Chapter 5

Ulrich's POV.

"For goodness sake Aelita. I am not a pap! I'm a perfectly normal 14 year old teenager that is crazy about your sister." I said in exasperation.

Aelita bit her lip and thought. "You really love Yumi?"

I blushed a little and said "Yes. I believe I really do love her."

"You hear that Yumi? He doesn't hate you, he isn't a pap, and he really loves you!" Aelita said to someone behind me. I turn round to see Yumi behind me, stunned and shocked, like someone electrocuted her.

Before anyone could say a thing, Jeremy started the countdown. It would be the New Year in five minutes. All the students cramped up at the front of the hall to see the countdown party in France even Aelita left us and joined the crowd in front. Everyone had party poppers in hand.

Yumi and I stood at the same place, she was frozen, the same expression as before. She took a timid step forward.

"One more minute to the new year!" the deejay shouted into the mike. The cheers from the students were deafening. It radiated through the granite floor.

"I… I…" I started off only to be cut off by the deejay announcing 45 seconds more. I wanted to kill him.

"I'm sorry…" I said quietly.

"30 seconds to go!" he announced.

"I didn't mean to…" I started.

She tipped her head a little. I was relieved that she had at least acknowledged my presence.

"20 seconds!"

"You heard that didn't you?" I was glad they had dimmed the lights. She couldn't see me blush this way.

"Yeah." She said. She sounded tired.

"10 seconds!" the countdown started. She stepped closer to me.

8, 7, 6…

"I like you too." She murmured.

3, 2, 1! The crowd screamed and started jumping around, giving each other New Year kisses. I pressed my lips against her, hugging her tight. She softened under my embrace, hugging me back.

I finally released her and shifted my hands to her shoulders. She smiled happily. "Happy New Year," she whispered and hugged me tightly.

"Happy New Year." I murmured into her hair. She smelled even better from here. I held her tight when we pulled back from our embrace.

"So… I'm guessing you guys are dating?" Aelita came by afterwards with Odd and Jeremy.

"I don't know… are we?" Yumi asked me.

"You reckon?" I ran my fingers through her hair.

"I honestly don't know." She said.

"They are dating because I can't be bothered to keep up with their denial!" Odd shouted.

I laughed. "Okay, okay Odd. We are dating."

Yumi stifled a yawn. "Let's call it a day."

"That is, the first day of the New Year." Jeremy noted. "Do remember lessons are at nine tomorrow. Er… today that is."

I groaned. "School is officially starting."

"Come on. Get back to our dorms." Aelita called.

"Not me. I need to make sure the cleaning crew clears the place." Odd groaned. We laughed.

"Okay then. We'll head back first. You can have the buggy." I threw the keys to my roommate who caught them quickly.

"Thanks," and he jogged away.

Theo came by, saying that he would need to follow Jeremy back. I hitched a ride from Jeremy while Aelita and Yumi left.

Yumi POV

I went back to the dormitory with Aelita constantly nagging by my ear. "He kissed you? Did he tongue you?" and all those kind of sick questions.

"Aelita would you stop asking me dumb questions?" I replied as I took my clothes to shower.

"Sure, we'll talk later." She said in a tone that I knew meant no good. I treasured the peace I had while I was showering. The sound of running water blocked out all noises. I finally came out and Aelita pounced on me immediately.

"Tell, tell!" she demanded.

"Aren't you gonna clean up?" I squinted at her appearance.

"Stop changing the subject." She complained. "So, did he kissed you?"

I sat down by the dressing mirror and towelled-dry my hair. Using the hairdryer would frizz it up and it is unhealthy because of all the heat wave and all.

"Yes he did kiss me. Twice." I said through gritted teeth, knowing the outcome of my statement.

"Oh my- when was the second time?" She screeched.

"Tone down Aelita," I whispered. "People are sleeping! And today was the second time actually. He kissed me yesterday. When he sent me to dance." I said casually.

