Tips For When You Jump into the Deep

By: Forgotten Sunrise

AN: Thank you so much to xXJayjayXx, Kaity-lynn and ilex-ferox for reviewing! They've been both helpful and encouraging p. I hope you like this cahppie here, It's a lot longer than the rest. Six printed pages! New record for this chapter p R&R

When will I see you again?
When will our hearts beat together?
Are we in love or just friends?
Is this my beginning or is this the end?
When will I see you again?

-Three Degrees, When Will I see you Again

Chapter 4: Second Impressions

The weekend went by far too fast for Artemis. Though, then again, there was nothing in the world that could have extended the weekend long enough for Artemis. There was nothing in the world that could prepare him for the silent battle he was about to fight once more. The first time he and Xia had crossed paths, he had been caught completely off guard by her forwardness, by meek manner, her intelligence and her beauty. Not this time though. He'd make sure that Xia wouldn't find a way to cut him open again.

On the eve of school's start, Roger helped Juliet move her things to her room near by, leaving Artemis to his own devices. Just the way he liked it. He laid in his bed, reading the latest online version of the UW medical review, when his mobile rang. He quickly checked the I.D. For a fraction of a second, he thought it might be Xia. But she never called. He gave a half smile as he saw the number and quickly slid is cell open.
"Bonsoir mon cher Minerva."

"And a good evening to you as well Artemis."

"To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Oh, nothing I can think of as of yet. To be honest, I was just thinking about our time on the Riviera... That day seems like it was an eternity ago."

"Indeed. But, it was an enlightening day, I would say. For the both of us."

"We need to discus how to move forward with…well…"

It was a situation in which neither of them had much experience and Minerva found herself stumbling as she tried to string her thoughts into words.

"Our relationship? Of course we do. However, I believe this conversation would be better held in person."

"Normally I would agree but, I didn't know when I would see you again."

"I believe that we have a visitor day set up for the twenty-third this month. Would you be able to come visit then?"

There was silence for a moment as she checked her calendar

"I don't see why not. So I shall talk to you then about…Us. Au revoir."

"Good night." Artemis said then ended the call with a sigh. Truth be told, he liked Minerva, but he really didn't want a girlfriend at the moment. He desperately hoped that she felt the same. Artemis was about to go back to his reading, when a familiar voice interrupted.

"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 "The twenty-third would be the perfect day for her to come BTW. Me and Xia still have to work some things out, but that's when we're going to have Homecoming formal!"

Artemis narrowed his eyes at Roger's use of chat speech mixed into general conversation. Absolutely dreadful!

"Would it hurt you to say 'By the way,'? And I'm not going to Homecoming formal. I never do."

Roger huffed a laugh and shook his head before going to pick up the last of Juliet's bags.

"If that's what you think mate, if that's what you think."

The sun came through the window pane and hit Artemis's face like fire blast from hell. He did not wish to wake, but fate had different plans. He turned over and placed the pillow over his head to block the vicious rays of the sun, but he couldn't block out Roger singing.

"Jeal-ous-y, turning saints in-to the sea, Swim-ing through sick lull-a-bies, Chok-ing on you ali-bis, But it's just the price I pay, Des-tin-y is call-ing me, O-pen up my eager eyes ay ays, I'm Mr. Brightside!"

"What has you in such a grand mood this morning?" Artemis asked grudgingly as he swung his legs over the side of the bed to get up.

"It's the last first day of school!" Roger proclaimed happily as he loosely tied his tie around his neck. "After this year well never have to come back here again!"

"I suppose that's a legitimate reason to be happy," He said as he picked up the cloths Butler had left out for him to wear and then disappeared into the bathroom to take a nice, warm shower. When he emerged some fifteen minutes later, he was surprise to fine a note from Roger on his pillow, which read:

Left to pick Juliet up- Wish me luck! )
-R.P.D

Poor Butler, was all Artemis could think. Roger had set his sights on her, and now he would stop at nothing until he had her heart in his collection of broken promises, or found another girl to chase. He threw the note away, making a mental note to have a chat to Roger about leaving his Butler be, grabbed his coat and opened the door. He immediately wished he hadn't once he saw who was standing in the threshold, prepare to knock on the door. Of all the people who could have been on the other-side of the door, it would have to be Xia Perry. No matter though, he would just say hi politely to her then excuse himself by saying he was in a rush for a meeting.

