Chapter 31
Dancing: Holinda and Artemis part 1
A/N:
Well, here's the new chapter. I'd just like to thank each and every one of you who tried to help me get songs for this chapter. This Chapter is dedicated solely to you guys for the help. I love you all.
Disclaimer: I Do not own the characters or any of the songs that I used.
I finally got it together and I hope that you like it.
RECAP:
"Dance with me."
Holly's POV:
I looked at Artemis. Had I heard what I thought that I had heard? There was no way that I could have. Artemis does not dance. "Come again?"
"Didn't you hear me?" he asked grinning, making it obvious that he knew that I had heard him. Artemis. Just as arrogant as ever.
"I thought that I did, but I think I heard wrong."
"What do you think that you heard?" he asked.
I smiled a little. "I thought that I heard you say 'dance with me'.'"
"You heard correctly," he said with a small grin. "I did request that you dance with me."
Oh, so I didn't suddenly develop selective hearing. I guess that's good up to a point. "Why?" I demanded, blushing all the same. This is another moment where I wonder if some part of him knows that it's me or if he's attracted to 'Holinda'.
"Well," he stalled, still grinning. "There are only three things to do at a club, and dancing is the most worthwhile."
"And those three are?"
"Well, meet someone of the opposite sex," he shrugged.
"Check," I grinned. "What else have you got?"
"Dancing, which is definitely the best of the options," he assured me.
"Let me hear the last one."
Artemis fidgeted a bit. He was obviously not sure that I would like it. "Get sloppy drunk." Wow, no wonder he wanted to keep it to himself.
I burst out laughing. It was too funny to keep in. Arty's face was full of horror, and I just couldn't control myself. "Well, with choices like that I guess the answer's obvious."
"So?" he asked. "You'll dance with me?" Now, when did I say that. He could be so manipulative when he wanted to be, and at the moment he definitely wanted to be.
"I don't know..." I trailed off, though I knew very well.
"What have you got to lose?" he demanded all of a sudden.
"My dignity," I suggested. "Or maybe my pride."
Artemis chuckled. "I don't think that you could lose either. I saw you dancing earlier, so believe me when I say you won't lose anything. Besides, your pride seems to be armor plated."
I resisted responding to the last jab, because I knew that was what he wanted. "Oh, you saw that?" I asked blushing. Now, if he found out that I was me then I could never live it down. Wonderful.
"Who didn't?" he smirked and I blushed even harder. "It was quite... riveting. No man in his right mind could look away."
"Flattery will get you no where," I chided like a mother to a naughty child.
Artemis laughed even louder. "On the contrary, I believe that flattery will get us both exactly where we want to be."
"And where's that?" I demanded, though I all ready knew that he meant the dancefloor. At first, I would have said that I was acting dumb, but at the moment, I would use the word 'coy'.
"Out there," he said indicating, of course, the dance floor. He looked into my eyes and I lost myself again. "So, will you dance with me?" That's the amazing thing about Artemis. He doesn't have to twist your arm to get you to do something. He just has to be himself.
"Fine, I'll dance with you," I submitted. "But for the record: It's because you wore me down."
"I assure you that that is perfectly all right. As long as I win in the end." Now, this was more like the Arty that I knew. He always has to win, and I had played right into his hand.
"And you always win?" I asked, hoping that I wasn't really just the pawn in one of his games.
"Usually," he grinned. He didn't expound. I couldn't help but remember the twelve year old kid that had beaten us all those years ago. He had grown and changed but winning was still a part of him.
"Well, then prepare to be surprised."
"I always am," he shrugged. "Now, let's go."
He already had my hand. He held it a bit tighter s he led me to the dancefloor. It was almost like he thought I was about to make a run for it. Ha, he should be so lucky. "Wait a sec," I ordered as I pulled my hand from his.
"What?" he asked, concerned.
I shimmied out of my bolero and left it on the chair. "I don't want to get too hot," I shrugged. I had definitely learned my lesson from the last time.
