Disclamer: As we all know, Artemis has made this disclaimer what it is
today, so why doesn't HE do this? (Said with a glare at Artemis.)
Artemis: (cough) she does not own me or any of my companions. (mutters) thank god. ************************************************************************
After school we all staid in the library to do some research. I was really enjoying myself; Shirly, Cat and I were all laughing and having a good time. Artemis was largely serving as an encyclopedia that talked, unfortunately it rolled its eyes when we mentioned boys.
"That new boy is SO hot," Shirly said once.
"Don't I know it," I replied with a grin, "I mean, tall, dark, handsome, charming, ahhh," I sighed.
"I like red heads myself," Cat commented with a flip of her hair, trying to look ditzy to peeve Artemis. It didn't work; he was ignoring us, and accomplishing it very well.
"So you can play with their hair," I teased; munching on some of her chocolate, Cat just returned the grin.
"Artemis, why did Japan isolate itself," Shirly asked him sudden, buried in various books.
"The Huns had seriously damaged them and distrust in foreigners was placed. The new Shogun felt that foreigners and their beliefs and customs would endanger his rule." Artemis replied without even looking up from his notebook.
"Thanks," Shirly replied, diving into a new chapter of an encyclopedia.
I was busy looking up the Ming dynasty and something about the emperors made me wonder about my friends Bryan and Charly. "Hey, Cat, have you seen Bryan or Charly lately?" I asked her, still busy looking things up.
"No, but I heard that they were doing well at their new school," she replied without glancing up. I noticed that Artemis was suddenly very interested in our conversation.
I suddenly froze; it took me a second to remember all of the memories I had buried that was when I realized how badly I needed to go home.
When we finally went home I had barely gotten my work done and everyone had noticed that something was wrong with me. I put my books away and followed Artemis up to his room. I climbed the stairs pensively, sat on the edge of his bed and drew my knees up under my chin.
"Artemis," I asked thoughtfully.
"Yes," he replied, for once giving me his full attention.
"How did I get to your house?" I asked him quietly, a suspicion gradually forming.
Artemis froze for a second, then quickly unthawed, relaxing a little too much. "Why do you ask," he inquired casually.
"I was wondering if you had worked out a theory yet," I replied equally casual.
"No, I haven't figured it out yet," he looked kind of guilty. His reaction wouldn't have been obvious to someone who hadn't known him, as long as I, but to me it was plain.
I paused for a second, wondering if I should let my suspicion through. I finally decided that it needed to be said, "you didn't do it, did you Artemis?" I asked him, looking at him hopefully. I was hoping he would say yes, he may have betrayed me, but I would be able to go home.
Artemis just looked at me coldly, "I can't believe you would even suggest such a thing," he told me, his voice chilling my spine.
"I was just hoping," I told him with a sigh, still holding on to my suspicions but letting the subject drop. "I am beginning to really miss my family, and there's something else," I told him after taking a deep breath, "You see, I'm suppressing the memories of my home, today I had managed to fully forget them."
Artemis gazed at me for a long time, his uncertainty plain. "How long do you think you can hold out?" he asked worriedly.
"Not much longer," I replied, beginning to break down around the seams. "It keeps hitting me about how I'm never going to see my Mama, Papa, Sisters, anyone every again," I confided quietly, a tear slipping down my cheek.
Artemis looked at me a long time before turning back to his notebook, "Once I figure this out you'll be able to go home."
I just nodded and went into "my" room to get some sleep. It once again seemed alien and dark. I curled up on my bed and started to cry, that night I cried myself to sleep. I dreamt that Artemis had visited me during the night, but I couldn't believe that he would care. After all, he obviously knew how to go back home, and wasn't telling me. 'I guess he was still the person in his stories,' I thought sadly. 'Using others to execute his plans,' was my last bitter thought before I fell asleep.
The next day I awoke around five thirty. I tried to go back to sleep, but was too restless, so I decided to go down stairs and do schoolwork or something until it was time to go to school.
I slowly crept down the stairs, not wanting to wake any one up. I had to go slowly for it was dark and I kept bumping into the walls. As I walked into the kitchen I saw my Double's Mom getting ready to leave for work.
"Do you have time for tea," I asked as I started to heat the kettle.
"What are you doing up," she asked, forgetting to answer my question.
"Well, I couldn't sleep, and I decided to putter around instead of stare at my ceiling." I replied as I got out my favorite tea, Sunset Rose.
"Hmm," she commented, "No, I don't have time for tea, in fact, I need to head for work now. Have a good day at school honey," she finished giving me a peck on the head as she walked out the door.
I sighed, she was obviously having a hard time trying to support the family, and I didn't, and still don't, know how she managed it. As soon as the water was heated enough for tea I heard someone walking down the hallway. I checked the clock to make sure that I hadn't forgotten to wake up every one, but it was only five forty. After listening to the steps for a minute I categorized them as Artemis.' He has an even pace and tends to tread quietly; he's quite the opposite of the rest of the family.
