Serena's POV
So he knew, I couldn't tell what he thought. For once, he was actually quiet and that was a first. He didn't say a word after I told him about my life and what I had gone through. I wasn't exactly sure how he felt or the thoughts going through his mind, I didn't know how he felt for once. He was speechless.
Suddenly he looked up at me and said," I didn't have a clue Serena. Does Mina or Amy know about this?"
I nodded. "They are the only two who know. No one else, I am too embarrassed."
"You shouldn't be. You can't do this on your own."
"I can do this, I've been doing this for years and I can do it. I just pace myself and take my time."
"Where are you going to school after you graduate?"
"Azabuu or USF."
"What about your siblings if you get into Azabuu?"
"I will move them with me. I can do this Darien, I've been doing it for years. I have a much different life than you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You have had everything given to you on a silver platter and I have had to work hard for everything, from the day I met you in elementary school you bullied me because I was different and I didn't follow the crowd much like you. I'm myself and I like who I am, you are with the popular crowd and have everything given to you. You like the easy way out and sometimes life doesn't work out that way and I've come to terms with that but I don't think you have. You may think I am being harsh but it's the honest truth, your selfish, self absorbed, egotistic, and everything always has to be about you. If it's not, you get upset and force people to follow your way."
I sat there as he swallowed everything I said, trying to come back with a quick comment but for once he couldn't. He sat there slumped over in the chair shaking his head as I got up and said," If you'll excuse me, I have to go to bed and get ready for tomorrow. We've done enough for tonight."
"You got it wrong Serena. I'm not like that."
"Keep telling yourself that Darien."
I didn't see him out but seconds later, I heard the door and heard him speed off and for once I could've cared less, everything I said about Jan was true. There is no way he would change, not in this lifetime.
Darien's POV
She's wrong. I'm not like that, I care about my friends and I am myself. I don't follow the crowd, she's got it all wrong. Stupid Serena Taylor. But what if she was right? She couldn't be. I was feeling a rush of every emotion possible but Mina's comment about Serena's life not being what I thought was catching me off guard, she couldn't possible be okay having done that for the last four years, she was right that I have had everything given to me and I really haven't worked hard for it but it's the way I was raised.
As I walked into the house, I heard my mother in the kitchen and walked in and asked," Everything okay?"
She jumped at the sound of my voice, she regained her composure and responded," Everything is fine."
I smiled as she asked," How did your study date go?"
I shrugged. "It was an eye opener."
"How so?"
"I don't feel like talking about it now, maybe tomorrow."
She looked a little confused, I walked over to her and said," It's fine, I'll talk to you about it tomorrow."
"Alright."
I walked upstairs to my room thinking over what Sadie had told me, I knew she would be at school tomorrow and I also knew that we would have to work together, our teacher planned it out so that some of the days we work on our projects in class. I didn't mind it but tomorrow wasn't going to be easy.
Amy's POV
Something was up and I couldn't figure out what. Darien seemed sullen and quiet for some reason and Serena didn't even bother to look at him earlier in English, the only time they talked was when they had to work on there projects and that was it. Now, I was in cheerleading and it was close to end and I noticed Darien kept looking at me and I turned around asked," You need something?"
"I wanted to talk to you."
"What for?"
He signed. "I just want to talk to you."
"Ok, what's up?"
The two of us were outside and I asked," Does this have anything to do with Serena?"
"How did you know?"
"You weren't your usually charming self to her in English and you seemed sullen and grumpy earlier."
"I went over to Serena's last night and we ended up getting into an argument. She said some things to me and I got upset."
"What did she say?"
"She called me selfish, self centered, egotistic, insensitive, and told me that I follow the crowd and I don't do my own thing."
I snorted and thought," Sadie has him pegged."
I looked at him and said," Darien, I hate to say it but it's true. You are a very selfish person, I've seen that since the beginning, since the day I met you. You are into yourself and if someone tries to take your place, you get pissed. You are blind to who you really because I don't even think you know. You are surrounded by fake people."
"But."
"No buts about it, I can tell you a few other people who feel the same way."
"What are you two talking about?"
We turned around to see Mina walking over to us she said," Serena told me about the night before, I caught her before she left for work."
"What did she say?"
"Nothing other than she didn't feel any different than last night, she was glad she told you off. It was a long time coming Darien, you've been a prick to her since day one because was quiet and shy and not getting a chance to get to know her, she was different and you didn't like that for some reason. She's not a bad person, you two are different in a way that you've had everything handed to you and she's had to work for everything she has gotten."
I saw the color Darien 's face change and I said," The truth hurts doesn't it?"