I have to admit that I took pleasure form how he was looking at me. It wasn't pleasure like a woman who's interested in a man. It's more like the pleasure any woman feels when she knows that she's being admired. It was just to stroke my own vanity. I watched his eyes went up and down my body. I saw his eyes linger on my boots and my long legs. I watched his eyes travel all the way down and back up again.
I took this as an opprotunity to really look at him for the first time. All I can say is: wow. He looked...great. He was wearing a tight pair of black, dress pants and some white and black (insert gasp here) converse sneaker. Wow, I had never seen him in converse. They looked very nice on him.
I continued my inspection. He had on a sky blue shirt that matched his eyes perfectly. The shirt was covered by a black vest that came from a suit. His sleeves were up to show how strong his arms had become. The shirt was unbuttoned far enough to show a much more muscular chest.
My eyes finally made it up to his face. What little fat that he had had was gone and his face had been shaped to look much more adult and masculine. His mismatched eyes looked clearer and his brows were darker and heavier. His tousled, devil-may-care black hairstyle gave him an easy-going look that I had never seen before. There was no denying it, Artemis was now a man. He was not the child that I remebered. He had changed even in the last few months. One word: Woof! Adonis had nothing on him tonight.
I had long since finished my inspection, but Arty was still looking. "You may want to wipe away the drool," I said.
"I could say the same to you," he grinned and I blushed. I had not thought that he had seen me looking at him. Great, now I looked like some desperate fan-girl. I didn't think that I could meet his eye. Thankfully, he looked away.
"Don't let it go to your head," I cautioned. Of course, even before I said it I knew that it was impossible.
"That's not possible," he said with that cocky smirk of his. Of course it's not. Frond, I hope that he never finds out that I'm me. I will never live this down.
"C'mon let's go dance." I had never needed a subject change more.
"Oh, so now you want to dance?" he smirked.
The D.J. saved me from answering. "Ladies and gentleman, first of all I'd like to remind you that I do take requests," he announced. "Second, I'd like to welcome you all to the Phenom tonight. We have a special night here tonight. It's our monthly sunrise celebration." The D.J. was cut off by a roaring cheer from the crowd.
I turned to the only person around who seemed to know what was going on. Who always knows what's going on. "You don't happen to know what that means do you?" I asked Arty.
"It means that tonight the club will stay open until sunrise." I could hear the disgust in his voice. I don't think he'll stay that long. But unfortunately, Juliet will. Especially, if she's with Emory. I seriously hope that he's nothing like his brother. If he is then heads (his) will roll. Though, with a brother like Butler around, I'm sure that she's pretty safe.
Finally, the cheering stopped and the D.J. came back on. "We'll be partying all night. So, don't be afraid to get your boogy on."
"Shall we?" Arty asked as he pulled me up the stairs to the dance floor. He seemed content to stay around the edge (like I had been earlier), but if I had to suffer then so did he.
"Uh-uh," I chided, dragging him to the center of the floor. His eyes looked wide and worried. Perfect.
"Don't worry," I whispered as the D.J. turned on the first song. 'Take it Off' by Ke$ha. This song was sort of old now, but it had a fantastic dance beat.
When the dark Of the night comes around.
That's the time, That the animal comes alive.
Looking for Something wild.
I had to start out with a bang. I pulled Arty close and moved my hips. His hands were on my waist and surprisingly he could actually dance. He kept to the beat really well.
Got a water bottle full of whiskey In my handbag.
Got my drunk text on I'll regret it in the mornin'
But tonight I don't give a. I don't give a...
When they Take It they Take It Take It Off.
Lose your mind. Lose it now. Lose your clothes In the crowd.
We're delirious. Tear it down 'Til the sun comes back Take It Off. Right now! TAKE IT OFF!
Right now! TAKE IT OFF!
I grabbed Arty's shirt and every time the song said 'take it off' I grabbed it and pulled like I was going to take it off. I wouldn't have minded doing it, but we were in a public venue.
"Did you think this was gonna be that easy?" I whispered as we finished out the song. Artemis looked at me and laughed.
