AN: Blah, sorry I'm being so slow in updating this! I'll try harder to
update more often and make the chapters longer..
Serena pulled away from him. "I don't want to talk about it," she said shakily.
"Serena, just tell me, I'm not gonna judge you or anything like that," He said, raising his eyebrows and sitting back into the seat.
Serena turned to look out the window. "Just take me home, okay?" She said softly.
Darien, frusterated, started up the car and they drove back in silence.
Madison and Luna could feel the tension, and the kitten meowed softly. Serena reached back and picked the kitten up, and it's large expressionate orange eyes looked up at her.
Serena had always liked cats. Sure, dogs were nice, but they were so active, and they weren't as clean as cats. They gave affection all the time, and unconditional love, of course, but for cats, you had to work for it. They were like real friends, who got mad at you and then eventually came back. Serena liked that. She picked up one of the kittens delicate paws and pressed slightly at the pads of her toes, seeing the small claws retract. Cute, but deadly, Serena thought, slightly amused.
Darien looked at Serena, her eyes glittering, her bangs falling in her face as she carelessly pushed them out of her eyes. The kitten was playing with her hair, laying on its back, pawing at the long golden strands. She seemed so at peace, off in her own little world, just her and a kitten.
They pulled in front of Serena's house, and she scooped the kitten up into her arms, and looked over at Darien. "Thanks, Dare," she said. "Will you come to see me tomorrow?" She asked, her eyes hopeful.
Darien looked away. "I have to go job hunting, but maybe, we'll see."
Serena bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. She looked in the backseat. "Good-bye Madison," she said. She opened the door and stepped out, not bothering to look back at Darien as he drove away.
"Mina, it was like he was mad at me, or something," Serena said into the phone, sprawled out onto her bed, Luna sitting in a beanbag chair on the floor, gazing up at her. "He just stopped talking, and then he was like 'I have to go job hunting, blah!' and drove away."
Mina snorted. "Just because he wouldn't tell you what was wrong?" She said. She was painting her toenails a sparkly orange and shifted the phone on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I guess," she said. She considered. "I said thank you for Luna, and everything was fine when we went to the pet store for collars and stuff, and then he just. I said thank you for being nice to me so much, cause, you know, he used to be such a jerk, and then he was like, 'I really care about you, and I want you to be honest with me'"
"And then he asked if you had a boyfriend?" Mina said, perplexed. This man was certainly confusing.
"Yes!" Serena exclaimed, jumping into a sitting position, he knees tucked under her. "And I mean, just because of that stupid party."
Mina paused. "Why didn't you want to stay at the party, though?" She said. "I still don't get that."
Serena paused, before waving a hand of dismissal. "Well, I mean, they are sleazy! They are all about getting a girl drunk and then dancing and then fucking and then never seeing each other again except for those akward gazes when you see each other on the street with another girl on his arm, knowing that he probably care about you more then you care about him, and its just so pointless."
"Wow," Mina said, the nailbrush paused in midair.
"Yeah," Serena said, slightly uncomfortable with the pause.
"Did that happen to you?" Mina said. She placed the brush back in the bottle and sat back against her bed.
Serena sighed. "Mina, you cant keep a secret for your life," She said. "And its really personal and I don't want to talk about it."
"Your not a virgin?!" Mina screeched.
Serena held the phone away from her ear. "That's none of your business!" Serena shouted. "That business is my own and I don't appriciate you asking something so personal!"
"YOUR NOT!" Mina screeched. "What was it like? Did it hurt? I heard you bleed the first time- Serena? Serena? You there? Serena?" She said into the phone.
But Serena had hung up.
Darien sat on the worn couch in his small apartment, looking out the large windows that overlooked Tokyo. He was frusterated. Ellie had told him that Serena had been to parties before, and so there was no reason for Serena to feel nervous about going to one again. And she said she wasn't dating anyone, and he believed her, he knew she wasn't a playgirl. But the thought that Serena was not telling him something was bugging him beyond belief.
"Why should she tell you anything?" He said outloud, Madison's head in his lap lifting to look up at him. He looked down at the dog. "I mean, I used to be so mean to her. For two years! I have no reason to think she would open up to me and tell me something personal, but I mean, is it really personal? Does she think I'm gonna yell at her or something?"
The dog blinked back.
