Aelitas Secret Heartache: Dealing with Love, Pain, and the Unknown in a Teenage Life

The alarm. I hated that alarm. Another day at Kadic, another morning in science with Mrs. Hertz and another day trying to pretend everythin is alright. My head ached from the rough night of sleep, and I was still having the chest pains that had been going on for nearly a month now. My stomach rumbled as I got dressed for school, choosing a pink hoodie and black skinnies with pink boots, not wanting to wear dresses in the cold. The dorms filled with the sounds of kids waking up and rushing towards the shower, and I was glad I had taken mine last night.

"Aelita, are you coming?" Anais Fiquet called, knocking on the door. We weren't close friends, but she had helped me several times in my time at Kadic.

"I'll be right—" A pain shot through my chest, cutting me off. I inhaled sharply, trying not to scream. The pain went as quickly as it came, and I straightened up, looking at myself in the mirror. My face was pale, but I looked fine. I quickly brushed my hair, though I knew it wouldn't do much good, and grabbed my bag, racing to breakfast.

Jeremie and Odd were already sitting at the usual table, Odd trying to talk Jeremie into giving him his croissant. "Hey Aelita!" Odd looked up, giving me his goofball smile. "Anything on your tray you don't want?"

"No." I slid the tray over to him. "I'm not really hungry.

"You okay, Aelita?" Jeremie asked, concern filling his voice.

I nodded, resting my head on the table. The surface was cold and made me feel slightly better. "Just a little headache. I didn't sleep well last night."

"Nightmares again?" Odd asked quietly.

I nodded, though it was a lie. I hated lying to my friends, but I didn't want them to know I was sick. "Maybe you should go lay down in the infirmary," Jeremie suggested, brushing my hair out of my face. "You feel really warm, you might have caught something."

I shook my head. "Just a little tired is all. Have you seen Ulrich?"

Jeremie's face dropped at the mention of the brunette's name. "I think he went to the gym to practice some Pencak Silat before class."

"I think I'll go pay him a visit."

I got up and left the lunchroom, trying to erase Jeremie's disappointed face from my mind. He had recently discovered that Ulrich and I were in a relationship after he caught us kissing on the Red Trail. I spied Yumi and William talking under the arches, but was too tired to say hi. I finally reached the gym, where Ulrich was practicing his kicks. He looked so beautiful in his black uniform, his muscles showing. He spotted me and smiled, but didn't quit his workout. I made my way over to the bleachers, sitting down on the second row, watching Ulrich until he finally stopped. He grabbed a towel, wiping sweat from his face, and walked over to me, planting a kiss on my cheek.

"Are you okay?" he asked almost immediately. "You feel really warm."

I shrugged. "I'm alright."

"Aelita, you don't have to lie to protect my feelings." He lifted my chin so my green eyes matched his grey ones. "Are you okay?"

I stared into his eyes. They were so pretty, one of his best features. "I'm fine."

Ulrich sighed. "Alright. Have you eaten breakfast?"

I groaned, knowing what he was going to say when I said no. "I don't feel like eating."

"Aelita, you need to eat."

"I know!" I shot back, a little louder than I intended. I loved being in a relationship, but Ulrich seemed a little clingy sometimes, a little too caring. There was an awkward moment of silence, and I knew I had upset him. My chest started hurting again but I refused to let it show. "I think I'm gonna go lay down in the infirmary for a bit," I mumbled, deciding to take Jeremie's advice.

"That sounds like a good idea." Ulrich helped me to my feet and wrapped his arm around me, both to keep me from falling and keep my close to him.

As I got to my feet, the room seemed unleveled, everything tilting. "Hello floor," I mumbled, stumbling slightly.

"Oh, no you don't!" Ulrich held me tighter. "Come on. Let's get you to Nurse Yolanda."

He led me out of the gym, my small strides trying to keep up with his larger ones. "Ulrich, stop for a moment." My heart felt like it was skipping beats, twitching in my chest. "I really don't feel well."

I forced myself out of his arms, sitting on the ground. He knelt in front of me, eyes full of worry. "What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know." I curled up against the pain.

"I can go get someone."

"No, please don't leave!" I cried, reaching out and grabbing his arm. Fear filled his eyes.

"Okay, Princess, I won't go anywhere." He looked around, not letting go of my hand.

"Aelita?" Yumi ran over to us, William following slowly. "Are you okay?"

I wanted to answer, but I felt that I would cry if I did. "I think she's sick," Ulrich answered. "Can you go get Jim or the nurse or something?"

"Sure thing." She turned to William and he nodded, running off. I was glad that she stayed as well. "Aelita, do you want to talk about what's going on?"

I smiled weakly. "Just genetics catching up to me."

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