Chapter 4: The End of the Very Beginning
Five months later
Darien had kept his distance till school ended, far to busy to spend any real time with his 'Simple Sweetness.' She seemed to have found her way now, so he didn't feel so bad about basicly disappearing from her life. But the Summer seemed to have a life and agenda of it's own.
With the heat of july setting in, and the air conditioner in the gym busted. Sarge had kicked him and his four training mates out of the old brick building that housed their gym. Ranting and cursing in german that the place was falling apart and needed to be condemned. That it was rat infested, no good piece of crap that needed to be set on fire! Sarge had a bit of a temper to say the least. The space he rented wasn't much that's for sure, just some old warehouse out by the refinery, deep in the guts of the industrial sector of this city. He had it set up with a training ring, some weights, sand bags and a few bikes and treadmills.
The man wasn't known for having a cool head, barely over five foot with a shiny bald head. What was left of his grey hair was a thin ring around his saucer shaped ears. What was left of his hair he continually pulled on when stressed. He had a worn wrinkled face as he was nearing his sixties, with a rugged square jaw always dusted with stubble. Soft hazel eyes, that were sharp and clear, full of wisdom that he only seemed to share through harsh strings of swears.
He commanded that they keep up their training, to figure it out on their own. He would let them know when the cooling unit was fixed, and they could come back. Due to health and safety requirements they wouldn't be allowed back till he got the place certified once more.
So now they all stood outside the little ramshackle brick and wood building with the peeling paint on the tin roof watching the little old man blow a gasket up and down the dingy block. Getting odd looks from the warehouse workers, driving up and down the wide cement roads in tiny skiffs, hauling cargo.
The two older men he was training with took Sarge's little tantrum in stride, the tallest was a stern, sculpted man in his early twenty's. He had long platinum blonde hair he kept tied up in a single pony tail. With cool blue eyes and a fine boned face, he looked more like a model then some cage fighter.
Thus his nickname was Hollywood, Darien had no idea what his real name was and never pressed. The bane of his existence was the next oldest of the group, a nearly seven foot monster. He was powerfully build, like some adonis. Or he had been taking enhancement drugs behind everyones back...either way he lived, breathed and pretty much slept at the gym and it showed. With long thick, wavy red hair that hung around his huge shoulder's. With a strong masculine face and square jaw, and dark green eyes that seemed almost black when he was really pissed off. He went by the name of Kane, and was going to be the next Champion and no one better get in his way!
The last two were pretty much the Tweedledee and Tweedledum of the ring. Twin's only a year older then Darien. They were committed to becoming fighter's but they didn't seem to have a serious bone in their bodies. Always joking around and pulling pranks. Pretty much driving every one nuts, Kane and Sarge being their favourite targets because they were so over the top when freaking out.
The taller of the two was a soft almost elven faced young man, Zachariah. He was more soft spoken then his twin. With shaggy dusty blonde hair that hung around his ears, his bangs used to hang in his eyes, much like Darien's had. But Zac had been sparing with his brother earlier in the year, with the soft helmet on. Plastering his long sweaty fringe over his eyes, he was pretty much blinded. Ending up popping Sarge a good jab in the nose with his boxing glove instead. With a bruised face and broken nose, Sarge then enforced a rule now that all of them must keep their bangs cut short. No one really knew why Zac was at the gym, he wasn't driven to fight like his more aggressive brother. More interested in the techniques of the various fighting styles Sarge taught them. His keen green eyes usually in a book just before and soon after training. He was somber, even tempered straight man of the two.
While is brother, Jedadiah was the devil incarnate. He was the instigator of all the pranks, the master of crude jokes and sharp comments. Dragging his more gentle brother willing or not into his plans of mischief and mayhem. Jed had a short,wild head of honey blonde hair. With bright sea blue eyes, that were always sparkling with some hidden humour. They were a motley group, but their shared interest kept them connected.
