I'm back! Just a warning, I'm sporting a PermaGrin because today was my last day of finals, and I'm free!!! Sweet, glorious freedom! So maybe I failed my exam today, who cares! I don't have to see that class again! Okay, enough. Here is part three; sorry it took me so long. Expect the next few chapters to come out quickly. Do you know why? Because I'm free! Fa la la! Sorry, thought I'd gotten that out of my system. I don't own Sailor Moon. Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed and thanks to the wonderful band name suggestion. I hope you like the one I chose! Your faith will be rewarded – I feel very inspired. Enjoy!
Tuesday rolled around and the band was gathered again at Raye's. It was evening time, and the sky was just fading to a pale pink on the horizon. It was calm, peaceful, serene…
" Meatball head! Can't you ever be on time?" Raye yelled out, shattering the evening's mystique. Serena stepped into the old temple room slash newly made over practice room, and shut the heavy soundproof door.
" Sorry Raye, but hey, if I was early, I wouldn't be me, and I just have to be me!" Serena said cheerfully. Raye tried to smother her amusement at the blonde's enthusiasm.
" I'll forgive you, provided Darien's as ready as you say he is", Raye said.
" Yeah, baby, let me hear those strings", said Mina said, in a really goofy voice. Lita hit her upside the head.
" Sorry, I forgot myself and let her have coffee this morning. You'd think I'd learn my lesson after the last time…" Lita teased.
" You guys are really weird – I thought Meatball head was bad, but apparently you're all certifiable", Darien said, his face betraying only the smallest of smiles.
Raye burst out laughing. " You just called her Meatball head! That is too much! If we ever make it big I am going to leak to the press that oh so adorable nickname."
" I hate my life!" Serena whined piteously. " Can we play already?"
Raye's face took on a more serious look, as she began checking the equipment. Lita settled herself at the drums and warmed up a little. Mina was playing a lilting tune on her flute.
" Listen up people, we are going on a full run-through tonight of all eleven main songs. Hope you're ready for it", Raye said wickedly. Serena groaned and rolled her eyes, but was secretly glad. She was only ever truly alive when she was playing.
They played song, after song, after song. Amy was taking recordings as well as playing the keyboard, in the hopes of making a new and improved demo-tape. With Darien's input as a guitarist they were sounding better then ever, but they still had a long way to go. And she was beginning to think they needed new songs. Some tunes that would really get people out of their seats; make them sit up and take notice. They definitely needed a new name. Over the next two weeks the band met every evening, and often played long into the night. On the night before their first gig as a group, they met up again for an all day practice.
" I guess that about does it – we're as ready as we'll ever be", Raye said, rubbing her temples in a vain attempt to forestall the headache that was forming.
" Just say it, Raye, we sound fantastic!" Mina said, jumping up and down.
" Caffeine?" Darien asked Lita quietly.
" Nope. This time it's all her", Lita said, laughing.
" We sound pretty good", Raye admitted grudgingly. Coming from Raye, that was a glowing compliment.
" We still need a name, and where exactly are we going tomorrow?" Amy asked.
" Let's get out of this room first, it's so hot in here", Mina said, and flung the door open wide. They trooped out into the balmy evening, only to discover that a fine, mist of rain was falling. Darien lifted his face up to the water.
" Ahh, that feels so good", he said, fanning his t-shirt slightly. The other's nodded in agreement – it could get awfully stuffy practicing in that small room. Due to the soundproofing, they couldn't even open a window. Temple grounds were not the sort-of place where loud, often off-key, music would be tolerated.
" So, time to give girl", Lita said directly to Raye. " What is it about this gig that you're not telling us?" The other band members circled around Raye, who was nervously studying the ground.
" I just know you're going to make a big deal about this, and really it's not that bad", Raye said trailing off.
" Raye", Serena said threateningly.
" Okay, we're going to the Green Eyed Cat", Raye said.
" Raye! That place has the worst reputation in town! The last time we were there, people threw stuff at us. And I don't mean money and flowers", Lita said huffily.
" Are things really so desperate?" Amy asked.
" The pay is really good you guys, and they promised me that we would get the first spot. The crowd won't be too rowdy that early on, and we'll be long gone if any trouble starts", Raye said convincingly. " Please?"
" Well, I'm with you", Mina chirped. " You know me, anything for a spotlight."
