Artemis Fowl and the half breed

chapter 1: When two path's meet

"Good morning Master Fowl." The headmaster of Artemis' new school greeted.

"Hardly," the dark haired genius sighed, "I expect you have my schedule ready."

"Of course," he handed Artemis his timetable." I do hope its to your liking."

"I'm sure."

BRING! BRING! The school bells rang. Tala, a fairly attractive girl with a natural tanned look to her skin ran through the hallways.

"I can't believe I'm going to be late again!" She groaned rushing around another corner.

She was almost to the door when out of nowhere a guy that looked her age was standing there in an Armani suit. Tala tried to yell 'Watch out!' but it was too late and sounded more like "Watchgahh!" The two fell in a heap on the floor.

"I'm so sorry!" The emerald eyed natural auburn haired girl apologized.

Standing up she bowed in atonement. When he stood up she looked at his features. He was pale, like a vampire, with striking blue eyes. Contrary to the rest of his clean cut appearance he had slightly messy black hair.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Tala began wiping the dust from his jacket. Being late for class was forgotten after what she thought was almost killing him.

"Miss Short! What are you doing to the new student?"

"Well you see I-" She was cut off by the attractive male.

"Miss Short was just pointing out the fact that there was lint on my lapel." He spoke for the first time.

"Oh. Master Fowl welcome to our school." The ancient Miss Bridley greeted." I do hope Miss Short isn't pestering you."

Artemis looked at the out of breath girl and half-smiled. "Not at all." He said against his better judgement.

"If your positive. Come on then, class has already started."

Tala sat in her usual, back of the class, seat. Artemis sat beside her seeing as it was the only empty desk. Sneaking a few quick glances at the pale skinned youth she sighed.

I've got to make it up to him. I rammed into him so hard he could have died. What a nice first impression. Taking out a pen and piece of paper she neatly wrote a small note to him.

Quickly reaching across the aisle she slipped the folded paper onto his desk. Looking at the note then to the girl he quirked an eyebrow. Unfolding it he read the papers contents:

I'm very sorry about bumping into you, I hope you can forgive me. If I can do anything to make it up to you just name it.

Tala

Scoffing at the drawn picture of her smiling head he promptly crumpled it up and threw it in his desk.

Fine, she thought, Jerk. I was just trying to apologize. Its not like I care.

Artemis paid no attention to the girl being to wrapped up in his own thoughts. She looks like Holly. Her last name is also Short. It couldn't be just a coincidence could it? Short is a very common name though. None the less I'll have to look into this.

Not listening to the teacher drone on Tala doodled little pictures on the side of her notebook.

"Miss Short! Miss Short are you listening? I asked you a question!" Miss Bridley Snapped

"Three thousand five hundred ninety-six point seventeen."

"Right. Just pay more attention. Normally you spout out answers before I have time to yell at you." Even though the old women often snapped at Tala she liked her and always drove her to do her best. After all that was her job as a teacher.

"Sorry Ma'am I'm just tired today."

The dark haired genius was surprised. Tala hadn't even looked up to the question let alone seem to listen. She was smarter than she looked. Artemis grinned his vampiric grin. He would have to match wits with her, it was possible she was an intellectual equal. Not likely but possible. Maybe he would be able to have an intelligent conversation with someone at this school for 'exceptionally gifted students'. The Great Artemis Fowl Junior, Criminal Mastermind only exceptionally gifted? That was the understatement of the year.

A few days had gone by and as Artemis had expected he was making no friends. Not that he was trying. He still hadn't had the time to ask Holly about the Tala Short thing but he was somehow convinced it was just a coincidence.

"Is something wrong Artemis?" The giant Man-servant Butler asked as he drove the Bentley to Artemis' school.

"No. I'm just thinking." Lately that had been his excuse for everything.

"If you're sure."

"I'm sure."

Actually something was changing in Artemis, even before he had switched schools. Something he normally loved to do, such as making people beneath him feel inferior had lost it's appeal. He blamed this on Holly of course all those years spent with the People had made him go soft. Not that he minded. It actually gave him more of a care free attitude.

Then suddenly his mind turned back to Tala Short. She was still bugging him to let her apologize it was getting very irritating. Artemis had assumed that after crumpling up her note she would have left him alone, but no. Actually she was the only person in the school let alone the class that would talk to him besides teachers. Truth is everyone else was scared of him. They had heard about the Fowl's and to the rest of the students one going to a public school was not a good thing.

"Maybe I will take up her offer." He mused to himself, "I don't see what it could hurt."

Of course he had got to class early. A Fowl was never late. Tala walked into class with a kind of happy bounce in her step. Something Artemis thought he would never be able to obtain. Sighing inwardly he waited for her to go to her seat.

"Ms. Short," he greeted,"I was wondering if that offer was still available?"

"What offer?" She said genuinely confused.

I can't believe I'm doing this, He rolled his eyes, "A few days ago you wrote me a note. I decided to take you up on your offer if it was still available."

"Oh that, of course just name it, and if I'm able I'll do it."

"Lunch." The aristocratic youth stated.

"Lunch? Like take you out for lunch?"

"Yes."

"Alright that's perfect!" She said smiling happily, "I own a restaurant."

"You own a restaurant?"

"Well technically it was my father's but when I turn eighteen I'm going to inherit it... How about Saturday then? I'll give you directions and you can swing by."

"That sounds just fine." Artemis said grinning that oh-so vampiric grin.

Writer's Note: Tala Short, My character is not a Mary Sue. Just because she's smart doesn't make her perfect, she can be quiet ditsy at times. If you think she seems to Mary Sueish please tell me so I can look it over and maybe fix it up. On another note I have a Harry Potter story called "Tala means wolf" the two characters look nothing alike I just really like the name Tala... and The name Tala Short just goes together well.