Darien looked over at the phone resting on the table next to the couch. "Ellie." He said. He leaned over and picked up the phone, dialing 411. The operater gave him her number, and he dialed it quickly.
Someone picked up after two rings. "Hello?" A smooth voice said into his ear, the sound of music in the background.
"Ellie, its Darien." He said.
"Hey Darien, whats goin' on?" She said, a smile in her voice.
"What do you know about Serena?" He said, leaning foreward, his thick black hair falling into his eyes.
Ellie sighed. "Only that she's no good," She smirked. "She used to come to these Rush parties with this girl Maura or Molly or something, and they used to pick up guys and shit. She got drunk all the time, left with a lot of guys. Shes a little slut, Dare, shes no good."
Darien stood up. "I don't believe you," he said.
"Why don't you ask her? Or, let me guess, you did and she closed up like the little tight thing she is? She's probably ashamed. She wants you to see her as a little good girl, I'm sure. That's the type your into," She said, sneering.
"Ellie, you know nothing about me, so keep your mouth shut," He said, walking into the kitchen.
"I know that you like it rough, and with my mouth open," She said. "Now c'mon, Dare, your really didn't call just for that little whore, did you? Missing something?"
Darien hung up the phone.
Serena, a party girl? Impossible. He had known her for two years, and she was anything but. She never looked twice at a guy, never the less hit on one. He couldn't even imagine her dancing up against some guy, and leaving with one? Rediculous.
Serena tossed and turned that night, sweating in her sleep. Memories plaguing her dreams, she kicked and gasped for air, moaning. She woke up with a start, her hands on her face, shaking. She looked around her room in a panic, beads of sweat dripping down her face. She got up and walked into her bathroom, and splashed cold water on her face. Her heart would not stop pounding, making her breathing ragged. She put her hands on the sides of the sink and put her head down, trying to calm herself from her nightmare.
She slowly regained composure and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were rimmed with red, bags under them, her hair wet from the sweat.
What am I doing? She thought. Why cant I put it behind me? Its over, its done, you have a new life.
A new life with Darien.
She dismissed the thought. Darien was nice to her, sure, but not interested in her like that. He was a friend to her. She had always considered him a friend, despite the fights and constant bickering. There was something about him she knew she could trust, a deep knowledge, and age old bond that she couldn't quite grasp. She knew she had looked into his eyes before, layed in his arms. He was haunting.
She knew he kept her at a distance. Andrew had told her that he lost everything he had when he was 8, and never learned to trust anyone. Never got close to anyone in case they would be taken away from him. Andrew even said that he felt Darien always kept him at a distance, just to be safe. He detatched himself from most people.
She wiped the sweat and water from her face with a fluffy towel and walked back into her room. She was cold and hot at the same time, when she realized her silk pajama's were wet with sweat. She took them off and placed them in her hamper, pulling out a fresh pair of pajama pants and a top. She pulled them on and looked out her window, walking over and sitting on the little window seat as she looked up at the moon. She wondered how many people were looking at the moon right now. How many people were still awake.
Luna jumped up onto the seat with Serena. Serena smiled and pulled the kitten closer. She reminded her of Darien, and the strange comfort he brought her. She wanted to be close to him, she knew that. But how could she break that barrier he held with everyone else?
Darien was satisfied, but exaughsted. He had spend all day searching for a job, and he had finally found one working at a small landscaping company. He desperately needed money, although he had gotten into med school on scholarship, that didn't cover the cost of books, his rent, and insurance.
He walked into his apartment, greeted by Madison who jumped on him, running in circles wagging her tail so fast it almost wasn't visible. He was glad he had found a job that worked outdoors, that way he could take Madison with him. He laughed at the dogs happiness and clipped on a leash before taking her outside for a walk.
He had gotten into a fight with his landlord the night before about the dog, but through his superhuman powers of persuasion and his charismatic smile, the older woman let him keep the dog. He was glad. He would never admit it to anyone, but he was lonely, and the dog filled a small void in his heart that desired companionship.
They walked down the street, Darien lost in his thoughts of Serena. He liked her, a lot. But he was scared of that. He had liked girls before, but only for one reason. Serena offered that, but so much more. He felt that he could talk to her, joke with her, be himself with her. And he knew that she felt the same. Or at least, he thought he knew.
The fact that the always open, always happy Serena wouldn't share something with him was driving him insane. And he wanted to see her again, desperately. He wanted to be with her all the time, her eyes, her lips, her smile, her laugh. Everything about her was fascinating.
