Status: disclaimed by an amateur

Dedicated to: 2remember and Lostmoonchild

"Jeremie, stop!" it was a faint whisper in the night. The urgent tone was there, but it was lost even to her own ears. She could hear the music, just as loud as it had been in the

I could hear the music, just as loud as it had been when we were inside the gym. Now... now we are in Jeremie's room. I know now, very faintly, what awaits me. The memories are clouded over but I can't possibly forget. How could I? It was in the stares of everyone I passed by, it was in my reflection, my image. It consumed me. I am suffocating, drowning agonizingly slowly with each pitying look. My lungs filling with water rather than air each time I breathe.

"You are the one, the one that lies close to me, whispers 'hello, I miss you quite terribly' I fell in love in love with you suddenly," the stereo system was blasting Hellogoodbye. Strobe lights made the room darken and lighten quickly. Colorful lights hanging from the ceiling washed over every person. No one was seated. The gym floor was packed with students dancing. The Techno beats made it impossible not to. Every teen held a glow stick in hand. Bodies touched, and grinded with the beat.

"The dance committee did a great job huh?" Yumi asked Ulrich over the loud music.

"Yeah they actually did," he replied surprised the committee had done something cool for once.

"Oh my gosh, even more surprising, look to your right," she pointed out a couple dancing close. Ulrich did a double take. Was that really Herv...dancing with Sissi? Their faces were flushed from dancing so much but Sissi looked genuinely happy.

"Woah, I think that's the craziest thing I'll see all night." Yumi laughed at his remark.

"Jealous?"

"No," his face flushed. "Hey look at Jim," he said, successfully changing the subject. Yumi glanced over her shoulder. Jim was dressed in a tuxedo, his hair neatly combed for once and he was 'dancing'.

Now, step into the teens' shoes for a moment. Seeing an adult with no dancing skills whatsoever, dancing disco moves to Techno music could not possibly look well.

"Woah, no that's not even right," Odd said startling them both.

"Geez Odd! You scared the crap outta' me!" Odd was laughing hard.

"Ha, sorry Ulrich, haha, you shoulda' seen your face!"

"Where did you come from?" Yumi asked when she had composed herself.

"Oh, well I spotted you guys when I came in and saw what you guys were looking at, and apparently scared the hell out of you two," he smiled. "Oh by the way, have you seen Aelita?" Worry washed over Yumi once more. She explained how Aelita had walked in with her and told her she was going to look for Jeremie. Yumi looked around for her after a bit but could not find her so she called her, leaving a message. She had received no reply.

"Well I'll go look for her," Odd said flashing a peace sign before running off. Yumi looked over at Ulrich who shrugged his shoulders.

Odd ran out the door only to run into the girl he was looking for. He landed on top of her, as usual. The pink haired girl looked up at him.

"Hello to you too," she said smiling. Odd laughed lightly.

"Sorry princess," he said while helping her stand up. He looked her over before rubbing the back of his neck. "Um, I was just looking for you. Did you find Jeremie?"

"No not yet, sorry if I worried you."

"Yeah kinda, Yumi said she was calling and you didn't reply."

"Oh, tell her I'm fine but I didn't answer because I left my cell in the room."

"Sure thing. You look..." another once over,"amazing."

"Thanks, I wanted to look good for Jeremie, but seeing as I can't seem to find him..." she trailed off. Odd wrinkled his nose at the sentence.

"Right, have you checked his room?" Aelita's face brightened.

"No, I haven't, thanks Odd," that wonderful smile was flashed his way once more. Odd felt good knowing he could bring it to her face.

"By the way, Aelita," she stopped,"you don't have to try, you always look amazing." Another smile, a wave, and she was gone.

Jeremie didn't deserve her. He shook his head. Odd felt disgusting. Ever know a secret that puts you in a rough position? A secret you feel is ripping you apart inside? "Between

"Between you and me," those were his words. I couldn't exactly believe what I was hearing. He told me and I blanked.

"So, what were you doing with Alora anyway?" Ulrich asked first. I was lying back playing Call of Duty. I caught what they were talking about and sat up, throwing the controller to the side.

"Yeah, Jeremie, were you helping her with homework?" Of course, I was only teasing him but the response I got was more than just a tease.

"Yeah, she needed help with French..." Ulrich raised his eyebrows.

"She doesn't take French." Jereimie grinned mischievously.

"I didn't say French homework." Ulrich pressed on, still confused and I think for once I got something before him. "Between you and me, let's just say she can tie a cherry stem into a knot real well."

Odd stared up at the sky. "I should've said something." He kicked at the ground before walking back into the gym.

Aelita was standing in front of Jeremie's door about to knock when it opened. There stood the blond and a red head. Alora.

"Jeremie what," she started, but thought better of it. "You know what? You're not even close to worth it, I already knew. I just thought maybe I could give you the benefit of the doubt." Aelita turned on her heels but Jeremie grabbed her hand. Alora walked around and stood in front of him.

"I thought you said you were gonna' dump her." Aelita raised an eyebrow. Alora looked smug.

"If you think you're worth my time either, don't bother. Anyone who has to sneak around behind my back to get leftovers is a coward to me," the pink haired girl spat.

"At least I can keep him."

"Congratulations, because I am so jealous you have the reputation of school slut," Alora stepped back, the other girl had never uttered a harsh word before. "Oh and by the way, if he cheated on me he will cheat on you and I can promise you that." Jeremie grabbed Aelita's wrist, pulling her in the room, leaving a dumbfounded Alora in the hall.

He sat her on his bed trying to convince her it had all been nothing and Alora was just being stupid.

"Jeremie, I'm not an idiot. I would think you would at least tell me the truth instead of lie to my face."

"Listen Aelita, I swear I've never said I wanted to break up with you," he tryed to caress her face but she slapped his hand away.

"Leave me alone!" she stood, but he pushed her back down and forced a rough kiss on her lips.

"Jeremie, stop!" she protested. He pulled the strap of her dress over her shoulder. The blond leaned over and kissed her shoulder lightly. The music was pounding in her ears. She had found him. Now, she was regretting it.

In media res, is a Latin phrase literally meaning "in the middle of things." Our story takes place in media res, so here is where I end it. In media res.