I'm so so sorry for the long break guys! Life's been rough, but I'm ready to start again!

I've recently finished typing up the rest of this story, so expect weekly updates from now on! :)

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

-Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

Chapter 14: Rewind

Two Months Later

The prestigious gates of Kadic Academy welcomed students once again amidst the changing colors of autumn.

Ulrich's fingers moved to adjust his tie one last time before entering his first class, AP Chemistry. The atmosphere noticeably silenced with his presence, and he kept his head hung while occupying a seat in the back. It was clear he was the talk of the town.

Without expression, the brunette settled his gaze on the textbook in front of him. He resolved in his mind that he was disinterested in what people thought of him now - all that mattered was that he still couldn't let go of the recent events that transpired that dejected summer. He tensed his forehead while refusing to acknowledge any of his classmates, occupied by his own thoughts.

"Hey, Stern," started Mathias Burel with a repulsive laugh. Ulrich didn't move. "What was it like, being a farmer? I didn't know your family was struggling to scrape by."

Ulrich clenched his fists, then unclenched them. He repeated the actions in attempt to calm himself. He kept his gaze on the book.

But his classmate wouldn't stop. "I heard you were working for your uncle. He settles for that type of work, huh?" There were a few bursts of laughter in response to the remark.

Ulrich's heart began to pound, and his head heated up. But Mathias still wouldn't let it go.

"I didn't know he was some dumb hillbilly-"

Cutting Mathias off, there was a slam, then a scream.

It was almost as if a switch went off within Ulrich.

In one fluid move, Ulrich had Mathias by his tie, forced up against the wall. The bespectacled teen began to gag - because the brunette was so much taller than him, he had him off his feet.

"Say that again," Ulrich hissed through clenched teeth. The look in his eyes was so dark, a bead of sweat rolled down from Mathias' temple. "I dare you."

Mathias pitifully shook in Ulrich's grasp. Much too soon, a pair of arms pulled him away from Mathias by his midsection. Ulrich stumbled back while Mathias collapsed to the floor, taking in deep breaths.

Ulrich spun around only to meet Odd's consoling, sympathetic eyes. It seemed as if he just entered the classroom; his books were settled in the seat beside Ulrich's. Having interrupted the small fight, he was the only one that knew of Ferdinand's passing.

With a large exhale of breath, Ulrich faced Mathias' fallen figure again. "You can say whatever crap you want to say about me," he began venomously, "but if you say shit about my uncle, you can guarantee that you'll never see the light of day again."

Ulrich got many looks of admiration as he returned to his seat. He slouched in his chair and stared at the blank whiteboard ahead of him, a little more relaxed now that Odd was with him.

The peppy blonde reassuringly patted his back. "You okay, good buddy? I would've let you beat Burel up, but he isn't a fair match now, is he?"

Ulrich laughed in disbelief with a shake of his head. "I didn't know you signed up for this class."

"I just transferred in." Odd shrugged. "It seemed like your tutor helped you out a lot, so now I can copy off your notes!"

Over the remaining summer, Ulrich visited Aelita at least three days a week to continue his tutoring sessions. And while he was in Ashwick Grove, he also kept the flowerbed alive in memory of his late uncle.

The seats in the small classroom were quickly filling up. Ulrich checked the wall clock; there was one more minute until the bell. Ulrich thought that that was all of them, but the door opened once again to admit one last student.

She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. A thick head of short, black hair gently framed her face, and the pleats of her skirt swished around her long legs. Her blazer wrapped around her willowy frame nicely, and her dark, almond-shaped eyes were alluring and beguiling.

She was like a dream to him. A memory, a fleeting thought. He wanted to reach out to her, to love her, but it was much too soon. He didn't acknowledge her at all for the remaining summer despite her numerous attempts to make contact with him. He knew he didn't deserve it.

Regardless, when she didn't say anything even at the sight of him, he was still taken aback and disappointed. What he was expecting, he didn't know. Did she give up on him?

For the rest of class, he just sat in his seat, dazed. Mrs. Hertz's instruction didn't make it through his head at all. When the bell rang, Yumi got up from her seat with a sigh. When she entered the classroom this morning, she was looking forward to seeing Ulrich. But seeing his tense expression and hunched posture signaled to her that he didn't want to talk, so she didn't do a thing. She had no idea what she was expecting, either.

She lingered as the rest of their classmates filed out of the room. The past lovers met gazes for a split second. Ulrich opened his mouth as if to say something, and Yumi smiled gently at him, urging him to speak.

But nothing was said. The ever-so-popular Ulrich was quickly forced out of the room by a horde of classmates, leaving Yumi alone. As she watched his retreating figure disappear, she pressed her books to her chest, closing off her heart.

Ulrich was emotionally unavailable. It was best they forget about each other, as if it was all a fling.

Things were going to go back to the way they were. Yumi was going to have to accept it.

Author's Note: Please please leave a review, I want to know what's been up with everyone! :) I miss talking with you all!