Disclaimer: I do not own Code Lyoko in any way.
Chapter 10
"Okay, Aelita, you have some explaining to do," said Melanie, leaning back in a chair. "Everyone who saw the kiss told everyone else in the school. What happened?"
"I-I don't know," said Aelita, twiddling her thumbs out of nervous habit. "Jeremie knocked on my door, and when I answered, he kissed me."
"Wow, Einstein's got some guts," said Sissi, surprised. "Who'd have thought?"
"Sissi," said Azra darkly, throwing her a glare before focusing on Aelita. "Aelita, what happened last night when Melanie left you alone with Jeremie?"
"Well, when we got to my dorm, we hadn't really said much," said Aelita, glancing at Melanie, who was acting unusually shy. "We said goodnight, I was about to walk in, and he grabbed my arm."
"Oh!" said Jean, squealing excitedly. Heidi grinned, and Camille giggled.
"What?" asked Aelita, feeling "out of the loop" as Odd had once said.
"He was about to kiss you!" said Claire, clapping. She stopped and stared at Aelita. "He did kiss you, didn't he?"
"No," said Aelita, her heart rising in falling at the same time. Why would he kiss her then? And if he was going to, why didn't he?
"Ugh, he's hopeless!" groaned Sissi, her hands fisting.
"We'll crack him," said Lola grimly. "Aelita, what else happened?"
"Well, he let go of my arm and left," Aelita told them, hoping to get a good interpretation for last night's events. "I shut the door and followed him, and tried to find out what was wrong. He said it was, uh, family troubles. But I could tell he was lying. I kissed his cheek and he smiled at me."
"Aw," said Naomi, enjoying Aelita's blush. "What else?"
"Then I left so we wouldn't get caught by Jim," said Aelita, her face heating up.
"Well, you got caught today," said Jean, smiling. "So, how do you feel now?"
"Confused, to say the least," said Aelita, trying to briefly recall everything that had happened ever since she signed up for these lessons in love.
"Don't worry, things will become clear soon," said Camille assuringly. "And besides, don't tell us you didn't enjoy being kissed by Jeremie."
"Of course I did," said Aelita, blushing once again. "And I want it to happen more often, it's just that I don't want to make him uncomfortable."
"Aelita, you do that all the time without realizing it anyway!" exclaimed Azra. "Anyway, it'll toughen him up."
"One problem," said Aelita, frowning. "Jeremie's furious with himself. The principal gave us both three hours of detention tomorrow, and he blames himself. Jim said it was something about displaying affection."
"Then you have to let him know that you're not mad at him," said Lola thoughtfully. "But how?"
"I've got it!" said Camille, perking up. "Tomorrow, after the detention, you ask him to the Valentine's Day party! He thinks he's forgiven and either says yes or..."
"Or freezes up," finished Heidi. "Let's just hope that doesn't happen."
"For the time being, we better get to class," said Melanie, glancing at Aelita's alarm clock. "We've got about five minutes to get our things."
"See you later, Aelita," said Claire, waving while walking out the door. Aelita nodded and grabbed her books, running the plan through her head.
"Jeremie, what do you think you're doing?" asked Odd, the glow from the holomap hitting him in the eyes and making him wince.
"Making sure I don't cause any more trouble," answered Jeremie, typing fervently on the keyboard.
"Is this about the detention?" asked Ulrich, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I got Aelita punished, it's as simple as that," said Jeremie, frowning. "I don't want it to happen again."
"So you're going to spend your whole life in the factory?" asked Odd disbelievingly.
"No, I'm going to find the antivirus," answered Jeremie. "Then maybe Aelita will forgive me."
"Forgive you?" asked Ulrich, groaning. "Are you serious?"
"She most likely blames herself!" said Odd, shaking his head. "Trust me, Aelita probably likes you even more now."
"How can you be so sure?" asked Jeremie, looking away from the screen for the first time.
"Because we've seen the way she looks at you," said Ulrich, smirking. "We told you, she's in love with you! Now come with us to lunch!"
"But Aelita must be mad at me!" said Jeremie. "I embarrassed her in front of everyone, then got her in trouble with the principal!"
"Einstein, we're telling you for the last time, Aelita isn't angry with you!" said Odd impatiently. "Are you coming with us to the cafeteria or not?"
