"I am so over this stupid storm!" Serena again running into get Rini! She had just got out of detention and was running late.

She ran through the school office.

"I am so sorry I am late! The storm is crazy!"

"And who are here for miss?"

Serena caught her breath and looked around the office. There were three other kids there, but not one was Rini.

I am looking for Rini. She is this tall with pink hair.

"Oh yes she was picked up already."

"Really? By who? I just got off the phone with my dad and he said he did not get her."

" I can double check the signature. But she was scared and she made a call, few minutes later a nice looking gentleman came. Maybe your boyfriend?"

"I don't have a boyfriend."

She rubbed her forehead.

"Ahh here, Darien Shields. She knew him and he is on her sign out sheet."

"Ugh, why me?"

She wasn't sure what to do. She did not want to go get Rini from him again. The storm was getting worse, and the last thing she wanted was to be stuck, but she also did not want to get in trouble for leaving Rini possibly stranded.

She sat in her car. She knew only one person to call.

Ring. Ring.

"Hello?"

"Raye! I need you!"

"Are you okay? Are you out in this weather?"

"Yes I had detention and Rini had Darien get her."

"Oh. Well you need to get over there ASAP. Weather man said the store is going to start coming down really hard and more roads are going to be closed."

"Ugh, I was going to ask Chad to do it!"

"Sorry Sere, he is helping grandpa with a few leaks."

"It's okay."

"Hey, you are going to be okay. You have come so far already. You have us and your family, you do not need him."

****At Darien's Apartment****

"Thank you for coming for me Darien. Serena probably got detention again and I was getting scared."

"Anytime munchkin. This storm is getting pretty scary."

"I hope Serena is not mad."

"Why would she be mad?" Darien sat down next to Rini.

"She is trying really hard to stay away you. She said she doesn't even want to look at you."The little girl shrugged.

"Oh."

The words cut right through his heart. He knew she was hurt, but the idea that she did not want anything do with him ever cut.

"It's okay Darien. She still loves you."

"Huh?"

"Some nights she cries, other nights not so much. She even dated this one guy. His name started with a D too. Want to say Diamond. But she accidentally called him Darien." The little girl laughed."That girl is such a doof, she probably forgot about me to be honest."

Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?"

Rini watched as Darien opened the door. She could see a little figure's shadow.

"Where is Rini?"

She asked peaking around him and not making an eye contact with him.

"Serena! You are soaking wet! Come in!"

"No I already walked two blocked to get here because there is no close parking. I just want to get Rini and leave!"

"Serena! Please come in and dry off for a second. You will get sick." He tried to grab her hand.

"Don't touch me! You had no right to get her! You have your scheduled day. And now I am going to have to deal with this weather."

"I was just trying to help. Please come in!"

He tried to maneuver himself so he was in front of her. He just wanted her to look at him once.

"No! I want to leave before the storm gets worse and I cannot drive. RINI! Let's go?!"

"Ummm." A little voice could be heard behind Darien.

Serena knelt down to Rini's level, rubbed her face to get the water out of her eyes.

"Come on baby. We need to go before the storm gets worse."

"I think it is too late." Rini pointed to the window behind her. There was rain, hail and thunder at this point.

Serena looked outside, and closed her eyes. She wanted this moment to be a dream.

"I am sorry Serena. I was so scared at school. "

Rini started to tear.

"It is okay baby. We will figure it out, okay? Don't cry." She wrapped her arms around Rini."You're so much like me, I hate this weather too."

She held onto the little girl.

"Serena, can you please just stay here until the weather clears? You two being out there alone, I would not feel right."

Serena sighed.

"Please."

She held onto Rini.

"We can go if you want." Rini whispered in her ear. "I will try to be brave."

Serena shook her head.

"No we will stay just until the it dies down a little and we will leave."

"I can drive you home."

Serena stood up. Shook off the excess water. "No. I will drive us home."

Rini grabbed her hand and guided her in the apartment.

She removed her shoes, and her soaks were soaked.

"Sorry, about the water." She said focusing on wiping up the drops.

"Don't worry about it."

She placed her shoes in a corner."Can I use you bathroom?"

"Yeah, you remember where it is?"

"Yup."

She went into the bathroom and locked the door. She never thought she would be in this bathroom again. She remembered the night she snuck out of her house in the middle of the night and came here. Darien had surprised her by setting up a beautiful bubble bath for her, with candles and roses. She had such a hard day at school and home that day. They didn't even end up doing anything that night. She just remembered he sat outside the tub while she was inside.

She squeezed out some of the water out of her long blond hair.

"Serena? Are you okay?" A little voice from outside asked.

"I am fine Rini."

"There are towels in the closet, Darien said they are clean."

"Thanks."

She dried herself off as much as she could. She took a deep breath, and walked out.

The hallway was dark, and she did not expect anyone.

"Oh shit! Darien you scared me. Have you just been standing out here?"

She looked down the hall.

"Sorry I just thought you would want a change of clothes. I found a few of your things. The shirt is mine. It will be big, but I will pop your stuff in the dryer."

He handed her the stuff. She looked at it.

"You will be more comfortable."

"Thanks."

She went back in the bathroom changed really quick. She walked out into the living room. Darien was cooking dinner and looked up at her. He never understood how she did it. She looked more amazing when she just in a shirt and her hair up in a single bun. No make up, made her blue eyes stick out even more. His shirt looked a little bigger on her than he remembered.

She sat down next to Rini on the couch. He watched them as they sat there together. This was the life he has always wanted. Her, him and Rini. He sighed.

On the couch Rini and Serena was looking over one of Rini's books.

"Serena?" Rini whispered.

"I am sorry I called him to pick me up. You wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"What did I tell you? You do not have to worry about that situation. And besides I was the one late to get you right?"

She pinched her little cheek.

Darien didn't want to interrupt but it was time for dinner.

"Girls, time to eat."

Serena wasn't very hungry.

"Please sit with me?" Rini asked her.

"How can I say no to that face?"

Rini just smiled and pulled Serena with her.

"Slow down little one."

Serena brushed by Darien, again no eye contact. But she left behind her wonderful scent that he missed so much.