I hope you like this chapter
I know it's been a while But it was THANKSGIVING!
Yeah! Go Turkey!
Oh! Then the school projects came! 3 of them!
Anyway. ENJOY!
No Matter What They Say
Chapter 4: Groups
"Well, in that case, Odd, you'll have to let me know when you annoy people. I'd like to watch," Aelita said quickly. Yumi and Odd started laughing as did Aelita.
"Not funny!" Ulrich said.
"It's good to see you're back to being your normal self, Aelita!" Yumi said and went over to her. "I'm glad."
"I know I feel better. I'm still not so sure if I'm going to be ok on this trip though," she said.
"Don't worry about that," Ulrich said. "Just enjoy being with people who love you. Your friends."
"What friends? You mean you guys? Oh."
"Aelita!" Odd said and pulled her down onto his bed.
"Sorry, sorry, I had to do it!" Aelita said laughing.
"It's definitely good to see you feeling better, Princess," Odd said.
"I am the best!" Aelita said and jumped up off the bed and stood like a superhero with her hands on her hips. Yumi and Odd started laughing. "What's so funny?"
"You!" Yumi said and fell over from laughing. Ulrich shook his head. Odd fell onto the floor, laughing.
"I'm back! When's dinner?" Aelita asked.
"Wow, have you become the second walking stomach in our group? We don't need Odd and you both to be food machines," Ulrich said. "It's in about 15 minutes."
"Well sorry, but I didn't get to eat very much breakfast or lunch. Is that so bad?" she said and pulled Yumi up.
"Aelita, who are you going to put in your group?" Yumi asked.
She hadn't thought of that. Who was she going to put in her group? "Well, I'll put Ulrich and the clone, and you of course. Then, I'm not sure."
"Wait? What about me?" Odd said and sat up on the floor. "I'm here too! Hello! Aelita?"
"Ok, and Odd. Happy?" she said.
"Yes."
------m------
"I can't believe they changed the menu again!" Odd said as he sat down at the table. "I was looking forward to turkey. Then they changed it to meatloaf. Now, casserole! I hate casserole!"
"Oh, come on, Odd, it's not that bad," Aelita said and sat next to him. "See look," she took a bite, "mmmm. It's good. I like the cheese casserole."
"That makes two of us," Yumi said.
"I can't see what you guys see in this blah. It's like cardboard," Odd said and took a bite.
"Why are you eating it if you don't like it?" Ulrich asked.
"I've got to eat something! I can't miss another meal!" he said and took another bite only to make a face at it. "Oh, and even worse, the mashed potatoes were all gone before I got there."
"Fine, have mine," Ulrich said and pushed his tray toward Odd, who scarped all the potatoes on his tray and pushed the other one back to Ulrich.
"Thanks, you're the best."
"Yeah, whatever."
------m------
"Dinner was great!"
"Save it, Aelita!" Odd said. "The good thing is Jeremie didn't come!" Ulrich elbowed Odd in the ribs for him to shut up. "Oh."
"Yeah, I guess," Aelita said and got gloomy again. "Well, I'll see you later."
"Oh no, you don't!" Yumi said grabbing her arm. "I asked my mom and dad if it was ok, and all of you are coming to my house."
"For what? A sleepover?" Odd asked.
"Um…maybe. I know we are going to see like the scariest movie ever! I haven't asked if we could have a sleepover. Maybe, but I'm not sure my dad would like it," Yumi said.
Ulrich blushed a bit at the thought of a sleep over at a girl's house. "Um… you might want to ask first," he said.
"Ok, you guys can go on over to Ulrich and Odd's room and I'll run over to my house and ask my parents," Yumi said quickly. "See-ya!" She ran off.
"I'm not so sure a sleepover is a great idea," Ulrich said.
"Oh, Ulrich, you're just afraid we'd embarrass you in front of Yumi or her parents," Aelita said.
"Or, we'd find you kissing!" Odd said.
"Odd! Shut up!"
------m------
"Mom, I'm here. Can I talk to you?" Yumi asked running through the front door.
"I'm in the kitchen, darling," Mrs. Ishiyama said. "Come help me with the dishes!"
