I'm soooooooooo sorry it has taken me so long to get this part out. I've run into a few small snags. * sigh * But at least I'm getting' it out now! ^^; Anyway.I don't own the characters associated with Sailor Moon, I'm only molding them for my little story. ^^ Enjoy!

Blame it on the Book Part 8
Serena stared at the table not quite sure what to do next. Darien, on the other hand, looked at Serena. Something just didn't seem right about what just happened. I don't know what it is, but something just...was wrong. I can't put my finger on it but it seemed kind of....

"Well, I guess we should call it a night," Serena continued to stare at the table.

"I guess so. Good thing we didn't order any food. I don't have a lot of money right now." Darien looked away from Serena.

"I suppose I'll see you at the arcade tomorrow," Serena stood awkwardly (yes, it's spelled correctly).

"Yeah," Darien stood as well.

Darien let Serena lead the way out. As the two walked, they were silent. Darien still a little scared of Serena. Serena still a little mad at Darien.

It was dark outside. The sun had set only minutes ago, but it was as if it had been hidden for hours. Serena gazed at the brilliant moon. Darien watched her. The moon light casts a lovely glow on her face. She looks almost.....sophisticated. Almost anyway. It does make her look older though. I guess she really if beautiful. I should probably keep that from Andrew and the guys, or I'll never hear the end of it.

"Serena?"

"What Darien?"

"Do need a ride home or something?"

Serena hesitated. Do I really want the jerk to give me a ride? He *was* really nice tonight, for once. Wonder why.

"Do you Serena?"

"Oh, uh yeah. Thanks Darien."

Darien and Serena continued to walk in silence. They neared the movie theatre where Darien had parked. Darien went straight to the passenger door. As he unlocked the door. Darien stared at Serena's reflection in the window. Darien held the door open, allowing Serena to take a seat inside the black jeep. Serena hid her face, which was now a pinkish color from blushing. Darien closed the car door and walked around to the driver's side door. He unlocked it and climbed inside. Darien turned the key in the ignition. The jeep started without a problem and Darien pulled out.

"Do you mind if we stop at my apartment first? I need to pick up a book I have to return to the library tonight." Darien kept his eyes on the road.

"No. Isn't the library closed?"

"They have a drop off slot. I didn't think you actually knew what a library was. With your grades, I would think you had never heard of one." DOH! YOU IDIOT!

"WHAT!?!" Serena was surprised by the comment.

"Uh, I'm sorry Serena..." Darien trailed off. He knew it would do no good now.

"Sorry!?! You jerk! Take me home, now!" Serena turned to look out the window. I knew it was too good to be true. He really is a jerk. I should have walked home. Better yet, I should have stayed home. Serena tried hard to keep the tears that made light paths down her cheeks a secret from Darien, but she wasn't succeeding.

Darien decided not to chance saying another word. He might have his mouth open long enough to take one foot out and replace it with the other. He glanced at Serena and could tell that she was definitely crying. His heart ached at the thought of this young girl crying. It hurt worse to know that he was the cause of it all. How could he be so cruel? He didn't have the answer.

"Where are we? I thought you were taking me home." Serena wiped her face, giving up on trying to hide her tears from Darien.

"I told you that I needed to stop at my apartment. You can stay in the car if you want," Darien pulled to a stop in front of an apartment building.

"I'm not staying out here. It's dark outside." Serena opened her car door and stepped outside.

"Fine." Darien walked up to the door. He walked inside the door and held it open for Serena. She just walked in without a reply. Darien hung his head at the cold shoulder he was getting. That wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to go back to him teasing her, her teasing him. He didn't like it when she was truly mad at him. It was like a part of him was numb.

Darien led the way up the stairs. Serena watched him quietly from behind. He was acting so nice now. It was as if his comment was an accident. Maybe he really did mean the apology. But why would Darien Chiba apologize to me? It's him that makes me mad everyday. My head hurts. I don't even spend as much time doing my homework as I do thinking of Darien's complexities. Whoa, that's a big word. Maybe he's rubbing off on me.

Darien stopped on a floor and opened the door leading to the hallway. Darien lead Serena down the hall to a door. He took out a set of keys and unlocked the apartment.

"Come in Serena. Sorry it's kinda messy."

"Messy? It's cleaner than my room has ever been. Wait a minute, I'm not talking to you."

"Fine." Darien began to search his desk area. "Oh no."

"What? What does 'oh no' mean?"

"Thought you weren't talking to me."

"Forget that. What does 'oh no' mean?"

"The book must have gotten into my laundry basket."

"What does that mean?"

"That means I have to go to the laundry room downstairs. You can stay here if you want."

"No way, I'm coming with."

"Okay then. Let's go." Darien began to lead the way down the back to the door. Serena stepped out into the hallway, followed by Darien who locked the door behind him. Darien, once again in the lead, made his way down the steps. The stairwell was dark and dreary, which only served to multiply their moods. I said I was sorry. Can't she accept an apology?

I can't believe he said that. He was so rude. I thought we might have been becoming friends, but I guess I was wrong. Serena watched her feet step down onto each step.

After what seemed an eternity's worth of stairs, the room marked "Laundry Room" came into view. He reached out to the old door knob and tried to open the door, but it refused to budge.

"Can't you go any faster? I don't like it down here." Serena searched the walls finding quite a few cracks in the concrete.

