How About a Cup of Coffee?

Chapter 6

*

Serena's small hand grabbed at the grande vanilla cappuccino, and she expertly plucked a cardboard sleeve from the dispenser, while lifting her drink and placing it inside.

"Thanks Dany—I gotta go—see if I can get this Darien Shields jerk outta my mind." She walked out of the elitist coffee shop, unaware that several people who she now worked for were staring after her; and one green-eyed woman after grabbing her own coffee, was watching her extra closely.

***

By the time Serena got to the mall, it was 8:30.

"I need new clothes. I need to get a whole new wardrobe, but who am I kidding—I could never afford that. So a new outfit will just have to do."

So Serena headed straight for her favorite store; H & M. She wanted 'out' of the prim power-blue suit. She felt wild and crazy today and was going to dress the part. Because, for once in her life, she had stood up to someone. She told someone else—a friend—what to do; instead of being told what to do.

And damn, but it felt good.

So Serena Cohen bought her first pair of leather pants. (Real leather, because pleather was too tacky.) And they fit her like a second skin—but not so tight that it was trashy.

The next part to her outfit was a sleeveless black shirt with ripped shoulders and the outline of a flame in blue rhinestones. It reveled her midriff—something she hadn't done since she was a teenager—and she wore a silver belly chain to complete the look.

Because her hair was so thick and wet this morning when she put it up in that constrictive bun—it was damp enough to style the way she wanted; taking it out and scrunching it between her hands—forming loose waves.

She looked about 18—and quite a stunning 18-year-old at that.

Serena, both pleased and uncertain about her new look, stepped out of the dressing room and collided with another person. (AN: It's not who you think! Honest!)

"Oh—I'm so sorry!"

"Don't be—I'm the one who should be sorry—I walked right into you!" Exclaimed a feminine voice.

Serena got up from the floor and got a good look at the woman who she'd collided with.

She had an 'Amazon' look about her—tall, 5'9 or so, long brown hair that was barely restrained in a glittery green rose ponytail holder—to match the color of her emerald green eyes. She was striking. And she looked vaguely familiar.

"Hey. Didn't I see you this morning in Starbucks?"

The brunette closed her eyes, deep in thought, and opened them again to look back at Serena, recognition dawning on her face. "That's right! You were the one with the friend at the register—wait a minute. You're the new model in the company, aren't you?"

Serena looked at her dumbly. "Run that by me again?"

She laughed and stuck out her hand. "I'm Lita McCloud, and I work as a model at Shields & Tel Modeling Co.—and as of this morning, so do you." Lita glanced at the look on Serena's face and added, "Rei called me this morning with the news."

"Rei? You know Rei?"

Lita gave her strange look. "Yeaaah… She's the Secretary to Mr. Shields and one of my close friends."

Serena breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. I thought you were one of those really snobby models."

"No—but we have a few of those." Lit smiled ruefully, reminiscing. "But what's your beef with Darien? He's really nice—unless he doesn't have his coffee."

The blonde smiled wickedly. "And if he does get it—and it spills all over him—boy, he brings new meaning to the term 'hopping mad'."

Lita held up her free hand, while depositing the clothes she wasn't taking over to the dressing room monitor. "I don't think I even wanna know. That little smirk on your face tells me all I need to know. You brought him down a few pegs, didn't you?"

She nodded. "Yeah. What happened was—well hey! Why don't you just come on over tonight with the other girls and we'll rehash the whole even there. Mina saw the whole thing, and it always helps to have a back-up storyteller."

Lita hesitated. She knew Mina, and Serena seemed nice enough, but what if the rest of her friends were whack-jobs?

"Rei's coming too…" She said in a singsong voice.

"Ok. I know when I'm beaten. What time and what should I bring?"

She clapped, pleased that she recruited another person. This party was going to rock. "Around 7. And you don't have to bring anything—but if you really want to, pick up something to eat."

Lita grinned. "Good. I'll whip something up."

Serena, who was an awful cook—couldn't imagine anyone who liked cooking, and cooked well, was shocked. "Oh no! You don't have to do that!"

"It's ok," Lita assured her. "Really. I love to cook, but I never have the time. Now I have an excuse to get re-acquainted with my kitchen."

"Well, ok." Serena still looked doubtful. "So I'll see you at 7? —I gotta pay for these clothes and get outta here."

"7 it is."

***

Andrew could barely keep the grin off his face long enough to walk out of Darien's office. If Darien had any idea what he and Mina were up to, there would be hell to pay and butt to kiss.

But he didn't.

In fact, he was so tied up with Serena, and any thoughts revolving around her, he didn't have time to be focused elsewhere.

Which was actually a good thing. Because with the stunt he and Mina were planning…well, it was just better for Darien to not notice until it was too late.

He rubbed his hands gleefully and walked into his office. He picked up his phone as he sat down and hit the first speedial button on the left.

"Mina? Good news. It's time to put phases 2 and 3 into action…"

***

*Author's Notes*

AWWW! Matchmakers seems like Andrew and Mina have their work cut out for them. I decided to split this chapter up because it was better not crammed into one thing. Plus it's more fun.

It's around this time that I had stopped writing the next chapter because I was at a crossroads with the scene and didn't know which way I wanted it to turn. Now, thankfully, I do, so you can expect chapter 7 out sometime in the next 2 weeks or so.

Ok, this is major to my other story and since this story seems to be getting the publicity and I trust you guys as my treasured readers, please answer the question. The threat of no chapters still stands.

Who would you rather see the inners with and why? The generals (Jaedite, Zoicyte, Nephrite, Kunzite) or the guys? (Chad, Andrew, Greg, Ken.)

The plot is in your hands… choose wisely.

And I think, from now on, I'm going to put the author's notes at the end—you guys never read them in the beginning anyway—you're to excited to read the story. And now I have to go check on a chicken that's in the oven, so if you would excuse me…

REVIEWS ARE GOLD!!!

DISCLAIMER: I own only the characters that you've never heard of. Danyelle and Alison belong to me. The obvious people do not. I don't own Starbucks or any of the drinks, but if anyone wants to give me a lifetime supply of Frap's, I'd be more than willing to accept.

DISTRIBUTION: I would be more than happy (and willing) to let anyone who wants to put this on their site. Just send me a quick email to let me know where it's going, and do a cut and paste thing—hopefully everything that's formatted the way it is will stay that way.

If anyone thought that Rei was being harsh on Darien, I'm sorry. That's just the way I saw that scene happening.

Also, this chapter was more form than function—it introduced another character and let us get to know Serena a little more and what she's capable of.