Chapter 2:
Hello Serena!
I hope you got to Texas well! I hope your exchange family is nice, and that you're going to get along with them! Tell me about them when you get this message!
Love Always,
Mother
P.S: I think everyone here misses you a lot. I know I do. Please, whatever happened between you and them, please talk to them…
Serena sighed, and replied to her mother's email.
Mother,
My family that I'm staying with is very nice. Savannah is a great person, and knows how to cook very well. Cal is a great guy, and very funny. He hassles Grady and Emma like a normal family. Grady is 2 years older than Emma and me. Emma is a great girl. I'm going to love it out here. They bought me... a HORSE! She's so beautiful! She's black, with a white diamond on her forehead. Her name is Guardian…and Grady is going to teach me how to ride tomorrow! I'm going to have so much fun out here! I'm glad that they allowed me to come out here. I'm going to a public school. No uniforms! J I'm so happy about that! Say hi to everyone out there for me…I miss you a lot mom!
Love,
Serena…or 'Rena.
Serena sent the mail. A new message popped up.
You have mail!
What? I just sent it! Who… sent me mail?
Serena opened the new piece of mail
Serena,
You're mother gave me your email address. This is Mina. I miss you. Why didn't you say good-bye to any of us? I don't hate you, and Ami doesn't hate you. Ray is miserable, and Lita hasn't cooked for at least a week. Luna is moping around here with a lost look on her face. Artimus and I have tried to make her happy, but she missed you Serena. We all do. No new enemies have popped up, and we're all thankful for that. When are you coming back? Why did you leave?
Darien and I had a talk. A really long one. Both of us started crying, and he wants you to know that he misses you. And that he's really sorry for not helping you when you needed the help the most.
We miss you so much Moon Princess… I wish for the day when you come home…
But enough about us.
What about you? Do you like it where you are? Any cute guys? How's your family?
Friends forever, and your loyal servant;
Mina, Luna and Artimus.
Serena wasn't tired anymore. She clicked reply.
Mina,
I miss you too. Please don't let anyone know that you have been talking to me. I don't want them to know. I'm so sorry that I left without saying goodbye to you. I really am. I miss you so much, but I thought that you hated me for hitting you. I'm glad that there has been no trouble for you. Tell Luna that I miss her dearly, and keep trying to cheer her up. I'm shocked to hear that Lita hasn't been cooking. Are you all starving yet?
I left because I got accepted as an exchange student…and because you all hated me…or so I thought.
What did you and Darien talk about? He started crying? That's not too good. L Somehow, tell him that I'm sorry…and I am.
Savannah, Cal, Grady, and Emma are great people. They bought me a horse! She's the prettiest thing ever! Her name is Guardian…
Grady is really cute, he's 19, so 2 years older than Emma and me. I'm learning how to ride a horse tomorrow, and Grady is going to come to wake me up first thing, so I have to get going now…
Love,
Serena, 'Rena (that's what Grady calls me) and forever your Moon Princess.
Serena turned off her computer, and fell into bed. The moment her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.
~~~
Mina woke up from her sleep when her computer beeped that she had a new message.
I'll read it in the morning…
And fell back asleep.
~~~
He was restless. Darien couldn't sleep. He could see her smiling face…hear her laughter…smell her perfume…
~~~
"Serena? Wake up…"
Serena opened her eyes and saw Emma and Grady standing over her.
"Wake up 'Rena!"
"Ok! I'm up…I'm up…"
"Good. It's 7:15. We're starting lessons in 45 minutes... let's go…"
Serena let out a groan.
"Get in the shower… and I'll find you some riding clothes…"
Serena fell out of bed, and crawled to the bathroom. She turned don the shower, and stepped in. the hot water felt good against her cold body. She started the hard task of washing her ever-growing hair. She rinsed out the shampoo, and turned off the taps. She wrapped an over-sized towel around her body, and then walked to her room. She saw that Emma had pulled out her jeans, and a tank top. She opened the top drawer, and pulled out a bra and panty set, and then walked over to her clothes. She slipped on the pink panties, and pulled on the pink bra. Pulling on her jeans, she then yanked on her tank top. Quickly drying her hair, she pulled her hair up into the normal style, and ran downstairs.
"I'm ready!"
Emma looked up at the clock.
"Great! It's now just 8! Grady is waiting for us outside. He's got Guardian saddled for you…"
Serena pulled on her shoes, and followed Emma outside. Grady took Serena through each step of getting onto the horse, and once she was on, he taught her how to hold the reins.
