Chapter 37

Visitors

RECAP:

I felt my eyes getting heavier, and was about to doze off when there was an eager and loud 'Knock! Knock!' at my door.

Ugh, I was very tempted to just ignore it, but then the knocking got louder. It was as if the person on the other side knew what I was doing. Whoever it was probably did. I'm not known for being kind when interruped, but I am known for always answering the door.

"Ugh," I groaned again as I forced my self up from the couch. I dragged myself to the door, not even bothering to put on a 'nice' face.

"Yes?" I snapped, swinging the door open, not at all surprised by who I saw standing there.

Holly's POV:

"Whoa, is this how you greet your fave female centaur?" Caballine asked tucking her long, chestnut hair behind her ears.

"Yep," I replied popping the 'p'.

"Charming," she sighed. "I can see why you and Foaly get along so well."

I chuckled at the thought of my old friend. We had known each other forever. And sarcasm was practically a part of our daily lives. Ahh, Foaly. You'd be surprised by how many commented on how similar we are. She definitely wasn't the first to say it and wouldn't be the last.

"Come on in," I sighed, steppin aside to let her in. She sashayed in, and casually slapped my leg with her tail. This is a way that centaurs greet their good friends.

"So, how was your weekend?" she asked standng since I had no centaur-approved chairs.

"Great," I shrugged. "Would you like some carrots or an apple or somethng else." Thankfully she and Foaly come by enough for me to keep things like that around here.

"No thanks. I just ate."

"Well, what brings you to my part of town?" Foaly and Caballine live in a nicer part of Haven on the other side of the city. Caballine always says that she'd like to live here more. But with the money that those two make, it would be almost shameful to the public's ever-watchful eye.

"Oh,I was just curious to see how your weekend was. Ha, it's more like she was nosy and had to see what I did for my weekend.

"It was.. great. I had fun."

"You keep saying that, but what did you do?" she said rolling her eyes and trying not to stamp her hooves in frustration. It's so funny when you think about a civilized woman like her stomping like a child. All centaurs don't do it, but Foaly does. Honestly, it's like they were made for each other.

"Well, Juliet and I went shopping all day," I cringed as I thought of my awful dressing room experiences and of all the stupid, girly clothes that Juliet had bought for me. Ugh, the things that I do to make my friends happuy. Though, the look on Arty's face is going to be my reward.

"Shopping!" She screeched loud enough for a dog on the street to hear. "You went shopping?"

"Yes," I winced. "What's wrong with that?"

"You never go shopping with em, and it takes about three weeks to get you to agree to to go to the mall at all," she huffed. Great. Her feelings were hurt. They always say that elves are overly-emotional. Obviously those people have never met a centaur before.

"Are you jealous?" I smirked, unable to help me.

"No," she huffed and I could tell that she really meant it.

"Are you mad then?"

"Yes," she pouted and poked her bottom lip out.

"What about if I agree to go on a shopping trip with you?"

"Really?" she gasped, forgetting about pretending to be angry.

"Really, I promise."

That pacified Caballine since she knows that I never break promises. Though, this is one of those times that I would definitely be willing to do so. "Cool, so, what else did you do?"

"Nothing," I lied. Hmm, I wonder what she'd say if she knew that I had danced with Arty at a club. I involuntarily shuddered at the thought of the squeal that would inevitably come.

"Holly, you cannot lie to me. I have a built-in bull shit meter."

"Are you implying that I may not be telling the truth?" I asked with raised eyebrows and wounded pride.

"No, I'm not implying anything. I'm simply stating a fact."

You have to love her brashness. "Nothing happened," I blurted.

Callie's face spread out into a grin. "I never said anything did happen. Oh wow, something did, didn't it?" she took my silence for all of the answer that she needed. "Besides, if nothing happened then you ought to be able to talk about it."

"Fine, but for the record: this statement is under duress and can't be used against me," I stated. "And it better not end up on PPTV." PPTV is the fairy television station that Caballine works for during the day. Most of the shows are suitable. But there is also a large amount of gossip items too. Frond knows that my name has been slung through the mud more times than I can count.

"Honestly, Holly, I'm wounded." And you might have believed her if she hadn't been grinning like a cheschire cat. "I don't mix business and friendship. Any thing that we say is between us."

"Of course," I replied rolling my eyes and using my 'sarcastic' voice.

"Andy you're not under duress at all. I haven't forced you to do anything. This case would never even get to Council."

