Part 3
Around two weeks after the accident, Serena was aloud
to leave. I left to pick her up early, remembering
how she said she couldn't wait to be out of that
"horrible" place. Glancing at the clock I wondered if
she was even up. But to my surprise I was the last
one there. Walking in I saw that the girls and Andrew
had beat me there. What surprised my even more was
Serena was awake and ready to go. She had all her
stuff from her room in a bag or in her hand.
"Wow this is a couple of firsts. Not only is meatball
head up early, but she is awake and ready."
"Oh shut up Darien. Now come one lets go. I want to
leave now!"
Giving a slight chuckle, I signed the papers and then
pushed her our side of the hospital, 4 girls and 1
guy is tow.
"It is so great to be out. I can't wait. I just want
to go home…"
At that she dropped her head. Of course I realized
that she still missed her parents, her family.
"Serena, everything will be ok. I know it still
hurts, hurts a lot. But you just have to accept it."
"I just keep thinking that they're here you know? I
keep forgetting they're not, and that I am alone."
"But you're not alone. You have us," said Mina
walking up to her friend.
"We are here for you. Don't worry. We're here."
"Oh Mina, everyone. You have really been here for me
the last 2 weeks. I could never thank you enough."
She started crying harder, but I couldn't tell if she
was crying in pain, or in gratitude for her friends.
"We better go. Why don't you guys stop by later ok?"
I said. They nodded and waved to us after I helped
Serena into the car. After about 10 minutes of
silence I looked over and noticed that Serena had
stopped crying but now had her eyes tightly closed
and was shaking slightly.
"Serena? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Just, well, its that
I'mafraidtobeinthecar." She said the last part in a
rush but I was able to catch "afraid" and "car".
Putting the two together it wasn't hard to figure
what she had said out.
"Don't worry Serena. We are almost to the apartment
building. It's ok."
She nodded but still was scared to death. At a
stoplight I took my hand and held one of hers. Giving
it a gentle squeeze I gave here a reassuring smile.
It helped a little. She relaxed slightly.
Finally we got to my apartment building and parked in
the garage. Opening my door I got out and walked
around to the back seat. Opening the door I got out a
pair of crutches. Then I helped Serena out of her
seat.
"Here you go," I said handing her the crutches.
"Thanks."
I watched her get ready and then followed when she
headed towards the lobby door. About 2/3 of the way
there Serena tripped over something. She screeched
and put her hands out, but before she could hit
ground I had her. Seeing her start to fall I just
reacted. I now had her hugged up against my body,
while her crutches fell to the ground.
"Serena are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm ok. I just tripped. That's all."
Making sure she was steady, I bent over a picked up
the crutches.
"Serena you sure you're ok?"
"Yes I'm fine. I am just having some trouble with
these that's all. I have never used them before. I
just got to get the hang of them."
"If your sure."
"I am. Now lets go."
Again she was off. But I could see that she was still
having trouble with them.
"Serena let me help you."
"How?"
I stood there a moment then thought of something.
"Hold the crutches in front of you. Up and down.
That's right."
Walking behind her I very carefully picked her up.
"Darien! What are you doing?"
"Helping. That's what."
"Darien please put me down. I can walk. I can."
"No. Lets go."
With that I carried her to the lobby door. In the
lobby Serena kept quite but gave me a glare that
could kill. In the elevator I set her down. I pushed
the ten button and then turned to Serena.
"See that wasn't so bad."
"Yes it was. I looked like an idiot. I didn't need
for you to do that."
"O well. It wasn't a problem. Besides it kept you
from getting hurt again." Not that I wouldn't mind
catching you again I added silently.
When we stopped at my floor I lead her down the hall,
letting her walk on her own. Opening the door I was
again welcomed by the usual cat jumping on my
shoulder. But as soon as she saw Serena, she jumped
over to her next.
"Luna! I have missed you so much. Has Darien been
taking good care of you? He better have been."
"Your cat is fine. I promise. Well, welcome to you
new home. What do you think?"
She looked around a few times and then turned to me.
"It's, well plain."
"Hey. I like it thank you very much."
