A/N: Sorry, for not updating. I'm just lazy. This is the first week that I haven't had any projects due so the lack of stress feels very weird. Next week is finals for me so I'm going to try and do something with this. I'm also looking for a copy of Routine so if any of you guys have one please send it my way. Thanks.

The-Angel-from-Hell-09/10: I'm glad that she likes my story. This one's for her.

Quita2: Thanks for reading. Don't worry; Odd won't die.

Black Cherry Cola: X.A.N.A. was aiming for Ulrich but he moved at the last second and Sissy got shot instead. Thanks for reviewing. Also, thanks for the AWE but it wasn't a fluff chapter.

J(at)Lyoko: The answer is a little strange but…heck, just read the chapter. Thanks for reviewing.

renayumi04: Thanks for coming in! You're the second first-time reviewer from the last chapter. I know I'm doing good!

mizZ hypocrite 101: The story isn't over. It will be shortly though. Thanks for reviewing.

Blood Vampire: Yeah, thank the Reed Corp. for that one. They make the strangest things. What if they made…no I'm not going to say it. Thanks for reviewing.

thesuperdot: I got your e-mail. Yeah, ROMs are great. Thanks for reviewing.

Janika: I got your e-mail too. Thanks for going through the trouble in doing that. Plot twists are my specialty.

Disclaimer: If you don't know codelyoko(dot)com is all screwed up right now. Gee, I wonder who did that. I don't own Code: Lyoko or any of the characters except for Dan and Jessica.

This chapter is (still) dedicated to:

The-Angel-from-Hell-09/10's friend, Lei

On the rooftop of the factory---

Ever since the incident four years ago, I've always had a hard time fitting in. That was mostly due to the fact of my involvement in the matter. I switched schools every four to five months depending on when people found out about me. They always referred to me as the new kid. Since then I can't say I've had a true friend. I was so lonely back then.

When I moved here Sissy came into my life. She did something that no one else would even dare think of doing. She befriended me. Her friendship reminded me of what life was like before the massacre. To say the least, I missed it. However, that's been taken from me…by my own hands!!!

I didn't want to live. The fact that X.A.N.A. made me end her life was too much to deal with.

Only a miracle could solve this problem. At first, I thought it came in a brass casing but I was wrong.

When Yumi addressed herself and the gang as friends I was stunned. I didn't know how to react. I thought I didn't have any friends. My life was so empty but those words filled it back up. On top of that she was hugging me. My eyes melted in her body warmth. Then she told me yes. Maybe I should stick around.

If my friends didn't believe in miracles then there would be no hope for me. The situation was that dire.

The logic I used to convince myself to do this was soon overridden by emotion. As I was about to expend my last bullet, I moved my arm away from my head. The lead point exited my body and hit nothing but the breeze.

Once the bullet left I felt a sense of calmness come over me. I dropped to my knees overwhelmed by sheer joy; Yumi was still holding on to me. She really did care. They all did. To me they were all a blessing; even Odd.

As my friends came over to help me I took my arm off. Ulrich was the first one I saw. I asked him, "Ulrich, please, would you take my arm…and throw it off the edge for me?"

"Sure, will do anything for you Dan." he replied. My new friend dragged it to the lip of the building and hurled it over. I heard the splash and smiled. I could feel tears forming.

"Thanks," I said weeping bitterly, "I'd also like to say that I'm sorry for what I tried to do. It's just that I, I felt so…lonely. Sissy was the only friend I had so when I figured out that I killed her I just lost it."

The four then reminded me again that it was X.A.N.A. that killed her not me. My mind finally comprehended the meaning of that statement. Eventually, I got up off the ground and put my other arm on. We then walked back to the dorms together.

Saturday, inside Ulrich's and Odd's dorm---

The dance is today and everything is going as planned. I managed to score a date with Naomi. She tried out for our band and is really pretty. I'm glad that I asked her.

We pried the computer loving boy genius away from his monitor and made him ask Emily. She agreed to go with him mostly due to the fact that nobody else asked her though.

Dan was the same way but he had other reasons for his lack of courage. He's insecure when he's around people he doesn't know. It's as simple as that although I can't say I don't blame him. However, I surprised him yesterday when I asked Rachael to sit at our table for lunch. He asked her out on the spot without hesitation. I never knew he was such a good actor.