"Hell no, you must be going crazy," he grinned and I laughed like crazy. It was nice to spend unbinded time with him. To see the real person that was inside instead of the carefully crafted persona.
The next song started up. I recognized this one too. 'He said, she said' by Ashley Tisdale. This one was definitely good for a dance.
Boy walkin' the spot, he's so fresh and
he got what he need to impress and
just look at the way that he dressin'
Ain't no question, chicks like 'oh'.
This was Artemis's part, and he took to it with amazing finesse. He started 'swag' walking to me. Then he popped his collar and spun around. Then he pointed at me to show that it was my turn. Okay, I was definitely not going to let him outclass me.
Girl walkin' the spot. She stop traffic.
I stalked up to Arty.
She blowin' her mind with your asset
I did the only thing that I could think of. I was right in front of Arty when I dropped it to the floor and brought it back up.
So Jessica Alba fantastic.
Instant classic, boys like 'whoa'.
So, then Arty moved close to me and we began to move together. I rocked my hips to the beat and stroked his face. We were moving and dancing and touching as the song demanded.
Baby I can see us movin' like that Baby I can see us touchin like that
Baby I can see us kissin like that
We don't need no more than "he said, she said."
Baby I can see us movin' like that Baby I can see us touchin like that
Baby I can see us kissin like that We don't need no more than "he said, she said."
He said "you're amazing." she said "then why you waitin? no more deliberatin' What you doin? Let's get to it.
Boy actin' as if there's no pressure. He do anything to get with her. he say anything to convince her. money spent, two diamonds sent her
Girls playing it cool but she's with it. She's loving the fact that she's gifted. Everything that he do she gets lifted.
feel so wicked, feels like 'oh'.
At this point, we had moved back close together. He had a hand on my waist and was rocking back and forth with me. His arms were so strong and comfortable as we moved.
One night with you, just one night with you. All the things we could do.
Everyday I think of one night with you. No one else but us two.
All our dreams would come true. If we'd just get together.
I was right in front of Arty. I ran my hands up and down, his shirt front. One night with him. I just think of all the things that I could do with just one night.
He said "you're amazing." she said "then why you waitin? no more deliberatin' What you doin? Let's get to it.
"You're amazing," Artemis whispered into my ear.
"Then why you waitin?" I asked thinking of the double-meaning my words and voice could have. "What you doin'? Let's get to it."
You're gonna like it. You're gonna want it. You're gonna like it.
"I already do," Artemis whispered into my ear and I felt a shudder fly up my spine. I wonder what he means. What does he like? Or did he mean 'want?'
That song ended and not a moment too soon. I couldn't help but think of what he had said. Either way, it's best to push it out of my mind for the moment.
The next song was one that I knew would make Arty cringe. I couldn't resist. I could tell that he wanted to leave, but this was way too good to miss out on. I stood resolutely where I was as Katy Perry's 'Peacock' came on.
Word on the street, you got somethin' to show me, ee
Magical, colorful, Mr. Mystery, ee
I'm intrigued, for a peek, heard it's fascinating
I grabbed Arty by the collar and pulled him close. He responded by putting his arms around me.
Come on baby let me see
What you're hiding underneath
As soon as it said 'underneath' I dropped to the floor, so that I was almost level with his zipper.
Words up your sleeve
Such a tease
Wanna see the show
In 3D, a movie
Heard it's beautiful
Be the judge
And my girls gonna take a vote
I stood up and shook my hips. I ran my hands through my hair and got closer and closer to Arty. He knew it was just a dance so he made sure to emphasize the...package.
Come on baby let me see
What you're hiding underneath
I want the jaw droppin, eye popin, head turnin, body shockin
(Uh, oh, uh, uh, oh)
I want my heart throbbin, ground shakin, show stoppin, amazin
(Uh, oh, uh, uh, oh)
With each description, I got closer and moved my hips faster. Artemis looked a bit worried, but he followed. Soon enough, I was so close that my hip bumped him everytime that I wiggled. I saw Minerva and pumped it into high gear. I got even closer and moved even faster. I was close to his face and let my nose skim his skin. Ha, joke's on her. I hope she's enjoying the show.