"Oh please, you're annoying me so much that I have to tell you to get a moment's peace," I chuckled. "After spending ten minutes with you then I'm sure that the Council would see it my way. Especially considering who your husband is."

I must say that some of the Council really hates Foaly. Quite a few of them appreciate him as both a genius and a friend. But the same number think of him as being... smart-assed. (Forgive the pun) They prefer for their suboordinates to act as such instead of equals. Needless to say, Foaly does not tolerate that sort of treatment and that doesn't exactly endear him to those unnamed memebers of the Council.

"Hey, I'm not annoying," she pouted, proving my point. "And Foaly is cute, sweet, and a real stallion in the sack."

"Oh, ewww! Don't tell me that! It's like hearing about your parents," I groaned in disgust. Ugh, more than I ever needed or wanted to know.

Caballine chuckled to herself. "If you don't tell me what you did yesterday then I'm going to tell you all of the dirty details," she threatened. The worst part is that I know that she is 100% serious.

"What if I stick my fingers into my ears and scream 'la-lala-la' as loud as I can?"

"Holly!" she said stomping her hooves in irritation.

"Hehe, sorry," I giggled. "I'll tell you about it."

"About time," she muttered.

I went ahead and told her the whole story of my stay on the surface. "Whoa, you and Artemis danced, hung out and talked but he had no idea of who you really were?" she asked in amazement.

"Yep," I replied, popping the 'p'.

"That's hilarious to think that you two had your first date and he'll never even know about it."

"It wasn't a date," I protested. "Besides, he didn't even know who I was."

"Whatever," she said appeasingly, but you could tell that she didn't really agree. "But you two need to get together all ready."

"Not going to happen."

"We'll see," she replied with a mischevious glint in her eyes.

"Caballine..." I threatened.

"I'm not gonna do anything," she promised. Though, her fingers or hooves were probably crossed. It's hard to know what to expect from her at times.

"Of course not."

So, Caballine and I talked about a few other subjects and people for about twenty more minutes before she streched and yawned. "Soor to leave so soon, Holly. But Foaly is at home alone with Flash and Mayne."

Mayne was Foaly's super computer genius nephew. Yes, he's a genius, but he's also a rambunctious kid.

Flash was Foaly and Caballine's son. He's about four or five. He was a cute little guy who also happened to be my godson. He reminded me a lot of his father. His thick brown hair in a ponytail (no pun intended.{but it's still hilarious}) down his back, large brown eyes, shiny chesnut coat, and skin that's very tan for someone who lives underground. Frond knos that he's very active (unlike Foaly) and quite smart.

Put those two together with a highly-strung, paranoid father and you have a recipe for disaster. "Go. Make sure that you still have a house left standing."

She chuckled as she walked out of the door that I held open fo her."Kiss the boys for me."

"I will," she assured. She reached down, very far down, and hugged me. "Bye-bye."

"Bye," I replied as I watched her clomp down the street and turn until that I couldn't see her anymore.

I went back inside and sut the door behind me. Ugh, back to what I was doing before. Which was sitting on the couch and watching a drama-type rerun.

Thirty minutes later, I wwas just getting into it when there was a knock on my door. It was probably Foaly on his way home from work or maybe even Vinyaya. I sighed as I went and opened the door.

So, I was wrong. It wasn't Foaly or Vinyaya. Caoomander Trouble Kelp was standing at my door.

Wow, Trouble. I hadn't been alone with Trouble since he... professed his love for me. I guess he decided to seek me out. Great, I bet some cosmic force was really getting a few laughs out of this.

"Hey, Holly," he smiled, looking me up and down. "Wow, you look amazing."

"Thanks," I smiled, but inside I was grimacing. Ugh, I wish I had changed out of this stupid minidress. I glanced down to make sure that my dress was appropriate as it could get. "You look nice too."

And he did. He was wearing a blue V-neck t-shirt that was straining against his muscular chest. His biceps bulged underneath his dark, slightly shimmering skin. Hmm, obviously, he must have ran over here. His legs were encased in a pair of tight, dark blue jeans. His long auburn fringe was flopping in front of his sparkling purple eyes.

So, yeah, he looked nice. Any hot-blooded woman would admit the same. Yes, Trouble is a handsome elf, but a pretty face is not what I'm looking for.

"Thank you," he grinned. He looked like he was waiting for something, but I wasn't going to say anything. "Mind if I come in?"

