A/N: So I had a lot of fun writing this chapter!! In fact, I am having a lot of fun writing all of these chapters, and I hope that all of you guys are having an equally fun time reading them! Here we are-- chapter 6!!
Why, Why Love
Chapter 6
Artemis stared at the girl in front of him, speechless, which was a first for the boy. Had he heard correctly?
"Pardon me?" he asked.
"I said they are faeries," Sam said, smiling widely. Artemis's shockingly blue eyes were boring holes into her, but she didn't mind much. The satisfaction of knowing that she had caught the boy completely off his guard was sweet enough.
The gaze in the boy's eyes suddenly softened just a bit, and Sam was thrown off balance. He was supposed to be shocked and scared, why wasn't he?
"Faeries?" Artemis said, his eyes portraying a certain sense of amusement, "how quaint. Don't you think you are a little too old to be drawing fantasy tales in class?"
Sam just looked at him. So he was going to play this game? He was going to pretend to be ignorant. I mustn't let him ignore this, Sam thought resolutely. This is my time to talk to him about faeries. If I don't do it now, who knows when I will get another chance?
Slowly Sam nodded and walked over to Artemis's bed, plopping down on it.
"I know I might be too old for such things," she said forlornly, "but I grew up hearing stories about faeries. My parents were in the entertainment business and they moved around quite often when I was a child. So my grandmother ended up raising my brother and me. She would tell us stories about faeries all the time"
"It seems odd for your grandmother to be telling two young boys stories about faeries" Artemis said, deciding that he would keep on pretending that Sam was a boy until he figured out what she was here for.
"I suppose," Sam answered, "but they were her obsession. She would tell us all sorts of stories about them, about how they lived underground, how they were a lot like humans—with special police forces and everything"
Artemis, had he been a less reserved boy, would have probably balked at Sam's words. Who was this girl's grandmother, Artemis thought, and how did she know so much about faeries?
"She passed away two years ago," Sam continued, "and her dying wish was for me to complete her ultimate goal of seeing a real faerie".
"But faeries aren't real", Artemis interjected, looking straight at the girl. What did she know?
"That is what I thought too," Sam answered, "I thought that grandma was just insane. But then I started to research"
Artemis's mouth went dry at the words. What had the girl in front of him found? Was this the reason why she was here? In order to find him?
Sam looked up at Artemis, her large, emerald eyes locking in on his bright blue ones. True, the boy still intimidated her to no end, but this was it. This next sentence would determine whether this whole trip would be a success or not.
"And all of my research," she said, her voice soft, "led to one name"
"Who?" Artemis asked, leaning forward. He already knew the answer. She knew he already knew the answer. But it still had to be spoken.
"Artemis Fowl" she whispered. Artemis just stayed where he was, slightly bent towards Sam, his eyes looking intently at her. At her delicate features, at those large, inquisitive eyes. And somewhere among that small face and large eyes he found safety and trust.
But how, he thought, still leaning towards her, how is it that I trust her? She's lying to me. She's been lying to everybody by saying that she is a boy. Plus, she is a girl. All girls have ever done is chase after me, babbling nonsense. Did she come here for the faeries or to chase after me? Either way, I can't deal with this, not with her around.
Artemis suddenly straightened up and walked towards the door, grabbing his sweater from the coat rack.
"Are you not going to say anything?" Sam asked, getting up, walking towards him. Artemis just put on his sweater and reached for the doorknob. Sam ducked underneath him and threw herself against the door, blocking him from exiting.
"I traveled halfway across the globe, to an unfamiliar country, to an unfamiliar school—just for you, and you are not going to say anything?" she asked. Artemis backed away a little at her words.
"I already told you before, I am not interested in that kind of relationship," he muttered, harshly gazing at him. Sam frowned deeply.
"I am not gay," she barked.
"I know!" Artemis replied, equally as severe
"Then why do you keep assuming that I want to have some kind of relationship with you? I came here because you are the only person who knows something about faeries. You are the only person who can help me fulfill grandma's dying wish!" Sam said. Artemis just groaned and pushed her out of the way.
"I am going for a walk. We will talk about this later" he mumbled as he left the room. Sam just stood there, looking at his receding back. Shaking her head, she ran out into the hallway.
"Don't think I am going to forget about this, Artemis!" she yelled. Artemis just continued walking, down the hallway and then to the stairs, not even turning around or acknowledging Sam in the slightest bit.
Jin, hearing Sam's yells, opened the door to his room, looking out.
"Sam, is everything okay?" he asked. Sam just stood in the hallway, shaking a bit out of anger. She had just told Artemis the whole reason why she had come here and he just walked out on her?
"Sam?" Jin asked, slowly walking up to her. Sam just turned to him, a scowl marring her face.
"You two had another fight, didn't you?" Jin asked. Sam nodded her head, still scowling.
He looks so miserable and upset, Jin thought, heart wrenching. I just want to hold him and tell him everything is going to be alright.
Wait…NO! I can't do that! Jin thought, backing away from Sam a little, I can't continue thinking things like this. But what can I do? Sam is my best friend, I can't just ignore him all the time. I need to…I need to…
"I need to get a girlfriend!" Jin said suddenly, a smile crossing his face. Sam looked up at him, utterly confused. Hadn't they just been talking about Artemis? Where did this outburst come from?
