Aelita stared at the computer screen, nearly hyperventilating. She couldn't believe it.
Even the thought of her friends, who weren't talking to her – Odd because they were fighting, Yumi because she tended to get snappy at anybody when she was fighting with Ulrich, Ulrich because he was too distracted with the problem of Sissi and Yumi – didn't dampen her euphoria.
She moved the mouse to hover over the folder. She felt like it was a dream – any moment now, and the dream would be shattered, and she would be hurled back into reality.
She tapped the mouse twice, holding her breath. A video clip came up, featuring Franz Hopper, much like the ones in his diary.
As she waited for the video to load, instead of being nearly insane with anticipation, she was strangely calm.
It was so strange, seeing her father on her computer screen, wanting to reach out for him. He seemed so close – only a few centimetres of glass separated them.
Of course, she knew she was being silly. But a sense of longing still prevailed.
A notice flashed up to tell her the video had finished loading. She caught her breath, and clicked 'Play.'
Franz Hopper started moving, his deep voice emanated from the computer speakers.
'If you are watching this, I dearly hope you are pure of heart, and will use the following information wisely, for in XANA's hands, it is a cruel weapon indeed.
I have not guarded this folder as carefully as I should have, I fear, but I feel that if you have taken the time to find this folder, I should not aggravate you further.' – Aelita agreed heartily, and loved her father more and more.
'I am here to inform you on a hypothetical situation, in which the user is able to render themselves immune to attacks on Lyoko, and possess, for lack of a better term, other sentient beings on Lyoko.
This, when used correctly, can successfully push XANA out of peoples' systems.
It is called an 'Essence Bubble.'
The video took a long time, but at last Aelita finished it. She now had a power to wield against XANA, instead of being helpless as of before.
She felt like dancing down the hall, singing and cartwheeling. She felt like she could soar to the stars, and come back. Fortunately, she resisted the urge to try.
The video left a few minor gaps, but no doubt Aelita could figure them out in due time.
PARAGRAPH BREAK
Aelita felt happier then she had in months. 'Hi everyone!' she said brightly, dumping her laden lunch tray onto their usual table. Nobody answered.
She surveyed them. Ulrich and Yumi were sitting stubbornly as far away from each other as possible, frowns on both faces, crossed arms, the whole picture.
Occasionally they would glance up at each other, only to resume their previous expression, and hunch further away.
She looked around, and spotted Odd on a table further away, deliberately avoiding them. He sat down on a table full of his previous dates, flirting with them and joking. However, at the times of silence, his face was morose, shovelling food down his throat.
Sissi had finally been let out of the infirmary, and was looking torn between joining Odd on his table, and staying in the suffocating silence on the table she was on currently.
It didn't take her long to make the decision, helped along as she was by Yumi's pointed glares. She took up her breakfast table, and sat next to Odd.
Odd smiled at her, and struck up a conversation. Aelita, on her part, cautiously sat down next to Yumi, and directly opposite Ulrich.
Yumi raised her head, staring straight at Ulrich contemptuously. 'Why don't you go and follow her like the good boyfriend you are? I'm sure you'll have more fun than what you're having now,' she spat at Ulrich.
Ulrich looked wounded for a minute, before anger clouded his handsome features. 'I'm not her boyfriend,' he said through gritted teeth.
Yumi snorted disbelievingly, and gave a mirthless chuckle. She shoved her food away from her. 'You know what? I don't even care now. Do what you want. It doesn't concern me, and I don't want it to.' With that, she swept away.
Even though Yumi was keeping up a good pretence of being uncaring and haughty, which was her way of expressing anger, Aelita could tell she was on the verge of tears.
Ulrich realised that too, staring sadly after her. He didn't bother chasing after her – she would only run faster. All his anger evaporated, and he picked dully at his food, before shoving it away from him as well. He stood up, and headed for his room.
Aelita found she had suddenly lost both her appetite and her joy at finding Jeremie's cure. After all, what was the point of making discoveries if you didn't have anybody to share it with?
PARAGRAPH BREAK
Odd's mobile vibrated in his pocket, before his customary message tone bleeped out. He tugged it out, and stared at the screen.
'We need to talk. Meet me in my room after school,' the text message read. It was from Aelita. Odd stared at it some more, and snorted. No chance he was going to go to her room, not after the way she had treated him.
