiled back and turned to Odd. "Odd, when you guys get back to your room, you should talk to him. Something's obviously bothering him." Odd yawned lazily and nodded signaling that he knew to do so already.

Later That Night, Back at Kadic

Odd and Ulrich both began to take their shirts off to change into their pajamas. It had been quiet for a few minutes, and Odd was starting to feel awkward. "Hey Ulrich," he said.

"Yeah?" Ulrich replied.

"What was up with you earlier?"

"Oh, it was nothing. Don't worry about it, Odd."

"Ulrich, that was NOT nothing. There was definitely something wrong. Whether you want to tell me or not is up to you, but don't lie to me and say it was nothing. You know we're best friends. I just don't wanna see you down."

Ulrich hesitated a little before finally speaking. "Maybe you should go to sleep early tonight."

"Now why would I do that, when I could be playing on the computer for a little longer?"

Ulrich sighed. "Look, if you stay up playing on the computer, you'll probably end up falling asleep in class. And you don't want that to happen again, do you?"

Odd paused for a second a looked at the floor. "No, not really... but it wouldn't matter if I did."

"C'mon Odd, I'm being serious."

"So am I! It's not like my grades are going to get any better if I actually try."

"Odd, you have to try. If your grades get any lower, you could get kicked out of Kadic. That's the last thing I want. The last thing that any of us want."

"Stop worrying about me so much. I'll keep my grades high enough to stay here with you guys. Now you get some sleep too, okay?"

"Fine. I'll talk to you in the morning. Just just remember, you promised."

Ulrich took of his pants and got into bed. "Ulrich?" asked Odd.

"What is it?"

"Thanks."

Ulrich simply smiled and rolled over in bed. "Goodnight, Odd."