THE PALACE OF LOST LOVE

Chapter 1: The Break Up

Darien pulled away. Serena looked at him. He hadn't been himself lately.

His kisses were dull and he was always so distant now. He wasn't the same. Serena wasn't sure how much longer she could take this. The dreaded feeling that something wasn't right wouldn't stop bothering her. But… what WAS the matter?

[FLASHBACK]

It had all started a month before, they were going to the movies to watch the latest romantic comedy. She knew Darien wasn't really into watching it but he would do it for her. In the middle of the movie, Darien had gotten up to go get her some more popcorn. When he came back he hugged her close and protecting, but his mind seemed to be somewhere else. Of course, she couldn't blame him, he wasn't into romantic movies. But when he took her home he gave her a hug and a kiss, the type of kisses Serena lived for, looked her in the eyes and said "I love you!" His eyes were hauntingly sad but when she asked him if anything was wrong he told her "Stop imagining things, my dear meatball-headed girlfriend. Sorry, Sere, I love you. I just gotta go now." And with that, he left.

[End Flashback]

Tonight she had cooked him the best dinner she had ever made (thanks to Lita's cooking lessons) and he had remained mostly silent, picking at his food. Now, she just had to know.

-"What's wrong Darien?" She asked him.

-"Umm... Serena, there's uh... something I have to tell you." He

didn't sound happy.

-"Yeah, what is it" she asked with uncertainty

in her voice. Now she knew something was wrong.

-"I don't feel the same for you anymore." He looked away.

He couldn't bear to watch her tear-filled her eyes.

-"but wh..."

-"let me finish. We shouldn't see each other anymore. Its better

that way, really, we can both concentrate more on our studies, you need it, and well, move on."

-If it's because of my schoolwork I promise I'll get better grades! I'll start paying attention to Ms. Haruna, I'll even get to school on time! I promise! I love you Darien, and I know you love me too! You can't just leave me, were supposed to be together, it's our destiny! I love you! We can work this out!

-No Sere, we can't. I don't love you anymore. Being with you was great, but it was a mistake.

Serena couldn't take it anymore. "Fine! Just go! Leave and forget I ever

told you I loved you! I hate you! Leave, NOW!" she started crying

uncontrollably.

Darien stepped forward on an impulse to hug her, but then backed away. He just couldn't do that at this point. He walked out of Serena's apartment and closed the door behind him. The drive home was torture, Serena's face covered in tears were torture. Finally Darien reached his apartment and broke down crying. "I´m sorry Serena, I´m really, truly sorry. I hope you´ll forgive me," he thought miserably. After all, it was to keep her safe.