Chapter 2: the academy

~~~~~~The next day~~~~~~

No one's p.o.v.

Yumi and Aelita entered the grand academy, it's entire area the size of ten football fields. Aelita GAPED. "This is Awesome…" her eyes surveyed the tastefully designed victorian-styled academy, whose golden building gleamed in the sunlight. All over the campus was excited youth like them, all 14 years of age, talking in rapid muted tones of courtesy and dressed in designer clothes. After all, this was a school for the super-rich.

The academy was in the far eastern suburb of Paris, a secluded part of the town where only the rich and famous resides. The main door of the academy, a posh and elegant place, was completely gold as such was the theme colour of the entire school.

On its left were all the dormitories, little houses aligned side by side in rows, with a road running in the middle. There was a golf-kart in front of all the little houses where the pupils resides. Right in the front of the entrance was the main building, or so they called the mass hall and the cafeteria. Above it was the performing arts and studios on the second level and the school's very own concert hall the hall of dreams on the third. On the right were the indoor swimming pool and the sports arena and the teacher's building.

We walked into the mass hall where the interior was even larger than it looks from the outside. It was stunning. All around it was gold and bronze; the seats were all tastefully decorated, with our names on the seats.

Several seniors were by the aisle, ushering us in. Yumi smiled gratefully as a cute senior, William brought her to her seat. Aelita was at the front row while she was right at the back.

And quickly, the crowd filled in. Dean Delmass gave a speech, introducing the new batch of students to the school, facilities, teachers, rules and our dormitories and the agenda for the day.

"the school has offered you a privileged service only this school offered. A personal Buggy that you will share with your room mate. We will only refill fuel on every Saturday so use it wisely. And now you are to head to your various aesthetic groups for a tour and to get to know your teachers." they headed to our various venues.

~~~~~~Back at the Dorm~~~~~

Yumi's POV

Naturally Aelita and I got the same dorm. Cherry House. But it looked more like a hotel. We used our thumbprint to scan open the room. For security as there are expensive instruments lying around. The key to the golf-kart was left by the TV table. We started unpacking and placing our things in the room. I bagged the bed nearer to the window and Aelita was left with no choice but the other one. She started to announce the features of this room. The interior was once again gold.

We headed for lunch at the cafeteria afterwards, taking the golf-kart instead.

"Hey Yumi!" it was Ulrich stern. I turn round to find him in the house next to us. Odd was on the porch, waving frantically. We waved back.

"Hi Ulrich." I said in a casual tone. He smiled as he came closer to us, his brown eyes gleaming in the afternoon sun.

"We're neighbours. Guess we are forced to meet," he said, intrigued. Then his eyes focused on me. "Your hair is brown in the sun." he fingered a lock of my hair. I blushed.

"In the sun only." I smiled. "Are you two going to the cafeteria?"

They nodded. I realised that Jeremy was on the either side of their dorm.

"'kay. See you two there." I smirked, getting into the kart. Aelita climbed in. there were only five seats though.

And we sped off. I love speed. It's just… thrilling. The rush of wind in your face, your surroundings a complete blur, the adrenaline… it was wonderful.

Ulrich and Odd were behind us. We parked our karts by the sides where there are designated lots for us.

"You sure go fast." Ulrich complimented. I smiled and simply nodded. Then a hand slid around my waist.

"Come on. Aelita, Jeremy and Odd must be waiting." Ulrich chuckled at my frozen reaction. He released me but took my hand instead, dragging me into the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was bustling with activity. Everyone was talking in low chatters, like I said, it was a high class school. "Come on Yumi. Don't keep the world waiting." Ulrich smirked. I blushed, though not able to fully comprehend what he meant.

When I got to the lunch queue, practically everyone started whispering about me. My clothes, body, even my hair. They said it so loud I wondered if it was for me to hear. not that I want to hear it anyway. Ulrich snickered lowly but I heard him after all, he was behind me.

"Shut up you idiot. It's not funny." I huffed.

"Oh but it is Yumi darling." He laughed quietly. I loved the way he called me that even though it was to poke fun of me.

I frowned and ignored him, giving him my trademark "don't mess with me" look.

"Aw… some one's mad at me." He suddenly sounded so sincere. "Come on Yumi. Don't be mad. I was just joking."

"Well that isn't funny." I took a tray and place it on the table, waiting for the lunch lady to give me my food. She lifted her spoon and was about to place the steak on my plate when I said, "can I have a salad instead?" She nodded and dump her spoonful of food on Ulrich's plate before placing a salad bowl on my tray.

"Thank you." I smiled, giving her my best smile.

"Are you vegetarian or something?" Ulrich asked as we made our way through the hordes of ogling boys and swooning girls.

"No."

"Then why a salad?" he raised his eyebrows.

"I need to keep my weight steady for my dances. It isn't easy to see Aelita binging on snacks while I eat a freaking salad bowl but I chose dance for a living and I am gonna stick with it." I said in a sweet tone.

"Wow that's harsh." He admitted. I simply smiled.

"Hey you two. Did you know that this tastes delicious? I'm going for seconds." Odd pointed to his empty plate that has steak sauce over it as he scrambled out from his chair and back onto the queue.

