Chapter 14

APOV

I finally looked at Jeremy. WHAT?He can't be serious can he? "What?" I asked narrowing my eyebrows. Yumi and Ulrich's mouth fell open and they stared at him.

"You heard me. You have to be my girlfriend until…we graduate high school. By that time you should remember how you once felt for me. Oh and you can't be friends with Odd anymore when he's back. I don't trust him with you after he's been Xanafied. That's my deal. Take it or leave it." He swiveled back around in his computer chair and started typing.

I stood up and clenched my fists "You're…You're blackmailing me? In exchange for getting Odd back? That is the most selfish thing I've ever heard of! Odd has a family who will surely notice his absence. You are unbelievable!" tears once again fell from my eyes, but this time they were angry tears.

"I'm sorry Aelita, but I need you and this is the only way I will have you. I screwed up with you and I know that but this to me seems a lot easier to me than taking the time to change my ways," he said perfectly calm.

"That's a real low thing to do, Jeremy," Yumi said glaring at him, "Aelita should be with who she wants to."

"It's entirely Aelita's choice. I don't care what you think. If you want Odd back that's the price," he said, "But I'll be nice and give you a night to think it over."

"Good, because I can't even look at you right now! You're…You're such an ass!" I ran out of the room with my head in my hands.

"Aelita wait!" I heard Yumi say. But I kept running. The only person I wanted to talk to was Odd, but he wasn't here. Now he might never be. I never even got to tell him I love him, I thought as more tears fell from my eyes. Which was worse? To have Odd here but not being able to be with him? Or having him stuck on Lyoko being Xana's puppet. I was sobbing now. I knew I had no choice. I had to date Jeremy.

YPOV

I couldn't believe that Jeremy would do this. What was wrong with him? He liked Aelita yeah, but this was definitely not the way to win her over. I glared at Jeremy and Ulrich was too.

"So…you're saying that if Aelita refuses to go out with you, that you won't help at all? Odd is your friend too," Ulrich said angrily, "I'm sure he'd really appreciate that."

"Look. Save the preaching. I don't care what you guys think," Jeremy said clenching his fists.

"Wow. You really are a dick," Ulrich said, "Come on, Yumi." I got up and we left Jeremy's room very infuriated.

"Can you believe him?" I asked as we went downstairs to see if Aelita was maybe in her room.

"I know. I never thought he would stoop that low. Poor Aelita, and poor Odd. If Aelita can't fix it its all over," Ulrich said sadly. I took his hand and squeezed it.

"I'm pretty sure Aelita is willing to do anything to get Odd back, so I think we will see him again," I said giving him a slight smile.

"Why do you think that?" he looked at me curiously.

"Well Aelita adores Odd and she won't live with the guilt. Trust me," I winked. He still didn't get that I was saying she liked him more than a friend and just gave me a puzzled look.

"We might get him back, but Aelita will be stuck with Jeremy. I feel sorry for her," Ulrich squeezed my hand as we walked down the hall to Aelita's room.

"Would you ever do that to me if I said no to going out with you?" I asked curiously with a slight smile.

"No. I would never force you. If you were with me but not happy what's the point?" he said as we came to Aelita's door.

I kissed his lips out of nowhere and I blushed. I loved him so much. The thought was so strong I had to express it to him. I don't know what I would have done if Ulrich was the one possessed by Xana. If going out with Jeremy-the-prick was the only way, I wouldn't hesitate. My love for Ulrich was that strong. He made a surprised noise but kissed me back and gently wrapped his arms around my back.

We stopped and stared into each other's eyes for a moment, communicating without words. We both blushed like crazy but smiled. Our bond is so amazing. If this is how Aelita feels for Odd I know she would do anything to get him back. But its going to be sad that they won't be able to be together, I thought.

Right when I thought it Aelita's door opened and she stood with an angry, but also determined look on her face. Her eyes were stained from crying but she looked like she'd had enough.

"I thought I heard you two out here. I've made my decision. I have to date Jeremy. It's the only way," she said. Ulrich and I didn't say a word. We only nodded and watched as she went back upstairs to Jeremy's room.

The next day:

APOV

I sleepily got in the elevator with Jeremy, Ulrich, and Yumi. Jeremy and I had worked on the program to bring both Odd and William back all night. By six A.M it was finished. I was tired but extremely anxious to see Odd again. I missed him so much even though it hadn't been that long. It felt like forever. I wondered how he would react to me being forced to be Jeremy's girlfriend just to get him back. Would he hate me? So many emotions flowed through me.

As the elevator went down Jeremy took my hand. I felt no blush or any kind of feelings like I did with Odd. There was no attraction at all. I didn't really hold his hand back until he gave me a frustrated look and nudged me. I reluctantly curled my fingers around his. It felt wrong. My hands belonged in Odd's and Odd's only.

The door opened and Jeremy went to the mainframe sitting in the chair. The rest of us stayed in the elevator.

"Ok here's the deal. I put in this program," he said holding up a disk, "And right when I run it you have to devirtualize Odd and William. But you have to do it at the exact time I press the button to activate it. Do you guys understand? You can't let them escape to the digital sea either. Head for the scanners," He started typing.

Ulrich hit the down button and the door closed again.

"Just think, Aelita. Tonight we'll have Odd back, and William too," Yumi said putting her hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah I'm not so thrilled about William coming back," Ulrich said crossing his arms.

I giggled for the first time since losing Odd, and Yumi frowned at him. "There is no reason to be jealous. You have me forever, my love," Yumi kissed his cheek and he turned red.

"You have me forever too, Yumi," he said back smiling and kissed her forehead. I looked away smiling and the door opened. I stepped into the scanner room and got into one of them. Ulrich and Yumi got into theirs and the doors closed.

"Transfer Ulrich….Transfer Yumi…Transfer Aelita.." I heard Jeremy's voice and wind from the scanner blew my pink hair out of my face, "Scanner Ulrich…Scanner Yumi…Scanner Aelita…Virtualization!" I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, picturing Odd's face. I'm coming, Odd. I'm bringing you home.