He rounded a corner and was caught by surprise as a small girl ran into his chest, nearly knocking him over. He grabbed the girls arms to keep her from falling.
"Ah! Oh, I'm so sorry-"
"Serena?" Dariens heart pounded.
Serena looked up into his eyes, her face flushed. "Oh! Darien! Hi, sorry about that," she said, straightening.
"That's okay, don't worry about it," He said, untangling the leash that wrapped itself around his legs.
"Hello Madison!" Serena bubbled, leaning down to pet the ecstatic pup. She giggled as Madison licked her face.
Darien smiled. She was wearing a baby blue tee shirt and capris, flip flops adorning her feet, her toenails a pale pink. She was so refreshing to look at.
Serena stood up and cleared her throat. "Any luck finding a job?" She said.
"Yeah, actually," He said. "Landscaping."
Serena nodded. An awkward silence followed.
"I'm just taking Madison for a walk, if you'd like to join us," He said.
"Yeah, that's fine." She said. She had been coming home from Lita's house to watch a movie, but she had no reason to come home right after. It was just habit of her to rush.
"I'm glad you found a job," She said as they began to walk.
"Thanks, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and its pretty good pay," He said.
"I should get a job," She sighed. "I'm totally broke, and my parents are always on that whole 'responsibility' thing."
"Then why don't you get one?"
"I want to get a job when I find one I'll really be into," she explained. "I don't want to have to get myself involved in something I'll hate and only put my minimum effort in and be completely miserable. I'd rather find something I can enjoy and will actually like doing, you know? Life's too short, I don't wanna waste my time being miserable."
Darien nodded understandably. "That's true," he said. "But your never gonna find a job you like. your not supposed to like jobs."
She laughed.
Serena found herself in Dariens apartment, looking around curiously. "This isn't that bad," She said.
"Gee, thanks," He replied sarcasticly. He had invited her up for dinner, and offered to drive her home when he was done.
"No, I thought it would be smaller, and kinda dumpy," Shes said. "No offense." She added with a giggle.
He smiled. "None taken. I got some money from my parents when they passed away and I only use it for rent and emergencies."
"What classifies an emergency?" She asked, plopping down on his couch.
He shrugged. "Don't know, haven't been in one yet." She looked so at home, sitting there. Her long legs stretched out in front of her, her long hair falling over her shoulders.
She caught him staring at her, and looked away, pretending not to notice. She could almost feel his gaze on her.
"Serena," he said.
She looked up at him.
"Why don't you open up to me?" he said.
Serena blinked at him, before letting out a laugh. "Me? You want me to open up to you?" She said, in a tone of disbelief.
Darien shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, like, what you were crying about yesterday."
Serena sat up. "Your telling me to open up to you? Why should I?"
Ouch. Darien scowled. "Because I'm your friend."
"Friend?" She echoed. "Darien, you've been nice to me these past few days, I'll admit that much, but you haven't exactly treated me like a friend in the past!"
"Well, I'm your friend now!" He said, raising his voice a bit.
"So? You called me Meatball Head for years, tormented me about my grades- which, might I add, have gotten MUCH better, no thanks to you-, and tried to make my life miserable for TWO YEARS!"
Darien felt defensive. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, maybe if you weren't always klutzing out and making scenes, throwing things around, setting yourself up, I wouldn't have! Why is everything suddenly my fault?!" He shouted.
Serena stood, highly agitated. "Because your asking me to open up to you, when for years you've done nothing but been close minded to me! I've always given you second chances! More then second! Every time I saw you I would try to start over, I'd be nice to you, and you'd always throw my faults back in my face! And why? Why would you do that? And I don't get why all the sudden you think that I'm going to tell you what bothers me, what I haven't told any of my friends and my family, what I can barely tell myself!"
Darien stared at her. He had never seen her like this. She was stunning, standing there, only feet away from him, waving her hands in the air, her eyes glowing. She turned around and faced him again.
"Why do you always run away Darien? You accuse me of not 'opening up' to you when the entire time I've known you, you just close yourself off to anyone who could possibly care about you!"
Darien bit the inside of his cheek. "You don't know anything about me, Serena, so don't go making accusations you know Inothing/I about! NOTHING!" He shouted.
"Gee, and why do I know nothing about you? Maybe because you've always shut me out!" She yelled back.
