Three

Jeremie and Aelita simply stared at each other. They both knew how horrible this was. Almost every time XANA had launched an attack, one of the Lyoko members nearly died because of the situation they were caught up in. However, they were always saved, and each time XANA got more furious with the warriors. If it was XANA on the train and he was the one that had caused all of those people to be injured, then he absolutely won't be afraid to attack any of the Lyoko members. Panic was bubbling inside her. After all this time though, she learned that putting on a brave face was more effective than hiding. Aelita sighed hoping to relieve the pressure in her chest. She looked into Jeremie's eyes. They were just as worried as hers.

"We should catch up with Odd and Ulrich and tell them about what you found," Aelita said quietly. Jeremie nodded his head in agreement and they both walked out of the room in silence. They had to walk quickly to catch up with Ulrich and Odd since they were all the way down the hall already. Jeremie and Aelita took turns telling the two boys what Jeremie found. They had all started walking towards Jeremie's dorm. It was after curfew but they didn't care. They needed to talk this whole thing over and besides, they have gotten in so much more trouble than being out past ten at night.

They walked silently while Odd and Ulrich swallowed what they had just heard; the only noise was their echoing footsteps bouncing off the walls. Ulrich pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a weak, "Oh my God." After a moment's thought he asked, "Do you suppose—if this really was XANA—that it was a warning for us?" Aelita's eyebrows furrowed.

"What do you mean?" she asked back.

"Well, it could have been some kind of warning. He could be telling us to stay away by hurting those innocent people," he explained.

"True, but what if they weren't so innocent?" Odd suggested. He was forming a theory.

"What?" asked a bewildered Jeremie.

"Those people on the train may not have been innocent. They could be undead zombies working for XANA!" Odd exclaimed. The rest of the group just stared at him. "It could happen," Odd muttered.

"Odd, how much sugar have you had today?" asked Ulrich completely serious.

"Three cans of soda, a package of jellybeans, and about two spoonful's of pure sugar. Why?"

"No reason at all."

"Wait, Odd might be on to something," Aelita said thoughtfully.

"Thank you Aelita! See this is why she's my favorite!" Odd beamed. Aelita smiled at him.

"Actually, Odd, your idea is absolutely ridiculous," Aelita stated. Odd's cheery face was whipped off as fast as it was put on. Ulrich and Jeremie were trying to conceal their laughter while Aelita continued, "What I meant was, they aren't zombies. Also, what are the odds that all of those people were working for XANA? Slim to none. However, it could be just one person."

"That could be it…," Jeremie muttered.

"Hold up," Odd's hands flew up to stop all conversation, "The reporter said that all of the passengers were unconscious or injured in some way. One was even dead. Are you telling me that one person did all that?"

"They were under the influence of XANA, remember?" Jeremie cut in. Odd tried to begin again but Ulrich stopped him.

"It's way more logical than your theory about everyone being undead zombies and working for XANA." Odd stopped talking and grumbled as he listened to his friends snicker at his latest theory. Once Odd had had enough, he ran ahead of the group then turned around so he was walking backwards.

"Ya, ya, laugh it up but one day you're gonna want one of my crazy theories but I will say no and remind you of the time you laughed in my face about one of them. Then you'll be so upset and then you will start groveling and kissing my feet but I will never change my mind, because I, Odd Della—!" Odd was abruptly cut off when he turned the corner and fell to the hard ground. Rubbing his butt, he looked over his shoulder to see who had caused him to fall, ready to tell them off. But he stopped short. There, right in front of him, was a beautiful young girl scrambling around trying to gather all the papers that now littered the floor. She wore half a black tank top and a pleated magenta skirt. On her feet were jet black combat boots that laced up to her knees. Chocolate brown hair cascaded down her back and curtained around her face, making it so no one could truly see her. Odd was still gawking when, with a simple flick of the head, her hair flipped behind her and revealed beautiful, large brown eyes. Odd couldn't help himself from staring; she was gorgeous.

Then reality smacked him in the face. He turned around and started picking up the papers too, to help her. As he was snatching up papers, Odd saw Ulrich doing the same. Odd narrowed his eyes at his best friend then started picking up papers faster than Ulrich. Ulrich saw what Odd was doing and rolled his eyes. He looked back at the pretty girl and saw that she was watching Odd in confusion. Ulrich smirked slightly and then leaned in.

"He does this for every pretty girl," he said, but quickly wished he hadn't. Immediately, his cheeks flushed as his embarrassment settled in. What?! Why did I say that? Where did that even come from? he thought while purposely not making eye contact. Silence hung in the air and Ulrich couldn't help himself. He glanced out of the corner of his eye to catch a glimpse of her face. Her cheeks were the same color as his, if not redder, and she wasn't meeting his gaze. He glanced away.

