With a thud, he leaned his forearm against the window, groaning deeply in his throat as icy drops of water repeatedly drummed against the heated skin of his back. He blinked several times, trying to dispel the tension behind his eyelids and the dull headache that clouded his mind. After a moment, he focused on the purple streams of water slowly disappearing in the drain of the shower, hoping they would take away at least some of the problems that plagued him.
Yesterday, his entire world turned upside down. He spent half the night analyzing those few minutes in Lyoko when he passively watched Alex discover her teleportation power and eliminate almost all of Xana's monsters in one go. She moved so quickly and gracefully through the air that, had he not kept his eyes on her, he might have missed the moment when excitement seized her, and a wide smile lit up her face. He could swear that at that moment, his heart beat faster, unsure if it was admiration or adoration. It was incredible; she was incredible. Moreover, the way she teased him after the mission unlocked some switch in his head, and he cursed the day the girl realized the power she had over him.
But then, a few more hours passed, he regained his composure, and the logical part of his mind finally spoke, rationalizing all his previous thoughts. He simply admired his friend's skills, nothing more. And that thing at the end? Well, the girl was right; he really didn't need much to trigger that one neuron in his brain. But it didn't mean anything. He reacted that way because it was new. Alex wasn't the type of girl who made the first move; she just caught him off guard. They had kissed once before, so it wasn't strange for him to react instinctively, but she wasn't interested, and he absolutely wasn't interested in her. It was nothing to worry about, nothing that couldn't be fixed with a few minutes in the bathroom and a really good movie.
Paradoxically, the worst part was that Meyer was doing great; she had useful powers and quickly learned how to use them effectively. She was helpful, and with that awareness, his last hope that her mission would end before Xana did something that could permanently break her vanished. Unless Jeremy did it first, who, after the last mission, became somewhat suspicious of the girl and her amazing abilities; apparently, Yumi's paranoia also affected him.
A bunch of freaks.
With an annoyed sigh, he stepped out of the shower, hearing Ulrich's shout telling him to hurry up. Unfortunately, on this particular day, he didn't go to any of his stupid training sessions-perhaps out of fear that Della Robbia would once again delete achievements in his favorite games, for example. However, the blond wasn't going to settle for something so understanding, oh no. This time, his revenge was going to be cold and cruel, tinged with scarlet.
When he reached the cafeteria, he felt much better. He sat next to Alex, who, as usual, devoted about thirty percent of her attention to him, the rest divided between Charles's chatter and the content of the movie on her phone. She talked and joked as usual, only reassuring him that during the Lyoko mission, she was messing around with him, but it was just friendly, it wasn't serious. And although he still felt too awkward to return to ostentatious hugging, especially under Moreau's suspicious gaze, he really thought everything was returning to normal.
Alex couldn't stop thinking about yesterday's visit to Lyoko too. She was truly impressed by how the supercomputer matched weapons and skills to her. And although a million other scenarios for a better outcome, which didn't require risking and bypassing one of the monsters, popped into her head after returning to the dorm, her final score compensated for everything. Once again, she helped the Lyoko warriors and had a great time doing it.
She regretted not being able to share her success with Charles, but Odd was also a significant support for her. She truly appreciated that he finally came to his senses and stopped avoiding her, although she wouldn't admit it out loud. She was happy that he wanted to spend time with her again, and most importantly, that he didn't mention that stupid kiss. Still, she wouldn't change anything; if not for that situation, she would never have found out that there was something that could embarrass Odd Della Robbia himself in this world.
- Do you guys have a free afternoon? - Moreau spoke up, smiling as the blond shrugged, and Alex nodded.
- Why? - he asked, forcing himself to a polite tone; he was really ready for almost anything to regain the approval of his 'girlfriend's' best friend, just so he would finally fuck off.
Della Robbia could swear that he had been harassed by him for some time now. Wherever he went, he magically encountered a pair of green irises that burned a hole in his back whenever he approached a girl. He didn't tell Alex about it because, truthfully, he wouldn't know where to start, but he would be lying if he said he didn't shudder every time he thought about it.
