Serena Conner has never been one to not stand up for
herself. When her rich unresponsible parents sent
her to her Aunt's house for the summer, on their way
off to an anual vacation, Serena loathed to return
to the old routine. Shopping, hanging out with her
cousin Andrew, and just a little bit of beach fun.
She hardly thought of Andrew's bestfriend, who she
had faught with the summers previously, and
when she was driving away from the airport, only
then did the memory of his navy eyes resurface.
How Long Can You Last?
Author: Cappuchino_Princezz
Rated: PG13
This is a little teaser.....I know it's short, but
i need your opinions...because I'm not sure if I'll
turn this into a good story.
****************************************************
Chapter 1 - To Aunt Edna's House We Go
I suppose it had always been too much to
ask of my parents. I had asked them to take me
along when they traveled around the world, but
they had always ignored my requests and dumped me
at my Aunt Edna's. I'm not complaining about Aunt
Edna, or her son, Andrew, but its Andrew's best
friend that rubs me the wrong way, if you know
what I mean. It seems as if he tries to prove
me in the wrong with everything I do. Constantly
we compete in anything and everything. Sports,
grades, even popularity was a competition to him……
****************************************************
The Californian sun beamed down on me as I stepped
on the gas pedal and the car shot off. The airport
soon disappeared from my view, and I was no longer
haunted by the large steele bird my parents owned.
Sometimes age was an advantage. I was finally
allowed to get my licence, much to my surprise,
because my parents prefered me to be driven everywhere.
I was now able to drive to Aunt Edna's myself. What fun.
I was tieing my own nuice, I'll tell you how much
fun I was having. Defiantly, for me being the rebel
I was, I blared my music. My parents had told me
that it wasn't music at all, and it was the most
vulgar, vile composite of sounds they had every heard.
Two words they disgusted. "Punk Rock"
My mother spit the words out like bad fish
eggs, and I could only smirk at the disdainfully
sour face she made whenever she talked about it.
My father was a little more understanding,
he was the one that bought me the car and the system
in it.
Mom and dad are vacationing somewhere off
the coast of Spain, relaxing on an island where
there are parties all day and the waterfountains
contain champaign.
But enough of talking about them. They were
the ones who sentenced me to a summer at Aunt Edna's.
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't
love my Aunt Edna or her son, Andrew. It's just
Andrew's bestfriend what's his name, that rubs me the
wrong way. He's got the body of Adonis, and the ego
of Narcisis. Sadly, he's my only match at fooze ball
and the arcade games.
I was really dreading seeing him again. The
past two summers I'd begged the parentals to let me
go to Europe with Mina Sison, my bestfriend. They
actually let me. Well, Andrew had played the guilt
trip on me at Christmas, and when he got my refusal
of presenting myself in his hometown willingly, he
went straight to the source, and asked my mom. I
was completely devasted to say the least.
He seemed rather desperate for company.
I secretly hoped Darien had been killed in
a car accident or transferred to a foriegn country,
but that was only wishful thinking when I saw the
shiny black sports car in the driveway of Aunt Edna's
Victorian Style house's courtyard, amongst several
others. Beginning to wonder what on earth could
be going on, my hands tapped on the steering wheel
in aggitation and anticipation, I couldn't help but
blindly grope the door for the handle. Several men,
well, college guys, were lounging on the veranda.
A few were clothed in dress shirts with khakis or
black slacks and dress shoes to complete their
ansembles, but multiple others were dressed in
casual clothes, their attire consisting of
Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirts and faded baggy
jeans, bulky docks disguising their feet. After
I realized that I was slowing down to turn into the
courtyard, I quickly checked for cars before
signaling my turn and pulling in, kicking rocks and
causing the guys to cease their heated conversation
and turn my way. My music was still blaring, but
as I slammed on the brakes I could hear the yell of
Andrew. Rolling my eyes up toward the sky, the
windows did as well, and I turned my music up as
Andrew, my crazy frat boy cousin bounded down the
stairs and practically jumped ontop of my car.
"Get off Andrew!" I mouthed as I felt the
car jerk slightly. I was presently rearranging my
CD's and the large pile fell to the floor in a
disorganised clutter.
