----------------
********************* SHOOTING STARS ********************* CHAPTER THREE
Ikuko and Ken busied themselves with pouring tea, nudging Serena and talking non-stop to Darien about business and their 'beautiful little daughter'. Serena was sitting on the left-hand side of the table, leaning back into the seat, doing her best to disappear into the chair. Darien however, continued chatting with Ikuko with an awkward expression on his face.
"Your house is quite cozy but I think it's only the size of my fish pond." Darien smiled lightheartedly. He really did like the place. For once, he didn't have to sit in the old fashioned, six thousand acre hall, where he need a telephone to hear his dad from acros the room. On the other hand, he was telling the truth about it being the size of his fish pond.
Serena was not very happy to hear the truth though. "WHAT DO YOu mean..." she started, but stopped when Ikuko kicked her, hard, on the foot.
"Oh, you are too kind!" Ikuko flit a hand in the air, "Our house must be the size of your bath!" She bashed her eyelashes.
"What a handsome young man you are!" Ken beamed. Darien shrugged with an awkward grin. The place didn't seem that comfy anymore. He no longer remembered why he had come here. It was probably to see how that meatball brain would look like while she is sick, but he hadn't expected such a 'warm' welcome.
"Your eyes are like bottomless crystals. Deep under all those mysterious waves of blue, I can see talents and great knowledge!" Ken sighed, his eyes had a faraway look. Serena coughed - she never felt so embarrassed in her life. 'I wish there was a hole in the ground.'
Ikuko nodded in agreement with Ken. "I knew who you were the very first time I saw you, how could any one else have such temperaments of nobility?!" she said. Darien chuckled; what else could he do? He came to visit the meatball head through his own free will.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Ikuko smiled. "No! How about staying overnight instead?!" Ken butted in.
Serena's eyes widened, she had expected her parents to be on her side but now they were not just embarrassing her, but were setting up a plan to invite the jerk Darien-Baka to stay over night. "MOM! DAD! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT GUY!" Serena stamped her feet. She couldn't stand the thought to stay with this beast any longer.
"Serena!" Ikuko shouted. Her voice softened as she continued, "We WILL 'know' him after he's had dinner here!"
Darien walked through the narrow corridors connected to the living room. His shoulders scratched against the walls and his head brushed the dangerously low roof. "This place is so small! How do you live in it?" He muttered to the Serena, who was trailing behind him.
"Can you tell me what the hell you are doing here now?!" Serena demanded, confused. Something inside her was trying to tell her something, but she felt too tired and sick to ponder it.
Darien blushed at her question, and straightened and coughed. As usual Darien searched through his head for another hideous excuse to cover it up. "I heard you were sick...But only idiots get sick in summer..."
Serena's temper flared. "Hey! Did you learn nothing from last time? OR do you want another slap on that thick head of yours?!" Serena opened her mouth to continue, but Ikuko bashed her on the head with a frying pan. (AN: ^^ Okay a bit superficial)
Ikuko turned to Darien, her eyes filled with apologies. "I am so sorry, Mr. Mason, I felt I had to teach my daughter her manners. Girls should be tender and caring!" Then she pulled out a chair. "Here Mr. Mason! I have already prepared dinner, so shall we start?!" Darien grinned and took a glance at Serena who was rubbing her head.
Darien sat down in the chair and waited patiently as everyone else seated. He looked over the table, set with a weird meal. Most of the food was green. "I didn't know you were coming, so I didn't prepare too much..." Ikuko grinned in embarrassment.
Darien just smiled kindly and inquired about a few dishes. Serena gazed at Darien while he chewed his food with patience and manners, while on the opposite side of the table, her parents made loud smacking noises. 'Wow, I never knew he have such good manners...' Serena thought, feeling herself slowly melt in front of the well-educated Darien.
Darien put down his chopsticks and smiled "Thank you for such a delicious meal. I have had a lovely time here." Serena' s heartbeat increased. 'Gee, he really is good looking...' Before she could think further, the memory of the old Darien flashed through, 'No, I shouldn't be fooled by that fake, rude and stupid idiot! He is just pretending...'
-------------
Serena walked Darien to his car in an awkward silence. She kept trying to convince herself that he was a notorious, self-centered baka. But for some odd reasons her thoughts are always disturbed by some very strange feelings. "Why did you pretend as if you are...so...perfect or something..." Serena wrinkled her nose, but some part of her was still wondering
"I didn't!" Darien cried "That's the way I am at home...I really did enjoy the meal, I mean, your family is so amiable!" Darien gave a lighthearted chuckle.
Serena took another glance at him, she wasn't sure if he is telling the truth or not. If he was lying, he sure was a very good actor, but there didn't seem to be a reason for him to lie anyway.
"Ever since my sister went to Switzerland I always had to eat dinner by myself..." Darien halted. "I reckon it's fun at your place since you get to eat with your parents."
Serena grimaced. She felt a bit sorry for Darien. "What about your parents; where are they?"
