My Golden Life

Chapter 44

I knew I had to talk with Artie about the performance at some point. It was leaving an awkward tension between the two of us and starting to affect our friendship. Sure, there was a small part of me that wanted to experience that moment again with him, but I knew it wouldn't happen. Why would it? I just figured our 'romantic moment' was just something that, I don't know, occurred because of the lines we were acting out. 

Anyway, I was sitting in the school's library, reading up some information I needed for my alchemy class when I spotted Artie on the other side of the room, scanning the bookshelves, and picking out a book. 

I stared at him for who knows how long, I couldn't help but notice how cute he was. The way he brushed his hand through his hair, his face when he focused on what he was reading... Ok, yes, I said I wasn't developing feelings for him, but whenever I saw him, I got a funny feeling in my stomach. I had to talk to him, we needed to clear the air. So I pushed my emotions aside, got up, and headed over to Artie. My heart racing with every second, I got closer to him.

"Hi," I said. "Doing a bit of reading, I see?"

He jumped slightly but smiled, nervously looking at me. "Oh, hey, yea, I am. Sorry I didn't see you there. You doing ok?"

"Yea, I'm good," I stuttered. "Just getting some work done for my alchemy class. What about you?"

"Researching stuff for English, I have homework due tomorrow."

"Right," I nodded. We stood in silence for a short moment, our eyes meeting every now and then.

"Look, Artie," I began. "About the drama performance. I don't want that to distance us. It was definitely... not what I was expecting, but I enjoyed performing it with you."

"I did too," he sighed. "And I'm sorry for going way overboard with our scene. I should have toned it down. I don't want this to stop us from hanging out."

"Me neither, can we move past it?" I asked.

Artie looked at me with a sad smile on his face, but it didn't last long.

"Of course," He chuckled, giving me a hug. I wanted to keep hugging him for a bit longer, and I think Artie wanted that too as well because he kept hugging for a bit longer than I expected.

"Err Artie, are we going to stop hugging yet?"

"Oh yea, right," he laughed nervously, letting me go. "Sorry about that."

"It's ok, so you have any plans for the rest of the day?"

"I got homework to do as I said, and then I have to help Lancelot with his jousting."

"You mean he's forcing you," I said sternly. "Why are you letting him bully you like this?"

"I just... I don't know, really." He grumbled. "I've always been the loser of the school for so long that it's something I'm used to now."

"You're not a loser, Arthur Pendragon." I declared.

"Thanks, at least someone thinks well of me."

I was glad that we had smoothed things over, but I was sad that he was still thinking ill of himself and letting others treat him in such a horrible way. At least I was there for him, and I was relieved that we were still so close. We continued hanging out in our secret spot in the woods, helping each other with homework and studying. We even watched the sun go down on the beach a couple of times. 

I can certainly say that I considered him as another best friend; that made me tremendously happy. However, Merida, Isabel, and Lucy thought otherwise, and I had to keep insisting that there was nothing between Artie and me.

Soon the month of December rolled on in, and Worcestershire Academy was getting into the festive season. Getting presents for everyone was at the top of my to-do list. I had to also figure out how I was going to send Shrek and the others their gifts. I did miss them a lot, and it did pain me to not be with them. 

I hadn't even told them about my mum passing away, or also the fact that I was in boarding school. I didn't want to bother them with my problems. So whenever I wrote to Far Far Away, I just said that everything was ok, and that mum was still feeling unwell and that I would have to stay at home for a bit longer.

Since Christmas was approaching, everyone's mind was on the Winter ball, people were even starting to ask each other to be their dates for it. I would have asked Artie, but he was set on asking Gwen, which I knew wasn't going to end well. I did try to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen. 

He was going to ask her after the last jousting tournament of the term, which meant he would be doing it with everyone watching. I knew I would have to prepare myself to be his shoulder to lean on, but I didn't mind. Though I do have to say, that day was one that made my heart brake.