-o-o-o-0-o-o-o-
Artemis Fowl II was staring at the ceiling for quite a while now; one hand was placed lightly over his stomach while the other arm was spread out to his side, his feet barely touching the carpeted floor of his room. It was one position Artemis would rather be injured than to be caught in.
Despite of trying his best to act professional, he was still in his youth and there are some things that he cannot help. His room was the only place in the world where he can set aside his emotionless mask for a while and let his defenses fall.
Most of the time, when he is in the sanctuary of his bedroom, he felt like he was the normal teenager - well, normal in the fowl family's standard - should; like what his mother always wanted him to be. And it was usually in this position that prompts him to let his mind wander into his deep musings.
Well, try as he might, his mind cannot stop reverting back to his endless musings. True, the warm shower and the nice change of clothes made him relax a bit and take his mind off the thing for a bit but the moment his back made contact with the soft cushion of his bed, his mind immediately went into thinking; recalling memories that are best treasured and best kept unrecalled.
Unfortunately, in all the memories he recalled, it revolved on only one person; a beautiful, feisty yet caring red-head elf that goes by the name of Holly Short.
Artemis was so caught up with his thoughts that he nearly bolted upright at the sound of someone knocking on his wooden bedroom door. The young genius took a deep breath in, putting on his usual mask of emotionlessness once again, then breathed out as he straighten himself up and sat upright.
Again, there was a knock.
"It's open," he said, simple and casual; like someone calling the nest job applicant to be interviewed.
Without hesitation the door opened and in came the Fowl matriarch, already dressed in a silvery satin long night gown with ruffles and ribbons to match, her hair was already tucked in a loose bun; she looked like nobility, even at first glance. Her expression, however, was different from her usual cheery façade whenever she visits her son on his room. Though her face still had a smile on it; it didn't quite reach her eyes and instead, it was filled with concern and worry.
On all fairness, Angeline Fowl would never walk into her son's room in this time of the night unless something was wrong.
For Artemis, his mother's visit is something he was lees keen on dealing with - not now, that is. However, he didn't have the heart to shoo her off again like he did a few hours ago.
"Good evening mother,"
"Good evening too, Arty." Angeline answered then preceded in sitting down on her son's bed, "We missed you at dinner today,"
Artemis just managed an apologetic smile.
"Your father was curios and wanted to talk to you right away but I told him to give you some space. Your brothers, on the other hand, are worried. They thought you were sick or something," Angeline continued with a soft smile.
"I'm sorry for making you worry," Artemis answered, flashing another apologetic smile
Angeline bit her lower lip as she took a breath in through her nose then she sighed. Without any second thoughts, she reached out and held her son's hands, catching him off guard at her sudden action. Artemis opened his mouth to say something, his eyes showed a glint of worry but Angeline shook her head lightly and raised her other hand, a gesture he knows well.
"I'm not going to ask if you are alright Arty because obviously you are not. I'm just here to remind you that we are always here if you need us; me your father, your brothers, Butler, Juliet, your friends…" she trailed off a bit there, "Know that we will be always here for you. Do you don't need to shut yourself out and fell utterly miserable about it; beating yourself too hard."
Angeline squeezed her son's hand comfortingly, her voice full of mixed emotions that Artemis had a hard time distinguishing, "You cannot face everything on you own arty. No matter how hard you convinced yourself that you can."
Artemis sighed, not meeting his mother's eyes, "Butler told you,"
It was a statement, not a guess.
"I made him tell," Angeline answered, "I was worried, Arty. You can't blame me for being worried as to what happened; especially after your outburst."
Artemis winced.
-o-0-o-
"Arty?" a voice called and the just genius deliberately ignored it.
"Arty, you home safe. Thank goodness," the voice said once again and it finally registered that it was his mother talking to him. Angeline Fowl sighed in relief at the sight of her eldest son but one look at him and she can tell that something was wrong, "Arty, dear, what happened?"
To her surprise, Artemis just avoided her gaze and started going up the stairs.
"Arty?"
At that, the young genius just snapped. He stopped to looked at his mother before shouting "Just leave me alone,"
-o-0-o-
Artemis's throat suddenly grew an uncomfortable lump, his mouth dry and his stomach dropped into his feet. If the earth could only swallow him now, it would save him from messing things up.
"I'm sorry," Artemis managed to say, his voice filled with regret.
"I understand your actions, my dear. You were under a lot of pressure," Angeline answered reassuringly, squeezing his hand again but Artemis just slowly shook his head, still not meeting his mother's eyes.