"Ok…are you ready to start moving?"
"I…guess…" Serena gulped.
The horse walked at a slow pace, and Grady let go of the lead. He jumped onto his horse, and Emma followed his lead.
"C'mon…let's go for a ride."
"Don't forget Grady that Serena has never ridden before. Her bottom isn't used to this…"
Grady looked at Serena. She moved with the hose, like she was born to ride.
"She looks fine to me!"
Emma glanced at the girl. He was right. She was moving with the mare like she grew up around horses. Emma's watch beeped.
"Well! We have to get going…or we'll be late!"
Emma kicked her horse into a gallop, Grady looked at Serena.
"Can you follow?"
"Watch me!"
Guardian leapt forward at the slightest touch of Serena's heel. Grady laughed, and raced after them. Cal watched as Emma and Serena raced neck in neck, then Serena clicked her heels again, and her horse bolted past Emma.
"What are you all in a big rush for?"
"We have a hair appointment in 10 minutes…"
"Well…you'd better get going! I'll cool the horses down…"
Emma and Serena jumped down, and Grady soon followed.
"Come big brother. You're getting old…"
They all ran to the truck. Savannah was sitting on the porch.
"Grady! Come here for a minute!"
Grady ran to his mother, and then once she gave him something, he ran back to the truck. They reached the town in less than 5 minutes…mind you; Grady was speeding well over the limit.
"Mom gave us money to go and but 'Rena some boots, and a hat…"
"Great! This'll be fun! We'll see you in a couple of hours!"
Emma led Serena into a small salon.
"Carrie! We're here!"
A woman with long black hair walked to Emma.
"Well! I thought you wouldn't make it!"
"Carrie, meet Serena, or as my brother calls her, 'Rena."
"So you're the exchange student?"
"Yes. It's very nice to meet you."
"Well… what can we do for you both today?"
"I'm going to dye my hair…her color. I love the color, and I want it to look like that…"
"And I want my hair cut to about the same length as Emma's. It's so long…it's hard to take care of."
"Well, we're going to have to let your hair down…"
Serena smiled, and let her hair down. Carrie gasped.
"That's a lot of hair!"
"That's why I'm getting it cut!"
~~~
They all sat in Darien's living room.
"We have to find her guys. I feel so bad… and I think the crystal can help us…"
"How Ray?"
"I don't know!"
Darien's shoulders slouched.
"We have to find her. I have to tell her that I'm sorry…"
"She's sorry too Darien…"
Everyone looked at her.
"How do you know?"
Mina blushed a little bit.
"Uh…because…she…uh…must feel sorry too."
Ray didn't buy it.
"You've talked to her!"
"I have not!"
"Where is she?"
"I don't know!"
Mina got up from the couch and started to back away. Everyone stood up and began to advance on her.
"Mina… where is she?"
"I DON'T KNOW!"
"Have… you… talked…to…her?"
"No…yes…no…sort of…"
Darien's eyes lit up.
"How? Where? When?"
"Uh… never mind. She's in uh…Paris I think...she didn't say much…but…can I use your computer? I have to check my email."
"Go ahead…"
Mina ran into the den, and locked the door. She turned on the computer, and logged into her email account. One new message. Mina read it, and got all teary. Serena thought that they hated her. Mina heard the knock on the door, and ignored it.
"Mina! Open up!"
"Go away Ray!"
"Mina!"
Mina sighed.
"Ray! Just...go away!"
"MI~NA!"
Mina replied to the message, and then logged out. She shut down the computer, and opened the door, only to find Ray trying to look through the keyhole.
"Uh…hi?"
There was a big sweat drop that formed on Ray's head.
"Hi!"
"Why were you spying?"
"I wasn't!"
"Right…"
Mina walked back into the living room.
~~~
2 hours later, and Grady walked into the building where Serena and Emma walked into. Serena was just finishing, and Emma had her hair the same color as Serena's, and Serena's hair was the same length as Emma's. It was a big change for the exchange student.
"Hey! You guys look great!"
"Thanks!"
"Thank you…"
Emma paid Carrie for both of their haircuts.
"You don't have to pay for me… I have money."
"That's ok! I don't mind! Now let's get you some boots and a hat!"
They said goodbye, and walked across the street.
"Ok…what size shoe are you?"
"I'm a 9." ((I have NO clue what her shoe size is ^^;;))
"Ok…so…what color do you want?"