Darien gave a wry smile "I barely see them once a year..." Darien stared at his feet. "Are you going to the camp in Hawaii?" He looked up, trying to change the subject.
"Me? Can't afford it."
Darien snickered, "That's why I hate the poor, but it's just ten thousand dollars! Never mind, I'll pay for it!"
Serena felt her anger rise. 'Stupid guy, why does he always make me so angry!' "Why should I let you pay? Well, let me tell you something buddy, I already planned to go on a three day boat trip with Melvin!"
"WHAT?! You are going to a boat trip with that...that hick?" Darien's eyes widened, as his fists tightened.
"Yeah! Now, good bye Mr. Mason! It's late and I need to head back home." Then with a wave, Serena turned and vanished into the dark night.
--------------
"We are not going to Hawaii!" Darien said. He fell onto the sofa next to Yaten.
"What?" Yaten asked.
"Only hicks goes to Hawaii in summer."
"Then...where do we go? Antarctica or...maybe France?" Taiki said.
Darien grinned. "I am going to take you somewhere one hundred times better then Hawaii!"
-------------- "Ah! The ocean!" Serena cried. She inhaled deeply and stretched her arms wide, embracing the salty air filled with freshness of the ocean. She was wearing a white shirt with navy blue shorts, a straw hat and sunglasses. Her long wavy blonde hair wasn't in its usual meatballs - instead it was braided and falling casually against her back. Melvin stood next to her, wearing a loose chocolate colored T-shirt and long white pants.
"You really like being here?" Melvin asked.
"Yeah!" Serena felt her heart pumping with excitement. She looked around and spotted a fancy, white cruiseliner standing by the shore. It was huge, grandly floating in the blue sea."Is that our boat?"
"Yep! How come my parents still aren't here?" Melvin looked around.
Serena ran towards the boat dragging Melvin behind. "Come on! Let's check out our rooms!"
Suddenly five figures appeared high up on the stern. They seem to be staring down at Serena and Melvin. The figures looked extremely familiar to Serena.
"Who are they? What are they doing on our boat?" Serena pointed to Melvin.
"Isn't that Darien Mason?" Melvin scratched his head.
All the 4L was there besides Seiya. The other two figures were Lucy and Elisabeth.
Serena' s eyes widened "What's that idiot doing here?!" Serena stared with her jaw wide opened, as Darien got off the boat and walked to her. He was wearing a wet swim suit, flashing off his perfectly built body, and his gorgeous, slick black locks lay flat against his eyes.
"You!?" Serena pointed an accusing finger at him. Her brain told her that, as long as Darien-baka was there, she was definitely NOT going to have a good time. "What are you doing here? I thought you went to Hawaii!"
Darien smirked. "I've been to Hawaii millions of times, why would I wanna go again?"
"But...this is our boat...my dad rented this boat!" said Melvin.
"Yea, that bumpkin did. BUT I bought this boat!" Darien sneered, "Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention...I gave another boat to those hicks; they probably got overexcited and forgot about you two...?" Darien shrugged, turning to go, but then turned back. "You can come in, if you want to."
Serena grunted, she felt like killing Darien, but her angers flew away when she saw Michelle and Seiya walking towards her. Michelle looked especially beautiful today, wearing a loose green dress and having let her hair out. Seiya, however, was dressed in his usual style: white. Nevertheless, he still looked extremely handsome, as usual.
"Hi Michelle!" Serena greeted.
"Hi Serena! Get on the boat!" Michelle waved.
"No...we are not going..." Serena took a glance at Melvin, feeling her heart sinking a bit. The perfect holiday was over before it had even started. Serena' s rejection stopped Darien, making him turn and changing his expression to something akin to anxiousness.
"Come on Serena, you guys were going to get on anyway...what's the difference? Wouldn't it be more fun if there are a lot of people instead?!" Michelle reasoned cheerfully. She grabbed onto Serena and Melvin' s hands. "Tell you what, we are having a party tonight on the boat; it's going to be so much fun with you two here!"
"You should come," Seiya said simply.
Serena smiled - as much as she hated Darien, she could not resist the warm welcome from Michelle. "All right..." And...of course, that quiet little invitation from Seiya didn't hurt.
"It must be here..." Serena muttered, as she and Melvin walked through the corridor, looking for their rooms. "Room 9001...here it is!" Serena said, taking out her key and opening it. The room was huge - it had a blue leather sofa in the right corner, and an enormous window covered by soft pink curtains. The smell of roses permeated the room. On the right wall was a door to the next bedroom, and besides the door was a bar, filled with expensive wines.
"WOW! This room is HUGE!" Serena' s eyes grew wide. She had never seen a room like it before.
"Oh my gosh!" Melvin cried "I am gonna check out my room! It's probably as big as this!"
Serena jumped around in excitement, checking out everything in the room. "Maybe this holiday won't be that bad after all..."
Outside, seven people reclined on their couches. The warm wind brushed against their skin.
"It would probably have been better to just go to Hawaii and stare at those pretty girls on the beach," Taiki complained, turning to Yaten for support.
