Oh What A Day: Encounter
by Selene
If you didn't read the other episodes, I suggest go back!! Read (What A Day: Serena's Journal 2) Continuation of story from Darien's view point. May I borrow these wonderful characters…that's my final answer. Enjoy!
I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn't even notice Serena's blond hair whip into the arcade. I sullenly shoved my hands into my pockets and grimaced at the sun's warmth. 'I wish it was raining at least then I wouldn't feel out of place.' I thought glumly.
Instead of going through the front entrance, I walked to the back down and banged the door until Andrew answered.
"Oh Darien," he smiled in surprise, "Come on in to the employees room. How's your hand?"
I followed him silently as his unintentional reminder felt like a stiff punch in my chest. "I didn't pass out from blood loss, doctor." I said dryly as I followed him in.
"Woah, take it easy. No hostility okay?" Andrew plopped down on a stool in the air-conditioned room. "So what's up with you anyway? First you come into my house in a rampage, then storm off and I don't hear from you until hours later. So Darien, enlighten me."
I could have punched him for being so damn cheerful and right. My body felt heavy against the hard, plastic stool. "Well," I hoped I didn't sound as unsure as I felt. "It has to do with…Serena."
"Yeah I remember she seemed a little anxious today."
"Yeah I botched up-" I almost fell onto my face. "Today? You saw her today?"
"Well, if you would've come through the front door like regular customers, then you would have saw her playing Sailor V."
I selected my words carefully. "Did she seem upset…I mean normal?"
Andrew smiled knowingly with a smug look. "I gave her some free tokens to cheer her up. She seemed not as happy as usual, if that is what you mean. Why would you care? You guys are always arguing." Andrew's eyes flickered with a challenge.
I finally steadied myself on the wild bull as the stool's legs firmly pressed against the floor. I know he wanted me to say it. "We got into a fight." I answered abruptly.
"That's not new. You always tease her and she sticks her tongue at you. Then it is even."
"It is different this time. Why are you so interested in us all of a sudden?" I dodged his question. I hoped I didn't sound too defensive.
"Aha!" Andrew threw a playful jab at me. "Since when is Serena and Darien ever an 'us'? Come on just tell me what happened. It is not like I haven't guessed or that it isn't obvious you two have the hots for each other."
"Well, that day she called you, I sort of read a letter that I wasn't supposed to read. Well, actually it was addressed to you and was about me. And she found out. Serena is really upset now. I think I really screwed up this time."
"So, why don't you just be honest Darien?" Andrew touched my shoulder lightly. "Does she know how you feel about her?"
"No. She wouldn't even listen to me. Besides what am I supposed to say, 'sorry'?"
"That is a start." Andrew laughed as I shoved him off the stool. He tumbled to the floor with a loud "thump". "Hey, you better watch it!"
Then the door swung open. Her voice cut through the air. "Andrew, are you okay? I thought I heard—"
For an eternal moment our eyes locked; blue eyes clashed with blue as I felt a wave of emotions rush between us. Her voice had traces of fear, frustration, and confusion as she continued with a startled pause. "Darien, what are you doing here?"
"Serena, I wanted to…" I rose in a sudden movement as I toppled and crash against the floor. That sound seemed to snap Andrew out of his trance. He stood up looking back and forth at us.
"No Darien, what are you doing now? Telling Andrew what other stupid things I did, right? Andrew, please tell Darien that I don't even want him to mention my name anymore. Goodbye Andrew."
She pivoted and ran away from me again.
For a moment I stood speechless. I was astonished at her anger and pain. 'I'm such a stupid jerk.' I shook my head in defeat and slumped against the cool wall as if her words shoved me backwards.
"So you…you jerk!" Andrew bit back his anger. "You are my friend, but I didn't know you hurt her that much."
"I didn't mean to but—"
"Let me finish." He cut in sharply. "You are a jerk because you let her run away again."
"But even you know Serena, and has never been that angry and she literally won't even look at me."
"So be creative. Talk to her some other way or else I'm gonna hurt you. Darien, I don't care what you do but you better use your college degree to fix this. Fix her heart," his voice softened, "she is too young to go through such pain. And you are a bit more experienced in the romance department."
"But she makes me feels…insecure."
"Darien you are human and so is she. So you have to deal with it. Be a man and let yourself be able to get hurt. Right now, that girl thinks you are near damn invulnerable. I don't know what she put in that note exactly, but she is a helluva a lot braver than you for being so honest about how she feels. And right now Serena needs to see the human side of you."
"I need to think." I said as I turned to leave out the back door. I looked back momentarily, "Andrew, I'm sorry about before. I'm just a little unsettled because of her."
"I understand. Just fix it all right?" He said as he shut the door behind me.
Then I walked out alone.
~ to be continued Selene (*
