Chapter 29.
The Other Side of Me.
Meanwhile at Serena's house, Haruka took Serena's things to her room. Minako followed but went to her room instead of Serena's. Serena jumped on her bed and looked around her room. She then saw her cell phone on her nightstand. Serena picked it up hoping that maybe someone had called her. Her sad face revealed the fact that HE hadn't called.
"Hey," said Minako who entered Serena's room.
"He didn't call," said Serena with a gloomy look as she placed the cell phone on the nightstand. She then started to take her things out of her bag and fortunately found the prince figurine. Serena was sadden when she held it up and looked at it.
"Serena maybe…"
"Where is it?" Serena started to dig into her bag looking for something.
"What?"
"The princess. Don't tell me I left her. Oh no."
"It just a toy Serena."
"But Seiya…" Serena covered her mouth as she saw Minako's eyes widen.
"Seiya gave you the princess."
"Yeah." Minako turned away from the Serena and walked over to the door. "Minako it was just a kind of gesture. That's all it was."
"I'm tired. I didn't get much sleep last night." Minako left the room.
Back at Andrew's house, Darien and Andrew sat on a sofa staring at the little princess figurine with its blue eyes looking back at them. They were sitting there for about an hour trying to figure out what the figurine meant. Lizzy walked into the room and found it strange for the guys to be looking at figurine of a little princess. She looked at both at them, got herself a water bottle then walked over. She lean in close to them.
"What are you doing?" asked Lizzy.
"Lizzy," said Andrew startled.
"Trying to figure out what this means," said Darien not really paying attention to anyone but the figurine as he picked it up.
"It's a toy," said Lizzy.
"I know that." Darien rolled his eyes at her.
"Lizzy we need your help," said Andrew knowing very well that Darien was not going to get anywhere staring at the figurine all day long. They needed an expert.
"Andrew no," said Darien. "I don't want to get her involved in this."
"Involve in what?" asked Lizzy.
"She knows her better than you do," said Andrew. "Come on give her chance."
"Alright, what do I have to lose."
"Guys I'm completely lost," said Lizzy.
At school, Luna sent Minako to get a copy of both the girls transcripts. Luna had already made arrangements for the girls to take their finals with perspective tutors who will prepare them and administer the tests.
As Minako made her way to the exit, she was stopped by Raye. Minako was surprised to see her but could tell she had a worried expression on her face.
"Are you and Serena moving?" asked Raye. "It's been going around school. Is it true?"
"Yes," replied Minako with a smile and a nod.
"Why?"
"Because…" Minako saw Amy and Lita walk over.
"What are you guys talking about?" asked Lita.
"Minako and Serena are moving away," Raye blurted out.
"What?" said Amy. "Why? When?"
"I…we decided that…" Minako tried to explain but couldn't find the words.
"Why do I have the feeling that you're telling us something," said Raye looking at Minako like if she was looking into her soul.
"I'm not."
"Leave her alone Raye," said Lita pushing Raye away from Minako. "It's none of our business."
"Like hell it is," said Raye. "We're best friends. How could she not tell us?"
"Because we're moving to the states!" Minako blurted out.
"The States!" repeated Raye and Amy.
"That's so far," said Amy.
"Why?" asked Raye.
"Raye I think you need to see it to believe the reason," said Lita. Minako looked at Lita trying to figure out what she was trying to do. "Let's meet at Serena's and have a farewell party. We can surprise Serena."
"That sounds like a great idea," said Minako catching on to Lita's plan.
At Andrew's house, Andrew prepared himself to tell the biggest secret he had ever kept from Lizzy.
"Lizzy what I'm about to tell you does not leave this room," said Andrew.
"Okay."
"Darien and Serenity had an argument and Serenity left Darien with that figurine. We're trying to figure out what she means. With your expertise in knowing Serenity I figure..."
"What were guys arguing about?"
"Knew she'd ask that."
"Lizzy Serenity is Serena," said Darien. "The girl I was looking for at your school."
"No," said Lizzy in disbelief. "She can't be."
"It's true," said Andrew. "They are one in the same."
"Serenity goes to my high school. That is so cool." Lizzy started to babble about how amazing it is to know that her favorite artist was in her presence everyday and she didn't even know it. "She saved my life. I so owe her. I know I can help." Lizzy got into serious mode as she took a look at the figurine. "Maybe she is saying that she's your princess and like a princess needs to be saved and reunited with her prince."
"I don't think she'd forgive me. I don't know if I can forgive her. This is complicated."
"Duh, what about love isn't complicated? How do you feel about her?"
"I can't stop thinking about her. When I found out she was at the hospital I hated myself for not saying something to her in that hallway at the school."
"You rejected her because she was in high school. What a jerk."
"Lizzy," said Andrew.
"Thanks," said Darien.
"I can only say one thing that I noticed about you when you were together," said Lizzy.
"What's that?" asked Darien.
"You make each other smile and for you Darien that's hard thing to do."
"I smile." Darien looked at Andrew. He quickly turned the other way.
"You kind of haven't until you meet Serenity," said Andrew.
"I'm an idiot." Darien ran his hands through his deep dark hair.
