Jeremie lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. It had been ten whole minutes since he had hung up the phone with Ulrich and ten whole minutes since Aelita had left for the girl's room. Jeremie was starting to wonder where she had got to.
'Maybe I should go look for her' He thought, getting up and heading for the door. Just then, Aelita burst in. She was running so fast she ran right into Jeremie and he fell backwards, his glasses knocked right off of his face.
"Sorry!" Aelita wheezed, trying to catch her breath and helping Jeremie up. She bent down and picked up his glasses for him.
"Here." She said apologetically, trying to make a small smile come to her face but failing.
"Aelita, are you alright?" Jeremie asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"No...I think I need to go to the infirmary."
Jeremie could feel Aelita's whole body shaking as she spoke.
"I don't know if it's XANA or anything," Aeilta continued, "But I'm bleeding to death Jeremie! And It won't stop!"
Jeremie looked Aelita over. "I don't see any blood."
Aelita's face turned red.
All of a sudden it dawned on Jeremie what was happening to Aelita.
"Uh...Aelita?"
"Yes Jeremie?"
"Did you discover this when you were in the bathroom?" Jeremie asked, pulling out his cell phone.
Aelita nodded.
Jeremie sighed and a small smile came to his face. "It's going to be okay, Aelita. I'm calling Yumi to explain something to you."
"Come on..." He muttered when Yumi didn't answer her cell phone, "Please answer..."
'Her cell phone's probably turned off.' He thought, 'Oh great now I'm going to have to explain THIS to Aelita.' Jeremie felt his face grow warm.
He didn't want to be the one to have to tell Aelita about the thing girls went through once a month when they reached maturity. But when saw the look on Aelita's face, a one of confusion and despair, he gave in.
"Aelita, there's something I should explain to you..."
Ulrich handed his room key to Yumi and she unlocked the door. Yumi made herself comfortable sitting on Ulrich's bed and Ulrich followed after shutting the door behind them.
"So.." Ulrich sat down next to Yumi. "Uh..." He was lost for words in the awkward silence.
Yumi started to cry again, but silently this time. Ulrich reached out and touched Yumi's hand.
"Yumi...I uh...I want you to know I really care about you. What ever this is that's upsetting you. I promise to help you with it."
Yumi wrapped her arms around Ulrich's neck and held onto him. They stayed that way for a few minutes until Yumi lifted her head and looked at Ulrich in his dark brown eyes.
"Ulrich...it's terrible." Yumi muttered, her voice shaking and barely above a whisper. "It's my little brother, Hiroki. He's been feeling sick for awhile now and my parents took him to the doctor a few days ago and found out he has some type of...cancer...That's why I didn't show for our date yesterday." She burst into tears all over again.
"Oh my gosh, Yumi, I'm so sorry." Ulrich said with genuine sadness in his voice as his own eyes clouded over with tears. He felt really bad for accusing Yumi about dumping him for William when she had been at home, with this horrible news, suffering.
"I'm so upset and scared," She continued, "My parents have been at the hospital all last night and all of today. My dad's boss is getting annoyed with him for missing work, his boss is a real jerk. And Hiroki is getting worse. I heard my parents talking about it before they left for the hospital last night. They got a phone call or something...I don't know. But I have no one to turn to. I have to be there for my brother and my parents and be strong when they suffer. But what about me? Who am I supposed to go to when I'm upset? I'm caught in the middle of this, all alone!"
Ulrich sat quietly and listened, his heart felt like it had been ripped in two. He couldn't stand to see Yumi so upset. Ulrich was snapped out of his thoughts by what Yumi said next.
"Don't tell anyone, Ulrich. I don't want the whole school knowing about this. I don't want to talk about it to everyone...not yet."
"I won't tell a soul." Ulrich promised. Then he thought of something. "Yumi, you're not alone. I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."
A small smile played on the side of Yumi's lips. Perhaps the first smile since she had been told the bad news. She pulled Ulrich into a hug.
"Thanks." Yumi sighed as she lay down on Ulrich's bed. She hadn't gotten any sleep last night, and she was exhausted.
"Do you want me to go back to class while you rest here?" Ulrich asked.
"Stay here for awhile," Yumi suggested shyly, though it was clear she really wanted him to stay with her.
Ulrich couldn't resist and besides, he didn't want to leave her alone when she was so upset. He lay down next to Yumi and wrapped his arms around her. Yumi nuzzled into Ulrich's chest and sighed.
"Let's pretend nothing bad ever happened, just for a few minutes." she murmured, closing her eyes.
Before they knew it, they were asleep.
To Be Continued