"What are you so self righteous about?" He spat. "I'm trying to help you here, and you just throw back at me everything I've done, sure, maybe the things I'm not proud of, but I cant help it if you're a stubborn, stupid, air-headed freak!"
Serena put her hands on her hips. "Ooh, real mature, Darien." She said, a smirk on her elegant features. "Trying to push me away with insults again?"
Darien turned around. "Shut the fuck up."
Serena was on fire. She was on a roll. Years of pent up energy, wasted emotion, thoughts, and the scripts she wrote in her head of what she would say when she could finally confront him were just itching to be said.
"You know what, Darien? I may be stupid, stubborn, and air-headed, but I do know one thing. That you are nothing but a scared little boy." Darien put his hand on the doorframe of his living room and paused.
"Your scared to get close to IanyoneI because your scared your gonna get hurt. That they are going to betray you, or break you, or something bad. You think that everyone is out to get you, and you think that you know everything. But you don't, not at all, because if you did you wouldn't be pushing away the people who might want to get to know you, to share life with you! You just shut everyone out and you are Imiserable/I because of it. Your lonely and bitter, and you box yourself in and shut everyone out because of it!"
Darien turned to face her, his deep blue eyes deeper then she had ever seen. He walked swiftly over to her and grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her face to his. She stared back into his eyes in shock and their heavy breathing mingled between them. He roughly placed his hand on her waist and pulled her close to him, and kissed her with everything he had.
She closed her eyes as the splendid taste, scent, feel of him shocked her senses and pushed her out of reality. She parted her lips slightly, feeling his soft tounge taste her, gently, delicately. She placed her hands on his face, bringing his face closer to hers, and kissed him deeply back. She was so hungry for him, two years of knowing him and wanting him but denying every emotion she felt for the sake of pride.
She was everything he thought she would be and more. He pulled her delicate body to his and kissed her like a madman, wanting to touch and taste every part of her body at once. She placed a hand on his chest and gripped at his tee-shirt, driving him wild.
He pulled away from her, his breathing heavy, and tilted his head back. She leaned against his body, her head barely touching his shoulders, and could feel his heart beating wildly.
"Jesus Christ Serena, what are you doing to me?" He gasped.
She pulled his face to hers and looked into his eyes. He stared back into the crystal blueness and sighed, leaning his forehead against hers. "I want you so bad," he said, before kissing her again. They moved onto the couch, him laying her gently below him. He wanted to simply devour her, to just take her and never let her go, and never share her with anyone. She moved her hands across his chest and down his back, loving the hard feel of his body above hers.
He intertwined hands with her and moved down to her arms, to her neck, to her sides, to her stomach. He ran his hand lazily over the smooth feel of her skin as the shirt lifted up over her toned stomach. She closed her eyes and relished his touch, the way he was touching her driving her mad.
Darien stopped and looked at her, desire written over ever fiber of his being. The echo of Ellies words were ringing in his mind.
Ileft with a lot of guys.
She wants you to see her as a little good girl./I
Serena's hands intertwined with his hair, and she looked into his face as he paused, his gaze steady on her's.
I She used to come into Rikko's rush parties on the weekends./I
"Darien?" She said.
I She was too young. But he exposed her.I I. For the girls sake, Darien, leave her alone/I
"Serena, what happened that night at Rikko's party?" He said quietly.
Serena's heart dropped. She could feel the color draining from her face as a flood of emotions came back to her, a flood of memories and bad, bad dreams.
"I don't know what your talking about." She whispered.
Darien cupped her face in his hand. "Serena, you can trust me. just tell me." He said, searching her face for some sort of response. He would give anything to know what she was thinking. The way she suddenly paled, he knew he had struck a nerve.
"I- I told you, I-" Serena pushed him off of her. "I don't know what your talking about."
Darien was shocked at her immediately defensive response. "Serena-"
"No!" She said, standing up and pacing. "I'm not doing this!" She said, in an almost frantic tone.
Darien sat up on the couch, his eyes wary. "Doing what, Serena?"
Serena stopped pacing. "This!" She said, throwing her hand in the air. "This! You! Me! Us! No! No more! I told myself that I wouldn't- No, I'm leaving." She said, walking towards the door.
Darien stood so fast he should have gotten whiplash and grabbed her hand. "Se-"
With her free hand she turned and slapped him. He let go of her in shock, as he watched her wild eyes glare at him before she ran out the door and slammed it shut.