I made him some earl gray tea as I listened to him precariously go down the stairs. "Good morning Artemis," I greeted as I passed him the cup of tea. I was very pleased with myself cause I hadn't even had to look at him while I passed it.
"Thank-you," he replied formally as he took his tea to the kitchen table.
"No problem," I murmured as I looked for the sugar pot. "Ah HA!" I muttered triumphantly, dropping my tea bag into the cup. I quickly spooned three spoonfuls of sugar into it before heading over to the table myself.
We sipped our tea in silence, last nights conversation on the front of our minds. I finally couldn't stand it any longer, "Artemis, why are you lying?" I asked him quietly.
He looked up at me, his annoyance plain, "I am not lying to you," he replied stiffly, managing to sound offended.
"Yes, you are," I told him hotly, my anger plain.
"I am not going to debate the matter with you," he responded as he rose to leave.
By now my anger had cooled to something truly dangerous. What was so dangerous was that I tended to think I was in control of my temper at that moment when I generally wasn't. This anger had begun to become a part of me, and when I looked at Artemis I could feel my resolve harden. "Artemis," I said dangerously, he turned to look at me, trying to seem nonchalant. "This affects me just as much as it does you," I said as I softly glided over to him, my step like the stance of a hunting cat. "And I have just as much, if not more right to know what is going on," my eyes had hardened and all my emotion was gone except for this cold fury. "You are *not* going to leave me in the dark," by then I had reached him and I was glaring darkly into his eyes.
He looked at me and raised an eyebrow fractionally then turned to leave. I had; had enough of his attitude; I walked in front of him as if I was going up the stairs. Then I turned swiftly and kneed him in the groin. He immediately crumpled, I just stood there and glared at him coldly, uncaring except for a sense of malicious satisfaction.
I calmly walked up the stairs and woke Abby and Hannah up; they were greeted by a cheery smile that morning. By the time we had gone down stairs Artemis had recovered and we acted as if nothing had happened. On the bus to school I began to cool off, so to speak, and a feeling of shame began to greet me. Artemis had made clear his disgust with me by sitting as far away as possible and ignoring me as if I was a four-year-old child.
I managed to push it aside long enough to chat with Shirly and Cat on the way to school. "Last night was fun wasn't it?" Shirly commented with a grin.
"Loads of fun, especially when you *attempted* to flirt with Artemis," I replied, a pang of guilt hit me before I could shove it aside.
Shirly let out a disgraceful giggle, then gave me a shocked look. "Should I try it again?" she asked with a mischievous grin.
"No, he kind of had a bad morning," I replied with an inward wince. We chatted quietly for a while before Cat joined us, and then we rose in volume. I'm not going to repeat our conversation; I'm still embarrassed that I would act that ditzy.
School sucked, I came in with a frown and left with a scowl. We had to stay in the library again, Abby and Hannah were having music lessons and apparently my Double used that as an opportunity to socialize.
Shirly, Cat, and I worked in silence; Artemis working silently in a corner that was far away from all of the giggling teen-agers in the library. Eventually a mousy girl headed over to his table, probably looking for some quiet. She had light brown hair, her face was pretty but not extraordinary, and she had a quiet way of holding herself.
"You mind if I sit here?" she asked Artemis quietly, looking as if she half expected him to say yes.
"No, please, make yourself comfortable," he replied courteously, moving some books out of the way. At first I thought they might flirt, but I soon realized that the girl had really only wanted a quiet place to work. As they worked I soon became bored and stopped watching them; then I perked up when I heard Artemis say something. "Your doing a report on Socrates?" he asked pleasantly, not friendly, but courteous.
"Yes, I find it slightly boring though," she replied with a kind smile before turning back to her work. I found myself liking this girl.
"And may I inquire as to the reason; that is, if you're not to busy," he asked, sounding like he did at the Christmas party, the pleasant host. I found myself smiling as I remembered it, I realized that even the 'dance lesson' I now considered amusing.
She gave him a soft, yet warmer smile, "Well, I looked him up on my own when I was younger, I really don't have anything else to learn about him." She replied simply, not bragging, just stating a fact.
Artemis gave her a considering glance before responding, "What was your opinion about him?" he asked with a polite smile. If only Butler had been there to see this.
"I wasn't too impressed, he discovered many great things, but he made some large mistakes." She responded gently. This girl had a quiet manner; her smile was soothing, and her voice soft.
"Such as," Artemis probed.
"Well, he came up with the Socrates method, but he also said that all things were based on fire, water, wind, and earth. Because of that he set back science for centuries, his belief carried on throughout the early middle ages." The girl said, passion showing in her voice. She was quite beautiful when she had passion, almost as if it showed through and let you see what was in side. I blocked off the rest of the conversation; I didn't understand half of it anyway. If Artemis wanted to flirt by talking about Greek scientists, that wasn't my problem.
