Disclaimer: Oh yeah still don't own Code Lyoko.

Chapter 2

Light rays gently beamed through the cracks in my window blind, causing me to at long last stir. I glanced over to my digital clock, yet was met only with a blurred mix of numbers and colors. But after feeling around for my glasses it became clear that it was already after 10:00 in the morning. My first thought was to panic, that was until it clicked that today was Sunday. I let go of a sigh of relief as a small smile rested on my face. Looking down at myself I realized I hadn't bothered changing into my pajamas last night. But I thought a shower might do me good anyway, so I gathered my things and headed out. The bathroom was mostly deserted, as were the hallways. I figured I might not be the only one sleeping late today. But it was just as well, I mostly felt like being lost in my own thoughts at the moment.

I gazed into the bathroom mirror as I dried the water from my hair. My mind rattled off programming codes, and brain stormed how to overcome the many obstacles Xana had thrown our way lately. It wasn't until I was interrupted by my rumbling stomach that I actually noticed the face reflected back at me. My eyes still shared the usual dark circles, but I did feel a little better after getting a nights rest. Or at least I would after I ate something. I was between breakfast and lunch so I settled for a bag of mixed nuts out of a vending machine, and a cup of coffee I figured I desperately needed.

As I sat on a stone bench in the courtyard I again felt the pang to open my laptop. Then giving into the temptation of it's keys I was off again. "Morning Jeremie." Came a familiar voice that slapped me out of my calculations. "Oh Ulrich you startled me." He smiled, while pressing down a button on the drink machine, which caused his small cup to fill with hot liquid. "Sorry Einstein," he replied with a laugh. "I didn't realize you were already hard at work on the brain push-ups." I returned his grin slightly. "Well Xana never sleeps..." Ulrich took a seat next to me. "Rumor has it neither do you." I thought of a witty remark to dodge the statement, but my heart suddenly dropped, which rang out on my face.

"It's Aelita isn't it...?" Ulrich nodded with a soft smile. "Yeah she's worried about you, but we all are Jeremie." I took another sip of coffee as I turned my gaze toward the ground. "Well the harder I work the sooner we'll be done with Xana for good. I mean we're all suppose to be trying our hardest right!?" I snapped the last sentence, and regretted it immediately after.

Ulrich stood and took a few steps away from me. I was relieved at least when he turned and I saw his eyes weren't angry, only concerned. "I know Jeremie... It's just funny, as horrible as a Xana attack is, sometimes I get the feeling that Aelita is a little glad when they happen." I stared at him in disbelief. "W-What do you mean?" His eyes seemed to soften. "I'm not sure... Maybe she's just relived she'll get to see you for a little while. You know, hear your voice..." His words struck me and I froze, every reply being completely lost to my mind. Ulrich then gave me a weak smile. "Anyway Einstein, all this talk of sleep reminds me, I better go wake up Odd before he snores right through the end of time. Later." As I watched him disappear across the courtyard my heart felt numb. I slowly pushed down my laptop screen until I heard it click shut.

I gazed out in front of me as if searching for what I should think or feel at that moment. I found it when my eyes fell upon a puddle left by the storm the night before. A memory weaved it's way into the front of my mind. It was labeled one of the happiest days of my life, like most were soon after Aelita's materialization. The sight of her jumping in and out of rain puddles like a child living for the very first time... The image was burned onto my heart, and as I recalled the event I could almost hear our laughter intermingling as it had that day.

I rubbed at my furrowed brow as a single tear escaped my emotional walls and trickled down my face. In the beginning, every late night, and lost weekend spent hold up in my room, was shared with her. She'd be just one window away on my computer screen. Yet a little part of me hated those days, because she was always just out of reach. That feeling pushed me on until I made our dream a reality and we stood face to face, breathing the same air.

If I could have told myself then, that I'd have missed more lunches, dinners, and moments with her in general, for the sake of work, than I can number, I'd have suggested you were out of your mind. Yet here I sat, Jeremie Belpois, crying alone on a bench... I scolded myself for being so pathetic, but it was no use, my thoughts kept racing.

I had fought to make her a part of this world again, and with everyone's help, I had succeeded. But she wasn't the naive girl who needed me to guide her through life anymore. She was free and capable of choosing whatever path she wanted. It just took me until now to realize there was no guarantee I'd be a part of it. And to make matters worse I was pushing her away. So caught up in saving the world, that when it finally was all said and done, there'd be no world left for me. I'd lose her like I always feared I would... My hand fell from my forehead to the thick rim of my glasses. As I felt over them for a few moments an even sadder reality hit me.

You couldn't lose what you've never had.

She was beautiful inside and out, and I was at best a nerd. More than anything I was a fool for ever thinking she'd love me that way.

I stood and tightly clenched the strap on my laptop case. But again it was no use, I couldn't fight the tears that burned behind my eyes. I had learned to believe that nearly anything was possible, but no...this one miracle was far too great...

Her love was meant for the handsome hero I could never be...