PhantasyDreamer: Hey there! I'm back and with another chapter at last. Thanks for all the reviews you guys loved reading your thoughts and opinions. Well, it's that time again. I don't own Sailor Moon or anyone in it, just my own characters. Now onto the story and don't forget to review. Ciao!
The Price of a Broken Heart
Chapter 13: Reunion
Last time: "Do you like the view?" she asked staring at me as she began to shiver a little.
"Yea, it's magnificent." I sighed as I took off my jacket without thinking and wrapped it around her. She looked at me confused and I just returned her confusion with a smile. I took a deep breath, there was something I needed to do and I was going to do it now.
"Serena, I have something I want to ask you." I stated as I saw her eyes instantly widen, I didn't know what it was but it was as if she was shocked that I said that.
I slowly reached into my back pocket and took out a small box and as I looked at Serena it looked like she was blushing. Gradually opening the box I smiled at her.
"Yes Darien, go ahead." she replied her voice sounding a bit squeaky as she clutched my jacket closer to her.
"Serena, will you take a look at this ring for me?"
The story continues...
I sighed as Serena stared at me nervously even though I didn't know why she did it. I watched in amazement as she smiled as if unsure while she took the box from me. She gasped at the sight of the ring. I smirked a little, I had bought the ring a few weeks ago hoping to pop the question to my girlfriend. I carried it everywhere with me trying to find the perfect time to ask her but it never came up. But when I finally got reacquainted with my best friend, Serena that is, I thought at least she should be the first to know, I mean after Andrew. I gazed at her and she seemed both happy and sad at the same time. Knowing Serena, it was hard for her to hide how she was feeling since she showed it plainly on her face.
"Wow, it's beautiful!" she replied examining it thoroughly, "Can I?"
She asked wondering if she could try it on.
"Sure." I smirked at her.
She slowly placed it onto her finger with little effort. I watched in amazement at how beautiful it looked on her finger. For a minute, I was actually imaging that she was the one I was going to marry but I quickly erased that thought.
/Yea, you better think straight./ my conscience warned.
'I am thinking straight. I just hope I don't regret anything I do later.'
//Regret? Are you okay Darien buddy/ my conscience asked me seriously, /I hope you're not having second thoughts./
'NO WAY! Of course not!' I retorted back as I gazed at Serena who was still fiddling with the ring.
"Darien, you have great taste." she replied hastily looking around at the scenery from the Ferris wheel and then back at me, "But you know I prefer gold."
She gave me a large smirk in a teasing sort of way. I just returned the smile knowing what she meant. She had always talked about her dream wedding in front of Andrew and I, so I knew exact what she meant by that statement.
Serena's Point of View
I gazed at my best friend. Darien sure knew how to make me laugh. I turned my gazed back at the ring and frowned a bit. This ring was the ring that he would give to the one he loved. I tried to hold back my tears a little. I couldn't believe that after all these years that I still cared for Darien so much and just by looking at the ring I realized that.
"I know that." he replied instantly taking my left hand, surprising me.
"How did you…?"
"Don't you remember?" he asked slowly loosing his grip on my hand, "You used to tell Andrew and me about how you want your future husband to buy you a gold ring."
He chuckled a little turning to his right and at that moment I could feel a blush creep up on my face.
"You remember that?" I asked still kind of shock.
"Of course, you're my best friend. I'm supposed to remember everything you say to me, well almost everything." he smiled giving me his million dollar smile that made me feel faint.
"Oh yea." I replied feeling quite nervous again, "Um…let me give you back this."
I move to take the silver ring off of my finger but for some apparent reason it refused to come off. I wondered why it chose this specific time to stick immediately to my skin but nothing came to mind. Before I knew it, the Ferris wheel began to move again and simultaneously the ring slid automatically off of my finger and headed straight to the grassy ground below. I looked nervously across to Darien who held a serious frown. Not that I could blame the guy but I figured it was a sign or something.
"Well Darien, I guess you're not supposed to marry this girl then." I chuckled a little while he gave me a hard glare.
"Serena." I cringed when he said my name.
Just the way he said it made me know he was angry. The Ferris wheel came to an abrupt stop and Darien and I got off of the ride. Darien helped me off a little as I still clutched his jacket to my shoulders. He hadn't spoken to me as we walked around to the end of the ride where the ring had supposedly dropped. I just sighed as I gave him his jacket back and went to search for his prize possession. Digging through the grass on my knees, I could see particles of glass and other trash people threw lazily on the ground. In the distance I saw a shiny object that stand out. Reaching for it, I smirked as I picked up the ring. I got up and gave it to Darien who quickly tucked it back into the box. He smiled clutching the box firmly as he placed it back into his pocket.