I sighed internally. The real answer... yes, I mind, but was I going to say that? No. "Come on in." And I stepped back so that he could sweep in. When he came in, his hip slightly into mine. Now, I'm not nearly paranoid enough to believe that it was on purpose. No, that was more of Foaly's department. Even though, I knew it wasn't on purpose, I still didn't like it.

Trouble sat down in his usual chair and I sat on the couch. This reminded me so much of the last ime that Trouble had decided to grace me with his prescence at my house, and I definitely didn't want any repeat performances.

"So, how was your surface trip?" he asked.

"Umm, it was great. I'll have that report to you and Foaly first thing in the morning," I promised.

"Thank you, Holly. But I didn't mean from a business perspective," he explained with a chuckle.

"Oh?" I feigned surprise. "How did you mean it then, Commander?"

"I meant it to be from a personal stand point, Holly." Personal? How surprising. Though the fact that he didn't chastise me for using his rank was surprising.

"Oh, it was fun. I did a bit of shopping with Juliet Butler."

"Hmm, is taht where you picked up that attractive little outfit?"

"Yes sir," I nodded.

"We're outside of the office, Holly. No need for 'sirs' or 'Commanders'. Just Trouble is fine." Of course. How do you tell someone that you'd prefer to be professional.

"Fine, Trubs," I smirked using his old nickname to annoy him.

"Anything but 'Trubs'," he begged.

I folded my arms across my chest. "Take it or leave it," I ordered hoping that he would leave it so that it would be easier to be formal around him.

"Fine," he huffed. "Though, I don't mind it nearly as much when you're the one who calls me that."

"Hmm," I muttered, eager to change the subject. "So, are there any important pending cases waiting for me?"

"Changing the subject?" I knew that he just did it to show that he knew what was going on. "And no. There are very few files for you to deal with."

"Thankfully," I sighed in relief. I love being a major, I love helping the People, but I don't and won't ever love the paperwork that goes on along with it.

We just sat there in silence for a few minutes. We both looked at the flickering screen, but neither of us was really watching. "So.." he began. "I sort of had an alterior motive in coming over here."

I wanted to pull a Juliet and say 'no duh', but I decided that I needed to at least try to be an adult. "Really?"

"Yes. I suppose you remember the last time that I was here?"

How could I forget it? My boss professing his love for me? That isn't an everyday occurence for me, and so not one that I could forget. I didn't really know what I was supposed to say to that idiotic question. I considered just saying no that I had no idea. Though, I knew it wouldn't be the truth. So, once again I just nodded.

"I told you that I loved you?" I nodded, hoping against all hopes that he would recind it.

"Weeell, you haven't said anything. In fact, you've been avoiding me."

I could have called his claims ridiculous and said that I hadn't been avoiding him, I'd just been busy. But he was right. I was avoiding him. I don't want to lose one of my friends, but I just don't feel that way for Trouble. He's a wonderful man and will make some woman very happy, but he's not the one for me.

"Holly? Talk to me, please?" he begged.

"Trouble, you're one of my favorite people under the world, but I just don't feel that way for you." There, I was honest. Now, it was time to let the chips fall as they will.

"You're not with or wanting anyone else, are you?"

"No, I don't want anyone," I replied honestly.

"Not even that mud boy, Artemis Fowl?" Deja Vu.

My mind wandered back to last night's dream and the way Arty's lips felt on my skin. "No. Not him either."

Trouble exhaled a deep sigh of relief. "Then, I still have a chance." Grr. That man is incorrigable. He never gives up. In a commander, it's a very attractive quality but in unwanted attention... it's just plain annoying.

"Trouble," I said very seriously as I looked into his deep purple eyes. "Don't. I don't want to hurt you."

"I'm a big boy, Holly," he said with his usual reckless grin. "I can handle myself."

I didn't say anything, because I didn't know what to say. What's a nice way to say taht I'm not interested and never will be? I had no idea, so I just stared him down.

"I suppose that you know that I had an ulterior motive to visiting you today?"

"Nooo," I gasped. Well, he had said it twice. That was pretty much giving me permission to be sarcastic. "I thought that you had come by just to see how my trip was."

"Defensive, are we? And using sarcasm too?"

That was when I really realized that, yes, I was frustrated with Trouble, but that I really shouldn't take it out on him. "Sorry. I suppose you just rubbed me the wrong way for a minute."

