Chapter 14
APOV
"When you left I lost a part of me,
It's still so hard to believe,
Come back baby please 'cause we belong together"
I tried to drown out the music on the radio. I found this particular song hard to hear because it was too much like my own life. I stared down at my food not eating, but toying with it. I couldn't help but glance at Odd who was sitting across the room.
His head turned down all of a sudden. Had he been looking at me? I looked away.
"I was afraid to ask but it's been months and I got to know. Why don't you and Odd talk anymore? I thought you guys were friends," I glanced at Ulrich shocked he finally asked. I thought Yumi had given him some fake explanation, but I guess not.
"I…I don't know," I looked down, "Out of nowhere he just shut me out. I don't really want to talk about it. Wasn't that test in English hard?" I tried to change the subject.
He raised an eyebrow glanced at Odd then back at me, but didn't say anything else.
UPOV
That night before Odd's nightly ritual of lying in bed with headphones and staring at the roof I told him we needed to talk. I had a suspicion about something. Something that could be big. I wouldn't know what to think if I was right about this.
"Talk about what?" he said in the same emotionless voice he'd been talking in the past few months.
"Why don't you and Aelita talk anymore?" I stared and waited for an answer.
He glanced at up from his iPod for a moment then back at it and said, "We had a fight. I did something she'll never forgive me for. Can we talk about something else?"
"No," I answered and sat on my bed, "No. There's more to that story isn't there?" I remembered Aelita had said he'd shut her out without warning. There was already a difference in their stories.
"Why do you say that?" he didn't look at me and kept skipping through songs.
"Because you guys have fought before but never have gone this long without speaking. Only something serious would cause this," I paused not sure how to continue.
"What's your point?"
"My point is…was there something more going on with you and Aelita?" I stared at him. I was pretty sure I was right about this now that I thought about it. They had always been close and now there was nothing, nothing but sadness with the both of them.
He finally looked at me and I could tell before he even answered that it was true. I smiled slightly.
He exhaled finally and said, "Yes. Yes there was."
Hearing this out loud was a shocker even though I'd suspected.
"Um…When? Why? What happened?" I asked.
"All those months ago when I took her on spring break with me to the beach," he sighed, "I'd always had a crush on her. I knew it was wrong with Jeremy and everything, but I couldn't help it really. Then it turned out she loved me back and things took off from there."
"Why didn't it work out? I can't see Aelita dumping you," I said confused.
He cringed and looked at the floor, "It wasn't her, it was me who ended it."
I was even more confused, "And…that's not what you wanted? Did she do something? Cheat or something?"
"No, it wasn't her at all, and no that's not what I wanted," he frowned, "I love her." I could see the pained look in his eyes when he said that so I knew he wasn't joking. Aelita?
"Wow," I raised my eyebrows, "You've never said anything that serious about a girl before."
He nodded, "I know. But it's true."
"Really? Well then…I mean why did you break up then?" I gave him a puzzled look.
He looked away, "I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"I can't."
"You won't."
"No, I literally can't," he rolled over so his back was to me. This made no sense.
"I got it!" I stood up, "Is it a commitment thing? Like did she want to get married or something?"
He turned and gave me a funny look but shook his head and chuckled. It was the most human thing I'd seen him do in months. I felt I was making progress but no matter what I said or how much I pried, he still refused to tell me why. But I was determined to find out. I didn't think if Aelita and Odd were ever a "thing" I would be supportive, but I've seen how sad they both have been. For them to be that sad they really must be in love. If there's anything I've learned from my relationship with Yumi and the countless chick flicks she's made me watch, is that if you're in love like that, nothing should stand in your way.
The next day:
"You knew?! You knew all this time and you didn't tell me?" I'd cornered Yumi under the arches. I crossed my arms and made a face.
"I'm sorry, they swore me to secrecy. I wanted to tell you, but I really didn't think it was my place. I figured they'd tell when they were ready," Yumi put her hand on my shoulder, "They were worried what you'd think, being Jeremy's friend and all."
I shrugged, "It does take some getting used to, but I'm on their side here."
She rolled her eyes, "You mean Aelita's side? They're not really together anymore. Odd dumped her."
