A Desperate Life
Disclaimer: I don't own Code Lyoko.
Chapter 8: Dating and Relating
It was 4pm at the Hopper's residence and everything was prepared for Odd and Jeremie's date. Jeremie even had the entire floor covered with dark purple rugs that your feet sank nearly an inch in and made no sound when you stepped on it. It was a semi-formal date. Both teens agreed to wear buttoned shirts and starched pants. But it was also supposed to be a worn after the party. Ulrich was supposed to be there 'til 7 and even his parents and Mr. Douglas were invited. At 7:30 pm all those invited except Odd (and the Hopper's) had to leave. Then everything would be prepared for Odd and Jeremie's date at 8 pm. The date was allowed to go on until 11 pm and Mr. Douglas would be there to pick Odd up at around 11:15 pm. All other dates would end earlier seeing that they were teenagers. But both guardians decided to give the two boys leeway tonight. And everyone was the merrier for it.
"Come in," Aelita said happily letting in Ulrich and his parents who were the last to arrive.
"I know we should've reached by 3:45," Mrs. Ophelia Stern apologized, "but when I heard it was a party, I wasn't sure of what to wear," she told Aelita.
"It's a little get together," Aelita said with a laugh as she took the Stern's coats and jackets, "no need to dress up," she added smiling.
"Well I guess we over dressed then," Mr. Stern said to which both he and his wife laughed, "better to over do than under do it I always say."
"Here, here," Mrs. Ophelia Stern declared, "now where are the other boys?" she asked.
"Oh they're in there," Aelita told them and pointed out the direction.
"Well let's welcome those boys home properly," Mrs. Ophelia Stern said happily.
"I'll just stay with Aelita for a while," Ulrich said carefully.
"You don't want to see your friends?" Mr. Stern asked concerned.
"Aelita's my friend too," Ulrich pointed out, "I just want to talk to her," he explained.
"That's okay, I guess," Mrs. Ophelia Stern said, "let's go darling," she said to her husband who happily followed.
Aelita stifled giggles after they were out of sight.
"Yeah I know," Ulrich said resentfully, "they've been behaving overly rich, it's embarrassing," he said.
"He's not," Ulrich told her knowing his father as frank and reserved not open and flamboyant, "Ophelia convinced him that the party was going to be formal."
"But the message said…" Aelita started.
"That Jeremie's and Odd's date was semi-formal but the party was pretty casual," Ulrich interrupted, "my dad was ready to wear a Hawaiian shirt and white pants," he said, "instead Ophelia has him brainwashed into wearing a tux, she's wearing a diamond studded dress, and pearls around her neck and I'm dressed like I'm going to speak at congress," he said bitterly, "Odd and Jeremie are going to laugh their heads off when they see me," he said dismally.
"I think you look dashing," Aelita commented.
"Would you go upstairs and change into your most expensive dress?" Ulrich challenged knowing her spaghetti strapped multi-coloured party dress wasn't it.
Aelita's cheeks suddenly went red.
"Dashing am I?" Ulrich asked sarcastically and snorted.
"I still think you look really nice," Aelita said humbly.
"Yeah," Ulrich said softly, "I just wished it matched the occasion?"
"Can you help me with these things?" Aelita asked in reference to the jackets and coats.
Ulrich took his parent's coats.
He immediately understood why Aelita was buckling under the weight. These coats weren't exactly light.
"Well these jackets are certainly not doing damage to my knees," Aelita said relieved to have the weight lifted off her.
Good for you, Ulrich thought.
"Follow me to the closet," Aelita instructed.
Ulrich did just that.
Afterwards Ulrich walked over to Odd and Jeremie.
Oh God, they're dressed way less formal than me, Ulrich thought.
Odd was wearing a black jacket over a pink shirt with the British band 'The Feeling' on the front, black pants, and white sneakers with purple laces. He also had a black choker around his neck to hide his scars.
Jeremie wore purple tinted sunglasses, a black T-shirt, blue jeans, and white socks with black shoes.
Ulrich guessed that they'd carried their semi-formal clothes but decided to wear them later on their date.
"Hey guys," Ulrich said nervously when he reached in front of them.
Odd who was drinking punch spat it back into his cup upon seeing Ulrich.
