Chapter 2: Introductions Usually Go Better Than This, Right?

Jeremy sat down hard on the bench, rattling the trays. He huffed loudly then spoke.

"Guys… I've got some news."

All three heads turned to look at him. Aelita placed a hand on Jeremy's.

"What's wrong?" She asked soothingly. He looked out her with shame filled eyes.

"There's been some… complications. You know I was called out early from class, right? Well it was to show these new students to their rooms and help them with getting to their classes. I'm sure the principle thought this was a nice little arrangement because I could introduce them to you guys and help them make friends and… well… obviously you see the issue here." He glanced up at his friends and tried to read their expressions.

"I fail to see the issue here," Aelita interjected. "It's not like we don't need help in Lyoko or anything."

"Well what if they're snitches?" Odd asked, annoyed, "The solution is simple: just don't act friendly and they'll go away eventually."

"C'mon Odd," Ulrich looked frustrated, "we can at least check them out first. They might not be so bad."

"Ugh here we go again!" Odd threw his arms up in the air, "Who died and put you in charge?"

"I'm not in the charge… it's just the mature thing to do."

"Mature!?" Odd exclaimed, "What did you know of mature?" Ulrich rolled his eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I think you know exactly what I mean," Odd's eyes narrowed, "Why don't you do the 'mature' thing and ask Yumi out instead of playing with her feelings?"

"That's… that's not even the point!" Ulrich sputtered.

"It is SO the point, Ulrich. You just won't admit it."

"I don't have to take this!" Ulrich all but shouted as he stood up quickly, dinner tray in hand, and spun around to leave when SMACK!

He toppled into someone and they both ended up tangled on the floor, surrounded by trash and leftover food. Ulrich was about to apologize to the stranger when he felt them untangle themselves and stand up. He then noticed that they weren't standing up by themselves, but were being pulled up by a very big blonde boy.

"Oh my goodness! Ulrich? Andie? Are you alright?" Jeremy exclaimed.

"I'm fine," the tiny brunette said, brushing off her pants. She slapped away the large blonde boy's hand as he tried to help her stand up straight. "Jak, I'm fine!"

Ulrich stood up while apologizing,

"I'm so sorry, I didn't even see you. I was moving too quickly…"

"No, really. I'm alright. I'm sorry for sneaking up on you like that."

"Well, I guess introductions aren't really needed now," Jeremy said. "Guys, this is Andie and her brother Jak. Andie and Jak, this is Aelita and Odd and well…. You already met Ulrich." Andie and Jak were saying their hello's when Odd brushed past the others and looked concerned as he expressed his worry.

"You're sure you're alright?" He asked

"Really, I'm fine," she insisted as she and her brother were helping Ulrich pick up the trash. Odd took the paper plate from her hands and helped her stand up.

"Why don't you guys come and sit with us?" he asked with a coy smile.

"Uh… sure" Andie agreed as she looked to her brother for approval. He simply surged. Ulrich looked annoyed.

"Don't worry… I'm fine!" he said, rolling his eyes.

As they were all sitting down, Odd put Andie in Ulrich's old seat next to himself and Jak sat next to her.

This put Ulrich across from Odd with Jeremy and Aelita on his right. Aelita (being Aelita) immediately struck up a conversation very easily.

"You guys are from America?"

"Yep. Born and raised!" Andie said, smiling.

"Your accents are fascinating," Jeremy interjected, "Where exactly are you from?"

"The state of Maryland. Its right above Washington, DC."

"Has it been difficult adjusting?" Odd asked. Andie laughed a little.

"Well we just got here so it's not that hard yet. It's weird not to have uniforms at school though."

"What do you mean?" Ulrich asked.

"Well in America most private schools have uniforms. At least the one we went to did."

"What! Really? Geeze, I can't imagine!" Ulrich exclaimed.

"What's the food like around here?" Jak asked the first thing he said since coming in the room. Aelita jumped up.

"Oh gosh sorry! I was just so distracted I didn't think. You must be hungry!"

"It's alright," Andie said, smiling as usual, "I'm not particularly hungry anyway."

"I'm going to get some food," Jak said standing up.

"I'll come and let you know what's edible, if you like," Aelita offered. Jak smiled a little and agreed. The two of them walked over to the buffet.

"She's really helpful, isn't she?" Andie said, watching the pair from across the room.

"She's just happy about not being the 'new kid' anymore. And she likes to be of use," Jeremy answered.

"She's new?" Andie asked.

"Well she came here in the middle of last year, so it was hard for her at first. She's also not from around here."

"Oh, well she's really sweet," Andie said, smiling. Jak and Aelita returned with a small dinner for Jak.

"Doesn't look to bad," Andie observed

"Yeah, it's pretty good," Odd commented, "Breakfast is the best though."

"Well then," Andie laughed lightly, "I'm excited for tomorrow."

"You can sit with us tomorrow too. Right guys?" Odd looked up at his friends.

"Of course you can," Aelita said. Jeremy nodded in agreeance.

"Yeah definitely," Ulrich added.