"Okay, I'll come," said Jeremie, not finding anything else to argue with. "I just hope you're right."
"Aren't we always?" asked Odd, clapping Jeremie on the shoulder, leading him to the elevator. Jeremie shrugged and pushed the red button. "You just worry about whatever Jim will make you do in detention tomorrow. I'm sure that will be agonizing enough."
"I hope you two learned a lesson," said Jim smugly, opening the door for Jeremie and Aelita. "And if I catch you up to no good again, you'll get eight hours!"
"Yes, Jim," said Jeremie, massaging his cramped fingers.
"And, uh, you might be able to get a second serving of mash potatoes at lunch for the next week, just so you know," said Jim quietly, then leaving to his room.
Aelita let a giggle escape, knowing she'd have no choice but to give it to Odd anyway. Three long hours of cleaning the cafeteria and the kitchens proved to her that Mr. Delmas was on a bad mood when he punished Jeremie and her. Rosa giving her an extra portion wasn't much compared to the thought of collapsing on her bed and sleeping until breakfast. However, she had a job to do. Well, as soon as Jim was out of earshot.
"Say, Jeremie, a-are you busy Saturday night?" asked Aelita nervously, not making eye contact with him, afraid that her blush would betray her.
"Well, I was planning to work on the antivirus some more," said Jeremie, looking at her curiously. "Why?"
"Oh, no reason," said Aelita shyly, feeling her face heat up. "There's just this party I heard about and I...was wondering if you'd come with me?"
Jeremie stopped walking. Was she asking him on a date? On Valentine's Day? And he wasn't saying yes? Why not?
"Uh, uh," stuttered Jeremie, trying to accept. He realized that for the moment, he had no control over his speech. He gave a violent nod of his head and Aelita's face lighted up. She grabbed him in a hug then hatched an idea, letting him go.
"Jeremie, d-do you think you could wear your glasses?" asked Aelita anxiously, hoping she didn't sound silly. Jeremie gave another stiff nod and she smiled. "Thanks, Jeremie, you're the best!"
Remembering what her teachers taught her about giving rewards, Aelita gave him a nervous peck on the cheek before waving goodbye and leaving. She did not want to mess this up.
"Aelita, relax!"
"But Yumi, I'm worried!" whispered Aelita in her cell phone. Cell phones were frowned upon on school campus, and the last thing she needed was for it to get taken away by Jim. "What if I make a fool of myself in front of him?"
"I know it's hard taking these classes," said Yumi. "But it'll all pay off in the end! Jeremie won't care if you make a mistake, and you're not likely to!"
"Okay, but I've never been to a party!" said Aelita worriedly. "I don't know how to act or what to say!"
"Just act like you usually do in class!" said Yumi. "When in doubt, make small talk with Jeremie. The other girls will give you some tips, I'm sure of it."
"Thanks, Yumi," said Aelita, allowing a smile to flit across her face momentarily. "I don't know how I'd get along without you."
"You'd have to ask Ulrich and Odd these questions, that's what!" joked Yumi, laughing.
"What a nightmare that'd be!" said Aelita, giggling. They said their goodbyes and hung up. Aelita decided to take Yumi's advice and let the girls teach her proper party behavior. It was going to be a long evening.
"Ah, party etiquette," said Claire dreamily. "We knew you'd ask eventually."
"The most important thing is probably the corniest thing; be yourself," said Melanie. "But, make adjustments where need be."
"Now don't groan, but you will have to wear make-up again," said Lola. Aelita sighed, she despised that gunk, no matter how many times Jeremie stared at her. She wanted him to like her for her, after all.
"You need to stand up straight," said Camille.
"Think positive," said Azra.
"Don't snort when you laugh," said Sissi.
"Take a breath mint in case Jeremie kisses you," said Heidi.
"Look for opportunities to be alone with Jeremie," said Jean.
"And steer clear of any danger," said Emily.
"Danger?" asked Aelita.
"We're just saying that if someone pulls out a steak knife or something, grab Jeremie and run," said Naomi jokingly. Melanie shivered for some reason. "Just a safety tip."
"Oh, right," said Aelita, laughing nervously.
"And don't worry, we'll be stationed at certain parts of the room in case you need help," said Camille reassuringly.
"Thanks," said Aelita, smiling.