Yaten sipped his wine. "Well, someone told us that he's going to take us to somewhere better."
"Pfff...I should have known. Why didn't I bring any girls with me..." Taiki sighed. He turned to Seiya, who was wearing a pair of sunglasses. "Seiya, are you and Darien still fighting?! This place is bad enough as it is...can't stand you guys..."
Darien sighed. He lift his cup for Seiya to see and muttered, "We probably need to talk, just some other time all right?" Seiya gave Darien a wry smile and nodded.
Serena and Melvin wandered around the boat, before climbing to the top level and finding everyone else already there. They were turning to go when Michelle stopped them.
"Serena! Melvin! You're here! Want to join us?"
"Oh no thanks, we just looking around," Serena waved dismissively.
"Oh, well then, don't forget to come to the party tonight!" Michelle smiled.
"But...I didn't bring a dress..." Serena said.
Elisabeth smirked, "You don't have one to start with... " Serena ignored her comment.
"That's all right, I can lend you one of mine," Michelle said.
Serena smile weakly. She really didn't want to go and make a fool out of herself. "I..." She didn't get to finish when Melvin' s mobile rang.
"Hello? This is Melvin." "Oh...you want to talk to Serena? OK, just a moment," Melvin said, handing the phone to Serena. "It's your mom!"
"Mom?"
"Serena darling! You have to grab your chance with Melvin!"
"Mom! You're talking nonsense. There are a lot of my other classmates on the boat right now, am I suppose to grab every single one of them!?" Serena shouted.
"Then is that...that....Ma...Mason there?"
"Yeah, he is..." Serena sighed, taking a glance at Darien.
"YES! OK, this is the moment, I have waited all my life for! You are going to get him tiger!"
Serena rolled her eyes "Mom, your scaring me...I don't want to talk to you anymore."
"All right I'll get your dad!"
Ken's voice came through the phone "Serena! You have to grab your chance all right? Our life depends on you!"
Serena got really mad. "YOU PEOPLE ARE SO UNREASONABLE!" she screamed in the phone and threw it into the sea.
"HEY! THAT'S my phone!" Melvin shouted, staring at the little dot eaten by the blue waves without so much as a splash.
Serena breathed heavily and turned to the seven people sitting there, shocked. Darien stared at her with wide eyes, Yaten muttered a "Gee...", and Taiki gave her a thumb up. Even Elisabeth and Lucy seems speechless.
---------------
Michelle brushed through Serena' s hair slowly, "Your hair is so soft and shiny," Michelle commented.
Serena blushed. "How are things between Seiya and Darien?"
Michelle sighed. "I think they are OK with each other now. Seiya was dragged here; we just hope they will solve their problems on the boat." Changing the subject, she continued, "You are going to look absolutely fabulous! After we have finished this touch of make up we'll pick a dress for you." Michelle grinned. "I am going to make you really beautiful and scare the wits out of those boys!"
----------------
The hall was covered in party decorations, and on each side, servants were lined up, standing against the wall. A huge dinning table was set in the center of the hall, covered in candles and food. People walked about, taking some food on their way. Melvin was one of those people - he was wandering around the room, picking up food with his fingers. He wasn't wearing anything fancy, just a black jacket with black pants. Neither were any of the 4L, but Lucy and Elisabeth however, were dressed just as seductively as always.
Serena walked into the hall slowly with Michelle beside her. Her heart was pumping very fast against her chest, and she felt herself losing her breath. Serena pulled on her pink silk dress which covered her body submissively, revealing her womanly curves. It had a hollow in the stomach area decorated by stylish stripes. Her wavy blonde hair was let down, with an silver rose clip in it matching her long silver earrings. Michelle smiled proudly at her masterpiece.
"Everyone! Look at the beautiful Ms. Serena!" Michelle exclaimed, grabbing the attention of everybody. Woos and wows were heard.
"THAT...that's... the poor...poor...Serena with those meatballs?!" Elisabeth stammered, "Why does Michelle treat her so well?!"
Yaten stared "You look...so...beautiful," he said, blinking his eyes.
"Definitely..." Taiki agreed.
Darien' s jaw fell to the floor, when he saw Serena, 'Is that meatball head?' he asked himself. He looked at her up and down. 'Gosh,' that turned him on!
Seiya was sitting in front of the piano, but he turned and his eyes widened when he saw her.
'Everyone is looking at me...' Serena thought nervously, 'just like in the fairytales...when Cinderella became a princess...I just hope the clock will never strike midnight...'
Yaten was the first to move. He walked seductively towards Serena and leaned down to kiss the back of her hand, which made Serena blush furiously. "May I have the honor of dancing with you, my lady?" he whispered.
"I...I can't dance..." Serena answered.
"I'll teach you... "
Serena felt nervous at first, but she slowly got used to it and followed the music. On the side, Seiya stared at Serena while Michelle poured some drink into his cup, who noticed his expression and saddened. Taiki asked Serena for the next dance, just as charmingly as Yaten.
