Odd pushed open the door out of the building, and watched with a silent sigh as Aelita moved past, only to pause and turn, waiting patiently as he released the door and stepped up beside her.
"I'm sorry that failed. Should've been a little more cautious, I guess."
Eyes meeting, the disappointment visible in his expression pained her.
"Its Ulrich. How long do you expect this to be so secretive anyway?"
"I dunno."
"I'm sure he's already relaying it to Yumi, knowing him."
"Probably."
"In any case, silly, the pool is not the only thing we can do today."
"Right, yes. I intended to take you to lunch at some point."
"Oh yeah? Where?"
"Still a secret surprise."
Brimming with curiosity, she brushed some of her hair aside.
"Alright. I'll wait. But its going to make me go bananas."
"Waiting for food always does that to me."
"Then lets gooo!" She laughed, tugging on his arm, and hastening their pace towards the school gate.
Sitting in a small cafe, surrounded by dishes of sandwiches, a curious variety of appetizers, and two bottles of sparkling lemonade, the pair quietly stuffed their faces, eying the other with humor from full cheeks and goofy expressions and mumbles.
This is the kind of date I originally expected.
After several swallows, Aelita set her fork aside, propping her head upon her arm, and watched Odd with a gentle gaze, producing a laugh through her nose as he paused with a full mouth, eyebrows rising.
Forcing everything down in swallow, he then wiped his face, arms settling on the table with his trademark goofy grin, only then to settle into a calm smile as he met her eyes.
A tender moment of watching, gazing, and tints of blushes creeping along cheeks and necks ensued, and his arms pushed a path through the dishes on the table, hands unfolding.
With a little tilt of her head, her head rose, and her fingers gently descended onto his open palms, and their fingers coupled together. Squeezing them tighter, excitement and mirth silently coursed through her skin.
This is perfect.
Moving her head slightly, a lock of red hair drifted across her brow.
I didn't even know he could be like this. Then again, I don't think either of us expected this, at all.
Watching him give a slight nod, she exhaled as he gently relinquished her hands, standing to his feet and moving himself around the table. Sitting next to her, she peeked towards him, grinned as he set his chin upon her shoulder.
"Oh, hi."
Leaning her head against his, he then got a face full of her hair, to which he slowly withdrew from, producing a breath and rubbing an itch on his nose. Turning herself towards him as he made a variety of comical faces, they both laughed lightly from the moment, and he leaned back against the chair, admiring her variety of bashful smiles and expressions.
Tilting her head towards him, she eyed his lips with interest, and then slowly wandered up along his cheekbone, seeing him reading her expression loud and clear.
Hey, you...
He leaned forward slightly, focus unwavering.
Yeahhh you. Remember what you told me yesterday?
Watching his eyebrows slowly, teasingly shift, she stayed still.
Why don't you lean closer, silly.
His face cracked into a fleeting smile, and a baited breath slowly left her lungs.
I know you know. So show me you know.
His arm rose, settling upon her shoulder, and for a moment, his eyes lowered to the table. Then, in a complete shift, his hand slowly tucked along the side of her chin as his head drew close, and her eyes grew wide with pleasant surprise as she suddenly found herself face to face, a breath apart.
Noses softly touched together, hair mingled, and below, free hands quietly clasped together, fingers between each other.
Close enough?
Ohhh, you know.
An intense bond held them together, and an endless flow of data and feedback and feelings and emotion flowed between them. Eyelids slowly closed, heartbeats elapsed, and lips pressed together, slowly drawing their bodies into momentary motion as they tucked together into an embrace. Hands and arms wandered around their sides, finding places to rest as their kisses slowly progressed into deeper passion, and after a fleeting hesitation, they segued into tongue kissing, something Aelita never previously experienced.
Yeah, daydreaming is fun. Then when it really happens... There's those fireworks again.
Bristling with excitement from the peculiar, contested battle over lip and tongue, she then exhaled as he drew away, only to recapture his lips in a quick connection, before pulling away again, and burying her chin into her shoulder with a murmur of mirth and giddy emotion.
Ohhh man he is one good kisser. Goodness!
Looking up at him, trading adorable blushes, they remained in the same embrace.
Sure hope that happens again. Cause that kinda just rocked my world.
"Having fun?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
"Glad to hear."
A quiet moment of closed eyes and shared warmth and closeness lingered for an unknown time.
"Want to go for a walk later?"
"Maybe. Can I get a shower in first?"
"Of course."
"You should shower too."
"Am I that bad?"
She laughed.
"Not at all. Just the chlorine, you know."
"I know. Just messing."
Sticking out tongues, Odd then turned his head, eying the table.
"Let me pay for this and we'll roll on out of here."
Neared the gated entrance to the Academy, Odd studied each gap between the blocks of concrete that made up the sidewalk as he and Aelita walked side by side.
Not even a day, and we're already making out...
Peeking upwards at her, his heart beat with a resurgence of excitement, picturing the moment only minutes beforehand.
Was this supposed to happen so fast?
Head turning, her eyebrow rose upon noticing him.
Sure looked like she enjoyed it.
"Something wrong?
Odd blinked from her innocent query.
"Not at all. Just thinking."
"About me?"
His face blossomed into a smile.
"Maybe."
Passing through the shade of trees lining the pathway, and wandering into the central courtyard, their footfall drew to a halt. Listening to birds chirping, and the dull roar of the city beyond, the teens surveyed the surrounding area for a moment, hands in pockets.
"Still quiet, and empty."
"You still haven't shaken things up yet."
Aelita leaned against the side of the shower stall as warm water rained endlessly upon her.
I must be going bananas. This feels so easy. Too easy. How was it so easy to find myself dating and kissing my best friend? He's supposed to be my cousin. I wonder what people will think when they start finding out we're dating?
And Jeremy... We haven't been on a date for so long... What am I supposed to tell him? We've done nothing together for ages. I hope he doesn't think we're still together.
Her eyes sank from the thought.
He probably does. I guess I did too, until last night.
How do I tell Jeremy that Odd loves me? He's going to find out sooner or later. Knowing him he's going to be upset right away. He did bring me from Lyoko, and he's done so much, but so has everyone else. There's more to fighting Xana than being in front of the supercomputer, and all of my best friends have risked themselves to save me... But then there's Odd. Out of anybody, he's tried the hardest. And then here on earth, he still tries his hardest for me. And now I know why...
Her cheeks burned.
Maybe that's why this feels so easy. Maybe its supposed to be easy.
Odd sat on his bed as he pulled the sleeves of his purple outer-shirt towards himself.
Looking over Ulrich's bed on the opposite side of the room, the brunette's words from earlier floated around in his mind.
By now... Yumi probably knows too.
His hand touched the side of his face, captive in thought.
Everybody's gonna think this is ridiculous, and a select few will want to tear me to shreds. But I'll show them. Aelita isn't some ordinary girl. She needs as much support as she can get, and I'll be the one lifting her up.
She deserves it.