"Ok," Yumi said and walked into the kitchen grabbing a plate and starting to dry it off.
"You wanted to ask me something, Yumi?" Mrs. Ishiyama asked. "Is it about the movie? Can everyone come?"
"Um… yeah, about the movie, when is it?" Yumi asked starting a conversation. "I kind of forgot."
"Yumi, I told you it didn't matter anytime after 7:30."
"Well, we have to be in the Gym at 8, and I think it will only last about a half an hour," Yumi said.
"Well, then we'll start it at 8:45," Mrs. Ishiyama said handing Yumi another plate.
"Well, that's just it. The movie won't be over until like 12! So, I was wondering if they could just spend the night," Yumi said quickly. "Oh can they please?"
"Yumi, who were you going to invite?" Mrs. Ishiyama asked. "I only allow a certain amount of people over at one time."
"I was only going to invite three people," Yumi said quickly, not saying that two of them would be guys. "Oh can I?"
"Yumi, I guess, but I need to talk with you father. Let's go and talk to him. He'll decide," she said and walked out of the room.
"I was hoping she wouldn't say that," Yumi said under her breath and followed her. They got into the living room and Yumi spoke first. "Dad, can I have some friends over for the night? It will only be three. Can I, can I please?"
"Yumi, which friends will you be inviting?" Mr. Ishiyama asked.
Why did he have to ask? "Oh, um… I was thinking of inviting Aelita."
"That is one. You said there were three. Who are the others?" he asked looking at her directly.
"Oh, Ulrich, and –," Yumi said but was cut off.
"Ulrich Stern?" Mr. Ishiyama asked quickly.
"Um… yes. I was going to ask him. He's my friend."
"Oh, and I suppose he will have no intention with my daughter other than a good time?" he said.
"Daddy! Ulrich isn't like that."
"Who is the other?" he asked quickly.
"Odd."
"Odd who?" her mother asked.
"Odd Della Robbia. He's also my friend."
"He also will behave?" Mr. Ishiyama said.
"Dad, trust me. I wouldn't hang around those kinds of people. They're my friends."
"They may come," he said quickly.
"But dad! If you gave them a chance-. Wait did you say yes?"
"They can come, but I have to talk to them first," he said. "Now go. You can tell them to pack. But, they're leaving before breakfast! We get up at 6!"
"Thank you, Daddy!" Yumi said and gave him a hug and ran out the door.
"She's growing up," Mrs. Ishiyama said.
"Yes, I just hope she does not grow up too quickly. I can't stand seeing my baby girl grow into a woman," Mr. Ishiyama said.
"Picture when that little girl starts dating," she replied. "Will you be ready for that?"
"I hope that this will not come for a while. 9th grade is a bit young," he said and went back to reading his book.
"I hope it has not come all ready," Mrs. Ishiyama said to herself. "Even if this boy brings joy to her eyes, I have not met Ulrich very well. I must meet him again."
------m------
Yumi ran into Ulrich and Odd's room, around 7:15, only to see them all laughing and having a good time. She was glad.
"So, what's the news?" Ulrich asked.
"Well, you better start packing," Yumi said. "We have mats to sleep on but you'll need clothes for tomorrow and pajamas and a pillow and a blanket, if you want."
"Oh, I love sleepovers," Aelita said. "Wait, I've never actually been to one, but I'm sure I'll like it."
"We'll all head over to my house after the group thing is over in the Gym. Then we'll watch like the scariest movie ever made and we can eat popcorn and candy. Oh, and during the middle of the night we can do pranks on my brother or each other. It'll be a blast. The only thing is, we won't be eating breakfast at my house and, Ulrich, Odd, be on your best behavior. My dad's not that comfortable with you guys sleeping over. Other than that it'll be great!"
"I'm not so sure about this," Ulrich said. "Your dad never liked me."
"Oh, Ulrich, it'll be fine," Odd said. He was already packing. "I'm sure Yumi's dad will warm up to us."
"Ok."
"I'm going to go get ready," Aelita said. "I'm gonna love this!" She ran out of the room."
