Disclamer: I own Cerinthia, her town, her friends, and everything but
Artemis and Co. In fact,in this chapter I own everything BUT Artemis.
YEAH!
Here's the story:
The next day was, of course, Sunday. I awoke at 7:30, and found by "my" mom's reaction that my double didn't normally do that. Artemis awoke at ten, a more reasonable hour. That is when this chapter begins.
"Hey Artemis, want some tea?" I asked, quite willing to forgive him for yesterday's attitude.
"Yes, earl grey," he said, for all the world as if I was his maid. Unfortunatley I was used to it, I was always taking care of my sisters. I loved them and all, but they hadn't realized yet that when you put something down it doesn't magically pick itself back up. The sad part about this is that they are twelve. They aren't too bad though, if you point it out they fix it, so I guess I'm lucky.
So I chose to let his less than desirable attitude pass, and made us both some tea. "Thank all that is good that these people have tea," I murmured over my steaming cup of cinnamin apple spice.
"Unfortunatly their house keeping skills are less than admirable," he commented with a slight sneer. Actualy, it wasn't so much a sneer as an alloofness of it all.
"I'm planning on spending the day cleaning," I told him with a sigh, "I can't live in this squalor. My house isn't the fanciest, though it is being fixed up in to a VERY nice place, but it is clean."
"Good, I couldn't stand living in this filth either," he commented, again as if I was a maid.
I wasn't going to deal with him today, "Well, I hope you enjoy your tea," I told him shortly before going into the living room. I immediately turned on the radio to oldies. It may not be the newest music, but all of it is HAPPY MUSIC!
I began by clearing away all of the junk, newspapers, homework, things like that. Then I vaccumed the rug. After that I swept and scrubbed the floor, cleaned the tables, and got rid of the cobwebs. It wasn't so much a haunted house as a squat.
Then I moved into the kitchen, Artemis immediately moving into the now immaculate, if a little shabby, living room. I then cleaned a few days worth of dishes, like us they didn't have a dish-washer. Then I wiped the counters, swept, mopped and polished the floor. After which I got rid of the cobwebs, AGAIN, and sorted through the various papers and clutter. The kitchen looked a lot more decent after that.
I immediately moved into the computer/library/toy room. That was frightening, but through the same process as I had used before I managed to get through it. By that said same process I cleaned every room in the house, excepting bed rooms.
This may sound like I did it in an imposably short amount of time, but I worked till 6 o'clock PM, a good solid 12 hours. As soon as I entered the living room I saw Abby and Hannah sitting around and watching TV, around them was the filth that they had spread.
"What do you think you are doing!" I said in disbelief.
"Watching TV," answered Hannah as if I was stupid.
"What about the filth that you brought in with you," I asked with barely controlled rage.
"We weren't done with it yet," said Abby.
"I don't care, more than half of this stuff you're not using," I told them, my voice rising in pitch.
"MAMA! Thia's yelling at us again!" Abby yelled up the stairs.
"THIA! Leave your sisters alone!" she yelled back down at me.
"But I spent two hours cleaning the living room and they immediately destroyed it!" I yelled up to her.
"Just clean it up yourself, I don't want to deal with them today," she told me tiredly.
I looked at her in shock, Abby and Hannah looked back smugly. "Fine," I retorted angrily as I walked around the living room, cleaning everything up.
After I had finished cleaning I stormed into the kitchen, where I was greeted by another dissaster. I cleaned it up, and decided that if this happened again I was going to have to enlist the assistance of Artemis. Or, to be more specific, Artemis' stare.
"Thia, I have to go to a meeting, could you make dinner?" "my" mom asked.
"Yeah sure, what were you thinking of?" I asked.
"I don't know, something simple and fast."
I gave her a nod and proceded to make spaghety and meatballs. When it was almost finished I gave a call to Abby and Hannah, "Abby, Hannah, set the table."
"You set the table," they called back, "You're the one that wants a sit down dinner."
If I had been in the mood for a cat fight, they'd be dead by now, unfortunatly I was tired. I didn't want them eating in the living room either; I didn't trust them to keep from staining the carpet. So I set the table and served everything, "Dinner time!" I yelled up the stairs to Artemis, and Abby and Hannah.
"Can't we just have a TV dinner?" complained Abby.
"No," I replied shortly. For some reason they listened to me that time.
Artemis came down and wordlessly ate dinner. Right then I was thankfull that I hadn't had a TV dinner, who knew how Artemis would have reacted. He left right afterwards, not even noticing the clean house. I had a feeling that this was the first of many bad days.