Dusk was settling over the park, the last ember's of flame fading into the canopy of lush groves of trees. That flanked the paved bike path, winding through the large central park. The natural landscape took up a large chunk of downtown. Moving from one end of the city to the other, with small play grounds and picnic areas scattered along the path. A central river ran through the area, it was wide and clean enough to swim in. But most people chose to swim at the local pool, or down by the reservoir, where the water was filtered and dosed with cleaning chemicals. One could spend an entire day just exploring the parks varied landmarks.
Darien was off on his second jog of the day, enjoying the cool evening air. Dressed in a pair of grey sweats and a black t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up. A white towel twisted around his neck and tucked into the round collar in front to catch his sweat. Attempting to keep his shirt remotely clean, but his underarms still trickled sweat along the sides of the cotton fabric so his effort was pretty mute.
His feet were beating a good rhythm along the trail, mind lost in his thoughts as he rounded a blind turn into a grove of elm trees. The deepening shadows were growing over the path, the last of the sun glinting through the tree line blinding him somewhat as he focused on his pace. He had no chance to react, as a golden blonde emerged from around the bend. Her headphones securely on her ears, in the strangest dress he had ever seen. It was a silk wrap style dress of many colours of a deep sea blue and crimson in an elegant rose pattern. She had her head down, looking at her i-pod in her hand, not paying attention as usual.
Darien shouted in alarm as she suddenly appeared in his path, but it was useless she wouldn't hear a thing with her music blasting in her head. He skidded but it was to late, she collided with his chest, bouncing off from her slower speed and his greater momentum. Landing brutally down on the path, sprawled out on her back slightly dazed, as the back of her head snapped back onto the pavement.
"Serena!" He shouted in both frustration and worry, scrambling to her side. As she weakly pulled off her headphones.
Casting him a bitter look, clutching her now ringing head.
"Jeez, girl you need to watch were your going." He chastised with grim humour.
"Me...what about you!" She wailed back, as he helped her up by her hands.
Her legs were shaking, the world taking a dizzying turn from how hard her head had struck the ground. She instinctively clutched onto his shirt to steady herself. Pressing her forehead against his smooth, now hard stomach. Unconsciously taking in his musky, if a bit sour scent by being so close to his body.
She hummed, approving of the smell even if it was laced with sweat.
"Are you ok?" He questioned softly, his voice filled with concern. As he held her close, a large hand braced at the back of her head.
"Dizzy..." She mumbled.
"Ok, then lets get you sitting. Com'on. " He sighed, ushering her gently over to the grass under the trees nearby.
She merely nodded, leaning against his side as they took the few steps off the path. Once he had her firmly on the ground, keeping a bracing arm over her shoulder, he settled them against a tree trunk. The bark was rough and uncomfortable against his hot and now itchy back, thanks to all the sweat he had created earlier in his run. Serena was nestled comfortably under his arm, her face resting on his chest. Legs curled up to the side, so her body could press against his more firmly. White silk ballet flats adorned her tiny feet, just peeking out beneath the long hem of her strange dress.
"This was all your fault...by the way. " He commented dryly.
"Don't be an Ass." Serena retorted, closing her eyes to make the world stop sliding sideways.
"You were walking on the wrong side of the path." He chuckled, brushing his finger's down the side of her face, attempting to sooth her. While his heart once beating rapidly from his exertion's, now pounding from having her in his arms again.
"It's not a street...there are no traffic rules on park paths." She commented, heat now rising in her tone;
"I'm the girl, plus I'm smaller I get right of way!" she continued defiantly.
Darien rolled his eyes in frustration, they had been around each other for less then five minutes and already another argument was starting. He was right dammit! Why couldn't she just take responsibility when she made a mistake why was it always a debate!
Not wanting to get into it with her again, he let it go. Holding her tight as she gained her senses. It took her a very long time to settle her head, so Darien got as comfortable as he could on the hard ground. He didn't know if she was just taking her time, wanting to be near him or if he had really knocked her a good one. He was getting quite strong now, so he figured it was the latter.
As she finally rose off his chest, night was falling around them. She raised her face up to the clear night sky with a very sad expression. Only the warm glow of a full moon and a few stars were staring back at her, from just above the trees. She released a long sigh, casting her head down bleakly to pull at the grass around her ankles.