"What?" Sam asked.
"I need to get a girlfriend," Jin said, once again, nodding his head vigorously. That was exactly what he needed to take his mind off of Sam.
"Jin, what's the matter? Weren't we talking about Artemis? How did you get onto this subject?" Sam asked, reaching out and touching Jin on the shoulder. Jin stiffened a little and then moved away, smiling broadly.
"A girlfriend," he said, resolutely. Then he turned around, threw his head back and yelled as loud as he could, "From this moment on, I, Jin—SB's Golden Right Foot- am on a search for the perfect girlfriend!"
Sam, scooted back, slightly afraid and very taken back by Jin's yelling. She would think that there was something seriously wrong with him—but this was Jin, and though his actions were a little odd, that was normal for him. He was always a little more…enthusiastic about showing his emotions than others.
Sam turned her head and saw the door to Jin's room open. Out of it came Liam, Jin's roommate. Liam was a couple of inches shorter than Jin, with choppy blonde hair that reached his shoulders. He had extremely delicate features, was quite pale, and had eyes that were so blue that they seemed to be violet.
"What is happening?" Liam asked in his customary lazy voice. Liam's whole appearance was always one of a person who never got enough sleep. His eyes were always hooded, his movements lethargic, and his voice had a perpetual sleepy tone to it.
"It's Jin…just acting like Jin" Sam answered, looking over at her friend, "it seems as though he suddenly wants a girlfriend"
"A girlfriend?" Liam asked, leaning lazily against the frame of the doorway, "that could be why his aura has been so strange lately"
Sam shuddered a little bit. Liam was known throughout school for his ability to see ghosts and read auras. Most people thought that he was just a mad boy or a crack—but after learning about the existence of faeries, Sam had a hard time thinking that ghosts weren't real as well.
"Stop scaring Sam," Jin said, looking towards his roommate, "sometimes you really do talk too much".
"All I am saying is that your aura has been rather romantically conflicted," Liam answered, raising his hooded eyes towards Jin, "I actually thought that the one you fancied was S…"
"Okay! Enough of this talk", Jin said quickly, rushing to his roommate, "I am on a quest to find a girlfriend now. Who cares about what my aura was like?" He glared at Liam, who just lazily shrugged his slight shoulders.
"Just observing," Liam said sluggishly.
"Now what is this about a new girlfriend?"
Everybody turned around and saw Patrick walking up to them, his gait slow and seductive.
"I thought I felt the mood blackening" Liam whispered. Patrick shot a dirty look at the boy.
"Dorm head" Jin said, smiling widely at him, "I decided that I needed to find a girlfriend"
"I know that" Patrick answered, "I don't think there is anybody at SB who didn't hear your shout".
"You are popular with the ladies," Jin said, moving up to him, "do you know of any girls that could possibly be interested in me?"
"Ahhh, you have come to the right boy," Patrick said, pulling a small but thick black book out of his pocket and handing it over to Jin. Jin opened the book and looked through it. It was filled with girl's names and their numbers.
"You can't be serious" Sam said, looking over Jin's shoulder at the book, "boys keep 'little black books' as well? I thought that was only a girl's thing"
"When you are as popular as I am, you have to use all methods at your disposal," Patrick answered, smiling down at Sam.
"Why do you have guy's numbers in here as well?" Jin asked, flipping through the pages. Patrick snatched the book from him.
"Do you want this or not?" he demanded, waving the book in front of Jin.
"Yes, yes, of course I do!" Jin answered.
"Then don't ask questions," Patrick answered, tossing the tome back at him, "last time that I will help you with anything" he mumbled.
"Dorm leader," Liam said, eyes glassed over, "why is your aura so embarrassed?"
"Embarrassed? My au…stop talking nonsense!" Patrick said, shooting another dirty glance at Liam before walking up to Jin.
"This book has the name and number of virtually every student at our sister school," he said, tapping the book, "I am sure that you will use it wisely"
"This is wicked!" Jin said, beaming.
"But these are only their numbers," Patrick continued, "in order to woo a girl, you must behave in a certain manner. You must tone down your energy a little and remember to always stay cool"
"You know what this reminds me of?" Jin gushed, completely ignoring Patrick's words, "it reminds me of Harry Potter! You know when Fred and George give Harry the Marauders Map? This is like that! Except instead of giving me secret passageways out of the school, you are giving me secret passageways into ladies' hearts!"
Patrick just stared at Jin for a few moments, completely dumbstruck. "You are a complete loss. Good luck trying to wrangle a poor girl to date you," he said, walking away.
"Dorm leader—thank you!!" Jin cried out. Patrick just shook his head.
"I am going to get a girlfriend for sure!" Jin cried, excitedly looking through the book.
"But how?" Sam asked, "all that are in there are girl's numbers. You can't just randomly call one up and talk to them, that would be too weird…even for you"
"You are right," Jin said, slowly closing the book, "but what can I do? I have all of their names right here. I don't want to waste them…"
"Give me the book," Liam said, holding a thin arm out, "maybe I can read their auras through their names and tell you one that will match well with you".