" And the rest of you?"
" Doesn't bother me any", Darien said with a shrug. The other's eventually nodded. In the end it all came down to a gig is a gig, and money is money.
" That just leaves the problem of a name? Anybody come up with any suggestions?"
" I was thinking of 'Clique of Notes' (AN: thanks to Hyper Princess for this suggestion!) You know it's like the sound, and yet we're like a clique since we all hang out together", Amy said.
" That's actually not bad. And not too girly, which I appreciate", Darien said.
" You're so hard done by, aren't you?" Serena said sarcastically.
" Quiet, Meatball head", Darien said, tweaking one of the buns on her head.
" Lay off the hair, nancy-boy", Serena said angrily.
" Nancy-boy? Oh dear, I'm afraid I can't let that one slide", Darien said. Serena took a step back.
" Did I say that? I meant nice boy, yes that's what I meant", Serena sputtered nervously. She dodged behind Lita, but Lita was not about to get caught in the middle of yet another Darien and Serena spat. Over the past two weeks, the relationship between the two guitarists had solidified into something that was part mutual admiration, and part mutual annoyance. They got along fairly well but every now and then they seemed to reach a point where energy had to be released.
Serena gave a cry of alarm when Darien grabbed her around the waist and swung her over his shoulder.
" Any other pearls of wisdom you wish to impart, your highness?" Darien said cynically.
" Yeah, I think we should call the group Five Femme Fatales and their Slave Boy", Serena said, no longer afraid for her life, and actually quite enjoying her position. She laughed when Darien growled.
" Anyways", said Mina slowly, turning away from the crazy guitarists. " Back to the name. I think 'Clique of Notes' will go over people's heads. Or at least, it went over mine until Amy explained. I just don't think the vast majority of our audience will get it."
" I hadn't thought of that", said Amy. " Does anyone else have any ideas?"
Behind the four girls, who were actually thinking about the band, ran a scared man and a mud-splattered blonde.
" You can run but you can't hide", she cried out.
" I didn't mean to, the grass was slippery", Darien yelled out desperately in response.
" Slippery… wet… muddy… I don't think there's a name in that", Lita muttered.
" What about something simple like… Rain, or Nature, or…"
" For heaven's sake, Raye we're a band not the Discovery Channel", Mina retorted. Serena skidded to a sloppy stop in front of the others. She tried to turn and face them but slipped on the rain-slicked earth and fell on her butt into a puddle. The four friends burst out laughing.
" Aw, come on, it's fun! The mud's all soft and squishy", Serena said, looking up at them with an impish expression.
" Won't you ever grow-up?" Raye asked amused.
" Not if I can help it. And Darien's just as bad as I am", Serena said, pointing out the dark haired man who was returning to the group, completely plastered with mud.
" Hey! The reason I'm covered in mud is because you put it there."
" Who me?" asked Serena innocently. Darien took a step towards her and fell victim to the slippery ground. Only this time he instinctively reached out to steady himself and ended up pulling Lita down into the mud with him.
" How did I get into this?" Lita said.
" Oh, get over it", Serena said, splashing some water at her. Lita grinned and splashed her back.
" We need a name you guys, quit goofing around!" Raye said.
" What we need is for you to relax a bit", Lita said, knocking Raye off balance. Raye sat there fuming as the rain, which was starting to fall harder, washed over her. Gradually, she gave-in to the situation and stopped trying to act offended.
" You really are a Meatball head, and it appears to be contagious", Raye said. Amy and Mina looked at each other, looked at their damp but still clean clothes, and shrugged.
" I will if you will", Amy finally said. For an answer Mina picked up a handful of mud and put two streaks on her face, almost like she was preparing for war. Then she dumped the rest of the mud on Amy's head and started laughing like mad. After that it was every man (or woman) for themselves. Mud slinging took on a whole new meaning, and through it all, possible band names were still being called out.
" Mud wrestlers?"
" I'll mud wrestle you, if you think we're going to call ourselves that."
" How about the 'Impulsives'?"
" Ugh! Rhymes with repulsive", Serena yelled.
" How about the 'Meatball heads'?"
" That's it! I'm shaving my head and moving to a place where pasta is forbidden."
" How about 'Goldilocks'? The rest of you could dye your hair blonde."
" No chance Mina."