Serena fell back onto the couch again, glancing at the center of the dance floor where Seiya danced with Michelle. Suddenly Seiya stopped and said something to Michelle, who smiled. Seeming disappointed, she started to leave the dance floor, but Yaten immediately asked her to dance. At that moment Seiya turned towards Serena. He walked up to her and smiled.
In the background, the pianist starts to play a beautiful slow melody.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my moment This is my perfect moment with you This is what God meant This is my perfect moment with you
I wish I could freeze this space in time The way I feel for you inside
This is my moment This is my perfect moment with you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seiya' s hands gently grabbed Serena' s heart raced wildly as Seiya' s fingers brushed against hers. His dark blue orbs fixed on her light blue ones. It was so dreamy. She no longer felt the pressures of the world. She just let him guide her, anywhere, everywhere he pleased. She was melting slowly under the heat of his gaze. 'Is that really for me? The passion I see in him?' Serena wondered.
Darien glared at the perfect looking couple in the center of the dance floor who seemed to out glow all the rest. Even Michelle looked plain besides Serena. Her beauty was natural. He could not resist those innocent laughs and those beautiful endless blues. Darien looked away, blinking away the unwanted tears. 'What the hell?" Darien thought.
"It's so unfair!" cried Elisabeth to Lucy. "First she dances with Taiki and Yaten, and now she's dancing with SEIYA!"
"Don't remind me!" Lucy sent a glare of death at Serena, and drank her glass of wine in a hurry. "I have an idea!" She brightened and closed her hands together. She walked onto the front stage of the hall and patted on the microphone to get everyone's attention.
"People!" she said, and everybody walked towards the stage. "We are going to play a very BOLD game in pitch darkness." Lucy smirked. "In this game, you can BOLDLY KISS anybody you wanted in this room! I'll count one two three and we'll turn the light out!"
Elisabeth clenched her fists and aimed at Darien, Darien however, looked around for Serena. (*-_-) And Serena, stood nervously in her spot.
"One...Two...three!" all of a sudden, the lights was out, screams filled the air and cries like.
"Where is Darien Mason?!" someone cried. "Yaten? Where is Yaten." "Ahh!" *Thump* (some one fell down) "Ouch! Who was that?" "Hey, stop grabbing my collar! GIVE ME SOME AIR! MMM...mmmm...'et go 'f me!"
The light turned back on, revealing an obvious couple, kissing passionately. Well, maybe the guy was a bit forced. It was Melvin and Elisabeth. Melvin stretched out his arms and waved it around as Elisabeth wildly grabbing onto his collars. She opened her eyes and released him.
"You!?" She cried. "I thought it was Darien."
"You!? Oh! Yuck!" Melvin wrinkled his nose and spat.
Lying beside the table was Darien...with Serena on top of him. Serena opened her eyes in confusion; everything came on so suddenly - she was tripped by someone and fell against someone hard, who grabbed on to her. They both lost balance and fell onto the floor. Then she felt her lips crashing against something soft and...it kissed back. Serena's visions cleared. She saw a familiar face, a hated face, with those bottomless blues and those ebony locks that fell into it. The eyes blinked back.
'I...I kissed Darien?!' Serena shivered as her heart shattered into eight million pieces. 'I kissed that...' She immediately got up and pulled on her dress, blushing madly. Darien got up too, confused and shocked. He couldn't think. 'Why did Serena push him on the floor and kiss him?'
Melvin ran up to Serena, "Serena you kissed..." He didn't finish his sentence, because he saw the weird expression on Serena and the blush on Darien. "Don't tell me you two.." Melvin pointed.
"SHUT UP!" Serena screamed, her eyes filled with tears, and she ran out of the room.
'I am so stupid...what a dream...what a night, it was just a joke!' Serena thought while running she scrubbed the tears off her face 'Now I am punished for my stupidity and this hateful dress!' 'I had to kiss that pig!' She thought mentally.
Darien stood there. 'Was that a blush I saw on her face?' Darien thought. He looked around and saw numerous confused faces. "Don't look at me! I don't know what happened, OK?" Then he too, walked out of the hall.
Darien walked through the corridors, until he spotted Serena standing five meters away from him. He could not see her expression because she had her back to him, but he guessed by her stance that she was astonished and shocked.
Darien straightened his shirt and walked towards her, a sly smile covered his lip. "Was that your first kiss?" Darien asked. He slowed when he heard a sob. "I can't believe you've never been kissed before!" Another sob. "Think about it! It was with me!" Darien approached her, and he gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, but Serena shook it off.
"You must be really...touched..." Darien whispered beside Serena' s ears.
"We'll try again," Darien muttered. His lips lightly touching Serena' s neckline, It made Serena shiver. She turned around, her eyes red and puffy. Darien backed away, the expression wasn't exactly what Darien expected. 'Is that sadness?' Darien thought, he couldn't understand. 'But why?'
"Don't touch me..." Serena whispered with another heartbroken sob. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" she screamed again and ran off. Leaving the now very confused Darien standing there.
