Darien stared at the light in brooding. It reminded him so much
of Serena. A traffic light always giving unpredictable signs: First
Red, then Green, then Yellow, then Red again. Serena was pretty much
the same. First the red light plainly saying "stay away from me", the
light she always wore at school. This was probably why he had never
really looked at her before. Then the Yellow light, the shield high but
some penetration and force and pressure, letting fragments of her real
self know to the world. Then there was the Green light, shields down,
the real Serena.
But unlike traffic lights, the Green light didn't come too often.
Most times, the pattern was Red, yellow, Red, yellow, Green-yellow.
Darien had not seen a true green light in Serena. Her shield was always
there, separating her from her reality. And Darien wanted badly to see
the Green light of Serena.
At the sound of an obnoxious honk, Darien looked up at the Green
light and drove on.
Fragments of his conversation with Serena sounded through his
head.
'You jerk!'
'… How can you say I should be all trusting of you when until
three days ago, you didn't even know I was alive?'
'… Remember one time you actually knocked me down in the hall and
you didn't look down to apologize…'
'…Treated like the outcast I am because I chose to…'
This made Darien pause. How could she choose to be an outcast?
Was all that she had just some kind of mask?
'I don't need some popular jock coming around trying to take me
places that I have tried to avoid going all my life!'
Darien suddenly remembered his earlier conversation with Serena
in the car. She had said something about watching the road because bad
things happen. Things were now starting to go together. The puzzle
pieces were starting to fit.
Darien smiled to himself as the radio played in the background.
He was going to figure this out, very soon. And Serena wouldn't' know
what had swept the carped, the very lush red carpet, from under her
feet.
He was starting to like Serena, even though the whole thing was a
joke. But, he would find someway to make it up to her. At least, he
hoped he would.
The pitter-patter of the rain felt comforting to Serena. Sitting
on the recliner in her room, she sighed. She felt so peaceful, content.
Nothing bothered her in her room. Her chairs wouldn't suddenly start
talking to her and her bed wouldn't start playing matchmaker with her
and the recliner.
Things were just such a mess. Darien was acting so strangely and
she hadn't even given him a chance. Serena still couldn't get over the
earlier argument. She felt so bad. She didn't want' to ruin the first
chance at a normal life and she had ruined it so badly.
She knew what she had to do. Serena got up, walked to her closet,
and put on her blue Adidas jacket. She quickly put her hair in a bun,
found her glasses, grabbed her keys, and started out of the room.
Inside her car she took the paper that had the address Darien had
scrawled on it and quickly memorized the directions.
When she arrived at Darien house, she got out of the car and ran
to his door. From outside, she could hear the loud blaring of his CD
player and knew he wouldn't hear her knock.
But Serena wouldn't let something as simple as locks deter her.
She remembered when her brother had taught her how to pick locks. She
was in the third grade and had caught her brother breaking into their
house when he forgot his key. And Serena, being an inquisitive little
girl, asked him to show her and explain everything along the way.
Serena smiled at the memory. Little lessons sure came in handy.
Taking a bobby pin from her hair, Serena deftly unlocked the door
and walked in. She only felt a moments pang of guilt that she was
breaking into Darien's house uninvited. Then she shrugged and walked
in.
She looked around the house. It was a pretty cool looking place.
There was a chandelier, a narrow curving stairway to her right, and a
piano in the living room to her left. Beyond the entrance, there was a
narrow hallway probably lead to the kitchen. A giant window stood in
the wall to her left where the piano lay.
And the lyrics to Nelly's Ride wit Me resounded through the
entire house.
Looking around, Serena decided that Darien's room was probably up
the stairs. When she got to the top she walked toward the room with the
blaring music. At least, Serena thought, his taste in music wasn't too
bad.
Without knocking, Serena walked into his room. At the sight
before her, she had to fight not to swoon.
He was laying on his bed with no shirt and baggy blue jeans. He
had one arm behind his head and his other hand held some papers that he
was obviously studying. His midnight black hair splayed over his face,
falling in his eyes and Serena's fingers itched to push it back. He had
one knee bent and no shoes. She wanted to drool.
Serena frowned at herself. It was not her to swoon at the likes
of some macho jock. Just because he had a six pack didn't mean
anything. And the fact that he looked so handsome really didn't matter
because…
Serena smiled at her ridiculous thoughts. She was acting like a
dimwit. Someone would be ridiculous not to appreciate the sight.
Her eyes full of devious thoughts, Serena walked over to Darien
who hadn't seen her enter the room yet. When she was halfway to him she
stopped. She couldn't really do anything with how she was looking at
the moment.
She walked to the CD player instead. Again, she only felt a
moments pang of guilt at the fact that she snuck in and was now ruining
what seemed his blaring study session.
At the sound of no music Darien looked up. Who had come in? His
mom?. When he saw Serena staring at him intently from his CD player he
didn't know whether to strangle her skinny neck or yell. He decided on
neither, remembering the bet.
She was back to her down appearance was Darien's first thought as
he surveyed her baggy white t-shirt that read 'Caution: Bitch ahead'
and her baggy jeans. He had to admit that he ADIDAS jacket added a
flair of normalcy to her appearance.
"What are you doing here Serena? And, how did you get in?"
Serena blushed. Darien's eyebrows were drawn in a scowl and his
beautiful mouth a tight line. She didn't want to bother him or annoy
him. She simply wanted to apologize so that he wouldn't be confused or
angry with her anymore. He was one of the only people who had ever
looked past her dowdy appearance for a moment and she felt that she
would be losing an immense prize if she lost his friendship. And, she
thought suppressing a whimsical frown, just because he was a jock
didn't mean that her carefully planned life would change.
Serena took a deep breath. All she had to do was apologize. Then,
she could return to a normal life again knowing she hadn't ruined
anything.
Smiling sheepishly she walked over to him, his eyes following her
the entire time. She felt nervous and only thoughts of future peace
stopped her from fleeing the room. When she reached his bed, she sat on
the corner next to his feet. She looked at everything but him. She
sighed in resignation when she realized she would have to look at him
to apologize. She didn't want to look in his cobalt blue eyes and drown
in feelings that were unknown to her. Instead, she looked at his nose.
She took a deep breath. She really wasn't into this apologizing
thing. She had never before done anything odious enough to feel
compelled to apologize. Her bickering with Raye was nothing to
apologize about, nor was her pranks on Mina. But, this was an entirely
different story. Darien had actually gone out of his way to talk to
her, he searched out somehow knowing that she wasn't the same person
she portrayed in public. And, not purposely spiteful, she had yelled at
him just because she was confused.
