Friday.
An identical scene to the day before began inside the science building, with the entirety of the academy's tenth grade awaiting exam three of the finals.
With the school year so close to ending, it was difficult for many to even sit still. Hungry eyes stared at the clock as it slowly worked towards 8am, intent on revenge for forcing one more early rising for the school day.
Mr. Fumet cleared his throat, and a majority of the low commotion ceased.
"As stated yesterday, exams three and four cover Biology and Foreign Language. Once the exams are over, you are again free to return to your dormitories while we grade them. Results will be announced tomorrow morning."
"Do we have to stay on the school grounds?"
"Only if you want to."
Seeing several sinister plots unfolding in the student body's eyes, Jim stepped forward.
"However, keep in mind that the RULES here still apply since it is still a school day. I don't want any trouble from a single one of you, understand?"
Hearing reluctant sighs of agreeance, he folded his arms confidently as Mrs. Meyer handed out the packets of the Biology exam.
"At ten, we will take another half hour break. If you need the restroom at any time, please raise your hand."
Theo Gauthier slowly lifted his hand, and a rise of light laughter filled the air as the teachers both gave him funny looks.
"...At any time AFTER the exam begins." Jim added gruffly.
Heh. Photosynthesis. I hope Mrs. Hertz is the one that gets to grade mine.
Odd's hand swiftly filled empty lines under diagrams of plant cells.
All these years of bumbling along, and here I am, having actually kind of studied.
An image of Aelita deep into a textbook filtered into his mind's eye, and he reveled the scene, having previously admired her in this manner.
She loves reading... I need to set her loose on some of my mom's novels. She'd be lost for hours.
I bet she'd love that.
Of course we're going all the way to Berlin. Why can't we go to Frankfurt or not even leave France at all?
Ulrich sighed inside, holding his head up with his arm as he turned another page of the Biology exam.
Someday they need to let ME choose where we are spending the summer. Berlin is noisy and busy. We have that here in Paris already. Can't we go to the coast somewhere? Kiel maybe?
Dammit. Of course Odd gets to run off to Montpellier and sunbathe on the beach. Emily is going to Nantes, and I'm sure Yumi is dragging her grumpy butt back to Japan.
I wonder what Aelita's going to do for the summer? I bet she's getting tired of being left behind here at the academy. Odd should figure out something for her. Maybe he already has.
Aelita turned her exam over and set her pencil onto it, sighing with boredom.
Looking over at Odd, an earlier thought bloomed in her head.
Alright boyfriend, you said you had something in mind for the summer... But what could it be? Earlier he said he might go to Montpellier. Wherever that is. Down south with his mother and father. Did he intend to bring me with? He has to. He hates going places without me, especially somewhere new.
Her heart beat with excitement from the possibility.
I bet he's already got it all arranged. But, wait, I haven't even met his parents yet! And he says he has four... Five sisters? Are they coming too?
Ohhh this is going to be crazy if this is what he has planned. Is this what you have planned, Odd?
Seeing him turn his head and offer a smile, she blushed.
Heeheee I think it is! I might finally have a summer away from school... How lovely!
Nicholas sat, staring unhappily at the packet.
Biology, Bi-shmology.
Breathing a sigh, he looked over the open page, eyeing a picture of a cell wall.
You know what they say... Turn that frown upside down.
His pencil began drawing goofy little faces onto each blob, and a smile worked its way onto his cheeks as an army of little friends began to appear on the picture.
That's better.
Herb watched, unimpressed, as Nicholas doodled on his exam.
You idiot, you're supposed to write on the lines, not draw on the pictures...
Sigh, I don't understand how you, or anybody else, never seem to get held back. I bet they just want the morons through the system and out the door here as soon as possible. Take the money and keep them coming.
Sissi's right. The whole thing is rigged. They're only tolerant of the idiots because their parents fork over thousands of euros.
Everybody's following the money... It never changes. Neither does Poliakoff here. He's going to fail again for sure.
Idiot.
"You may begin!"
