Chapter 5: The first day is always hard
The class finished and the students got up as fast as they could and left the class. Sissie passed holding Ulrich's arm and winked at Aelita, who winked back. "I can't believe how much she's changed. Has it been because of me? I don't know, but I prefer this version of her. What I don't really like is that she's with Ulrich, I don't know what'll happen when he meets Yumi".
Jeremy, having to place his computer and all the notes inside his backpack, was a bit slower than the rest of students. So, when he was the only one left, Aelita used the moment to talk with him:
- So, Jeremy, how did you like my class?
Jeremy couldn't directly look at her in the eyes. He was blushing, red as a Lyoko crab. Aelita missed that shy part of him, she found it cute.
- I-I, I liked it. I was maybe hoping to discuss some things about quantum physics. I've heard that's your field of specialty.
- You've heard or you've searched -god, she loved teasing him-. But yeah, sure. Whenever you want we can talk about it.
"Wait" -Aelita thought to herself- "why does he want to talk about quantum physics? Has he turned on the supercomputer? There's no way, he's not supposed to do that for another two weeks. I was there like 10 days ago and everything was fine. I've put more security on the elevator and I blocked the alternate entrance years ago. But Jeremy's smarter than that".
- Why do you want to know about it Jeremy?
- Oh, well. It's what I like the most, that and computers. I hoped that in the future I could work with something related to both, just like you.
- Hmm, interesting. Changing the subject, I've heard there's going to be a robot competition, isn't that right? Have you made yours yet?
- No, not yet. There's still a month for that.
- And you haven't even searched the materials?
- No, as I said there's still plenty of time.
- And where do you plan to get them?
- We-well, I don't know. I've kind of ran out of materials.
Okay, now she could be calm. She didn't think Jeremy would lie.
- I advise that you go to a car scrapping, I'm sure there will be lots of materials. In addition, I'm going to tell you something and I'm just going to say it once.
Aelita approached Jeremy, whose glasses were now all foggy.
- Do not try to get materials from the old factory. It's a very dangerous place, with lots of bad people living there. And the materials you may find are useless in its majority, so discard that option, understood?
- Yes-s-s, ma'am.
- Okay, you can leave now. You'll be late.
With that said, Jeremy ran out of class with a preoccupied and scared look. Aelita looked as he got out of the classroom. "Will that prevent Jeremy from going to the factory? Of course not, now he'll be more eager to go. I'll need to check the factory every now and then, just in case he appears. Gosh Aelita, what have you done?".
Later that day, Aelita was taking a coffee at the cafeteria, talking to her uncle and Mrs. Hertz.
- So, tell me, Aelita. How have the students treated you? -asked the science teacher.
- They were great! They followed the class, they asked questions, no noise. Thank you for ceding me the position, Mrs. Hertz.
- Oh please, call me Suzanne, you're one of us now. And how was I not going to let my most brilliant student teach the new generation? When your uncle told me you were looking for a part-time job I immediately told him to give you my place.
- It's true. She almost spills her coffee on my shirt because of the emotion.
The three started to laugh. Aelita really liked the life and the bonds she had formed in this new life, but then, her gaze turned to the cafeteria door where she saw Odd entering the place.
Now she felt nostalgic. She had thought that being around her friends again would be the best thing she could do, but thinking about it now just made her…sad. She was so close to them, but so far at the same time. There were 10 years of difference and she noticed it when she saw Odd with his long hair playing with his food like a little kid. The last time they ate -sure he was still Odd and ate like a pig- but had developed some manners, he was much more mature.
But now, he and the rest of the gang had to grow again and all she could do was watch. Would they ever reunite again naturally? Could she at some point be her friend again? These questions tormented Aelita every day since she returned to the past.
- Heyyy, sis. Why the long face?
- Oh, hey Sissie. Nothing, just planning my next class.
- I must tell you. You were amazing! Even I understood it.
- I told you not to say those things about you. You're more than capable of achieving everything you want. Look, you got Ulrich.
- Yeah, you're right. I'm amazing -said Sissie joking, making her and Aelita laugh.
- Okay, it's time to get back to class. I'll see you later Sissie. Behave!
- Yeees, sis. Good luck!
Aelita headed to her class, she was now with Quatrième, Yumi's class (that's like Year 9 for the British and 8th grade in USA).
The class went by normally, as any Physics class would do. What Aelita wasn't prepared for was for Yumi to come up to talk to her:
- Hello! You must be Yumi Ishiyama, right?
- Emm, yeah, yeah. Mrs. Delmas I-
- Please call me Aelita, I'm only 22.
- Okay, Aelita. I wanted to ask you… have we met before?
Aelita panicked. "Did she remember? She was only 3 when the return to the past was made, she should not remember anything. Had they met before? If you mean in an alternate timeline fighting a digital monster, then yeah we know each other".
- N-no. No I don't think so, why?
- Well, you look familiar to me. I don't think I would forget a pink-haired that easily.
- I don't remember you though, you must have mistaken me for another person. But hey, keep coming to class and you'll get to know me. I bet we'd be very good friends!
- Maybe you're right. I don't have a lot of friends here, so I could use one.
- Now you've got one, Yumi -Aelita almost dropped a tear. She had forgot how shy Yumi was at the beginning.
- Thanks a lot, Aelita.
Yumi left the room. Aelita smiled, but it was not a happy smile, more like a sad one. It was Lyoko that united the gang, but without it Jeremy and Yumi would be alone, Ulrich and Odd would not get along… So many wrong things with this world, but at least it was safe: a world without danger.
NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:
Hey, how's it going. Just a reminder of everyone's ages:
- Aelita: 22
- Odd, Jeremy and Ulrich: 12
- Yumi: 13
Remember that from the beginning of season 1 to episode 14 of the same season a year passed, so I made this taking the official dates and some time tables that are on to determinate the ages.
If you like the story, please review and let me your thoughts!
