Like A Boy
A Code Lyoko fic by Madame Halie
Disclaimer: I don't own Code Lyoko.
Chapter 13: A New Twist
(Later in the Evening)
Sissi stood in front of Christophe. If anyone gave her the opportunity she'd tear his face off. But for now he had her over a barrel. If she defied him he'd go through with his threat. Her family would be disgraced, her reputation in tatters. Sissi couldn't let that happen. She hated Christophe. But until she could beat him, she had to do his bidding.
"Well, well," Christophe said with a smile, "seems I've caught little Miss Perfect in my web," he mused, "well you're more of a brat than a perfectionist but…close enough."
Sissi gritted her teeth. Nothing would please her more than to speak her mind.
"Nothing?" Christophe teased, "oh right, I have all the cards," he said, "sucks doesn't it you Neanderthal bitch," he spat.
Sissi bit her lip. Christophe seemed extra mad and she had no idea why.
What did I do? Sissi thought.
"Don't worry about me," Christophe said seeing her reaction, "my anger is about something else, someone else," he told her, "I thought a prank on the bald one would ease my fury, but alas it hasn't," he stated, "so you'll have to do it."
"Why are you so mad?" Sissi asked.
"Shut it!" Christophe shouted, "don't worry about my business," he said sharply, "look in that shopping bag and wear what's inside," he instructed.
Sissi looked into the bag and saw several outfits. All were skimpy, lacey and sexy. There was even a dog collar and whip.
"I'm not wearing a dog collar," Sissi refused.
Christophe snorted. "That's your problem? Fine."
Sissi took out the outfits to get a better look. There were seven. The first was a one piece pink nightie that barely passed her waist. Her underwear would peek out. At least the material wasn't sheer.
"Right," Sissi said with a laugh and dropped it.
"You have to wear three," Christophe told her, "don't be too picky," he said, "you have to model too."
Sissi growled. She thought he'd just want to see her in some outfits to make fun of her. Now she knew he meant the 'modeling thing.'
"Great," Sissi muttered and took out the next one, "not in a nightmare!" she said throwing the black two piece bra and tiny lacy shorts on the floor.
"Pick that up!" Christophe exploded.
Sissi grabbed it up in horror.
"Just for your attitude I'll save that for a day you have to wear it," Christophe seethed, "I have to pay for this stuff, respect it."
Sissi gently put it back in the bag. Her throat was heavy from being shouted at. She knew that if he did it again, she'd burst into tears.
"Don't be such a baby," Christophe chided but his voice was soft, "you have five more outfits," he pointed out, "just pick something and wear it."
Sissi sniffled and looked back in the bag. There was a shiny blue nightgown that reached her knees and had lace on the shoulders, neckline and hem. She smiled and rested that one on the bed. The next was a black and red outfit with a mask that covered her face from her forehead to her nose. It was a one-piece with a frayed skirt that ended just a little below her hip but covered everything essential.
"You have to use the whip with that," Christophe spoke.
Sissi's face fell. "Guess I'll just have to deal."
Christophe frowned.
Sissi looked again and eliminated a bright green top and mini-skirt because they weren't 'her' colour. The next was a purple one piece with electrical wires and a switch. Sissi shoved it into the bag when she saw a mischievous grin on Christophe's face. The last outfit was a pair of yellow pasties and a thong. Sissi looked at Christophe with a 'are you serious' look.
He just smiled and blew a kiss.
"Pick something shorter," Christophe said when she pulled back out the green outfit, "I aint asking," he stressed to Sissi's defiant face.
Sissi looked into the bag. Her face burning with rage. The purple outfit was shorter but she knew that wasn't what he wanted. She picked another outfit and held it up.
"Wear that first," Christophe instructed, "change in the bathroom."
Sissi did just that and soon returned wearing the pink nightgown she first saw and rejected. She glided across the room and even leaned against his dresser. Christophe made her bend over, do a few over done model faces and poses, then let her change.
The moment she came out in the blue outfit he sent her back.
"Boring!" he shouted.
All that was left was the outfit with the whip. Sissi dreaded what could happen and stood at the bathroom doorway frozen.
