I'm taking a vacation from the 18th to the 24th, so I won't be posting then. I'll be back afterwards. I might give you guys 2 or 3 chapters just to make it up to you now.

-Suki

Chapter 3: I hope you dance

Yumi checked her clock. It was already 6:30. She had let Aelita put makeup on her and do her hair. Her dress and accessories were all in place. The only thing she needed now was her date. Yumi blushed. For some reason Ulrich's presence alone made her heartbeat faster. A light taping interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," she called, standing up to greet whoever was coming to visit her.

The door opened, revealing a girl Yumi didn't know at all. She did look somewhat like her though. "Hi. You must be Yumi. I'm Sissi," the girl introduced herself. Everything about her screamed bratty. Her attitude, body gestures, and voice; she had bratty down perfectly.

"May I help you?" Yumi asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

Sissi glared. "Stay away from Ulrich, 'ya hear? He's mine and only mine. I can forgive you for going to the ball with him, but anything else you do with him that's not business and I'll make sure the rest of your life is hell," Sissi warned her. "Hope you have fun," she said and left, her nose pointed up at the ceiling.

"Bitch…" Yumi muttered under her breath.

"I assume you're talking about Sissi," Odd smiled. He was leaning against the wall. Yumi had jumped slightly at the sound his voice.

"How long have you been here?" she asked. Hopefully he hadn't seen it all.

"Long enough to know Sissi's already jealous. I suggest you send her somewhere if you do want to try something with Ulrich," Odd grinned and started to walk away. "Like Timbuktu."

"What?! Odd how dare you! To think that I'd want to start something with Ulrich! When I get my hands on you…" Yumi growled at him and chased him down the hall. Luckily for Odd, it was harder to run in high heels. As Yumi turned the corner, she ran into something soft. The impact had surprised her and she fell to the ground.

"Are you ok?" Ulrich asked, extending a hand to help her up.

Yumi took his hand, blushing slightly. "Yes, I'm fine. Thanks," Yumi brushed herself off.

"You look nice," Ulrich commented. "Shall we go?"

Yumi blushed harder. "Alright…"

The car ride was longer than Yumi expected. It wasn't uncomfortable though. Ulrich had a WRX and it rode smoothly. Playing softly in the background was a light rock station. They reached the hotel where the ball was being held at around 7:30.

Inside the ballroom tons of people were dancing. The music was blaring some song Yumi couldn't recognize. "This way," Ulrich said. He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowd. They reached a table where a man sat with a large clipboard.

"Oh! Ulrich. Nice to see you again, my friend. Another new member?" the man asked.

"Yes, this is Yumi. She's my newest. It's good to see you again Chris," Ulrich smiled at his old buddy.

"And what do you do?" Chris asked Yumi.

"I'm a hacker/assassin," Yumi replied, looking around at the people on the dance floor.

"Ah. A deadly combination, that is," Chris smiled and wrote something down on the clipboard. "Enjoy tonight."

Yumi and Ulrich both nodded and left. Ulrich turned to face Yumi. "Can you handle being alone a bit?"

Yumi nodded. "Of course. Why?"

Ulrich grinned sheepishly. "It's just Sissi is so clingy. Anyways, I have to talk to some people. I'll find you when I'm done."

"Alright," Yumi agreed and watched him walk off. She went over and sat down by the wall. 'He dates that girl?' Yumi couldn't believe someone would want to. She was so tangled up in her thoughts, she didn't notice someone walking up to her.

"Care to dance?" a male voice asked.

A cliff hanger evil laughter Anyway who do you think it is??

-Suki-