Serena shook her head. She was taking too long on this apology
thing. She was just staring at him. She should have apologized five
minutes ago. Serena bit her lip, worried. Darien might think that she
was ignoring him if she didn't say anything soon. She had to apologize
now, no more pondering and reasoning. She took a deep breath.
Darien smiled as he watched the emotions splay over Serena's
face. She was entirely too readable for someone who tried to hide
herself all the time. Now that he figured out her big secret, which he
supposed it was, he had to decide on tactics to bring Serena's real
self out. She was too intriguing in just her act and for some
unfathomable reason, he really wanted to find the Serena behind the
mask.
When Darien saw Serena look everywhere but at him, he decided
that either he was looking incredibly ugly or that she had feeling for
him. His smile was smug as he watched Serena focus on his nose instead
of his eyes. That was what most people were supposed to look at when
talking to someone right? Their eyes. And yet, Serena was the farthest
from normal that Darien almost believed not looking into his eyes was
part of the act. He doubted it. She had probably just realized that
whenever she looked into his eyes, she lost some of her barrier and he
could read some of her deeply hidden emotions. He was glad, though,
anyways, that Serena hadn't looked into his eyes. Her eyes were
beautiful and they made him feel more deeply for her than he should
have felt.
He saw Serena take a deep breath but wasn't prepared when she
actually did look into his eyes. Damn! He had to take in a breath. Why
did it always surprise him to see her eyes. They were a vibrant violet
blue and didn't match her at all. No one would expect to see those eyes
with the clothes she wore, the way she wore her hair, and the thick
glasses she wore. It was all a puzzle that Darien was sure he would
piece together before Serena realized it.
When Serena saw Darien frown she almost backed down. But looking
into his eyes and feeling all of these unfamiliar sensations, she knew
she couldn't leave if someone tried to drag her away.
A strange power filled her eyes as she gazed at him openly.
Darien, impatient and mad that her eyes affected him so smirked,
looking clearly omnipotent and annoyed. She had, he remembered none to
lightly, broke into his house and turned off his own CD player and she
still hadn't told him what she was here for.
Darien almost laughed thinking about the withdrawn nerdy Serena
picking lock and doing it efficiently. Ah, he thought, suppressing a
smile, another mystery.
He lifted a mocking eyebrow at the continuing silence.
Serena shifted uncomfortably. HE was probably annoyed that it was
taking her so long to say what ever she was going to say. She took a
deep breath and looked away, focusing on the picture of Darien and his
little sister. In the picture, Darien smiled handsomely and his sister,
who Serena predicted to be about 4, smiled, her head leaning on
Darien's shoulder. It was such a sweet, charming picture that Serena
suddenly felt some of her tension fade away. He couldn't be that bad if
he was so fond of his little sister. He didn't seem like the ominous,
all powerful Darien she had dreaded. The only power he held was the
ability to break her carefully hidden heart.
At the thought, Serena turned owlishly shocked eyes toward
Darien. Her heart? How had she given her heart in just two days? Serena
tried to remember the exact moment when she probably fell in love with
him. She couldn't come up with any event and Serena suddenly realized
that he held more power than he thought. But, Serena thought, casting a
glance at another picture of Darien and some homecoming date, he was
probably used to girls falling in love with him. But, Serena thought
again arguing with herself, those girls were probably infatuated with
him. She truly loved him for his character. Well, she had to admit his
looks did play a part of it but not the biggest part, not the part that
counted. Serena wanted to cry. She was in love with him and there was
no-
"Serena, I'm guessing you came here to say something?" came
Darien's sardonic voice invading her thoughts yet once again.
Serena, more nervous than she would have like at this moment,
looked at her hands that seemed to have a mind of their own. They were
folding, clasping, and shaking all at the same time. She suddenly
remembered a book she had read where it had said 'hands never lie'. She
slowly regained control of her hands and rest them on her lap.
"Darien," she started, not finding the courage to look at him, "I
wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier today,"
Wanting to see a reaction, Serena looked up to search Darien's
eyes and found them devoid of any emotion. She was more worried now
than nervous and she felt a faint pang of panic in her lower stomach.
He had to forgive her, he couldn't just end things now could he?
"I really didn't mean the things I said and I want you to forget
everything I said. I don't-" she said hastily, over worried, and closed
her eyes as the last part came out in a desperate whisper, "I don't
want you to hate me,"
She decided it was too dangerous to look in his eyes. What if she
found something she didn't want to see. What if his impassive eyes
suddenly looked at her with disgust or the thing she couldn't bear,
hate? She had to look. Serena felt compelled at that moment. Something
was making the urge to look more and more fervent. At the last minute,
Serena pushed away her fervent urges and focused on the picture of
Darien and his little sister, determined to gain some of the
haughtiness that she had planned to bring with her to the apology. When
she heard further silence, Serena felt the pang of panic grow into
something bigger. What was wrong with the man?! Why didn't he say
anything? Was he still mad? Was he angry beyond the turning point? Why
didn't he say Something?
"But I'd understand," Serena said, her voice awfully subdued. If
he couldn't forgive, she couldn't let him know that he held her heart.
She had to act indifferent.
Dark thought's filled Darien's head as he watched Serena avoid
looking at him yet once again. He felt a load of guild plummet to his
toes and knew that he was deep into something that he truly didn't want
to mess up. He was starting to feel really bad about this ridiculous
prank Andrew had coddled him into. He didn't want to hurt Serena, not
when she was starting to seem so different from his first impression.
He briefly remembered his conversation with Andrew calling Serena a
bitch and something about not letting the dog out of the cage. If only
then he would have known that that was what Serena actually wanted to
think of her. She was hiding behind a false personality. If only he had
known, he wouldn't be in this shit he was in at the moment. Here was
Serena, the one of facades and multiple personalities, asking him not
to hate her because he had treaded past her barrier to keep people from
seeing the real her. If he told her he didn't hate her, there would be
no chance of forgiveness in the future after the prank was done. He was
filled with such a maddening anger, he wanted to break the next thing
he put his hands on. In constellation, he clenched his fists until his
knuckles turned white. When he unclenched his hands, they were red.
