Ask Me What It's Like to Never Win

By: Leelei

Disclaimer: I don't own Code:Lyoko. This story was written before airing of Season 2 began.

Author's Note: Ew, this is so short! Sorry this took so long to update…I knew Halloween would hold me up, but I didn't think it would take this long! Anyway, here's chapter 9.

Chapter 9

Jeremie seems pretty pissed now as he sits in homeroom. He has a cross look as he fidgets with the lead of his pencil. Aelita sits next to him, looking upset herself at his expression.

"So class, if believe that you may know who has broken into Jeremie's room, please report any information you have to the principal at once. This is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly," the teacher drones on. I can't quite pay attention to everything she's been saying. I'm too busy grinning to myself here in the back of the room.

The bell rings and we continue on to our next classes. The day goes by fairly well, although nothing has seemingly changed. But it has. Jeremie's cynical mood has affected Aelita and now they aren't talking. They're just mulling around their daily school routines, but they hardly look like that perfect couple they were before when everything was so damn happy.

This is it. This is the final product of my mass project to rid Aelita and myself from that bastard Jeremie. There he is now, sitting down on the bench in the empty schoolyard with his arms folded now that the final bell for the day has just rung. He's waiting for Aelita as she's going to the choir room to pick up her music for her singing practice later on today. I know…I watch her way too much. But I'll be there for it all soon enough.

"Hey, Jeremie," I say as I approach him, trying to hold back my dubious grin.

"What, Herb?" the blonde student replies coldly, not even looking up at me.

"I, uh, think you and I should talk…"

That got his attention. I can feel my grin shining as blatantly as the sun now as he slowly looks up to me with his fixed glare. "About what?"

"Oh, just about a lot of things that I think need to change very quickly in order for you to get what you want." I'm surprised I haven't stumbled over my words yet, but then again I think I'm speaking now with some passion that has been buried deep down within me throughout this entire situation.

His stare becomes narrower. "What are you talking about, Herb?" He stands up to glare at me, obviously irritated at my presence and tone.

I hesitate and take a step back as he folds his arms again, but I quickly regain my strength. "…Well, first, we need to make a bargain."

"A bargain, huh?" He's not amused. "And what are we bargaining?"

Before I can realize what I'm doing, my hand fishes out the disk from my pants pocket and holds it up between us. I grin again as Jeremie's eyebrows suddenly shoot upwards in shock and he drops his arms. "Where…where did you get that, Herb?" he asks, obviously startled.

My smiling almost feels permanent now. "I think you might have an idea how I came to own it."

"Own it?" he snaps angrily. "What do you mean? Herb, that's my disk. Give it back!"

"Finders keepers."

"But you broke into my room and stole it!"

"Yes, but I also happen to know just exactly what is on this little disk here." I wave it, then return it to my pocket and out of his view.

I can see the sweat forming on his brow. "L-…Lyoko…" he says quietly, stuttering at first.

"Yes, Lyoko. And X.A.N.A., and the files for Aelita's materialization, and all of those perfect-looking documents you've had to forge for her over the years. I must say, Jeremie, that you've done an amazing job with them, but maybe for college you should think of having someone other than that Odd kid write for you –his cursive is as obvious as her pink hair."
His eyes narrow again. "What do you want, Herb?" he asks in an icy tone.

I can't help but snicker a little through my grin. I then answer firmly, "Give me Aelita,"

"What?"

"You heard me! Break up with Aelita so I can finally go out with her."

His features becomes as enraged as ever. "You pig," he spits back at me. "You disgusting pig! Aelita isn't an object for me to give to anyone! She's a living, breathing human being now, and I love her, and will never, ever see her forced into a relationship with someone as slimy and pathetic as you!"

I laugh at his outburst. "Sure you don't, but if you won't comply with my wishes, I'm sure all of our principals will get a kick out of reading those false documents."

Both of our attentions turn when we hear the choir room door open across the yard. Aelita appears, leaving the school building and carrying her sheet music with her. I look back to Jeremie who shoots another glare my way. "We'll see about that," he says and grabs his book bag from the bench. He starts running over to Aelita before she can meet us.

"I'll be in my room if you want to talk anymore, Jeremie!" I call to him. He glances over his shoulder to me, but keeps running until he stops close to Aelita. I can see him say something to her and how surprised her features become, but then he grabs her hand and they run off together from the schoolyard.

Just as I thought it would be…

Perfect.

Ah, I love that chapter. : ) Next one will be out soon! Please review!