"You scheming bastard!" He shouted again, stepping forward as I pulled away from Raye. "I trusted you!"
"Jarod," I began, my voice soothing, "it's not what you--"
But my words were stopped as his fist suddenly connected with my jaw…HARD. I spun around, white-hot pain searing across my face, and dimly I heard Raye scream as I sank to the ground. In seconds, Jarod was on top of me, grabbing hold of my shirt and throwing me into the ground repeatedly. Somewhere in this violent outburst, I felt my shirt tear, but he didn't seem to notice, and continued to shove me into the dirt, swearing at me the whole way.
"I saw you kiss her!" I heard him shout over the blood roaring in my ears, and I struggled unsuccessfully to force his image into focus. God, that boy knew how to hit! "I saw you!" He cried. "You promised me you wouldn't touch her you sonofabitch!"
"Jarod!" I heard Raye sobbing from somewhere behind us. "It's not what you think! Please, STOP!"
"You knew I loved her!" He cried, ignoring her. "You knew how I felt about her, and you did it anyway!"
"She didn't do anything!" Raye suddenly screamed. "Stop it! You're hurting HER!"
Then, to my surprise, he froze at her last words. He turned towards her, his expression extremely confused. "What?"
"You're hurting her," she repeated, emotion clouding her voice. "Stop."
Jarod turned back towards me, taking in my dazed features, and finally let his gaze drop to my torso, where my dress-shirt lay in ribbons. His eyes widened as they focused on the ace-bandage wrapped around my chest, and he dropped me instantly. He pushed himself away from me hastily, and then he turned towards Raye, his expression resembling that of a lost little boy.
"What's going on?" He whispered.
Raye stared at Jarod, her expression wary, while I struggled to pull myself into a seated position. My face hurt like hell, and I was totally exposed. Raye turned towards me, and noticing my embarrassed expression, took the jacket draped around her shoulders and passed it over to me. I took it gratefully, and after covering myself, I turned towards Jarod, who refused to meet my eyes.
"She's a girl," Raye said softly, gesturing towards me.
"I can see that," he muttered sullenly. "But I still don't know what the hell is going on! So can someone PLEASE explain it to me?"
Raye and I were silent for a few moments, but then I finally spoke, knowing what I had to do.
"Jarod," I began, "more than anyone else here, I owe you an explanation…"
"You're damn right you do!" He barked, interrupting me. "I've been rooming for over a month with a girl, and then she makes a play for the woman I love! Who the hell are you?"
I paused, and drew in a deep breath. "It's difficult to explain…"
"I don't care how difficult it is, get it out!" He demanded.
"Will you shut up for a second?" I snapped, my eyes flaring. He closed his mouth promptly, nodded, and I sighed. "Yes, I am a girl," I started. "In fact, we've even met before."
"What?" He asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Picture me with long hair," I said softly, but he still looked bewildered. "A little make-up?" I pressed hopefully. "With a diamond moon pendant…"
Suddenly his eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open. "No way… S-Serena?" He sputtered. "The waitress? What are you doing HERE? And dressed like that!" He exclaimed, gesturing at my tattered tuxedo.
I smiled grimly, and then winced as the motion triggered a stab of pain from the bruise forming along my jaw. "These clothes," I began, "were the only way that I could get into this school. Becoming a boy was the only way I could get close to someone I wanted to learn more about…" I finished.
"What?" He asked shrilly. "What are you talking about?" He shook his head, bringing his hands to his eyes. "I'm sorry, but this is just a little weird for me! Two minutes ago, I was beating up a guy who kissed my girl, and now that guy IS a girl! Oh God!" he suddenly groaned. "I hit a girl!"
I laughed. "I guess I did have it coming," I muttered, rubbing my jaw. "But you have one hell of a right hook."
"It doesn't matter, and don't change the subject!" He snapped suddenly, and I sobered a bit. "Now what are you doing here?"
"I came for Darien," I said finally. "I think I'm falling in love with him."
There was a brief silence, and then Jarod broke it with a disgusted exclamation. "You came all the way to Madison for DARIEN? You hardly know the guy, and you came like THAT?" He cried, gesturing towards my dirty tux. "Just how did you intend on grabbing his attention?"