"You're not hitting anyone with it, it's just a prop," Christophe told her, "oh come on!" he cried when Sissi's face became enveloped in horror, "ugh forget it, wear the green one," he gave up.
"Thank you," Sissi said and sped into the bathroom.
As soon as she returned Christophe called her over. He touched the skirt and stared at Sissi's legs.
"You're not as ugly as I thought," Christophe said, "I'll let you wear clothes no less than the first nightgown (pink one that covered her up to her waist)," he said suddenly, "but there's a condition."
"What?" Sissi asked ready to do anything t not to have to wear anything skimpier than that – the yellow pasties and thong fresh in her mind.
"Yumi played me the other day," Christophe said, "I want to get her, and not by just winning the bet."
"What do you want me to do?" Sissi asked, "wait…I'm not hurting Ulrich," she added.
"Don't worry it's all Yumi, you in?" Christophe asked.
Sissi thought for a moment. She wanted Ulrich and Yumi was in the way, bet or no bet.
Plus she planned to blackmail me, Sissi recalled.
"I'm in," Sissi declared.
Yumi sighed. It was Monday and the bet was on full swing. If she could go back in time she'd punch herself. But today that wasn't the big news in school. Jeremie was supposed to come to school this week. His family decided they'd rather have him stay in France. The transfer from Einstein Academy was quick.
"Hey."
Yumi turned around to see a boy whose face was hidden behind a drawn blue hoodie. But no face was needed to confirm the voice.
"Jeremie!" Yumi cried.
"In the flesh," Jeremie said removing the hood, "hey everyone," he said to the shocked morning arrivals.
The hallways broke out in cheers. Yumi had to push through a sudden wave of people to hug Jeremie. Rumours had started that he might've actually died on the plane. Yumi knew that was stupid because his parents reassured her and Jeremie called her the day after the crash. He too agreed about the bad choice of the bet. Suggested it should've been best never done or worst only for a few days.
"I'm so glad you're back," Yumi gushed squeezing him, "do the others know?"
"I found Ulrich in the bathroom by chance," Jeremie stated, "Odd was…busy," he decided to say, "and I haven't seen Aelita yet," he concluded.
"Odd's an ass," Yumi cursed, "Ulrich didn't follow you?" she asked surprised.
Jeremie looked away.
"He didn't want to buck into me," Yumi realized immediately, "so…how are you after everything?"
"Hey!" a male student cried, "we want time with him too!"
"Too bad," Jeremie said coldly and that silenced the crowd, "my best friends come first."
Yumi beamed.
"Anyway, I get up everyday," Jeremie responded, "it's not better, I just have more mobility and can control my emotions a bit more," he told her.
"I'm sorry," Yumi said.
"I see Rhonda everywhere," Jeremie said softly, "I saw her smiling at me this morning," he revealed, "I know it's not real but…it's so easy to forget."
"I'm really sorry Jeremie," Yumi sympathized, "but I'm glad you're back," she added.
"Yeah," Jeremie agreed, "so….should we talk some more or give the rest of the populace some time with blue boy," he said in reference to himself.
"Time! Time!" students started chanting loudly.
"Guess I'm outvoted," Yumi said with a smile, "I'm glad I got to see you, I'll save you a place at lunch."
"Wouldn't miss it," Jeremie said with a laugh, "missed me?" he asked turning to the crowd.
"Jeremie!" they cried and Yumi had to push through the throng to get away.
"Poor Jeremie," Yumi said panting, "he's still mourning and now has to live with instant school celebrity," she noted, "he'll be chained to the popular table next."
Yumi walked until she reached her first period class. The room was empty except for one person. Her heart sank when she saw it was Herve.
"Don't worry," Herve said, "I'm only here to avoid the barf fest at breakfast."
"Oh," Yumi said realizing that Ulrich must've been at Sissi's table, "ok," she said and down.
"Why do you two like Ulrich so much?" Herve asked suddenly, "what do both you and Sissi see in him?"
Yumi's face went red. Discussing her feelings for Ulrich was the last thing she wanted to do.
"I like Ulrich like any girl likes her boyfriend," Yumi said hurriedly, "you'll have to ask Sissi about her reasons yourself."
