-1Sorry this is late!

Chapter two:

Not Jealous, Jealous, Not Jealous!

By DevalosAngel

A few days later, Yumi frowned as she saw Sissi and Odd arguing in the corridor before her. Sissi and Yumi and talked and agreed to slow things down and just get to know each other before rushing into things. They would be friends. The snow had long since melted away, and with it, so did Sissi's change of heart. It seemed that whenever Yumi saw the girl, Sissi became angrier and angrier. Just this morning she saw the younger girl saying things that had Milly and Tamiya on the verge of tears.

It was like that day in the snow was just an illusion. Yumi had had it. She thought, maybe Sissi was just losing her temper, and would apologize for her actions, but she never did. They hadn't spent any time together since that day, just stayed out of each others way, in hopes not to cause an argument. Yumi stayed quite as she saw her continue her old ways. Not now! She would talk to Sissi no and Sissi would listen. Having decided, Yumi marched over to Sissi and Odd and overheard what they were arguing over.

"Why the hell are you such a snob? If you would stop being a brat and put some effort into being nice, you could be worth dating!" Odd shouted.

"Why should I when all you and everyone else just egg me on! I just walk by and you make a joke about me!" she growled back.

"That's because your always making a fool of yourself and pawing over Ulrich! He doesn't like you! You should get your head out of the clouds and be realistic! Stop being an ass to everyone, get over Ulrich, and go out with me!" he finished. He choked on the last words realizing what he had said and blushed immediately. Sissi stood silent, still glaring.

Yumi stopped beside them and looked between the two. She didn't know what to do. She had come over to set Sissi straight, but part of what she said was true. Odd always threw rude remarks at Sissi. Everyone knew he thought Sissi was a beautiful girl, but no one knew he wanted to date her.

Gritting her teeth, Sissi growled, "I told you no before. My answer hasn't changed." Scratch that, revised Yumi, no one but Sissi knew he wanted to date her. Odd's embarrassment turned to anger again, just as he was about to answer, Yumi cleared her throat. The two quarreling teens jumped when they realized someone else was there. Odd looked ashamed for his behavior, Sissi just glared at the older girl.

Yumi searched Sissi's eyes for anything other than anger. Hurt briefly flashed there before anger settled in again. Sighing she resigned to asking, "Any reason why you two are arguing this time?"

"Look Yumi, it's nothing really!" Odd tried to play it off. "We were just talking about uh . . . Ulrich! Yeah! I was telling he would never go for an ugly, snobby girl like her!" he finished lamely. Realizing his choice of words, he was met with a homicidal glare from Sissi, and surprisingly an equally threatening glare from Yumi. "Yeah . . . I gotta get to lunch!" he called as he hurried off in the wrong direction, leaving Yumi and Sissi alone for the first time in a few days.

Sissi, barely glanced at Yumi and made to leave when Yumi grabbed her hand to stop her. Not wanting Yumi to touch her Sissi yanked her hand away. "Don't touch me," she said in a low warning voice.

Dismayed but not about to be quiet, Yumi spoke, "Sissi, what's wrong? What happened? I thought you were ready to make a change, for your mother's sake," she asked. Sissi stayed with her back to Yumi, so that the Japanese girl wouldn't see the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. Come on Sissi! Don't you dare cry! the young Delmas chided herself.

Not turning to face the other girl still, Sissi answered, "I did say that I would try to change for the better, but you said you would help me. The few times I have tried to compliment instead of hurt, people thought I was mocking them or setting them up to knock them down!" she sighed frustrated.

"Well, what did you expect? That everyone would suddenly accept you for a few nice words. You've said nice things before Sissi, and then really humiliated the same person seconds later!" Yumi argued in the other students defense. This got a reaction, as Sissi swiftly turned with an angry look plastered on her face.

"I know what I've done and I can imagine how they feel. I would probably have done the same in their shoes!" she growled trying to keep her voice down. "I thought we had made a friendship that day!" she saw Yumi open her mouth to protest, but pushed on. "You said you would help me. We agreed to be friends and you said you would help me work things out with the other students! You haven't! You seem to be outright avoiding me! Not only that, but yesterday when Ulrich and Odd teased me as I walked by, all you did was look down at your scuffed up combat boots! If you would at least try to act like we can get along, maybe they would see I mean no harm anymore!"