- You draw, right?
One look at the girl's face was enough; one subtle eyebrow raise and the barely noticeable tightening of her lips, and he guessed where this was heading.
- Once upon a time. - he muttered cautiously and straightened up in his chair, turning his gaze away. - But that's ancient history.
- We found a brilliant place, you know? - Moreau replied, letting his words go in one ear and out the other. - Zero cameras, zero people. I thought maybe you'd want to join us?
Meyer wanted to believe that, in a way, Charles was extending an olive branch to Della Robbia; since this whole charade of being in a relationship began, the atmosphere between him and Odd had deteriorated. Maybe it wasn't a drastic change, but they clearly no longer felt comfortable in each other's company. Under different circumstances, she would have been happy about Charles's proposal, but it was obvious he was talking about the factory - they hadn't visited any other place for this purpose, and it complicated the situation.
However, deep down, she knew that regardless of what Odd said or did, Moreau wouldn't change his mind so easily.
She was about to open her mouth to mention some super-important plans she had just remembered, but then the blond intervened.
- I know a place too, near the school. - he announced faster than his brain could process what he wanted to say. - We can go there.
Damn. God damn it.
- Really? - the boy raised his eyebrows, in a gesture that the blond interpreted as pleasantly surprised.
- Really? - Alex added, though with significantly less enthusiasm than Moreau.
- Aha. - he nodded, then smiled sourly, realizing what he had just gotten himself into.
Fuck.
- What have you done?!
It was early afternoon, an hour before the planned meeting with Alex and Charlie. The blond had finished his classes for the day and came to Einstein's room, where Ulrich was also present. The guy had spent the entire morning here after Jeremy met him in the hallway, solemnly declaring that he had fallen victim to Odd's hairstyling skills.
- I told you he had to lighten them for me, or that red wouldn't catch so well! - he pointed at the blond with his finger, and the latter couldn't suppress a malicious chuckle, seeing Stern frowning his angry red eyebrows. - Once! Just once, I didn't look in the mirror, and you had to do this! - he hissed, and Belpois rolled his eyes.
- I could have just shaved them off for you! - Della Robbia replied, amused, and there was no trace of remorse on his face. - Or dye your whole hair because you fucking left me!
- I didn't promise you anything!
- Besides, you can only blame yourself for not waking up on time. - he sneered. - I swear, if—
- Odd! - Einstein interrupted him. - I asked you a question!
- Well, I already told you, are you deaf?
- What possessed you to come up with something like this?! It's practically part of the hermitage!
- I had to come up with something to distract him from the factory! - the blond retorted. - And this ruin is perfect.
- But next to it is literally Hopper's house! If he starts digging-
- He won't! And you've practically dug up every inch there, and Alex-
- Yes, and on top of that, her. - Jeremy shook his head, absolutely crushed by Della Robbia's attitude. - You didn't tell her anything, right?
- No, but what's your problem now? - he snapped. - You're the one who threw her into Lyoko, I remind you, and you plan to do it again tomorrow!
- Yes, because we had no choice, and we won't have it tomorrow either! But that doesn't mean we have to share absolutely everything with her!
- And what am I sharing by showing them a random abandoned house?
Einstein's eyebrows went up and then dropped.
- Stop acting like you don't understand what I'm talking about! I have nothing against her when it comes to fighting in Lyoko, but nothing beyond that!
- So, in other words, you have no problem using her? - Della Robbia snorted with laughter, devoid of any amusement.
- Yes, something like that. - he muttered and adjusted his glasses.
- Besides, Aelita definitely won't agree - Ulrich interjected, trying to cut off the conversation, though he was still more focused on his reflection in the mirror than on the discussion.
- So we won't tell her?
- Please, Odd, try to think logically for a moment. - Jeremy groaned, and he could already feel the pulsating headache. - You want to show them a place in the park where they can practically come every day. They can enter the house, they can find something there, and if that guy is curious enough, he'll discover the entrance to the sewers too!
