TITLE: "Mystery Valentine"
AUTHOR: Dream Catcher
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN SAILOR MOON
A.N.: Well, I finally got off my lazy behind and posted this chapter even though it's been complete for a while now. I just hoped to finish the next chapter before doing so, which I didn't do because I started to work at the end of this story and worked towards the beginning. The only part of the story unfinished is the next chapter. So for those of you who have read my previous stories and know I have yet to finish them, have no fear because this one I will finish!!!! (Since it practically already is.) SO you can't say that I've been completely lazy. Now, on with the story...
CHAPTER FOUR...
When I arrived at school Thursday morning, the first thing I did was update Mina and the others on my admirer. They, of course, had listened with rapt attention, absorbing every detail. But before long we were talking about other things. Tomorrow's dance, for example.
"Don't forget, girls," Mina was saying, "after school we have a shopping date."
Oops, I had forgotten about it. I'm just happy that my social calendar is empty so I don't have to worry about canceling anything. The thing is, I don't know why I have to go shopping for a dress. I don't have a date.
Then again, neither does Amy.
"Are we all going to meet at the mall or carpool there?" I asked, hoping we weren't carpooling.
Every time we carpool, I'm the one stuck driving, and my poor car is trashed. Mina doesn't drive because when she's behind the wheel she drives like a maniac. Lita's out because her car's a two-seater. Raye's car is always in the shop, and Amy drives like a grandma.
"Let's meet at the mall," Amy suggested.
YES!
"Alright," Mina agreed. Then, she switched the topic, "Anyone going to the blood drive today?"
That's right, the blood drive is today. It seems I've been thinking about my admirer too much because I forgot about the blood drive, not to mention the dreaded shopping appointment. I don't know how I could forget about it. What, with all the announcements and the fact that it's held on the same day every year, who could forget?
I find it ironic, though, that they always hold it the day before Valentine's Day. The heart is the national symbol for Valentine's day. And what's associated with the heart? Blood, of course. Maybe they did it on purpose.
So, every year on February 13th (unless it happens to fall on the weekend, then they up it to the Friday before) anyone over seventeen is allowed to go to the library and donate blood. I knew, ever since my freshman year, that I would not donate blood. I had had blood drawn once for a physical and I hated the way my arm felt afterwards. It felt like those times I woke up in the middle of the night to find that I had slept on my arm, and because of that, my arm was completely numb. I had to hold my arm up after I had given a tiny vile of blood to the doctor. There was no way I would give a whole bag of blood.
When I told Mina this, she of course said, "That's a stupid reason for not doing it. Think of the life you might save with your blood."
She was right, I realized rather reluctantly. But then, I thought about the other pluses: I would get to skip class, and if played right, I could use the excuse about my arm as a way to get out of work for a little while. I smiled evilly.
"Alright, I'll do it during first period. That way I won't have to listen to Mrs. Day for an hour and a half."
Mina smiled and hugged me, "That's my girl. I knew you weren't heartless."
Reluctantly, I hugged her back, mumbling, "Yeah, I'm not heartless, but before long, I'll be blood-less."
The bell rang, and Raye and I went to our lockers. Once we had our books, we went to Mrs. Day's class to check in with her before we went to the library.
I loved the library, with it's ugly brown carpet and smell of aging books. When I saw the reclining chairs and IV stands, however, I no longer felt my usual love for the room.
Two people were already being set up, and since there was only two blood stations, Raye and I were left to wait for the other two students to finish. I used the time to search the library for a book that I would later use as a distraction for when they stuck me with a needle.
When it was our turn, Raye and I approached the reclining chairs and made ourselves comfortable as the nurses cleaned the place around our veins and wrapped the rubber bands around our upper arms.
I was able to distract myself when the needle went into my arm, but I wasn't able to ignore the tugging feeling as the blood left my arm. Then, I felt the tingling in my fingers, and the urge to stretch and move them was annoying because every time I moved them, the tingling remained until I had the urge to shake my whole arm. But I couldn't move my arm for fear of messing up the needle.