Two hours later, the fourth and final exam flew open across the tables, and a fury of pencil scribbles filled the air as a variety of German and Italian words began filling the lines.
Ulrich smiled, knowing he had a surprise poem in store for Emily, having been in creation stages for the entire week beforehand.
I hope Emily knows a little German. Even if she doesn't, curiosity will make her translate it.
She'll love it. I know it. It'll be a perfect way to start off the letter conversation.
Let's see, 'Das ist sehr gut'... I should write down my address.
I wish I was going to Nantes with her. I wonder what kind of fun we could have together?
Sigh. Why Berlin?
Odd worked through the Italian segment of the language exam with gusto, being very familiar with Italian as a second language thanks to his parents.
Reaching a creative writing page with numerous empty lines, his heart raced at the opportunity.
'Write several sentences using proper punctuation in Italian.'
Let's see here...
Vedo nei tuoi occhi quando si guarda a me, un luogo di verde senza fine. Frizzante, e pieno d'amore, saranno sempre farmi sognare.
His face curled into a grin.
Man. She'd love this.
Jim watched with slight suspicion as several dozen eyes watched his hands come together in a clap, with not a single flinch resulting.
"Uhh, test four is over! Once I collect them, you are all free to go."
Damn kids look like hungry wolves. I don't like this...
Walking through the aisles, expressions were traded, and after a mutual moment of accomplishment, a flurry of standing and leaving began as students raced for their backpacks piled in the nearby hallway.
Within seconds, the three adults in the room stood perplexed as the student body was completely absent.
"While I hate to admit it, I remember what this was like."
Mr. Fumet sat back against a table.
"I feel old."
Watching Jim set the stack of packets onto the front desk, Mrs. Meyer sighed.
"Anyone want a bottle of wine after grading?"
"Uhh, yes."
"Count me in."
Odd and Ulrich smashed together several high fives as they walked across the courtyard, towards the forest grove with Aelita and Emily in tow.
With finals, and now lunch out of the way, a limited amount of time remained until results were posted, and their parents arrived to pick them all up.
"I feel good. Like stupid good. I think for once, the brain breaking was worth it."
"I just hope I'm not being too optimistic."
Ulrich was shoved simultaneously by all three of them.
"No party pooping, mister grump."
"Mister grouch to you."
Odd produced a goofy face in response, and then sauntered away to avoid being shoved back, towing Aelita along in a suddenly spree of energy as they both giggled, drifting around trees.
Then, the blonde's cell phone began ringing, and he drew to a halt.
"It's my parents."
Putting the phone to his ear, his mouth opened.
"Hey Mom! Hi dad."
"Yeah, we're done with finals. My girlfriend Aelita was a super duper helper. Way smarter than me. She helped me and Ulrich study."
"No, they'll have the results tomm... What? ...About that, remember what I said about her coming al... Oh."
A grin slowly grew on his cheeks from Aelita's excited expression.
"Okay, so now that dad's doing that, you're not... Mom. Mom! Uhh, would it be alright if it was just me and her?"
"...Hey, I've lived here at Kadic on my own, I think I can handle it... Yes, I know where the key is."
His eyes widened.
"Really? Are you sure its okay? Obviously you have to meet... Yeah. She's a real sweetheart. Don't worry."
"Alright! Love you both!"
Pocketing his phone again, he turned and held both of Aelita's hands, both of them brimming with excitement.
"What's the news?"
"My father was called into another contract, so he's going to that instead of the cottage. His work takes priority over vacation, so my mom said we can both go instead, after she meets you."
Her face lit up immensely.
"You mean it? I'm going with you?"
"Yes, silly!"
"Yaayyy!" She chirped, launching herself into him in a massive hug.
"We should be leaving tomorrow afternoon or so, so make sure you have a bag packed."
Giggles arose as they turned back and forth, arms squeezing each other tight.
"What happened over here?"
Looking over at Ulrich, Aelita sighed happily.