"Who's turn is it to do dishes?" I asked.
"You always do the dishes," Hannah said, confused.
"Well, I cleaned the house, so it's only fair that you do the dishes," I responded.
"But you always clean the house," they said in unison.
"Well, I've been getting tired of the way I do everything, and clean up after you so," I began but Hannah cut me off.
"Nah uh, I clean up after myself! You just don't give me time to stop using my stuff!" she exclaimed angrily.
I hadn't been here long enough to know how everything works, or what was truth, so I decided to hold off on the I-am-going-to-kill-you. So I finished the dishes, and went up stairs to check if my double had done all of her homework. Luckily she had, for I don't know what I would have done other wise. At eight I recleaned the house, took a shower and went to bed. Before I went to sleep I made sure to check the alarm, and make sure it was set for five thirty in the morning. It was, and nine thirty saw the empholds of sleep closing around me.
The next day I awoke to the most abnoxious alarm you could ever have. I hurredly got dressed, I didn't have to worry about picking out an outfit, it was all black. As soon as I had brushed my teeth, hair, etc. I ran into Abby and Hannah's rooms and woke them up. They got up with much groneing, but it only took fifteen minutes before they were awake and ready. That was when I realized that Artemis wasn't up yet, this was going to be HELL!
I cautiously crept up the stairs to Artemis' room, and upon seeing that he was asleep, gained some confidence. I quickly walked over to his bed and whispered, "Artemis, you need to get up." He just rooled over, as if he hadn't heard me. I started to shake him gently, "Come on Artemis, you HAVE to get up." I was greeted by another grone, "ARTEMIS! Get up this instant!" I yelled, shoving him off the bed. Artemis awoke to the sight of an angry me standing over him, and the hard floor against his back.
"What," he asked coldly, all emotion gone from his voice. I immediately knew that I should be scared.
"It's almost six and Abby and Hannah said that the bus comes around six twenty," I told him. So maybe I exagerated a little, but can you blame me?
"Explain," he said darkly, narowing his eyes as if he was about ready to pounce on his prey.
"School, bus, Monday, any of these ring a bell?" I asked moccingly.
He immediately jumped up, shoved me down the stairs and out the door, and started to do something violent, I assumed it was get dressed. "OH! And I wouldn't suggest you wear your suit, it might not get many good reactions!" I yelled up to him. He responded with a growl, very un-Artemis like.
He was ready at six twenty, exactly, and wearing his suit. "Alright, we should probably get you a backpack," I began calmly, while searching in a closet. "Ah, here we are, one of 'my' other backpacks," I said, whilst handing him a bedragled old thing. I was wearing a new and perfect backpack, and loving every moment.
At that moment I heard the bus, "BUS!" I screamed. I immediately grabbed Artemis and we all, me dragging Artemis of course, made a dash for the bus. Luckily we made it, and the day started out fine.
"Hey Thia, sit here," I was greeted with by a brunett who's hair was so dark it was almost black. She was skiny, and was the classic beauty. She was like a barby doll, I guess that Shirly looks the same here.
"Hey Shirly," was my greeting. I took the seat across from her and gestured to Artemis, "This is the exchange student, his names Artemis." I told her, watching carefully to see if I had said anything wrong.
She gave him a flirty smile, poor Artemis, he was going to have to deal with the ultimate flirt. In that aspect Shirly hadn't changed a bit. We spent the rest of the ride with Shirly trying to get Artemis to say something, Artemis trying not to kill her, and me trying not to burst into laughter.
When we finally arrived at the school, "Shirly leave the poor guy alone," I said with a laugh. She gave me a pout, and then we stepped off of the bus in misdts of our gales of laughter.
When I saw the school it was all I could do not to stop laughing immediately, this wasn't the school I remmembered. Mine was old, and a little shabby, much like my town. Yet it had been nice, real wood floors, huge windows, everyone was nice to eachother. This was HUGE and not nearly as pretty, this was going to be hell. I walked into the school, and thanked god that my double had a schedual and her locker and combination in her back pack.
"I'll see you later, I've just got to get Artemis settled," I told Shirly before heading to the principals office.
When I entered I was greeted with a, "What now, you couldn't have gotten into trouble this early," from a very weary principal.