"Oh I don't mean that in a bad way. Its just you I
guess."
"Come one meatball head. Your room is this way."
"Don't call me that. My name is Serena. That crash of
your must have permanent damaged your memory."
That one hit home. It was close to the same remarks
the kids at the orphanage made. When I would mess up
or do something wrong. I turned my head away from her
so she couldn't see the hurt it my eyes. But she saw
before I could turn away.
"Darien I'm sorry. I didn't have a right to say that.
I didn't mean it. I just opened my mouth before I
thought. I can understand if I hurt you, or made you
mad. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I mean we
can barely get along. How are we going to live
together? I am so sorry…"
Before she could say any more I had her in a hug. I
knew I shouldn't have called her that. She was still
upset and didn't my teasing too.
"Serena it's ok. Don't worry about. Come on. The
girls and I have your stuff in your room. I will show
it to you. You can do what ever you like to it. After
I show you I will show you around. Ok?"
"Ok."
I lead her to the room so she could look around. She
seemed to think about it hard as she checked
everything out.
"Wow this is really nice. Thanks again for letting me
stay here."
"I told you it no problem. Now come on I will show
you around. This door here you your right is the
bathroom. Across from it is a small closet. The door
at the other end is my room. You've seen the living
room, and the kitchen is this way."
I showed her around the place. After I had showed her
the inside I took her out on the balcony. There were
two ways to get onto the balcony, one was through the
living room and the other was my room.
"O wow. The view is beautiful Darien. Look you can
see the sun setting and everything."
"I know. That's why I like it. So what do you think,
besides it being plain?"
"I think it is pretty good. I like it. But it will
take getting used to. I am also a little further from
my school. Now I am going to always be late."
"Weren't you always before? Besides I can drop you
off. I am not going to make you walk with a broken
leg."
"Can't I just skip till it is healed?"
"No. Look, today is Friday afternoon. You start on
Monday."
"Can't it wait one more week? Please?"
She gave such a cute face. I swear she could have
gotten a lot out of people with that face. But I
couldn't let it happen. Remembering what Mrs.
Anderson said was enough to make me say no.
"I'm sorry Serena. You got to go. If I could I would
let you stay here and play with your cat but you got
to go. It won't be that bad."
"Alright, if you say so."
We probably would have talked more but the knock at
the front door interrupted.
"It must be everyone," said Serena.
"Your probably right. Better let them in."
I walked back inside and answered the door. We
weren't disappointed. There standing together was
Andrew and the girls.
"How Serena doing?" asked Mina right away.
"I would say fine but you guys might want to ask her
yourselves. She is out on the balcony right now. Come
in.
Moving out of the way, the five entered the
apartment.
"Serena?" called Lita.
"Coming. Hey guys," she said as she hoped inside.
"How you holding up?" asked Mina.
"Fine. It is a really nice place. Want to see?"
"No," said Raye. "We already checked it out. We had a
chance when we dropped off your stuff and Luna. This
place is going to be great to hang out."
"I know. It is a little further from you guys but its
great."
"Yes, it is further, but it is closer to downtown.
Think of the shopping. Right Amy?"
"What? Oh yea the shopping. It will be fun." Amy was
currently looking at my book collection.
"Amy will you please pay attention?"
"Oh all right."
I listened for a while before I turned to Andrew. He
gave me a smile and said.
"Now you know what I go through every day. Buddy this
is your new life."
"I know. I realized that living with Serena is going
to mean living with all her friends too."
Everyone stayed for a few hours, the girls chatting
about everything Serena missed while in the hospital,
even though they had probably already told her.
Andrew and I chatted about school and stuff. Around
six the girls decided it was time to go.
"Now you got to come to the arcade tomorrow. We can
met up and maybe do something," said Lita.
"I can try. If Darien can give me a lift it would be
great. Can you Darien?"
"Sure. I don't mind. What time?"
"Darien you won't leave here till around one, maybe
even later. You know meatball head here will first
sleep in, wake up complaining she is late, and then
the fun will begin. You just wait," commented Raye.
"You know Raye I am not that bad. You really do give
me less credit then I deserve."
