A concerned friend
"Okay then who's better? 3 Days Grace? Or Daft Punk?" Odd asked as Yumi, Ulrich and Jeremy stood by the vending machines waiting for Aelita to finally show up. Odd was performing another one of his usual question sessions. Recently the school got their hands on a few CD's from America. Their was classic rock, Jazz, and Current Rock. Some of the artist's C.D's the students actually liked. Others where a tad bit dry. Odd was testing what he called the musical duo, Meaning Yumi and Ulrich.
"Well 3 Days Grace is good and all, But it would have to be Daft Punk by far." said Ulrich as he faced the vending machine, trying to pick what he wanted.
Sitting next to him was his girlfriend Yumi, who was finishing her homework from last night. To Ulrich's right was Jeremy, who was drinking a bottle of water and keeping an eye out for Aelita who was running late. He knew she was having problems sleeping again. And was concerned for her well being. So he had been keeping an eye on her to make sure she was doing okay and that nothing was wrong.
" I gotta admit. Riot, Really was a good song. And I also liked One-x. But for me I don't really care for them that much. Its kinda too...you know. American." Odd looked to Yumi as she finally finished her home work.
" Well for me its always been Nikila , That song Circle , Thats gonna be their best one's yet." Yumi replied as she packed her homework away in her back pack. "I keep telling Ulrich that should be our theme song."
" At least its better than that one song Hiroki suggested . Accidentally in love By the Counting Crows. That was just embarrassing. Especially when he was playing it the day I came over for dinner." Ulrich said as he choose a Mountain Dew from the soda machine.
Odd looked at the two with a puzzled look on his face and then asked " Oh Because you remind him of a big green ogre?" As odd varnished a grin that only odd could
"Better Than smelling and acting like a loud mouth donkey." Ulrich fired back as He and Yumi broke into laughter.
"Hey that means I'm lovable then" Odd replied
"Okay, how about you Jeremy?" Odd asked noticing Jeremy hadn't said a word for a while.
"Huh What?" Jeremy replied as He was suddenly snapped back to reality.
"Jeez even when you do get enough sleep, your still out of it a lot. Daft punk or 3 Days Grace?"
"Um... I gotta go with 3 Days Grace. Aelita and I both agree that Never too late Is their best one."
"Hey where is Aelita?" Yumi asked as she stood up to get something from the vending machine.
"I think I'm going to go to her room and see. She's usually up and out here by this time but its been 30 minutes." Jeremy stood up and set his water down. "I'm going to go and see if shes okay."
"Ahhh prince charming to the rescue. How romantic" Odd said sarcastically.
Jeremy walked off with out even noticing Odds comment. He had tried calling Aelita on her cell phone but only got her voice mail. So naturally he was worried. Ever since he found her in the super computer he had helped save her from trouble both in the real world and the virtual world. It was true he had a crush on her from day one. And she knew he did, so as soon as she entered the real world they spent large amounts of time together. Even after Xana's death they spent more and more time, They went to his parents on holidays, or he would take her to the mall to pick out a new pair of shoes or clothes, Or they would usually just spend time together. Their relation ship was going slow but neither of them cared, They were still young and had all the time in the world.
"I'll bet you 10 Euros she slept in. To much Myspace and You Tube again." Odd declared to Ulrich and Yumi
"Deal" Yumi agreed as she slapped Odd's hand showing that she agreed. "I say she just had a rough time sleeping again. I swear she has insomnia."
"Well she could of just drank a lot of Live Wire again." Ulrich suggested as he drank the last of his Mountain Dew.
"Okay back to the subject. Linkin Park or The Subdigital's Before they broke up"...
Jeremy Crept up to Aelita's room as he passed a couple of other students on their way to the cafeteria for breakfast. He walked up to her door and knocked.. their was no answer, Now Jeremy was getting worried. Where was she.. He wondered till the door finally opened revealing a tired and pale looking Aelita.
"Hey.. You feeling okay? You look as pale as the time you got sick from eating at the MacDonald's at the mall." Jeremy asked as he noticed she was obviously not feeling to well.
"No not really, My head hurts and I didn't sleep well again last night. Here come in." Aelita said as she stepped back inside her room.
Jeremy noticed her room was entirely clean and that her curtains were drawn trying to limit the amount of sunlight that would get in. Aelita looked like she hadn't slept in day's. She was sweating a little. And had bags under her eyes from the apparent lack of sleep. She Was still in the pj's that she always wore when she slept, But the fact that she was pale and looked sick was just unbelievable. Usually Aelita was the healthiest of the group. She Was always concerned about her figure as well. She and Yumi usually jogged In the evening and at time's Sissi would join them as well. She always tried to stay at a constant weight of 115. Yeah she was a light weight but she didn't care. She would rather be a light weight than a heavy weight.