Darien wondered what Serena's feelings were toward him. If she
had a shred of feeling for him, he would break her with this prank. He
knew he had to do something. He couldn't just go and break her heart
when he didn't plan to get it or feel bad for breaking it in the first
part. His hands already held Serena, and he would end up breaking her
in the end. This thought filled him with a sadness to the very core of
his soul. He would have to find some way to fix this. He had to.
"Come on Serena, let's go downstairs. I want to watch TV. and I
cant think of anyone better to do it with," He smiled a reassuring
smile that didn't reach his eyes, then walked out of the room.
Serena paused as she watched him saunter out of the room.
Apparently, he had forgiven her. Or something. But he hadn't actually
said the words had he? He just asked her to watch a movie with him. Was
that his way of accepting or was he trying not to hurt her feeling.
She had a feeling that his forgiveness or lack thereof had
nothing to do what so ever with her earlier yelling. No, she thought
with a fervent shake of her head, something else was bothering him.
Serena lifted a mocking eyebrow. She was going to find out, no doubt
about that. She was determined and once she had her goal set, nothing
stopped her from succeeding.
With that pleasant thought occupying he mind, she skipped out of
the room whistling with the happiness and mischief she felt. She
stopped suddenly, realizing that skipping was sorely out of character
for the Serena she was portraying. She bit her lip as she walked down
the stairs, down the hall to where she supposed the living room was.
Hours later
Serena wiped the tears as they fell silently from her violet
eyes. She took the tissue that Darien offered and watched in silence as
she saw snoopy return to Charlie Brown. Oh, she thought, so sad, so
sad.
Darien struggled not to laugh. Who'd have thought that Serena
would get sentimental over a cartoon movie? Let alone Snoopy Come Home.
He smiled while he looked at her. He hadn't thought about his
predicament the entire evening and he felt somehow happier when he was
with this strange Serena. He suspected the tears were apart of his real
Serena. The Serena at school wouldn't be crying, let alone at a
cartoon. He started remembering how he had phrased his thoughts. His
Serena? Since when did he start to feel possessive about Serena? He
didn't want to think about that now. Not when Serena was subtly showing
her real self to him, however unconscious she did it. It was a start. A
very great start.
Seeing Serena, cheeks red from crying, thick glasses halfway off
of her face, and a tissue raised to her mouth, he felt oddly attached
and touched. She was getting to him, finding a shield he didn't know he
had. And breaking through.
"Serena, don't you think it's a little ridiculous to cry over a
cartoon?"
"It's so sad," Serena replied as sullenly and remorseful as she
looked. She gestured with her hand to the TV as she looked at Darien,
her eyes brimming with unshed tears, "I mean, Snoopy was going to go
with his old owner after all that Charlie brown had done for him.
Charlie Brown was soo noble and Snoopy just left," The last part was
said on a choked sob as she saw all of the gang rejoicing over Snoopy
finally returning. "Isn't that sweet?"
Darien smiled at her. She was so adorable. Adorable? No,
something else, a word that was on the tip of his tongue but would not
form.
He looked at her fondly, observing the glasses on the end of her
nose and her engrossment in the cartoon. The glasses were so low that
she seemed to be looking without using them. And it hit him. Her
glasses! She wasn't looking through the glasses at the TV she was
looking over them. She could see without the glasses! Why would she
wear such ridiculous glasses if she could see?
His grin was wicked. Making sure she wouldn't notice, he moved
his hand toward her glasses. When she still didn't acknowledge him; she
was clearly engrossed in Snoopy's rejoice that he had an easy time
grabbing the frame and pulling them off.
Serena shrieked and looked at Darien, straight in the face.
Darien sucked in his breath. Her face was beautiful. Her violet
blue eyes suddenly fit her face perfectly. Her nose was short and
pointy and her lips were soft and luscious. She was the most beautiful
girl he had ever seen. He was suddenly angry that she had hidden such
beauty from the world. She had the look of a supermodel. He had a
pretty good feeling that he knew why she wore the glasses and
suppressed his anger because of it.
Serena recovered over her shock and quickly covered her face with
her hands.
"I can't see!!! Please! I need my glasses!" she cried
desperately.
Darien smiled to himself. She couldn't' lie if her life depended
on it. It was amusing. But, he decided quickly, he would give her her
glasses because she had her own reasons for hiding herself. He was
lucky he had a glimpse. He almost laughed as he watched Serena feel
around for her glasses.
"Here you go Serena," He said as he put the ugly glasses into her
open hand.
Serena quickly put them on and glared at Darien. Darien almost
smiled but knew that that would make her mad. Her cheeks were flushed
and her eyes cold as ice. And in the misty depths of her eyes, Darien
read the emotions as if reading them from a book. And he was somewhat
surprised at what he saw. Desperation, sorrow, and anger were all there
and those didn't surprise him. But, the frightened and helpless look in
her eyes was a bit much.
He frowned, his need to laugh gone entirely. The emotions he read
in her eyes made him feel miserable. And the fact that he felt
miserable made him furious.
He glared back at Serena. She shouldn't have affected him this
way. He didn't want any attachment of any kind to Serena. And he sure
as hell didn't want to make the end of the prank any harder. He would,
after all, have to break her heart in the most horrible way possible.
"Why did you take my glasses Darien?" Serena asked, her voice
oddly frail.
This made Darien all the more angrier. If she felt this sad about
him taking some stupid unnecessary glasses off, how would she feel when
he broke her heart?
"I'm sorry Serena," he said, his voice filled with concealed
anger.
Serena closed her eyes and looked away from him. She grasped her
hands together, unconsciously and looked back at Darien.
"I think I'd better go, it's getting late. It was fun Darien,"
she said as she started to get up.
Darien suddenly saw a mental image of Serena looking at him like
he was despicable saying the same thing after he broke her heart. He
felt panicked and knew that he had messed everything up. He sighed. He
knew that at this moment in time, he would have to end the bet with
Andrew. He smiled wistfully thinking of Andrew cleaning his room.
She was half way to the door when Darien's voice stopped her.
"Would you like to see a movie tomorrow?"
Serena turned surprised eyes to Darien. She was shocked to find
him right behind her. She hadn't even heard him get up.
He was staring at her oddly and somehow he looked desperate. He
was grinning at her and looked boyish. His hands were in his pockets
and his hair was falling forward into his face. He was… devastating.
How could he look so innocent after what he had done just a few minutes
ago? Serena tried to be mad at him but looking at his face again, she
sighed and walked up to him.
