Chapter 88

Prom Night

Holly's POV:

The inside of the building was even more beautiful than the outside. The entire room was one large ballroom decorated by an expanse of lights and a massive stage that dominated the front section of the room. Everything glimmered brightly and twinkled like it was bathed in liquid gold. "Wow," I murmured. "It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you are."

I swatted his shoulders, but secretly I was somewhat flattered. Though I hate to admit it, I am a female and I enjoy compliments. Especially his compliments "So, Master Fowl. What do you want to do now that we're here?"

I glanced around at the bedecked boys all handsome in their way, but nothing compared to my Artemis. The girls all looked lovely in their dresses. Some long, some short, and some even shorter, some so short that they were not dresses at all.

Just as he was about to answer, a voice cut him off. "Artemis!" said a deep voice from behind us. "I didn't think I'd see you here!" The boy, if one could call him that was handsome. He was just a bit shorter than Artemis, his shoulders were broad and rippling with muscles that threatened to split his tuxedo. His dark brown hair fanned around his face and called attention to his startling green eyes.

"I do pride myself of being unpredictable," Arty replied with a flash of teeth.

"And you usually are," he laughed, a deep resonate sound that started somewhere in his belly. "Now, who is this?" The boy's gaze traveled up and down my body appreciatively, marking every bit of topography that he could see.

"Alexander Barnes of the Dublin Barnes. This is my wonderful girlfriend, Holly Short. Holly this Alexander."

"Zander actually," he corrected. He took my hand and shook it in his hard, strong grip. Excited guy, probably the life of the party. "Nice to meet you."

"You too."

"Man, Artemis, if I'd known you had a girlfriend this pretty…" he trailed off. My cheeks were red from the compliments. I grinned in spite of myself. This Zander was a real charmer to say the least. Something tells me, he has no shortage of admirers.

I glanced at Arty to try to comprehend what was going on in his head. But he looked so calm and unconcerned, the exact opposite of how I would be if someone was blatantly flirting with him. Well, if he wasn't worried then I suppose I don't have to either. After all, this gentle guy seemed too easy going to be concerned about.

Zander talked to us for a few more minutes before remembering that his date was still waiting for him by the punch bowl. Sweet, but forgettable. Just a typical teenage guy. "Sorry but I gotta go. Don't want to get in trouble. I'll talk to you two later."

Artemis returned with a half-hearted twitch of the hand that was probably supposed to be a wave. Well, coming from him, the attempt was equal to that of a spirited wave and a grin. "Good-bye."

"I like your friend." It was true. He was boisterous, funny, and sweet. The type of person that Artemis loves to spend time with, though he would probably never acknowledge that out loud. Especially not to him.

"We aren't friends." Of course not. And the sky is green.

"Trust me Artemis, you are. I know how you are with people that you can actually tolerate." In a word, he was tolerant. In many words, he wasn't glaring at you like you were a frog that he was waiting to dissect as he did with anyone beneath his notice.

"You're mistaken."

"Am not." Childish. This is a good reason for thinking before speaking. Unfortunately, it's something that I've never quite learned.

"I simply helped him with some homework and with his lacrosse game."

Had I heard that wrong? I must be going deaf. "You helped someone with a sport?" You helped someone directly when our worlds weren't in danger?

"I may not play, but that does not mean that I don't understand them. As a true genius, I know a bit of everything. Honestly, these sports are just simple physics, that amount of force necessary to carry a spherical object forward and the impact of wind direction on…"

"Stop! This is a date, not a lecture, remember?" That's the problem with dating a genius. Sometimes he forgot that not everyone in the room was as intelligent as he was.

"Of course. How could I forget when I'm with most beautiful woman in the world?"

"You, my dear, are full of it."

Before he could reply, another guy interrupted. "Hey Artemis."

And so it went. Guys would approach with their dates and we'd all be introduced. The guys would joke with Artemis and flirt with me. While the dates, some male and some female, would compliment me, which I'd readily return. Strangely enough out of all of the people, no one flirted with Artemis. Not really. Though I could see why. If I didn't know Arty, I'd find him… intimidating to say the least. I suppose others felt the same.