"You just figured that out right now," said Lizzy.
"I can't lose her again," said Darien.
Meanwhile at Serena's house, Serena was already packing. She had been packing all day because she told Luna to change the flight to tonight. Serena wanted to be out of Tokyo and fast.
Her room began to look empty, except for the bunnies that will be placed in boxes later on to be delivered to their new home in the states when they get there. Serena was feeling anxious and every time she'd put something in her suit case she'd look at her cell phone sitting at her dresser. She still had hope that he'd call and say that everything is going to be alright. Hoping wasn't making her feel better. Serena took a deep sigh and decided to go downstairs to get something to eat.
It seemed eerily quiet downstairs as Serena wandered over to the kitchen. She wondered where Luna, Artemis and Haruka were. They'd usually be in the kitchen at this time but the kitchen lights were off as she approached the kitchen's entrance. When she turned on the lights she was startled.
"SURPRISE!" yelled everyone. Raye, Lita, Amy, Minako, Luna and Artemis were all there. Haruka was in the corner with her arms crossed over her chest.
"What is all this?" asked Serena.
"It's a farewell party meatball head," said Raye as she hugged her. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"
"I didn't want anyone to know. I hate saying goodbye."
"You know if I didn't find out you'd be seeing me at the airport calling your name through the sound speakers."
"I can't have that." Serena smiled at her friends. "I'm glad you came. I'm going to miss you all."
"So, why are you leaving?" Suddenly someone knocked at the door. Haruka went to get it and Serena looked over at who was coming in. She was hoping that it'd be Darien but it wasn't. Seiya, Yaten and Taiki entered the house. Seiya had a bag in his hand and walked over to Serena.
"You weren't leaving without saying goodbye were you Serena?" said Seiya with his signature grin. Serena gave him a half smile and hugged him. Seiya placed his bag on the counter and began taking things out of it. They were small boxes and Minako took a look at them and saw that they were picture frames. He explained that they'd take some group pictures today and place them in the frames for each of them, so that they'll always remember their friends.
"Seiya that's so sweet," said Serena. "Come on lets take the pictures." They all got together and Luna took the pictures. Serena dragged Haruka at the last minute and placed her between Yaten and Raye. Raye looked flushed after the picture and Haruka noticed that. She then saw her quickly walk over into the kitchen.
"You okay?" asked Yaten who was concern of her quick departure of the group. Raye gasped when she turn to face him. She tried her best to cover her nervousness but her cheeks turn a deep red.
Serena from afar saw Yaten and Raye talking in the kitchen and she noticed Raye's red cheeks. She smiled at that cause she knew that Raye had crushed on the him. Serena walked over to Haruka who had her arms folded over her chest.
"Haruka it's too bad," said Serena. "I thought you and Yaten would made of cute couple."
"I'm not into him," said Haruka as she rolled her eyes.
"Sure your not. Cause that's not jealous tone I hear." Haruka glared at Serena.
Darien, still at Andrew's house contemplating his deep feelings for Serenity paces back in forth in the living room. Each time he passes by the table where the princess figurine is and he feels like she is starring at him.
"I need to go see her. I've gotta…" Darien said as he stops in the middle of the room, finally getting Andrew and Lizzy's attention.
"Tell her how you feel," said Andrew.
"Right. I won't lose her again." He grabbed his jacket and headed out the door.
"Again?" asked Lizzy, but Darien had rushed out of the house before she could get an answer. She looked at her brother.
"Serenity is Darien's long lost love when he was 13," Andrew explained.
"Oh, really. That so romantic."
It was almost 6:30 and everyone began to say their goodbyes and head home. Serena was in tears but she pulled herself together as she hugged each of her friends. Haruka grabbed her suit cases from upstairs and placed them in the car. Luna and Artemis locked the door from their house and gave themselves a moment of silence before they entered the car.
Minako hugged Seiya tightly and felt like if she was going to bust into tears like blubbering idiot but she held strong. When she pulled away she couldn't help but pull Seiya back and kiss him passionately on the lips. They were both lucky that both Haruka and Artemis were looking the other way. She smiled at and entered the back seat of the car along with Luna and Artemis.
Serena's friends stayed and watched her get in the car. She gave them reassuring smile saying that someday she'll see them again then waved goodbye. Before she got into the car she looked down both sides of the road then entered the car. Serena stuck her head out and waved goodbye as the car drove off.
"I can't believe she's her," said Raye reacting to Serena's reason why she was leaving. Serena had told Amy and Raye, who were the only ones who didn't know Serena's secret. "They are so different."
"I can't believe she was able to keep that secret," said Amy. "She was very strong to keep such a secret."
"Hey, how about some milk shakes," said Seiya. "In honor of Serena." Everyone agreed to that and they were walking down the side walk when they saw a red car zoom by and stop by Serena's house. They all turned around and the people who recognized him saw Darien desperately getting out of his car.
He looked over at the people who were looking him. Darien recognized some of them and walked over to them.
"Is Serena home?" asked Darien.
"No she's not," replied Lita from the group. "She's gone. Left to the states just a couple minutes ago."
AN: Long chapter with a cliffhanger. Ain't I stinker. LOL.