I spent the full three hours at the library researching and doing my homework. By the time my.my Double's mom came to pick us up, my brain was fried. I had fully forgotten this morning's.incident. Then Artemis cold- shouldered me all the way home, I remembered pretty fast after that. What bothered me so much was that he wasn't being childish, it was more like he considered my actions as proof that I was too childish for him to bother associating with. I couldn't be too mad at him for he was mostly right, not that his lying was okay, but I shouldn't have acted the way I did.
'Why do I have to be such a moral person, I could just enjoy the fact that the jerk was leaving me alone. But NO I have to feel guilty!' I thought to myself grumpily as we drove home.
By the time we had reached the house, I was fully guilt ridden. That's my major flaw, I act in an odd passion, and I feel as if I murdered someone. Artemis immediately headed up to "his" room when we got home, not even giving me a glance. I started some tea and decided to give him some space for a few minutes before apologizing. Soon the kettle was hissing and I made some earl gray tea.
I grabbed his tea and headed up to Artemis' room, planning to use it as a peace offering. I knocked on his door and waited patiently for a reply. After a minute or two he replied with a civil, "Come in, Cerinthia."
I opened the door and went up the stairs, I saw him sitting at his desk and typing at his laptop. "I brought some Earl Gray tea," I told him, handing it over when he reached out a hand.
He raised an eyebrow fractionally before turning back to his computer. I staid, building the courage to apologize. (Hey! He can be scary, and I was feeling some-what resentful that I was going to apologize when I was sure that he knew how to get me back home.)
"I'm sure there was another reason for you coming up here," he commented smoothly without glancing up from his computer. "Or did you just wish to bring me some tea?" he inguired smugly, swiveling his chair to face me, a slight smirk gracing his face, his eyebrow once again raised fractionally.
"Um," I began, becoming intensely interested in the carpet. Artemis continued to watch me as if he was watching a mildly amusing movie. "I'm sorry about the way I acted earlier," I told him honestly, looking him in the eye. "You're still wrong, but I shouldn't have reacted the way I did."
Artemis graced me with a slightly smug smile before turning back to his computer and ignoring me.
"Well, aren't you going to say something?" I inquired incredulously.
"What would you have me say?" he asked angrily, swiveling to face me. "It's all right? For it is not all right, I don't forgive you, and you shouldn't have done it." With that said he continued to work on his computer. Through out his entire monologue he hadn't raised his voice more than a fraction, and yet I felt like he had been screaming at me. How did he do it?
"Well, you could start with telling me the truth," I started angrily.
"I am not lying to you," he said through gritted teeth.
"When I first met you I would have believed that for Artemis Fowl was above lying. He was above every one, or at least felt he was, and needed no one. Why would he bother lying to someone that he considered below him?" I replied scathingly, my anger returned.
Artemis turned to face me angrily, apparently I had hit a nerve. "I am doing important work and I don't need any distractions," he said coldly.
"I'm afraid you'll have to spell it out for me Artemis," I replied scornfully.
"I want you to leave my room," he said, his voice sending chills up my spine. I knew I had pushed him too far, and I needed to leave NOW. So I left and walked down stairs to make dinner.
I kneaded the bread savagely; the soup was practically killed by the way I chopped the veggies and meat up. It all came out fine, and dinner was ready at six. Mom was out at a meeting, so it was just we "kids."
"Abby, Hannah, dinners ready!" I yelled, they raced down stairs. "Abby, could you get Artemis?" I asked quietly, I REALLY didn't want to deal with him.
"Sure," she replied, bounding back up the stairs.
Hannah took her place at the table, and Artemis and Abby soon followed. We all ate our meal in silence, Abby and Hannah going back up stairs as soon as they had cleared the table.
Artemis sat at the table drinking his tea and ignoring me completely. I turned on some Mark Whitefeild and began to wash the dishes. Tomarro was Abby and Hannah's turn. We had worked out a schedule that divided the chores evenly, in fact, I somehow ended up doing the least amount of work.
I finally couldn't stand Artemis' silence any longer, "That is it!" I exclaimed angrily, not so much loudly as passionately. "Just say something! Scold, yell, whatever! I really don't care, but this is driving me nuts!" I finished, putting another dish in the dish rack.
Artemis glanced up before answering honestly and simply, "I have nothing to say to you."
I had been using the little hose to rinse the dishes, and in my frustration I turned it up too high and completely soaked myself. I let out a very undignified shriek, trying to unsuccessfully grab the nozzle. I finally grabbed it and unstuck the little lever to turn of the water.
Artemis was watching me with an ill concealed grin, "That was extraordinarily stupid of you," he commented matter of factly before returning to his tea.
I glowered at him then looked down at the hose and I felt a grin spread across my face. 'It wouldn't hurt anyone, and it was just a little fun,' I thought before turning on the hose and aiming it at Artemis.
I grinned silently as Artemis let out a yelp and tried to fend off the water. He began to walk towards me with a measured and unhurried pace; I quickly turned off the water and continued washing the dishes. He came up behind me; I nervously tried to ignore him, my nerves on end. "You are an extremely aggravating girl," he hissed menacingly. "You are faced with difficulties and invent stories to take the pressure off of yourself. Then you are quickly incited to anger and act like a foolish child who cares not of the consequences. I suggest you learn to take a hold of yourself and behave like a civilized human being." He told me scathingly. I felt as if I had just been whipped, I was ashamed, embarrassed, and disgusted with myself. I turned and watched him leave before considering what he had said as I finished the dishes.
