Through every hardship
Chapter three: My best friend
By: michihikari
"Wonder what's keeping Ulrich and Yumi so long?" Odd questioned. Jeremie looked up and smiled.
"Don't wonder." He advised. "More importantly, don't go looking. If you interrupt them doing.... something, then Ulrich will hate you forever."
"Hmm, you're right." Odd laughed. He reached into his pocket to check if he had extra money to buy more candy, and instead pulled out the packet Sissy had missed. "Oh yeah. Hey Jeremie, Sissy had a pack of these packets, and I got one. She seemed really nervous when I saw it. Knowing her, it probably has something to do with Ulrich. Can you find out what these stuff is?"
Jeremie glanced at the packet. "Yeah, sure. I can start..."
"Jeremie?" Aelita held up a picture of a hamster in one of Jeremie's animal books. "What is this?"
As Jeremie proceeded to explain what a hamster is, Odd chewed away on his candy, certain that Jeremie would find out what the substance was. After all, he was a junior Einstein, and Jeremie hadn't had anything to submerge himself on since Aelita had been materialized. He would go to his and Ulrich's dorm later. He'd give Ulrich and Yumi time to.... get more acquainted. Much more acquainted. Odd grinned.
Zack stood in front of the building, deep in thought. Sissy had taken the bait, and that was important in his plan. But he wasn't counting on Ulrich and Yumi getting together so soon. It may be harder than he thought to separate them, but then again, Zack always craved a new challenge.
Anyway, now on to phase two. He walked over the cafeteria, and spotted Tallia (from the episode where Jeremie thinks Aelita was materialized as Tallia, the new student, and he shows her the factory). He walked over to her and sat down next to her.
"Hey, Tallia." He said easily. He smiled at her, turning on his charm. Tallia looked at him suspiciously.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Zack asked, while searching for a way to get her alone.
"Well, maybe because I've never seen you before at school and I don't know you?" Tallia said sarcastically.
"You don't know me?" Zack cried out loud, pretending to be shocked. "Yeah, I'm new at school and all, but you don't recognize me?!"
"Uh.... no; and as far as pick-up lines go, you're getting pretty desperate, don't you think? Of course, I am worth it." Tallia sniffed.
Zack was torn between choking and laughing because of Tallia's vanity. But, he managed to keep a straight face as he said, "But still, you should know me. I am, after all, your best friend."
"Best friend!!" Tallia was obviously shocked. "As if I would ever have a guy for a best friend!!"
"What's wrong with guys?" This time, Zack was genuinely curious.
"Well, all they want is to have pretty girls as their girlfriends. They have the weakest pick-up lines!! And they're not even smooth, suave or subtle!! They think they're all that!!" Tallia was miffed. "And I speak from experience."
Zack moved closer to her, his green eyes sparkling. "Boy, you've changed," he whispered huskily. Tallia's eyes grew wide, and Zack can see the growing admiration in them. He was pleased that Tallia was finally starting to fall, but annoyed that it took him longer to make Tallia like him than he did with Sissy. But, as Zack contemplated that, he had to admit that Sissy was ditzy, and not worth his time.
"Oh, have I?" Tallia smiled flirtatiously. "You've never even told me your name."
"That's right." Zack said, careful to keep his voice low and seductive. He moved closer to Tallia, and was delighted to see that she didn't move away. "How could I have forgotten?" He picked up Tallia's right hand and kissed it. "Zack Nastaro at your service, milady."
Tallia smiled, blushing despite herself. Zack, still holding her hand, pulled her closer. "I've been looking for you." He whispered in her hair. He felt her breathing faster, and grinned behind her back. Gotcha, he thought. Still, Zack decided to make sure. "Ever since you left England, I felt incomplete. It was just then that I realized.... you're not just my best friend. Tallia, I love you."
Tallia drew in a sharp breath. "Oh..." she whispered, caught in Zack's gentle words. "That's so sweet..."
Zack leaned toward her, brushing his lips against hers, pretending she was Yumi. Tallia tilted her head so she faced Zack completely. She was about to deepen their kiss when Zack pulled away. The only person he wanted to kiss deeply was Yumi. Tallia looked at him, confused.
"Let's go somewhere more... secluded." Zack offered as a way of explanation. Tallia seemed to accept that. She nodded. "Lead the way," Zack stated. When Tallia turned, Zack dug into his pocket for a small white packet. He ripped it open and, as they walked past the water fountain, Zack grabbed a paper cup, and filled it with water. He emptied the powder in the cup, and smiled as it dissolved.
They had reached a shadowed place. Tallia turned to grin flirtatiously at Zack, expecting him to start making out with her again.
I so do not think so, Zack thought repulsively, but he managed to give her a smile and hand her the paper cup. "Here, you must be thirsty. And if you're not now, then you will be later."
Tallia smiled, and accepted the cup. The minute the infected water touched her lips, Tallia crumpled on the ground, unconscious. Zack just watched her repulsively, not bothering to try to catch her when she fell. He looked down at her as though she was a bother, and sighing, picked her up easily and carried her up to his room. He dumped her in his closet, tied her up and gagged her, and left. He was pleased with his accomplishment.
"And now, my friends, the game begins."
A maniacal laugh rang through the hallway.
