2. Suspicious Behavior

——

~Lunch~

Eleanor was sitting at a table, a plate of food in front of her. She was sitting by herself, wearily playing with her fork, uninterested in eating. She didn't have much of an appetite; she usually doesn't. The lunch for today wasn't food she favored much, not to mention it looked processed and gross.

"Get a move on!"

Eleanor looked up to find Aelita frozen in line, staring at the food with a look of bewilderment. Her eyes glanced at the few students rushing and berating her, which didn't help Aelita's anxiety. Eleanor frowned at the students.

Eventually, Aelita left the line, now standing around, unsure where to sit. Eleanor wanted to help her, but her anxiety took over, and she remained in her seat, silent. Eleanor sighed softly, shaking her head. The redhead watched Aelita spot Yumi, hope filled her eyes for a moment, before she watched Yumi sit by William.

Aelita's face fell with defeat before she gave up and left the cafeteria. Eleanor sat up with worry; her anxiety got overridden by her concern, and she got up to follow her.

Once she got outside, she saw Aelita rushing into the forest, sobbing as Sissi and her group watched her. Eleanor was beyond worried for her; she knew Aelita was new, but this behavior was unusual, and it worried her. Eleanor understood it; it was valid to be scared at a new school, but she had a feeling there was something more.

"What did you say to her?" Eleanor asked Sissi, her eyes now glaring at her.

Sissi smirked, "Nothing, she just said she's going to go back home, to Canada."

Eleanor blinked in shock, "She's what?"

Eleanor wanted to follow her. Canada wasn't just around the corner; she couldn't just run to it. Plus, the dorms were in opposite directions; she had no idea where Aelita was going, and she wanted to find out.

However, she had a feeling Aelita didn't want to talk and decided to leave her alone for a bit. If Aelita comes back, she will ask, but if she doesn't and Eleanor doesn't receive any notice, she will call her.

——

~Science Class~

Science class rolled around, and it worried Eleanor when she didn't spot Aelita anywhere. Whatever is happening to her has to be a bigger deal than Eleanor is thinking. Odd, Ulrich, and Jeremy were in class unaware of Aelita's absence, so Eleanor assumes they didn't know she ran off.

Eleanor was sitting next to Odd. She didn't choose this. Odd sat next to her. She didn't mind at all, however.

Ms. Hertz called out to the class. "Quiet down, where's Aelita Stones? Jeremy, do you know why Aelita isn't here?"

Jeremy sat up in shock, "Aelita? Huh?"

Odd gasped, sitting up.

"I do, ma'am. She went back to Canada." Sissi interfered. Eleanor glared at Sissi, who had a smirk on her face.

"Canada?" Jeremy asked.

"Yeah, that's what she told me. She even said, "At least I feel at home there." Sissi explained. Eleanor sat back in her chair, her arms folded over her chest. She knows something isn't right.

"Elizabeth, if you continue to disrupt the class, I warn you, I will send you to your father's office." Miss. Hertz threatened. Eleanor smiled to herself as Sissi glared at Hertz.

"It's Sissi!" Sissi gritted through her teeth, turning away. "I hate being called Elizabeth."

Jeremy grabbed his forehead. "Ma'am, I don't feel very well. Can I please go to the infirmary?"

"Of course, Jeremy." Hertz nodded.

Odd and Ulrich stood up. "Can we take him?"

Eleanor frowned in confusion, staring up at Odd. She definitely thought that was suspicious.

Hertz stammered over her words nervously. "Oh-oh-oh... alright then. But don't dilly-dally!"

Eleanor watched Odd, Ulrich, and Jeremy walk out of the room. Her eyes lingered on the door, her face mixed with concern and skepticism. Moments later, Eleanor sighed and looked away, her eyes finding her notebook again.

What the heck is going on?

——

~The Next Day~

Eleanor had heard that Aelita was found by her friends, and she was alright. Eleanor was in class, and she spotted Aelita sitting next to Jeremy. She approached Aelita. "Hey, I just wanted to check to make sure you are alright?"

Aelita gave her a polite smile, "I am, thank you."

"Anytime." Eleanor nodded gently. "I'm here if you need anything."

Aelita glanced at Jeremy, who was smiling at their interaction.

"Same with you."

Eleanor then walked to her seat. Jeremy watched her for a few moments before turning back to the front.

He appreciated her asking because no one else asked Aelita or even bothered to care. Eleanor was Aelita's only friend who wasn't part of the Lyoko Warriors.

However, that could change very soon.