"Well it's settled," Odd said, smiling at Andie. She looked away feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"We should be getting to bed," Jak said to his sister.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," she agreed. The group of kids got up and threw away their trash as they walked out the door. They walked across to the dorms and Ulrich struck up a conversation with Jak regarding soccer. Aelita and Jeremy had their heads bent together and were whispering to each other, so Odd took this opportunity to talk to Andie,

"Well, just so you know if you need any help with finding your classes or stuff like that you can just let me know." He was trying to use his smoothest voice, and Andie could tell what he was trying to do.

"Thanks, Odd. I'll be sure to ask you," she said politely, but not flirty. Odd made another attempt.

"You know, we could go out for a movie sometime. On Fridays we're allowed to use the on-campus theater."

This surprised Andie.

"Oh… uhm. Odd, I'm not really dating right now. I'm sorry."

"Oh. You already have a boyfriend?" he asked.

"No, I'm just not looking for one right now. That's all."

Odd was taken aback by this.

"Oh, well… please still feel free to… er, come to me if you have any questions."

"Of course, Odd!" Andie's smile was back. They walked on silently [awkwardly] for a little while before Jak started looking around for his little sister.

"Andie? Where are you?"

"Here brother!!" she said as she caught up with him. Odd sighed as he walked behind Jeremy and Aelita.

"Having issues with the ladies, Odd?" Jeremy asked, jokingly.

"Haha…" Odd laughed bitterly, "It's not like I can rescue one from another world and have her fall instantly in love with me!" He stormed off with his hands in his pockets, kicking the ground. Aelita and Jeremy were suddenly very interested in their shoes and their conversation didn't continue. The group of six reached the dorm buildings and took the stairs up to the third and fourth levels. Aelita made sure that Andie knew that her room was just two doors down, and Jak was told that Jeremy's room was right next door and Odd's and Ulrich's room was right down the hall.

Andie snuck up to Jak's room as soon as the others were in their rooms.

"Hey… can I have her for tonight?" she asked her brother.

"Yeah of course," he answered, scooping up the little puffy pup. Andie gathered her up in her sweater, said goodnight to her brother, and snuck back down to her own bedroom. She changed into her pajamas while Cointreau played on the bed. There was two soft taps at the door. Andie threw the covers over the dog.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"It's Aelita," came a muffled reply. Andie opened the door. "Hi! I was wondering if you wanted me to show you where the bathroom was."

"Of course, that'd be wonderful," she smiled. But then Cointreau started moving and yipping softly under the blanket. Aelita walked over and lifted the blanket and the puppy jumped out and started licking her face. She giggled.

"Aw, how cute!" Aelita laughed as she petted the puffy dog. She then looked at Andie and said, "Come with me. But be quiet."

They snuck quietly up the stairs to the boy's floor, grabbed Jak from his room, and then went to Ulrich and Odd. They were playing cards on the floor between their beds. Jeremy was sitting at their desk with his laptop, which he closed when Andie and Jak came in.

"Hi, guys. What's up?" He asked, tuning in his swivel chair.

"Well…" Aelita answered, "Andie just shared a little secret with me, so I figured we could share a little secret of ours."

The room was dead silent.

"Uhm… what… do you… er, mean… Aelita?" Jeremy stuttered. Aelita just smiled and turned to look at Odd.

"Your secret, Odd." He looked confused at first, but then his face lit up.

"OH! That secret!" He leaned over to the wardrobe and pulled open the bottom drawer. Out sprang the famous little grey dog Kiwi. He gave a little dog smile to Andie and Jak, and wagged his tail.

"Oh hi there!" Andie cooed as she rubbed the happy Kiwi. Jeremy let out a little sigh of relief.

"So you guys have a dog too?" Ulrich asked.

"Yeah, Cointreau is in my room tonight. You guys will just have to meet her in the morning," Andie answered.

"How cool. We both have secret dogs. That's pretty ironic, huh?" Odd said to Andie, in his smooth voice again.

"Yeah. How long have you gotten away with it?"

"Oh, you know. Since I've gone to school here," he replied, putting his bad boy face on.

"That's cool. Well, I'm gonna head to bed. Goodnight everyone. See you in the morning," Andie said with her usual smile as she, Jak, and Aelita went back to their rooms. Odd sighed and slumped in his bed, throwing his cards on the floor.

"How come none of my normal tricks are working??" he asked to no one in particular.

"Well… what happened to 'Not being friendly' Odd? And making them 'go away'?" Ulrich asked, smiling.

Odd just glared from across the room.

"Maybe she's not your normal girl?" Jeremy suggested as he turned his laptop back on.

"What do you know? You've never been with a girl."

"Well… I've had some experience. And I know that some aren't going to just jump at every pick up line you use."

"What do you mean?" Odd rolled over on his side and looked at his friends, "Aren't all girls the same?"

Ulrich sighed.

"You've dated almost every girl in the seventh and eighth grade, and you still know nothing about girls?? That's ridiculous!"

"What do you mean I know nothing about girls?"

"Sometimes the best girls are worth working for!! You know: getting to know her, talking about things you both like, things she likes, spending time with her. It's not rocket science."

"Well… sometimes it feels like it! Introductions usually go better than this, right?"

"You never know," Jeremy answered. Smiling.