Chapter 8
After much debate earlier that day Serena, Videl, and Gohan made it to Scott's party. Dressed kill Serena stepped through the front door wearing a black halter top embellished around the neckline with ripped light blue jeans. Videl and Gohan trailed in behind her and the three slowly parted ways to assess the scene. Before long Serena made her way to the dance floor, still feeling a bit mopey without Darien. She stood there with the room gradually growing smokier, voices wafting above her, and the faint smell of liquor in the air still feeling somewhat alone. Then she felt a light, yet distinct tap on her right shoulder. Serena turned bracing herself for yet another "Don't Worry, Be Happy" pep talk from Gohan and/or Videl, only to find it wasn't either of the people she'd been expecting.
Serena found herself face to face with none other than Scott himself. "Hey" he greeted, smiling widely. "You look like you're having a great time" he continued sarcastically. Serena sighed agreeing and replied "Yeah, I guess you could say I'm just not in the partying mood right now." Scott then circled around her back and spoke in her hear.
"That's too bad, because I was hoping you would be here."
Serena, wary of the direction this conversation was going in began to say "Look Scott, I know you're being really nice and all, but I think its best I tell you…I have a boyfriend and we're extremely happy."
Scott shook his head slowly eyes closed. "Rena, we may have dated a long time ago, but the last time I checked we ended on good terms. So as far as I can tell that leaves room for us to start anew, as really…really good friends."
Serena still felt a bit skeptical of him, but he seemed incredibly sincere. After all, the champion of love and justice believed in second chances and seeing the best in others. How would she look if she didn't practice what she preached in her everyday life? Deciding that taking Scott at face value would be the good super heroine-like thing to do she smiled and said "Ok. Let's be friends." Relieved Scott simply grinned and replied "Great! Anyway, I'm glad you could make it."
"Yeah." Serena responded. "You got a great turn out as usual…and the whole house looks amazing." She gestured around the area at the dancing slightly drunken mass of teenagers to emphasize her point. Scott chuckled. "Well you know how my dad is…"
And together they chanted "Go big or go home!" Still laughing Scott ran a hand through his wavy dark locks and asked "So…want to dance?"
"Are you guys sure this is a good idea?" Amy questioned for what must've been the eight millionth time that day. The Squad was a mere twenty yards from the mansion like residence where the party was being hosted. "Look Amy, it's a Friday night, there isn't a youma insight, and we need to party!" Lita explained. "Besides, this may be a cool chance to meet some of Serena's old friends, that way we don't have any more awkward run ins with any of them." Mina, seeing that Amy was obviously not yet convinced contributed "There will most likely be some ridiculously hot guys here who would love to get their hands on a sexy girl with a genius IQ. Hey Rei do you know anyone like that?" Rei, instantly picking up on Mina's game responded "I think I do…but I'm not quite sure. Do you know anyone like that Amy?" Chuckling Amy conceded to stop complaining. "Look guys I'm just saying, Serena is sick so maybe it would be a better use of our time if we at least checked up on her first and THEN went to the party!"
"AAAAAAAAMMMMMYYYY!" Mina whined. "For the last time Serena sent me a text message saying that she didn't feel that bad AND there was NO reason to check on her AND she would call us in the morning. Not to mention the fact that she lives on the other freakin' side of town! By the time we got to her house; checked on her, and got back here the party would be all but over." Calculating the speed of their walking pace and distance of the journey she had just proposed Amy realized that Mina was right and it would be best to just relax and enjoy the party.
The foursome walked into the main entrance and immediately realized that this party was everything they had hoped it would be. Wanting some time to get a feel for the new crowd before they split up, the girls chose to simply wander around the first floor for a moment. That is of course, until they locked eyes on a familiar looking figure on the dance floor.
Outraged Rei yelled "Serena!" Sure enough, there she was dancing and having a great time. She was not with a guy named Darien Shields, and she was not sick in bed. All these new facts hit Rei one by one just like a ton of bricks, and by the fall of the final blow the fiery priestess was positively burning up. Quickly approaching Serena Rei grabbed her shoulder and yelled "Why Serena? How could you lie to us? You're full of it and no one can trust a liar like you so forget it we're done!"