Serena pulled away from him. "I don't want to talk about it," she said shakily.
"Serena, just tell me, I'm not gonna judge you or anything like that," He said, raising his eyebrows and sitting back into the seat.
Serena turned to look out the window. "Just take me home, okay?" She said softly.
Darien, frusterated, started up the car and they drove back in silence.
Madison and Luna could feel the tension, and the kitten meowed softly. Serena reached back and picked the kitten up, and it's large expressionate orange eyes looked up at her.
Serena had always liked cats. Sure, dogs were nice, but they were so active, and they weren't as clean as cats. They gave affection all the time, and unconditional love, of course, but for cats, you had to work for it. They were like real friends, who got mad at you and then eventually came back. Serena liked that. She picked up one of the kittens delicate paws and pressed slightly at the pads of her toes, seeing the small claws retract. Cute, but deadly, Serena thought, slightly amused.
Darien looked at Serena, her eyes glittering, her bangs falling in her face as she carelessly pushed them out of her eyes. The kitten was playing with her hair, laying on its back, pawing at the long golden strands. She seemed so at peace, off in her own little world, just her and a kitten.
They pulled in front of Serena's house, and she scooped the kitten up into her arms, and looked over at Darien. "Thanks, Dare," she said. "Will you come to see me tomorrow?" She asked, her eyes hopeful.
Darien looked away. "I have to go job hunting, but maybe, we'll see."
Serena bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. She looked in the backseat. "Good-bye Madison," she said. She opened the door and stepped out, not bothering to look back at Darien as he drove away.
"Mina, it was like he was mad at me, or something," Serena said into the phone, sprawled out onto her bed, Luna sitting in a beanbag chair on the floor, gazing up at her. "He just stopped talking, and then he was like 'I have to go job hunting, blah!' and drove away."
Mina snorted. "Just because he wouldn't tell you what was wrong?" She said. She was painting her toenails a sparkly orange and shifted the phone on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I guess," she said. She considered. "I said thank you for Luna, and everything was fine when we went to the pet store for collars and stuff, and then he just. I said thank you for being nice to me so much, cause, you know, he used to be such a jerk, and then he was like, 'I really care about you, and I want you to be honest with me'"
"And then he asked if you had a boyfriend?" Mina said, perplexed. This man was certainly confusing.
"Yes!" Serena exclaimed, jumping into a sitting position, he knees tucked under her. "And I mean, just because of that stupid party."
Mina paused. "Why didn't you want to stay at the party, though?" She said. "I still don't get that."
Serena paused, before waving a hand of dismissal. "Well, I mean, they are sleazy! They are all about getting a girl drunk and then dancing and then fucking and then never seeing each other again except for those akward gazes when you see each other on the street with another girl on his arm, knowing that he probably care about you more then you care about him, and its just so pointless."
"Wow," Mina said, the nailbrush paused in midair.
"Yeah," Serena said, slightly uncomfortable with the pause.
"Did that happen to you?" Mina said. She placed the brush back in the bottle and sat back against her bed.
Serena sighed. "Mina, you cant keep a secret for your life," She said. "And its really personal and I don't want to talk about it."
"Your not a virgin?!" Mina screeched.
Serena held the phone away from her ear. "That's none of your business!" Serena shouted. "That business is my own and I don't appriciate you asking something so personal!"
"YOUR NOT!" Mina screeched. "What was it like? Did it hurt? I heard you bleed the first time- Serena? Serena? You there? Serena?" She said into the phone.
But Serena had hung up.
Darien sat on the worn couch in his small apartment, looking out the large windows that overlooked Tokyo. He was frusterated. Ellie had told him that Serena had been to parties before, and so there was no reason for Serena to feel nervous about going to one again. And she said she wasn't dating anyone, and he believed her, he knew she wasn't a playgirl. But the thought that Serena was not telling him something was bugging him beyond belief.
"Why should she tell you anything?" He said outloud, Madison's head in his lap lifting to look up at him. He looked down at the dog. "I mean, I used to be so mean to her. For two years! I have no reason to think she would open up to me and tell me something personal, but I mean, is it really personal? Does she think I'm gonna yell at her or something?"
The dog blinked back.
Darien looked over at the phone resting on the table next to the couch. "Ellie." He said. He leaned over and picked up the phone, dialing 411. The operater gave him her number, and he dialed it quickly.
