The Apartment
By Emilie Trig
AUTHOR'S NOTE!: ::dances happily:: TA-Da! I'm finally finished. Yay! I really have give
myself a pat in the back. =) Well, mid-term is next week so I won't stop to write this story
until after my mid-term. Wish me luck with my mid-term, everybody! If you're taking a mid-term
I you'll do so great that you'll get all A+'s. Ok..no more chatter. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
"Serena," a voice whispered and nudged gently on my face, "wake up." The gentle whisper
floated into my ear and echoed until sleep left me. I opened my eyes wearily, very amazed to
see… "Andrew?"
"Yeah, it's me." He smiled and rubbed my hair into a chaotic bird nest.
"Wake up, sleepy head." He said, nudging at my face again.
I frowned and then rubbed my sleepy eyes. "What are you doing here," I asked him
questionably.
"Why shouldn't I be here?"
"Because you never come here anymore." I commented candidly, and it was true. Andrew
never has once entered the apartment after his move out, which did not surprise me because
he was a true lovesick bird.
Andrew looked at me guiltily and his voice softened. "I know. That is the reason why
I'm here now. I'm sorry." He apologized sincerely and I believed him with all my heart.
"For what?" I asked honestly and looked at him softly. "You didn't do anything." It was
the truth, he didn't do a thing to cause me harm. What had triggered this all of a sudden, I
thought and then wondered.
"That's exactly it. I didn't do a thing. I'm sorry for not being a better brother."
A slight smile curled my lips and my eyes looked at him tenderly.
"I haven't complained."
"You should have."
My eyes shined. "Really?" I asked him and smiled widely.
Andrew nodded lightly. "I made breakfast." He said softly and then ripped me from my
warm blanket. "So get up!" Andrew ordered.
I sat up and gave him a kick in his leg. "Hey, hey, don't be so bossy. You just said
that you wanted to be a better brother. This means, brother dearest, that you shouldn't boss me
around so much. Besides, you're in MY apartment with MY rules now, buddy. I'm the only queen
around here."
He eyed me warningly. I couldn't help but cringe. Yikes, me and my big mouth, I thought
and put a hand over my mouth. "You drank a little too much alcohol last night, missy, and don't
think that I didn't know. No, to answer the on coming questions, I didn't spy on you. You just
reek from the odor. I don' ever want to know that you've been drinking AND driving at the same
time again. Bad girl! The next time I find you doing something like that, I'll spank you myself.
I'll only forgive you this time, but doubtless there'll be a next. Now are you eating or not,
smart mouth?"
"You big meanie," I said and pouted childishly. I got up to stretch and then rubbed my
head." "I have a headache, Andrew."
"I'll have Tylenol on the table for you." He said and scanned his little sister's room.
'Still neat as a cleaning maid', he recalled and jammed his hands into his pocket.
I looked at him warmly. "Thank you, Andrew."
"I'm only nice for today. Don't take try to take advantage of that." My brows furrowed
like I had sampled a rotten apple and then. "Andrew?" I asked him.
"What?" He asked exasperatedly, turning his gaze back to me.
"Can you wake Darien up? He drank a lot last night, too. I have a feeling he's going to
feel worse than I do."
Andrew's eyebrow rose and pointed accusingly. "Ah ha! So you've been drinking with him.
Shouldn't you worry about yourself instead? Did you do something naughty with him last night,
Serena?" Andrew asked me suspiciously.
I flushed on cue. His words triggered my thoughts back to last night and I flinched in
remembrance. My knees felt weak all the sudden and I almost had to hold onto a chair for support.
His kiss wasn't meant for you, I reminded myself, but the hot memory still came up to burn my
cheeks. Andrew soon developed a curious stare on his face and I was determined then to not let
my nosy brother gain any further suspicion. "Give me a break, will you? Just wake him up." I
told him and pushed him out the door.
As Andrew stood there, an idea struck me suddenly. While he wasn't looking, I took my
chance with a pillow and whacked him in the head. "Jerk!" I hollered then bolted hastily toward
the bathroom with Andrew cursing from behind. That should teach him something; I thought, once
safely behind the doors and turned on the sink happily.
'That's a girl', Andrew thought, looking proudly as he walked into Darien's room. She
was holding up fine to his relief. From what he had heard from Mina yesterday, he was almost
sure to find his sister in a dim state this morning. He hadn't been there for her, Andrew thought
darkly, but it wasn't his fault. He hadn't known. No one told him about Ken cheating on Serena
behind her back. If he would have known a month ago, he would have been sure to beat the crap out
of the guy. Serena didn't deserve this, he decided. No, she deserved much better. At least he was
here for her now and this time no one was going to hurt his little sister.
So this is Darien's room, Andrew thought as he entered Darien's domain, he was certainly
neat as "Serena the maid". He walked over to the blinds to raise them. "Wake up, Darien. Your
head is going to hurt a hell of a lot buddy. Wake up."
One eye peeked open gradually and then
Darien's other eye did just the same. His eyes were hazy and he couldn't exactly make out who it
was that was trespassing into his room. "Who are you?" he asked wearily to the man and held onto
his head as a sharp throbbing pain struck one side of his head. "Turn off the light!" He
insisted, raising his hands to shield his eyes from the blinding light. Another pain wrack
through his skull again.
"I'm your worst nightmare, buddy." Darien heard the person introduced himself and wanted
nothing more than to tell the guy to go away, leave him alone. Ann, his mind shot out suddenly
and his head began to hurt even more. A picture of Ann in another man's arm emerged and a quick
surge of jealously came to stay. Darien tugged tightly at his hair in recollection. He felt like
screaming, cursing, and even crying. Another pain shot through, seizing him from any more thoughts.
"Cut me some slack and tell me who you are." He heard himself ask. His hands still held
his head. "Why are you in my room?" Darien demanded.
Andrew only smiled. "I'm Serena's brother, remember? You forgot me so soon Darien?"