"No, actually," I said politely, I have no problems with the principal at my school. We aren't friends, but I'm not a trouble maker. I am pinned as the good girl, who always keeps her temper, and you can always talk to. Little does my school know of my darker side. "Aremis, the exchange student, needs to be settled in, etcetera, etcetera." I told him with a smile. Best to get on his good side, I didn't know what my double's done.
"Oh, of course, you'll start in Mrs. Peabodies room, top floor," he told Artemis. "Here's your schedual and map, and anything else you should need. I'm sure the students would be willing to help you if you need anything." Artemis responded with his usual stare, the principal seamed releaved when we left.
"Can I photo coppy your map?" I asked Artemis as soon as we were out of hearing range.
He silently handed to me, and I ran into the library and did a quick copy. "Thank you," I said, handing it back to him. "I have life science in first period with Mr. Dolette," I murmered to myself. "He's on the top floor, room 5. I should be able to handle that," I muttered while walking up the stairs with Artemis. I glanced at the clock and saw that I had two minutes till class, I didn't think it would be advisory for me to show up late when my double obviously isn't liked. "Oh, shit," I breathed before I bounded up the stairs. Artemis gave me an amused glace as he continued to amble.
I was lucky and managed to get into class just as the bell rang. The teacher looked shocked, part of that was probably due to the fact that I was sprinting TO class. The rest of the day continued on that tone, I did algebra, art, science, and english. When I got home I practicaly collapsed. I was looking forward to a long bit of quiet. It wasn't to be, Abby and Hannah immediately turned on the TV and started to do their homework that way. I can't work with any distractions, all I can have is clasical music. In fact, I need classical music or I can't concentrate, go figure.
I headed to my room to work, but I was greeted by the discomfort I had now come to consider as a part of that room. The only other place I could think of was Artemis' room, if I hadn't been so weary I probably would have sucked it up and dealt with the horror of "my" room. Oh well.
"Artemis?" I said after I knocked on his door.
"Yes," he answered, opening the door as if he was the polite host.
"You mind if I work in your room?" I asked hesitantly. When I saw that he was likely to say no I added sowerfully, "That's alright, I can understand how you'd want you privacy." I accented my disapiontment and made myself look degected, but as if I was trying not to show it. When I turned away to go I made myself stoop for a second before giving myself a shake and standing tall and proud.
It worked, "Alright, just don't touch anything," he replied in an I-can't- believe-I'm-doing-this tone.
"Thanks," I said, letting my relief show. I headed towards the bed and sat indian style on it's edge. I gradually worked my way through science, english, and I relished art. Then I had to do ALGEBRA, after doing the same problem three times I finally asked, "Artemis?"
"Yes," he replied flatly.
"Could you help me with some Algebra, I am lost, but considering you're a genius and know EVERYTHING." I trailed off, giving him the puppy eyes. (What's so good about my puppy eyes is that they aren't obvious, just a little sad and hopefull.)
"All right," he said resinedly. "What don't you get?"
"Anything," I replied simply, "I don't understand how you're supposed to 'work backwards.' They have a really weird way we're supposed to do it. I don't get it."
"Hmm," was all he said. I gave him the book and he scanned the lesson, giving it a few disgusted looks along the way. "Well, how would you do it?" he asked.
"I'd work backwards, literally. I wouldn't use a stupid algebra equation." I told Artemis, my disgust showing.
He chuckled, then proceded to tell me that, that would work, but I needed the algebra equation to figure out more complicated problems ahead. He explained it to me, and after a few tries I got it. (I'm not going into that conversation for I don't really remmember it. I do remmember what you're supposed to do, but I have a feeling that, that would bore you.) I had finished all of my homework, but hung around to have some company.
Artemis was still working diligently long after I had finished my homework. "You can't still be working on home-work!" I exclaimed in surprise.
"No, I finished it in class. You have no idea how boring it is when you already know everything they are talking about," he told me in an amused tone.
"Then what are you working on?" I asked, peaking over on his paper, it looked like a bunch of squiggles to me.
"I'm working on a theory to explain everything that has happened so far," he said absent mindedly, already emersed in his work.
I looked over his should again, "It lookes like a bunch of squiggles to me," I commented with a shrugg. In response Artemis gave me the coldest look I had ever received. "Fine," I said standing up and walking towards my bag, "I need to clean anyway, just stop glaring at me," I added, backing away and forming my fingers into a cross. He just ignored me, but I saw his mouth twitch a little, like he was trying not to smile.
