Ulrich's POV
I could never say I've got a normal life, unless you count constantly battling a demonic computer program, who wants you dead and to rule the world. But even before moving here to Kadic, my life was strange: a strict father who was a lawyer and could never be proud of me and a cheerful mother always traveling around the world, away from our manor. My mom would leave me to the care of my dad, who let our servants and maid take care of me. I wonder if he even wanted me to exist. By the way he just simply ignored me all the time, it was hard to say.
Today at Kadic Jr. High, I'm going to be leading the soccer team into the finals of the soccer tournament. I'm sure my 4 best friends will be there cheering for me. Unlike most of my family, they make me feel like an actual person. Especially Yumi and I think I love her and more than just my best friend. Odd's always teasing me about it, since he read my diary, and telling me to ask her out. I'm not sure if I should, what'll happen if she rejects me? That'll ruin our entire friendship.
Normal POV
"5-4-3-2-1-0!!!!!!!!!" the referee called out. Both teams were tied 6 to 6. But Ulrich stole the soccer ball and was positioned in front of the rival goalie during these last 5 seconds of the game, before overtime. But he wanted to end it now.
Ulrich feinted to the right and cleverly kicked the soccer ball as hard as he could to the top left corner of the goal. It soared out of the goalie's outstretched hands and hit the back of the net. The referee could be heard blowing the whistle over the screams and cheers of the Kadic crowd, indicating the end of the Finals and the school reporters were announcing Kadic Jr. High's championship title.
"Yes, it's true. Kadic High has just won its first championship title in 15 years, all thanks to their star player: Ulrich Stern, who ended the game 7 to 6. Our rivals East Brooksville put up a great fight to the finish, but were outplayed by the striker of our academy. Let's see if Ulrich has anything to say about this victory," beamed Milly, with Tamiya giving her a thumbs-up from behind the camera.
Ulrich was giving all his teammates high-fives and grinning with pride and happiness. Yumi, Jeremy, Aelita and Odd were pushing their way through the crowd toward him. Jeremy and Aelita, who weren't big sports fans, were jumping up and down in excitement.
"Hell, yeah!" yelled Odd, "Great job good buddy; an undefeated session and straight to the finals and then victory! WHOOOOOO!!!!!!"
Yumi gave him a huge hug and a light kiss on the cheek. She was clearly flustered about what she had just done, blushing a faint red, "Great job, Ulrich! We're proud of you and, don't worry, I'm sure your parents will too once they find out."
Ulrich was blushing like mad too. "Thanks Yumi! Umm……. I was um…….wondering if you'd like to go with me to the after party. That is, of course, if you haven't already decided to go with someone else." His voice was now carrying a hint of jealousy, maybe he shouldn't have waited last minute to ask her.
Yumi pretended to think for a moment and then answered, "Well……." She looked at Ulrich's expression and grinned, "How could I say no, Ulrich?"
He looked at her happily, thinking, 'Did Yumi actually say yes? Does this mean she likes me back, as in more than her best friend?''
Yumi took this chance and grabbed Ulrich's icy water bottle. She smiled and splashed him with some of the cold water. Laughing, she darted away quickly, "Can't catch me, Stern!"
Ulrich stood there temporarily stunned, before chasing after her, "Of course I can, Ishiyama!"
The crowd watched Ulrich running after Yumi, they were still cheering over their victory. But everyone laughed at the strange sight. Odd giggled, "Ulrich, you should be exhausted from the match! But I guess you always have energy to chase after 'your Yumi'!"
After about 10 minutes, Ulrich finally caught up to her and tackled her to the ground, ending up in a very awkward position. Yumi fell on top of Ulrich, her arms levitating her only a few centimeters from Ulrich's face. Their legs were tangled together and Ulrich's arms were still wrapped around Yumi's waist."
"Um……………………" was all Yumi could force herself to say. 'Funny,' she thought, 'why aren't I blushing yet?' But she already knew herself that she was hopelessly in love with Ulrich.