Oh my good no exaggeration
Boy all this time was worth the waiting
I just shed a tear
I'm so unprepared
You got the finest architecture
End of the rainbow looking treasure
Such a sight to see
And this all for me
I wanna see your peacock, cock, cock
Artemis and I pumped our hips to the last beat of the song. I could see that his face was red. I suppose a song and my proximity to his 'peacock' could do that to a person. I glanced over and saw Minerva. I grinned at her angry face. She looked like she was about to combust. And I have to admit, that I'd never seen anything so funny.
I was looking forward to the next song. The fates must have been looking out for me, because the next song was perfect for messing with Minerva. It was Kaci Battalgia's 'Crazy Possessive.'
Ohhh I got your crazy
I'm going out of my mind
I got right in front of Arty and started to shake my hips. I made the crazy symbol as I body rolled closer to him. All the while, I was looking at Minerva.
I think I'm crazy
I think I'm going out of my mind
You call me crazy
I thought I saw you touching my guy
Are you crazy?
Maybe I should take you outside
And show you crazy
Ohhh I got your crazy
Every time the word 'crazy' came on I would circle my finger around my temple in the universal sign for crazy. I moved my hips and touched 'my guy' on the face and body. All of my dance was pointed at her. In fact, whenever it said 'you' I'd point to her. It was funny to see her face sieze up as she heard the part about taking her out and beating her.
A little hazy
Maybe I'm just losing my mind
At this point, I melted closer to Artemis like I was sinking into his arms from weakness. Her eyes bulged out of her head.
I think your shady
I know that you've been calling my guy
Are you crazy?
Now I'm gonna take you outside And show you crazy
Ohhh I got your crazy
I had my arms draped around Arty's shoulders and was still wiggling around. I kept up the pointing, and I saw her face redden in anger and frustration. Ha, serves her right.
Call my man again and imma **** you up, and imma **** you up, and imma **** you up
Touch my man again and imma **** you up, and imma **** you up
And then you call me your best friend, and then you call me your best friend
I stepped away from Arty and did body rolls as I pointed at her to let her know who I was really talking to. She may have never called me her best friend, but this was definitely hitting one of her sore spots. Artemis noticed what I was doing and reciprocated.
Perfect.
Call me crazy
Everytime that I turn around
I spun around with my arms still around Arty. He moved and put his hands on my waist.
You want my baby
Ohhh but I'm his lady
Am I possessive?
Just because I'm claiming what's mine
Your crossing the line
I wiggled my hips to his front to show that Minerva wasn't his. (a/n: Watch the video and imagine the booty-rub on the little guard rail.)
Why are you constantly calling him up
To pick you up
Let me know now
How can you call me your best friend
Then turn around and secretly text him
You call me crazy
Ohhh I got your crazy
I pulled Artemis even closer, if that's possible. I stalked around him, facing Minerva. My hands never left his body and my hips were never too far from his body. I guess I probably did seem very possesive and probably not a little crazy.
Call my man again and imma **** you up, and imma **** you up, and imma **** you up
Touch my man again and imma **** you up, and imma **** you up
I did my fighting scene again. Minerva was getting paler and paler, and Artemis was drifting between laughing and being confused. I can't really blame him.
And then you call me your best friend, and then you call me your best friend
They calling me crazy
They say I'm crazy
They call me crazy
They think I'm crazy
Ohhh I got your crazy
"They call me crazy. They say I'm crazy. They think I'm crazy." I whispered in Arty's ear.
"Picking fights?" he asked. "I'd say they were right." He smiled and I knew that he was joking. It was pretty funny, but you know that I have to have the last word.
"Ohhh, I got your crazy."
Call my man again and imma **** you up, and imma **** you up, and imma **** you up
Touch my man again and imma **** you up, and imma **** you up
Ohhh I got your crazy
For the last stanza I had to go all out. I put my body into it and stalked close to Minerva. I got right in her face and put my finger in her face to the beat. When the song ended, she looked ready to cry. Some part of me felt bad, but the rest felt a sort of savage revenge.
