Chapter 4

APOV

"What?" I gasped.

"Aelita," Mathias waved for me to come over but my feet felt rooted to the floor. Was he telling the truth? I had a sister? But that didn't make any sense! My father surely would've told me something that important.

"We'll talk more about this after class ok?" Jeremy whispered and I managed to snap out of my daze and head over to my team.

I stood by Odd and we watched one by one the remaining kids get called to each team until Jeremy was left and he had to be on Sissi's team. Of course no one wanted him since he wasn't much of an athlete.

Then we took different sides of the gym and the game began, but I wasn't really there. My mind was elsewhere. If what Jeremy said was true I wasn't alone after all. I could still have some sort of a family. A broken family was better than no family at all. I dodged the balls, and didn't bother really playing and watched the others. Odd, Ulrich, Yumi and I were great at dodging due to our experience dodging Xana's monsters' lasers. The other students gasped in awe at their graceful twirls and backflips.

Jeremy was out of game quickly of course and leaned against the back wall of the gym impatiently waiting for gym to be over. It seemed almost like old times. Almost.

Finally it was over, our team winning and the bell rang. I was relieved and eager to find out more from Jeremy.

In the locker rooms I changed even quicker than before and so did Yumi.

"How can we even trust him?" Yumi asked me with a frown.

"I…don't know," I answered not sure myself. However I'd have no choice if I really did have a sister.

We left the locker rooms and Odd waited for me with a happy grin on his face, "Hello!"

I smiled and took his hand feeling the color rise in my cheeks and numbness go away. We stood there and waited for Ulrich and Jeremy to come out.

"So…what did Einstein say after I left?" Odd nudged me playfully.

I looked at him, "He told me I have a sister."

"A sister?!" Both Odd and Yumi exclaimed at the same time.

"What? Who? Where?" Yumi asked and I shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't know. He said he'd tell us everything after class," I said and Odd yawned.

"You're bound to collapse before the day is over," I said concerned.

"Only you with all that's happened these last few days would still be worried about my sleep," he chuckled and kissed my forehead, "It'll be great if you have a sister, Aelita."

"Yeah, that is if she's nothing like Hiroki," Yumi scoffed, "Sometimes I wish I was an only child."

"You think you have it bad? Try dealing with 5 sisters!" Odd told her.

"No matter what she's like, I want to meet her," I said staring impatiently at the boys' locker room door.

"Sure you do. So do we," Yumi said with a smile.

Finally Ulrich and Jeremy came out and they came towards us. Jeremy's hair was wet he must have showered even though he hadn't worked up any sweat at all. They were talking back and forth as if it was old times and Yumi crossed her arms angrily.

"Tell me everything. How is it possible I have a sister?" I asked Jeremy when they came up to us.

"It's actually not that much of a complicated story," he smiled, "You see, when your mother disappeared, neither she nor your father new she was pregnant again. Whoever took your mother weren't interested in the baby, so after she had her she was put into foster care. She is a year younger than you and is just as intelligent as you and I are. She was going to school at my school, the school for the gifted. She looked a lot like you and after we became friends and she told me she never knew her parents, I became curious and hacked into some records and she truly is your little sister. I haven't told her yet. Her name is Alice."

We all just stared at him taking all of this in. Especially me. Odd nudged me and snapped me out of my daze.

"So…my father never even knew she existed?"

"No," he shook his head, "And all of this is going to sound crazy to her so I'll need you to help me explain all of this to her."

I nodded. She needed to know the truth just in case Xana targeted her too. I hadn't even met her yet and I already felt a need to protect her. All we had were each other yet neither one of us knew the other existed until now. How crazy was that?

"You're serious?" Ulrich asked with a surprised look since he hadn't known.

"Yep," Jeremy grinned before looking back at me, "You could meet her tomorrow if you like. I could have my dad drive us up there then bring us back."

Odd's hand tensed up in mine. "I erm…couldn't just drop everything and go. It would have to wait until Saturday," I said, "Besides, there's something wrong with me. Xana's doing or something, but I can use my energy fields here on Earth. Until that's fixed I don't want to risk hurting her."

He frowned, "Aelita, the longer you wait to more risk there is of Xana attacking her, and what do you mean you can use your energy fields? That's impossible."

"It's true," said Odd, "She hit Sissi with one this morning." I cringed at the reminder of that and Ulrich chuckled.

Jeremy raised an eyebrow, "Then later we'll go to the factory and scan you to see if anything is abnormal."

"Ok good," Yumi began to walk away, "We have to go or we're gonna be late. Coming Ulrich?"