Andrew was sitting on the hood of my darling
silver Mercadies. He was grinning like the idiot I
remembered. The satisfaction of getting his way was
clearly evident, and it was enough to boil my blood.
Not bothering to turn down the music, I threw the
shift into park and lept out of the sunroof, scrambling
after my annoying cousin.
"I'm going to kill you!" I screeched and tore
after him. He was halfway up the stairs already.
"Andrew Octavious Michael Johnson!" I called out
his full name, effectively stopping him in his tracks
at the top of the stairs. He turned toward me, and
I threw my weight into him, which I'll admit isn't
that much. He caught me easily but lost his balance
at the momentum I had coming with me, and we toppled
onto the veranda, my body cradled in his. I was still
seething, but he was laughing. Andrew helped himself
up, and when he attempted to help me also, I smacked
his hands away and hoisted myself up like the independant
woman I am. Actually, I found myself being pulled up
a millisecond after I had turned down Andrew's helping
hand. It was rather difficult to get up when I was
wearing a skirt anyway, but I hadn't remembered that
until I felt the denim of my helper brush my bare legs.
The skirt was short, only coming to a little above
midthigh, and was in layers of firey red, orange,
and purpley blues. My tight red tank top and denim
jacket clothed my body, and purpley blue knee-high
boots were on my feet, adding two inches to my height.
The temporary red, black, purple, and dark blue streaks
in my hair were clearly visible in my ponytail, and my
make-up was definitely making a statement. It's true I
didn't dress like this all the time. There were
occasions when I had dinner parties or galas to attend
with my parents, but other than that, and working
out or training for the sports and competitions,
my closet was crammed full of crazy statement making,
eye-catching, attention getting outfits that made
several guys' heads turn and double take.
"You punked out princess." Andrew laughed and
pulled me into a tight hug. I smiled slightly. I
hadn't seen him since Christmas. Although I was
mad at him, it felt good to be seeing and hearing
him after such a long time. Wait a minute, I had a
choice in that situation. I had been flat out avoiding
him when he came to our mansion on a short visit. I'd
flown to New York for a serious shopping spree with Mina
and Raye as soon as Mom mentioned his arrival.
Pushing him away I glared defiantly at him.
"Well, you haven't seen me in so long, dear Andrew.
And if I'd had MY way, I'd be in London right now trying
on dresses, rather than standing in the land of the Beach
Boys." I bit out. He smiled even brighter and chuckled.
"Well, Mom wanted to see you. She started talking
about redecorating the living room, and you know she thinks
you're the queen when it comes to fasion." He grinned at
me. I smirked.
"Flattery will get you nowhere." I remarked.
"Hey bleach girl, your car is still running." I
spun on my heels at the sound of my hated adversary's voice.
My eyes shamelessly moved from his shoes to the tips of
his sexy hair, before finally settling on his piercing
midnight blue eyes.
Chapter 2 -
"The name is Serenity, or Serena if you're lucky.
Other than that, call me Miss Violet."
"Violet eh? So the bleach queen has a lastname.
I'd always wondered about that." his teasing remarks
about the natural diamond highlights in my golden, but
temporarily multi-colored, hair were grating on my nerves.
"Now...." I paused, drawing a complete blank as
to his name. Confused, I turned to look at Andrew for
support and help. He eyed me oddly before slowly
nodding his head to egde me on.
"Darien." I heard a clearly feminine voice
call out.
*So THAT'S his name!* my internal voice cried out.
*I'm SAVED!*
He turned his head just as a tall scandalously
dressed, red-headed bimbo ran out of the house and launched
herself into his arms.
*Woah! Back up there gurl! Since when did you start
usin the word 'bimbo'? Yo momma sure didn't teach you that
one.* My inner voice seemed to get the better of me, and
I had no answer.
(AN: What kind of story would it be without Beryl? I just
had to put her in it. I'm the classics kind of girl. hehe.)
The stringy neon pink straps of her swimsuit were clearly
visible poking out of the shoulders of her black tanktop.
She was in beach attire. The gaudy black swimskirt concealed
nothing, not even the barely-there bottom of the two piece
suit, I mean segment of string, she was wearing. But her
flaming red hair and pale skin contrasted greatly with the
swimsuit, and I had a feeling the other guys knew it because
as I glanced at them, they were all turned away. Even Andrew,
who never passes up a chance to learn more about the female
anatomy, had diverted his eyes.