Minerva turned and stomped away, leaving me at the end of the dance floor. I turned around and went back to my dance-partner. He was smiling a bit crookedly.
"I know what you were doing," he whispered in my ear.
"I was never hiding it," I replied as he chuckled.
"Quite the dramatist, aren't you?" he asked.
"I try," I giggled.
He was about to reply when the D.J.'s voice crackled over the loud-speaker."All right, we've had more than enough upbeat songs tonight. Let's take it to the slow songs for all of the new couples out here."
He took a few more moments talking, but I didn't listen. I had turned and was about to walk off, when Arty caught my hand.l "Leaving?" he asked.
"Um, it's for couples. And it's slow dancing." I said it like that should explain everything and in a way it should have. I would have thought that he would have walked away from it.
"Yes? And?" he aksed and I looked at him incredulously. "We're a couple of friends and it's just a dance."
I looked in his eyes, unsure of what I should say. Before I could make a descion, he played his trump card. "Please?" No, I am not such a softie that the word 'please' can get me to do anything. But, it's so rare that Artemis asks instead of persuades, that it makes me a bit more inclined to do what he wishes. Yes, I know it's a form of manipulation. And no, I don't really care since it's not hurting anyone.
"Fine," I grumbled. Artemis looked so happy. He pulled me back to the center of the floor and the first relatively slow song came on.
Arty was a bit shorter than me due to the heels. Luckily, that didn't really affect us. He put one hand on my waist, as high as he possibly could. He used the other hand to grip mine. I mirrored his positions and we were ready.
The song 'Pyramid' started in earnest. "Um, this is not going to work," I mumbled quietly.
He looked at me cautiously. I knew that he was worried that I was not having a good time. That was definitely not it, but there was a serious problem that needed to be addressed. "What's wrong?"
I let go of his hand and pulled the one on my waist lower. Now his hand was cupping my waist perfectly. I must admit, that they were much stronger and warm than I had imagined. Not that I spent time imagining this. Anyway... I held his hand again and tried to block out my thoughts.
"That's better," I said and he raised his eyebrows.
We glided across the floor and I couldn't look away from his deep multi-colored eyes. "Was that necessary?" he asked leading in a simple 1-2-3-4 pattern.
"Yes, this is much more comfortable for us both." And it was. I hated his hand up that high. This lower place was more comfortable and much more normal.
He nodded to conceed the point. "I thought that you might mind me holding you."
I thought about al lof hte times that he had held me over the years. "Never." I said it, but cursed afterward. He didn't know that I was Holly, so he probably thought that I was being really forward.
He looked at me strangely and I just shrugged. He could think what he wanted. It isn't like he'll see 'Holinda' again after this night.
That slow song ended and a quicker one came on. It was 'Pyramid' by Charice featuring Lyaz. Artemis was leading, and surprisingly he was good at it. I don't know why I'm surprised. I hate to admit it, but that mud boy is good at almost everything.
"This place is so beautiful," I whispered into his ear. "It seems so familiar."
"Aurora borealis," he said, still moving perfectly in step.
"The Northern lights?"
"Yes, among other things," he shrugged.
"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked as we just swayed to the music that was just a background at the moment.
"This place is set up to be a natural phenomena. The walls are a night scene with the twinkling stars. The strobe lights are the flashes from Aurora borealis or as you said, the northern lights."
His words made sense. As soon as he said it, I remebered the time that I had seen them during a mission in Canada. "I love it," I said looking at the lights more closely than I had before.
"Yes, though it is no substitute for the real thing."
"Nothing ever is," I said and he looked a t me strangely. I just shrugged. It seems like I'm doing that a lot tonight. Before he said anything else, that song ended and the next one came on. It was a fast tango.
Let me just say this. Artemis is very good at the tango. I know that I shouldn't be surprised by now, but I was. We twirled around the room. He spum me to the other side and then we met in the middle. I couldn't do the traditional leg-lifts due to my skirt, but we added a lot of personal moves.