He broke out into a blinding grin. "Well, I guess that it's nice to know that I can rub you." Ugh, innuendoes. And that one was not clever or veiled in the slightest. I wonder did he expect me to respond to that.

When he saw my scowl, he changed the subject rather quickly. "Well, actually, I wanted to see if you wanted to grab some sim-coffee with me?"

"Sorry, Trouble. I can't," I said, sounding very much like I ws actually sorry.

Trouble raised one of his thick brows. "I didn't say when." Ooops, maybe I should have waited for him to ask me for a specific date. Not that it matters. The answer will always be the same.

"Fine when?" I felt like I was losing my own game. WWAD? What would Artemsi do? Outwit him by superior intellect and then belittle him until he was nothing but a broken shell. Oh, if only Arty really was here.

"Saturday," he offered.

"Sorry."

"Next week sometime?" he suggested.

"I can't," I replied, mournfully though it was just an act.

"Next month," he snapped, getting frustrated. Another of his faults. He has no patience.

"I'm busy," I lied.

"Three months from now?" Wow, that's pretty desperate. Who knew that I was such a hot commodity? Unfortunately, attention is not the type of thing that I enjoy.

"I'm unavaliable," I shrugged.

"Holly! How on Earth do you know what you're going to do in three months?" he demanded, angrily. I guess I can't really blame him, but he should take the hint and realize that we're better off as just friends.

I know when it's best to just ignore someone, so I just shrugged.

"So, I'm going to assume that it's not your bursting social calendar. Rather, its me."

I nodded, not quite able to meet his eyes. Trouble pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Why don't you go out with me? What is it about me that you don't like?"

"Trouble, there's nothing about you that I don't like," I smiled. Even at the end of the day, you have to love Trouble. It's an unavoidable fact. "But I all ready told you why we can't go out."

"Because you want to protect my reputation?" he scowled, darkening his realatively handsome face.

"Yes, you're a commandr now."

"What if I don't care about what people say about me?" he challenged.

"Well, it's good one of us does," I threw back.

"You shouldn't," he groaned. "I don't care what they say about me."

"Well, do you care about what the People will say about me?" I demanded.

Before this, he had been looking angry but all of a sudden, all of that drained out of his face. "I thought that you were worried about me."

"I'm worried about the of us."

"You've told me about why you worry about me. Why are you worried about yourself?" I had expected him to sound hurt or upset. But he just sounded... curious.

"Trouble, you know how sexist the LEP is," I explained, trying not to sound like I was whining. "If anything happens then the blame will fall on me. I'll be responsible. They won't hesitate to black-ball me and I may even lose the job that I love."

"Holly, I promise that I won't let that happen."

"Trouble don't you see? You can't always protect me. I have to take care of myself."

"You don't always have to," he protested. "You need other people."

"I understand and I'll know where to turn to." I never said that it was him, but of course, he automatically assumed that it was. Not that I blame him. It would follow our line of conversation exactly.

He raised his hand and looked into my eyes as he stroked my face from ear to cheek and back again. I didn't say a word, but my back stiffened so that it was as straight as a board.

"Holly? Why don't you cover that eye with a contact?" he asked out of the blue. Obviously he was referring to what used to be Arty's eye. It did seem to disturb fairies. They felt like it was watching them. Like Arty was watching them. They may hate it, but I happen to like it.

"Why would I?" I demanded. "It's a part of me."

"You mean, it's a part of him."

"It was," I shrugged.

"It's kind of... creepy," he muttered. "It's like he's always watching me."

"Yes I can see that," I admitted since I had heard it so much. "But remember that it's just me."

"Nothing I say can get you to get it changed?" he asked.

"No," I shook my head. "I'm happy like this." The way he spoke seemd to have a double meaning and so did my words. He was practically asking me if I would ever go out with him, and I was trying to tell him that I'm perfectly content with my life just the way it is. Meaning, I love being single with two different color eyes.

"Hey, I loved this show," he grinned.

It seemed so random. I glanced at the televison. "Ugh, Amelia Rose." She was a red-headed pixie with freckles and looked a lot like Opal Koboi. Besides, she wasn't very good at her job. Unfortunately, she is also on a lot of shows.

"You don't like her?"

"Not really."

"Why?" he asked curiously. I just shrugged. There's no real readon, it's just a feeling that I get about certain people.

