Preparation

The next morning, Yumi, approached her parents to get permission to have Aelita's birthday at the house.

"Mom, dad," started Yumi, "The Saturday you'll be away is my friend Aelita's birthday and I was wondering if I could have the party here.

"Will your other three friends be there?" asked Mr. Ishiyama.

"Yes," replied Yumi, "Besides Aelita; Ulrich, Jeremie and Odd are the only ones coming."

"I'm not sure," replied Mr. Ishiyama, "Given what happened last time you had them over."

"Come on dad," answered Yumi, "The fire wasn't our fault. There was short it the stereo and we put it out without having to call the fire department."

"I don't know," responded Mr. Ishiyama.

"Dad," said Yumi, "Aelita's spent the night here before and you liked her. Well, it's her birth day and we want to have a small party for her. It will just be the five of us.

Yumi's father thought for a moment.

"OK," said Mr. Ishiyama, "You can have your four friends over for Aelita's birthday, but only them,

"Oh thanks dad," replied Yumi giving her father a peck on the cheek, "You won't regret it."

Jeremie was shopping at the mall for a present for Aelita. He wanted get her something special. Not counting her time on Lyoko this would be her 14th birthday, his had been about a month earlier and she had given him the most thoughtful of presents.

He had been looking for over three hours, but could not find the right gift. He decided to take a break by browsing through a used book store. While he was there one book got his attention, when saw the author's name, he flip over the book to if the back had a picture of the author. It did and one glance confirmed the author's identity. When he opened the cover and saw the dedication Jeremie knew he had found the perfect gift.

One day, the gang was updating each other on their progress while waiting for Aelita.

"Good news," said Yumi, "My parents said it was OK to have the party at our house as long it's just the four of us.

"Great," responded Ulrich, "I found some good decorations and some party game props including a pin the tail on the donkey setup."

"I'm set on the music," said Odd, "and doesn't worry I considered what the rest of you would want. Though, I've included a few I downloaded as well."

"Odd," commented Jeremie, "Why is it that when you say don't worry, It makes me worry."

"I don't know," replied Odd with a smile, "Maybe it's…"

He stopped as they saw Aelita coming, though she took notice of it.

"Why did you guys suddenly stop talking when I walked up," said Aelita "It makes is sound like your hiding something from me."

"Ah… Ah…," said Odd, "There's a guy we heared likes you; besides Jeremie I mean; and we didn't know how you would take it."

"Is that all," replied Aelita being a little suspicious, "Who is it?"

"Ah… Nicolas," answered Odd.

"Is that all," responded Aelita, "I all ready knew that."

Odd just stood there shocked; after all he just made it up.

The Friday night before the party, Aelita was surprised when Jeremie called it quits for the night on the supper computer before 10pm.

"OK Jeremie," demanded Aelita, "Now I know something's going on. You have never closed up shop for the night this early."

"What do you mean," replied Jeremie, "I'm just tiered and want to get to bed."

"You should be tiered," responded Aelita, "After all you'd need an atomic clock to tell how much sleep you've gotten in the last week."

Aelita dropped it, though she still suspected something was up. However she trusted Jeremie enough to know that what ever it was she'd like it. Besides that any thing that got Jeremie to goto bed at a descent hour could be all bad.

To be Continued