AN: Ack! I'm am very very very sorry about the lack of updates! Please forgive me -- Between finals and relationship things, I haven't had much time to write. Hopefully I'll be able to find more time once the semester ends, which is in about two or three weeks. Also, BCH has reached a milestone! 1000 reviews! Lord Ryu had the 1000th review. And now, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to someone very special to me, who is part of the reason you guys got an update (he isn't as far as you guys on the story, but he still follows it). This chapter is dedicated to my wonderful boyfriend! And now, read, review, and enjoy! (And try to forgive me for making you wait so long!)
Like before, thoughts are in italics, excerpts are inside the ' '
Flipping to the first time she and Theo were mentioned as a couple, Yumi scanned Ulrich's scrawl.
'I was angry when Yumi chose him over me.' Well, I was trying to make you jealous, I guess it worked… Yumi's eyes skimmed the next few pages that talked about a Lyoko mission until she got to the entry that was written the night she slept over.
'Then, when we kissed, it was one of the most amazing things that ever happened to me. Even more awesome than going to Lyoko for the first time.' Yeah… I'd have to agree, it was pretty amazing… I think I'd give up going to Lyoko if I could have just one more kiss…
'I can't help but have a bad feeling about my nightmare last night.. The image of Yumi being beaten then cut by Theo won't leave my mind. Why couldn't I help her? I was trying so hard, but I couldn't move a muscle. In the end, I couldn't save her. She died in my arms, and I couldn't do anything about it. I didn't even get a chance to tell her I love her before she died.' Tell her - I mean me - that he l-loves me? I didn't realize he cared so much.. I shouldn't have played with his heart, I should have been honest with him and told him how I feel. What if it's too late now? What if I've caused too much damage? No! Tomorrow - tomorrow I swear I'll tell him everything… my feelings for him, what's happening with Theo, everything! It can't be too late.. I'm sure he'll forgive me… I hope he will…
Turning the page, she read the next entry, which was dated March 5th. 'I feel bad for Yumi… Lately, a lot of bad stuff has happened to her. The worst probably was her starting to date Theo. Well, actually that's bad for me, not her.' Why didn't you speak up? I waited for you to free me from him, all this time I was starting to think you didn't care about me at all.
'On Saturday night, I stayed hidden after I helped Samantha find Odd. I wanted to talk to Yumi and dance with her, but I couldn't - not with Theo there. I bet anyone could have danced better than him. He was clumsy, and his movements didn't match Yumi's. He was a bad dance partner. He didn't even watch to make sure no one would bump into her like I used to do. Then, when he didn't go after her when she ran out of the dance, I had had enough. I followed him to his dorm and questioned him. It didn't get me anywhere. All he did was make me mad - no, not mad… more like furious. If I hadn't left then, I probably would have punched him.' No wonder I couldn't find you that night… You were the only one I was looking forward to dancing with. Right like usual, Ulrich, Theo was a terrible dance partner. I can't even count the number of times he stepped on my feet or bumped into me. Even Jeremy was a better dancer than Theo… I didn't notice you followed Theo when I left the dance. Had I known that, I would have stayed back to try to stop you. Theo is my burden, not yours.
'Since he didn't go after her, I did. Or at least, I tried to. When I tried to go through the crowded gym/dance floor, Emily stopped me and asked me to dance.' A wave of jealousy flooded Yumi, and she was tempted to scratch out the other girl's name. Almost angrily, she skimmed over the rest of the paragraph that talked about Ulrich dancing with Emily, missing the part about herself. Yumi's jealousy abated, though, when she read how Ulrich had looked both on and off campus for her, in the rain no less.