By the time I had finished I had reached a conclusion and headed up to Artemis' room to tell him it. When I reached his door I gave a tentative knock, when Artemis didn't reply, I meekly asked, "Artemis, may I come in?"
After a long bit of silence he answered with a, "Very well, if you are willing to act like a civilized human being."
I came in quietly and launched into my apology, not bothering to wait for him to ignore me. "Artemis, you're right. I have been acting childish, and though I don't agree with all that you said, I shouldn't have thought that you lied. You have given me no reason to distrust you, and though I'm still not sure if I believe you, I won't bring up the subject again." I finished, it was short and too the point. I turned and left silently, not waiting around to hear his explanation. I felt awful, and terribly guilt ridden.
'I think this is the most I have apologized to ANYONE in my entire life," I thought scathingly. I spent the rest of the day double-checking my homework and worrying about how I could help find a way too get home.
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A/N: I got So many reviews. I had been planning on just ending the story in this chapter even though that would bad ill planned, but your reviews broke my writers block and changed my mind. Sorry it took so long, but I had holidays, writers block, god parents, friends from massechusetts, cleaning house days. The list goes on and on, but I had good reasons. I hope this chapter makes up for it.
Oooooooh!: I'm glad you like my story, but could you give me a more substantail review next time? Don't get me wrong, every review is good, but more would be the icing on the cake.
Jessica: I'm afriad can't have two Artemis'. Originally I was going to, but the characters just wouldn't let it, and plot took a sudden turn. Sorry, I'm a little disapointed myself, but the writers block left when I changed plots. Mybe in another story. I don't think I can get you in this story, but maybe if I do one where Artemis goes to this world, specifically. Hmmm. The plot is already beginning to form, yeah, I think I'll do that!
Meade: Is your name Meade as in the drink? That stuff is icky! My parents let me try a sip and I couldn't stand it! Please don't hunt me down, if you scare me I wont be able to write properly! Why in the world would you think my story is good enough for you to feel humble? My characters go through fluxes (what I mean is that I change their personality a bit all the time), th eplot is never constant, My writing style can me random. well, I could go on, but I won't. But I am very happy that you think I am so good you are humbled, that was such a confidence booster it just made my day! Go on and complement me more, I wont mind! :D You have story ideas! I SO need story ideas! Give me story ideas! Ohohohoh! YEAH! (cough) I am sane again, thanks, I like it when people show me a different way to look at, and do, my story.
Zarrel's Darkside: It is So nice to get all this praise in my reviews! My confidence is at an all time high! Any time you want to complement me is fine. :D You like cows? Well, then you must agree with this saying, "If you want to win, think cow!" I don't know when I'll finish it, the story writes itself.
Wendi: I'm glad you didn't review till you caught up. That really aggrivates me, someone saying you need to fix something when you already did in later chapters. I'm also glad you like my story, that's always nice. I'll think about the Cerinthia/Artemis thing, but I don't thin kCerinthia is quite up to his mental level for him too be interested with her. I mean, who wants to date someone you can't have a REAL conversation with? Sorry I didn't IM you, but I don't like to give out my e-mail, it just makes me nervous. Sorry.
Anthony1234: All right, I'll keep going. Thanks for letting me know that you reviewed, it's nice to know someone is keeping track!
Selena(): I'm glad you like that bit, I kinda do too. The digression is alright, I do that too. And I REALLY like your point, sorry I wasn't so good about writing.
Eliza Star: Your reviews always make me smile! Just thought I'd say that. Of course I used your idea! It was great! Um, I'm note sure if I'll put in a lot of back ground on the friends, they aren't really a large part of the story. More of a Foil, they form Cerinthia into what she is. On the line of sappy lines (:D) I write myself into a corner and wait for reviews to give me a creative burst. Sorry bout that, I hope this ending was better.
Angelgirl10: Only one mistake! YEAH! That is a classic quote, I'll treasure that forever. Um, I have an aquantence who is homo-sexual. We don't have enough in common to be close friends, but she is tons of fun to be around. A very bright and cheerful personality, you know? At first I was a little uncomfortable around her, but as I got to know her I soon grew out of it. Don't respect me too much, I don't know how I would have dealt with it if she hadn't been such an honest, straight forward, and sweat girl. But she blocked any fobia I might have grown. Um, quotes, oh shit, I'm out of em. Let's see, have I told you, "I want to become what my Dof thinks I am"? It's not the best one, but I think it's sweat. Ther is also, "Warning to all visitors, the dig lives her, you don't,"? well, those are the best I can come up with.
Luz: Yeah, ware not wear. Ooops. I'm normally good about that kind of stuff (hides face in hands). I'm really embaressed now, I had thought I had managed to stop doing that stuff. I'm glad you like my story, I do too.