Speaking of Dan, this week he's been sticking to us like glue. He hangs out with us at lunch and between classes. Jeremie and Ulrich even went to the trouble of spending a night or two in his room for company. I would volunteer but I don't think I'd wake up alive the next day.

Due to the fact that the dance is sort of an impromptu thing the new headmaster made it a casual event. Meaning that you don't have to dress up and look nice. I didn't care because I wasn't planning to anyway.

"You ready?" I asked Ulrich who was anxiously pacing the room.

"I guess." he replied.

We stepped out the door and were greeted by our watchful neighbor, Dan. After he joined us we rescued Jeremie from his computer and then we walked out to the bench awaiting Yumi. It wasn't too long before she showed up.

As we were about to head off to get our dates Dan thanked us, again, for helping him out and gave this little piece of advice, "Just ask her if the name Jessica Wineheart means anything to her. I mean if she's startled or starts to act weird when you mention it then just call me over. It's probably her."

To that Ulrich responded, "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll find her. Now, you're just going to ask her a question right? Nothing else?"

"Yeah, that's right. I need to know why she killed our friends and almost me four years ago. That's it." To be honest, I thought it was kind of weird that, that was all he wanted to do but whatever.

After that final note we went our separate ways and met on the dance floor.

Odd's date at the gym---

Naomi is great and is really fun to be around with. She laughs at all my jokes which I've managed to say a record number of this hour. Most of which were directed towards Jim who thankfully hadn't heard any of them.

A slow song started playing and we drew close to each other. I put my hands around her waist and schism between us was no longer existent. With her arms connected in a linking lock around my head I figured that this was a good of time as any to pop the question.

"Hey, Naomi, I need to ask you something." I spoke softly not wanting to disturb the mood.

"Okay, what is it?" She replied looking into my eyes. As I gazed into hers, I concluded that she couldn't be a maniac murderer. There was just no way a person so sane and wonderful could have done such an act.

"It's kind of weird but do you know anyone named Jessica Wineheart?" As instructed I observed every move she made. Nothing was out of the ordinary when she answered.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"One of my friends is looking for a girl named that. He said that she goes to school here. I'm just helping him out."

"You're so sweet, Odd." Naomi smiled leaning her head against my chest.

Jeremie's date at the gym---

Things started off a little rough but I think I'm getting the hang of dancing. To be honest, I'd rather be the D.J. Physical body movement isn't my specialty. Ripping and burning mp3s among other things is.

However, I reluctantly put that aside for tonight. As uncomfortable as I was I think I'm enjoying myself. Emily has been an interesting person to hang out with. She likes to read and it turns out we've read a lot of the same books like the Harry Crackpot series.

However, no matter how many common interests we had I still had no desire to pursue a relationship with her. Aelita is the only girl I want to focus in on right now.

"Hey Emily, I need to ask you something." My voice was dwarfed by music.

"What?"

"OVER HERE!" I yelled heading towards the table that had the refreshments on it. She tagged along with me.

Once we passed the blaring speakers I could hear myself think again. Emily came up beside me and I asked her, "Emily, does the name Jessica Wineheart mean anything to you?"

"No. I can't say that it does. Why are you looking for her?"

"A friend of mine is. I'm not."

Dan's date at the gym---

I'm a nervous wreck. Seriously, I am. This whole week has been insane. First, I found out that there is an evil bloodthirsty computer virus out for feeding. Next, I learned that X.A.N.A. made me kill Sissy and I almost took my own life because of it. Then, I figured out that I had friends. Finally, by the end of the dance I will have discovered the identity of my former best friend.

At first I didn't want to get close to Rachael. However, as the night progressed my feelings toward my partner became very relaxed. About an hour after the event began I found myself holding her tightly. I couldn't tell if I liked her or if she liked me or if I was just way, way, way too nervous.

Throughout the dance we talked about ourselves. I was careful to avoid mentioning my past. I didn't want to give her any idea that I had a second agenda.

"Dan is there something on your mind?" She asked.

Was I really that transparent? I had a feeling that this would happen.

"Um, uh, y-yeah there is." I chocked out of my throat. There was no hiding it now. Her hands were on my shoulders and we were in moving to a slow song. "Rachael, I need to ask you a question but I need you to answer it with complete honesty."

"Okay, what's the question?"

"Does the name Jessica Wineheart mean anything to you?" I stared into her eyes to see if it did. She closed her eyes and looked away.

"It used to." She sighed softly.

"Used to?" I asked.

"That was my American name before I came here."