"She has got a point Raye. She is dependable when she
is really needed," said Amy.
"Especially if a friend needs her," added Lita.
"Well it's nice to know some people believe in me,"
"Serena we all believe in you," said Andrew.
"Yea meatball head. They are right."
"Do not call me that! I can deal with it like once a
day but not every five minutes. I mean I get enough
of it hanging out with Raye all the time. I don't
need it when I come back here!"
"Well I just can't help it. I've been calling you
meatball head for who knows how long…"
"Guys I think we better go. I personally am getting
bored with this show. Happens to often don't you
think?" said Andrew.
"I agree. They do need to go up," said Amy.
"Serena, we will see you tomorrow, if you don't kill
your ride before then. Ok?"
"Sure see you."
With that they left. It was nice while they were
here, but I had a feeling the girls would be here way
to often. After I watched them go I turned to talk
with Serena.
"So how often are they going to here anyways?"
"Who? My friends? I don't know. Probably everyday a
few if not all of them will be visiting. Why?"
"Nothing."
"You don't mind do you? I mean you're probably not
used to having 5 girls in you place at once. Or are
you?"
I looked her hard in the face. I was pretty sure what
she meant by that, but that she would imply it was
funny.
"Me? Five girls here at once, no it has never
happened. Yet."
"Don't you have parties?"
"Nope, I prefer my place to be clean. Besides a party
would mean dealing with all the airheads. Not my kind
of thing."
"No I couldn't see you with an airhead. But then
again anyone will to spend time with you would have
to be an airhead."
"Hey! I resent that."
"Well you deserve it. An insult for an insult, now
we're even."
"Ok. Fine," yawn, "Man I am tired. I am going to bed.
You can do what you want. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Darien. Sweet dreams."
Sweet dreams indeed, I thought, as I got ready for
bed. Getting comfy I could hear her moving about out
side my room. Lying there I listened to her trying to
go somewhere when I heard a soft bump. I could make
out a grumbled "stupid crutches" and I laughed softly
at the picture. My last thoughts that evening were of
the angel that was now staying with me.
End Part Three
Around two weeks after the accident, Serena was aloud
to leave. I left to pick her up early, remembering
how she said she couldn't wait to be out of that
"horrible" place. Glancing at the clock I wondered if
she was even up. But to my surprise I was the last
one there. Walking in I saw that the girls and Andrew
had beat me there. What surprised my even more was
Serena was awake and ready to go. She had all her
stuff from her room in a bag or in her hand.
"Wow this is a couple of firsts. Not only is meatball
head up early, but she is awake and ready."
"Oh shut up Darien. Now come one lets go. I want to
leave now!"
Giving a slight chuckle, I signed the papers and then
pushed her our side of the hospital, 4 girls and 1
guy is tow.
"It is so great to be out. I can't wait. I just want
to go home…"
At that she dropped her head. Of course I realized
that she still missed her parents, her family.
"Serena, everything will be ok. I know it still
hurts, hurts a lot. But you just have to accept it."
"I just keep thinking that they're here you know? I
keep forgetting they're not, and that I am alone."
"But you're not alone. You have us," said Mina
walking up to her friend.
"We are here for you. Don't worry. We're here."
"Oh Mina, everyone. You have really been here for me
the last 2 weeks. I could never thank you enough."
She started crying harder, but I couldn't tell if she
was crying in pain, or in gratitude for her friends.
"We better go. Why don't you guys stop by later ok?"
I said. They nodded and waved to us after I helped
Serena into the car. After about 10 minutes of
silence I looked over and noticed that Serena had
stopped crying but now had her eyes tightly closed
and was shaking slightly.
"Serena? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Just, well, its that
I'mafraidtobeinthecar." She said the last part in a
rush but I was able to catch "afraid" and "car".
Putting the two together it wasn't hard to figure
what she had said out.
"Don't worry Serena. We are almost to the apartment
building. It's ok."
She nodded but still was scared to death. At a
stoplight I took my hand and held one of hers. Giving
it a gentle squeeze I gave here a reassuring smile.
It helped a little. She relaxed slightly.