Artemis: (cough) she does not own me or any of my companions. (mutters) thank god. ************************************************************************
After school we all staid in the library to do some research. I was really enjoying myself; Shirly, Cat and I were all laughing and having a good time. Artemis was largely serving as an encyclopedia that talked, unfortunately it rolled its eyes when we mentioned boys.
"That new boy is SO hot," Shirly said once.
"Don't I know it," I replied with a grin, "I mean, tall, dark, handsome, charming, ahhh," I sighed.
"I like red heads myself," Cat commented with a flip of her hair, trying to look ditzy to peeve Artemis. It didn't work; he was ignoring us, and accomplishing it very well.
"So you can play with their hair," I teased; munching on some of her chocolate, Cat just returned the grin.
"Artemis, why did Japan isolate itself," Shirly asked him sudden, buried in various books.
"The Huns had seriously damaged them and distrust in foreigners was placed. The new Shogun felt that foreigners and their beliefs and customs would endanger his rule." Artemis replied without even looking up from his notebook.
"Thanks," Shirly replied, diving into a new chapter of an encyclopedia.
I was busy looking up the Ming dynasty and something about the emperors made me wonder about my friends Bryan and Charly. "Hey, Cat, have you seen Bryan or Charly lately?" I asked her, still busy looking things up.
"No, but I heard that they were doing well at their new school," she replied without glancing up. I noticed that Artemis was suddenly very interested in our conversation.
I suddenly froze; it took me a second to remember all of the memories I had buried that was when I realized how badly I needed to go home.
When we finally went home I had barely gotten my work done and everyone had noticed that something was wrong with me. I put my books away and followed Artemis up to his room. I climbed the stairs pensively, sat on the edge of his bed and drew my knees up under my chin.
"Artemis," I asked thoughtfully.
"Yes," he replied, for once giving me his full attention.
"How did I get to your house?" I asked him quietly, a suspicion gradually forming.
Artemis froze for a second, then quickly unthawed, relaxing a little too much. "Why do you ask," he inquired casually.
"I was wondering if you had worked out a theory yet," I replied equally casual.
"No, I haven't figured it out yet," he looked kind of guilty. His reaction wouldn't have been obvious to someone who hadn't known him, as long as I, but to me it was plain.
I paused for a second, wondering if I should let my suspicion through. I finally decided that it needed to be said, "you didn't do it, did you Artemis?" I asked him, looking at him hopefully. I was hoping he would say yes, he may have betrayed me, but I would be able to go home.
Artemis just looked at me coldly, "I can't believe you would even suggest such a thing," he told me, his voice chilling my spine.
"I was just hoping," I told him with a sigh, still holding on to my suspicions but letting the subject drop. "I am beginning to really miss my family, and there's something else," I told him after taking a deep breath, "You see, I'm suppressing the memories of my home, today I had managed to fully forget them."
Artemis gazed at me for a long time, his uncertainty plain. "How long do you think you can hold out?" he asked worriedly.
"Not much longer," I replied, beginning to break down around the seams. "It keeps hitting me about how I'm never going to see my Mama, Papa, Sisters, anyone every again," I confided quietly, a tear slipping down my cheek.
Artemis looked at me a long time before turning back to his notebook, "Once I figure this out you'll be able to go home."
I just nodded and went into "my" room to get some sleep. It once again seemed alien and dark. I curled up on my bed and started to cry, that night I cried myself to sleep. I dreamt that Artemis had visited me during the night, but I couldn't believe that he would care. After all, he obviously knew how to go back home, and wasn't telling me. 'I guess he was still the person in his stories,' I thought sadly. 'Using others to execute his plans,' was my last bitter thought before I fell asleep.
The next day I awoke around five thirty. I tried to go back to sleep, but was too restless, so I decided to go down stairs and do schoolwork or something until it was time to go to school.
I slowly crept down the stairs, not wanting to wake any one up. I had to go slowly for it was dark and I kept bumping into the walls. As I walked into the kitchen I saw my Double's Mom getting ready to leave for work.
"Do you have time for tea," I asked as I started to heat the kettle.
"What are you doing up," she asked, forgetting to answer my question.
"Well, I couldn't sleep, and I decided to putter around instead of stare at my ceiling." I replied as I got out my favorite tea, Sunset Rose.
"Hmm," she commented, "No, I don't have time for tea, in fact, I need to head for work now. Have a good day at school honey," she finished giving me a peck on the head as she walked out the door.
I sighed, she was obviously having a hard time trying to support the family, and I didn't, and still don't, know how she managed it. As soon as the water was heated enough for tea I heard someone walking down the hallway. I checked the clock to make sure that I hadn't forgotten to wake up every one, but it was only five forty. After listening to the steps for a minute I categorized them as Artemis.' He has an even pace and tends to tread quietly; he's quite the opposite of the rest of the family.
