- Nothing. - Odd muttered, lifting his gaze to Jeremy only to see frustration painted on his face.
- Then we won't do anything more. - sighed Jeremy, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
- Are you sure about this, Jeremy? - Yumi spoke without taking her eyes off of Della Robbia, who was desperately trying to pretend not to notice.
- Yes, I'm sure. The program works perfectly. We made the leap three times, and two of them were focused only on her. - Irritation was evident in his voice. - I don't understand why she remembers everything, but there's nothing we can do about it.
- Don't be upset. It's not your fault. - Aelita murmured, trying to console the boy, but to no avail.
Nothing brought down the bespectacled one like ignorance.
- Right. If it's anyone's fault, it's Odd's. - Ishiyama interjected, immediately silencing Dell Robbi when he tried to protest. - No, Odd, you brought her here! We don't know who this girl is; we don't know her, and now she knows where the supercomputer is, and we can't do anything about it!
- I didn't know it would end like this.
- You didn't need to know, just don't bring her here. Besides, Odd, think! You came here with her, bringing specters, right to me or Aelita.
- Because I needed help! Did you see what they looked like? - he explained, angry. - That's why you went to Lyoko, and we were supposed to deal with them. If I knew William would be so damn useless, I would have run through the city.
- We brought Jim, Sissi, or anyone from school here many times. - Ulrich chimed in, trying to ease the situation a bit. - In Odd's place, I wouldn't have thought about it either.
- And now we have the consequences. - Yumi intervened, frowning. - Why didn't you just leave her then?
- Because it wasn't him the specters were after. Right, Odd? - Einstein spoke up, surprising everyone, including Della Robbia. - I saw it on the cameras.
- Yes. I only figured it out at the factory. - He took a deep breath before adding. - And earlier, he tried to possess her, but he failed.
- What?! And that didn't make you think?
- Hell, of course, it did, Yumi! But how could I know that going back to the past wouldn't erase her memory? Besides, I didn't know where you two were! Imagine what would have happened if I got the codes and left Alex at school without any of us. I had no choice!
- It happened, and that's it. - Aelita intervened, interrupting the argument between the two. - Let's think about what to do now.
- We can't trust her, that's clear. - Yumi immediately stated, her cold gaze fixed on Jeremy. - She appears out of nowhere, befriends one of us, and then turns out to be immune to Xana's possession and time travel. Besides, he chased her! This can't be a coincidence.
- Well... It does look suspicious. - Stern admitted, glancing apologetically at his roommate.
- So, what, is she some kind of spy? - he joked, but when he saw the uncertain expressions of his friends, he sent them a disbelieving look. - Come on. She's a normal girl; I would have noticed if it were otherwise. - He rolled his eyes. - Besides, the enemy of our enemy should be our friend, right?
- You don't know her! - the dark-haired girl hissed, irritated by his nonchalant attitude.
- More than you do! - He didn't want to give up. - She doesn't even want anything to do with the factory!
- You can't be sure!
- Of course I can't! And that's what trust is, Yumi! Besides, if Xana really wants something from her, she'd better know what she's dealing with, right?
- Odd is right. - Jeremy declared, interrupting their shouting match. - We can't just leave her.
- Fine, and what's next? - William grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. - Do we keep her in a cage, or do we throw her straight into Lyoko?
- For now, let's try talking to her and keep an eye on her. Remember, this was only the third attack since Xana changed? Maybe it's just glitched, and that's why he was chasing her? Or because she was with Odd?"
- And that's why she remembers everything?
- I don't know, William. Maybe it's because of the failed possession? Maybe it will pass? Besides, I don't care who she is and why it happened like this. - He said decisively, annoyed by the number of questions he couldn't find answers to. - If Odd trusts her, and I have no evidence against her, I won't condemn her to death. - He added and stood up from the computer, being the first to head towards the elevator.
How the hell did I let myself get talked into this, she thought bitterly, sitting in the room of some random guy with his gang of friends. No one spoke as they waited for the room's owner, who decided to be fashionably late by a good ten minutes. Her gaze involuntarily wandered over the assembled group.
To her right sat the same tall brunette who was with them at the factory. He had dark, tousled hair and was dressed entirely in black, emphasizing the pale hue of his skin. His dark eyes stared at her with resentment, probably still holding a grudge for hitting him. Next to him was a girl with short, slightly wavy pink hair. She was petite and had a pleasant face, but damn, she couldn't help but discreetly roll her eyes at her outfit. Her flowery pink dress and light blue sweater were so... different from what she wore herself that she couldn't look at her for more than a few seconds. The next trio was sitting across from her; an Asian girl who clearly had an issue with her existence, a tall brunet she seemed to have seen before, and the damn Odd Della Robbia. The latter tried to make eye contact with her the whole time, but she steadfastly avoided his gaze, absolutely furious that he dragged her into this mess.
