Hello! I'm FallingStarsAndPaperFlowers, call me Star though. This is my first Artemis Fowl fanfiction, even though I fell in love with the series a few years ago. Anyways, I'm really excited about it. Updates will on Wednesdays or Saturdays, depending on when I get the chapters done. Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Holly POV
Thunder rumbled as rain pounded onto the sidewalk, sounding like a thousand footsteps. Anyone who was still outside was running for shelter from the storm, with myself as an exception.
I walked at a leisurely pace down the sidewalk, in no hurry to get home. The cold rain was much preferable to the small, empty apartment I inhabited. The silence in there was maddening, and often times I would do anything to get away from it.
Continuing on, I found my way to the park. Walking over to the small duck pond, its surface rippling with each drop, I noticed a dark figure sitting on a swing. I squinted against the fog, trying to make out the person. I allowed myself to walk closer, confident the constant drum of the rain would conceal my footsteps.
I studied the person on the swing, a young boy. I guessed he was about my age, even if I couldn't see his face. His raven black hair was soaked, and sticking to his bowed head. Growing curious, I walked over and sat down on the swing next to him.
He looked up at me in surprise for a couple seconds, before returning his gaze downward.
"Hello." I said
He didn't respond and I repeated the greeting just in case the rain had washed out my words.
He looked back up at me again, and I gasped as I looked into his eyes. They were a deep, electric blue - a color I had never seen in someone's eyes. I looked closer, and saw a deep sadness he was trying so hard to hide, and my features softened. I offered him a smile, which he returned slightly, before he stood up and walked away.
I watched him go, staring as his figure faded in the distance. I had never seen such grief in someone's eyes before, and I looked down at my hands. Sighing, I stood up and began walking back towards my old apartment. Here would come another night of solitude.
Stepping into the dark room, I took off my sopping coat and hung it on the rack. Slipping out of my shoes, I went to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Stripping off my wet cloths, I stepped into the warm water and found my thoughts sliding back to the incident at the park.
Who was that man?
He was mysterious, that was for sure. He had definitely heard me, but he hadn't answered. And that look in his eyes. How could someone be so sad? I didn't think it was possible...
I sighed, and shook my head, pushing the strange encounter out of my mind. I had more important things to think about than a mysterious boy.
My job was currently on the line. Having dropped out of high school when my parents died in a crash, I was stuck working as a waitress at a small diner. The head chef, Julius Root, who had gained the nick-name Beet Root for his seemingly continuous red face, had not been happy with me that day. I had dropped a customers dish on the floor, just barely missing the poor man himself.
After a loud scolding, Root had put me on dish washing duty, where I would be for the next week. This was my last chance, another mistake and he would have to let me go. I knew he would never actually do that, but the threat was still there.
Root was almost always yelling at someone - whenever he wasn't cooking, at least. Even with his temper though, I had lucked out. After listening to my story, and seeing my determination, he had given me a job in his restaurant, and paid the first few months rent for my apartment until I could get back on my feet. I owed that man everything, and I couldn't let him down again.
Sighing, I finished washing my hair and hopped out of the shower. After toweling off and getting dressed in my pajamas, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. I wasn't anything special, just average. My hazel eyes were large and - in my opinion - my best feature, and my red hair was cut in a short bob that framed my face.
Shaking my head, I brushed my teeth and hopped onto my bed. As I stared at the ceiling, I found my thoughts drifting back towards the boy in the park. He'd looked about my age; 17. I couldn't be sure though. I wonder what his name is? I thought as I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up and stretched. A small smile spread across my face as I remembered what day it was. It was Saturday, that meant I had a day off of work and could do whatever I wanted. Standing up and stretching, I changed my clothes and grabbed my wallet. It was a nice day. I decided to go to the coffee shop down the corner and grab a bite to eat there.
I was in a strangely good mood as I walked into the cafe and took my place in line. My happiness quickly faded as my phone buzzed with a new text. I took it out of my pocket and looked to see what it said.
Hey Holly,
I need to talk to you.
It's important.
Meet me in the park in five minutes.
~ Trouble
I sighed, and pocketed my phone. Looked like I wasn't getting coffee right that minute.
Exiting the store, I jogged down to the park and saw Trouble - my current boyfriend - standing there. "Hey." I said "What'd you need to talk about?"
Trouble looked nervous and motioned for me to sit with him on the bench.
"Well um... I think we should break up." he said
I nodded, my face falling a bit. "Yeah. I agree. It wasn't really working out." I replied
I heard him release a breath. "Thanks for not freaking out." he said
"No problem. Let's still be friends though. It would be awkward at work if we weren't."
