Ride of Your Life
Chapter 3: A Wrinkle
Math class was pretty uneventful and Aelita found herself struggling to stay focused on the lesson. She was still troubled by what Odd had said during lunch. She honestly hadn't thought about the way she had been spending time with Jeremie until he had brought it up. And now, looking back on her short time as an earthling, most of her memories with him revolved around a computer. Whenever she thought of something fun she had done, Jeremie was typically absent. It had been Odd and Ulrich who had helped her build her first snowman. It had been Yumi who took her shopping for new clothes. It had been Ulrich who had taught her to play soccer. Yumi and Odd helped her learn to roller skate. Odd helped her skateboard. Odd gave her a bunch of CDs to listen to in order to pick up a good taste in music. Yumi, Ulrich, and Odd took her to the movies for her first horror film. As she flipped through her memories, Jeremie was consistently absent. It made her sad, realizing just how much he had missed out on. She knew he was doing research and working on the supercomputer for her. She understood that his goal was to save lives, and not only hers. However, she still felt sad looking back on how much time he could have been spending with her and his friends. She didn't know whether to feel disappointed and jealous because he hadn't been spending that time with her or if she should feel selfish and ashamed that she wanted to take his time away from saving lives or if she should feel defeated because she was the reason he started this work in the first place. If she hadn't been in the supercomputer, then he likely would have walked away from the factory altogether. Maybe, she should just feel grateful and leave it at that. She sighed, still confused.
"Ms. Stones, am I boring you?" Ms. Meyers called from the front of the room.
Aelita turned red and shook her head, not realizing that her sigh had been audible. "No, ma'am."
"Then, perhaps, you'd show us how to work out this next problem on the board," she replied, quickly chalking up an equation.
Aelita nodded and stood. It wasn't a difficult one to solve and Ms. Meyer's probably knew Aelita could solve it. This was just a display to show the other students that they should pay attention in class. She approached the board, solved the problem quickly, and returned to her seat. With a nod, Ms. Meyer's approved and continued with her lesson, leaving Aelita's mind to continue to wander.
-m-
"Wow, Aelita," Odd said as they exited the classroom. "You hardly ever get called on out of the blue like that. Usually, I'm the one falling asleep in class."
"Yeah, and making a fool of yourself at the board," Ulrich added.
Odd frowned in his direction. "Hey, uncalled for."
Ulrich smirked and shrugged.
"Seriously, though, Aelita," Odd continued. "Is everything alright?"
Aelita paused, unsure of what to say. Jeremie was standing next to her as they walked toward the gymnasium, making the moment feel tense and awkward. She only hoped that she was the only one to feel it. "I'm alright. I'm just thinking about the carnival," she said. Yes, she decided, turn those feelings around and talk about something else. "I've never been to one before."
Odd's face lit up at that remark. "It's going to be amazing, Aelita! There are rides and games, tests of skill like darts and ring toss. Oh, not to mention all of the amazing carnival food: popcorn, cotton candy, corn dogs, funnel cakes! The greasiest pizza! The saltiest of fries! Mmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it all."
"There goes Odd again, the walking stomach," Ulrich said dryly.
Aelita laughed, happy with the change in subject. "It sounds great. What sorts of rides are there?"
"Only the best ones of course!" Odd shouted, motioning with his hands as he began to describe the variety of rides that they might find: the scrambler, a small roller coaster, a drop tower, a swinging ship, and a Farris wheel. He continued raving about the lights and speeds of different rides and how many people could fit in each type along with how long the ride lasted. He spared no detail while painting the picture for Aelita. By the time they arrived at the gymnasium, Odd was still talking and nearly followed Aelita into the girls' locker room.
Aelita laughed as she held up her hand to stop Odd. "You can't follow me in here," she chuckled.
Odd looked up at the sign of a woman next to the door. "Oh, right. Heh heh. Well, we will continue this conversation later!"
Aelita shook her head and smiled, heading into the changing room, only to come face to face with Sissi.