"I can only go so fast. Why do want to leave so bad? Does this place scare you?" Darien half smiled.

"Shut up Darien and get a move on." Serena stopped closer to the one she addressed.

"Coward," Darien muttered under his breath. The door finally decided to cooperate and opened.

Once inside the room, Darien moved swiftly across the floor to a basket of clothes. He dug through the dirty clothes.

As soon as Darien found what he was looking for, he turned to the door. "Oh, by the way, don't close the....." Darien stopped mid-sentence when he looked up to discover that Serena had already shut the door, "...door." Darien hung his head.

"What? What did I do now?" Serena saw Darien hang his head.

"The door locks. We can't open it from the inside."

"No, it has to open. I have to go home. My dad will kill me!" Serena practically ran to the door and tried to open it.

"It won't open. You might as well give up trying," Darien sighted as he looked for something to sit on.

"NO! I have to get out!" Serena squealed a she pounded the door with her fists.

"You might as well sit down. That doors not going to open until someone decides to do laundry," Darien sat down on a pile of clothes.

"Oh no! I am *not* getting stuck in here with you!" Serena pounded harder.

"Is it really all that bad to be stuck with me?"

"Go to Hell Darien. You got me into this. Now get me out! What is wrong with this stupid door anyway? Who would invent a door that can only be opened from the outside!?"

"What do you expect? It's a Wynn Company door. (AN: Wynn is the last name of one of my best friends. The one I fashion Serena after actually.) And I did not get you into this. You're the one who wanted to come with me. I told you to stay in the car to begin with."

Serena pushed her back against the door and slid down to the floor. She wrapped her arms around her knees. A long sigh escaped her throat.

"How long do you think we have?" Serena looked over at Darien.

"I can't say for sure. Probably until morning. It is, after all, ten o'clock." Darien checked his watch.

"Now I know I'm going to be grounded for life." Serena turned her eyes to the floor. She couldn't bare to look at the man sitting across the room. She didn't want to see the dark hair that covered his deep sapphire eyes, or the strong jaw that sometimes caused her pain.

"Look, I'm sorry for this Serena. It wasn't intentional," Darien turned to face Serena better. He studied the small face that held soft sky blue eyes, a petite nose, and a small mouth (when closed). Everything fit perfectly to her in every way. He followed her hands up to her arms to her shoulders and then down her pigtails, thinking all the while that the scene would make a beautiful picture. If only her face wasn't so serious and sad.

"I know Darien," Serena set her chin on her knees.

"It looks like this is the perfect end to the perfect date."

"Do you really consider it a date?" Serena couldn't help but look at Darien.

"Yeah, I guess. Did you?" Darien had to look away, half embarrassed by being caught looking at her.

"I don't know. Darien, I have a question."

"Go for it."

"Why are you always so mean to me? I mean, I don't mind that you tease me, but do you gave to make fun of my grades? I all ready get enough of that from Raye and Mom."

"To tell you the truth Serena, I don't really know the answer. I honestly don't try to hurt you. Upset you yes, of course, but hurt you, no."

"Oh, I see." Serena looked away again.

"Serena, will you forgive me for earlier, when I called you Meat...uh, well, you know."

"You mean when you called me Meatball Head again after I dared you to?"

"Yeah. That would be it."

"Only if you forgive me for flipping you off and pouring water on your head, and.." Serna stood up and started to walk over to Darien. He moved over to allow her room to sit down.

"And what?" Darien looked at Serena waiting for her to finish her sentence.

"And you start calling me Meatball Head again. I think it's cute. I just never wanted you to know that. It's the first nickname I've had aside from Bunny," Serena smiled at Darien.

Darien couldn't help but laugh. It was deep and velvety.

"Wow, Darien Chiba actually laughing? What gone wrong in the world?" Serena turned away from Darien again.

"Remember this moment forever. I can't tell you the next time I laugh other than at your expense." Darien smiled too.

Darien's brow became deep and furrowed when he heard a strange noise. It was almost like an animal growling, but he had never heard an animal sound like that before.

"Did you hear something?" Darien looked around the room.

"Sorry, it's my stomach. We didn't have dinner, remember?" Serena's face went red.

"Oh yeah, well, lets see what we've got here." Darien stood up and walked to a box in the corner. Serena was a little sad to see him get up. Curse you stomach! Why did you pick this time to speak up? Whoa, am I actually wishing that Darien was still here, sitting next to me? I guess its time to stop lying to myself. Yes, I like Darien. There, I admitted it. Too bad I'm talking to myself.

"Okay Meatball Head, we have Lay's and pretzels and some candy bars. What's your choice?"

"Oh, let me see the candy bars!" Serena stood up and began to run towards Darien. The only problem was that she did it just slightly too fast. She tripped just before she reached the corner. Darien, seeing Serena falling, took a step and reached out to catch the falling blonde. He made it just in time.

"Should have known," Darien said as he began to lift Serena to a standing position. He tried to avoid her eyes. He was afraid that if looked into the blue eyes of this young girl, he would fall. He would fall so deep he wouldn't be able to escape. Darien wasn't sure if he was ready for that, after all, he still had school, and....well, school. How could he focus on both? Stop lying! You're afraid of it. You're afraid to love. That's your problem. Wait! Avoid the eyes! But it was too late.