A/N: I'm back. School got in the way again. I'm not sure if I'm completely happy with this chapter but here you go.
Disclaimer: I still own nothing.
Exam week was fast approaching and the gang was stressed. The island in the kitchen now contained several hundred flashcards, books, and pencils. Every night, the gang gathered around the island, studying. Sometimes when they needed quiet, they went to their room.
Nicolette's idea was in still fresh in Aelita's mind but every time she tried to bring it up, something happened to prevent it. So she decided before they all rushed off to class this morning, she was going to tell them about the idea. And she wasn't taking no for an answer.
That morning, she woke and up and cooked breakfast per usual. It took the others awhile to wake up and come downstairs to get breakfast. After they all gathered around, Aelita cleared her throat.
"I know exams start next week and we are all stressed but I was thinking maybe we could hang out Saturday. You know one last day before we all go crazy."
The others looked at her, thinking it over.
Yumi smiled before nodding. "I think that's a good idea. We definitely need to de-stress before exams hit us hard."
"Yeah, we don't want to crash and burn," Odd agreed. "I'm in."
Aelita grinned. "Ulrich? Jeremy?"
"Yeah, sure," Ulrich decided. "I'm close to giving up on studying so I need a break."
"I don't know," Jeremy started. "Vivien and I were going to study all day."
"Come on, Jeremy, we all need a break," Odd tried to talk him in to it.
"Well, maybe Vivien can join us," Aelita offered.
Yumi turned her head and looked at Aelita confused.
"Really?" Jeremy asked.
"Yeah, ask her," Aelita said. "We start bight and early Saturday morning. We should all be up and dressed by 8:00."
"8? Jeez, you don't want us to sleep, do you?" Odd asked.
Aelita smirked then went back to her breakfast.
"She really wants me there?" Vivien questioned, sitting next to Jeremy on her bed.
Jeremy had just told her about Aelita's plan and invitation. "I think so."
Vivien put down her pencil and closed her Calculus book over it, holding her place. "I don't know about this, Jeremy. I mean I get along fine with Odd and Ulrich but I highly doubt Yumi wants me there. And Aelita is just inviting me so you will come."
"Yeah, I know," Jeremy nodded in agreement. "But I think it's a good idea. I still haven't forgiven them but we do need a study break. We haven't stopped studying in a week. Maybe if we take this break, we can finish the program."
Vivien sighed, thinking it over. It seemed like a bad idea but on the other hand, she did need a break. "I need to talk to Aelita and Yumi."
"I don't think that's such a good idea, Viv."
"Maybe not but I have to know what's going on inside their head," Vivien replied, putting her Calculus book inside her backpack and zipping it up. "I'll see you later, okay." She kissed his cheek before running off, looking for the girls.
She found them in the campus coffee shop, looking over their books. Vivien sighed and walked in the shop, going straight up to them. "Hey."
Aelita and Yumi looked up at her in surprise. Aelita smiled as Yumi continued to stare.
"Vivien, hi, how are you?" Aelita greeted.
"Good. A little stressed but good. Can I sit?" She asked, pointing to the empty seat.
"Sure," Aelita moved some off her books to make room for her. "What's up?"
"Well I was just with Jeremy and he told me about your idea for Saturday," Vivien said, sitting down.
"Oh, yeah. Did he mention you're invited?" Aelita asked.
Vivien nodded. "Are you sure you want me to come? I mean we haven't really talked or gotten along. Any of us." Vivien looked at Yumi and nodded.
"I know and that's why I want you to come," Aelita replied. "I think it's time for us to get to know each other better. If not because we want to but for Jeremy."
"Both of you?" Vivien questioned, looking at Yumi.
Yumi sighed, putting her pencil down. "Both of us," She finally agreed.
Vivien nodded. "Okay. I'm in."
Aelita grinned. "Great. Meet us at the Hermitage at 8:00 Saturday morning, okay? I have a whole day planned."