Jeremie's eyes widened. Then his face became filled with amusement.
"You could've told us if you were coming to our humble celebration straight from the President's Gala," Jeremie teased.
Odd dropped his punch as he burst out laughing.
Unnoticed to the three boys were Mr. Hopper, Mr. Stern, and Mrs. Ophelia Stern who were witnessing what was happening. Mrs. Ophelia Stern especially looked on disapprovingly.
"Har, har," Ulrich responded, "so how's the lovely couple?" he asked.
"Well I guess we're merry," Jeremie said and placed an arm around Odd, "how are you and your suit doing?" he asked and Odd was barely able to stifle his laughter.
Ulrich glared. He knew they weren't going to let him off the hook easily.
"Hi," Mrs. Ophelia Stern said brightly as she walked up, "so how's everything?" she asked brightly.
The three teenage boys just stared at her.
"It's fine," Jeremie said slowly.
"Really?" Mrs. Ophelia Stern asked, "you seemed to be making fun of Ulrich's clothes," she said to them.
"You were listening in on us?" Odd asked surprised.
Jeremie's face stayed formal. Ulrich quickly realized that he had already figured it out.
Ulrich glared at Mrs. Ophelia Stern.
"Ophelia," Ulrich said coldly, "please go back to my dad," he told her.
"I never saw a not invited sign hanging over my head," Mrs. Ophelia Stern said.
"Can we talk alone?" Jeremie asked her, "I understand your protectiveness of Ulrich," he told her, "he's new to you, new parents always worry plenty."
Ulrich looked at Jeremie in surprise.
Odd meanwhile realized that he had dirtied the rug.
"Will the bill for this be huge?" Odd asked.
Jeremie looked at the stain.
"Don't know," Jeremie said honestly, "let's clean off our shoes," he said and Odd nodded.
"We'll be right back Ulrich," Odd told him since Ulrich was the only one who moved out of the way in time when Odd dropped the punch.
"I'll be ready to leave you three alone when you return," Mrs. Ophelia Stern told them.
"Um, thanks," Jeremie said and both he and Odd walked away.
"I'm really embarrassing, huh?" Mrs. Ophelia Stern asked Ulrich after his friends were gone, "making you dress formal for something more casual," she said, "I saw them making fun of you," she said to him, "I just… I just wanted you to look real nice when you saw your friends again," she said in a cracked voice, "for us all to look great."
Ulrich looked at Mrs. Ophelia Stern who seemed to be on the verge of crying.
"I'm sorry," Ulrich said.
"Don't be," Mrs. Ophelia Stern said her eyes filled with tears.
"I'm sorry that you feel the need to try so hard," Ulrich said surprising Mrs. Ophelia Stern, "I love you," he told her, "you're not my biological mother, but I still care about you," he told her, "you're family."
Mrs. Ophelia Stern suddenly started crying.
Mr. Hopper and Mr. Stern hurried over.
"I thought you hated me," Mrs. Ophelia Stern said through tears, "there were times I could tell you liked me a little bit," she admitted, "but I thought you mostly didn't want me around," she said emotionally.
Mr. Stern hugged his wife who hugged him back.
Mr. Hopper silently stood aside.
Ulrich noticed and walked up to him.
"Mr. Hopper?" Ulrich asked.
Mr. Hopper looked at Ulrich.
"Yes Ulrich?" Mr. Hopper asked.
"How has Jeremie been?" Ulrich asked, "has he been adjusting okay?"
"Yes I think so," Mr. Hopper said slowly, "he's quiet…most of the time, keeps himself busy," he listed, "but he talks to us and is very kind and respectful."
"He's keeping a wall up," Ulrich said translating everything Mr. Hopper said into one sentence.
"Yes," Mr. Hopper confessed, "it's sad but…."
"Expected," Ulrich added where Mr. Hopper left off.
"Yes it is," Mr. Hopper agreed, "um, why don't you go back to your parents," he suggested suddenly.
Ulrich raised an eyebrow.
Why is he bringing in my parent's out of the blue? Ulrich wondered.
"Ahem," Mr. Stern said suddenly.
