- So, he attacked because of her? - grumbled Ulrich, sitting on the bed and playing with his phone.
It was a Saturday morning, the day after the Xana's attack, and Jeremy had asked everyone to come to his room, as usual when they had something important to discuss. The atmosphere was tense due to recent events, but mostly because of two teenagers who had been avoiding eye contact for the past five minutes. The fact that they had arrived early, thanks to Yumi's work, didn't help either. Odd was visibly unhappy about it, and his complaints only worsened the situation.
- Yeah, I think so. I believe XANA wanted to take advantage of the fact that she was alone. Well, almost alone. Fortunately, the guy doesn't remember anything. - Jeremy confirmed.
- Then we can rule out immunity to possession through time travel. That's something. - Aelita said with relief, but Jeremy shook his head.
- Not entirely, because her possession never actually happened.
- There's another problem. - Odd announced, drawing attention to himself, including Ishiyama, who reluctantly looked at him. - Charlie looked similar to the specters, but at the same time... worse.
- How? - William inquired.
- It's like XANA accidentally almost killed him. When I got there, the guy looked like a corpse, barely breathing.
- Accidentally? - Ulrich raised an eyebrow.
- Yes. If XANA wasn't forced to do it, he wouldn't have created a new polymorph.
- That's awful! - Aelita exclaimed. - If it's related to the codes...
- I'll look into it. - Jeremy immediately declared. - If it's true, I'm afraid not only the possession victims could suffer from it.
He glanced meaningfully at Della Robbia.
- And what about Odd's girlfriend? - William interjected, glancing at the blond with a smirk, as usual, trying to fuel the fire.
- She's not my girlfriend.
- If you didn't have a thing for her, you wouldn't be defending her.
- If I had a thing for her, I wouldn't hide it.
- Odd said she changed her mind. She could actually help us, but I don't think everyone agrees. - Belpois stated, looking at Yumi, who stood by the door with crossed arms and clenched lips.
- Right, I disagree. - she affirmed.
- Yeah, exactly, almost forgot. What were you and William doing in the factory yesterday before us? - Odd snapped, finally having the opportunity to address the issue that had been bothering him all evening. - If I remember correctly, Yumi, you called Jeremy, not the other way around.
The silence from their side spoke volumes.
- It was my idea. William overheard them in the cafeteria, and I wanted to see for myself if Alex would betray us.
- I knew it. - Odd sighed in frustration. - Damn, how old are you people to stalk someone?
- Don't complain. The girl was lucky they were there. - Ulrich pointed out, but Odd ignored him.
- Yumi, I'm telling you for the last time; she's not our enemy!
- Would you bet on that, Odd? - she retorted in the same tone, giving him a piercing look. The others discreetly rolled their eyes, witnessing another argument between the two.
- Oh, give me a break. How many seventeen-year-olds do you know wanting to destroy the world?
- I just won't cooperate with someone I don't trust, okay?
- And are we still talking about Alex?
- What do you mean?
- We gave a chance to two people who willingly pushed themselves into our scanners. One of them was your friend (shut up, William), and the other was Laura, brought by Jeremy (not now, Aelita), who literally messed up the programs to become part of the group and yet we accepted her. Alex literally has no choice! Polymorphs go crazy at the sight of her, and I don't want to leave her like that. I can't wander around with those damn codes alone, so my proposition is that we inform her about the attacks and, if necessary, call her to the factory. I don't care what you think about her, but if you don't want to trust her, at least trust me, okay?
He gritted his teeth, not taking his eyes off Ishiyama, who stared at him with a mixture of astonishment and unease, but most importantly, anger. She took a breath, raising his hand slightly, as if to stop him from saying more, wanting to gather her thoughts first. That's when the blond glanced at his roommate, clearly signaling that it was his turn to speak.
- This is even worse than the Laura situation. - Ulrich sighed. - But I'm in. I've even grown to like her.
- She doesn't seem to want to harm us, above all. - Jeremy added.
- If you put it that way, I don't see a problem. - Aelita said. - Just make sure she stays away from the computer and the factory when we're not there. Better not to take any risks.
- Whatever. - grumbled William.
- Okay. Okay, Odd, but you're responsible for her. - Ishiyama said, still not believing she said it out loud.
She also didn't give him a chance to respond, turning on her heel and leaving, muttering something about being late for work. Not that he cared; he was too pleased that he had finally stood his ground.
He decided not to join the others for lunch at the cafe. Jeremy had told him it was like poking a hornet's nest, but he wasn't concerned. He had no desire to see Yumi. It wasn't the first time she criticized Blond's decisions just because they were his. In her eyes, he was always the imprudent younger brother with nothing intelligent to say, and he was slowly getting tired of it.
