Chapter Nine: Morning Dawn
Dawn stood there, waiting for the worst. Yumi and Aelita might not understand, and therefore reject her. Her fears were put to rest when they both ran for her and enveloped her in one big hug. After a few minutes, Amber broke them up, saying that they should let themselves get some air. She spent the next minute or so ranting about how if they did that sort of hug again, she was going to knock them all out and put them on oxygen in separate rooms. Aelita and Dawn laughed. They knew she was joking with them. Yumi, however, didn't know, but joined in the laughter just the same.
"Okay you nut-balls, it's time for Dawn to go to bed. Yumi, you need to head for home. Be careful on the way. Aelita, I assume you know where your dorm room is?"
"Yes, Amber, I know."
"Bye guys. See ya tomorrow!"
"Bye Yumi!"
After Yumi left, Aelita turned back to Dawn. She searched her face before speaking.
"Is it okay if I tell the boys why you're in here, Dawn?"
"No, Aelita. I'll tell them myself. Don't you dare breathe a word to them about it."
"What if they ask?"
"Dodge the question. Play dumb. Act like I wouldn't tell you. Anything you can think of!"
"I'll do my best, but I don't know how long I can lie to protect you, Dawn."
"Aelita?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Goodnight."
"Good night."
Amber and Aelita walked out the door, closing it behind them. Aelita turned to Amber.
"It doesn't feel right to lie to the others. They're a part of our team. I mean, Odd is her boyfriend, so he should know. Jeremy is my boyfriend, and I don't want to lie to him. Ulrich is like a brother to the girl, and Yumi is one of her best friends. It just doesn't feel right to lie to them so blatantly."
"Hmm, well, if you don't want to face them tonight, you can stay here. I'll just chart you as having one of those headaches you always get."
"And am I ever thankful I don't have one now. I haven't had one since I got back from Lyoko, come to think of it."
"Huh. Oh, well. I guess no news is good news in that case."
"Yeah. Do you have some spare nightclothes?"
"Sure."
Amber ambled over to a small chest and opened it. Aelita peered inside.
"I like that one."
She pointed to a shimmering white gown. It was fairly simple, with flared sleeves and an appliqué rose on the right collarbone. Amber lifted it out of the chest and handed it to her.
"I've never worn it. If you like it, you can keep it. I'll make another, but it'll be green if I got anything to say about it."
Aelita smiled at her friend. Amber had always made everyone something special at every sleepover she ever had. Nightgowns, pajamas, pillows, necklaces, earrings, and costumes were among her favorites. This one, no doubt, had been made for her, should she get out of Lyoko.
"I'll be out in a minute."
Aelita went to the bathroom to change. When she came out, she saw that Amber had already changed into her nightgown. It was a dark green with the ancient symbol of earth on it.
"I've never seen that one before, Amber. Where'd ya get it? Or did you make it?"
"My grandmother gave it to me a few years ago."
"I see."
"She said the power of earth was strong in me. I don't know what she meant, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it."
"Well, you are our Earth sister."
"Whatever. We'd better get to bed. The rest of Team Lyoko will be busting in here tomorrow looking for you and Dawnie."
Aelita giggled. "Yeah. I can show off my new nightgown."
"If you're going to show off that nightgown, let's dye your hair white and put gold streaks in it. I got some temporary stuff in my drawer."
"Okay!"
When Aelita woke up the next morning, Amber was already awake, dressed, and bustling busily about. Dawn could be heard arguing with her over the taste values of oatmeal and eggs for breakfast. Amber insisted that oatmeal and eggs do not go well together, while Dawn said there was no way you could beat them. Aelita shook her head and grinned, then joined in the silly discussion.
"What about pancakes and bacon? Yummy!"
"Honey smoked bacon or regular?"
"Honey smoked."
"Now that sounds good."
"Pancakes, though. They take too much time to make in the morning. And with bacon, the grease will pop you."
"So make the bacon in the oven and make the pancakes the night before and heat them up."
"Yeah!"
Amber blew both of the girls a loud raspberry. All three were laughing when a knock sounded at the door. Amber opened the door to admit Jeremy, Ulrich, Yumi, and Odd into the room. As they came in, she shot a look at Dawn. She was faking sleep.
"Come in, you guys, but don't disturb Dawn."
"What happened to her?"
Odd was looking at Amber with big pleading eyes. She turned away.
"I cannot say."
"You mean you don't know?"
"I know, I just cannot say. She forbade it. I'm sure she'll tell you when the time is right."
"Okay. I guess I'll have to trust you on this—"
He stopped short, and leaned in for a closer look at Dawn's wrists. There were burn marks there, clearly from a rope. He looked at Amber suspiciously.
"She was tied up, wasn't she Amber?"
"I'm not saying. Go on to class now, all of you. Aelita, change quickly and be off. We'll meet again after school today in the factory."
