Thanks for everyone's great reviews so far oo Here's two new chapters for now, and I'll add some more later on. Also, in this first story you'll meet a character made by a friend of mine, who I thought made the perfect girlfriend for Odd. Others might remember her from the story Code: X.A.N.A (The link to it is in my story archive, just click on my name to see it)

Enjoy, and don't forget to comment!

Summertime Fun

Summer had finally come, and the gang had decided to celebrate with a picnic in the country. Aelita, Yumi and Elizabeth had prepared the food, leaving Odd and Ulrich the task of carrying the heavy basket to the bus stop.
Both Odd and Ulrich had backpacks on their backs, but wouldn't tell anyone what was inside.
"Let me guess: Food?" Yumi said, poking Odd's bag.
"Naw, just snacks for the bus trip, before and after lunch, and for the ride back."
Yumi, Aelita, Jeremie and Ulrich stared at him in shock.
Elizabeth laughed and said "Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't explode."
"And what's in yours Ulrich?" Yumi asked.
He smiled at her and said "It's a surprise. Wait and see."
"My mystery man" She smiled and kissed him.
The bus soon reached their stop. They climbed off and started walking down towards the field.
"This looks like a good spot" Jeremy said as they reached a small group of trees near a lake.
Aelita and Elizabeth spread out the blanket, Jeremy began unpacking the basket, and Odd, being Odd, stripped of his shirt and shoes and dived into the lake.
"Odd! Stop fooling around and come help us." Jeremy said.
"Aw, can't Ulrich do it?" Odd asked, floating on his back.
"Hey, where is Ulrich?" Jeremy asked, noticing that both he and Yumi were gone.

"So that's the big surprise" Yumi said, lying down on a chequered blanket.
"A picnic just for us." "Yep" Ulrich said, taking out food containers from his bag.
He pulled out some grapes, strawberries, cream and razzberries.
He dipped one of the strawberries in the cream and held it up for Yumi.
"Boy, you sure know how to charm a girl" she smiled, taking the strawberry.
"That's not all" he said, pulling out two cups and a bottle of sparkling grape juice.
Unbeknownst to Ulrich, the bottle he had was really champagne. He had grabbed the wrong bottle that morning while rushing out of the house.
Within minutes both of them were drunk. Giggling, Yumi fell against Ulrich, causing them both to fall down. She turned to Ulrich and whispered "You know Ulrich, we're both alone and it is kinda warm today..."

It was late afternoon when Jeremy said it was time to go.
"Odd, can you go and find Ulrich and Yumi and tell them it's time to leave?"
"Sure, be back soon" he said, and went off looking for them.
He walked around a small hill and found their picnic site. And something else.
'Well, I've found their clothing, but where...?"
He heard a rustling sound, then Yumi's voice going "Oh Ulrich."
'Uh oh' he thought, and suddenly had an idea.

"Well Odd, did you find them?" Jeremy asked. "Yep, but they said they'll take the bus back later" Odd grinned, his bag bulging slightly.

"Oh my head" Ulrich moaned, sitting up. "Oooh" Yumi replied, holding her head in both hands. "How late is it?" she asked. "Don't know" Ulrich said.
"Let's get dressed and go home before the others start to get worried"
Pulling the spare blanket around themselves the walked out from behind the bushes and got a big surprise. "Our clothes are gone!" Yumi cried out.
"The cellphones are still there though. Who could have done this?" Ulrich asked.
"ODD!"

Autumn Tale

Aelita was walking alone in the park, brown leaves flying and swirling around her.
School was finished for the day, but she had a lot on her mind and decided to go for a walk. Jeremy had wanted to accompany her of course, but she'd asked him to stay and wait for her.
She strolled down the path to the park lake's railing. Leaning on it she stared out over the water, the cold grey sky slightly reflected in it. The wind flowed over her, making her hair float around her face. Leaves flew past her, some landing on the water, others traveling further up into the sky. Wistfully she stared after them, her thoughts in turmoil.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear someone walking up to her until they were right behind her. "Excuse me" someone said, startling her.
She turned around and found herself looking at an old gentleman. He's hair was white, his beard still dark and he was wearing round glasses. Dressed in a tweed jacket, brown pants,shoes and small black hat, he seemed like a kindly grandfather. He smiled at her and said "Sorry to scare you, but you looked so sad all on your own."
Aelita smiled sadly and said "It's nothing, really. I'm just going thru somethings at the moment." "Maybe I can help" he said. Aelita looked up into his kindly face, mixed emotions racing thru her. She really wanted to talk to someone, but didn't know if the old man was trustworthy.
"Hey, maybe we can help each other out" he said "I know of a way to cheer you up, plus you can help me as well with my project." He turned around and pointed towards an easel and two stools behind them. "How would you like your picture painted?" he asked. Interested, Aelita walked with him to the stools. She sat down on the one while the old man put on a paint covered smock, and prepared his brushes and paints. "So" He said, looking at her from behind the canvas, "You must be new to Kadic, am I right?". Shyly she nodded. "I thought so. I've been painting in this park for 5 long years, and know most of the kids faces by now.
How do you like it here so far?"
"Everything is so new and strange" Aelita said, watching him mixed colors and dabbing them unto the canvas. "The sights, smells, tastes and sounds. It's all so different." "Not too much I hope?" he asked, his brush moving over left and right.
"No, I've got friends to help me." "Yes, it's always good to have friends. A life alone can sometimes be more difficult then one with someone to care for."
When he said "care" Aelita thought of Jeremy's affection and blushed.
"Ah, I take it by that blush that there's someone more then a friend in your life"

Aelita gave an embarrassed smile, blushing harder.

"Yes. He's kind and sweet and really cares about me."
"But?" the old man asked, looking around the painting. Aelita was silent for a few seconds. "But what if our love doesn't last?. What if he finds another girl soon, what if he forgets all about me?" she said softly. For a few moments silence reigned, with only the swish of the brush making any noise.
"Tell me something" The old man asked, still painting. "This young man, has he ever deserted you, hurt you? Has he ever shown you how much he's willing to sacrifice for you?" Aelita thought back to all the times Jeremy spent on dematerialisation for her, when he was stuck between worlds, all the hours he had spent, just for her.
"Yes, yes he has" she said, smiling. "Then there's your answer" He said.
"You know, you remind me a lot of my granddaughter. Well, actually I was her godfather, but she used to call me grandpa."

"Really?" Aelita asked.
"Yes. Unfortunately she died at a young age. Both her and her parents, gone in an accident."
He put down the brush and turned the painting around. Aelita gasped at the portrait.
It seemed almost lifelike. He had captured her sadness and happiness together as one, her hair caught in a breeze, floating around and over her face. Trees dotted the background while leaves from dark red to brown swirled behind her.
It's beautiful" she said. "It's yours" He said, "Think of it as a welcome gift. Just one more thing." he said, painting his name on the bottom. "Thank you" she said as he wrapped it up for her in brown paper. She took it under her arm and walked back to school, her heart a lot lighter. The old man watched her walk away.
"Good luck, Aelita" Franz Hopper said, a small tear flowing down his cheek.