"Well, if it isn't little Ms. Einstein," she started with a taunt. "How is it that a brainiac loser like you is always surrounded by guys, huh?" Aelita frowned and tried to ignore Sissi and move around her, but Sissi moved to block her path. "You shouldn't hog Ulrich all the time. If he weren't spending time with you and those loser friends of yours, he would be spending time with me." Sissi pursed her lips and placed one hand on her hip and the other gesturing toward her chest.
"Sissi, I'd just like to get changed for gym class," Aelita said. She could feel a few other girls' eyes on her as the situation began to unfold.
"Is that so?" Sissi sniped. "I see you're at least changing with the ladies." Sissi laughed, her face growing smug.
Aelita grew angry, thinking back to when Sissi had convinced her to try to use the men's restroom before she knew any better. "Oh, is this the ladies room? I only see an old goat," she taunted, looking Sissi up and down before shoulder checking her on the way to her locker.
Sissi fumed as a few girls laughed at Aelita's comment. "Ugh!" she stomped her foot and marched out of the changing room in a huff.
-m-
Today they were practicing soccer. Aelita was first up to be a goal keeper as the other students were to practice their penalty kicks. She had practiced once before with Ulrich so she was only a little nervous. She knew that the others would probably score a few, but at least she wouldn't end up looking foolish.
"Alright, on the sound of my whistle," Jim called, before blowing loudly in a whistle around his neck.
Matthias stepped up to the ball, kicking wildly sending the ball far to the left of the goal. Aelita didn't even need to move. Jim barked at him to retrieve the ball as Ulrich stepped up for his turn.
At the sound of the whistle, he ran up kicking the ball perfectly, aiming directly at the top left corner of the goal. Aelita hustled to get into position, jumping at the last second to attempt a block, but Ulrich was too fast and too good. He scored.
"That's the way, Stern!" Jim called. "Next!"
-m-
Aelita was sweating by the end of class. She had managed to save three balls, but there were a few close calls that she was also proud of.
"You're getting better," Ulrich said patting her on the shoulder as they headed back to the gymnasium to change.
Aelita smiled. "It's not as easy as you and Odd make it look."
"It takes a lot of practice to be as good as we are," Odd laughed kicking a stone toward a nearby trashcan, hitting it with a loud metal clang. "Goooooaall!"
"Alright, you guys, enough goofing around. We've got a program to work on," Jeremie said as he opened the door to the gym.
"Good ol' Jeremie," Ulrich replied and followed him in.
"I'll walk with you to the factory as soon as I finish changing," Aelita said with a smile and turned toward the locker room.
"Make sure you guys are done by 6 o'clock. We'll have carnival food for dinner!" Odd cheered and laughed as he and Ulrich followed Jeremie into the boys' locker room. Although outwardly he was smiling and goofing off as usual, inside he was genuinely worried that Jeremie and Aelita wouldn't make it to the carnival tonight. Jeremie almost never made it to fun events. The last time they invited him out to the movies, he turned them down to work on Aelita's anti-virus. Then, it turned out Aelita didn't need an anti-virus, she was missing part of her memory. So, when they invited him to go to the skate park, he was too busy scouring Lyoko for that. It was always something. As much as Aelita always smiled and said he would meet up with them next time, Odd noticed that she always looked a little sad that he wouldn't be there. Odd knew that Aelita and Jeremie were a thing. Ulrich didn't have to remind him. Yet, Odd felt like Aelita could do better, preferably someone who would actually spend some time with her. He had never really considered her romantically before, but something changed the more he spent time with her. The way she smiled always made him smile and she would almost never turn down an adventure. It was nice to have someone who could keep up with his crazy antics. Maybe she could be something more than just a friend.
As he finished changing, he called over to Jeremie one more time. "Don't miss out on the carnival tonight. It's going to be a really good time."
"Odd, carnivals aren't all that. It's just a bunch of cheap and dangerous rides surrounded by overly greasy food," Jeremie replied.
"I still don't hear a downside," Odd said with a laugh. "Seriously, take a break tonight and let loose. I want to see you and me battle it out on the bumper cars!" Odd mimed driving and crashing into Jeremie as Ulrich rolled his eyes.
Jeremie shook his head as if shaking away the thought and shut his locker. "If Aelita and I can get through this program I've been working on, then we should be able to go while it compiles."