- Einstein, you don't understand. - he said, ignoring the snort that escaped from the blond's mouth. - That's exactly the point, to suggest a place that is closer and that we can control.
- From under the gutter back into the rain? - he raised an eyebrow, indicating that he didn't consider it a good plan.
- Thanks to this, we'll reduce the risk of him discovering the supercomputer, right? Besides, no one normal would enter this house, especially to play Sherlock. And even if he found the entrance to the sewers, how could he possibly connect it to the factory? - with each word, he seemed to be getting more and more into his plan, as if he hadn't made it up while talking. - And Alex will keep an eye on him, and I'll watch over her, so we'll avoid the risk.
- Exactly, no one normal, that's the problem! And what if those two aren't normal?!
Della Robbia widened his eyes.
- So you really still think that...
- I just don't want to take risks, okay? I don't trust Alex enough, and her friend even less. I don't want them there.
The warrior opened his mouth, only to almost immediately shut it and lean back against the wall, taking a really deep breath. He was literally a step away from saying something very mean to Belpois, and in the current situation, he couldn't afford that.
- Okay. Fine. - he shrugged. - So instead of going with them, as I promised, I'll just cancel the meeting. The guy might get suspicious and start looking for the hermitage on his own, why not? You can also rewind us in time, so we'll only alert Alex. Assuming there's nothing between them, and her crying after Xana almost killed him wasn't just for show, you know; Spy tricks. - he spoke with his gaze fixed on his nails before raising his head and looking Jeremy straight in the eyes. - Or we can find another equally good place close enough for him to bother going there, although we both know that there' like that.
- To the point. - he snapped; Odd's mocking-dismissive tone was getting on his nerves.
- Or. - he continued, undeterred even by Ulrich's scolding gaze. - We can show them this damn hermitage, so our rats won't have any more excuses to go to the factory without us. But if you have a better idea, I'm listening.
- What if they know it's Hopper's house?
The blond abruptly detached himself from the wall, and the irritation was clearly visible in the way he gestured.
- My fucking god, how long-
- No, Odd. What if? - Belpois squeezed out.
- Just leave that idiotic idea where you took it from! You haven't found any connection between Alex and Tyron. - he reminded him, and his voice was heavy and stern with burning anger.
The discussion with Jeremy had been an endless war for some time, a battle in which neither side was willing to back down. When Einstein considered himself an expert in a certain field, he could argue with him over the smallest thing, and Odd was never one to easily yield to others, especially when he was damn right.
- Franz had many enemies. - Stern observed, earning himself a sharp look from his roommate. - Don't look at me like that; I'm just saying there's always an option.
- And I'm saying that Tyron was somehow connected to those people, so since Jeremy found nothing, we have no grounds to accuse them. Especially the girl who saved our asses not once, but twice.
- We're not accusing anyone here! Except for you because you're irresponsible. - Jeremy sighed, using that authoritative tone of his that Odd particularly despised. - What I'm claiming is that we can't be a hundred percent sure of anything. Even the supercomputer makes mistakes sometimes, and I even more so.
- And that's why I won't buy into the idea that either of those two would be looking for something against us. - he replied, and he couldn't help the raised tone of his voice. - Especially since Alex has known where our computer is for two months, and it's still there.
- This doesn't solve our problem and certainly isn't an answer to my question. - Belpois pointed out to him, and only by the way he trembled as he pronounced certain sounds, could Odd guess that he was still as frustrated as he was.
- Damn, what else do you want to hear?! I'll watch him; I won't take my eyes off the guy.
- And what then? - he persisted.
- Personally, I'll set up damn cameras there! I can track his location every day or even fucking follow him if you're so worried about a pile of dust and quantum physics books in that god damn-
- Okay, fuck, let it be! - Jeremy yelled, spreading his arms. - Just don't shout at me anymore, or my head will explode! - he added, quickly walking over to his computer. He frowned when he noticed the reflection of that stupid, smug face of Della Robbia in the screen and immediately turned to him, pointing a finger at him. - But remember, not a word about the hermitage to Alex! I'm serious, Odd. If you spill anything to her, you're dead, you have to swear!