--------------------
********************* SHOOTING STARS ********************* CHAPTER THREE
Ikuko and Ken busied themselves with pouring tea, nudging Serena and talking non-stop to Darien about business and their 'beautiful little daughter'. Serena was sitting on the left-hand side of the table, leaning back into the seat, doing her best to disappear into the chair. Darien however, continued chatting with Ikuko with an awkward expression on his face.
"Your house is quite cozy but I think it's only the size of my fish pond." Darien smiled lightheartedly. He really did like the place. For once, he didn't have to sit in the old fashioned, six thousand acre hall, where he need a telephone to hear his dad from acros the room. On the other hand, he was telling the truth about it being the size of his fish pond.
Serena was not very happy to hear the truth though. "WHAT DO YOu mean..." she started, but stopped when Ikuko kicked her, hard, on the foot.
"Oh, you are too kind!" Ikuko flit a hand in the air, "Our house must be the size of your bath!" She bashed her eyelashes.
"What a handsome young man you are!" Ken beamed. Darien shrugged with an awkward grin. The place didn't seem that comfy anymore. He no longer remembered why he had come here. It was probably to see how that meatball brain would look like while she is sick, but he hadn't expected such a 'warm' welcome.
"Your eyes are like bottomless crystals. Deep under all those mysterious waves of blue, I can see talents and great knowledge!" Ken sighed, his eyes had a faraway look. Serena coughed - she never felt so embarrassed in her life. 'I wish there was a hole in the ground.'
Ikuko nodded in agreement with Ken. "I knew who you were the very first time I saw you, how could any one else have such temperaments of nobility?!" she said. Darien chuckled; what else could he do? He came to visit the meatball head through his own free will.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Ikuko smiled. "No! How about staying overnight instead?!" Ken butted in.
Serena's eyes widened, she had expected her parents to be on her side but now they were not just embarrassing her, but were setting up a plan to invite the jerk Darien-Baka to stay over night. "MOM! DAD! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT GUY!" Serena stamped her feet. She couldn't stand the thought to stay with this beast any longer.
"Serena!" Ikuko shouted. Her voice softened as she continued, "We WILL 'know' him after he's had dinner here!"
Darien walked through the narrow corridors connected to the living room. His shoulders scratched against the walls and his head brushed the dangerously low roof. "This place is so small! How do you live in it?" He muttered to the Serena, who was trailing behind him.
"Can you tell me what the hell you are doing here now?!" Serena demanded, confused. Something inside her was trying to tell her something, but she felt too tired and sick to ponder it.
Darien blushed at her question, and straightened and coughed. As usual Darien searched through his head for another hideous excuse to cover it up. "I heard you were sick...But only idiots get sick in summer..."
Serena's temper flared. "Hey! Did you learn nothing from last time? OR do you want another slap on that thick head of yours?!" Serena opened her mouth to continue, but Ikuko bashed her on the head with a frying pan. (AN: ^^ Okay a bit superficial)
Ikuko turned to Darien, her eyes filled with apologies. "I am so sorry, Mr. Mason, I felt I had to teach my daughter her manners. Girls should be tender and caring!" Then she pulled out a chair. "Here Mr. Mason! I have already prepared dinner, so shall we start?!" Darien grinned and took a glance at Serena who was rubbing her head.
Darien sat down in the chair and waited patiently as everyone else seated. He looked over the table, set with a weird meal. Most of the food was green. "I didn't know you were coming, so I didn't prepare too much..." Ikuko grinned in embarrassment.
Darien just smiled kindly and inquired about a few dishes. Serena gazed at Darien while he chewed his food with patience and manners, while on the opposite side of the table, her parents made loud smacking noises. 'Wow, I never knew he have such good manners...' Serena thought, feeling herself slowly melt in front of the well-educated Darien.
Darien put down his chopsticks and smiled "Thank you for such a delicious meal. I have had a lovely time here." Serena' s heartbeat increased. 'Gee, he really is good looking...' Before she could think further, the memory of the old Darien flashed through, 'No, I shouldn't be fooled by that fake, rude and stupid idiot! He is just pretending...'
-------------
Serena walked Darien to his car in an awkward silence. She kept trying to convince herself that he was a notorious, self-centered baka. But for some odd reasons her thoughts are always disturbed by some very strange feelings. "Why did you pretend as if you are...so...perfect or something..." Serena wrinkled her nose, but some part of her was still wondering
"I didn't!" Darien cried "That's the way I am at home...I really did enjoy the meal, I mean, your family is so amiable!" Darien gave a lighthearted chuckle.
Serena took another glance at him, she wasn't sure if he is telling the truth or not. If he was lying, he sure was a very good actor, but there didn't seem to be a reason for him to lie anyway.
"Ever since my sister went to Switzerland I always had to eat dinner by myself..." Darien halted. "I reckon it's fun at your place since you get to eat with your parents."
Serena grimaced. She felt a bit sorry for Darien. "What about your parents; where are they?"
