Authors Note:
Thank you for the reviews!! I really appreciate it! I'm not much of a writer but I'm glad that you like it! Sorry it took so long to update this, but its finals weeks in college and I am FRANTICALLY studying just so yeah. Not to mention that I'm gonna be taking summer classed just so I won't be a potato this summer. So I will try my best to update at least once a week so that you amazing reader and reviewers won't go crazy. Okie dokie hokie pokie? LOL
As usual…I don't own Sailor Moon or any of the Characters…just their odd relationships that I seem to place them in within this story. And if I did…. I would be swimming in a pool of money! Kidding… but yeah…. On with the story…Oh and if anyone was confuse from the previous chapter, I'll explain quickly.
Serena and Darien are BEST FRIENDS. There is no incest in this story; it only gets confusing because of this little factor Darien is the son of her Uncle from his first marriage. She is the niece of Darien's father because he married her Aunt's sister, who has a son who is Serena's cousin's cousin. Thus Darien is the step brother of Serena's cousin's cousin. A little clearer?
Chapter Two: Waiting and Thank You's
"Darien and I are just best friends. You never have a problem with the way Andrew and I act around each other? So what's so different with Darien?" commented Serena.
"Uh…well…uh…" stuttered Rini.
"We're waiting Rini. How about you Hotaru? Do you have any reasoning for why it's different with Darien and Andrew?" Serena looked at Hotaru with the same intimidating look she was giving Rini.
"Uh… He is older than both you and Andrew?" she stated more like questioningly than certainty.
"See, you can't even come up with a good reason. I've had older friends and you guys didn't care" Serena said, with a smirk. 'I can think of various reasons, mainly that I like him, he is hotter than Andrew, and I don't know what else but there is something about him…' she thought to herself.
"Yeah and what? So what? I'll find a reason later. But come on Serena, Darien, we gotta go! Bye mom! Don't worry we will behave!" said Rini after a moment.
"Yeah… You'll probably think of one in like a few years," she commented. Serena's sister and cousin never knew about her hidden feelings for Darien, but they did suspect something but didn't know what it was. Rini let that thought go as she told herself that it was impossible, Darien was two years older than her sister, and her sister, ok well maybe her sister did have a tendency to fall for guys pretty fast.
'It's so weird that she hasn't fallen for Darien yet' she thought, 'Unless, she has fallen but she is hiding it.'
Rini knew of her sisters failed relationships and lost best friends, she was there through it all, and yet, she didn't fall for Darien, who was totally her type, but still… 'maybe she learned from her mistakes…'
They all piled into Darien's silver Toyota 4-Runner and drove off towards Darien's parents' house. The drive was pretty quite until Darien asked Serena who she was constantly text messaging. Serena said it was none of his business, where as Darien would argue that it was his business since he was the best friend; they continued like this whole way, as Serena continued to text the mystery friend and Darien continued to be nosey.
When they got to Darien's house, his parents were not ready yet so the teens hung out in the backyard, while Serena and Darien hung out in his room. Serena was lying on her stomach reading the manga that she would buy and leave in his room, just so she had something to do other than just surfing the internet. Darien on the other had sat at the computer as he continued to type the English paper he was working on before he went over to pick up his best friend. If someone were to walk in they would find a blonde reading and quite indulged in the story and a raven haired man looking frustrated as he tried to get over his writers block.
"Serena, can you pull yourself away from your book and help me real quick?" he asked her.
"Are you telling me that my best friend, who is in college, is asking help from a mere high school senior? What has this world come to?" she rhetorically commented as she got up to sit on the bed.
"Yes, the 'college guy' is asking the 'high school girl' to help him with his essay because he is so incapable of defeating writers block. Shut up! I know…. It's a miracle!"
Flashing Darien a mocking grin, Serena got up and went over to help Darien with his paper. "What is the topic of your essay? What are your points? What is your thesis? How many pages is it supposed to be? When is it due? And most important of all, how far along are you in your paper?" She asked him as she smoothed out her outfit, and helped put a loose curl back in its place.