I sighed. What have I done? Now Darien will think that I want to sabotage his engagement or his life or whatever it is he was planning to do.
/Well do you/ my conscience asked making me curious.
'No, I do not want to break up anything!' I yelled at myself refusing to believe that my conscience had a point.
/Okay, I just hope so. /
I frowned. What does my conscience know anyway? After all, I'm just speaking to myself anyway. I smiled at the thought as Darien and I walked towards another ride. And could you believe that it was the tunnel of love. I wondered why we ended up standing in front of it. Darien just looked at the ride as if he was day dreaming or something but I just ignored him and decided to see if he wanted to go on it or not.
"So, you want to go on the tunnel of love?" I asked laughing a little at the last part of my question, love.
"Wouldn't we have to be in love first?" he asked seriously making me feel embarrassed for asking in the first place.
I just looked at him with a weary smile trying to hide how embarrassed I felt. But to my surprise Darien just laughed and gave his ticket to the guy and I did the same. He smiled and asked me why I was so serious when he was only joking. All I could do was smile as he then helped me onto the swan like boat with him as we sat together. We talked for a long while about our lives over the past six years. I told Darien about my stupid ex-boyfriend Josh and he told me that he hadn't start dating after he dumped Jennifer for a long while until two years ago. I was surprised to say the least but I guess he felt really hurt when he found out that I was right and that she just an evil person to begin with.
"So, why did you break up with that Drake guy?" he asked taking me by surprise.
'Why did I break up with Drake?' I asked myself as my eyes widen in shock.
I thought about it for a moment and then looked at Darien who had a serious look on his face. I frowned trying to think of an answer.
"Well, I just wanted to start afresh I guess," I started feeling weird talking to him about this, "and I already talked to him about it. He wasn't too happy but we decided together that we should just be friends."
"And now you see him you still have those feelings, don't you?" he asked sounding a bit jealous, which kind of scared me.
"Yea kind of." I frowned bowing my head.
I sighed. How did I end up in a conversation like this with Darien? I mean I know he has better things to think on besides my feelings for Drake. Or is that true? I sighed as I sat close to him not knowing what to think. I was so confused. I didn't know the reason I said that or why I said it. But I could see by the look on his face that he wasn't pleased with my answer.
'But why is that, doesn't he have a girlfriend?' I thought tugging my orange shirt.
/Yea but he must just be overprotective of you./
'You mean like a brother?' I asked my conscience curiously.
/Yea./
'Humph, I guess so then.'
Silence grew immediately between us after that. I didn't know what to say to him. I mean I wondered why he was so interested in my life all of a sudden when he didn't seem to care before. I frowned as the ride came to a stop. Something about this just felt wrong. Did Darien really care for me back then like Andrew had implied that night at the prom? Or was he just saying that to make me feel better? I sighed. I had always kept that in the back of my mind but I couldn't reason out whether or not it was true.
"Are you going to get out?" I heard someone ask.
I look up to see Darien looking at me with his hand outstretched. I blinked twice not realizing that I was in deep thought. I immediately got up and took his hand as he helped me out of the boat. I climbed out and tripped on the pavement landing face first in Darien's chest. I blushed madly smelling the strong scent of his cologne.
'What's wrong with me I thought I was over my klutz attacks?'
/Probably it's because you see Darien./
'Humph no way!' I frowned refusing to believe such nonsense.
At that very moment my face was still in the same position. I guess I was too nervous to move. I quickly composed myself and decided to move quickly. I gazed up at Darien looking at his dark eyes with a weary smile. I stood there for a few seconds as if I was in a trance. Shaking my head lightly I realized what I was doing.
"Uh…sorry Darien, I didn't see that large stone there."
He smirked as he looked down at me with his hands on my shoulder.
"Still falling for me huh meatball head?" he asked with a sly grin.
I sighed as I just pushed myself away from him and walked away. I could hear him sigh behind me as I walked away. I was angry. And I didn't even know why. I wondered if it was because his question struck me hard. Was it true? Was I still falling for him after all these years? Or was I just acting like a stupid seventeen year old again? I stopped walking for a while with my arms folded as Darien finally caught up to me.
"Hey Serena, what's the problem?" he asked while raking his black hair and placing his left hand in his pants pocket, "Was it something I said?"