- Could you finally stop? - the brunet, probably William, spoke up. When she furrowed her brow, he pointed to her leg, which was restlessly twitching in place.
- Does Xana gain more power from this?
- No, but I'm definitely losing my sanity.
- If it bothers you so much, it means your hearing is sharpening, right?
- Now I know why you get along with Odd so well. - he scoffed, rolling his eyes and getting up to change seats. - You're just as annoying as he is.
Instead of responding, she just raised her thumb, to which he grimaced and crossed his arms over his chest. Ishiyama continued to kill her with her gaze, and Ulrich just shook his head at his friend's behavior. Finally, when she was about to leave, the room's owner arrived; the same glasses-wearing guy who was at the computer in the factory. He smiled apologetically at her before approaching and extending his hand.
- Hey, I'm Jeremy. - he greeted, which was a positive surprise for her.
She shook his hand but didn't speak, waiting to hear what he had to say. The fair-haired guy took a seat at the desk chair, and he was the first person after Odd who seemed somewhat friendly to her.
- Sorry for making you wait, but Professor Klotz insisted on discussing... Well, never mind. - He mumbled, giving the impression that this whole situation was more awkward for him than for the girl. - Anyway, I wanted to explain what we're dealing with, but I'd also like to learn something about you. Is that okay?
- Sure.
Over the next few minutes, she learned that a group of teenagers at her new school possessed some incredibly advanced technology in an old, crumbling factory on the outskirts of the city. They used it to save the world. For several years, they had been fighting a virus that activated towers (whatever that meant) in a world called Lyoko, which could then influence reality. Its main goal was to destroy the warriors and eventually take over humanity. The supercomputer was built by the father of one of the girls, who was actually not 17 but 27, having spent a decade trapped in the digital world (here, the pink-haired one waved at her). Jeremy's former colleague created his own virtual world, enabling Xana's return. Oh, and time travel existed.
She could still accept that.
However improbable it sounded, she was able to understand it, especially after reliving the same morning three times. So, she had no reason not to believe. But what did she have to do with all of this? The more she thought about it, the more tangled her thoughts became. She had no idea why she, in particular, was immune to Xana's possession. She also didn't know why the return to the past didn't work on her, but apparently, it was somehow connected, at least that's what she inferred from the glasses-wearing guy's words.
- So, that's how it looks. Do you have any questions? - he asked, adjusting his glasses, behind which were blue, tired eyes. - Because I have plenty.
- Just one. - she sighed, pulling at a loose thread on her hoodie sleeve. - Do you have any way to erase this memory from me?
- Unfortunately, unless you want to try hitting your head. - he shrugged, and she snorted, her lips involuntarily forming a small smile. - Okay, so the first question. - he said, then smiled broadly. - Are you a spy?
The girl furrowed her brow, glancing at Odd, who groaned audibly behind the glasses-wearing guy and hid his face in his hands.
- You're fucked up. - he muttered, and the dark-haired girl couldn't help but chuckle, seeing his red cheeks.
- No. - she replied, and a bit of humor allowed her to finally relax.
- Great. - he said. - Have you ever dealt with a supercomputer before?
- Yeah, when my brother bought a gaming laptop. - she shrugged. - Other than that, no.
- Have you ever relived the same day before?
- I asked her that already. - Odd interjected, and their gazes briefly met before the girl focused on her interlocutor again.
- So, I assume not. Do the names Hopper or Tyron mean anything to you?
- And should they? - she furrowed her brow.
The blond observed her for a moment, as if assessing how much he should believe her, then smiled again, but this time more restrained.
- No. - he sighed. - But tell me, where are you from, Alex? And why Cadic?
These questions seemed different, seemingly trivial, but they were the ones that would determine whether the girl gained his trust or not. He saw that she was visibly confused, not understanding the connection, but she gave him the name of her town without hesitation.
- And Cadic because... - here, the corners of her mouth twitched at the mere mention. - It's like they kicked my friend out of the old school. The principal asked his parents to enroll him in another one so he wouldn't face consequences. His brother studied here, so he chose this place. And I followed.
Belpois smiled. What she said matched what he found out about her using the supercomputer. Maybe it wasn't a hundred percent alibi, but it was enough for the guy to have some basis to trust the girl, and that satisfied him.
- What's with these questions about school or other nonsense? - William, who had been sitting with a clear grimace on his face the whole time, got offended. - Who would want to hide such things?
- A potential spy, for example? - Ulrich interjected.
Yumi only crossed her arms over her chest, while Della Robbia hid his face in his hands again.
- So what? Everything's great, welcome to the ranks of Lyoko warriors, is that it? - William complained.
- We talked about it, William! - Einstein chimed in. He could swear that he was going crazy soon. - Can't you calm down for a moment?
- Because this is a fucking joke!
