"Snail Mail Surprise"

Oh What A day: Snail Mail Surprise

by Selene

Ususal disclaimers…this one will be coming to an end soon. make sure you read the story in chronological order…(Serena's Journal is # 1) I thought it would be cute to show alternating view points. This is Serena's view point again after "The Encounter." Enjoy!!

My feet dragged in from another boring school day. I shuffled my shoes into my doorway, along with my thoughts. 'The last thing I want is for him to see me upset,' I thought with a mixture of emotions, 'I have to retain my dignity. But it is kind of hard to act so hateful, even though I don't really feel that way. Well, at least not one hundred percent anyway.'

"Mom!" I yelled while tossing some pink starburst in my mouth. "Mmm, I love these! Ohh, a whole bowl of pink ones!" Then, a small note hung by the stove caught my eye. I read to myself, "Serena, Took Sammy to the dentist and you're next, so enjoy candy while you can. Mom." A groan slipped from my lips. "I guess dinner is up to me huh?"

I twirled over to the table, and contemplated whether or not I should study. My eyes bounced from my book to the television. Book. Television. Book. Television. Book. My thoughts were interrupted because a small, brown envelope with my name written on it called my attention. "Oh I love getting mail! Molly is so sweet! I guess I'll do this instead."

Slipping the fairy bulky packet comfortably underneath my arm, I ran to my room. The pink bunnies and pictures of Sailor V covered my walls like a collage as the scent of peppermint greeted me. I slipped out of my uncomfortable shoes and into my plush slippers before leaping onto my undone bed. I stretched onto the moon-printed comforter expecting to see a letter from Molly. But it wasn't her handwriting. There wasn't even a return address. Instead, my address was written in a crisp and upright print.

My brows crinkled with confusion. 'Who could this package be from? Maybe a joke from Melvin.' For a moment, I laughed at the absurdity of that thought. I pictured his goofy face with over-sized glasses perfecting the envelope's address for hours. 'Melvin, yeah right. This is too elegant and mature to be his handwriting.'

I felt anxiety creep into my actions as I stared at the brown package. I shook it and heard something rattle against the sides. Now sitting in Indian style, after ten tortuous minutes, I decided to open it. 'How many Serena's are there in this world? I guess it was meant for me and this person must have gone through a lot of trouble to send this package to me.' I reasoned in order to justify my curiosity. 'I wouldn't want to disappoint anyone.'

I ripped open the plain brown package in frenzy. My fervor died as I felt a cassette tape wrapped in paper fall into the crevice of my lap. With expert precision, I removed the tape off the paper. And unfolded it as a breath of interest escaped my lips again. At first all I noticed was the same crisp and upright handwriting from the envelope, and the same person had wrote this letter. Then I actually read it. The letter was from Darien.

He wrote:

Serena,

You said you wouldn't talk to me. But you never said you wouldn't listen to me. Don't throw this package away. Listen to the tape first. Please just listen to the tape and then decide what you want to do. Whatever you decide I will respect it.

Darien

'Well, this is great!' I thought with sarcasm while I reached under my bed for my walkman. 'What could he want to say to me? If he calls me Meatball head, I swear- I'll never forgive him.' My emotions ran in endless circles, before I slipped the unmarked tape in my cassette player. To clearly hear his distinct voice in my ears surprised me at first. It sounded just like I remembered it. I leaned back against my cozy pillow and closed my eyes as his voiced drowned any other thoughts of mine.

His voice was soft. "Uh hello? Okay, this thing is recording. Hi Serena. If you are listening to this, I'm glad you didn't toss my package in the wastebasket. I'm very glad, you are giving me a chance to explain myself. It is probably better talking to you this way, that way, I don't have to worry about saying the wrong things. [pause and deep breath] I know I am stalling, but even on tape this is not easy. Well, here goes.

First, I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry Serena. I really am. I'm sorry for everything. I shouldn't have read the letter. I shouldn't have taken the letter in the first place. But I thought it was about Andrew. And well, I know he is sweet on you. [pause] To tell you the truth, I wouldn't been to happy seeing you with him. So I might have been a tiny (micro, tad bit) jealous. So that is why I took the letter in the first place.

