Author's notes: So I lied and put up another chapter. This story is definitely gonna end up being 10 chapters complete with an epilogue, but it won't be up until next week. Heads up: Beryl will not give up so easily... I have something specially planned for her after this chapter so get ready. Thank you to everyone who has given me feedback. Comments are always welcome. Happy reading!
Over the next few months since Darien realized his feelings for Serena, he made the effort to spend extra time with her so he could see if she felt the same way. If not, then he was determined to do whatever it took to win her heart. One day after school he went with Serena to the nearby café to have a snack before accompanying her to Sentara hospital to volunteer with the children again. "I'm glad you've decided to volunteer at the hospital too, Darien," Serena said to him.
"To be honest I wasn't looking forward to it the first time I went with you, but now it's become one of the highlights of my week."
"The kids like you a lot."
"I noticed. I've always wanted to be a doctor, but now I'm seriously considering becoming a pediatrician."
"That's wonderful." They continued eating and had a wonderful time talking about any and everything. As soon as they finished, Serena pulled out her wallet to pay. "You paid for the last 2 weeks. Let me do it this time; I don't want you to go broke."
Darien smiled appreciatively at her. Suddenly they were interrupted by Beryl's presence. She sat in the booth across from Darien where Serena was and used her body weight to pretty much shove Serena against the wall so she could be in Darien's line of sight. Serena wanted to tell her off, but decided to keep quiet instead. "Darien, I need to talk to you."
Darien groaned. "What is there to talk about, Beryl?"
She took his hands into his. Darien immediately pulled his hands back. "I miss you and I want to make things right with you. Can we start over? Please?"
"No," he said coldly. "I told you we were over and I meant it."
"But why?" she whined.
"Once a cheater always a cheater. That's the rule I live by. I can't trust you."
Beryl huffed and stood up. "Suit yourself, Darien. I was giving you one last opportunity to be with me, but I guess you blew it." She looked Serena up and down with a glare. "Don't come crying to me when you realize what you missed out on." She stormed away.
"Good riddance," Darien muttered. "Are you ready to get going?"
Serena stood up at the same time Darien did. "Yeah, we can go." They walked together towards the hospital, but Serena was still bothered by what happened in the café. "So that's why the two of you broke up," she said out loud. "I'm really sorry, Darien."
"Don't be. Breaking up with her was probably the best thing to happen to me. It made me realize what kind of person Beryl really was. She didn't hurt you when she shoved you did she?"
"No I'm fine. Thank you." They arrived at the hospital and made their rounds in the children's ward after signing in.
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Serena and Darien came to their final stop at Rini's room and entered together. "Hi Rini," Serena said taking a seat.
"Serena! Darien!" Rini exclaimed practically bouncing off of the bed. "Guess what? Guess what?"
"I give up Rini," Darien said. "Why are you so excited?"
"The doctors said I can go home tomorrow! They figured out what was wrong with me and were able to find the right medicine for me to take. As long as I take that medicine every day I'll be fine."
"That's so exciting Rini," Serena said hugging her. "I'm so happy for you."
"We'll definitely miss seeing you around here," Darien added. He and Rini shared a look casting quick glances at Serena, but if Serena noticed she didn't say anything.
Suddenly a knock was heard on the door. "Rini?" a woman said entering the room with a man behind her. "We're here."
"Mommy! Daddy!" she exclaimed as they each hugged and kissed their daughter. "Did you meet Serena and Darien?"
The couple turned around and noticed Serena and Darien sitting to the side. "We've heard so much about you," the woman said. "I'm Sarah James. It's so good to meet you."
"And I'm Edward James," the man said shaking each of their hands. "Thank you for visiting with our daughter every single day for the last few months. Rini speaks so highly of you."
"Oh no sir," Serena started. "We never…"
"It wasn't a problem sir," Darien interrupted. "Rini is a special little girl. I'm glad she's going to be able to go home."
Serena looked at Darien with wonder and surprise and Darien simply smiled at her. He visited her every day. How sweet.
"Can Serena and Darien visit me at our house?" Rini asked. "They're the coolest people in the world and I'd miss them too much."
"I don't see a problem with it," Mrs. James said.
"Here's my business card," Mr. James said giving one to Serena and Darien. "Our home address and our phone number are printed on there."
"Thank you so much," Serena said. "I've got to get going, but I'll be here before they release you tomorrow Rini."
"Ok, bye Serena," Rini said waving to her as she went out the door. "Did you ask her yet?" she asked Darien.
"I will," Darien said. "The Valentine's dance is coming up so that's when my plan will come together."
"I hope it works," Rini said. "All your other attempts were lame." Mr. and Mrs. James just smiled and nodded at the interchange going on between their daughter and Darien.
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A couple of days later Serena was studying with Melvin at his house, but decided to take a break and catch up on life. "He asked you to the dance?" Melvin asked. "When did this happen?"
"He asked me yesterday afternoon," Serena replied. She gave him all of the details as she remembered what happened.
Flashback
After school Darien stopped Serena at her locker. "Hey I was wondering if I could ask you something."
"Go ahead. I'm listening."
"The Valentine's dance is next weekend and everyone is gonna be there. Since I have no one to go with and you have no one to go with, would it be ok if we went together?"
"I don't know Darien…"
"Please Serena? I know Valentine's Day is when people decide to rub in the fact that they're in a relationship, but we can break that tradition. We could go together as two single people and prove that we can still have fun." He paused. "Did someone ask you to go already?"
"No, no," Serena said quickly. "I've never thought about breaking tradition on Valentine's day that way before. I'll do it; I'll go with you to the dance."
"That's wonderful Serena," Melvin said happily. "It's so cool that you two have developed such a close friendship in the last few months. I never understood why you two never got along in the first place."
Serena frowned and looked down. "You weren't there that day," she said quietly. "Remember our secret tree in kindergarten?" Melvin nodded. "Well Darien and I were eating lunch together and Beryl found us. She started teasing me and Darien defended me until she started making fun of him. Then he lied and told them he was only eating with me to help me not to be so fat."
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Serena shrugged. "I would have given him a piece of my mind."
Serena laughed. "No offense Melvin, but I doubt he'd have taken you seriously."
"I'd still do it anyway because no one has the right to make fun of my best friend. But he's lucky you've decided to build a friendship with him."
"I think I've built more than a friendship with Darien," Serena said.
"What do you mean?" Melvin smiled when he saw Serena blush and giggle. "I know that look. You like him don't you? But it's more than a simple crush so you've got some explaining to do young lady." Serena laughed because she knew she couldn't lie to Melvin so she explained how she got to the point of falling in love with Darien Shields.
