The morning light filtered through the small window as Aelita woke from her slumber to find Asa humming while she brushed her auburn hair.
"Morning, you're in a good mood." Aelita yawned as she stretched.
"Morning and yeah. I woke up to this!" Asa bounced off her bed, throwing her hairbrush onto the ground as her phone lit up in front of Aelita's face. The pinkette squinted as her eyes adjusted to bright light suddenly pushed in front of her.
"'Hey cutie, how did you sleep?'" she read the text aloud, "ooh is that a smiley face? Who sent you this?" Aelita giggled as she began to gather her clothes and shower stuff.
"William did! He actually texted me first!" Asa jumped onto her bed as she squealed with happiness. Aelita's eyes widened and she quickly turned away from her roommate. Aelita dismissed herself and left for the showers, her heart racing.
When Aelita was alone and the water running she finally allowed herself to think clearly. How can I ruin Asa's happiness? William is still under Xana's control, what if Xana is using William? I need to talk to Jeremie, when I get out I should message him and see if he'll meet me before class. The pinkette decided her plan and finished her shower, messaging her friend before leaving the room. It didn't take long for Aelita's phone to vibrate, Jeremie responded and wanted everyone to meet him at the vending machine. Shoving her phone back into her pocket and quickened her pace through the hallway.
It wasn't long till she rounded the corner to find her friends waiting for her.
"Hey Aelita, what was the emergency?" Ulrich greeted the pinkette as everyone's eyes turned to her.
"Well it's not really an emergency but I'm worried about Asa and William. What if this is one of Xana's plans?"
"I think its fine as long as they aren't like dating, right?" Yumi pitched in.
"Yeah isn't that what we discussed last time?" Jeremie stated.
"I think they might be getting a little serious. William sent her a text this morning and I'm pretty sure they were messaging all night too. What if he starts getting her alone or something?" Aelita responded.
"Oh hmm, that be the case." Jeremie studied his hand, his mind racing with thoughts.
"Maybe we should have someone keep tabs on Asa? Just...just to make sure she is safe." Odd threw the idea out and he saw everyone's eyes light up with an agreement.
"That sounds good. I can be with her after dinner, I'll ask if I can help her with the fashion show. Also, I can wait and walk with her to breakfast in the morning too!" Aelita's smile entered her face as she felt useful to the group.
"Sounds good, I have first and third period with her," Jeremie claimed.
"I have second with her and William. Also during fifth, I can see if I can get any information from him." Yumi claimed.
"I have seventh period Art with her and I can walk her to dinner too." Odd sheepishly added.
"Ok, so we almost have her covered most of the day which is good. Let's go get something to eat before school starts." Jeremie began to walk away along with Yumi and Aelita.
Odd took a step forward but was suddenly yanked back.
"Ok, what's up? You are never that quiet." Ulrich turned the boy around so they were staring at each other.
"Wh-what do you mean?" Odd quickly avoided his friend's harsh gaze.
"Spit. It. Out. Or I won't give you the extra brownie on Thursdays anymore." Ulrich threatened.
"But you don't even like the extra chocolate chips that they mix in the batter!" Odd defended himself.
"Too bad I'll just throw it away." Ulrich crossed his arms as he waited for his friend to surrender.
"Fine, I think...I think I might..." Odd grumbled out the last part of his sentence, causing Ulrich to intense his stare.
"What was that last part?"
"I think I like Asa, like like her. When we got stuck in that room during Xana's attack it just happened." Odd turned away once again but he allowed himself to be pulled to face Ulrich's glare.
"No, you don't like her, got it? You will NOT chase after my sister so she can just be another one of the women to slap you cause you screw up." Ulrich spat the words at his friend's face before turning and walking away towards the cafeteria.
"Wow, overprotective much?" Odd whispered before following his 'friend'.
In the cafeteria, things seemed to be getting worse for Ulrich as Odd entered the scene. The two standing over the table glaring at each other while everyone just stared in question as to what was going to happen next.
"Why do you think you are the boss of me?!" Asa yelled.
"Cause I know him and I know it is a bad idea to go out on a date with him!" Ulrich yelled back.
"You are an awful brother!" Asa stormed out of the cafeteria, Ulrich following after her.
"Really I'm an awful brother for looking out for his twin sister?" Ulrich continued the argument outside in the courtyard. He was thankful that it was empty.
"Please, you only look out for me when it is convenient for you! Where was this super protective brother when those crazy things attacked me? Where were you when the room was filling with gas and I almost died? Seriously Ulrich where were you?!" Asa's words defused the situation.
"You're right. I'm an awful brother but I still don't want you to go out with William."
"Seriously? Why is he so bad? Tell me!" Asa watched as Ulrich sat down on the pavement and she joined him.
"I've told you this a hundred times. This is a secret I have to keep." Ulrich sighed.
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
"You know I think the last time I told you that you said you had a secret too. What is it?"
"Really? You want me to share my secrets but not yours?" Asa laughed lightly at the situation.
"Yeah, but I'm serious what's your secret?" Ulrich stared at his sister.
"Ok fine, Brad and I broke up."
"Well yeah, I already knew that."
"Seriously? How did you find out?"