Serena, his mind repeated the name. Another picture replaced the old one; this time it
wasn't of Ann, but of his beautiful and enchanting roommate. They were wrapped up in a close
embrace? Darien frowned at the hazy picture, but before he move his thoughts any where further,
grunted in pain. His head felt like it had been stung by a pack of bees. Darien tried his best
to keep his eyes open as he peeked up to see the man. "My head hurts too much to remember
anything." He complained.
"I know, pal, but that's your own fault. I made breakfast and
there'll be some Tylenol on the table for you." Andrew helped Darien to a sitting position. If
he promised his sister to help the poor guy, then he was going to help him all the way. So
Serena had feelings for this guy, Andrew thought with a half smile remembering Serena's response
from earlier. Something had definitely happened yesterday with the two of them, he was almost
sure. He wasn't completely stupid as Serena thought he was.
"Why are you inside my room again" Darien asked with a clearer head.
"Out of the goodness of my own heart." Andrew said and rolled his eyeball. "Jeez, get
up already."
Andrew prodded him to stand and had even let Darien lean onto him without
complaining.
"Andrew,"
"Andrew what?"
"The bathroom."
"The bathroom?" Andrew asked in wonderment and turned to Darien. His eyes automatically
widened with alarm.
"Take me to the bathroom," Darien managed to choke out and covered his
mouth with his hand, ready to burst.
Andrew immediately rushed Darien to the bathroom and at
the same time screamed for Serena to open the door. As soon as Darien was safely accompanied by
the toilet, Andrew went to set up the table.
I looked at Darien worriedly as I stood just beyond the frame of the open bathroom door.
Darien looked miserable, but somehow to me, he looked almost too adorable even with his rumbled
hair to the much wrinkled clothing he wore. He turned his face suddenly catching me stare in the
act and I was caught still, entranced by his beautiful, silent eyes. I held my breath and my mind
began to wander, swim across the deep frozen sea. My face slowly came to burn and just when I was
about to explode in an eruption, he turned back to his toilet, leaving me with a warm glow. I
held onto the door frame and wondered what he was thinking the exact moment we held each other's
gaze.
"Serena," Andrew said, standing by the stove. He watched me almost too meditatively but
when Andrew talked, his words didn't hint on any suspicions I thought he had. "Come here and
set the table. Let me get some clothing for Darien. He needs to clean himself up."
Andrew disappeared into Darien's room. He rumbled across the drawers for a while and
emerged back out with a few articles of clothing. He threw it at Darien, pushing him to take a
shower, and closed the door behind in his track.
"Here's your Tylenol, Serena. Come and get it." He pointed at the Tylenol tablet.
"Dunk it down." He commanded almost too motherly and turned back to what he was doing before.
I swallowed my medicine slowly, my eyes tentative of the closed bathroom door while being
nervous all at once. 'Would he remember anything?' I gulp down the water. "Of course not", I
told myself for whatever little hope my words can give. Surely he wouldn't remember. Let him not
remember, I begged. Andrew called out my name and my whole body jolted in alarm.
I choked on my drink. "Yeah?" I answered him. I held onto my coughing throat.
"I have free tickets to a baseball game at the new stadium. Do you have some time to
spare next Tuesday?"
I thought about it and shook my head from side to side. "I work that day."
"Good, then you can call out." Andrew said gleefully and the situation was decided
between us. We were going to the game. It was more like, he decided the situation and I kept my
mouth shut, but it didn't matter. I was glad, maybe more than glad, to escape work.
Andrew and I left an hour early for the baseball game. I was never a fan of baseball,
but it actually turned out to be fun. Spending time with Andrew was fun, even if I didn't want
to admit it. I missed him. It started raining in the middle of the game, lucky us, but it didn't
really matter. I didn't care much for the baseball game, especially if our city team was losing.
When we returned home around three in the evening, the sky had become completely darkened and it
poured relentlessly. Andrew dropped me off in front of my apartment as he made some poor excuses
not to come in while holding his bruised eye painfully. I excused him quickly and ran hurriedly
into my apartment for some shelter from the pouring rain.
I shook my drenched coat once inside and took it off. My hands rubbed against my wet
hair and I could feel clumps of hair sticking together. After I took off my shoes and socks, I
gave a sniff as I walked further into the warm apartment. I wonder how Darien was doing, I
thought as my eyes took the direction toward his door. It was closed, but I wasn't at all
surprise. I sighed and decided to check on how he was doing. "I know what it feels like to be
heartbroken"I thought. 'Maybe later,' I thought again as I decided to take a shower and then dry
myself. After that, I would check on him.
My knock was gentle the first time, but then I practically banged on his door as the
silent answer greeted me. My hands quickly flew to the doorknob and found it to be unlocked.
I opened his door to find an empty room. Where could Darien have gone to? I thought and was
mildly worried when a boom of thunder and loud splashes of rain came down. I quickly went to
the window; and to my deepest disappointment, Darien's car was there. My heart took a leap in
my throat and I was immediately worried of something being hideously wrong. If Darien didn't
take his car, I thought with mild irritation, where could he have gone to in this weather? Maybe
he was at a friend's house, I decided later as I tried to sit calmly in the lonely apartment.
Yes, Darien must be at a friend's house, but whose? Did Darien even know anyone else in Albany?
Another roar of thunder rumbled and I glanced outside to the window yet again. Please let nothing
happen to Darien, I prayed for him.
When the clock struck six, I decided to wait no more and
search for him. The rain was pouring harder than ever and though thunder usually terrified me
horribly, I firmly put my rain boots and coat on. I ran out of my apartment quickly, almost
forgetting to shut the door behind me. My apartment neighbors stared at me wondrously as I ran
hurriedly down the stairway almost tripping in every step. I couldn't shake the worries away
and just when I raised my umbrella toward the thunderous sky, there in front of me stood Darien.
Lifeless and stilled.
The rain slashed heartlessly against his face and through his already
soaked clothing's. My eyes softened, then gentled. I could feel a tug at my heart. His eyes were
blank. There was no warmth flowing there, nothing, but a cold winter's breeze. His hair was soak
from the rain and it clung to his head. The tiny raindrops dripped off his face and I wasn't
exactly sure if he was crying or not because his eyes were glassy.
