AN: Helllllllllllllllurrrrrrrrrr everyone! I know I said this was all true, but I've definitely spiced it up in the long run. Some scenes I've totally made up, so don't get to thinking I've been in this romantic of situations, far from. In this chapter, everything that happens AFTER school is true, but probably a bit more romantic, but this whole chapter is majorally exagerrated. Sorry to ruin it, but I had to be honest. I thought I was going to leave it pure and true but I knew that if I was reading it, I would of gotten bored already, so I decided to play it up a bit. It's been a bit of slow-going due to faulty internet connections, late nights/early mornings, and photography classes. Oh and, sorry this is short, but it's part 1 of 2 or 3. I'm not sure yet. Enjoy and review, please!

Serena wearily walked up the stairs, cursing herself for staying up so late studying. Her long slender legs dragged up the hallway, head bent, causing her meatballs to fall down her back, shaping her form. Suddenly, there was an obstruction blocking her slow-going. "Move," she growled, not bothering to lift her head. "That's not very nice, Meatball Head." Darien said, smirking down at the angry blonde below him. Serena looked up, flushed by embarrassment, but quickly hid it with bitterness.

"Today is NOT the day, Darien. Now move."

"Why don't you walk around me, lazy?"

"I was up till 2 last night, okay? Forgive me for being a little cranky."

"I'm sorry. Do you need any help doing any last minute studying?"

Serena gasped at his sudden change in disposition. She just stared at him, shook her head, and stepped to the left, trying to make her way around the man. Being the klutz she was, Serena linked her foot in a backpack strap and started to fall on her face. Too tired to defend herself, she just gave up and decided to fall. 'Maybe I'll get out of my English exam if I get a concussion!' Darien reacted fast and gripped her shoulders with his large hands. Steadying her, Dariens mind wandered about what he would get as a reward, when a livid voice bellowed from beneath his grip.

"GREAT JOB! You ruined my plans. Leave me alone."

"What? I don't get a 'thanks' from saving you from head trauma?"

"No! You ruined my only hope for not failing my English exam."

"Are you serious?"

"No…I guess not…I don't know Darien! I'm so worried…If I fail, I'll get a D in the class, and I'm already so close to not passing."

Before he knew what he was doing, Darien was pulling the ranting and now sobbing Serena into his arms. He gently rubbed her back and she gripped his shirt. "You'll do fine, Serena." Darien cooed, running his hands through her hair. Serena felt the instinct to pull away, but resisted, enjoying her position. "Thanks, Darien." She murmured, glancing up at him then resting her gaze back on his shoulder. Darien untangled an arm from her hair and placed it under her chin, gently pulling her face up to face his. Her baby blue's only stared back at him, distressed and swollen. "Serena…" Darien whispered, wiping a bang out of her eye. "Um, hi, hope I'm not interrupting something…" said a cheery voice from behind them, snapping them both out of their 'moment.' Pushing herself off Darien a bit too aggressively, Serena pranced over to Mina, "No, of course not! I just tripped and Darien caught me, as usual." She said with a smile, laughing nervously. Darien balanced himself, recovering from Serena's push. "Nope, nothing going on here." He added, running a hand through his hair and smiling a half grin. Mina just smiled, giggled to herself and dashed into the gym before either of them could stop her. "Min-!" Serena gave up when the gym door slammed shut.

"I'm sorry about that. I don't know what came over me." Darien mumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"It's okay, Dare. I'm too tired to care, anyways. Plus, it's not like I protested." she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Well, in that case, I have something for you. Come with me to the photography room."

"But..." Serena half-heartedly protested, glancing down at her books.

"Don't worry about the exam, Sere. I'm sure you'll do fine. Just trust me."

