Tattered Pride
Chapter one: A New life, An old Enemy
College had finally arrived. She was finally away from her overbearing parents and states away. Who would have thought she would be at Stanford, perusing her writing degree?
Serena smiled as she pulled up to her dorm building. She was sharing an apartment with three other people, though she only knew the name of one of them, Raye. She shut off her car and got out. Walking to her trunk, she opened it, and pulled out her shoulder bag, duffle bag, rolling suitcase, and regular suitcase. 'Might as well start carrying my stuff up, odds are I won't be able to get any help.' She thought to herself as she started towards the dorm. 'Please let there be a working elevator, I REALLY don't want to have to lug all this up four flights of stairs." Sure enough there was one.
As Serena stood there waiting for the doors to slide open, a girl with black hair came and stood next to her. "Hi." Serena said.
"Hi!" The girl said sweetly. "So where are you heading?"
"I'm going to 412, and you?" Serena asked.
"Oh! You must be Serena!" she exclaimed. "I'm Raye, welcome!"
"How did you know that it was me?" Serena asked.
"You're the only one we are expecting. The guy who had your room graduated, thank god, he was such an asshole! Darien was the only one who could even slightly tolerate him."
"Darien?!"
"Yeah, you're room is next to his, you two are going to be sharing a bathroom. I share one with Andy, he's my boyfriend. Do you want some help with your stuff?"
"Sure thanks." And Serena handed her the two suitcases.
"Do you have anything else?" she asked.
"In my car downstairs. Actually, I have a lot left. Do you think that the guys we live with will help with it?"
"Andy will for sure, Darien might. He's really nice and all, but he's a little rude until he gets to know you."
"Well, I'll just do it myself without his help." And they laughed.
They finally got off the elevator and went to their room. Raye with her hands full kicked the door. "Darien! Andy! Someone open this damn door!"
Serena couldn't help but laugh. "I can open the door." She said, and as she went to open the door it was swung open and Serena went off balance. She would have hit the ground if someone hadn't caught her and went to steady her.
When she was upright again she looked up and was staring into a sea of dark blue eyes. Her breath caught in her throat, but she was able to get out a soft. "Thank you."
"Meatball head?" he said in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm pursuing my writing degree. What are you doing here?"
"You two know each other?"
Serena looked at Raye with anger in her eyes. "I wish we didn't." was all she said.
"Are you still sore about my break-up with Mina?" Darien said.
"You broke her heart for college bimbos!" Serena exclaimed. "No offence Raye." She added then continued. "You are an asshole and I hate your damn guts!" With that she faced Raye again, and said. "Where is my room?"
"Right there." Raye said motioning her head towards the open door.
"Thank you." And Serena started walking to the room. "And Darien? I wouldn't have dated you if you were the last man on earth."
So that's what this is about!" Darien yelled. "Serena you are so childish! When are you going to grow up and realize you can't have me?!"
Serena came out of her room and stared at him. For the first time in two years she had tears in her eyes. Darien stared in surprise. He had never seen such a sad look on her face, and he felt like an ass for putting it there. "You're right Darien, I am childish." And Serena walked past him and Raye and left the apartment.
~ * ~
Serena went out to her car and started pulling boxes out of her trunk. She stacked them to the ground, and closed it. As she carried the boxes inside the building she heard Rayes Voice. "Serena, Andy and Darien want to help you with your stuff."
"Thanks, but I don't want Darien losing valuable study time because of a childish person like myself." She said handing Raye the car keys. "There is only the back seat left, I'll finish the trunk."
"We left the door open for you." Andy called back to her.
"Thanks." And Serena went up to the apartment.