Chapter One
"Serena don't let go of me!" A dark haired handsome man shouted to the petite blonde-haired woman clutching with both hands onto his forearm. Her hair was very long going past her waist.
"Does it look like I'll be letting go anytime soon!" The small woman said both her bright blue eyes looking down at her ice skates in concentration. They both had to shout at each other to be heard over all the noise at the ice rink. It had opened just for Christmas at Meadowland. That meant everybody was there. Meadowland wasn't a very fun place, in fact 'fun' was the furthest word to describe the place, that meant when something like an ice rink came to the small town everybody was there even people who had never ice skated in their lives. Like Serena.
"Dee when did you learn how to ice skate?" Serena said as she let 'Dee' take her across the rink around various other skaters
"When I was little, back in London there was an indoor ice-rink with the leisure centre. Me and my brother would always go there when we had the money!" Dee replied.
Dee's name was Darien but Serena had known him for so long that she called him Dee even though he hated it when she did, especially in public, which was why Serena called him that all the time. Just to annoy him.
"One day you have to take me to London, I've always wanted to go there!" Serena said
"Maybe", Darien said more quietly this time. His time in London wasn't the happiest and Serena knew that but he didn't want to bring it up, not now when they were having fun.
"Dee don't look now but there's a girl totally checking you out" Darien said a little more quietly but she got Darien's attention regardless.
"What? Where?" Darien said eagerly. Serena laughed almost losing her balance.
"look 9 o'clock now before she skates away" Serena said indicating with her head where Darien's admirer was. She was right, there staring was a red-head who looked not much taller than Serena clad in a thick grey coat with a matching hat and gloves staring and giggling with her friend at Darien.
"What do you think?" Serena said as Darien continued to skate around the rink
"Not my type" He simply replied as if he had never seen the girl. Serena punched Darien's arm.
"Ow! What was that for?" Darien said rubbing his upper arm.
"You are so difficult, you have girls drooling over you and you can't even pick one that you remotely fancy, what are you waiting for bloody Cinderella? Serena said.
It was obvious that Darien was one of the best-looking guys in Meadowland, he was one of those guys that every girl liked something about. He had dark blue eyes, an amazing jaw line; a cute smile and dark hair that fell into his eyes that made him look boyish and gorgeous. On top of that, he was a scientist, well, a student in some biological thing so he was one of those dashing boys your mum wouldn't mind marrying you off to. Serena knew all that but she constantly reminded herself that she didn't like him that way, he was a good friend and besides she knew all this his bad habits, like….the way he …sometimes left his dishes in the sink without washing them…sometimes….once…never. Well, he had no bad habits. He was perfect.
"Serena, I don't want a girlfriend alright, besides I've got you ,sweet thang" Darien said raising his eyebrows in a suggestive way.
"Eww Dee you're like my brother I mean you've lived with us for so long you're practically family , and I don't do incest sweetie," Serena said jabbing her finger into Darien's chest".
Darien had lived in Serena's house for more than two years. He had come after Serena had told her mum that he was living by himself in a small apartment in the town centre after some family problems and she had insisted he come live with them. Serena and Darien had been friends since the beginning of secondary school when they were eleven years old. They had clicked immediately as Serena was the only girl who wasn't running after him to play 'kiss chase'. Serena was a tomboy back then so boys weren't really her thing.
"No seriously Serena if it wasn't for you and your folks I wouldn't be where I am now. You know I'm so grateful and-
"Okay, okay Dee Dee don't get all mushy on me, I get it plus you're great company you buy me nice food and stuff" Serena said mockingly ,Darien laughed at her. He honestly didn't know where he would be without the little woman on his arm.
"Okay burpzillar we'd better go, your mum'll be worried if we don't get back soon," Darien said making his way to the exit of the rink
"Don't call me Burpzillar you loser!" Serena said angrily. Darien had been calling Serena 'Burpzillar' all month because the month before Darien had introduced her to a guy in his basketball team in University and she had burped in his face when she opened her mouth to say hello.
"That was so funny, we all call you Burpzillar at practise," Darien said laughing
"It's really not funny I feel embarrassed every time I walk past the gym" Serena said blushing.
"I told you not to worry ,Craig said he thought you were cute" Darien said still laughing
"He did?" Serena said looking up at Darien in surprise
"Yeah, you know, in a gassy way" Darien replied laughing harder at Serena's angry expression.
"You are so horrible to me!" Serena said in a mock-hurt voice. Darien looked down at the little beauty
"No I'm not, if I was I wouldn't have brought you down to the ice rink and skated you everywhere? Plus now I'm taking you to get some chocolate cake from the café," Darien said. Serena flung Darien's hand from hers and stood holding onto the side of the ice rink to steady herself.
"I don't need you or your chocolate cake I can do this myself," Serena shouted slowly letting go of the side trying to skate independently but having to cling on to it again for fear of falling flat on her face.
"Okay Burpzillar good luck!" Darien shouted and Serena 'skated' further and further away from him. He waved at her skating gracefully to the exit of the rink.
Serena continued to try to skate without holding onto the side of the rink to no avail. After countless attempts she started to feel embarrassed and tired.
"Great, now I have to go all the way to the exit, Serena thought to herself, I'll be okay I can make it ", she reassured herself. Just as soon as she said that, a child skated past her at tremendous speed bumping into her. She fell flat onto her back before she could grab anything for support. People were rushing up to her fallen form some laughing others worried.
"'Scuse me miss, like some help?" She heard a deep voice say, her eyes were closed from the impact of the fall. She felt herself being held up by strong arms that she held on to for dear life until she felt un-icy floor beneath her.
"You can open your eyes now," The deep voice chuckled. Serena complied and opened her eyes slowly. She was shocked by what she saw.