"Beryl, aren't you supposed to be by the pool area?"
Andrew questioned, still not looking at her. I turned toward
him again at the tone in his voice. It was one of impatience
and disgust. He seemed to notice my confusion once more and
quickly pulled me to him. "Don't talk to her, Sere. She's
not the right kind of person you need to be socializing
with." he whispered to me.
"What is that racket? It sounds like screeching
monkeys!" I heard the woman complain.
"It's Serena's music."
Anger once again licked along my viens and I used
all my self-control to stop from exploding on the two.
"It's called music, whoever you are." I managed to
bite out before I pulled Andrew down the stairs with me.
Stalking to my car, I reached for the door handle and tried
to open it. Finding the doors locked, I sighed and hoisted
myself onto the roof and leaned down through the sunroof,
that was still open from my earlier hurried escape.
Turning the volume down, I proceeded to reach for the
ignition. After that, my fingers strained to reach the
unlock buttons, and I sighed with relief after the click
of the doors unlocking was heard.
I slid out of the sunroof and opened the driver's
-side door before slipping in. Andrew was already in the
passengers seat.
"Where are you going Andy?" Beryl called out.
"I'm going on short ride with my cousin." he
barked coldly. "If my mom wonders where I'm at, guys,
tell her the princess has arrived, but we left for a
coffee break. We'll be back in a few." At the end
of his message, I started the car and the engine purred.
Smiling in satisfaction, I cranked the volume to drown
out the sound of the bimbo's high pitched, fake voice.
"Drive Sere." I heard Andrew's order and stomped onto
the gas after swiftly switching into drive. We kicked
up rocks but were out of sight in a matter of seconds.
Not bothering to slow down as I took a sharp corner
I laughed as Andrew gave a small yelp of fright as a car
horn blasted. Apparently, I had pulled out infront of
a stupid bus-looking vehicle. He turned off my music
and I spotted a parking space. Slowing down, I slid into
the spot, and shut off the engine.
Turning toward him, highly amuzed to say the very
least, I rested a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Now I know why you wanted me to come keep you
company this summer." I offered a slight smile. He returned
it slowly.
"It's not just that, Princess." He sighed, looking
out the window.
"Then what else?"
"I wanted you to take Beryl's place."
The prospect of driving to the nearest mental clinic
and leaving my dearest cousin there donning a straight jacket
was very entertaining.
I can't say that my mind didn't entertain the idea. But,
instead, I turned the engine back on and waited for my chance to
break back into the traffic stream. Not bothering to start a
conversation, I knew I'd end up kicking him out of the vehicle
if I had tried to utter something. Barely recognizing that I
was still driving, I navigated through the streets aimlessly,
until we finally pulled into Andrew's driveway.
Darien and Aunt Edna were waiting on the porch.
Scrambling to fasten my seatbelt, in order to look responsible,
(like I ever wear the annoying thing!) and plastered on a fake
smile. Andrew had turned my music back on and so I saw Edna
cringe at the sounds that caused her pain. Slowly, we pulled
up to the front and I shut off the car once again.
Aunt Edna raced down the stairs, with Darien following
shortly behind her. She rushed to me and I soon found myself
being crushed in her strong hold.
"Oh Serenity, darling! I'm so glad you decided to
come this summer."
"It's wonderful to be here, Aunt Edna." she released
me and I inhaled fresh air. "Andrew mentioned you're thinking
about redoing the living room was it?" As I talked we strolled
into the house, Andrew and Darien trailing behind.
"Oh yes, that's right dear. The western style just doesn't
suit my tastes anymore. I was thinking we go for an oceanic
or ice castle appearance." She gushed excitedly. I smiled at
her enthusiasm, and felt very guilty for not having visited.
We all ended up eating dinner together, and relaxing in
the den. I excused myself first, and slipped into the favorite
part of the house. The study. It was like a library, crammed
full of books. I had read almost half of them.
I quickly searched the shelves for the book I thought
they had. I was dieing to read it. One of my teachers had
reccommended it.
After about two weeks of torture under the cold eyes
of Darien, I finally escaped back home. Aunt Edna was set.