After they left, Dawn opened her eyes again. Tears fell silently down her cheeks.
"I feel bad about making Odd worry. May I also go to class?"
"No Dawn. We can ask the doctor when he comes by today if you're fit enough, but you won't leave the infirmary until then, and neither will I."
"But what about lunch? You always get us something from the convenience store."
"Hmm...I might ask Jim to. I'm sure he wouldn't mind doing it for me."
Dawn tried to hide a mischievous smirk. "You like him, don't ya?"
"He's a fine co-worker, and a good man. I respect him, and we treat each other like old friends."
"No, you like him as a romantic prospect."
"Do not."
"Do too!"
"Do not!"
"Do too, infinity!"
"Do not, infinity!"
"Eh-hem. Ladies?"
The doctor stood in the doorway, smiling at the sisters.
"I hate to interrupt this bonding argument, but I need to examine Dawn again."
"I wanna go to class!"
"We'll see."
The doctor checked Dawn all over, and told Amber to at least keep her until lunch. After that, she was free to go to class. After the doctor left, Amber poked her head outside the door, almost bumping into Jim.
"Hello, Nurse Silverstem. I heard about your sister. I'm awfully sorry about what happened to her. I know she's a good kid, and she didn't deserve that, and I know that you must blame yourself for it. It wasn't your fault."
"I know it wasn't my fault, Jim. And please, just call me Amber."
"Alright then, Amber."
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my patient."
"Of course. I'll see you around."
"Buh-bye, Jim."
After Amber had shut the door, she found Dawn smiling at her. Amber gave an exasperated sigh and sat down on her bed.
"Okay, so I do like him a little bit. Big deal. He probably doesn't like me the same way, so what does it matter?"
"Oh, it matters alright. This is a new topic of discussion for us. Your last boyfriend was your high school sweetheart."
"And we dated for years, but never married. Or had sex. I'm still a virgin."
"Well, that's one thing I can't say."
"I'm sorry, Dawn."
"It's alright."
"Come on, let's get you dressed and dolled up really good. Since you can't leave until lunch, we can primp all morning."
"I'll be your doll if you try to hook up with Jim."
END CHAPTER
Janette: Oooh, are Amber and Jim going to start being more than friends?
Sharina: Dunno. Let's ask the audience.
Janette: Okay, reviewers! You heard the woman! Do you think Jim and Amber should hook up?
Dawn stood there, waiting for the worst. Yumi and Aelita might not understand, and therefore reject her. Her fears were put to rest when they both ran for her and enveloped her in one big hug. After a few minutes, Amber broke them up, saying that they should let themselves get some air. She spent the next minute or so ranting about how if they did that sort of hug again, she was going to knock them all out and put them on oxygen in separate rooms. Aelita and Dawn laughed. They knew she was joking with them. Yumi, however, didn't know, but joined in the laughter just the same.
"Okay you nut-balls, it's time for Dawn to go to bed. Yumi, you need to head for home. Be careful on the way. Aelita, I assume you know where your dorm room is?"
"Yes, Amber, I know."
"Bye guys. See ya tomorrow!"
"Bye Yumi!"
After Yumi left, Aelita turned back to Dawn. She searched her face before speaking.
"Is it okay if I tell the boys why you're in here, Dawn?"
"No, Aelita. I'll tell them myself. Don't you dare breathe a word to them about it."
"What if they ask?"
"Dodge the question. Play dumb. Act like I wouldn't tell you. Anything you can think of!"
"I'll do my best, but I don't know how long I can lie to protect you, Dawn."
"Aelita?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Goodnight."
"Good night."
Amber and Aelita walked out the door, closing it behind them. Aelita turned to Amber.
"It doesn't feel right to lie to the others. They're a part of our team. I mean, Odd is her boyfriend, so he should know. Jeremy is my boyfriend, and I don't want to lie to him. Ulrich is like a brother to the girl, and Yumi is one of her best friends. It just doesn't feel right to lie to them so blatantly."
"Hmm, well, if you don't want to face them tonight, you can stay here. I'll just chart you as having one of those headaches you always get."
"And am I ever thankful I don't have one now. I haven't had one since I got back from Lyoko, come to think of it."
"Huh. Oh, well. I guess no news is good news in that case."
"Yeah. Do you have some spare nightclothes?"
"Sure."
Amber ambled over to a small chest and opened it. Aelita peered inside.
"I like that one."
She pointed to a shimmering white gown. It was fairly simple, with flared sleeves and an appliqué rose on the right collarbone. Amber lifted it out of the chest and handed it to her.
"I've never worn it. If you like it, you can keep it. I'll make another, but it'll be green if I got anything to say about it."
