Is This the Start of the Rest of My Life?
Chapter two
Disclaimer: I don't own Artemis Fowl, Holly Short, Trouble Kelp or any other Artemis Fowl characters and settings. They are strictly copy right of Eoin Colfer. And I am not Eoin Colfer. (Just to state the obvious!)
A/N: This is chapter two of the prequel to Family Tree. I am currently planning a sequel to Family Tree; go to my profile page for more info.
A mirror ball glittered, rotating from the ceiling of Police Plaza's Main Hall, showering the dance floor with sparkling light.
Holly turned round, setting eyes upon Trouble Kelp.
Trouble repeated his request and Holly accepted. She hoped that the darkness of the room would hide her fiery red cheeks. Only this morning had she figured out Trouble Kelp knew her name, and now she was dancing with him at the Lep promotions! She could feel eyes watching her. She didn't care; let them be jealous!
When the song ended they danced another and another, until Holly was dizzy with the thrill of it all. The pair then walked to the buffet and selected their food, taking it over to a selection of tables and chairs set up earlier that day. Holly was eating a potato salad and was drinking a glass of sparkling mineral water. Trouble had chosen a pasta dish and some fruit juice.
In between their mouthfuls they talked about various things on their minds. This made eating dinner a very slow process.
Holly was burning to ask Trouble why he had wanted to dance with her and not someone more glamorous, like Lili Frond, but she thought it would be too personal. She shuddered; Holly Short was not a wimp. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know, that was it.
Trouble looked concerned. "Hey Holly, are you feeling ok, you look a bit pale?" He asked, worriedly.
"I'm alright," she replied, "I just feel a bit sick, that's all. I think I'll go home." She pushed her chair back.
"Do you want me to walk you?" Trouble asked, standing up. "You look faint."
Holly shook her head. "No, you stay. I'm probably just tired."
Trouble smiled, "No way, Captain," he said, putting emphasis on the last word. "I can't let you walk the streets alone at this hour."
Holly grinned, "Sure, whatever," she was thrilled. Maybe these parties weren't so bad after all.
Holly's Apartment, Haven City"Thanks for walking me home Trouble," said Holly.
"My pleasure," he replied. Holly squirmed.
Trouble frowned, "Holly?" he questioned.
"Sorry, I can't wait to get out of this dress. It feels horrid. I probably look horrid too," she explained.
"No you don't. It suits you. You should wear them more often."
Holly pulled a face, "I don't think so!"
Trouble grinned. Then he leant forward and kissed her gently on the cheek.
"Goodnight Holls."
"Yeah, Goodnight."
Trouble winked at her and Holly laughed. She made her way up the steps of her apartment block, but Trouble's voice distracted her.
"Hey Holly, I hope you feel better tomorrow."
Holly smiled, "Thanks, hopefully a night's sleep will do me the world of good."
A/N: I had to re-write this; otherwise it would've been impossible to finish. The next chapter is very short, so be prepared.