All the while, I felt like I was surrounded by a group at all times. It was stifling and annoying to me. I really would prefer some alone time with Artemis, but at the same time I was sort of proud of my boyfriend.

Arty actually seemed to have some friends outside of Foaly, Mulch, No. 1 and the rest of our group. It made me smile, knowing that all this time, he wasn't as lonely as I had thought. That some people seemed to like him, bad attitude and all.

It's not like I thought he was unlikable. More of the opposite really. But Arty had a knack for coming across as a jerk. He seemed to trend between angry and apathetic, annoyed and disappointed, but as you get to know him, you can see the good. You can see that he hates for people to suffer that he loves his family and friends more than he loves himself. And thankfully it seems that others had finally seen at least part of this same side.

We were still in the center of a rather large group when a familiar voice cries out. "Oh wow. What's going on over there?" No. Surely my luck is not this bad. Surely Karma is not this cruel.

The crowd parted allowing, her entrance into the center near Artemis and I. Well, I should never gamble, because apparently my luck really is that bad. Karma really is that cruel. Because standing directly in front of me is Minerva Paradizo in all of her 'glory'. She looked… well honestly, she looked like an expensive prostitute. A very expensive prostitute.

Her deep blue dress, the color of midnight was short. So short hat I could almost see her unmentionables. The top half was a turtle neck collar with silver embellishments that went down to her exposed bust. From there to her hips, the dress was composed of only a deep blue, see-through lace that showed quite a lot of milky skin. The back was nonexistent cut so low that the only fabric was just around her butt. Charming.

"Artemis!" she cooed, her voice and eyes taking on that of a savage predator, ready to destroy everything in front of her.. "You're here."

His arm tightened around my waist, and he forced a smile. "Minerva, it's wonderful to see you. I must say you look… amazing." Must say indeed. And 'amazing' is not the word that I would use. Skanky, scantily-clad, easy, desperate. Those are all words that come to mind when I am forced to think of her… outfit. Or perhaps work uniform is a more appropriate term.

"Thank you," she giggled, twirling around with her wild mane of hair flying and her skirt lifting just a bit more. A crucial bit. "Not nearly as lovely as your escort of the evening." Not even an idiot could misunderstand the connotations of her use of the word 'escort'. The entire group quieted, looking expectantly between the three of us. They wanted to see blood drawn and they didn't care who it belonged to.

"Yes, my girlfriend is the most beautiful woman that I know."

I giggled easily partly from Arty's words and partly from the look of pure malice that shone from her blue eyes. She was used to getting her way, but not this time. Not with Artemis and most certainly not with me.

"Oh stop," I giggled. "You are such a flatterer."

"Yes, Artemis is known to be… overgenerous in his praise," she laughed like we had been friends for a lifetime. "He also forgets his manners. I'm Minerva Paradizo, Artemis's best friend." She extended her hand, down like I should kiss it. Like I was beneath her. And in my mind, I was just thinking: his best friend? When had that happened, and why hadn't I been informed?

I shook her hand. Limp and unimpressive, just like its owner. "Holly Short, his girlfriend. It's funny. He's never mentioned you."

A flush of recognition colored her face, and her expression became more saccharine. "Oh Holly, I didn't recognize you. You've certainly grown up and filled out." Yes, now I was quite more than three feet tall. At least I seemed that way. It seemed that the genius was so unintelligent that she couldn't recognize the face of the woman that had saved her and her family from a madman.

"Comes from eating my veggies."

Her laughter rang high and false just like the rest of her. "I just have to apologize again. I'm sorry that I didn't recognize you." Bottom line. Oops, I just got caught lying in front of his fairy friend who's probably of no threat to me, because I know that he could not have a lasting relationship with her.

"Oh that's fine. You know what they say, you only get to know someone when they don't know you."

It was a pleasure to see that patronizing smile freeze in its place. There was the ice queen that I loved so much finally making her long awaited appearance.. "Well, regardless, you're much better than the last girl that he was seeing."