The group was so busy with their ridiculous roll in the mud, that they didn't hear the approach of two visitors. In fact they had no idea they had any spectators, until one of them spoke.
" How about you call yourselves 'Lunatics'? I mean that's what you so obviously are", Chad said loudly. Everyone paused and looked at the intruders. The moon suddenly peeked out from amongst the clouds and lit up the grounds briefly. The mud covered people looked at each other and then burst out laughing. Helping each other to stand they faced Chad and Andrew who by chance had arrived together.
" Maybe we should take that as an omen", Serena said, indicating the moon.
" Huh?"
" Lunatics. Luna is Latin for moon", she said.
" And Lunatics comes from the idea that people do insane things because of the moon's influence", Darien said.
" Thank you, Mr. Encyclopaedia", Serena said.
" Enough! I refuse to go through this again", Raye said. " Actually, I kind-of like the idea. What do the rest of you think?"
" I think it's the best description of a group that would accept Darien as a member", Andrew teased.
" So we're agreed?"
" Yep, henceforth we're all 'Lunatics'."
" And tomorrow the Lunatics will be playing their first gig, so get to bed everyone", Raye said. The group began to disperse.
" You heard the lady, time to get you to bed, Mina", Andrew said easily, taking her hand. " And I've got the perfect one", Andrew winked.
" After three dates? I think you over-estimate your power." Mina teased, knowing he wasn't serious.
" Okay, then how about a date?"
" Sure, but you have to take me home first so I can change."
Mina and Andrew hurried off towards his car. Darien watched passively as Andrew left, before remembering why Andrew had come in the first place.
" Damn it, he was my ride home."
" I'll give you a lift", Lita offered. The two headed towards Lita's green rust-bucket.
" Nice car", Darien said sarcastically.
" Are you insulting my baby?" Lita said giving an appreciative tap to the hood before getting into the drivers seat. She put the key in the ignition, but the motor refused to turn over. She tried again, coaxing the car with soothing words. When it still didn't start, she began getting exasperated. " Work you piece of crap, or I'll melt you down for scrap", she screamed, and pounded the steering wheel.
" Interesting technique", Darien said calmly. The car leapt into gear and Lita pulled the car into traffic.
" I don't know why it works, but it does", she said with a laugh. Darien gave her the directions and discovered that Lita lived not to far from his own apartment and knew the way.
" I want to thank you, for the ride. I mean, I really appreciate it."
Lita shrugged dismissively. " You're like one of the family now, and you have the mud to prove it. We all help each other out; we're really close you know? I thought it was going to be weird having you join us, but you're like the… I don't know, the cynical, down to earth person we were missing."
" Thanks. I think", Darien said. " Just don't call me one of the girls, or I'll have to do something drastic". Actually, the comment about family had kind-of thrown him. He could see her point though. The five women were very close to one another, and very loyal. He had simply never considered himself as becoming part of that group, although Serena had done a lot to bridge the gap between him and the others. Not intentionally of course, but something about her infectious, exuberance made it impossible for him to remain aloof. And of course, he had Serena to thank for his 'mud' initiation. Just thinking about her and the way she'd looked at him when he had 'accidentally' dropped her in the puddle was enough to make him smile: the pouting lips, the glaring eyes, and the way her hair had flowed around her. She was too cute.
Lita glanced over at her companion and sighed. He was probably thinking about Serena. She had noticed how he always looked up whenever Serena entered the room. Of course, he immediately looked away, and tried to act like he didn't care. The only one who didn't see through that act was Serena herself. That was another thing that both Serena and Lita shared; they were both terribly afraid of being hurt again and consequently they both tended to avoid relationships.
Although, to be honest, it had been some time since the last man had asked her out. Was she not feminine enough? Did she send out the wrong signals? Neither Darien of Andrew had considered her dating material when they had first met her, not that she begrudged her friends their happiness, but it worried her. She had always been tall, finally halting at the height of five feet eleven and a half, and tough. Plus there was the fact that she played the drums and generally wore pants; it wasn't particularly easy to play the drums in a skirt, after all. Was it any wonder that guys noticed her friends first?
" So, when did you learn to play the drums?" Darien asked to break the silence. Lita stopped her musing and considered the question. Well, nothing like the direct approach.