I made him some earl gray tea as I listened to him precariously go down the stairs. "Good morning Artemis," I greeted as I passed him the cup of tea. I was very pleased with myself cause I hadn't even had to look at him while I passed it.
"Thank-you," he replied formally as he took his tea to the kitchen table.
"No problem," I murmured as I looked for the sugar pot. "Ah HA!" I muttered triumphantly, dropping my tea bag into the cup. I quickly spooned three spoonfuls of sugar into it before heading over to the table myself.
We sipped our tea in silence, last nights conversation on the front of our minds. I finally couldn't stand it any longer, "Artemis, why are you lying?" I asked him quietly.
He looked up at me, his annoyance plain, "I am not lying to you," he replied stiffly, managing to sound offended.
"Yes, you are," I told him hotly, my anger plain.
"I am not going to debate the matter with you," he responded as he rose to leave.
By now my anger had cooled to something truly dangerous. What was so dangerous was that I tended to think I was in control of my temper at that moment when I generally wasn't. This anger had begun to become a part of me, and when I looked at Artemis I could feel my resolve harden. "Artemis," I said dangerously, he turned to look at me, trying to seem nonchalant. "This affects me just as much as it does you," I said as I softly glided over to him, my step like the stance of a hunting cat. "And I have just as much, if not more right to know what is going on," my eyes had hardened and all my emotion was gone except for this cold fury. "You are *not* going to leave me in the dark," by then I had reached him and I was glaring darkly into his eyes.
He looked at me and raised an eyebrow fractionally then turned to leave. I had; had enough of his attitude; I walked in front of him as if I was going up the stairs. Then I turned swiftly and kneed him in the groin. He immediately crumpled, I just stood there and glared at him coldly, uncaring except for a sense of malicious satisfaction.
I calmly walked up the stairs and woke Abby and Hannah up; they were greeted by a cheery smile that morning. By the time we had gone down stairs Artemis had recovered and we acted as if nothing had happened. On the bus to school I began to cool off, so to speak, and a feeling of shame began to greet me. Artemis had made clear his disgust with me by sitting as far away as possible and ignoring me as if I was a four-year-old child.
I managed to push it aside long enough to chat with Shirly and Cat on the way to school. "Last night was fun wasn't it?" Shirly commented with a grin.
"Loads of fun, especially when you *attempted* to flirt with Artemis," I replied, a pang of guilt hit me before I could shove it aside.
Shirly let out a disgraceful giggle, then gave me a shocked look. "Should I try it again?" she asked with a mischievous grin.
"No, he kind of had a bad morning," I replied with an inward wince. We chatted quietly for a while before Cat joined us, and then we rose in volume. I'm not going to repeat our conversation; I'm still embarrassed that I would act that ditzy.
School sucked, I came in with a frown and left with a scowl. We had to stay in the library again, Abby and Hannah were having music lessons and apparently my Double used that as an opportunity to socialize.
Shirly, Cat, and I worked in silence; Artemis working silently in a corner that was far away from all of the giggling teen-agers in the library. Eventually a mousy girl headed over to his table, probably looking for some quiet. She had light brown hair, her face was pretty but not extraordinary, and she had a quiet way of holding herself.
"You mind if I sit here?" she asked Artemis quietly, looking as if she half expected him to say yes.
"No, please, make yourself comfortable," he replied courteously, moving some books out of the way. At first I thought they might flirt, but I soon realized that the girl had really only wanted a quiet place to work. As they worked I soon became bored and stopped watching them; then I perked up when I heard Artemis say something. "Your doing a report on Socrates?" he asked pleasantly, not friendly, but courteous.
"Yes, I find it slightly boring though," she replied with a kind smile before turning back to her work. I found myself liking this girl.
"And may I inquire as to the reason; that is, if you're not to busy," he asked, sounding like he did at the Christmas party, the pleasant host. I found myself smiling as I remembered it, I realized that even the 'dance lesson' I now considered amusing.
She gave him a soft, yet warmer smile, "Well, I looked him up on my own when I was younger, I really don't have anything else to learn about him." She replied simply, not bragging, just stating a fact.
Artemis gave her a considering glance before responding, "What was your opinion about him?" he asked with a polite smile. If only Butler had been there to see this.
"I wasn't too impressed, he discovered many great things, but he made some large mistakes." She responded gently. This girl had a quiet manner; her smile was soothing, and her voice soft.
"Such as," Artemis probed.
"Well, he came up with the Socrates method, but he also said that all things were based on fire, water, wind, and earth. Because of that he set back science for centuries, his belief carried on throughout the early middle ages." The girl said, passion showing in her voice. She was quite beautiful when she had passion, almost as if it showed through and let you see what was in side. I blocked off the rest of the conversation; I didn't understand half of it anyway. If Artemis wanted to flirt by talking about Greek scientists, that wasn't my problem.
I spent the full three hours at the library researching and doing my homework. By the time my.my Double's mom came to pick us up, my brain was fried. I had fully forgotten this morning's.incident. Then Artemis cold- shouldered me all the way home, I remembered pretty fast after that. What bothered me so much was that he wasn't being childish, it was more like he considered my actions as proof that I was too childish for him to bother associating with. I couldn't be too mad at him for he was mostly right, not that his lying was okay, but I shouldn't have acted the way I did.