"I don't know!" I retorted, rising to my feet. "I don't know how I even got the guts to come here, but I did, and this was the only way I could get close to him!"
"But you didn't even know him!" He persisted.
"How long did you have to know her to figure out she was the one?" I asked, pointing at Raye, and Jarod suddenly fell silent.
"She's different…" he muttered.
"No she's not! How long did it take you to know?" I demanded. My eyes burned into his, and after a moment, he looked away in shame.
"The moment I saw her," he whispered, and Raye blushed at his words. I smiled gently.
"Well, that's the way it was for me," I murmured. "I didn't to know everything about Darien, but deep in my gut I knew he was something special. So, I followed him here, I put on this ridiculous disguise, and it's been hell trying to hide it from you all ever since!" I stopped, frowning slightly. "You can't say anything," I said softly. "I would get kicked out of the school, and Darien would never speak to me again. Please, Jarod," I begged. "Promise me you won't say anything?"
Jarod looked as if he were about to protest, but then he sighed and shook his head. "I wouldn't rat on you," he said finally, and I breathed a sigh of relief. "But you're not doing yourself any good by lying to Darien."
I smiled. "I know that." I assured him. "But I am getting to know him, and that's all I wanted to do." I paused, and looked him right in the eye. "Can you keep my secret?"
He looked at me, nodded, and then laughed. "I can't believe this is happening," he cried. "This is truly unbelievable."
"Try kissing her and then finding out she's a woman," Raye cracked, and I laughed.
"Speaking of that kiss," Jarod said softly. "When I walked out of the gym and saw Raye kiss you, I about died! What was that all about?"
"Oh God, it was nothing!" I insisted. "It was a mistake, and it was rectified. Besides," I added, smiling a little, "it was you that she really wanted to be kissing."
Jarod turned towards Raye, his face full of surprise, and she blushed. "What? Is that true?" He asked hopefully, stepping towards her.
Raye remained motionless for a few moments, but then finally nodded. "I tried to hook up with Ren because I thought I couldn't get you. You always treated me like a little sister, and I was sick of feeling something for you and getting nothing in return… I guess I thought if I was with someone else, I'd get over my feelings and move on." She sighed. "Turns out I fell for a girl, and I still couldn't forget about you."
"Really?" He wondered, a real smile gracing his lips for the first time that night.
Raye laughed. "Yes, you idiot! I'm crazy about you, and that girl over there gave me the courage to tell you so… I-I love you," she finished, and exhaled as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. I beamed widely and tried to resist from giggling as he pulled her close.
"I love you too," he whispered, and leaned down, placing his lips over hers.
I let loose a short, happy laugh, but at the same time felt an envious pull at my heart as I took in the tender scene. I wanted that to be Darien and I, and yet, I couldn't deny my luck for the evening. Raye was happy, Jarod was ecstatic, and even though my jaw still ached fiercely, I knew things were going to be all right-- at least for now.
"Ahem," I cleared my throat, and the couple pulled away, their faces reddening. "I really should be getting back to the dorms before someone sees me like this." I explained softly, pulling my jacket closer around me. "Can you walk her home?" I asked Jarod, winking slyly.
He grinned and nodded. "Sure. Thanks, Serena."
I smiled, and turned to Raye, who greeted me with a strong hug. "You're a miracle worker," she whispered.
"Yeah," I agreed, laughing a little. "And I have the battle scars to prove it."
We both laughed, and then they stepped away, their hands linking as they turned to wave goodbye. I sighed, watching them go, and then headed in the other direction. I was tired, sore, and ready for a shower. If I was lucky, everyone would still be at the dance, and I could relax!
"Mission accomplished, Serena!" I said to myself, and smiled up at the stars. "Time to get some shut-eye!"
Thank you all so much for all the feedback, I really appreciate your ideas! Believe it or not, I am incorporating many of them into this story, so keep 'em coming! I also tried to avoid a cliffhanger for this chapter--hee hee, got more than a few complaints about the last ones!--and I promise I'll have more out very soon.
Love it? Hate it? Review please!