"Damn Sere, any other questions like 'who is the teacher? What class is it for?' and what not?" he questioned with a smug grin on his face. He knew she was the best writer he had ever met. She wrote better than most of his school mates and for being only a senior in high school she was already taking a freshman English class at the local community college. Serena raised her eyebrow at him that asked if he wanted help or not. "Ok, I'll stop being such a smart ass. The topic is about the qualities of a leader. I'm having trouble with my thesis, my points are courage and I have no other ideas for other points, it's to be as long as I want it to be as long as I prove my thesis, its due in two weeks but the draft is due on Wednesday. And I am barely on the first paragraph trying to write out my introduction," he said it all so sheepishly. 'I'm supposed to be the smart one and yet I need help, oh well at least I'm getting it from the best…' he thought to himself.
"Well then, we have a lot of work to do. First, since you are writing about leadership, I suggest that you definitely use the book written by Machiavelli, The Prince that book will definitely tell you all the qualities of a leader. Second of all, you need at least three points that all go together, so think fast, I suggest you write at least a 4-5 page paper, you to get your point across, and lastly let me see what you have so far, maybe I can get your paper started and you can handle it from there," said Serena as she pushed Darien lightly out of the chair he was in and sat down.
As she read the paper that he was trying to begin, Darien watched her and pretended to think as he watched. He couldn't help but admire that when he asked, not including every other time he called her up for help, she got straight to business and never let him made fun of him, apart from the occasional sarcastic tone that she had whenever she pretended to be surprised that he asked for help. He knew that she was half joking, for both of them knew that Darien wasn't one to ask for help unless he really needed it. Usually people would ask him for help and whenever he did need help from others, they would just gawk at the 'great' Darien Shields needed help. But Serena was different, she was shocked the first time, for she never thought that Darien would ask her of all people for help but still, she never made him feel stupid, asked for all the information and helped him. He smiled as he recalled the first time he ever asked for Serena's help, he was in the same predicament…
Flash Back
"Dad, Can you help me with something?" Darien asked his dad.
"Sure, John, what seems to be the problem?" Rene asked. He was the only one who seemed to call Darien by the first part of his name, John. He didn't really mind, but still he was used to just Darien or Dare.
"I need help with my paper for English, and I have no clue how to start it off." He said with a slight whine. He couldn't help it, it was due in two days and he was barely on the first paragraph.
"Well son, I'm more of a math person, myself, I barely passed my English course with a C and never got higher than a C- on my papers. Hmm, I know how about you call up Serena and ask her for help. I over heard your Aunt Chari and Serena's mom talking about Serena. They were talking about how for only a high school senior, she was taking up a college writing course because she seemed bored in her high school English class. Though I don't know why? That class is already at college level but that's only me. So call her up, ok?"
"Thanks dad. But don't you think that she will make fun of me for asking a high school kid help with a college paper?" he asked a little hesitantly.
"No John, she won't trust me. Last time I went over there she was tutoring some college kid with his paper too, so I doubt that she will make fun of you."
"Ok. Thanks dad."
As he patiently waited for Serena to pick up, he began having second thoughts about it. He was scared that she would make fun of him. They barely knew each other. He had only known her for a few weeks, what if he sounded stupid for asking, and all those other oh my god thoughts. By the time he decided to hang up, she picked up.
"Hello," she answered. He couldn't say anything, and it was ok, he had blocked his number just in case he went through with it then suddenly chickened out.
"Hello, anyone there?" she answered again. Darien took a deep quiet breath and as he was about to say hello, Serena hung up.
'Great, by the time I am about ready to answer her hello's she hangs up. Just great,' he thought to himself. Then again he knew Serena enough that she was as patient as a lion on the hunt, but not so patient when people called and didn't answer. 'Come on, you can do this,' Darien' he said as he coached himself. 'It just Serena and you're just asking for help. She won't make fun of you. Come on, John Darien Shields, you've gone through worst things, asking a high school student for some help isn't disarming a bomb.'
