-Part 12

"Mr. Fowl! Oh, Mr. Fowl who is your lovely lady?" a young woman in a scarlet dress said to Artemis.

"My name is Jessi Ozera." Jessi smiled and curtsied for the lady.

"Mmm Jessi is that short for anything?" The woman asked. "Oh, and I'm Kirsten McWebas, a friend of Artemis Senior's."

Artemis was quiet, staring at the woman with open contempt.

"Oh, no, it's just Jessi. And, it was nice meeting you, Miss McWebas, but I am thirsty. Artemis?" Jessi asked, taking his hand.

For the first time, Artemis took her hand gladly and led her away from the lady.

"So why do you hate her so much? I could feel it emanating from you in waves." she leaned in to Artemis's ear and whispered.

"She's been trying to buy into my father's companies for years and she has been a gossip, spreading nasty rumors about my family for years."

"Oh! Why didn't you tell me she was such a terrible woman then?" Artemis led her by his memory of past parties to the drink table.

He shrugged.

"What are these?" Jessi said, pointing to the drinks.

He shrugged again.

Jessi sighed. "Artemis! You can talk to me, dammit! Are any of these non-alcoholic?"

He began a shrug and she punched him lightly in the shoulder. "Artemis!" she laughed. "Just answer me!"

"I have no clue!" he exclaimed.

"Ugh. I'll just have some of the red one. I normally like red." she filled a glass with the red liquid from the pitcher on the far right.

She took a sip and sloshed it in her mouth. "Okay, it's just Hawaiian Punch." She said, and smiled at Artemis. "Want some?"

He shook his head and then turned and looked around at all the people milling about in the huge mansion.

"Who are all these people?" Jessi asked.

"Just the rich and popular and famous and snotty." Artemis replied. "Over there, the bigger woman hugging my mother, she is the hostesses, Mrs. Burmboses. The man shaking my father's hand is her husband. Their son should be prowling about here somewhere. I hate him. He's vile and rude and does NOT know manors." Artemis hissed.

Jessi was stunned Artemis had used words with such…. feelings. He had not shown much feelings in a while.

"Artemis." Jessi stepped forward and put her hand on Artemis's shoulder. "You're feeling. For the first time in a while. Is it because what you feel is anger and hate and disgust? Is that all you feel, Artemis?"

Artemis turned and glared at Jessi. He then pushed her hand off his shoulder and stepped away.

"Get off me and leave me alone." Artemis said, walking off.

Jessi sighed and watched Artemis's retreating figure.

She tossed her Hawaiian Punch and walked around a bit until she found a lounge. She took a seat on a small loveseat and people watched. A bit later, a boy came over and sat next to her.

"Hello." The boy said, holding out his hand.

Jessi held took the boys hand and said, "I'm Jessi Ozera. I'm here with Artemis Fowl."

"I know who you are. I'm Brian Burmboses. May I just say that you cut an amazing figure at this party? Much better than anyone else I see here. You know, I don't see Artemis around. May I have a dance with the prettiest girl here?" He asked, standing up and holding out his hand.

Now Jessi could see why Artemis hadn't liked him. He had barley asked Jessi's name before he asked her to dance. Who knows what he would ask next.

"Mr. Burmboses, the prettiest girl here is in some other room. And if you mean me, I would not like to dance right now." Jessi crossed her arms and stared up at the boy. He was approximately her age, and HE cut an amazing figure, with his looks and obvious wealth. But, Jessi could see the vileness coming off him in palpable waves.

"First," the boy replied, "I would like to say that Mr. Burmboses is my father. Second, I would like to ask you, if you are not interested in dancing, would you like to join me upstairs for more of the better party?" And he winked at her.

And that threw Jessi over the edge. She HATED boys like that, the boys that only wanted to get in any girls pants. Boys at her school were like that all the time. Not to Jessi, of course, but she's seen them 'pull the moves' on plenty of other girls. She stood up and got right in Brian's face.

"Mr. Burmboses! I am not interested in you!" She hissed, semi-loudly. "I am DATING Artemis Fowl and I would not cheat on him EVER. I love him! You idiot! I would never do something intentionally to hurt him, and since you OBVIOUSLY know I am dating him, perhaps you should LAY OFF and not invite me 'upstairs for more party'!" Jessi finished loudly.

Brian, obviously was very appalled. He had stepped back and was open-mouthed gaping at her. Then, someone spoke behind Jessi.

"You… you love me?"

Jessi spun around and faced Artemis who was standing behind her.

"I- Artemis, I-"

"Did you say. That you love me?" Artemis said coolly.

By now, most of the people in the lounge were staring at them openmouthed, at the unfolding drama.

"I…. Artemis, let's not discuss this here… everyone's staring…" Jessi whispered.

"No. Jessi, I want to know now."

"I- I can't-" Jessi stuttered. She felt tears in her eyes.

"You can't what?" Artemis demanded.

"I can't tell you!" She exclaimed.

"Tell me!" Artemis yelled. Now, the whole room was quiet.

Jessi stared at the ground.

"Yes. I love you, Artemis Fowl." She whispered, not looking at him.

Then she felt hands on her shoulders.

"I love you too." Artemis said.

And he leaned in and—and hugged her.

She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Then, just as tears stung at her eyes and she began to feel a content warmth descending on her, she hear Artemis's voice, quietly in her ear, words meant just for her. "As a friend." He whispered.

Jessi's eyes shot open. She was still holding Artemis, but he released her. She backed away a shaky step and held on to Artemis's hand for a moment.

Artemis turned and led her out of the room, and they heard clapping behind them.

Artemis led her out onto the back patio and down some steps into a secluded back garden, and they moved quietly down a couple of isles and sat down on a bench.