Chapter 4

APOV

"So you guys are ok now? No more fighting?" I asked Yumi and Ulrich as we got out of the elevator. I noticed they were smiling and holding hands.

"Yeah we're ok," said Yumi smiling bigger and resting her head on his shoulder. Ulrich's cheeks turned red and he moved closer to her to lean his head on hers in return. Why couldn't Jeremy and I be like that? I wondered. Nonetheless, I was happy that they were together finally. They looked so happy.

"So what are you two planning on doing?" Odd asked.

"Oh…uh we're gonna go…study," said Ulrich smiling at Yumi. The mischievous look in their eyes said otherwise though.

"Yeah right. Study? Is that what you guys call it?" Odd teased and I giggled.

"Lay off, Odd," Ulrich said and they both blushed and Odd laughed.

"Ok, ok. Come on, Aelita. Let's leave to let the lovebirds study," he said putting air quotes around 'study'. I laughed and we all started to walk away when we heard a "wait!" come from behind us.

We all turned around to see Jeremy running towards us.

"Wait, Aelita!" he said running up to me catching his breath, "I thought about what I said and I realized I was really mean back there. I know you must have been planning this date for us for a while, and I was a jerk. I'm sorry. I'll go now."

I saw Odd frown a little and I crossed my arms. I wasn't going to forgive him that easily, and I didn't know why but I wanted Odd to go instead anyway.

"Sorry, Jeremy, but I'm going with Odd now. I gave you your chance," I said with no hesitation. Jeremy's mouth fell open and Odd looked shocked at me but gave me a smile and our eyes locked for a second. A chill went up my spine. How weird. I've never felt a chill before. I liked it though.

"You can't be serious," said Jeremy frowning.

"Well, I am," I said walking over to Odd and taking his arm, "Shall we?" I asked him smiling.

"After you, princess," he said softly.

"You really would rather have Odd go instead of me?" Jeremy demanded, "I can't believe this! I apologized Aelita. What more do you want?"

I ignored him, "Let's go," I told Odd pulling his arm as we walked past him. I didn't make eye contact with Jeremy who was probably glaring at us.

We heard Ulrich and Yumi following us and Jeremy didn't say anything more that I could hear as we exited the factory.

"Ok guys, well we're off to go hang out you two have fun at your movie," Yumi said before her and Ulrich took off running down the street.

"Have fun studying!" Odd called and I laughed.

OPOV

I couldn't believe she'd actually chosen me instead of Jeremy to go with her. That had to mean something didn't it? Although she was pretty mad at him I was hoping for the best. Not only did she do that but she was still holding my arm even though she was done dragging me. Do I dare take her hand? No that's rushing it a little. I'll just keep my hands in my pockets until we get to the movies.

"This is going to be so much fun! I can't wait can you? I love scary movies," she said excited and cute as we walked to the theater. She didn't seem bummed at all that I was going instead of him.

"Nope I can't wait either. And me too," I said cheery smiling at her. Nothing could make me happier than sitting in a dark theater during a horror movie with the girl I was crazy about.

"Well it's about 9 o'clock so we have some time to kill before the movie. Want to get something to eat first? You must be hungry," she said chuckling.

Food? This girl knows me so well. "Yeah I'm starving. Where do you want to eat?"

"Hmm," she looked around then pointed, "How about there?" I looked at where she was pointing and it was a small burger restaurant I'd never heard of but I wasn't picky. It was the only place on this street anyway.

"Sure that looks good," I said smiling at her. That's not the only thing that looks good around here. You look beautiful, I thought but didn't say.

We walked into the restaurant and it was noisy but not that crowded.

"How many?" asked the brunette waitress up front.

"Just two," I told her and she smiled real big at us.

"Aww how cute you two are! Right this way," she said grabbing two menus and motioning for us to follow.

I tried to hide my blush but I noticed Aelita just smiled and didn't even bother to correct her. She let go of my arm and we followed her to the far side of the restaurant where there weren't that many people and sat down at a table across from each other.

"I figured you two would want some privacy," she said smiling handing us our menus and Aelita turned red this time instead of me. However I was starting to like this waitress.

"Uh..actually we're-" Aelita started before the waitress cut her off.

"No need to explain to me. I was in love once too," she said grinning at me before walking away.