'Why do I have to be such a moral person, I could just enjoy the fact that the jerk was leaving me alone. But NO I have to feel guilty!' I thought to myself grumpily as we drove home.
By the time we had reached the house, I was fully guilt ridden. That's my major flaw, I act in an odd passion, and I feel as if I murdered someone. Artemis immediately headed up to "his" room when we got home, not even giving me a glance. I started some tea and decided to give him some space for a few minutes before apologizing. Soon the kettle was hissing and I made some earl gray tea.
I grabbed his tea and headed up to Artemis' room, planning to use it as a peace offering. I knocked on his door and waited patiently for a reply. After a minute or two he replied with a civil, "Come in, Cerinthia."
I opened the door and went up the stairs, I saw him sitting at his desk and typing at his laptop. "I brought some Earl Gray tea," I told him, handing it over when he reached out a hand.
He raised an eyebrow fractionally before turning back to his computer. I staid, building the courage to apologize. (Hey! He can be scary, and I was feeling some-what resentful that I was going to apologize when I was sure that he knew how to get me back home.)
"I'm sure there was another reason for you coming up here," he commented smoothly without glancing up from his computer. "Or did you just wish to bring me some tea?" he inguired smugly, swiveling his chair to face me, a slight smirk gracing his face, his eyebrow once again raised fractionally.
"Um," I began, becoming intensely interested in the carpet. Artemis continued to watch me as if he was watching a mildly amusing movie. "I'm sorry about the way I acted earlier," I told him honestly, looking him in the eye. "You're still wrong, but I shouldn't have reacted the way I did."
Artemis graced me with a slightly smug smile before turning back to his computer and ignoring me.
"Well, aren't you going to say something?" I inquired incredulously.
"What would you have me say?" he asked angrily, swiveling to face me. "It's all right? For it is not all right, I don't forgive you, and you shouldn't have done it." With that said he continued to work on his computer. Through out his entire monologue he hadn't raised his voice more than a fraction, and yet I felt like he had been screaming at me. How did he do it?
"Well, you could start with telling me the truth," I started angrily.
"I am not lying to you," he said through gritted teeth.
"When I first met you I would have believed that for Artemis Fowl was above lying. He was above every one, or at least felt he was, and needed no one. Why would he bother lying to someone that he considered below him?" I replied scathingly, my anger returned.
Artemis turned to face me angrily, apparently I had hit a nerve. "I am doing important work and I don't need any distractions," he said coldly.
"I'm afraid you'll have to spell it out for me Artemis," I replied scornfully.
"I want you to leave my room," he said, his voice sending chills up my spine. I knew I had pushed him too far, and I needed to leave NOW. So I left and walked down stairs to make dinner.
I kneaded the bread savagely; the soup was practically killed by the way I chopped the veggies and meat up. It all came out fine, and dinner was ready at six. Mom was out at a meeting, so it was just we "kids."
"Abby, Hannah, dinners ready!" I yelled, they raced down stairs. "Abby, could you get Artemis?" I asked quietly, I REALLY didn't want to deal with him.
"Sure," she replied, bounding back up the stairs.
Hannah took her place at the table, and Artemis and Abby soon followed. We all ate our meal in silence, Abby and Hannah going back up stairs as soon as they had cleared the table.
Artemis sat at the table drinking his tea and ignoring me completely. I turned on some Mark Whitefeild and began to wash the dishes. Tomarro was Abby and Hannah's turn. We had worked out a schedule that divided the chores evenly, in fact, I somehow ended up doing the least amount of work.
I finally couldn't stand Artemis' silence any longer, "That is it!" I exclaimed angrily, not so much loudly as passionately. "Just say something! Scold, yell, whatever! I really don't care, but this is driving me nuts!" I finished, putting another dish in the dish rack.
Artemis glanced up before answering honestly and simply, "I have nothing to say to you."
I had been using the little hose to rinse the dishes, and in my frustration I turned it up too high and completely soaked myself. I let out a very undignified shriek, trying to unsuccessfully grab the nozzle. I finally grabbed it and unstuck the little lever to turn of the water.
Artemis was watching me with an ill concealed grin, "That was extraordinarily stupid of you," he commented matter of factly before returning to his tea.
I glowered at him then looked down at the hose and I felt a grin spread across my face. 'It wouldn't hurt anyone, and it was just a little fun,' I thought before turning on the hose and aiming it at Artemis.
I grinned silently as Artemis let out a yelp and tried to fend off the water. He began to walk towards me with a measured and unhurried pace; I quickly turned off the water and continued washing the dishes. He came up behind me; I nervously tried to ignore him, my nerves on end. "You are an extremely aggravating girl," he hissed menacingly. "You are faced with difficulties and invent stories to take the pressure off of yourself. Then you are quickly incited to anger and act like a foolish child who cares not of the consequences. I suggest you learn to take a hold of yourself and behave like a civilized human being." He told me scathingly. I felt as if I had just been whipped, I was ashamed, embarrassed, and disgusted with myself. I turned and watched him leave before considering what he had said as I finished the dishes.
