Wildfire
Chap 4
By Raq
Many thanks for the reviews.. I love them.. and yeah ScorpioNightShadow, I was hungry while I was writing and guess what I was eating???? I was completely surprised on the reviews.. I didn't think this would come off the floor like it did. Anyhow.. here's to all of you.
Thankies!
~
Serena's first day at work started off very smoothly. Haruka and Sammy brought her to work and gave her the rounds of the store. It was quite large and very flexible to what students needed. Many kinds of music CDs were stacked and displayed in different areas, from classical, pop rock, R&B to what ever else they had. In the back of the store were glass windows enclosing what looked like a dubbing area, where an aspiring artist could make their own demo. It was wonderful, and very well managed. As much as she was a bit confused at learning the ropes, she loved it.
It was a real busy day for the store, many of the same customers came back several times throughout the day. "Will this be the last time you come back? This is like the fourth time I've seen you in here in three days." asked Sammy as he rang him up.
"Yeah, I came earlier," the customer answered then looked away. Sammy turned to what caught the man's attention and finally figured it out. There around the mid section of the store was a girl wearing white fitted pants and a pink tube top.
"That girl," Sammy started to say "She's pretty isn't she?"
"Yeah she is, you think she has a boyfriend?" he chuckled
"No she doesn't. But," he leaned over, "I heard she has a big brother, who's been trained by Master Masugi. She also has a cousin who's just been released from a correctional institution for murder. His name is Haruka." Just then a man that had entered yelled from across the room.
"Haruka! James is in the hospital. What the hell did you do to him man?" The man that Sammy had been talking to turned and found Haruka to be arguing with another. Taking a deep gulp his features became solemn as his eyes darted over to the name tag that read Sammy.
"um.. a.. What's her brother's name?"
"His name is Sammy," Sammy easily gave him an evil glare. The man brilliantly followed the warning, took his purchased items and went out the door. From behind, a chuckled was heard.
"Sammy, your little sis is attracting many customers," Chad, a brunette with a punk rock stylish hairdo commented. He had been there when Serena first started and noticed the many guys coming in and out of the store.
"I see that. It's not easy for me to just stand here and watch all these guys flock all over her."
"She is a beauty Sammy. But you've got to give her space. You don't want her rebelling against you."
"I know..." he sighed.
~
By the second week Serena had the hang of things and by the third she was a well knowledgeable of where everything and anything was. She was well liked, and always happy to lend a hand. The customers who had come in before found out whose little sister and cousin she was and decided to back away, but still, it didn't deter them from admiring.
Sammy sighed as another guy asked for information on the blond. He gave him a cold stare and told him it was his sister. The guy walked off quickly and as he watched him leave he noticed a girl who his mind had been wandering to ever so often. "Hi Mika," he came from behind the counter as he called someone else to replace him.
"What brings you here?" he asked as he stood in front of her. After the two had that one night of introduction they had hit it off really well. To no one's complaint they made a real stunning couple. They had gone out on few dates, wonderful private ones. The few days that had passed, Sammy was in heavens, he knew he was falling hard and he knew if Mika ever left, he didn't know if he could take another heartbreak. Sammy at times held himself back.
"Well... I'm actually here to see Serena"
"She's over there...." He pointed.
"Thanks Sammy," hesitantly giving him a sweet subtle kiss on the cheek. Sammy watched Mika head off to Serena's direction and sighed. He liked the girl but he knew that he wasn't sure if he was ready to start another relationship that might end up like the last one. Currently they had just been dating, it wasn't a steady one, in fact when many questioned their relationship, he still insisted on them being just friends.
"Hey Sammy," Sammy turned. "Hey Darien," Darien noticed where his eyes were before he had come in.
"You okay man?" asked Darien as he looked towards where the two girls were talking.
"nah... just a bit confused I guess.."
"Mika?"
"No.. Mika...she's wonderful, beautiful and perfect..."
"But?"
"It's not Mika, It's me." he sighed, then turned to his friend. He hesitated at first. "Darien, you know how several months have been for me, when Jen left... and you with Bel." Darien nodded and understood, he too felt the same way and was quite happy that Sammy understood. "I said the same thing with Jen, wonderful, beautiful and perfect. Then all of a sudden I find myself alone. I just don't want to go through the same thing again, this might sound cliched or too touchy coming from a guy but I don't think I can handle another heartbreak."