Artemis twirled me away again and pulled me close so that his arms were around my waist and chest and my back was to his front. "Nice," I smiled. As I spoke I looked up into his eyes. As soon as I made eye contact he twirled me away. Then, he pulled me close and dipped me. I knew I couldn't lift my leg much, but I managed to arch it without revealing too much.
While we were moving, I felt amazing. It was like I was the only girl in the room. I would never admit it, but I felt like his attention was making me grow. It was nice to know taht he likes me. Though, I wonder which me he likes. I do intend to find out.
We continued to glide around for a few more songs. All I could think about were his hands. They were so strong and warm enough to feel through my clothes. And they felt soooo good on my waist. Stop! I refuse to think any more about that. Those thoughts are not conducive to my mental health and stability.
Thankfully the D.J. chose that moment to come on, "I'm sure that we've had enough slow songs," he chuckled and I could have sworn that he was looking at me. "Time to get back to the club jams."
At the moment that the had song ended, I was close to his chest in a dip. I was still there, and feeling a bit... strange. "Let's take a break," he said pulling me back up to an upright standing position.
"Why?" I asked. "Are you tired?"
"I refuse to dance to this song." It was kind of hard to imagine Artemis 'jerking'. It does a body good to see that he still has his pride. Not that he'd ever let go of it.
I laughed and tried to pull on his arm, but he wouldn't budge. "Fine," I submitted. "Let's go."
He smirked at me as he led me off of the floor. "Are you hot?" he asked while still holding my hand.
"Very," I admitted. Then, I realized what could have been gotten from my words. Great, now I probably sounded like I was coming on to him.
Thankfully he chose not to comment. "Would you like a drink?"
"I'd love another Cranberry Spritzer."
"So you wish it, so shall it be," he said and I laughed. I remember Juliet saying the same thing earlier. Somehow, it didn't sound as far off when he said to. Perhaps, it was just because I was used to a somewhat old cadence in his voice.
We walked to the bar and he sat me down on a stool that was right in front of the bartender. He didn't sit . No, he just stood and looked at the bartender. "One Cranberry spritzer, please?" he asked. The bartender pulled out a daquiri glass and mixed it like only an expert could.
He flashed me a smile as he slid it to me, but didn' say anything. Artemis paid the man, but turned his attention back to me rather quickly. "You're quite the dancer."
"You're not so bad yourself," I laughed. Unfortunately, I had sounded surprised. And Arty being Arty, picked right up on it.
"You sound surprised," he chided.
"So, maybe you don't look like the type to do down and dirty dancing at a club with a girl you just met," I shrugged. The only dancing that I could imagine him doing was...none until tonight. "Oh, and by the way you're a jerk." No, I was not being mean. Though I was doing it to get under his skin.
"Ugh," he shuddered. "One of the worst songs that I've ever heard."
"I don't know. There are a lot worse songs out there."
"Name five," he challenged.
"Fine," I fired back, always ready for a challenge. " girl, 2. Booty Dew, 3. Crank dat Soulja Boy 4. (beep) goin ham, 5. My humps, . Need I go one?"
"Please don't. I get your point and conceed." Woo-hoo! I just won one of our little 'who's right' competitons.
"So, what-?" I began but was cut off by a familiar voice.
"Guys, we've been looking for you," Juliet whined from beside me.
I turned around and saw Juliet standing with Shry, Mackenzie, Jasper, Emory, and Adonis. From what I could see Butler wasn't that far from us. I knew that he was probably reading our lips and watching me right now, but I really didn't care.
"We've been here," I shrugged.
"And where exactly is 'here'?" Juliet demanded with her hands on her hips.
"Here, there. Everywhere," I laughed. Juliet knew she wans't going to get a straight answer, so she just let it go.
"So, what have you been up to since we last saw you?"
"Oh, you know. Talking, getting to know each other, Minerva, dancing. Typical club stuff."
"Wait what?" Juliet asked. "What did you do?"