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Hollinda Briefs." she rolled her eyes. "She was a real skank. Short skirts, easy and rude. You would hate her."

Hate her? More than I hate Minerva? Impossible. "Actually I met her and she's a very sweet girl. One of the nicest most sincere girls that I've ever met." Her eyes widened. She wanted me to be angry , and I was. But not at Hollinda.

"Oh guys," she said, turning to the circle. "Give me a minute to talk to my friends."

Artemis' friends cleared their throats, and shuffled around nervously. They wanted to see this and I couldn't blame them. Had it been me, I would have been sitting front and center with a bucket of popcorn. Each of their faces showed concern, though I could not guess whom it was for. They moved out of the immediate circle, and back to a safe distance where they would still be able to hear us. Clever children.

With the audience gone, so was my attempt at civility. "What do you want, Paradizo?"

Her civility had been gone for quite a while, and now the dark, ugly personality underneath showed through clearly. A pity the onlookers couldn't see it up close and personally as I could . "My man, of course." Her man? Hmm, maybe if he was real, I could get Foaly to find him and get her out of my hair.

The laughter bubbled up inside of me, and I leant on Artemis for support, both emotional and physical. "He is not your man. He's mine."

"And how will that work, you with your… little condition?" My condition? My species. I hadn't known being a fairy was a disease.

"You're the scientist. You should know more so than I do that we're compatible." I ran a hand down his chest, enjoying the shudder and the twitching of her face.

"Physically, but he could never love you like he loves me."

"That's funny. He never mentions you when we're alone. And whenever he talks about love, it's my name that is on his lips." Mine and mine alone. And on the positive side, there are a lot more than words on those full, red lips.

"You're just a game that he's playing. He doesn't want to hurt you, but I am the only woman that he loves. You are in denial."

Woman? She's just a child, playing dress up. She wasn't ready for loving anyone but herself. For a moment, I felt sorry for her, but then a fire flared up inside of me. Who did she think she was? Trying to interrupt my relationship, trying to make herself seem better than she actually was, better than I am?

"He'd never hurt me because he cares for me. You, on the other hand, are just a little girl that he tolerates out of his own masochistic need to be polite."

"You're just in denial."

"No. You are. If you're sure that he's lying to me then answer me this, why am I on his arm, and why are you standing there looking bitter ?"

She was shaking with rage. In her mind, I had crossed a line. That didn't bother me at all, because I had only pushed her back to her side after she'd crossed over to mine. "If you're so sure of yourself then let Artemis answer."

"He already has. Remember that night in the club?"

Her brain was running through a list of questions. I could see it behind her eyes? How did I know? How could I know? Where had I been? "You're Hollinda Briefs."

"Congratulations," I applauded. "You're living up to your genius label. It only took me spelling it out for you."

"Ask him," she demanded, her voice shrill. "Ask him."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." I turned to Artemis. This felt so much like last time. But last time, I was nervous that he would choose her. That he would leave me. This time, I'm sure. He loves me just as much as I love him. He really does just want me. "Artemis… who do you love? Who do you want?"

He looked between us. His eyes were full of pity. I knew how much this was hurting him, to break the rules of chivalry and hurt a friend had to be painful to say the least. He locked his gaze on the girl standing across from us, daring her to make eye contact. When she did, he spoke slowly and clearly so there would be no misunderstandings. "Minerva, I have loved you since the first time that I met you, but only as my dear friend. Holly is the love of my life. I care for her like I've never cared for another. I'm sorry, but a friendship is all what we will ever have."

She looked crestfallen. Her smirk crumbled, and her eyes filled with tears. I'm one hundred percent sure that there is something wrong with me. Any normal person would have taken joy from her finally losing at a game that she was sure that she would win. Joy in myself for finally winning. But I only felt bad. I'd crushed her hopes and broken her heart.

I took a second to imagine myself in her place. What if Artemis had chosen her? I'd be broken. I'd be emotionally destroyed, a fragmented reflection of myself. Apparently my subconscious was controlling me because I stepped away from him towards Minerva with my arms outstretched. "Minerva, I'm so sorry."