"I'm so sorry," he said again, "I should have controlled my emotions -"
He was interrupted when Angeline placed her other hand Artemis's chin and made him look at her. Angeline gently shook her head, eyes gleaming with understanding.
"I forgive you dear," she said, "You've been though a lot. I understand,"
"Mother -"
"Arty," Angeline chided, squeezing his hand once again to interrupt him, "There is no point in blaming yourself. It's not going to make things turn out for the better. I'm sure Holly wouldn't want you to be beating yourself of she regained her memories back."
Giving up, Artemis just nodded in submission. If anything, it was nearly impossible to argue with Angeline Fowl in situation like this.
"I know mother," Artemis said, "I know."
Angeline gave a soft smile, "Remember what the minister said last Sunday service?"
"I remember mother," Artemis replied and gave an automatic nod.
Ever since the Family began walking on their path to change, his parents thought it would be nice if the family had a spiritual background too.
It started during his first two months of therapy with his Atlantis Complex and it kept going till that day. Every Sunday morning, the family would drive to the nearby church and attend the Sunday service. It seemed alright to his family but for Artemis it was different and uneasy.
Fifteen years, technically eighteen years, in existence and it was only then did he set foot inside a church.
Sure he was happy for his family, having found a solace through their spiritual journey but for the young genius, he just can't seem to grasp the idea completely.
He was not an atheist; no.
He just can seem to wrap his great mind around the idea of being a normal spiritual family; given their history.
Angeline's smile grew wider, "Always keep that in mind, my dear. Everything has a purpose and if you keep your faith unto the Lord then everything will turn out for the greater good."
Artemis looked a little uncertain at that statement as if he was about to contradict it but managed to keep it to himself.
"I know." He said nodding, then he smiled gratefully at his mother, "Thank you mother,"
Without another word, Angeline hugged her son, trying hard not to cry. Artemis, after reeling from his thoughts at the sudden action, hugged back. They stayed like that for a while and Artemis felt like a young helpless boy again seeking refuge in his mother's loving arms.
"Oh I remembered," Angeline said, startling Artemis as he was getting used to the sudden quietness. She broke away from their hug to fish out something from her pocket.
It was a letter.
The envelope was already opened since it was addressed to his parents. Artemis briefly wondered why his mother was showing him this but that thought was dismissed when he saw the academy logo of St. Bartleby; his current school.
"Your father doesn't know about this yet but if he managed to find it out. I promise I'll do the explaining." Angeline said, handing the letter to her son.
Artemis nodded gratefully then proceeded to open the letter.
There it said:
/-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-\
Lord and Lady Fowl
Greetings,
(Artemis lad to skip that part because the first paragraph of every letter that came from his school was about St. Bartleby, its standards, and its rules. So naturally, he just moved on to the important part of the letter.)
It has come to our attention that you son, Artemis Fowl II, has been skipping numerous classes for the past two months and is now absent for almost a week without any excuse letter of sort. We wrote to inform you that if your son fails to attend his classes by next week, we have no choice but to drop him in all his current subjects and have him expelled from the academy.
We hope for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Aracelie Walter
Headmistress
/-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-\
Artemis felt like ripping the paper to shreds.
'That despicable old hag,' he thought as he handed the letter back to his mother. Oh sure, expect the headmistress to add in his already growing problem.
"I could pull a few stings if you want but I want your permission first. That is why I showed you the letter," Angeline said.
Artemis thought of it for a moment, though most of his thoughts are now centered on how he is going to humiliate every faculty member during class as a form of revenge against the headmistress. That woman just hated him with a passion
"No need for that mother. I'll just return to school on Monday,"
Angeline gave him a worried look, "Are you sure?"
"Definitely," Artemis answered with a nod.
"Well, okay. If you say so," Angeline answered, already getting worried at what her son was scheming in that brain of his. Old habits die hard, as they say. She sighed and patted his cheek affectionately, "You get some rest,"
Without any argument Artemis nodded.
Angeline stood up and kissed her son's forehead, "Good night, Arty."
"Good night mother,"
Angeline gave her son that all too known stare, "Arty…."
Despite of himself, Artemis let a smile grown on his lips and in an exasperated yet playful tone he repeated, "Good night MUM,"
"Do you want me to tuck you in?" Angeline asked a playful smile on her lips.
Artemis went wide-eyed, "Mother!"
"Oh I was just joking," Angeline answered. She gave him a last warm smile before closing the door as she stepped out of his room.
Artemis gave a sigh then let himself fall on top of the bed once again, knowing very well that sleep will not come to him that easily.
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