Chapter 2
(Scene starts in the middle of a conversation in the commons between Darien and Serena)
"Yeah, Darien, I know everything with Seiya has been fine for the last month, but we're still not really talking."
"Serena, you've been busy for the past month, what with your almost constant Calculus and Chem tests. Don't stress out about this too much."
"I know, Darien. I'm not, really. It's just hard not to be able to talk to him like I used to. After being such close friends for so long, it's hard to feel like I can't talk to him."
"Serena, you need to find something else to concentrate on."
"I know…OH! That reminds me!! We're throwing a surprise party for my roommate, Molly, next week. You've met her a few times, right?"
Serena was talking so fast that Darien could barely understand what she said! He finally managed to translate what she said, and reply:
"Yeah, I think so..."
"Well, a bunch of us on the floor are going to go to the night club,Players I think it's called. Rei's going to set the party up in our room while we're gone. You're welcome to come with us if you want!"
"What day, Serena?"
"Her birthday's November 14th. She's turning 18, so we thought we should take her out to celebrate!"
"Hmm...the night clubs aren't really my scene, but maybe I could just come over for the party afterwards?"
"Sure, Darien! I'll call you after we get back from Players. I know it's the middle of the week, and it's gonna be a late night. But how many times is she going to turn 18?!"
laughing "Yeah, Meatball Head, any excuse for a party, right?"
"Ooh! You shush, Darien! You know I'm not like that!!"
"But how well do I really know you...or you me for that matter, Meatball Head?"
grumbles"You're starting to get on my nerves. And my name's Serena. S- E-R-E-N-A!"
"Woah...OK, Serena, calm down! I was just teasing you!"
"Ya know, Darien, there is such a thing as teasing someone too much. I gotta get to class, see ya."
'Woah, what was that all about,' thought Darien. 'That outburst came out of nowhere! I wonder if there's anything else going on with her...'
* * *
Serena's POV-during her calculus class
'grrr! Why is he always so aggravating?! Just once it would be nice if he could treat me like he does Amara and Michelle. They always seem so comfortable around him. Darien seems to be normal with them. What's so different when he's with me? What did I do to him that makes him put on such a façade with me? Why do we seem to bring out the worst in each other? Can't we just be friends?'
"Argh! I have GOT to stop thinking about him," Serena thought out loud.
"Serena, is there something that you'd like to share with us?"asked Nina Mitrofanova, Serena's calc teacher.
"No, Nina. I'm sorry for interrupting the class."
'As sorry as I may be for interrupting class, I cannot for the life of me pay attention. Why can't I get him out of my head?'
"Serena, would you please tell us your answer for problem #20 on the homework?"
"Serena?"
Someone next to Serena nudges her from her thoughts
"Oh! Sorry, Nina. Problem #20? OK..."
"Excuse me, Nina? "Someone piped up from the back of the room. "It's time to go."
'Whew,' thought Serena, 'Saved! I have got to stop daydreaming in this class!'
Serena then left the room, heading back to her dorm for a quick break before she had to run back up to choir. She wasn't nearly as self-concious about music as she had been in junior high and high school. She realized how much she loved singing, and that she was actually fairly good at it! As Serena neared her dorm, she returned to her earlier thoughts.
'I have got to figure this out, and soon. I can't keep daydreaming during Calc! My grade is barely salvageable as it is! Do I like him? I mean, he is one of the few friends I've made since I got here. But does he mean anything more to me than that? Nah, it can't be. I'm
barely over my silly high school crush on Andrew. I'm not going to fall so quickly for anyone again. It hurts too much...'
Serena was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even realize she was back in her dorm room already, when Molly walked in. Serena, being the ever expressive person that she is, always had her emotions written across her face. So, when Molly walked in the room, she couldn't help but notice that something was bothering Serena.
"Serena, you OK, girl?"
"Yeah, Molly, I'm fine,", Serena said, even as her mind shouted at her that she wasn't fine at all.
"OK, good. 'Cuz if you don't leave now, you're going to be late to choir!"
"Oh no! I can't be late again! Dr. Drafall will kill me!"
