Tips For When you Jump into the Deep

By Forgotten Sunrise

AN: Now I'm sorry for the short chappies, but, hey, at least they're coming.

Don't step on this ground
I don't want to lose an inch of my freedom
I'll lose my soul if you steal my refuge
Leave my cloud and stay away
this is my refuge
play your dirty tricks, my friend
but leave my refuge

-P.Wanger Refuge

Chapter 3: Refuge

A few of the guys were indifferent to the whole situation. Some of the guys, most notably Nathan Smith, were completely elated by the idea. But the majority of the boys were petrified. Girls. Girls roaming the halls of their school. Their safe haven. Having one or two of them visit time to time was reasonable, but to have them stay there? Had Principal Guiney lost his mind? When the boys had to stay at Holy Names back in 1953, times had been different. It was okay. But surely not so in this new millennia. Saint Bartleby's was their save refuge from the cold realities of life. Behind the iron, keypad locked gates, the boys were save from nagging girlfriends; they really only had to put up with them for three days out of the week! But now that they were coming to stay, they would have to deal with them all week long. The thought of their squeals and gossip was enough to make some of the younger boys go prematurely grey. And space; the boys were spoiled when it came to space. Saint Bartleby had three hundred and seven students and only 298 took up residents. Though the rooms were designed to house up to four, there was never a need to house more than two. If Holy Names sent over all 352 girls, then the boys would have to sacrifice their spacious rooms for the girls comfort. It just wasn't fair.

For Artemis, however, his concern ran far deeper than the superficial notion of personal space and nagging women. Four years ago, Xia Perry became a tenant in his brain. She mystified him. That was the best way to describe what she did to his brain every time she was around. And the worst part was the fact that Artemis couldn't point out exactly what it was that she did that made him so, so terrified of her. At first he believed that it had to be her intelligence. She was the first human that he deemed to be just as capable as him. Then he speculated that it might be her placid nature. She seemed so docile it was almost spooky. But he knew better than to think that for too long. Being meek, he concluded, was an act she put on for others. One look into her deep, oak eyes told him that she was a fiery, independent, wild, force not to be reckoned with. He really didn't know what to think of Xia. All he knew was that he couldn't afford to think of her, because when he did, his head seem to cloud up, and seeing her again wouldn't help.

"Now," Guiney continued. "I recently talked to their student body president, Miss Perry. She has informed me that all primary students will be sent to smaller, more localized school. She also told me that Saint Mary's has also opened their doors in light of this horrid event and two-thirds of the girls will be going there. Only 32 girls will be coming to stay at Saint Bartleby's, so only the boys staying in Oliver hall will have to bunk up."

All the boys, except for the ones in Oliver hall cheered. At least most of their personal space had been salvaged. But Artemis felt a pitfall in his stomach. Principle Guiney words only confirmed Xia's return to him, for he was sure she'd be one of the 32.

"Now that that is settled, my final order of business for today will be to announce this year's class Governor." Guiney waved an envelope to the crowd before he opened it and took a look at the folded piece of paper.

"Gentlemen, will you please join me in welcoming in our new student Governor, Roger Douglas!"

The hall erupted into applause and cheers. Of course Roger had won the position of Student Governor. He was the most popular boy at school, and everybody knows that a school election is just another term for popularity contest.

Roger jumped from his seat, and made his victory lap around the dinning hall before he made his way up to Principle Guiney, and engulfed him in a bear hug.

"I just want to thank everyone that made this happen for me!" Roger began with mock gratitude.

"You do realize a speech isn't required-" Principle Guiney started, but Roger pressed on.

"Me Mom and Pops, all the fine young gents out there that believed enough in me to vote, my best mate Arty back there for being his snide self and not voting at all last year, his lovely lady friend for being so beautiful-I really must get you name and-"

"Mr. Douglas please-"

"Right, I got this one, Guiney." Roger said to dismiss his principle.

"I, as your class Governor, look forward to working closely with you all, along side with my cousin, Xia, and her girly friends, to make this the best year any of us have had!"

His peers jumped and applauded and cheered once more. All his peers that is, but Artemis. He was happy for his friend's victory, but he couldn't shake the uneasiness he felt knowing that Xia would, once again take harbor in his life whether or not he wanted her too.

AN: Yah, I think this was the shortest chapter I've ever written. It was a little less than 900 words, but it's about quality not quantity right? So let me know how the quality was

F.S

Now for a Sneak preview of the next chapter:

"Arty and Minnie sitting in a tree," Roger began to sing in a mocking tone. "K.I.S.S.I.N.G! First comes lust, then comes love, then comes some kiddies in a baby carriage!"

Artemis turned to raise a pale brow at his roommate. He didn't even realize that he had come back already.

"How long were you there?"

"Pretty much for the entire conversation." He said nonchalantly, but flashed him a wicked smile…