"Jeremie, this is great!" said Odd, cheering. "Aelita asked you out on the most romantic day of the year!"
"Yeah, but..." Jeremie trailed off, not entirely sure how to put it.
"What?" asked William, smirking. "You go with her, you sweep her off her feet, you live happily ever after."
"It's just, it'd be easier if it was just the two of us, or another double date," said Jeremie sheepishly, while Ulrich refrained from telling Prince Charming to go slay a dragon. "But we'll be around a lot of people, and I don't want to embarrass her."
"Ah, worried about her social status," said Thomas, nodding. "Yet another reason why you're the perfect boyfriend for her."
"Listen, all you have to do is keep her busy," said Christophe, admiring the large blush spreading on Jeremie's face. "Talk to her, get her punch, kiss her...you know, stuff you usually do."
"Good one!" said Odd, laughing as he clapped Christophe on the shoulder. "Einstein, pay attention, we're giving you gold! Now-"
"Wait, Odd, one question," said Jeremie, the gears in his memory turning. "When exactly is Theo supposed to be back?"
"Oh, uh, I think tomorrow, actually," said Odd. He grimaced. "Don't you worry, Jeremie, we promised we'd do all we can to keep him away from Aelita. And I told you he probably learned his lesson!"
"I just don't trust him," said Jeremie firmly.
"And you have every reason not to," said Jean-Baptiste. "But for Aelita's sake, try not to make a scene."
"I wasn't going to make a scene," said Jeremie, frowning. "I'd prefer it if Theo would stay in the hospital, but I can't help that."
"We'll take your word for it," said Bastien. "Now, back to how you act at the party."
"Oh yeah, plan, er, E, is it?" asked Jeremie doubtfully.
"Well, technically, it's not really a plan," said Odd. "I mean we've heard about the party for a while, but we didn't know Aelita would invite you. So, for now, you can call it..."
"Surprise A," ended Ulrich. "Back to work."
Aelita took deep breaths in and out. When it came right down to it, she was nervous, but she couldn't figure out why. She had known him for years, couldn't recall how many times she had kissed him, and had been out with him twice, but her stomach was squirming all the same. It happened every time she thought about her relationship with him.
It boggled her mind, the effect he had on her! He didn't even seem to try, yet Jeremie could turn her thoughts to mush in an instant with just one look her way! With a smile, a hug, a touch of hands, a kiss...She just didn't understand. And for some reason, beyond all comprehension, she actually liked that feeling.
At first she thought all these sensations were just her body adapting to Earth, but time wore on, and they only got stronger. If any of these had to do with the fact that she wasn't really human, she wasn't sure. But it just didn't seem fair that Jeremie could make her go weak in the knees with such ease.
A knock on her door brought her out of her thoughts and she knew who it was. Calming herself down, she answered it and found Jeremie standing shyly in front of her. Her Jeremie.
"Hi, Aelita," said Jeremie, but he was engulfed in a hug before he could say more.
Aelita breathed him in. He even smelled the same! She was curious about why he had stunk so badly for the past week or so, but there was another time and place for that. Aelita realized what she was doing and let go of him, hoping she hadn't just ruined the whole evening.
"Wow," muttered Jeremie. Aelita was confused, but then understood he was talking about her change of attire. That visit to the mall must have paid off.
"Um, should we go?" asked Aelita; she enjoyed the attention, but it made her anxious. She really couldn't see what was so special about a pink skirt and shirt, but that was her point of view.
"Sure," said Jeremie, adjusting his glasses. It felt good to be wearing them again, and for once his eyes weren't watering from that disgusting cologne he had managed to throw away.
Aelita's mind flitted from Jeremie to thoughts of today. Everyone expected something to happen between Jeremie and Aelita; even the teachers in class kept their eyes peeled for romance. However, the two acted like it was any other day, which was strange for the both of them.
"After you," said Jeremie, gesturing to a doorway. Aelita looked up at the large building that was rented to the school in town for student functions, and giggled at the flashing decorative hearts.
Her laughter died the moment she laid eyes on Theo, walking in front of them. He turned around and smiled at her, flashing his teeth, and the color from Aelita's face drained. A thousand thoughts could have been racing through her head right then. Like "Why is he here?" and "What am I going to do?" but instead, she had a wish.
Aelita really wished the girls hadn't talked her into buying a miniskirt.