The Angelic Paradox

Gnawing Anticipation

I sit alone on the greenish leather bus seat. I stare out the clouded window as the school bus comes to a halt in front of Emerald's house. She stands there, beautiful as ever. She crosses the street, her coral colored v-neck swaying as does her ponytail held back by a matching headband, making no effort to conceal the large gold hoops dangling from her ears. I can't help but smile at her beauty. My smile quickly disintegrates as she steps onto the bus. This is it. The moment of truth. Does she forgive me or not?

She strides down the isle, smiling at some of her other friends, laughing carelessly, the butterfly charm rocking on the gold chain around her neck. She approaches me and smiles, sending relief washing through me. I grin at her and embrace her as soon as she sits down, adjusting the folds of her denim shorts.

"I apologize for my behavior last night. I...I was an imbecile," I say.

She takes my hand, the gold ring adorned with garnet stones glinting, "Apology accepted."

A boy sticks his head around the seat, "Ooo what a couple you two are. You're like Shriek and Fiona."

I don't understand the reference but it is obviously an insult. I open my mouth to respond but Emerald gives me a look that says to let her handle it.

"And what about you, Laurie? You're like Humpty Dumpty 'cept if you fell of a wall, none of the King's horses or men would care enough to even try to put you back together again."

The back of the bus erupts in a bunch of screaming from the other boys, "Ohhhhhhh! Roasteeeed!"

Emerald looks at the boy triumphantly.

He looks at her, "What, you're boyfriend can't defend himself?"

"You say that like you can?" I smirk.

"Oh really, what kinda riff is that?"

"The kind better than yours."

"Like I said."

"You said?" I exclaim in mock disbelief, "Bravo, you can talk. With that face, I'm positive you're an ape. So far you've displayed the intelligence level."

"Ohhhhhhhhh! Buuuuuuuuuurn!" they scream and I roll my eyes.

He squares his shoulders, "I'm sure you'd know, pretty boy. You obviously are related to Godzilla. Ugly and dumb."

I scoff, "You call me an imbecile yet within the the same 'riff' as you call it, you call me ugly and pretty. How am I supposed to be insulted when you contradict yourself?"

He laughs, "Smart. A plus for you. Probably your first. You obviously don't have a brain."

His comment is met with silence. Emerald whistles, "You did not just go there, bruh."

I laugh, "Go where, Emerald? That statement is completely invalid. If I didn't possess a brain I could not function. My central nervous would not have its control center and therefore I would be dead. What is correct to say is that you lack mass in your neocortex. And you, sir, are a prime example of the aforementioned statement."

The kid stares at me, "Huh?"

Emerald rolls her eyes, "His point exactly."

He shakes himself and glares at Emerald, "You, uh, you look like Attila the Hun in the last Night at the Museum movie. Ya' know, cross-eyed."

She raises her eyebrows, "I'm only cross-eyed 'cause I'm trying not to look at you."

The school bus comes to a halt, the imbeciles still roaring behind us as we depart the scene.

The morning breezes by in a bore and soon I find it lunch time. I buy the disgusting tray lunch and sit next to Emerald with her friends at the uncomfortable cafeteria table. I grasp her hand under the table. Another friend approaches the table, one I recognize as Callie.

Emerald presses into me, "Scootcha buns, Art. Gabe's gotta sit someplace."

Callie sits and looks at Emerald, "Ya' know, Em, I was thinking how uncanny it is that Art looks so much like Artemis Fowl and how you immediately befriended him."

Emerald looks at me and laughs, "Guess my judgement's been tainted. I only like guys who look like my favorite fictional character."

I wink at her and Callie raises her eyebrows.

Emerald turns back to Callie, "Hey, Art and I need to talk to you at recess, 'kay, bruh?"

"Suure. If you insist."

"Okay. First order of business. Meet our tree, Gweniferisha Macombrkaylecki. Gwen for short. Gwen is my baby and she is the heart of our metaphorical family," she hugs the tree, "She is to be treated with respect, clear?"

I nod and she leans into me, I squeeze her hand and smile.

Callie clears her throat, "The second order of business?"

Emerald stands straighter, "Arty meet my best friend, Calvena Winchester. Callie meet my, ah...boyfriend, Artemis Fowl II."

Callie snorts, "Is this a prank, Em? 'Cause it sure isn't your style."

Emerald shakes her head, "No prank. Apparently when I was two Arty and his newest nemesis were thrown back into my house. This villian let something slip that I could stop him from taking over the dimensions. So when Artemis got back he contacted me and I have to save the world."

Callie sits heavily on the asphalt, "Who's this villian?"

Emerald sits beside her, "You won't believe it. It's a fallen angel named Sabriel."

She cackles and looks up at me, "So, you're a fictional character. How fun. I wonder how many of the characters I've created are real."

Emerald looks stricken, "I never thought of it like that. I hope not. I've made some pretty nasty characters."

I take Emerald's hand as I sit next to her, "But with the villians, you have heroes to conquer them."

She shakes her head, "There's no way you've read more young adult fiction than me. If those are true this world is doomed."

Callie nods.

I shake my head as the whistle blows and we head inside.

Callie hugs Emerald, "Thanks for telling me, bruh."

"You're my best friend. Why wouldn't I tell you?" she responds as they pulls apart.

Callie holds her hand out to me, "Nice to meet you, Artemis."

I nod and shake her hand, "Likewise."

The rest of the day goes by just as quickly as the morning. Soon it is just Emerald and I left on the bus. I have longed for her all day, and finally, I give in. I reach over and caress her cheek and she smiles at me. Our lips collide and we kiss, forgetting our burdens. The bus slows and she pulls back.

"Sabriel is bound to act tonight. Be on gaurd," I warn her as she stands.

She just nods, "See ya' soon."