- Okay, fine. - he sighed, putting one hand to his heart and raising the other. He won the argument, so he didn't care anymore. - I swear.
The place to which Odd led them was indeed not far from the school, right in the heart of a dense forest, and it was the only building in sight. The old, neglected house seemed to tower over the trees, and the passage of time had left a clear mark on it. Most of the windows were boarded up, and moss and ivy covered almost half of the building.
They stood in front of a sturdy, though already rusting gate. The gate leading to the property was just as overgrown with wild vegetation as the place it protected, however, it offered no resistance to Charles's hand.
- What is this house? - he asked, adjusting his backpack on his shoulder with a tug and looking around.
In accordance with Jeremy's request, Odd had told Alex practically nothing about this place. He only hinted at the passage to the sewers (the same one in the park that she had already seen), to somehow justify the need to limit Moreau's visits to these areas, although even in his own ears, it sounded absurd.
When she asked why then he told them about this place in the morning, he said roughly the same thing as to Jeremy; because he considered it a lesser evil. However, when he was telling them about it in the morning, he didn't know that he would have to keep his tongue in check for the girl as well. He thought they would both be in control of the situation until they found a better solution, but apparently, he made a mistake again.
- I have no idea. - Della Robbia lied, tucking his hands deep into his jacket pockets. - And, in fact, I don't care. We're going around to the back anyway.
He led the way, heading towards a side path, but paused when he noticed that the dark-haired guy went in a completely different direction.
- No cameras in sight. Are you sure there's no one here? - he called out, climbing onto the porch. He tried to peek inside the building through the window, but a thick layer of dust made it difficult.
- Probably just homeless and crackheads. - he suggested, but unlike the brunette, he didn't approach the door or even climb the stairs. He glanced at Odd, and to his disappointment, didn't seem discouraged.
- You think?
- Yeah. - he scoffed, trying to sound confident, though he was a bit tense. - Either way, we have no reason to go in, so we safe. - he added just in case, but he probably didn't appreciate Moreau's inherent need to find trouble.
- Dude, speak for yourself. I'd gladly take a look around. - he said, a wide and not entirely sincere smile brightening his face. The dark-haired guy shifted his gaze to Alex, seeking her approval and finding it in the excited glint in her eyes.
Odd noticed it too and clenched his teeth. Not good.
- Och please, yall want to waste time like this?
- It won't be wasted if we find something interesting. - Alex said, unaware of how much she was worsening the situation.
- Like what? Rats, cobwebs, and a pile of debris? That's not interesting at all.- he snorted, crossing his arms over his chest.
- Don't be a party killer. - the guy teased, and before the blond could protest, he grabbed the doorknob, but the door didn't budge.
Almost all the tension left his body when he sighed with relief. Well, Aelita locked the house some time ago, ever since they went through all the rooms with Jeremy, finding a spare key in the kitchen.
- All right, it's closed. Can we go now? - he asked, but didn't get far before Charles pulled something out of his pocket, tinkering with the lock.
- Come on, Odd, it won't take long. - he complained, and to his surprise, a few seconds later, a quiet click sounded, and the heavy door creaked open. He blinked a few times, and Moreau laughed at his clear confusion.
Since when did everyone become lockpicking experts?
- Hello?! - the brunette yelled, diving into the depths of the building.
- Damn, warn next time! - Meyer snapped, but the guy just waved his hand, telling her to shut up. When he didn't hear any response from inside, he looked at them and raised his thumb.
- Seems clear. - he said, entering first and tossing a remark over his shoulder. - Unless we're afraid of ghosts?
Alex dragged her feet behind her friend and glanced at Odd, who still hadn't moved from his spot.
- Are you coming? - she asked, then lifted the corners of her mouth. - Or are you really scared?