The rest of the papers were picked up in an awkward silence. Odd stood up first. He quickly walked over to the girl who was still on the tiled floor and extended his free hand. The brunette didn't see the hand that was offered to her so she effortlessly stood up on her own. Odd took back his hand and ran it through his hair nonchalantly, trying to recover quickly.

"Here you go," Odd said with a huge smile on his face. He handed the small pile of paper he accumulated from the floor to the beautiful girl.

"Thank you," she mumbled as she took the paper. Odd smiled after hearing her talk for the first time. But his happy mood was shattered when he saw Ulrich hand the papers he collected to the girl. Odd watched as she looked his friend in the eye and for some reason her face turned a slight pink. After a slight hesitation, she grabbed the papers.

"Thank you," she said again, not meeting anyone's eyes.

"You're welcome," Odd said loudly. He was trying to get her attention again. He wanted to see those chocolate brown eyes one more time….

"Could you show me where the principal's office is? I'm new and I need my dorm key," said the girl. Odd saw his chance and rushed over to her.

"Of course I'll show you. It's very hard to get there. I get lost every week! I better walk you there just in case. By the way, what's your name?" Odd rambled on while putting his arm around the pretty girl. She could only stare at him. She wasn't used to boys taking any notice of her; she was usually ostracized or ridiculed. But somehow she managed to stammer out, "Anabella."

"Do you have to flirt with every girl here, Odd? At least let her brace herself before she actually gets to know you," said Ulrich with a small smirk. The corner of Anabella's lips turned slightly but it quickly vanished.

"Hahaha," Odd laughed sarcastically, "That's very funny, but I don't think she was talking to you, so there!" he finished by crossing his arms around his chest.

"I was actually talking to him," she whispered to Odd but apparently it was loud enough for everyone to hear. Everyone was holding back their laughter; everyone except Odd. Soon they couldn't stop it from bursting out anymore and laughter rang out through the hallways. Ulrich was doubled over, providing a clear view of the two people behind him. This was the first time that Anabella had gotten a good look at them. There was a boy who wore a brown turtle neck, slacks, and round glassed. The girl standing next to him though made Anabella stop and stare. Everything about her was pink. She wore a pink dress and pink boots but the thing that stood out the most was that she had pink hair. Anabella couldn't take her eyes off of her for some strange reason. She felt a kind of connection with her. While Anabella was trying to figure out the sensation she was feeling, all she could do was stare. Apparently it was noticeable because the laughter slowly died and they all were watching her, especially Aelita. She was clearly uncomfortable with Anabella staring at her like that.

"You have pink hair…," Anabella said quietly and Aelita smiled.

"I get that a lot," she said relieved. She thought something was wrong.

"No, no. That's not what I meant…. I've seen that hair before. Have we met?" Anabella said vacantly. Aelita chuckled a little about the question. She had never seen this girl in her life. Then again…. A wave of realization washed over Aelita. She stared at Anabella the exact same way.

"What did you say your name was again?" Aelita was fixated by the new girl. Where have I seen her before?

"Anabella and you're…,"

"Aelita," they said at the same time. No one moved. No one even breathed. How did these two girls, almost strangers, know each other?

"Creepy," Odd whispered loudly as he stared at the two girls looking intently at each other.

"Uh, Aelita? Sorry to rush this reunion but it's time for us to go," Jeremie said taking Aelita's arm, "Principal's office is down the hall, third door on your left," and with that Jeremie took a still staring Aelita down the hall and out of sight. Odd looked at Anabella who was still very confused on what had just happened. When she seemed to snap out of it, Odd put his right arm across his stomach and did a dramatic bow for Anabella then took off running down the hall. Anabella stared after him as he ran. Then, she looked back at Ulrich.

"Ya, I'm not doing that," he stated and it made Anabella almost smile. Almost. "It was nice meeting you."

"Nice to meet you too," Anabella replied. Ulrich gave her a smile before heading down the hall after his friends.

"Wait!" he heard her call. He turned around to see her standing alone in the middle of the hallway. "Is his name really Odd?" she asked.

"Ya, it suits him, doesn't it," Ulrich yelled and was rewarded with the longest smile he had seen yet from Anabella. And it was a beautiful smile Ulrich remembered thinking.

"Tell him good luck for me," she yelled with a smirk.

"Will do," he said then turned around and ran towards his dorm beaming the whole way there.