Chapter 74

NO!

Holly's POV:

Has the world suddenly forgotten the word 'no'? In my dictionary, it's a negative word affirming that someone does not want to do something. Well, someone should really inform Trouble Kelp about that.

Ever since Arty left, he's been almost annoyingly persistent. Not a day goes by when I don't find a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, or a teddy bear in my office. Each stupid note has a card with some sappy love quote and is signed 'from your secret admirer'. But everyone in the office knows that it's him.

I could forgive the gifts. I really could. But I cannot forgive the fact that he makes it a point to come into my office everyday when someone's watching.

There is nothing between us, but he makes it seem like there is which seriously damages our professional credibility. Without that credibility, then what are we?

Still, I could probably forgive all of that if he would just let me keep my home as a private place. But no, he makes it a point to drop by at least twice a week to declare his 'love' for me. In a way, this feels like an awful clichéd movie. Though, I hope it's not because I have no desire for a crazy stalker.

Anyway, today was one of Trouble's visit days and it went exactly like this.

It was a normal Saturday afternoon. I had just finished my training for the say and was relaxing in my favorite pair of shorts and a sports tank top. I had gone a bit over my standard time, so I was proud of myself.

Of course, that's when someone chose to knock at my door and disturb my usual bliss. I yanked the door open with a scowl on my face. After all, everyone knows that Saturday afternoons are my times. The only part of the whole week that I have to rest and think.

"Hey Holly," grinned none other than Trouble himself. His confidence, his calm assurity that I really want to see him. Ugh, never in my life has he made me angrier than he did in that moment.

"Trouble," I nodded, arms folded across my chest. "What is it?"

"Can I come in?"

Every part of me wanted to say no, an slam the door but apparently I'm too nice for that. Ugh, everyday I get more and more like Arty. "Fine. Come in." I stepped aside, letting him brush past me. Emphasis on brush.

He sat on the couch, patting the seat beside him, but I was not about to give him the satisfaction. Instead I sat on the very edge of my armchair. "What do you want?" I asked in the 'nicest' way that I could manage.

He sighed huffily. "Holly, I don't get what's going on with us. I send flowers, candy, teddy bears, and it all amounts to nothing."

Us? Really? He made me sound like an awful girlfriend, but in reality I wasn't even a girlfriend at all. "Trouble," I said forcing myself to look into those deep violet eyes. "We've talked about this. I don't like you like that. We're just friends. Your gifts are really sweet, but they're not going to change my mind about you."

"Holly, just stop for a second. I know that you can feel the heat, the fiery passion that is between us."

I stopped for a second, but there was nothing. No spark, no flame, nothing. All I felt was annoyance. Annoyance with him for being so persistent. And annoyance with myself for letting him in in the first place. "I don't. I'm sorry, but I don't feel anything."

He shook his head. "You just don't want to feel it. You're afraid."

"I'm not."

"You've been strange ever since that Fowl kid left. Did he do something to you?" I love the way that he emphasized the word 'kid'. Not to mention the fact that he had automatically assumed that Arty would corrupting me even though I'mmuch older than him. Honestly, if only he know what really had gone on while we were together.

"No. Why would you just assume that Art has done something to me?" I demanded irritably.

"Don't you see? He's fighting just as hard as I am. He's just better at it than I am," he pouted.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Really? He thought that he was in some sort of competition with Arty? No wonder he was asserting his masculinity all of a sudden. "Artemis isn't fighting for anything. He's just my best friend."

"That's what you think, but I actually talked to him while he was here. His only conversational topic was warning me to keep away from you."

I was shocked. Arty hadn't told me that he had had a run in with Trouble. Yet, this would explain his poor mood on the day that we visited Foaly and Mulch. "Really?"

"Yes, he was adamant as he went on to describe all of my flaws in detail." That does sound like Artemis to me. "I'm just wondering if it was him or me who would you choose?" Ooooh, I really didn't want to answer that. I didn't even want to think about it.

"Don't make me choose, Trouble…"

"No, please. I need to know." His violet eyes smoldered in a pale imitation of Arty's, but it was powerful…

But I did. A life without Trouble. Sad, but to be honest my other friends would replace him in time. Artemis, on the other hand. I couldn't even think of a future without his snarky comments. I don't know what I'd do without him in my life. It would all be… pointless because by now we would have been taken over by some evil fairy. "Him," I said. "Him."

"I thought so," he muttered, running his hands through his auburn hair. "I know he's fighting, but I want you to know that I'm never going to give you up."

I smiled sadly at him. "You should. Somewhere out there, there's a girl out there for you who can love you, and who'll accept you with open arms. Save yourself for her."

He stood up, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. "I've already found her." he leaned down, gently kissing my lips before walking out of the door.

Really? Earlier, I wondered if he knows the meaning of the word no. Obviously, he does not. So, for Christmas next year, I'm going to get him a dictionary.

I don't know how, but this is going to have to stop. I can't have him flirting. I don't like him, and I don't like the way that he talks about Arty. Only I can talk about him like that.

A/n:

Here's that long awaited update. I know it's been forever and a day, but it's not my fault. My brother was a jerk and wouldn't let me borrow his laptop. L

Any whoooo… I hope you liked the chapter. I'm going to try to update sooner, but I can't promise anything since my computer time is at the whim of my brother. But if you want more updates…Do any of you know a Kindle Fire app that will let me type something and then upload it to fan fiction. Preferably free. If so, let me know and if it works you get an awesome dedication chapter.

I really love you guys. Thanks again for being the best parts of my day.

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Einstinette