"Aelita told me that I already knew that. You wouldn't just go out with William if you were still with Brad." Asa knocked her shoulder into Ulrich's and they both laughed.
"Well, then any more questions? School is gonna start soon." Asa asked as the twins stared at the sky.
"Yeah, why did you have to make the choice to come here or stay? Like I know why you chose to come here but did dad say why you had to make the choice?"
"Dad hasn't told you? Or mom?" Asa looked at her brother with a mixture of shock and worry.
"No, they haven't told me anything."
"Ulrich, mom, and dad are finalizing the divorce... Its no longer the separation they both have a lawyer and filing and everything. It's straining both of their paychecks so they couldn't afford both schools."
"Oh..." Ulrich sighed along with his sister.
"Yeah, totally sucks."
"At least we get to actually see each other every day. I really missed you, Asa." Ulrich looked at his sister with a smile.
"I missed you to Ulrich." Asa smiled back at her brother before leaning on his shoulder as they waited for the cafeteria to empty. "I'm still going on that date tonight. Bye!" Asa jolted up from her spot and ran towards the school laughing as her brother protested after her.
Soon the school day ended and Asa tried to rush putting her things away until her pencil box broke open.
"Ugh really?!" she groaned as she got on her knees and began to pick up her things.
"In a rush huh?" Asa looked up to see Odd smiling down at her. He also got on his knees and helped her collect her things.
"Yeah, I've got a date tonight with William." Asa smiled as continued to pick up her mess.
"Oh really? What are you two going to do? Not really much to do on campus." Odd asked as he handed her the last pencil off the ground.
"He said he was going to take me for a walk in the park that's connected through the woods. We got permission to go so we won't get in trouble." Asa collected her stuff and threw her backpack over her shoulder and the two began to walk out of the classroom.
"Well, I hope you have a good time. See you tomorrow." Odd rushed away from the girl. Asa shrugged off his weirdness and continued on her way, excited.
In her room, Asa prepared for the date. She put on an electric blue dress that ended just below her knees along with matching sandals. She tied her hair up in an updo tied together with blue pins that sparkled in the light.
"Wow, you look gorgeous!" Aelita claimed as she entered to room.
"Thanks! I'm trying to get ready cause I have to meet William under the big oak tree outside of the science lab soon."
"Aren't you going to eat dinner?" Aelita asked.
"No William said he asked the cafeteria ladies for a picnic and I guess they said ok. He's so sweet!" Asa squealed as she finished putting in her earrings.
"Well, uh, have fun." Aelita forced a smile as Asa headed out the door.
Ulrich's phone vibrated as the boys gathered in Jeremie's room.
"Aelita said Asa just headed out. I'm gonna go keep an eye on her while you guys watch Lyoko." Ulrich claimed before leaving the room as Jeremie continued to search through the virtual world.
Ulrich searched behind the trees until he finally found his sister. She was leaning against the large oak tree, wearing a blue dress and checking her phone. A lump formed in Ulrich's throat and he struggled to swallow it down as he waited for William to show up.
Minutes passed and Ulrich began to check his phone also as he watched Asa begin to get agitated. It started with her checking her phone more often, then she began to drum her fingers against the bark or tapping her foot on the ground. It progressed to her pacing around the tree and she even tried calling him. Ulrich glanced back down at his phone to find messages blinking on his screen.
Jeremie: Xana is attacking. Ulrich is William with Asa?
Jeremie: Ulrich answer I need to know what to expect.
Jeremie: William is on Lyoko, we need your help!
Ulrich sighed as he shoved his phone back in his pocket before he began to feel something fall on his head. He looked up to find dark clouds forming above the school as the rain began to sprinkle down. Ulrich shielded his head as more rain began to fall, he could barely make out Asa's figure in front of him as she curled up under the tree. His heart ached for his sister but he knew his friend's needed him more. Ulrich stood up and began to run towards the factory.
The battle lasted longer than usual. Yumi continued to try her usual strategy by trying to reach William with her voice while Odd and Ulrich tried attacking him. Odd was the first one down then went Ulrich. After they virtualized Ulrich headed out to find Asa while Odd and Jeremie watched the battle in Lyoko. Yumi avoided William's attacks with grace while distracting him long enough for Aelita to sneak away towards the activated tower. William yelled in protest as the pinkette vanished inside the glowing red tower. With defeat written across his face, William saw a chance to escape and he took it as the red began to fade from the tower. Yumi sighed in relief as Jeremie began to virtualize her and Aelita.
Ulrich raced through trees as the sun began shining through the clouds. Confused he wondered why Xana's attack was only to cause a rainstorm but he didn't worry too much, he worried about Asa.
He didn't find relief though when he found Asa still crouched under the oak tree. Her shoulders trembled, either from the cold or from crying. Ulrich was about to run towards his sister but stopped in his tracks when he saw William running towards her.
"Asa, I'm sorry." the girl lifted her head and began to wipe the tears from her eyes. She smiled up at the boy as he stretched out a hand for her. Asa took it quickly and Ulrich watched as she curled into William as he opened an umbrella. Ulrich continued to watch as his sister and his enemy walked across the trees together, their silhouettes vanishing from his sight.