New and Improved

Chapter 2: Sworn to Secrecy

The day was drawing to a close, and everyone was exhausted. When the six of them met over by the vending machines, they decided not to do anything fun together tonight. They were all just too tired. Yumi said her goodbyes and headed off towards the neighborhood where she and her family live. The rest of them headed back towards the dorm, Odd and Sissi hand in hand. Ulrich plodded along behind Sissi and Odd. He was jealous, but not because of Sissi. He was just wished that he had a girl like Odd does. Ever since William came along, Ulrich's feelings in regards to Yumi had really been challenged, though he never had been able to work up the guts to talk to Yumi about his feelings. He thought she felt the same way for him, but he had his doubts. He continually wondered if Yumi liked William better, so he was afraid that he'd embarrass himself if he confessed himself to Yumi. Ulrich entered the dorm, still running these thoughts through his mind. He was interrupted by the sound of Odd's cheery voice.

"Go on upstairs, Ulrich," said Odd, his eyes bright. "I'll be up in a minute."

"Huh," said Ulrich, a little confused. He didn't catch everything Odd had said.

"Go upstairs," said Sissi, "Odd will up in a moment."

"Oh, ok." Ulrich started to plod his way up the stairs, and Sissi and Odd walked in the direction of her room.

----

Yumi was a little ways from her house when she noticed a figure standing there, leaning against her gate. Yumi squinted, trying to make out who it was. She put her right hand over her eyes, trying hard to see who it was in the dark. The figure stepped into the moonlight and Yumi's eyes widened in surprise. William? What's he doing there? Yumi bit her lip and continued walking towards her house. When William saw her, he stood up straight and turned to fully face her.

"Hiya, Yumi," he said softly.

"William, what a pleasant surprise," said Yumi, although she didn't actually mean it. William eyed her, giving her a look that seemed to say, "Don't-say-that-if-you-don't-really-mean-it." Yumi just ignored that look and smiled, a soft breeze starting to blow her hair a little. There was an awkward moment of silence before William spoke up.

"I saw your friends, Sissi and Jim all talking today in the courtyard." Yumi started to feel a little uneasy, knowing what they had talked about. William went on. "I heard you say something about kicking something named XANA's butt. I also heard Jim say something about wanting to go to something called Lyoko with you. Who or what is XANA and what is Lyoko?"

Yumi hesitated, unsure of what she should do. She smiled innocently and brushed some hair out of her face, though her mind was racing. "Uh … I, uh …" William cocked his head and looked at her sharply. Yumi avoided eye contact, looking around frantically. "Oh it's nothing, nothing at all." William raised an eyebrow. Yumi could tell he wasn't buying it. She chuckled nervously and backed away as William put a hand on the gate, and leaned in close to her face. "Yumi," he said quietly, yet sternly, "is there something you want to tell me?"

----

Odd gave Sissi a goodnight kiss and headed upstairs. Sissi smiled as she watched him go for a moment before closing her door. She slipped out of her clothes and put on her nightgown. She reached under her pillow and pulled out her diary. After settling herself down at her desk, she turned to a blank page. She grabbed a pen and started to write.

Odd is such a dream. Ever since that fateful day when we

discovered we were dating online. My life hasn't been the

same. He's got such a taste for the romantic. He's always

taking me out somewhere special, and he constantly surprises

me with some sort of gift. He never ceases to amaze me.

Today he surprised me yet again with Subsonics tickets. We're

going to see them when they are here in two weeks. Oh, what

will I wear? It's surely got to be something flashy, something

that will get me noticed by the band members if they should

decide to have a fan on stage. Oh, this is so exciting!

Today there was a freak flash flood. It was all XANA's doing.

No worries though, we were able to deactivate the tower long

before any real damage was done. I got to save Odd today

from a Krabe. Jim couldn't come though, he was needed at the

college. Fighting XANA can be a lot of fun. I'll never forget

that day when Jim and I became members of Yumi, Aelita,

Jeremie, Ulrich and Odd's group.

Sissi closed her diary and sighed happily. She took her headband out of her hair and stepped out into the hall. She turned and walked in the direction of the girls' showers, preparing to take her nightly shower.

----

Yumi was trying hard not to panic. William had been pressuring her into telling him her and her friends' secret after hearing what he did and every time she tried to brush it off as nothing, he became even more adamant that she tell him. Yumi was backed up against the wall now. "Yumi, I know you and your friends are up to something. Please, just tell me what it is and you can go." William gave her a look that seems somewhat like how a little puppy might look when it wants something. There! She saw an opening and took it. Ducking quickly under William's arm, she caught him off guard, quickly getting behind her family's gate and slamming it shut. "I'm sorry, William," she said sadly. "I've been sworn to secrecy, so I can't." She turned and sprinted for her door. William watched her until she entered her house. Once she was out of sight, he angrily slammed his fist against the gate. He froze, his eyes opening wide in shock. "Ow!" he groaned loudly. He shook his hand, trying to rid it of the pain. Yumi's door opened, and her dad poked his head outside. "Who's there?" When he heard it, William turned and bolted, running off into the darkness.