"Talk?" I asked though I knew what she meant.
"No, the one before the last one."
"Getting to know each other?" I asked innocently.
"After that and before dancing," she huffed, tired of this game. "You know, in the middle."
"Ooooh, Minerva."
"Yes, that one," Juliet clapped. "What happened?"
"She got jealous," I shrugged. It wasn't like it was my fault, but it was obvious to everyone that Juliet was not satisfied with that answer. So, she turned around to the only other person who had been present. Artemis.
"What happened Artemis?"
Artemis looked nervously between the two of us as if unsure of who to answer. I just nodded to indicate that he should tell them. No need to get into a long conversation about it. "We had an encounter with a man named Aiden and Minerva." I didn't really listen as he went through the details. I had been there so there was no point in reliving it.
"Whoa," Juliet said when he had finished.
Juliet's reaction wasn't the one that shocked me. It was Shry's that really bothered me. She turned angrily to Emory. "Did you know that your brother was drunk?" she demanded.
Emory put his hands up to defend him because anyone with eyes could see that she was about to attack."No, I swear that I didn't." As a cop, I can tell a lot about when someone's telling the truth (with the exception of Arty). He really did seem to be telling the truth.
"He rode with you, you saw him, and you couldn't tell," she scoffed. Her long hair was dishiveled and in her eyes as she shook her head. Her eyes were slightly frenzied. To put it nicely, she looked a bit... insane and upset.
Adonis tried to calm her. He put his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear. She looked a bit softened, but she stepped out of his embrace.
"No, he didn't ride with me. He never does when we go out. He wanted to talk with her," he said pointing to me. I knew that Arty was looking at me, but I ignored him.
"Besides, my brother used to have a drinking problem, but after several years of rehab he got over it," he admitted. "Even then, you could never tell when he had been drinking."
Shry looked skeptical and I decided that someone (me) needed to step in. "Shry, he's right. I couldn't tell that he was drunk and I'm an expert. He couldn't have known."
She looked into my eytes to see if I was angry or lying. I met her eyes and gave her a smile. "Okay," she grumbled. "I'm sorry, but if he had hurt her then he'd be done."
"I accept your apology," Emory said. "It's okay. I also apologize for my brother's bad behavior."
"It's okay. It's not like you could control him," I said to assure him.
"So..." Juliet asked to change the subject. "What else did you guys do?"
"Um, we danced," I told her.
"I know. We saw it," Shry smiled a bit. "Very impressive."
"Shry, it has been a while since I've seen you."
"Artemis," Shry smiled. "I've missed you." She stretched her arms out for a hug, and Artemis looked a bit shell-shocked. He stepped up to her and hugged her awkwardly. It was one of the funniest things that I'v ever seen. I wish I could have recorded the deer-in-the-headlights look that he was wearing.
"As have I," he said stepping back from the embrace. They continued to catch up, but I noticed that he kept looking at me. Juliet also saw this. So being who she is, Juliet had to interrupt.
"Hey Artemis, Shry. Tonight's for 's have some fun."
Artemis pulled himsielf from the conversation. "What did you have in mind?"
"More dancing, of course," she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Though, to her it probably was. But to be fair, she only wanted us all to have a good time. I had expected to be miserable, but tonight was actually really fun. Unfortunately, I was still going to have to pop Juliet's bubble.
"I am not dancing anymore tonight," I informed her.
"Aw, come on. You only danced with us once," she whined.
"No. Sorry." It wasn't hard to tell, but I really wasn't
So, of course Juliet would turn to Artemis for help. Some people cannot take no for an answer. "Artemis, get her to dance with us."
I don't know what I expected. Maybe, I thought that he was going to try to coerce me to go back on the floor. So, of course he had to go and do the opposite.
"Juliet, if she doesn't want to dance, then you can't make her," he chided.
She folded her arms and sulked like a spoiled teenager. I know from experience, how long one of these tantrums can last, so I tried to interrupt it before it could really start.
"Juliet are you staying until sunrise" I asked.
