Secret Lover

Just Another Day

It was now two weeks later and a few things were clear as day. Ulrich was on three months in school suspension. Also he had to do work detention after school for a month under Jim. He had to attend anger management classes three times a week for a month. Do counselling two to four days a week through out the suspension and be checked upon again two weeks later. His parents had to do out of school counselling with and without Ulrich.

But the hardest one was that every Saturday afternoon for two hours, he had to go visit and sit with Herve for the next four months. It was all very severe but a lot had to be put forward so that Ulrich's expulsion would be reconsidered. Plus those who wanted to bring Ulrich up on charges in court had to be given a satisfactory alternative.

Also Aelita and Mr. Delmas had no contact so far. Aelita was avoiding him completely and after trying for three days to get her by phone, he did the same.

Yumi hardly had time with Ulrich, he wasn't even allowed to keep a cell phone on him. Ulrich also forgave Aelita and didn't blame her for his actions. He got along fine with Odd but wasn't talking to Jeremie because of what he had said to Odd. He also felt that Jeremie had put Yumi in a volatile position.

Now on with the story...

Odd, Ulrich and Emily sat together drinking smoothies in front of a food truck. Ulrich wasn't technically allowed to leave campus for leisure but Aelita had convinced Ms. Hertz to give him special permission because of a class project. Odd even kept a few notes in a folder just in case they bucked into a teacher. But really they were just walking around having fun.

"I can't believe Jeremie said girls just sucked Odd's face and...well you know," Emily spoke, "that's so mean, he shouldn't be mad at you because Aelita doesn't want him," she added.

"So that's the new rumour now?" Ulrich asked since no one revealed that Aelita had secretly confirmed she had cheated on Jeremie.

"Well Aelita says she didn't cheat," Emily said, "and face it, Jeremie's no Casanova."

"Just a jerk," Odd said softly no longer sipping his smoothie.

There was a deafening silence.

"It's ok Odd," Emily said, "we didn't get along at first but look at us now!"

Odd smiled faintly. It was obvious that Jeremie's words would take time to get over.

"I have to go see Herve now," Ulrich said, "good luck with everything," he said and left.

Ulrich was soon at the hospital. He walked with an escort and was soon in the same room as his victim.

"Ulrich," Herve said his voice was small, pained and scratchy.

"Yes it's me," Ulrich said looking Herve over, "oh I'm so sorry...!" he started shouting.

"No shouting," the escort hissed.

Herve moaned as his face started to spasm. Ulrich ran out and vomited into a waste basket.

"I'm sorry," Ulrich said when he finally returned, "how long will you be here?"

"You're not allowed to know," the escort said.

"Oh, what has been on your mind lately," Ulrich tried.

"They should've given you a list of questions," Herve mocked and Ulrich clenched his fists behind his back, "nut my thoughts, my thoughts, I saw Nicolas earlier and he cried beside me," he said, he wants to...you kno."

Ulrich did, Nicolas gave him death glares every time their eyes met.

"Yeah, I'd deserve it," Ulrich said, "has Sissi visited?"

"She came by," Herve said.

"She spoke to me yesterday saying you were getting better quickly," Ulrich said, "I can't imagine slow."

Herve bristled. He knew Sissi lied only to reassure Ulrich. The gut nearly killed him.

But why would that slut care? Herve seethed, she just ants Ulrich to be with her all the time.

"My counsellor wants me to accept my crimes and help you recover," Ulrich said, "I'm sorry for hurting you," he apologized, "is there anything I can do to...help you?"

Herve considered Ulrich's statement. Then he had an idea.

"Could you massage my feet?" Herve asked, "lying still causes them to cramp."

Ulrich looked at the escort in shock. "You decide," the escort shrugged.

Ulrich sighed. He knew he couldn't refuse Herve's request. Soon he was rubbing the first foot for nearly half hour when Herve finally requested he do the next. Ulrich never complained but he didn't trust Herve either.

"So how's Jeremie?" Herve asked.

"Fine," Ulrich said coldly.

"You sound a little...impersonal," Herve noted.

"Can we talk about something else?"

"Sure," Herve said, "did you have fun today?"

"Uh, no, too much work," Ulrich lied.

"Really?" Herve asked, "I wish I had too much work to do, lying here all the time is torture."

Ulrich gulped. He didn't like where this was going. "Do you watch television?"

"Not in the day time, too much noise around," Herve said.

Ulrich sat quietly with Herve until time was up. Sometimes he even conducted small chores for him. Ulrich didn't like Herve but he knew he had to suck it up and take it.

Aelita walked into the business building and headed to the room where her interview would be. She was surprised that she'd get a call from The French Invention Magazine to be interviewed as the youth inventor of the future since her father was Mr. Hopper.

"This is so exciting," Aelita gushed, "even my father was surprised, you usually need recommendations from those outside the scientific community to be considered unless you already started inventing."

Aelita knocked and waited. The door opened and Aelita's face fell.

"Is there a problem?" a man standing to the side asked, "I'm the reporter who'll be interviewing you."

"No, no, there's no problem," Aelita said and stepped inside, "I was just surprised at who opened the door," she said, "very surprised."

"Well The French Invention Magazine thought my recommendation had merit," Mr. Delmas said closing the door, "you don't work as long as I have and not gain some influence," he said with a laugh, "and the magazine had a few pages they initially planned to cut out but now that they have an interview with you Aelita Hopper, I'm certain they might go over the amount."

"My, my, you are proud of your student," the interviewer said smiling.

"You have no idea," Mr. Delmas said.

Aelita just smiled but inside she was in a panic. Nicolas's words running a gamut inside her head.

Chapter Completed

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