"I know what you mean... I feel the same way." Darien took another glance at the girls but his concentration was solely on the blond figure whose smile always brought more sunshine.
~
Darien and Serena saw each other more and more. He took her out to lunch when his own work allowed and even dinner when she wasn't feeling up to cooking. They spent wonderful amounts of time together, getting to know one another and just being who they were.
In the evenings when Darien was alone and had time to think, memories came floating back. The heartache, the tears that constantly welled in his eyes hoping Bel would return and reconsider all that she had said. He had thought he loved her and the pain that his heart carried said so. If not, it wouldn't have hurt so much.
Bel was now out of his life, and he now didn't care if she returned. The betrayal was just too severe. He admits it was his first taste of love and heartache. But now he had other and better things to think about... Serena.
This was something different, something he wouldn't have imagined in his years of adulthood. Him... falling for a 17-year old girl in high school, who held more poise, maturity and innocent sexuality than other women he had met. It was something that most fresh out of high-schoolers searched for in college, but Serena, had it all. A college guy, head of the Dean's list, an aspiring Biology student such as he falling for a 17 year old girl? Back then he would've laughed but now he wasn't so sure. Then again, Serena wasn't a normal 17-year old.
Impressed by her intelligence, he was surprised to learn that her interest were in Computer Sciences and Engineering. With the amount of AP classes she was juggling and other enrichment courses in some junior college, she was quite an impressionable woman and on her way to succeeding her goal.
Darien knew his feelings for Serena was blossoming into wildfires. It was during this time where he would doubt himself. Like Sammy, was he ready to have another relationship? He was over Bel, but was he really ready to pursue a relationship that would no doubt become a long distance one. Would he be able to endure longing to see her again, Would he be able to take another heartbreak if she went back to high school and in a few months, broke it off? Could he really take all that again?
He knew he had fallen for Bel strong and hard, he had 'loved' her, he admitted. But Darien could feel the pull with Serena but stronger, the need to be with her, the pull of being close, the desire to touch her. He was attracted to her, his every muscle twitched to be with her.
Holding himself back was not the cause of being still hung over Bel, much credit to Serena, she was gone and in the back of his mind. Darien was protecting his heart, that had its experience in what he had thought to be joy then a mass heartbreak. Now, did he want to go through all that again? Not wanting to fall as hard as he did, he would catch himself... then become distant, confusing Serena. It was the will of his already fragile heart.
There would be times when he took out to dinner then to the movies and act as if she was the only one in the world. Then the very next day, he would avoid her and act like it was nothing. He refuse to be attached to her and only have her leave when summer ended, so Darien kept her at arms length. Serena never said anything, never once did she show any weakness, though at times he felt her shy back a bit from his lack of emotion. She took the hint that he was in one of his moods and would let him be. She understood...or so he thought.
His alter ego of the romancer one day, to the bitter and no emotion person worried her. She liked him in the beginning but through their dates and civil talks, she became entranced to how delightfully happy she could be with him, how he made her feel mature, an adult and a woman. She was constantly in heaven whenever they were together. This was far more emotionally draining than her first experience with the opposite sex. The feeling couldn't even compare. She was falling in love, something she could not and really did not want to stop, even if it did come crashing down on her at the end.
Serena didn't understand. Though all what Serena had seen, a strong woman she was not. This was her first encounter and experience in a mature relationship, if it was a relationship. Darien still hadn't fully spoken about their 'relationship' or 'special friendship'. She was a bit saddened at times when she stared at Darien and silently ask, 'where do I stand?' She just didn't know. Feeling a bit intimidated by Bel's shadow and Darien's mood swings, she would quietly resort to thinking it was her summer fling, nothing more and nothing less and if that was what Darien wanted then she would agree to it, whether she's happy about it or not.
~
Darien took Serena out to lunch after he and Sammy had their small talk. He knew that there was a change in Serena, once in a while he would find her staring off sadly. But never did he say anything nor pry, she gave him his space, so would he. Before she went back to the music store, he gave her his wallet to pay for lunch, excusing himself as he went to the restroom.