"My parents changed plans, so they're letting Aelita and I go to the cottage. My dad landed another job so he'll be busy."
"Sounds like fun."
"I can't wait! I've never even seen the ocean."
"You guys leaving tomorrow?"
"I think just about everybody is." Emily noted.
"Two months until 11th grade. That'll be something."
Three out of four teens then traded a cautious look.
Two months away from the supercomputer. If Xana doesn't do anything, that'll be something, too.
Saturday morning.
Odd and Ulrich both sat upright in their beds as their door flew open, seeing Aelita standing just beyond, looking almost evil with confidence.
"Morning princess."
"You boys ready to see your results?"
"Not really."
Wrinkling her nose at Ulrich, she stepped inside, turning around the chair at their desk and sitting on it.
"I think you are, Ulrich."
"Let me guess, some good and some bad. Where have I heard that one before?"
Looking over at Odd, a tired smile lifted his features after he stretched his arms, and Kiwi hopped off the bed, shaking himself for a few seconds, before stepping over and sitting by Aelita's leg, earning him a pet on the head.
"Guess I'd better have the money ready."
Ulrich shook his head.
"I bet Jeremy didn't need a reminder."
"We've probably been haunting him pretty well. I think Aelita's determination is starting to scare him."
A giggle left her nose from the thought.
"I wonder how he'll react if he does end up paying Odd. Knowing him, he'll never want to set a bet again."
"At least if I fail, it won't be any different from the past."
Both Aelita and Ulrich furrowed their eyebrows at him.
"How can you possibly fail this time? That would mean I'd fail too. We both studied the same."
"Neither of you are going to fail." Aelita concluded, standing to her feet again. "Just be patient and we'll see how you did. Hurry up and get to breakfast before I turn into a pumpkin from waiting."
Odd sped into motion amidst laughter, pulling on a fresh change of clothing from his suitcase as the door shut.
"...She does sound like you."
"Its hard not to be inspired by the Della Robbia side."
"Yeah right. She's just used to your jokes."
"And you aren't?"
"Oh I am. I just ignore half of them."
Sticking his tongue out, Odd zipped the bag shut, and sauntered out to the hallway, towards the bathroom.
"Last one to the cafeteria starves!"
Heavy commotion and ruckus filled the dining area, with Jim absent from a rumored hangover, as students stuffed their faces and chattered on cell phones to incoming parents.
Breakfast already finished, Odd and Aelita sat back, eyeing their surroundings with smug, full-belly grins, their hands clasped together and mingling slowly.
Ulrich sat, head propped on his arm, daydreaming about the poem he had written for Emily, which sat locked and loaded in his pants pocket.
Just have to find her before she leaves...
The three of them then watched as Jeremy and Natalia sheepishly sidled through the commotion, sitting at their table, and then blinking as three pairs of wolflike eyes inspected them.
"So, last day of 10th grade."
"Yup."
"Guess we'll find out our scores soon, huh?"
"Sure will."
Jeremy sighed heavily as Odd's mouth opened.
"Before you ask, yes, I have it."
"Okay, just making sure we weren't about to cheat anyone."
"Speaking of cheating." Natalia chimed.
"Oho no, not this time missy. We're all honest students here."
"Sure hope so."
A giant mass of students approached the gymnasium, filtering inside to find several tables sorted by alphabetic letter.
Dozens of hearts raced from excitement and fear as groups approached every table, poring over packets of paper with student names printed onto the top sheets.
A bizarre procession of papers opening and surprised reactions, both good and bad, began arising in the air, and Odd fidgeted with his sleeve as Aelita handed him and Ulrich their results, though Emily smiled after looking inside hers.
Turning on her heel, she then spotted Jeremy and Natalia next to Yumi and William, and the four of them eyed the other four as they approached.
"Alright everyone, time to put the money where the mouth is."
Eight exam packets formed a circle, and one by one, the front pages were opened.
"Alright, the main wager was that if I, Odd Della Robbia, got a B average on all finals, Jeremy owes me twenty euros. If I get less than that, I owe him twenty."
