Third Time's the Charm
Author: Hikari
Email: machi_no_tenshi@excite.com
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Alt.Reality
Part: Part 3
MY SPECIAL NOTES FOR (07/09/01):
-FINALLY!!! AFTER DAYS OF RE-WRITING I HAVE *FINALLY* COME OUT
WITH THE LAST PART OF THIS STORY. AS SOME OF YOU KNOW, I HAD
SCRAPPED MY FIRST DRAFT. I'M MUCH HAPPIER WITH THIS VERSION,
AND I HOPE YOU ALL WILL LIKE IT TOO. (AFTER ALL, IT'S LONGER.)
-ANYWAY, *GRINS* I WANT TO SEND A GREAT HUG TO THOSE OF YOU WHO
HAVE KEPT EMAILING ME... WONDERING WHEN I WOULD POST THE FINAL
PART. *GIVES EVIL SMILE* WE'LL SEE IF YOU STILL LOVE ME ONCE
YOU FINISH THIS. (I'M J/K. YOU KNOW THAT RIGHT?)
-WELL, THERE'S A BUNCH OF STUFF I HAVE TO SAY, AND I KNOW
YOU'RE JUST DYING TO READ THIS. *SEES CORPSES ALL AROUND* HEY,
I WASN'T BEING LITERAL!! ANYWAY... ENJOY. (PLEASE READ THE
AN'S AT THE END... *PUPPY-DOG EYES* ONEGAI?)
-ALSO, A LOT OF CREDIT IS GIVEN TO MY FRIEND BRANDY FOR HELPING
ME WITH IDEAS FOR THE PLOT! YOU KNOW I LOVE YA!
Part 3: Irrefutable?
"Bye Mom," Serena waved as she left the house.
"Thanks for the advice!"
"Have fun Honey," her mother said sweetly as she
closed the front door.
Getting inside Neil's car, she kissed his cheek.
"Hey," she said with a soft smile. "Sorry to have made you
wait."
Giving her a wolfish grin, Neil bent his head towards
her neck and nipped it while he growled. "Serena," he began
after her momentary jump of surprise. "It was worth the wait."
His eyes darkened while his voice dropped a pitch. "You look
good enough to eat."
Her eyes grew wide as she tried to hide the horrible
feeling that those words evoked in her. She hated it every
time Neil said something that insinuated they had a deeper
relationship than kissing and holding hands. A shiver went
up her spine as she tried to push away certain thoughts. She
just couldn't see herself sleeping with him.
Neil must have seen something in Serena's eyes, because
his features hardened and he returned his gaze to the road.
Gripping the stirring wheel like it was somebody's neck, he
pressed his foot on the accelerator and drove off at maniac
speed. Serena evaded his eyes and looked out the window
wondering what it was that had suddenly made Neil very angry.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The music was loud and the party in full swing when
Neil and Serena finally made their appearance. "HEY!" Todd,
one of the wresting team members, said as he opened the door
and let them in -one of his hands holding onto a can of beer.
"Glad to see you made it."
"You didn't think I'd miss this, did you?" Neil moved
his hand from Serena's waist to the small in her back and
nudged her forward. "Where's Jason?"
"I don't know." Todd closed the door. "But he's
around. He's probably having a little fun." Coming up between
them, he placed his arms around both of their shoulders.
"So- " he began as he smiled down at them. "What can I get ya
to drink?"
"Beer."
"Nothing."
Todd's eyebrow rose at Serena's refusal and in a
hidden mocking tone asked, "Am I to assume you're the safe
driver tonight?"
Serena looked up at Neil's face. His eyes bore into
hers with an angry expression. 'What had she said wrong now?'
Oh, she didn't care anymore! 'Let Neil brood all he wanted to.'
She wasn't about to let him ruin her night with his sour mood.
"Yes," she stated with complete certainty. "I'm the
*designated* driver. You got a- "
"Thomson!" someone called loud enough to interrupt
their discussion. Todd, Neil and Serena turned to look in
the direction of the voice. It had been lucky that at that
moment the host decided to make his appearance.
Neil smiled as he slapped hands with him. "Jason...
I was going to assume the host of the party had decided to
skip-out."
"Skip out of one of my parties?" His lips broke into
a grin. "Never. Everyone knows they're the best." Turning
towards Neil's companion, he took her hand and kissed it-
startling her with his actions. "Serena, I'm happy to know
that you're here."
Ignoring Neil's momentary stir of jealousy, Serena
gave Jason one of her dazzling smiles and openly retailed his
flirtations. "Happy to have been invited."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"That's *enough*!" She said as she tried to pull away
the drink from Neil's grip.
He pushed her aside. "Stop being such a prude."
Slurring, his face neared hers. His eyes, half closed. "I'm
just having a drink!"
"Yeah." Serena placed her hands on her hips. "And I
believe you've had more than enough."
"Can't you loosen up?" Neil spread his arms around
him as if to show her the party that they were a part of.
"You're the only one here that doesn't seem to be having any
fun." As he was spinning, trying to make his point, Neil
tripped himself up with his feet and fell-over backwards.
"Oh yeah," she agreed with sarcasm. "You look like
you're the life of the party!"
"Shut up!"
Taking his arm, she tried to pull him up. "Come on."
Forcing him to stand beside her, she placed an arm around his
waist and had him distribute part of his weight on her. "You
need some rest."
Pushing her away again with clumsy movements, he said,
"I'm not leaving yet!"
"No one said you were." Angry now herself, she pulled
him towards her with mustered force and bit back, "So come on!"
Muttering bitterly to himself, Neil let Serena take
him to one of the house's spare bedrooms. Once inside, Serena
flipped the switch and let Neil take himself to bed -if he
wished. Turning back to the door, she made a move to leave
except Neil's strong arm stopped her.
"Are you leaving so soon?" he asked as turning his
voice into a caress. "Why don't you keep me company?"