Ulrich turned around to see his father who was standing beside a dry but puffy eyed Mrs. Ophelia Stern. Then he noticed that his father's face had a very unhappy expression.
"Um," Ulrich said.
"Come here Ulrich," Mr. Stern instructed sternly.
Ulrich looked at Mr. Hopper.
Mr. Hopper nodded.
Ulrich walked over to Mr. Hopper.
Mr. Hopper nodded.
Ulrich walked over to Mr. Hopper.
How come he trusts you so much?" Mr. Stern asked suddenly.
Mr. Hopper looked uncomfortable.
"Mr. Stern, your son trust me because he chooses to," Mr. Hopper said carefully.
"No, there's more there," Mr. Stern threw Mr. Hopper's theory out the window," what is it?" he asked suspiciously.
"Mr. Stern your son loves you," Mr. Hopper said kindly, "stop worrying, I'll never take your place," he told Ulrich's father.
Ulrich looked at his father incredulously.
So did Ophelia.
"David," Mrs. Ophelia Stern said, "you're scared?" she asked, "of Mr. Hopper?"
Aelita who had come in happily stopped. She could feel the tension in the air.
"Forget it," Mr. Stern said and went to drink some punch.
"Dad," Ulrich said.
"Forget it Ulrich," Mr. Stern told him.
"No," Ulrich refused.
Mr. Stern put his punch down.
Are you always going to defy me?" Mr. Stern asked him.
"I want to know what's troubling you," Ulrich said instead of answering.
"I…don't feel like talking," Mr. Stern said and walked out.
"Dad!" Ulrich shouted.
"I'll talk to him Ulrich, you stay here" Mrs. Ophelia Stern told him and hurried off.
Jeremie and Odd who had returned in the middle of the commotion, both looked concerned. And Odd a bit confused.
"Is your Dad jealous of Mr. Hopper?" Odd asked still confused over what just happened.
"Oh shut it Odd," Ulrich snapped angrily.
Odd looked hurt.
"He's just worried about you," Jeremie stated, "no need to attack him," he said darkly.
"I'm not in the mood for conversation," Ulrich said sharply.
"Obviously," Jeremie muttered, "ass whole," he added and stormed off.
"Hey!" Ulrich shouted angrily.
"Enough," Mr. Hopper ordered, "I will not have such behaviour carry on in my house," he said loudly.
"Doesn't matter I'm leaving," Ulrich said and walked out, "bye Mr. Hopper, Aelita, Odd, and Jeremie the pissant," he said as he left.
Aelita gasped at Ulrich's name calling.
Odd sadly looked in the directions that both his friends had gone. Unable to choose one.
"I'll go after Ulrich," Aelita said and turned to leave.
"No," Odd said suddenly, "I'll go after Ulrich," he told Aelita.
"What?" Aelita asked surprised, "but I thought…" she started to say.
"Ulrich has been away from us for days," Odd revealed to Aelita, "with not so much as a phone call from either me or Jeremie," he told Aelita, "obviously something's happened while we were apart," he said, "I need to find out what," he said honestly.
Aelita looked at Odd worriedly. She rarely talked to Jeremie. Besides usual pleasantries, both usually went about their separate ways. Also Aelita could sense that Jeremie didn't fully trust them. Not enough to open himself up to her like Ulrich had already done.
"He's your stepbrother," Odd said, "talk to him."
Aelita sighed. She knew Odd was right.
"Thank you," Odd said and went after Ulrich.
Odd found Ulrich a few minutes later in a storage room. He was crying.
"Ulrich," Odd said carefully as he ventured inside, "are you okay?" he asked as he closed the door behind him.
Ulrich kept crying.
Odd walked up and kneeled beside him.
"Ulrich," Odd said softly and touched his shoulder, "what's wrong?" he asked.
"I wa…I want thing…I want things to be…I wa…," Ulrich stuttered, "I want things to go back the way they were," he blurted out and started sobbing.
Odd was taken a back.
"Back the way they were?" Odd asked, "but we were running, fearing for our lives," he reminded Ulrich.
"You don't still fear for your life?" Ulrich asked him frankly.
Odd looked away.
"Nothing's changed," Ulrich said, "we exchanged one prison for another."
"I'm grateful to be back with family," Odd declared.
