It was a fair day. Her schedule wasn't that cramped and she could go home early. She knew what she'd do. She'd sleep, sleep, sleep. She didn't know that she was smiling to herself.

"Hi," somebody greeted.

Serena raised her face. It was somebody. It was Darien.

"Hello." She couldn't fail to notice the girl with him. Why, oh, why, did they always, always have to meet?

"Kristina, this is Serena," Darien introduced. "Serena—"

"Yes, I know her," the other girl enthused, before Darien could say another word.

"You know her?" Darien tilted his dark head to Kristina, then looked at Serena.

Serena was also surprised at the assertion. She couldn't remember meeting the girl and she felt ashamed at her rudeness, however unintentional. She really had no excuse. She couldn't shake her head at Darien.

"I saw her. At the GA. She has a great singing voice."

"You sang," Darien mocked, his voice teasing and accusing at the same time.

Serena felt a little hurt.

A good thing Kristina was really nice. "Oh, yes, and she was very good, I tell you," the girl attested.

Kristina was shorter than Serena. Her dark hair was thick and shorter too. It barely reached the girl's shoulders. She was a little chubby, voluptuously so. She was simple, pretty, confident and good-natured. Maybe those were the reasons why Darien liked her. Maybe there was no reason.

"I'm not, really," Serena denied. "But thank you. I'm sorry I didn't see you there."

"It's okay. I live near your apartment. I'm sure we'll meet again soon."

"That's cool. Do visit me when you have the time. I'll introduce you to my friends," she invited.

"You're so kind. I really need a friend. My dad is so strict. I'm sure he would approve of you," she stated.

It seemed that Darien didn't like the shift of attention. Serena noticed this at once and bid her goodbyes to the couple.

"Nice seeing you both. It's really great meeting you, Kristina." She gave a slight nod to Darien's towering form. He wasn't smiling at her now. In fact, she had a feeling that she did something wrong. Why was he looking so grim?

She walked past them and adjusted her backpack that was slung on one shoulder. Now, it felt heavy. Maybe it was her heart that was heavy.

She sighed.

She should have known that Darien would be sensible in choosing a partner. He was not the type to go after sophisticated belles who only knew how to flaunt their assets. His girlfriend would have to be kind too. Like Kristina.

That wasn't the last time she met Kristina and Darien.

And Kristina wasn't Darien's last girlfriend either.

Why did she have to know those things about him? It's not as if she made it her business to know.