Artemis POV
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of clinking pots in the room next door. Squinting against the light filtering in through the window, I groaned and turned around. I hadn't slept that well in weeks, and I just wanted to fall back into the unconscious bliss. It took me a moment to remember the events of the night before, and found myself wanting slip away from consciousness even more. I wasn't ready to deal with everything.
I was just about to fall back asleep when the sounds from the other room quieted. Soft footsteps padded their way into their way towards me, and someone - presumably Holly - poked my ear. "Wake up sleepy head!" she said
Groaning, I nestled into the side of the couch. "Five more minutes..." I knew I sounded, childish, but I didn't care. I was with Holly, I didn't have to worry.
A chiming laugh sounded throughout the room, and one of the cushions sagged, indicating that Holly had sat down next to me. She carefully extracted the blanket from my grip, causing me to frown at the sudden coldness. I whined, and curled into the next nearest source of warmth - Holly. Pulling her down, I wrapped my arms around her. In my tired daze, I wasn't completely aware of what I was doing.
"Umm... Artemis, what are you doing?" she asked
"Cold." I murmured
Her laugh sounded in my ears again, and I sighed in contentment at the sound of it. I loved her laugh, it was so happy and full of life.
She shifted, causing me to groan in discontent. Sitting up, she placed my head in her lap and began running her fingers through my hair. I made a noise - much to my embarrassment later - that sounded a lot like a cat purring, and nuzzled my face into her stomach. Breathing in, I took in her scent - pine mixed with the smell of a forest right after it rains. Like nature.
Once again, I was about to fall back asleep, when she stood up, disrupting my peace. I groaned and looked up at her, sending a playful glare her way as I sat u. "Why did you do that? I was comfortable."
She chuckled, and grabbed my hand, pulling me into a standing position. "I made breakfast. Hurry up and eat before it gets cold."
As I followed her into the kitchen, a wonderful smell of eggs and pancakes filled my nose. "Mm... smells lovely." I said
Grabbing a plate and filling it up, I began to eat. "And tastes even better."
She beamed at me, and began eating her own food. "Glad you like it." she said
We ate in silence for a while, before I looked up at the clock. "I should probably head home soon. Butler is most likely getting worried."
Holly's face fell a bit, but she nodded. "Okay. Would you like to hang out again sometime? This was fun."
I smiled, and nodded. "I would love that."
Grabbing my jacket, I walked out the door. Stopping in the hallway, I turned around and hugged Holly in a split second decision. "Thanks for everything." I whispered
She squeezed me briefly, before I pulled away and grinned at her. "Until next time, my lady." I said with a playful bow
She giggled, and curtsied. "Of course." she said
Walking back to my car, a sense of foreboding filled me. I didn't want to go home. In truth, I couldn't even call it home anymore. It was just a house that I slept and ate in. There was nothing there for me anymore - not anymore.
Sighing, I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. Looks like it was back to boring old life.
Walking into the doorway, I was immediately pounced on by Butler. "Where have you been, Artemis?" he asked
I looked at him, noticing how stressed he looked. "I went to Holly's for a while and ended up falling asleep over there. I apologize, I forgot to call you. Is something wrong? You look stressed."
He sighed, and allowed his shoulders to slump just the slightest bit. "It's your mother..."
At those words, I froze for a split second and bolted up the stairs to the attic. I prayed to every god I didn't believe in that she was okay. She was crazy and abusive, but none of that was her fault. She was my mother, and I needed her to be okay.
Opening the door, I was immediately struck by how dark it was. "Mother?" I called
The sound of sniffling came from a lump on the bed, and I made my way over to it. "Mother?" I asked again
Her bedraggled head popped out of the covers for a few moments, her eyes falling on me and immediately filling with more despair. "Oh Arty..." she choked
At her tone, a brick settled in my stomach. "Mother, what's wrong?"