Before he could say anything, I walked off with Mina. The two of us had been hanging out recently and I liked her. I hoped I would see a change in Darien but at the same time I knew that would impossible.
Darien's POV
The truth does hurt, it hurt more than I thought possible. Hearing that from three people was enough, I was starting to think that maybe they were right. Maybe I was a selfish person, maybe what Serena said to me was true. Just maybe.
Darien's POV
"Hey Mom, you have a few?"
"Sure do. What's on your mind?"
"I went over to Serena Taylor's house last night and she told me some things and I'm finding it hard to believe."
"What? That you've had everything handed to you on a silver platter."
"How did she know?"
She chuckled at the expression on my face and said," Darien, I've tried to tell you that for years. You have had everything given to you like your father. Your dad used to be the same way until I met him and I put him in his place which I am assuming that's what Serena did and you didn't want to believe it."
"That's right."
"What did she say?"
"That I was selfish, self absorbed ,egotistic , and I followed the crowd and I wasn't myself. I hang out with fake people."
"I hate to break it to you sweetheart but she's got you pegged. I've tried to tell you all that in the nicest way possible but it never worked and father told me to let it go and you'd find out for yourself."
I sank down into the chair and said," What about my friends?"
"I've never liked Andrew and neither has your father but you two hit it off so we never said anything, your friends are in for a cruel reality check when they graduate. I know this is hard for you to take but the truth sets you free and helps you realize your faults and helps you grow up as a person."
"Have you talked to Serena since then?"
"No, she won't talk to me."
"I suggest you try talking to her and see if that gets your anywhere, apologize and try to talk to her. You never know, it may help you out in the end."
"She won't listen to me, I've made fun of her and made her life miserable since elementary school. I highly doubt she wants to talk to me."
"Are you afraid of your friends seeing you asking to talk to her? Is that why?"
I sighed but she was right, a part of me was afraid that I would get ridiculed for talking to Serena. She wasn't popular and wasn't in the in crowd but as of last night, I wasn't exactly sure that the people I hung out were my real friends.
"I take that as a yes. Just talk to her. Trust me, it will make a difference in the end."
Serena's POV
Ugh, I need more cofee. I am almost out and that's what help keeps me going, it helps me stay awake on late nights so I can get things done. I am not addicted to it. I just use it to help me stay awake and I needed it tonight because I had so much to do. I was still working on the project with Darien, I didn't speak to him today because he seemed to be in a bad mood so I'm sure he was still soaking in when I ripped into him.
I heard a knock on the door and I groaned and looked at the clock and it was nearly midnight and I thought," Who could this be?"
I turned off my CD player and opened my door and walked downstairs and opened the door to see Darien standing there and I asked," What are you doing here?"
"I came to give you this. I printed it off earlier and I knew you needed it. Let me know when you can work on this. I am free all this week."
I smiled looking down at the papers and he said," I've been thinking about what you said Serena and I feel like a jerk."
I didn't know whether he was serious or joking, I looked at his facial expression and couldn't exactly tell.
I clutched the papers in my hand and said," Can we talk about this another time? I have a lot of work to do. I had to work a late shift and now I have so much crap to do."
"Your mother come home yet?"
I shook my head. "No. I have to get going Darien. Thanks for the stuff."
He smiled and walked off, I closed the door and leaned back against it and hugged myself feeling tears spring my eyes and I thought," Maybe he can change."
The next day...
I arrived at school the next day a little earlier than usual and found myself face to face with Andrew Hansford who snorted and said," You are such a nerd."
"What do you want Andrew?"
"Quit messing with Darien."
"I'm not messing with him."
Andrew snorted. "Then why the hell is he ignoring me and his friends? The only reason is you. He's been acting weird ever since he went over to your house. What'd you do to him?"
"I didn't anything Andrew, just leave me alone."
"Andrew! Leave her the hell alone!"
I was shocked, surprised, and a little confused. It was Darien.
"What?"
"Leave her alone and let it be. She didn't do anything to you."
I was having a hard time believing this, here was Darien sticking up for me and telling his best friend of all people to leave me alone. What was wrong with this picture?
The two of them were standing in the courtyard almost face to face until Mina got in between them and said," Break it up boys."
"You are a making a huge mistake."
Darien shrugged him off and made his way over to me and placed his hand on my arm and asked," Are you okay?"
Still feeling shocked and surprised I couldn't respond but I was able to nod and he smiled back at me and said," Good, I'll see you in English."
"Okay."
He walked off as Mina walked over to me and asked," What was that about me?"
"He stood up for me and asked me if I was okay."
"Wow."
I nodded my head in agreement as Mina was clearly stunned as I was, it was different. Maybe he could change. Maybe there was some good in him after all.