"I'll go for black."
"Good choice…"
Grady went and found her a pair of boots. He handed them to her, and she put them on.
"How do they feel?"
"Great!"
"You can wiggle your toes?"
"Yes."
"Good!"
"Now…for a hat…" Emma looked around the store.
"I think Emma, black would go great with her."
"I do too Grady…"
After a couple hats, Serena found the one that she liked. It was black, and it had a thin dark blue/silver band running around it. Again, Emma and Grady paid for the items.
"Are you ready for school in the morning?"
"I guess…"
"Did you know that… I have blue contacts? They're the same color as your eyes. This is so weird…"
"We could be twins!"
"Let's do it!"
Grad shook his head. Soon they were back in the truck, and heading to the ranch. Buster and Rocket greeted them, and Savannah stepped out onto the porch.
"Well! I now have twin girls!"
Everyone laughed. The rest of the day went by, and soon it was time for bed. Serena brushed out her short hair. It felt so good! It was so light! She walked to her computer to see if she had any new mail, and she did.
Serena,
Darien and I talked about you of course. He shared his fondest memories of you…and well, the worst to. And I did the same. We miss you so much here. Please, where are you? You can tell me…you know you can right? Please, tell me where you are…what you're doing, anything new in your life…
I want to come and see you. Just me…please.
Mina.
Serena replied. Telling her that she got her haircut…that she could ride a horse, and her newest items to her wardrobe. She turned off her light, and crawled into bed.
~~~
Mina didn't know what to do. She felt so guilty for not telling everyone that she's been talking to Serena. She waited by her computer until she found the email from Serena.
Mina,
I don't know what to say. I want you to come out here…I want just you to come out here though. I'm in Texas. It's so nice here. And I love it. I don't know if I want to go back to Tokyo. I honestly don't. I'm going to ask Savannah if you can come out here. I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She's been making hints that I should invite someone out here…
New with me…hmm… I cut my hair! It's short now! It's shoulder length now! It's so light, and I love it!
I'm now a proud owner of a cowboy hat, and boots! Everyone here is so nice!
But I have to go now. I start school in the morning!
Mina was happy. Serena wanted her out there, and she was going to go, and she wasn't going to tell anyone…was she?
Hello Serena!
I hope you got to Texas well! I hope your exchange family is nice, and that you're going to get along with them! Tell me about them when you get this message!
Love Always,
Mother
P.S: I think everyone here misses you a lot. I know I do. Please, whatever happened between you and them, please talk to them…
Serena sighed, and replied to her mother's email.
Mother,
My family that I'm staying with is very nice. Savannah is a great person, and knows how to cook very well. Cal is a great guy, and very funny. He hassles Grady and Emma like a normal family. Grady is 2 years older than Emma and me. Emma is a great girl. I'm going to love it out here. They bought me... a HORSE! She's so beautiful! She's black, with a white diamond on her forehead. Her name is Guardian…and Grady is going to teach me how to ride tomorrow! I'm going to have so much fun out here! I'm glad that they allowed me to come out here. I'm going to a public school. No uniforms! J I'm so happy about that! Say hi to everyone out there for me…I miss you a lot mom!
Love,
Serena…or 'Rena.
Serena sent the mail. A new message popped up.
You have mail!
What? I just sent it! Who… sent me mail?
Serena opened the new piece of mail
Serena,
You're mother gave me your email address. This is Mina. I miss you. Why didn't you say good-bye to any of us? I don't hate you, and Ami doesn't hate you. Ray is miserable, and Lita hasn't cooked for at least a week. Luna is moping around here with a lost look on her face. Artimus and I have tried to make her happy, but she missed you Serena. We all do. No new enemies have popped up, and we're all thankful for that. When are you coming back? Why did you leave?
Darien and I had a talk. A really long one. Both of us started crying, and he wants you to know that he misses you. And that he's really sorry for not helping you when you needed the help the most.
We miss you so much Moon Princess… I wish for the day when you come home…
But enough about us.
What about you? Do you like it where you are? Any cute guys? How's your family?
Friends forever, and your loyal servant;
Mina, Luna and Artimus.
Serena wasn't tired anymore. She clicked reply.
Mina,
I miss you too. Please don't let anyone know that you have been talking to me. I don't want them to know. I'm so sorry that I left without saying goodbye to you. I really am. I miss you so much, but I thought that you hated me for hitting you. I'm glad that there has been no trouble for you. Tell Luna that I miss her dearly, and keep trying to cheer her up. I'm shocked to hear that Lita hasn't been cooking. Are you all starving yet?