Serena yelled out 'see ya' to Molly as she ran out the door and down the hall. Old habits die hard.
* * *
Darien's POV-in his apartment later in the day
'It's been a few hours since Serena left, and I still can't get our meeting out of my head. Why'd she react like that?'
Didn't you hear her, Darien? There's only so much teasing a person
can take!
'I know, but she flipped out so much!! Maybe she got into another fight with Seiya.'
The more important question, Darien, is why are you still thinking
about her? Why do you care so much?
'She's a friend. I'm just a little concerned about her. That's all! Anything else is out of the question!'
Why?
'Because we haven't known each other very long. She's a good friend. I want to keep it that way.'
Allright, I believe you, Darien.
'Enough with the sarcasm. Don't make this into a bigger deal than it is. I don't feel anything more than friendship towards Serena. I really should find her tonight and apologize. I've always had people tell me Michelle that my teasing can get kind of carried away.'
'She should probably going to the dining commons late tonight. I think she has music or something late tonight," Darien thought aloud.
* * *
"Boy, am I glad that I'm finally done with classes for the day! Don't get me wrong, Molly, I love music, but I'm so tired!"
"Well, I have to eat before I head out to class. Want to head down to Louie's with me for dinner?"
"Yeah!! I'm starved! Just let me check my away messages really quick."
When she got to her computer screen, she saw that Darien, Seiya and Mina had all left messages for her.
'Well, Seiya and Mina are going to have to wait. But what in the world does that aggravating Darien want? Other than to maybe call me Meatball Head some more.'
TuxBoy353: Hmm, guess you're not back yet. I was just wondering
if you wanted to get some food.
MoonPrncess: automatic response: I'm up where I spend half of my
life...yep, the music buildings! Back around 8!
MoonPrncess: Darien? You still there?
TuxBoy353: hey there
MoonPrncess: Molly and I are going to get some food at the commons.
Have you eaten yet?
TuxBoy353: Nope, I was just going to leave now.
MoonPrncess: Meet us there in 5 minutes?
TuxBoy353: OK
MoonPrncess: see ya there!
"Hey, Moll, Darien's coming with us, OK?"
"Yeah, Serena, of course. I just can't stay for too long. I have to meet Jenny soon for class."
"Allright, then, what are we still hanging around here for? Let's go get some food!!"
* * *
"Figures...we get here, and he's not even here yet! His apartment's not THAT far away!" complained Serena.
"Hello," said Darien as he walked up the stairs.
"Hi, Darien. Come on, let's go get some food! Some of us haven't eaten in ages!!"
"What has it been, Meatball Head? 5 minutes? Maybe 10 minutes since you last ate?"
sigh "Darien, you just don't know when to stop, do you?" Serena turned and walked into the dining room.
'Stupid,' Darien thought to himself. 'I'm trying to apologize for teasing her excessively, and I tease her more? What am I doing!?'
The three friends got in line and ordered their food. Serena got a turkey sub and a Pepsi. Darien got a Chicken Cosmo, and Molly was still waiting in line for her cheese steak. While Molly was waiting, Darien and Serena paid for their food and went to sit down. As they sat down, Darien and Serena started talking at the same time:
"Serena..."
"Darien..."
They laughed.
"You first, Darien."
"OK. I wanted to apologize for always teasing you so much. I guess I just get carried away. Now what did you want to say?
"Thank you for the apology, Darien. It means a lot. It's funny though. I was actually going to apologize for overreacting earlier."
"It's OK, Serena. I haven't exactly been a nice, at least somewhat non- sarcastic person in a long time."
"Well, you are nice, so don't put yourself down. As for the sarcasm? It seems like you're constantly on the defensive. Why?"
Her sky blue eyes were searching his midnight blues while she waited for a response.
'What, or who, could have hurt him so badly? He's a great guy when he lets it show,' thought Serena.
"I don't really want to go into details, but in short? I was very hurt by my now ex-girlfriend. I still think about her, fondly of course, but I still think about her. And besides, it's not like anyone's interested in me."