Finally we got to my apartment building and parked in
the garage. Opening my door I got out and walked
around to the back seat. Opening the door I got out a
pair of crutches. Then I helped Serena out of her
seat.
"Here you go," I said handing her the crutches.
"Thanks."
I watched her get ready and then followed when she
headed towards the lobby door. About 2/3 of the way
there Serena tripped over something. She screeched
and put her hands out, but before she could hit
ground I had her. Seeing her start to fall I just
reacted. I now had her hugged up against my body,
while her crutches fell to the ground.
"Serena are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm ok. I just tripped. That's all."
Making sure she was steady, I bent over a picked up
the crutches.
"Serena you sure you're ok?"
"Yes I'm fine. I am just having some trouble with
these that's all. I have never used them before. I
just got to get the hang of them."
"If your sure."
"I am. Now lets go."
Again she was off. But I could see that she was still
having trouble with them.
"Serena let me help you."
"How?"
I stood there a moment then thought of something.
"Hold the crutches in front of you. Up and down.
That's right."
Walking behind her I very carefully picked her up.
"Darien! What are you doing?"
"Helping. That's what."
"Darien please put me down. I can walk. I can."
"No. Lets go."
With that I carried her to the lobby door. In the
lobby Serena kept quite but gave me a glare that
could kill. In the elevator I set her down. I pushed
the ten button and then turned to Serena.
"See that wasn't so bad."
"Yes it was. I looked like an idiot. I didn't need
for you to do that."
"O well. It wasn't a problem. Besides it kept you
from getting hurt again." Not that I wouldn't mind
catching you again I added silently.
When we stopped at my floor I lead her down the hall,
letting her walk on her own. Opening the door I was
again welcomed by the usual cat jumping on my
shoulder. But as soon as she saw Serena, she jumped
over to her next.
"Luna! I have missed you so much. Has Darien been
taking good care of you? He better have been."
"Your cat is fine. I promise. Well, welcome to you
new home. What do you think?"
She looked around a few times and then turned to me.
"It's, well plain."
"Hey. I like it thank you very much."
"Oh I don't mean that in a bad way. Its just you I
guess."
"Come one meatball head. Your room is this way."
"Don't call me that. My name is Serena. That crash of
your must have permanent damaged your memory."
That one hit home. It was close to the same remarks
the kids at the orphanage made. When I would mess up
or do something wrong. I turned my head away from her
so she couldn't see the hurt it my eyes. But she saw
before I could turn away.
"Darien I'm sorry. I didn't have a right to say that.
I didn't mean it. I just opened my mouth before I
thought. I can understand if I hurt you, or made you
mad. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I mean we
can barely get along. How are we going to live
together? I am so sorry…"
Before she could say any more I had her in a hug. I
knew I shouldn't have called her that. She was still
upset and didn't my teasing too.
"Serena it's ok. Don't worry about. Come on. The
girls and I have your stuff in your room. I will show
it to you. You can do what ever you like to it. After
I show you I will show you around. Ok?"
"Ok."
I lead her to the room so she could look around. She
seemed to think about it hard as she checked
everything out.
"Wow this is really nice. Thanks again for letting me
stay here."
"I told you it no problem. Now come on I will show
you around. This door here you your right is the
bathroom. Across from it is a small closet. The door
at the other end is my room. You've seen the living
room, and the kitchen is this way."
I showed her around the place. After I had showed her
the inside I took her out on the balcony. There were
two ways to get onto the balcony, one was through the
living room and the other was my room.
"O wow. The view is beautiful Darien. Look you can
see the sun setting and everything."
"I know. That's why I like it. So what do you think,
besides it being plain?"
"I think it is pretty good. I like it. But it will
take getting used to. I am also a little further from
my school. Now I am going to always be late."
"Weren't you always before? Besides I can drop you
off. I am not going to make you walk with a broken
leg."
"Can't I just skip till it is healed?"
"No. Look, today is Friday afternoon. You start on
Monday."
"Can't it wait one more week? Please?"
She gave such a cute face. I swear she could have
gotten a lot out of people with that face. But I
couldn't let it happen. Remembering what Mrs.