——

~Evans' House-

The week passed by pretty quickly, and it was now Tuesday. The red-headed teen had been at this school for about two weeks. Eleanor subtly watched Odd, Yumi, Jeremy, Aelita, and Ulrich always whispering to one another and rushing off often from class. She couldn't understand why they were so secretive; she isn't one for confrontation, but she is curious. There isn't much to do in this town, but they always seem to be busy and disappear for unexplained reasons.

Eleanor loves mysteries, and she wants to find out this mystery. How bad could it be? What could 5 teenagers be getting into?

Eleanor had no idea what she was about to get into.

Eleanor walked down the stairs of her house right as the clock hit "7:00" AM and the radio on the kitchen counter started to play. Amelia was at the table eating her breakfast, and her dad was not present. As usual.

Amelia was a brunette with two pigtails; she had blue eyes and freckles like her sisters. Amelia gets her hair from her father, while Eleanor gets hers from her late mother.

"It's Tuesday already! No, you're not dreaming, or rather, you're not dreaming anymore!' The radio host announced in a cheerful voice. Eleanor popped a frozen waffle in the toaster and poured herself a glass of apple juice.

The Subsonics' song "Break Away" gets gradually louder as the radio host speaks. Eleanor tapped her foot to the beat, nodding her head to one of her favorite songs.

"It's seven o'clock in the morning on Sky Radio! Look out your window! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I'm talking, talking, talking!" The host continued to say. Amelia stood up with her empty cereal bowl and placed it in the sink. "To keep you from falling back to sleep, you bunch of lazy bones!" Eleanor took a sip of her juice, and she and Amelia looked at each other. "It's a great day that's gonna start great...thanks to Sky Radio, with the Subsonics' latest hit!"

The sisters shrugged, sharing a smile. "I guess today is supposed to be a great day," Eleanor said.

"It's always a great day with my sister," Amelia beamed, and hugged Eleanor. The redhead chuckled, hugging her back.

The toaster dinged, and Eleanor's waffles popped up. She placed them on a plate and gestured for her sister to the front door.

"Let's head out!"

Eleanor was in charge of taking Amelia to her homeschooling on Tuesdays.

Amelia picked up her bag and skipped out the door with Eleanor following behind her.

——

~Science Class~

Eleanor was in Science class, and it seemed like a normal day to her. It seemed that way to everyone else at the moment.

Eleanor was writing notes in her notebook as Odd stared at her, his chin on his hand. He's developed a crush on the petite redhead, and he plans to ask her out on Valentine's Day.

Ulrich nudged Odd, gaining his attention.

"Stop staring at Eleanor, you'll scare her," Ulrich whispered, and Odd blushed, rolling his eyes.

"I'm not," Odd whispered before he glanced at Eleanor and mumbled under his breath. "Anymore."

Mrs. Hertz noticed Odd, Jeremy, and Ulrich whispering. "Excuse me, you three. But do you mind if I teach a class here?"

Eleanor looked up, turning to them. Odd looked up at Hertz. "N-not at all, Ma'am. After all, it is your job."

A few students gasped at his response, and Eleanor raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, and my job is also to ask questions, isn't it, Odd?" Hertz asked, approaching Odd's table. Eleanor was sitting at the table to the left of them. "So, would you be kind enough to tell me the mass in moles of two oxygen atoms?"

Eleanot glanced at her notes, having the answer written down.

Odd rests his chin on his hand, thinking with a nervous smile on his face. "Um...um..."

Hertz frowns and folds her arms. She looked at Eleanor. "Miss Evans, can you answer?"

Eleanor fiddled with her necklace anxiously. "It's... Thirty-two grams per mole."

"Correct." Mrs. Hertz grinned for a moment, and Eleanor flashed a soft smile for a second. Her eyes found a nervous Odd, and her smile faded. "Odd. And the principle of photosynthesis?

Odd crosses his legs under the table, nervous. "Uhh, you mean..."

Hertz got closer to his desk, her frustration growing. "The synthesis of oxygen from plants possessing chlorophyll is placed in light. Alright, here's an easy one now: which student in this graduating class is the biggest failure in science who, nevertheless, takes the liberty of not listening to my lessons?"

Eleanor's mouth fell open slightly in disbelief, not believing what she had just said. The was brutal, and it hurt Eleanor's heart. She wanted to help Odd.

Odd's face filled with sorrow. "Um...me, Mrs. Hertz?"

"Bravo! Well done, Odd. You see what you can do when you apply yourself?" Mrs. Hertz joked, and the other students laughed as Odd sat there in embarrassment.