He was only afraid that Aelita would kick his ass when she found out, but he decided to keep that to himself. So, he forced a smile, even though everything in him screamed to spit out a few colorful remarks about Jeremy, the adventurer Moreau, and ultimately himself.
- Yeah, I'm shaking with fear. - he muttered with clear sarcasm in his voice. - I think you'll have to hold my hand until I calm down.
- Are you coming here or not? - the brunette's shout echoed somewhere from the depths of the corridor. - I found something cool!
And suddenly, Odd rushed ahead, muttering curses under his breath and leaving her behind, apparently very curious about what Charlie was talking about. She turned to the right, into the room a bit closer to the exit, deeply believing that these two would either solve their problem or at least not kill each other by the time she arrived.
A dense cloud of dust hung in the air, along with the sharp smell of mustiness, irritating her throat and settling in her lungs. The floor creaked unpleasantly as she crossed the threshold. Opposite the entrance was a chest of drawers, and the dirty mirror hanging above it immediately caught her eye. She shuddered at her own distorted reflection and quickly averted her gaze, deciding to move on to the next room.
It used to be an office, presumably, and someone must have really hated that desk, judging by the scratched and marked surface. She grimaced when she accidentally stepped on something that used to be part of a drawer. There was also a small library here; the shelves sagged under the weight of old volumes, gathering dust in oblivion. Most of them were physics and mathematics books, and some even had their duplicates.
However, it wasn't the books that caught her attention; it was the fact that several of them had significantly less dust on their covers than the others. She also critically eyed the couch in the next room, which seemed somewhat cleaner compared to the rest of the furniture. So, Odd was right; someone had been checking this place. Interesting, if the same person was responsible for all the mess around here, or maybe the owners hurriedly moved out? Perhaps both.
As she reached for a book that, unlike most, didn't concern the exact sciences, a red envelope fell out from between the volumes, immediately capturing her gaze. With shining eyes, she bent down to pick it up, pushing the book aside. Maybe it was something valuable? Her enthusiasm deflated almost immediately when she saw that it was just some old photographs. With a disappointed sigh, she took the first one from the pile, glancing at the woman captured in black and white.
Funny. She looked like-
- What are you doing?
She shuddered and quickly turned her face to the blond; how did she not notice him before?!
- You scared me!
She expected some witty remark, but instead, she heard:
- What do you have there, kitty?
His voice maintained a light tone, but there was something in his gaze that made her uneasy when he swiftly grabbed the envelope from her. His golden eyes widened slightly as he uncovered its contents.
How on earth did she find pictures of Aelita's parents here? He was sure that she took all of them; damn, Stones herself thought so! It must have been some devil's prank that he found Meyer with these in her hands.
- Nothing interesting, as you can see. - she shrugged, but her body language wasn't as casual as her voice suggested, and he noticed it. - Besides that, kitty? I thought you had already stopped calling me that.
- Nonsense. I just thought it might be awkward in front of him. - he nodded in the direction from which Charles's muffled voice came, expressing his admiration for some really cool leather jacket that he could undoubtedly turn into something more interesting. Earlier, in the kitchen, he only found an old watch, and Odd had to endure a lecture on the probable year of its production, and God, how he didn't fucking care.
- Like that you care about a good atmosphere?
- Always.- he raised an eyebrow and the left corner of his mouth, though he wasn't in the mood for laughter at all. He saw how her gaze followed the movement of his fingers as he looked through the photos, and it didn't bode well. - Especially since your friend wants to beat me up for being a dick for you.- he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, provoking an involuntary half-smile from her.
- Oh, come on, it can't be that bad.
He noticed that she reached for the envelope in his hand, and with a quick motion, he straightened his arm, lifting it above their heads.
- Sweetheart, do you really want to look at pictures of some strangers? - he teased, and his smile became sharper as he added. - Take care of something more interesting.
- Like what?
- Like me, for example? - he snorted, smiling broadly and tossing the envelope somewhere behind him without even looking in her direction. She rolled her eyes, ready to ignore him, before he grabbed her arm, holding her in place.
Divert her attention.