Someone picked up after two rings. "Hello?" A smooth voice said into his ear, the sound of music in the background.
"Ellie, its Darien." He said.
"Hey Darien, whats goin' on?" She said, a smile in her voice.
"What do you know about Serena?" He said, leaning foreward, his thick black hair falling into his eyes.
Ellie sighed. "Only that she's no good," She smirked. "She used to come to these Rush parties with this girl Maura or Molly or something, and they used to pick up guys and shit. She got drunk all the time, left with a lot of guys. Shes a little slut, Dare, shes no good."
Darien stood up. "I don't believe you," he said.
"Why don't you ask her? Or, let me guess, you did and she closed up like the little tight thing she is? She's probably ashamed. She wants you to see her as a little good girl, I'm sure. That's the type your into," She said, sneering.
"Ellie, you know nothing about me, so keep your mouth shut," He said, walking into the kitchen.
"I know that you like it rough, and with my mouth open," She said. "Now c'mon, Dare, your really didn't call just for that little whore, did you? Missing something?"
Darien hung up the phone.
Serena, a party girl? Impossible. He had known her for two years, and she was anything but. She never looked twice at a guy, never the less hit on one. He couldn't even imagine her dancing up against some guy, and leaving with one? Rediculous.
Serena tossed and turned that night, sweating in her sleep. Memories plaguing her dreams, she kicked and gasped for air, moaning. She woke up with a start, her hands on her face, shaking. She looked around her room in a panic, beads of sweat dripping down her face. She got up and walked into her bathroom, and splashed cold water on her face. Her heart would not stop pounding, making her breathing ragged. She put her hands on the sides of the sink and put her head down, trying to calm herself from her nightmare.
She slowly regained composure and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were rimmed with red, bags under them, her hair wet from the sweat.
What am I doing? She thought. Why cant I put it behind me? Its over, its done, you have a new life.
A new life with Darien.
She dismissed the thought. Darien was nice to her, sure, but not interested in her like that. He was a friend to her. She had always considered him a friend, despite the fights and constant bickering. There was something about him she knew she could trust, a deep knowledge, and age old bond that she couldn't quite grasp. She knew she had looked into his eyes before, layed in his arms. He was haunting.
She knew he kept her at a distance. Andrew had told her that he lost everything he had when he was 8, and never learned to trust anyone. Never got close to anyone in case they would be taken away from him. Andrew even said that he felt Darien always kept him at a distance, just to be safe. He detatched himself from most people.
She wiped the sweat and water from her face with a fluffy towel and walked back into her room. She was cold and hot at the same time, when she realized her silk pajama's were wet with sweat. She took them off and placed them in her hamper, pulling out a fresh pair of pajama pants and a top. She pulled them on and looked out her window, walking over and sitting on the little window seat as she looked up at the moon. She wondered how many people were looking at the moon right now. How many people were still awake.
Luna jumped up onto the seat with Serena. Serena smiled and pulled the kitten closer. She reminded her of Darien, and the strange comfort he brought her. She wanted to be close to him, she knew that. But how could she break that barrier he held with everyone else?
Darien was satisfied, but exaughsted. He had spend all day searching for a job, and he had finally found one working at a small landscaping company. He desperately needed money, although he had gotten into med school on scholarship, that didn't cover the cost of books, his rent, and insurance.
He walked into his apartment, greeted by Madison who jumped on him, running in circles wagging her tail so fast it almost wasn't visible. He was glad he had found a job that worked outdoors, that way he could take Madison with him. He laughed at the dogs happiness and clipped on a leash before taking her outside for a walk.
He had gotten into a fight with his landlord the night before about the dog, but through his superhuman powers of persuasion and his charismatic smile, the older woman let him keep the dog. He was glad. He would never admit it to anyone, but he was lonely, and the dog filled a small void in his heart that desired companionship.
They walked down the street, Darien lost in his thoughts of Serena. He liked her, a lot. But he was scared of that. He had liked girls before, but only for one reason. Serena offered that, but so much more. He felt that he could talk to her, joke with her, be himself with her. And he knew that she felt the same. Or at least, he thought he knew.
The fact that the always open, always happy Serena wouldn't share something with him was driving him insane. And he wanted to see her again, desperately. He wanted to be with her all the time, her eyes, her lips, her smile, her laugh. Everything about her was fascinating.