Darien gave a wry smile "I barely see them once a year..." Darien stared at his feet. "Are you going to the camp in Hawaii?" He looked up, trying to change the subject.
"Me? Can't afford it."
Darien snickered, "That's why I hate the poor, but it's just ten thousand dollars! Never mind, I'll pay for it!"
Serena felt her anger rise. 'Stupid guy, why does he always make me so angry!' "Why should I let you pay? Well, let me tell you something buddy, I already planned to go on a three day boat trip with Melvin!"
"WHAT?! You are going to a boat trip with that...that hick?" Darien's eyes widened, as his fists tightened.
"Yeah! Now, good bye Mr. Mason! It's late and I need to head back home." Then with a wave, Serena turned and vanished into the dark night.
--------------
"We are not going to Hawaii!" Darien said. He fell onto the sofa next to Yaten.
"What?" Yaten asked.
"Only hicks goes to Hawaii in summer."
"Then...where do we go? Antarctica or...maybe France?" Taiki said.
Darien grinned. "I am going to take you somewhere one hundred times better then Hawaii!"
-------------- "Ah! The ocean!" Serena cried. She inhaled deeply and stretched her arms wide, embracing the salty air filled with freshness of the ocean. She was wearing a white shirt with navy blue shorts, a straw hat and sunglasses. Her long wavy blonde hair wasn't in its usual meatballs - instead it was braided and falling casually against her back. Melvin stood next to her, wearing a loose chocolate colored T-shirt and long white pants.
"You really like being here?" Melvin asked.
"Yeah!" Serena felt her heart pumping with excitement. She looked around and spotted a fancy, white cruiseliner standing by the shore. It was huge, grandly floating in the blue sea."Is that our boat?"
"Yep! How come my parents still aren't here?" Melvin looked around.
Serena ran towards the boat dragging Melvin behind. "Come on! Let's check out our rooms!"
Suddenly five figures appeared high up on the stern. They seem to be staring down at Serena and Melvin. The figures looked extremely familiar to Serena.
"Who are they? What are they doing on our boat?" Serena pointed to Melvin.
"Isn't that Darien Mason?" Melvin scratched his head.
All the 4L was there besides Seiya. The other two figures were Lucy and Elisabeth.
Serena' s eyes widened "What's that idiot doing here?!" Serena stared with her jaw wide opened, as Darien got off the boat and walked to her. He was wearing a wet swim suit, flashing off his perfectly built body, and his gorgeous, slick black locks lay flat against his eyes.
"You!?" Serena pointed an accusing finger at him. Her brain told her that, as long as Darien-baka was there, she was definitely NOT going to have a good time. "What are you doing here? I thought you went to Hawaii!"
Darien smirked. "I've been to Hawaii millions of times, why would I wanna go again?"
"But...this is our boat...my dad rented this boat!" said Melvin.
"Yea, that bumpkin did. BUT I bought this boat!" Darien sneered, "Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention...I gave another boat to those hicks; they probably got overexcited and forgot about you two...?" Darien shrugged, turning to go, but then turned back. "You can come in, if you want to."
Serena grunted, she felt like killing Darien, but her angers flew away when she saw Michelle and Seiya walking towards her. Michelle looked especially beautiful today, wearing a loose green dress and having let her hair out. Seiya, however, was dressed in his usual style: white. Nevertheless, he still looked extremely handsome, as usual.
"Hi Michelle!" Serena greeted.
"Hi Serena! Get on the boat!" Michelle waved.
"No...we are not going..." Serena took a glance at Melvin, feeling her heart sinking a bit. The perfect holiday was over before it had even started. Serena' s rejection stopped Darien, making him turn and changing his expression to something akin to anxiousness.
"Come on Serena, you guys were going to get on anyway...what's the difference? Wouldn't it be more fun if there are a lot of people instead?!" Michelle reasoned cheerfully. She grabbed onto Serena and Melvin' s hands. "Tell you what, we are having a party tonight on the boat; it's going to be so much fun with you two here!"
"You should come," Seiya said simply.
Serena smiled - as much as she hated Darien, she could not resist the warm welcome from Michelle. "All right..." And...of course, that quiet little invitation from Seiya didn't hurt.
"It must be here..." Serena muttered, as she and Melvin walked through the corridor, looking for their rooms. "Room 9001...here it is!" Serena said, taking out her key and opening it. The room was huge - it had a blue leather sofa in the right corner, and an enormous window covered by soft pink curtains. The smell of roses permeated the room. On the right wall was a door to the next bedroom, and besides the door was a bar, filled with expensive wines.
"WOW! This room is HUGE!" Serena' s eyes grew wide. She had never seen a room like it before.
"Oh my gosh!" Melvin cried "I am gonna check out my room! It's probably as big as this!"
Serena jumped around in excitement, checking out everything in the room. "Maybe this holiday won't be that bad after all..."
Outside, seven people reclined on their couches. The warm wind brushed against their skin.
"It would probably have been better to just go to Hawaii and stare at those pretty girls on the beach," Taiki complained, turning to Yaten for support.