- You know, there's something I'd like to ask you. - he said, praying she wouldn't notice how nervous he was.
- Yeah? What is it?
Exactly, what is it?
- Could you- No, rather, would you like to...- he took a deep breath, his gaze constantly shifting to the sides, but he didn't remove his hand from her arm. With his thumbs, he traced soft circles on the smooth material of her jacket, not entirely sure if he was trying to calm himself or her. Think, Odd, think. - Could you want to go somewhere with me?
- We go out all the time. - she muttered, bewildered, ignoring the goosebumps covering her skin. His strange behavior was starting to worry her a bit.
- No, I mean- It's a date. - he blurted it out, and his ears instantly started burning, quickly making their way to his cheeks. Damn, he didn't know which of them was more shocked by his words. He panicked, and that was the only thing that came to his mind.
She blinked once.
Twice.
Then she burst into laughter, somewhat embarrassed, as if she had heard a lousy joke. Was that what he was so nervous about?
But then the meaning of his words reached her, and all amusement vanished, leaving behind a chilling anxiety.
- Why would you want to go on a date with me? - the genuine bewilderment in her voice and a glint of disbelief in her brown eyes made him feel three times worse, if that was even possible.
Exactly, why would he want to flirt with her? After he had been avoiding her for the same reason lately? How did he plan to get out of this later?
Oh God, oh fuck.
- Well, you promised me one. - he was about to lose it, but until then, he was ready to stand firm and pretend that was exactly what he meant.
- No-o? I didn't promise you anything. - she stated and lowered her gaze somewhere around his neck, trying to ignore the faster beating of her heart. Was he serious? He wouldn't play with her feelings, right? - Am I supposed to understand that you just want to go somewhere alone together?
- That's the definition of a date.
- Stop calling it that way, and we have a deal.
- Why shouldn't I call things by their names? - he insisted. - Since we're together, we might as well make use of it. How about a nice Tuesday in my company?
- Meaning we'll go to KFC again, and you'll eat too much, complaining about a stomachache again? - she narrowed her eyes, leaning her hands on her hips, and the sense of his actions slowly began to reach her. He was just fooling around, as usual, nothing special.
How could she even think for a moment that he-
- No, I was thinking of some nicer place. - he said, surprising her once again, and making her throat go dry. - So, what do you say?
Again, she fluttered her lashes in that silly way before she chirped;
- Did you hit your head?
- No, I didn't. This is just how I look, sunshine.
She stared at him so intensely that he could believe she could read his mind; she only stopped when she realized how close their faces were. For a moment, she could smell his familiar, pleasant cologne and even a faint scent of his toothpaste before she stepped back, a loud sigh escaping her.
- I'm not paying. - she declared, passing by him on her way to the exit, ignoring the strange weakness in her knees and irritating tickling in her stomach.
As soon as she disappeared from his sight, he allowed himself a relieved breath, then bent down and reached for the piece of evidence in his own trial, hiding it deep in the pocket of his jacket. He did it, mission accomplished, achievement unlocked, but at what, fucking, cost?
His stiff fingers contrasted with the warm skin of his cheeks when he buried his face in his hands; he wanted to sink into the ground. Nothing was going according to his plan; everything was wrong!
He arranged a date.
He didn't want to go on a fucking date.
Casual flirting and genuine pick-up were two entirely different things in his eyes, and what he proposed a moment ago definitely belonged to the latter category. He didn't even like her in that way! No, wait. He couldn't like her in that way; it simply wasn't possible. He acted like a total jerk; the girl must think he suffered from some schizophrenia. He just hoped he could somehow fix it later, or he would never look her in the eye again.
Oh, and he definitely intended to kill Jeremy after all this. It would be a million times easier for him now if he just told Alex about the hermitage. He wouldn't have to say much, just that it was important - she would surely understand. But no! No, because Einstein-I-panic-for-no-reason said so!