Without another word, he picked up the remote and flipped to an old romance movie. "Mind if I stay to watch it?" he pleaded.

"Of course not," I lied. "I don't mind at all."

He smiled happily. "Great."

We sat on the couch, almost uncomfortably close. It was your typical sappy romance. There was the brave heroine who was to love and the handsome stranger that she meets. He falls for her and she falls for him, but refuses to admit it. She gets scared when the man admits his feelings, and she separates herself from him. They both live miserable for a few weeks until she realizes that she can't live without him. She finds him, he acts like he won't forgive her, but he does eventually take her back. And they all live happily ever after. Ugh, after you've seen one then you've seen them all.

All through the movie, I kept trying to resist rolling my eyes at the acting in the movie and the elf sitting beside me. He kept trying to put his arm around me and I kept sliding out from under it. Once again, he was persistent. I finally got tired of moving around. So, I jut sat back with his arm perched on the top of the couch and around my shoulders.

When the movie ended, I glanced at the clock on my wall. It read 8:45 pm, but Trouble didn't say anything. Infct, if possible, he was getting even more relaxed. Since he wasn't going to say anyting then I was going to have to. "It's getting pretty late."

"Yeah, it is. I should probably go," he replied reluctantly. Thankully, Trouble has never really been slow on this sort of uptake (But when it comes to dating, it's obviously different) and took the hint.

"Okay, it was nice to see you."

"You too. We should do this again next time. I should probably bring food though," he joked.

"Umm, yeah," I stammered, though he was asking me to go with him to an at-home dinner date.

"Bye Holly," he said at the door. He turned to me and stroked my face. I tried to pull away, but he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into a kiss. Yes, I could have gotten away, but that would have been very painful for him. I must be an idiot. A little pain on his part will save me a lot of pain and annoyance.

With the way my arms were pent, I had two choices. Cos tapa, the ancient 'quick foot' martial arts or just kicking him in the crotch. Both ways would do a lot of damage and I didn't want to add that to my concious. And of course, I didn't want to permanently hurt him either.

Back to his kiss. It was probably good by most women's standards. It was warm and inviting. His tonguewas playful and his taste pleasurable. But I'd had better in my dreams. Arty's kiss had been so real and so much... better. It was almost like Artemis understood parts of me that Trouble would never be able to begin to fathom.

No, stop right there. Neither Artemis or Trouble really know me. This kiss with Trouble is nothing, and the ones with Artemis were just dreams that were brought on by hormonal confusion due to my friends constant buzzings in my ear. I am not pathetic enough to day dream over kisses that are just fantasies.

Thankfully, Trouble finally pulled back. "Night, Holly," he whispered close to my ear, tweaking the point just slightly. I'd like to say that I was strong, but I wasn't. I moaned involuntarily. Involuntarily becasue the ear and its point is the second most erotically sensitive location on the elf body. Second only to... well you know. I couldn't resist the sensation that it sent sweeping through me. Don't blame me, blame my anatomy.

Fortunately for him he turned and strode out of the door, closing it behind him. Ugh, I just groaned as I went back and plopped down on my couch. Okay, there's only so much that you can denuy. This was not one of those things. It's official. Trouble is in love with me and wants to go on a date with me.

When I first heard it, it really surprised me. But in hindsight, it wasn't very shocking at all. Trouble's been my friend through college. He knows me pretty well and always showed my respect. In fact, he even used to flirt with me.

The question was: how do I feel about him? Do I love him? The answer came to me very quickly. Yes, I love him. I love him like I love Foaly, Caballine, Mulch and all of my other friends. There were no feelings beyond that. I don't want to break his heart, but I don't know any other way to get him to leave me alone.

And that kiss. It was unexpected and very.. underwhelming. In fact, it was downright disappointing. I touched my lips. There was no tingle, no spark to even remind me that it had ever happened. That's exactly what I need to do. I need to forget it. As far as I am concerned, it never happened.

Ugh, enough sitting here thinking about it. I looked down at my little fress. I needed to put on something that was a little more...me.

I went into my room and saw all of my shopping bags clustered around my bed. Hmm, I hadn't even noticed that they weren't in my living room. There was a note on top of the bed. I went and picked it up. The handwriting was Foaly's blunt script.

Holly,

I know you wanted these things in your living room, but unfortunately my intern was working on the transportation device. (You just can't find good help these days.) Well anyway, he changed the settings and your things ended up in your bedroom instead. Sorry for the inconvienence. Talk to you tomorrow.