All of her anger kicked up in a storm of fire and maelstrom. "You may have won him, but you have not broken me." At least , she had the spirit of a fighter who would take nothing from anyone, though in this case that would probably prove more harmful than helpful.

"And I don't want to break you. In a way, I admire you, your strong will and intelligence. In fact, I was jealous of you," I admitted for the first time out loud. I had hated her genius, her beauty, her similarities to Artemis, and that hate had colored all of my judgments of her.

"Really?" she demanded.

"Really. Artemis might not have been your knight in shining armor, but that doesn't mean he's not out there. You just have to search harder."

"You're such a lying bitch."

Sometimes kindness just didn't take. I shrugged. You can only try. "Believe me or not. If you want to talk, I'm just a phone call away."

"Why are you being so nice to me?" she demanded angrily.

"It's how she is. Kindness is her middle name," Artemis interjected. Actually it's Coral, but I'm happy to take the compliment.

She stared at him, her blue eyes searching for something that she could not describe. Finally, it seemed as though she had found it. She attempted a smile, but it just seemed hollow, fragile. "You're lucky then, very lucky."

"Indeed. Thank you," he nodded.

She stared with a far away look in her eyes. "I should get back to my date. I'd love it if you two would join me."

"Please excuse us, but I believe our song is about to play."

I heard the tell tale sound of the music. "Have fun," she waved switching off to a boy waiting in the corner. Maybe he could be strong enough to protect her from herself. I sincerely hope so.

"Care to dance?" he murmured.

"Of course." We relocated to the pulsing dance floor and began to move.

You're Insecure.

Don't know what for.

You're turning heads when you walk through the do-o-or…

"Since when do we have a song?" I asked. That had always seemed like something from couples in silly romantic comedies. It couldn't be real.

"Since our first date. It was the song that reminded me of you, remember?" Or maybe it could. Artemis has a way of making anything possible.

"How could I forget?" I had been jealous that night too, but he had endeavored to keep me calm, and had succeeded. Hopefully, this will not become a pattern with me. The last thing I want is to become the crazy girlfriend.

"Can I just tell you how perplexing you are?" his voice oozed with pride. "You were kind when you didn't have to be."

"I've been there emotionally. I'm not mean enough to just let someone suffer when I know that I could at least try to stop it."

"And I admire that about you. As I said before, you're amazing."

Amazing. The words on his lips were like sugar nourishing my body. "Care to repeat that?"

"You're amazing," he muttered, nuzzling my neck.

"You know you're pretty amazing yourself. Most of the time," I giggled thinking of Artemis and the person that he had become. The person that was here with me, giving me all that he had and asking for nothing in return.

"How so?"

I refused to give him the satisfaction of the moment. "You seem to have a lot of friends here."

He chuckled again. "I have no friends here."

I looked at him skeptically. No friends? Really? "All the guys who came over to talk to you?"

"Came only to see you and your unmatched beauty."

I blushed scarlet. "Not true. What about Zander?"

"One of the few exceptions, but still he spoke to me mainly in order to be graced by your smile."

"Or cursed."

"Oh no. Any expression from you can be nothing more than a heavenly blessing."

The two of us danced through the songs, some fast and others slow. The music itself was of little consequence to us. Rather it was just being there together and being able to enjoy the moment.

In general, I had had trouble imagining Artemis in a place like this surrounded by people his age, but he did actually seem to belong. For just right now, he was not a genius criminal mastermind. He was Artemis Fowl, my boyfriend and I was just Holly Short, his girlfriend. Who would have ever thought that this could feel so…right so…normal?

"Ladies and gentleman, I'm sorry to interrupt your good time, but it's the special time that we've all been waiting for. It's time to crown the prom king and queen. You've voted all night and here we go… drum roll please."

The responding drum roll pounded across the wooden ballroom, and I felt happy for whichever teen was lucky enough to win, imagining their excited face. They'd probably earned it through years of popularity and intimidating children who were weaker than them in some way.