Vivien smiled. "Sounds good. See you then." She stood up, waving goodbye as she left.
Yumi turned to Aelita, glaring at her. "Aelita, what are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking that the only way all of us can spend time together is if Vivien comes. Jeremy won't come unless she's there and you know it," Aelita told her.
Yumi blew her hair out of her face. "You're right."
Aelita nodded, closing her school books. "Nicolette will be here soon if you want to help us plan Saturday."
"Is Nicolette joining us?"
Aelita shook her head. "No, I asked but she turned it down. She said it should just be us."
About that time, Nicolette walked in the shop. She was wearing a green skirt with brown tights under it. The skirt was paired with a brown belt, a cream colored shirt with a brown cardigan over it and matching booties. To complete the look, she wore a cream colored beanie and held a brown bag. She smiled and walked over, sitting down in the seat Vivien just got up from.
"Hey, elf. Hey, Yum," She greeted, placing her bag down on the floor.
"Elf? Yum?" Yumi giggled.
"Oh, hush," Nicolette shrugged. "So what was the emergency that I had to rush over from my nice warm apartment to here?"
"They agreed to Saturday," Aelita told her.
"Really? Yay! That's so exciting!" Nicolette exclaimed.
"Yep and we need your help with ideas."
"Hmm, movies are always great. And binge watching a mindless TV show."
"We kinda want to get out of the house, Nicolette," Yumi said.
"Oh phooey. Okay, then. Shopping? Bowling? Ice skating?"
"Oh my gosh, ice skating! I haven't gone ice skating since I was in Switzerland!" Aelita cried, bouncing slightly.
"You were in Switzerland?" Yumi asked. "When?"
Aelita gave her a look then pulled up the internet on her laptop, looking for the nearest ice skating rink. "There's one not too far from the Hermitage. If we leave at 8:00, we should be there when they open at 10:00. Then afterwards, we can go get hot chocolate and food. Maybe go see a movie."
"That sounds like a plan," Yumi agreed. "And a nice day to de-stress from."
"We should totally go shopping for cute clothes and coats," Nicolette suggested. "I need a cute new coat. Plus we all got paid yesterday." She winked, dancing in her seat a bit.
Yumi laughed. "I knew there was a reason I liked you."
Aelita shook her head but agreed to go shopping.
Vivien work up early the next morning. Jeremy had text her late last night that the plan was to go ice skating so she put on some pink patterned leggings with a white sweater, brown booties, and a brown peacoat. She threw on a matching scarf and headed out the door.
The others were waiting outside for her when she arrived at the Hermitage. The guys were all wearing jeans, a sweater, and a coat. Aelita was wearing black skinny jeans, a white sweater, and a long pink peacoat with a wool pale pink scarf and black boots. Yumi had on black leggings, a white long sleeve shirt paired with a gray and white vest. She had on black boots and held a coat in her arms.
Jeremy smiled, walking up to Vivien, kissing her cheek. "Ready to go?" Vivien nodded, following him to his car with Odd.
After a long drive to the ice skating rink, they made it right when the place was opening. Aelita skipped to the booth, excitedly. She immediately put on her skates and dragged Yumi out, both of them laughing as Yumi fell.
Vivien hooked her arm in Jeremy's then led him into the rink as they both struggled to stay standing. Odd and Ulrich, on the other hand, playfully shoved each other until one of them fell.
The rest of the day skating continued on like this with the girls gracefully skating by, Jeremy and Vivien holding on to each other, and the guys shoving each other until they knocked the other down. Afterwards, they drove to a café and enjoyed a nice cup of hot chocolate. Then it was off to see the new Hunger Games movie. Finally, they enjoyed a nice dinner together where everyone seemed to get along with everyone else.
Their day of fun came to an end and they parted ways that night with hopes of studying the next day and studying they did. The only time they left their rooms was to grab a bite to eat and go to the bathroom. At around 5:00, Aelita decided she had enough for one day and went downstairs to cook supper. She went all out like the first night they were all together again. It was a mixture of random junk but she knew she was stress cooking.