-Foaly.

Foaly. His poor intern. I bet he had gotten the lecture of his life. I chuckled to myself as I opened up one of my drawers.

I pulled off the little purple dress and held it up. It really was pretty. The belt glimmered in the light. I was still smiling as I folded it and placed it in the drawer. Then, I reached into the topmost one and pulled out a green tank top and some black, knee-length yoga pants.

Next, I went into the bathroom and began my nightly routine. The brush was exactly where I left it I picked it up and brushed my hair until it was perfectly straight. I cocked my head at the girl in the mirror. She was so pretty. Her long auburn hair, surrounded her oval face. I loved the way that I looked, but I wanted to try something different.

That's when I remembered what Lili Frond had said. So, I fluffed my hair out, and it flowed down to my shoulders like a red waterfall. Great, I thought smirking at myself. I have sex hair.

I was about to try another style when there was another knock at the door. Ugh, it was probably Trouble coming back to say something else to me. I really didn't want to answer. But it's bad manners not to, especially if they know that you're home.

I groaned again as I trudged into my living room and finally to the front door. "Yes Trouble?" I groaned and wrenched the door open.

"Trouble? Oooh lala..." said a person that was definitely not Trouble Kelp. No, Lili Frond was standing in my doorway with her long blond hair flowing in the artificial wind. Think of the devil... and she shall appear.

I just stared at her. yes, she had said that she wanted to be my friend, but I had never imagined seeing her at my house. I know it's what friends do. But are we really friends? Chances are that if I have to ask then it's a no.

"Hi Lili, how are you?"she asked herself. "Oh, I'm great. How about you, Holly?" She answered herself.

That snapped me out of my revere. "Hi Lili, how are you?" I repeated.

"Oh, I'm gret. How about you, Holly?"

I just shrugged. "Come on in," I said still unsure of how to react.

"Don't mind if I do," she giggled. "You look nice, by the way."

I regarded her skeptically as I looked down at my plain outfit. Though Lili's outfit was cute. She was wearing a deep red low cut shirt and a short black skirt. She had a high pair of black shoes with silver buckles on them. Her hair was fluffed like a model and her make-up was flawless.

"Thanks so do you."

We continued exchanging pleasantries as I led her into the living room. I plopped down on the couch and she did the same.

"Sooo... you wree expecting Trouble?" Not for a second did I think that she meant lower-case trouble. No, it was obvious that she was referring to Trouble who was nothing if not troubling.

"No, he already came to visit."

"Oooh, la la la," she laughed and wiggled her eyebrows at my mussed hair.

"No, no. It's not like that," I protested.

Lili just giggled. "I know."

"You know?" I asked. "How do you know?" Now, it wasn't like I wanted it to be true. But how did Lili know. Let's face it, Lili has a reputation for being dumber than a sack of bricks. Obviously, she's not as dumb as she looks. Though, I doubt that it's possible to be that much of an idiot.

"You know, I'm not as dumb as people think," she replied, making me blush for all of the the times that I thought that she was stupid. Well, this proves that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. "I know you and I know him too."

"Trouble's not the type of guy take advantage of a girl. And I have no doubt that you'd straighten him out if he tried."

"True," I agreed.

"Besides, I do believe that you prefer 'em tall, pale, and human," she smirked with a mischevious grin in her eyes.

I spoke like I would have to any of my other friends. Meaning, I did so without thinking. "Oh please, Frond. And to think that I was starting to get positive thoughts about your intelligence." I felt bad. No wonder I don't have many friends. I probably should snapped my hand over my mouth, but I resisted the urge. I just looked into her crystal, blue eyes.

She looked at me for a second with her mouth twitching. I thought she was going to yell at me, but she didn't. No, what she did was even more surprising. She burst out laughing. Her shoulders were shakng and tears were streaking down her face. "Wow, that was funny," she managed to gasp out between giggles.

I stared at her with wide, curious eyes. That just set her off again. She finally managed to settle down. "That's what I love about you, Holly. Not only are you hilarious, but you're also breath-takingly honest."

I looked at her with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," she nodded. "That's probably why it's taken me so long to try to be your friend. I've always secretly envied that."

My eyebrows shot up even higher, if that's possible. "You? Jealous of me?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" she aked. "You're everything that I'm not. You're funny, opionated, cute, everyone loves you, and you're the subject of most guy's fantasies. You were a great captain and an even better major." I could feel the raw emotion in her words. I really wanted to place my forehead on hers and probe into her emotions, but you can't do it on another fairy without permission.

