Humans are absolutely amazing creatures

Humans are absolutely amazing creatures. We go through everyday life thinking we know it all, that we're in complete control of our destinies…until that one day when something happens that knocks us on our asses. Suddenly we don't know who, what when, where, why, or how. But when the dust settles, we're wiser than before. That little epiphany has changed our lives forever. In my case the change was for the better.

I was your stereotypical workaholic college student. Only one friend, no free time, and an uncomplicated romance-free life, I was content…until that day in the arcade…

The day started off like any other. I woke up, studied, dressed, studied some more, went to class, studied a little bit more after class, and then headed off to the arcade for some much needed coffee before I hit the books again.

After entering the crowded arcade I greeted Andrew as usual, sat in my usual seat, and had my usual cup of black coffee. But to say that there was nothing particularly peculiar about that day would be a lie. Sitting in the booth next to me was Serena, her hair done up in the familiar pigtails. However, it didn't take a genius to figure out that something was troubling her. Rather than being bright and bubbly like she normally was, the blonde's shoulders sagged, a frown etched on her face. Silently she swirled her melted ice cream with a spoon, obviously not enthusiastic about eating it, which was highly unusual for her.

"Why the long face, Meatball Head? Did you fail another test?" I teased, hoping to get a rise out of her or at least a reply, anything to get that frown off her face. However, my hopes were dashed; she said absolutely nothing, still intent on swirling the soupy liquid that had once been ice cream.

Across the counter, Andrew gave me a puzzled look. He had obviously been watching the whole scene.

"She's been like that since she came in," Andrew whispered. "Any ideas on what's wrong?"

"Not a clue. I didn't do anything if that's what you're thinking." I retorted.

"I'll go talk to her," he replied. Putting his rag down, Andrew walked over to the blonde.

"What's the matter, Serena? Has Darien been teasing you again?" I suddenly got the feeling that Andrew wasn't going to believe me no matter what I said. Scoffing, I turned back to my coffee. Of course he was going to try to find a way to blame me for Serena being upset.

"No," Serena replied, obviously puzzled.

"Then why the frown?" Andrew inquired.

Serena finally looked up from her ice cream into Andrew's inquisitive face, her eyes slightly misted.

"You promise you won't laugh?" Serena asked hesitantly.

"Of course not. Cross my heart and spit on the floor."

"Well, Raye's supposed to be going on a date with Chad, but Chad wanted me to come as well," she explained.

"So, what's wrong with that?"

"Well, it's kind of a package deal. You see, Chad has wanted to set up a double date; he could be with Raye and I could be with my boyfriend, but the problem is that I don't have a boyfriend! " she confessed.

"So tell him that," Andrew suggested.

"I tried that, but stupid Raye had to open her big, fat mouth; she kept teasing me about having a secret boyfriend, so now Chad thinks I have this secret guy I've been hiding all this time, and now I'm supposed to show up to this double date thing with a date that doesn't exist!" she exclaimed. "And what makes it worse is that I can't just show up without a date because then I'll feel like I'm intruding on their time together, but then again I can't just not show up because then I'll let them down. What am I going to do, Andrew?"

To say that Serena looked pitiful in that moment would be an understatement. Her eyes pleaded with Andrew, the azure blue orbs slowly leaking tears. It was enough to melt any man's heart. Quickly I looked away. Like her lack of a boyfriend was any of my concern. 'Focus, Chiba,' I told myself. 'You've got much more important things to worry about…like finding your princess…'

"At this point there's no way I can find a guy to pose as my date before Friday. I wonder if Raye would believe me if I said I was sick…or maybe I could say that I'm too busy studying for the entrance exams," she suggested. "…Nah, she'd never believe that one."

For several minutes they tossed ideas back and forth, each one becoming increasingly more ridiculous than the last.

"Wait, wait, here's a good one," Andrew joked. "Maybe you could show up with Darien as your date!" At this, the two of them burst into insane laughter, and for the first time, a smile played upon Serena's lips.

"Oh yeah, aren't you guys mature." I sneered back at them.

"Yeah right, that would never happen!" Serena cackled. "Anyway, thanks for the laugh, Andrew. I really needed it, but I gotta go now. My mother's making her awesome curry tonight. I wouldn't miss it for the world. See ya!"

With a bounce and a smile, she was out the door. I shook my head.

"God help the poor soul who tries to get between Serena and her food. Right, Andrew?" I meant the comment to be a joke, but when I looked over at Andrew, he was doing anything but smiling.

"That wasn't a joke, by the way," Andrew declared.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"Her taking you on the date," he said simply.

"WHAT?! Are you out of your mind? Please tell me, this is a joke, right?" I exclaimed.

"Not a joke at all. I think you should be her date friday night," he said in complete earnest.

I sat there for the longest time simply flabbergasted. I had known Andrew since childhood; there was no possible was he couldn't have known that I couldn't stand the girl. Yet here he was, pushing me to ask her out.

"No way, not happening," I announced to him. "This is just another one of your stupid matchmaker attempts. I'll never forget what happened last time. What was that chick's name?"

"Laura, I believe," he conceded.

"Yeah, what a disaster that was! She spent the whole time showing me off to all of her friends and bragging about how we had gone all the way that night. It never happened! I'm not going to be some female's boy toy, Andrew. I'm not interested in dating right now. I've got too much other stuff going on in my life at the moment," I contended.

"You know, Darien, that's going to be the story of your entire life. You'll be ninety years old and still a bachelor because you didn't have time to date."

I rolled my eyes. There was no possible way Andrew would ever understand the responsibilities I had to contend with. It wasn't easy being Tuxedo Mask.

"I saw the way you were looking at her today, Darien. What do you think gave me the idea of having her go on this double date with you? She's a great girl. Truth be told, if it weren't for the fact that I'm with Rita, I'd date her in a heartbeat. She's kind, loving, and has a great heart. So what if she isn't the best in school? Give her a chance, Darien. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out," Andrew insisted. "Plus, I think you're secretly intrigued by her because she's everything you're not. She's just what you need, in my opinion. Too often you choose the boring women who enjoy all the same things that you do. So what do you end up doing? Debating what the whale was supposed to represent in Moby Dick. How boring! No wonder you hate dating!"

"For your information, we do not debate Moby Dick!" I retorted

"Fine, Great Expectations, whatever…"

I shot him a glare.

"Come on. It's just one night. What harm could it do?" Andrew observed.

"Will you leave me alone if I do it?" I asked.

"Absolutely," he replied, positively beaming.

"Fine, I'll ask her tomorrow, but don't be surprised when she refuses, agreed?"

"Agreed."

And as I sat there looking at Andrew's smirking face, I began to wonder what on earth I had gotten myself into.