By the time I had finished I had reached a conclusion and headed up to Artemis' room to tell him it. When I reached his door I gave a tentative knock, when Artemis didn't reply, I meekly asked, "Artemis, may I come in?"
After a long bit of silence he answered with a, "Very well, if you are willing to act like a civilized human being."
I came in quietly and launched into my apology, not bothering to wait for him to ignore me. "Artemis, you're right. I have been acting childish, and though I don't agree with all that you said, I shouldn't have thought that you lied. You have given me no reason to distrust you, and though I'm still not sure if I believe you, I won't bring up the subject again." I finished, it was short and too the point. I turned and left silently, not waiting around to hear his explanation. I felt awful, and terribly guilt ridden.
'I think this is the most I have apologized to ANYONE in my entire life," I thought scathingly. I spent the rest of the day double-checking my homework and worrying about how I could help find a way too get home.
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A/N: I got So many reviews. I had been planning on just ending the story in this chapter even though that would bad ill planned, but your reviews broke my writers block and changed my mind. Sorry it took so long, but I had holidays, writers block, god parents, friends from massechusetts, cleaning house days. The list goes on and on, but I had good reasons. I hope this chapter makes up for it.
Oooooooh!: I'm glad you like my story, but could you give me a more substantail review next time? Don't get me wrong, every review is good, but more would be the icing on the cake.
Jessica: I'm afriad can't have two Artemis'. Originally I was going to, but the characters just wouldn't let it, and plot took a sudden turn. Sorry, I'm a little disapointed myself, but the writers block left when I changed plots. Mybe in another story. I don't think I can get you in this story, but maybe if I do one where Artemis goes to this world, specifically. Hmmm. The plot is already beginning to form, yeah, I think I'll do that!
Meade: Is your name Meade as in the drink? That stuff is icky! My parents let me try a sip and I couldn't stand it! Please don't hunt me down, if you scare me I wont be able to write properly! Why in the world would you think my story is good enough for you to feel humble? My characters go through fluxes (what I mean is that I change their personality a bit all the time), th eplot is never constant, My writing style can me random. well, I could go on, but I won't. But I am very happy that you think I am so good you are humbled, that was such a confidence booster it just made my day! Go on and complement me more, I wont mind! :D You have story ideas! I SO need story ideas! Give me story ideas! Ohohohoh! YEAH! (cough) I am sane again, thanks, I like it when people show me a different way to look at, and do, my story.
Zarrel's Darkside: It is So nice to get all this praise in my reviews! My confidence is at an all time high! Any time you want to complement me is fine. :D You like cows? Well, then you must agree with this saying, "If you want to win, think cow!" I don't know when I'll finish it, the story writes itself.
Wendi: I'm glad you didn't review till you caught up. That really aggrivates me, someone saying you need to fix something when you already did in later chapters. I'm also glad you like my story, that's always nice. I'll think about the Cerinthia/Artemis thing, but I don't thin kCerinthia is quite up to his mental level for him too be interested with her. I mean, who wants to date someone you can't have a REAL conversation with? Sorry I didn't IM you, but I don't like to give out my e-mail, it just makes me nervous. Sorry.
Anthony1234: All right, I'll keep going. Thanks for letting me know that you reviewed, it's nice to know someone is keeping track!
Selena(): I'm glad you like that bit, I kinda do too. The digression is alright, I do that too. And I REALLY like your point, sorry I wasn't so good about writing.
Eliza Star: Your reviews always make me smile! Just thought I'd say that. Of course I used your idea! It was great! Um, I'm note sure if I'll put in a lot of back ground on the friends, they aren't really a large part of the story. More of a Foil, they form Cerinthia into what she is. On the line of sappy lines (:D) I write myself into a corner and wait for reviews to give me a creative burst. Sorry bout that, I hope this ending was better.
Angelgirl10: Only one mistake! YEAH! That is a classic quote, I'll treasure that forever. Um, I have an aquantence who is homo-sexual. We don't have enough in common to be close friends, but she is tons of fun to be around. A very bright and cheerful personality, you know? At first I was a little uncomfortable around her, but as I got to know her I soon grew out of it. Don't respect me too much, I don't know how I would have dealt with it if she hadn't been such an honest, straight forward, and sweat girl. But she blocked any fobia I might have grown. Um, quotes, oh shit, I'm out of em. Let's see, have I told you, "I want to become what my Dof thinks I am"? It's not the best one, but I think it's sweat. Ther is also, "Warning to all visitors, the dig lives her, you don't,"? well, those are the best I can come up with.
Luz: Yeah, ware not wear. Ooops. I'm normally good about that kind of stuff (hides face in hands). I'm really embaressed now, I had thought I had managed to stop doing that stuff. I'm glad you like my story, I do too.