Herve groaned and slammed his face on the table.
Poor guy, Yumi thought, he loves Sissi and doesn't stand a chance.
Ulrich meanwhile sat with Sissi. He knew Herve was in class with Yumi and William since he took Math at an advanced level. He was still furious with Yumi over the possibility that she'd placed Sissi completely defenseless into Christophe's clutches. Worse Sissi had secretly confided to him that Christophe had something on her. She wouldn't elaborate but he had a good idea of what. Now he watched Sissi like a hawk. Especially if Christophe dared to lurk near by.
"Hello love birds," Jeremi esaid taking a set beside Nicolas, "so how's everything?"
Sissi frowned. She knew that Jeremie would definitely side with Yumi. But he was also keeping things light with Ulrich. As far as she was concerned a spy had come within their midst and she was determined to get rid of him.
"Okay, you see Yumi?" Ulrich responded.
"Yeah, we're having lunch," Jeremie said and Ulrich stopped eating, "I'm not getting into it with either of you," he said before Ulrich could speak, "you guys made the bet, not me."
"Bet you would've stooped it," Sissi said with a grin.
"I would've advised against it," Jeremie said not taking the bait, "so how has life been treating you Sissi?" he countered.
"Um, it's been ok," Sissi said taken a back, "how's…how has your life been Nicolas?" she started but then changed direction.
Nicolas froze. He wasn't even paying attention.
"It's been good, I guess," Nicolas said slowly.
"Is this how it's going to be?" Ulrich asked.
"Only if you let it," Jeremie said not backing down.
"I'm sorry you lost friends in the crash," Nicolas said suddenly.
The other three turned to Nicolas who was chewing. He swallowed before continuing.
"It must be hard," Nicolas said softly, "and now with a dumb bet hanging over your friends," he noted, "I'm sorry you couldn't have been here before."
Here was a silence at the table. Nicolas was always seen as the dufus of Sissi's group. But what he just said made perfect sense. Worse it made Sissi and Ulrich look like petty jerks.
"Well…a lot of things are going on," Sissi said.
Ulrich bit his lip. He was already on the ropes with Yumi and nearly lost Odd as a friend. He didn't want to lose Jeremie because the teen genius had an opinion.
"I'm sorry," Ulrich apologized, "Nicolas is right, the bet's dumb," he admitted, "and I'm even dumber if I let it cause me to lose a friend," he added.
Jeremie smiled. "Thanks."
Sissi sulked. She didn't like where this was going.
"I'm not trying to do anything bad to you," Jeremie told her.
"You want Ulrich with Yumi and far away from me," Sissi said pouting, "I just want to be his friend," she whined.
Fat chance, Jeremie thought, I'm not buying this cheap sob story.
"Yet I'm still here," Jeremie said, "unless you rather I go," he offered knowing Sissi couldn't allow that since Ulrich would blame her.
"Will you promise…" Sissi started, "will you promise not to ruin my thing…I mean friendship with Ulrich?"
"Thing, friendship?" Jeremie asked confused but worried since he thought this was just Ulrich having a temporary mental meltdown.
"Herve's mad about it," Nicolas said in confirmation.
"He can eat crow," Sissi declared, "I can sit with anyone I chose."
Nicolas frowned at Sissi. "He's our friend."
"I know that," Sissi said red faced, "but he makes me so mad," she added and Nicolas laughed, "stop that!"
Ulrich smiled and placed an arm over her shoulder. Jeremie sat up in surprise. He didn't know that things had gone that far. Now he was in the twilight zone and he could see why Herve hightailed it.
"Oh Ulrich," Sissi giggled.
"Stop giggling it's just my arm," Ulrich said with a smile as Sissi leaned in.
Jeremie finished eating in silence. He wanted to help Yumi and Ulrich get back together. But now he saw that it was going to be much harder than he thought.
(
Aelita smiled tentatively at Yumi as she sat beside her. She had just arrived at school the period before lunch. When she heard Jeremie was back. She was ecstatic. But her heart fell when she saw him eating with Yumi. Then Odd and Emily joined them and she was sure the world had turned against her.
"Hi everyone," Aelita said carefully as she set down her tray, "I told William I'd sit here today."
