Chapter 3

Odd snapped me out of my flashback and I was back in the present.

"Ulrich, you and Yumi belong together. Everyone can tell that but you guys. We can see it as clear as day. Why don't you grow a pair and make it happen?" Odd said to me as he was getting dressed.

"Were just good friends that's all, Odd. And what do you mean you can see it clear as day?" I asked curiously.

"Oh I don't know," He grinned at me, "You two look at each other like you're in love and your dying to kiss. We can see it in your eyes. Not to mention you guys have been fighting side by side on Lyoko for a year now and are really close. It's obvious you're protective of her. You both get jealous whenever someone else makes a move on you like William or Sissi. Annnnd you two almost kissed on Lyoko once."

I froze. I admit I do look at Yumi like that but she doesn't look at me the same way does she? Or had she always and I'd never noticed? Oh my god. I am in love with Yumi. That would explain so much of how I act around her and my blushing.

I grabbed Odd by his shirt, "How come you never told me she felt the same way about me!?"

He looked confused, "Well we thought you knew it's so obvious."

I let him go. I had to find Yumi. "Yumi.." I started to walk out of the locker room half dressed.

"Hold it Romeo," Odd grabbed my arm, "Yumi is in our P.E class remember? So get dressed and then talk to her there".

I quickly put on my shirt and raced into the gym from the locker room. I nearly ran over Sissi, knocking her over but I didn't care. I wanted Yumi. Then I saw her she was talking to William. I was filled with anger. Back off William. Yumi and I are in love go find your own girl!

I slowed down and calmly strolled up to them. "Yumi?"

William glared at me and I ignored him. Yumi turned around and smiled at me, "Hey Ulrich." I blushed. God she's so beautiful.

"Can I uh..talk to you in private?" I asked keeping my eyes locked on hers. I saw her cheeks turn crimson and I smiled. We had always had that effect on each other since we first met. I never knew what it meant until now.

"Sure," she said and I took her hand making us both blush even more, and I led her outside.

"What is it Ulrich? Are you ok?" She looked worried at me, but still beautiful as ever.

"I-I just wanted to…" I didn't know how to say it.I looked at her lips. They were so inviting. I know! I'll show her instead of telling her just like I showed her Lyoko. I found myself removing a strand of hair out of her face and getting closer.

"Ulrich…what are you.." she blushed and I did too. I gently took her hand which was trembling. I slowly, shyly got closer to her face, her lips. "Yumi…"I whispered my voice full of want and need for her and I closed my eyes. She must've wanted me just as bad because she sighed and put her hand on my cheek, urging me to kiss her. Then finally our lips connected. It was slow, and gentle but full of passion. It was an entire year of wanting each other poured into one kiss. It took my breath away. I had wanted to do that for so long. She pulled back and breathed heavily into my neck and leaned on me for support.

"Yumi are you ok?" I made her look up at me and saw she had unshed tears in her eyes. "Yumi what's the matter?" I couldn't stand seeing her like this. I only wanted her to be happy.

"Ulrich…I..loved the kiss," she whimpered and looked at me, "But..you don't understand".

"Understand what?" I began to panic. I wiped her tears away and she buried her face in my gym shirt crying.

"You..you were my first friend. You're my best friend, and you're always there for me. I'm scared..scared of losing you. That's why I've always fought my feelings for you. Because if we dated and broke up..I would lose you..and I…I can't…I need you.." she sobbed into my shirt.

Now I understood, and I hugged her tightly to me protecting her, "Oh Yumi..don't cry you will never lose me. Even if we did date and you know why?" she glanced up at me. She looked so scared and she was trembling in my arms. I held her tighter and rubbed her back, "because…I love you,Yumi. I've always loved you. And I promise you if you give me a chance I won't hurt you ever. I will be your boyfriend and also still your best friend. But I don't want to go on pretending that were just good friends when I know that we are so much more. Do you?"

"No," she almost whispered, "I love you too, Ulrich. Ok we will date but please…don't make me regret it."

"You won't. It'll be the best decision you've ever made," I said smiling like an idiot. I couldn't help it. She was finally mine to kiss and love. I stroked her hair and she out of nowhere kissed me hard, frantically. So hard she pushed me against the wall of the gym. She was kissing me like she was suffocating and I was her oxygen. Chills went up my spine and I kissed her back just as passionate. After all we had a whole year to make up for.

I turned us around so she was the one against the wall and she moaned softly into my mouth. I picked her up easily and she wrapped her legs around me and put her against the wall while kissing her still. It wasn't for sexual reasons; it was because we needed to be closer to each other.

"Ulrich," she gasped between one of our kisses, "We are going to get in trouble for P.D.A."

She was right, so I reluctantly set her down, but we still held each other close.

"Let's skip class and go somewhere…alone," I whispered and kissed her neck.

"W-we shouldn't…." she whispered but held on to me tighter.

"I know you want to," I said smiling kissing my way to her cheek. I was getting closer to her mouth and I put my hands on her back to keep her close. An unnecessary thing to do probably, but I wasn't taking any chances.

"I do but-," she started before I cut her off with a passionate kiss. That was all it took to convince her.