Instead of visiting the girl at work, he went to the cafeteria, pleased that he would have a moment of silence and peace from all the Lyoko-related matters. Well, not entirely all of them, because as he looked for an empty spot, he noticed a familiar purple-haired girl sitting by the window.
- You here? Without Charles? - he greeted as the girl removed her headphones.
- What about you? Didn't you mix up the tables? - she smiled before returning to jotting down notes in her notebook.
He didn't want to ask why she was doing math on a Saturday.
- It depends on whether you'll allow me to stay. If you say no, I'll say yes.
- So I say yes. - she stated, though he was already pulling a chair to sit, too close for her liking. If she just moved a bit to the left, she'd practically be on his lap.
It wasn't the first time the blond blatantly invaded her personal space, but pointing it out never worked, so she stopped doing it. The boy rested his face on his hand, taking a sip of her coffee and scanning her notes; she was proud that her hand wasn't trembling this time.
- You know, when you said we'd go for coffee, this isn't how I imagined it. - she raised the corners of her mouth as he chuckled, still not lifting his eyes from the notebook. - I didn't know you were so interested in functions.
- Oh no, I don't read this. You just write nicely.
- Really? - her eyes sparkled at the compliment. - If you like these scribbles, you should see Charlie's notebooks. He has excellent handwriting!
- Maybe, but I like yours. - he said.
She noticed that he rarely kept his head straight when talking to her one-on-one, scanning her with his eyes. It made her feel intimidated, suddenly unsure of her words, and she didn't like that. She felt like a complete idiot.
- Where did you lose the others? - she asked, trying to hide her embarrassment, meanwhile making erroneous calculations and rewriting them.
- Oh right...
He forced himself to convey their preliminary plan, which they had devised just a few hours earlier. Of course, he tried to present the information in a slightly brighter light (not mentioning Yumi), even giving her Jeremy's number to make her feel safer. He had to admit she took it surprisingly well.
- What. The. Fuck. - she said, not in anger, more in disbelief. She didn't run away from the cafeteria either, which was a big plus.
- See, it won't be that bad.
- I don't know if I can just escape like this every time, Odd. - she frowned at the thought of what she'd have to tell Charlie to keep him from trying to follow her.
- It's okay; we'll avoid getting others involved. And if anything happens, we can always go back to the past. - he assured, taking the last sip of her drink before continuing. - And we won't run to the factory every time. Just have someone stay with you.
- Can't it be you? - this time she tilted her head and locked eyes with him, deliberately echoing his movements.
- Well, It's... complicated.
- I guess now is the best time for you to explain it to me. - she pointed out.
He fell silent, looked at her, and then at the cafeteria, which was starting to fill up with more people.
- Not here.
- Okay. - Right after, she closed the notebook and slipped it into her bag, determined to find out as soon as possible. - Come on.
- Where?
- To my room.
- Now?! I haven't even eaten anything yet!
The first impression wasn't exactly impressive, to put it mildly. Cream-colored walls, devoid of any posters or even pictures. The bed was covered with a purple duvet, and it was the only distinctive element amid the clutter on the desk, which, in his eyes, couldn't be considered clutter with so few things. No clothes on display, no items on the shelves, at most two pairs of shoes standing in the corner. Somehow, it didn't match his image of the girl; he considered her more of a maximalist or at least someone with a bit of chaos.
- So empty. And sad.
- Because I hide everything on the shelves. - she replied, opening one of them to reveal a small collection of notebooks and books. It didn't convince him.
- Don't you want to hang up a poster or, I don't know, get a teddy bear for the bed? - he raised an eyebrow, but the girl paid no attention to him, searching for something among the piles of notebooks.
- I came here only for a year, Odd. The fewer things, the easier it is to clean up. And if you want a teddy bear in my bed, I can always lie down on it.
He snorted before shifting his gaze to her desk, where a few pens, markers, a couple of eyeliners, and energy drink cans were scattered. His attention was quickly drawn to a photograph standing in the corner, right next to the laptop and a cup of brushes.
- Is this your family? - he asked, although he could guess the answer.
A brunette and a blonde on the left, with pleasant faces, around thirty-five, maybe forty years old at most. On the right, a boy, a blond with light eyes, and a dark-haired girl, both around her age. And in the middle...
- Is that you? - he grinned, pointing at the little girl with dark brown hair whose facial expression screamed how much she didn't want to be there. She definitely inherited facial features from her mother, although her eyes, both in shape and color, were her father's. - You looked adorable with that fringe!