"Ok, what's with the weird clothes?" Darien couldn't resist any longer.
"It's called a Kimono, silly. " She answered with a patient smile.
He sat up slowly, reaching for her and fingered the long tapering collar, just under her chin, that folded over her pert breasts. It was very smooth and soft, made of silk as well.
Serena held her breath, as he fondled her Kimono's neckline, his fingertips were so very close to touching her intimately. She knew her eyes were wide, her cheeks burning, back rigid as her tummy fluttered with strange feelings. Yet the sweet moment was far to brief, when he suddenly pulled his hand away, masking his own feelings of attraction. As he nervously brushed the once exploring hand through his thick dark hair, casting his head to the side letting the cool night air calm his burning face.
My, god! She is just a girl...what is wrong with me!
"It's very pretty." He commented, leaning back against the tree once more.
"Thanks, my mother bought it for me last year." She tucked her hem down around her knee's demurely, staring up at the sky in a fog of melancholy.
"Why are you so down?" Darien sat up, bumping his shoulder into her's playfully.
"You just seem to have the bad luck to run into me when I am feeling bad." She huffed, picking at the hem of her kimono.
"Running into you is never bad luck for me." He smirked back, wrapping a hand around the side of her head and pulling her back into his arms for a moment. Enjoying the feel of her soft satin like hair, as one of her tails trailed through his fingers. Giving her a quick reassuring squeeze before releasing her.
She giggled happily, relieved she wasn't a bother to him. "Tonight is the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival. I looked forward to it all year, back home." She smiled over her shoulder at him. "The whole sky would be filled with the most wonderful light show you have ever seen! The pictures they made in the night sky were just amazing!" Her blue eyes were sparkling with beautiful memories. As she envisioned the plain dark sky above him full of fireworks.
Darien was enraptured by her, staring intently as her cute face mirrored with the awe and wonder that could be in the sky. Her imagination so vivid, he could swear he could see those fireworks sparkling in her innocent blue eyes. The purity of what she felt sometimes, amazed him. He rarely allowed his emotions be they positive or negative to run away with him. He was a bit of a control freak, of his environment and himself. While Serena hid nothing, allowed herself to feel emotions to their fullest. He envied her as much as he felt pity for her. She was able to enjoy her happiness in all it's glory, but was a slave to her sorrows, allowing them to drag her down like an anchor slowly suffocating the light he saw inside of her.
"I miss Japan so much..." Her lower lip began to tremble as tears began to fall, she turned her face from the empty sky seeking to hide her tears. So much more was left unsaid, hidden in the depth of misery that lurked in her eyes.
The light he had chosen many months ago to protect, to help it grow if he could. When Serena was happy, her smile could brighten anyones heart. It had warmed his already, so he never liked to see her sad.
"Well, how about I show you what kind of fun stuff we American's do?" he offered, leaning forward to give her a wide grin.
She laughed then, nodded. "Deal."
"Ok, then. Well first lets get you home, young girls should not be out after dark alone." He sighed, standing up and hauling her up to her feet.
"I'm not alone...though." She boldly clasped her hand in his, as they walked away down the path. Keeping her eyes forward not wanting to see if he felt holding her hand was unwanted. Darien for his part curled his strong finger's around her hand, silently assuring her, he wanted this as well. They talked and laughed all the way back through the empty park, heading cheerfully into the lights of the city. He had never seen were Serena lived, was alway curious but never had the chance to walk her home till now.
She stopped walking as soon as they reached the brick fence line of the two schools. The two large buildings sat side by side, looming behind in the darkness. Standing under the warm orange glow of the street lamp at the corner of the block, she turned to him.
"Thanks, Darien but I think I can make it the rest of the way home now." She loosened her grip on his hand, but he held tight.
"Sere, I don't want you walking home alone." He stated with concern, holding her hand a bit tighter.
Serena smiled fondly up at him, liking the shortening of her name. It meant they were getting closer.
