JEALOUSY
(Friday, April 13, 2007) Addy hangs out in her room with her friends Danielle and Elise.
"So, how do you like Kadic so far?" Danielle asks Addy.
"I love it!" Addy exclaims.
"What about that boy you told us about? Is he cute?" Elise asks.
Addy blushes at the thought of said boy. "He certainly is!"
"You should ask him out." Danielle suggests.
"Yeah, ask him to that Subdigitals concert." Elise adds.
"He actually told me I should go." Addy says.
Danielle's face lights up. "That's a great sign!"
Elise nods in agreement. "Yeah, that for sure means he likes you!"
"I don't know…" Addy begins, doubtful. "There's another girl that has his attention. Plus, I haven't been back to Kadic all week so he's definitely gotten closer to her."
"Then go back." Danielle suggests.
Addy makes a worried face. "But I don't have a legitimate reason to go back."
"Girl, you know your mom. If you tell her why you wanna go back, she'll take you there in a heartbeat!"
Addy looks down. "Maybe you're right."
"She is." Elise says.
"Make sure to get his number too." Danielle adds.
Addy smiles. "Alright, I will."
"And use those amazing green eyes of yours to mesmerize him!" Danielle jokes.
Addy giggles. "Right, I'll try to remember to do so."
In her house, Yumi happily skips downstairs to the kitchen. She grabs a bowl of food and joins her family at the dining table.
Takeho and Akiko look at each other, happy to see their daughter in such a good mood.
"It's great to see you so happy, Yumi!" Akiko says with a smile.
"Yes, your energy has been so bright these past couple of weeks." Takeho notes.
"It's because of her boyfriend, Ulrich!" Hiroki teases.
Yumi rolls her eyes at him. "Knock it off, Hiroki, he's not my boyfriend."
"But you want him to be!"
"Hiroki, enough, let Yumi be happy." Takeho says.
"I'm sorry to push it, honey, but do you want him to be your boyfriend?" a curious Akiko asks.
Yumi blushes at the thought of Ulrich being her boyfriend. "I don't know," she lies.
Akiko takes Yumi's blushing as a yes, and smiles. She lets it go, and the family continues eating.
Odd and Ulrich watch TV in the Rec Room whilst other students mingle about. Ulrich notices that Odd isn't really paying attention to what they're watching, and guesses as to what might be bothering his friend.
"Still no date to the concert?" Ulrich asks.
Odd looks down and sighs. "No," he says, sounding defeated.
"Well, like I said before, we're going as a group regardless, so don't beat yourself up about it, bro."
"I'll try not to." Odd promises while still sounding defeated.
Milly and Tamiya enter the Rec Room.
"Oh great, the press." an annoyed Odd says quietly.
Milly spots Odd and Ulrich and skips over to them, Tamiya close behind.
"Hiii!" Milly sings.
"Hey, Milly, what's up?" Ulrich asks, also annoyed but trying to be polite.
Unable to read the room, Milly continues. "We're doing an article on losers who can't get a date… Odd, can we interview you?"
Ulrich almost bursts out laughing, but is able to control himself. Odd just stares blankly at the girls.
Milly crosses her arms. "Well?"
Odd takes a deep breath so as to not explode with anger at her. "No," he says calmly. "I don't know if you think you're funny or not, but I'm not laughing. Now leave me alone."
Milly lets out an offended gasp. "Chill out, Odd, it was just a joke!"
"Aren't jokes supposed to be funny?" Odd claps back.
"Milly, why don't we leave." Tamiya suggests nervously.
Milly glares at Odd. "Fine!" she finally says. She turns around and storms out of the Rec Room with Tamiya.
"I'm glad you thought it was funny, Ulrich." Odd says, remembering how Ulrich almost burst out laughing.
"Sorry, I was just surprised by her question." Ulrich responds.
After spending a few more minutes in the Rec Room, Odd and Ulrich leave and head to class.
After waking up and getting ready for class, Aelita exits her room. All she can think about as she walks through the halls is her upcoming concert. Her heart thuds as she becomes extremely nervous at the thought of performing in front of a large crowd. She tries to remind herself that she's done it before so she can definitely do it again, but that doesn't seem to help.
Aelita turns a corner and bumps into a schoolmate.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" the angry schoolmate says.
"S-sorry." Aelita responds. The schoolmate storms away, so Aelita continues walking.
She reaches the stairwell and goes down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs on the ground floor, Jeremy awaits her.