When I got down stairs I saw that the house was once again a mess, but not as bad as yesterday. I proceded to tidy, and it was soon presentable once again. It was five o'clock, so I thought I should make dinner. I chose to make chicken pot pie, it was easy. Besides, I already had all of the ingredience. As I worked I realized I hadn't seen my double's Dad. 'I wonder why, had there been a divorse? I couldn't see that happening, my parents loved eachother so much that would have killed them. That is, assuming it was the same here. Oh well, maybe I'll have to get Artemis to cleverly slip I a question or two.'
Ten minutes till dinner was ready I call Abby and Hannah, "Abby, Hannah, set the table please." This time they came out with no protests and it was all set in less than five minutes. Go figure.
As soon as I pulled dinner out of the oven my double's Mom walked thorugh the front door. She looked exhasted, and as if she had been crying. Even though I knew she wasn't really my mom, I couldn't help but FEEL like she was. So I quietly went into the living room and asked Abby and Hannah to help me cheer her up.
"Mama!" we all yelled, and gave her a big hug, almost sending her to the floor. She laughed and gave us a big hug in return, she looked a lot happier after that. She went in to the kitchen and looked surprised to see dinner on the table, she looked a little guilty too.
"I hope you don't mind, but I REALLY was in the mood to cook. Then I started to get a hankerin for chicken pot pie, and I just HAD to make it." I said, whilst giving her a hug. She looked slightly relieved, and a lot happier after that. She did look a little suspisiouss though, "I was thinking of making some prettzles, but there was no thick salt for them." I added to sooth her fears.
It seemed to work. I made sure not to mention my doubles father, I didn't know if it was a touchy subject. I called Artemis down, and we all had a good meal. Artemis was even down right amiable.
After dinner, while I started to wash the dishes I found out a little more about my double's mom.
"Alright Thia, I'm ready to help you with your algebra homework now." She said, looking up at me expectantly.
"Oh, Artemis helped me with it, and I actually understood it," I told her unaware of what I had just done.
"Oh, alright then, I'm glad you understood it," she commented simply. I would have thought she was all right if I hadn't seen her reflection in a bowl I was drying. She looked so sad, she probably was working all the time and this was the only time when she felt like she was pulling her weight. If she was anything like my Mom she was probably beating herself up about how she wasn't there for her family.
"I was wondering if you could help me study though. I have a science test soon and I need to cram." I lied, hopeing it would sooth her. It did, and it wouldn't hurt me too know this stuff. I spent until nine studying, basically trying to learn stuff I wasn't learning until a later semester in my world. It helped her, and I wasn't going to mess up my doubles life.
I fell to sleep with a smile, for I had begun to trick myself into believing that this was home. The ruse wouldn't last the night, but it would show me how much I needed to see my family. ************************************************************************ A/N: I am making up every single bit of this, so could you please help me make up the town and friends? I'm having such a serious case of writers block that it's scary. I want it to be light and friendly on the surface, but mildly disturbing underneath. How was this? Did you like my portrayle of the family, of Artemis, of how Cerinthia was dealing with it?
Jessica: I'm glad that you like it, and I am so happy that I finaly got a good review! I need ideas, PLEASE help me! I don't care HOW stupid they are!
Shonen Terrorist: I know you told me, I was just complaning, I do that sometimes. Cerinthia's like you? COOL! I really need some ideas, I don't care if they are stupid. They might start my brain a thinking, so PLEASE help me!
Silverlight's Shadow: Of course I forgive you! (gives motherly smile and pats head) Immetation is the highest form of flattery. Quotes, hmm, "Smile at every one you see, for it may be the only sunshine they see all day." -Mrs. Skelton-
Eliza Star: Thanks for the "what makes him tick" idea, I'm definatly going to use that. What kind of evil machine should he have discovered? Hmm, how about he might have found a way to take people from alternate realities and that's how Cerinthia got at his house. He just didn't want to tell her. Foally found a way to send people to, but not take people from, alternate realities. How's that?
Angelgirl10: I didn't realy get that last poem, a little over my head. Could you give me your interpretation? I really need some ideas on the story, stupid or good it might give me some ideas! Here's a for fun poem:
The Land of Happy Have you been to the land of Happy, Where everyone's happy all day, Where they joke and they sing Of the happiest things, And everyone's jolly and gay? There's no one unhappy in happy, There's laughter and smiles galore. I've been to the land of Happy--- What a bore!
~Shel Silverstien~
Xsamtx: Well, I guess, you aren't good at dissecting a story, oh well. But it's always nice to have a reader who just likes your story! Not joking, completely serious. As I have stated above, I need some ideas, could you please help me? Stupid or good, it might give me ideas!