"I'll be ok. My house is not to far from here." She shook off his hand gently.
Then backed away, waving him goodbye with a warm smile of gratitude for cheering her up.
"Meet me at the park tomorrow morning!" He called hopefully.
"I don't do mornings, how about after lunch!" She shouted back, jogging backward as she responded cheerfully.
"Fine!" He responded, watching her walk away until she faded from view far up the dark street.
As promised she was waiting for him on a bench just inside the parks main entrance down town. It was the central part of the park, with a huge fountain and benches surrounding it. A play park was set up on one end of the green space, with small accenting trees scattered all around.
He was dressed in a pair of jean's refusing to wear shorts on the principle that his pasty white legs did not need to be flashed around in public. With a simple dark blue, short sleeve button up shirt ready to treat his 'Simple Sweetness' to a special day.
Again he found himself just staring at her, unable to approach right away. She was just so unique, perhaps her style was from Japan or perhaps it was just her. But it was one aspect of many he loved about her. She sat kicking her feet, watching the water cascade down the sides of the massive cement fountain. Lost in her own world, completely unnoticed by the crowds milling around the fountain. Dressed gayly, in a cute little sundress. The top bodice in a dark lavender was made of velvet, with thin straps. While the skirt's dainty almost princess like design was tucked just under her breasts. Flowing down just to the middle of her thighs, in a softer powder lilac colour. A long silver necklace hung around her neck, a large crescent moon dangling near her stomach. Her hair as always up in it's twin buns and tails, trailing away down her back as she leaned forward to watch the black dolly shoes on her feet kick.
The outfit had a whimsy to it, that made her look beautiful like a spring flower. With the summer sun shining down upon her back, setting her hair aglow. The breeze moist and cool from the fountain, with just a hint of the water's clean sent. It was one of those moments that was just utter perfection, he didn't want to break the spell. Yet it was inevitable.
"Darien!" She finally raised her head from the ground, finding him standing a few meter's away staring at her. She waved, and with a beaming smile dashed to his side. Wrapping her arms around his bicep in a welcoming squeeze. Her excitement was infectious and soon he was laughing and chasing her around the park for fun. They spent the day together, and many more that summer. As he showed her more of the city. They went to the reservoir but she refused to get in the water, happy to just sun bath in her pink and white polka dot one piece suit. While he swam and fooled around with Andrew and a few of his friends from school in the water. She would cheer him on from the shore, jumping and waving at him. Her beaming smile brighter then the sun itself. He played a game of strength called gladiator, in which one boy would sit on another's shoulder's and grapple with the other boy boosted on his friends shoulder's. Darien was one of the taller boys, so he usually ended up being the one at the bottom. He never minded, with all his weight lifting this year the other boys in school didn't stand a chance against him. If he was the one grappling the game would be ended very quickly.
He never noticed how Serena admired his body from the beach, barely blinking, breath shallow. How the sight of him with out a shirt on, showing off his broad shoulder's and strong arms and chest was making her feel strange inside. All hot, cold, and light headed. Like she was sick but in a way she enjoyed. She had felt the first fluttering of this feeling when they first met, but she could never place it as something familiar. The more time he spent with her, the stronger those feelings for him got.
Her body was just starting to change, her breasts barely having grown in this year. Turning fourteen hadn't matured her body any faster, her hips were still square, she had really no curves to speak of. Feeling awkward and disproportionate, all arms and legs with absolutely no sex appeal at all.
But she was starting to look forward to the days he set aside just for her, making her feel special and cherished to him. This time together was what she had been secretly wishing for all year. The summer past in hot days, hanging out together in the park or playgrounds around the city. Fooling around together when they were alone, in a strange near intimate way. Tickling each other and wrestling upon the grass, teasing each other almost none stop. But Darien would never take it to far, and Serena was to shy to initiate anything more. So they maintained the stale mate of friendly yet not so friendly encounter's, of near kisses and almost caresses.
Arguing and making up as was their way, driving Andrew insane with the sexual tension he could see between them. When they had come to hide in the Arcade to get away from the heat, sharing a milkshake or a plate of fries as if on some odd date.