"Clumsy donating blood? Now that's a scary thought."
I glared up at Darien from my position, glad for the distraction because my damn book sure as hell wasn't working. "Why is that so scary?" I asked, falling for the bait.
"Aren't you afraid of someone getting your disease?" I felt the grey-haired nurse tense beside me. I was about to turn to the nurse and assure her I was perfectly healthy, but Darien turned to her first. "Can you imagine the poor soul that gets her clumsy disease?"
"It's more like a curse," I mumbled to myself, but the grin on Darien's face told me that he had heard too.
Well, at least the nurse seems more relieved, but I was almost positive that she would stick some note on my bag of blood saying to check it for AIDS or something.
My bag of blood...
I glanced at the hanging bag, and felt nauseated, not at the sight of blood, but at the knowledge it was MY blood. My blood that came from INSIDE me.
Quick, need a distraction...
"So, jerk face, what's new?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't see how nauseated I was getting. Or worse, he'd see that needed his help.
His grin left his face, and his eyes began to search my own. His scrutinizing gaze left me baffled, nervous, and I could feel the blush as it rose to the back of my neck and into my cheeks. I think Darien noticed too.
"The book not working?"
Damn. He realized I was using him as a distraction. A very handsome distraction, but that wasn't the point.
I glared up at him, more mad at myself for being so transparent. Then as the slow pulling on my arm became more noticeable, I decided to cut the bullshit. I dropped the glare, and sighed. "No, the book's not working."
"That surprises me. Every time I see you, there's a book attached to your hand. You really do need to get a life."
Alright, there are a few things I don't mind people teasing me about. My clumsiness is one of them because at least I get people to laugh. Heck, I laugh most of the time. It's just a little embarrassing when Darien is around.
When people tease me about my "innocence," I don't mind that either. Sure, it is a little awkward when I'm with a group of friends and one tells a dirty joke I don't get. But that's something a virgin-everything has to get used to.
But when people make fun of the way I live my life, I get just a tad defensive. So, I like to read a lot; it's not their problem.
"There is nothing wrong with reading," I stated defensively.
"Sure there is. You need to live your own life, not the lives of fictional characters."
Annoyed, I said, "I don't live their lives. I just read about them."
"Sure you do," he said sarcastically.
"Look," I stated, waving a finger attached to the arm without a needle in it at him, more than a little steamed. "I read about their lives because mine isn't interesting enough. You got a problem with that?"
I watched his face drop, and my finger stopped waving in his face as I suddenly realized what I just said.
Oops, I just shared way too much information.
A long silence followed, and then Darien, the brave man he is, broke it. "You think your life isn't interesting?"
I was flustered. I expected Darien would act like any other guy and change the subject. Maybe Darien wasn't any other guy. No. He was just like any other guy to me. He was uncharted territory, the road less raveled by, and that makes me nervous.
I have no idea how to act around guys. Do I burp and fart, and become one of the guys, or do I flirt? Well, even if I tried to flirt, I knew I would come out looking stupid. I would over do it. My luck, I'd bat my eyelashes like Betty Boop, and he'd ask if I had something in my eye. Yup, I know what you're thinking. I'm a dork. A big one.
I sighed, not wanting to continue the conversation, but my mind came up blank for ways to change the subject. I was saved, however, when the nurse I had secretly began calling a vampire said I was finished.
I blinked and looked to find Darien smiling at me. It seems he was the perfect distraction, after all. I had completely forgotten about the tugging on my arm, as my mind began to focus on Darien and Darien only.
Now, that I think about it, it's not that weird.
I glanced over at Raye after the nurse handed me a can of Sprite and found that she was gone and someone else was in her place. I felt a little hurt because she hadn't told me she was leaving, but I figured her nurse had probably ushered her out of the library before she had time to.
"Hey, Serena would you hurry up already. I need to get this over with so I can get back to physics class."
I thought Darien had left, but apparently, I was wrong.
"Are you up next?" I asked him.