"Are you happy?" Ulrich countered, "truly happy?" he continued, "do you feel content, powerful and safe?" he asked Odd.
"No," Odd admitted in a shaky voice, "I'm scared all the time," he revealed, "I wish this whole kidnapping and being forced into being prostitutes didn't happen," he said, "I wish I could've met you all under different circumstances."
Ulrich remained quiet. Taking it all in.
"But that's not Frederick's fault," Odd spoke, "not your family's, not Jeremie's," he said, "no one is at fault here but those who caused this."
"So you believe everything will be perfect," Ulrich asked him.
"No," Odd responded, "but I couldn't abandon my cousin and run away," he said, "not because he's not perfect," he added.
"No," Odd admitted, "Frederick and I argue everyday."
"Then why?" Ulrich asked.
"I want my family back," Odd said tearfully, "I want my old life back so bad," he said as tears started to flow down his cheeks, "I want to be strong too," he added.
Ulrich looked at Odd in surprise. Despite Odd's dependency and tendency to be delicate, Ulrich thought he was one of the strongest persons he ever knew.
"You have burns and scars over most of your body," Ulrich started, "you were raped and made to perform sexual acts on and with mainly sadists and masochists," he listed, "you even for a while forget your name and had to live with people calling you Dog," he continued, "Odd, you're the strongest kid I've even met," he told Odd.
Odd wiped away his tears and looked at Ulrich.
"You really think so?" Odd asked.
"Yeah," Ulrich responded, "you've lived through things that have given me nightmares at the very thought of having to go through it," he said.
"But I survived like you did," Odd pointed out, "what's so different with me?" he asked.
"You were sentenced to the basement," Ulrich said, "Jeremie and I had freedom to move around," he said, "but you were forced to make a particular space your residence."
"I just survived like everyone else," Odd said humbly, "I don't see my life as worse than the others," he said in reference to the other young people being forced to be prostitutes, "in fact it's better," he said, "I got out, we all got out."
"True," Ulrich agreed, "Odd," he said, "can I um, can I do something?" he asked.
Odd blinked confused.
What does he want? Odd wondered, and why is he asking me permission?
Ulrich suddenly kissed Odd on the lips.
Odd's eyes were now the size of saucers.
"Ulrich," Odd said in a scared voice.
Ulrich blushed heavily.
"Um," Odd said, "you want to do it?" he asked suddenly.
"Jeremie and I date tonight," Odd reminded him, "he won't mind."
"I don't want us to have sex," Ulrich said surprising Odd, "I just want us to…cuddle," he finally admitted completely embarrassed, "I just feel a little…lonely."
This completely blindsided Odd.
"Okay," Odd said and wrapped an arm around Ulrich's waist as he moved his teen friend closer.
Soon however both were kissing each other passionately.
Then clothes started coming off.
----
Aelita meanwhile found Jeremie lying on his head.
"Um," Aelita said in a small voice.
"I'm fine," Jeremie told her, "you can go," he said with a flash of the hand.
Aelita was offended.
Does he think he can just brush me off? Aelita thought angrily.
"Do you realize that you live with me and my father now?" Aelita asked, "that we live as a family?" she demanded.
Jeremie sat up and looked at her.
"The last time I opened up myself to family I was betrayed." Jeremie told her, "they betrayed my ass, they betrayed my body, they betrayed my mind, they betrayed my trust, they betrayed…they betrayed me okay," he said, "so I don't trust family, not anymore," he concluded.
"But you live with us," Aelita insisted.
"I trust you individually," Jeremie explained.
"So as a family you have no trust in us?" Aelita asked him.
"No," Jeremie said frankly.
"I don't believe this," Aelita said incredulously, "we gave you a home, welcomed you into our family," she said, "for Christ's sake you have the Hopper name."
"I'm not a Hopper," Jeremie said darkly, "I thank you, both of you, for taking me in," he told her, "but I'm more the name I had before I found out my real name was Jeremie and of course when I found out the place I had called home for years, the people who I had called family for years, the people I had trusted for years, had betrayed me."
"So you became Jeremie after discovering the betrayal?" Aelita asked.
"I'll admit it went full circle," Jeremie responded.