The new school year was closing in, Sarge had gotten the air conditioner replaced, so the guys were starting to hang out at the gym more. Training had resumed, so to did the daily sparing. Resulting in Darien getting pummelled by Kane yet again. Darien had enjoyed his new routine of jogging through the park in the morning's and evenings so had encouraged the guys to join him.
The five of them had been jogging at a good pace for the last twenty minutes, Kane and Hollywood long since out running the younger three. Jed and Zac were bantering back and forth with Darien a few steps behind. The sun was just starting it's decline into the trees across the river bank beside them, a cool breezing sending shivers down their hot skin. Jed and Zac were both in cotton track shorts, with colored stripes up the leg. Exactly the opposite of each other. While Zacs shorts were a soft blue with a white stripe, Jeds was white with a matching blue stripe. With loose white t-shirts flapping in the breeze as they ran. Darien didn't know if they dressed that way on purpose or if their mother still set out their clothes. Either way they always came off as immature clowns, both in attitude and in their ridiculous matching dress code.
"Holy, Fuck! Would you look at that!" Jed exclaimed, slowing his jog.
Zac slowed as well, forcing Darien to ease his pace until he was standing still.
He followed their gaze off the path finding his 'Simple Sweetness' at the end. She was hopping and dancing within the clearing just up from the path. Partially hidden within the small grove of trees, but her fluttering golden tails bouncing in and out of sight behind the bushes was unmistakable. Darien groaned in dread, knowing Serena was just being her overly energetic self. But to him it was cute and endearing. Jed and Zac would not think so, they would make snide comments thinking they were being funny, when in fact most of the time they were just plain mean. When those comments were directed towards him or the older guys they all handled them differently. Be it shooting flames back at them or merely punching them out cold. Either way it was solved between them.
He didn't want Serena subjected to their crass humour, so he sought to have them ignore her.
"Com'on, we are suppose to be training here, guys. Just leave her." he rolled his eyes in distain, as they ignored him.
Moving tentatively over the grass, crouching low and peeking over the bushes to observe what she was doing.
"Guys, Seriously...Sarge will be pissed if we don't finish our run in a good time!" he argued, trudging reluctantly over to them. Standing behind the bushes he was instantly humiliated for her. With her headset on, eyes closed and lost to her music.
Dressed in a pair of jean short, style overalls, with a tight white halter top shirt that just covered her small breasts, revealing far to much skin along her flanks. In a pair of black and white tennis shoes and quarter length socks pulled up her shins.
She was attempting to dance he thought. Like those professional bump and grind models on the music video's. Jumping and thrusting out her bum, curling her arms over her head and swaying her hips. Like she was valiantly attempting to impersonate Beyonce or something. Trying somewhat complicated moves with her feet, as she popped and shuffled from side to side. Looking more like she was having some kind of convulsion or mock electrocution. It was jerky and spastic, lacking any graceful or fluid movements. It really didn't help matter's that she had no bust or booty to pull off such mature, and overly sexual dance moves.
"oh, my gaaawd." Jed snickered, his eyes shining with tears of laughter.
"Do you think she's having some kind of attack?" Zac chuckled; "Should we call her an ambulance, she might hurt herself." He ducked his head laughing softly into his hand.
Darien palmed his face, she was clumsy enough, she very well could hurt herself and then she would be wailing like a banshee. Making all their ear's bleed.
"Let just go...ok." Darien offered, turning on his heel prepared to leave.
"Darieeeeeeen!" Serena cried suddenly in a high pitched sing song. Darien slumped his shoulder's in defeat this was just going from bad to worse.
Jed and Zac stood up giving him odd smirking looks, as the short blonde bounded out between a gap in the bushes. Latching herself around his arm, giggling and clinging. So very excited and happy to see him, her pink ear phones now hanging around her neck.
"You know her?" Zac inclined, laughing slightly.
"Can you take me for ice cream later...I have been just dieing to have that carmel fudge sundae we had last week." Serena interjected her voice pleading, so focused on getting her important request out she had ignored the other two boys.