She shook her head, and beckoned me over. "My Arty... I'm so sorry. I haven't been a good mother."
I walked over to her. "Mother, it's fine." I said, as she pulled me into a hug.
"It's not fine though! I've been so cruel. After your father left..."
Tears began to fill my eyes, and I squeezed the woman who gave birth to me slightly. Somehow, it was harder when she was aware of everything around her enough to break through the haze that surrounded her very being, instead of oblivious to everything around her.
"It's okay mother... mum."
Knowing calling her mum would relax her, I allowed myself to fall back into old habits from when I was a small child. I hadn't said that word in almost twelve years, and it sounded foreign from my lips.
She pulled away and looked at me, seeming to study my features. "Arty, could you play something for me?"
I felt my breath hitch at her request, but I couldn't deny her.
Taking her hand, I tried to ignore how thin and pale she had become, and pulled her up. She wobbled slightly, and I put an arm around her to keep her from falling. A surge of emotions went through me as I realized how light she was, and that I could see every vein of blood under her skin. How did this happen mother?
Leading her down the stairs, I took her to the old music room, which I hadn't entered since before my father disappeared. Sitting her down in a chair, I walked over to the piano, pulling off the tan cover that had sat on top of it for months, untouched. Running my hands over the smooth wood, which was somehow still dust free, and sat down at the bench. I allowed myself a moment to compose myself, placing my hands on the keys, and remembering how it used to feel to play.
I pushed down a single key, the note ringing through the room. Even after all that time, it still remained perfectly tuned.
Straightening my back, I began to play a song that my mother herself had taught me. It was a beautiful song filled with hope and a kind of joyous melancholy. Undoubtedly, it was my favorite song, and one that held multiple emotions behind it. My hands flew over the keys, remembering the notes perfectly. I fell into a peaceful trance, it was just me and the music.
By the time the last note filled the room, a single tear had escaped from my eye, and my mother had tear tracks down her own face. I walked over and hugged her, cherishing the warmth she held. It was a nice change, having her aware and showing she cares. She hadn't been this responsive in a long time, it was wonderful.
I knew it wouldn't last. Soon she would go back to her old self, stuck in the past, wallowing in memories. That didn't matter though. At that moment, I had a mother. I had someone who loved me, and who I loved back. I wasn't alone anymore, and that's all that mattered.
It was another week before I was able to see Holly. Somehow, school kept me busy even though it was shamefully easy. Mother had fallen back into her old habits, locking herself away and living in her memories. I hadn't had anything thrown at me though, that was nice.
It was ten in the morning the next Saturday when Holly finally contacted me. I was startled out of a daze by the ringing of my phone, which I immediately answered - anything to distract me from the destructive thoughts filling my mind.
"Hello?"
"Morning Artemis."
"As to you Holly. Any reason as to why you called?" I ask
"Well, there's this new karaoke place down town, and I was hoping you could come with me to check it out."
I raised an eyebrow, even if she couldn't see me. "Karaoke? Really Holly? I didn't know you were into that."
She laughed quietly, and I could see her smile in my mind. "I guess there's a lot of things you don't know about me yet, mudboy."
I scoffed. "Mudboy? Where did that come from?"
"I don't really know. I just said whatever popped into my mind. I like it though. That's your new nickname!"
Rolling my eyes, I chuckled. "Whatever you say. When and where am I meeting you then?"
"2120 Highland street. Say... four?"
"Sure. See you then."
"See you Artemis."
I pulled into the parking lot of the karaoke place - which was actually a small diner named Show-maker's Grille, a few minutes before four. The place was small, but nice looking. It was a nice day, barely a cloud in the sky and a slight breeze fighting off the heat.
Shaking my head, I turned off the engine. I couldn't help the spark of excitement spreading through me at the thought of finally hanging out with Holly again. It had been too long.
Stepping through the doorway, I found myself with an armful of red hair. "Well hello to you too Holly." I said, chuckling.
