Radioactive Love

Chapter 6

Morning...

Andy walked into the back room, surprised to find Artemis and Kloey asleep with Kloey covered in nothing but sheets. "I'm just gonna leave..."

Artemis lifted her head. "It's okay. Did you need something?"

Andy smiled. "No, it's fine. I was just wondering where you two were."

Kloey's eyes fluttered open. Yawning, she asked "what time is it?"

"7:27. You should probably get dressed, we're doing a meet and greet at 8:00 down the street. People even have pictures of you two as a couple, and they'd like it if you guys signed them as well as their band merchandise."

"Cool, I'll get dressed."

Andy left, and Artemis kissed Kloey before they both got ready. Artemis was wearing her usual ripped black skinny jeans, combat boots, tight black tank top with a white Deathly Hallows symbol on the front, black, leather, open-fingered gloves, and black leather jacket. Kloey, on the other hand, was wearing light blue and dark purple flannel over a flowery white tank top, black denim shorts, light blue knee-high socks, and black vans. They headed down the street and found that the meet and greet was outside in the heat of the Florida sun. Fortunately, there was a tent over their table. Fans screamed when they saw the group approaching, and a few watched Artemis and Kloey hold hands. The group sat down at the table underneath the tent and motioned for the security guard to start letting people walk up to the table. After a few autographs, a fan named Chrissy asked for a picture of Artemis and Kloey together. "Sure, why not?" Artemis replied as she wrapped her arm around Kloey's waist. Chrissy snapped a few pictures and got her merchandise signed, then went on her way. Kloey stood up from her seat. "Y'okay?"

"I need to get a drink."

"Want me to come with you?"

"Nah, that's alright. I'm just heading over to the vendor. Be right back."

Kloey returned with two Mountain Dews, handing one to Artemis before sitting down. "Thanks, babe." As the meet and greet went on, more and more fans came up to them. When it was over, they thanked the fans and went on their way. Artemis yawned.

"Tired already?" Kloey asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't sleep well last night."

"Oh," Kloey looked concerned. "Are you okay?"

"What-no, yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Kloey pressed on. "You have sleeping problems, right?"

"Yes." Artemis sighed. "Honestly, Kloey, I'm okay. There's nothing to worry about." From the way that Artemis's eyes stared slightly downward, Kloey could tell that she was lying. Not wanting to make Artemis more uncomfortable, she dropped the subject, but pulled out her phone and typed in Schedule doctor's appointment for Artemis, then put her phone away. When nighttime came, Kloey watched Artemis carefully. She noticed that Artemis wasn't energetic, she was definitely tired. Kloey knew for a fact that Artemis always waited for Kloey to fall asleep before she herself tried to sleep. Kloey pretended to sleep, and a long while later she heard soft breathing noises coming from Artemis. The raven-haired girl was asleep. About an hour after that, Kloey rolled over, facing Artemis, who was stirring. Then she woke up, and Kloey shut her eyes, hoping to appear to be sleeping. Listening closely, she heard Artemis sit up in bed, sighing. Kloey opened her eyes, catching a glimpse of Artemis's bright blue eyes. They were underlined with darkness, revealing the fact that Artemis, while tired, couldn't sleep.

"I knew you weren't okay," Kloey whispered to Artemis, who jumped up and whirled around to face Kloey.

"Kloey! You should be asleep!"

Kloey gave her a look. "So should you. Artemis, what's going on?"

"I've had trouble sleeping since I was about eleven or twelve years old. Anxiety and depression don't really help."

"I'm taking you to the doctor tomorrow."

"What? No!"

"I didn't ask you if you wanted to. Now lie down. Getting up when you wake up at night doesn't help you fall asleep."

Artemis sighed, leaning back and falling onto the fluffy black pillows.

When morning finally came, Kloey told the band where they were going and dragged Artemis to her car. "Can't we at least take my car?" Artemis grumbled, longing for a drive in her old but nice black Porsche Cayman.

"No. We're taking my Jeep." When they got to the doctor's office, Kloey signed Artemis in and they were called in.

"Hello, I'm Doctor Holloway, what seems to be the issue?" A blonde woman with black hipster glasses and a clipboard spoke as she came into the room.

"I'm fine," Artemis grumbled.

"No, she's not," Kloey argued. Dr. Holloway raised an eyebrow. "She has sleeping problems."

"Could you elaborate?"

"She says they started when she was eleven or twelve. She has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and when she wakes up at night she has trouble going back to sleep. She's been really tired lately and hasn't been going back to bed."

Dr. Holloway nodded, then did a quick check up on Artemis. She took a bit longer looking at Artemis's eyes. She left, then came back with a few more papers. "Well, there's good news and bad news."

"What is it?" Kloey asked.