PARAGRAPH BREAK
Sissi went to the bathroom, troubled. She had never been in the midst a real friendship fight before, much less at the centre. Perhaps because she hadn't had any real friends.
As she splashed her face with cold water, her mobile started singing its familiar SMS tune. She hastily dried herself, and looked at her message.
It was from Aelita, asking to meet her in her room after school. Sissi pocketed her mobile, and left, thinking.
PARAGRAPH BREAK
Yumi stared at the sky, tears dripping down her face. She was lying on the long grass in the forest.
If what she felt about Ulrich was true love, how was it that they fought so often? It wasn't right.
She shook her head. Only one solution. She wasn't in love with Ulrich. But then, how could she explain the melting feeling she experienced in her body when she looked in his beautiful eyes?
The way she wanted to hug him whenever he was around, and when he smiled she felt like she was in heaven.
The tears came harder. Why, of all the people to like, she had to choose Ulrich?
Before she could muse further, her mobile vibrated. She pulled it out dully, and looked at it.
After reading the message, she got up, brushing herself off. Then she called her house, asking for permission to stay back after school.
PARAGRAPH BREAK
'Dear Yumi, I'm really sorry about everything, and I would really like to be friends again.'
'No, it's more than "really like",' Ulrich muttered, crossing it out and writing "love" in its place.
He reread it, shaking his head. No way would she fall for a stupid line like that. He screwed it up, and hurled it into the bin. He got out a fresh sheet of paper, and groaned. Literature was his least favourite subject.
He wrote another apology letter to Yumi, and looked it over. His handwriting was atrocious, nothing like the flowing calligraphy writing Yumi used. He hated himself.
He scrunched up that attempt too, and threw it away. Why was it so hard to just admit that he loved her?
How much he wanted to sweep her into his arms, and hold her forever… but whenever he plucked up the courage to go up to her, it faded in the face of her beauty.
'I think it's just best to remain friends,' Yumi's voice floated into his mind, accompanied by her image looking at him anxiously. He groaned, and knuckled his forehead painfully.
Why had she said that? Obviously because she didn't think he was much of a boyfriend. But then, why had he agreed? He knew that, given the chance, he could be everything to her, as she was to him.
His mobile gave out a tone, telling him an SMS had arrived, and breaking through his misery. He grabbed it, and scanned the message quickly.
He smiled wearily. At least the day wouldn't be all dreary.
PARAGRAPH BREAK
'Sorry I'm late Aelita, I had to-' Yumi broke off, staring at the other two occupants.
Ulrich and Sissi gazed back, unmoving, Ulrich pleading, Sissi indifferent.
'Well, that changes things,' Yumi said stiffly, turning to leave. Aelita caught at her sleeve.
'You've got to stay,' she said firmly but gently. 'I've found a way to cure Jeremie.' Hearing the words aloud re-ignited the fierce joy she had felt when she first discovered it.
Yumi's eyes widened, and she took in a sharp breath. 'You're sure?' Behind her, Ulrich bore a similar expression, while Sissi only looked mildly interested – since she had passed out, she had become dreamy, and less inclined to talk. Aelita assured her it would wear off in due time. Sissi didn't really care.
'Yes, I'm sure,' Aelita said, smiling. 'Now we wait for Odd.'
'I don't think he's coming,' Sissi told them dreamily. 'Yesterday he asked Claire Girard out on a date, and said he would pick her up around this time.'
Aelita stared at her. 'Even after he got my message?'
'Actually, I think he asked Claire out because you sent that message,' Sissi replied, unperturbed by the amount of emotion she had aroused.
'You're joking,' Yumi said in disbelief. 'Even an idiot like Odd wouldn't do something like that.'
'He would,' Ulrich said wearily. 'It's partly my fault too,' he added. Yumi hesitated, seemed to consider something, then scowled and crossed her arms.
'I've got to tell you all,' Aelita said worriedly, not noticing Yumi.
'I'll go get him,' Sissi offered. 'I overheard where they're going.'
Aelita looked at her gratefully. 'Great. If you don't mind, I'll fill Yumi and Ulrich in while you're gone.'
'Great,' replied Sissi, drifting nonchalantly out the door.
I do declare my chapters are getting longer… if they are getting too long, do tell me, won't you?
Anyway, end of chapter 14! D