A/N: I should be studying, yet here I am. But anyways, if you've read the past chapter, yes, Holly Short is dead in this fic, and this will be evaluated in future chapters, don't worry. But for now, that isn't much to be worried about. Now that's out of the way, I hope you enjoy this chapter none the less!
It was almost as if Saturday hadn't happened at all when Monday came along. Artemis was acrimoniously ignoring the topic, even though he wasn't aware he was being overly defensive about it, which only annoyed Iris more. What was Artemis hiding anyways? The two sat separated in math class, taking a test, and Artemis had finished within the first three minutes. "Done," Artemis handed Miss Rolex the sheet of paper, which she practically snatched from him.
'How?' Iris found herself groaning in her mind. Artemis was always the first to finish everything completely correctly. She tapped her pencil impatiently against her table, before scribbling some answers onto her sheet. Artemis' little preparation of algebra that day had barely helped—it was almost as if he were speaking another language. He was already reading a psychology book which looked heavier than the boy himself.
Artemis sure did find a way to be annoying, even when he wasn't talking. Correction – Artemis was ALWAYS annoying. Iris was not in a good mood by the time the lesson ended, with Artemis trailing behind her, still reading. "How did you manage to finish the test in 3 minutes?" Iris was shaking with frustration, mostly to herself. "It's simple—I use my brains. You should try it!" Artemis exclaimed with fake enthusiasm. He seemed pleased with this response, as he allowed a smirk to creep onto his face, before he ducked his head back into his book. Oh, the twat!
"Anyways," Artemis cleared his voice. "Do you think you did well?" Artemis was surprisingly trying to make conversation for once, instead of his daily routine of pessimism and sulking to himself about his bank account, or loudly proclaiming his intelligence and how Iris didn't appreciate him enough for his mere existence, and how he chose Iris out of everyone to stick around with and that he had blessed her with his very presence. The little shit.
"I think I'll pass. Maybe I'll get a 70% or something with a big ass 'B' on it." Iris grumbled to herself. She was going to have to change the topic before the showing off came along, or the lectures about Iris apparently 'not trying her best', or 'you should use your brains, Iris'. Iris did use her brains—it just didn't apply to math and sciences. It applied to imagination, literature, communicating through the internet, coming up with a good comeback. That was about it, but it was good enough for Iris.
Nothing was ever good enough for Artemis, because he was convinced that he was the best living creature to live. The worse part was that he was probably right. In all honesty, not even the teachers would know her name if it wasn't for him. With Artemis trailing behind her almost all the time, gossip and rumors were constantly spread about the two, most of them exaggerated. And Iris didn't care about it anymore, it was much easier knowing that Artemis had his front butt all over the newspapers every day.
Artemis wasn't actually that bad of a person, once you got to know him. It would have sounded ridiculous through anybody else's ears, but it was true. He was more than just a criminal to Iris now. He was a friend. It was strange, though. He had opened up to her so quickly.
Maybe even too quickly.
"Iris. Hello? Are you listening?"
Iris shook her head from thoughts of her friend. "Hmm? Sorry, wasn't listening."
"You really need to start paying attention to things, Iris." Artemis admonished, shaking his head in disapproval. "I know, I know, I'm working on it." The two walked side by side to
their next lesson through the hub areas, people giggling at them as they walked pass. It was almost intolerable feeling eyes all over her, trying to get a reaction out of the girl.
Artemis' hand hovered over hers, almost like he was hesitating, before his fingers started tracing her wrist. "Ignore it." It was almost a whisper, and the act of reassurance was barely seen by anyone, but still, it was present. Iris gave a slight nod before looking away.
It was extremely awkward sitting next to each other in English class, the last class of the day until everybody ran in all directions, desperate to escape from the hell they were brought to. They were starting a new unit on literature and creative writing, and people who influenced literature throughout history, and normally, Iris would have been ecstatic. But the excitement was blurred off from wave after wave of thoughts. Artemis. Why had he put his hand on hers? Yeah, they were friends, but normally he was just so against physical contact. He seemed like the kind of person to shove someone away the moment someone laid hands on him. Maybe he wasn't feeling well. That was why he was acting so shifty these days with his loss of words and strange gestures.
Iris wasn't the only one not paying attention to Mr. Brown, their English teacher. Artemis was starting to regret having done that in the halls, where everyone had their eyes on them. Iris had seemed relaxed after that, but was it worth it? Even Iris felt uncomfortable, having him done that. He could sense it. Artemis couldn't help it, though. Holly had left him weak and changed. It was always Holly. Iris was too much like Holly. Headstrong, strong morals, determined, and the two were too stubborn for their own good (something Artemis definitely did not find endearing). And yet, Iris was different. He just couldn't put his finger on what, which irritated him to the end of his senses.
"You, Artemis."
Artemis looked up from his table, raising an eyebrow.