"We'd better…"
"-get up from here and…"
"-get ready for the school dance," finished Ulrich. But neither one of them moved, content with gazing at each other when Odd shouted to them-
"Hey lovebirds over there! Hurry up and get going, you two can flirt at the dance, just not in front of me! Ulrich, they won't start the party until you come, so that means NO FOOD FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
About an hour and a half later, Ulrich, Yumi, Jeremy, Aelita and Odd were at the entrance of the gym, where the dance was being held.
Odd pulled at the neck of his tuxedo and groaned, "Why'd they have to make this a black-tie event? It's just a stupid celebration for the soccer match."
"No it's not Odd," Aelita countered, "The school trustees and supervisors are here today, they came to watch the match. The party is in honor of them as well as Ulrich."
"I still hate wearing these, they're really uncomfortable. You girls are lucky you don't have to wear a tux," grumbled Odd.
"Oh, suck it up," Yumi rolled her eyes, but her grin gave her away.
Odd, Ulrich and Jeremy were required to wear tuxedoes for the party. But Yumi was wearing a simple black dress that ended at her knees. It was plain black with nothing else but the wide V-neck that rested on the ends of her shoulder, showed her collar bone and her slender neck and shoulders, making her look stunning. Aelita was wearing a dark maroon, spaghetti strap dress that she had borrowed from Yumi. The bottom of the dress nearly swept the ground, and there was a slit that stretched from the bottom to Aelita's knees.
"Let's go in and try to have some fun. I just hope that they won't play classical music. This is suppose to be an after party, not a grand ball," said Ulrich.
Ulrich's POV (again)
I actually did enjoy the party, mostly because I got to stay near Yumi the whole time. It was great slow dancing with her, though I did feel a little nervous. The whole time she rested her head on my shoulder, I begged for the song to never end, but it did anyway.
I lied down on my bed thoughts of Yumi ran through my mind. After the dance, I had walked Yumi home and bade her a good night and she kissed me on the check. I grinned sheepishly in the darkness of my dorm, Odd wasn't back yet.
BBZZTT!! BBBZZZTTT!!! For a moment, I wondered was making that noise. But then I realized it was my cell phone. Looking at the c.i.d, I saw it was my dad, 'oh great!'
"Hello? Dad?"
"Hi Ulrich, I was just calling to congratulate you on your victory against East Brookville. I take it you've been awarded MVP?"
"Thanks Dad and yes, the coach gave me my award."
"There's another reason I called, son. I want you to come visit your mother and me in our vacation home in southern France, for the Christmas Break. I'm sure you know it's only a 3 hour train ride to here from your school."
I grimaced, '2 weeks with my parents bickering at me about my grades?'
"Um……sure Dad, I'd love to," I lied.
"That's good, I would also like you to invite your 3 friends, Jeremy, Aelita and Odd, as well as your girlfriend Yumi was it?"
I tensed, "Yumi isn't my girlfriend."
My father ignored me, "I've already called everyone's parents and the principal. I've also sent you 5 tickets to come here by train and everything else is explained in the letter you'll be receiving soon."
"Alright."
"Oh and one more thing, this Saturday is Christmas Eve and our annual Masquerade Ball. It's formal as always and I want you to inform your friends. They are required to come in proper clothing. I must go, good bye Ulrich."
"Bye Dad," replied I, but he had already hung up.
'2 weeks with my best friends at my beach side mansion? Wow what a stroke of luck, maybe this vacation wouldn't be so bad. I could use this opportunity to tell Yumi that I love her, or maybe not. Whoa….how am I suppose to tell them that I'm filthy rich? What about XANA? What happens if he attacks? 2 weeks with YUMI!!!! Yumi, Odd and I could also hook Jeremy and Aelita up too. But what if they don't want to come? 2 weeks with YUMI!!!!! Uh oh, Clarissa's probably going to be there! She's hell annoying, worse than Sissi. Will I have to put up with her? 2 weeks with YUMI!!!!!!'
My mind battle itself as I began to fall asleep, think about the pros and cons about the Break. I had to tell the gang first thing in the morning.