Serena happily took his wallet to pay the for meal. It was like their other lunch dates, great food and wonderful company. The waitress dropped off their bill and she took one look at it and opened his wallet. Getting a few bills out, she accidentally dropped a few credit cards and business cards on the booth. Smacking herself in frustration she one by one picked them up. As she picked his visa, a few photos caught her eye. She took one look and the world seemed so cruel and heartless. It hit her hard. Her eyes saddened and her heart plummeted to the ground. Slowly she turned to one picture to another. Seeing his bright and happy eyes, posing with a woman who she knew from the description was Bel. Each and every single photo spoke of 'his' happiness with the woman. She sighed as she fought back the tears that wanted to fall. 'I hate you,' she whispered before slipping everything back. She was startled a bit as the woman came back with the change. Wiping the corner of her eyes, she took a deep breath and sighed.
Darien came back, took one look at her face and immediately knew something was wrong. Her eyes were a bit glassy and her nose rosy. Waiting till they got into the car he asked if she was ready to go. Slowly she came out of the booth and walked next to him, her shoulders slumping as he put his arm around her. They sat quietly in the car for a few moments before he spoke.
"Sere.. is something bothering you?"
"No..." she answered too quickly. He contemplated what he should say and tried to recap what happened in the café, hoping to catch his own mistake and apologize. "Are you sure?"
"Yes..." she sighed, "I'm fine Darien," she answered a bit lowly, he said nothing else.
They arrived at the music store and he opened her door. She stood and just like in the car said nothing. He brought his head down for his usual innocent kiss, though it hit perfectly on her lips, she only returned it with halfheartedly. She then turned and walked away. He watched her a bit puzzled and wondered what just happened.
~ stay tune............................
Authors Notes!
I would just like to comment on my dear husband.
I LOVE YOU HONEY!
If it wasn't for his support and his backing like my extended family (my chatty babes.. you know who you all are!) You wouldn't be reading any of this.
Raq
Posted 2.27.02
Chap 4
By Raq
Many thanks for the reviews.. I love them.. and yeah ScorpioNightShadow, I was hungry while I was writing and guess what I was eating???? I was completely surprised on the reviews.. I didn't think this would come off the floor like it did. Anyhow.. here's to all of you.
Thankies!
~
Serena's first day at work started off very smoothly. Haruka and Sammy brought her to work and gave her the rounds of the store. It was quite large and very flexible to what students needed. Many kinds of music CDs were stacked and displayed in different areas, from classical, pop rock, R&B to what ever else they had. In the back of the store were glass windows enclosing what looked like a dubbing area, where an aspiring artist could make their own demo. It was wonderful, and very well managed. As much as she was a bit confused at learning the ropes, she loved it.
It was a real busy day for the store, many of the same customers came back several times throughout the day. "Will this be the last time you come back? This is like the fourth time I've seen you in here in three days." asked Sammy as he rang him up.
"Yeah, I came earlier," the customer answered then looked away. Sammy turned to what caught the man's attention and finally figured it out. There around the mid section of the store was a girl wearing white fitted pants and a pink tube top.
"That girl," Sammy started to say "She's pretty isn't she?"
"Yeah she is, you think she has a boyfriend?" he chuckled
"No she doesn't. But," he leaned over, "I heard she has a big brother, who's been trained by Master Masugi. She also has a cousin who's just been released from a correctional institution for murder. His name is Haruka." Just then a man that had entered yelled from across the room.
"Haruka! James is in the hospital. What the hell did you do to him man?" The man that Sammy had been talking to turned and found Haruka to be arguing with another. Taking a deep gulp his features became solemn as his eyes darted over to the name tag that read Sammy.
"um.. a.. What's her brother's name?"
"His name is Sammy," Sammy easily gave him an evil glare. The man brilliantly followed the warning, took his purchased items and went out the door. From behind, a chuckled was heard.
"Sammy, your little sis is attracting many customers," Chad, a brunette with a punk rock stylish hairdo commented. He had been there when Serena first started and noticed the many guys coming in and out of the store.