Eleanor sighed, turning back to the front.

——

~Tuesday; 7 AM~

Eleanor walked down the stairs of her house right as the clock hit "7:00" AM and the radio on the kitchen counter started to play. Amelia was at the table eating her breakfast, and her dad was not present. As usual.

"It's Tuesday already! No, you're not dreaming, or rather, you're not dreaming anymore!' The radio host announced in a cheerful voice. Eleanor popped a frozen waffle in the toaster and poured herself a glass of apple juice.

The Subsonics' song "Break Away" gets gradually louder as the radio host speaks. Eleanor tapped her foot to the beat, nodding her head to one of her favorite songs.

"It's seven o'clock in the morning on Sky Radio! Look out your window! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I'm talking, talking, talking!" The host continued to say. Amelia stood up with her empty cereal bowl and placed it in the sink. "To keep you from falling back to sleep, you bunch of lazy bones!" Eleanor took a sip of her juice, and she and Amelia looked at each other. "It's a great day that's gonna start great...thanks to Sky Radio, with the Subsonics' latest hit!"

The sisters shrugged, sharing a smile. "I guess today is supposed to be a great day," Eleanor said.

"It's always a great day with my sister," Amelia beamed, and hugged Eleanor. The redhead chuckled, hugging her back.

The toaster dinged, and Eleanor's waffles popped up. She placed them on a plate and gestured for her sister to the front door.

"Let's head out!"

Eleanor was in charge of taking Amelia to her homeschooling on Tuesdays.

Amelia picked up her bag and skipped out the door with Eleanor following behind her.

——

~Science Class~

Odd was staring at Eleanor again, his chin resting on his hand. Repeating the day means he just gets to stare at the adorable redhead more, which he didn't mind.

Ulrich nudged Odd, getting his attention. "Once again, stop staring at her."

"What if I am?" Odd whispered back and looked back at Eleanor. "Can you blame me?"

Ulrich and Jeremy shared annoyed expressions.

——

~Art Class~

A few days passed, and Eleanor sat in class, her notebook out in front of her. She was casually doodling a red panda, her favorite animal of all time. Her favorite color is red, and her favorite animal is a red panda.

Her eyes wandered over to the door when she spotted the familiar blonde spiked hair and purple attire. She faintly blushed, averting her gaze back to her notebook. Eleanor still thinks about the time he defended her; it flusters her.

Odd walked over to her and took a seat next to her, placing his sketchbook on the desk. His eyes found her drawing, half smiling.

"Looks good," Odd complimented, and Eleanor blushed, closing her book.

"Oh, it's nothing." She shyly dismissed, shaking her head.

"No, I liked it." Odd assured her. "What was it?"

Eleanor smiled shyly and opened her book again. Odd got a closer look, and Eleanor blushed.

"It's a red panda. My favorite animal." Eleanor told him.

"Well, it looks great," Odd remarked, staring right at Eleanor. She turned to meet his gaze, and they were inches apart. Both teens looked away, their cheeks burning red.

Wow, her eyes are also pretty

Odd rubbed his neck bashfully, and Eleanor smiled to herself, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Class, let's take our seats and begin!" Mrs. Baker, the art teacher, called out. All the students took their seats and pulled out their sketchbooks. "Today, since it's Valentine's Day, I wanted you to create a piece of a loved one you have in your life. Whether it's a family member, significant other, pet, friend, or it could be your favorite artists. Anything that holds a special place in your heart."

Eleanor smiled, immediately getting an idea in her head. She flipped her sketchbook to a new page and started to sketch as the other students began their work.

Odd thought for a moment, he glanced at Eleanor. He doesn't know much about her other than she is pretty, super shy, and quiet. The opposite of Odd, who is loud and outgoing. He won't admit it, but since the incident with the flood in the bathroom, he has felt the urge to protect Eleanor and feels a bond with her. Unfortunately, she doesn't feel the same; she doesn't remember that event at all.

Odd didn't wanna allow himself to grow such feelings for a girl, but there is something about Eleanor he can't get away from.

Eleanor was busy sketching her piece; it was becoming clearer as she continued. Odd started drawing, it was a sketch of him and his dog, Kiwi. Eleanor glanced over and was able to make it what he was drawing, she giggled softly.

Odd looked over, his cheeks red. "What?"

Eleanor blushed, freezing. "Oh, uh... I just like dogs too."

Odd glanced at his drawing and smiled. "That's Kiwi. My dog!"

"Aw," She cooed. Odd noticed hers and tilted his head in confusion.