All of Serena's anger disappeared as her face lost its
color. His drunken eyes were wickedly skimming over her
figure. Paralyzed, like a deer in front of a car's headlights,
she could feel how his gaze slowly stripped the clothes off of
her body in his mind. A horrifying feeling took over her as
his grip tightened around her and before she could react, Neil
began to take her mouth with his in a punishing kiss of pure
lust.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Opening his eyes, he looked at the white ceiling in the
bathroom. 'Headaches were the worst!' Raising himself from
his sitting position, he finally realized were it was that he
had fallen asleep: Inside the bathroom in Jason's house.
Looking at himself in the mirror, he pushed black bangs
away from his blue eyes. He didn't look too well. 'Maybe
another aspiring would do the trick?'
Darien shook his head. He didn't quite remember how
many he had already taken trying to get rid of the pounding in
his ears but he knew it'd be stupid if he risked his health on
another dose. Opening the faucet and splashing some water on
his face, Darien tried to ignore the muffled plea that asked
for help.
Turning off the lights, he left the bathroom and walked
down the hallway, only to notice that the mysterious voice he
had barely heard before was now becoming clearer by the second.
Following the sounds, Darien walked into a darkened room where
two figures seemed to be battling it out on the bed. 'Maybe he
had jumped to conclusions?'
Snapping on the lights, Darien's eyes widened at what
he saw before him. A shirtless Neil was mounted on top of
Serena on the cream-colored sheets of one of Jason's guestrooms.
Serena's wrist were caught in one of Neil's hands as his mouth
moved from her lips to her neck, completely unaware that he
had an audience.
The shock was taken out of Darien the moment he heard
Serena's strangled cry of fear. It was then that he realized
Serena really didn't wish to be here. Anger rose within him
as he looked at Neil take advantage of his best friend and the
girl he loved.
Stomping over to the bed, Darien grabbed Neil and
flipped him over with one of his wrestling moves. His actions
momentarily stunned Neil still. Then, looming over Serena,
Darien caressed her cheek softly as she timidly began to open
her eyes. "It's alright. You're ok now." He soothed. "I'm
here."
She must have been dreaming because she certainly
couldn't believe her luck. Just moments before she had been
in one of a girl's worst nightmare and now she lay in the arms
of one of the people she most trusted and cared for. Serena
let a sob of relief escape her lungs as she threw her arms
around him and pressed herself to him. She just *couldn't*
believe her luck!
Suddenly, Serena felt something force Darien's body on
hers as they fell back on the bed. Neil was awake now, and he
wasn't very happy. He was actually on top of Darien trying to
hit him on the sides. She began to panic. With the weight of
Darien and Neil combined, she was beginning to have problems
breathing.
Luckily, Darien swung his elbow back and stabbed Neil
on the side causing his body to contract and fall back.
Getting off of Serena, he stood over Neil and picked him up.
"Come on Neil, I'm taking you home."
Taking a swing at Darien's face, Neil shouted back,
"Get the F*CK out! This is between me and her!"
Evading Neil's punch, he suddenly feels Serena's hands
on his sleeve. "Please," she begged as her eyes brimmed with
tears. "Let him be. Just take me home."
Pointing at her, "You are NOT going AnyWheRe!" Neil
slurred.
"Serena, go outside and wait for me, ok?"
She turned. "But aren't-"
"I said- " Neil's arm tried to stop her as she made to
leave the room.
Grabbing his wrist, Darien bit out. "NOW Serena."
As if the floor had instantly turned to hot sand, she
ran out the room before her feet got burnt. Darien's tone
denoted no objections, and especially no arguing. And it
scared her because she had never seen him this angry ever
before.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Looking at the lit porch of her house through the
car's window, Serena took a deep breath as all the tension
from before left her body. Turning back to look at Darien,
she smiled sweetly at him. "Thanks- " her eyes fell to her
lap. "For everything you did for me tonight."
"You don't have to thank me." Worry sketched deep in
his eyes, he let his hand pull back a stray strand of silky
hair and lock it behind her ear -his fingers brushing lightly
against the skin of her face. "I would have never been able
to forgive myself if anything had happened to you."
Her eyes shone with sudden pleasure as her lips curved
into a bright smile. Ceasing her opportunity, Serena swiftly
raised her head and pressed her lips to his. The atmosphere
in the car unexpectedly beginning to sizzle with wonder.
However, as quickly as it was given, the kiss ended
and Darien just looked with wide eyes as she exited his car
and ran to her house. He licked his lips. They tasted of the
cherry lip-gloss she had applied just moments before. It was
his only evidence that proved that Serena had actually done
what he thought she had.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Locking the door behind her, Serena leaned her head
back against it. Pressing her right hand to her heart, she
felt its beat resonating in her chest. 'I can't believe I
did that.' She thought as a blushed flamed on her cheeks.
'But it had felt so right...'
She shook her head as a shy smile played on her lips.
'Maybe her mom's advice had been right.' It certainly felt
right!
Heading upstairs to her room, she snuck her head inside
her mom's room. The smile on her face widened as she watched
her mother toss and turn in her lonely bed. Serena's dad was
away on a business trip and if she was making a correct guess
-which she *knew* she was- her mother wasn't sleeping right
because he wasn't there beside her. It was so sad and yet
cute at the same time. It just showed her how much they loved
one other.
Clicking the door shut, Serena continued towards her
bedroom. She had lots of thinking to do. And no one,
absolutely no one, was going to see her this weekend. She had
to reach a conclusion... and she had to know with certainty
*why*.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Saturday...
*beep*
"Serena? It's Neil. I wanted to talk to you but since
you're not home. I guess I'll call later."
*beep*
"Hey, it's me again. Guess you're still not home.
Give me a call once you get in."
*beep*
"Um... This is a message for Serena. It's Darien. I-
just wanted to talk with you about- I'll call you later, ok?"