'I have never been more terrified than when I saw her laying there under the branch. I thought she was dead. I think my heart stopped. It didn't start back up again until I found her slow pulse.' I didn't realize you were so worried about me.. Or that you cared so much. If your heart stopped when you thought I was dead but was actually alive, I wonder what would happen if I actually died…
'The rest was a blur. I remember lifting the branch and it cutting at my palms, then I called emergency services. By the time the events slowed down enough for me to catch up, we were in the hospital and they were wheeling Yumi away. I tried to follow, but the nurses held me back, then everyone else came and I had to explain what had happened.' You went through so much for me that night… I can't remember if I ever thanked you for saving me…
'I felt hollow inside, and as the moments passed, that space filled up with fear and regret. I could have kept this all from happening! It's my fault Yumi was hurt' No! It was my fault for trying to make you jealous… my fault for choosing someone other than you. 'She'd tell me it wasn't, but I know it is.' Hmm… maybe he knows me too well…
'I shouldn't have let her leave the dance alone - no, more than that… I shouldn't have let her date Theo… If it would have been me she was with, we wouldn't have been in an argument. Then she wouldn't have left and she wouldn't have gotten hurt. It's all my fault.' I'm the only idiot here… I should have seen what was going on, should have looked beyond the façade you showed everyone else and noticed that you cared. I was the foolish one for throwing you away for Theo. I accept all the blame.
After skimming a bit farther in the entry, she paused over another section. 'I went over by her bed and explained what happened, then I asked her about the bruises on her arm and cheek. I think she was afraid to tell me.' I thought you'd be mad at me… Plus, Theo said if I told anyone, he'd kill me, and if I fought back, he'd hurt you. I didn't have a choice. 'Then she saw the bandages on my hands and unwrapped them. She got upset and started crying, which I don't see her do often. Seeing her cry was a shock for me…We're always seen as the strong ones, and for once, she needed me.' I've always needed you… I guess we both never realized how much.
'Then, she surprised me again. She told me she was afraid to go to sleep. My Yumi, afraid?' My Yumi.. I like seeing that. I was afraid I'd be in Lyoko in my dreams, but when you were there, I wasn't as scared. As she skimmed over the next paragraph about Ulrich trying to help her sit up to eat, she winced, remembering the pain that movement had brought, and the tears she had cried against his chest. Yumi continued on until seeing Theo's name again.
'We finished the rolls, and I left to get more, which I never should have done. While I was gone, Theo showed up. I don't know what he all told her, but as I came back in, he said something about her not talking to me anymore. I argued with him, then Yumi had to make a choice: listen to Theo or stay friends with me. She chose me. For once, she chose me. I could have hugged her. I should have, right in front of Theo.' Yeah, then he would have been even madder and we know who he would have taken it out on… You're right, I chose you. I should have done that earlier… I knew how mad he'd be, but I couldn't let him take you away from me.
Flipping to the next entry, she saw her name again. 'For once, Sissi isn't using Yumi's situation to her advantage. Even so, Odd, Jeremie, and I agreed that one of us should try to be near her whenever we can outside of class.' I thought you guys were around more often than usual… And it worked! Sissi stayed away, and Theo did, too! Yumi smiled when, later in the entry, she saw that Ulrich had been glad that she hadn't gone on dates with Theo.
Yumi's eyes widened as she read the last entry in the diary, dated March 14th. 'I feel so helpless, and guilty. Last night I looked in on Yumi to be sure she was ok, and I saw her holding a diary - one that looked exactly like mine! I snuck in and took it from her, and when I saw it was hers, I started to read it.' No! So that means… Oh no, Ulrich, how could you! Hot tears of hurt and betrayal stung Yumi's eyes, threatening to fall as she read on. 'I didn't want to, but something's been bothering her, and now I know what it is. Theo. I'm going to kill him. He won't hurt her anymore. If he lays a finger on her again, I swear I'll make him wish he was never born.' Though Yumi was touched that Ulrich felt so deeply for her that he'd protect her from Theo, she was still hurt that he'd read her diary. A small part of her was also relieved that she hadn't had to tell Ulrich what was happening, even though he probably read about her feelings for him. Tucking his diary under her pillow, Yumi laid down, her heart still in turmoil as she tried to fall asleep, vowing to return the diary the next morning.
AN: I hope you guys liked this chapter! I know there isn't much action and you didn't figure out what happened to Ulrich, but be patient! Questions will be answered eventually. If you have a pressing question other than 'Will Theo die?' or something like that, leave it in the review or PM me and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can! Please review before you leave, thanks!