She pushed the lock of hair that was straying out of his face and
looking into his eyes. Realizing what she had done, she pulled her hand
back as if she were scalded and looked at her shoes.
"Sure Darien, just call me, you have my number,"
Serena saw Darien looking oddly surprised and then he was back to
his charming self. He grinned her and then turned as he heard noise
coming from the back.
He smiled fondly at the form of his little sister with her black
hair flying about running to him. He groaned as she jumped onto his leg
and he obligingly hefted her onto his neck.
Serena smiled at the little terror on Darien's shoulders. She was
an adorable girl, Serena thought, and she had a sudden memory of her
doing the same thing to Sammy. Tears filled her eyes and not wanting
Darien to see, she started to walk away. She was stopped short by the
little girls inquisitive question.
"Who's that girl at the door Darien? And, why is she crying?" cam
the voice of the terror.
Darien started. Serena was crying? For what? Had he done
something again???
He groaned and ducked under the door to get to Serena. His little
sister would probably prevent him from being yelled at again.
"Serena, what's wrong?" Darien placed a comforting hand on
Serena's shoulder. Oddly touched at the gesture, Serena turned around
and smiled, first at the little girl and then at Darien.
"Nothing, Just remembering."
Darien felt his sister trying to get off his neck and he let her
down.
Megan looked up at the strange girl at the door. She was wearing
glasses and weird clothes. Megan walked up to her and remembering
Darien calling her Serena, she stuck out her hand.
"Hi Serena, I'm Megan," She gave Serena one of her adorable
smiles and looked all trusting into Serena's eyes.
Serena smiled, and felt herself suddenly attached to Darien's
strange little sister. She smiled back and shook the offered hand.
"Nice to meet ya Megan," She grinned at Megan and sorely wanted
to pick her up and hug her.
Megan, obviously trusting of her new friend, grinned back at
Serena. "Why are you wearing those glasses?"
Serena saw Megan look at her eyes and Serena realized that the
girl was looking through the glasses. It was as if she realized she
didn't need them. Serena mentally laughed at herself. That was
ridiculous. How could she know? Serena found herself remembering her
great aunt telling her that children perceived more than the average
person. Suddenly worried, Serena tried at a false laugh that, to her
embarrassment, came out weak and strangled.
"I need these to see," she said, and winked at Megan, hoping
Megan would get the sign. Megan, Serena decided as she saw the little
girl wink back and grab on to her brother's leg, was smarter than the
average five year old.
Serena stood up, and looked at Darien, catching his amused glance
which he quickly disguised. She lifted an inquiring eyebrow then rolled
her eyes. She knew that was out of character but she simply didn't care
anymore.
"Well, Darien, I guess I'll see ya," she said and looked down to
Megan. "Bye Megan. It was nice seeing you,". Serena waved and started
walking away when she felt someone grab onto her leg.
She looked down to see Megan holding onto her and looking up at
her. Serena picked her up as she had seen Darien do earlier. She looked
into the girls eyes and suddenly she knew that the girl knew about her
glasses and maybe even more. A very smart little girl, Serena thought
ambiguously.
Megan whispered quite seriously into Serena's ear, "I think my
brother has a crush on you. And, I like you better than all of his
other girlfriends so, I just wanted to tell you," then, to Serena'
surprise, she planted a kiss on Serena's cheek. Serena's cheeks
reddened in pleasure and surprise. Megan had won her heart in a moment
and it was the strangest thing.
"I think that something is sorely wrong Serena. I can't find your
number anywhere,"
Serena started as she saw Darien standing none too far away and
she briefly wondered if he heard any of the conversation.
Serena smiled becomingly at Darien. "Oh, okay, I'll give it to
you again." She lifted a questioning eyebrow at Darien from behind
Megan's hair. "Do you have a pen or something?"
Darien grinned again and she felt her heart fill with new
emotions. More love than before. Serena realized that if she thought
she loved him before, she had just plummeted into a new level of it. He
was so… dashing, she thought. A word only used in romance novels and
yet it was perfect for him. His eyes gleamed in the darkness of the
night and Serena was glad to have Megan as a distraction.
"Sure I do, be right back," he said as he sauntered toward the
living room. Then he stopped, looking back at her. "Megan, come on,"
he said. Serena groaned and let Megan on the ground. Megan smiled, a
smile full of Secrets and one that seemed strange for a five year old.
Then she ran after her brother.
A few moment's later, Darien came back outside. When he handed
her the pen, Serena took it and wrote her number on his hand. It wasn't
until after she wrote the number that she realized that was totally out
of character for the Serena Darien was supposed to hang out with. To
cover up her blunder, she smiled up at Darien brazenly.
"Bye," She said as she started toward her car. Serena felt him
grab her hand and he pulled her back toward him. She was suddenly held
in a tight embrace.
Darien's head inched toward Serena's and a Serena felt a strange
sensation in her stomach. Then he kissed her. Serena's mind went
totally blank. She felt wonderful, more alive than she had felt in
years. Her first kiss. It was sensational. Her first kiss with her only
love. Unconsciously, she snuggled closer and wrapped her arms around
his back. She rubbed up against him and felt him groan.
When Darien broke the kiss Serena was in a daze. She looked into
Darien deep blue eyes, her vision focused only on him.
Realizing she looked quite besotted, Serena blinked several
times. Gathering her wits, Serena blushed and turned away from Darien,
walking to ward her car.
"Seven o'clock Serena!" she heard him yell. She looked back at
him and, surprising herself and him, she winked and blew a kiss. That
was out of character for her façade but more to the point, Serena
frowned as she sat in the car, it was out of character for her real
self. With no further thought, Serena put the key in the ignition and
drove off.
Darien watched her leave and shut the door. What had come over
him? Darien couldn't fathom why he had suddenly felt the need to kiss
her or the fact that he was attached to her.
Darien shook his head. He didn't want to start thinking in that
direction. He would just get angry again.
Brushing off his earlier thought, he remembered Serena's
beautiful face without glasses. The picture was stored in his memory
for all time, he made sure of it. Walking toward the door, he saw his
sister's blank hair and saw her retreat. Pesky little brat, he thought,
fondly. He remembered seeing her kiss Serena on the cheek and wondered
what kind of effect Serena was having on his family. His sister was
never so attached so fast to anyone of his friends or girlfriends. And
yet, she had been so comfortable and friendly and easy with Serena. It
was confounding. Serena was a mystery.