A force drawn me toward him and I followed that force. I stepped silently down the
steps to Darien; and as I did so, I could hear every splash, every breath I took. With no
effort at all I managed to nudge him inside, away from the rainfall. Our footsteps squeaked in
each stride as I led him toward our apartment. Darien was quiet, so very silent that it scared me.
I helped Darien out of his wet shoes and let him settle on the couch even if he was
dripping wet.
"You should change, Darien." I suggested to him gently, after I settled my coat
onto a chair where it would dry, but there was no answer. It was as if he hadn't heard me or
wasn't even there.
"Darien," I whispered even more softly and tugged lightly on his shirt. He remained quiet
and I was afraid, so fearful of breaking his silence.
I repeated his name again and his silence remained still. "Darien," I said again, this
time louder and finally knelt before him—my eyes completely understanding him. His hurt, his pain,
I understood all of it. My terrified fingers came up to brush aside his hair so that I could
clearly see his beautiful eyes. They were dull, his eyes, almost lifeless and staring into the
oblivion. Somehow, his glance at last came to meet mine sadly and for a moment we both stared,
silently muted by a thick surrounding tension. I could see how hurt he was and knew, knew that
he desperately needed someone.
I reached out to him with heart in hand. My arms slowly came to encircle around his
waist; and in almost a slow motion, rested my head against his chest. He didn't move a muscle,
only tensed up. "Don't try. Don't hold it in," I told him. My eyes squeezed tightly close and I
clutched onto him in a tighter embrace, trying with all my might to bring him back into reality.
"Don't be afraid to cry. I'm here, Darien, you can use my shoulder." I whispered, smelling in his
arousing scent, and waited for any response to come.
In my ears I could hear a ringing sound of bells. It was joyous sound of bells vibrating
tingling sensation as my arms remained wrapped securely around him. There was a feeling of
floating towards some unknown paradise to the beyond; and for a moment there, I actually
believed that we were floating, flying out of this universe. My beating heart pounded awfully
hard against my rib cage as I leaned in to hear Darien's own thrashing heart. My breath was
caught.Darien didn't respond and after a while, my heart sank deep, breaking, knowing that my
effort was a lost.
I hesitated, knowing what I must do. And for a moment there, I actually didn' want to let
go of him. It felt just right holding him, though I knew not why. My arms withdrew unwillingly
from his waist and at last, Darien responded. There were no words coming from him, but with one
slow tug, he drew me back into his arms and this time, he cried. Darien hugged me close, almost
too tightly, as he cried without any restraint, letting all his tears out. Darien' shoulders
shook and I could do nothing else, but hold onto him even more closely.
The rain poured heavily outside joining in with Darien' mourning. The room became
frigid, but despite of that, I felt flames dancing all over. My body radiated warmth from
Darien and it was then that I recognized it in my heart, my soul that I was falling for
him--rolling and careening in his direction. And though I didn't want the emotion, I knew it
was a feeling that neither I nor anyone else could do to stop it from coming.
Hurry, I prodded myself as I crept quietly for door. I slipped my jacket on as I glanced cautiously
at Darien's door. I made a hasty dash out of my apartment making sure not to create too much
clamor on shutting the door. It was safe now, I thought as I trudged down the front steps
happily. I looked back to my apartment window. Darien was there, I thought dreamily and a warm
glow surfaced from the deepest part in my stomach. And that's why you're running, I told myself.
My feelings for Darien were the exact reason why I was running. I wanted to stop these ridiculous
emotions before it becomes a wild beast. It was better to control it now. Love is a dangerous animal
and I never want to come near it again because all it does is give me a painful heartache. Ken
showed me that already, I thought darkly as I put on my seat belt. Sure, Darien's cute and sweet,
handsome even. There was a long list of good qualities that I can name of Darien, but I couldn't
afford to name it. Besides, it didn't prove anything. I'll eventually get hurt. Run, I thought,
was the best tactic to use. These delicious feelings are bound to turn sour.
Darien had said that he was tired after crying and within seconds after I tucked him in
bed, he fell fast asleep. I had thought and done so much thinking yesterday after I trudged my
own self to bed. My feelings were still so jumbled. What had become of Ann? Had Darien ever
confront her, I wonder?
I shook my thoughts roughly, making sure all thoughts of Darien stay
deep in the back of my head. I wasn't going to be thinking of Darien anymore, I
thought determinedly and drove to work with a last lingering glance at our
apartment window. All thoughts about Darien were going to be squashed.
I arrived to work on time, thank the lord, but still received my every day's berating
from Pete's wife. Pete had been perverted again today with his disgusting staring. I was used to
it and it didn't bother me much. Later that day, I was talking to Mina as we both lay on the bed,
heads toward the plain white ceiling.
"I heard you guys went to the baseball game together. How was baseball?" Mina asked and
her head turned to the side to look at me.
My face twitched. "Baseball really isn't my thing so you can guess that I wasn't paying
attention to the game. By the way, how is Andrew's eye?"
Mina suddenly smiled from ear to ear. "Andrew told me about the fight with Ken.
His eye is swollen like a muffin now." She laughed remembering Andrew coming home soaking wet
with a scowl on his face while at the same time hiding his purple-greenish eye behind the palm
of his hand. Mina stifled another giggle and went on. "The guys at the bar were making fun of
him. So were the girls who came to admire him everyday." Mina giggled with a more satisfying
thought.
"Serves him right for trying to stir up some trouble. Now I can make fun of him all I
want."
I giggled along with her, trying my best to ignore Ken's name. "Are you going to make
him quit his bartending job?"
"I can't even if I wanted to," She replied and sighed restively. "I already decided
whatever makes him happy makes me happy. He loves the job, it's going to hurt him if I ask him to
quit. If I love him, then I'm going to have to deal with it." She nodded in determination
and stared off distantly into the nothingness.
My mouth extended into a smile. Love sounded almost kind. "I'm glad the problem's
working out with you and Andrew."