Yaten sipped his wine. "Well, someone told us that he's going to take us to somewhere better."
"Pfff...I should have known. Why didn't I bring any girls with me..." Taiki sighed. He turned to Seiya, who was wearing a pair of sunglasses. "Seiya, are you and Darien still fighting?! This place is bad enough as it is...can't stand you guys..."
Darien sighed. He lift his cup for Seiya to see and muttered, "We probably need to talk, just some other time all right?" Seiya gave Darien a wry smile and nodded.
Serena and Melvin wandered around the boat, before climbing to the top level and finding everyone else already there. They were turning to go when Michelle stopped them.
"Serena! Melvin! You're here! Want to join us?"
"Oh no thanks, we just looking around," Serena waved dismissively.
"Oh, well then, don't forget to come to the party tonight!" Michelle smiled.
"But...I didn't bring a dress..." Serena said.
Elisabeth smirked, "You don't have one to start with... " Serena ignored her comment.
"That's all right, I can lend you one of mine," Michelle said.
Serena smile weakly. She really didn't want to go and make a fool out of herself. "I..." She didn't get to finish when Melvin' s mobile rang.
"Hello? This is Melvin." "Oh...you want to talk to Serena? OK, just a moment," Melvin said, handing the phone to Serena. "It's your mom!"
"Mom?"
"Serena darling! You have to grab your chance with Melvin!"
"Mom! You're talking nonsense. There are a lot of my other classmates on the boat right now, am I suppose to grab every single one of them!?" Serena shouted.
"Then is that...that....Ma...Mason there?"
"Yeah, he is..." Serena sighed, taking a glance at Darien.
"YES! OK, this is the moment, I have waited all my life for! You are going to get him tiger!"
Serena rolled her eyes "Mom, your scaring me...I don't want to talk to you anymore."
"All right I'll get your dad!"
Ken's voice came through the phone "Serena! You have to grab your chance all right? Our life depends on you!"
Serena got really mad. "YOU PEOPLE ARE SO UNREASONABLE!" she screamed in the phone and threw it into the sea.
"HEY! THAT'S my phone!" Melvin shouted, staring at the little dot eaten by the blue waves without so much as a splash.
Serena breathed heavily and turned to the seven people sitting there, shocked. Darien stared at her with wide eyes, Yaten muttered a "Gee...", and Taiki gave her a thumb up. Even Elisabeth and Lucy seems speechless.
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Michelle brushed through Serena' s hair slowly, "Your hair is so soft and shiny," Michelle commented.
Serena blushed. "How are things between Seiya and Darien?"
Michelle sighed. "I think they are OK with each other now. Seiya was dragged here; we just hope they will solve their problems on the boat." Changing the subject, she continued, "You are going to look absolutely fabulous! After we have finished this touch of make up we'll pick a dress for you." Michelle grinned. "I am going to make you really beautiful and scare the wits out of those boys!"
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The hall was covered in party decorations, and on each side, servants were lined up, standing against the wall. A huge dinning table was set in the center of the hall, covered in candles and food. People walked about, taking some food on their way. Melvin was one of those people - he was wandering around the room, picking up food with his fingers. He wasn't wearing anything fancy, just a black jacket with black pants. Neither were any of the 4L, but Lucy and Elisabeth however, were dressed just as seductively as always.
Serena walked into the hall slowly with Michelle beside her. Her heart was pumping very fast against her chest, and she felt herself losing her breath. Serena pulled on her pink silk dress which covered her body submissively, revealing her womanly curves. It had a hollow in the stomach area decorated by stylish stripes. Her wavy blonde hair was let down, with an silver rose clip in it matching her long silver earrings. Michelle smiled proudly at her masterpiece.
"Everyone! Look at the beautiful Ms. Serena!" Michelle exclaimed, grabbing the attention of everybody. Woos and wows were heard.
"THAT...that's... the poor...poor...Serena with those meatballs?!" Elisabeth stammered, "Why does Michelle treat her so well?!"
Yaten stared "You look...so...beautiful," he said, blinking his eyes.
"Definitely..." Taiki agreed.
Darien' s jaw fell to the floor, when he saw Serena, 'Is that meatball head?' he asked himself. He looked at her up and down. 'Gosh,' that turned him on!
Seiya was sitting in front of the piano, but he turned and his eyes widened when he saw her.
'Everyone is looking at me...' Serena thought nervously, 'just like in the fairytales...when Cinderella became a princess...I just hope the clock will never strike midnight...'
Yaten was the first to move. He walked seductively towards Serena and leaned down to kiss the back of her hand, which made Serena blush furiously. "May I have the honor of dancing with you, my lady?" he whispered.
"I...I can't dance..." Serena answered.
"I'll teach you... "
Serena felt nervous at first, but she slowly got used to it and followed the music. On the side, Seiya stared at Serena while Michelle poured some drink into his cup, who noticed his expression and saddened. Taiki asked Serena for the next dance, just as charmingly as Yaten.