"I pity what it's changed you into," Aelita told him.
"How can you pity how I've changed when you never saw who I was?" Jeremie asked her.
"Because I can't imagine you any worse," Aelita countered.
"So it's better to be happy and naïve?" Jeremie asked angry at Aelita's comment about him being better before he found out the truth.
"It's better to be happy," Aelita told him.
"Fuck you," Jeremie said suddenly startling Aelita, "what do you know?" he demanded scornfully, "what do you know about being made to submit to child rape?"
"Rape is forced," Aelita said automatically.
Then she covered her mouth in horror.
Oh God, Aelita thought.
Jeremie's face immediately contorted.
"Are you saying?" Jeremie demanded at the top of his voice, "that I was willing despite being tricked!" he shouted.
"No," Aelita said immediately her eyes filling with tears, "I didn't mean…" she started to say.
"Get out!" Jeremie shouted, "get out before I get out of this bed and kill you!"
Aelita gasped and ran out.
An enraged Jeremie breathed hard and glared hatefully in the direction Aelita had gone.
----
Odd and Ulrich continued to kiss each other passionately. They had made love to each other more than three times. Both were still very much in the mood for sex and passion.
"Ahem," a voice said suddenly.
Both looked up to see Jeremie.
"Do you know what time it is?" Jeremie demanded his eyes slits, "your parents think you've run away," he said looking at Ulrich, "and you," he said angrily turning to Odd, "what the hell?" he demanded.
Odd looked away.
"Don't blame him," Ulrich spoke up, "I kissed him, he was hesitant but I made him reciprocate," he told Jeremie.
"Hesitant," Jeremie said running the word over his tongue, "not refusing, hesitant," he said.
"Jeremie," Odd said sounding very upset.
"I'm not mad at you Odd," Jeremie said, "I was thinking about something a certain bitch said."
Bitch? Ulrich wondered.
Oh no, Aelita, Odd realized.
"How are we going to get out of here?" Ulrich asked suddenly, "we're not exactly…"
"Yeah I can smell it," Jeremie interrupted, "borrow Odd's pants and shirt and follow me," he ordered.
"Bu…" Odd started.
"I need to get Ulrich's clothes washed, get him bathed and his clothes ironed to perfection without his parents noticing," Jeremie said obviously trying to keep calm, "I need to deal with him first," he said firmly.
Ulrich and Odd conceded. After all, Jeremie was the strategy expert.
Ulrich dressed and followed Jeremie out the door.
After what seemed like an eternity Jeremie came back.
But his face looked panicked.
"Your cousin is frantic," Jeremie said, "we have to get you bathed and dressed NOW."
Jeremie flung Odd a bunch of perfumed wipes.
Odd looked at Jeremie incredulously.
"You're not serious?" Odd asked incredulously.
"I can't sneak you out to shower," Jeremie snapped, "someone would see you," he told Odd, "and if anyone smells you…"
"Yeah, yeah," Odd said angrily and grabbed the wipes.
"Um, and I brought your suit," Jeremie added and held up Odd's suit.
"That's for our date," Odd protested.
"Put it on," Jeremie ordered in a snarl.
Odd carefully took the suit.
Jeremie waited until Odd was finished. Then he took the dirty clothes and wipes and slipped out.
Minutes later he came back and let Odd out.
"Just go by the punch bowl," Jeremie instructed, "I'll wash and dry your clothes."
Odd nodded and headed to the punch bowl.
Standing near it was Mr. Douglas.
Odd gulped.
"Fred," Odd said in a small voice.
Mr. Douglas turned around with a surprised look on his face. This look quickly turned to anger.
"Where were you?" Mr. Douglas demanded.
"Um…I," Odd stammered.
"Ulrich already told you," Jeremie said suddenly stepping in, "Odd went after him when he ran off."
Odd was looking at Jeremie in surprise.
"I heard Ulrich's story," Mr. Douglas responded, "now I want to hear his," he said glaring angrily at Odd.
"Okay but I'm washing his clothes in the machine," Jeremie told Mr. Douglas, "see, Odd fell in something outside and it stunk," he started to explain, "so I allowed him to clean off and change before he spoke to you," he concluded.
