As promised, here is chapter two. Thank you so much to those that are interested. As always please feel free to review, I love hearing what you guys have to say. I will be updating Tuesday depending on the feedback I receive, thanks!(:
"Well, I'd better get going. My dad is going to flip if I don't get home within the next thirty minutes," Aelita sighed as she stood up. They had been sitting on the grass waiting for William to come out of the house for what felt like hours.
"I'll give you a ride home," Odd smiled as he stood up. "Later guys."
"You sure you don't want to come with Yumi?" Aelita smiled as she stood by Odd's car. She couldn't help but feel for her and couldn't quite put her finger on why she disliked William so much.
"No I'm okay, I'll wait. I came with William and would feel bad about ditching him," Yumi smiled as she waved her friends goodbye.
"Don't worry guys, I'll stay with her. William would kill me if I left her to fend for herself," Ulrich smirked as he waved goodbye.
Yumi couldn't help but roll her eyes but felt gratitude all the same. "Thanks, Stern," was all she managed to say as she avoided eye contact with him.
"For what? For waiting? Don't make it such a big deal Ishiyama. He's my friend to you know?" Ulrich sighed as he laid on the grass. He turned to face her waiting for her reply. She didn't quite sound like her usual self tonight.
"Not just for this, for everything." She smiled warmly as she turned to face him. "I know you had no reason to guide me through the house or even to let me hold on to your arm all night, but you did and I appreciate it. Really I do. I don't know that I would have advanced very much without you."
"Oh, no problem Yumi," was all Ulrich managed to say before turning to look up at the stars. He felt the blood rushing to his cheeks. She definitely wasn't being herself tonight. Normally all they do is argue.
"Right," Yumi answered as she fell to the grass as well.
"Listen, I know it's been really weird between us ever since, well you know, but I'd really like it if we could get to being us again. The friend version of us?" Sissi smiled as she made her way out of the house.
"I'd like that. I won't bring up our past again. I miss our friendship," William smiled warmly as he walked next to her.
"Great, then I'll see you tomorrow at school. Yumi is probably waiting for you and I've got to go find a ride," Sissi happily answered as she gave William a quick hug and began to walk away.
"Wait," William grinned as he grabbed onto her arm, "don't worry, we'll give you a ride."
"Uhh okay," was all Sissi managed to say as William dragged her towards Yumi and Ulrich.
"Idiot," Ulrich mumbled under his breath as he saw William heading their way holding Sissi's arm. What was he thinking?
"Well, would you look at that? I guess that's where he ran off to. Jerk," Yumi angrily shouted as she stood up.
"Hey, c'mon we don't know that. Try not to get crazy and jealous. You know how much he hates that. Besides, do you really think he would do something like that? He probably ran into her coincidentally and couldn't find it in his heart to leave her alone," Ulrich sighed. Sure he was an idiot, and while he couldn't truly be certain that William didn't say or do anything that would hurt Yumi, he knew he had to remain loyal to his friend. Heck, that wasn't just a friend, it was his brother. William had always been there for him. Anytime his parents chose work and vacation over their own son, William had been there for him. It was the least he could do.
William quickly let go of Sissi's arm as he realized how it looked. Smiling apologetically at Yumi he ran to embrace her. "I'm so glad you're okay. Thanks for taking care of her bro."
Yumi hugged him back but couldn't help but face Ulrich. He had a smug look on his face. Yumi supposed he felt accomplished that he was able to help her relax. She simply stuck her tongue out at him in annoyance. Ulrich couldn't help but chuckle. She was so annoying.
"Well let's get you home before your dad flips out. I'll take you home first Yumi, and then I'll drop you off Sissi," William smiled nervously as he finished his sentence. He didn't know how Yumi would react considering he never really asked for her opinion on the situation.
Yumi felt her blood boiling at this point. Not only was he with Sissi all night, now he even wanted to take her home? What kind of sick joke was this?
Ulrich rolled his eyes. William really was clueless. Having Sissi in his car for any reason couldn't end well. "How about I take Sissi home? That way you and Yumi can enjoy some alone time?"
"Sure," William smiled as he held his hand out to Yumi.
"No," Yumi replied quickly, "William, Sissi lives a block away from you, it doesn't make sense for her to go Stern. How about you take me home since you live closer to me?" She faked a smile as best as she could. She wasn't actually jumping for joy at the thought of being in a car with Stern, however, anything was better than being anywhere near William right now.
"If that's what you want Ishiyama? It is pretty late, I'd rather not drive around town," Ulrich faked a grin. He was trying to play it all off, however, he knew exactly what Yumi was doing. She was trying her best to not flip out and if driving her home helped, he was willing to do that for his friend.
"Well, what if I go drop Sissi off first and then go to your house? I really don't mind driving in circles?" William sadly suggested, realizing that he had upset her.
"No really, it's fine. See you tomorrow at school William. C'mon Stern." Yumi once again faked a smile as she began walking toward Ulrich's car.
Ulrich smiled warmly at his good buddy as he turned around to follow Yumi.
"Well that went well," Sissi said sarcastically as she began walking towards William's car.
"Yeah," was all William could say as he followed Sissi.
Ulrich couldn't help but chuckle every time he faced Yumi. She had been pouting the whole ride home.
"What is so funny Stern?" She swiftly glared at him.
"You, you're pouting. You look like a five-year-old right now," he quickly answered as he burst into laughter.
Yumi couldn't help but laugh. She really must've looked ridiculous. "I know I'm pouting. I'm just really confused and I don't know how to react or feel. Anyway, I'm sure you don't want to talk about your best friend, and I'm sure you don't really care about it either. Regardless, thanks for giving me a ride."
"You're ridiculous, I'm sure you guys will be fine before you know it. He really likes you. Stop it," Ulrich smiled as warmly as possible.
"Actually, I'm not sure. Either way thanks. Today, meant a lot. See you tomorrow at school. Thanks for the ride," Yumi grinned as she got out of the car. '
Ulrich couldn't help but feel as if his cheeks were burning off. Why was his heart racing a thousand miles an hour? This was the first time he had been alone with Yumi for so long. Was it possible that she actually considered him a friend?
Ulrich stared down at his watch in disbelief, it was 7:45 in the morning and William was nowhere to be seen. Typically he and Yumi were already at the bleachers at this time.
"Dude, I fucked up," William mumbled as he took a seat next to Ulrich.
"Well nice to see you too pal," Ulrich sarcastically greeted as he looked up from his watch. "Woah, what happened, you look like shit?" That was all Ulrich could manage to say.
"I feel like it too. I can't believe I could be so dumb last night," William sulked as he covered his face with his hands.
"You mean by hanging out with Sissi at the haunted house?" Ulrich whispered.
"Yes. And at her house too. I should've never gone into her house," William groaned.
"What the hell did you do last night you idiot?" Ulrich angrily shouted.
"Woah why so defensive?" William shot back.
Ulrich couldn't believe what he was hearing. Why was he the one getting questioned when William was the one sneaking around with his ex-girlfriend. "I'm not. I just hope you were smart last night."
"Well, I don't know what you'd consider smart," William sighed as he sat back down.
"Hey, I'm your best friend, you can tell me." Ulrich gently reassured him. However, secretly, he was hoping that he kept it to himself because he wasn't sure he wanted to hear it.