Here's the story:
The next day was, of course, Sunday. I awoke at 7:30, and found by "my" mom's reaction that my double didn't normally do that. Artemis awoke at ten, a more reasonable hour. That is when this chapter begins.
"Hey Artemis, want some tea?" I asked, quite willing to forgive him for yesterday's attitude.
"Yes, earl grey," he said, for all the world as if I was his maid. Unfortunatley I was used to it, I was always taking care of my sisters. I loved them and all, but they hadn't realized yet that when you put something down it doesn't magically pick itself back up. The sad part about this is that they are twelve. They aren't too bad though, if you point it out they fix it, so I guess I'm lucky.
So I chose to let his less than desirable attitude pass, and made us both some tea. "Thank all that is good that these people have tea," I murmured over my steaming cup of cinnamin apple spice.
"Unfortunatly their house keeping skills are less than admirable," he commented with a slight sneer. Actualy, it wasn't so much a sneer as an alloofness of it all.
"I'm planning on spending the day cleaning," I told him with a sigh, "I can't live in this squalor. My house isn't the fanciest, though it is being fixed up in to a VERY nice place, but it is clean."
"Good, I couldn't stand living in this filth either," he commented, again as if I was a maid.
I wasn't going to deal with him today, "Well, I hope you enjoy your tea," I told him shortly before going into the living room. I immediately turned on the radio to oldies. It may not be the newest music, but all of it is HAPPY MUSIC!
I began by clearing away all of the junk, newspapers, homework, things like that. Then I vaccumed the rug. After that I swept and scrubbed the floor, cleaned the tables, and got rid of the cobwebs. It wasn't so much a haunted house as a squat.
Then I moved into the kitchen, Artemis immediately moving into the now immaculate, if a little shabby, living room. I then cleaned a few days worth of dishes, like us they didn't have a dish-washer. Then I wiped the counters, swept, mopped and polished the floor. After which I got rid of the cobwebs, AGAIN, and sorted through the various papers and clutter. The kitchen looked a lot more decent after that.
I immediately moved into the computer/library/toy room. That was frightening, but through the same process as I had used before I managed to get through it. By that said same process I cleaned every room in the house, excepting bed rooms.
This may sound like I did it in an imposably short amount of time, but I worked till 6 o'clock PM, a good solid 12 hours. As soon as I entered the living room I saw Abby and Hannah sitting around and watching TV, around them was the filth that they had spread.
"What do you think you are doing!" I said in disbelief.
"Watching TV," answered Hannah as if I was stupid.
"What about the filth that you brought in with you," I asked with barely controlled rage.
"We weren't done with it yet," said Abby.
"I don't care, more than half of this stuff you're not using," I told them, my voice rising in pitch.
"MAMA! Thia's yelling at us again!" Abby yelled up the stairs.
"THIA! Leave your sisters alone!" she yelled back down at me.
"But I spent two hours cleaning the living room and they immediately destroyed it!" I yelled up to her.
"Just clean it up yourself, I don't want to deal with them today," she told me tiredly.
I looked at her in shock, Abby and Hannah looked back smugly. "Fine," I retorted angrily as I walked around the living room, cleaning everything up.
After I had finished cleaning I stormed into the kitchen, where I was greeted by another dissaster. I cleaned it up, and decided that if this happened again I was going to have to enlist the assistance of Artemis. Or, to be more specific, Artemis' stare.
"Thia, I have to go to a meeting, could you make dinner?" "my" mom asked.
"Yeah sure, what were you thinking of?" I asked.
"I don't know, something simple and fast."
I gave her a nod and proceded to make spaghety and meatballs. When it was almost finished I gave a call to Abby and Hannah, "Abby, Hannah, set the table."
"You set the table," they called back, "You're the one that wants a sit down dinner."
If I had been in the mood for a cat fight, they'd be dead by now, unfortunatly I was tired. I didn't want them eating in the living room either; I didn't trust them to keep from staining the carpet. So I set the table and served everything, "Dinner time!" I yelled up the stairs to Artemis, and Abby and Hannah.
"Can't we just have a TV dinner?" complained Abby.
"No," I replied shortly. For some reason they listened to me that time.
Artemis came down and wordlessly ate dinner. Right then I was thankfull that I hadn't had a TV dinner, who knew how Artemis would have reacted. He left right afterwards, not even noticing the clean house. I had a feeling that this was the first of many bad days.