Aelita smiled at her friend. Amber had always made everyone something special at every sleepover she ever had. Nightgowns, pajamas, pillows, necklaces, earrings, and costumes were among her favorites. This one, no doubt, had been made for her, should she get out of Lyoko.
"I'll be out in a minute."
Aelita went to the bathroom to change. When she came out, she saw that Amber had already changed into her nightgown. It was a dark green with the ancient symbol of earth on it.
"I've never seen that one before, Amber. Where'd ya get it? Or did you make it?"
"My grandmother gave it to me a few years ago."
"I see."
"She said the power of earth was strong in me. I don't know what she meant, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it."
"Well, you are our Earth sister."
"Whatever. We'd better get to bed. The rest of Team Lyoko will be busting in here tomorrow looking for you and Dawnie."
Aelita giggled. "Yeah. I can show off my new nightgown."
"If you're going to show off that nightgown, let's dye your hair white and put gold streaks in it. I got some temporary stuff in my drawer."
"Okay!"
When Aelita woke up the next morning, Amber was already awake, dressed, and bustling busily about. Dawn could be heard arguing with her over the taste values of oatmeal and eggs for breakfast. Amber insisted that oatmeal and eggs do not go well together, while Dawn said there was no way you could beat them. Aelita shook her head and grinned, then joined in the silly discussion.
"What about pancakes and bacon? Yummy!"
"Honey smoked bacon or regular?"
"Honey smoked."
"Now that sounds good."
"Pancakes, though. They take too much time to make in the morning. And with bacon, the grease will pop you."
"So make the bacon in the oven and make the pancakes the night before and heat them up."
"Yeah!"
Amber blew both of the girls a loud raspberry. All three were laughing when a knock sounded at the door. Amber opened the door to admit Jeremy, Ulrich, Yumi, and Odd into the room. As they came in, she shot a look at Dawn. She was faking sleep.
"Come in, you guys, but don't disturb Dawn."
"What happened to her?"
Odd was looking at Amber with big pleading eyes. She turned away.
"I cannot say."
"You mean you don't know?"
"I know, I just cannot say. She forbade it. I'm sure she'll tell you when the time is right."
"Okay. I guess I'll have to trust you on this—"
He stopped short, and leaned in for a closer look at Dawn's wrists. There were burn marks there, clearly from a rope. He looked at Amber suspiciously.
"She was tied up, wasn't she Amber?"
"I'm not saying. Go on to class now, all of you. Aelita, change quickly and be off. We'll meet again after school today in the factory."
After they left, Dawn opened her eyes again. Tears fell silently down her cheeks.
"I feel bad about making Odd worry. May I also go to class?"
"No Dawn. We can ask the doctor when he comes by today if you're fit enough, but you won't leave the infirmary until then, and neither will I."
"But what about lunch? You always get us something from the convenience store."
"Hmm...I might ask Jim to. I'm sure he wouldn't mind doing it for me."
Dawn tried to hide a mischievous smirk. "You like him, don't ya?"
"He's a fine co-worker, and a good man. I respect him, and we treat each other like old friends."
"No, you like him as a romantic prospect."
"Do not."
"Do too!"
"Do not!"
"Do too, infinity!"
"Do not, infinity!"
"Eh-hem. Ladies?"
The doctor stood in the doorway, smiling at the sisters.
"I hate to interrupt this bonding argument, but I need to examine Dawn again."
"I wanna go to class!"
"We'll see."
The doctor checked Dawn all over, and told Amber to at least keep her until lunch. After that, she was free to go to class. After the doctor left, Amber poked her head outside the door, almost bumping into Jim.
"Hello, Nurse Silverstem. I heard about your sister. I'm awfully sorry about what happened to her. I know she's a good kid, and she didn't deserve that, and I know that you must blame yourself for it. It wasn't your fault."
"I know it wasn't my fault, Jim. And please, just call me Amber."
"Alright then, Amber."
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my patient."
"Of course. I'll see you around."
"Buh-bye, Jim."
After Amber had shut the door, she found Dawn smiling at her. Amber gave an exasperated sigh and sat down on her bed.
"Okay, so I do like him a little bit. Big deal. He probably doesn't like me the same way, so what does it matter?"
"Oh, it matters alright. This is a new topic of discussion for us. Your last boyfriend was your high school sweetheart."
"And we dated for years, but never married. Or had sex. I'm still a virgin."
"Well, that's one thing I can't say."
"I'm sorry, Dawn."
"It's alright."
"Come on, let's get you dressed and dolled up really good. Since you can't leave until lunch, we can primp all morning."
"I'll be your doll if you try to hook up with Jim."
END CHAPTER
Janette: Oooh, are Amber and Jim going to start being more than friends?
Sharina: Dunno. Let's ask the audience.
Janette: Okay, reviewers! You heard the woman! Do you think Jim and Amber should hook up?