Title The Personals

Title The Personals

Chapter I

By Selene

Rating PG13

The usual disclaimers... enjoy!!

Chapter 1: The Power of Words

part 1

Her blonde ponytails fell limply on the newspaper, as Serena dropped flatly against the chair. "Miss H is so annoying, so what, I messed up on the literature test- it doesn't mean I can't read!!" Her eyes graced absentmindedly over the drab newspaper, she mumbled, "No comics, that is so lame!"

Serena's head picked up from the crumpled paper as her hands loosened slightly.
'Miss H didn't say exactly what I had to read.' A smile crept across Serena's face as she thumbed leisurely through Tokyo News. Her stomach churned as she flipped through the paper, reaching outward for some of Lita's tasty cookies.

"Oh", Serena said out loud, as crumbs fell onto the paper, "The ad for the new Sailor V game!" Serena put the paper down to stretch again, as she shoved more cookies in her mouth. 'I wish I was more like Sailor V.' Her blue eyes rounded with annoyance, "Oh, they cut off the review for some stupid personal ads. I mean, who would even write these things?" She rose and deepened her voice ass much as possible before glancing at a random ad, "Tall, dark hair, blue eyes, loves roses, and quiet romantic times with girls," Serena's voice softened "…for a girl who loves to be loved. Respond by mail anonymously- it adds to romance."

For a moment she stood still, still analyzing her choices. Her eyes brightened as she raced for her room. Searching through her swamp of unused school textbooks, she found an old stationary set. Serena rolled up her white school uniform's sleeves with a look of determination as she slowly licked her lips. Her hand tensed as she sat down and grabbed her favorite purple gel pen to write a reply to this ad.

Luna came in quietly, as she glanced around the room casually, hoping for a nap. Her ear picked up as a slight rustle in the corner. As she turned her head, her eyes bulged and gape with surprise. Luna said taken back as her tail whirled, 'Serena are you doing…' her mouth dropped at the thought, 'homework? She is so intense, I've never seen her like this.' Luna thought almost worried, 'What if she is feverish? Or some monster from the Negaverse?'

With her hairs standing up in attention, Luna jumped easily onto the cluttered desk to see what Serena was writing. "Love letters?" Luna replied half with relief, and frustrated at Serena's complete zoning out, she yelled, "Meatball Head!"

Serena's head snapped up from her trance. Defensively, she protested, "Don't call me that Luna. I'm very busy right now."

"I wish you would be that concentrated when you were Sailor…"

"Okay Luna," Serena spoke patronizingly, she pet her purple cat, "I know the drill. You're interrupting the creative flow. This has to be good."

Luna shrugged in confusion, her eyes floated over to the plush bed. Serena's habits are really rubbing off on me, she thought lazily. Her eyes lingered on the bed as she looked at Serena working so industriously, 'I don't want to know,' her mind commented, 'Luna you are too tired.' The cat yawned sleepily, and in two leaps she sank into the plush mattress. Curling up for her usual afternoon nap, her eyes drifted close, as the crinkling papers eventually quieted down to nothing.

Part 2

"That was the most dumbest bet we made," Darien joked with Andrew as they stepped out of the arcade.

Andrew's brown hair flopped in the wind "It's not over, you had 48 hours, and if you didn't get a response today, you owe me 50 bucks-stupid bet or not."

Darien slipped on his shades casually as the sun glared on his night colored eyes. He stuffed his hands in his green jacket before responding, "I still think letters the old fashioned way will win any girl over."

"Whatever you say Darien, do these letters of yours come with any money too?" Andrew stepped inside with Darien as he commented easily, "Most girls today are too materialistic. Anyway, I'm not rich enough to meet any of the pretty ones."

"At least I didn't loose faith in Romance," Darien said while turning the corner to the post office. "Well this is it. My final hope for a reply."

Andrew chuckled slightly; "I can just see that fifty right now?"

They entered the small geometric, white building. The windows let the sun light pour into the simple building. Darien muddled through his khaki pockets to find a small, silver key. He let out a small sigh, before he stuck they key into his P.O. box. He opened the door slowly and to his surprise he saw a single letter. Darien fingered his hands through his hair and said in disbelief, "I don't believe it! I have a response."

"What??" Andrew asked in shock as the two men looked into the silver compartment. "I owe you fifty dollars? You sure you didn't write that yourself?"

"Dumb question Andrew, anyway, I'm surprised too. I had faith in romance, but that is a miracle."

Andrew turned to Darien, who stood quietly in disbelief.
So, uh, what are you going to do now, Mr. I-Have-Faith-In- Romance?"

Darien's face looked pale for a moment, as he thought of his options. "We'll," he spoke quietly, "I wasn't really expecting a response," 'Considering, I can not stop dreaming about that beautiful princess who asks for the crystals. That beautiful princess, who needs me, and somehow I know her. I know she didn't answer this letter' "I guess it is no harm in answering it. I can use your fifty dollars to pay for it."

Andrew shoved the fifty dollars at Darien and grinned stupidly, "Have fun, Mr. Romance. Unlike you, I'm going home alone, without any plans this weekend."

"See ya Andrew." Darien picked up the letter carefully as he noticed a scribble of a moon on it. "That's strange, I wonder who she is-not a good artist though." Darien shrugged slightly as he closed the mailbox and walked to his apartment to respond to this letter with information about their date.

His mind filled with useless thoughts as he strolled home. 'I said romantic huh? Where should I take her? How will I know who she is when I see her, it' not like she has some distinctive feature like Meatball Head.' Darien stopped suddenly as he whispered to himself, "How did you slip into my thoughts. Maybe this girl is going to be a klutz or something; it's not like I'm going to meet my soul mate by putting an ad in the newspaper. Hah!" Darien chuckled slightly as he opened his door to his immaculate apartment. The door closed as smoothly as he opened it.

Part 3

"Mom! I'm home!" Serena yelled as she slammed the door shut, dropping her book bag on the floor as she raced for the mail. I guess they aren't going to Sammy's soccer game, she thought mildly. "Luna, where are you?"

Luna poked her head from the sofa cushion to acknowledge Serena. "Have fun at Raye's?"

"That is such a stupid question, she didn't even let me read her Sailor V comics." Serena commented hotly as she fished through the mail. Something caught her eye, a small rose petal drawn onto a plan white envelope. "No away, can this be it?"

"Have you found the Silver Imperium Crystal?" Luna asked sarcastically.

"Nope, even better," Serena dashed for her room to read it in private, forcing herself not to tear it open right there in the kitchen.

"That girl needs to be more focused." Luna dropped her head as slumber found her once more.

"YES!!" Serena jumped up from excitement, as her ponytails flopped up like bunny ears. She breathed loudly trying to bring down the flush in her face. The perfect, clear handwriting on the note said: Meet me by the lake at eight, I'll be wearing a rose. Dress well for romance will sweep you away.

~ to be continued Selene (*