Cupid's Last
Grow Up Already
October. II
"Stupid. Incredibly stupid…" Mina watched Keith pace back and forth in front of her on the couch in the Aden household, elbows propped on her thighs with her hands cupping her chin in boredom. Her substitute guardian had started this oh-so-lovely rant when she got home at 11:45, a horrifying fifteen minutes past her designated 'curfew.'
"…Do you have any idea what could've happened to you? For Chrissakes Mina…"
It was now 12:15.
"I mean, who the hell was that kid anyway? For that matter, what was he? He looked like a weasel with a bad haircut…"
…and Mina was beginning to wonder exactly how CIA agents did that sleeper's hold thing. Maybe if she moved her forefinger into that hollow of her neck…
"How do you even know that weirdo? Oh yeah. An 'ex-boyfriend of your friend's cousin.'" Keith was mocking her voice now. If Mina wasn't getting annoyed with him (and if he would actually provide her with an opportunity to speak), she had a feeling that she would've laughed at the poor (and highly over exaggerated) imitation.
"Didn't you consider that there was probably a very strong reason for your friend's cousin to break up with the weasel? I mean c'mon. One would think that a fifteen-year-old would have enough sense in her to realize when she's walking into-"
"Seventeen." Mina's sudden statement was a dry reply, cutting in contrast to the long-winded rant Keith had been sputtering out.
"What?" Mina rolled her eyes for what felt like the twentieth time that night at Keith's dumb reply. This was getting ridiculous.
"I'm seventeen, Keith." Mina enunciated slowly and loudly, as though speaking to a child…well, a child in a 21 year old's very nice, buff, built and broad body. Mina felt herself twitch at the reminder of exactly what was so close to her grasp yet so, oh so far away. She sighed, closing her eyes to compose herself. "I'm seventeen." Mina repeated before opening her eyes and daring to meet his head-on. "Not fifteen." As you always manage to forget. She thought to herself before her built-up frustration got the better of her and her pretty face twisted into an annoyed pout.
"And what's the big deal anyway?" Mina demanded, suddenly slouching in her seat and crossing her arms defiantly in front of her chest like a five-year-old throwing a tantrum. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, as I've been capable of doing all along. And even though my parents are away practically every week is no justification for you to be some kind of über-nanny; you're like, three seconds older than me! And in any case, this is my life and I don't think you should-"
"…You're seventeen?" Keith suddenly asked, apparently still stuck on Mina's true age.
The two-sentence question posed in the air after leaving Keith's mouth. He could almost see the faint outlines of the very words hanging in mid-air before one of the couch pillows cut through the space between his face and a very ticked-off Mina. With a well-placed kick to his shins, Mina stormed out of the room, hearing Keith's holler of ire until she slammed the door to her bedroom behind her. Mina pressed her back against the door, gazing at her popcorn ceiling, half-expecting Keith to chase her up the stairs and demand to speak to her.
She tried to laugh at the notion but it came out as a choked sob. Soon, the sound was followed by physical proof of her own pain as Mina felt her own eyes sting with tears that she had grown so accustomed to because of him.
"Right…" She said softly to herself, banging her own head against the door once in frustration. The tears rolled down the sides of her eyes and she swiped at them, irritated. "Like he'll ever ever come after me." She rubbed at her eyes furiously with one hand. "Hell," Mina muttered bitterly. "He can't even see me."
With that, she felt herself sliding down against the door, drained. She brought her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them and resting her head. Keith's face flashed through her vision again and Mina's lip trembled. "Jackass."
"Tsk tsk tsk. That's not nice." Mina gave a startled jump and start at the voice and she whipped her head towards her two-story window at the silhouette that she hadn't even noticed before. Just as she opened her mouth to give out a blood-curdling scream at the intruder, the sickeningly happy grin of Serena Tyler flooded her vision. "Hey Mina! What's up?"
"S-Serena?" The meatball-headed teen smiled at her friend sympathetically as Mina continued to look shocked and confused at her friend's presence. "What- How did you get here? We're on the second floor!"