Serena fell back onto the couch again, glancing at the center of the dance floor where Seiya danced with Michelle. Suddenly Seiya stopped and said something to Michelle, who smiled. Seeming disappointed, she started to leave the dance floor, but Yaten immediately asked her to dance. At that moment Seiya turned towards Serena. He walked up to her and smiled.
In the background, the pianist starts to play a beautiful slow melody.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my moment This is my perfect moment with you This is what God meant This is my perfect moment with you
I wish I could freeze this space in time The way I feel for you inside
This is my moment This is my perfect moment with you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seiya' s hands gently grabbed Serena' s heart raced wildly as Seiya' s fingers brushed against hers. His dark blue orbs fixed on her light blue ones. It was so dreamy. She no longer felt the pressures of the world. She just let him guide her, anywhere, everywhere he pleased. She was melting slowly under the heat of his gaze. 'Is that really for me? The passion I see in him?' Serena wondered.
Darien glared at the perfect looking couple in the center of the dance floor who seemed to out glow all the rest. Even Michelle looked plain besides Serena. Her beauty was natural. He could not resist those innocent laughs and those beautiful endless blues. Darien looked away, blinking away the unwanted tears. 'What the hell?" Darien thought.
"It's so unfair!" cried Elisabeth to Lucy. "First she dances with Taiki and Yaten, and now she's dancing with SEIYA!"
"Don't remind me!" Lucy sent a glare of death at Serena, and drank her glass of wine in a hurry. "I have an idea!" She brightened and closed her hands together. She walked onto the front stage of the hall and patted on the microphone to get everyone's attention.
"People!" she said, and everybody walked towards the stage. "We are going to play a very BOLD game in pitch darkness." Lucy smirked. "In this game, you can BOLDLY KISS anybody you wanted in this room! I'll count one two three and we'll turn the light out!"
Elisabeth clenched her fists and aimed at Darien, Darien however, looked around for Serena. (*-_-) And Serena, stood nervously in her spot.
"One...Two...three!" all of a sudden, the lights was out, screams filled the air and cries like.
"Where is Darien Mason?!" someone cried. "Yaten? Where is Yaten." "Ahh!" *Thump* (some one fell down) "Ouch! Who was that?" "Hey, stop grabbing my collar! GIVE ME SOME AIR! MMM...mmmm...'et go 'f me!"
The light turned back on, revealing an obvious couple, kissing passionately. Well, maybe the guy was a bit forced. It was Melvin and Elisabeth. Melvin stretched out his arms and waved it around as Elisabeth wildly grabbing onto his collars. She opened her eyes and released him.
"You!?" She cried. "I thought it was Darien."
"You!? Oh! Yuck!" Melvin wrinkled his nose and spat.
Lying beside the table was Darien...with Serena on top of him. Serena opened her eyes in confusion; everything came on so suddenly - she was tripped by someone and fell against someone hard, who grabbed on to her. They both lost balance and fell onto the floor. Then she felt her lips crashing against something soft and...it kissed back. Serena's visions cleared. She saw a familiar face, a hated face, with those bottomless blues and those ebony locks that fell into it. The eyes blinked back.
'I...I kissed Darien?!' Serena shivered as her heart shattered into eight million pieces. 'I kissed that...' She immediately got up and pulled on her dress, blushing madly. Darien got up too, confused and shocked. He couldn't think. 'Why did Serena push him on the floor and kiss him?'
Melvin ran up to Serena, "Serena you kissed..." He didn't finish his sentence, because he saw the weird expression on Serena and the blush on Darien. "Don't tell me you two.." Melvin pointed.
"SHUT UP!" Serena screamed, her eyes filled with tears, and she ran out of the room.
'I am so stupid...what a dream...what a night, it was just a joke!' Serena thought while running she scrubbed the tears off her face 'Now I am punished for my stupidity and this hateful dress!' 'I had to kiss that pig!' She thought mentally.
Darien stood there. 'Was that a blush I saw on her face?' Darien thought. He looked around and saw numerous confused faces. "Don't look at me! I don't know what happened, OK?" Then he too, walked out of the hall.
Darien walked through the corridors, until he spotted Serena standing five meters away from him. He could not see her expression because she had her back to him, but he guessed by her stance that she was astonished and shocked.
Darien straightened his shirt and walked towards her, a sly smile covered his lip. "Was that your first kiss?" Darien asked. He slowed when he heard a sob. "I can't believe you've never been kissed before!" Another sob. "Think about it! It was with me!" Darien approached her, and he gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, but Serena shook it off.
"You must be really...touched..." Darien whispered beside Serena' s ears.
"We'll try again," Darien muttered. His lips lightly touching Serena' s neckline, It made Serena shiver. She turned around, her eyes red and puffy. Darien backed away, the expression wasn't exactly what Darien expected. 'Is that sadness?' Darien thought, he couldn't understand. 'But why?'
"Don't touch me..." Serena whispered with another heartbroken sob. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" she screamed again and ran off. Leaving the now very confused Darien standing there.
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