"Yes," he said, apparently in a hurry.
I hid my smile with my Sprite can, as I began to finish my drink, and I took my sweet time doing it too.
By the time I was finished, Darien was shifting form foot to foot, impatiently. Good. I stood up and smiled at him, but I dropped the smile when I saw the bag of blood my nurse was holding. I suddenly felt light headed, a feeling I've only felt when I haven't eaten in about eight hours. I swayed a little, but I shook my head and tried to brush past Darien.
"Serena, are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," I lied, trying to make it to the door.
But I didn't make it to the door: I fainted, something I had never done in my life and never thought I would do. It was something I thought only frail little princesses did. I wasn't out long, though, because I woke up leaning against Darien's chest, my head swimming.
"Vampires," I whispered, staring at Darien's white cotton shirt.
I heard him chuckle even though I couldn't get my thoughts together. I tried to push away from his chest, but I realized that the arm I had my blood drawn from felt like jello. I was lead by Darien and the older nurse to the worn couch in the library and was told to rest. I tried not to, but eventually I drifted off to sleep.
I awoke later to the sound of the bell, signaling the end of first period. It was odd, but when I woke up, I had the strangest feeling that someone had been caressing my face. It's bad when you start dreaming things that feel real when you wake up. I'm sure that if I went to a shrink he'd tell me I needed to take some kind of special happy-pills.
Feeling better, I headed to second period. Unlike any normal day, I was last to arrive. I took my seat in the back with Amy, and told her about everything that happened in the library. She was, of course, worried about me and my health.
I expected her to be concerned because not only was she my friend but because she planned on being a doctor. If someone sneezes in class, while everyone else choruses "bless you," she suggests the person to take two Tylenols when they got home. One day, she'll make a great doctor.
The class was slow going as usual, but notes were few and D.I.R. (Daily Individual Reading) made up half the class period. I love D.I.R because it allows me time to read my latest book I had checked out of the library after my nap (It was the same book that had failed to distract me at the blood drive). I especially loved it today because it kept me from having to use my right arm, which was still sore form blood loss.
The class ended an hour and a half later, and I was more than ready to leave, even if it was my favorite subject.
I made my way to my locker and then to third period, where we, once again, had a substitute. Today someone brought a movie for us to watch. It was common knowledge that Mrs. Hart was never absent one day if she was sick, and according to yesterday's sub, she had been sick.
A few people watched the movie, but the majority of the class was scattered around the class in groups, talking amongst themselves. Except for one person standing in a corner of the room by himself, and if I was correct, it looked as though Greg was talking to himself.
"You know, Greg, I hear voices too, but at least I don't talk back to them," I said coming up behind Greg, a smile on my face to show I was joking.
He smiled timidly in return.
Greg, for as long as I've known him, has always been boyishly cute. He may have been tall and far from gangly, but his round face that was toped with a crop of brown hair, complete with cowlick, gave him that boyish look. But the thing that really gave him the impression was his large green eyes, shadowed by brown lashes so long it was a shame they were wasted on a guy. He was often shy, and it surprises me sometimes that he's with The In Crowd because of it. But he is on the track team, and anyone involved in sports is considered "worthy" at our school.
"What's wrong," I asked when he gave no explanation to why he was talking to himself.
He seemed nervous for some reason, and I was about to prod more when he sighed and said, "It's about a girl."
Oh, girl problems. Being the curious person I was, I said, "Tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help. After all, I am a girl."
He looked at his shoes, then deciding that he could trust me, he looked up and began to explain. "Well, you see, there's this girl, and tomorrow's the dance..." he trailed off, but I knew what he was getting at.
"You want to ask her out, but don't know how." He nodded, and I continued. "Well who is she? If I know her, I might be able to tell you the best way to go about asking her out."
"You do know her." Before I could go through my list of friends, he began to speak again. "Amy, I like Amy."
I smiled, imagining the two together and deciding they would be cute together. I looked at Greg, and decided I needed to give the poor boy some advice.