Aelita and I in love? I love the sound of that! I blushed and so did Aelita but I didn't want it to be awkward now.

"What movie are we seeing? I forgot to ask," I said hoping to get rid of the awkwardness.

"Oh Paranormal Activity 4," she said smiling then looked at the menu.

"Awesome! We're going to have nightmares tonight aren't we?" I joked nervously.

"Yeah, probably," she chuckled her cheeks going back to normal. I could breathe again now. Come on, Odd. Be cool. Don't screw this up.

"I'll be back, I'm going to the restroom," she said getting up and I nodded at her.

Once she turned the corner I checked my breath. I'd never been so nervous in my life. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I'd been on dates before and I wasn't this nervous. This didn't even qualify as a date technically.

"Can I get you two something to drink?" I heard the waitress above me and I jumped.

"Uh yeah. A coke for me and a cherry coke for her please," I told her. It was a good thing I knew her favorite soda.

The waitress wrote it down then left. After that about a minute later Aelita came back. She looked like she'd touched up her pink hair and when she sat down I caught a whiff of her perfume. It smelled great and made me feel a little dizzy. She must've just put it on since I didn't notice it when we were walking. Did she just put that on for me? That's strange. I hope my cologne I put on this morning hasn't worn off yet.

"Here you are," said the waitress coming back with our drinks.

"Thanks," we said and she walked away.

Aelita looked shocked at me, "You know what drink I like?"

"Yeah," I said grinning, "You always get cherry coke when we go out somewhere."

"Hmm," she said smiling and sipping her soda.

The waitress came back with her notepad, "Are we ready to order now?"

I nodded and looked at Aelita, "Are you?"

"Yes. I'd like a hamburger without the lettuce please and fries. What about you Odd?" she asked.

"I'll have a hamburger too with fries, but no onions please," I told the waitress.

"Ah I figured you would say that," said the waitress grinning at me as she took our menus, "You don't want to have bad breath for your girlfriend."

"Actually she's not my..." I started but she already started walking away. Aelita turned red again but she was smiling at least. My cheeks burned and I hoped my face wasn't red. Ok. Now this waitress is getting on my nerves. She's making it awkward!

Aelita chuckled, "We might as well give up trying to explain that we're not dating."

"Yeah I guess so," I laughed nervously scratching the back of my head. She doesn't mind letting her thank that? Maybe she wouldn't mind actually being my girlfriend then. She would've pointed out it wasn't true if she didn't like the thought of it right?

Once the awkwardness wore off we talked about a lot of things until the food came. She was so easy to talk to about anything. That was one of the things I loved about her. I could be myself since we'd been friends for so long. Actually besides Ulrich she was my best friend. We talked about music (her mixing since she's the best D.J I'd ever heard), movies, how she was coping with the loss of her father, how my five sisters were doing (that took a while), Yumi and Ulrich, and finally she brought up Jeremy.

"Sometimes I question whether he even likes me or not. He doesn't act like it. That fight we had today wasn't our first one. It's a cycle. We'll fight, then he'll apologize, I'll forgive him, then we fight again. I'm tired of it," she told me.

"Well he isn't an expert on girls," I chuckled, "But…he does really like you. He just needs time to figure himself out," I said against my better judgment. I really wanted to say Jeremy was no good for her and that she should choose me instead, but I couldn't say that.

"I'm tired of waiting for him to figure himself out. I want someone who makes me laugh, who takes me out, holds me when I'm frightened, and most importantly can kiss me without freezing," she said.

"I know. It must be frustrating," I said not really knowing what to say. Why can't you see I can be that guy for you? I've made you laugh, taken you out, held you when you were scared or upset, and I'd love to kiss you more than anything!

"Yeah, it is," she said, "That's why I'm so curious about who my secret admirer is. Who knows? Maybe I'll like him back."

My whole body warmed up and I looked down trying to hide my smile. She was so clueless at the moment. I'll try to give her small hints that it was me, but I had no idea how to tell her it was me. I knew I'd have to eventually tell her. I wondered how she'd react. I had plenty of time to figure all that out at least.

Aw poor Odd :) Sorry if I'm awful at writing in a guy's point of view. I'm trying my best lol. What you guys think? Don't keep it to yourself review!