" When I was twelve, my parents were killed in a place crash. I came here to live with an aunt, and one of the therapies involved anger management through musical learning. Nothing really appealed to me – it all sounded to soft for the rage I was feeling but then they sat me in front of some drums and that was it," Lita said.
" Sounds like my story", Darien said, surprising the both of them. Since Lita had shared, he felt it was only right that he do the same. " My parents were killed in a car crash when I was six. I was in the car but survived. I have retrograde amnesia – I don't remember anything much before the accident. Anyway, I was shipped around from foster home to foster home. At one home, I got a guitar for Christmas, and then it seemed like it didn't matter so much that I was never in the same place, because the guitar always came with me."
" Huh, so we're just a couple of orphans?"
" I guess", Darien said.
" Good to know", Lita said, and then they were both silent as they considered the conversation. Lita then pulled up alongside Darien's apartment complex. " We're here. If you ever need a ride, just ask. I can always use someone strong to push".
" I believe you", Darien said, stepping gingerly out of the car. " Thanks, see you tomorrow."
" Yeah, bye", Lita said, and drove away, lost in thought.
The band members arrived in various states of anxiousness at Raye's temple the following evening. Chad and Lita were loading the instruments into a white van with a 'Take Note' logo one the side, when Serena and Amy arrived.
" Stealing from the company again, eh Chad?" Serena teased.
" You know it. Anyone want a free stapler?" Chad asked.
" I do. So I could shut your mouth for five seconds", Raye said, her voice sounding a little stressed. She jumped out of the back of the van and stalked back to the temple. Chad just gave a little shrug to Amy and Serena, as if to say he had no idea where this mood swing had come from.
" I've got your keyboard in, Amy, and my drums. Can someone give me a hand with one of the amplifiers?" Lita asked.
" I'll help. Where do I put this?" Darien asked, arriving with guitar in hand.
" Anywhere it will fit", Lita said.
" Oh good, Darien you're here. I had a horrible dream last night where you got into trouble", Raye said. Mina arrived shortly afterwards, and they left the temple for the Green Eyed Cat. Chad, Raye, and Mina were in the van; Darien, Serena, Amy, and Lita went in Lita's car. Serena was sitting in the backseat, curled up against the side of the car.
" Hey Meatball head, what's up with you?" Darien asked.
" Oh, don't take it personally. Serena's doing her little pre-show act", Amy said, turning around in the passenger seat to look backwards. At Darien's perplexed expression, Amy explained, " She gets stage fright."
" Really?"
" No, I don't get stage fright. I just… get nervous when I have to be around strangers", Serena shot back.
" Sounds a lot like stage fright", Darien said dryly. If Serena hadn't been so busy biting her lip, she might have smacked him. They arrived at the bar, which was already filling up with people, and approached the busy entrance. The van would have arrived already at the backdoor.
" Excuse me miss, but I'm afraid I can't let you in", said a rough voice. Serena was instantly on the alert. She was almost always asked for ID when she went to a bar. But to her surprise, this time the bouncer's attention was directed at Lita. The bouncer was very tall, and had a decent build without appearing completely muscle-bound. He wore a dark coloured sweatshirt with the hood drawn over his hair, and silver reflective sunglasses. " The rest of you can go in", he said, and waved them through. Serena felt Darien tense beside her, wondering if he should get involved.
" Wait a minute, I know that voice", Lita said. She stepped forward and pulled off the sunglasses and the hood. " Ken, you bastard, you freaked the hell out of me!" Lita said excitedly, when she had uncovered one of her oldest friends.
" Like I could ever upset you", Ken said, and then pulled Lita into a rough hug. Setting her back on her feet, he then gave her a mock punch to the shoulder. " So what's the story? Too good to call me anymore?"
" I've always been too good to call you Ken", Lita said with a wink. " Seriously, I've just been real busy lately. We're playing tonight, but I didn't know you worked here."
" Yeah, you know me, never at a job longer then two weeks. They needed a bouncer and for some reason they thought I looked intimidating enough", Ken said, drawing himself up to his full six-feet five inches and crossing his arms.
Amy and Lita giggled. Darien gave a sigh of relief that Ken was on their side.
" Hey, I recognize that laugh. Amy, you still hanging around with these bums?"
" I'm conducting a study. You know, like Jane Goodall and the apes?" Amy said, shaking Ken's hand while he laughed. Lita had introduced Ken to the group a few years back.