Soon, Odd made his way downstairs. His usual spiked up hair was down and he was in sweatpants and a tshirt. He yawned, going to turn on the coffee machine.
"How's studying going?" He asked, taking a bite of the rice she cooked.
"Terrible. You?"
"Horrible. And I'm still working on editing my final film. It's taking a lot longer than I wanted," Odd responded. "I may have to pull another all nighter."
"I know the feeling. I still have to write an outline for my final tomorrow. This is going to be a long week."
Odd nodded in agreement, fixing a plate and his coffee mug. "Want me to see if anyone else wants anything?"
"I texted them so I wouldn't disturb them. They might come down. I mention you made coffee," Aelita waved her phone to show him the text message to Yumi.
"And right you are," Yumi walked into the kitchen with her hair in a high bun, wearing shorts and a sweatshirt. "Where's the coffee?"
"Here you are, m'lady," Odd handed her an empty mug so she could go fill it up. "How's studying going for you?"
"Dreadful. I'm going to fail everything," Yumi replied, smelling the sweet aroma of coffee.
"No you won't," Ulrich disagreed, walking in. He was also wearing shorts and a sweatshirt. "Any coffee left?"
"You know it."
"Look what we have been reduce to: coffee and no sleep," Aelita commented as they all took a long sip of their coffee.
Exam week was the worst week of Aelita's life. She was running on maybe five hours of sleep and lots of coffee. By the time her last exam came around by midweek, she wanted to scream and pull out her hair but as soon as she turned in that Physics exam, she wanted to dance for joy. She skipped her way out the door and grabbed coffee for the ride home. As soon as she got home, she crashed for twelve hours, never hearing the others. She woke up the next day feeling refresh and renewed and ready for Christmas break.
Downstairs, she was greeted by a full breakfast table, Yumi, Ulrich, and Nicolette. Nicolette bounced her way over to Aelita, hugging her.
"Good morning, elf."
"What's all this?" Aelita giggled.
"You seemed really stressed this week so we thought we would cook breakfast for you," Nicolette exclaimed, showing her all the breakfast food.
"You guys are the best," Aelita hugged Yumi and Ulrich. "But where's Odd and Jeremy?"
"They're packing for the break. They'll be down in a minute."
Right on time, Odd and Jeremy entered the kitchen, Odd hugging Aelita before he grabbed a plate.
"What was that for?" Aelita asked, confused.
"A thank you for all you've done for us this semester. You brought us back together again. Without you, who knows where we will be," Odd told her.
Aelita smiled, her eyes shining. "Odd, that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you."
"Anything for you, princess."
"I can't wait to see what next semester hold us for all of us," Aelita smiled, looking at her friends and Nicolette.
"Why don't you come home with me for Christmas, Aelita?" Ulrich asked. He had talked to his dad earlier this week and he agreed as long as he passed his exams. Ulrich felt pretty sure he did so he decided to go ahead and ask Aelita to join him.
"That's so sweet, Ulrich, and I would love to but I'm actually going out of the country for Christmas. I leave tomorrow."
The others except Nicolette looked at her confused. Aelita had confined in Nicolette earlier about her plans over the break but she never got a chance to break it to her friends.
"Where are you going?" Yumi questioned.
"A couple of places. I'll tell you guys when I get back but for now let's enjoy this breakfast so you guys can get back home for the break."
They all enjoyed their last breakfast of the semester together. After breakfast, Ulrich drove Odd to the airport then went home. Jeremy went over to Vivien's to say goodbye then make his way home. Yumi decided to stay one more night and drop Aelita off at the airport the next way then go back home.
In a lab far away sat a woman at a computer desk. She was monitoring the screens, looking for any activity. She sighed not spotting any and sat back, pulling her long pink hair into a ponytail. Her phone dinged as she received a message. She picked it, smiling as she read the message.