"Yeah. But I don't think he wanted to. It's weird."
"Why do you say that?" she frowned but raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Because he's been so depressed lately and he said he couldn't tell me why he did it."
"I'm pretty sure no one was twisting his arm."
"I don't know, but neither of them are happy. We should do something." I knew this sounded weird coming from me. I wasn't the match-making type, the type to get into other people's business. But I wanted to help Odd. Really it was him who'd given me the courage to finally ask Yumi out. Now it was my turn to help him.
"Like what? What can we do?"
I thought for a moment, but I had no clue.
"I have an idea," Yumi grinned, "The next Lyoko mission, we could both tell Jeremy were sick that way it will be just them on the mission. Unless things get to bad and they need our help."
I shrugged, "It's worth a shot."
She nodded and stepped closer and took my hands. I blushed immediately.
"You want to come over tonight and watch this awesome anime I found?" she asked.
I nodded, "Sounds nice."
She kissed me and I about lost my footing. She has that effect on me.
Later on:
Before my date with Yumi, I went to our dorm to talk to Odd. It had occurred to me the talent show was coming up in a week and he always entered with some musical thing. A song he had DJed or a song with words he actually wrote, or a cover. He hadn't even mentioned it, but I wanted him to enter. He made really good music, and I also thought it might cheer him up a bit.
"Talent show is next week," I told him.
"I don't think I'm going to do it this year."
"You should."
"I just don't see the point."
"Every rock star got his start with stuff like this," I grinned.
"Yeah and most rock stars end up rich, unhappy and end up ODing in their tour bus."
I laughed, "Come on, Odd. It would do you good. Music heals all wounds."
He looked down, "Not completely, but I guess it helps."
"Aelita will be there," I said and he didn't answer.
I stood up. I wanted to push him about it a little more, but I was going to be late with my date with Yumi. "Just think about it okay? I gotta go. Yumi is waiting, but I'll be back to hound you about this some more."
"I look forward to it," he stuck his headphones back in.
OPOV
I didn't know why Ulrich was pressuring me to enter the dumb show. That was the last thing on my mind right now. Every day just seemed worse than before now without her. I guess it was a little better now having Ulrich to talk to, but I wanted Aelita to talk to more. I missed her terribly. I thought about trying to talk to Jeremy, maybe talk some sense into him. This whole blackmail thing has to stop at some point. However I did not want Aelita getting hurt. If I was going to get her back, I'd have to fix that before anything. If only there was some way in the meantime to let her know I still loved her, that I hadn't meant those things I said without technically breaking any of Jeremy's rules. But how?
I laid there for hours, thinking listening to my music. Then suddenly I knew how I could do that and I sat up. The talent show. I know it's a little cliché and its been done a lot, but I really had no other option.
I jumped up and took my guitar out of my closet.
By the time Ulrich got back the song was finished. I don't think it's my best song, but it did come from the heart, and it had a very clear message for Aelita.
"I've decided you're right. I am going to enter," I told him when he came back.
He smiled, "Really? What changed your mind?"
"You said Aelita would be there."
"Ohhh," he smirked, "Is your song for her?"
"No teasing."
"Trust me I'm not. I'm rooting for you good buddy."
"Cool. I've gotta get a couple of my old bandmates together first but I think it'll be worth it," I strummed a few notes. I could just see her face when she heard this song. I hoped she'd understand.
APOV
The next day:
I woke up late, having not slept well at last night. The heartache never stopped. Even when I slept. I wanted to talk to him again. Even if he didn't love me, didn't miss me at all. Even if it couldn't be anything more than that I just couldn't stand this. It was no use wallowing in missing him, but I couldn't help it.
I was planning on trying to talk to him again today, when Jeremy called. A Xana attack of course. I sighed, hung up and headed for the factory. On the way I thought of what I would say. "I'm sorry for whatever I did, can we please be friends again?" No. I didn't do anything that I knew of, and I didn't want to apologize. Although, I'm so miserable now I probably should just swallow my pride.
Tonight is the talent show. I hadn't planned on going.
When I exited the elevator I saw Jeremy at the computer but no one else. He looked annoyed.