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"Hey Rena. Molly here. I got plans for tomorrow
afternoon. Feel up for a barbecue? Call me if you wanna come.
I'll give you the details."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"I guess you're *still* not home, right? Listen Serena,
we have to talk about what happened at the party. CALL ME."
*beep*
"Sere, it's Darien again. I had hoped to find you home
by now but... Anyway, I know it's late so I'll give you a call
tomorrow. Bye."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sunday...
*beep*
"RENA... We're gonna leave without you! Are you
there? Well if you find out later about the bar-b-q you can't
say we didn't invite you. See ya!"
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"...You know, I'm beginning to get the impression that
you're avoiding me. Can't we just talk about what happened?
I want to apologize but not on the phone. Meet me somewhere,
give me a call, just- just do *something*!"
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"Damn it Serena! I'm really getting tiered of this
cat and mouse chase. I know you're probably there. PICK UP
THE PHONE! ARGH!"
*beep*
"Fuck!"
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"It's Darien. Guess you're still not home. Well,
give me a call when you get in. I really want to talk to you.
By the way, my mom also wants to know when you're gonna come
over and visit like you used to. She says 'hi' to your mom.
Bye."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"Fine, BE THAT WAY! DON'T PICK UP THE PHONE, SEE IF
*I* CARE!"
*beep*
"Listen, I'm sorry. I'm not mad, I'm just- You really
aren't there are you? I'll try calling you on the main line."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Serena stepped out of the lunch line. She looked down
at her tray. Typical Monday food: chocolate milk, chicken-
patty sandwiches, fries, corn, and a rice crispy treat. 'Man,
did cafeteria food suck!'
Taking a deep breath, she passed the wrestlers table,
where she usually sat, and went instead towards her friend
Molly. "Can I sit with you?" she asked as she caught up with
the tall redhead.
In Serena's eyes, her friend looked like a model.
Molly was 5'9", had a thin yet curvy body, and had that type
of beautiful auburn-colored hair that just seemed to go with
her exuberant personality. It was slightly wavy and reached
down to the middle of her back. In contrast with her mane and
pale white skin, the green eyes and the freckles that spread
across her cheeks and nose gave her the appearance of a
mischievous child. Hard to believe, some would think, that
Serena with her blond hair and blue eyes would sometimes catch
herself wishing to have looks resembling those of Molly.
"Um..." Molly paused as if in deep thought. "Alright,
but you'll have to dish why you're avoiding 'Mr. I'm-too-hot-
for-the-wrestling-matt' over there."
'Mr. I'm-too- what?' she thought as they sat down.
"So," Molly looked her way as she took a bite out of
her patty. "Are you gonna tell me?"
Serena stared at her food, her fork absentmindedly
playing with her corn. "Why did you say that about Neil?"
"What?" She took another bite.
"Well," her eyes asked for an honest response. "Why
did you call him that?"
"Truth?"
Serena shook her head 'yes'.
"Because he's a jerk." Putting down the sandwich,
Molly turned to look directly at her friend's face. "I don't
think he's the right guy for you. He always seem like he has
*other* things on his mind... and I don't like people like
that."
It was those *other* things that made Serena thankful
she had said nothing about Friday night. Nobody knew except
Darien and- "Neil!" she said as her head wiped back and
looked from the firm hand on her shoulder, to the serious face
of her boyfriend.
"We have to talk."
"Yeah..." her voice dropped to a whisper. "I know."
Gripping her arm tighter, Neil forced Serena to stand.
"Now!"
"You just wait a second!" Molly's angry face challenged
him as she stood in his way. "Serena and I are having lunch.
She'll talk to you when she wants to."
She was about to pull Serena towards her, except Serena
raised her hand. "Don't worry Molly. This won't take long.
Besides..." she glanced at Neil. "It can't wait."
Heeding her wish, Molly stepped aside. Her fists
desperately wishing for the opportunity to wipe that triumphant
grin off of his stupid face. 'Jerk,' she thought as she sat
back down and took an angry bite out of the chicken-patty.
'Idiotic, chauvinistic, poor excuse for a Neanderthal...'
"ARGH!" But how she hated his guts!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You've been avoiding me, haven't you?" he began once
they had left the lunchroom.
"Not quite. I just didn't want to talk to anybody."
"Why?"
She looked at her shoes. "I came to a conclusion this
weekend, Neil."
Silence.
"I want to break-up with you."
"Serena..." Neil turned her to him and looked into her
eyes. "Listen, I'm sorry about Friday night. I really am. I
was drunk, and even though I know that's no excuse... I don't
know what else to say for you to forgive me. But- There's no
need for us to break-up!"
"Neil," she sighed. "It's not just about last Friday.
It has to do with me." Her hand rose to rub the bridge of her
nose. "I just- I just don't feel the same way about you. I
haven't for quite some time."
He looked at her. 'Was she nuts?' He was in the
wresting team. He was funny... attractive... popular! If
anything she should have been falling at his feet, completely
smitten. Unless... "Is it another guy?"
Serena's eyes widened. She didn't know what to say.
She still wasn't sure. "If you're asking if another guy is
the reason why I'm breaking up with you, then no."
"But do you like another guy?" he seethed.
'Truthfully...' she thought. "Maybe."
"So," his hands grabbed her shoulders and shook her
fiercely. "Who's the bastard? Have you been cheating on me
with him? HUH?!"
She tried to brake herself free. 'Had he gone mad?'
Neil was bruising her with the force of his grip. "Let GO of
ME!" she cried.
"TELL ME?!" he growled as he bared his teeth. "Who
is he?"
Face to face with an animal. A predator. That's how
she felt. Panic and desperation took over her system as she
sensed each of his fingers begin to dig deep into her arms.
Not knowing when or how, Serena's knee connected with the
inside of Neil's thigh with as much force as she could manage.
