It's been a long time

Artemis sat it a vacent lunch table and sighed. She felt lonely for the past few months and wanted to have a thrill of some sort. She looked out the window and watched the snow fall and she actually managed to smiled a bit at the thick white snow.

Salem walked slowly into the lunch room, which was empty except for a few kids eating a late lunch. This was his free period. He looked across the room and saw Artemis. He flinched a little. He had always liked her, but he was sure he had lost her trust after the little fiasco last year. He picked up his bag and walked towards her. She didn't look up. He cleared his throat. "Artemis, it's uh...Salem." He sat down next to her and looked out the window at the falling snow.

Artemis's body jolted at the sound of his voice. She felt tears turning her eyes. "S-Salem..." She said as tears rolled down her cheek. She clenched her fists and forced herself to look at him. He... hasn't changed a bit... Artemis thought after she saw him again for the first time. "It's been forever." She said looking down.

Salem smiled and reached out a hand to wipe away Artemis's tears. "It has. But I'm ready to heal if you are." He said. And then he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know we've both been through a lot. But the truth is is that I feel miserable without you. It's awful not having you around." He whispered. Hoping she had heard him over the noise of the other kids there.

Artemis began to cry more. Her throat was all stuffy so she nodded in a agreement and smiled as much as her face would let her. She looked up at him and nodded again.

"Shh..." Salem whispered as he pulled her against his chest and hugged her. "It's all right."

She gave in and layed her head on his muscular chest. "We'll try again?" She said in a low faint voice, hoping that he understood her. With one hand hand she fixed her messed up hair and the hair stuck to her face from her tears. She grabbed a tissue off her untouched plate and wiped the mascara streaks away.

"Whenever you're ready to try again, we will." He rubbed her back gently, trying to comfort her.

Artemis smiled at him and cleared her throat. "I'm ready to try again now." She looked him in the eyes. She could see a bit of his discomfort. "I love you, Salem." She said as she kissed him gently on the lips.

At this point, however, Phobos walked up slowly. Apparently taking no notice of Artimes or Salem, he sat down, and adjusted his glasses.