When he had his nerves in check, he called again, this time without caller I.D. as he somewhat patiently waited for her to pick up; he paced the room and tried to relax.
"Hello?" Serena answered as he was giving himself another pep talk.
"Hi, is this Serena?" he said trying not to sound nervous.
"Yes, who is this?"
"Um, it's John Darien."
"Oh hi Darien, what's up? And why do you sound nervous?"
'Great, she read me like a book' he thought. "Oh nothing much, I was just wondering if you were too busy to help me with something."
"Yeah, sure. I'm not doing anything today. So what can I do for ya?"
"Well, it's kind of embarrassing, but can you help me with my English paper."
"Really? You need my help? I never thought that someone in college would ask me for help. Wow. But yeah sure, I'll try to help you as much as I can."
"Really? Wow! Thanks! Can you meet me at my house or do you want me to come over?"
"LOL. Your welcome, its not big deal. I tutor everyone in that subject; I'm just surprised you asked me of all people. Uh how about you come over here, I'm not sure how my mom would feel about me going over to a guy's house."
"Yeah, I heard about you tutoring the college kids in your class. My dad told me you went to the local community college and were the best in your English class. Ok I'll be there in 20 minutes. What do you want to eat? My treat since you're helping me or do I just pay you cash?"
"Ok. That's cool, no need to pay me or buy me lunch. We're friends. It's what friends do."
"No, I insist. Lunch is my treat and thank you."
"Ok fine, you eat sushi?"
"Uh no, but I can go buy it."
"Well, ok can you get me the Crunch Roll at Yasai. And it has a Togo's right next to it so you can get yourself something."
"Ok, that's, cool I'll be there soon. Thanks again"
End Flashback
He smiled at the thought. She never made fun of him, she was surprised when he told her that she was the first choice to go to for help, but she never mocked him. That was when they began to become friends. Serena had finished reading what he had written and was watching him as he smiled to himself, oblivious to her stares.
"What?" he questioned.
"I'm just wondering why you are smiling? No one said anything and you're laughing to yourself."
"Yeah, well I was just remembering when you first helped me with my essays. You never made me feel stupid. Why? I always wanted to know why."
"Well, you sounded really nervous for one. And two, I know what its like to ask for help, fear being teased, ask and have your fear confirmed. That's why. I hate that. So every time someone asks me for help I help without making people feel stupid."
"Oh Ok. You're an awesome friend you know?"
"Thanks. Well here is an outline of your paper. I wrote the basic ideas of Machiavelli, and so all you need to do is write it out and add your opinions. Then at the bottom, I listed other books that will help you with the paper."
"Thanks best friend. I so owe you big time."
"Just buy me lunch. You know I love sushi."
"Yeah I know. Well you can read your manga now. And I'm gonna try to get started on my paper. Hey I was wondering… Why do you keep your manga collection in my room?"
"Oh yeah, sorry, its just mom and dad aren't really big fans of me and my reading habit. They think it's a waste of my time, so I keep the 'smart books' at home and my 'fun books' here. Sorry about that."
"No, it's ok. I don't mind, I was just curious."
They continued what they were doing before Darien needed help, in silence.
"Darien! Serena! Lets go" Uncle Rene yelled, about half an hour later.
"Ok! Give us a sec to get our stuff!" yelled Darien.
As they gathered their stuff, Serena grabbed the second and third volume of the manga she was reading Full Moon, while Darien put his shoes on and grabbed a jacket. Serena put her manga in her bag, and slipped her boots on again, and smoothed out her out fit once again. They headed out after Darien locked his bedroom, and Serena redid the little make up she wore. They climbed into the van and Serena and Darien sat in the back, while Rini and Hotaru sat in the row before them. On the way to their Aunt's house, they went to Lunia Park to pick up Darien's stepbrother, Melvin. They never really got along; in fact they practically hated each other. So when Melvin saw that he had no need to sit in the back, he chose to sit up front with Rini and Hotaru. During the ride, Serena and Darien were talking about school, and how she couldn't believe that she was graduating in a few months. Soon their conversation traveled to Darien's paper, and how if he wrote about the points she gave him and used the resources she listed, he should have an A paper. Eventually, Darien began to get a little sleepy, and since they were still about 45 minutes away, he decided to take a nap. Serena saw this and let him sleep on his shoulder while she listened to her iPod and looked out the window at the cars passing by her.
