HAHAHAHA I didnt notice the things that you pointed out before, YumiandUlrich4Ever! Hehehe, that just proves that no one's perfect. And there is a dance coming up in this chappie, so read on...

Chapter 3: Ulrich's Apology

"What do you want?" was Yumi's defiant reply. Ulrich looked at her, and realized she'd been crying for a while. Her eyes were red and a tear was still on her cheek. He felt the impulse to wipe it away, but he decided not to, not knowing how she'd react.

"Yumi, I..." Ulrich started to say, then Yumi cut him off.

"I know what you're here to do. You're here to say, 'Gosh Yumi, I'm so sorry. But I like Emily. Better luck next time' " Anger tears stung her eyes. She wanted to continue, but Ulrich's face had taken on a some-what hurt look, and she didn't know why.

"Yumi, I don't like Emily," Ulrich started.

"Then why'd you agree to go out on a date with her?" Yumi retorted fiercely.

"IT'S NOT A DATE!" Ulrich replied harshly. Yumi was shocked, she'd never seen Ulrich like this before. "Sorry, but everyone keeps saying it's a date, and it wasn't supposed to be. At least..." he added, "...not to me. It was just supposed to be an outting between friends, but I see now you took it as more than that."

Yumi listened silently. "So then...what are you here for?"

Ulrich sighed, then realized he hadn't broken off the "date" with Emily yet. "Hold on just a sec," he said, getting his cell out of his pocket. "I'll be right back." He walked into the hallway and dialed Emily's cell number. She picked it up after two rings.

"Hello?" Emily said.

"Hi, it's Ulrich"

"Oh, hey, Ulrich. Are you getting ready for our date?"

"Emily, listen..."

"Yes?"

"I...it...how can I put this nicely?"

"Huh...?"

"I guess, what I'm trying to say is, I never considered it to be a date, and you shouldn't have either. But since most people considered it to be a date, Yumi's upset..."

She sighed. "Precious Yumi, pfft..."

"Shut up, Emily. I'm not in the mood."

There was silence for a moment, as Emily thought this through. "All right," she said finally. "Continue."

"...and so, what I'm trying to do is..." He hesitated for a moment, then said, "I can't go out with you tonight or ever. I'm sorry. Good-bye now." Ulrich pushed the red button on his cell, ending the call.

Yumi sat in her room, dazed. Ulrich...what had he just done? She was still trying to think over the half of the conversation she'd heard, when Ulrich walked back in. "Oh, hey," Yumi said, blushing slightly.

"Hey," Ulrich replied. Just seeing her blushing confused him, yet made his face redden as well.

"So...what happened?"

"I'm not going anywhere with Emily after all."

Yumi smiled slightly. There was an uncomfortable silence between them, then Ulrich said, "Well, I'd better get going-"

"Wait," Yumi started.

"Yes?" Ulrich replied, turning from the door.

"Uh, I...well, I.." Yumi stammered. "Would you like to go to the dance with me on Friday?" she finally blurted out, her face turning red again. Ulrich blushed as well, not knowing how to react.

Then he said, smiling, "Yes." That's how he left it, smiles on both of their faces, and anticipation in both of their hearts, because today was Wednesday.