He rounded a corner and was caught by surprise as a small girl ran into his chest, nearly knocking him over. He grabbed the girls arms to keep her from falling.
"Ah! Oh, I'm so sorry-"
"Serena?" Dariens heart pounded.
Serena looked up into his eyes, her face flushed. "Oh! Darien! Hi, sorry about that," she said, straightening.
"That's okay, don't worry about it," He said, untangling the leash that wrapped itself around his legs.
"Hello Madison!" Serena bubbled, leaning down to pet the ecstatic pup. She giggled as Madison licked her face.
Darien smiled. She was wearing a baby blue tee shirt and capris, flip flops adorning her feet, her toenails a pale pink. She was so refreshing to look at.
Serena stood up and cleared her throat. "Any luck finding a job?" She said.
"Yeah, actually," He said. "Landscaping."
Serena nodded. An awkward silence followed.
"I'm just taking Madison for a walk, if you'd like to join us," He said.
"Yeah, that's fine." She said. She had been coming home from Lita's house to watch a movie, but she had no reason to come home right after. It was just habit of her to rush.
"I'm glad you found a job," She said as they began to walk.
"Thanks, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and its pretty good pay," He said.
"I should get a job," She sighed. "I'm totally broke, and my parents are always on that whole 'responsibility' thing."
"Then why don't you get one?"
"I want to get a job when I find one I'll really be into," she explained. "I don't want to have to get myself involved in something I'll hate and only put my minimum effort in and be completely miserable. I'd rather find something I can enjoy and will actually like doing, you know? Life's too short, I don't wanna waste my time being miserable."
Darien nodded understandably. "That's true," he said. "But your never gonna find a job you like. your not supposed to like jobs."
She laughed.
Serena found herself in Dariens apartment, looking around curiously. "This isn't that bad," She said.
"Gee, thanks," He replied sarcasticly. He had invited her up for dinner, and offered to drive her home when he was done.
"No, I thought it would be smaller, and kinda dumpy," Shes said. "No offense." She added with a giggle.
He smiled. "None taken. I got some money from my parents when they passed away and I only use it for rent and emergencies."
"What classifies an emergency?" She asked, plopping down on his couch.
He shrugged. "Don't know, haven't been in one yet." She looked so at home, sitting there. Her long legs stretched out in front of her, her long hair falling over her shoulders.
She caught him staring at her, and looked away, pretending not to notice. She could almost feel his gaze on her.
"Serena," he said.
She looked up at him.
"Why don't you open up to me?" he said.
Serena blinked at him, before letting out a laugh. "Me? You want me to open up to you?" She said, in a tone of disbelief.
Darien shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, like, what you were crying about yesterday."
Serena sat up. "Your telling me to open up to you? Why should I?"
Ouch. Darien scowled. "Because I'm your friend."
"Friend?" She echoed. "Darien, you've been nice to me these past few days, I'll admit that much, but you haven't exactly treated me like a friend in the past!"
"Well, I'm your friend now!" He said, raising his voice a bit.
"So? You called me Meatball Head for years, tormented me about my grades- which, might I add, have gotten MUCH better, no thanks to you-, and tried to make my life miserable for TWO YEARS!"
Darien felt defensive. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, maybe if you weren't always klutzing out and making scenes, throwing things around, setting yourself up, I wouldn't have! Why is everything suddenly my fault?!" He shouted.
Serena stood, highly agitated. "Because your asking me to open up to you, when for years you've done nothing but been close minded to me! I've always given you second chances! More then second! Every time I saw you I would try to start over, I'd be nice to you, and you'd always throw my faults back in my face! And why? Why would you do that? And I don't get why all the sudden you think that I'm going to tell you what bothers me, what I haven't told any of my friends and my family, what I can barely tell myself!"
Darien stared at her. He had never seen her like this. She was stunning, standing there, only feet away from him, waving her hands in the air, her eyes glowing. She turned around and faced him again.
"Why do you always run away Darien? You accuse me of not 'opening up' to you when the entire time I've known you, you just close yourself off to anyone who could possibly care about you!"
Darien bit the inside of his cheek. "You don't know anything about me, Serena, so don't go making accusations you know Inothing/I about! NOTHING!" He shouted.
"Gee, and why do I know nothing about you? Maybe because you've always shut me out!" She yelled back.
