AN: here's something I started on a whim after sitting at home ALONE on a Saturday night. I hope you like it, and as always REVIEW ME!!
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Serena straightened her back as Darien said that last remark.
"You are just a child."
"Excuse me?" she said. "I am a child? Since when is eighteen a child? You're only a year older than I am!" Darien chuckled, annoying her further.
"See, you can't even control your temper," he said with a laugh. Serena was fuming.
"Normally I can," she said with a forced calm. "Its only when certain self centered, egotistical swine that call themselves men insult me that I act this way." Darien's jaw dropped and Andrew was snickering behind the counter. "Now if you'll excuse me," she began, "I have to go. Graduation begins in a couple of hours and I need to go get ready." Serena turned and walked proudly out of the arcade. As soon as she was gone, Andrew burst into a wild fit of laughter. Darien looked at him like he was crazy.
"What?" he barked.
"She got you that time," Andrew said, still laughing. "You should have seen your face. You looked like this" Andrew dropped his jaw as much as he could and opened his eyes as wide as they would go. He twisted his face into the perfect mimicry of Darien's and he looked rather idiotic. Darien smacked him up side the head.
"Shut up," he mumbled, more than a little embarrassed. "I can't believe she's actually graduating high school, her GPA must be like a 1.0 or something." Andrew shot Darien an evil look. Serena was, after all, like a sister to him.
"Despite what you think of her, she's actually quite smart," Andrew said sharply. "I talked to her earlier and she's graduating second in her class, Amy of course is first. Her GPA is a 4.1, and if I remember correctly, that means she beat yours." Darien choked on the coffee he had been drinking.
"Are you serious?" Darien asked, shocked. Andrew just nodded. Darien paid for his coffee and left. He had made himself look stupid at the arcade twice today, and he had no desire to stay there. He walked moodily down the sidewalk and pushed open the door to his building. After making his way into his apartment, he plopped down on his couch. For some reason, he couldn't get Serena out of his head. He had never really thought she was stupid; after all, she managed to argue rather wittily with him day after day. The thing in his head right now was how beautiful she had looked today. 'Who are you kidding, you think she looks beautiful every time you see her. That's why you piss her off like you do. You can't relieve the sexual frustration with her, so you argue with her instead,' his subconscious said. Darien placed his head in his hands, knowing it was true.
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Serena walked onto the stage as they called her name. She received her diploma and began her speech; Amy had been too shy to give one.
"Over the course of four years, I've watched my peers grow and mature into the people they are today. We've learned, made friends, even lost them, but throughout all the trials, we have emerged strong and ready for whatever life should throw at us. In the future, we will look back on our time spent here and realize that these were the best four years of our lives." The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Serena took her seat.
After the ceremony was over and Serena had changed out of her gown and into her dress for the dinner party, she was greeted by her mother and father.
"We are so proud of you, honey," her mother said, tears streaming down her face.
"You've certainly grown up," her father said, unnerved by the fact that his only daughter was no longer a child. "You've become an amazing woman."
"Thank you," Serena said, her own tears of joy falling. 'He's finally realized I'm no longer a child,' she thought. 'If only Darien would realize it as well,' she added bitterly.
Serena and her family, along with that of the rest of her graduating class, enjoyed their short dinner at the elegant restaurant. They each had a steak dinner and all of the graduates received a lobster tail. All in all, they had a wonderful time. As everyone left, Serena kissed her mother and father good night.
"I'll be home tomorrow," she said with a smile. "I'm going to stop by the arcade and see Andrew before I head over to Mina's." Her parents nodded and drove off. She walked down the sidewalk, and unknowingly, past Darien's apartment. He was sitting on the balcony when he saw her. 'She looks absolutely amazing!' he thought. Her dress was black with a pink ribbon that circled the empire seam. It flowed down in layers that ended about mid-calf and on her feet were a pair of black stilettos. Her long, blonde hair was down and curled, and it reached her calves. 'So why don't you tell her?' His subconscious asked. He thought about it for a moment and then rushed to change into nicer clothes. He was going to tell her, damn it! He had waited far too long already.
"Andrew!" Serena said as she enveloped him in a friendly hug. "That's it! I'm finally out of high school!" He laughed, a small smile on his face.
"I'm so proud of you Sere," he said. "Second in your class, that's great!" Serena blushed, and Andrew noticed how beautiful she looked, in a brotherly way of course. "You look stunning by the way."
"He's right," Darien said as he entered the arcade. Serena gasped and they both turned around to look at Darien. 'Its about damn time,' Andrew thought as he crept out and into the back room. "You look amazing." Serena blushed even deeper.
"Thank you," she said, unsure as to why he was acting this way. "I think that's the first nice thing you've ever said to me." Darien looked ashamed.
"I know, and I'm sorry," he said, taking a step forward. "I justânever knew what to say to you. But when I saw you walking towards the arcade tonight, I knew it was time I just told you how I felt. I really care about you Serena. I always have. I love the way you light up a room just by walking in, and the way your laugh can make me forget all of my problems, if only temporarily. Every time you don't come to the arcade, my day just seems so miserable. Serena, I want you to be my girlfriend." As he said the last part, he took her hands into his own. She looked up at him, her light blue eyes staring into eyes the color of the ocean at night. She blinked back the tears that formed behind her eyes and smiled.
"Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you to say that?" Serena cried as she threw her arms around his neck. "Of course I'll be your girlfriend, Darien!" He smiled widely as he held her tight and spun her around. He stopped and looked deep into her eyes. Their faces inched slowly together and time seemed to stand still. Their lips met gently, barely brushing as they kissed. He wrapped his arms possessively around her waist as she slid her arms around his neck. He ran his tongue slowly across her bottom lip, silently begging for her to part her lips. She did as he wanted and he slid his tongue into her mouth. A small moan escaped him as he tasted her. Their tongues touched, and they entwined themselves together as they kissed. Darien kissed her softly on the lips before he pulled back and stared at her. Her face was flushed and there was a deep hunger burning in her eyes. He knew she felt the same thing he did and smiled. As he was leaning in to kiss her again, her cell phone went off. She looked down in annoyance before she picked it up.
"Hello?" she said, frustration lining her voice.
"Serena, its Mina," the voice on the other side of the phone said. "The party at Dillan's place got broken up by the cops. Me and the girls got out, we're gunna go to my house. I thought I'd let you know. Are you gunna show?" Serena looked over at Darien and then smiled.
"No, I think I'll stay at home," she said. "If you need me, call my cell. Night." And with that she ended the conversation. She glanced up at Darien and smiled.
"What was that about?" he asked, noting the look in her eyes.
"I was supposed to go to a party, but it ended with the cops," she said. "Mina asked if I wanted to come there instead, but I said I was going home. My parents think I'm at Mina's. So the question is, where do you want me to be tonight?" Darien arched his eyebrow and smiled.
"How about my place?" he asked. Serena placed a small peck on his lips before smiling brightly.
"That's exactly what I was thinking."