First of all, I would like to say thank you to those of you who reviewed. They were all such great reviews and just made my day! I was inspired to write the next chapter, and since I had nothing to do today, I got it done pretty darn fast. It's also way longer than the first chapter. Enjoy!
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"Leave your bags in the trunk," Mrs. Frome said. "We can bring them in later."
The four of them got out of the car and up to the house. Mrs. Frome unlocked the front door. Artemis entered and found himself in the living room.
On the couch was a younger boy with dark, curly hair. He wore baggy pants, a beanie hat, and a t-shirt with some band on it. He looked like he belonged on a skateboard. The boy didn't even take his eyes off the TV when the door opened. He was too busy playing a video game.
Mrs. Frome sighed and walked over to her youngest son, putting a hand on his head. She said, "Pause the game." He did. "Remember what I told you about ignoring people?" she whispered. "Now, get up, and introduce yourself to your new guest."
The boy merely twisted in his seat so he faced Artemis. "Hi, my name's Chase. It's a pleasure to meet you." The words sounded forced and he didn't smile.
How rude, Artemis thought. This child knows nothing about courtesy. A polite person would have gotten themself in a standing position, shook hands, and smiled warmly. Chase scored a zero out of three.
At that moment, a man walked into the room. He looked a lot like Chase, except he was bigger set, had stubble, and was thirty-five years older.
"Artemis! We meet at last," Mr. Frome exclaimed. Before Artemis could respond in any way, Mr. Frome submersed him in a big bear hug. "Welcome to our home. Of course, when I say 'our', I'm including you now."
Mr. Frome stepped back, beaming. All courtesy forgotten, Artemis just stared. He was caught so off guard. He tried to think of the last time anyone other than his mother had hugged him.
"That's very kind," Artemis said, politely. "It was generous of you to open up your home to me." He hoped Chase was taking notes.
Mr. Frome brushed away imaginary words in the air. "Think nothing of it."
"Now that you've met everyone, Artemis, you'd probably like to get a little settled," Mrs. Frome interrupted. "Bradon, go finish setting up your room. It looks like a pig sty down there."
"Yes, ma'am," Bradon marched out of the room.
"And don't call me ma'am!" she called after him. Shaking her head, she turned to her daughter. "Robin, would you show Artemis his new room?"
"Sure." Robin led Artemis past Chase, who had returned to his video game, and down the hallway. She pushed open a wooden door, and they both stood in a smallish bedroom. There was a bed, a dresser, some shelves, and a closet, otherwise it was stripped empty.
"This is where you'll sleep," Robin explained. "It used to be Bradon's room, but he moved in with Chase in the basement bedroom. He waited until this morning to do it, so his stuff is still everywhere down there."
Artemis nodded. "And your room?"
"Right next door," she blushed.
Artemis looked around his new room. It was smaller than his room at Fowl Manor. The furniture was obviously cheaper. Once again, he wondered what Angeline had been thinking, sending him here. He was broken out of his thoughts of furniture by Robin's voice.
"So, how old are you," she said, trying to make conversation.
"Fourteen."
"Oh, so you'll be a freshman at Mullborn this year."
"Unfortunately," Artemis responded.
Robin got quiet after this comment. Eventually, she continued unsurely. "Yeah, I'm fourteen, and I'll be a freshman, too. Bradon's also in our grade, but he's fifteen."
"Why is that?" Artemis asked.
"He failed seventh grade," she said casually. "So he's a year behind. Chase is ten, by the way. Fifth grader."
"And is he always that friendly, or did I catch him on an off day?"
Robin laughed. "He's quite the charmer, isn't he? No, he's having a normal day. And about my dad; he likes to give hugs a lot. I hope that didn't bother you."
"No, not at all," Artemis said sarcastically. "I rather enjoy being unable to breathe. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to retrieve my luggage and unpack."
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The next morning was the last day of summer before school started in the fall. Artemis awoke to find the house silent. Mr. and Mrs. Frome had already gone to work, and the kids were still sleeping. He ate breakfast and spent the rest of the morning sending e-mails to his parents, Butler, and Holly via his laptop.
At lunchtime, Artemis searched the refrigerator for something to eat. There were hot dogs, ice cream, and leftover fast food. Nothing fit for a Fowl. He closed the fridge as Bradon came in the kitchen. He still wore pajamas, and his hair was even messier than yesterday. Does the word 'hairbrush' mean anything to this family?
"Sup, Artemis," Bradon yawned.
Not a sentence worth responding to, Artemis thought. Not even a complete sentence.
He sat down at the table. Bradon poured himself a bowl of cereal and sat next to him.
"So, Artemis," he said. "Have any plans for the day?"
"Not as of the moment."
"Good. Me and some friends are going bowling to celebrate our last day of freedom. I'm inviting you."
"You're inviting me?" Artemis asked incredulously.
"Yep."
And Artemis thought getting hugged was a shock. He had never been invited to a social outing before…ever.
He cleared his throat. "I'm going to have to pass. Bowling isn't really my thing."
"Aw, come on," Bradon coaxed. "It's better than sitting around the house all day."
"What are your brother and sister planning on doing?"
"Probably sitting around the house all day. I swear, they are so strange. What kind of a person doesn't go out and hang with friends in their spare time?"
Artemis was silently offended. He didn't have many friends and spent most of his free time by himself.
"Are you coming?" Bradon asked.