"Me too, Serena. Me too." Mina replied and stood suddenly, her face held a pensive
stare. "You know," She said softly. "I sometime wonder what happened to me. I was never this
relenting. I've changed so much, Serena. Do you remember before when I was always jealous of
Andrew being around any other girls?"
I nodded. "You always threw a fit and then came complaining to me."
"I know and now, I'm suddenly not jealous anymore. It's like I can't even be jealous
because I have so much trust in him." She smiled to herself and then did a happy twirl.
I smiled, feeling quiet envious of her, but at the same time, happy for Mina. Love was kind to
her and I was glad, very happy for everything that worked out for her. Mina's eyes fell on me
and then looked blameworthy, suddenly remembering something.
"What?" I asked her.
"Are you okay talking about Ken? I'm so sorry about bringing it up."
My face gentled somewhat. "I'm over him, Mina. He's past tense." I lied half-heartedly.
It was sort of true because Ken wasn't so important to me anymore.
She sighed sympathetically and then spoke softly. "Are you so certain, Serena?
Because you're not a very good liar."
I gave her a saddened smile and my shoulders drooped. How can I just rub out all the
happy memories? I asked her silently. "You know I can't forget everything about him. I can
only try to erase what I can."
She came over to hug me for whatever little comfort she could offer.
"You can make it Serena. You can get over him. He's not as great a person as you think, Serena,
because he broke your heart. There are a million other fish in the sea, I'm sure a wide
number of them will recognize how great you are." She pulled back and we both smiled at each
other. "Maybe it was a good coincidence that you guys met at the baseball stadium. Ken does
deserve every blow Andrew gave him."
I winced for Ken and then thought of Andrew with his bruised eye. "You shouldn't have
told Andrew, Mina. I didn't want him to worry about me and now he frets over me like a mother hen.
I'm scared that he'll do something stupid in the future." I told her.
"No, you're wrong. I should have told him sooner. You're his sister, Serena. He loves
you. It's only right that he's protective of you. Now about the fight between Andrew and Ken, Andrew
will fight with him no more. So don't worry about Andrew. He was mad, but now he's calm. I can
make sure Andrew won't go looking for Ken for anymore fights. If he does, Serena, I'll give him
some threats to remember by."
Mina grinned. She was like a sister to me and I couldn't help but think how lucky Andrew
was to have her or how lucky I was to know her. "Let's talk about something else." She said and
then giggled idly trying to bring up a new topic. "How's your roommate? Amy told me he was
picked on by a bunch of little kids at the park." She smiled wickedly, biting down her bottom
lip. "He sounds so irresistibly cute. In fact, he looks irresistibly cute too!" Her smile became
wider. "How is he up close in person?" She asked.
"He's not bad to live with." I told her in the most uninterested way I can muster. Who
cares about Darien, I thought, but knew that I was only betraying myself.
"That's all you can comment about him?"
"What else can I say?" I heard myself ask, my voice sounded detached, distant even.
"Something more maybe?" Mina said and shrugged her shoulders in careless whimsy. "For
instance: What's his favorite food, his favorite color,
maybe even the kind of girls that he likes."
I stared at her suspiciously and wondered what's with all the questions about Darien
all the sudden. "Why are we talking about Darien anyways? You were never interested in asking
anything about him."
Mina puckered her lips. "You remember Greg's sister, Melinda, right? I promised Melinda
to get some scoop on Darien." I frowned, not understanding. She went on with her explanation.
"She has a thing for him and wanted to know about Darien. I made a promise to her; I couldn't
go back on my word without asking." She told me.
I remained quiet, silently listening. There was a really bugging feeling that built
itself up deep within as Mina continued. "Melinda asked for your apartment number a couple of weeks
ago. I gave it to her." She said, suddenly lowering down her voice. "By the way, has she called
him yet?" Mina asked just about too eagerly, her eyes dancing in anticipation.
I shook my head to answer her question and Mina automatically pouted. So Melinda was
going to call Darien. She liked him; I sighed with a half hearted smile. But Darien wasn't her
type and she wasn't his! A voice called out and I couldn't help, but disagree with that. Maybe,
they are a perfect looking couple, I thought. Why are you upset over this anyway? I asked
myself, confused, and all the inner voices shut up.
Mina puckered her brows and wondered why Melissa still hadn't called. "I think they're
a perfect match." She said openly, catching my thoughts from ealier. I felt a hammer pounding at
my chest. That didn't sound right.
I remained rational and fought my best not to get envious because I had already vowed
this morning to stay away from him. Why would I be jealous now? I asked myself. It shouldn't
matter to you, my inner voices whispered. "You really think so?" I asked Mina, almost too
disappointed. How can they be a perfect couple? I try to reason. Darien was a dork. It was simple.
He's not perfect with anyone, I decided with an annoyed facial expression. 'But he's your dork,'
a voice whispered suddenly, capturing my every thoughts in a still state. I rushed to shut all
thoughts from anymore similar thinking. Darien was NOT my dork! He's not my anything.
"Darien has a girlfriend already." My traitorous mouth slipped. I knew there was no
need to bring this up, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to keep Melinda at bay. I'm doing it for
Melinda's own good, I forced myself to believe. Darien is so not her type.
"Maybe not," Mina sighed in disappointment and I kept my mouth tightly shut in order to
keep myself from telling Mina about what had happened between Ann and Darien. Staring at her
disappointed face, I wanted to tell her, but couldn't bring my self to say it. Mina straightened
out her white uniform and sighed happily. "Well, I'll just have to disappoint Melinda with the
news." She shrugged lightly off the subject. "We better get going, Serena. If Pete's going to
find us like this, we're only going to be in trouble. But if his wife finds us, we'll be even in a
bigger hellhole."
Mina winked and I giggled. She pulled open the door. "I'm going to leave. You can stay
here for a while, but don't stay too long Serena." She warned and closed the door lightly behind
her. Mina trudged into the hallway and down the stairs.
I stayed quiet listening to the light thudding of her muffled footsteps until I could hear
no more and after a while left the room myself with many more thoughts of Darien than I should be thinking.