"Yumi and Ulrich couldn't come so…just you and Odd today," he typed and didn't look at me. He was pretty upset when I turned him down months ago when he'd asked me out. Now it was just awkward. On top of that I liked having Ulrich and Yumi with us because it was someone to talk to. Someone to get rid of the tension a little.
"Alright," I swallowed and hit the elevator button.
Odd must've already gone to Lyoko because he wasn't in the scanner room. I stepped into one and Jeremy transferred me.
I dropped on my feet in forest sector and Odd was next to me. Jeremy virtualized 2 different vehicles. Strangely Jeremy has been doing that for months even before Odd and I had our falling out. We glanced at each other once before jumping onto the vehicles and taking off.
I went behind him so I could stare at him. Pathetic wasn't it?
"Hornets and megatanks up ahead," Jeremy warned. Neither of us answered and Odd sped faster towards them. I fought a smile. He was always so brave.
The battle went like this:
3 laser arrows.
3 dead hornets.
1 energy field.
1 dead megatank.
I didn't see any more megatanks so I zoomed toward the tower thinking of how easy this was.
"Wait!" I heard Odd and out of the corner of my eye I see a blur of a red wall shoot toward me from behind a tree.
Then I something else, something purple knocked me off the overwing a split second before it exploded and we went tumbling. He landed on top of me and for a moment it seemed just like old times. I stared up at him stupidly, not having been this close to him in months. He stared back at me, but it seemed more like a gaze. Or maybe I'm just insane. He snapped out of it and scrambled to get off me, but as we stood and he backed up, his tail somehow got entangled in my legs and I fell on him! OMG! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
"Sorry," I got off of him even though I didn't want to.
He stood too, "I didn't mind," he said quietly and he smirked. I stared at him a second, and then turned and ran for the tower. I could hear the megatank explode behind me. What was that?
After it was all said and done, and Jeremy did the return in time, I couldn't stop thinking about that. What did it mean? Did he still have feelings for me? I could definitely feel chemistry there, and (embarrassing to say, but sexual tension).
I checked out the entries for talent show as I glanced at the school's bulletin board on the way to breakfast. I noticed Odd's band's name on the list. I knew I'd go.
Later on that night:
I didn't dress to impress so to speak, but I did put on the same outfit I wore to my Subdigitals concert. I did my hair and put on my best earrings. It wasn't like he was going to notice me anyway, but I did put on his favorite perfume. Stupid. He probably wouldn't even know I was there.
I'd found Yumi and Ulrich on the way there.
"We're glad you decided to come. Anything bad happen on Lyoko today?" Yumi asked smiling a little.
"Not really," I looked away so she wouldn't see my face, how flushed it was.
"It's about to start," said Ulrich taking Yumi's hand, "Let's go."
The gymnasium was crowded. Pretty sure everyone from school was here, even the lower grades. We stood near the back by the door. I was closest to the exit.
The first act was Nicholas doing corny magic tricks. I shook my head. He got 3 "5"s from the 3 judges, one being Sissi. It was a 1-10 just base. He left the stage and someone else, a kid I'd seen around but didn't know did an interpretive dance. He scored even worse than Nicholas. I shook my head and waited anxiously for Odd to come on.
OPOV
"You ready?" my old friend/band mate, Jake, bumped my shoulder.
"Yeah," I glanced through the curtain at the crowd searching for pink. I didn't see her. But I had asked Ulrich to make sure she was coming.
"We're all set up," our drummer, "So first the cover than your song, right Odd?"
"Yep," the cover was also strangely close to this situation. I put on my electric guitar. The first one would get the crowd pumped at least.
"Yep I'm Sean Paul, and you're Enrique don't forget," Jake grinned. We were doing a cover of Enrique Iglesias's song "Bailando". The English version, since I knew some Spanish but not all. Jake was half Hispanic so he knew Spanish which is why he's doing Sean Part. He'd be singing with me. I'd be doing most of Enrique's part, the chorus and the "Bailando" part. I'd also be doing the acoustic guitar in the song. The other band members would sing background too. At least it would make everyone want to dance.