Later that night, he fell asleep with a smile on his face.
of Serena. A traffic light always giving unpredictable signs: First
Red, then Green, then Yellow, then Red again. Serena was pretty much
the same. First the red light plainly saying "stay away from me", the
light she always wore at school. This was probably why he had never
really looked at her before. Then the Yellow light, the shield high but
some penetration and force and pressure, letting fragments of her real
self know to the world. Then there was the Green light, shields down,
the real Serena.
But unlike traffic lights, the Green light didn't come too often.
Most times, the pattern was Red, yellow, Red, yellow, Green-yellow.
Darien had not seen a true green light in Serena. Her shield was always
there, separating her from her reality. And Darien wanted badly to see
the Green light of Serena.
At the sound of an obnoxious honk, Darien looked up at the Green
light and drove on.
Fragments of his conversation with Serena sounded through his
head.
'You jerk!'
'… How can you say I should be all trusting of you when until
three days ago, you didn't even know I was alive?'
'… Remember one time you actually knocked me down in the hall and
you didn't look down to apologize…'
'…Treated like the outcast I am because I chose to…'
This made Darien pause. How could she choose to be an outcast?
Was all that she had just some kind of mask?
'I don't need some popular jock coming around trying to take me
places that I have tried to avoid going all my life!'
Darien suddenly remembered his earlier conversation with Serena
in the car. She had said something about watching the road because bad
things happen. Things were now starting to go together. The puzzle
pieces were starting to fit.
Darien smiled to himself as the radio played in the background.
He was going to figure this out, very soon. And Serena wouldn't' know
what had swept the carped, the very lush red carpet, from under her
feet.
He was starting to like Serena, even though the whole thing was a
joke. But, he would find someway to make it up to her. At least, he
hoped he would.
The pitter-patter of the rain felt comforting to Serena. Sitting
on the recliner in her room, she sighed. She felt so peaceful, content.
Nothing bothered her in her room. Her chairs wouldn't suddenly start
talking to her and her bed wouldn't start playing matchmaker with her
and the recliner.
Things were just such a mess. Darien was acting so strangely and
she hadn't even given him a chance. Serena still couldn't get over the
earlier argument. She felt so bad. She didn't want' to ruin the first
chance at a normal life and she had ruined it so badly.
She knew what she had to do. Serena got up, walked to her closet,
and put on her blue Adidas jacket. She quickly put her hair in a bun,
found her glasses, grabbed her keys, and started out of the room.
Inside her car she took the paper that had the address Darien had
scrawled on it and quickly memorized the directions.
When she arrived at Darien house, she got out of the car and ran
to his door. From outside, she could hear the loud blaring of his CD
player and knew he wouldn't hear her knock.
But Serena wouldn't let something as simple as locks deter her.
She remembered when her brother had taught her how to pick locks. She
was in the third grade and had caught her brother breaking into their
house when he forgot his key. And Serena, being an inquisitive little
girl, asked him to show her and explain everything along the way.
Serena smiled at the memory. Little lessons sure came in handy.
Taking a bobby pin from her hair, Serena deftly unlocked the door
and walked in. She only felt a moments pang of guilt that she was
breaking into Darien's house uninvited. Then she shrugged and walked
in.
She looked around the house. It was a pretty cool looking place.
There was a chandelier, a narrow curving stairway to her right, and a
piano in the living room to her left. Beyond the entrance, there was a
narrow hallway probably lead to the kitchen. A giant window stood in
the wall to her left where the piano lay.
And the lyrics to Nelly's Ride wit Me resounded through the
entire house.
Looking around, Serena decided that Darien's room was probably up
the stairs. When she got to the top she walked toward the room with the
blaring music. At least, Serena thought, his taste in music wasn't too
bad.
Without knocking, Serena walked into his room. At the sight
before her, she had to fight not to swoon.
He was laying on his bed with no shirt and baggy blue jeans. He
had one arm behind his head and his other hand held some papers that he
was obviously studying. His midnight black hair splayed over his face,
falling in his eyes and Serena's fingers itched to push it back. He had
one knee bent and no shoes. She wanted to drool.
Serena frowned at herself. It was not her to swoon at the likes
of some macho jock. Just because he had a six pack didn't mean
anything. And the fact that he looked so handsome really didn't matter
because…
Serena smiled at her ridiculous thoughts. She was acting like a
dimwit. Someone would be ridiculous not to appreciate the sight.
Her eyes full of devious thoughts, Serena walked over to Darien
who hadn't seen her enter the room yet. When she was halfway to him she
stopped. She couldn't really do anything with how she was looking at
the moment.
She walked to the CD player instead. Again, she only felt a
moments pang of guilt at the fact that she snuck in and was now ruining
what seemed his blaring study session.
At the sound of no music Darien looked up. Who had come in? His
mom?. When he saw Serena staring at him intently from his CD player he
didn't know whether to strangle her skinny neck or yell. He decided on
neither, remembering the bet.
She was back to her down appearance was Darien's first thought as
he surveyed her baggy white t-shirt that read 'Caution: Bitch ahead'
and her baggy jeans. He had to admit that he ADIDAS jacket added a
flair of normalcy to her appearance.
"What are you doing here Serena? And, how did you get in?"
Serena blushed. Darien's eyebrows were drawn in a scowl and his
beautiful mouth a tight line. She didn't want to bother him or annoy
him. She simply wanted to apologize so that he wouldn't be confused or
angry with her anymore. He was one of the only people who had ever
looked past her dowdy appearance for a moment and she felt that she
would be losing an immense prize if she lost his friendship. And, she
thought suppressing a whimsical frown, just because he was a jock
didn't mean that her carefully planned life would change.
Serena took a deep breath. All she had to do was apologize. Then,
she could return to a normal life again knowing she hadn't ruined
anything.
Smiling sheepishly she walked over to him, his eyes following her
the entire time. She felt nervous and only thoughts of future peace
stopped her from fleeing the room. When she reached his bed, she sat on
the corner next to his feet. She looked at everything but him. She
sighed in resignation when she realized she would have to look at him
to apologize. She didn't want to look in his cobalt blue eyes and drown
in feelings that were unknown to her. Instead, she looked at his nose.
She took a deep breath. She really wasn't into this apologizing
thing. She had never before done anything odious enough to feel
compelled to apologize. Her bickering with Raye was nothing to
apologize about, nor was her pranks on Mina. But, this was an entirely
different story. Darien had actually gone out of his way to talk to
her, he searched out somehow knowing that she wasn't the same person
she portrayed in public. And, not purposely spiteful, she had yelled at
him just because she was confused.