Yumi was at a loss. Sissi was right. The Goth was so worried about saying something to upset the younger girl were they might fight and ruin things, that she kept quiet and ruined things anyway, without thinking. Nodding Yumi tried to calm the angered girl, "Your right Sissi. I was hoping to not have fights with you anymore and was afraid to say anything in fear that we would fight again anyways. I'm sorry," she apologized stepping closer to the young French girl who tried to avoid meeting Yumi's eyes by looking off to the side.

Moving her head into Sissi's line of sight, Yumi smirked and in a sing-song voice said, "Come on, you know you want to forgive me." Her coy smile made Sissi smirk back briefly. The younger girl not wanting to cave in let out a huff and turned her head away again only to have Yumi's smiling face enter her line of vision again. "Ishiyama, you child," she giggled. She nodded her acceptance to Yumi and Yumi gave her the victory sign. "I knew you couldn't resist!" Yumi cheered.

Shaking her head at Yumi's behavior she started down the hall, "Come on, maybe we can salvage a few minutes of lunch. I'm starving," she added as Yumi moved in step with her to the lunch room. After a minute of silence Yumi asked as she looked side long at Sissi, "So, Odd likes you huh?"

"Oh don't get me started. That boy is jerk! He's asked me out a few times. I always say no."

"Because you like Ulrich?" Yumi continued thinking, if only Ulrich knew Sissi could be great company once you broke through her shell. And a good kisser she added to her thoughts as she remembered their seconds together. Suddenly, Yumi felt panicked. Do I want her to like Ulrich? Heck, do I still like Ulrich? Glancing again at Sissi as the younger girl pondered her answer, Yumi studied her long time rival. Her smooth dark hair, long relaxed, no split ends to see. Her eyes a dark cobalt blue and skin, light cream colored, smooth and flawless.

Though she didn't look it, Yumi knew Sissi was trained in Silat just as Ulrich and she were, so her body was slim and athletically toned. Unlike Ulrich though, Sissi muscles weren't hard and cut. Instead they were hidden by soft invitingly silky (so she assumed) skin. On several evasions while stretching for gym, Yumi would notice some of the boys, Odd and Ulrich included, occasionally watch Sissi stretch her body, often making the muscles in her body taunt and visible. Certainly, Sissi was one to be wanted.

Although she is an amazingly beautiful girl, her attitude turned and prospect of a relationship into a nightmare. Everyone assumed she would be just as controlling, demanding, and snobby in a relationship as she was in public. If only they knew how different she can be Yumi mused, suddenly wanting to keep this side of Sissi to herself.

Not realizing Sissi had been talking to her, Yumi missed when Sissi warned her about the water puddle on the floor from the broken drinking fountain. This is how Yumi ended up slipping in water and falling backwards towards the linoleum floor. Bracing for the pain, she was shocked to feel arms wrap around her and barely stopping her in time from smashing into the ground.

Expecting to see Sissi had caught her, Yumi was surprised to look up into Williams face as he pulled her body up into his and stood them upright. "Good thing I was here huh Yumi," he beamed, not bothering to let go but instead holding her close to him. "Wouldn't due me any good if you were to get hurt. Then I wouldn't get to see you in classes." he finished.

As Yumi focused on their surroundings, she realized quite a few students were exiting the cafeteria and watching the two embracing each other. Blushing Yumi pushed away from her classmate and stepped away, straightening her clothes. As she looked up again to thank William for his help, she also noticed Ulrich glaring daggers at the older boy. Obviously he saw us Yumi figured. Why didn't I pay attention to where I was going?! Oh yeah, Sissi . . . Where is she?

"Thanks William, you saved by head from a big headache," she smiled politely as she looked around for Sissi.. She spotted the girl behind Ulrich whispering exasperatingly to Odd. Yumi felt jealous. She loved Odd like a brother, but no brother of hers should date the girl she liked! Yes liked!

"So Yumi, do you want to be lab partners in the exam tomorrow?" William ventured. Turning her attention the guy, Yumi considered saying no, but the guy did just save her, and he did well on the science exams. "Sure, consider it thanks for helping me out." Yumi nodded as she made to move towards Ulrich who was now talking to Jeremy and Aelita, while trying to watch Yumi and William through his peripheral vision, without making it obvious. "I'll see you in class Yumi," he called as she walked away.