"Of course," she said jolted out of her bad mood as quickly as it had began. "We have to stay."
"Yeah, it''ll be fun," Shry laughed.
"Actually, I think I'll leave before that ," Artemis said and everyone except me turned and looked at him like he had lost his mind. Me? I agree with him, but Juliet almost had a fit.
"What?" she demanded. "How can you not stay?"
He took her outburst calmly, like he was used to it. And I'm sure that he is. "I don't want to," he shrugged. "And you can't make me."
I couldn't help it, I laughed. Both Juliet and Arty turned and looked at me like I had lost it. "I'm sorry," I managed to say between giggles. "But that sounded so much like a... pouty kid."
Juliet and Shry laughed right along with me since they knew how he'd take that. I had expected him to get angry or embarrassed. Unfortunately, I was wrong. He just laughed.
"Yes, I guess that I did," he chuckled.
"So, you're really not going to stay?" Juliet demanded after she had laughed enough. That girl has a one-track mind when she needs it. Of course most of the times she's a random kid.
"Definitely. Sure."
"Aww, that's too bad, Arty," she said frowning. "When are you gonna leave?"
"Hmm," he mumbled glancing at his watch. "It's 3:27, so... soon." 3:27. As in a.m. It definitely doesn't feel like we had been there that long. All of this time with Artemis felt like a temporary and extremely short dream.
"3:27? Are you sure?" Shry demanded with hands on her hips.
Artemis put on his most sarcastic grin. "I can read a watch, you know."
Shry was not one to be daunted by a smart remark. She was more like the type to offer her own in return. "Really? I didn't know that your intellect was sufficient enough to read an analog watch?" She sounded a lot more like a real genius at the moment.
"Yes. Well, I am surprised that your intellect allowed you to open a store at all. I'm still wondering... when did you finally learn how to count?"
"While you were still in diapers and trying to figure out how to say 'mama'."
"Haha," Artemis chuckled. "Fine, you win this time. But next time, I will be the winner."
"We'll see," Shry said rolling her eyes.
"As I was saying before I was interrupted," he began shooting Shry a chiding look. "I plan on leaving soon."
"Well, the rest of us want to stay. Right guys?" Juliet demanded. She can be so abrasive sometimes. She really should take on a political career.
Everyone except me nodded vigorously. Artemis, of course, noticed this and turned to me. "What about you Holinda?"
"well, I'm not really looking forward to stayinghere for the next three and a half hours," I shrugged. "But if Juliet's staying then I have to too."
"Well actually, you do have another option," he confirmed.
"Which is?" I demanded. His mind gaames start to become annoying very quickly unless you're Shry.
"Come with me," he said clearly. Even though he ehad spoken plainly, I was sure that I had misunderstood him. The others had their mouths open in shock, which confirmed what I'd thought that I'd heard.
He obviously realized that I was shocked. "I'll take you straight to the hotel," he promised. "I just don't want you to be here if you don't want to be." He was really concerned and that concern was interesting.
I turned to Juliet who still had her mouth open. "Do you mind?"
She quickly schooled her expression. "No, don't worry. Go ahead," she said. "I'll drop Butler by the manor." Butler, I had completely forgotten that he was here and had to get home. Well, at least Juliet remembered and had it covered.
"Well, are you ready to leave?" Artemis asked.
I glanced at my friends who wre still looking at us curiously. I could still change my mind and say no thanks. But my mouth answered before my brain could catch up with it. "Yes, lets."
End of Chapter
A/N:
Woo-hoo! Another Chapter down. Thankfully, I won't be doing this in Arty's POV. So, this is the last Phenom chapter.I hope to update this story soon. Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Oh and remember to review. Flames are welcome. They're what keep me warm and toasty at night. ;)
Oh, and thanks again to all who suggested songs. I may not have used them, but some will be used later. Thanks a ton.
Remember: Reviews = happy camper. Happy camper = quicker updates. Quicker updates = you reading more. It's a cycle. Keep it going!
Yours truly, madly, and deeply,
Einstinette