"What do you think, Artemis? Surely you have an opinion on this, like you do with everything." Mr. Brown pointed out. Well, he wasn't wrong. Artemis hadn't been listening to anything shit the teacher was talking about, so he looked up at the black board, where enormous words were written in dawn pink chalk: WHY IS LITERATURE IMPORTANT?
Four words. Now, that wasn't any good.
Four meant death.
Artemis groaned. It was ironic, really. This question was going to be the death of him. "For your information, sir, I believe that literature is important because…" Before Artemis had the chance to finish his sentence, the teacher had cut him off, which never happened. "No, Artemis. It's not about whether literature is important. It's about what it means to you. So? What does literature mean to you?"
Pause.
Mr. Brown sighed, before he continued to explain. "How about fiction? Fiction in general, really. Why is fiction important—no—why is fiction important to you, Artemis?" Most things meant nothing to Artemis, and literature was one of them. It used to be one of his main hobbies when he was 4. But he wasn't interested in fiction. Not anymore. He relied on pure facts, and nothing more.
Mr. Brown only continued. "Even as a juvenile genius, I dare say you have heard of at least one, single fairy tale growing up. The ones with dwarves, and fairies, and elves. Have you, Artemis?" Painful memories immediately found their way through his head, rushing back in one, ginormous wave, before crashing down all at once. "No." Artemis felt hot tears streaming down his face already.
"Not here, not now. Please!" Artemis croaked.
Too late. Just in a matter of seconds, he found himself sinking in a sea of his own memories—wave, after wave, after wave. Every time he tried to swim to the surface, to breath—the waves would only come down once more, until he sank deeper and deeper. The light was running out; he was grasping onto every breath as he choked on his very own guilt. Grief was practically chaining him down, stripping his life away from him. He had nobody by his side anymore, nobody to protect him, nobody to trust. Artemis felt himself opening his mouth to scream for help, for some form of assistance—
"Artemis? Are you alright?"
Iris had put a hand on his, like he had done in the hallway. The waves slowly washed away, and so did his memories. He remembered how to breath, and the light was still shining through the window, and time had resumed. Artemis realized he had left his mouth hanging open, so dozens of students were now snickering at his reaction. He groaned before running a hand through his hair that was styled with hair gel and pushed back but obviously you don't really need to know that, and dug his face into his palms. He couldn't be more embarrassed in his entire life—having a panic attack of a friend by just the reference of her species, and in the middle of class, where everyone had their eyes on him. What would his father say?
"Artemis, you'll have to come up with an answer for my question by Tuesday, which is tomorrow, got it?"
"Yes, Mr. Brown."
Iris had been staring at Artemis for the entirety of the time that Mr. Brown had picked on him. Artemis looked like he was on the verge of tears. His hands were formed into fists, and his teeth were gritted. School had soon ended, and Butler had walked Artemis home, with Iris walking alongside the boy as well. All three of them walking in silence. In the middle of their walk home, Butler nudged Artemis lightly (in Butler's opinion, of course—he had almost knocked both Iris and Artemis down in one go), and shown his master an email he got.
Dear Artemis,
Greetings. It's been a long time, old friend. I need to discuss some matters with you, so if you have time in your extremely busy schedule, I will be meeting you at the front gate of you home.
Minerva.
Iris peered down at the message, before a mischievous smirk was etched on her face. "Hey, Artemis? I didn't know you had a girlfriend." Artemis could practically hear the grin in her voice. "Iris, Paradizo is merely an acquaintance. Don't get too jealous." Iris scoffed. "As if! Gotta go. See you tomorrow, Artemis!" Iris ran off and unlocked her door, and gave a final wave before slamming her door shut, and ran up the stairs, probably eager to read. Artemis found himself smiling unconsciously, before he realized what he was doing and wiped it off his face. Artemis tried to shake off the thoughts of Holly from his mind, before continuing his walk home. "Artemis. Are you alright, sir?"
"I'm fine, Butler. Just some daily thoughts."
Soon enough, Minerva and Artemis were seated together, playing some form of five dimensional chess in his lounge. "Your move, Paradizo. Now, what is it going to be—The pawn, or the bishop?" Minerva put her hand to her chin, as if she was contemplating the next move. Artemis scoffed. "Minerva, if you please. I already know that I will win either way—don't waste your energy."
Artemis looked down, crossing his arms and fiddling with his fingers. Minerva had come over for a quick visit, probably for a favor. There was no way she'd just come for a friendly hello. Things didn't work that way in Artemis' life. There was always some form of explosion and bank ransom going on every day, with clients coming in and out and about a million rejected interviews and missions that were simply not worth his time, along with therapists (namely from school) pretending to understand him, to help him.
To think he had thought that the friendliness was genuine when he was so much more naïve and idiotic back when he was young. He was beyond trusting anyone anymore. Nobody would willingly choose to like him, to stay with him, to at least put up with him. All the people he knew, and the few that he genuinely cared for were stuck to him for life, or just for the meanwhile to take advantage of each other. But Iris, as far as he knew, wasn't paid to stay with him. She had willingly stood up for him, even after all that he had said about her.