"And the king and queen are…" Expectant pause and extended drum roll. "Artemis Fowl and Holly Short."

The whole world around me froze. He couldn't be serious. Had we just won king and queen? A stranger and the anti-social teen misfit? Could things really work out like that in real life? A part of me was sure that it could not, that he had somehow forged the ballots, but he hadn't left my side the entire night. No, perhaps this really was real….or perhaps Artemis had just gotten better at his trickery.

Artemis smiled. "Shall we go?"

"We shall."

Thankfully, he was the genius who always managed to be composed even when I was panicking. He held unto me tightly as he led me up to the stage. I could feel the stares of the entire room on us, but I didn't care. This was our moment, one that Artemis completely deserved.

I stood as they placed the first crown on his head and a scepter in his hand. I was next. Zander smiled at me as he placed the silver jewel encrusted tiara on my head. He then held the scepter out to me. It was surprisingly heavy. Incredible. Only Artemis' school would hand out real jewels.

"And now for the traditional dance of the royalty."

He extended his hand, and I readily took it. He led me to the floor and held me close as we swept up and down the floor. He twirled me about, spinning me like a child. I giggled barely noticing the rest of the teens flooding the floor to join us.

"Could life be any more perfect?" I whispered more to myself than to him. This really was a fairytale, and for once I was the princess.

"With you in mine, things can only get better."

"It's funny, I was thinking the same thing."

"Mmmm. Would you be much adversed to leaving now?" he muttered.

"Oooh. Leaving after we get the crown. How…inappropriate of you," I chuckled. The words didn't seem to go together well. Artemis…. inappropriate.

`"Perhaps you're a negative influence on me."

"You know me, I'm dangerous," I laughed. "I'm ready when you are."

"Wonderful." he led us towards the door, but we were stopped by a group of well wishers. Each one was congratulating us on our win, and wishing Artemis a good night. The rest of the conversation was all about the upcoming graduation.

I could fell the wind blowing, the winds of change sweeping through the room and wrapping around the two of us. This was it. It would be one of the last times that Artemis would ever see some of his friends or 'not friends' again. A part of me wondered if he was frightened, nervous like I had been. Had it even affected him yet?

His face was as impassive as ever, but I'd like to imagine that there was something there. Something of lingering fascination. Something that I'd have to look for when we were alone.

Finally, we were able to detach ourselves from them all. We made our way to the car, and I was rather surprised by the blond girl leaning against the passenger side door. "Congratulations," she said when we were within hearing distance. "You make a lovely king and queen."

"Thank you," I replied. I didn't know what to say. A small part of me suspected her of using us to her advantage, but thankfully the larger part of me is more trusting. It saw a frail girl trying her best to be kind, and it touched my heart.

"You're really beautiful together. I just wanted to wish you a good night."

"Thank you. I hope you have a good night yourself." I threw caution to the wind and wrapped my arms around her. At first, the hug was somewhat limp but after a moment or two her arms tightened around me.

"Bye you two." She pulled away and wobbled unsteadily back into the building.

I stood there watching, unsure of both myself and her. "I'm worried for her," I confessed.

"As am I. I understand her affection, and I just hope that no harm comes to her because of it."

"I agree. But I'm sure that she'll be okay. Heartbreak hurts, but she'll come out stronger because of it."

He looked at me, amusement twinkling in his mismatched eyes. "And when did you become so wise?"

"Hmm, that would be the first day that I admitted my feelings for a certain genius."

He opened my door and allowed me to slip inside. "I agree. It's also the day that my wisdom grew." He climbed into his own seat, and drove away into the night without a single glance backwards.

A/n:

Yay! Another Chapter Down! Rest assured that I will update as much and as quickly as I possibly can. By now I'm sure you've all realized that I'm the absolute worst at making deadlines and keeping them. This time I'm going to be realistic. I want to be finished eventually. Hopefully, before my all too short summer ends, but no promises. In the mean time, read my other stories. I think they're not awful…

Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Oh and 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