'Minerva!' said Artemis, approaching the girl that stood at the door. Roxanne gave her a once over - as Ismene did as well.

The girl called Minerva was around 14 years old, with a pretty face and blonde hair that bounced in tight ringlets.

The girl called Minerva kissed Artemis on each cheek, as he did so to her, though looking rather reluctant about it. Artemis did not kiss people on the cheek. Artemis did not publicly show affection.

She then leaned back and hugged him. Artemis patted her on the back with a rather hesitant hand.

'Good to see you again, Artemis,' she said, with a noticeable French accent.

'Good to see you too, Minerva,' replied Artemis.

Ben wolf whistled. Roxanne laughed. Artemis gave him a disapproving look, as did Minerva and Ismene.

'Glad to see another sane person in this household,' said Ben, to Roxanne. 'Who are you?'

'Oh, I'm a classmate of Artemis,' she replied. 'You?'

'I'm a guest. Benjamin Ashford. Nice to meet you.'

'Roxanne Fawkson.'

Minerva was looking rather angry.

'Come Artemis, let us talk,' she said, giving Roxanne and Ben a glare and taking Artemis by the hand.

'Gee, that girl has some problems,' said Ben, as Artemis and Minerva left.

'Maybe she just doesn't know how to have fun,' suggested Roxanne. Ben laughed.

'I'll bet she knows how to have fun with Artemis!' he said, laughing.

Ismene pretended to pick at her nails while secretly fuming.

'So is that Artemis' girlfriend?' asked Roxanne.

'You tell me,' replied Ben.

'I only met him a few days ago!' said Roxanne.

'Ditto,' said Ben.

'Obviously it's not his girlfriend,' snapped Ismene.

'Tell us, genius sister, why not?' asked Ben.

'Artemis didn't look too happy to see her.'

'He kissed her on the cheek, Ismene,' said Ben.

'It's a French thing.'

'Sure it is.'

'Of course it is!'

'You just don't want that girl to be Artemis' girlfriend because you like him!'

'I do not!'

'Do too!'

'I most certainly DO NOT!'

'Do too!'

'We're friends.'

'ISMENE LOVES ARTEMIS!'

Artemis chose that moment to come walking in, slightly stunned by the statement Ben had made. Roxanne was giggling. Minerva was hanging on to Artemis' arm, glaring at all the others.

'What was that?' Artemis asked.

'My brother is being an ignoramus, as per usual,' stated Ismene. Ben stuck his tongue out at her.

Artemis raised his eyebrows.

There was silence for a few seconds.

'Artemis, who are these people?' asked Minerva, with her French accent slathered all over her words.

'They're some of my friends,' he said, not really answering Minerva's question.

'I'm Roxanne,' Roxanne offered.

'Ben,' said Ben.

'And you?' she asked Ismene.

Ismene opened her mouth to say something rude, but then something very peculiar happened.

Without warning, Holly appeared out of nowhere.