(Avery P.O.V.)
It's been two weeks since his incident, and Odd was released from the hospital a week ago. The doctors decided that as long as he was able to feed himself, he would be fine. He gave us all strict orders to make sure Odd gets large healthy meals three times a day. After he got out of the hospital, he was set up with a counselor that he needed to go to every day.
For some strange reason, today Odd wanted me to come with him to his session. He didn't say why, just that he wanted me to come.
Relations with Odd have improved little. We talk to each other only when needed, or when prodded by from the others. That's why I was surprised when Odd asked me to come with him today. It's the first time he's talked to me since yesterday when he asked to copy down the math assignment.
We walk into the counselors office and sit down. The counselor seems like a nice lady, very prim and proper but still enjoyable.
"Well Odd, is this who you wanted to bring?" She asks when we have sat down.
"Yah, this is Avery." He says.
"Hi Avery, I'm Mrs. Strickland, the guidance counselor. I asked Odd to bring a close friend today because today is the day when I tell him he doesn't need to come anymore." She says smiling. Odd looks surprised, but still happy.
"I don't have to come anymore?" He asks incredulously. "I thought I would be coming here for years."
"Every teenager, at one time or another, has some state of depression. Whether mild or severe, most have them. Considering Odd's past record, I think maybe he just had his whole depression stage at once. He seems to have snapped out of it just fine."
"That makes sense." I say when Odd doesn't reply. I think maybe Odd knows better, and he hasn't told the counselor everything that's been going on.
"As long as you feel fine Odd, you don't have to come anymore. But if you ever feel depressed again, you come to me an we'll work it out."
"Oh… okay." He says after a minute.
"Avery, I want you to keep an eye on Odd. If he seems to down or sad, you need to come tell me. That's why I wanted you here today. Sometimes it's your friends who know best what's going on with you. Now, are you two dating?" Odd and I look at each other and blush, but we both shake our heads.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I just assumed that since Odd brought in a girl. Most people bring in someone of their own gender, but Odd isn't like most people, is he?" She asks smiling.
"Definitely not." I reply.
"Okay, you two can go on your merry way now." She says, standing up and waving us off.
"Bye Mrs. Strickland, and thanks." Odd says, and we walk out the door.
"So Odd, why did you decide to bring me?" I ask, after a couple minutes of silence.
"Why not?" He replies distantly.
"Why not Ulrich, or Jeremie, or even Yumi? You know them better."
"Well…" He doesn't reply for a minute, but I don't press him. "You saved my life. I figured I owed you something."
"Aw, how sweet." I say. "And yet, somehow creepy. I wonder how many people can say that honestly?"
"Probably not very many. I also kind of wanted to say thanks again for saving me. Even though I deliberately led you to a cave when I knew you were claustrophobic."
"You saved my life on Lyoko that one time. I just repaid you."
"I saved your life on Lyoko by sacrificing myself. Then you saved me again so we were even. Now I owe you again big time. If there is anything you need, just ask."
"Hmm, okay. How about some ice cream?" I say in my cute voice.
"Is that all?"
"Yup."
"Okay, I'll take you out for some ice cream later. As long as you don't think it's a date."
"Don't worry, I don't. And the only people who will know is the gang, but they won't rub it in, right?"
At about 7:00, we get in to breakfast. I've been hanging out with Odd all day, trying to re-establish my relations with him. So far, I've had little success. Odd just doesn't seem to be that carefree boy I first met anymore. He's changed, and I really don't like it.
We go through the line at dinner, and I make sure Odd gets an adequate amount of food. He's been fairly compliant with that, at least. We sit down at the table next to each other.
"Hey guys, where have you been?" Ulrich asks us when we sit down.
"Nowhere really. Just wandering around school." Odd replies.
"Have you really?" He asks suspiciously.
"Yah, what were you expecting?"
"Hmm, I'm not sure…" He says, looking at me with a face that says 'you know what I mean.' I glare back at him, telling him to keep his mouth shut.
"Come on Odd, start eating." I say to Odd, and he dutifully takes a bite out of his sub sandwich. Ulrich starts laughing, and so do Jeremie and Aelita, who just sat down.
"What's so funny?" I ask completely bewildered.
"Oh nothing." Jeremie says, turning away.
"Avery, you are going to be a really good wife and mother someday." Aelita says and I blush.
"What makes you say that?" I ask indignantly.
"You just got Odd to do something you said without a second thought. Odd never does that for anyone but the principal or sometimes a teacher."
"Well, I think maybe Odd just knows what I'll do to him unless he eats all his food."
"What are you going to do, kiss him?" Jeremie says, and my face goes red as a beat. Everyone, including Odd starts laughing as I glare at Jeremie.
"You know what Avery? They're right. What are you going to do?" Odd says, and I turn to look at him. He's leaning back in his chair and has his hands behind his head.
"You," I hiss venomously, "Are going to be quiet and eat your food." I say, spitting fire. He immediately stops smiling and sets his chair down.
"Yes Avery." He says quietly and begins eating his food again, bringing another laugh out of everyone. I endure this kind of torture for about ten more minutes, until Odd finishes eating his food.
"Okay Avery, I'm done now." He says, pushing his tray away. "Let's go."
"Where?" Ulrich stops laughing long enough to ask.
"Odd owes me some ice cream. We'll see you guys later." And without another word, we leave.
I'm walking right next to Odd, but he's the one leading. I don't know my way around town very well. He leads me into a small ice cream parlor.
"This place has pretty good ice cream for a decent price." He says. We walk up to the counter.
"Yah, can we get two small ice cream cones?" Odd says.
"What kind do you want?" The cashier asks me.
"Chocolate." I reply.
"Make that two." Odd says. I reach in my pocket for some cash, but Odd grabs my arm.
"No way. This is my treat. I'm paying." He says, pulling out a couple bills.
"That will be 3.07." The cashier says, handing us our cones.
"Thank you." I say as I take it, Odd does the same. He lays a couple bills on the counter and the lady hands him his change.
"And may the lovely couple have a nice day." She says with a smile. I open my mouth to correct her, but Odd covers it with his hand, muffling all sound.
"Thank you." He says, leading me away.
We walk over to an open seat and sit down, eating our cones quietly.
"Why did you stop me?" Odd looks at me strangely.
"I told you, it's my treat, I'm going to pay." He says.
"No, not that. I meant when she called us a couple. You stopped me from correcting her."
"Well, uh… I uh…" He says stuttering. This is the kind of thing that makes me love him. Just the way he always stumbles over himself, it's adorable. Ulrich tells me that Odd is usually pretty smooth, that he hasn't heard him do this for any other girl.
Just when I was about to respond, Odd's phone rings.
"Hello?" Hey says answering it. His face quickly turns sour.
"Okay Ulrich, we'll be right there." He turns to me. "It's time to save the world again."
"Aw, but I didn't get to finish my ice cream!" I say in a whiney voice. Nevertheless, I quickly gulp down the last of it and throw away the wrapper.
"Okay, let's go." Odd smiles at me and we take off out the door.
bwa ha ha, mini cliffy.