"Hi Everyone." I grinned.

"Hi Yumi, Hi Ulrich." Jeremy nodded as he placed another mouthful of steak in his mouth. I sat opposite of Ulrich, eating my salad.

Odd came back, grinning. "You succeeded?" Ulrich inquired, giving a disgusted look. I chuckled lightly. Aelita snickered.

"Of course I did! The lunch lady couldn't resist me." Odd looked smug as he sat next to Ulrich.

"Resist your disgusting appetite." I muttered. Then I realised what I just said and covered my mouth, looking guilty. "I did not just say that."

Ulrich laughed. "Of course you did. Whatever are you looking so guilty for?"

I kept my eyes on my food. "Sabrina will kill me." They laughed.

"Yumi darling, your mother isn't here. She won't know." Ulrich chuckled. I blushed.

"Yumi darling?" Aelita rose her eyebrows delicately, amusement tinkling in her green eyes. "Are you two-"

"No, of course not!" I snapped.

"Chill Yumi, don't need to get so defensive!" Aelita said. I shrunk in my seat. Then to Ulrich she asked, "So… What's up with the nickname?"

"It suited her." Ulrich shrugged, saying it so casually it was suspicious.

"Hmmm… I see…" Aelita muttered, giving a fishy look at the two of us. Aelita and Jeremy dropped the subject and continued talking about the various forms of art, their food half-eaten.

I finished my salad and stood up. "Okay. I'm done. I'm going back to my room Aelita. You hitch a ride from… Odd." I said as I scanned Odd who was shoving more steak into his mouth.

"Wait. I'll go with you. I'm done too." Ulrich stood up. I nodded but was secretly glad that we had more alone time. "I'll drive though. So now Odd follows your sister." He grinned.

"Okay then." I smiled.

We headed outside where Ulrich's buggy was. The air was rather chilly. I shivered.

"You're cold." He noted.

"I am. Now hurry drive before I get even colder." I whined. He chuckled. I slid into the passenger seat as he started to drive. He dropped me in front of my dorm house before turning in to park the buggy. Ever conscientious.

"Bye Ulrich." I waved as I tapped my finger on to the scan and let myself into my dorm. He waved goodbye.

"See you later." And he disappeared into his dorm. I went into the bathroom, started to apply moisturizer and combing my hair, and straightening it, concentrating on every task properly, careful not to let my thoughts run wild.

I wore my outfit I need for my dance classes, the instructor Miss Priscilla Sheridan wanted to start today to assess our skills. I remembered to bring my coat as I would be wearing tights and a t-shirt. I slipped on my ballet slippers, leaving the room after doing my stretches.

Ulrich's POV.

"See you later," I entered my dorm room, hazed by my time with Yumi. Yumi. Well I have sorted out my feelings for her… but I think I like her. She's amazing, brilliant, yet not like those dumb girls at the cafeteria who spent their lunch hour staring at me and commenting about me. Okay, I'll admit it. I'm had it bad for her. How could I not be? She's like the most perfect person.

I looked through the window and saw Yumi walking to the dance studio in the cold. I grabbed the buggy keys and got out of the house.

"Yumi." I yelled. She turned around and gave me a small smile.

"Oh, hi Ulrich."

I quickly gunned the engine of the buggy and swerved out of my dorm house. She glanced at my appearance. T-shirts and jeans under army jacket.

"What you doing out here? You didn't mention that you had practice today," she looked amused.

"I'll give you a ride. It's cold for you to walk alone." I shrugged. She climbed in, smelling of strawberries and freesia.

We drove in silence to the dance hall, both of us patiently looking in front. Finally, we reached.

'Thanks Ulrich. Guess I'll see you later." She turned to get off the buggy.

"Yumi," I called out. She turned around, facing me. And I press my lips on hers.

Expecting a violent reaction, I reeled back, shock by what I had done. Instead, she smiled and pressed her lips to mine. I was obviously surprised. I thought she didn't like me. Our tongues battled to win each other. We finally broke off, gasping for air.

"Take care." I murmured, caressing her face.

"I will." She smiled and walked into the building.

"I'll come pick you up!" I yelled.

I turned back to the dormitory, where I knew Odd will be. I didn't think she like me. Was I too forth going? I mean this is like the first day of school! I am such an idiot. I felt like kicking myself.

I entered the dorm house, seeing Odd making a mess of his bed, snacking on potato chips. "Hey where did you get that from?" I took off my sneakers and pounce on the bag of chips.

"The snack shop. It's next to the cafeteria. And they have a bookshop there as well." He took the bag of chips back, stuffing more into his mouth. "Speaking of which, where were you? I thought you and Yumi went back to the dormitories together." He eyed me suspiciously.

"I gave her a lift to the dance hall." I said casually, grabbing more chips from Odd.

"Hmmm… I see… you know, you two seriously look like you're dating." He remarked.

Yeah, I wished. I thought to myself. But I said, "Yeah right Odd. Then again, where's Jeremy?"

"Oh, he went back to the dorm with his roommate Theo. Quite a nice guy, that Theo person. And Aelita sent me back. That is, after we got snacks." He waved the bag of chips at me.