Love me, will ya?

Clothing parade

"No Odd, I don't want to go out with you." 

That was her response that same day in the evening when Odd came to her room to apologize, and then he asked her if she was willing to go on a dinner with him.

"I apologized, Aelita, I am really sorry for my behavior in the cafeteria." Odd said again, clearly trying to force her into it.

"I accept your apology, and it has nothing to do with your invitation to dinner," Aelita said, hoping he would understand. "I'm sorry Odd, but you are a really great friend of mine, and that's it."

"Well... at least you declined my offer nicely." Odd said, walking out of her room. "See you tomorrow." 

Aelita nodded as Odd closed the door, and she let out excess oxygen she didn't know she was holding. Yes, Odd was a good friend and maybe had good looks, but it didn't matter to Aelita. Odd had a heart of a smart idiot, and that was one of the three factors she would choose her partner.

She was already in her pajamas, when she remembered what she wanted to do the whole day, but did something very different altogether.

She stood up, lifted up the shopping bag she brought with her from the shops, and walked out of her room, heading downstairs. She told Jeremie he would see what she bought, and he didn't see it in the end.

With a single knock on the door, Jeremie appeared in the door frame, his eyes red.

"What have you been doing? It's not even that late." Aelita asked, walking inside the room to not get spotted by Jim. Jeremie closed the door and rubbed his eyes.

"Brainstorming," Jeremie replied, sitting down on the chair. "What's up with you and that bag?"

"Well, yesterday at the dinner I told you that you will see what I bought, so I came to show you!" Aelita said, as Jeremie gulped. "Hm?"

"Nothing, it's just... never mind," Jeremie said, nervously jumping with his knee.

"Okay, you are acting strange," Aelita said while taking one piece of clothing set out of the bag. "Something happened?"

"No, I'm okay, I just...sorry, I'm really sleepy today for some reason," Jeremie said. "Tell me when to turn away."

"Why?" Jeremie looked at her, not knowing if she was joking or if she meant it for real.

"Because..." Jeremie thought what would someone else do...yeah, he wasn't gonna do that. "...just...tell me."

"Okie!" Aelita said, but Jeremie rather turned around by himself. It felt wrong to watch her undress, and he didn't want to look like a creep.

He heard Aelita ruffling the clothes, but he still faced his closet. He and Aelita were just friends...just friends...

Aelita cleared her throat, trying to ease the awkwardness. "Alright, you can turn around now."

Jeremie turned back, facing Aelita, who was now wearing a new outfit she had purchased. She twirled around, showing off the clothes with a playful smile.

"What do you think? Do I look okay?" Aelita asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Jeremie's gaze softened as he took in Aelita's appearance. "You look amazing, Aelita. The outfit suits you perfectly."

A blush crept up Aelita's cheeks, and she twiddled her fingers nervously. "Thanks, Jeremie. I'm glad you like it."

Jeremie couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions as he looked at Aelita. Her beauty radiated from within, and he found himself captivated by her presence. The realization of his own feelings for her began to stir in his heart, adding a layer of complexity to their friendship.

Aelita noticed Jeremie's gaze lingering on her and she mustered a smile, though a flicker of curiosity danced in her eyes. "Is everything okay, Jeremie? You seem a little...distracted."

"Yeah, I'm alright." Jeremie lied, the burning feeling making it impossible for him to breathe.

"Okay, next outfit coming up," Aelita said, looking inside the bag for a moment. "Actually, take a picture of me, would you?"

Jeremie nodded, pulling out his phone.

"Strike a pose," Jeremie said, his voice a little shaky as he tried to push his emotions aside. He lifted his phone, framing Aelita in his viewfinder, but his hands trembled slightly.

Aelita playfully adjusted her posture, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of mischief and curiosity. Jeremie couldn't help but notice how effortlessly she gave out grace and beauty.

"Ready," Jeremie said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aelita flashed a radiant smile as the camera clicked, capturing the moment. Jeremie couldn't tear his gaze away from her, captivated by her presence. This was going to be the death of him...the beauty of Aelita.

Aelita walked over to him, leaning in to see the picture he had taken. "Let me see," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

As Aelita studied the photo, her smile widened. "Thank you."

Jeremie nodded, putting his phone down, and turning around, so Aelita could try another dress. Somehow, it felt strange to him. The feeling that they could be easily seen once the door opens worried him.

"Look!" Aelita said, making Jeremie turn around, thinking she just wanted to show some accessory to a piece of clothing. But the sight he saw was far from it. Aelita, standing there, in her extended hands was a crimson red hoodie, but she herself wasn't wearing anything on her top. And being it almost time to go to bed, she was really completely naked.

As Jeremie's eyes widened in surprise, his mind raced to process the unexpected sight before him. Aelita stood there, holding the hoodie and looking at him with a mischievous yet uncertain expression.

Jeremie quickly averted his gaze, his face turning bloody red. "A-Aelita, what are you doing? You're... you're not wearing anything!"

"I've seen many people going around the town without anything on their chest," Aelita said, confused.

"Y-Yeah. But they must have been men." Jeremie said, trying his hardest to not look at Aelita, who still didn't fully understand.

"Aelita, please, put on the hoodie," Jeremie stammered, his voice trembling. "It's not appropriate for us to... uh... be in this situation."

Aelita's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realized her mistake. "Oh! I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." 

Jeremie looked at the floor, trying to calm himself down. "You...uh...didn't."

Aelita put on the hoodie, which fitted her perfectly, reaching almost her knees. The awfulness could be felt throughout the whole room, as Jeremie was still turned around, looking down to his feet. Aelita walked behind him, and did something surprising to Jeremie; the girl hugged him from behind, her hands connecting on his legs.

"I'm really sorry, Jeremie," Aelita began. "I didn't know that...I shouldn't undress like that, because I'm a girl."

Jeremie's breath caught in his throat as Aelita's warm embrace enveloped him. His heart raced, and his mind was overwhelmed with emotions. He turned to face her, a mix of vulnerability and affection appearing in his eyes.

"It's alright, Aelita," Jeremie managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know you didn't mean any harm. We all make mistakes."

Aelita smiled softly, grateful for Jeremie's understanding. "Thank you for being so understanding, Jeremie. I have a lot to learn obviously."

"I'll be glad to help you with anything."