"Yeah, I know." Serena replied nonchalantly. "It was a bit of a stretch but I had some help. You really should clean out your gutters though. They're getting kinda ugly." Serena added.
Mina stared. "You climbed up my house?"
"Kinda." Serena winked. "I had some help." She repeated vaguely, picturing Darien beneath Mina's window.
"Why didn't you just use the front door?" Mina asked. "I mean, I understand you don't like doing things in the conventional way, but wouldn't that have been you, know-"
"Easier?" Serena suggested.
"'Saner' was the word I was going for." Mina teased lightly with a smile.
"Actually, I just felt like surprising you, that's all." Serena said. It was partly true, anyway. She just left out that part about where she was collaborating with her worst enemy, Darien, whom she had a fake-out make-out session with. She was still annoyed at that.
"Right," Mina said, disbelievingly. Serena cocked her head to one side, watching her friend.
"You okay, Mina?" She asked softly.
Mina tried to force a smile. "No." She answered truthfully. "What gave it away?"
Mina felt Serena's cool, placating hand against her cheek and had to close her eyes at the soothing touch. "Your skin always gets blotchy when you cry." Serena said.
"Gee." Mina shot back with semi-laughing sarcasm, wiping at her face again. "Thanks."
"Oh, Mina," Serena coaxed, patting Mina's head of blonde hair in an effort to comfort her obviously distraught friend. "What did that clueless idiot do now?"
"You mean besides acting like my dad and thinking that I'm fifteen years old?" Mina snorted rhetorically with disdain, rolling her eyes so she missed the flinch in Serena's expression.
"Well," Serena tried, grasping. "At least he knows now that you're into your teen years."
"Somehow, that doesn't make me feel any better." Mina said dryly.
"Aw, c'mon Mina." Serena shook her friend gently with a plead. "Cheer up. Your birthday party's tomorrow and we can't have a sad birthday girl."
"'It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.'" Mina quoted ironically, making Serena groan at the lame joke.
"It's not your party yet." Serena pointed out. "And you won't be crying tomorrow." She smirked with a secret. "I promise."
Outside…
"Darien, I don't think you're being reasonable." Darien sighed, running a hand through his ebony locks while speaking on the phone. "You shouldn't be out so late. Don't you have class tomorrow?"
"No I don't, Luna." He said patiently, understanding her concern for the young man she practically raised on her own.
"And you've been going out so often lately." Luna commented worriedly, ignoring his reply. "What are you doing out, though?" She asked suddenly, wondering where her 'nephew' was.
Darien felt his eye twitch. 'I just gave Serena a lift into Mina's window.' "Nothing much."
"Are you out with your friends?" Luna asked, genuinely curious now.
'If you count that annoying blonde minx as a friend, then,' "Yes, I am."
"If you say so." Luna said, learning that it was better to let Darien keep whatever he wanted to himself. "I know you're already an adult but it doesn't mean that I can't bother you once in a while."
"You're never a bother." Darien said earnestly, making his guardian on the other line smile proudly.
"I would hope not." She shot back. "Now, listen, finish whatever it is you're doing then go home, do you understand me?"
"Yes mother." Darien said mockingly, hanging up just in time to see a pair of jean-clad legs dangle out of Mina Aden's window. Darien pressed himself against the wall of the house, effectively hiding himself just as Serena jumped down in front of him, waving good-night to Mina. They heard the window close and Darien quirked an eyebrow.
"Well?"
"Your friend's a clueless moron." Serena bit out, annoyed at Keith for hurting Mina so.
Darien scoffed. "Tell me about it.
The Next Night…
The Aden couple was (once again) out of town and Mina and her friends had thrown a small party for her at the house. Of course, 'small' was a stretched description when it came to the star of the girls' volleyball team and the cheerleading captain. Various jocks and beauty queens filed into the Aden household mixed in with old time friends from other schools. Raye, Serena, Amy and Lita were scattered around the dance floor and pool deck, mingling and making sure everything was perfect for their best friend's birthday party. Hell, it's not every day that a girl turns eighteen.