AN: I hoped everyone enjoyed this piece! Remember to review or email me at: roses2small@yahoo.com
By Emilie Trig
AUTHOR'S NOTE!: ::dances happily:: TA-Da! I'm finally finished. Yay! I really have give
myself a pat in the back. =) Well, mid-term is next week so I won't stop to write this story
until after my mid-term. Wish me luck with my mid-term, everybody! If you're taking a mid-term
I you'll do so great that you'll get all A+'s. Ok..no more chatter. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
"Serena," a voice whispered and nudged gently on my face, "wake up." The gentle whisper
floated into my ear and echoed until sleep left me. I opened my eyes wearily, very amazed to
see… "Andrew?"
"Yeah, it's me." He smiled and rubbed my hair into a chaotic bird nest.
"Wake up, sleepy head." He said, nudging at my face again.
I frowned and then rubbed my sleepy eyes. "What are you doing here," I asked him
questionably.
"Why shouldn't I be here?"
"Because you never come here anymore." I commented candidly, and it was true. Andrew
never has once entered the apartment after his move out, which did not surprise me because
he was a true lovesick bird.
Andrew looked at me guiltily and his voice softened. "I know. That is the reason why
I'm here now. I'm sorry." He apologized sincerely and I believed him with all my heart.
"For what?" I asked honestly and looked at him softly. "You didn't do anything." It was
the truth, he didn't do a thing to cause me harm. What had triggered this all of a sudden, I
thought and then wondered.
"That's exactly it. I didn't do a thing. I'm sorry for not being a better brother."
A slight smile curled my lips and my eyes looked at him tenderly.
"I haven't complained."
"You should have."
My eyes shined. "Really?" I asked him and smiled widely.
Andrew nodded lightly. "I made breakfast." He said softly and then ripped me from my
warm blanket. "So get up!" Andrew ordered.
I sat up and gave him a kick in his leg. "Hey, hey, don't be so bossy. You just said
that you wanted to be a better brother. This means, brother dearest, that you shouldn't boss me
around so much. Besides, you're in MY apartment with MY rules now, buddy. I'm the only queen
around here."
He eyed me warningly. I couldn't help but cringe. Yikes, me and my big mouth, I thought
and put a hand over my mouth. "You drank a little too much alcohol last night, missy, and don't
think that I didn't know. No, to answer the on coming questions, I didn't spy on you. You just
reek from the odor. I don' ever want to know that you've been drinking AND driving at the same
time again. Bad girl! The next time I find you doing something like that, I'll spank you myself.
I'll only forgive you this time, but doubtless there'll be a next. Now are you eating or not,
smart mouth?"
"You big meanie," I said and pouted childishly. I got up to stretch and then rubbed my
head." "I have a headache, Andrew."
"I'll have Tylenol on the table for you." He said and scanned his little sister's room.
'Still neat as a cleaning maid', he recalled and jammed his hands into his pocket.
I looked at him warmly. "Thank you, Andrew."
"I'm only nice for today. Don't take try to take advantage of that." My brows furrowed
like I had sampled a rotten apple and then. "Andrew?" I asked him.
"What?" He asked exasperatedly, turning his gaze back to me.
"Can you wake Darien up? He drank a lot last night, too. I have a feeling he's going to
feel worse than I do."
Andrew's eyebrow rose and pointed accusingly. "Ah ha! So you've been drinking with him.
Shouldn't you worry about yourself instead? Did you do something naughty with him last night,
Serena?" Andrew asked me suspiciously.
I flushed on cue. His words triggered my thoughts back to last night and I flinched in
remembrance. My knees felt weak all the sudden and I almost had to hold onto a chair for support.
His kiss wasn't meant for you, I reminded myself, but the hot memory still came up to burn my
cheeks. Andrew soon developed a curious stare on his face and I was determined then to not let
my nosy brother gain any further suspicion. "Give me a break, will you? Just wake him up." I
told him and pushed him out the door.
As Andrew stood there, an idea struck me suddenly. While he wasn't looking, I took my
chance with a pillow and whacked him in the head. "Jerk!" I hollered then bolted hastily toward
the bathroom with Andrew cursing from behind. That should teach him something; I thought, once
safely behind the doors and turned on the sink happily.
'That's a girl', Andrew thought, looking proudly as he walked into Darien's room. She
was holding up fine to his relief. From what he had heard from Mina yesterday, he was almost
sure to find his sister in a dim state this morning. He hadn't been there for her, Andrew thought
darkly, but it wasn't his fault. He hadn't known. No one told him about Ken cheating on Serena
behind her back. If he would have known a month ago, he would have been sure to beat the crap out
of the guy. Serena didn't deserve this, he decided. No, she deserved much better. At least he was
here for her now and this time no one was going to hurt his little sister.
So this is Darien's room, Andrew thought as he entered Darien's domain, he was certainly
neat as "Serena the maid". He walked over to the blinds to raise them. "Wake up, Darien. Your
head is going to hurt a hell of a lot buddy. Wake up."
One eye peeked open gradually and then
Darien's other eye did just the same. His eyes were hazy and he couldn't exactly make out who it
was that was trespassing into his room. "Who are you?" he asked wearily to the man and held onto
his head as a sharp throbbing pain struck one side of his head. "Turn off the light!" He
insisted, raising his hands to shield his eyes from the blinding light. Another pain wrack
through his skull again.
"I'm your worst nightmare, buddy." Darien heard the person introduced himself and wanted
nothing more than to tell the guy to go away, leave him alone. Ann, his mind shot out suddenly
and his head began to hurt even more. A picture of Ann in another man's arm emerged and a quick
surge of jealously came to stay. Darien tugged tightly at his hair in recollection. He felt like
screaming, cursing, and even crying. Another pain shot through, seizing him from any more thoughts.
"Cut me some slack and tell me who you are." He heard himself ask. His hands still held
his head. "Why are you in my room?" Darien demanded.
Andrew only smiled. "I'm Serena's brother, remember? You forgot me so soon Darien?"
