Chapter 5: Open to Change

CHAPTER FIVE: OPEN TO CHANGE

"What?" Myles exclaimed while Beckett choked on his lo mein and Artemis stared in shock.

"Isn't that great?" Angeline smiled, taking their surprise as a good sign. "Now you'll get to be around children your own age."

"Mother," Artemis piped up, "haven't I been teaching them well enough for their homeschooling?"

"Oh, it's not that, Arty," she tried reassuring him, "it's just that I want them to experience new things, and—"

"I don't want to go" Myles stated openly.

"Myles?" Angeline looked at her son. "I understand it might be difficult for you to adjust, but it'll be good for you and your brother."

"Well, if he doesn't want to, neither do I, Mum" Beckett folded his arms but spoke quietly.

"Isn't the whole point of school to learn? Can't we do other stuff for social skills? Dad?" Myles gazed imploringly at their father, silently begging him to be on their side. To his dismay, Artemis Senior just shook his head.

"Your mother is right, gentlemen. Your reactions tell us that much."

"But…Artemis?" Beckett sought the cavalry.

"Sorry, you two," Artemis sighed resignedly, "there is no turning them from giving us 'normal' experiences, as I have found." Of all the times Artemis told them about school, nothing he said about it was positive.

"Is there at least going to be something fun for us?" Beckett asked.

"I'm sure there will" Angeline regained her beautiful smile, feeling hopeful again.

"Will we even get to learn anything new?" Myles wondered.

Suddenly, the Fowls were interrupted by a couple of letters flying onto the table. One landed in front of Myles, the other before Beckett. Everyone froze around the centuries-old wooden table.

"Be careful," Angeline cautioned her family. Artemis Senior placed his suddenly ghostly face in his hands and exhaled.

Cliffhanger (sort of)! I do not own Artemis Fowl or Harry Potter!