She had decided to decorate her living room with tropical
airy decor. Andrew was asleep the day I left, and Aunt
Edna said her teary good-byes, before I hurriedly hopped
into my car and sped away. There wasn't much confrontation
over the next few years, because I was off to college in
England, studying to become an interior designer.
Mom hadn't been too thrilled with my newfound
independancy, and always insisted on sending a two thousand
dollar check once a month, which I always deposited into
my bank account. It was pointless to use it, because I
was working as a part-time secretary to a fasion designer
who had seen my work at a fesitval, and contacted me.
I graduated, which means I had to return home.
It's a shame, and I really didn't want to, but mom and dad
had been insistant, so I was packed on their private jet,
and flown to America, the land of the free, and home of
my grave. (just kidding.....or am I?) When the jet
landed, I was very hesitant to get out of my seat.
Although it had been six years, it wasn't enough
time to myself. I had contemplated having the pilot
turn around half-way through the flight, but when I
had to fight with the seat belt, I realized that fate
wanted me to suffer, and suffer I would. I remember
wondering how long I could last.
Seeing all those familiar faces, and possibly
only being able to place a select few. I had lost
touch with many of my old acqaintances, but I wasn't
saddened at that.
The jet was finally stopped, but I remained
seated, my hands grasping the cold buckle.
I was suddenly very self-concious as to my
outfit. My low rise sweatpants, (the ones that are
all the rage now) and my skimpy t-shirt didn't seem
as elegant now as they did when I was rushing through
my apartment. I wasn't perfect, I couldn't ALWAYS
get up on time. Slowly, the buckle unclasped, and I
slid from my seat, managing to grab my bag in the one
next to me. With my sweatjacket tied around my waist,
I paused just before the door to slip it on, before
descending the steps. Cool air gently blew my hair
around my face, and I swiped and secured the rebellious
locks with a ponytail holder. It had remained it's
usual length, but there was no trace of the outrageous
colors that I had once donned. My icy cerulean blue
eyes were hidden behind stylish sunglasses, and as my
blue suede tennis shoe clad feet carried me over to
a large group that waited behind the gate, I scanned
the crowd. I didn't know for whom, I wasn't certain.
Spotting a familiar head of unruly blonde hair, I allowed
a smile to grace my glossed lips. My parents were the
first to do the honor of hugging me. But, I was passed
from person to person, down what seemed like an endless
line of forgotten faces, soon after. And then, I was
handed over to the blonde man, and I actually enveloped
him in a tight hug first.
"I'm so glad to see you Andy!" I couldn't help
but gush. It was wonderful to be held by his strong
arms once again.
"Missed you Princess. You're not going back,
are you?" he squeezed me tighter. I smiled softly.
"At least not for awhile. I'll be over to
visit you and Aunt Edna in a week or two. I've got
business to attend to there." In truth, I did. My
former boss had talked me into getting an interview
for a fasion company in California. I had agreed,
and the date was in two weeks.
That night, as I was pacing my old room, my
sketch pencil stuck in my hair, my hand to my chin,
and my glasses hanging low on my nose, I was brought
to a halt when there was a knock on my door. The
entire West wing was my side of the house, so, after
glancing at the clock which read 10:02, I was wondering
who would be knocking at this time.
"Yes?" I cleared my throat, trying my best to
sound very much annoyed. I was more intrigued than
annoyed, but not many people knew the difference with
me.
"Sere, open up before I break this damn door
down." growled a familiar voice. I smiled and rushed
to fling the door open and hug my best friend, Raye
Randal. Her raven black hair and violet eyes were
just as I remembered, and I was really happy to see
her.
"HI!" I couldn't help
"Maybe, if you still wanted the ice castle, we
could go all white and ice blue. Crystal for the lamps
and the chandalier. Maybe even go with a dark look.
Thinking of cobalt carpeting."
I rattled on, not really having to worry about what she thought.
She always loved my ideas.
"Wonderful idea. Do you think you could higher your
company to do it?" she suddenly inquired. I was abit taken
aback by the sudden suggestion.
"My company?" I was confused. Only my parents and
friends knew that I ran Moon Design Inc.
"Yes, dear. Your mother just raved about your decorating
skills.