Serena, his mind repeated the name. Another picture replaced the old one; this time it
wasn't of Ann, but of his beautiful and enchanting roommate. They were wrapped up in a close
embrace? Darien frowned at the hazy picture, but before he move his thoughts any where further,
grunted in pain. His head felt like it had been stung by a pack of bees. Darien tried his best
to keep his eyes open as he peeked up to see the man. "My head hurts too much to remember
anything." He complained.
"I know, pal, but that's your own fault. I made breakfast and
there'll be some Tylenol on the table for you." Andrew helped Darien to a sitting position. If
he promised his sister to help the poor guy, then he was going to help him all the way. So
Serena had feelings for this guy, Andrew thought with a half smile remembering Serena's response
from earlier. Something had definitely happened yesterday with the two of them, he was almost
sure. He wasn't completely stupid as Serena thought he was.
"Why are you inside my room again" Darien asked with a clearer head.
"Out of the goodness of my own heart." Andrew said and rolled his eyeball. "Jeez, get
up already."
Andrew prodded him to stand and had even let Darien lean onto him without
complaining.
"Andrew,"
"Andrew what?"
"The bathroom."
"The bathroom?" Andrew asked in wonderment and turned to Darien. His eyes automatically
widened with alarm.
"Take me to the bathroom," Darien managed to choke out and covered his
mouth with his hand, ready to burst.
Andrew immediately rushed Darien to the bathroom and at
the same time screamed for Serena to open the door. As soon as Darien was safely accompanied by
the toilet, Andrew went to set up the table.
I looked at Darien worriedly as I stood just beyond the frame of the open bathroom door.
Darien looked miserable, but somehow to me, he looked almost too adorable even with his rumbled
hair to the much wrinkled clothing he wore. He turned his face suddenly catching me stare in the
act and I was caught still, entranced by his beautiful, silent eyes. I held my breath and my mind
began to wander, swim across the deep frozen sea. My face slowly came to burn and just when I was
about to explode in an eruption, he turned back to his toilet, leaving me with a warm glow. I
held onto the door frame and wondered what he was thinking the exact moment we held each other's
gaze.
"Serena," Andrew said, standing by the stove. He watched me almost too meditatively but
when Andrew talked, his words didn't hint on any suspicions I thought he had. "Come here and
set the table. Let me get some clothing for Darien. He needs to clean himself up."
Andrew disappeared into Darien's room. He rumbled across the drawers for a while and
emerged back out with a few articles of clothing. He threw it at Darien, pushing him to take a
shower, and closed the door behind in his track.
"Here's your Tylenol, Serena. Come and get it." He pointed at the Tylenol tablet.
"Dunk it down." He commanded almost too motherly and turned back to what he was doing before.
I swallowed my medicine slowly, my eyes tentative of the closed bathroom door while being
nervous all at once. 'Would he remember anything?' I gulp down the water. "Of course not", I
told myself for whatever little hope my words can give. Surely he wouldn't remember. Let him not
remember, I begged. Andrew called out my name and my whole body jolted in alarm.
I choked on my drink. "Yeah?" I answered him. I held onto my coughing throat.
"I have free tickets to a baseball game at the new stadium. Do you have some time to
spare next Tuesday?"
I thought about it and shook my head from side to side. "I work that day."
"Good, then you can call out." Andrew said gleefully and the situation was decided
between us. We were going to the game. It was more like, he decided the situation and I kept my
mouth shut, but it didn't matter. I was glad, maybe more than glad, to escape work.
Andrew and I left an hour early for the baseball game. I was never a fan of baseball,
but it actually turned out to be fun. Spending time with Andrew was fun, even if I didn't want
to admit it. I missed him. It started raining in the middle of the game, lucky us, but it didn't
really matter. I didn't care much for the baseball game, especially if our city team was losing.
When we returned home around three in the evening, the sky had become completely darkened and it
poured relentlessly. Andrew dropped me off in front of my apartment as he made some poor excuses
not to come in while holding his bruised eye painfully. I excused him quickly and ran hurriedly
into my apartment for some shelter from the pouring rain.
I shook my drenched coat once inside and took it off. My hands rubbed against my wet
hair and I could feel clumps of hair sticking together. After I took off my shoes and socks, I
gave a sniff as I walked further into the warm apartment. I wonder how Darien was doing, I
thought as my eyes took the direction toward his door. It was closed, but I wasn't at all
surprise. I sighed and decided to check on how he was doing. "I know what it feels like to be
heartbroken"I thought. 'Maybe later,' I thought again as I decided to take a shower and then dry
myself. After that, I would check on him.
My knock was gentle the first time, but then I practically banged on his door as the
silent answer greeted me. My hands quickly flew to the doorknob and found it to be unlocked.
I opened his door to find an empty room. Where could Darien have gone to? I thought and was
mildly worried when a boom of thunder and loud splashes of rain came down. I quickly went to
the window; and to my deepest disappointment, Darien's car was there. My heart took a leap in
my throat and I was immediately worried of something being hideously wrong. If Darien didn't
take his car, I thought with mild irritation, where could he have gone to in this weather? Maybe
he was at a friend's house, I decided later as I tried to sit calmly in the lonely apartment.
Yes, Darien must be at a friend's house, but whose? Did Darien even know anyone else in Albany?
Another roar of thunder rumbled and I glanced outside to the window yet again. Please let nothing
happen to Darien, I prayed for him.
When the clock struck six, I decided to wait no more and
search for him. The rain was pouring harder than ever and though thunder usually terrified me
horribly, I firmly put my rain boots and coat on. I ran out of my apartment quickly, almost
forgetting to shut the door behind me. My apartment neighbors stared at me wondrously as I ran
hurriedly down the stairway almost tripping in every step. I couldn't shake the worries away
and just when I raised my umbrella toward the thunderous sky, there in front of me stood Darien.
Lifeless and stilled.
The rain slashed heartlessly against his face and through his already
soaked clothing's. My eyes softened, then gentled. I could feel a tug at my heart. His eyes were
blank. There was no warmth flowing there, nothing, but a cold winter's breeze. His hair was soak
from the rain and it clung to his head. The tiny raindrops dripped off his face and I wasn't
exactly sure if he was crying or not because his eyes were glassy.