"Who's turn is it to do dishes?" I asked.
"You always do the dishes," Hannah said, confused.
"Well, I cleaned the house, so it's only fair that you do the dishes," I responded.
"But you always clean the house," they said in unison.
"Well, I've been getting tired of the way I do everything, and clean up after you so," I began but Hannah cut me off.
"Nah uh, I clean up after myself! You just don't give me time to stop using my stuff!" she exclaimed angrily.
I hadn't been here long enough to know how everything works, or what was truth, so I decided to hold off on the I-am-going-to-kill-you. So I finished the dishes, and went up stairs to check if my double had done all of her homework. Luckily she had, for I don't know what I would have done other wise. At eight I recleaned the house, took a shower and went to bed. Before I went to sleep I made sure to check the alarm, and make sure it was set for five thirty in the morning. It was, and nine thirty saw the empholds of sleep closing around me.
The next day I awoke to the most abnoxious alarm you could ever have. I hurredly got dressed, I didn't have to worry about picking out an outfit, it was all black. As soon as I had brushed my teeth, hair, etc. I ran into Abby and Hannah's rooms and woke them up. They got up with much groneing, but it only took fifteen minutes before they were awake and ready. That was when I realized that Artemis wasn't up yet, this was going to be HELL!
I cautiously crept up the stairs to Artemis' room, and upon seeing that he was asleep, gained some confidence. I quickly walked over to his bed and whispered, "Artemis, you need to get up." He just rooled over, as if he hadn't heard me. I started to shake him gently, "Come on Artemis, you HAVE to get up." I was greeted by another grone, "ARTEMIS! Get up this instant!" I yelled, shoving him off the bed. Artemis awoke to the sight of an angry me standing over him, and the hard floor against his back.
"What," he asked coldly, all emotion gone from his voice. I immediately knew that I should be scared.
"It's almost six and Abby and Hannah said that the bus comes around six twenty," I told him. So maybe I exagerated a little, but can you blame me?
"Explain," he said darkly, narowing his eyes as if he was about ready to pounce on his prey.
"School, bus, Monday, any of these ring a bell?" I asked moccingly.
He immediately jumped up, shoved me down the stairs and out the door, and started to do something violent, I assumed it was get dressed. "OH! And I wouldn't suggest you wear your suit, it might not get many good reactions!" I yelled up to him. He responded with a growl, very un-Artemis like.
He was ready at six twenty, exactly, and wearing his suit. "Alright, we should probably get you a backpack," I began calmly, while searching in a closet. "Ah, here we are, one of 'my' other backpacks," I said, whilst handing him a bedragled old thing. I was wearing a new and perfect backpack, and loving every moment.
At that moment I heard the bus, "BUS!" I screamed. I immediately grabbed Artemis and we all, me dragging Artemis of course, made a dash for the bus. Luckily we made it, and the day started out fine.
"Hey Thia, sit here," I was greeted with by a brunett who's hair was so dark it was almost black. She was skiny, and was the classic beauty. She was like a barby doll, I guess that Shirly looks the same here.
"Hey Shirly," was my greeting. I took the seat across from her and gestured to Artemis, "This is the exchange student, his names Artemis." I told her, watching carefully to see if I had said anything wrong.
She gave him a flirty smile, poor Artemis, he was going to have to deal with the ultimate flirt. In that aspect Shirly hadn't changed a bit. We spent the rest of the ride with Shirly trying to get Artemis to say something, Artemis trying not to kill her, and me trying not to burst into laughter.
When we finally arrived at the school, "Shirly leave the poor guy alone," I said with a laugh. She gave me a pout, and then we stepped off of the bus in misdts of our gales of laughter.
When I saw the school it was all I could do not to stop laughing immediately, this wasn't the school I remmembered. Mine was old, and a little shabby, much like my town. Yet it had been nice, real wood floors, huge windows, everyone was nice to eachother. This was HUGE and not nearly as pretty, this was going to be hell. I walked into the school, and thanked god that my double had a schedual and her locker and combination in her back pack.
"I'll see you later, I've just got to get Artemis settled," I told Shirly before heading to the principals office.
When I entered I was greeted with a, "What now, you couldn't have gotten into trouble this early," from a very weary principal.
"No, actually," I said politely, I have no problems with the principal at my school. We aren't friends, but I'm not a trouble maker. I am pinned as the good girl, who always keeps her temper, and you can always talk to. Little does my school know of my darker side. "Aremis, the exchange student, needs to be settled in, etcetera, etcetera." I told him with a smile. Best to get on his good side, I didn't know what my double's done.