Thanx for reading this. Drop me a message or e-mail me at
expressoncream@hotmail.com. I look forward to the e-mails!
herself. When her rich unresponsible parents sent
her to her Aunt's house for the summer, on their way
off to an anual vacation, Serena loathed to return
to the old routine. Shopping, hanging out with her
cousin Andrew, and just a little bit of beach fun.
She hardly thought of Andrew's bestfriend, who she
had faught with the summers previously, and
when she was driving away from the airport, only
then did the memory of his navy eyes resurface.
How Long Can You Last?
Author: Cappuchino_Princezz
Rated: PG13
This is a little teaser.....I know it's short, but
i need your opinions...because I'm not sure if I'll
turn this into a good story.
****************************************************
Chapter 1 - To Aunt Edna's House We Go
I suppose it had always been too much to
ask of my parents. I had asked them to take me
along when they traveled around the world, but
they had always ignored my requests and dumped me
at my Aunt Edna's. I'm not complaining about Aunt
Edna, or her son, Andrew, but its Andrew's best
friend that rubs me the wrong way, if you know
what I mean. It seems as if he tries to prove
me in the wrong with everything I do. Constantly
we compete in anything and everything. Sports,
grades, even popularity was a competition to him……
****************************************************
The Californian sun beamed down on me as I stepped
on the gas pedal and the car shot off. The airport
soon disappeared from my view, and I was no longer
haunted by the large steele bird my parents owned.
Sometimes age was an advantage. I was finally
allowed to get my licence, much to my surprise,
because my parents prefered me to be driven everywhere.
I was now able to drive to Aunt Edna's myself. What fun.
I was tieing my own nuice, I'll tell you how much
fun I was having. Defiantly, for me being the rebel
I was, I blared my music. My parents had told me
that it wasn't music at all, and it was the most
vulgar, vile composite of sounds they had every heard.
Two words they disgusted. "Punk Rock"
My mother spit the words out like bad fish
eggs, and I could only smirk at the disdainfully
sour face she made whenever she talked about it.
My father was a little more understanding,
he was the one that bought me the car and the system
in it.
Mom and dad are vacationing somewhere off
the coast of Spain, relaxing on an island where
there are parties all day and the waterfountains
contain champaign.
But enough of talking about them. They were
the ones who sentenced me to a summer at Aunt Edna's.
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't
love my Aunt Edna or her son, Andrew. It's just
Andrew's bestfriend what's his name, that rubs me the
wrong way. He's got the body of Adonis, and the ego
of Narcisis. Sadly, he's my only match at fooze ball
and the arcade games.
I was really dreading seeing him again. The
past two summers I'd begged the parentals to let me
go to Europe with Mina Sison, my bestfriend. They
actually let me. Well, Andrew had played the guilt
trip on me at Christmas, and when he got my refusal
of presenting myself in his hometown willingly, he
went straight to the source, and asked my mom. I
was completely devasted to say the least.
He seemed rather desperate for company.
I secretly hoped Darien had been killed in
a car accident or transferred to a foriegn country,
but that was only wishful thinking when I saw the
shiny black sports car in the driveway of Aunt Edna's
Victorian Style house's courtyard, amongst several
others. Beginning to wonder what on earth could
be going on, my hands tapped on the steering wheel
in aggitation and anticipation, I couldn't help but
blindly grope the door for the handle. Several men,
well, college guys, were lounging on the veranda.
A few were clothed in dress shirts with khakis or
black slacks and dress shoes to complete their
ansembles, but multiple others were dressed in
casual clothes, their attire consisting of
Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirts and faded baggy
jeans, bulky docks disguising their feet. After
I realized that I was slowing down to turn into the
courtyard, I quickly checked for cars before
signaling my turn and pulling in, kicking rocks and
causing the guys to cease their heated conversation
and turn my way. My music was still blaring, but
as I slammed on the brakes I could hear the yell of
Andrew. Rolling my eyes up toward the sky, the
windows did as well, and I turned my music up as
Andrew, my crazy frat boy cousin bounded down the
stairs and practically jumped ontop of my car.
"Get off Andrew!" I mouthed as I felt the
car jerk slightly. I was presently rearranging my
CD's and the large pile fell to the floor in a
disorganised clutter.
Andrew was sitting on the hood of my darling
silver Mercadies. He was grinning like the idiot I
remembered. The satisfaction of getting his way was
clearly evident, and it was enough to boil my blood.