Serena reluctantly followed. The walk to the building was silent, but in a comforting way. Serena stopped at the door to the room where Darien told her to wait. A few moments later he came dashing out, envelope in hand. He handed it to her, one of the widest grins yet to be seen on his face. "I hope you like it..." He said. Serena obviously opened the envelope tediously. "Just open it, Serena!" Serena giggled, "Fine, bossy." With that, she pulled out a thick peice of paper. Serena stared it, mouth gaping. It was a black and white photo of Serena and Darien sitting on a bench together. Serena was laughing, facing the camera, while Darien was just smiling at her. There was a look in his eyes that Serena couldn't quite place, but she couldn't definitely feel it. "Natalie took it of us." Darien said, not really noticing how Serena wasn't listening. "Darien...I...It's great. Really wonderful. Are you giving it too me?" Serena spat out, finding her voice again. Her eyes made her way back to the picture. She couldn't help but stare at Darien's face in the photo. "Mhmm, It's yours. It was my favorite out of the whole batch." Darien replied softly, arm finding its away on her shoulder, leading her back to the path.

"Oh, well then I can't take it! If it's your favorite..."

"Don't worry, I have one of my own." He said, reddening in the face.

"Oh really? Hmmm..." She said, being playful and poking his side..

"You just don't know how to take a compliment, do you?"

"I guess not."

By now, Serena and Darien were back in the auditorium.

"Why are we in here?" Serena said, quizically.

"I need to take down some of my art."

Serena nodded. Daren began to search the walls for his canvases. He noticed Serena had drifted to the other side of the room and had become infatuated with a painting. Slowly, he came up behind her, leaving a respectable amount of breathing space between the two. "What do you like about it?" He breathed, causing Serena the jump a little. Serena was rendered speechless. She gazed at the layers and layers of paint, her mind picking out the images. It showed the back of a woman and a man, walking under an archway of large oak trees, arm in arm. It was obviously Autumn, displaying hues of oranges and reds that she didn't even know existed. The leaves were picking up behind the couple, and suddenly, Serena could almost feel the breeze in the picture. She got goosebumps and began to rub her arms in search of warmth. Trying desperately to resist taking her up in his arms, Darien reached around and took the canvas down. "Take it." He said graciouslly, handing her the painting.

"Darien, you can't just give it to me. I don't think the artist would like you graciouslly handing me his work of art."

"I don't mind. Anything for you."

Serena stumbled on her words, turning towards him, completely missing the second half of his sentence.

"You...you did thi-" Her gaze focused back on the picture. Darien blushed and nodded.

"Please, take it. I want you to have it."

"Wow, thank you, Darien. Two presents in one day? Your on a roll." 'I really know how to ruin a moment, don't I?' Serena mocked herself.

"I try." Darien replied, smiling down at her.

Serena then glanced up at the clock. "I'm going to go study a bit last minute." She said, arranging the painting in her arms. "Actually, could you hold this for me while I'm in my exam? I don't want it to get stolen or dirty." She added, obviously thinking things through in her head. "Sure." Darien replied, taking the painting from her and setting it his pile. "Thanks, Dare! Your the best!" Serena said, dashing out the auditorium. "No, you're the best." Darien said quietly to himself. He was finally beginning to notice just HOW much he liked that girl.

---

A few hours later, Serena emerged from the gym. She looked dazed and groggy, tripping every once in a while on her own feet then looking around for the invisible culprit who caused her to loose her footing. "Rough?" She heard a familiar voice ask from behind her. Serena spun around, piveting to face her favorite person at the whole school. Suddenly regaining conciousness, Serena found her words. "You have no idea." She said, rubbing her forehead and yawning, squeezing her eyes open and closed repeatedly before casting her eyes on Darien.

"You want to hang out after my exam?" Darien suggested.

"Um, sure. Let me wait till Ami gets out. We were planning on going to the mall. Want to meet us there?"

"Sure. What would you do if I kissed you?" Darien asked, grinning and taking two steps towards Serena. She was about to say the line that she had yet to use, when Ami came out of the gym.

"Ames! Wanna head to the mall? Darien and probably Karson and Luke are going to meet up with us later." Serena said, forgetting, or trying to, her previous conversation.

"Sure, let's go." Ami replied, re-arranging her purse on her shoulder.

Serena turned back to Darien.

"Hey, our ride's already here. I'll see you later. Good luck on your exam! Oh, can I have my painting please?"

"Here, Thanks." Darien said shyly, handing it too her from the large bag on his side. Serena hoisted the large canvas under her arm and waved at him, turning her heels to follow Ami out to the parking lot.