"Oh Artemis! I knew you were back from your…hiatus, but I didn't expect to see you!" Xia said in her melodic voice as she wrapped her arms around him for a tight hug.

Oh crap, He thought. He had forgotten just how wonderful her voice sounded. How gorgeous her eyes were. How intoxicating her smell was...Oh gods, he thought. I can't breath.

"Xia…I can't breath…" he managed to sputter out using the last bit of breathe she wasn't able to squeeze out of him.

"Oh! Sorry Artemis, I'm just so…overwhelmed? Dear heavens, Artemis Fowl! What in God's name are you doing here?" she asked accusingly as if he had just done something horribly wrong.

"Mother much rather me stay here, where she knows I can't get into too much trouble." He mental kicked himself. He was insighting general conversation with the girl when he had meant to brush her off.

"Ah, well, your time would be much better spent catching up with your family I think. I heard you have two little brothers now! Well I hate to cut this short, but I have an early meeting to run off to. I had come for Roger, but it looks like he's gone…I'm s'pose to be in a meeting with Mrs. Swan right now, because she's freaking out, if you care to believe that, then I must talk to Guiney about some last minute schedule changes for us girls. I'm so glad it's only the seniors I have to worry about here, this morning is about to be hell! I'll catch up with you later Artemis. Ciao!" And then Xia left. With a spin of her heels, she was gone down the corridor and headed off the Principle Guiney's office.

She had dismissed him. She didn't even give him a chance to say 'bye'. He briefly wondered why he was bothered by that, if that's exactly what he wanted.

Artemis had arrived to the dinning hall just a few minutes before Roger and Butler finished their meal. Like always, Nathan and David were seated with them, and a new girl, with short Caribbean blue hair, was there as well. She had latched herself to David's arm like a barnacle.

"Wow Fowl, you actually showed up!" David said with surprise.

"Yah, normally if you're not here before us, you don't show up at all…" Nathan said as he stuffed the last bit of toast and eggs he had in his mouth.

"Yes, well, a lot of us aren't acting normal this morning. Back-to-school jitters perhaps?" Artemis said as he shot a quick, callous, glance at Roger, who wasn't too slow to miss it.

"I see you found the cloths and book bag I left out for you," Butler said, scooting over so that Artemis could sit between her and Roger. "Did you see the lunch box and Teddy too?"

"You're over doing yourself Butler, it was completely unnecessary. But yes I did see them. Thank you."

Juliet smiled brightly.
"I remember when you started kindergarten, you didn't want the lunch box or Teddy back then either. Pity, pity…Something's never change. Well if you're not going to need me, I'm going to head up to my room now. There's this special on TaiPei boxing starting in an hour and I don't want to miss it. I'll see you guys later! Have a good first day! And it was nice meeting you Maféia." Juliet added as she waved good bye to the table.

"TTYL, my Juliet. I'll be seeing you after classes' right?" Butler just laughed and gave him a quick hug.

"We'll see, we'll see." And with that, she gracefully turned away and headed for her room.

"I think we should leave too," said the girl named Maféia to David. Her accent was a thick blend of French and German. Though, soft as it was, it was a voice that definitely got people's attention, much like Xia's. "I really want to see who is in my first block. Come now, David." She said as she stood up.

"Yah good idea Faye. You coming Nathan?" David asked.

"Yah, Xia is s'pose to be in the same first period as I am!"

Maféia smiled warmly at Nathan. Apparently, everyone knew exactly how much Nathan liked Xia. And who could blame him?

"Alright Faye, David, Nate, we'll see you in first period then."
Maféia gave Roger a warm smile, before her eyes landed on Artemis and then she gave him the coldest, most callous look a girl with bobbed blue hair and baby pale skin could muster. Artemis, in turn, gave her his classic pointed stare.

"Goodbye, Roger!" she said lightly after her intensive stare down with Artemis, then disappeared into the crowed of students along with David and Nathan.
When the group had gone away out of ear shot, Roger turned his focus back to Artemis, his face somewhat grim.

"What on earth did you do to leave such a bad impression on Faye?"

AN: Hoped you liked that! Reviews would be dearly appreciated

F.S

Next time….

"Roger…Don't you dare put that sodium rock in that bucket."

"Why? It's just water? What bad could it do?" He asked as he dropped the tiny rock into the bucket of water. It started to fizz almost instantly. "Uh-oh…"