Serena shook her head. She was taking too long on this apology
thing. She was just staring at him. She should have apologized five
minutes ago. Serena bit her lip, worried. Darien might think that she
was ignoring him if she didn't say anything soon. She had to apologize
now, no more pondering and reasoning. She took a deep breath.
Darien smiled as he watched the emotions splay over Serena's
face. She was entirely too readable for someone who tried to hide
herself all the time. Now that he figured out her big secret, which he
supposed it was, he had to decide on tactics to bring Serena's real
self out. She was too intriguing in just her act and for some
unfathomable reason, he really wanted to find the Serena behind the
mask.
When Darien saw Serena look everywhere but at him, he decided
that either he was looking incredibly ugly or that she had feeling for
him. His smile was smug as he watched Serena focus on his nose instead
of his eyes. That was what most people were supposed to look at when
talking to someone right? Their eyes. And yet, Serena was the farthest
from normal that Darien almost believed not looking into his eyes was
part of the act. He doubted it. She had probably just realized that
whenever she looked into his eyes, she lost some of her barrier and he
could read some of her deeply hidden emotions. He was glad, though,
anyways, that Serena hadn't looked into his eyes. Her eyes were
beautiful and they made him feel more deeply for her than he should
have felt.
He saw Serena take a deep breath but wasn't prepared when she
actually did look into his eyes. Damn! He had to take in a breath. Why
did it always surprise him to see her eyes. They were a vibrant violet
blue and didn't match her at all. No one would expect to see those eyes
with the clothes she wore, the way she wore her hair, and the thick
glasses she wore. It was all a puzzle that Darien was sure he would
piece together before Serena realized it.
When Serena saw Darien frown she almost backed down. But looking
into his eyes and feeling all of these unfamiliar sensations, she knew
she couldn't leave if someone tried to drag her away.
A strange power filled her eyes as she gazed at him openly.
Darien, impatient and mad that her eyes affected him so smirked,
looking clearly omnipotent and annoyed. She had, he remembered none to
lightly, broke into his house and turned off his own CD player and she
still hadn't told him what she was here for.
Darien almost laughed thinking about the withdrawn nerdy Serena
picking lock and doing it efficiently. Ah, he thought, suppressing a
smile, another mystery.
He lifted a mocking eyebrow at the continuing silence.
Serena shifted uncomfortably. HE was probably annoyed that it was
taking her so long to say what ever she was going to say. She took a
deep breath and looked away, focusing on the picture of Darien and his
little sister. In the picture, Darien smiled handsomely and his sister,
who Serena predicted to be about 4, smiled, her head leaning on
Darien's shoulder. It was such a sweet, charming picture that Serena
suddenly felt some of her tension fade away. He couldn't be that bad if
he was so fond of his little sister. He didn't seem like the ominous,
all powerful Darien she had dreaded. The only power he held was the
ability to break her carefully hidden heart.
At the thought, Serena turned owlishly shocked eyes toward
Darien. Her heart? How had she given her heart in just two days? Serena
tried to remember the exact moment when she probably fell in love with
him. She couldn't come up with any event and Serena suddenly realized
that he held more power than he thought. But, Serena thought, casting a
glance at another picture of Darien and some homecoming date, he was
probably used to girls falling in love with him. But, Serena thought
again arguing with herself, those girls were probably infatuated with
him. She truly loved him for his character. Well, she had to admit his
looks did play a part of it but not the biggest part, not the part that
counted. Serena wanted to cry. She was in love with him and there was
no-
"Serena, I'm guessing you came here to say something?" came
Darien's sardonic voice invading her thoughts yet once again.
Serena, more nervous than she would have like at this moment,
looked at her hands that seemed to have a mind of their own. They were
folding, clasping, and shaking all at the same time. She suddenly
remembered a book she had read where it had said 'hands never lie'. She
slowly regained control of her hands and rest them on her lap.
"Darien," she started, not finding the courage to look at him, "I
wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier today,"
Wanting to see a reaction, Serena looked up to search Darien's
eyes and found them devoid of any emotion. She was more worried now
than nervous and she felt a faint pang of panic in her lower stomach.
He had to forgive her, he couldn't just end things now could he?
"I really didn't mean the things I said and I want you to forget
everything I said. I don't-" she said hastily, over worried, and closed
her eyes as the last part came out in a desperate whisper, "I don't
want you to hate me,"
She decided it was too dangerous to look in his eyes. What if she
found something she didn't want to see. What if his impassive eyes
suddenly looked at her with disgust or the thing she couldn't bear,
hate? She had to look. Serena felt compelled at that moment. Something
was making the urge to look more and more fervent. At the last minute,
Serena pushed away her fervent urges and focused on the picture of
Darien and his little sister, determined to gain some of the
haughtiness that she had planned to bring with her to the apology. When
she heard further silence, Serena felt the pang of panic grow into
something bigger. What was wrong with the man?! Why didn't he say
anything? Was he still mad? Was he angry beyond the turning point? Why
didn't he say Something?
"But I'd understand," Serena said, her voice awfully subdued. If
he couldn't forgive, she couldn't let him know that he held her heart.
She had to act indifferent.
Dark thought's filled Darien's head as he watched Serena avoid
looking at him yet once again. He felt a load of guild plummet to his
toes and knew that he was deep into something that he truly didn't want
to mess up. He was starting to feel really bad about this ridiculous
prank Andrew had coddled him into. He didn't want to hurt Serena, not
when she was starting to seem so different from his first impression.
He briefly remembered his conversation with Andrew calling Serena a
bitch and something about not letting the dog out of the cage. If only
then he would have known that that was what Serena actually wanted to
think of her. She was hiding behind a false personality. If only he had
known, he wouldn't be in this shit he was in at the moment. Here was
Serena, the one of facades and multiple personalities, asking him not
to hate her because he had treaded past her barrier to keep people from
seeing the real her. If he told her he didn't hate her, there would be
no chance of forgiveness in the future after the prank was done. He was
filled with such a maddening anger, he wanted to break the next thing
he put his hands on. In constellation, he clenched his fists until his
knuckles turned white. When he unclenched his hands, they were red.