She pulled back grinning. "Always good to see you, mudboy."
"I see you really have decided to call me that."
She nodded, and I threw a playful glare her way. Shaking my head, I took her hand and sat her down at an empty table. "Nice place isn't it."
She smiled. "I think so. It's welcoming."
"Are we eating food, or are we just here for the karaoke?" I ask
She shrugged. "It's up to you. It depends on if you want to eat before you sing."
I spluttered. "W-what? I am not singing!"
Holly pouted, and I found it hard not to collapse under her gaze. "Please Artemis? I feel like you're a good singer. I want to know if I'm right?"
Normally, I was stone cold towards anything I didn't want to do, but I found myself buckling under her puppy eyes. Sighing, I slumped. "Fine." I muttered, crossing my arms.
A huge smile lighted her face, and she beamed at me for a few seconds before pulling me up. "Come on, I want to hear you." she said
I rolled my eyes, but allowed her to drag me to the small stage at the front of the diner. Luckily, there wasn't many people in the room. Walking onto the stage, I searched through their machine until I found a song I knew. Smiling a little at a familiar title, I pushed play and walked over to the microphone.
The few people who were in the room were all looking at me, and I realized they were all people I knew - most of them being Holly's coworkers - and a few friends of mine from school. How this happened, I did not know, but I decided to ignore it. The music began playing, and I blocked everything out. It was just me and the song now.
No one knows what it's like,
to be the bad man,
to be the sad man,
behind blue eyes.
The lyrics showed up on a small television, but I didn't need it. Early in my life, I had listened to this song and grown fond of it. I knew it by heart.
And no one knows what it's like,
to be hated,
to be faded,
to telling only lies.
My eyes fell on Holly who was grinning up at me, what seemed like admiration filling up her eyes. I smiled slightly back at her, causing her to blush, and focused my attention back on the song, all the while keeping a discreet eye on her.
But my dreams,
they aren't as empty,
as my conscious seems,
to be.
I have hours,
only lonely.
My love is vengeance,
that's never free.
I had chosen a shortened version of the song, since there was a part in the middle that was strange. I doubted anyone could sing it.
I finished the song, and tried to ignore the clapping from the small audience. I walked over to Holly, who was once again beaming. "You were great!" she said
I smiled. "Thanks. Now it's your turn."
Her eyes widened slightly, and she opened her mouth to say something when my phone went off. Taking it out, I found the caller I.D. was Butler. Knowing he wouldn't call me unless it was something important, I answered immediately, a slight frown on my face. "Yes Butler? Is something wrong?"
"Artemis, I've received some important information."
"Information about what?"
"It's about your father."
Alrighty then. I felt like updating today so I did. Thanks for the feedback last chapter - and of course every other one before.
IMPORTANT: So I was writing a bunch yesterday and the day before, and when I went and checked on them today, I found that I had lost pretty much everything. I like being ahead on my chapters - usually at least three - so I can update twice a week, but I now have absolutely nothing ahead of this one. I wanted to publish so I could tell you guys it might be a little longer before the next chapter is up. This is not a hiatus - it will only be two weeks at most depending on how fast I get done - I just want to write a few chapters before I start publishing again. I believe it will take at the very least a week and a half to get back to updating. This week and next week are very busy ones for me - I've got multiple performances and I need to find some time to hang out with my friend before she moves to California. Please be patient, and I'll tell you guys if something extra pops up and it takes longer than I expected.
Okay, done with the rambling. I don't know if I needed to tell you guys that it might be a little longer than usual, but I thought Eh, why not.
Thanks again for the support with this story. You guys are wonderful!
Until next time!
Oh by the way, have any of you read Looking For Alaska by John Green? I literally just finished it an hour ago and OH MY GOD it is so good. I decided to do what Alaska in the book did, and collect a bunch of books in a 'Life Library'. If you guys have any good books/series for me to read, please let me know!