Darien looked on the crowd at Mina's birthday bash. Music was blasting and the lights were dimmed as people were dancing on the pseudo dance floor that was usually Mina's pool deck. Darien leaned against the wall that curved around the kitchen. Serena was leaning on the same wall, but it didn't seem obvious that they were speaking to each other, let alone plotting together.
"Nice turnout." He commented lightly and Serena smiled devilishly, sensing his inquiring tone. "Although, I do have one question."
"Yes?"
"Why is over eighty percent of this room male?" He heard Serena snicker around the wall as they both turned their heads simultaneously to the huge couch in the living room. Mina sat in the middle of the sofa, looking very much like a goddess surrounded by at least seven boys that were currently praising and flirting with her. More guys were abound the premises, several of them shooting Mina's figure a longing and interested glance.
"Because," Serena explained, her tone oozing satisfaction. "I knew he'd be like that."
Darien saw her nod in a direction and followed her line of thought…to find Keith standing, arms across his chest in an imposing stance, glaring jagged icicles from the north pole at every single one of the suitors surrounding Mina.
"He doesn't look to happy," Serena said with sickening happiness. "Does he?"
Darien shook his head in mild disbelief. Only Serena would fan the flames of tension with a pink portable fan. "You're crazy, Tyler."
"I know." Serena said cheerily. "But at least I'm getting the job done, right?" Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the tell-tale blue hair that marked Amy heading her way and smacked Darien square in the face in agitation. "Crap!" She hissed, ignorant to his exclamation of pain and annoyance. "Quick, get out of here!
"Hey, Ames." Serena suddenly greeted the resident genius cheerily. "How's it going?"
"It's been okay." Amy said distractedly, her eyes going over Serena's shoulder. "Serena?"
"Yes?"
"What were you doing talking to Darien?"
"W-What?" Serena sweatdropped and she hoped to all the Gods of every walk of faith that Amy couldn't tell. Amy pointed past Serena's shoulder and the blonde turned to follow the finger to Darien's back maneuvering through the crowd to the fuming Keith.
"You were talking to him." Amy said plainly before crossing her arms to an unusual mischevious smirk. "Are you two finally getting along now?"
"Ehehe…" Serena waved a hand dismissively. "Oh Ames, you have such an imagination." She said before laughing maniacally in a very desperate attempt to drive off Amy's originally mild suspicion.
The girl of the hour, as it was, was perched on the pristine white sofa in the living room. Her golden mane was styled in such a manner that only Raye's long and slender fingers could manipulate into. Amy politely shook her head at a drink someone offered her before leaning on the railing of the stairway.
"Well," She said. "It looks as though everyone is enjoying themselves."
"I'll say." Serena agreed chirply, earning her a disapproving look from Raye. "I'm not drunk." Serena protested, as though reading the priestess' mind.
"Sure." Lita said with a laugh, her own cheeks reddened slightly, gesturing to the drink in Serena's hand. "That's only your, what, third glass?"
"Fifth." Amy corrected with a slightly exasperated smile, making Serena blush guiltily. The blue-haired teen turned back over to the love couch that Mina was seated on, flanked on all sides by assorted admirers and friends. "Well, it looks like this party is a success."
"I'll say." Raye said, nodding her head in satisfaction. "Looks like everyone's having a good time."
"Sure." Serena managed to cover rolling her eyes by tossing her drink down. Almost everyone.
"Don't you look like a happy camper." Darien said in a sickeningly sweet tone as he approached Keith. His friend of over a decade shot him a glare.
"Can you believe this bull?" Keith demanded, waving a hand expressively to the 'love couch,' as people had been referring to it as. Mina was currently laughing at something at Admirer #1 was saying while touching Admirer #2's shoulder.
"Yeah." Darien said, bracing himself and cursing once again the day he agreed to Serena's psychotic plans. If some celestial being is listening, please don't let him kill me for what I'm about to do.
"Gotta say," Darien went on, as Admirer #3 touched Mina's fair hair, eliciting a growl from the man next to him. "She really is a knock-out."
A silence followed the comment before Darien watched Keith out of his peripheral vision turn his head slowly at Darien. If the glare Keith was giving Mina's admirers was cold, Darien could've sworn he suddenly caught frostbite. It took all the self-control he had to restrain from cowering at Keith's feet.