"Alright," I said, thinking about the information I've gathered about Amy over the years. "Amy is old fashioned, so there is no way she will ask you out. You have to do it yourself. She is shy, so whenever you ask her to the dance, do it privately and don't go overboard and get her a huge banquet of flowers. She hates for a lot of attention to be brought to her.
"Hmmm. Oh yeah, don't worry about being nervous because, chances are, she will be too. She's smart, so, most likely, once you take her aside, she will have guessed what you're about to say; therefore, she will be nervous and won't notice your anxiety unless you're outright stuttering. Got it?"
He nodded, "Thank you."
I slapped him on the back, "Go get her, tiger."
Greg walked away towards Darien and left me standing by myself. I should have been happy for Amy, but all I could think about was how I was now the only one without a date now. Bummer.
I walked over to Raye, who was busy talking- or rather listening- to Rachel. As I got closer, I could tell that Rachel was jabbering about the dance tomorrow night.
"I'm going to wear this awesome pink dress that comes to just above my knees. It's so pretty. It cost a fortune, but it was worth it. What are you gonna wear, Raye?"
"I haven't gone shopping yet," Raye replied, board.
"Well, what color are you considering to wear?"
"I don't know. I was thinking black, maybe."
"Black?" Rachel asked, outraged. "You can't wear black to a Valentine's dance. You have to wear red, white, or pink."
"Where is that rule written? I've never heard of it."
I smiled at the annoyed look on Rachel's face. "It's not written. It's just known. You know what I mean?"
If looks could kill, Rachel would be a pile of ash because Raye looked ready to strangle her.
"No," I said coming into the conversation, "I don't know what you mean."
Raye and I shared a smile, as Rachel harrumphed and left. Raye couldn't stand Rachel, but I could tell she found it amusing sometimes to watch Rachel's ditzy behavior.
Raye and I decided to watch the movie the rest of the period even though we had missed half of it. When the bell rang, we were both still trying to figure out the plot.
Lunch was the same as it was every other day: the five of us met at the tree, talked, complained about the weather, and gave our usual thanks that school was almost over for the day. The only eventful thing was when Greg came over to our group and pulled Amy aside.
"Bet you ten bucks, Lita, that Greg will ask Amy to the dance." I smiled, evilly.
Lita, never the type to pass on a dare or bet, agreed. "There is no way he will ask her to the dance. Greg is way to shy."
I waited, and when Amy came back to out group, blushing red as a tomato, I knew Greg had found the courage. Good going, Greg.
"Well?" Everyone but me asked.
Amy cleared her throat and dug her shoe in the dirt. While she looked at her feet, she said quietly, "He asked me to the dance. I said yes."
I smiled while three other jaws dropped to the floor.
"Damn, I'm out ten bucks," Lita said, after she picked up her jaw.
"Keep your money, Lita. I already knew he was going to ask her out."
"You knew? And you didn't tell us?" Mina asked, clearly upset.
"Yeah, he told me during strings."
I didn't want to tell them I gave him advice because I knew Greg would be embarrassed if I told anyone, especially Amy.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Lita asked.
"I thought Amy should hear it from Greg, not me," I said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, which it was.
"Why didn't you tell me? I have strings with you!" Raye asked.
I don't know why I didn't tell Raye. I guess, even though Greg didn't ask me to keep it secret, I felt it should be one. Of course, I wasn't going to tell that to Raye or any of the girls. Instead, I switched the subject to the first thing that came to mind.
"I fainted into Darien's arms today after I donated blood"
The subject was instantly changed.
***********************************************************
"How about that one?"
"No, too short."
"What about that one?"
"Nope, too big."
"What do you think of that one?"
"Too dirty looking."
"Mina!" Raye screamed. "The rest of us have already found our guys. Now it's your turn."
After hours of shopping, we all had found a dress to wear and were now resting in the food court. Amy was sipping her water, Lita was licking her ice cream, I was eating my own ice cream, and Raye was yelling at Mina for not having picked her guy yet.