I turned to my left and looked at him with a warm smile. Something definitely was wrong with me. There was no possible way I was suppose to be having feelings for Darien again. After all, I've been through over the past six years, I thought that I had finally moved on and got over him but I guess I was wrong.
"N-No Darien, it's okay. Everything is alright."
"Are you sure?" he asked giving me a concern look.
I sighed and looked up at my old crush, "Yea."
"Great, then I have a surprise for you." he replied as he grabbed my wrist and started running in the opposite direction.
We ran for a good distance and received strange looks from people we passed by. I just ran as quickly as I could and hoped that he would stop sometime soon. It wasn't too far when Darien stopped suddenly causing me to bump into him. I looked out from behind him to see what had caused him to stop. And to my surprise it was a young lady around the same age as me. Or then again she could be a few years older. She looked at Darien and me with a look that could kill. I held onto Darien's arm trying my best not to get mad.
"Darien, how dare you!" she yelled with anger in her eyes as she stood next to her friends, "What are you doing here!"
I stood still trying my best not to say anything and I could feel Darien stiffen in his position. I looked up at him to see him as serious as ever. I stared at her while she flipped her red hair.
"Hi Alexis." he said with a large smile while chuckling a bit.
"Darien, you told me you were working today." she stated in a harsh tone with her arms folded.
"I was but I got the day off." he said with a smile while I still had my hand wrapped around his arm unable to move it for some apparent reason.
"And you never even called me?" she asked with a little hint of hurt trailing in her voice as she turned her attention to me, "So Darien, who is this girl? I know she's not your sister. Who is she?"
Darien looked at me with a weary smile and for a moment I felt sorry for him. I looked at the lady who I guess was his girlfriend and smiled. It just had to be her. The one he wanted to marry.
"Alexis, this is my good friend Serena." he replied slyly.
Immediately I shook her hand and she did the same, however not with a gracious smile as I would have expected. Except with an annoyed one.
"It's a shame I never heard you speak of her before." she stated with such annoyance and disgust in her voice. For a moment I almost thought this would be a replay of my experience with Jennifer but by the looks of things it could be worse, "I just don't know why you didn't call me because you knew how much I wanted to go to this carnival with you."
She looked at him with teary eyes. I frowned as I held Darien's arm even tighter for some reason not wanting to let go. What was she trying to prove? He wasn't cheating on her or nothing. He was just out with an old friend. But by the way she was acting she was beginning to get on my nerves.
"Sorry Alexis but I truly forgot that and I promised to spend the whole day with my friend and things just-"
"WHAT!" she shrieked interrupting him while placing her hands on her hips creasing her jeans skirt and actually causing a scene, "You'd rather spend the whole day with her than with me! Do you really want to be in this relationship or not!"
I bowed my head. This was definitely worse than with Jennifer. With Jennifer I was about to hurt her for making a mockery of me. With this girl I just felt like slapping some sense into her. I mean Darien's a nice guy and I know he wouldn't have forgotten if I didn't show up. I smirked at the thought. I guess I still mean a lot as a friend to him. I held onto Darien a little longer and tugged his jacket lightly while receiving a harsh glare from his girlfriend but I ignored it.
"Alexis, please don't say that…" he stared with a pause.
I turned my attention to her and with a smile I said, "I'm sorry Amanda is it? But Darien and I aren't done enjoying all the rides of the carnival. We'll see you around somewhere and Darien will give you a call later."
"It's Alexis." I heard her mutter softly as I began to move out of her sight.
I walked away before she could start arguing again. I pushed Darien slowly and when he didn't budge, I attempt to drag him away. Luckily for me, he looked back one last time at her and then followed me. When we were clear out of her view he gazed at me with an amazing smile. I couldn't tell if he was mad or what but I just shrugged it off.
"Why did you do that?" he asked startling me.
"I-I'm sorry Darien but she was about to make a scene over nothing and she would not let you finish," I started looking up at him, "so I figured why stay and argue when you could talk to her later when she calms down. Besides I really want to see that surprise you have for me."
I grinned while clasping my hands.
"Oh yea, I almost forgot that." he said quickly giving me a hug, "You know you're amazing right?"
"Yea." I stated modestly.
I gazed at him with a huge blush on my face. It was the first time in a long time that I had heard him say something so nice to me. I sighed. He issued for me to stand on the side with my eyes closed as I waited patiently to see what the surprise was. When he turned me around I was surprised to see my friends standing there. Amy, Lita, Raye and Mina. It had been so long since I've seen them. I screamed with delight as I rushed to hug all of them.