"Something stunk eh?" Mr. Douglas asked.
"Like you wouldn't believe," Jeremie responded, "might even leave a stain," he added.
Odd's mouth was wide open when Jeremie finally turned to walked away.
"You and he and sex didn't you?" Mr. Douglas demanded.
Jeremie shook his head.
"Liar," Mr. Douglas snapped.
Jeremie shook his head again.
Mr. Douglas was getting very suspicious.
Why is this kid so quiet? Mr. Douglas wondered, usually he won't shut up.
"What happened?" Mr. Douglas asked.
Jeremie turned to leave.
"I'm asking you," Mr. Douglas revealed.
Jeremie turned around.
"I saw Ulrich kiss him," Jeremie revealed, "happy?" he asked.
"What?" Mr. Douglas demanded incredulously.
"What are you doing?" Odd asked in disbelief.
"Just don't tell his parents, okay?" Jeremie requested.
There's something more here, Mr. Douglas thought, I just know it.
"Okay," Mr. Douglas agreed, "I won't tell," he said.
Odd sighed in relief.
Jeremie didn't respond.
"Um, Fred…" Odd started.
"It's Mr. Douglas," Mr. Douglas told him, "I have a good mind to not let you have this date," he said angrily.
"He can still have the date?" Jeremie asked surprised.
"I can date," Odd said shocked.
Mr. Douglas looked angrily at the two.
"I could just lose heart you know," Mr. Douglas threatened.
"Oh, um, thank you," Odd said energetically.
"Thanks," Jeremie said blandly.
Odd glared.
He's just being ass, Odd thought angrily, Ulrich's right about him being a pissant.
"So what time's the date over?" Odd asked.
Both Jeremie and Mr. Douglas were surprised by this question.
"Well," Mr. Douglas said, "seeing as you left and made everyone panic," he said as he thought, "10pm will be the end of your date," he decided.
"But that's an hour early," Jeremie protested.
Odd was silent.
"Either that, or no date," Mr. Douglas stood firm.
"Okay," Odd agreed, "our date ends at 10," he said with a nod.
"Good," Mr. Douglas said, "Ulrich's left with his family already so it's just you, me, and the residents of this house, Odd," he said, "now I want you on your best behaviour, both of you."
"Yes," Odd responded.
Jeremie nodded.
"Good," Mr. Douglas said satisfied, "I'm glad you see it my way."
Let's just hope it actually goes my way, Mr. Douglas thought.
----
It was 8:15pm when Odd and Jeremie's date started. A storage room had been transformed into a romantic eating area. The two of them sat at a roundtable and to the side a rectangular table was covered with different eateries. Both had been tense with each other since Odd and Ulrich got caught by Jeremie. But now a coldness permeated the supposed romantic dinner. And that coldness came from Odd.
Jeremie was angry. He had ensured this dinner had various aphrodisiac foods including asparagus, chilli, chocolate, oysters, and bananas. But now it didn't seem to matter. A nympho couldn't achieve a sexual urge in this room.
Jeremie cut his chicken carefully and ate it. Odd with the same meal just ate broiled chicken, asparagus, and all without a care for formal flare or manners.
Odd's clattering of cutlery was gnawing at Jeremie.
Odd then gently wiped his lips with a napkin.
Just then Jeremie released a small burp.
"Sorry," Jeremie apologized and continued eating.
When Jeremie was finished eating he ended up throwing away nearly half his meal.
Odd noticed.
"Um," Odd said.
"I'm just not hungry okay," Jeremie told him.
Odd immediately let it drop.
"I feel like eating dessert," Jeremie said and opened the cooler.
"But we said…" Odd started.
"That was earlier today and frankly I don't care," Jeremie told him and took out his banana split, "if I want to eat dessert earlier than last, it's my business."
"I'll just have water," Odd said stoically.
"Here," Jeremie said after pouring a glass.
Odd took it thanking him.
"Our date's ruined isn't it?" Jeremie asked not sitting down to eat his banana split.
Odd looked at him with a forlorn but agreeable look.
"Let's just call it a night," Jeremie decided.
"No," Odd refused.
Jeremie was surprised. He thought Odd hated him.
"Let me feed you some chocolate," Odd suggested.