Every time the five of us go to the mall, we play a game we created in which we search the mall for a guy we wouldn't mind dating. You know, our imaginary boyfriends when we didn't have real ones. It's a silly thing Mina came up with when we were younger, but it has become a ritual now.
"Hey, there's one," I said pointing to a rather cute looking guy in one of the lines.
"Where?" Mina asked, whipping her head in the direction of my finger, while hitting Raye in the face with her hair in the process.
"He is cute." She squinted her eyes. "Alright, I've found my guy."
"Okay, I have a question," Lita said, leaning back in her chair.
The rest of us perked up. Whenever one of us starts a sentence with "Okay I have a question," I means one thing. It's another game we have going where one of us will ask a question and we all must answer it. What color eyes do you like on a guy? Who's the best kiss you've ever had? It was usually silly little questions, but we always have fun answering them.
"What to you is the most sexiest outfit a guy could wear?" Lita asked before she leaned back in her chair and continued to eat at her ice cream.
"I like a guy in only boxer shorts," Mina said promptly, before adding a sinful smile, "Smiley face boxers."
Raye went next, "I think it's sexy when a guy has on only pajama pants. No socks."
Amy went next, "Well, I like white lab coats."
"Is the guy wearing anything underneath?" Lita asked, smiling devilishly.
Amy blushed, and said nothing else.
It was my turn. I thought for a minute before saying, "I like a guy in a black tuxedo. I think that black tuxedo convey a since of mystery that white tuxes don't."
The girls murmured their agreements, and I began wonder if my admirer would wear a black tuxedo to the Valentine's dance. I still have no idea who he is, but that didn't stop him from asking me to the dance.
After school, when I had gone to my locker, I had found a cute teddy bear sitting atop my books. Attached to the stuffed animal, was the third page of our song and letter from my admirer, simply stating he would be at tomorrow's dance before asking me if I would be there too. When I had shown the girls the letter, they had made me try on every dress at the mall until they found the one they insisted had been "made" for me.
"What about you? What do you think is the sexiest thing a guy could wear?" I asked Lita.
She smiled. Then, without batting an eyelash, she said, "I like a guy in his birthday suit."
"Lita!" Amy yelled, embarrassed at our rather blunt, dirty-minded friend.
We got a good laugh out of it, though, until something-or rather someone- caught Mina's eye.
"Andrew!"
Sure enough, Andrew was looking around for a table. And so was Darien. Thanks to Mina's big mouth, they saw us and headed our way. When they reached us, I couldn't look at Darien I was so shy. So, I pretended to suddenly find the ice cream at the bottom of my cone suddenly interesting.
"What are you guys doing here?" Amy asked.
Because Andrew and Mina were in the middle of a full blown session of PDA (Public Display of Affection), Darien answered. "We had to pick up our tuxes."
"Is yours black?" Lita asked.
Under the table, I gave Lita a swift kick in the shin. She jerked and yelled, "Ouch!"
Everyone turned to look at Lita. Even I pretended not to know what had happened, and no one seemed to notice the glare she gave me.
"Are you okay?" Dr. Amy asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. My foot, just, uh, fell asleep and it began to tingle," she laughed nervously, knowing that her lie was obvious. No one commented on it, though.
Once Mina stopped trying to suck Andrew's tonsils out, Andrew asked, "So what were you lovely ladies up to before we interrupted you?"
I smiled up at the two guys and told them, "Truth or Dare." Then, I made my eyes go all innocent as I put my elbow on the table and propped my head on my hand. My gaze was on Lita. "So, Lita, truth or dare?"
Whoever said revenge was sweet sure knew what they were taking about.
She fidgeted fearfully in her chair, as she tried to discern which was the safest answer. It seems she was having a hard time answering under everyone's expectant stares. I could tell she was weighing her options. Lita knew I was the keeper of some her most deepest secrets, and it would be pretty embarrassing for it to come out in front of the guys. However, any dare I happened to give her, would be seen by many, many people.