"I see that. It's not easy for me to just stand here and watch all these guys flock all over her."
"She is a beauty Sammy. But you've got to give her space. You don't want her rebelling against you."
"I know..." he sighed.
~
By the second week Serena had the hang of things and by the third she was a well knowledgeable of where everything and anything was. She was well liked, and always happy to lend a hand. The customers who had come in before found out whose little sister and cousin she was and decided to back away, but still, it didn't deter them from admiring.
Sammy sighed as another guy asked for information on the blond. He gave him a cold stare and told him it was his sister. The guy walked off quickly and as he watched him leave he noticed a girl who his mind had been wandering to ever so often. "Hi Mika," he came from behind the counter as he called someone else to replace him.
"What brings you here?" he asked as he stood in front of her. After the two had that one night of introduction they had hit it off really well. To no one's complaint they made a real stunning couple. They had gone out on few dates, wonderful private ones. The few days that had passed, Sammy was in heavens, he knew he was falling hard and he knew if Mika ever left, he didn't know if he could take another heartbreak. Sammy at times held himself back.
"Well... I'm actually here to see Serena"
"She's over there...." He pointed.
"Thanks Sammy," hesitantly giving him a sweet subtle kiss on the cheek. Sammy watched Mika head off to Serena's direction and sighed. He liked the girl but he knew that he wasn't sure if he was ready to start another relationship that might end up like the last one. Currently they had just been dating, it wasn't a steady one, in fact when many questioned their relationship, he still insisted on them being just friends.
"Hey Sammy," Sammy turned. "Hey Darien," Darien noticed where his eyes were before he had come in.
"You okay man?" asked Darien as he looked towards where the two girls were talking.
"nah... just a bit confused I guess.."
"Mika?"
"No.. Mika...she's wonderful, beautiful and perfect..."
"But?"
"It's not Mika, It's me." he sighed, then turned to his friend. He hesitated at first. "Darien, you know how several months have been for me, when Jen left... and you with Bel." Darien nodded and understood, he too felt the same way and was quite happy that Sammy understood. "I said the same thing with Jen, wonderful, beautiful and perfect. Then all of a sudden I find myself alone. I just don't want to go through the same thing again, this might sound cliched or too touchy coming from a guy but I don't think I can handle another heartbreak."
"I know what you mean... I feel the same way." Darien took another glance at the girls but his concentration was solely on the blond figure whose smile always brought more sunshine.
~
Darien and Serena saw each other more and more. He took her out to lunch when his own work allowed and even dinner when she wasn't feeling up to cooking. They spent wonderful amounts of time together, getting to know one another and just being who they were.
In the evenings when Darien was alone and had time to think, memories came floating back. The heartache, the tears that constantly welled in his eyes hoping Bel would return and reconsider all that she had said. He had thought he loved her and the pain that his heart carried said so. If not, it wouldn't have hurt so much.
Bel was now out of his life, and he now didn't care if she returned. The betrayal was just too severe. He admits it was his first taste of love and heartache. But now he had other and better things to think about... Serena.
This was something different, something he wouldn't have imagined in his years of adulthood. Him... falling for a 17-year old girl in high school, who held more poise, maturity and innocent sexuality than other women he had met. It was something that most fresh out of high-schoolers searched for in college, but Serena, had it all. A college guy, head of the Dean's list, an aspiring Biology student such as he falling for a 17 year old girl? Back then he would've laughed but now he wasn't so sure. Then again, Serena wasn't a normal 17-year old.
Impressed by her intelligence, he was surprised to learn that her interest were in Computer Sciences and Engineering. With the amount of AP classes she was juggling and other enrichment courses in some junior college, she was quite an impressionable woman and on her way to succeeding her goal.
Darien knew his feelings for Serena was blossoming into wildfires. It was during this time where he would doubt himself. Like Sammy, was he ready to have another relationship? He was over Bel, but was he really ready to pursue a relationship that would no doubt become a long distance one. Would he be able to endure longing to see her again, Would he be able to take another heartbreak if she went back to high school and in a few months, broke it off? Could he really take all that again?