Without bothering to look back at the couching form
on the school's floor, she ran back to the lunchroom. As far
as she was concerned, that was *definitely* the end of their
relationship. Sadly, she couldn't obliterate it from her
memory. Now, she truly couldn't believe what a complete jerk
she had gone out with!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A week later, on a sunny Saturday morning, found Serena
pacing up and down the front porch. 'Maybe it was too early...'
Turning as if to leave, she was stopped upon hearing the front
door creek open.
"Yes?" a woman called out. "Serena?"
"Hello Mrs. Shields." She smiled apologetically. "I'm
sorry to have disturbed you so early, but... Is Darien home?"
Mrs. Shields blinked and Serena quickly corrected herself.
"I mean, is he awake?"
Smiling as she opened the door wider in order to let
her in, Mrs. Shields answered, "I think Darien is still
sleeping in his room. But, it's getting kinda late," she
lied. After all, it was just barely 7 o'clock. "Maybe you
could wake him up?"
"Sure," Serena said as she perked up and began to run
up the stairs. "I'll do just that."
Looking at the girl's retreating back, Darien's mother
shook her head and closed the door. She had no idea what was
going on between those two kids but she hoped that the object
Serena carried in her pocket would help her son out of his
temporary slump.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Opening the door slowly, Serena peeked inside the dark
room. Darien was obviously still asleep. Walking over to the
window, she parted the curtains and neared the bed. Taking a
deep breath, she looked at his sleeping form wondering for the
hundredth time if she was doing the right thing. 'There was a
high possibility that another time would be better for this...
right?'
'Have some guts Serena!' her mind commanded. 'If you
back out now, you'll never know what you missed.'
Yet, that tiny fear of losing her best friend continued
to nag. 'What if, when they stopped having feeling for each
other, their friendship was never the same?' It might have
seemed like a stupid question, but when you have been best
friends for as long as they have... It would have been like
losing a part of yourself.
She studied his face again, like she had done thousands
of times before. She knew the saying, 'It's better to have
loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.' And she
knew that usually high school romances never lasted too long
after graduation. But, due to the strength of her feelings,
she knew she had to give themselves a chance. 'I mean, who
knows?' she thought. They might just be one of the few ones
that make it.
'And if not,' she continued inside her head as she
pulled out the rose she had been carrying in her pocket. 'At
least she was brave enough to take the chance.'
"Darien Mackenzie Shields," she whispered softly as
she began to trace his cheek gently with the petals. She
twirled it in her fingers as she followed the contours of his
face, making sure to just barely slide it across his lips and
below his nose. "Wake up."
Wrinkling his nose at the sudden aroma, Darien's eyes
pressed shut before relaxing and opening to look up at the
jovial face of his friend. Serena bit her lip momentarily
before a grin spread across her mouth. Seeing his eyes wide
with surprise and the way his mouth parted slightly as he
breathed, she took advantage and bent her head -looking in
his eyes every step of the way.
They kiss was gentle at first. Maybe due to Darien's
surprise... or maybe just because she wanted to tease him. As
her hand came up to caress the cheek the rose had just moments
before stroked, Serena shifted her body as sat beside him on
the bed, her teeth tenderly nipping on his bottom lip.
'Quite possibly, she was drunk. *Or* he could be
dreaming.' Darien found no other rational explanation to why
she was in his bedroom at this time of day. Grabbing onto her
upper arms, he gently pulled her away from him. Frowning, he
asked, "What are you doing here?"
She licked her lips, embarrassed, as she jumped off
his bed. "I came to pick you up." She stated as if it had
been common knowledge. "We're going to the amusement park."
He raised one quirky eyebrow. "*We* are?"
"Yes we *are*." She grinned a Cheshire cat smile.
"Since you're no good at taking charge in order to get what
you want, I'll be the one calling the shots in this
relationship."
He blinked. "Calling shots? Relationship? Just
*who* do you think you are?"
"The girl you like." She answered smartly. "And the
one you'll learn to love. Now get dressed." She ordered as
she swayed over to the door.
"Oh really? And why's that?"
"Because Darien," She husked seductively with newfound
confidence, loving the way he reacted. "You can't refuse me."
The End?
^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^
AN'S:
-HI AGAIN, I SEE YOU FINALLY MADE IT! GOOD JOB! WELL, THIS
IS WHERE I SOMEHOW MAKE MY DEMAND FOR REVIEWS AND STUFF LIKE
THAT, BUT I FIGURE, YOU GUYS ARE PRETTY SMART. I MEAN,
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT AN UNHAPPY AUTHOR THAT GETS NO FEEDBACK
LOSES THEIR INTEREST IN POSTING THEIR STORIES AND SO NO LONGER
WRITES FOR FREE. (SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS?)
-hehehe... MY FRIENDS TOLD ME IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO POKE A
LITTLE AT PEOPLE'S CONCIOUSNESS.
-OK, SO HERE'S WHY I REALLY ASKED YOU TO READ THIS. AS YOU
KNOW, I'M A WRITER (NO, NOT PROFFECIONALLY - SORRY SABBIE-
CHAN) AND THIS IS MY HOBBIE, SO... BASICALLY IF YOU HAVE ANY
IDEAS THAT YOU WANT ME TO WRITE ABOUT, JUST SEND THEM TO
MACHI_NO_TENSHI@EXCITE.COM I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF I'LL DO IT.