Anderson said was enough to make me say no.
"I'm sorry Serena. You got to go. If I could I would
let you stay here and play with your cat but you got
to go. It won't be that bad."
"Alright, if you say so."
We probably would have talked more but the knock at
the front door interrupted.
"It must be everyone," said Serena.
"Your probably right. Better let them in."
I walked back inside and answered the door. We
weren't disappointed. There standing together was
Andrew and the girls.
"How Serena doing?" asked Mina right away.
"I would say fine but you guys might want to ask her
yourselves. She is out on the balcony right now. Come
in.
Moving out of the way, the five entered the
apartment.
"Serena?" called Lita.
"Coming. Hey guys," she said as she hoped inside.
"How you holding up?" asked Mina.
"Fine. It is a really nice place. Want to see?"
"No," said Raye. "We already checked it out. We had a
chance when we dropped off your stuff and Luna. This
place is going to be great to hang out."
"I know. It is a little further from you guys but its
great."
"Yes, it is further, but it is closer to downtown.
Think of the shopping. Right Amy?"
"What? Oh yea the shopping. It will be fun." Amy was
currently looking at my book collection.
"Amy will you please pay attention?"
"Oh all right."
I listened for a while before I turned to Andrew. He
gave me a smile and said.
"Now you know what I go through every day. Buddy this
is your new life."
"I know. I realized that living with Serena is going
to mean living with all her friends too."
Everyone stayed for a few hours, the girls chatting
about everything Serena missed while in the hospital,
even though they had probably already told her.
Andrew and I chatted about school and stuff. Around
six the girls decided it was time to go.
"Now you got to come to the arcade tomorrow. We can
met up and maybe do something," said Lita.
"I can try. If Darien can give me a lift it would be
great. Can you Darien?"
"Sure. I don't mind. What time?"
"Darien you won't leave here till around one, maybe
even later. You know meatball head here will first
sleep in, wake up complaining she is late, and then
the fun will begin. You just wait," commented Raye.
"You know Raye I am not that bad. You really do give
me less credit then I deserve."
"She has got a point Raye. She is dependable when she
is really needed," said Amy.
"Especially if a friend needs her," added Lita.
"Well it's nice to know some people believe in me,"
"Serena we all believe in you," said Andrew.
"Yea meatball head. They are right."
"Do not call me that! I can deal with it like once a
day but not every five minutes. I mean I get enough
of it hanging out with Raye all the time. I don't
need it when I come back here!"
"Well I just can't help it. I've been calling you
meatball head for who knows how long…"
"Guys I think we better go. I personally am getting
bored with this show. Happens to often don't you
think?" said Andrew.
"I agree. They do need to go up," said Amy.
"Serena, we will see you tomorrow, if you don't kill
your ride before then. Ok?"
"Sure see you."
With that they left. It was nice while they were
here, but I had a feeling the girls would be here way
to often. After I watched them go I turned to talk
with Serena.
"So how often are they going to here anyways?"
"Who? My friends? I don't know. Probably everyday a
few if not all of them will be visiting. Why?"
"Nothing."
"You don't mind do you? I mean you're probably not
used to having 5 girls in you place at once. Or are
you?"
I looked her hard in the face. I was pretty sure what
she meant by that, but that she would imply it was
funny.
"Me? Five girls here at once, no it has never
happened. Yet."
"Don't you have parties?"
"Nope, I prefer my place to be clean. Besides a party
would mean dealing with all the airheads. Not my kind
of thing."
"No I couldn't see you with an airhead. But then
again anyone will to spend time with you would have
to be an airhead."
"Hey! I resent that."
"Well you deserve it. An insult for an insult, now
we're even."
"Ok. Fine," yawn, "Man I am tired. I am going to bed.
You can do what you want. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Darien. Sweet dreams."
Sweet dreams indeed, I thought, as I got ready for
bed. Getting comfy I could hear her moving about out
side my room. Lying there I listened to her trying to
go somewhere when I heard a soft bump. I could make
out a grumbled "stupid crutches" and I laughed softly
at the picture. My last thoughts that evening were of
the angel that was now staying with me.
End Part Three