#8 Persistence
Yumi calls it persistence. Doing the same thing over and over and praying that maybe this time it will work.
Jeremie points out she's quoting Einstein's definition of insanity almost exactly. Yumi says he would know, and he's not sure how he should take that. The older girl pats his shoulder and pushes the wrapped sandwich she brought him into his hands.
"When was the last time you ate, anyways?" But he doesn't respond because she won't like that answer anyway. She's already figured that out though, hence the sandwich, and plants herself at the top of his bed with a chemistry textbook. Jeremie offers to help her study, but she points at the sandwich and crosses her ankles.
"I don't know how long Aelita can keep up the brave face," he tells her finally after silence has already settled over the room. "It scares me."
Yumi closes her book slowly and looks up at him. "She doesn't have to," she answers. "And you don't either. Jer, this is terrifying stuff. We're still in high school."
"Not for much longer," is his only retort. He gets sighed at.
"If we're persistent-"
"Insane."
"It's all we have at this point, Jer."
"What if it isn't enough?"
"You can't think like that. It has to be."
Jeremie takes another bite of his sandwich. Yumi reopens her textbook. "What if-" Jeremie starts again.
"The good guys always win," Yumi answers without looking up this time.
Jeremie makes a face. "Always?"
"Do you know why?"
"If you say persistence I will end our friendship."
"Finish your sandwich. We've got work to do."