"I guess we should've seen it coming," Darien went on, trying very hard to ignore the can in Keith's hand that was suddenly crushed into bent metal. "She's had that figure in the making since freshman yea-ow!"
Darien's eyes went wide as his best friend since before puberty suddenly grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and slammed him to the nearest wall.
"What," Keith's voice was dangerously low as Darien went cross-eyed at the close proximity between him and Keith. "What did you just say?"
"E-Easy buddy." Darien said, trying to placate his friend. "I mean, I'm sure even you've noticed it too by now."
"Noticed what?" Keith, feeling an intense swell of protectiveness in regard to Mina that had always been in place since they were children. Darien decided to change tactics, grabbing Keith's grip on him and forcefully prying Keith's hands off his clothes.
"C'mon, Keith." He chastised. "It's not like either of us are blind. Look at her. Seriously, look at her." Darien ordered, waving a hand towards Mina. "Keith, she's eighteen now and, even though you've known her longer than I have, even you've got to admit she's looking good now.
"So chill out, man." Darien continued, allowing the information to sink in for his oblivious friend. "She's a big girl. She can handle herself."
The Laundry Room…
"You're ruining everything!" Keith's stance over the doorway of the cramped laundry room didn't budge at Mina's glowering pout. She swatted uselessly against his crossed arms. "Keith, I'm serious!"
"And I am too." He shot back, not wavering the slightest bit. Mina brought a hand up to her hair to grab at her head in frustration but restrained herself from displacing the hairdo Serena and Raye had spent half an hour on.
"Keith…" Mina whined. "It's my birthday." She gestured to the door and what lay beyond it. "I've got guests to see-"
"You mean boys to flirt with?" Keith challenged.
Mina gave him a cool glare through narrowed slits. "What I do with the guys I know is none of your business and-"
"Until your parents come back into town," Keith interrupted solidly. "It is my business. It's also my business to tell you that you are acting ridiculously immature-"
"I'm immature?" Mina demanded incredulously. "You practically haul me over your damn shoulder while I'm in the middle of a conversation-"
"You don't need to be two inches to another person to hold a conversation." Keith interjected.
Mina glared and pushed on, "And now you've got us locked up in my laundry room for the love of-"
"I'd rather have you confined here than out there with hormone-crazed drunk idiots that only want-"
"And I would rather be out there with hormone-crazed drunk idiots than a sober idiot that has a mind-frame of an old fart!"
Outside the Laundry Room…
"Well, this is going well." Darien muttered. Serena giggled against his chest.
"I know." She laughed softly. "Isn't it great?"
"Tyler, they're arguing." Darien said, pushing himself off the door and amazed that he could still hear the yelling going on inside. "Again."
"Shush!" Serena demanded. "I can't hear them."
"I can't see how." Darien rolled his eyes and rubbed his temples. "They're so loud I'm surprised the entire party hasn't stormed down here."
"Hah." Serena scoffed. "As if anyone would be brave enough to deal with Keith's rage."
Hmm. The brat had a point…unfortunately. Darien sighed, casting a wayward glance as Serena pressed herself against the door with a wicked smile on her face before shaking his head. Oh, if Luna could see him now.
Keith's eyes grew wide and he started shaking his head fiercely. "Oh God no. No."
"Shut up." Mina sniffled, glaring at Keith. "This is your fault anyway."
"Fine." Keith retorted desperately. "But you don't have to start crying!"
"I can't help it." She shot back. "You're being deliberately horrible right now and there's nothing else I can do since you're not making any effort to understand."
"Mina, I hear you-"
"Yeah, right." Mina mocked, swiping away the tears from her cheeks. Making her cry two days in a row. That had to be a new record. "That's your problem, Keith. You hear me just fine but you never listen to a damn word I say!"
"That's not true at all."
"Bullshit." Mina hissed at him, catching the surprise in his eyes at her venomous reply when she herself was utterly shocked at her own anger. But he was just so frustrating! "You're so overbearing it's ridiculous."