"OHHHHH! I see." Jed stroked his chin thoughtfully, a smug grin spreading on his face.
"She's your girlfriend then." Zac acknowledged, raising an eyebrow.
Serena blushed at the thought, meekly looking down at her feet.
"NO!" Darien shouted out, a bit more forcefully then he wanted. A sudden cold sweat covering over his hot skin. She was way to young...the last thing he wanted was to be linked to some elementary school kid.
"You like'em young...that's not an issue for me." Jed smirked. "Want to break her in before anyone else gets the chance." He cocked a fist in the air, symbolizing Darien taking her innocence. "I can understand that. She is a little cutie." He finished, moving behind her and flipping her tails mockingly.
"Hey!" Serena shouted indignantly, rounding on Jed. Her chest hurting from Darien's loud refusal of her as his girlfriend. Finally letting go of Darien's arm to confront Jed herself. Even though it was true they were only friends, she had hoped that he might think of her in a romantic way...eventually.
"Hey, we could make her our mascot." Zac intoned, "She's a good hopper and shaker. " He snickered
"Yeah, " Jed faked looking off into the future, moving his hands in a title gesture. "We could call ourselves the 'Brawl'in Bunnies'
"Fuck off!" Darien roared at him, his so called friends were taking jabs at him and Serena.
Yet Serena stood oblivious to their mean comments. Looking from each of them for understanding. They were all speaking to fast for her, her english was good now, but not perfect.
"Oh...Darien!" She exclaimed finally noticing his two black eyes and swollen lower lip.
She reached up and cupped his cheeks carefully. "What happened, who did this to you?" She pleaded, her voice full of sympathy.
Jed and Zac began to laugh, roaring and pointing. To his growing humiliation, as Serena continued to coo and coddle his face. Pleading for him to answer who beat him up, as if she was going to chase down who ever it was and seek retribution with her own tiny hands.
Darien was heating up, feeling his anger rising as his friends laughed at him even louder, and Serena just refused to let go of his face and hold her tongue. Now ranting epitaphs on how she was going find the person responsible for hurting her sweet Darien. Her blue eyes shining with just rage and determination.
"Serena, you know that I am training to be an MMA fighter. That I want to be in the UFC one day." He attempted to explain, gripping her hands and pulling her off of him physically.
"oh...I forgot." She stated quietly.
"yeah.." he breathed, calming his now flaming face as he released her hands roughly. Glaring down at her, blame clear on his face towards her as the source of his embarrassment.
She stood stiffly, knowing that dark look. Not understanding how her concern would make him angry.
"Oh...Darien. You shouldn't let big bad men beat you up like that." Jed pouted, in a damsel in distress tone.
"Yeah..let your girlfriend take care of it for you. I'm sure she's a much better boxer then you are, anyway." Zac chuckled.
Darien could feel his anger turning into rage, her stupid girly sympathy had completely destroyed his tough guy rep with the guys and now they were going to harass him over this for months. She made him look like some battered weakling, made him feel doubts about not having any sort of talent for fighting. She had completely de-manned him in front of the guys in less then a minute.
"Leave him alone! You two are nothing but obnoxious loud mouths." Serena shouted tyring to put them in their place. Finally clicking as to the fact they were making fun of her and then Darien. Thanks to her. Needing to defend him as much as herself, fury etched in her stern glare up at them. Fists poised down by her hips, as she craned her head up to confront Jed ready to strike if needs be.
"Save me! Save me!" Jed swooned, jogging away with Zac roaring at his heels.
A long awkward silence followed, the soft chirps of the crickets calling from the long grass along the river the only sound.
"Darien..." Serena whispered uncertainly, knowing she had screwed up.
Darien lost his cool, his temper as always getting the better of him. He had argued and said cruel things to her before.
But never had he out right yelled at her.
"What the Hell! Serena!" he rounded on her, his face several shades of red.
Serena cringed, balling her hands into fists at her sides once more. But it wasn't in anger it was in shame. She had overstepped she knew it, but she genuinely cared for him...more deeply now then before. It had been pure instinct for her to reach out and show she cared he was hurt, to want to protect and defend him.