"Did he tongue you?" she asked, all eager.

"He did." I said in the same cool voice.

"Wow." She muttered to herself. "Someone has broken the wall of the ice princess's heart. Amazing."

I picked my pillow and threw it at her. "I am not the ice princess. And you go shower now!"

"Wow, I still can't believe it…" She muttered to herself. Yeah, neither can I. She took her clothes in a daze.

I smoothen my nightgown even though I knew that there was no one to look at me. But it has become a habit because back home, there are always spy lenses outside the windows. I slept easily that night, tired by today's drama.

~~~~1st January, 7.30am~~~~

I woke up to the faint sounds of the world coming to live. I sat up slowly, taking the time to look at my surroundings. Aelita was dead in sleep, sprawled on her bed. I stood up, did my morning stretches and head for the bathroom.

I rinsed myself cleanly and brushed my teeth, focusing on each task at a time.

"Aelita. Wake up." I called. No response. "Hey woman! Stop sleeping and get ready for breakfast. I threw a pillow at her. She caught it in a flash. She's up.

I changed into long-sleeves and jeans. It was cold in the morning. I brought my coat out, leaving Aelita in the house. I reckon I could take a walk to the cafeteria and left the buggy for Aelita.

When I got to the caf, it had only a few students. The morning people. I got a glass of apple juice and some toast. The bacon looked delicious though but I can't eat it.

I took a seat at the same table by the window, greeting other students on my way. I nibbled my toast slowly, revelling in the peace and quiet of the morning.

"Morning." Ulrich and Odd came by. Odd left for the queue after he dropped his coat on the seat. Ulrich kissed me good morning before leaving.

Jeremy come the minute Odd and Ulrich were in their seats. "Hey Jeremy, did you see Aelita?" I asked quizzically. He shook his head, looking worried immediately.

"Probably sleeping. I'll call her." I dialled Aelita's number only to be met with a "Let me sleep…" then 'click'.

I called her again. "Aelita, you better come now. Jim, the inspector is doing his rounds. Jeremy saw him at the seniors dorms just now." I threatened.

"Aw crap. I hate that guy." She groaned. "I'll be there in five."

I ended the call sipping my drink delicately. Then I saw Odd's plate was stacked with sunny side-ups, bacon, ham, sausages and other greasy food. I felt nauseated.

"You all right?" Ulrich looked concern. "You look pale."

I nodded queasily. "Look at the amount of calories and fat intake you are eating, Odd. And the oil. The oil!"

Ulrich shrugged. "It seems fine to me."

I placed my head between my hands. "Eat like that and you will die early." I muttered.

"Eat like that and I'll die happy." Odd showed us a mouthful of half-chewed food.

"Close your mouth." Ulrich laughed then to me, "You look worse. Do you want to go back to rest?"

"I'm fine. Just let me sit for a while." I said weakly.

"Okay."

Aelita came in afterwards, joining the cafeteria queue which was already at its peak.

"Ulrich dear!" A sickeningly ear-piercing voice broke the sudden silence. We turned our heads to face a girl with long black hair with a hairband. She was wearing a red shirt and a yellow skirt.

"You know her?" I asked quietly.

"No." He replied.

"Ulrich dear, I've been looking everywhere for you!" The whiny girl shouted.

"Do I know you?" He asked quickly.

"Oh you're being so funny. Of course you know me, I'm Sissi Delmass." She laughed.

"Name doesn't ring a bell." He declared.

"Oh seriously Ulrich, we use to go to the same preschool." She laughed.

This time I laugh too. "What a terror your childhood must have been." I said lowly.

"Hey, you're the Dean's daughter!" Odd exclaimed.

"So I am." She said. "You know Ulrich, I could show you our preschool pictures. Do you want to see them?"

She persisted like this for another 15 minutes. I couldn't take her whining any longer.

"For fuck's sake, would you shut up Sissi?" I snapped from covering my ears for the whole time. Odd and Aelita looked glad. Jeremy was shocked. Sissi stopped half-sentence. Ulrich squeezed my hand.

