Title: When a Genius Falls in love

Chapter 2: Wavering Decisions

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Aelita was startled, but invited him inside the room nonetheless. "What do you want to talk about?" she asked, getting straight to the point.

Jeremie would have answered if it weren't for the knot forming in his throat. He never had been good at this sort of thing. "I, um... I wanted to tell you... something..."

"Alright." Aelita waited for an answer. When none came, she persisted, "What is it?"

Jeremie's mind was pressuring him, 'Just say it. She needs to know. Say it, now.'

"Jeremie?" Aelita was beginning to get a little concerned.

"I... I..." The words died in Jeremie's throat. He couldn't think with Aelita staring at him. "Uh... I wanted to tell you..." Then he backed out, "...Do you want to go get... something to... eat...?" The diversion was killed almost instantly by Aelita's raised eyebrow. She wasn't fooled. The reddening of Jeremie's cheeks told her that he had something else on his mind besides just lunch. But, unsure what he had in mind, she decided to play along for now.

"Sure. Let's go."

---

Jeremie could hardly concentrate on the meal. He was far too disappointed in himself to eat. He just sat there, moving his food around with his fork. 'Why can't I tell her?' He looked up at Aelita, who smiled. 'If only she knew,' Jeremie thought. But how would she know if he didn't tell her? After moments of debating with himself and trying to come up with the perfect words to say to Aelita, Jeremie finally built up the courage to speak again.

"Aelita, I think you should know that I--"

"Hey, Einstein!"

Jeremie almost fell out of his seat. It was Odd. Great.

"Hello, Odd." Aelita was oblivious to what Jeremie was about to say.

"Hey there, Princess." Odd took a seat beside Jeremie. "What're you guys doing?"

By this time, Jeremie had gotten over his shock and turned to Odd. He wanted to tell Odd to leave, but before he could say anything...

"So, did you finish that loooooove letter yet?" Odd smirked as he said this. Jeremie was not amused.

"It wasn't a-- How did you--- ODD!"

Odd was roaring with laughter as Jeremie crossed his arms. Then, as if being interrupted by Odd wasn't bad enough, the rest of the gang just had to pick that moment to show up.

"Hi, Jeremie. Aelita. What's gotten into Odd?" Ulrich stood staring at Odd while Yumi took a seat beside Aelita.

Jeremie gave up. There was no way he could tell Aelita how he felt with everyone else hanging around. He stood up and took his tray.

"Where are you going, Jeremie?" Aelita asked, puzzled.

"I'll see you later," was his seemingly calm reply, and he left.

---

When Jeremie got to his room, he sat down on his bed, and put his head in his hands. He finally found someone he cared about, and he couldn't even tell her. Then an idea hit him. Who was the one person he knew who had been in more relationships than he could count?

"I have to talk to Odd," Jeremie said aloud, and it was decided.