" Hmm, if Amy's here then that means so is Serena", Ken said, pretending to search for her. Serena stepped out from behind Darien and gave a Ken a hug. " Hey, good to see you. Oh wait, is she doing the whole 'new situation' freak out?"
" Man, you really do know us well", Lita said. " Oh and this is Darien, our new guitarist. Darien this Ken – my loser of a childhood friend."
" Nice to meet you Darien", Ken said, shaking Darien's hand. Darien tried not to wince. Ken turned back to Lita's smiling face and gave her one more hug. "It really is great to see you, now get in there and set up before I get fired yet again."
" Later Ken!" Lita said, before they trooped into the bar and headed for the stage where Raye and the others were waiting. The room was already packed with people and the noise level was quite high. The band had time for only a few sound checks before they had to perform.
" Hey, everyone this is our song called 'Not Likely' – hope you like it", Raye said into the mike, trying to get the audience's attention.
" I like you a lot more, babe", yelled out a voice. On the sidelines, Chad's eyes narrowed.
" One, two, one, two, three", Lita banged out, and then they were playing. Serena's initial nervousness always faded with the first stroke of her guitar strings, and she was able to look up and out at the sea of faces. There were a few people dancing, but mostly people were milling around with drinks in their hands and tapping their feet in time to the beat. Smoke drifted up towards the blackened ceiling, and grimy stage lights winked and dimmed through the dark atmosphere. The crowd was becoming boisterous, as the music began feeding them energy. Halfway into their second song, a man grabbed Mina's leg when she got a little too close to the edge of the stage. Mina dealt him a swift kick, before pulling back. She raised an eyebrow at her band-mates as if in warning. They finished off the song, then Raye turned around and whispered,
" One more, and then we split. I don't like how this crowd is reacting".
" Agreed", Mina said.
" Hey Blondie, take it off!" yelled the man who had previously grabbed Mina's jean-clad leg.
" Hey jerk, take a hike", she hissed back.
" Yeah, quit bugging the girl", said a woman standing next to the man. " I mean, if anyone's taking anything off it's that guy".
" Okay", Raye said briskly into the microphone. " Here's our last song, 'Madness'. Enjoy!"
Chad cranked up the volume on the equipment to drown out the various comments spewing forth from of the crowd. The guitar riff that started of their key song succeeded in capturing the audience's attention for a moment. The crowd was surging against the impromptu stage causing the already flimsy material to shake. By mutual agreement they shortened the song by a verse and finished as quickly as they could.
" Thanks for listening, bye!" Raye said hastily, collapsing the mike even as she spoke.
" Hey! They're leaving!"
" Oh come on, play something else. Or play that first one again, that was good."
" What the hell is this? Three songs?"
These and various other remarks were called out as they began packing up their instruments. The manager of the bar made his way through the crowd and stood up on the stage.
" Calm down, people, we have two other bands booked for tonight. Just give us a moment, and we'll be right back with more music", the man, Vic, said to the audience. He then turned to them and said in a lower voice, " Sorry about this. They're not usually so volatile. Good playing, by the way, you can play again here anytime."
" Thanks but…" Raye was caught off guard when a hand clamped around her arm.
" Hey girlie, you sing real nice, you want to give me a private show?" The man said, slurring his words. The owner coaxed the inebriated man off the stage but there were more who wanted to take his place.
" Fuck this. Raye, leave the instruments, we'll come back tomorrow. Let's get out of here before things get nasty", Chad said, for once putting his foot down. Raye nodded. They turned to get off the stage but found the way blocked by people. Fear was beginning to grow in the group, when they heard a familiar voice.
" Okay, people, move out of the way. Move it, or lose it. Damn it, move the hell out of my way or I'll start breaking heads", said Ken. He was pushing through the crowds with relative ease due to his size. Those people stupid enough to get in his path, were pushed brusquely to the floor. Ken stepped up to the stage and help back the horde like a police barricade of one. Amy, Mina, and Lita hustled off the stage and Ken began manoeuvring them towards the exit. Chad followed in his wake, with Raye held protectively against him. Darien was right behind them when he realized they were one short.
" Ken, where's Serena?" Amy asked, the minute they were outdoors in the alley.
" Shit", Ken muttered as he turned around and went back in for the rest of the group.