"No."
"Why?"
"I already told you."
"I'll force you."
Artemis scoffed. "That's absurd. There is no way you could possibly force me."
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Three hours later Artemis and Bradon entered the busy bowling alley. Turns out, Bradon could force him to go. When Mrs. Frome got home from her part time job at the bank, Bradon proposed his idea that Artemis should go bowling, to get used to the town and meet new people. Mrs. Frome thought it was a wonderful idea, and that was that.
Bradon found his friends already at a lane. After they made their way over to them, Bradon introduced them all in turn. "This is Chester, Cody, and Randy. This is Artemis."
They all said hi.
"So, you're really from Ireland?" Randy asked. "Like, you lived there your whole life?"
"Correct," Artemis confirmed.
"Cool."
Artemis could tell he wouldn't be having many stimulating conversations any time soon. A minute later, one more boy named Fischer showed up.
"Sorry I'm late," said Fischer. "The car broke down, so I had to ride my bike."
All the boys pitched in the buy a large pizza. Then it was time to add names into the machine.
"How do you spell your name, Artemis? A-R-T-E-M-I-S?" Chester asked.
"Don't bother," said the boy genius. "I'm going to sit this game out."
Chester raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Chester shrugged and hit the Start Bowling button. Bradon looked disapproving. He had brought Artemis to bowl, not to sit and watch. But that's what Artemis did. He found a sort-of-comfortable chair and observed.
He ended up comparing each boy's bowling strategy. Each one did things slightly different. They were all decent bowlers, but Artemis couldn't help but focus on their flaws. Sometimes they stood too far to the left. Sometimes they released the ball too soon. Sometimes they stepped with the wrong foot! It was painful to watch.
Artemis could see it perfectly. Just calculate the distance, the location, the weight of the ball, and other minor factors. If the right person know what they were doing, they could throw a strike every time.
At the end of the game, Fischer exclaimed, "Whoo-hoo! One-thirty-two! That's above average. Go me!"
Artemis marveled at the fact that he could be so optimistic when he had the lowest score. Curious. Artemis stood up and clapped his hands together. He had made a decision. "I would like to play this next round."
Bradon, Fischer, Chester, Randy, and Cody all looked at him as if to say "Really?"
"What are you all staring at? Did I say something amusing?"
"No," Chester added Artemis' name to the lane. "Okay, let's play."
The first five boys bowled, and then it was Artemis' turn. He picked up a bowling ball for the first time. He stood exactly where he should, took four steps forward, swung and released the ball. Perfect execution. He wasn't surprised when all ten pins fell down. He brushed imaginary dust from his shoulder and took a seat.
"That was nice," Bradon gushed. "I thought you said bowling wasn't your thing?"
"It's not. I have never bowled before today."
"No way."
"Lucky shot," Randy commented.
Luck has nothing to do with it, thought Artemis. It is all about skill, which I happen to know more about than you.
On the second frame, Artemis bowled another strike. There wasn't any doubt that no pins would remain standing.
"Are you sure you've never bowled before?" questioned Bradon. "How'd you do that?"
Artemis smirked. "It's simple mathematics and a little physics."
"Huh."
Three frames later, and Artemis had all but bowled perfectly. He was starting to grab the attention of people in neighboring lanes. They'd stop their own games to watch him. Will he get another strike? Yes! He did it again!
On the seventh frame there were at least ten people standing around, just watching, their games finished, wanting to stick around to see the outcome of Artemis'. He stood in his spot, took four steps, swung the ball, and released. Strike! There was a light scatter of applause, and Artemis was rather pleased with himself.
"Three more frames and he bowls a three-hundred," Chester said to Bradon in awe.
Thank you, captain obvious.
On the tenth frame, Artemis picked up his ball. There was a small crowd, now, all waiting in anticipation. It's not often one got to see someone bowl a perfect game. Any other person would be feeling the pressure by now, but not Artemis. He had arrogantly perfect confidence in his ability. Who needs luck and talent when you have logic?
He bowled and…strike.
He bowled again and …strike.
"Go Artemis!" Bradon whooped.
"Is that really his name?" someone asked.
One more ball. Just one more ball and he'd done it. The whole building knew it. A hush fell over the area as Artemis took his spot. He wasn't nervous, but he felt a sort of adrenaline he'd never felt before. All eyes were on him, for a good reason. He was more than a teenager. More than a former criminal. People were impressed, not grudgingly, but willingly.
He positioned himself.
Took four steps forward.
Swung the ball.
Released.
The bowling ball rolled down the lane. Halfway there. Three quarters of the way there. And, well, you know, naturally…
"Strike!!" at least three people yelled. Everyone clapped. "He bowled a perfect game!" "He bowled a three hundred!" "Good job." "Way to go."
"You liar," Bradon accused through a grin. "You have bowled before."
"No, I haven't."
Artemis felt proud of himself. He was being recognized for doing something people actually liked. He used his brain for good. Okay, it wasn't exactly charity, but it wasn't illegal. And that's a step up for Artemis.
Artemis didn't care what people thought of him. If a hundred people declared that they hated him all in one day he could still go to bed with an empty conscious. But he had never realized how satisfying it felt to do something that impressed others instead of angered them.
Artemis thought of all the people that had deemed him a social outcast (and mind you that's a lot of people). If only they could see him now.
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I wrote it really fast, and didn't edit much. Hopefully it's still good.