Title: Winter Snow
Author: Crystal Saturn
Rated: PG
Chapter: 25- Strength
Last time on "Winter Snow".
Darien watched the little blonde girl bounce out the door and his gaze fell back to the fragile dark-haired teen lying on the hospital bed.
"Have faith, Darien." Serena gently placed her hand on Darien's knee. He turned to face her and smiled weakly, placing his hand on top of hers and nodding.
The Next Morning, Darien woke up to a silent apartment after deciding that he had to come back and face his responsibilities. After groaning, he rolled out of bed and landed on the floor. Lazily he got up and walked out of his room, mumbling it was too early for anything, even coffee, although he was willing to prove himself wrong, and as he walked down the corridor to the kitchen, he paused in front of Crystal's room. With one clenched fist, he slowly opened the door to her room, peeking in. All her belongings remained where they previously were, untouched. In his mind, Darien refused to believe his sister was in a hospital bed, fighting for her life. He would pretend she was still sleeping, just for this morning, to hold back his tears.
The time read 6:14 AM by the time Darien had made his second cup of hot coffee. Waiting for some internal response from his body to show it was awake from the early morning caffeine kick, he decided to take a long shower to help him relax. While in the shower, Darien had the strangest urge to look up to the heavens and ask the question "why" but frowned at himself and continued silently.
As Darien got out of the shower, he placed a towel around his waist and walked out to his room, looking at the clock as he walked in. 6:39 AM. "Why does time have to pass so slowly?" Darien grunted, frustrated, as he ruffled his dark wet hair and fell backwards onto his bed. Darien gave out a frustrated sigh as he began to find some clothes and dress himself before walking back to the kitchen to make his third cup of coffee for the morning.
Although it was almost 7AM, it as darker than usual, the late Autumn sky was covered with dark rain clouds that threatened to spill over. "Just what I need now, rain to remind me of how I'm feeling!" Darien shook his head gloomily. Just as he did, small splattering noises could be heard coming from the balcony. "Huhhh…" He sighed again. Thankfully, the doorbell rang, distracting him from his own dark thoughts. At first, Darien refused to get up to answer the door, but then decided it would be rude not to so he stood up and made for the door. He unlatched the locks, opening it to reveal a small blue eyed blonde meatball headed girl.
"Hey Serena.. What are you doing here?" Darien asked wearily. "Just making sure you get your breakfast" Serena lifted a bag up and smiled genuinely, which couldn't help but make Darien also smile, and he let her in.
They sat down at the glass table and began breakfast silently. Darien looked at the girl in front of him, wondering why she was doing this. She basically still acted like his girlfriend even though he had hurt her and pushed her away. She stood by him when he needed her. He noticed this and appreciated it. He knew that he needed her.
*What would I do without you Serena?* Darien asked himself. *I don't think I would be able to do anything.* He answered his own question.
"So what time did you wake up?" Serena decided to break the silence and awkwardness.
"About 5:30." Darien sighed "What about you?"
"Same." Serena sat down,
"Why so early?" Darien asked becoming concerned.
"I just... woke up and couldn't get to sleep afterwards." Serena replied. They sat in a more comfortable silence for the rest of breakfast. Serena stood up to take a plate into the kitchen
"Here... let me take that" Darien took the plate from Serena. As his hands briefly brushed against hers, they both felt shivers run up and down their spines. "I'll give you a lift to school so you're not late." Darien stuttered, pretending not to notice the electricity between them.
"Alright." Serena sat down again. Darien placed the plates in the sink and grabbed his car keys. "We're still really early." Serena informed
"Oh alright." Darien looked at his watch and it read 7:19AM
"Do you want to go to the hospital?" Serena asked quietly.
"Mhmm." Darien nodded firmly and they both walked out of the apartment. In the car, Darien struggled to find something to talk about.
"How did you sleep last night?" Darien ended up asking
"Pretty good actually." Serena lied. In reality, she had had a disturbing nightmare which she couldn't forget. She wanted to tell Darien, but she didn't know how to, and she didn't know how he'd react. "What about you?"
"That's good to hear." Darien felt slightly uncomfortable, remembering his nightmares. They had returned again with a vengeance last night. "About the same." He responded to her question vaguely, driving into the hospital car park.
They both walked down the corridors and slowed down at Crystal's room. Darien carefully and quietly opened the door and they both entered. Darien took his usual seat next to his sister and Serena sat down next to him. Time slowly passed and it was now time for Darien to take Serena to school, so they both stood up. Serena stood beside Crystal and held her hand for a few moments, silently wishing her to get better before following Darien down to the car park. Most of the ride to school was spent talking about small things, school, the arcade, weather. Nothing very important. They soon reached their destination and Serena got out of the car.
"I'll stop by at the hospital after school." Serena smiled as she turned around.
"Serena, wait." Darien called after her. Serena turned around again, wincing every time a raindrop fell on her face.
"Take these." Darien handed her his jacket and umbrella "So you don't get wet, and just in case you get cold." Darien smiled slightly. Serena smiled and opened the umbrella. She looked straight into his eyes, silently expressing her gratitude before turning around once again and walked into the school.
Darien watched Serena walk into school and sighed before driving back to the hospital. There, he sat, patiently watching his sister, and slowly he could feel himself grow weary as he placed his head on the bed, next to Crystal's hand and fell asleep.
He awoke to a warm touch upon his cheek and opened his eyes. Blinking, he realized he was still in the hospital. He looked up and could see Crystal's hand move ever so slightly.
"Crystal?" Darien asked as he held onto Crystal's small hand. He got no response. "Crystal, please wake up." Darien pleaded. Still no response, but he felt her hand squeeze his lightly. A small smile spread across Darien's lips.
*Darien.* Darien heard Crystal's small voice through their mind link
*Crys! You're ok!* Darien responded.
*Yeah, I guess.* Crystal mumbled
*What do you mean?* Darien asked, curiously
*Darien, why won't you tell her about your dreams?* Crystal's voice asked. He looked down at the pale girl lying on the hospital bed. *Darien she deserves to know.*
*I know.* Darien confessed *I'll tell her in due time. Now get some rest ok? But stay with me. Don't go anywhere.*
*Alright Dare* Crystal's voice faded.
The rest of the day was spent in silence. Darien refused to let go of Crystal's hand as he lay his head back down on the bed. He felt a little less burdened and heavy now that he had received a response, some reaction from Crystal to know she was ok.
Darien awoke to a tapping on the door.
"Hey." Serena smiled warmly. "How is everything?"
"Good. Better" Darien smiled as he corrected himself "But there's something I need to talk to you about." Darien's smile faded away as his eyes grew dark and his expression grew serious.
"Ok. What's up?" Serena asked, taking a seat next to Darien.
"Something happened while you were gone." Darien began.
Crystal Saturn