Darien turned and looked for the petite blonde and found her being rough handled by two young men, clearly drunk since they could barely stand straight. Darien jumped to the stage and grabbed one man by his collar, pushing him roughly off the stage. The other man released Serena with one look at Darien's harsh glare. Darien took her by the hand and went back the way he had come. He spotted Ken pushing towards him, and stepped into the crowd, keeping Serena away from the brunt of the people. He was almost back to Ken when an empty beer bottle came out of nowhere and smashed into the back of Darien's head. He stumbled and his vision began to swim.
" Oh my God!" Serena screeched, instinctively holding Darien up when his gait faltered.
" Easy, I got you", Ken said, grabbing the disoriented Darien's other side. Finally, they worked free of their oppressors and stepped into the alley. Chad already had the van going and they all piled inside. There was enough room for all eight passengers since the instruments were no longer taking up the space.
" He's bleeding, someone get me a bandage or something" Amy said, taking charge.
" It's not bad", Darien mumbled, though he winced when pressure was applied to the lump on the back of his skull.
" We should take him to the hospital", Ken said.
" Hey, what are you doing here anyway?" Lita asked, surprised to find him still there. Ken shrugged,
" I guess I quit".
At the corner, Chad dropped Lita, Ken and Mina off so they could go back for Lita's car. Chad then drove the van to the hospital where they were informed at the emergency desk that Darien's case was not serious and that he would have to wait for the next available doctor, which could be a while.
" Why don't you guys go? I can get a cab or call Andrew after I get checked out", Darien said.
" Well", Amy began, glancing at the others.
" I'm staying. The rest of you can go home", Serena said, speaking up. " I'll call you guys later when I have some news, okay?"
" You don't have to stay Meatball head", Darien said.
" I know, I want to", she said. " Really, guys, I don't mind."
The other girls nodded and Raye demanded that Serena call the minute she heard anything, no matter what time that might be. When the others had gone, Serena guided Darien to one of the hard, plastic benches in the waiting room, and inspected for herself his injury. It wasn't bleeding much anymore but there was always the concern that it could be a concussion.
" I'm really sorry you got hurt, but, well, uh, thanks. You know, for coming back for me", Serena said shyly.
" You're welcome. Sorry I wasn't a better knight in shining armour", Darien joked.
" I thought you were perfect", she said so softly, that Darien couldn't hear her.
" What was that?"
" Forget it", she said. They sat in silence while they waited. Eventually, Darien got in to see a doctor, and Serena sat waiting in chairs. She had already called her mom to say what was happening, and Irene had insisted upon coming to pick them up from the hospital, whenever they were ready to go. Darien returned to the waiting room where Serena was dozing.
" Three stitches, some Tylenol, and an ice pack", Darien said before she could ask. " And I have to come straight back if I experience any signs of dizziness or nausea or vision problems."
" That's not so bad then", Serena said, and went to call her mom. " My mom's gonna pick us up, and she says to say that you'll be spending the night at our place and there's to be no argument about it."
" Really, it's not necessary", Darien said.
" Maybe, maybe not. If you do feel dizzy later or something, then you're going to need someone to drive you back here. Besides, you got hurt helping me, so it's only fair."
" Why do I get the feeling I have no choice in the matter?"
" Because you don't", Serena said cheerily. Irene arrived a few moments later, and fussed over Darien like he was her long lost oldest son.
" And to think, you saved my baby-girl from those bullies", Irene gushed as she drove through the empty, pre-dawn streets.
" Mom, would you please stop referring to me as your baby-girl?"
" What would you prefer, Pumpkin?"
Serena sighed and relaxed back into her seat. She occasionally cast glances at Darien to see if he was okay. She had been so worried when Amy had told her he was bleeding. And what if he hadn't come back for her?
They pulled up at the Tsukino's house at a little past four in the morning. Darien was shown into the guest room where he promptly collapsed on the bed and fell asleep. Serena took one last look at his sleeping face to assure herself that he was okay, before heading wearily to her own bed. Before going to sleep, she phoned her friends and told them what was going on. When that was done, she finally let herself sleep.
Serena awoke late in the afternoon the following day. After showering and dressing, she made her way down to the kitchen. Darien still wasn't up yet, according to her mother. After all he had been through, Irene suspected that he might not wake up for quite a few more hours.