"What would you say if someone were interested in you, but they just never said anything to you?"
"I would hope they would say something eventually! I mean, it's not like I bite or anything, why wouldn't someone say something?"
'What if they're scared?' thought Serena. She almost said this aloud, but she caught herself just in time. Just then Molly walked up with her cheese steak.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
"N-no," stammered Serena as Molly's presence brought her back to reality.
"Not at all, Molly. Serena and I were just talking," said Darien.
"Oh! Well then, what were you guys talking about?"
"Nothing, really, Molly. Where are you going tonight anyways?"
"I've just got a late freshman seminar class, Darien, nothing big."
"Ah, yes, seminar classes. Those were such a waste of time!"
"Yep, they still are too!" sigh "Well, Serena, I'm going to head
off to class. You have your ID card to get back in the dorm, right?"
"Yeah, Moll...have fun at class!!"
"Oh, you know I will. Bye guys!"
"Bye, Molly!" chorused Darien and Serena.
"Well, Darien, I should head back up to my room. I've got a bunch of homework to do for my 9am class tomorrow. I'm glad we got a chance to talk tonight!"
"Me too, Serena. It was fun."
"Now, don't forget about Molly's party next week! I'll let you know all the details when they're ironed out!"
"Allright, Serena, have fun with your work!"
"Oh yeah, Darien, I'm sure I'll just have so much fun," Serena's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Not all of us can get away with not doing anything, like you!"
"I've done my time, Serena, now it's your turn," Darien smiled.
'He really does need to smile like that more often,' Serena thought.'He looks so gorgeous smiling, with his head tilted like that and the hair falling just over his eyes...WOAH! Back up! What are you thinking, Serena!? Enough of that!'
Say something back to him already, Serena!
grumbling "Darien Shields, you are SO aggravating!"
"Yeah, I know," Darien replied as his smile turned to a smirk.
"I'm leaving now, Mister Shields. Goodnight!"
"Bye, Serena!"
Serena turns and leaves the dining commons, walking towards her dorm
'Why does he get to me like that?'
'How does she get me to feel like this?'
(Scene starts in the middle of a conversation in the commons between Darien and Serena)
"Yeah, Darien, I know everything with Seiya has been fine for the last month, but we're still not really talking."
"Serena, you've been busy for the past month, what with your almost constant Calculus and Chem tests. Don't stress out about this too much."
"I know, Darien. I'm not, really. It's just hard not to be able to talk to him like I used to. After being such close friends for so long, it's hard to feel like I can't talk to him."
"Serena, you need to find something else to concentrate on."
"I know…OH! That reminds me!! We're throwing a surprise party for my roommate, Molly, next week. You've met her a few times, right?"
Serena was talking so fast that Darien could barely understand what she said! He finally managed to translate what she said, and reply:
"Yeah, I think so..."
"Well, a bunch of us on the floor are going to go to the night club,Players I think it's called. Rei's going to set the party up in our room while we're gone. You're welcome to come with us if you want!"
"What day, Serena?"
"Her birthday's November 14th. She's turning 18, so we thought we should take her out to celebrate!"
"Hmm...the night clubs aren't really my scene, but maybe I could just come over for the party afterwards?"
"Sure, Darien! I'll call you after we get back from Players. I know it's the middle of the week, and it's gonna be a late night. But how many times is she going to turn 18?!"
laughing "Yeah, Meatball Head, any excuse for a party, right?"
"Ooh! You shush, Darien! You know I'm not like that!!"
"But how well do I really know you...or you me for that matter, Meatball Head?"
grumbles"You're starting to get on my nerves. And my name's Serena. S- E-R-E-N-A!"
"Woah...OK, Serena, calm down! I was just teasing you!"
"Ya know, Darien, there is such a thing as teasing someone too much. I gotta get to class, see ya."
'Woah, what was that all about,' thought Darien. 'That outburst came out of nowhere! I wonder if there's anything else going on with her...'
