This I Promise You
Chapter One

"But why?!" Serena sobbed to her boyfriend, Darien.

"I'm sorry, Serena," Darien said without looking her in the eyes. He could stand to see her upset like this.

"What is it? Why are you breaking up with me? Is it because I hit you sometimes? I don't do it hard and I've told you they're love taps! Or is it because I say that Orlando Bloom is so hott? Or because I call you a woman or that you don't have a brain? I've told you countless times, that I'm only teasing!! Or is it because…," Serena went on and on about the reason she was thinking that could cause Darien to end their relationship. They have been together since the year Serena was in eighth grade and Darien was senior.

"No, Serena, it's none of those reasons," Darien tried. He didn't want her to blame herself. He kept shaking his head.

"Then what the hell is it, Darien!?" Serena screamed at him with tears streaming down her pale cheeks.

"I'm moving," He answered in a soft voice. He wasn't sure if Serena would be able to hear it above her loud cries, but at the sudden silence, he knew she did.

"You're…what?" She whispered. There were still silent tears flowing down her cheeks and meeting at her chin.

"Moving," He finished for her, "It's been up in the air for awhile now, but I didn't want to mention anything until I was sure."

"But why are you moving?" Serena said in a little bit of a calmer voice.

"I just got accepted into medical school, Sere, but it isn't around this area. It's in another state, so I have to move there. I'm keeping my flat here and I'm going to be moving into a dorm down there. I'm going to be renting out my flat to other people until I graduate and return."

"Return? You mean come back?" Serena asked with hope in her small voice.

"Yes, of course. And when I do come back, I will find you again and we will be together for the rest of our lives. We are going to do all the things we talked about doing together. We're going to get married, have a baby and raise her to become an amazing person. We're going to grow old together, Serena. I love you," Darien said with so much love in his voice. It only made Serena cry harder.

"You…promise? I love you too and never let me go," She said through her tears and sorrow as Darien gathered her small body into his arms.

"I promise. I will never let you go. I will return, this I promise you," He promised his love and bent his face down and his lips met hers in a gentle, but firm kiss that was the seal to his promise.

5 years later

It was all but a memory to her now, the day of that promise. She had seen or heard from him for five years now. Of course, Andrew was still around and she would occasionally ask how Darien was doing. She would always get the same brief answer: that he was fine and not to worry about him.

Serena was only 16 when that day occurred and now here she was: 21 and a senior in college. She decided to become an author, for she loved to write fanfictions about her favorite animes when she was a teenager. Darien would read them for her and give her his feedback. She got many reviews saying she was an awesome writing. Plus, she loved to make up fantasies and plots about characters in her head. Becoming an author seemed like the only choice for her and she jumped at it. It was her last year in college, too. Soon her work would be out in the world and she would walk through Borders' seeing her creations along the neat shelves. It was her dream. She also took classes to become an artist, for that was her other choice. Her major career would be writing, but on the side for possible extra money, Serena would paint. It was perfect.

It was the usual Monday morning and Serena was just beginning her day by getting out of bed. She was never one to get up early, but over the years, it became easier. Her roommate, Mina Aino, was her best friend. They have been roomies all through college. Mina was only becoming an author, but also had some skill with a paint brush from taking art classes in middle school. They weren't as developed as Serena's were, but they both knew that if she furthered her ability, it could be great. Mina didn't want to take the extra classes, so she just stuck to the little teachings Serena gave her once in a while.

"Rena, it's time to wake up!" Mina tried to arouse the blonde from bed. If you looked at the two, you could almost swear they were twins. They both had beautiful long blonde hair and blue eyes. The only difference was that Mina eyes had a sky blue color, while Serena had a nice cerulean color. Plus, Serena had silver around the edges of her eyes, which captured the most attention.

"Mm…no…," Serena mumbled and turned to the other side. Mina rolled her eyes. It was like this almost every morning for her. At a sudden thought, Mina's eyes brighten and she went into the bathroom. Once Mina made her way out, she approached her best friend's bed again.

SPLASH!