(THEY CAN BE ABOUT ANY ANIME TOO)
-AND BEFORE I FORGET, I WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT
ASKED FOR A SEQUEL TO "A TRIP AT THE ZOO." AFTER ALL, THAT'S
WHAT STARTED THIS FIC IN THE FIRST PLACE. ^-^
KYOTSUKETTE!!
att: HIKARI
aka: MACHI NO TENSHI
and newly appointed by Sailorcelestial-sama as the:
QUEEN OF THE CLIFFHANGING AU'S
Author: Hikari
Email: machi_no_tenshi@excite.com
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Alt.Reality
Part: Part 3
MY SPECIAL NOTES FOR (07/09/01):
-FINALLY!!! AFTER DAYS OF RE-WRITING I HAVE *FINALLY* COME OUT
WITH THE LAST PART OF THIS STORY. AS SOME OF YOU KNOW, I HAD
SCRAPPED MY FIRST DRAFT. I'M MUCH HAPPIER WITH THIS VERSION,
AND I HOPE YOU ALL WILL LIKE IT TOO. (AFTER ALL, IT'S LONGER.)
-ANYWAY, *GRINS* I WANT TO SEND A GREAT HUG TO THOSE OF YOU WHO
HAVE KEPT EMAILING ME... WONDERING WHEN I WOULD POST THE FINAL
PART. *GIVES EVIL SMILE* WE'LL SEE IF YOU STILL LOVE ME ONCE
YOU FINISH THIS. (I'M J/K. YOU KNOW THAT RIGHT?)
-WELL, THERE'S A BUNCH OF STUFF I HAVE TO SAY, AND I KNOW
YOU'RE JUST DYING TO READ THIS. *SEES CORPSES ALL AROUND* HEY,
I WASN'T BEING LITERAL!! ANYWAY... ENJOY. (PLEASE READ THE
AN'S AT THE END... *PUPPY-DOG EYES* ONEGAI?)
-ALSO, A LOT OF CREDIT IS GIVEN TO MY FRIEND BRANDY FOR HELPING
ME WITH IDEAS FOR THE PLOT! YOU KNOW I LOVE YA!
Part 3: Irrefutable?
"Bye Mom," Serena waved as she left the house.
"Thanks for the advice!"
"Have fun Honey," her mother said sweetly as she
closed the front door.
Getting inside Neil's car, she kissed his cheek.
"Hey," she said with a soft smile. "Sorry to have made you
wait."
Giving her a wolfish grin, Neil bent his head towards
her neck and nipped it while he growled. "Serena," he began
after her momentary jump of surprise. "It was worth the wait."
His eyes darkened while his voice dropped a pitch. "You look
good enough to eat."
Her eyes grew wide as she tried to hide the horrible
feeling that those words evoked in her. She hated it every
time Neil said something that insinuated they had a deeper
relationship than kissing and holding hands. A shiver went
up her spine as she tried to push away certain thoughts. She
just couldn't see herself sleeping with him.
Neil must have seen something in Serena's eyes, because
his features hardened and he returned his gaze to the road.
Gripping the stirring wheel like it was somebody's neck, he
pressed his foot on the accelerator and drove off at maniac
speed. Serena evaded his eyes and looked out the window
wondering what it was that had suddenly made Neil very angry.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The music was loud and the party in full swing when
Neil and Serena finally made their appearance. "HEY!" Todd,
one of the wresting team members, said as he opened the door
and let them in -one of his hands holding onto a can of beer.
"Glad to see you made it."
"You didn't think I'd miss this, did you?" Neil moved
his hand from Serena's waist to the small in her back and
nudged her forward. "Where's Jason?"
"I don't know." Todd closed the door. "But he's
around. He's probably having a little fun." Coming up between
them, he placed his arms around both of their shoulders.
"So- " he began as he smiled down at them. "What can I get ya
to drink?"
"Beer."
"Nothing."
Todd's eyebrow rose at Serena's refusal and in a
hidden mocking tone asked, "Am I to assume you're the safe
driver tonight?"
Serena looked up at Neil's face. His eyes bore into
hers with an angry expression. 'What had she said wrong now?'
Oh, she didn't care anymore! 'Let Neil brood all he wanted to.'
She wasn't about to let him ruin her night with his sour mood.
"Yes," she stated with complete certainty. "I'm the
*designated* driver. You got a- "
"Thomson!" someone called loud enough to interrupt
their discussion. Todd, Neil and Serena turned to look in
the direction of the voice. It had been lucky that at that
moment the host decided to make his appearance.
Neil smiled as he slapped hands with him. "Jason...
I was going to assume the host of the party had decided to
skip-out."
"Skip out of one of my parties?" His lips broke into
a grin. "Never. Everyone knows they're the best." Turning
towards Neil's companion, he took her hand and kissed it-
startling her with his actions. "Serena, I'm happy to know
that you're here."
Ignoring Neil's momentary stir of jealousy, Serena
gave Jason one of her dazzling smiles and openly retailed his
flirtations. "Happy to have been invited."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"That's *enough*!" She said as she tried to pull away
the drink from Neil's grip.
He pushed her aside. "Stop being such a prude."
Slurring, his face neared hers. His eyes, half closed. "I'm
just having a drink!"
"Yeah." Serena placed her hands on her hips. "And I
believe you've had more than enough."
"Can't you loosen up?" Neil spread his arms around
him as if to show her the party that they were a part of.
"You're the only one here that doesn't seem to be having any
fun." As he was spinning, trying to make his point, Neil
tripped himself up with his feet and fell-over backwards.
"Oh yeah," she agreed with sarcasm. "You look like
you're the life of the party!"
"Shut up!"
Taking his arm, she tried to pull him up. "Come on."
Forcing him to stand beside her, she placed an arm around his
waist and had him distribute part of his weight on her. "You
need some rest."
Pushing her away again with clumsy movements, he said,
"I'm not leaving yet!"
"No one said you were." Angry now herself, she pulled
him towards her with mustered force and bit back, "So come on!"
Muttering bitterly to himself, Neil let Serena take
him to one of the house's spare bedrooms. Once inside, Serena
flipped the switch and let Neil take himself to bed -if he
wished. Turning back to the door, she made a move to leave
except Neil's strong arm stopped her.
"Are you leaving so soon?" he asked as turning his
voice into a caress. "Why don't you keep me company?"