Darien wondered what Serena's feelings were toward him. If she
had a shred of feeling for him, he would break her with this prank. He
knew he had to do something. He couldn't just go and break her heart
when he didn't plan to get it or feel bad for breaking it in the first
part. His hands already held Serena, and he would end up breaking her
in the end. This thought filled him with a sadness to the very core of
his soul. He would have to find some way to fix this. He had to.
"Come on Serena, let's go downstairs. I want to watch TV. and I
cant think of anyone better to do it with," He smiled a reassuring
smile that didn't reach his eyes, then walked out of the room.
Serena paused as she watched him saunter out of the room.
Apparently, he had forgiven her. Or something. But he hadn't actually
said the words had he? He just asked her to watch a movie with him. Was
that his way of accepting or was he trying not to hurt her feeling.
She had a feeling that his forgiveness or lack thereof had
nothing to do what so ever with her earlier yelling. No, she thought
with a fervent shake of her head, something else was bothering him.
Serena lifted a mocking eyebrow. She was going to find out, no doubt
about that. She was determined and once she had her goal set, nothing
stopped her from succeeding.
With that pleasant thought occupying he mind, she skipped out of
the room whistling with the happiness and mischief she felt. She
stopped suddenly, realizing that skipping was sorely out of character
for the Serena she was portraying. She bit her lip as she walked down
the stairs, down the hall to where she supposed the living room was.
Hours later
Serena wiped the tears as they fell silently from her violet
eyes. She took the tissue that Darien offered and watched in silence as
she saw snoopy return to Charlie Brown. Oh, she thought, so sad, so
sad.
Darien struggled not to laugh. Who'd have thought that Serena
would get sentimental over a cartoon movie? Let alone Snoopy Come Home.
He smiled while he looked at her. He hadn't thought about his
predicament the entire evening and he felt somehow happier when he was
with this strange Serena. He suspected the tears were apart of his real
Serena. The Serena at school wouldn't be crying, let alone at a
cartoon. He started remembering how he had phrased his thoughts. His
Serena? Since when did he start to feel possessive about Serena? He
didn't want to think about that now. Not when Serena was subtly showing
her real self to him, however unconscious she did it. It was a start. A
very great start.
Seeing Serena, cheeks red from crying, thick glasses halfway off
of her face, and a tissue raised to her mouth, he felt oddly attached
and touched. She was getting to him, finding a shield he didn't know he
had. And breaking through.
"Serena, don't you think it's a little ridiculous to cry over a
cartoon?"
"It's so sad," Serena replied as sullenly and remorseful as she
looked. She gestured with her hand to the TV as she looked at Darien,
her eyes brimming with unshed tears, "I mean, Snoopy was going to go
with his old owner after all that Charlie brown had done for him.
Charlie Brown was soo noble and Snoopy just left," The last part was
said on a choked sob as she saw all of the gang rejoicing over Snoopy
finally returning. "Isn't that sweet?"
Darien smiled at her. She was so adorable. Adorable? No,
something else, a word that was on the tip of his tongue but would not
form.
He looked at her fondly, observing the glasses on the end of her
nose and her engrossment in the cartoon. The glasses were so low that
she seemed to be looking without using them. And it hit him. Her
glasses! She wasn't looking through the glasses at the TV she was
looking over them. She could see without the glasses! Why would she
wear such ridiculous glasses if she could see?
His grin was wicked. Making sure she wouldn't notice, he moved
his hand toward her glasses. When she still didn't acknowledge him; she
was clearly engrossed in Snoopy's rejoice that he had an easy time
grabbing the frame and pulling them off.
Serena shrieked and looked at Darien, straight in the face.
Darien sucked in his breath. Her face was beautiful. Her violet
blue eyes suddenly fit her face perfectly. Her nose was short and
pointy and her lips were soft and luscious. She was the most beautiful
girl he had ever seen. He was suddenly angry that she had hidden such
beauty from the world. She had the look of a supermodel. He had a
pretty good feeling that he knew why she wore the glasses and
suppressed his anger because of it.
Serena recovered over her shock and quickly covered her face with
her hands.
"I can't see!!! Please! I need my glasses!" she cried
desperately.
Darien smiled to himself. She couldn't' lie if her life depended
on it. It was amusing. But, he decided quickly, he would give her her
glasses because she had her own reasons for hiding herself. He was
lucky he had a glimpse. He almost laughed as he watched Serena feel
around for her glasses.
"Here you go Serena," He said as he put the ugly glasses into her
open hand.
Serena quickly put them on and glared at Darien. Darien almost
smiled but knew that that would make her mad. Her cheeks were flushed
and her eyes cold as ice. And in the misty depths of her eyes, Darien
read the emotions as if reading them from a book. And he was somewhat
surprised at what he saw. Desperation, sorrow, and anger were all there
and those didn't surprise him. But, the frightened and helpless look in
her eyes was a bit much.
He frowned, his need to laugh gone entirely. The emotions he read
in her eyes made him feel miserable. And the fact that he felt
miserable made him furious.
He glared back at Serena. She shouldn't have affected him this
way. He didn't want any attachment of any kind to Serena. And he sure
as hell didn't want to make the end of the prank any harder. He would,
after all, have to break her heart in the most horrible way possible.
"Why did you take my glasses Darien?" Serena asked, her voice
oddly frail.
This made Darien all the more angrier. If she felt this sad about
him taking some stupid unnecessary glasses off, how would she feel when
he broke her heart?
"I'm sorry Serena," he said, his voice filled with concealed
anger.
Serena closed her eyes and looked away from him. She grasped her
hands together, unconsciously and looked back at Darien.
"I think I'd better go, it's getting late. It was fun Darien,"
she said as she started to get up.
Darien suddenly saw a mental image of Serena looking at him like
he was despicable saying the same thing after he broke her heart. He
felt panicked and knew that he had messed everything up. He sighed. He
knew that at this moment in time, he would have to end the bet with
Andrew. He smiled wistfully thinking of Andrew cleaning his room.
She was half way to the door when Darien's voice stopped her.
"Would you like to see a movie tomorrow?"
Serena turned surprised eyes to Darien. She was shocked to find
him right behind her. She hadn't even heard him get up.
He was staring at her oddly and somehow he looked desperate. He
was grinning at her and looked boyish. His hands were in his pockets
and his hair was falling forward into his face. He was… devastating.
How could he look so innocent after what he had done just a few minutes
ago? Serena tried to be mad at him but looking at his face again, she
sighed and walked up to him.