- You're just jealous that you had to wait longer. - Stern stated with a mocking smile on his face, making the brunet boil with anger.
- Listen here you little...
- I never said I wanted to be in your team. - the dark-haired girl interrupted, drawing everyone's attention to herself. - It's great that you're charity-saving the world, I'm incredibly grateful and all, but I want to stay away from it. I only came here because Odd asked me, and besides, I have to go now.
She headed towards the door, but Jeremy's words stopped her halfway.
- I'm afraid you don't have a choice. Xana doesn't just attack random people who don't get in his way like us. So if he targeted you, you could be in great danger, and...
- I'm afraid I have some. - she cut him off. - Moreover, you yourself said that you're not sure whether those guys really chased me or not.
- That's why you should stick with us, at least for a while. - the pink-haired one finally spoke, probably for the first time in her presence. - If really...
- Didn't you mention that sticking with you is the first step towards elimination on Xana's list? - she raised her eyebrows, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Della Robbia, who seemed to be burning a hole between her eyes.
- It's not convenient for us either. - Ishiyama finally spoke up, but the dark-haired one didn't even look in her direction.
- You're right. Sticking with us is risky, but without us, it can be deadly dangerous. - sighed Belpois, and sympathy was evident on his face. - Moreover, all this action with going back to the past...
- All you're saying makes sense only if we assume that your virus really wants to kill me. Except that I didn't do anything, so I don't see why he would do that. I also don't know why your supercomputer didn't work on me. I don't understand it, I don't want to get involved in it, and I don't want trouble, so I won't tell anyone anything. Just... stay away from me. All of you. - she added, looking at Della Robbia one last time before leaving the room, leaving the warriors in complete silence.
- Well. It could have gone worse. - Ulrich said, grimacing, as Odd left shortly afterward, slamming the door.
Avoiding someone with whom you had to work on a shared project the same day was challenging. Moreover, due to the lack of available seats, she was forced to sit where she always did, next to Della Robbia, making her feel even more awkward.
As she requested, the guy didn't speak to her since the incident in the room, although they crossed paths in the hallway a few times. He also avoided looking in her direction, though she could swear a few times that she felt his gaze on her. It was strange not to talk to him for a month and a half of what seemed to be a promising friendship, but she was determined to stick to her decision. However, she had to admit that she felt a bit... sad. Normally, she didn't care about such things. People came and went, but it didn't bother her because she always had Charlie by her side, a stable relationship she could always rely on. So why was it different this time?
Oh right. Because it was boring.
Without all the mystery associated with saving the world, the blond guy was intriguing. He brought something new into her life, something exciting and worth paying attention to. He was unpredictable, and, well, she had grown to like him. But being with him equaled danger. She didn't want to attract trouble or lie to Charlie—those were the only rules in her life she always adhered to without exception. And being with him meant breaking both of them.
Odd, on the other hand, was absolutely disappointed.
Disappointed with his friends' attitude, the girl's reaction, but above all, disappointed with himself. He could have explained everything better back in the factory. He could have spoken to Jeremy, could have stopped her, could have done a lot.
But he did nothing.
During the argument with Yumi, he told the truth but omitted one crucial detail. One of the reasons he took Alex to the factory was his own selfish motives. He was just curious about how the girl would react when she saw the supercomputer. However, he had to admit that what happened after the time jump was solely his fault. He wanted her to realize the danger, but apparently, he went too far and needlessly frightened her. So, he shouldn't blame her for not wanting anything to do with them.
Actually, if Jeremy's theory turned out to be true, he should be glad it turned out this way. Especially since he couldn't find another explanation. Ishiyama's words raised doubts in him, but he didn't believe that the girl could want to harm them. Not after her reaction to the danger that threatened both her and her friend. And since she probably wasn't connected to Lyoko, Odd feared he might be the one who brought trouble upon her. That's why he didn't try to fix things. She was right that they should stay away from her, so he respected her request and didn't push. He owed her that.
- Good preparations, but if you want to buy herbarium from older students next time, I would advise getting them from someone who at least knew what they were doing. - Professor Hertz commented, interrupting his contemplation. - Next are... Della Robbia and Meyer.
Alex didn't even look at him as she handed him the notes. Luckily, they managed to finish everything a day earlier, and Professor Hertz didn't require a big speech, only general knowledge about their project.
- Your work isn't perfect, but solid. I must admit I'm surprised. - she said, and those were the nicest words he heard from her since middle school. - Four plus. Plus for good cooperation.
Oh, the irony.
When the bell finally rang, none of them rushed to leave. The guy packed his things into his backpack, watching the girl from the corner of his eye, hoping for any reaction from her. When she raised her head, this time none of them looked away.
- It was nice. - she muttered, sending him a small smile before standing up and heading towards the exit. The blond guy watched her until her silhouette disappeared behind the door.
- Yeah. - he sighed. - It was.