When the curtain opened we all took our places, and I stepped up to my mic.
Some already clapped when they saw us and whooped who'd heard our songs last year.
"AFK will be doing 2 songs tonight. We hope you like them," I said and scanned the crowd for Aelita. I still didn't see her but it was also dark.
"The first one is a cover of "Bailando" by Enrique Iglesias. We do not own it," Jake said people whooped and clapped even more since the song is a hit around the world. (IMPORTANT A/N: YouTube: watch?v=b8I-7Wk_Vbc Listen while you read if you havn't heard this soundgasmic song or this won't be as cool to read because you can't read music ok? No one can you have to hear it. JUST DO IT. Warning: this song might cause uncontrollable dancing. You've been warned…)
We started. Our drummer started the beat and I started notes on my acoustic. It took a few seconds to really get into it and I was nodding my head to the music. Jake started the vocals with Sean's barely understandable, but charming intro.
Jake at the end of the intro: "Sing for 'em Odd. Do it."
I grinned, and took a deep breath:
"You look at me and, girl, you take me to another place." Jake did the background and I finally saw Aelita. She was there. In the back, but still there. I smiled and kept singing.
"Got me feeling like I'm flying, like I'm out of space," I paused and glance at my guitar.
Fast forward through that cool song, we surprisingly got the biggest applause so far and we had people singing and waving their arms to the music. It cheered me up a little but not completely. I was there for one person only. I couldn't dedicate the song to her directly in case Jeremy was in the audience, even though I was pretty sure he wasn't. He spent most of his time in his room in the virtual world.
"This next song I wrote myself for someone very important to me," I said and scanned the room for her. She was still there. She was watching me. Now she would know.
We started the music. I made sure throughout most of the song my eyes didn't leave her face. ( AN: watch?v=K_DRH1YZTc0)
"I never thought the word was true,
But I say it now girl
I scream it out to you," I sang and she stared at me,
"I still love you."
She looked away and then back at me.
I sang some more, "I never thought the world could wait,
so don't take it back girl,
you know I wait for you," I paused still focusing on her,
"I still love you."
Now she seemed frozen in place staring at me. I kept going and some started dancing since this song has a steady beat and electronic.
"And I, I, I, I'm driving to the west coast
Oh, my love
You, you, you, you said you'd never leave me,
But you never promised,
I, I, I wish I could take it back now
Oh, my love
And you, you, you, I know you're on fire
Burning the town down but,
I, I, I still love you
I, I, I still love you
I, I, I still love you
I, I, I still love you."
She still hadn't moved. She must've understood now. I hoped she did.
I kept going, "My heart's in love, so broke us down
We are lost, but I have found an idea,
I still love you." By now most of the crowd was dancing. I didn't think it was that good so I was shocked.
"I pray one day you'll sing along,
Somehow you'll know that,
It's your song right here," I paused looking intently at Aelita again,
"I still love you."
We did the chorus again, my band doing great and receiving a good response from the crowd. Everyone was dancing or singing along, memorizing my lyrics, except the one person the song was for. She was still frozen, staring at me. In the back of mind I had a fear that maybe one of my old exes would hear this and get the wrong idea. That meant more painful slaps.
We were coming to the end of the song.
"I can't help but think of yesterday,
I can't find the word for me to say,
I know now you are all I need,
Heaven help me I."
Then the chorus repeated. I sang it all while looking at her still, and then she disappeared behind a crowd and I couldn't see her. After it ended there was an uproar of applause. I couldn't really hear it though. I needed to see her now.
We all bowed but I continued to search the crowd for her. No sign. We got 10's form all 3 judges and finally after Jake accepted the tiny trophy thing to us, I put down my guitar and made my escape.
I found Yumi and Ulrich.
"You were great. Nice job," Ulrich congratulated me.
"Where is Aelita?" I asked.
"She went outside. Not sure where," said Yumi, "Good song though."
"Thanks," I headed for the door. I had to find her.
Outside it was dark. I glanced around. I didn't see her at first. Then I noticed a shadow against the wall of the gym.
I stepped closer, "Aelita?"
I knew she must be confused. We hadn't spoken really in months and now I was talking to her?