Aelita grinned widely as Yumi approached. "Looks like you two were getting cozy. I think you really made his day. What do you think Ulrich," she fished hoping he would say something to Yumi that would lead to admitting he liked her. She frown as he shrugged and turned his attention to Odd and Sissi. "Whatever," being his answer. Ulrich can fight off monsters in Lyoko, but makes it seem as if admitting his feelings for Yumi will kill him. Jeremy and her shared a look and gazed at Yumi to see the older girl pondering something. "That can't bode well for Ulrich they thought.

They jumped as Ulrich shouted over to Sissi, "Hey Sissi, stop being a pest and leave Odd alone!" he laughed. Odd realizing they were being watched added, "She's like a tick you can't get rid of," he joked. Everyone besides Ulrich and Odd saw the anger creep into Sissi's face. Yumi couldn't believe how dumb Odd was. He was probably just asking her to consider going out with him again, and at the drop of a hat, insulted and laughed at her.

No wonder Sissi always said no to him. He was being as much a jerk to jerk to her as she acted to others. Suddenly the threat of him dating her was no longer a threat. She saw Sissi fighting the urge to shout back and just as she lost it and was about to retort, Yumi spoke up, "Shut it you two!" this effectively shocked the other Lyoko warriors and Sissi. Yumi looked into Sissi's eyes and felt that it was time to help Sissi change her reputation.

Several kids had heard the jokes and Yumi's outburst as they passed to get to their lockers and stopped to see what was up. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure Odd was the one who approached Sissi to begin with," seeing Odd's face immediately begin to panic, she continued. "Sissi? Is it not true that I found You and Odd argueing not to long ago now. Weren't you arguing because Odd kept insisting that you go out with him. In fact, hasn't he asked you out on several occasions?" Not able to speak, Sissi just nodded dumbly as several students began whispering to each other and Odd turn crimson with embarrassment. And was he asking you out again just now?" Another mute nod. Ulrich looked dumbfounded with this information and questioned Odd, "I thought you hated her? We agreed she was to shallow and bratty to consider dating."

"Well, that's partly true," he admitted, "but," he turned to Sissi and spoke loud enough for others to hear, "You remember that guy you dated on the internet, well that was me," he confirmed and realization to what he was referring to dawned on Sissi. "You were different, and I really liked it. So please, give me a chance," Odd asked, hoping she wouldn't reject him I front of a crowd.

By this time the whispers turned into gasps and the voices grew louder. Yumi didn't notice this as she had frozen as Odd began to voice his feeling on the principle's daughter. So he had known all along how good a person Sissi could be, and yet he continued bashing her image in public, making her the brunt of most of his jokes. The admission that they had indeed date via internet, even though Sissi hadn't known, had seemed to squeeze the air out of the Japanese girl. Sissi didn't look upset anymore, but instead seemed to be contemplating on yes or no.

Yumi panicked, not only had Odd become a threat again, but his admission that there was more to Sissi than meets the eye had caused other boys to have a change of heart, as she heard whispers around her saying, "If she says no, I'm gonna go for her." and "Who knew the ice queen had a heart with that body," and "This adds a new possibility to my dating schedule," to quote a few. Just as Yumi was about to faint from the anticipation, she saw a resolute look cross Sissi's face.

She looked Odd squarely in the eye and answered, "I'll admit you were the perfect guy on the internet. Polite, charming, fun, . . ." Yumi felt dizzy, air she needed air! "You know, it did confuse me when you first asked me out, I might had said yes, but then your friends come around a corner and you jeer at me saying I'm a menace to society and have the face of a clown with too much make-up. Why on earth would you think I would agree to date you after that? Don't be naïve, you know my answer. No." Yumi breathed. The gods were listening to her silent prayers.

Turning her attention away from the now downcast Odd, Sissi addressed Yumi, "Thank you for standing up for me Ishiyama. Maybe your not that bad after all," she said, giving her a teasing but beautiful smile. Several, "Man she's gorgeous," and "She'll go out with me," s could be heard circulating the crowd, and Yumi couldn't agree more. It wasn't that Sissi was the most beautiful girl in the world, but when she smiled, one would have to be blind not to see the beauty she possessed.

Suddenly the bell rang and for a second no one seemed to move until they realized lunch was over and they had to head to class. Still grinning Sissi turned to leave the group that had gather and made her way to her locker and class. Boys were walking up to and talking to her and she saw Herb and Nicholas join them as well, confused as they had missed the drama that had just unfolded. While elated that Sissi had turned Odd down, Yumi still worried about were she stood with Sissi and imagined she would see Sissi dating some guy soon. This wiped the smile that had graced her face right off.

