Like A Boy
A Code Lyoko fic by Madame Halie
Disclaimer: I don't own Code Lyoko.
Chapter 12: Shock: PartII
(Continuing from last chapter)
"Oh God!" Emily shrieked, "I was so mean to him."
Suddenly there was desperate pounding on the door. After a few minutes Ulrich got up with the intent to tell the culprit expletives.
"He's alive," Yumi said and pushed her way in.
Odd and Emily followed. Both had tear-streaked faces. But their eyes were filled with relief.
"You scared me you jerk," Odd snapped at Ulrich, "get your facts straight," he said slamming the door shut.
"But EA students would all board the same plane," Ulrich insisted.
"It was delayed," Emily spoke, "at least that's what Yumi whispered to us," she said.
"The headmaster told me a teacher from Jeremie's school called him with the news," Yumi revealed, "it doesn't look like the teacher should've said anything so I was told to tell only a few people."
"What about everyone else?" Odd protested.
"Hey," Ulrich said, "the teacher could get fired, let's just be grateful Yumi told us."
"True," Emily admitted, "but who died?" she asked.
Yumi looked away.
"Come on Yumi," Ulrich insisted, "we need to know, please."
"I was only given one person," Yumi said, "I don't know her name and I only saw her with the other spectators," she added, "Headmaster Delmas said she was the youngest among the EA who came here."
Odd fell on his rump.
"Rhonda?" Odd asked, "the girl with the brown pigtails?"
Yumi nodded.
Odd immediately started sobbing. Emily held him close and whispered loving things in his ear. She had seen the girl too but never formed any personal connection with her. Still, it was sad to die so young.
"She's gone Odd but at least we know Jeremie's ok," Emily tried to comfort him, "who knows how many people if any from EA know about who the surviving or dead students are?"
Ulrich suddenly grabbed Odd's cell and scrolled.
"What are you doing?" Emily demanded.
"I broke mine," Ulrich said, "there, please pick up," he said calling a number, "Mrs. Belpois, no I'm not clogging the line I'm just calling to tell you Jeremie wasn't on the plane," he revealed, "you haven't been told yet? They said wait by the phone and that deceased have to be verified before surviving students are revealed?" he raged, "I agree it's preposterous," he said, "who's dead, um, I only know about Rhonda," he told her, "I know she was young, I have to go I wasn't supposed to share this with anyone besides a few friends, bye."
"Give me the phone," Odd said in a barely audible voice, "Stephanie, Rhonda's dead," he said after dialing a number, "I only know Jeremie's fine and that EA's official flight was delayed," he stated, "no a teacher called, it's not even in the news yet," he said, "I know, it's terrible, ok bye."
"She's the only other girl who's still here from EA," Emily explained, "she felt sorry for me and gave us her cell number."
"Wait," Yumi said, "call her back and tell her she can't say a teacher revealed the names," she panicked and Odd quickly did it.
"She was just about to tell another EA she found in the parking lot," Odd said, "um, what do we do?"
"We keep our lines open in case Jeremie calls," Yumi suggested.
"I think we should tell Aelita," Emily said suddenly.
"Oh crap!" Yumi cried and pulled out her cell.
"Hello?" Grant asked.
"Is this Aelita's cell?" Yumi asked.
"Oh, Aelita's a little upset…" Grant started.
"Get her on the phone," Yumi ordered.
"Hello?" Aelita asked her voice quivering.
"Jeremie's fine, a teacher old the Headmaster that he's ok," Yumi told her, "their flight was delayed."
"But there's a new report that says EA students died," Aelita insisted, "if it wasn't their flight, why are they dead?" she asked, "oh no, some took an alternative flight while others waited?"
"Yes," Yumi said.
"Who died, do you know of anyone?"
"Rhonda, the little girl with pigtails."
"I didn't see much of the EA students," Aelita admitted, "how old was she?"
"Less than ten I think," Yumi said.
"That's terrible!" Aelita cried, "how awful."
"Hey," William was heard in the background, "is Jeremie okay and did you say a girl's dead?"
"Aelita," Yumi said, "the person who revealed this took great risks, he could get fired," she emphasized.
"I'll tell William, Grant and Janice not to say anything," Aelita said dismissively.
"Janice?" Yumi asked incredulously, "how many people are with you?"
"Hey it's not my fault I wasn't alone," Aelita bristled.