Cityscape Mall was the biggest mall in the county, so, naturally, it was the biggest meeting place for teenagers. It also meant that a lot of cute guys from other schools were present.
Tough choice, but she had to make it. Knowing Lita though, she'd chose dare. Lita never- I repeat- never turns down a dare.
And I was right; she chose dare.
I paused, trying to think of something that would be both embarrassing but still wouldn't get us in trouble with the law. So there went the idea of having her flash the pimply covered guy at the pizza booth.
I looked around the room, suddenly a little worried that I couldn't come up with a good enough dare. I have never been able to come up with a good dare, and I could tell Lita knew, too, by the look I saw on her face.
I thought back over my years of playing Truth or Dare, and could think of nothing that would be suitable. Then, I remembered this e-mail someone had forwarded to me entitled 68 FUN THINGS TO DO IN WAL-MART.I didn't remember many that would apply to the mall as well as Wal-Mart, but then one stuck out in my memory. Of course, it was funny to read in an e-mail, but actually doing it didn't seem that imaginative. Oh, what the hay, it's better than nothing.
I scoped the food court for the perfect targets, and found them right away. Sitting at a table not far away, was a teenage couple enjoying some burgers. They were within hearing rang, so we could make sure Lita wasn't cheating without being obvious to the couple that we were listening.
"Lita, I dare you to go over to that couple and ask the girl for a tampon. And for the heck of it, squeeze your legs together like you have to use the bathroom."
I looked at everyone's reactions and wasn't displeased. Amy, of course, was wearing a look of horror on her delicate features, while Raye opted for a smirk as she leaned back in her chair, ready to watch the show. Mina looked amused and ready to laugh, and Darien and Andrew looked a tad horrified at the mentioning of the feminine product but were shaking with suppressed laughter in a matter of seconds. Lita, one the other hand, looked ready for battle.
She squared her shoulders, stood up from her chair, and walked over to the couple. By the time the two acknowledged Lita's presence, she had already assumed The Position.
With her legs wedged together, she asked the girl, "Do you happen to have a tampon I could have?"
Our group laughed as quietly as we could so we wouldn't miss the couple's reaction. At first they looked confused, then appalled, then embarrassed. But, then to our surprise and amusement, the girl began to dig through her purse.
Two minutes later, Lita came back to our table to find the rest of us in the middle of body-shaking, hard-to-breathe peals of laughter. Then, Lita sat down, smiled triumphantly, and threw a tampon on the table.
We stopped laughing long enough to register what she had actually done and to stare at the object lying in the middle of the table. The guys looked embarrassed when they read pink writing declaring "TAMPAX" on the side of the white wrapper. Of course, the girls and I began yet another bout of laughter at the guys' reactions. Soon the guys were laughing with us, drawing the attention of many eyes.
Once we calmed down, Lita called my name.
"Yeah?" I asked, still finding it hard to breathe.
"Truth or Dare?"
"What?" I asked, not sure I had heard her right.
She repeated herself, and I immediately knew I was doomed.
I may enjoy revenge, but Lita does too. And she's a whole heck of a lot better at it than me. I know her deepest secrets. She knows mine. But she, unlike me, knows just how to make my secrets suit her purpose. Thus, she can twist my secrets to her whim and make them into a dare.
In other words, I'm screwed.
Big time.
Ah, hell. "Dare."
I wasn't sure why I chose dare, but my gut told me it was the better choice. I could swear I heard the funeral march playing somewhere.
"I dare you, Serena, to go up to and kiss the guy of my choice."
Oh no! She knew I've never been kissed, and she was purposely giving my this dare, knowing how I would react. Remember how I said she could twist my secrets into dares? Yeah, she's that good.
Before I could object to the dare she so cruelly gave me, she continued, "And the guy I choose is...Darien."
How'd I know that was coming? After all, why twist one secret, when you can twist two for the price of one? I was suddenly cursing my gut for making me chose dare. How bad could truth have been?