* * *
Serena's POV-during her calculus class
'grrr! Why is he always so aggravating?! Just once it would be nice if he could treat me like he does Amara and Michelle. They always seem so comfortable around him. Darien seems to be normal with them. What's so different when he's with me? What did I do to him that makes him put on such a façade with me? Why do we seem to bring out the worst in each other? Can't we just be friends?'
"Argh! I have GOT to stop thinking about him," Serena thought out loud.
"Serena, is there something that you'd like to share with us?"asked Nina Mitrofanova, Serena's calc teacher.
"No, Nina. I'm sorry for interrupting the class."
'As sorry as I may be for interrupting class, I cannot for the life of me pay attention. Why can't I get him out of my head?'
"Serena, would you please tell us your answer for problem #20 on the homework?"
"Serena?"
Someone next to Serena nudges her from her thoughts
"Oh! Sorry, Nina. Problem #20? OK..."
"Excuse me, Nina? "Someone piped up from the back of the room. "It's time to go."
'Whew,' thought Serena, 'Saved! I have got to stop daydreaming in this class!'
Serena then left the room, heading back to her dorm for a quick break before she had to run back up to choir. She wasn't nearly as self-concious about music as she had been in junior high and high school. She realized how much she loved singing, and that she was actually fairly good at it! As Serena neared her dorm, she returned to her earlier thoughts.
'I have got to figure this out, and soon. I can't keep daydreaming during Calc! My grade is barely salvageable as it is! Do I like him? I mean, he is one of the few friends I've made since I got here. But does he mean anything more to me than that? Nah, it can't be. I'm
barely over my silly high school crush on Andrew. I'm not going to fall so quickly for anyone again. It hurts too much...'
Serena was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even realize she was back in her dorm room already, when Molly walked in. Serena, being the ever expressive person that she is, always had her emotions written across her face. So, when Molly walked in the room, she couldn't help but notice that something was bothering Serena.
"Serena, you OK, girl?"
"Yeah, Molly, I'm fine,", Serena said, even as her mind shouted at her that she wasn't fine at all.
"OK, good. 'Cuz if you don't leave now, you're going to be late to choir!"
"Oh no! I can't be late again! Dr. Drafall will kill me!"
Serena yelled out 'see ya' to Molly as she ran out the door and down the hall. Old habits die hard.
* * *
Darien's POV-in his apartment later in the day
'It's been a few hours since Serena left, and I still can't get our meeting out of my head. Why'd she react like that?'
Didn't you hear her, Darien? There's only so much teasing a person
can take!
'I know, but she flipped out so much!! Maybe she got into another fight with Seiya.'
The more important question, Darien, is why are you still thinking
about her? Why do you care so much?
'She's a friend. I'm just a little concerned about her. That's all! Anything else is out of the question!'
Why?
'Because we haven't known each other very long. She's a good friend. I want to keep it that way.'
Allright, I believe you, Darien.
'Enough with the sarcasm. Don't make this into a bigger deal than it is. I don't feel anything more than friendship towards Serena. I really should find her tonight and apologize. I've always had people tell me Michelle that my teasing can get kind of carried away.'
'She should probably going to the dining commons late tonight. I think she has music or something late tonight," Darien thought aloud.
* * *
"Boy, am I glad that I'm finally done with classes for the day! Don't get me wrong, Molly, I love music, but I'm so tired!"
"Well, I have to eat before I head out to class. Want to head down to Louie's with me for dinner?"
"Yeah!! I'm starved! Just let me check my away messages really quick."
When she got to her computer screen, she saw that Darien, Seiya and Mina had all left messages for her.
'Well, Seiya and Mina are going to have to wait. But what in the world does that aggravating Darien want? Other than to maybe call me Meatball Head some more.'
TuxBoy353: Hmm, guess you're not back yet. I was just wondering
if you wanted to get some food.
MoonPrncess: automatic response: I'm up where I spend half of my
life...yep, the music buildings! Back around 8!
MoonPrncess: Darien? You still there?
TuxBoy353: hey there
MoonPrncess: Molly and I are going to get some food at the commons.
Have you eaten yet?
TuxBoy353: Nope, I was just going to leave now.
MoonPrncess: Meet us there in 5 minutes?