Then, when I found out that your letter was talking about me. I was amazed. You wrote a letter to talk about how much you liked me. I was surprised too. Because I thought you hated me. I always treated you badly. It was just around you, well, you got to me so much and I didn't want to accept it. I couldn't accept it. You were younger than me. And before I discovered how you really felt, I thought you weren't the least bit interested in me. So I teased you. That was the only way I could get your attention and be with you, without letting you know how I really feel.

That brings up the next thing. How I feel. I [laughter] think you are cute. And you are sweet too. You have a big heart. And you are honest. I've always liked that about you Serena. Each time I see you, well, you are so alive. And that feeling is contagious. You make me feel alive too. I've been with other girls but they never pull me out of the darkness like you have. Serena you are the star of my life. [clears throat] I hope that doesn't sound too mushy. Actually, I'm not used telling anyone how I feel. You should be honored.

Anyway, I'd like to get to know you. And I promise I won't be a jerk. Well, at least not on purpose, eh Meatball Head? Just kidding. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I never told you that I really do think your hair is pretty. Well, it is. The rest of you is beautiful too.

I'm sorry again for hurting you at all. I was so afraid I'd never get to see you smile. I know I should have told you the truth right away, but I was scared. [quiets and painfully honest] I was scared of your reaction. I want to be with you. I want to make you laugh when you cry. I want to be your friend and so much more. Please Serena accept my apology.

I guess that is it. If you do, meet me at the Crown Arcadia Gardens on the bridge by eight. Hopefully, we have a date. Auevoir mon chere. [Tape clicks off.]"

My blue eyes fluttered open as if I was awakened from a long, deep sleep. I felt the wetness of tears dampen the corners of my eyes. A strange happiness passed over me as the invitation of his words engraved themselves in my heart.

Automatically, I removed my headphones. Then with a quiet stillness, I crept to my door to see if anyone was home as my heart resounded in my chest. 'No one is home.' I thought.

A wild yell escaped my throat. "Yes!!!!" I began to dance a tango with my stuffed bunny in joy. I felt pure bliss. "Oh thank you, God, he said yes!" Jumping up and down, I screamed out is name in excitement and in jubilation. My feet felt weightless as they barely grazed my plush bed. My hair whipped up and down in the air. The, I fell onto my bed, but I didn't care. I was laughing. I was crying. I never knew that those two emotions could go together. I sighed and threw my head casually on the pillow as I hugged my bunny, Miss Usagi. "Oooh guess what Miss Usagi, Darien said he liked me. Oh it sounded better than what I said. He sounded so romantic. Like my prince has finally come. Miss Usagi, do you think he is my hero? Even if he isn't, Darien is really hot. Oh, did I say I was extremely happy. Wait until I tell the girls. Oh all the girls in my class will be so jealous. And guess what, Darien will finally be mine. I don't believe it! After, all the arguing, it just doesn't seem real. But it is. It is so real and I have it all on tape. Oh Darien, I never imagined that this day would come true."

Suddenly, the door creaked open. "Serena, are you okay?" Her father asked observantly, "I walked in and heard some pounding. You didn't fall again, did you?"

"Dad?" I rose from my bed in a start. Embarrassed, I uttered an excuse. "Oh no I- I…don't worry about it dad. I didn't fall. I'm okay, really."

"What's going on? You are glowing, kiddo." He walked in her room and sat next to her on her bed. "Come on, you can tell ol' pop what is going on in your life."

I felt my face flush and grow hot. "I rather tell mom."

"I won't get upset." He said in good nature, but not fooling me. "What is it? Do you like a boy?"

"Well," I giggled, "He likes me too."

"What?" Now it was my father who turned red. "He likes you back! Some boy likes my baby girl! I don't believe this!"

In the middle of daddy's raving mom walked in and winked at me. She kissed him on the forehead. "Come on dear. We can't lock her in a convent."

"You didn't let me try." He turned to me again. "If this boy isn't like Melvin then you can't see him!"

"Dear," Mom cut in again slowly drawing daddy out of my room. "She is just going to see a boy. Don't worry about it."

"But I was a boy too. And I know how they think. That's what I'm worried about." he said as mom finally pulled him out of my room.

I sighed again before closing my door. I glanced at my clock it read half past six. I leaped on my bed once more and buried my face in my pillow. That way I could scream without attracting any more attention. 'Until eight Darien. Oh why can't time fly? Oh why can't it be eight? Why oh why do I have to wait?'

~ to be continued Selene (*