A few minutes later, he finally walked out into the corridor, and as it turned out, his guests managed to go up one floor already, of course, to Aelita's room. The boy entered the room, looking around with minimal interest, as if he had never seen the place before. He was clearly indifferent to the surroundings until he noticed a huge black stain on the wall just behind him.
- What is this? - Della Robbia muttered, feeling like his heart suddenly ended up in his throat, and he probably got sick for a moment.
Graffiti.
In Stones' room.
The final nail in the coffin and the crossing of the limit of his mental endurance.
- Chill, I just started. - the brunet replied absentmindedly, staring at his phone, walking to the other corner of the room. - It won't pass; there's no signal here. - he added, addressing the girl who was leaning against the closet and tossing a can of yellow paint between her hands.
- Just play anything. - Meyer mumbled, and she wasn't avoiding looking at the blond at all. - You must have something on your phone.
- Why don't we go out and do it where we planned? - the blond interjected, not taking his eyes off the freshly applied paint. Irritation echoed in his voice, and he had no idea how he still managed to control himself.
- Well, of cour-
- Oh come on. - Charles interrupted her, and Odd was sure he did it just to disagree with him on principle. - Why freeze outside when we can do it right here?
The blond ran his hand across his face, silent for a moment, and God knows he was on the verge of exploding. He simply couldn't believe it. He generously offered this guy a chance, and he had the audacity to just squander it.
- Why paint murals if no one will see them? - he finally said, glancing at him over his shoulder and throwing him a downright contemptuous look.
Meyer raised her eyebrows, and Charles frowned.
- Listen, Odd-
- No. - he cut him off. - Just shut the fuck up.
- What's your problem?! - the brunet reacted almost immediately, completely ignoring the surprised look of the girl whose gaze jumped from one guy to the other.
Did she miss something?
- You're my fucking problem! - he snapped. - You haven't been listening to me from the fucking start. I clearly said we were going to the back. - he squinted his eyes and tilted his head. - Unless I should've spelled it out for you?
- I heard you clearly, thanks. - Moreau declared, instinctively straightening up and crossing his arms over his chest. - I'm just saying that since we're already here, we should use it.
- I didn't sign up for any break-in! - Della Robbia continued, and the height difference didn't seem to impress him.
But his words had no effect on Charles, who, with malice lurking in his green eyes, asked:
- Since when do you care about something like morality, Della Robbia? - he sneered, and he knew that the blond perfectly understood the innuendo because he clenched his jaw, and his pupils darkened as he furrowed his brows. - Anyway, if you want, you can leave; no one's holding you here.
- You fucking kidding-
- Just stop already! - Meyer hissed, causing the warrior to flinch as if she had hit him. He glanced at her, but to his surprise, he discovered that her anger wasn't directed at him.
- Me?! - Moreau snorted, shaking his head. - You should be the one to stop! You ignore me practically all the time, and yesterday you crossed all the limits!
Yesterday?
- It wasn't anything important!
- For you, Alex! - he pointed at her with his finger, and she rolled her eyes. - And nothing is ever important enough for you! Well, maybe suddenly except for the guy you barely know!
- Don't act like this just because I forgot about our meeting! He has nothing to do with it!
- Apparently, he does, because that's exactly who I saw you with on the square!
- I asked if everything was okay. If it bothered you so much, why didn't you say anything? - she didn't try to hide her anger, but she clearly refrained from using a harsher tone than necessary.
It reminded Della Robbia of the way Ulrich sometimes talked to him when they touched upon an exceptionally sensitive topic. And suddenly he felt the smallest, gentlest stab of guilt that this pair had just started arguing because of him.
- What was I supposed to say when it happens all the time! - he snapped, approaching her by a step. If it were someone else, Odd would probably react by now, but instead, he remained motionless, watching. - And yes, it annoys me because I don't understand why you, out of all people in the world, should pay attention to someone who doesn't even treat you well!
She groaned in frustration before she pressed her lips, and her gaze met Odd's, immediately feeling her cheeks flush with shame. She could almost hear the click of gears and the turning of cogs beneath his purple-blond hair as his thoughts raced, trying to draw conclusions from their conversation.