"Yeah, see you guys later," Ulrich followed her out of the gym.

Jeremy headed for the door, "Meet me at the factory after lunch ok?" he said and then he was gone too.

Odd and I were alone. Our eyes met and the color rose in my cheeks.

"You weren't too thrilled at the idea of me going with Jeremy were you?" I asked with a slight smile.

He looked down, "Not really, but I'll get over it. I know it's important; you should meet your sister. I just don't really trust him with you, that's all."

"Maybe you can come with me," I suggested, "I really don't want to go without you. When I'm not with you, the pain of losing my father is worse, but you make me feel better," I blushed again and he smiled.

"If I didn't, I wouldn't be a very good boyfriend would I?" he grinned and pulled me into a hug, "I'll stand by you through the thick and thin, princess. Always."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and he leaned down and kissed my lips softly. It was gentle, but it still set me on fire. He attempted to pull back after one kiss but I wasn't having that. My hands were in his hair clutching him to me and I kissed him again. He moaned softly and pulled me closer against him. I savored this feeling. We kept going on like that for what felt like a long time, but yet not long enough for either of us. He rubbed my back and we finally had to pull apart to breathe.

We rested our foreheads together while we caught our breath.

"Keep that up and we'll be late," I said and he chuckled before kissing my forehead. Then the late bell rang and we hurried to our next class.

Meanwhile:

JPOV (Jeremy)

Everyone stared with curiosity at me as I walked through Kadic Academy once again. Probably wondering why I'd pass up going to a fancy brainiac school. It actually wasn't as fun at all as I thought it would be. Almost all of the "gifted" children were know-it-alls even worse than me. Although things did get better after I met Alice.

At first I was drawn to her because she resembled Aelita so much. I wasn't quite over her yet. But then after getting to know Alice she was actually a little different from Aelita. For example she hated pink and had died her hair so it wouldn't be pink, (magenta). However she still looked as lovely as Aelita. She also was quieter and reserved and not as head-strong as Aelita had been sometimes.

Anyway we had become very close during my time at that school. I'd even go far enough to say we were best friends. I also think she likes me for me which was a nice thought since my former friends were probably only friends because we had to fight Xana together.

I think Ulrich missed me a little and possibly Aelita too, but Yumi, Odd, and probably William and that other girl will hate the fact I'm here again. However Lyoko, Xana, and that supercomputer would always be connected to me. I couldn't run from that. I need to get on the group's good side again.

I also needed to get Alice here with me. I already missed her terribly. It was weird. We were friends nothing more yet I wanted her with me and worried about her safety. Maybe it was because she my first true friend. I didn't want to lose her.

I had to sit beside William in my next class. He glared at me and pretty much ignored me at first. I wasn't surprised. He started paying attention after I told him why I was here and when I asked how he and Akiko were doing as friendly small talk he got all quiet again and said, "It's complicated," whatever that means. Relationships are always complicated I suppose.

My thoughts drifted through the class to Odd and Aelita. I can't say I'm shocked they're still together. I'll never understand really why she'd rather have Odd than me but I was over it. She seemed really happy with him despite her depression right now from the death of her father. I blamed myself a little for that. If I had never run away from my problems maybe I could've prevented it. Now Aelita and Alice would be orphans forever.

I decided I was going to call Alice right now. I just wanted to apologize for my sudden leaving. She was probably mad at me even though I had left her a note. I excused myself from class and walked into the nearby woods with my cell in my hand.

I dialed and she answered after the first ring, "Jeremy, where are you?" her soft voice asked.

"It's a long story," I sighed, "But I'm coming back to visit very soon."

"You could've said a real goodbye to me if you were planning on switching schools instead of leaving me a dumb note," she grumbled.

"I know. But it was very short notice and I'm not so good with goodbyes. I'm sorry," I scratched the back of my head.

She sighed, "You're forgiven, as long as you come back."

I smiled, "I will. You should switch to my school too. It's not as boring as over there, and the intelligence is average. We'd be the smartest kids in school," I chuckled.

"Great," she said sarcastically, "To be labeled a new kid and a nerd sounds very tempting, but I think I'll pass. You come back here."

I looked down, "I can't.

"Why not?" she asked.

"There are things that I have to take care of," I said glancing at the manhole cover that led to the sewers.

"Is it because that girl you liked wants you back?" there was an edge in her voice. I had told her all about my drama with Aelita and Odd but left out Lyoko and the supercomputer and the dumb things I had done out of jealousy. Maybe that was a mistake.