"I can't do this," her voice was shaky but now I could see her better. Her beautiful face I'd missed so much.
She stared at me, "You are making this too hard. If you're not attracted to me anymore fine, but you don't have to play mind games with me."
"Making what too hard?" I asked confused.
"Getting over you," I could hear the tears.
"And you think I'm over you? That I wanted it to be like this?" I knew I couldn't tell her everything, but I had to let her know somehow.
"You didn't?" she looked at me shocked, "I mean you're not?...Then…but you said…"
"I lied. I had to lie and you easily believed me," I told her.
"Why then?" she looked bewildered, "Why would you put us both through all of this if you didn't want it?"
"I can't explain that," I looked down, "But I also can't stay away from you anymore," I moved closer as I said this.
She hesitated, "How am I supposed to trust you now?"
I didn't answer. What could I say really? I didn't blame her for being cautious. I'd already hurt her once. She was sad, scared, but yet was still looking at my face longingly. I was sure I was doing the same. We'd been separated for so long. I felt a familiar blush making my cheeks burn, but it was intense.
"I…I never stopped loving you, Odd, but I'm just so confused still. I don't know what to do. I just don't know how to-" she'd started.
My lips were on hers instantly unable to help myself. I never stopped loving you. It kept repeating itself in my head. I loved her so much and I was sure she knew now. I had her pressed up against the wall. She made a move to push me away at first, but then she sighed and completely gave in. I felt her tears on my face but it couldn't have been more perfect. Her small hands were in my hair clinging and trembling slightly as she kissed me back over and over. How I'd missed her. All the sadness, all the agony was gone instantly. This was all I wanted.
My mind began to work again and I pulled back slightly and she leaned up for another kiss.
"We can't do this here," I whispered and glanced around. This was very bad. Jeremy could be anywhere. I was completely ignoring his rules.
"Do you want to go somewhere?"
I hesitated. I knew I shouldn't, but I really wanted to be with her. Just for one night. Then I could go back to keeping my distance.
"It would have to be the hermitage."
"That's fine," she said with a happy tone. "But we're keeping it PG-13."
"I figured that," my cheeks burned
She hugged me tightly and I savored the feeling, "I missed you. So much."
"I missed you too," I sighed.
APOV
I don't really know if what I'm doing is smart. But I also know that these past months I couldn't even remember. They were just horrid. My whole existence without Odd was horrid. When I heard that song, I knew then he was and is still in love with me. I could tell just by how he was gazing at me, our electricity in the air when we were near even on Lyoko. Just that fact alone made me feel alive again. That there was still a point to all I've been through.
Then when he kissed me, I really couldn't fight it even if I wanted to. It was like through all of my confusion and sadness, was gone instantly and I understood even though I really didn't. I am so in love with him that I didn't care. I didn't care about anything, not the past, not this unsure future we have, just him. He'd broken up with me, but he hated it. I know that now. But why? Why can't he tell me the truth? Was it guilt? Guilt from Jeremy maybe? I couldn't think of anything else.
After walking hand in hand through the darkness to my childhood home, we did talk some. He didn't tell me why he broke up with me just that it was complicated, but to know he loved me. I believe him. He called me princess again, and cracked a few lame jokes that made me laugh. I had missed this a lot. I told him his song was beautiful and to put it on a CD for me. I knew I'd never get tired of it. We were going to talk more but then I kissed him.
After a good hour of a very overdue cuddle and kissing session he fell asleep, next to me in my old room with his arm around me. But I stayed awake. I was too afraid I'd wake up and he'd be gone. Or it was only a dream. If so who cares about reality. I wanted to be here.
Sorry it took so long. Been pretty busy but I know many of you are waiting on this and THANK YOU for reading this far. For the record, "I Still Love You" is a real song by Metro Station. However their greatness is mostly unknown so I thought I'd use one for Odd to make :P Also I know AFK is a crummy band name buttttt I just took it from a game I play online called League of Legends. It mans Away From Keyboard. We get mad at players who do that lol So fun. Anyway…..REVIEW PLZ I WORKED HARD ON THIS. DID THEY GET BACK TOGETHER TOO QUICK?