I left because I got accepted as an exchange student…and because you all hated me…or so I thought.
What did you and Darien talk about? He started crying? That's not too good. L Somehow, tell him that I'm sorry…and I am.
Savannah, Cal, Grady, and Emma are great people. They bought me a horse! She's the prettiest thing ever! Her name is Guardian…
Grady is really cute, he's 19, so 2 years older than Emma and me. I'm learning how to ride a horse tomorrow, and Grady is going to come to wake me up first thing, so I have to get going now…
Love,
Serena, 'Rena (that's what Grady calls me) and forever your Moon Princess.
Serena turned off her computer, and fell into bed. The moment her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.
~~~
Mina woke up from her sleep when her computer beeped that she had a new message.
I'll read it in the morning…
And fell back asleep.
~~~
He was restless. Darien couldn't sleep. He could see her smiling face…hear her laughter…smell her perfume…
~~~
"Serena? Wake up…"
Serena opened her eyes and saw Emma and Grady standing over her.
"Wake up 'Rena!"
"Ok! I'm up…I'm up…"
"Good. It's 7:15. We're starting lessons in 45 minutes... let's go…"
Serena let out a groan.
"Get in the shower… and I'll find you some riding clothes…"
Serena fell out of bed, and crawled to the bathroom. She turned don the shower, and stepped in. the hot water felt good against her cold body. She started the hard task of washing her ever-growing hair. She rinsed out the shampoo, and turned off the taps. She wrapped an over-sized towel around her body, and then walked to her room. She saw that Emma had pulled out her jeans, and a tank top. She opened the top drawer, and pulled out a bra and panty set, and then walked over to her clothes. She slipped on the pink panties, and pulled on the pink bra. Pulling on her jeans, she then yanked on her tank top. Quickly drying her hair, she pulled her hair up into the normal style, and ran downstairs.
"I'm ready!"
Emma looked up at the clock.
"Great! It's now just 8! Grady is waiting for us outside. He's got Guardian saddled for you…"
Serena pulled on her shoes, and followed Emma outside. Grady took Serena through each step of getting onto the horse, and once she was on, he taught her how to hold the reins.
"Ok…are you ready to start moving?"
"I…guess…" Serena gulped.
The horse walked at a slow pace, and Grady let go of the lead. He jumped onto his horse, and Emma followed his lead.
"C'mon…let's go for a ride."
"Don't forget Grady that Serena has never ridden before. Her bottom isn't used to this…"
Grady looked at Serena. She moved with the hose, like she was born to ride.
"She looks fine to me!"
Emma glanced at the girl. He was right. She was moving with the mare like she grew up around horses. Emma's watch beeped.
"Well! We have to get going…or we'll be late!"
Emma kicked her horse into a gallop, Grady looked at Serena.
"Can you follow?"
"Watch me!"
Guardian leapt forward at the slightest touch of Serena's heel. Grady laughed, and raced after them. Cal watched as Emma and Serena raced neck in neck, then Serena clicked her heels again, and her horse bolted past Emma.
"What are you all in a big rush for?"
"We have a hair appointment in 10 minutes…"
"Well…you'd better get going! I'll cool the horses down…"
Emma and Serena jumped down, and Grady soon followed.
"Come big brother. You're getting old…"
They all ran to the truck. Savannah was sitting on the porch.
"Grady! Come here for a minute!"
Grady ran to his mother, and then once she gave him something, he ran back to the truck. They reached the town in less than 5 minutes…mind you; Grady was speeding well over the limit.
"Mom gave us money to go and but 'Rena some boots, and a hat…"
"Great! This'll be fun! We'll see you in a couple of hours!"
Emma led Serena into a small salon.
"Carrie! We're here!"
A woman with long black hair walked to Emma.
"Well! I thought you wouldn't make it!"
"Carrie, meet Serena, or as my brother calls her, 'Rena."
"So you're the exchange student?"
"Yes. It's very nice to meet you."
"Well… what can we do for you both today?"
"I'm going to dye my hair…her color. I love the color, and I want it to look like that…"
"And I want my hair cut to about the same length as Emma's. It's so long…it's hard to take care of."
"Well, we're going to have to let your hair down…"
Serena smiled, and let her hair down. Carrie gasped.
"That's a lot of hair!"
"That's why I'm getting it cut!"