Suddenly, I realized my situation. I was just dared to kiss Darien, my secret crush, when he was standing just a few feet away, listening to our conversation. I felt like I could die.
"Lita," I hissed, hoping to change her mind, "you know I've, I've never...you know."
"Know what?" Lita asked, knowing full and well what "you know" was.
I looked up at Darien, then back at Lita, then to Darien, and back to Lita. "Lita, I can't...kiss Darien?"
"Why not?" Darien asked, shocking the hell out of me. "Am I too ugly?"
"No, no you're not ugly! Far from it, actua-" and then I realized that I just admitted to Darien I thought he was cute, and he seemed happy in a I-knew-she-she-had-a-crush-on-me sort of way.
If I wasn't going to die before, I sure was now.
"Serena, I did my dare. It's only fair you do yours."
I knew she was right, so I stood up, pick up my bags with sweaty hands, and faced Darien. I couldn't read his eyes, but then again, I never had been able to before. I think he looked a tad shocked, though.
With fierce determination that I knew was showing in my eyes, I gazed up at Darien. Then, ever so slowly, I stood on my toes and...kissed Darien on the cheek. Then, with speed I never knew I owned, I bolted for the exit, ignoring the calls of my friends.
Lita never had said anything about where I supposed to kiss Darien.
TO BE CONTINUED...
A.N.: Thanks for reading. I hoped you liked it. It's not my favorite chapter, especially after I've already written the conclusion. Please review, it might just be incentive I need to finish the next chapter quick as possible. Till the next chapter. ^_^
AUTHOR: Dream Catcher
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN SAILOR MOON
A.N.: Well, I finally got off my lazy behind and posted this chapter even though it's been complete for a while now. I just hoped to finish the next chapter before doing so, which I didn't do because I started to work at the end of this story and worked towards the beginning. The only part of the story unfinished is the next chapter. So for those of you who have read my previous stories and know I have yet to finish them, have no fear because this one I will finish!!!! (Since it practically already is.) SO you can't say that I've been completely lazy. Now, on with the story...
CHAPTER FOUR...
When I arrived at school Thursday morning, the first thing I did was update Mina and the others on my admirer. They, of course, had listened with rapt attention, absorbing every detail. But before long we were talking about other things. Tomorrow's dance, for example.
"Don't forget, girls," Mina was saying, "after school we have a shopping date."
Oops, I had forgotten about it. I'm just happy that my social calendar is empty so I don't have to worry about canceling anything. The thing is, I don't know why I have to go shopping for a dress. I don't have a date.
Then again, neither does Amy.
"Are we all going to meet at the mall or carpool there?" I asked, hoping we weren't carpooling.
Every time we carpool, I'm the one stuck driving, and my poor car is trashed. Mina doesn't drive because when she's behind the wheel she drives like a maniac. Lita's out because her car's a two-seater. Raye's car is always in the shop, and Amy drives like a grandma.
"Let's meet at the mall," Amy suggested.
YES!
"Alright," Mina agreed. Then, she switched the topic, "Anyone going to the blood drive today?"
That's right, the blood drive is today. It seems I've been thinking about my admirer too much because I forgot about the blood drive, not to mention the dreaded shopping appointment. I don't know how I could forget about it. What, with all the announcements and the fact that it's held on the same day every year, who could forget?
I find it ironic, though, that they always hold it the day before Valentine's Day. The heart is the national symbol for Valentine's day. And what's associated with the heart? Blood, of course. Maybe they did it on purpose.
So, every year on February 13th (unless it happens to fall on the weekend, then they up it to the Friday before) anyone over seventeen is allowed to go to the library and donate blood. I knew, ever since my freshman year, that I would not donate blood. I had had blood drawn once for a physical and I hated the way my arm felt afterwards. It felt like those times I woke up in the middle of the night to find that I had slept on my arm, and because of that, my arm was completely numb. I had to hold my arm up after I had given a tiny vile of blood to the doctor. There was no way I would give a whole bag of blood.
When I told Mina this, she of course said, "That's a stupid reason for not doing it. Think of the life you might save with your blood."