"Hello, my love!" Jeremy says with a big smile.
Aelita runs into his arms and starts crying.
"What's wrong?" Jeremy asks, hugging her.
"I don't think I can do this concert, I'm too scared." Aelita cries.
"Oh, Aelita… remember you did so well last time," Jeremy reminds her again. "This time will be no different."
"You're right," Aelita sniffles. "I just don't know why I'm so nervous this time."
"Maybe because the crowd will be bigger this time?" Jeremy suggests. "Have you been practicing much?"
"Not as much as last time." Aelita admits.
"Well, you still have some time to practice more." Jeremy encourages.
"Yeah, I'm gonna practice every day until the concert." Aelita says.
"Good. Now let's get to class, that should ease your mind a little." Jeremy says. Aelita nods and the two head to class.
After class, Jeremy, Aelita, Odd, and Ulrich meet up with Yumi in the cafeteria for lunch. As usual, Ulrich and Yumi sit next to each other while the other three sit on the other side. Ulrich thinks about something unpleasant and starts playing with his food which Yumi notices.
"What's wrong, ba-... Ulrich?" Yumi asks, internally cursing herself for her slip up. No one else seems to notice which immediately puts her at ease.
"I just remembered that this weekend begins our spring break." Ulrich says.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Aelita asks him with a raised brow.
Ulrich shakes his head. "Not for me. My dad is gonna give me hell the entire time because my grades still aren't good. Plus I'd much rather spend time with you guys."
Yumi remembers how tough Ulrich's dad can be. "Aw, I'm sorry, Ulrich," she says, wrapping her arms around him.
"Make sure to stay in touch with us." Aelita says.
Ulrich scoffs. "Fat chance of that. My dad is for sure gonna take my phone from me."
"Can't you stay here?" Jeremy asks.
"No, I can't. Remember, the campus is gonna be closed to all students for the entire week." Ulrich reminds him.
Jeremy nods as he remembers. "Ah, right."
"Anyway, I don't wanna make this another Ulrich sulk fest, let's go back to our meals." Ulrich says.
After lunch, the gang exits the cafeteria and bumps into Addy.
"Omg, hey everyone!" an excited Addy says. All except Yumi greet her in return, which Addy notices.
"What brings you back to Kadic today?" a curious Ulrich asks.
Addy smiles brightly. "I just wanted to hang out with my new friends again."
Aelita grits her teeth. "Well, unfortunately we have another class in a few minutes."
"We would love to hang out with you though after our class!" Odd adds.
"I'd love that." Addy responds. "Hey, Ulrich, can I talk to you privately about something?" Addy notices Yumi tense up at that question, which gives her great pleasure.
"Uh, sure." Ulrich says with a shrug. "I'll see you three in class." he says to Jeremy, Aelita, and Odd.
Addy grabs Ulrich's hand and takes him away from the group, much to Yumi's dismay.
The two of them arrive at the school park, where they first met, and sit on the bench in silence for a few seconds.
"So, what'd you wanna ask me?" Ulrich asks Addy, breaking the silence.
Addy looks down at the ground, takes a deep breath, then looks deeply into Ulrich's eyes. "Will you go to the Subdigitals concert with me?" she asks, giving Ulrich puppy eyes.
Ulrich snickers. "That's what you wanted to ask me privately?"
Addy smiles shyly. "Yeah, in case you said no."
"I'd never say no to you," Ulrich says with a friendly smile. "Well, I'm going to the concert with the others as a group, you're definitely welcome to join us! I bet I can even have Aelita set aside another ticket for you!"
"Omg, that'd be awesome!" Addy exclaims. "You're so amazing, Ulrich!" She gives him a kiss on the cheek.
Ulrich blushes. "I try." Silence follows as they look at each other, both smiling. Ulrich then once again breaks the silence. "Well, uh, I think I'd better head to class now." he says with a nervous laugh.
"Alright, I'll see ya when you're done!"
Ulrich nods and leaves the bench.
During gym class, William notices that Yumi is very distracted. When Jim gives everyone a break, William brings it up to Yumi.
"Hey, Yumi, you alright?"
Yumi shakes her head. "No."
William becomes worried. "What's wrong?"
"Remember that girl, Addy, that I told you about?"
William chuckles softly. "Well, yeah, I met her too."
"I think she's trying to steal Ulrich from me." Yumi states.
"What makes you say that?" Williams asks.