- Och, please. - she rolled her eyes. - I cut it myself because I didn't want to look like Vanessa,. - she chuckled at the memory of her father's face when he found her in the bathroom with scissors in one hand and a clump of hair in the other. - Anyway, this picture is proof that I've been wearing tracksuits forever, so I keep it.
- Vanessa? Your sister, right?
- Yeah, and the brother is Lucas. Cool dude, or at least before he moved out and started a family. Anyway, you'd probably get along with him better than with Vanessa. - he had the feeling that every time she mentioned that name, she said it through clenched teeth. - And you? Any siblings?
- Five older sisters.
- Oh, female versions of Odd Della Robbia?
- I wish. - he put the frame back in its place and crossed his arms over his chest, turning to her. - Maybe it would be funny then. Louise's peak of humor was convincing parents to call me Odd because it's strange that they wanted to keep me.
She laughed, not even trying to hide it.
- I'm telling you, it was her best joke. - he rolled his eyes, and the corners of his mouth twitched as he tried to maintain seriousness.
- At least you're easy to remember. - she noticed, before starting to put the notebooks back in their place, visibly displeased.
- What are you actually looking for?
- Math assignments. - she sighed.
- Why are you dealing with this on a Saturday? That's crazy!
- I just like to get it over with quickly. And I only do it with the ones that make sense, like math. - she defended herself, but his expression suggested that he didn't quite believe it. - Fuck you, you should try it sometimes! - she exclaimed, sitting on the bed, gesturing for him to take a seat next to her. - Is it risky to invite Odd Della Robbia to my bed in broad daylight?
- I don't attack colleagues. - he declared with a silly smile, well aware of his reputation in this school. - Besides, where did you get the idea that you're my type?
- From what I've heard, everyone is your type.
- Not true! I have taste, you know?
- Och? So, I'm not pretty enough for the school heartthrob? - she raised her eyebrows.
The blond immediately straightened up and blinked several times, trying to process what he had just said. Damn, it wasn't supposed to sound like that.
- No? No! That's not what I meant... - he defended himself before she burst into laughter, openly mocking his embarrassment. He sighed with relief, realizing that she was just joking. Sometimes, when he felt too comfortable, he forgot to bite his tongue, and from experience, he knew that girls especially didn't like it. - That was cruel.
- Well, you called me ugly. - she teased, not holding back her smile as he scowled, looking at her from under his brow.
- You're playing with my feelings. - he sighed dramatically, covering his chest with his hand. - Besides, I don't really think that.
- My god, I hate you, Odd. - she groaned finally, amusing him even more. Right after that, she shifted her face towards him, leaning against the wall with her back and stretching her legs to rest them on his thighs. - Instead of doing what you're doing, I'd prefer if you explained to me what's going on.
- And what exactly am I doing?
- You know well. You're constantly analyzing me.
- Maybe I'm trying to figure out if you're a spy? - he suggested.
- I know you've been doing this since we started meeting.
- I know that you know. - he sighed. She didn't even notice when his hands rested on her leg. - Actually, it's funny that you're asking now, but the explanation might disappoint you. I just like doing it. - he shrugged.
- You don't do that with others.
- So, you're observing me too? - his smile became arrogant, throwing her off balance.
- Admit that you just like tormenting me.
- I like it? - he tilted his head, and that silly smile didn't leave his face.
- Odd!
- Fine, I admit it. - he laughed, seeing her furrow her brows and puff out her lower lip, annoyed. - I like guessing what's on your mind. Is that bad?
- Yes! If I wanted to tell you something, I would.
- And you do, you have a really honest face.
- Now you're just making fun of me!
- I don't understand why you don't trust me. - he said sarcastically. - And this is after you cried on my shoulder.
- That was the first and last time you saw me cry. - she snapped, embarrassed by the mention of yesterday's incident.
Not many people had seen her in such a state; she could count on one hand the number of times she had cried, especially since she turned thirteen. However, it was precisely because of this that she felt Odd had become somewhat closer to her, as if she had known him for years; nevertheless, she still felt ashamed.
- In that case, I should have recorded it.
- Then you wouldn't survive until next Xana's attack. - she scoffed. - Speaking of which, Xana! Can you tell me why your friends are keeping an eye on me? Yesterday, it was made clear that you're not the reason the specters are after me, so why can't I hang out with you?
- You really should work on overcoming your shyness, you know. - he teased, and only now did she realize how warm his hand was on her skin.
- I'm not shy, Della Robbia! - she snapped, ignoring the goosebumps from his touch. - I just don't care about them, and I'm sure we don't like each other mutually.