Not bothering to turn down the music, I threw the
shift into park and lept out of the sunroof, scrambling
after my annoying cousin.
"I'm going to kill you!" I screeched and tore
after him. He was halfway up the stairs already.
"Andrew Octavious Michael Johnson!" I called out
his full name, effectively stopping him in his tracks
at the top of the stairs. He turned toward me, and
I threw my weight into him, which I'll admit isn't
that much. He caught me easily but lost his balance
at the momentum I had coming with me, and we toppled
onto the veranda, my body cradled in his. I was still
seething, but he was laughing. Andrew helped himself
up, and when he attempted to help me also, I smacked
his hands away and hoisted myself up like the independant
woman I am. Actually, I found myself being pulled up
a millisecond after I had turned down Andrew's helping
hand. It was rather difficult to get up when I was
wearing a skirt anyway, but I hadn't remembered that
until I felt the denim of my helper brush my bare legs.
The skirt was short, only coming to a little above
midthigh, and was in layers of firey red, orange,
and purpley blues. My tight red tank top and denim
jacket clothed my body, and purpley blue knee-high
boots were on my feet, adding two inches to my height.
The temporary red, black, purple, and dark blue streaks
in my hair were clearly visible in my ponytail, and my
make-up was definitely making a statement. It's true I
didn't dress like this all the time. There were
occasions when I had dinner parties or galas to attend
with my parents, but other than that, and working
out or training for the sports and competitions,
my closet was crammed full of crazy statement making,
eye-catching, attention getting outfits that made
several guys' heads turn and double take.
"You punked out princess." Andrew laughed and
pulled me into a tight hug. I smiled slightly. I
hadn't seen him since Christmas. Although I was
mad at him, it felt good to be seeing and hearing
him after such a long time. Wait a minute, I had a
choice in that situation. I had been flat out avoiding
him when he came to our mansion on a short visit. I'd
flown to New York for a serious shopping spree with Mina
and Raye as soon as Mom mentioned his arrival.
Pushing him away I glared defiantly at him.
"Well, you haven't seen me in so long, dear Andrew.
And if I'd had MY way, I'd be in London right now trying
on dresses, rather than standing in the land of the Beach
Boys." I bit out. He smiled even brighter and chuckled.
"Well, Mom wanted to see you. She started talking
about redecorating the living room, and you know she thinks
you're the queen when it comes to fasion." He grinned at
me. I smirked.
"Flattery will get you nowhere." I remarked.
"Hey bleach girl, your car is still running." I
spun on my heels at the sound of my hated adversary's voice.
My eyes shamelessly moved from his shoes to the tips of
his sexy hair, before finally settling on his piercing
midnight blue eyes.
Chapter 2 -
"The name is Serenity, or Serena if you're lucky.
Other than that, call me Miss Violet."
"Violet eh? So the bleach queen has a lastname.
I'd always wondered about that." his teasing remarks
about the natural diamond highlights in my golden, but
temporarily multi-colored, hair were grating on my nerves.
"Now...." I paused, drawing a complete blank as
to his name. Confused, I turned to look at Andrew for
support and help. He eyed me oddly before slowly
nodding his head to egde me on.
"Darien." I heard a clearly feminine voice
call out.
*So THAT'S his name!* my internal voice cried out.
*I'm SAVED!*
He turned his head just as a tall scandalously
dressed, red-headed bimbo ran out of the house and launched
herself into his arms.
*Woah! Back up there gurl! Since when did you start
usin the word 'bimbo'? Yo momma sure didn't teach you that
one.* My inner voice seemed to get the better of me, and
I had no answer.
(AN: What kind of story would it be without Beryl? I just
had to put her in it. I'm the classics kind of girl. hehe.)
The stringy neon pink straps of her swimsuit were clearly
visible poking out of the shoulders of her black tanktop.
She was in beach attire. The gaudy black swimskirt concealed
nothing, not even the barely-there bottom of the two piece
suit, I mean segment of string, she was wearing. But her
flaming red hair and pale skin contrasted greatly with the
swimsuit, and I had a feeling the other guys knew it because
as I glanced at them, they were all turned away. Even Andrew,
who never passes up a chance to learn more about the female
anatomy, had diverted his eyes.