"Earlier this week, she butted into mine and Ulrich's private time. And she returned today and took Ulrich away to talk to him privately."
William thinks for a moment. "Well, have you and Ulrich talked about your relationship yet?"
Yumi sighs and shakes her head again. "No."
William clears his throat and speaks again. "I remember when Ulrich and I were fighting over you. He told me I was his problem. I then told him to go and talk to you about your feelings or else I would, then I really would be his problem."
"What do you mean?" Yumi asks, not understanding what he's getting at.
William sighs, hoping Yumi doesn't hate him for this. "You and Ulrich really need to sort out your relationship, or someone else really will steal him away."
Yumi knows William is right, but feels that she can't bring herself to talk to Ulrich about their relationship just yet. "I'll think about it."
"Alright… well, I hope you make the right decision, and soon."
After class, Jeremy and Aelita head to the library to study while Odd and Ulrich find Addy waiting where Ulrich left her at the bench. Addy looks up at them and smiles.
"How was class?" she asks.
Ulrich shrugs. "It was okay, I guess."
Addy raises an eyebrow. "'I guess'?"
"It was science," Odd says. "Ulrich doesn't like science."
Addy nods in understanding. "Ah, I see."
"You stayed here the entire time?" Ulrich asks Addy.
Addy nods. "Yeah, I didn't know where else to go."
"Well, I'm gonna go hang out in the Rec Room." Odd says. "Wanna join me?"
"Meh, I'm kinda bored of the Rec Room," Ulrich replies. "I've been going there a lot lately."
Odd tilts his head in confusion. "So what are you gonna do?"
"I think I'll go to the gym… practice some Pencak Silat." Ulrich answers. He looks at Addy. "Wanna come with? I can teach you some?"
Addy's face lights up. "That'd be awesome!"
"Alright, well, I'll see you later." Odd says. Ulrich nods at him and heads off with Addy.
Odd goes to the Rec Room and has been there for about 10 minutes when Yumi comes in.
"Ulrich's not with you?" Yumi asks.
Odd shakes his head. "Nah, he's with Addy."
Yumi's eyes widen in horror. "What? Where?"
"In the gym."
Yumi leaves as quickly as she arrived.
Odd sighs. "This better be it."
Ulrich has been practicing Pencak Silat in the gym for about 10 minutes. Addy sits on the sidelines, watching in awe at all the moves that Ulrich does.
"Let me know when you want me to teach you something." Ulrich says, panting.
Addy nods excitedly. "Okay!"
At that moment, Yumi pushes the door of the gym open and barges in, almost falling. She swiftly composes herself as Ulrich and Addy swing their heads to look at her. The smile immediately fades from Addy's face as she frowns at the sight of Yumi.
"Doing Pencak Silat without me?" Yumi asks Ulrich, trying to sound smoothe.
Ulrich chuckles nervously. "Sorry…" is all he can get out.
"He was just about to teach me some moves." Addy says, slight annoyance in her voice.
Not acknowledging Addy, Yumi continues looking at Ulrich. "I'm gonna have to beat you up again."
Ulrich stays silent, not knowing what to say.
Addy's phone buzzes. She takes it out and looks at it. "Aw, man." she says, sounding sad.
"What's wrong?" Ulrich asks her.
"It's my mom… it's time for me to leave." Addy replies. Yumi suppresses a smile.
"Well that sucks," Ulrich says. "Looks like I won't be able to teach you some moves until after next week since it's spring break."
"Can I have your number so we can stay in touch next week?" Addy asks, giving Ulrich puppy eyes again. She doesn't even have to look at Yumi to know that her question to Ulrich is bothering her, which pleases Addy.
"Of course!" Ulrich responds. They exchange numbers.
"Cool! See ya when you come back!" Addy says. She gives Ulrich a hug and peck on the cheek.
"See ya then." Ulrich says, blushing from the kiss. Addy leaves, leaving Ulrich and Yumi alone.
"Ready for a smackdown?" Yumi asks Ulrich with a smirk.
Ulrich yawns. "Can we do that another time? I'm kind of tired."
The smirk disappears from Yumi's face. "Oh, uh, sure."
"Cool." Ulrich says with a nod. He goes into the locker room, leaving Yumi alone in the gym.
END
Starring
Jeremy
Aelita
Odd
Ulrich
Yumi
William
Secondary
Jim
Addy
Milly
Tamiya
Hiroki
Takeho
Akiko
Danielle
Elise