Yesterday, they were in Lyoko. They spent the whole afternoon there, then sat in the factory for about half an hour, and then he escorted her through the park (much longer than necessary), and at no moment did she seem to be in a hurry. On the contrary, she could barely peel herself away from him when they stood under the walls of Cadic, not that he minded. However, she didn't mention Moreau once, even when she called him a few hours later to play some stupid MMORPG.
- You know shit. - she finally said, bringing him back to reality, and he quickly looked away from her.
- Explain it to me then! How is it that you can run at his every call when he doesn't do anything for you?
- It isn't like that at all!
- Really? - he tilted his head, looking down at her with narrowed eyes. - Then tell me when he last gave up something for you? Has he ever done anything for you at all?
- Yes! Yes, damn it, he; - she swore, realizing the significance of the words she wanted to shout at him right in the face. She couldn't confess that Della Robbia had saved both of their lives, so instead, she said; - Besides, it's none of your damn business!
- Pathetic.
It boiled inside her. She despised the mockery she heard in his voice, even if she fully deserved it. He knew how much she hated losing and deliberately tested her, attacking her ego. The message was clear; she could prove him right only if she risked revealing more information, and she couldn't let him know the truth.
So, she took a deep breath, biting her tongue hard, then crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrows.
- Since when are relationships for you a series of transactions?
- Since when aren't they for you? - he scoffed, and when she clenched her lips and looked away, he added; - So?
- So what? - she snapped.
- How long are you going to treat me like an idiot? When will you tell me why you really put up with him? - here he looked at the blond, and his voice was cold as ice. - Because in my opinion, he doesn't deserve anything you do for him.
Odd's features hardened as he tightened his lips and raised his chin; an empty, calculating expression on his face, as easy and familiar as breathing. Although the brunette's words hit dangerously close to home, he didn't intend to show how much they affected him.
He had to admit he underestimated him. Until now, he considered him an annoying but ultimately harmless pawn in his own game. However, Charles Moreau turned out to be a much more dangerous player; he was observant, knew when to play his cards, and apparently hid a much deeper dislike for Della Robbia than he initially suspected.
- Fine. Do whatever you want.
He ignored the hurt look in the suspiciously glassy eyes of the girl as he turned on his heel, heading towards the exit. She could go after him or stay; he didn't care; he had had enough of everything for today.
At the door, he felt a tug, as if something was pulling him by the hood, and he grabbed the frame, trying to resist the force pulling him down. He was about to shout, ask what the hell Moreau thought he was doing, but quickly realized that no one was with him.
The girl's voice buzzed in his ears before awareness was taken from him with just a snap of the fingers, as if someone unplugged him from the socket. Both Aelita's room and the entire hermitage suddenly became as distant as if they were a old memory, tickling his consciousness somewhere at the back of his head.
The farther he fell, the darker and denser the space around him became, causing a pressure in his chest and a faster heartbeat. His limb movements, vision, or even breathing were just as hindered as if he were underwater and drowning. Perhaps that was the truth; it's hard to say. It was hard for him to focus on anything that wasn't the pure, paralyzing fear of his body. With every fraction of a second, he lost the clarity of his mind, and he really didn't know if someone's hand had grabbed his own or if it was just a hallucination of a man who was about to die any moment now.
When he opened his eyelids again, the picture suddenly became so vivid that he felt dizzy. The fact that he stood on the edge of one of the mountain slopes and there was nothing underneath except fog and a digital sea didn't help. When he finally managed to focus, he noticed a large, glowing object nearby, and he didn't need Jeremy's analysis to be sure it was Xana's creation.
His pupils narrowed against the amber-yellow background of intelligent eyes as he slowly dropped to all fours, alert and motionless, ready to run if the need arose. He remained in this position for a long time until he was sure that the guard was indeed watching something already, and his task was not to catch him. He approached, feeling confident enough to let himself slide his hand over the vibrating surface of the bright orange ball as he peered inside.
And he was quickly reminded why curiosity killed the cat.