Darien's Point of View
I sighed as I watched Serena hug all of her friends including Andrew. I had become even close friends with the girls after Serena left. It was a lot of changes that happened in my life but for the moment things seemed to be the same. I stood on the side by a booth while I watched them. I felt pretty strange about the way Alexis had behaved but was even more surprised at how Serena handled the situation. I knew if she was younger she might have acted differently. I smirked chuckling at the thought.
"So Darien, how does it feel to see Serena after all these years?" Andrew asked curiously as he walked up to me and proceeded to lean on the counter of the booth.
"Good." I stated sadly as I looked at her.
"Something troubling you, eh Darien?" he asked as he too gazed at the girls.
"Yea." I sighed as I stuffed my hands in my pocket, "Alexis saw me with Serena and she started to accuse me of not wanting to spend time with her. She got angry that I was spending my time with Serena. She was also getting more furious because I didn't call her and tell her I was coming to the carnival."
"Hmm." he replied folding his arms, "So why didn't you call her?"
I sighed.
"Andrew, I completely forgot." I sighed as I scratched my hair in irritation, "I was so caught up in spending the day with Serena that it left my mind and I didn't remember to call her."
I let out an irritated grunt as I looked at the girls who were talking and giggling merrily. Something was definitely strange about this picture. Here I was with my friends hanging out when I have an angry girlfriend on the verge of killing me for not calling her and I don't feel the urge or need to explain anything to her. I wondered why I felt this way. Was I having second thoughts about Alexis? Or was my mind just toying with me? I turned back to Andrew who was smirking a little. He let out a sigh before speaking.
"Darien, don't tell me you're falling for a certain cherry blond?" he asked with a smirk while gazing at Serena.
"No of course not! Why would you think that?" I looked at him in disbelief.
"I don't know. I guess it's because every time you see Serena you seem to lose your senses." he stated coolly making me think hard on his statement.
Was he right? Do I really lose my senses when I'm around Serena? I frowned at him. What could he possibly be talking about? Serena was my friend for goodness sake. A friend I hadn't seen in over six years because of my foolish behavior. And I was trying my very best to do nice things for her by being a good friend. I just didn't understand why Alexis couldn't see that. And sure even though I never spoke about Serena, it was because I thought I would never see her again.
"Andrew, what are you talking about?" I asked trying to clarify things.
"In case you haven't noticed you haven't been the same since Serena left." he replied in an almost whisper.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I sighed stubbornly as I folded my arms refusing to believe a word that he had said.
'Andrew is crazy!' I yelled to myself, 'There is no possible way I was moping when Serena left or was I thinking of her more than my girlfriend.'
/Is that so/ my conscience asked annoying me once again.
'That's right.' I concluded not wanting to continue this discussion with my conscience.
I looked at him and he smirked at me. A smirk I hated. It's the smirk that meant you're in love with Serena. He had given me that smirk so much times that I was so accustom to it. I knew what he was thinking and it had something to the effect of not going after Serena when she left for college. I always wondered why I didn't go after her, but I figured that it was just not meant to be. And besides that I was just too scared of what might have happened if I showed up at her doorstep. I looked at the girls as Andrew got ready to lecture me once again.
"Darien you should have told Serena how you felt before she left," he instructed while lecturing me, "because now you wouldn't be in this predicament. Besides I could see by the look in your eyes that you still love her."
I bit my lip. What did he know about love anyway? He's only been married for what? Two years? I laughed at the thought. He was married to Lita for around that time and now it seemed like he was an expert on love. They had a beautiful wedding although it was a shame that Serena never got the chance to attend. But ever since then they had been a wonderful couple. I gazed back at my best friend wondering if he was right.
"It's too late for that anyway, I don't believe we were meant to be and that's the point." I sighed deeply trying to get my mind off of what he said, "On another note, I love my girlfriend and she is who I want to spend the rest of my life with not Serena."
Andrew cocked an eyebrow as if irritated by my statement, "I hope you don't regret this Darien."
He replied as he walked away heading towards the girls. I just bowed my head. As much as I didn't want to admit it, he was right. He was right once again. And it was making me mad. But I decided that I had already made my choice, I was going to marry Alexis even though Serena came back. Besides she could be engaged for all I know even though her last boyfriend dumped her. And who knows what life has in store for me, only God knows. I looked ahead to see Serena heading in my direction. I was even more surprise to find myself blushing. I completely shook my head trying to relieve myself of the thoughts that were running through my head.
"Darien, what are you doing way out here by yourself?" she asked.
"…" I remained silent as I looked at her. I mean I didn't even know what to say.