Keith's mouth curved into a grimace and he straightened up to defend himself. "I'm your friend, Mina. But you're my responsibility, too." He said in a hard voice. "Your parents trusted me with you and I'm doing what I have to do to make sure you stay out of trouble."
"Well, that's great and dandy, but I'm not a kid anymore." Mina bit back. She seated herself on the ground and crossed her arms defiantly, muttering, "So sorry to have been such a burden on you."
Keith frowned at the sarcasm that spewed forth from her. This wasn't the Mina he knew and loved. Then again, he wasn't exactly being the greatest friend to her either. He sighed as Mina hiccupped, choosing to retreat into silence than have to deal with Keith's unrelenting stand.
"Mina, please." He sighed, pushing his hair out of his face. "I'm sorry if I've been treating you unfairly recently-" Here, Mina snorted loudly. "But you've got to understand where I'm coming from. Your parents are counting on me to take care of you and I'm just trying to do that."
"Fine." Mina said softly, wringing the material of her dress between her hands. "But you don't have to be such a jerk about it. I'm not an idiot, you know."
"Of course you're not an idiot." Keith said expressively. "I know you're a perfectly capable and intelligent person."
Mina looked up at him hopefully at the compliment. "Then why have you been like this recently? I get that you're supposed to be watching out for me, but it'd be nice if you stopped being my guardian and acted like my friend every once in a while."
Keith grinned and squatted down to his knees to look at Mina at eye-level. "Just because I trust you, doesn't mean that I trust the rest of the world." He said, reaching over and taking her hand in his while cupping her face into his other hand tenderly. "I just want to keep you safe. Not just for your parents," He added quickly, seeing her opening her mouth to protest. "But because I care for you a lot." His grinned widened and he pressed his forehead against Mina's, unaware of the heart-attack he was practically giving her at that moment of contact. "You're special to me, Mina. You know that don't you?"
No, she didn't. Well, actually, she did know. It's just that it was very hard to think clearly when the single, solitary object of affection was within such close (oh so close) proximity to you. Mina licked her lips in a futile effort to regain her speech
…when the door suddenly flew open.
"…Well then." Serena said jovially, glancing down at the couple on the ground leaning on each other intimately. "Glad to see you aren't fighting…or doing anything inappropriate."
Serena proceeded to laugh boisterously as Mina and Keith reddened at the insinuation. Darien wisely chose not say anything as Serena grabbed Mina and hauled her to her feet, completely dispelling whatever moment was being had between the couple.
"We've been looking for you, birthday girl." Serena said happily.
"You were?" Mina quirked an eyebrow at her breath. It was surprising that Serena could get happier than she usually was but alcohol could work wonders on anyone.
"Of course." Darien put in. "We can't cut the cake if the birthday girl isn't around to blow out the candles."
And with that, Serena whisked off Mina to the living room, where her presence was cheered on by the guests. Serena happily led her through the darkened room to the glowing birthday cake while Keith and Darien followed at a slower pace.
"Glad to see you two are on better terms." Keith shot Darien a look at the innuendo.
"Knock it off, Dare." Keith ordered, glancing at Mina on the other side of the room. "You know me and Mina better than that."
"Of course."
"Then you should cut it out."
"Cut what out?" Darien said innocently.
"That tone of yours is bothering me."
Darien chuckled, giving up at the warning in Keith's voice. "Chill out, Keith." The crowd began to sing happy birthday to Mina and Darien leaned over so Keith could hear him. "I'm just saying, man. I'm not blind and neither are any of the guys in this room." He said, smiling. "Including you."
Keith chose not to reply, instead looking over at Mina as the song finished. She laughed happily into the crowd and her eyes unexpectedly met his. A warm smile washed over her glowing face and Keith could feel an identical one spreading over his own, accompanied by a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He wasn't a fool to misinterpret Darien's insinuation but he also knew better.
"I don't know what you're trying to plan," Keith said as Mina blew out her candles. "But she's too young."
"Not so young to underestimate her own feelings."
"Right." Keith snorted, making Darien feel oddly annoyed by his brush-off. "She may be eighteen, Darien, but she's still too young."
Darien was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "Good point." Darien murmured sarcastically. "Too bad she's not the one that needs to grow up."