Jeremie wasn't too sure about the idea.
"You brought it because it was an aphrodisiac right?" Odd asked, "I noticed the oysters," he said simply.
Jeremie blushed profusely. Was he that obvious?
"We haven't eaten the oysters yet," Odd said flirtatiously, "I heard…," he said then whispered something to Jeremie who had come closer.
At the end Jeremie's face was burning.
"You can always sit with your banana split if you want," Odd suggested.
"My split isn't a living person," Jeremie responded simply, "I want flesh and blood beside me," he said huskily.
"Then get the chocolates and sit in my lap," Odd said.
Jeremie's face immediately froze.
"Sit in your lap?" Jeremie asked.
A flashback of Ulrich and Odd together flashed in his mind.
"Um, I don't…no," Jeremie refused.
Odd was confused. Why was Jeremie being so distant?
"Well um, we could sit on the floor," Odd suggested as an alternative, "since it's covered by the rug…"
"Um wait," Jeremie interrupted and got the chocolates.
After Jeremie got them he sat beside Odd. Then he proceeded to rest the bowl of chocolates in his lap.
Odd frowned.
"Um," Jeremie said.
"Just come out with it," Odd snapped.
Jeremie's face darkened.
"Come out with it?" Jeremie asked, "come out with it?" he demanded his voice getting louder.
"Here it comes," Odd declared, "what you've wanted to do from the start of our date tonight," he said.
Jeremie got to his feet shaking in fury.
"You," Jeremie snarled, "you fuck Ulrich," he said, "then you treat me like I'm guilty of something," he said his voice upset and shaking.
"You remember why Ulrich stormed off in the first place?" Odd countered.
"I was defending you!" Jeremie shouted.
Odd sighed.
"Maybe we should…" Odd started.
"Let's just eat and go," Jeremie said and turned to walk away.
But Odd grabbed his ankle.
Jeremie looked back.
"I love you," Odd said then let go.
Jeremie was taken a back.
"I lo…" Jeremie started.
But a flashback off Odd and Ulrich all over each other caused him to shudder instead of finish.
When he opened his eyes Odd's own were filled with tears.
"Are you repulsed by me?" Odd asked honestly.
Jeremie gulped unable to say anything.
"I'm sorry about having sex with Ulrich on the same day as our…" Odd started to apologize.
"It wasn't the day," Jeremie interrupted, "it was the fact that you did it, the both of you," he added.
"But we…" Odd started.
"It's not the same thing," Jeremie said, "you two," he said in a shaky voice, "you two were totally and completely into each other," he revealed horrifying Odd, "ready and satisfying each sexual and emotional desires."
"But…" Odd started.
"I walked in earlier," Jeremie revealed.
Odd was horrified.
"When I first saw you two Ulrich was riding his dick in your ass," Jeremie said tearfully, "I…I…I…," he stuttered, "I just couldn't believe it," he said incredulously, "but the more times I came in," he continued, "the more intimate you two seemed to get," he said, "I made excuses, ensured no one else checked where you two really were," he told Odd, "I just…I just couldn't believe you two would…" he said, "is Ulrich a better lover than me?" he asked suddenly.
Odd gawked at the question.
"I understand if he is," Jeremie said as he started to cry, "I'm not as strong, I talk too much, I…"
"Shut up," Odd stopped him, "just listen to me and shut up," he said darkly.
After Jeremie went silent, Odd continued.
"I fucked Ulrich, Ulrich fucked me," Odd said frankly, "it happened and I enjoyed every minute of it while it happened," he admitted, "but I regret the trouble it's caused with Ulrich's parents, my cousin Fred Douglas, and most of all you," he concluded.
Do you love me?" Jeremie asked in a cracked voice.
"Yes," Odd responded, "I love you Jeremie Hopper," he expanded.
Jeremie lounged Odd and hugged him.
"I thought…"Jeremie started then completely broke down.
"Shhh, I'm right here," Odd comforted the sobbing Jeremie by hugging him and stroking his hair, "I'm right here, Jeremie," he said, "I'm right here," he repeated and started to rock the sobbing blonde.
"Never leave me," Jeremie said tearfully and hugged Odd tightly, "promise me you'll stay," he begged.
