The following is a non profit, fan fiction interpretation. Code Lyoko and Code Lyoko Evolution are both owned by The Moonscoop Group, France 3, Canal J, Tania Palumbo, and Thomas Ramain. Please support the official release.
CHAPTER 3: Growing Pains
STORY BY: Ichigo Darkwing
It's been three weeks since I started at Kadic. It's a lot better than my first two years at Shardon. It was after classes, Aélita and I were walking back to our room when Sissi appeared in front of us with Herd (short guy with bad acne and glasses) and Nicholas (taller guy with dark blonde hair). Herb pushed up his glasses and uttered "Last time I checked, the boys' dorm was a floor down." Nicolas laughed on the side like he told a funny joke. "Or is there something going on?" I panicked inside, but I sure as hell am not letting them see it. "I was just walking Aélita to her room." I gave her a hug. "I'll see you later." I walked away, and off the grounds of the school, feeling defeated.
I got in my car and immediately called Yumi. She answered.
"Hello?"
"Yumi? It's Colt."
"What happened?"
"Sissi, Nicolas and Herb are onto me staying in Aélita's room. I have a bag of clothes, but nowhere to shower."
"There's a key under the welcome mat at the house. No one's home. You can shower there."
"Thank you Yumi. You're a life saver." she laughed. "I'll see you at the arcade." "Later" I drove off to Yumi's house.
I lifted the mat and found the spare key. After unlocking the door, I put the key back and stepped inside. I closed the door and I looked for the stairs. Once I found them, I went to the second floor and found the bathroom. I undressed and turned on the shower. Warm water through my hair as I sighed. So many memories to forget that were weighing on me. I was nervous about tonight. I was gonna tell Yuki that I had a crush on her. Hopefully she would agree to go on a date...
I shut off the water and stepped out onto my towel to dry off. I dressed up in some denim jeans, a gray thermal with three buttons with the top in undone, gray and black vans with a leather jacket. I packed up my stuff and headed downstairs to go back to my car. Then I heard two voices coming from the back of the house. I quickly peeked through the window to see Yuki and William, lips locked and arms wrapped around each other. My heart sank to my stomach and I felt my eyes burn. They pulled away from each other and I could hear them clearly. "This feels wrong..." Yuki said under her breath, looking down. William lifted her head with his hands. "Don't feel that way. We can stop whenever you want." She kissed him once more. "I don't want to... The thing is... How do I tell Yumi?" "We'll tell everyone." He smiled. "Tonight." She blushed and she smiled. "Okay." I had heard enough at this point. I stormed out and slammed the door behind me. I got into my car and stormed back to Kadic, Once there, I parked then made my way to the gym. It was completely empty inside just like hoped it would be. I went to a bench near a punching bag, and took off my jacket, sneakers, socks and shirt. I pulled out my iPod, put in my ear buds and went at the bag. All the questions I'd push away entered my mind. Would I ever have a normal life? Would a girl ever love me? Was I fooling myself and denying the obvious?
I finally fell to my knees, my tears blurring my sight, staring at my bruised and bloody knuckles. I couldn't let the pain out... I couldn't cry... All that came to me was tears. When I finally calmed down, I cleaned up, got redressed, and went back to my car. Before I could open my door, I heard Aélita call my name. I looked up to see Odd and Jérémie with her. Aélita came and hugged me, but held my large hands over her small ones when she saw the bandages over my knuckles. "What happened to your hands?" Odd scowled out of worry at my hands. "It looks like you were fighting a wall." I took both of Aélita's hands in mine one. "I'm fine princess. It's just some peeling skin when I fell on my hands earlier." Aélita smiled in assurance and we all piled into my car.
We drove to Digital World, and arcade not to far from Kadic. Odd took pride in having made the top three scores in most games. William, Yuki and Yumi arrived a half and hour later. We saw other Kadic students while we played games. After a few hours of games, we all headed to the lounge area to rest ourselves. We all ordered something to eat and chatted it up as we waited. I had finished my soda when I heard knocking on the table; William was the source. He cleared his throat, and he looked at Yuki smiling. "We have an announcement." She blushed and smiled ear to ear. "William and I are officially dating." Everyone clapped and was for the most part shocked by it. I felt a knot grow in my chest and my palm clenched the soda can in my hand. I could feel the aluminum dig into my hand but I couldn't stop squeezing the can. When Odd asked me to move so he could use the bathroom, I said I'd go with him.
