Play the happy music. Chapter Four is now up :) Please R&R. I'd really appreciate it. Enjoy.

Knock Knock

Darien turned off the shower faucet feeling a little irked that somebody was interrupting him.

"One minute," he yelled, hoping whoever was out there would hear him. He had to find a towel before answering the door, because he couldn't answer the door naked after all.

Darien smirked, imagining the look of horror they would get at the sight of his unexpected flashing. He dried himself off and pulled on a pair of tan cargo shorts and a black shirt.

"I'm coming," he reassured the unknown person outside in the hallway, towel-drying his hair as he went.

After this hectic day company was unwanted in his apartment. That thing in the arcade earlier hadn't helped his mood either. Darien still couldn't believe she had actually said that to him. (Even though he knew she had no idea . . . He was really mad at himself, not her.)

Though well aware he was being a little stupid, he was still agitated. But as he was opening the door, he couldn't help but think that bitch-

"Serena?" Darien practically screamed in surprise, making Serena jump back a little startled.

- - - -

She hadn't expected to be greeted with a yell.

Although he had screamed at her, she picked up no trace of anger in his voice, only surprise. Serena thought this a good thing.

- - - -

Darien felt embarrassed at his previous thought concerning the stunned blonde on his doorstep, and with her here, he almost felt like someone had caught him doing something rather wrong. After a moment, he regained his composure.

"What are you doing here?"

- - - -

Serena blushed self-consciously at her loss for words. Hello seemed completely awkward after their earlier tiff, and she couldn't help but look down at the floor, feeling incredibly stupid. Mentally kicking herself in the head, she thought, you are such an idiot!

Grounding her Converse covered feet into the carpeted floor and feeling most uncomfortable said in almost a whisper, "Hi Darien. I kind of need to t-talk to you if that's okay,"she stated simply, peering out through long lashes, afraid of the look she thought he might give her.

- - - -

Huh?

He was completely caught off guard by this girl, and tried to make sense of the situation as he continued to stare at her completely dumbstruck. Finally, this made him take in her appearance, noticing her face was flushed beet-red.

Either this was from the heat, or embarrassment; he wasn't sure. He also saw how sweaty and disheveled she was. Her blue and white school uniform plastered to her shapely body.

What, her . . . shapely body?

Why was thinking about Serena in this way? Though shocked by this unbidden thought, he was more shocked when he realized that-

"You walked here?"

She nodded slowly and unsurely. Darien quickly ushered her into his air-conditioned apartment, and sat her down in a chair at his kitchen table while he rushed to get a glass of water.

She could've gotten heat stroke on the way over. She also looked a little dehydrated, not well.

Thankfully Serena didn't look serious enough to need medical attention, but that wasn't the point. What in God's name had possessed that woman? It was like 106 degrees outside! He told himself inwardly.

"What in the world gave you the bright idea to walk all the way over here in this weather, meatball head? You know, the heat can make you really sick."

Serena nodded, gulping down the water he handed her gratefully. She closed her eyes, thankful for the water. "I told you, I need to talk to you," she murmured, sounding and feeling a little sleepy from the walk, but more confidently as she was now able to think more clearly.

"About what . . . ?"

Serena sighed, opening her eyes slowly, knowing the impact this conversation would have on both of them. She looked him straight in the eye before her eyes dropped to her hands and she stared at them intently. Darien pulled up a chair in front of her sensing this was an 'I'm going to have to sit down' kind of conversation.

"About what happened at the arcade today? I came over to apologize to you."

- - - -

He almost laughed out loud, he was so surprised. She wanted to apologize to him? Why couldn't she have waited until tomorrow?

Suddenly, his eyes darkened considerably as realization dawned. Andrew. Andrew must've told her. He didn't need anybody's sympathy, and especially not from her.

"That could have waited until tomorrow," he spat out, teeth clenched in anger.

Serena looked up at him now, a look of urgency crossing her face. "No, it really can't wait. I know that if I tried to do this tomorrow, I would have lost my nerve."

- - - -

Downing the rest of her water, and placing the glass on the tabletop, she stood up. Darien also rose; worried she would have trouble keeping her footing. But Serena waved him down, indicating she was okay. She couldn't help feeling giddy.

1. Darien was actually showing some genuine concern for her well-being.

2. He hadn't laughed in her face yet. Keyword – yet.

He was looking at her curiously, because Serena kept opening and closing her mouth, unsure of how to begin. It was hard to talk to him when he was looking at her so intently. People rarely gave her their full attention, especially Darien, and it made her nervous more than usual.

"Come on, meatball head. I don't have all day. Spit it out already."

"Look Darien, you don't have to be such a jerk okay? Let me apologize to you without you driving me mental about it please."

He grinned broadly at that, Serena found she wanted to wipe it right off his face.

His expression once again became solemn, and she, for a second time tried to get the words right.

"Arrgh," she grunted in absolute frustration.

Why is this so damn hard?

Dum Dum Dum! The talk is next. What will be said? How will Darien react? Find out next time on What I Say and What I Mean Thanks for reading.