"Beryl, aren't you supposed to be by the pool area?"
Andrew questioned, still not looking at her. I turned toward
him again at the tone in his voice. It was one of impatience
and disgust. He seemed to notice my confusion once more and
quickly pulled me to him. "Don't talk to her, Sere. She's
not the right kind of person you need to be socializing
with." he whispered to me.
"What is that racket? It sounds like screeching
monkeys!" I heard the woman complain.
"It's Serena's music."
Anger once again licked along my viens and I used
all my self-control to stop from exploding on the two.
"It's called music, whoever you are." I managed to
bite out before I pulled Andrew down the stairs with me.
Stalking to my car, I reached for the door handle and tried
to open it. Finding the doors locked, I sighed and hoisted
myself onto the roof and leaned down through the sunroof,
that was still open from my earlier hurried escape.
Turning the volume down, I proceeded to reach for the
ignition. After that, my fingers strained to reach the
unlock buttons, and I sighed with relief after the click
of the doors unlocking was heard.
I slid out of the sunroof and opened the driver's
-side door before slipping in. Andrew was already in the
passengers seat.
"Where are you going Andy?" Beryl called out.
"I'm going on short ride with my cousin." he
barked coldly. "If my mom wonders where I'm at, guys,
tell her the princess has arrived, but we left for a
coffee break. We'll be back in a few." At the end
of his message, I started the car and the engine purred.
Smiling in satisfaction, I cranked the volume to drown
out the sound of the bimbo's high pitched, fake voice.
"Drive Sere." I heard Andrew's order and stomped onto
the gas after swiftly switching into drive. We kicked
up rocks but were out of sight in a matter of seconds.
Not bothering to slow down as I took a sharp corner
I laughed as Andrew gave a small yelp of fright as a car
horn blasted. Apparently, I had pulled out infront of
a stupid bus-looking vehicle. He turned off my music
and I spotted a parking space. Slowing down, I slid into
the spot, and shut off the engine.
Turning toward him, highly amuzed to say the very
least, I rested a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Now I know why you wanted me to come keep you
company this summer." I offered a slight smile. He returned
it slowly.
"It's not just that, Princess." He sighed, looking
out the window.
"Then what else?"
"I wanted you to take Beryl's place."
The prospect of driving to the nearest mental clinic
and leaving my dearest cousin there donning a straight jacket
was very entertaining.
I can't say that my mind didn't entertain the idea. But,
instead, I turned the engine back on and waited for my chance to
break back into the traffic stream. Not bothering to start a
conversation, I knew I'd end up kicking him out of the vehicle
if I had tried to utter something. Barely recognizing that I
was still driving, I navigated through the streets aimlessly,
until we finally pulled into Andrew's driveway.
Darien and Aunt Edna were waiting on the porch.
Scrambling to fasten my seatbelt, in order to look responsible,
(like I ever wear the annoying thing!) and plastered on a fake
smile. Andrew had turned my music back on and so I saw Edna
cringe at the sounds that caused her pain. Slowly, we pulled
up to the front and I shut off the car once again.
Aunt Edna raced down the stairs, with Darien following
shortly behind her. She rushed to me and I soon found myself
being crushed in her strong hold.
"Oh Serenity, darling! I'm so glad you decided to
come this summer."
"It's wonderful to be here, Aunt Edna." she released
me and I inhaled fresh air. "Andrew mentioned you're thinking
about redoing the living room was it?" As I talked we strolled
into the house, Andrew and Darien trailing behind.
"Oh yes, that's right dear. The western style just doesn't
suit my tastes anymore. I was thinking we go for an oceanic
or ice castle appearance." She gushed excitedly. I smiled at
her enthusiasm, and felt very guilty for not having visited.
We all ended up eating dinner together, and relaxing in
the den. I excused myself first, and slipped into the favorite
part of the house. The study. It was like a library, crammed
full of books. I had read almost half of them.
I quickly searched the shelves for the book I thought
they had. I was dieing to read it. One of my teachers had
reccommended it.
After about two weeks of torture under the cold eyes
of Darien, I finally escaped back home. Aunt Edna was set.