He knew he had fallen for Bel strong and hard, he had 'loved' her, he admitted. But Darien could feel the pull with Serena but stronger, the need to be with her, the pull of being close, the desire to touch her. He was attracted to her, his every muscle twitched to be with her.
Holding himself back was not the cause of being still hung over Bel, much credit to Serena, she was gone and in the back of his mind. Darien was protecting his heart, that had its experience in what he had thought to be joy then a mass heartbreak. Now, did he want to go through all that again? Not wanting to fall as hard as he did, he would catch himself... then become distant, confusing Serena. It was the will of his already fragile heart.
There would be times when he took out to dinner then to the movies and act as if she was the only one in the world. Then the very next day, he would avoid her and act like it was nothing. He refuse to be attached to her and only have her leave when summer ended, so Darien kept her at arms length. Serena never said anything, never once did she show any weakness, though at times he felt her shy back a bit from his lack of emotion. She took the hint that he was in one of his moods and would let him be. She understood...or so he thought.
His alter ego of the romancer one day, to the bitter and no emotion person worried her. She liked him in the beginning but through their dates and civil talks, she became entranced to how delightfully happy she could be with him, how he made her feel mature, an adult and a woman. She was constantly in heaven whenever they were together. This was far more emotionally draining than her first experience with the opposite sex. The feeling couldn't even compare. She was falling in love, something she could not and really did not want to stop, even if it did come crashing down on her at the end.
Serena didn't understand. Though all what Serena had seen, a strong woman she was not. This was her first encounter and experience in a mature relationship, if it was a relationship. Darien still hadn't fully spoken about their 'relationship' or 'special friendship'. She was a bit saddened at times when she stared at Darien and silently ask, 'where do I stand?' She just didn't know. Feeling a bit intimidated by Bel's shadow and Darien's mood swings, she would quietly resort to thinking it was her summer fling, nothing more and nothing less and if that was what Darien wanted then she would agree to it, whether she's happy about it or not.
~
Darien took Serena out to lunch after he and Sammy had their small talk. He knew that there was a change in Serena, once in a while he would find her staring off sadly. But never did he say anything nor pry, she gave him his space, so would he. Before she went back to the music store, he gave her his wallet to pay for lunch, excusing himself as he went to the restroom.
Serena happily took his wallet to pay the for meal. It was like their other lunch dates, great food and wonderful company. The waitress dropped off their bill and she took one look at it and opened his wallet. Getting a few bills out, she accidentally dropped a few credit cards and business cards on the booth. Smacking herself in frustration she one by one picked them up. As she picked his visa, a few photos caught her eye. She took one look and the world seemed so cruel and heartless. It hit her hard. Her eyes saddened and her heart plummeted to the ground. Slowly she turned to one picture to another. Seeing his bright and happy eyes, posing with a woman who she knew from the description was Bel. Each and every single photo spoke of 'his' happiness with the woman. She sighed as she fought back the tears that wanted to fall. 'I hate you,' she whispered before slipping everything back. She was startled a bit as the woman came back with the change. Wiping the corner of her eyes, she took a deep breath and sighed.
Darien came back, took one look at her face and immediately knew something was wrong. Her eyes were a bit glassy and her nose rosy. Waiting till they got into the car he asked if she was ready to go. Slowly she came out of the booth and walked next to him, her shoulders slumping as he put his arm around her. They sat quietly in the car for a few moments before he spoke.
"Sere.. is something bothering you?"
"No..." she answered too quickly. He contemplated what he should say and tried to recap what happened in the café, hoping to catch his own mistake and apologize. "Are you sure?"
"Yes..." she sighed, "I'm fine Darien," she answered a bit lowly, he said nothing else.
They arrived at the music store and he opened her door. She stood and just like in the car said nothing. He brought his head down for his usual innocent kiss, though it hit perfectly on her lips, she only returned it with halfheartedly. She then turned and walked away. He watched her a bit puzzled and wondered what just happened.
~ stay tune............................
Authors Notes!
I would just like to comment on my dear husband.
I LOVE YOU HONEY!
If it wasn't for his support and his backing like my extended family (my chatty babes.. you know who you all are!) You wouldn't be reading any of this.
Raq
Posted 2.27.02