I couldn't help, but laugh in shock. "But Lili, you're..." I began but she cut me off.

"I'm the blond bimbo who only gets attention because of my looks. No one cares about what I have to say. They just care about what I have to say. They just care about how tight my clothes are and how far they think my legs can go apart." She had a point. Until recently, I had never thought of her as anyting else. And now that I knew her, it made me feel awful.

"Everyone thinks that I'm dumb, but I actually graduated sixth in my class of forty." Yes, I remember now. I graduated second, just under Trouble. I had always assumed that Frond had been dead last.

"I...I'm sorry, Lili," I said honestly.

"It's okay," she smiled through the tears that were pooling in her eyes.

I threw my arms around her impulsively. She squeezed me back tightly. To most people this would seem like a rather sudden, but elves are notoriously emotional.

"You know, I was jealous of you too," I admitted. It didn't taste nearly as bitter as it would have a few weeks ago. No, now it felt like I was talking to a... a friend.

I saw Lili's ears prick up, a sure sign of interest in a fairy. "Really? Why?"

"You were pretty, had a way of bringing people around to your way of thinking, you always get what you want, you made everything look so...easy and, of course, every make in the LEP and in college wanted you."

"Wanted me to spread my legs, you mean. No, the guys liked a steady, dependable girl like you more."

"Whatever," I replied, blushing at the praise. "Say what you want."

She giggled. "Wow. If anyone had said that I'd be sitting in your living room or be your friend..."

"I know exactly what you mean." And I did. Until she said the word, I still hadn't equated her with being a friend. But now as I think about it, we really have bridged the gap and became friends.

"So, how was your surface trip?" she asked.

"Great," I smirked. "It was really fun."

"Ooooh, what did you do?" she giggled. "Did you see Artemis Fowl while you were up there?"

"Well, I went shopping and clubbing with Juliet Butler. And yes, I did see Artemis."

"Arty?" she giggled, and I just shrugged. "What did you two do?"

I knew Lili and I had just became friends, but I kind of trust. So, I told her everything. By the end, she was dying of laughter. "So the genius had no idea that it was you?"

"Nope, none," I laughed at the idea of Arty not knowing something.

"Oh wow, black-mail city baby."

"No," I smirked. "He's probably and some way to turn it back around on me."

Lili nodded in agreement. We spent the next hour or two just talking. She told me all about work, the people there, and a bunch of things about her. I did the same, and before I knew it, it was late.

"Oh, I have to go," Lili pouted. "But I really don't want to."

"I know. I was having so much fun," I said in surprise.

Lili sighed and stood up, reluctantly. "Well, see you in the morning," she said.

"Yeah, of course," I replied as I led her to the door.

She opened the door and in it. She looked at me shyly. "Bye," she grinned, throwing herself at me, and giving a big hug.

I returned the hug and gently patted her on the back. "Bye."

She pulled back and smiledat me before heading out to her small, black convertable. I watched her hop in and drive off into the 'night'.

I turned back into the house and closed and locked the door. The analog clock on my wall read midnight. Midnight. I had meant to be in bed a while ago. Normally, I may stay up a bit later, but was still somewhat shuttle lagged.

I sighed as a wave of exaustion descended on me. I clicked the light off and trudged my way to my room. Thankfully, I had turned the bed back earlier. I crawled in between the thick sheets and covered myself up. Within seconds, I was floating away. The last thing that touched my mind was the warm fuzzy memories of my new friend and of what tomorrow will bring.

A/N:

Whoo-hoo! Another Chapter down. Okay, so I hoped you enjoyed that one. A bit of a surprise on who the guests were, right? Sorry to disappoint anyone who thought that it would be Arty. Don't worry, he'll make his appearance. Oh, and the next few chapters will be in Holly's POV and in diary form.

Anyway, I plan on updating soon. Keep reading. Note that this is my main focus at the moment and that I have a ton of stuff all ready written for it. Yes, the Haven parts are almost done being written. However, I will be doing two chapters of my Slumber party story before I come back to this one. Check it out!

So, yeah, thanks to all of my reviewers and people who added me or this story to favorites. I love you reading and I'll keep writing. Oh and remember to review. Flames are welcome. They're what keep me warm and toasty at night. ;)

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