Serena's jaw dropped. Confused, hurt, and slightly embarrassed she struggled to figure out just what was the matter. She knew she needed to calm Rei down or at the very least convince her to lower her voice before the number of staring pairs of eyes grew any larger.
"Rei, I had no idea you'd be here-"
"Oh as if that makes it any better!"
"No that's not what I meant!"
"Sick in bed my ass! You dirty little liar!"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Wow! You're almost as convincing in person as you are in a text message!"
"What? Wait, Rei just listen to me for a second!"
"I don't want to hear anything you have to say!"
And with that Rei spun around stormed away without looking back. Serena looked up and saw that she had not been alone. The expression on Mina's face was nothing short of defiant. Her arms crossed across tightly across her chest she looked like she was merely seconds away from following Rei's lead. Lita barely looked at Serena but instead chose to go after Rei to make sure she was ok. Amy seemed to be struggling to figure out just which emotion was dominant in her heart at the moment, hurt or confusion. Serena made a move to approach her friends but they followed suit after Lita.
"Ugh!" Serena exclaimed. Frustrated she threw her hands in the air and exhaled loudly. Suddenly seeing that the crowd Rei's unnecessary volume had drawn was still staring Serena lost it. "And just what the hell are you all staring at?" Intimidated they all looked away rapidly. Serena took a step away from Scott only to be intercepted by Ethan.
Getting far too close to her Ethan said "Hey baby, enjoyin' the music?" His breath reeked of cheap beer. "Are you serious right now? Get the hell away from me! I already have enough to deal with right now without you!" Serena then left the dance floor storming out the back exit of the house. Ethan just rolled his eyes and turned as if he intended to follow her when Scott grabbed his arm sternly.
"I don't think she wants to see you right now."
Ethan looked Scott up and down in disbelief before saying "Take your hand off of me."
Ethan's attempt at being intimidating failed miserably on Scott, who only replied with "You take another step toward her and I will throw you out of my house with my bare hands."
Ethan glared at Scott "Oh yeah?"
Standing his ground Scott stared straight at him and said "Try me."
Proving that his bark was worse than his bite Ethan rolled his eyes once more, sighed "Whatever" and walked away. Now that was taken care of Scott set out to find Serena.
Somewhat defeated Ethan approached Macy and was greeted with an extreme slap in the face. "That was not part of the plan! What the hell were you thinking?" She was obviously furious. Still delirious from the surprisingly rough blow Ethan stood there dumbfounded muttering nonsense about a "next time". Macy took a deep breath to calm down. "Don't worry. I'm sure I can fix this. Just make sure you keep an eye on her without her noticing." Ethan nodded numbly and walked off. "And keep your phone on you!" Macy called after him.
Scott found Serena sitting on the nearly deserted back porch alone with her head in her hands. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Serena looked up at him with tear stained eyes. Shaking her head she lowered it again and said "I knew this party was a bad idea." Scott sat down next to her and feigning hurt said "Oh wow I feel great now." Serena shot him an apologetic look and said "You know what I mean." Leaning over and nudging her shoulder with his he said "Not that I'm pushing my luck but if you don't want to be here…then why are you?" Serena struggling to keep her head up replied "One word- Gohan." At this Scott had to laugh. "Right, because he's never steered you wrong!" Serena laughed heartily and said jokingly "No, never!"
Still sniffling, Serena smiled and said "Thanks for coming out here to check on me." She tried to wipe away her tears without ruining her makeup. Scott tilted his head to the side and wiping away her tears with the faintest touch said "Anytime Rena. Besides, I don't think I've ever seen you cry before." He then got a little closer and running his fingers through raining golden silk that was her nearest pigtail kissed her gently. It was affectionate. It was sweet. It was tender. Despite that, Serena tried to push him away, but Scott couldn't be moved. However that ceased to matter because it was over very, very quickly. The ended when Serena felt Scott's lips virtually being ripped from hers. She opened her eyes to find him lying face down on the grass with Darien standing over him.