Looking at Aelita, she smiled smugly after reading her grades.
"Three As, and one B in Foreign Language. Ninety four percent average."
Jeremy rolled his eyes.
"One A plus, in Algebra, two As, and one B, also in Foreign Language."
"Italian's still not his thing."
"Or German." Ulrich added.
"And Math was never yours, Stern. What did you pull off?"
Watching Yumi calmly, his eyes descended to the sheet, and then an eyebrow rose.
"B minus. Eight one percent."
"And the others?"
"B plus in history, a C plus in Science... and a solid A in language."
"Alright! That'll make your dad shut up for a little while huh?"
Aelita released a light breath of excitement after making eye contact with a confident Ulrich, after he met a high five from Odd.
"That's good. But it doesn't match two As and two Bs."
"You're in a higher grade anyway!"
"Doesn't matter. How about you, William?"
"Uhh... Two Bs, a C plus, and a C minus."
"Good enough." Yumi smiled, setting her hand on his shoulder.
Ulrich's mouth moved, but then settled when Emily discreetly put her arm around his backside.
Odd then breathed an exhale as all eyes turned to him.
"Alright, my turn."
His fingers pried open the sheet of paper, and both Ulrich and Aelita leaned towards his shoulders as he paused.
"Algebra II, C plus."
Several exhales arose, but Odd held up his finger.
"Social Studies, B plus."
Aelita's smile grew.
Still a B average...
"Science, a B, and Language..."
Eyes flitted between him and Jeremy.
"A nice big A plus."
A fantastic variety of expressions flew back and forth, and Aelita took the sheet from her boyfriend, confirming the grades.
"Sorry Jeremy, but that's a B plus average."
The blonde's nose wrinkled repeatedly as he fished out his wallet, thrusting two 10 euro notes at Odd, and Ulrich started chuckling as his friend accepted the money, and was then forcefully hugged by Aelita with a squeal.
"This only happened because you helped them, Aelita."
"Eee hee hee but nobody said I couldn't help them study!"
Yumi shook her head.
"Come on William. We're no longer needed here."
Purposefully ignoring them walking away, Ulrich turned to Emily when her phone chirped from a text message.
"My parents are here."
"Already?" He breathed, heart suddenly racing.
She looked up at him through her glasses, and then surrounded him in a hug that he eagerly returned.
"Come with me to my room."
Odd watched as they both walked away, and then looked at Jeremy and Natalia.
"Einstein, I've been wondering something. With Lyoko, and Xana and -."
"I know. I've been dreading this time each year. I don't know what it is, but I keep waiting for something to happen over the summer. Thankfully nothing does."
"Its as if Xana takes a vacation like we do."
"Maybe he doesn't like having no enemy around."
"Yeah right. With our luck we'll come back and he'll have all kinds of bad things cooked up. I'll keep an eye on things with my laptop, but I'll be out of town for a whole month."
"Is there any way you can stop an attack if we aren't around?"
"If I get creative, maybe. I've been working on something on and off. I just need more time now, and it might be able to work."
"What kind of something?"
"An emulation. In case Aelita can't get to Lyoko or a tower. Then I can run a program that replicates her interactions using her DNA sequencing. It'll shut off of the tower, and stop the attack if it works right."
"You can do that?"
"We'll see. I'm not positive."
Trading looks, Aelita touched her hand to her chin.
"Wouldn't you be able to run that every time he attacks, in theory?"
"Possibly. I didn't even think of that."
"Well I hope you aren't planning to replace me completely..." She sighed.
"I'm not even sure this will work Aelita. And even if it does, I'll only use it if you absolutely cannot get to a tower."
"If you say so."
Jeremy pursed his lips pensively.
"I"m assuming you both are going somewhere for the summer."
"Yeah."
"Yes."
"Then that would at least allow us all to go places without worrying about how to get back to the factory. I promise that it will help in the long run."
"In the meantime, lets just hope for the best."
"Agreed."