She pushed the lock of hair that was straying out of his face and
looking into his eyes. Realizing what she had done, she pulled her hand
back as if she were scalded and looked at her shoes.
"Sure Darien, just call me, you have my number,"
Serena saw Darien looking oddly surprised and then he was back to
his charming self. He grinned her and then turned as he heard noise
coming from the back.
He smiled fondly at the form of his little sister with her black
hair flying about running to him. He groaned as she jumped onto his leg
and he obligingly hefted her onto his neck.
Serena smiled at the little terror on Darien's shoulders. She was
an adorable girl, Serena thought, and she had a sudden memory of her
doing the same thing to Sammy. Tears filled her eyes and not wanting
Darien to see, she started to walk away. She was stopped short by the
little girls inquisitive question.
"Who's that girl at the door Darien? And, why is she crying?" cam
the voice of the terror.
Darien started. Serena was crying? For what? Had he done
something again???
He groaned and ducked under the door to get to Serena. His little
sister would probably prevent him from being yelled at again.
"Serena, what's wrong?" Darien placed a comforting hand on
Serena's shoulder. Oddly touched at the gesture, Serena turned around
and smiled, first at the little girl and then at Darien.
"Nothing, Just remembering."
Darien felt his sister trying to get off his neck and he let her
down.
Megan looked up at the strange girl at the door. She was wearing
glasses and weird clothes. Megan walked up to her and remembering
Darien calling her Serena, she stuck out her hand.
"Hi Serena, I'm Megan," She gave Serena one of her adorable
smiles and looked all trusting into Serena's eyes.
Serena smiled, and felt herself suddenly attached to Darien's
strange little sister. She smiled back and shook the offered hand.
"Nice to meet ya Megan," She grinned at Megan and sorely wanted
to pick her up and hug her.
Megan, obviously trusting of her new friend, grinned back at
Serena. "Why are you wearing those glasses?"
Serena saw Megan look at her eyes and Serena realized that the
girl was looking through the glasses. It was as if she realized she
didn't need them. Serena mentally laughed at herself. That was
ridiculous. How could she know? Serena found herself remembering her
great aunt telling her that children perceived more than the average
person. Suddenly worried, Serena tried at a false laugh that, to her
embarrassment, came out weak and strangled.
"I need these to see," she said, and winked at Megan, hoping
Megan would get the sign. Megan, Serena decided as she saw the little
girl wink back and grab on to her brother's leg, was smarter than the
average five year old.
Serena stood up, and looked at Darien, catching his amused glance
which he quickly disguised. She lifted an inquiring eyebrow then rolled
her eyes. She knew that was out of character but she simply didn't care
anymore.
"Well, Darien, I guess I'll see ya," she said and looked down to
Megan. "Bye Megan. It was nice seeing you,". Serena waved and started
walking away when she felt someone grab onto her leg.
She looked down to see Megan holding onto her and looking up at
her. Serena picked her up as she had seen Darien do earlier. She looked
into the girls eyes and suddenly she knew that the girl knew about her
glasses and maybe even more. A very smart little girl, Serena thought
ambiguously.
Megan whispered quite seriously into Serena's ear, "I think my
brother has a crush on you. And, I like you better than all of his
other girlfriends so, I just wanted to tell you," then, to Serena'
surprise, she planted a kiss on Serena's cheek. Serena's cheeks
reddened in pleasure and surprise. Megan had won her heart in a moment
and it was the strangest thing.
"I think that something is sorely wrong Serena. I can't find your
number anywhere,"
Serena started as she saw Darien standing none too far away and
she briefly wondered if he heard any of the conversation.
Serena smiled becomingly at Darien. "Oh, okay, I'll give it to
you again." She lifted a questioning eyebrow at Darien from behind
Megan's hair. "Do you have a pen or something?"
Darien grinned again and she felt her heart fill with new
emotions. More love than before. Serena realized that if she thought
she loved him before, she had just plummeted into a new level of it. He
was so… dashing, she thought. A word only used in romance novels and
yet it was perfect for him. His eyes gleamed in the darkness of the
night and Serena was glad to have Megan as a distraction.
"Sure I do, be right back," he said as he sauntered toward the
living room. Then he stopped, looking back at her. "Megan, come on,"
he said. Serena groaned and let Megan on the ground. Megan smiled, a
smile full of Secrets and one that seemed strange for a five year old.
Then she ran after her brother.
A few moment's later, Darien came back outside. When he handed
her the pen, Serena took it and wrote her number on his hand. It wasn't
until after she wrote the number that she realized that was totally out
of character for the Serena Darien was supposed to hang out with. To
cover up her blunder, she smiled up at Darien brazenly.
"Bye," She said as she started toward her car. Serena felt him
grab her hand and he pulled her back toward him. She was suddenly held
in a tight embrace.
Darien's head inched toward Serena's and a Serena felt a strange
sensation in her stomach. Then he kissed her. Serena's mind went
totally blank. She felt wonderful, more alive than she had felt in
years. Her first kiss. It was sensational. Her first kiss with her only
love. Unconsciously, she snuggled closer and wrapped her arms around
his back. She rubbed up against him and felt him groan.
When Darien broke the kiss Serena was in a daze. She looked into
Darien deep blue eyes, her vision focused only on him.
Realizing she looked quite besotted, Serena blinked several
times. Gathering her wits, Serena blushed and turned away from Darien,
walking to ward her car.
"Seven o'clock Serena!" she heard him yell. She looked back at
him and, surprising herself and him, she winked and blew a kiss. That
was out of character for her façade but more to the point, Serena
frowned as she sat in the car, it was out of character for her real
self. With no further thought, Serena put the key in the ignition and
drove off.
Darien watched her leave and shut the door. What had come over
him? Darien couldn't fathom why he had suddenly felt the need to kiss
her or the fact that he was attached to her.
Darien shook his head. He didn't want to start thinking in that
direction. He would just get angry again.
Brushing off his earlier thought, he remembered Serena's
beautiful face without glasses. The picture was stored in his memory
for all time, he made sure of it. Walking toward the door, he saw his
sister's blank hair and saw her retreat. Pesky little brat, he thought,
fondly. He remembered seeing her kiss Serena on the cheek and wondered
what kind of effect Serena was having on his family. His sister was
never so attached so fast to anyone of his friends or girlfriends. And
yet, she had been so comfortable and friendly and easy with Serena. It
was confounding. Serena was a mystery.
Later that night, he fell asleep with a smile on his face.