"Yeah-hah! That's the spirit," Odd said, slapping him on the back and practically shoving him out of the locker room. "Now, hurry up! I'm not waiting if you guys are late."
"That's Odd's stomach talking," Ulrich said with a chuckle. "Come on, Odd. Let's go find Yumi and let her in on the plans."
As Jeremie and Aelita headed for the factory, Odd and Ulrich turned back toward campus to find Yumi.
"What are your plans for getting Yumi alone at the carnival tonight?" Odd asked.
Ulrich blushed and turned abruptly toward Odd. "I don't have any plans like that! We're all going together. As friends. Just like you said."
"But you are going to ride some rides with her, right?"
"Sure, well… I guess," Ulrich stammered. "I mean, I'm sure we'll all ride something, right?"
"Mmhmm," Odd insinuated. "But, you and Yumi might just end up riding something together. Side by side." Odd fluttered his eyelashes.
"Stop it, Odd. You know Yumi and I are just friends," Ulrich replied. "Besides," he paused, noticing Yumi walking their direction, but not alone. "It looks like she might be riding with someone else," he finished gruffly.
"Hey, guys," Yumi greeted them with a smile. "William said he'd join us at the carnival tonight."
"I'm sure he did," Ulrich muttered.
"What was that?" Yumi asked.
"I'm sure glad he did," Ulrich replied, changing up his story and putting on a fake smile. "We were just coming to talk to you about it. Jeremie and Aelita are off programing together," he started, emphasizing programming ever so slightly, "but they plan to meet us there at 6 so we can get some food."
"Yeah! Carnival food is one of the best reasons to go!" Odd added.
"I never was a big fan of carnival food," William interjected.
"What? Are you bananas?" Odd exclaimed. "How can you not like carnival food?"
"I just don't prefer it, I guess," William said as he thought it over. "It's greasy and fatty and usually overly sweet."
"Still not hearing the downside," Odd replied.
"Well, William," Ulrich began, "if you aren't interested in eating carnival food, maybe you can just come after dinner." He eyed William with a smug smile.
"Oh, I think I can manage to find something halfway decent, Ulrich, but thanks for your concern," he replied. "Besides, I promised Yumi a ride in the tunnel of love." At that, Ulrich balled his hands into fists and grit his teeth.
"Slow down there, Romeo," Yumi spoke up. "I never agreed to any tunnel of love." At this Ulrich relaxed a bit. "I'm just hoping to have a fun night out."
"That can be arranged," William said with a sly smile, using the opportunity to wrap his arm around Yumi's waist.
She quickly grabbed his hand and moved his arm back to her side and off of her. "Well, maybe not that much fun just yet," Yumi said. "I better get going. I told my parents I would come home and check in with them before heading out tonight."
"Later, Yumi," Odd called as she walked away with a wave.
"What's your problem?" Ulrich asked, turning toward William as soon as Yumi was out of earshot.
"Excuse me?" William replied defensively. "What did I do?"
"You know exactly what you did," Ulrich barked, pointing a finger at William. "Yumi obviously doesn't appreciate your advances so just stay away from her."
"And who are you to tell me how to act around Yumi?" he mocked. "I didn't pressure Yumi into inviting me. She did that all on her own."
"Well, I'm uninviting you," Ulrich replied.
"I don't think you have that authority," William said, inching closer. He and Ulrich began to square up, and although William towered over Ulrich by at least 6 inches, Ulrich showed no signs of backing down.
"Alright, tough guys, break it up," Odd stated firmly, stepping between them. He could feel the testosterone radiating off them both as he placed his hands on their chests, pushing them each back a step. "Let's just cool down. There'll be plenty of time for Yumi to hang out with all of us."
William frowned, frustrated, but willing to back off. Ulrich took a deep breath and unclenched his fists but kept his scowl.
"Fine," Ulrich stated firmly and pointed his finger at William again. "But he better not try anything fishy."
"It isn't fishy if Yumi agrees to it," William retorted with a smirk.
At that comment, Odd moved to place both hands on Ulrich, restraining him and pushing him further away from William. "Let's go, Ulrich," he insisted. "See you, William."
William scoffed and watched as Odd began leading Ulrich back to the dorms. "Yeah, see you later."