"Long as you want me I'm here," Odd responded.
Jeremie hugged him and sobbed even louder.
----
When Odd went out to meet Mr. Douglas, his guardian was shocked to see his ward's eyes blood red.
"Jeremie and I just had a good cry, okay?" Odd responded and got in the car, "nothing had happened that wasn't worked out," he said in a cracked voice.
Mr. Douglas got in and started the car.
"Did he dump you?" Mr. Douglas asked.
Odd shook his head.
Mr. Douglas turned the engine off.
"What happened?" Mr. Douglas asked him.
Odd remained silent.
Mr. Douglas laid his hand on Odd's shoulder for support.
"Have you ever been in love?" Odd asked suddenly.
Mr. Douglas froze.
"Have you ever…?" Odd started to ask, "have you ever regretted it?" he questioned.
"What?" Mr. Douglas asked surprised.
"It's just…" Odd started, "when I uh…kissed Ulrich today I…" he said, "I realized my world's now full options," he revealed, "not closed like when I was trapped in that whorehouse, or limited when we were on the run," he continued, "my life's full of choices, people, everything," he said.
Mr. Douglas watched Odd as he quietly listened.
"When I was in the whorehouse," Odd said in a quaky voice, "I thought my life wouldn't go beyond that house," he said tearfully, "it barely went beyond that basement," he continued, "when I got out, it was like, as I got used to it was like, I was like Alice in Wonderland," he said in an awed voice, "Jeremie became my lover, I loved him," he said happily, "we're always together, almost always together," he said, "do you know that I've had only one thing with someone other than Jeremie or Ulrich?" he asked, "just one thing," he said softly then stopped.
This was a lot for Mr. Douglas to absorb.
"Um, so…you want more options," Mr. Douglass deduced.
"Do9 you think that's bad?" Odd asked, "me wanting more than just Jeremie?"
Mr. Douglas shook his head.
"No," Mr. Douglas told him.
"Do you mind if I try to date girls?" Odd asked suddenly.
Mr. Douglas's eyes widened.
"Didn't think I was bi-sexual did you?" Odd teased and nudged him.
Mr. Douglas paused then chuckled.
"Odd, I think you're schizophrenic," Mr. Douglas told him suddenly.
"What?" Odd asked hurt.
"Your mind shifts crazily," Mr. Douglas confessed, "you were just crying, now you're ecstatic about dating girls," he said, "I don't know," he admitted, "but maybe you should see a doctor for a psyche exam."
"You think I'm crazy?" Odd asked his voice revealing that he was getting upset.
"No, no," Mr. Douglas said quickly, "I don't think you're insane," he said, "and I'm glad you're interested in girls," he confessed, "but I think you have dangerous mood swings," he told Odd.
"Dangerous!" Odd shouted, "all of a sudden I'm dangerous!" he exploded his face contorted in anger.
Mr. Douglas felt afraid.
"Um, I'm sorry," Mr. Douglas said and started the car.
The hand that turned the ignition shook violently.
----
11:30pm at the Ishiyama residence wasn't sweet for anyone. For the fourth time for the night Hiroki woke up screaming from nightmares. All his parents knew was that a man kept coming for him. What he came for Hiroki refused to reveal.
Yumi who stood by the door as her parents comforted Hiroki had a guilty feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Should I tell them? Yumi wondered, I don't want to endanger Jeremie, Odd, or Ulrich but my brother's nightmares are only getting worse, she thought, I have to tell them, there's nothing else to do.
----
I have finished typing. I wrote this earlier but typing it was a bit agonizing. Plus I had so much problems with chapter that I had to make it just right before typing it. It's been two months and two days since I last updated (today's April 25). I apologize for the delay. I plan to start writing the next chapter today and hope to update in May. Just to let you know that they're two forum's for this story. 'M rated Code Lyoko fics' is where you can check out my comments to reviews and things about this story. You can chat there too. The other forum 'Made Halie fics' has a section called 'A Desperate Life'. Here you can discuss anything to do with this story. You can submit theories, give opinions, even ask me questions. You can also discuss other stories written by me at this forum. I thank everyone who has reviewed so far and hope those who read this now will also review.