"Oh, of course, you'll start in Mrs. Peabodies room, top floor," he told Artemis. "Here's your schedual and map, and anything else you should need. I'm sure the students would be willing to help you if you need anything." Artemis responded with his usual stare, the principal seamed releaved when we left.
"Can I photo coppy your map?" I asked Artemis as soon as we were out of hearing range.
He silently handed to me, and I ran into the library and did a quick copy. "Thank you," I said, handing it back to him. "I have life science in first period with Mr. Dolette," I murmered to myself. "He's on the top floor, room 5. I should be able to handle that," I muttered while walking up the stairs with Artemis. I glanced at the clock and saw that I had two minutes till class, I didn't think it would be advisory for me to show up late when my double obviously isn't liked. "Oh, shit," I breathed before I bounded up the stairs. Artemis gave me an amused glace as he continued to amble.
I was lucky and managed to get into class just as the bell rang. The teacher looked shocked, part of that was probably due to the fact that I was sprinting TO class. The rest of the day continued on that tone, I did algebra, art, science, and english. When I got home I practicaly collapsed. I was looking forward to a long bit of quiet. It wasn't to be, Abby and Hannah immediately turned on the TV and started to do their homework that way. I can't work with any distractions, all I can have is clasical music. In fact, I need classical music or I can't concentrate, go figure.
I headed to my room to work, but I was greeted by the discomfort I had now come to consider as a part of that room. The only other place I could think of was Artemis' room, if I hadn't been so weary I probably would have sucked it up and dealt with the horror of "my" room. Oh well.
"Artemis?" I said after I knocked on his door.
"Yes," he answered, opening the door as if he was the polite host.
"You mind if I work in your room?" I asked hesitantly. When I saw that he was likely to say no I added sowerfully, "That's alright, I can understand how you'd want you privacy." I accented my disapiontment and made myself look degected, but as if I was trying not to show it. When I turned away to go I made myself stoop for a second before giving myself a shake and standing tall and proud.
It worked, "Alright, just don't touch anything," he replied in an I-can't- believe-I'm-doing-this tone.
"Thanks," I said, letting my relief show. I headed towards the bed and sat indian style on it's edge. I gradually worked my way through science, english, and I relished art. Then I had to do ALGEBRA, after doing the same problem three times I finally asked, "Artemis?"
"Yes," he replied flatly.
"Could you help me with some Algebra, I am lost, but considering you're a genius and know EVERYTHING." I trailed off, giving him the puppy eyes. (What's so good about my puppy eyes is that they aren't obvious, just a little sad and hopefull.)
"All right," he said resinedly. "What don't you get?"
"Anything," I replied simply, "I don't understand how you're supposed to 'work backwards.' They have a really weird way we're supposed to do it. I don't get it."
"Hmm," was all he said. I gave him the book and he scanned the lesson, giving it a few disgusted looks along the way. "Well, how would you do it?" he asked.
"I'd work backwards, literally. I wouldn't use a stupid algebra equation." I told Artemis, my disgust showing.
He chuckled, then proceded to tell me that, that would work, but I needed the algebra equation to figure out more complicated problems ahead. He explained it to me, and after a few tries I got it. (I'm not going into that conversation for I don't really remmember it. I do remmember what you're supposed to do, but I have a feeling that, that would bore you.) I had finished all of my homework, but hung around to have some company.
Artemis was still working diligently long after I had finished my homework. "You can't still be working on home-work!" I exclaimed in surprise.
"No, I finished it in class. You have no idea how boring it is when you already know everything they are talking about," he told me in an amused tone.
"Then what are you working on?" I asked, peaking over on his paper, it looked like a bunch of squiggles to me.
"I'm working on a theory to explain everything that has happened so far," he said absent mindedly, already emersed in his work.
I looked over his should again, "It lookes like a bunch of squiggles to me," I commented with a shrugg. In response Artemis gave me the coldest look I had ever received. "Fine," I said standing up and walking towards my bag, "I need to clean anyway, just stop glaring at me," I added, backing away and forming my fingers into a cross. He just ignored me, but I saw his mouth twitch a little, like he was trying not to smile.