A force drawn me toward him and I followed that force. I stepped silently down the
steps to Darien; and as I did so, I could hear every splash, every breath I took. With no
effort at all I managed to nudge him inside, away from the rainfall. Our footsteps squeaked in
each stride as I led him toward our apartment. Darien was quiet, so very silent that it scared me.
I helped Darien out of his wet shoes and let him settle on the couch even if he was
dripping wet.
"You should change, Darien." I suggested to him gently, after I settled my coat
onto a chair where it would dry, but there was no answer. It was as if he hadn't heard me or
wasn't even there.
"Darien," I whispered even more softly and tugged lightly on his shirt. He remained quiet
and I was afraid, so fearful of breaking his silence.
I repeated his name again and his silence remained still. "Darien," I said again, this
time louder and finally knelt before him—my eyes completely understanding him. His hurt, his pain,
I understood all of it. My terrified fingers came up to brush aside his hair so that I could
clearly see his beautiful eyes. They were dull, his eyes, almost lifeless and staring into the
oblivion. Somehow, his glance at last came to meet mine sadly and for a moment we both stared,
silently muted by a thick surrounding tension. I could see how hurt he was and knew, knew that
he desperately needed someone.
I reached out to him with heart in hand. My arms slowly came to encircle around his
waist; and in almost a slow motion, rested my head against his chest. He didn't move a muscle,
only tensed up. "Don't try. Don't hold it in," I told him. My eyes squeezed tightly close and I
clutched onto him in a tighter embrace, trying with all my might to bring him back into reality.
"Don't be afraid to cry. I'm here, Darien, you can use my shoulder." I whispered, smelling in his
arousing scent, and waited for any response to come.
In my ears I could hear a ringing sound of bells. It was joyous sound of bells vibrating
tingling sensation as my arms remained wrapped securely around him. There was a feeling of
floating towards some unknown paradise to the beyond; and for a moment there, I actually
believed that we were floating, flying out of this universe. My beating heart pounded awfully
hard against my rib cage as I leaned in to hear Darien's own thrashing heart. My breath was
caught.Darien didn't respond and after a while, my heart sank deep, breaking, knowing that my
effort was a lost.
I hesitated, knowing what I must do. And for a moment there, I actually didn' want to let
go of him. It felt just right holding him, though I knew not why. My arms withdrew unwillingly
from his waist and at last, Darien responded. There were no words coming from him, but with one
slow tug, he drew me back into his arms and this time, he cried. Darien hugged me close, almost
too tightly, as he cried without any restraint, letting all his tears out. Darien' shoulders
shook and I could do nothing else, but hold onto him even more closely.
The rain poured heavily outside joining in with Darien' mourning. The room became
frigid, but despite of that, I felt flames dancing all over. My body radiated warmth from
Darien and it was then that I recognized it in my heart, my soul that I was falling for
him--rolling and careening in his direction. And though I didn't want the emotion, I knew it
was a feeling that neither I nor anyone else could do to stop it from coming.
Hurry, I prodded myself as I crept quietly for door. I slipped my jacket on as I glanced cautiously
at Darien's door. I made a hasty dash out of my apartment making sure not to create too much
clamor on shutting the door. It was safe now, I thought as I trudged down the front steps
happily. I looked back to my apartment window. Darien was there, I thought dreamily and a warm
glow surfaced from the deepest part in my stomach. And that's why you're running, I told myself.
My feelings for Darien were the exact reason why I was running. I wanted to stop these ridiculous
emotions before it becomes a wild beast. It was better to control it now. Love is a dangerous animal
and I never want to come near it again because all it does is give me a painful heartache. Ken
showed me that already, I thought darkly as I put on my seat belt. Sure, Darien's cute and sweet,
handsome even. There was a long list of good qualities that I can name of Darien, but I couldn't
afford to name it. Besides, it didn't prove anything. I'll eventually get hurt. Run, I thought,
was the best tactic to use. These delicious feelings are bound to turn sour.
Darien had said that he was tired after crying and within seconds after I tucked him in
bed, he fell fast asleep. I had thought and done so much thinking yesterday after I trudged my
own self to bed. My feelings were still so jumbled. What had become of Ann? Had Darien ever
confront her, I wonder?
I shook my thoughts roughly, making sure all thoughts of Darien stay
deep in the back of my head. I wasn't going to be thinking of Darien anymore, I
thought determinedly and drove to work with a last lingering glance at our
apartment window. All thoughts about Darien were going to be squashed.
I arrived to work on time, thank the lord, but still received my every day's berating
from Pete's wife. Pete had been perverted again today with his disgusting staring. I was used to
it and it didn't bother me much. Later that day, I was talking to Mina as we both lay on the bed,
heads toward the plain white ceiling.
"I heard you guys went to the baseball game together. How was baseball?" Mina asked and
her head turned to the side to look at me.
My face twitched. "Baseball really isn't my thing so you can guess that I wasn't paying
attention to the game. By the way, how is Andrew's eye?"
Mina suddenly smiled from ear to ear. "Andrew told me about the fight with Ken.
His eye is swollen like a muffin now." She laughed remembering Andrew coming home soaking wet
with a scowl on his face while at the same time hiding his purple-greenish eye behind the palm
of his hand. Mina stifled another giggle and went on. "The guys at the bar were making fun of
him. So were the girls who came to admire him everyday." Mina giggled with a more satisfying
thought.
"Serves him right for trying to stir up some trouble. Now I can make fun of him all I
want."
I giggled along with her, trying my best to ignore Ken's name. "Are you going to make
him quit his bartending job?"
"I can't even if I wanted to," She replied and sighed restively. "I already decided
whatever makes him happy makes me happy. He loves the job, it's going to hurt him if I ask him to
quit. If I love him, then I'm going to have to deal with it." She nodded in determination
and stared off distantly into the nothingness.
My mouth extended into a smile. Love sounded almost kind. "I'm glad the problem's
working out with you and Andrew."
