AN: SmarterThanArty says that I have a talent for leaving cliffhangers. Well my dears, get used to it.
Me: I do not own Arty...
Arty: That's right.
Me: But soon...
Cafeteria, Lunch, Artemis's POV
Chapter Four: Sorting out priorities
Honestly? The punch felt really good. Though Artemis's hand did get a bad throbbing. But of course, this time, he had to watch himself. It is lunch. And in lunch, most people get bullied. It's not like Artemis cared for his jeans and 'street clothing', but getting dumped with milk or iced tea is not such a great idea. Being mortified wasn't part of his vocabulary after all.
So here he was, standing stupidly in the hallway, trying not to get himself noticed. Of course, the odds weren't forever in his favor.
"Hey, chicken goddess!" Malcolm (what a git) yelled. "Finally had the courage to punch me?"
"Get lost, Erickson." Artemis gritted his teeth in anger.
"Ooh, last name basis, Fowl? Or is it poultry?" Of course, the little git just had to make fun of his family.
Artemis got right into Malcolm's face. "Don't. You. Dare."
"I'm so scared now."
Artemis rolled his eyes and just walked out. This guy really needed to meet the ever-faithful Butler. Or perhaps, Beckett. Or just maybe, his fist again. Then maybe the stupid ignoramus would think twice about insulting his family.
"Hey chicken, where do you think you're going?" Before he knew it, Malcolm's fist connected with his jaw. Artemis staggered, but also aimed a punch at the git's stomach. They began to exchange punches, until he heard a woman yell, "That is enough!"
Holly Short stood there, looking even angrier than she did when they fought Koboi. Artemis felt his heart speed up, and he thought her angry face was extremely cute. Not like he'd admit it to her.
"Mr. Erickson, you get det
ention." He was sure that Malcolm's face looked completely horrified.
"What about Fowl?" Malcolm countered.
Holly glared at him. "He didn't do anything to you, Mr. Erickson. Mr. Fowl, here tried to walk out from the situation."
"Like the chicken he is," Malcolm muttered. "By the way, Ms. Short. You're extremely cute when you're angry." He flashes her a toothy smile, which made Artemis fume even more.
Meanwhile, Malcolm left for lunch. The students dissipated after the 'show'. And that left the criminal mastermind and the LEP captain.
"Er, thanks." Artemis said awkwardly. Er, wasn't a word!
"Next time, stay out of trouble, Mud Boy. I'm not always there to save you." She kisses his cheek. "Nor is Butler."
"I know."
Holly smiles. "Of course you do. You're a genius." With that word, she left. And she left Artemis gaping and touching his cheek dreamily.
Room 16, Holly's class, Holly's POV
Holly thought that her patience would snap. This was just the first day, and she felt like resigning. Obviously, the staff had been mesmerized into believing that she was a new employee.
Ugh. The sooner she finds Nettle, the better.
Artemis was in her class. And as usual, he's still the annoying Mud Boy she met almost five years ago. And also, as usual, she was very frustrated, and felt like pulling her Neutrino on him.
"Okay, so we would be focusing on foreign languages." She began.
After about fifteen minutes...
"Ms. Short, the translation of gold is wrong. It's 'Aurum'. Not 'Argentum'. It's simple geology and Latin." Artemis said.
Yes! I know! I'm not stupid!
After a span of another fifteen minutes...
Holly was ready to kill herself. That sneaky, little...
At the end of the period...
Oh, sweet relief.
AN: So that's another cliffy ending. Sorry about that guys. But I did say get used to it. Peace out, my friends.