When I got down stairs I saw that the house was once again a mess, but not as bad as yesterday. I proceded to tidy, and it was soon presentable once again. It was five o'clock, so I thought I should make dinner. I chose to make chicken pot pie, it was easy. Besides, I already had all of the ingredience. As I worked I realized I hadn't seen my double's Dad. 'I wonder why, had there been a divorse? I couldn't see that happening, my parents loved eachother so much that would have killed them. That is, assuming it was the same here. Oh well, maybe I'll have to get Artemis to cleverly slip I a question or two.'
Ten minutes till dinner was ready I call Abby and Hannah, "Abby, Hannah, set the table please." This time they came out with no protests and it was all set in less than five minutes. Go figure.
As soon as I pulled dinner out of the oven my double's Mom walked thorugh the front door. She looked exhasted, and as if she had been crying. Even though I knew she wasn't really my mom, I couldn't help but FEEL like she was. So I quietly went into the living room and asked Abby and Hannah to help me cheer her up.
"Mama!" we all yelled, and gave her a big hug, almost sending her to the floor. She laughed and gave us a big hug in return, she looked a lot happier after that. She went in to the kitchen and looked surprised to see dinner on the table, she looked a little guilty too.
"I hope you don't mind, but I REALLY was in the mood to cook. Then I started to get a hankerin for chicken pot pie, and I just HAD to make it." I said, whilst giving her a hug. She looked slightly relieved, and a lot happier after that. She did look a little suspisiouss though, "I was thinking of making some prettzles, but there was no thick salt for them." I added to sooth her fears.
It seemed to work. I made sure not to mention my doubles father, I didn't know if it was a touchy subject. I called Artemis down, and we all had a good meal. Artemis was even down right amiable.
After dinner, while I started to wash the dishes I found out a little more about my double's mom.
"Alright Thia, I'm ready to help you with your algebra homework now." She said, looking up at me expectantly.
"Oh, Artemis helped me with it, and I actually understood it," I told her unaware of what I had just done.
"Oh, alright then, I'm glad you understood it," she commented simply. I would have thought she was all right if I hadn't seen her reflection in a bowl I was drying. She looked so sad, she probably was working all the time and this was the only time when she felt like she was pulling her weight. If she was anything like my Mom she was probably beating herself up about how she wasn't there for her family.
"I was wondering if you could help me study though. I have a science test soon and I need to cram." I lied, hopeing it would sooth her. It did, and it wouldn't hurt me too know this stuff. I spent until nine studying, basically trying to learn stuff I wasn't learning until a later semester in my world. It helped her, and I wasn't going to mess up my doubles life.
I fell to sleep with a smile, for I had begun to trick myself into believing that this was home. The ruse wouldn't last the night, but it would show me how much I needed to see my family. ************************************************************************ A/N: I am making up every single bit of this, so could you please help me make up the town and friends? I'm having such a serious case of writers block that it's scary. I want it to be light and friendly on the surface, but mildly disturbing underneath. How was this? Did you like my portrayle of the family, of Artemis, of how Cerinthia was dealing with it?
Jessica: I'm glad that you like it, and I am so happy that I finaly got a good review! I need ideas, PLEASE help me! I don't care HOW stupid they are!
Shonen Terrorist: I know you told me, I was just complaning, I do that sometimes. Cerinthia's like you? COOL! I really need some ideas, I don't care if they are stupid. They might start my brain a thinking, so PLEASE help me!
Silverlight's Shadow: Of course I forgive you! (gives motherly smile and pats head) Immetation is the highest form of flattery. Quotes, hmm, "Smile at every one you see, for it may be the only sunshine they see all day." -Mrs. Skelton-
Eliza Star: Thanks for the "what makes him tick" idea, I'm definatly going to use that. What kind of evil machine should he have discovered? Hmm, how about he might have found a way to take people from alternate realities and that's how Cerinthia got at his house. He just didn't want to tell her. Foally found a way to send people to, but not take people from, alternate realities. How's that?
Angelgirl10: I didn't realy get that last poem, a little over my head. Could you give me your interpretation? I really need some ideas on the story, stupid or good it might give me some ideas! Here's a for fun poem:
The Land of Happy Have you been to the land of Happy, Where everyone's happy all day, Where they joke and they sing Of the happiest things, And everyone's jolly and gay? There's no one unhappy in happy, There's laughter and smiles galore. I've been to the land of Happy--- What a bore!
~Shel Silverstien~
Xsamtx: Well, I guess, you aren't good at dissecting a story, oh well. But it's always nice to have a reader who just likes your story! Not joking, completely serious. As I have stated above, I need some ideas, could you please help me? Stupid or good, it might give me ideas!