Us
by Phantasy Star
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Chapter Twelve


"Serena, what are you doing back here already?"

Serena looked at Ryan and gave him a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

"Serena, you just left the hospital yourself a week ago!" Ryan exclaimed, "You
don't have to do this..."

"I'm totally okay now," Serena said, "Really..."

Ryan looked at her, still unsure.

Then he sighed, "All right, Serena. But don't work yourself too hard, okay?"

Serena laughed, "I'm only talking to some kids! Well, I'd better get started.
I've missed them so much."

"Wait, Serena," Ryan said, "I wanted to ask you something."

Serena looked up at him.

Ryan paused for a second, hesistating.

"I... I was wondering if you'd like to go to a party with me tonight," he said.

Serena was astonished.

"A party?" she echoed.

"It's nothing formal," Ryan said, "It's just that... A professor of mine, Edward,
is holding a gathering at his house tonight. He's very big on young people
communicating. He says we're 'hope for the future'."

Serena was silent.

"Anyway, there's always more guys than girls at these meetings, so he said I
should bring a female friend of mine. I know it's short notice, but... I think
you'll have a lot of fun."

He paused, then spoke with a smile, "There's always lots of refreshments..."

Serena's face brightened at that, and Ryan laughed.

"It _does_ sound like fun," she said, "I'm not smart, but I can pretend."

"So you'll come?" he said.

"Sure. What time should I be there?"

* * *

Darien flipped over the page and continued to stare at the words on the book,
though not really reading them.

Over the past few days, his mood had changed dramatically.

The fact that Serena could be jealous of Erin somehow gave him a lot of
encouragement.

Yes... it would all work out somehow.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Edward!" Darien exclaimed as he opened the door, "I haven't seen you for a long
time."

"Darien," the elderly gentleman said, "Yes, it has been long."

"So what brings you here, professor?" Darien asked, stepping aside so the older
man can enter.

"Thank you, but I won't come in. I'm in the middle of my morning walk."

"Oh, all right," Darien said.

"I just came by to invite you to the party at my house tonight."

"Another gathering?" Darien asked with a polite smile.

"Yes, that's correct," Edward said, "I hope to see you there."

'It'll take your mind off of things,' he thought to himself.

"Of course," he said as he nodded, "See you tonight, professor."

* * *

Darien straightened out his tuxedo as he looked around for anyone he might know.

He frowned when he saw the too familiar figure standing a few feet from him.

Erin.

It was becoming strange how they always met up without meaning to.

He thought she was a pretty nice girl, but these coincidental meetings were
becoming too much.

Since she was the only one he recognized, he decided to go to talk to her
anyway.

"Hi Erin," Darien said, offering her a smile.

"Wow, I can't believe I'm running into you again," she said, "That's twice this
week!"

"Yeah," he agreed.

Then his eyes widened as he saw the blonde girl who had just entered the room,
wearing a flowing white dress.

He took a deep breath. Wow... She looked like an angel.

"Serena?" he wondered aloud.

Serena turned to him, surprised, "Darien! What are you doing here?"

He was about to explain when Erin interrupted them.

"Let's dance, Darien!" she said.

"Huh?" Darien said, having forgotten that she was there.

If Erin was the key to making Serena jealous...

"Let's," he said, forcing a smile.

He never got to find out if his plan worked, because right at that moment,
he heard the voice of his worst enemy.

"Princess, may I have this dance?"

Darien glanced over at Serena and found that Ryan was standing beside her, looking
deep into her eyes, with a silly yet handsome smile.

Serena giggled, "Of course."

Darien's eyes turned dark at that, but Erin had grabbed his arm and was pulling
him away.

The two couples walked on to the dance floor and began to waltz.

Erin was a surprisingly good dancer. She and Darien would have been amazing
dance partners had Darien not been so distracted. He kept looking over at Serena
and Ryan, eyes narrow.

Meanwhile, Serena and Ryan waltzed gracefully to the music.

Erin frowned.

At this rate, it would take a long time for her to earn Darien's trust, and for
him to tell her everything she needed to know.

'Serena...' Darien thought, 'Why do you like that guy so much?'

Soon, he couldn't see them anymore.

A crowd had gathered around Serena and Ryan. When the music ended, the people
began to clap.

Darien was beginning to see red.

'The princess should be dancing with the prince,' he thought bitterly, 'Serena
should be here with _me_...'

Leaving Erin behind, Darien walked over to the other pair.

Serena was blushing, and Ryan was laughing nervously, embarrassed by the
attention they were getting.

"Hey, dance with me, young lady!" someone shouted.

"Come on, be my partner for the next dance!" another called out.

Darien broke through the crowd.

Before Serena could see him, he had grabbed her hand.

"Dar-" she began, but was cut off by the force of Darien's grip, pulling her
away from the circle the crowd had made.

"She's here with me," he growled to the guys calling out to her.

Darien continued to drag her away until they had reached the balcony.

"Let go of me!" Serena cried, "I'm not here with you, and you know that!"

Darien didn't answer. He just stared at her, his eyes black.

"But you _should_ be," he said, finally loosening his grip on her.

Serena stared at him, "What's the matter with you?"

Darien was just as angry, "What's the matter with _you_? Serena, if you can
be with Ryan, why can't I be with Erin?"

Serena looked exasperated, "Is this what this is all about? Darien, we've
gone _over_ this!"

She paused to take a breath.

"I'm not jealous, okay? You can have Erin if it means that much to you! And...
Ryan and me. There's nothing going on between us."

Darien chuckled darkly, "Yeah, like I'd believe that."

"Believe what you want," Serena said, giving a 'hmmph' as she began to walk back
into the hall.

"Serena, come on," Darien said, following her, "This is crazy. I know... I know
that you still care about me."

Serena stopped in her tracks, her gaze falling on to the floor.

"You said you wanted me to stay away from Erin..." Darien said softly as he reached
for her arm, "That's gotta mean something..."

Serena rolled her eyes and pulled away, "Forget it, Darien. Forget I ever said
anything about her, okay?"

She walked off.

Suddenly, she became worried.

What if he was right?

What if she _was_ jealous?

Maybe she had imagined that flash in Erin's eyes. Maybe she wanted Erin to be the
enemy, so that she could make Darien stay away from her.

So that... she and Darien could be together again?

'No!' her mind screamed at her, 'Remember what happaned last time you gave into that!'

Serena sighed.

Either way, she should keep an eye out for Darien, in case Erin really _was_ Mistress
Nine.

"Serena!"

She looked up to find Ryan hurrying towards her.

"You okay?" he asked, "I couldn't find you anywhere!"

"I... I'm fine," she said, "But I think I'm going to go..."

"You're leaving?" he said.

"Yeah, I'm a little tired," she said.

Ryan looked worried, "All right... I'll... I'll drive you home."

"No, it's okay," Serena said, "I live close by."

"Er... Okay," Ryan said, still uncertain, "Be careful."

Serena nodded.

As she stepped out into the cold night, she sighed again.

Things were too complicated for her to understand anymore.



Author's Notes:

Thanks for the great reviews last chapter.
Hope you liked Chapter 12.
Well, the story is almost over. Just two or three updates to go!
Thanks for reading, and please review :)