Serena jumped up at fast as she could and ended up falling off the side, landing on her butt. She looked up at Mina while rubbing her sore spot with one hand and wiping the water off of her face with the other.

"What'cha do that for, huh?!" Serena shouted angrily. Mina smiled.

"I had to get you up somehow," Mina said, her eyes twinkling with laughter.

"Whatever," Serena mumbled, while picking herself up off the floor to make her way to the shower. About 20 minutes later, she appeared again fully dressed in a pink Aeropostale tee and faded blue jeans with a pair of black flip flops. She tied her hair up into a ponytail and had on light makeup.

"Ready?" Mina said, having changed into her own clothes before Serena even opened her eyes that morning. She decided to wear a yellow tee that had a Joe Boxers smiley face right in the center and a pair of blue jeans and also a pair of black flip flops. Some of her hair was pulled back by a yellow bow and she too had on light makeup. They never would wear their makeup heavy, except for Halloween, because they had that natural beauty.

"Yeah, I guess so. Let's go," Serena said and picked up her side bag and walked out the door, Mina not far behind.

Serena quickly left her hour long first period class and headed straight for the café. She was starved! Once in awhile, she and Mina would have time to get themselves a cup of coffee before the first class began, but that didn't usually happen. Soon, Serena entered the café and spotted Mina at their usual table by the window. She waved and Serena smiled at her, while making her way over to her seat.

"Mornin'," Serena greeted.

"Good morning, Rena. How was your first class?" Mina greeted as well with a question. Serena shook her blonde head.

"Boring as ever. I can't believe I have to sit in there for an hour and listen to Mr. Johnson's dead voice," Serena said with dullness in her voice. Mina smiled sadly.

"I guess it's my turn to get the food this time, eh?" Serena asked after realizing there wasn't any food on the table. Mina nodded. Serena sighed and made her way up to the cashier with laziness in her steps. She obviously wasn't a morning person.

"What would you like today, Serena?" Katie asked her bubbly. Serena looked over the menu board to see what she wanted. She usually knew what Mina wanted, just like Mina always knew what she wanted.

"Oh…umm…I'll have two egg sandwiches with ketchup only, hold the pepper. Plus, two cups of coffee, please," Serena said in a sweet voice.

"Sure thing, Serena! That'll be $5.50, please," Katie beamed at her senior. Katie was a sophomore this year. Last year, as a freshman, Serena took it into her own hands to help her around for a few days until she got used to it. Serena paid her the right amount with no changed needed and was handed her food on a tray.

"Thanks, Katie. See ya around," She said and walked back to Mina with the food. Once at the table once again, she set the tray down in the middle and took her seat. She picked up her sandwich and unfolded the foil around it and started eating, occasionally taking small sips out of her steaming coffee. She started drinking it black, just like Darien.

Serena and Mina chattered casually, while gobbling up their sandwiches and drinking their coffee. Before long, they were finished and had to part again to go to their next class. After another hour, Serena's class was dismissed and she headed back to her dorm. Mina was probably on her way back to the dorm too, but her class was farther away then Serena's. She would most likely make her entrance known in about five minutes.

Serena was just about to turn on the television when her cell phone rang. She groaned and dropped the remote on the couch and got up to retrieve it from her purse.

"Haha! Gotcha!" Serena said triumphantly. She hit the answer button and raised it up to her right ear, "Hello?"

"Serena…?" She heard on the other end, "It's Darien."

Hi! I hope you all liked it so far. I know, I know! I should be busying myself with writing "A Boss for Christmas", but if you realize this: it's not even close to being done! Haha! My friend, Annie, told me to post the last part on Christmas day and I think that's a great idea! But it's not going to happen. Sorry. :[ I still have a lot to write.

This story line basically just popped into my head when I was trying so hard to go to sleep a couple of nights ago. Don't you hate it when you're like dead tired, but your brain and thoughts won't SHUT UP! Yeah, me too. Well, I hope you liked Chapter one and hope to see a review from you AGAIN -wink wink nudge nudge hint hint- for the second chapter. Till then, bye! And if I don't post before: Have a merry Christmas!! AND REVIEWS PLEASE!!!!!!!