"Of course not. She's still with Odd and I wouldn't switch schools for something like that." I answered.

"Then why did you go?" her voice was soft again.

To save the world. "To visit my friends." That was a terrible lie.

"You told me you had lost all of your friends there," she said, "Jeremy, tell me what's really going on."

"Nothing. I just hated leaving them on bad terms. I just want to patch things up with them that's all," I said. It was partly true. "I missed them."

"Well, I understand that, but I'm your friend too aren't I? Don't you miss me?" she asked.

"Yes," I admitted feeling my cheeks warm up.

She giggled, "Good. I miss you too. I gotta go now. My next class is about to start, but I'm glad you called."

"Me too," I said dumbly and she giggled again.

"Call me later ok? Bye Jeremy," she said.

"Bye, Alice. I will call you soon," I promised before I hung up. I didn't want to call her again really. I wanted to see her, but it would have to wait until Saturday. Her meeting Aelita would be very interesting.

APOV

Odd and I were in our fourth class and he held my hand under the table. I listened to Mrs. Hertz's lecture but poor Odd was about ready to pass out. His head lay on the table and in no time he was asleep. I stroked his hair.

After being yelled at he woke up and stayed up for the rest of the period with droopy eyes.

"You can't go through the rest of the day like this," I whispered to him and he smiled at me.

"I can and I will for you, Aelita," he whispered back.

I blushed and just shook my head at him.

After class we headed to the factory. We met up with Akiko and William in the sewers. Odd and I felt a little awkward around them since they were fighting again. Akiko was always denying her feelings for William even though it was obvious to us she liked him, and William is always persistent when it comes to girls.

"Will you just stop? We're friends and that's all, William," she snapped as we skated through the sewers.

"Why can't you just admit you feel something for me?" William demanded, "What are you so afraid of?"

"NOTHING! Just drop it, will you?"

"Hey, settle this later ok?" Odd snapped at them as we came to the ladder.

They both became quiet but still glared at each other here and there. We came to the bridge and I hesitated when we came to the ropes. The last time I was here I found out my father was dead and the reminder made me cringe. William and Akiko swung down to the elevator and Odd nudged me.

"Problem, princess?"

I swallowed and shook my head, "It's just…"

"I know," he put a hand up, "You don't have to say it. We don't have to stay long." He kissed my cheek making me blush fiercely.

"Ok," I smiled slightly before jumping onto a rope. Odd followed after me and we landed in front of elevator.

"About time love-birds," Akiko hit the button as we came in and William crossed his arms.

"We are love-birds too," he muttered and she gave him a dirty look.

"I wonder where Yumi and Ulrich are," I said changing the subject.

"Maybe they couldn't get out of class," Odd shrugged.

The door opened and we gazed into the computer lab. Jeremy was sitting in the chair typing and it seemed all too familiar.

"Head for a scanner, Aelita. It will only take a few seconds," Jeremy said glancing at me then back to the screen.

Odd walked out of the elevator with William and Akiko.

"See you in a second, princess," Odd winked at me and I hit the button. I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. Not just because it was difficult to be here, but so Odd could finally get some sleep.

The elevator opened again and I got into a scanner. The doors closed and I was lifted up then set back down instead of being virtualized. The doors opened again.

"Ok, Aelita. I got what I need. You can come back up now," said Jeremy's voice and I headed to the ladder.

I climbed back up into the lab and they were all clustered around the screen to see what's wrong with me. I walked up behind them nervously.

"Well? What did you find?" I asked.

"Looks like Xana implanted a bug the last time you were virtualized, but I fixed it. His bug was poorly made and you shouldn't have any problems now," said Jeremy typing some more, "I guess he was hoping you'd accidently attack one of us instead of Sissi," he chuckled, "But you are fine now."

"Thank god," I felt relieved.

"I'll launch a return to the past if you want, but I don't think it's necessary," Jeremy said.

"I'd rather you did. Just to be on the safe side. Just to this morning would be fine," I said glancing at Odd who was yawing again.

"Ok," he typed some more, "Return to the past now."

We were enveloped in a bubble of white and I was back in Odd's room laying on him. I smiled and blushed.

"Great. Now we have to go to class all over again," he groaned putting an am over his eyes.

"Oh no we don't. I just want to stay right here," I told him and he peeked at me.

"Are you sure?" he asked, "I thought you didn't-"

"I changed my mind," I snuggled more against him, "Just stay here and sleep with me."

"Ok," he kissed my forehead. It took him five minutes before he was snoring softly and I smiled. I loved Odd so much. What would I do without him?

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