-Part 10

"Yes mom… We're dating now…" Artemis stared down at his hand sadly, holding Jessi's hand.

"Oh, well this is quite…. a shock. I only thought you guys were friends… I'm surprised; I'd never have seen this coming…"

"We decided to give it a chance." Jessi looked up at Mrs. Fowl and smiled sweetly.

"Oh…" She said. "Well… Goodnight Arty. And Jessi." Mrs. Fowl said, fondly ruffling Artemis's hair and walking past Jessi.

"That wasn't so bad." Jessi said to Artemis.

Artemis sat down on the couch and said, "What have I done?" he dropped his head into his hands. "I just sentenced my best friend to death!"

"Oh, Artemis…" Jessi sat down and tried taking Artemis's hand.

Artemis pulled his hand away and looked up at Jessi. There were tears threatening in his eyes. "No, Jessi. This is your fault." He said, pointing at her. Then he strode purposefully out of the room.

Jessi stared after him for a moment, then sat back and stared at the wall.

"You think I'm not scared?" Jessi whispered to herself. "Well I am scared. And you're not helping me. We can make it through this. But only together…. Artemis." Jessi whispered to nothing. She slid down and was laying on the couch, silently crying. And soon she fell softly into a deep encasing sleep.

"Wake up. Come on! Wake up, Jessi." Artemis said, nudging Jessi in the shoulder.

"Oh… I'm up." Jessi yawned and sat up. "What time is it?"

"It's almost 9 AM." Artemis said.

"I slept here? On the couch?" Jessi asked.

"Apparently."

Jessi sighed and rubbed her eyes. "I'm so… tired."

"Well you better wake up. My mother just told me that the whole family is invited to the 'Leap into Fall' gala that the Burmboses's always have… And you, being my 'girlfriend' are invited as well. As my date."

"Well, Artemis, this is what we've been looking for! A place to tell everyone that we're together now! It's perfect."

"Sure. Great. A way to guarantee your death." Artemis said.

Jessi ignored him and said, "I'm going to go through all my dresses and find an appropriate one! What time is it?"

"It begins at 4PM. So we'll show up at 5. Leave here at 4:15. Okay?"

"Sure! I'll meet you back here for lunch!" Jessi ran excitedly out of the room. The second she was out of Artemis's eye and ear shot, she slowed back into a walk and looked at the ground, depressed.

He's so sad…. He really does care about me. But I care more about him. I love him. I am going to do all I can to save him…