"Me too, Serena. Me too." Mina replied and stood suddenly, her face held a pensive
stare. "You know," She said softly. "I sometime wonder what happened to me. I was never this
relenting. I've changed so much, Serena. Do you remember before when I was always jealous of
Andrew being around any other girls?"
I nodded. "You always threw a fit and then came complaining to me."
"I know and now, I'm suddenly not jealous anymore. It's like I can't even be jealous
because I have so much trust in him." She smiled to herself and then did a happy twirl.
I smiled, feeling quiet envious of her, but at the same time, happy for Mina. Love was kind to
her and I was glad, very happy for everything that worked out for her. Mina's eyes fell on me
and then looked blameworthy, suddenly remembering something.
"What?" I asked her.
"Are you okay talking about Ken? I'm so sorry about bringing it up."
My face gentled somewhat. "I'm over him, Mina. He's past tense." I lied half-heartedly.
It was sort of true because Ken wasn't so important to me anymore.
She sighed sympathetically and then spoke softly. "Are you so certain, Serena?
Because you're not a very good liar."
I gave her a saddened smile and my shoulders drooped. How can I just rub out all the
happy memories? I asked her silently. "You know I can't forget everything about him. I can
only try to erase what I can."
She came over to hug me for whatever little comfort she could offer.
"You can make it Serena. You can get over him. He's not as great a person as you think, Serena,
because he broke your heart. There are a million other fish in the sea, I'm sure a wide
number of them will recognize how great you are." She pulled back and we both smiled at each
other. "Maybe it was a good coincidence that you guys met at the baseball stadium. Ken does
deserve every blow Andrew gave him."
I winced for Ken and then thought of Andrew with his bruised eye. "You shouldn't have
told Andrew, Mina. I didn't want him to worry about me and now he frets over me like a mother hen.
I'm scared that he'll do something stupid in the future." I told her.
"No, you're wrong. I should have told him sooner. You're his sister, Serena. He loves
you. It's only right that he's protective of you. Now about the fight between Andrew and Ken, Andrew
will fight with him no more. So don't worry about Andrew. He was mad, but now he's calm. I can
make sure Andrew won't go looking for Ken for anymore fights. If he does, Serena, I'll give him
some threats to remember by."
Mina grinned. She was like a sister to me and I couldn't help but think how lucky Andrew
was to have her or how lucky I was to know her. "Let's talk about something else." She said and
then giggled idly trying to bring up a new topic. "How's your roommate? Amy told me he was
picked on by a bunch of little kids at the park." She smiled wickedly, biting down her bottom
lip. "He sounds so irresistibly cute. In fact, he looks irresistibly cute too!" Her smile became
wider. "How is he up close in person?" She asked.
"He's not bad to live with." I told her in the most uninterested way I can muster. Who
cares about Darien, I thought, but knew that I was only betraying myself.
"That's all you can comment about him?"
"What else can I say?" I heard myself ask, my voice sounded detached, distant even.
"Something more maybe?" Mina said and shrugged her shoulders in careless whimsy. "For
instance: What's his favorite food, his favorite color,
maybe even the kind of girls that he likes."
I stared at her suspiciously and wondered what's with all the questions about Darien
all the sudden. "Why are we talking about Darien anyways? You were never interested in asking
anything about him."
Mina puckered her lips. "You remember Greg's sister, Melinda, right? I promised Melinda
to get some scoop on Darien." I frowned, not understanding. She went on with her explanation.
"She has a thing for him and wanted to know about Darien. I made a promise to her; I couldn't
go back on my word without asking." She told me.
I remained quiet, silently listening. There was a really bugging feeling that built
itself up deep within as Mina continued. "Melinda asked for your apartment number a couple of weeks
ago. I gave it to her." She said, suddenly lowering down her voice. "By the way, has she called
him yet?" Mina asked just about too eagerly, her eyes dancing in anticipation.
I shook my head to answer her question and Mina automatically pouted. So Melinda was
going to call Darien. She liked him; I sighed with a half hearted smile. But Darien wasn't her
type and she wasn't his! A voice called out and I couldn't help, but disagree with that. Maybe,
they are a perfect looking couple, I thought. Why are you upset over this anyway? I asked
myself, confused, and all the inner voices shut up.
Mina puckered her brows and wondered why Melissa still hadn't called. "I think they're
a perfect match." She said openly, catching my thoughts from ealier. I felt a hammer pounding at
my chest. That didn't sound right.
I remained rational and fought my best not to get envious because I had already vowed
this morning to stay away from him. Why would I be jealous now? I asked myself. It shouldn't
matter to you, my inner voices whispered. "You really think so?" I asked Mina, almost too
disappointed. How can they be a perfect couple? I try to reason. Darien was a dork. It was simple.
He's not perfect with anyone, I decided with an annoyed facial expression. 'But he's your dork,'
a voice whispered suddenly, capturing my every thoughts in a still state. I rushed to shut all
thoughts from anymore similar thinking. Darien was NOT my dork! He's not my anything.
"Darien has a girlfriend already." My traitorous mouth slipped. I knew there was no
need to bring this up, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to keep Melinda at bay. I'm doing it for
Melinda's own good, I forced myself to believe. Darien is so not her type.
"Maybe not," Mina sighed in disappointment and I kept my mouth tightly shut in order to
keep myself from telling Mina about what had happened between Ann and Darien. Staring at her
disappointed face, I wanted to tell her, but couldn't bring my self to say it. Mina straightened
out her white uniform and sighed happily. "Well, I'll just have to disappoint Melinda with the
news." She shrugged lightly off the subject. "We better get going, Serena. If Pete's going to
find us like this, we're only going to be in trouble. But if his wife finds us, we'll be even in a
bigger hellhole."
Mina winked and I giggled. She pulled open the door. "I'm going to leave. You can stay
here for a while, but don't stay too long Serena." She warned and closed the door lightly behind
her. Mina trudged into the hallway and down the stairs.
I stayed quiet listening to the light thudding of her muffled footsteps until I could hear
no more and after a while left the room myself with many more thoughts of Darien than I should be thinking.
AN: I hoped everyone enjoyed this piece! Remember to review or email me at: roses2small@yahoo.com