We both got to the bathroom, Odd noticed the can still clenched in my hand. He gave me a puzzled look. "Colt, what's with the can? You've been holding it for a while." He extended his hand towards me. "Give it here." I looked down at my hand. "Um..." He chuckled. "So stubborn." He tried to take the can. "Let the can go." He took it and he saw blood upon it. "What the...?" He saw my blood soaked hand. "Oh god..." I hid my hand behind my back, and hung my head in shame. "Sorry..." He gave me a worried look. "Are you gonna be okay?" I nodded. "I'll be fine. You go to the bathroom, and I'll clean my hand." He turned and went to the urinal as I put my hand under warm water. I wrapped my hand as Odd washed his and we made our way back. Right as we sat back with the group, our orders came. As we ate, Yumi glanced to see my bandage had covered my palm. I said nothing and kept eating. I wished Ulrich had come. Jim got sick so he volunteered to teach the Friday night martial arts class. When I finished eating, I excused myself so I could call my sister. The phone rang, eventually going to voicemail. I ended the call and walked back into the arcade, my head kind of down.
When I finally looked up, I could see William and Yuki, leaning against a machine kissing. My heart sank again as I went back to the table, with only Yumi sitting there. I pointed down to the adjacent seat. "Is this seat taken?" Yumi smirked. "No." she patted the seat. "Sit down." I sat down. "Where'd Odd, Aélita and Jérémie go?" "Jérémie and Aélita went to the photo booth to take some pictures. Odd saw his fiancee so they left together." "Feel left out?" "A little bit." She looked at me. "You?" I nodded. "Yeah. I've only been in one relationship." "Ulrich was my first." She sighed. "What happened to her?" "She passed away..." She patted my back. "What happened?"
"She suffered from heart failure... She was fourteen..."
"I'm sorry..." I patted her head. "It's okay." I looked at her smiling. "Thanks for listening." She smiled back. "No problem. I'm always here if you need me." "Good to know." Jérémie and Aélita came back to the table, their faces red, and their hair a little messy. I glanced at Yumi and we both smiled. "Looks like Mr. and Mrs. Einstein had some fun." She said jokingly and Jérémie blushed. "We deserve our fun..." He looked around. "Where's Yuki and William?" Right at that moment, Yumi pulled out her phone and her face changed to frustration. I took the phone from her hand and it read
"Yumi, I left with William, and we went back to Kadic. I'm staying the night in his room. I'll be sure to watch out for G.I. Jim. See you tomorrow at Mass with Mom and Dad
~Yuki"
"She always does this... Then my parents are on my case..." Yumi said, then she sighed and looked at the time. "We should go. It's 11:12 pm and curfew is 11:30." We split the bill four ways, and drove to Yumi's to drop her off.
I parked and Aélita, Jérémie and I headed to our rooms. Aélita was tired so I carried her to our room. Before we could go inside, Jim flagged me down. "Colt...I need to talk to you." He looked at Aélita. "Privately." "Okay." I unlocked the door. "I'll be with you in a moment." I carried her in and laid her in her bed. She sat up. "What could it be about?" I shrugged. "I'm not sure." I headed to the doorway. "Don't wait up. Get some rest princess." I quietly shut the door and followed Jim to Delmas' office. As we entered, Delmas' face was stressed and worried. He sighed before he spoke. "Good evening Colt... I wish you were here on better terms..."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's about your sister." My heart jumped and I panicked for a second. "Miranda?" I stood. "What happened?!" Jim put his hand on my shoulder. "Settle down Colt." Delmas sighed deeply and uttered words that shattered me... "Someone set fire to her house..." I was horrified. "No..." He placed his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry son... She didn't make it out..." In a fit of rage, I flipped over his desk. "NO!" I cried louder than I ever had... "Di...did she go quickly...?" He nodded. "Yes, she died in her sleep. The fire didn't kill her... It was the Carbon Monoxide... You have to plan the service..." I sighed. "I will." I picked up his desk, and put some of his things back on it. "Forgive me..." He stopped me. "It's alright son. You belong to the school now, and we'll take." I nodded. "Yes sir." I walked out into the hallway. "Good night." I walked back to my room in a daze, closing the door behind me. Aélita sat up in bed, turning the lamp on that was on her nightstand. "What happened?" I lost all strength, and collapsed to my knees before her. "My sister's dead..." "Oh god..." I gushed tears... "She's gone..." She pulled me into her bed and held me... "Shhh... I got you." She whispered in my ear, with a soft, angelic, almost motherly tone. "You're not alone." All I could do is cry in Aélita's arms. My sister was gone...