"Who's that?"

Eleanor's drawing was of her, her mom, and her sister. She left out her father, because he has made her feel left out lately.

"Oh, it's my sister, and..." Eleanor paused, struggling to continue at the thought of her mom. Odd looked at her. "My mom."

It was a lovely sketch of her mom hugging her and Amelia with hearts surrounding them. Eleanor bit her lip and swallowed, not wanting to cry at the thought of her mom.

"Wow, you're a great artist," Odd complimented, nudging her lightly. Eleanor leaned back, cracking a smile, and Odd smiled at her.

He noticed her red cheeks and glistening eyes. "What?"

Eleanor felt her face burning, and her vision blurry. She shook her head, looking away. "Nothing, it's nothing."

Odd frowned with confusion, and before he could respond, Mrs. Baker walked over.

"Miss Evans, are you alright?" Mrs. Baker asked softly to the redhead, who nodded shyly, and wiped her eyes. She touched her necklace, taking a deep breath. Odd sat there, concerned for her, but also confused. Mrs. Baker saw Eleanor's drawing, and she nodded in understanding. "I understand, it's difficult to create a piece of someone we lost. I admire your strength."

Eleanor smiled lightly as Mrs. Baker walked away, and Odd sighed, understanding why she was upset. Odd wasn't one for emotions, but he wanted to comfort her.

"Um, I'm sorry," Odd quickly apologized. Eleanor shrugged, tucking her hair behind her ears.

"It's okay, sorry I got emotional." She chuckled, shaking her head.

"It's okay," Odd remarked. "Don't apologize." Odd thought he would feel awkward, but he didn't.

Eleanor flashed him a quick, soft smile, "I still have my sister, and sort of my dad."

"Sort of?" Odd asked.

Eleanor continued her drawing. "It's fine. He's always working and doesn't spend time with Amelia or me. My little sister. It's fine, we learned to deal with it."

"Well, doesn't seem fine to me," Odd said, also continuing his sketch.

"It sucks, but I can't do much about it." Eleanor reasoned. "Odd, it's nothing."

"But, it-"

The bell rang, and Eleanor quickly started to put her sketchbook away.

"Class, please finish your sketch before next class, and we will present them! Thank you!" Mrs. Baker called as students started to leave.

Odd didn't even have time to react before Eleanor had left the room. He wanted to ask her out, but he got too caught up in worrying about her.

She appreciated Odd being concerned, but she didn't wanna dump her trauma on him. Her family life isn't someone else's concern; she can handle it, and it's all fine.

It's fine.

——

~Later~

With the Lyoko Warriors, they had just defeated XANA after he possessed Aelita with a necklace he gave her. The school day was about to end, and Odd had yet to talk to Eleanor and ask her out.

Yumi, Odd, Aelita, and Jeremie were watching Ulrich walk off with Sissi. Eleanor was walking by on her way home, and Odd noticed her.

"It's Eleanor, I gotta talk to her!" Odd gasped.

"To be your valentine?" Yumi asked. "Better hurry before she gets home."

Odd sped off to catch up to her.

"I like Eleanor, she's nice." Aelita smiled.

"Me too." Yumi agreed.

"Seems like Odd agrees too," Jeremie joked when he saw Odd had caught up to Eleanor.

"Eleanor!" Odd called, jumping in front of her.

The redhead yelped, jumping back. "Odd! You scared me."

"Sorry," He apologized, and Eleanor held her arm nervously, her cheeks turning pink. "I wanted to ask if you wanted to be my valentine?"

Eleanor froze, her eyes blinking, and she chuckled awkwardly. "Oh...uh...really?"

He nodded, rubbing his neck bashfully. Eleanor relaxed and shrugged shyly.

"Sure? But it's a bit late, don't you think?" She asked.

"I could walk you home," Odd offered, and Eleanor felt herself smile.

"Okay." She agreed and took Odd's hand as they started to walk.

"Wow, he did it." Yumi chuckled. Odd turned back to his friends and gave them a thumbs up. Eleanor was smiling, enjoying the feeling of holding his hand. Their fingers were interlocked, and he was holding them firmly, yet gently.

"Thank you," Eleanor said. "I don't like walking home alone."

"No one does!" Odd beamed, and Eleanor giggled. "Can count on me to walk with you!"

"Maybe," She shrugged, looking away. Odd looked at her, smiling softly at her, his cheeks growing redder.

He would definitely walk her home every day.

——

Up Next: Final Mix

This chapter is where it happens :)