All of Serena's anger disappeared as her face lost its
color. His drunken eyes were wickedly skimming over her
figure. Paralyzed, like a deer in front of a car's headlights,
she could feel how his gaze slowly stripped the clothes off of
her body in his mind. A horrifying feeling took over her as
his grip tightened around her and before she could react, Neil
began to take her mouth with his in a punishing kiss of pure
lust.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Opening his eyes, he looked at the white ceiling in the
bathroom. 'Headaches were the worst!' Raising himself from
his sitting position, he finally realized were it was that he
had fallen asleep: Inside the bathroom in Jason's house.
Looking at himself in the mirror, he pushed black bangs
away from his blue eyes. He didn't look too well. 'Maybe
another aspiring would do the trick?'
Darien shook his head. He didn't quite remember how
many he had already taken trying to get rid of the pounding in
his ears but he knew it'd be stupid if he risked his health on
another dose. Opening the faucet and splashing some water on
his face, Darien tried to ignore the muffled plea that asked
for help.
Turning off the lights, he left the bathroom and walked
down the hallway, only to notice that the mysterious voice he
had barely heard before was now becoming clearer by the second.
Following the sounds, Darien walked into a darkened room where
two figures seemed to be battling it out on the bed. 'Maybe he
had jumped to conclusions?'
Snapping on the lights, Darien's eyes widened at what
he saw before him. A shirtless Neil was mounted on top of
Serena on the cream-colored sheets of one of Jason's guestrooms.
Serena's wrist were caught in one of Neil's hands as his mouth
moved from her lips to her neck, completely unaware that he
had an audience.
The shock was taken out of Darien the moment he heard
Serena's strangled cry of fear. It was then that he realized
Serena really didn't wish to be here. Anger rose within him
as he looked at Neil take advantage of his best friend and the
girl he loved.
Stomping over to the bed, Darien grabbed Neil and
flipped him over with one of his wrestling moves. His actions
momentarily stunned Neil still. Then, looming over Serena,
Darien caressed her cheek softly as she timidly began to open
her eyes. "It's alright. You're ok now." He soothed. "I'm
here."
She must have been dreaming because she certainly
couldn't believe her luck. Just moments before she had been
in one of a girl's worst nightmare and now she lay in the arms
of one of the people she most trusted and cared for. Serena
let a sob of relief escape her lungs as she threw her arms
around him and pressed herself to him. She just *couldn't*
believe her luck!
Suddenly, Serena felt something force Darien's body on
hers as they fell back on the bed. Neil was awake now, and he
wasn't very happy. He was actually on top of Darien trying to
hit him on the sides. She began to panic. With the weight of
Darien and Neil combined, she was beginning to have problems
breathing.
Luckily, Darien swung his elbow back and stabbed Neil
on the side causing his body to contract and fall back.
Getting off of Serena, he stood over Neil and picked him up.
"Come on Neil, I'm taking you home."
Taking a swing at Darien's face, Neil shouted back,
"Get the F*CK out! This is between me and her!"
Evading Neil's punch, he suddenly feels Serena's hands
on his sleeve. "Please," she begged as her eyes brimmed with
tears. "Let him be. Just take me home."
Pointing at her, "You are NOT going AnyWheRe!" Neil
slurred.
"Serena, go outside and wait for me, ok?"
She turned. "But aren't-"
"I said- " Neil's arm tried to stop her as she made to
leave the room.
Grabbing his wrist, Darien bit out. "NOW Serena."
As if the floor had instantly turned to hot sand, she
ran out the room before her feet got burnt. Darien's tone
denoted no objections, and especially no arguing. And it
scared her because she had never seen him this angry ever
before.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Looking at the lit porch of her house through the
car's window, Serena took a deep breath as all the tension
from before left her body. Turning back to look at Darien,
she smiled sweetly at him. "Thanks- " her eyes fell to her
lap. "For everything you did for me tonight."
"You don't have to thank me." Worry sketched deep in
his eyes, he let his hand pull back a stray strand of silky
hair and lock it behind her ear -his fingers brushing lightly
against the skin of her face. "I would have never been able
to forgive myself if anything had happened to you."
Her eyes shone with sudden pleasure as her lips curved
into a bright smile. Ceasing her opportunity, Serena swiftly
raised her head and pressed her lips to his. The atmosphere
in the car unexpectedly beginning to sizzle with wonder.
However, as quickly as it was given, the kiss ended
and Darien just looked with wide eyes as she exited his car
and ran to her house. He licked his lips. They tasted of the
cherry lip-gloss she had applied just moments before. It was
his only evidence that proved that Serena had actually done
what he thought she had.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Locking the door behind her, Serena leaned her head
back against it. Pressing her right hand to her heart, she
felt its beat resonating in her chest. 'I can't believe I
did that.' She thought as a blushed flamed on her cheeks.
'But it had felt so right...'
She shook her head as a shy smile played on her lips.
'Maybe her mom's advice had been right.' It certainly felt
right!
Heading upstairs to her room, she snuck her head inside
her mom's room. The smile on her face widened as she watched
her mother toss and turn in her lonely bed. Serena's dad was
away on a business trip and if she was making a correct guess
-which she *knew* she was- her mother wasn't sleeping right
because he wasn't there beside her. It was so sad and yet
cute at the same time. It just showed her how much they loved
one other.
Clicking the door shut, Serena continued towards her
bedroom. She had lots of thinking to do. And no one,
absolutely no one, was going to see her this weekend. She had
to reach a conclusion... and she had to know with certainty
*why*.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Saturday...
*beep*
"Serena? It's Neil. I wanted to talk to you but since
you're not home. I guess I'll call later."
*beep*
"Hey, it's me again. Guess you're still not home.
Give me a call once you get in."
*beep*
"Um... This is a message for Serena. It's Darien. I-
just wanted to talk with you about- I'll call you later, ok?"