Iris was…untouchable. She was what that small bit inside of him had wanted for a very, very long time. Someone to truly stay by his side, willingly, no matter what. True, he had Butler, but they were paired for life. Nobody in their right mind would willingly choose to stay by Artemis' side for long. They would go insane. Maybe Iris was a little bit crazy. But that was what he liked about her.
Artemis truly wanted to believe that she would stay by his side forever. But he couldn't trust her, even if he tried, even if he wanted to. Artemis was not a boy without enemies. How was he so certain that she wasn't using him? To gain fame, to gain favors, to gain money, even. How was he so certain that Iris was not paid to do this by his mother, so certain that she wasn't just pretending?
But he couldn't help it. Iris was always there for him, somehow, someway. Artemis knew he had all the signs, but he still couldn't bring himself to believe it. There was no way that was possible—
"Artemis, I won."
Huh? Artemis looked up at the boards, only to see that his king was surrounded by Minerva's pieces. His thoughts faded away, and melted into a mix of emotions. He had lost. He had never lost against anyone in chess before. At the most, it was a tie. Minerva sighed before pushing up her glasses. "It is evident there is something on your mind. May I ask what?"
"You asked, Minerva, but there will be no reply to your question. It is clearly none of your business." Artemis snapped. He was NOT in the mood to rant about his attraction to Iris, how desperately he wanted her to stay by his side, to treat him as a friend, and he did not feel like listening to Minerva boast about her wonderful victory.
Minerva's posture seemed to slump slightly.
"Suit yourself. I'll be excusing myself, if you don't want me here. See you again sometime next week Artemis." And with that, Minerva had walked out, her blond curls trailing behind her. Artemis rolled his eyes, glaring at the girl's back, which was fading away. Girls were always so emotional. Artemis got up from his chair, and head his way up carpeted stairs and got his way to his bedroom. He sat on his four poster bed for a while. Damn, he was going to have to think of an answer to that useless question. Iris would know everything about fiction—it was the only part of books that she enjoyed reading—things that were nothing like reality.
Artemis glanced at his numerous bookshelves, before picking one book of the shelves. The Hobbit. That had been sitting there his entire life, and he had never had the time to sit down and read it—not that he ever had the interest of doing so. Iris had been reading it numerous times before. It wouldn't hurt, to maybe pick it up… Artemis scoffed softly at himself. He never would've thought—the criminal genius, sitting down and reading a children's book that he had once said that he had no interest in reading.
In a matter of an hour, Artemis had already finished the book, and was feeling quite upset he hadn't read it earlier. Iris was quite correct—it was somewhat interesting. Artemis picked up his mobile, and started texting Iris to tell her of his new accomplishment.
-Artemis Fowl started texting Iris Venduala-
AF: I have finished reading The Hobbit.
AF: Not that I like it, but I'd give it a 4.4 out of 10.
IV: :0
IV: :D
IV: oh my god
IV: YOU READ IT :D
AF: Yes, I did.
AF: I just told you, Iris.
Iris was grinning at her screen like a fool. Artemis had read it!
IV: what did you think of it?
AF: Utter garbage. Complete waste of valuable time.
IV: :(
AF: What were you expecting me to text?
AF: Oh, Iris, what a wonderful book! Sure to read it again!
Artemis had meant it as a sarcastic comment, but yet, her reply came saying this:
IV: yes?
Oh, Christ. Iris could be such an idiot sometimes. Not to say that she wasn't one all the time.
IV: anywyas
AF: It's 'anyways', Iris. Get it right.
IV: I have something to ask you.
Artemis gulped. It was going to get serious when Iris started using punctuation and grammar.
IV: You looked like you were about to cry during class
IV: something in your mind?
AF: I was going to ask you something amongst the same lines. You put your hand on mine during English class. May I ask why?
IV: Stop avoiding my question, Artemis. Besides, you did the same thing when we were walking besides each other in the halls.
IV: Somethings up, Artemis. I'm not that stupid.
IV: Who is Holly Short?
AF: It's honestly none of your business, Venduala.
AF: If I were you, I'd keep your head out of my own shit.
AF: Have a wonderful night, Iris.
AF: Do try to be less nosy.
-Artemis Fowl ceased texting Iris Venduala-
Iris frowned. He sure did think he was unreadable, did he. He was more defensive than ever these days. Butler had warned Iris of not bringing that Holly Short up. Maybe she shouldn't have done that…
Iris was already feeling bad about herself. She may have possibly just ruined her relationship with the boy. Little did she know that Artemis was thinking the exact same thing.
Thank you guys, for reading! That's all for now. I can't promise that updates will come that quickly, though, heh. Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!
-EmeraldSprite