"Come on, we're all going on one last ride before the carnival closes." she smiled as she pulled my arm dragging me towards the others.
We all hopped aboard a large spider like ride and got strapped in. I sat next to Serena of course. While Andrew sat by Lita, his wife, Amy and Raye sat together while Mina sat next to a stranger. We all waited in anticipation as the ride began to spin continuously. For a moment I thought I was going to throw up but I repressed that feeling. It continued in cycles going around and around.
As soon as the ride was over we headed close to the exit. My mind had not left the conversation I had earlier with Andrew. I just couldn't think straight after that. Serena said goodbye to her and friends and so did I. They all left after that and I journeyed to my car with Serena by my side. We got in and I drove in silence as I headed towards Serena's house. I couldn't say anything because I knew that what I would have to face later with my girlfriend. Looking across at Serena I could see her frowning in the passenger seat as if confused or something but I decided not to say anything as I continued down the road.
Serena's Point of View
I sat still in my position in silence wondering what was wrong with Darien. He had been so silent ever since the girls came and he had his conversation with Andrew. Was it something that I did to cause him to be angry or was it something I said? I didn't know what else to think since he was confusing me again. I played with my nails as I tried to think of something to say. I decided that he could be angry with what I had said to his girlfriend even though he acted as if it didn't bothered him.
"Darien…" I paused trying to think of the right way to say it, "I'm sorry if I made you angry when I talked that way to your girlfriend. I hope I haven't offended you if that's the reason you're not talking."
He gazed at me questionable and then turned his attention back to the road.
"Nah. What are you talking about?" he sighed with his hands firmly on the wheel, "You did no such thing. I was just thinking that's all."
I smiled and before I knew it we were in front of my house. I sighed as I looked at him. He was so handsome and determined and although he was getting married soon I absolutely felt sorry for him for some reason. I guess it was because I knew what type of girl he was going to marry and for a moment I felt pretty sad about it. I kinda secretly wished I was in her position.
'Why do I care who he marries anyway? Even if Amanda or Alexis or whatever her name is, is a crazy accusing girl?' I thought pulling on my shirt once again, 'Why do I even care?'
/Maybe it's because you still like Darien that's why or even love him./ my conscience stated making me frown.
'NO! That can't be it. It must be brotherly love or something!' I yelled at myself refusing to believe a word I was thinking, 'It just has to be!'
I shook my head lightly and received a weird look from Darien.
"Here we are." he replied with a small smirk, "Your home."
I looked up at him almost on the verge of tears because of my crazy thoughts. I quickly cleared my throat and wiped the tears from the corner of my eyes. I gazed at him with a smile. When was I going to see him again? Surely he was busy now and we would not spend our regular afternoons like we did when we were younger at the Arcade and that kind of scared me. I gazed at him and he gazed at me the same way in silence. We stayed like that for a few seconds. I wondered what was going through his mind at the time but nothing came to my mind so I decided to just say goodbye and leave.
"Darien…" I paused once again diverting my gaze from his eyes, "I want to thank you for taking me out today and spending the whole day with me. I appreciate it so much!"
I smiled feeling happy once again.
"It's no problem Serena, consider my debt repaid." he stated making me laugh a bit.
I opened the door slightly and looked back at him with a warm smile.
"Um…B-By the way Darien, I was wondering if you would like to go with me to a business party." I started hoping he wouldn't say no, "I-I mean since I don't have a date and all and I was just wondering if you would-"
"Sure, I'll be there." he stated with a warm smile while still gripping the steering wheel,
"Just tell me the time and day and I'll be there in a sec."
I looked at him in utter shock as he winked at me.
'Did Darien just wink at me?' I asked myself unable to move.
/Sure did./
"Okay then I'll call you." I stated softly as I leaned over towards him and kissed him on the cheek, "Goodnight Darien."
I replied as I immediately exited his car and heard him whisper a goodnight as well. I waved to him as his car drove down the road. Slowly walking up the steps heading towards my house, I thought deep on the events that just occurred. I turned the knob in deep thought getting ready to go inside. My hand froze in its position when I realized what I had just done. I just kissed Darien! And what's worse is that he has a girlfriend. Is there something wrong with this picture?
So what do you think! Was it good or bad? Tell me. It took a good while to write this chapter and I hope you guys enjoyed every aspect of it. Anyway, the next update won't be anytime soon since I have to do some major work on The Forgotten Princess, so updates for this story will be even slower. Ciao! And don't forget to leave a review on the way out.
PhantasyDreamer