" Remember that you're going to that concert tonight. Haruka said she'd pick you up at six thirty. What are you wearing?"
" That new white dress, I think. That should be classy enough, right?"
" Just about perfect, dear. Wow, I'm really quite envious. Front row seats at Michiru's violin concert, you'll have such a good time. I invited Haruka and Michiru to stay here while they're in town, but Michiru gets a free hotel room so they'll be staying there", Irene said to her daughter.
" Cool", Serena said, excited by the thought of getting dressed up and going out. She spent the rest of her afternoon playing little melodies on her guitar before having a quick dinner and preparing for her night out. She was coming up the stairs, when a bedraggled looking Darien stuck his head out the bedroom door.
" Evening", Serena said laughing.
" Sorry, didn't meant to sleep so long", Darien said embarrassed.
" No problem, I just got up a couple hours ago too, and I didn't receive a bump to the head. How are you feeling?"
" Fine. Well, my head still hurts, but not as badly as before."
" That's good. Mom left you some dinner in the fridge and there are towels, and stuff in the bathroom if you want to take a shower."
Just then Irene arrived and began repeating everything Serena had just said. Unlike Serena, however, Irene practically dragged Darien down to the kitchen.
" Really, Mrs… Irene, you don't have to go to all this trouble", Darien said, when he was sitting at the table with a massive amount of food in front of him
" Nonsense, eat", she said, handing him a fork. Realizing there was no way around such hospitality, Darien ate. Irene left him alone for a moment while she went into the other room. Darien contemplated the events of the last few hours, and decided that getting whacked in the head was a small price to pay for getting to stay over at the Tsukino's for the night. The bed had been so comfortable, and the clean, lemon smelling sheets, reminded him of a home he had never had. The food that was placed before him and the attention of Serena's mother, also made him aware of how small his life could be sometimes. This scene of domestic bliss was Darien's version of heaven. Heaven; complete with angel.
Angel? Darien looked again but the figure at the top of the stairs wasn't there anymore. And yet he could have sworn he saw something. Maybe the knock to the head had knocked a few screws loose. The doorbell rang and Darien heard Irene rush to answer it. There were muted sounds of two people talking, and, being curious, he looked around the corner. Irene was hugging a young man and talking excitedly. The young man stepped back, and Darien got a glimpse of him. He was dressed in a white pantsuit, and he had short blonde hair. He kind-of looked like Serena.
" Harry!" Serena yelled, hurrying down the stairs and jumping into the man's arms. The young man laughed and hugged the girl back. The whole thing looked very natural, and sweet, so why did it make Darien clench his jaw? He should have known she would have a boyfriend, and it was hardly his place to be jealous. Still, he didn't like the look of this Harry. Something about him was a little different…
Serena turned then, as though sensing Darien's gaze. Darien's breath caught in his throat at the sight she made. She was wearing a white, silk slip dress that was held up by two narrow straps at the shoulder before cascading, lovingly, down her lithe body to the ground. It emphasized her long sleek, legs and clung to her chest in a way that made Darien want to stare. Her hair was still in its meatballs but she'd curled a few tendrils around her face. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Serena brought Haruka into the kitchen. " Darien, this is my cousin Haruka. Or Harry, as I like to call her. This is Darien, the bands other guitarist."
Darien barely managed to swallow his laughter as he shook Haruka's hand. He must really be falling in love with Serena if he could be jealous of her female cousin. Wait; love? Was he really thinking about the L-word, after only a few weeks in Serena's company? Besides, hadn't he convinced himself a while ago that it would be a bad idea to get close to someone he worked with? Leaving Darien to muse, Serena and Haruka waved good-bye and left the house. Seated in Haruka's car, Haruka turned to Serena and asked,
" So, are you going to tell me about this new man in your life?"
" He's not in my life, at least not in the way you mean. He's just a friend", Serena said, looking away from Haruka's piercing gaze.
" Oh, I see. A friend", Haruka said. Then she smiled, " Too bad you're in love with him then."
Serena was at first thrown by the comment, but was forced to admit to herself the truth. She was in love with Darien, despite the fact that he had probably never thought of her romantically. " Yeah, too bad", Serena said, realizing it was pointless to lie to Haruka. She never had been able to lie to her cousin. " Too bad I'm just his friend."
So? Like it or not? I need to know!