Aelita sat down on her bed. It was a mess from her constant turning back and forth. Jeremy sat down in the computer chair next to Aelita's computer. He leaned over and towards Aelita, who was covering herself up to try and stay warm.
"When did you first start to feel sick?" Jeremy asked as he watched Aelita lay back on her pillow.
"Last night around 2, It was after I woke up from that nightmare again and I just felt really drained. Almost like I hadn't slept or ate anything in days."
"Tell me about your dream." Jeremy asked as he checked his watch. It was only 7:30. They still had 30 minutes till class started. But he still wanted to know if Aelita was okay.
Aelita pondered whether she should tell him about it. How would he react to her telling him that he died in her dream. The last time she dreamed of someone she knew dying, her father sacrificed himself to save her. But she didn't like to keep secrets from him, so it was a real decision.
"I dreamed that the city was on fire. And their was this monster looking thing chasing me and it had... Those eyes."
Jeremy looked toward Aelita with a look of confusion on his face. "What eyes"?
"The eye symbol Xana had. Their was two of them and they were his eyes." Aelita suddenly stopped talking as she rolled over to face the wall. "An..."
Jeremy stood up out of his chair and sat on the bed next to Aelita. "Then what"?
Aelita didn't answer as she stared at the wall. She could still see the very image that tormented her all night. She knew she was sick from the constant worry and fear that her dream might come true. And worried whether or not she should tell him about it..
"I saw it...kill you". Aelita closed her eyes as the words finally slipped her mouth. Their, it was out; their was no turning back from it, She felt even worse now that she had said it.
Jeremy just stared at her with a sympathetic look on his face. He was a little shocked at the news but not a lot.
"Hey it was just a dream, Nothing more. Its not like it will come true".
"Thats what you said when my dad died." Aelita said as she rolled over to face him, covering up her face with the blanket, trying to hide the fact that she was crying.
Jeremy took a breath and stared out the window through a small section of the window not covered by the curtain
"Your crying again aren't you"? Jeremy asked as he placed his hand on his knee.
"How do you know?" Aelita asked as she lowered the blanket to reveal her moisture soaked eyes.
"After 3 years. I've learned how to tell." Jeremy said as he laid his hand on Aelita's forehead, he looked in to her big green eyes.
"Its just a dream, Its not going to happen because. I wont let it happen. Your safe now. No one is looking for you and no one is trying to kill you. you're not alone any more".
Aelita slowly lowered the blanket and sat up. "You right. I shouldn't let this get to me."
"Look, I'll tell the nurse you're not feeling to well, she,ll come down and check on you. You get some rest and I'll check on you between class's okay?"
Aelita yawned as she nodded her head in agreement. She knew that she couldn't go through the day in her current condition. "Can you bring me something from the cafeteria?"
"Yeah sure. I think its Subs today anyways. That is unless Odd eats every last one again like he did on pizza night" Jeremy joked a little as he saw a similar familiar smile appear on Aelita's face.
Aelita sat up and hugged a unsuspecting Jeremy. "Thank you Jeremy."
"Your welcome Aelita. Its really no problem."
Aelita looked at Jeremy and frowned a little. "No. Not just helping me feel better. Everything from finding me, Bringing me to earth, saving me from Xana over and over again, And everything you've done in the past few months. If it wasn't for you I probably wouldn't even be here right know. And i've never really had the chance to actually thank you so. Thank you."
Aelita stared Jeremy in the face as he stared back. Time seem to slow down as they stared at each other. Aelita started to lean slowly toward Jeremy.
Jeremy also began to lean towards Aelita. And then...
They were suddenly interrupted by Jeremy's cell phone.
"Hello?, Oh hi Yumi. Yeah shes okay, Shes not feeling to well. She didn't sleep at all last night cause of these nightmares she was having, yeah she's not going to class. Okay I'm on my way. Later."
Jeremy hung up as Aelita got up out of bed. "I gotta get to class. I'll stop by the nurse on my way so don't worry."
"Okay good luck in Mr Chelzivigs class."
Jeremy shrugged as he realized he had a test Due today and shuttered in fear knowing that he was not ready for it.
"Now theirs something to fear." Jeremy said jokingly making Aelita giggle a little.
Jeremy walked out the door as Aelita laid back down in bed. She felt a little better after Jeremy's visit. She rolled over and stared at the wall as she slowly drifted back to sleep..
Odd and Ulrich were already seated in Miss Hertz class when Jeremy walked in as the final bell rang. He walked over to his desk and sat down as he prepared for their latest session. Sissi walked in a little late, but Miss Hertz didn't even notice her while she was busy writing on the chalk board.
"Hi Jeremy." Sissi said as she walked in and walked over to sit in the back next to Herb.
"Oh hey Sissi" Jeremy replied as she walked by. Frantically trying to find his homework from last night.
Sissi walked past Ulrich and Odd and said helloTo them as well.