"Fine," Yumi said wanting to avoid an argument, "okay, um, Jeremie's fine."
"Yes you said that already," Aelita noted.
"And you're fine now," Yumi said.
"Now that I know the facts, yes," Aelita said.
"Then I'll just go, bye," Yumi said and hung up.
"No love lost, huh?" Emily teased, "what oh," she said seeing Odd glare at her.
Yumi rolled her eyes and looked at Ulrich.
He was just staring at the door. His mind a million miles away.
"Um, I'll just go," Yumi said rising.
"Forget about the bet for now," Ulrich said surprising her, "stay with me, please."
Odd and Emily were also surprised. Neither thought Yumi was actually going to stay long.
"Ok," Yumi said carefully, "do you want me to sit with you?" she asked.
"Yes," Ulrich said pulling her close, "I missed you."
"Me too," Yumi admitted.
"Do you need anything, a snack?" Ulrich asked her.
"Huh, no I'm fine," Yumi said leaning in closer.
"It's going to be very awkward tomorrow," Ulrich said suddenly.
"Why?" Yumi asked, "oh you mean the bet," she said her voice becoming sad.
"I have an idea," Odd said suddenly.
"What?" Ulrich asked.
"You two want to get the recording from Christophe right?" Odd asked and they nodded, "how about faking Ulrich calling for Sissi? Christophe wants Ulrich to be with Sissi," he continued, "let us maje him think that it's going to happen."
"But why?" Emily asked, "did he do something that bad?"
Realizing that Emily was clueless Odd told her everything. After convincing the other two that it was okay of course.
"Fry the bastard," Emily declared.
"But that means I'd have to deceive Sissi," Ulrich said, "I want to get those recordings of her away from Christophe, but is this a fair way of doing it?"
"What else can we do?" Odd asked, "we can't tell Sissi," he said firmly, "she can't keep her mouth shut," he declared.
"That's true," Ulrich admitted, "so I stay with Sissi and Yumi…"
"I'll just pretend to still be sulking," Yumi said, "wow it seems everything just shifted in seconds," she realized.
"That can happen when you think a friend's dead," Ulrich said, "it puts everything in perspective," he stated, "but Yumi."
"Yes?"
"I haven't forgiven you for what you planned to do to Sissi," Ulrich revealed, "I love you, but you have to earn my forgiveness and trust back," he told her.
Yumi was shocked. Just as she thought things were getting back to normal, this pops up. It was bad enough they'd have to lie in public, he was also still mad? Yumi just sighed and decided to suck it up. At least now she had a chance, no way was she going to ruin it by complaining.
"Ok Ulrich, I understand," Yumi said.
You're pushing it Ulrich, Odd thought worriedly.
Serves her right! Emily thought, for a moment I thought she was going to get off easy. Leave it to Ulrich to give her a tough task at the last second. You go Ulrich, Yumi's too self righteous.
"This is interesting," Emily said pretending not to pry.
Yumi's jaw stiffened. She knew Emily was enjoying this. After all she and Aelita were among the many girls who judged Emily's type. Now she was in the hot seat, and hated it.
Enjoy it while you can, Yumi thought.
"What do we do about Melissa?" Yumi asked curiously, "after all, she helped humiliated poor Emily," she added.
"I know what I want to do to her," Odd growled.
"I have a better idea," Ulrich said, "let's bait her to go after Christophe," he suggested.
"What?" the rest asked in unison.
"We want Melissa to pay right?" Ulrich asked, "what better way than pissing off Christophe?" he said, "she can distract him from us and also get her just desserts."
"I don't know," Yumi paused, "what if he post pictures or video of her naked or something?" she worried.
"Serves her right?" Odd muttered.
"Christohe's smart," Emily spoke up, "he'll more likely bribe her with them than put them out right away," she added.
There was a dead pause. The obvious hit everyone at once like an army tank.
"Bribe?" Odd broke the silence first.
Ulrich turned to Yumi. He was obviously unhappy.
"Okay," Emily said slowly, "maybe we shouldn't put Melissa in harm's way."
"We better come with something else," Odd agreed.
Yumi just kept quiet. She kbew things had taken a worse turn. And no way was she turning around to see Ulrich's face.
I'm really in the doghouse now, Yumi thought.
Chapter Completed
Today is March 10, 2011. Thank you for all the reviews, I'm so grateful to still have readers after all this time. Remember to read and review. I want to know what you think of the newest chapter.