"What are you so self righteous about?" He spat. "I'm trying to help you here, and you just throw back at me everything I've done, sure, maybe the things I'm not proud of, but I cant help it if you're a stubborn, stupid, air-headed freak!"
Serena put her hands on her hips. "Ooh, real mature, Darien." She said, a smirk on her elegant features. "Trying to push me away with insults again?"
Darien turned around. "Shut the fuck up."
Serena was on fire. She was on a roll. Years of pent up energy, wasted emotion, thoughts, and the scripts she wrote in her head of what she would say when she could finally confront him were just itching to be said.
"You know what, Darien? I may be stupid, stubborn, and air-headed, but I do know one thing. That you are nothing but a scared little boy." Darien put his hand on the doorframe of his living room and paused.
"Your scared to get close to IanyoneI because your scared your gonna get hurt. That they are going to betray you, or break you, or something bad. You think that everyone is out to get you, and you think that you know everything. But you don't, not at all, because if you did you wouldn't be pushing away the people who might want to get to know you, to share life with you! You just shut everyone out and you are Imiserable/I because of it. Your lonely and bitter, and you box yourself in and shut everyone out because of it!"
Darien turned to face her, his deep blue eyes deeper then she had ever seen. He walked swiftly over to her and grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her face to his. She stared back into his eyes in shock and their heavy breathing mingled between them. He roughly placed his hand on her waist and pulled her close to him, and kissed her with everything he had.
She closed her eyes as the splendid taste, scent, feel of him shocked her senses and pushed her out of reality. She parted her lips slightly, feeling his soft tounge taste her, gently, delicately. She placed her hands on his face, bringing his face closer to hers, and kissed him deeply back. She was so hungry for him, two years of knowing him and wanting him but denying every emotion she felt for the sake of pride.
She was everything he thought she would be and more. He pulled her delicate body to his and kissed her like a madman, wanting to touch and taste every part of her body at once. She placed a hand on his chest and gripped at his tee-shirt, driving him wild.
He pulled away from her, his breathing heavy, and tilted his head back. She leaned against his body, her head barely touching his shoulders, and could feel his heart beating wildly.
"Jesus Christ Serena, what are you doing to me?" He gasped.
She pulled his face to hers and looked into his eyes. He stared back into the crystal blueness and sighed, leaning his forehead against hers. "I want you so bad," he said, before kissing her again. They moved onto the couch, him laying her gently below him. He wanted to simply devour her, to just take her and never let her go, and never share her with anyone. She moved her hands across his chest and down his back, loving the hard feel of his body above hers.
He intertwined hands with her and moved down to her arms, to her neck, to her sides, to her stomach. He ran his hand lazily over the smooth feel of her skin as the shirt lifted up over her toned stomach. She closed her eyes and relished his touch, the way he was touching her driving her mad.
Darien stopped and looked at her, desire written over ever fiber of his being. The echo of Ellies words were ringing in his mind.
Ileft with a lot of guys.
She wants you to see her as a little good girl./I
Serena's hands intertwined with his hair, and she looked into his face as he paused, his gaze steady on her's.
I She used to come into Rikko's rush parties on the weekends./I
"Darien?" She said.
I She was too young. But he exposed her.I I. For the girls sake, Darien, leave her alone/I
"Serena, what happened that night at Rikko's party?" He said quietly.
Serena's heart dropped. She could feel the color draining from her face as a flood of emotions came back to her, a flood of memories and bad, bad dreams.
"I don't know what your talking about." She whispered.
Darien cupped her face in his hand. "Serena, you can trust me. just tell me." He said, searching her face for some sort of response. He would give anything to know what she was thinking. The way she suddenly paled, he knew he had struck a nerve.
"I- I told you, I-" Serena pushed him off of her. "I don't know what your talking about."
Darien was shocked at her immediately defensive response. "Serena-"
"No!" She said, standing up and pacing. "I'm not doing this!" She said, in an almost frantic tone.
Darien sat up on the couch, his eyes wary. "Doing what, Serena?"
Serena stopped pacing. "This!" She said, throwing her hand in the air. "This! You! Me! Us! No! No more! I told myself that I wouldn't- No, I'm leaving." She said, walking towards the door.
Darien stood so fast he should have gotten whiplash and grabbed her hand. "Se-"
With her free hand she turned and slapped him. He let go of her in shock, as he watched her wild eyes glare at him before she ran out the door and slammed it shut.