As is usual, this is not a romance. I own nothing except for the idea of St. Mary-Catherine's and anyone you don't recognize from the books.
Disclaimer: With the famous last words: I'm not ready yet, I won't be gone a minute but I won't forget...
It was a cold day in the first semester of Artemis's fourth year at St. Bartelby's. A day like any other, or so they believed. In actuality, this day would change his life and everyone else's forever...
At precisely 1 o'clock in the afternoon, a sharp bell pierced the silence, signaling lunch for the drowsy boys. Artemis Fowl I I calmly gathered his supplies and textbook, unconcerned with the time. School lunches held no appeal for him whatsoever, despite its 'nutritional' value. If he happened to be late, it would not shatter anyone's world. As he walked out of the classroom, he felt the teacher's eyes on his back; slightly bewildered and more than a little intimidated. Artemis's sharp ears caught the unmistakable sound of a jet landing on the private landing strip constructed only last year by the administration for long-distance transfer students and/or important visitors.
Briefly, the genius recalled that the Headmaster had made an announcement the previous week about a visiting group of students from their sister school, St. Mary-Catherine's Center of Education, the female equivalent of St. Bartelby's. Artemis resisted the urge to curl his lip in disgust at the conversations he heard flitting about in the hallways, little rumors of what would happen when the female students arrived. Pure teenage drivel, as usual. Artemis fully intended to stay in his dorm room all week long until their so-called 'sister school' departed the premises. Artemis made his way through the lunch line and promptly carried his tray to an empty table with the confident notion that it would remain empty. The other students had long since learned to avoid him. "Hey, Arty-man!" ...except that one.
Artemis lifted a forkful of caviar to his mouth(specially imported, as per his father's request) pretending that he hadn't heard the use of his undignified nickname. Trevor Friedman slid into the seat across from the fifteen year old vampiric genius. "What's up, Arty-miss-fool?" Artemis rewarded the dark-haired boy with a look of pure disdain before returning to his meal, declining to dignify that with an answer. "The chicks just arrived, man," Whispered Trevor excitedly, green eyes shining with a disgustingly eager air. "You're goin' to the assembly, right? Who knows, we might get lucky."
Artemis didn't have to ask what Trevor meant by 'getting lucky'. After a carefully selected mouthful of steak, he replied acidly, "No, you go ahead. Perhaps some unfortunate, brainless dimwit will find you remotely attractive and give you the attention you are so sickeningly desperate to receive." The food tasted like sand on his tongue; it was all he could do to make himself swallow it. Reluctantly, he put his fork down, resigned to going hungry for the moment. "I have better things to do with my time than drool over the opposite sex."
Trevor was unaffected by Fowl's acid words, as usual. "Come on, dude! At least we can make fun of the headmaster later." Artemis sneered openly, taking a sip of his bottled spring water. "If you go, I'll--" He broke off as the intercom crackled into life, tilting his head up to listen.
"Students, this is your Headmaster speaking. The assembly will begin in ten minutes. Due to some recent, tragic events, it is now mandatory. Teachers, if you would please begin directing the students to the auditorium, it would be most helpful. Thank you for your time." He sounded strangely choked up, like he had been crying. That in itself was enough to spark Artemis's interest.
He rose from his sitting position as his cell-phone buzzed lightly in his pocket. Curious, Artemis pulled it out and flipped open the screen. URGENT! Read the title. The number was unlisted, but Artemis already knew it was Butler. No one else had his number. He opened the message and began to read: Artemis, there is trouble. A terrorist organization, unnamed yet, detonated a bomb in St. Mary-Catherine's school. Evidence suggests that they are targeting several other schools across Europe, including St. Bartelby's, for further terrorist activity. I am flying in as soon as your father returns with the jet. Artemis, be CAREFUL. If you see any suspicious activity, report it immediately. Please, Artemis, don't put yourself at risk. Soon, Butler.
"-oming?" Trevor's voice broke into his reverie.
"Hm?" Artemis looked up, startled and more than a little concerned. Butler wouldn't have contacted him unless it was urgent...this must be more serious than a little attack. "Oh, of course. Lead on, my salivating nuisance." Worried looking teachers herded them quickly through the halls, seeming more frazzled than usual. Artemis frowned as he walked by, noting the liquid shimmering in a few of their eyes. What could have been so terrible as to disturb them so badly? Well, besides himself, of course. He was seated carefully in the upper-left half of the auditorium, directly opposing the large group of females around his age group. They were laughing and giggling and carrying on, like girls typically do. Maybe this 'tragedy' wasn't so serious after all...or maybe they just didn't know about it yet.
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Do let me know what you all thought :) Thanks for reading, and as usual, r&r!