She had decided to decorate her living room with tropical
airy decor. Andrew was asleep the day I left, and Aunt
Edna said her teary good-byes, before I hurriedly hopped
into my car and sped away. There wasn't much confrontation
over the next few years, because I was off to college in
England, studying to become an interior designer.
Mom hadn't been too thrilled with my newfound
independancy, and always insisted on sending a two thousand
dollar check once a month, which I always deposited into
my bank account. It was pointless to use it, because I
was working as a part-time secretary to a fasion designer
who had seen my work at a fesitval, and contacted me.
I graduated, which means I had to return home.
It's a shame, and I really didn't want to, but mom and dad
had been insistant, so I was packed on their private jet,
and flown to America, the land of the free, and home of
my grave. (just kidding.....or am I?) When the jet
landed, I was very hesitant to get out of my seat.
Although it had been six years, it wasn't enough
time to myself. I had contemplated having the pilot
turn around half-way through the flight, but when I
had to fight with the seat belt, I realized that fate
wanted me to suffer, and suffer I would. I remember
wondering how long I could last.
Seeing all those familiar faces, and possibly
only being able to place a select few. I had lost
touch with many of my old acqaintances, but I wasn't
saddened at that.
The jet was finally stopped, but I remained
seated, my hands grasping the cold buckle.
I was suddenly very self-concious as to my
outfit. My low rise sweatpants, (the ones that are
all the rage now) and my skimpy t-shirt didn't seem
as elegant now as they did when I was rushing through
my apartment. I wasn't perfect, I couldn't ALWAYS
get up on time. Slowly, the buckle unclasped, and I
slid from my seat, managing to grab my bag in the one
next to me. With my sweatjacket tied around my waist,
I paused just before the door to slip it on, before
descending the steps. Cool air gently blew my hair
around my face, and I swiped and secured the rebellious
locks with a ponytail holder. It had remained it's
usual length, but there was no trace of the outrageous
colors that I had once donned. My icy cerulean blue
eyes were hidden behind stylish sunglasses, and as my
blue suede tennis shoe clad feet carried me over to
a large group that waited behind the gate, I scanned
the crowd. I didn't know for whom, I wasn't certain.
Spotting a familiar head of unruly blonde hair, I allowed
a smile to grace my glossed lips. My parents were the
first to do the honor of hugging me. But, I was passed
from person to person, down what seemed like an endless
line of forgotten faces, soon after. And then, I was
handed over to the blonde man, and I actually enveloped
him in a tight hug first.
"I'm so glad to see you Andy!" I couldn't help
but gush. It was wonderful to be held by his strong
arms once again.
"Missed you Princess. You're not going back,
are you?" he squeezed me tighter. I smiled softly.
"At least not for awhile. I'll be over to
visit you and Aunt Edna in a week or two. I've got
business to attend to there." In truth, I did. My
former boss had talked me into getting an interview
for a fasion company in California. I had agreed,
and the date was in two weeks.
That night, as I was pacing my old room, my
sketch pencil stuck in my hair, my hand to my chin,
and my glasses hanging low on my nose, I was brought
to a halt when there was a knock on my door. The
entire West wing was my side of the house, so, after
glancing at the clock which read 10:02, I was wondering
who would be knocking at this time.
"Yes?" I cleared my throat, trying my best to
sound very much annoyed. I was more intrigued than
annoyed, but not many people knew the difference with
me.
"Sere, open up before I break this damn door
down." growled a familiar voice. I smiled and rushed
to fling the door open and hug my best friend, Raye
Randal. Her raven black hair and violet eyes were
just as I remembered, and I was really happy to see
her.
"HI!" I couldn't help
"Maybe, if you still wanted the ice castle, we
could go all white and ice blue. Crystal for the lamps
and the chandalier. Maybe even go with a dark look.
Thinking of cobalt carpeting."
I rattled on, not really having to worry about what she thought.
She always loved my ideas.
"Wonderful idea. Do you think you could higher your
company to do it?" she suddenly inquired. I was abit taken
aback by the sudden suggestion.
"My company?" I was confused. Only my parents and
friends knew that I ran Moon Design Inc.
"Yes, dear. Your mother just raved about your decorating
skills.
Thanx for reading this. Drop me a message or e-mail me at
expressoncream@hotmail.com. I look forward to the e-mails!