"Gomen..." She muttered, meekly casting her gaze to her feet unable to meet the fury in his eyes. Darien had learned several japanese words from being around her all year. He knew that she called him a Baka, when she was very angry or worked up in an argument. Understood Gomen, was I'm sorry.
"I can't believe you just did that to me! God, I thought you were paying attention to me when I talked to you. But no, you more and likely had your head in the clouds dreaming about rainbows and unicorns the whole time!" he ranted, pacing away from her. Needing a little distance he was just so furious at her.
"I was listening...I was just startled this is the worst I've seen you beat up all year!" She shouted back, needing to defend herself.
"Do you have any idea what you just did to me..." Darien hissed, thrusting an arm back towards the darkening path the two guys had jogged off on.
Serena could no longer speak, her chest was on fire, throat dry and hurting and her forehead felt really, really hot. She had never gotten Darien so angry before, she was nervous, and more then a bit scared.
"It's going to take me all year to get those two off my back! You made me look like some defenceless wuss!" He seethed, growling and staring off at the shadows just past her bowed form.
Serena was staring at her feet now, blinking rapidly trying to keep the tears of how badly he was hurting her and her remorse contained. The last thing she wanted was to cry in front of him. She was having a hard time finding her breath, her chest was twisting with a crushing guilt. She couldn't find her voice, wanting desperately to make things better yet nothing would come forth to save her.
"You know what, spending all this time with you was a mistake. I sent you the wrong message, I'm sorry for that. I don't want you thinking that there could ever be anything between us. You just a kid! For Christ's sake!" Darien blurted it all out with out thinking it through clearly. Wanting his life uncomplicated and in his control once more. He would realize later how much of mistake pushing her away would be.
"I've got more important things to do then continue to hang out with a little girl. Ok. So just give me my space." he finished, his face cold and expressionless. As he confronted her dissolving into anguish, a painful grin spreading over
her rosy face as she held back her sobs.
"I'm sorry, " She cried her vision blurring, a few tears finally falling as she confront him. "For making you hang out with me this summer. I'm sorry if I annoyed you, I won't bother you any longer Darien. " She then briskly turned on her heel and dashed off down the path, her sobs echoing back to him breaking his heart. But he felt it was better this way, he was way to old for her. What kind of concept of a romantic relationship would a fourteen year old have anyway? It would be like trying to date a child! In the end distance would be his best friend, he had no time for her anyway.
The last few weeks of summer past quickly, the new school year began with a mass groan from all the kids in the city. As they were forced once more within the halls of learning, to deal with teacher's, tests and the elusive game of popularity. Darien found himself missing her like crazy, his life was just so dull with out her. He had wanted to simplify his life, to be able to focus on his training. He had realized that she was becoming more of a priority then his dreams and he couldn't allow her to distract him. He was also highly embarrassed to be attracted to her since she was so young.
He never realized till it was to late, how much he needed her, until she was gone completely. How much pleasure he took in a simple five minute conversation with her. His whole body was missing the warmth of her tiny frame in his arms. He yearned for her now in any way he could have, a word, a glance...anything. But she was true to her word. He was never bothered by her presence ever again, even when he sought her out at the arcade or around her usual hang outs around town. She was never there, it was like she had merely faded away.
Now he found himself in his red gym shorts and grey school t-shirt. Outside during gym class, on the dirt track and field yard. Hanging out by the chain link fence that separated the two schools. Ignoring what he should be doing, while his class mates ran laps. His finger's griping the links, with white knuckled strain. Watching her on the other side, similarly dressed racing around the dirt with her gym class. The elementary side had a twin track and field yard, to the High school. She was trailing far behind her class, never having been very athletic. She could feel him staring at her, but stubbornly she never looked his way. Keeping her head down as she charged away down the track, kicking up dust his way.
Darien could only watch her run away from him, over and over again regretting every word he had said. And continuing to regret them for the rest of the year, as she remained absent from his life.