"No way!" Jin cried, clutching the book tightly, "there is no way that I am going to let you read my future girlfriend's aura! That is too creepy!"
"Well what else can you do?" Sam asked. Jin shrugged his shoulders.
"How about you just go to our sister school and see if there is any girl that interest you there," Liam suggested. Jin turned slowly to him.
"Liam…" he said, "I think you might have just had your first good idea ever"
"Go to our sister school?" Sam asked, "how far away is it?"
"Not far, maybe a twenty minute walk," Jin answered, "Saint Catherine's School for Young Ladies…you must have seen it on your way here." Sam strained to think of what she saw on the cab ride over.
"Oh, was it that large place with the nice garden in front of it?" she asked. Jin nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, That is SC" he said, "the home of my future girlfriend"
"Well, good luck finding her!" Sam said, giving Jin a thumbs up. He looked at her, confused.
"Wait, aren't you going to come with me?" he asked. Sam looked at him, startled.
"What…me? Come with you?" she asked.
"Of course, you are my best friend. I need your opinion about which girl is right for me" Jin said. Sam shook her head.
"It's best if I didn't go, Jin. I am not really in the mood. Plus, I need to be here in case Artemis comes back" she said.
"Oh," Jin said, "well then I will wait until tomorrow then! Hopefully you will be in a better mood!"
"What? No—go on without me, Jin" Sam said hurriedly, "I am sure you will be able to find a girl without me"
"Oh please, how am I supposed to find a girl without my best friend's approval?" Jin scoffed, "worry not—we shall go tomorrow. For right now, just take care of yourself and Artemis"
"Oh...okay" Sam said. Jin patted her on the shoulder before sheepishly moving away.
"Just remember, if things get nasty and you need someone to talk to, just come on over," he said.
"I know a good tea broth that will soothe the spirits," Liam added in, smiling softly at her. Sam nodded her head. It was times such at this that made her extremely thankful to have such good friends. It seemed that no matter what he mood was, Jin was always able to make her feel better. And Liam…though he was a little creepy, he was still a great guy at heart.
It is going to be hard to leave these two once I have to go back home, Sam thought ruefully, looking up at the two of them.
"Go back to your room and rest for a little before Artemis comes back," Jin said, "you'll need to have a clear mind to argue with him"
"Yeah, you're right" Sam said, walking back towards her room, "thank you both"
"No problem" Jin said, "and remember. Don't let Artemis get to you. He isn't really great at dealing with other people"
"Oh, I know," Sam said, going back inside her room, "see you both later".
She entered her room and closed the door behind her. Jin's girlfriend problems had been a good distraction, but now that was over for now, her problem started creeping back on her.
"We will talk about this later"
Those words kept playing through her mind, over and over. At least he had said that he was willing to talk about it. But what did that mean? Was he considering taking her with him? Was he off trying to request a room change? Sam was so confused that her head started to spin.
She clutched her head and sat down on Artemis's bed, afraid that she would fall over. I'm thinking too much, she thought, I shouldn't wear myself out like this.
But she couldn't help it; she continued to think of various possibilities until she became drowsy with mental exertion. She closed her heavy eyes and drifted off into a very troubled sleep.
"Hey, who gave you permission to sleep on my bed?"
Sam's eyes shot open and she immediately sat up, bumping her head on the top of the bed.
"Ow" she cried, nestling her head. She peeked out from between her arms and saw a very annoyed and slightly amused looking Artemis staring down at her.
"Oh, sorry" Sam cried, getting up out of the bed, "I was tired and I just sat down. I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep!" She looked out the window, it was already dark. Damn, how long have I been sleeping for, she thought to herself.
"Next time you feel like passing out, do it on your own bed," Artemis answered, looking at his sheets distastefully, "I am going to have to get these fumigated now"
"I don't have any sort of disease!" Sam cried, scowling, "fumigated! Don't you think that is going a little overboard?"
Artemis just looked at the little girl in front of him. He had been thinking about her all day, wondering what there was in her that made him want to trust her. It was her grandmother, he decided. After finally getting his father back, Artemis understood a thing or two about familial bonds.
"Your grandmother…did you care for her deeply?" Artemis asked. Sam looked at him suddenly.
"She raised me," she answered, "ever since I was little I saw her as more of a mother than a grandma."
"You need to learn how to answer questions" Artemis said, impatiently, "did you care for her deeply?"
"Yes," Sam answered, "I did. I still do"
Artemis sighed and leaned back against the bed. He could barely believe what he was about to do. He had been making excuses for his actions the whole day—that Sam already knew about faeries, that she had noble intentions, that she had the drive and courage necessary. But when it truly came down to it, none of those things even mattered. For the first time in Artemis's highly scientific and logical life, something just felt right. He couldn't explain it, but looking at Sam he knew what the right thing was.
"Sam," he said slowly, "I want to take you to meet the faeries"
A/N: Alright, there it is!! Hope that it was enjoyable! Please comment and tell me what you think about it!! Or if you have plot ideas or shipping requests-- those are always welcome as well! Just let me know how I am doing! Gracias y besos!!