"Come anytime," Emily said a little too sweetly.
"Hey," Odd said and turned to his meal.
"Um, welcome back," Yumi said with a shrug.
I couldn't feel more dismissed if they said nothing, Aelita thought.
"Hi Aelita," Jeremie said to her, "I'm happy to see you again," he told her.
Aelita suddenly burst into tears and hugged him across the table. The lunchroom fell in silence. And Yumi looked around to see a glaring William. This wasn't good.
"Yumi, switch spaces with me," Jeremie said as he got to his feet, "come on, she's in tears," he insisted.
Yumi frowned but got up anyway. Jeremie had been through enough without her being rude to him. But Odd who was beside Jeremie frowned. Emily quickly jumped over the other side to be on Odd's left. Before was beside Yumi but now she just wanted to escape the sob fest.
"It's alright I'm here," Jeremie comforted Aelita as she cried, "I didn't get hurt and I'm here to stay," he said stroking her hair.
"Really?" Aelita asked in a small voice.
"Yes," Jeremie said then kissed her on the forehead, "everything's fine, we're fine."
"That's nice," a voice said suddenly.
"William," Selita said in surprise, "I didn't expec… I told you I was sitting here today," she said as she pulled herself away from Jeremie.
"Well I couldn't just watch my girl crying," William said and Grant soon appeared behind him, "neither could Grant," he added.
"What are friends for?" Grant said brightly but he quickly gave Jeremie a glare.
Aelita laughed nervously. "It was nothing Grant."
"Well come on," William said taking her hand, "I can take care of you; Jeremie's free to join us."
"Will you?" Aelita asked hopefully.
Odd, Emily and Yumi looked at Jeremie incredulously. They all knew he'd be eaten alive if he dared go to the table filled with students a grade higher than him. It was William's territory and everyone at the table were good friends of his.
"Um, I'll see you later Aelita," Jeremie said, "I have to catch up with everyone," he said though his eyes held a sad longing.
Grant smirked. "No dice, huh?"
"You want dice?" Yumi asked coldly, she didn't care about the bet right now and she doubted Ulrich would either.
Grant blanced and stepped back.
"Grant doesn't mean anything," Aelita said quickly, "take a pill Yumi," she added.
The lunchroom went dead silence. Except for Emily who laughed outright since that line was used at her often. And she knew Yumi wasn't that kind of girl.
"I mean a chill pill, a chill pill," Aelita tried to take it back since what she said before was Kadic's current teen lingo for calling a girl a slut.
"I think we should go," William said carefully seeing Yumi's red face, "she didn't mean that Yumi," he added as he took Aelita away.
"Just take your bubblegum princess and get out of here," Yumi said in a tight whisper.
William watched Yumi fearfully. No girl looked scarier in a purple blouse, knee length kilt and laced boots. He wasn't sure how that was an accurate female version of Ulrich but he knew no one would dare question her now.
"Yumi," Odd said carefully.
"Pfft, she should've clobbered her," Emily muttered and got a glare from Jeremie, "don't act all self-righteous," she snapped.
Odd was soon glaring at Jeremie. He wasn't lost on his friend's 'comforting' of Aelita either.
"I'll eat at Sissi's table," Jeremie said getting up, "I'd rather be dissed by..."
"No, No," Yumi said quickly grabbing his hand, "please stay Jeremie," she begged and her eyes were teary.
I can't deal with losing anyone else, Yumi thought.
Jeremie was so taken aback he just sat back down.
Suddenly there was a laugh and it was Herve. Soon it was seen wghy since he was pointing at Ulrich from his (Herve's) new seat with the genius's or dork table.
Ulrich was looking over at Yumi's table his face etched in the angriest of stone. His eyes were particularly on Yumi and Jeremie's interlocked hands.
Yumi realized and pulled back as if burnt while Jeremie could only blush heavily.
"Maybe you two can go to the dance together," Christophe called out as he snatched the opportunity, "Blue Boy and Lumber Jack Yumi" he shouted and soon the whole lunchroom was chanting it.
Yumi and Jeremie looked at each other in panic. The dance was half a month away and there was already a new it couple. Them.