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"Hey Rena. Molly here. I got plans for tomorrow
afternoon. Feel up for a barbecue? Call me if you wanna come.
I'll give you the details."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"I guess you're *still* not home, right? Listen Serena,
we have to talk about what happened at the party. CALL ME."
*beep*
"Sere, it's Darien again. I had hoped to find you home
by now but... Anyway, I know it's late so I'll give you a call
tomorrow. Bye."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sunday...
*beep*
"RENA... We're gonna leave without you! Are you
there? Well if you find out later about the bar-b-q you can't
say we didn't invite you. See ya!"
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"...You know, I'm beginning to get the impression that
you're avoiding me. Can't we just talk about what happened?
I want to apologize but not on the phone. Meet me somewhere,
give me a call, just- just do *something*!"
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"Damn it Serena! I'm really getting tiered of this
cat and mouse chase. I know you're probably there. PICK UP
THE PHONE! ARGH!"
*beep*
"Fuck!"
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"It's Darien. Guess you're still not home. Well,
give me a call when you get in. I really want to talk to you.
By the way, my mom also wants to know when you're gonna come
over and visit like you used to. She says 'hi' to your mom.
Bye."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"Fine, BE THAT WAY! DON'T PICK UP THE PHONE, SEE IF
*I* CARE!"
*beep*
"Listen, I'm sorry. I'm not mad, I'm just- You really
aren't there are you? I'll try calling you on the main line."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"..."
*beep*
"..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Serena stepped out of the lunch line. She looked down
at her tray. Typical Monday food: chocolate milk, chicken-
patty sandwiches, fries, corn, and a rice crispy treat. 'Man,
did cafeteria food suck!'
Taking a deep breath, she passed the wrestlers table,
where she usually sat, and went instead towards her friend
Molly. "Can I sit with you?" she asked as she caught up with
the tall redhead.
In Serena's eyes, her friend looked like a model.
Molly was 5'9", had a thin yet curvy body, and had that type
of beautiful auburn-colored hair that just seemed to go with
her exuberant personality. It was slightly wavy and reached
down to the middle of her back. In contrast with her mane and
pale white skin, the green eyes and the freckles that spread
across her cheeks and nose gave her the appearance of a
mischievous child. Hard to believe, some would think, that
Serena with her blond hair and blue eyes would sometimes catch
herself wishing to have looks resembling those of Molly.
"Um..." Molly paused as if in deep thought. "Alright,
but you'll have to dish why you're avoiding 'Mr. I'm-too-hot-
for-the-wrestling-matt' over there."
'Mr. I'm-too- what?' she thought as they sat down.
"So," Molly looked her way as she took a bite out of
her patty. "Are you gonna tell me?"
Serena stared at her food, her fork absentmindedly
playing with her corn. "Why did you say that about Neil?"
"What?" She took another bite.
"Well," her eyes asked for an honest response. "Why
did you call him that?"
"Truth?"
Serena shook her head 'yes'.
"Because he's a jerk." Putting down the sandwich,
Molly turned to look directly at her friend's face. "I don't
think he's the right guy for you. He always seem like he has
*other* things on his mind... and I don't like people like
that."
It was those *other* things that made Serena thankful
she had said nothing about Friday night. Nobody knew except
Darien and- "Neil!" she said as her head wiped back and
looked from the firm hand on her shoulder, to the serious face
of her boyfriend.
"We have to talk."
"Yeah..." her voice dropped to a whisper. "I know."
Gripping her arm tighter, Neil forced Serena to stand.
"Now!"
"You just wait a second!" Molly's angry face challenged
him as she stood in his way. "Serena and I are having lunch.
She'll talk to you when she wants to."
She was about to pull Serena towards her, except Serena
raised her hand. "Don't worry Molly. This won't take long.
Besides..." she glanced at Neil. "It can't wait."
Heeding her wish, Molly stepped aside. Her fists
desperately wishing for the opportunity to wipe that triumphant
grin off of his stupid face. 'Jerk,' she thought as she sat
back down and took an angry bite out of the chicken-patty.
'Idiotic, chauvinistic, poor excuse for a Neanderthal...'
"ARGH!" But how she hated his guts!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You've been avoiding me, haven't you?" he began once
they had left the lunchroom.
"Not quite. I just didn't want to talk to anybody."
"Why?"
She looked at her shoes. "I came to a conclusion this
weekend, Neil."
Silence.
"I want to break-up with you."
"Serena..." Neil turned her to him and looked into her
eyes. "Listen, I'm sorry about Friday night. I really am. I
was drunk, and even though I know that's no excuse... I don't
know what else to say for you to forgive me. But- There's no
need for us to break-up!"
"Neil," she sighed. "It's not just about last Friday.
It has to do with me." Her hand rose to rub the bridge of her
nose. "I just- I just don't feel the same way about you. I
haven't for quite some time."
He looked at her. 'Was she nuts?' He was in the
wresting team. He was funny... attractive... popular! If
anything she should have been falling at his feet, completely
smitten. Unless... "Is it another guy?"
Serena's eyes widened. She didn't know what to say.
She still wasn't sure. "If you're asking if another guy is
the reason why I'm breaking up with you, then no."
"But do you like another guy?" he seethed.
'Truthfully...' she thought. "Maybe."
"So," his hands grabbed her shoulders and shook her
fiercely. "Who's the bastard? Have you been cheating on me
with him? HUH?!"
She tried to brake herself free. 'Had he gone mad?'
Neil was bruising her with the force of his grip. "Let GO of
ME!" she cried.
"TELL ME?!" he growled as he bared his teeth. "Who
is he?"
Face to face with an animal. A predator. That's how
she felt. Panic and desperation took over her system as she
sensed each of his fingers begin to dig deep into her arms.
Not knowing when or how, Serena's knee connected with the
inside of Neil's thigh with as much force as she could manage.