Odd and the gang were walking to their homeroom class together, which Sissi was in, and Yumi was walking with them till they reached her class hall to science. "Yumi, why'd you have to say anything," Odd whined, "I almost had her agreeing."

"If you think she was ever going to say yes, your delusional." she snipped. "I can't believe you've been asking her out and mocking her in the same minute?! That was down right despicable to do." she added, a scowl marring her features.

Aelita timid added, "I have to go with Yumi on this. No one even knew you liked her like that. How could we with you going at her all the time?"

Retaliating Odd argued, "She was always going on about Ulrich. I don't see what so great about him,"

"Hey," Ulrich retorted indignantly.

"No offence, but she would make me mad so I acted indifferent to her."

"And that's why she said no. What makes you think she would want to go out with you if when you would argue you would tear her down?" Yumi defended.

"Why did you stand up for Sissi anyway?" Ulrich asked his crush, seemingly jealous with the looks her caught her giving Sissi when she thought no one was looking just now. She can't like Sissi, she's not like that. We like each other, if only William would see that. He needs to crush on someone else . . . Like Sissi! he brightened at his idea to not only get William to stop fawning over Yumi, but to make sure Sissi isn't available for Yumi to like. Yeah right, Yumi likes Sissi? Still, just be sure, I could, but Odd will be angry, oh well he needs to get over Sissi too.

Studying the look on Ulrich's face, Yumi answered, "Because even though I'm friends with Odd, I can't let him keep doing that to someone. Even someone whom we've fought with like Sissi. It's wrong."

"Yeah guess your right. Odd that was dumb. Yumi, that was kind of you to point that out to Odd." Jeremy nodded as he and Aelita held hands thankful their relationship didn't have problems like this ever. "You had courage telling Sissi how you felt, but I think you messed it up long ago to have a chance with her," he stated.

Odd composed himself and nodded dejectedly, but made to look as if what just happened didn't bother him.

"You right Jeremy," Ulrich responded, "That was brave Odd. Yumi . . . Do you . . ." Ulrich choked. Aelita squeezed Jeremy's hand thinking that Ulrich was finally going to ask Yumi out. They all thought this and tried to not pay attention as they continued walking in hopes that Ulrich would not get nervous and just say it already.

Yumi also noted this and seemed unable to form answer as she thought in her head as to what to do about this. Did she like Ulrich, yes. Did she like Sissi, yes. Did she want to date Ulrich, she did before, what did it matter now. Sissi. Sissi mattered now. She had agreed to be friends with Sissi, but they hadn't said they would be opposed to go out later. They had mentioned if going out was I their future. But they both thought about it. She just knew Sissi liked her. And if she liked her now, she could love her as they got to know each other more. Love? Maybe that was being too presumptuous. Then again, she never thought like that about Ulrich. Maybe she could love Ulrich. Aaa! These thoughts weren't helping!

Seeing her hall come up Yumi glanced at her watch and called out, "Oh no, I'm going to be late. I'll see you guys later!" as she ran down the science hall. Shocked and confused the others stood in the hall watching as Yumi fled from them. "OOOKAY, that was weird," Odd commented as they preceded to class again, "Look guys, I'm not feeling well, I think I will go to the nurse and go to my room and rest." he said as they neared homeroom and Sissi at the doorway talking to Principal Delmas. "Don't worry about bringing me homework! That will just make me feel worse," he joked heading in the direction they just came from.

Aelita and Jeremy were at a loss. Yumi was acting evasive, Odd had just had a reality check, and Ulrich looked lost and heart broke. They didn't know who to comfort and who to give space. They absolutely didn't know what to say to any of them. Again, they looked at each other for answers and found the same "I was hoping you knew what to do" look mirrored in each others eyes. Things were not going well.

To be continued . . .

Next chapter: Xana attacks, Ulrich talks with Sissi about William, and the gang needs someone else to help fight in Lyoko. Decision need to be made, but will anyone have the courage to take the initiative to decide how things will turn out for themselves? Confused? I am. Next chapter scheduled for next Thursday. Comments and suggestions welcome. Whether I incorporate suggestions depends on how I think this story should go and how well the suggestion benefits my direction.