~~~
They all sat in Darien's living room.
"We have to find her guys. I feel so bad… and I think the crystal can help us…"
"How Ray?"
"I don't know!"
Darien's shoulders slouched.
"We have to find her. I have to tell her that I'm sorry…"
"She's sorry too Darien…"
Everyone looked at her.
"How do you know?"
Mina blushed a little bit.
"Uh…because…she…uh…must feel sorry too."
Ray didn't buy it.
"You've talked to her!"
"I have not!"
"Where is she?"
"I don't know!"
Mina got up from the couch and started to back away. Everyone stood up and began to advance on her.
"Mina… where is she?"
"I DON'T KNOW!"
"Have… you… talked…to…her?"
"No…yes…no…sort of…"
Darien's eyes lit up.
"How? Where? When?"
"Uh… never mind. She's in uh…Paris I think...she didn't say much…but…can I use your computer? I have to check my email."
"Go ahead…"
Mina ran into the den, and locked the door. She turned on the computer, and logged into her email account. One new message. Mina read it, and got all teary. Serena thought that they hated her. Mina heard the knock on the door, and ignored it.
"Mina! Open up!"
"Go away Ray!"
"Mina!"
Mina sighed.
"Ray! Just...go away!"
"MI~NA!"
Mina replied to the message, and then logged out. She shut down the computer, and opened the door, only to find Ray trying to look through the keyhole.
"Uh…hi?"
There was a big sweat drop that formed on Ray's head.
"Hi!"
"Why were you spying?"
"I wasn't!"
"Right…"
Mina walked back into the living room.
~~~
2 hours later, and Grady walked into the building where Serena and Emma walked into. Serena was just finishing, and Emma had her hair the same color as Serena's, and Serena's hair was the same length as Emma's. It was a big change for the exchange student.
"Hey! You guys look great!"
"Thanks!"
"Thank you…"
Emma paid Carrie for both of their haircuts.
"You don't have to pay for me… I have money."
"That's ok! I don't mind! Now let's get you some boots and a hat!"
They said goodbye, and walked across the street.
"Ok…what size shoe are you?"
"I'm a 9." ((I have NO clue what her shoe size is ^^;;))
"Ok…so…what color do you want?"
"I'll go for black."
"Good choice…"
Grady went and found her a pair of boots. He handed them to her, and she put them on.
"How do they feel?"
"Great!"
"You can wiggle your toes?"
"Yes."
"Good!"
"Now…for a hat…" Emma looked around the store.
"I think Emma, black would go great with her."
"I do too Grady…"
After a couple hats, Serena found the one that she liked. It was black, and it had a thin dark blue/silver band running around it. Again, Emma and Grady paid for the items.
"Are you ready for school in the morning?"
"I guess…"
"Did you know that… I have blue contacts? They're the same color as your eyes. This is so weird…"
"We could be twins!"
"Let's do it!"
Grad shook his head. Soon they were back in the truck, and heading to the ranch. Buster and Rocket greeted them, and Savannah stepped out onto the porch.
"Well! I now have twin girls!"
Everyone laughed. The rest of the day went by, and soon it was time for bed. Serena brushed out her short hair. It felt so good! It was so light! She walked to her computer to see if she had any new mail, and she did.
Serena,
Darien and I talked about you of course. He shared his fondest memories of you…and well, the worst to. And I did the same. We miss you so much here. Please, where are you? You can tell me…you know you can right? Please, tell me where you are…what you're doing, anything new in your life…
I want to come and see you. Just me…please.
Mina.
Serena replied. Telling her that she got her haircut…that she could ride a horse, and her newest items to her wardrobe. She turned off her light, and crawled into bed.
~~~
Mina didn't know what to do. She felt so guilty for not telling everyone that she's been talking to Serena. She waited by her computer until she found the email from Serena.
Mina,
I don't know what to say. I want you to come out here…I want just you to come out here though. I'm in Texas. It's so nice here. And I love it. I don't know if I want to go back to Tokyo. I honestly don't. I'm going to ask Savannah if you can come out here. I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She's been making hints that I should invite someone out here…
New with me…hmm… I cut my hair! It's short now! It's shoulder length now! It's so light, and I love it!
I'm now a proud owner of a cowboy hat, and boots! Everyone here is so nice!
But I have to go now. I start school in the morning!
Mina was happy. Serena wanted her out there, and she was going to go, and she wasn't going to tell anyone…was she?