Without bothering to look back at the couching form
on the school's floor, she ran back to the lunchroom. As far
as she was concerned, that was *definitely* the end of their
relationship. Sadly, she couldn't obliterate it from her
memory. Now, she truly couldn't believe what a complete jerk
she had gone out with!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A week later, on a sunny Saturday morning, found Serena
pacing up and down the front porch. 'Maybe it was too early...'
Turning as if to leave, she was stopped upon hearing the front
door creek open.
"Yes?" a woman called out. "Serena?"
"Hello Mrs. Shields." She smiled apologetically. "I'm
sorry to have disturbed you so early, but... Is Darien home?"
Mrs. Shields blinked and Serena quickly corrected herself.
"I mean, is he awake?"
Smiling as she opened the door wider in order to let
her in, Mrs. Shields answered, "I think Darien is still
sleeping in his room. But, it's getting kinda late," she
lied. After all, it was just barely 7 o'clock. "Maybe you
could wake him up?"
"Sure," Serena said as she perked up and began to run
up the stairs. "I'll do just that."
Looking at the girl's retreating back, Darien's mother
shook her head and closed the door. She had no idea what was
going on between those two kids but she hoped that the object
Serena carried in her pocket would help her son out of his
temporary slump.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Opening the door slowly, Serena peeked inside the dark
room. Darien was obviously still asleep. Walking over to the
window, she parted the curtains and neared the bed. Taking a
deep breath, she looked at his sleeping form wondering for the
hundredth time if she was doing the right thing. 'There was a
high possibility that another time would be better for this...
right?'
'Have some guts Serena!' her mind commanded. 'If you
back out now, you'll never know what you missed.'
Yet, that tiny fear of losing her best friend continued
to nag. 'What if, when they stopped having feeling for each
other, their friendship was never the same?' It might have
seemed like a stupid question, but when you have been best
friends for as long as they have... It would have been like
losing a part of yourself.
She studied his face again, like she had done thousands
of times before. She knew the saying, 'It's better to have
loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.' And she
knew that usually high school romances never lasted too long
after graduation. But, due to the strength of her feelings,
she knew she had to give themselves a chance. 'I mean, who
knows?' she thought. They might just be one of the few ones
that make it.
'And if not,' she continued inside her head as she
pulled out the rose she had been carrying in her pocket. 'At
least she was brave enough to take the chance.'
"Darien Mackenzie Shields," she whispered softly as
she began to trace his cheek gently with the petals. She
twirled it in her fingers as she followed the contours of his
face, making sure to just barely slide it across his lips and
below his nose. "Wake up."
Wrinkling his nose at the sudden aroma, Darien's eyes
pressed shut before relaxing and opening to look up at the
jovial face of his friend. Serena bit her lip momentarily
before a grin spread across her mouth. Seeing his eyes wide
with surprise and the way his mouth parted slightly as he
breathed, she took advantage and bent her head -looking in
his eyes every step of the way.
They kiss was gentle at first. Maybe due to Darien's
surprise... or maybe just because she wanted to tease him. As
her hand came up to caress the cheek the rose had just moments
before stroked, Serena shifted her body as sat beside him on
the bed, her teeth tenderly nipping on his bottom lip.
'Quite possibly, she was drunk. *Or* he could be
dreaming.' Darien found no other rational explanation to why
she was in his bedroom at this time of day. Grabbing onto her
upper arms, he gently pulled her away from him. Frowning, he
asked, "What are you doing here?"
She licked her lips, embarrassed, as she jumped off
his bed. "I came to pick you up." She stated as if it had
been common knowledge. "We're going to the amusement park."
He raised one quirky eyebrow. "*We* are?"
"Yes we *are*." She grinned a Cheshire cat smile.
"Since you're no good at taking charge in order to get what
you want, I'll be the one calling the shots in this
relationship."
He blinked. "Calling shots? Relationship? Just
*who* do you think you are?"
"The girl you like." She answered smartly. "And the
one you'll learn to love. Now get dressed." She ordered as
she swayed over to the door.
"Oh really? And why's that?"
"Because Darien," She husked seductively with newfound
confidence, loving the way he reacted. "You can't refuse me."
The End?
^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^o^
AN'S:
-HI AGAIN, I SEE YOU FINALLY MADE IT! GOOD JOB! WELL, THIS
IS WHERE I SOMEHOW MAKE MY DEMAND FOR REVIEWS AND STUFF LIKE
THAT, BUT I FIGURE, YOU GUYS ARE PRETTY SMART. I MEAN,
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT AN UNHAPPY AUTHOR THAT GETS NO FEEDBACK
LOSES THEIR INTEREST IN POSTING THEIR STORIES AND SO NO LONGER
WRITES FOR FREE. (SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS?)
-hehehe... MY FRIENDS TOLD ME IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO POKE A
LITTLE AT PEOPLE'S CONCIOUSNESS.
-OK, SO HERE'S WHY I REALLY ASKED YOU TO READ THIS. AS YOU
KNOW, I'M A WRITER (NO, NOT PROFFECIONALLY - SORRY SABBIE-
CHAN) AND THIS IS MY HOBBIE, SO... BASICALLY IF YOU HAVE ANY
IDEAS THAT YOU WANT ME TO WRITE ABOUT, JUST SEND THEM TO
MACHI_NO_TENSHI@EXCITE.COM I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF I'LL DO IT.
(THEY CAN BE ABOUT ANY ANIME TOO)
-AND BEFORE I FORGET, I WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT
ASKED FOR A SEQUEL TO "A TRIP AT THE ZOO." AFTER ALL, THAT'S
WHAT STARTED THIS FIC IN THE FIRST PLACE. ^-^
KYOTSUKETTE!!
att: HIKARI
aka: MACHI NO TENSHI
and newly appointed by Sailorcelestial-sama as the:
QUEEN OF THE CLIFFHANGING AU'S