Forty-Five minutes later they all met in the Gym. Mr. Delmas was in the front with Mrs. Hertz and Jim. Mr. Delmas was explaining how they were to write their name on the top and write no more than 10 names of who they would like in their group for the trip. Jim was passing down papers and kids were filling them out then they would raise their hand and Mrs. Hertz would collect them. Many people were smiling at each other and nodding, others were thinking, others were writing, and even more were waiting for a paper. The group had some similarities and some differences. The group turned their papers in without telling each other who they wrote. Then Odd, Yumi, Ulrich, and Aelita headed back to Odd and Ulrich's room to grab their stuff. Aelita had dropped off her stuff in their room before she went to the Gym.
"Are we ready to go?" Yumi asked. "I don't want to be late!"
"I'm ready," Aelita said and Ulrich echoed, "Me too," followed by Odd's, "Me three!"
"Ok." They walked to Yumi's house with their stuff and Yumi opened the door. They all walked in to Yumi's living room and set their stuff down on the floor. Mrs. Ishiyama had already set out the mats and each claimed one: Ulrich then Yumi then Aelita then Odd.
"Ok, Odd, come with me," Yumi said. "Bring your pajamas." Odd followed Yumi out of the room and to a bathroom on the first floor. She then returned for Ulrich. "Come on, Ulrich, you can use the one upstairs," she said and led him up the stairs and to a bedroom.
"This isn't the bathroom, Yumi. It's a bedroom."
"I know, just when you're through talking use the one across the hall," Yumi said quickly and left. Mr. Ishiyama then entered the room.
"So, Ulrich, how are you?" he asked.
"Fine."
"Good, I'm glad to see you're doing well." Mrs. Ishiyama entered the room.
"Nice to see you, Ulrich."
"Hello, Mrs. Ishiyama, you two want to talk to me?" he asked.
"Ulrich, my daughter seems to be close to you, and I hope you are nothing more. You are friends, are you not?" Mr. Ishiyama asked.
Ulrich started to get nervous. "Yes, Sir, I'm Yumi's friend. I'd never do anything to hurt her in any way."
"Good. You have good grades I presume, and are a well behaved student?" he asked.
"My grades are fair, and I never get into any trouble at school," Ulrich said. "I guess, I'm not the smartest in my classes, but I don't fail either."
"That's all we ask, Ulrich," Mrs. Ishiyama said and walked over to him. She walked him to the door. After she was out of her husband's hearing range, she leaned close to Ulrich. "Ulrich, tell me the truth. Is something going on between you and my daughter?"
"Mrs. Ishiyama, I don't know what you're asking."
"Are you dating?"
"Um… don't tell Mr. Ishiyama but, Yeah," he said kind of nervous.
"Oh, Ulrich, I knew it. You are such a sweet boy, too. I know my daughter is happy with you," she said and gave Ulrich a hug.
"Thanks, Mrs. Ishiyama. Now, where can I find you're bathroom?" Ulrich asked.
"Oh, it's right over there," she said pointing to a door near the end of the hall. "Oh, and don't tell Yumi that I know."
Ulrich walked into the bathroom and changed as Yumi brought Odd upstairs to talk. "Um… Odd, just go in that room and when you're finished come back downstairs."
"Ok," he said and walked into the room where he was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Ishiyama.
"Hello, you must be Odd. Yumi has told me about you," Mr. Ishiyama said. "Are you seriously failing?"
"Um… not in all of my classes, I passed a lot. I'm not that bad of a student," he said.
"Oh and I expect you want nothing with my daughter?" Mr. Ishiyama asked.
"What!? Yumi!? Oh, no, Sir, I'm not into Yumi. I'm just her friend. Ask her. Ask Aelita Ask Ulrich. I'm not," Odd said quickly.
"And that's all we ask, Odd. Just, don't let our Yumi get hurt," Mrs. Ishiyama said and walked him to the door. Once she closed the door she leaned in toward Odd. "You really are just a friend. Just keep an eye on Ulrich, don't let him do anything stupid with my daughter."
"You know?"
"Yes, Odd. Just watch him. I don't want anything to happen. I trust Ulrich, but I don't want to take any chances," she said at sent him on his way, just as Ulrich came out of the bathroom.
"She talked to you, too," Ulrich asked Odd on the stairs.
"Yup. It was ok, though. She likes me."
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