"Hey Sissi" Ulrich replied as she walked past them
"Well miss Deva queen barley made it, wasn't it 3 more tardies and you're out of cheerleader squad again?" Odd quirked as sissi passed by.
"Hey its not my fault your ridiculous oder keeps driving me away from here" as Sissi sat down next to Herb.
"Oh, she got you their man." Ulrich replied as he faced Odd chuckling a little. "That was a Such a burn dude."
"Eh lucky shot. I'll get miss pop star back some how."
For the past 7 months. Sissi really changed a lot. She was no longer tried to break Ulrich and Yumi up. Instead she actually became more of a friend to both of them then any one would of thought. She also would hang out with Jeremy and Aelita when ever she had the chance. She would give Jeremy Advice on things that he and Aelita might try to do for fun. Like movies, concerts, and school dances. And she would jog with Aelita 3 times a week at night. She also attempted to give Aelita fashion tips and tried to get her to try certain makeup to impress Jeremy. Even though pretty much everything she suggested was so pricey, it would give Jeremy's parents a heart attack when it cam time to pay the credit card bill. That, and Aelita only liked to wear Clothes that where pink. It was her favorite color after all.
"Okay class settle down." Miss Hertz started in as she normally does. " We have a new student today. Will you introduce your self deary"
The class turned to see a tall slender girl with long blond hair. A short white t-shirt and a matching white skirt. Most of the guys in the room suddenly couldn't take their eyes of her. Odd the most. He had a look in his eyes as if he had just seen the steps of heaven and lived to tell about it. The young girl stood up and walked to the front of the class and stood next chalk board
"Hello I'm Tanell Lewis. I'm from the United States and I live in Miami Florida, and I'm really impressed with school and all its nice students and faculty.
Almost every boy in the class except Jeremy and Ulrich suddenly said hello at the same time. The young girl then walked back to her seat as Odd just continued to stare as she walked past their table.
Ulrich waved his hand in front of Odds face, the goofy kid never even blinked for a second. He leaned over to Jeremy and mentioned Odd's comatose state.
"Eh. Probably in shock." Jeremy noted. "Along with every other boy in the classroom".
Tanell sat down in the back row. Across the aisle Herb was literally drooling. It was obvious he had forgotten about his crush on Sissi and was now starring at what he thought was a goddess. Sissi wasn't impressed though. She saw the girl as a Britney Spears wanna be. Plus her fashion wasn't as good as hers. So she just turned the other way.
Ulrich leaned over to Jeremy and asked him how was Aelita.
"She was up all night last night with that horrible nightmare. So she didn't sleep to well. It stressed her so badly that she fell ill from it."
"What did she dream about?" Odd asked finally coming out of his trance.
" I don't think I should tell you. It was kinda private."
Odd leaned over and asked. "What she had a dream about you going out with another girl"
"No Odd!!"
Jeremy spoke so loud that Miss Hertz even broke off her lecture.
"Jeremy!! do you you have something to add??"
Jeremy turned around and faced miss hertz "No ma'am sorry."
Miss Hertz turned to continue her lecture. Ulrich elbowed Odd in his shoulder and gave him a cold look. "Dude, Hold the jokes that you know will piss people off till after class. Remember the last time when you and Herb almost got into a fight because you made fun of Sissi's makeup."
Odd smiled a little as he remembered that day. Sissi had ran out of makeup and she came to class with none on. So Odd merely asked if it was Halloween. And when Sissi said no. Odd replied that she should take the mask off then. Of course Herb got mad and tried to tackle Odd for no reason. Yeah he got several hours detention but hey both the joke and seeing Herb try to beat him up was worth it.
After class Ulrich, Odd, and Jeremy walked toward Mr. Chelzivigs class. Surprisingly Ulrich was ready for the test. While Odd and Jeremy had spent days studying. Odd was actually jealous of Aelita getting out of the test. Jeremy thought he was ready but wasn't sure if he was or not. But he was ready either way.
"So can you give us some detail about her dream? Like what did she see?" Odd asked as they entered the room and sat down.
"Well, she said she dreamed about the city on fire and this monster with Xana's symbol for eyes was chasing her." Jeremy made sure to leave the part with his death out. He figured that should stay between him and Aelita.
"You don't think its one of her little fortune telling vision's again, do you ?" Ulrich asked as he sat down and pulled out his study guide to go over some last minute studying. "I mean in the past, her dreams have been kind of like vision's. You don't think thats a sign do you?"
"No Xana's dead. The supercomputer's been shut off for months and their no sign of any thing Xana related happening. It was just a bad dream was all."
"A real bad one from the sound of it. I mean she's had the same dream for 5 days now." Odd included as he pulled out a pencil.
Jeremy sat down as Mr Chelzivig walked in and started to hand out the tests. Right away Jeremy and Odd could see Ulrich whip through it as if he was cheating. Jeremy sank in his seat and began to work on his test. Man this was going to be a tough one...