"You're gonna get it from my daddy, Yumi Ishiyama!" She glared at me.

"Bite me." I mouthed.

She stalked away angrily.

"That was freaking awesome! That girl should have a tape over her mouth!" Odd shouted. Aelita and Jeremy turned back to their food.

"You most probably get detention for doing that, you know." Ulrich said.

"I'll be glad to have peace in the room then." I stick my tongue out playfully.

He smiled and kiss me.

"I wonder where the dumb girl went to." Aelita piped up.

"To complain to her daddy of course." I answered that before the others could raise their heads from their plate.

"Yumi, you aren't afraid of Sabrina anymore?" Aelita asked.

"No, after all I can support myself. Why should she control my life?" I said. She nodded slowly.

Breakfast ended quickly and I hurried for English.

The day passed slowly and uneventfully. Until lunch that is.

"Yumi Ishiyama?" Jim stopped me on my way to lunch.

"Yes?" I figured I probably got complained about.

"Go to the Dean's office now." Jim said harshly. "And on the double!"

Nevertheless, I strolled to the office. "You wanted to see me, Dean Delmass?"

"Yes, Ishiyama. I have heard that you used an inappropriate word against another student, Elizabeth Delmass."

"Yes, I did that." I said solemnly.

"And the reason for it is because?"

"She was annoying us and nobody at the table wanted her there. She was pestering Ulrich for fifteen minutes and I had it." I said in the same tone.

"I see. For verbally assaulting another student, three hours of detention. Stay back for library duty tonight! Now go out!" He said in a harsh tone.

"Sir?"

"What is it?" he snapped rudely.

"I hope you are not showing favouritism to certain people." I said sweetly.

"OUT!" he roared. I picked up my books and left the place. Despite the punishment, I didn't feel a bit sorry about it, at all.

"So, how much trouble did you get?" Aelita asked.

"Three hours of detention and library duty tonight." I took a bite of sandwich.

"Oh ouch. That sucks." Odd said.

"It's fine."

"I'm sorry." Ulrich looked apologetic.

"Hey I was the one who said the word. Why are you sorry for?" I asked.

"Because I have such a person like Sissi in my life." He groaned.

Everyone laughed.

Things went on like that for the next week. Everyone was happy, not about the homework though. It was cringe-worthy. Sissi still bother us a lot after I rebuking her the other time, it was… hateful.

All things were perfect until January 11. I clearly remembered the date. It was when Ulrich and I had a humongous fight. Nothing like the small arguments we have before but one that rocked my world.

Ulrich's POV.

January 11, 9.30 PM.

I was getting ready to climb into my comfortable bed and sleep before Odd starts snoring like a bear. He is in the shower at that time.

The doorbell rang. The doorbell that nearly cost Yumi her life. I answered it, thinking it was Jeremy or Theo who needed something like the other time they come for hair gel in the morning.

I open the door to find no one at the front porch. "Idiots." I muttered. My eyes strayed to the ground. There it was, an innocent folder lying in front of my feet. I picked it up casually. The cover read "Ulrich Stern. PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL." There wasn't any indication of the sender. I closed the door and walk into the dorm. Odd is still in the shower. I sat on my bed and opened the neatly sealed package.

There in my hands of pictures of William(the senior in swimming) and Yumi kissing passionately and them hugging tightly onto each other. Another was Yumi kissing him on the cheek. I stare at the photos. She betrayed you… she betrayed you. Your girlfriend betrayed you for another guy… what are you gonna do Ulrich? My conscience swirled around my head, making me a little giddy.

"I don't know. Perhaps this is a prank." I refused to believe that Yumi would do this to me.

I kept the pictures in my bedside drawers, willing myself to sleep, to stop thinking, to wish that this is a nightmare.