Blueeyeddevil06, thank you for being my beta.
Darien sat next to Rick in Lab and asked, "What has you so upset?"
"Your stupid friend Andrew. I saw him kissing my sister!" He glared at Darien.
"She's older than you and can make her own choices. Plus, he's a good guy."
Rick sighed in frustration, "That's the problem! She has all these goals. She wants to go study in Africa and Europe. If she falls for him, he's not leaving here. I don't want her to give up her dreams for someone."
"You're an idiot," Darien stated matter of factly. "Do you really think that little of your sister? Plus, Andrew wouldn't get in the way of her dreams. He's the second most supportive person I know."
"Let me guess, Serena is the first on the list."
"Yup!"
"At least he doesn't chase after every pretty girl that flirted with him. He has that."
"How did you figure that out?"
Rick's eyes got wide, and he started laughing. "Tell me you know… You don't, do you? That's too funny. Molly, Lita, Amy, and Serena have all had a crush on him at some point. Did you really think Serena wouldn't have a thing for a guy who makes milkshakes?"
"Who told you that?" Darien asked defensively.
"Molly. Oh, man, this is too funny. You look so pissed right now." Rick didn't have any empathy for Darien. He was glad that his day was being ruined by Andrew too. After all, he didn't enjoy seeing Andrew with his tongue in his sister's mouth.
"It's fine," Darien managed to get out.
"You're so jealous, aren't you?"
"Yeah, but I know she loves me."
Rick pushed and said, "Yeah, but you know what a 'good guy' he is, and you realize you could have had to watch them date."
"I am. But it didn't happen."
Darien then tried to turn it around on Rick. He didn't want to think about Andrew and Serena together. He said, "Hey, that good guy could end up being your brother-in-law. Would that make it awkward at family dinners to know Molly once had a crush on him?"
"You suck. Do you know that?"
"Payback's a bitch."
Molly met Mina for lunch at the arcade. It was her idea. Actually, it was Serena's idea, but she had asked Mina.
"Are you upset with me?" Mina came right out and asked.
"Because you didn't want them to tell me? No, not at all."
"How is that possible?"
Molly shrugged and said, "Because you wanted to protect Serena, and you don't know me."
"That and I was jealous. No matter how hard I try not to be, I feel like you've replaced me."
"Good, we're being honest with each other. I did replace you."
"What?" Mina looked at her in shock.
"I'm her oldest friend. Isn't that what bothers you? I can't change that fact, and I won't stop being her friend." Molly took a bite of her sandwich, and when she swallowed, she said, "Is that really important, though?"
"Huh?"
"Do you think I matter more to her because I was first? That she gives her heart in decreasing amounts?" Molly shook her head. "She loves us all equally. She's too kind-hearted not to."
Mina began eating her sandwich and thought about what Molly said. "But, she doesn't love me like I love her."
"For now. That won't last long. Surely you know her well enough to believe that."
Amy was enjoying her lunch date. He was charming and perfect. She was quickly falling in love with him, and she knew that Mina had to be wrong. No man was more suited for her than he was.
Serena was sitting in her parent's kitchen having lunch with her mother. Now that she was getting older, she discovered that she enjoyed her mother, not just as a parent but also as a person. It was nice.
"So, how are classes going?" Her mom asked.
"Really well. I don't study as much as Darien does, but I'm studying more now that I'm dating him. That and now that I know what I want to major in. It helps to have a clear goal."
"I'm glad. I know you never loved school, but I'm happy you're getting your degree."
"Thanks."
"Okay, so now that is out of the way, how is Darien?"
"I was wondering when that was coming. He's really good. He…" She blushed and said, "He loves me so much. It's a bit overwhelming sometimes."
"How?"
"I have you and Dad and Sammy. I'm everything to him, and well, that's a lot to live up to. He was alone for so long."
"He'll realize he has us too, especially since he's so good to you. How could we not grow to love him?"
Serena chuckled, "That and you'd have a son that is a doctor. That's like major points right there. The neighbors will be so jealous."
"You have no idea how fun it was to tell Crystal at book club that you're dating Darien Shields. She was absolutely green with envy. It still makes me smile just thinking about it!"
Zoisite stared at Kunzite and decided to talk to him. He approached and said, "You seem off."
"I assure you I'm fine!" he snapped.
"Of course you are. Have you enjoyed watching the Sailor Scouts fight?"
Kunzite glared at him, "Why would I care anything about them?!"
Zoisite smiled over how telling that statement was. "No reason. Forget I asked." He then walked away.
He hoped Kunzite was like him and would realize he was being manipulated. It was easier to get his friends out of Beryl's clutches that way.
Nephrite bowed before Beryl, and he was confused as to why she seemed so calm. "I have decided to try a new tactic. Find the Silver Crystal. We are prioritizing that over collecting energy."
"Yes, my Queen."
She caressed her glowing orb and added, "There is an event coming up, and the Legendary Treasure is going to be revealed. I'm hoping that it's the Legendary Silver Crystal. Get it and bring it to me."
"As you command, Queen Beryl." He then bowed again and exited the throne room.