He nodded, and smiled. "How have you been lately? We haven't talked in a while." he asked
"I'm pretty good. You?" I asked, trying to ignore the awkward air between us.
"I'm about the same." he said
I nodded, and we sat there in silence before I stood up and stretched. "Well, I'd better get going. It was good talking with you Trouble."
He nodded, and we gave each other a quick hug before I turned away and began walking back to the cafe.
Entering the door, I wasn't paying much attention and ran smack into the person heading the opposite way, effectively spilling his coffee all over his white dress shirt. "Sorry!" we both said at the same time.
I looked up, and my eyes widened, as did his familiar electric blue ones. "It's you!" I said "From the park last night."
He nodded, and scratched the back of his head. "Eh... I apologize for running off on you like that. I was having a hard time and had not wanted to be near anyone at that moment. It was extremely rude of me."
I nodded, and flicked my hand. "It's fine. Besides, I think we're even now." I said, looking at his shirt again
He looked down as well and nodded. "Looks like we are." he laughed, throwing his now crushed cup away.
I shook my head and grabbed his arm, leading him back inside the cafe. "Here, let me buy you another drink. It's the least I can do after making you spill your first one."
He shook his head in return. "No. I assure you it's fine. You don't have to buy me a drink." he said
"Nope. I'm buying you a drink whether you like it or not." I stated
He sighed in defeat and followed me back to the line.
"I'm Holly, by the way. Holly Short." I said, holding out my hand for him to shake.
He grabbed my hand and gave it a firm shake - I swear I felt some sort of spark travel between us.
"Artemis. Artemis Fowl. Nice to meet you Holly." he said
"You too." I flashed him a smile, and we stepped up to order our drinks.
Sitting down at an unoccupied table, I sipped at my coffee and watched Artemis do the same. "So... what was up with you yesterday? I mean I don't want to be rude, and you don't have to answer me if you don't want to. I'm just curious." I said
He nodded. "You're curiosity is justified. If you must know, I was simply having some family troubles, that's all."
I nodded and took another sip of my drink. We sat in silence, and even though I felt it should be awkward, it wasn't. "How old are you?" I asked
"17. You?" he replied
"Same."
He nodded. "Where do you go to school? I've never seen you around before." he asked
I looked down. "Erm, well... I don't really go to school. Some stuff happened about a year ago, and I had to drop out. I want to go back, but I've got a full time job now and my own apartment. I don't have time for it."
Artemis nodded, and didn't make a big deal of it - which I was thankful for. "I see. I'm sure you could get back in any time you wanted though, you seem very smart. Where do you work, if I may ask?" he asked
"Thanks. I work at a small cafe a couple blocks away. It's a cute little place called 'Haven City'. No idea why it was named that, but it works." I replied
He nodded. "I don't think I've ever been there. I should try it some time."
I smiled. "You should. The food is delicious. Do you work anywhere?" I asked
He shook his head. "Not currently. I am mainly focusing on school and a few other things. After I graduate, I'll be looking for one though; something to help pay my way through college." he replied
I nodded. "Well, you've sure got a plan. What are you wanting to study?" I asked
"A few things. Psychology, physics, medicine. Maybe even music if I have the time."
"Oh, do you play any instruments?" I asked
"Piano, guitar and a few others. I can sing too, but I prefer not to. I don't like my voice all that much."
"Do you enjoy music?"
"Yes, but my father told me it was a waste of my time. It's a side thing now - just a hobby."
I nodded, but felt sad. What a nice father he had.
He checked his watch and swore under his breath. "I'm sorry, I have to go. Do you think we could meet up again sometime? I'd like to get to know you better." he said
I grinned. "Sure. How's... Tuesday at five thirty? That's about when I get off work, so it should work."
Artemis nodded. "Sound good. See you Holly. Thank you for the drink." he said
I nodded. "No problem. See you!"
I watched him walk out the door and sighed. Something was strange about him, he seemed to be shrouded in mystery even after talking with him. I found myself wanting to know more about him. Strange, I normally don't care about others.
Standing up and throwing my cup away, I realized just how different the situation was for me. I had never made friends on my own before, I didn't really speak to people much. I couldn't help but wonder...
Just what had I gotten myself into?
Hello again! So, how was it? Sorry Artemis and Holly are kind of OOC, especially Artemis. I did it for the sake of the story. Please, review. I'd love to know what you guys think about this. I've got a lot of ideas in my head for this story right now, I'm really excited for it. If you guys have any ideas too, I'd love to hear them. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Thanks for reading!