As she listens to her iPod, her favorite song came up; it was 'Thank You' by Rachelle Ann Go. She loved this song mainly because of the man sleeping upon her shoulder.
now...
after all the things that I have held on to
have been put away by time I'm back to you
funny but it's just today I understand everything I need was right before me
all along the line
I never cared to read the sign
that love was the greatest gift life gave to me and now it's setting me free
Her mind began to wander off to the times before she had Darien in her life. She remembered dating Damien. And how much it hurt her, that though he said he loved her, he never showed any emotions. Or when she was dating Sapphire, he was everything Damien wasn't he wore his heart on his sleeve. He shared his feelings with her, when ever he was having a bad day. When another guy would try to flirt with Serena, he would get jealous and wrap his arms around her waist. He was perfect, but then she remembered how he broke her heart by posting to the world that she was a bitch, and how he never really loved her. That didn't matter to Serena, the only thing that really hurt, was when he said that they were never going to be friends again. After Damien and Sapphire, she had lost trust in guys, until Darien waltzed his way into her heart. Sure she had Andrew, but they were best friends that loved each other, and didn't have any romantic feelings for each other. Everyone assumed they did, but they were wrong. Darien showed her that not all guys were assholes. He opened up her heart again, and she thanked him for that.
and I... and so...
thank you for being the one
for being the sun
for being the rainbow after the rain
for being the blue in the sky
and I thank you for ending the night
by shining a light you've taken me home again when I lost sight of all hope you were a friend thank you for the love that lasted 'til the end
I begin to look at life in a new way
so much wiser now than I was yesterday separating the forest from the trees
learning from the love that rescued me now
all along the line
I never cared to read the sign
that love was the greatest gift life gave to me and now it's setting me free
With Darien in her life everything was perfect. He was the perfect friend and gentleman. He made her laugh even though she was having the most stressful of all stressful days. He understood her in a way that Andrew and Mina didn't. He knew things about her that not even her best friend in the whole wide world, Rei, knew about. Yes, Darien opened her heart, and she loved him for that. What she would never admit to him, but she did to he bet friends was that she truly loved him. But would not act upon it ever, for she lost enough guy friends because of 'love'.
and I... thank you for being the one with you right beside me I could fly
for being the sun
for being the rainbow after the rain
for being the blue in the sky
and I thank you for ending the night
by shining a light you've taken me home again when I lost sight of all hope you were a friend thank you for the love that lasted 'til the end
spread my wings it'll take it to the sky
for you will be the wind that drives the sail you will always be there should I fail
like you did before and you'll do once more
I believe that is true I'm giving it all back to you...
Darien was her best friend, who taught her how to trust men again. She didn't know how to repay him, so she decided to help him whenever he asked as a form of a thank you. But she also discreetly showed her love for him with daily 'Have a wonderful day best friend. Iloveyou' text messages. Yes she loved Darien for being so wonderful to her.
I thank you...
thank you for being the one
for being the sun he brightened her dark world
for being the rainbow after the rain he brought happiness to her broken heart
for being the blue in the sky he added color to her dull life
and I thank you for ending the night he reassured her that though everything isn't perfect, if can be with a little hope and faith
by shining a light you've taken me home again when I lost sight of all hope you were a friend thank you for the love that lasted 'til the end
At the end of the song she started to feel sleepy so she fell asleep on the window and didn't wake up until they parked in Aunt Trista's drive way. When she woke up, she found herself in a completely different position than when she fell asleep.
TBC Read and Review Please!!!
The song THANK YOU is sumg by Rachelle Ann Go. A Filipino singer
Oh FYI Damien is Diamond