- You didn't like me at first either. - he observed. She widened her eyes when she realized that it was one of those things she told him during the party when she was having too much fun to watch what she was saying. - I think you enjoy staying in your comfort zone too much. - he continued, throwing her off balance, even though she tried not to show it.
Somehow, all his opinions about her hit too close to the truth.
- What's wrong with that?
- Did I say there's something wrong? I'm just stating a fact. You take the initiative only when Charlie is around or when we're alone. - he shrugged. - It's actually cute.
She felt her cheeks burning, but she decided to roll her eyes.
- After all, getting to know you is my way out of my comfort zone.
- Not entirely. You started talking to me when you were drunk and next to Charlie.
- Trying to change the subject. - she hissed, folding her legs to rest her feet on his thigh while embracing her knees with her hands. - Talk about what's going on. And don't try to feed me a line about making new friends.
- If you insist. - he sighed, adjusting his position, complaining about her uncomfortable bed, before finally getting to the point. - Do you remember when Jeremy told you about Xana's return two years ago? - She nodded. - Well, he didn't mention that Xana came back not only through the supercomputer but also through source codes. Let's say it's a part of Xana that allowed us to deactivate the towers. It used to be only Aelita's task, so in a way, it really made our job easier. To recover them, he sent specters, though they looked like humans, not demons from the depths of hell, as you saw. Every time one touched you, it took the codes, making Xana stronger, and you had schizoid episodes until someone deactivated the tower. If he managed to take everything, he would be invincible, so we had to destroy Tyron's computer.
- I don't understand. Why would that guy help Xana? - she interjected, clearly confused by this part of the story.
- Because he doesn't believe in its existence. He's an old lunatic, but we have a lot of problems with him, and not just in Lyoko. Anyway, we infected the supercomputer, but Tyron shut down the system, and we had no idea if it worked until September. That's when Xana implanted his codes only in me, and a lot of them.
- So why weren't the specters chasing you in the factory then? I thought they wanted to recover them?
- Because they do, but not from me. I serve as some temporary storage, and we don't know why. All the codes Xana steals from the girls go to me, and believe me, it's not pleasant.
- And what about the deactivation of that tower? Don't the symptoms disappear? - She furrowed her brows, to which he shook his head.
- I have so many of them that it doesn't work.
- That's really messed up.
- I know.
- How do you even cope with all this?
- Hm? What do you mean?
- Just... I don't know, you all seem so composed. You've been in this for a long time and so on, but damn, I swear, if I were in your place, I'd end up with at least severe paranoia.
- You know, I'm convinced they have some. - he grimaced.
- And you?
- Me too - he muttered before clearing his throat and putting his hands in his pockets. She knew he wouldn't tell her anything more. - Anyway, it could have been worse for us, don't you think?
- Like death?
- For example.
She lowered her gaze to her hands, pondering what he had just told her. So that's why he didn't want to be alone with her? At first, she thought he was angry with her, like the rest of his friends, for barging into their lives. However, after everything he told her, after everything he did, it occurred to her that he might feel guilty for what happened to her and that's why he wanted to protect her. She couldn't deny that she contributed a lot to such thinking, cutting off contact with him.
- Okay, fine. You're right, Odd. - she sighed, taking her legs off the bed to sit sideways again. He looked at her surprised, but he didn't interrupt. - I like my comfort zone, and I'm afraid to be alone with your friends, that's true. But I promise I'll do everything not to cause trouble.
- Wow. Where's this change coming from? - his voice was low and quiet.
He sat almost at the other end of the bed, but at that moment, he seemed too close.
- I just don't want to make it difficult for you. - she explained. - I hope you also know that I don't blame you for anything? - he didn't respond, and she didn't have the courage to look at him. - Actually, I regretted my words right after leaving Jeremy's room, but at least I had time to think it all over. I want to do something, I'll do everything to protect Charlie and... well, you. I mean, I know you don't really need my protection, because I don't even know what I should do, but I want to repay you somehow. And I really like you, so I'd prefer nothing bad happened to you. - she sighed, probably none of what she said made sense. - So, I guess I'll start by tolerating your friends so as not to make you problems.
Damn. Suddenly, his heart started beating restlessly in his chest, and if the warmth on his face indicated that he was blushing, he would kill himself right away. She completely threw him off guard, he had no idea what to say. He didn't know how long he stayed silent, just staring at the dark-haired girl, but probably too long because after a moment, she glanced at him uncertainly. He clenched his lips and nodded at her, trying to appear composed, although it was far from the truth.
- I like you too. - he finally said before realizing that was probably not the thing he should have started with, but his mind was blank. - And... I appreciate it, really.
He could swear his heart fluttered when she smiled at him.