Author's Note: I do not own any of the characters. They're all Eoin Colfer's work.

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Chapter 1: You're, like, my best friend

Artemis was sitting in his room thinking to himself...about Holly. He'd been doing that a lot recently. He just couldn't understand it. Well, naturally, he did have one theory. But he had put it out of his mind for now...

His fairy communicator beeped. He jumped out of his trance and fell headfirst out of his bed. Swearing furiously and rubbing his head, he accepted the call but didn't look at the screen, his heart beating unusually fast all of a sudden.

"Hey!" called Holly's voice.

"H-hey" Artemis croaked hoarsely all anger at his little falling-out-of-bed act fading rapidly.

"Uh...are you all right?" Holly asked, concerned.

Artemis cleared his throat and pulled himself together. Holly was his friend...just his friend.

"Yes, fine thanks Holly. Just a sore throat"

"Oh, okay then. By the way I'm over here!"

"Yes I know but...but...my um...um...doctor told me not to look at screens for a little while because...um...because I have a little um...um...eye problem!" Artemis babbled, feeling heat rising to his face. Eye problem. Eye problem!

"Uh...right. So I was wondering, would it be okay if I came over?"

Artemis froze. One part of him screamed yes yes yes! The other part was knotting up in fear of seeing her. He wondered if he would be able to make a proper conversation with her without wanting to leave the country. He shivered slightly. To top it all off, his theory of what was making him feel like this was crashing back into his mind.

"I...okay"

"Okay? Really? Awesome! I'll be right over!" Holly cried delightedly before ending the call.

Artemis looked down at the screen which previously had Holly's fine features on them. And though his stomach was throwing a party, Artemis felt it get lighter. It was good to know that Holly was happy about coming over to his house...

Artemis sat back on his bed and put his still aching head in his hands.

Don't blow this, he told himself sternly. Nothing can be allowed to ruin my friendship with Holly...especially my feelings for her...

After a few moments of this firm self-talking to, a slight shimmer dusted the air. Holly was materializing. Artemis leapt to his feet and absent-mindedly began brushing himself down.

Seconds later, the elfin maid's smiling face appeared. Artemis's heart missed a beat.

"Hey, you" she said and playfully punched him on the shoulder. "You got that eye problem sorted out?"

Artemis blushed. "Yes, it was just a matter of...something."

"Clever!" said Holly sarcastically.

Artemis shrugged. Holly frowned slightly and looked him up and down.

"Are you all right, Artemis? You seem almost...embarrassed by my presence."

Oh no, have I really been that obvious? Artemis thought wildly.

Out loud he said, "Oh no, Holly. Of course not."

But Holly continued to stare at him. "Are you sure? You look kinda pale and sick, like."

"I'm fine, I'm fine" Artemis insisted.

Holly smiled. "Well that's good, you know. 'Cause I care about you and your health."

Artemis's heart nearly melted.

Could it be...? he thought.

"Yeah, you're, like, my best friend. Arty." she added teasingly.

Disappointment crashed through the teenage boy like waves. Even the little Arty crack didn't cheer him up the slightest.

"Yup, best friend" Artemis replied in a small voice.

If only...if only she felt it...it would be all so different.

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Sooo guys, you like it?

Hopin' that you do! Sorry it's a bit short.

But I'm staring Chapter 2 now!

REVIEWS pretty please!?

iLY readers!

Laters!

DreamWriter123