A/N: ducks in shame Okay, I admit. It's not my best work but I've been bum rushed by so many ideas and events in the past couple of weeks. I will try my utmost best to update when I can and I apologize for the ridiculously long wait. MAMC will be updated within the next week or so. Give me time and encouragement. It's on its way!
Read and REVIEW!
Oh yeah...
"Holy mother…" Lita smirked self-satisfied at Nevan's amazed expression. His car gleamed with a beautiful new paint job as the light reflecting off the rims that practically winked at him. You never would've guessed that the car was originally a practical junk pile when it first came in.
"Not too bad for a girl, right?" She jeered playfully. Nevan looked up at her with admiration in his eyes.
"Kingston," He said. "I don't know how you did it, but you are worth every penny."
"Way to make me sound like a prostitute." Lita chided but beamed with praise regardless.
Nevan laughed loudly before going back to his car. He really couldn't believe it.
"Would you like me to give you two some alone time?" Lita asked teasingly. Nevan raised his eyes and shook his head with a smile.
"I am honestly in shock, Lita. You've performed a damn miracle."
She shrugged mockingly. "I know."
"Seriously." Nevan insisted. "I don't know how to thank you."
Lita shook her head. "It's fine."
"No, it isn't." Nevan went on. "Hey, let me take you out or something."
"More Taco Bell?"
"No, no." Nevan said. "I know this place about two miles from here. I could get us a reservation and-"
Lita smiled wistfully. If only, "No, sorry man." She said, taking a few steps back from him. "It's been amusing but there's only so much association with clients permitted."
Nevan gave a hopeful smile. "Then I guess it's a good thing I'm no longer a client."
"It might be a good thing," Lita admitted. "If it didn't sound so much like a date."
"And if it is?"
Lita paused before chuckling and shaking her head. "No offense, Procella." She said. "But you're not exactly my type."
Nevan didn't know why, but this severely bothered him. He tried to keep the disappointment from his expression but idly wondered if he was doing a good job of it.
Up the street from the garage, Darien and Serena were arguing...again.
"There has to be a better way." Darien said.
"There isn't." Serena insisted, then considered the thought. "Well, at least none that come to mind immediately."
"This is ridiculous." Darien declared. "You're planning to bring them together using that?"
"It's a slingshot you prick."
"It's a y-shaped piece of wood with rubber strung through it."
"It's a weapon."
"It's a toy."
"Well, this toy managed to knock you good for five solid minutes."
Darien glared. "You say it with such pride."
Serena shrugged. "It gave us enough time to draw on your face and take pictures."
Darien opened his mouth to say something when he saw Nevan's car backing out of the garage. "Crap!" Serena spun around to see him moving away. "Tyler hurry!"
Serena bit her lip, grabbing her weapon and finding a rock to settle in the band, closing an eye and taking aim. Nevan was backing out slowly, an arm out the driver's window sadly waving at Lita's lone figure.
"Serena what are you waiting for?" Darien demanded. Nevan would continue to back out and within ten seconds, he'd be entering traffic with no more excuses to return to see Lita.
Ten...Nine...
"Tyler!"
"Chill out." Serena gritted calmly, her eye focusing on something other than Nevan's car.
Eight...Seven...Six...
"What the hell are you waiting for?"
Five...Four...
"The right opportunity."
Three...
"And when will that be?"
Two...
Serena smirked. "Right now."
One...
The rock zinged through the air, crashing through the window of, not Nevan's car, but that of a huge Coca-Cola truck, causing its driver, a thirty-odd male named Frank, to swerve and scrape the shiny-looking car along its side and back that was caught extremely unawares...
Darien stared. "You...you did it." He said it like he just saw a purple bunny flying.
Serena smiled widely. "I know."
"You just endangered the lives of one of my best friends."
"And ensured his continued collaboration with one of mine."
"...That was extremely illegal." Serena didn't reply and Darien saw that she was already on his motorcycle, anxious to leave the scene of the crime with a huge grin on her face.
A/N (part 2): um...Review?
edited: 6/19/07
edited: 8/17/09
edited: 10/24/09