TuxBoy353: OK
MoonPrncess: see ya there!
"Hey, Moll, Darien's coming with us, OK?"
"Yeah, Serena, of course. I just can't stay for too long. I have to meet Jenny soon for class."
"Allright, then, what are we still hanging around here for? Let's go get some food!!"
* * *
"Figures...we get here, and he's not even here yet! His apartment's not THAT far away!" complained Serena.
"Hello," said Darien as he walked up the stairs.
"Hi, Darien. Come on, let's go get some food! Some of us haven't eaten in ages!!"
"What has it been, Meatball Head? 5 minutes? Maybe 10 minutes since you last ate?"
sigh "Darien, you just don't know when to stop, do you?" Serena turned and walked into the dining room.
'Stupid,' Darien thought to himself. 'I'm trying to apologize for teasing her excessively, and I tease her more? What am I doing!?'
The three friends got in line and ordered their food. Serena got a turkey sub and a Pepsi. Darien got a Chicken Cosmo, and Molly was still waiting in line for her cheese steak. While Molly was waiting, Darien and Serena paid for their food and went to sit down. As they sat down, Darien and Serena started talking at the same time:
"Serena..."
"Darien..."
They laughed.
"You first, Darien."
"OK. I wanted to apologize for always teasing you so much. I guess I just get carried away. Now what did you want to say?
"Thank you for the apology, Darien. It means a lot. It's funny though. I was actually going to apologize for overreacting earlier."
"It's OK, Serena. I haven't exactly been a nice, at least somewhat non- sarcastic person in a long time."
"Well, you are nice, so don't put yourself down. As for the sarcasm? It seems like you're constantly on the defensive. Why?"
Her sky blue eyes were searching his midnight blues while she waited for a response.
'What, or who, could have hurt him so badly? He's a great guy when he lets it show,' thought Serena.
"I don't really want to go into details, but in short? I was very hurt by my now ex-girlfriend. I still think about her, fondly of course, but I still think about her. And besides, it's not like anyone's interested in me."
"What would you say if someone were interested in you, but they just never said anything to you?"
"I would hope they would say something eventually! I mean, it's not like I bite or anything, why wouldn't someone say something?"
'What if they're scared?' thought Serena. She almost said this aloud, but she caught herself just in time. Just then Molly walked up with her cheese steak.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
"N-no," stammered Serena as Molly's presence brought her back to reality.
"Not at all, Molly. Serena and I were just talking," said Darien.
"Oh! Well then, what were you guys talking about?"
"Nothing, really, Molly. Where are you going tonight anyways?"
"I've just got a late freshman seminar class, Darien, nothing big."
"Ah, yes, seminar classes. Those were such a waste of time!"
"Yep, they still are too!" sigh "Well, Serena, I'm going to head
off to class. You have your ID card to get back in the dorm, right?"
"Yeah, Moll...have fun at class!!"
"Oh, you know I will. Bye guys!"
"Bye, Molly!" chorused Darien and Serena.
"Well, Darien, I should head back up to my room. I've got a bunch of homework to do for my 9am class tomorrow. I'm glad we got a chance to talk tonight!"
"Me too, Serena. It was fun."
"Now, don't forget about Molly's party next week! I'll let you know all the details when they're ironed out!"
"Allright, Serena, have fun with your work!"
"Oh yeah, Darien, I'm sure I'll just have so much fun," Serena's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Not all of us can get away with not doing anything, like you!"
"I've done my time, Serena, now it's your turn," Darien smiled.
'He really does need to smile like that more often,' Serena thought.'He looks so gorgeous smiling, with his head tilted like that and the hair falling just over his eyes...WOAH! Back up! What are you thinking, Serena!? Enough of that!'
Say something back to him already, Serena!
grumbling "Darien Shields, you are SO aggravating!"
"Yeah, I know," Darien replied as his smile turned to a smirk.
"I'm leaving now, Mister Shields. Goodnight!"
"Bye, Serena!"
Serena turns and leaves the dining commons, walking towards her dorm
'Why does he get to me like that?'
'How does she get me to feel like this?'