She was right, I realized rather reluctantly. But then, I thought about the other pluses: I would get to skip class, and if played right, I could use the excuse about my arm as a way to get out of work for a little while. I smiled evilly.
"Alright, I'll do it during first period. That way I won't have to listen to Mrs. Day for an hour and a half."
Mina smiled and hugged me, "That's my girl. I knew you weren't heartless."
Reluctantly, I hugged her back, mumbling, "Yeah, I'm not heartless, but before long, I'll be blood-less."
The bell rang, and Raye and I went to our lockers. Once we had our books, we went to Mrs. Day's class to check in with her before we went to the library.
I loved the library, with it's ugly brown carpet and smell of aging books. When I saw the reclining chairs and IV stands, however, I no longer felt my usual love for the room.
Two people were already being set up, and since there was only two blood stations, Raye and I were left to wait for the other two students to finish. I used the time to search the library for a book that I would later use as a distraction for when they stuck me with a needle.
When it was our turn, Raye and I approached the reclining chairs and made ourselves comfortable as the nurses cleaned the place around our veins and wrapped the rubber bands around our upper arms.
I was able to distract myself when the needle went into my arm, but I wasn't able to ignore the tugging feeling as the blood left my arm. Then, I felt the tingling in my fingers, and the urge to stretch and move them was annoying because every time I moved them, the tingling remained until I had the urge to shake my whole arm. But I couldn't move my arm for fear of messing up the needle.
"Clumsy donating blood? Now that's a scary thought."
I glared up at Darien from my position, glad for the distraction because my damn book sure as hell wasn't working. "Why is that so scary?" I asked, falling for the bait.
"Aren't you afraid of someone getting your disease?" I felt the grey-haired nurse tense beside me. I was about to turn to the nurse and assure her I was perfectly healthy, but Darien turned to her first. "Can you imagine the poor soul that gets her clumsy disease?"
"It's more like a curse," I mumbled to myself, but the grin on Darien's face told me that he had heard too.
Well, at least the nurse seems more relieved, but I was almost positive that she would stick some note on my bag of blood saying to check it for AIDS or something.
My bag of blood...
I glanced at the hanging bag, and felt nauseated, not at the sight of blood, but at the knowledge it was MY blood. My blood that came from INSIDE me.
Quick, need a distraction...
"So, jerk face, what's new?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't see how nauseated I was getting. Or worse, he'd see that needed his help.
His grin left his face, and his eyes began to search my own. His scrutinizing gaze left me baffled, nervous, and I could feel the blush as it rose to the back of my neck and into my cheeks. I think Darien noticed too.
"The book not working?"
Damn. He realized I was using him as a distraction. A very handsome distraction, but that wasn't the point.
I glared up at him, more mad at myself for being so transparent. Then as the slow pulling on my arm became more noticeable, I decided to cut the bullshit. I dropped the glare, and sighed. "No, the book's not working."
"That surprises me. Every time I see you, there's a book attached to your hand. You really do need to get a life."
Alright, there are a few things I don't mind people teasing me about. My clumsiness is one of them because at least I get people to laugh. Heck, I laugh most of the time. It's just a little embarrassing when Darien is around.
When people tease me about my "innocence," I don't mind that either. Sure, it is a little awkward when I'm with a group of friends and one tells a dirty joke I don't get. But that's something a virgin-everything has to get used to.
But when people make fun of the way I live my life, I get just a tad defensive. So, I like to read a lot; it's not their problem.
"There is nothing wrong with reading," I stated defensively.
"Sure there is. You need to live your own life, not the lives of fictional characters."
Annoyed, I said, "I don't live their lives. I just read about them."
"Sure you do," he said sarcastically.
"Look," I stated, waving a finger attached to the arm without a needle in it at him, more than a little steamed. "I read about their lives because mine isn't interesting enough. You got a problem with that?"
I watched his face drop, and my finger stopped waving in his face as I suddenly realized what I just said.
Oops, I just shared way too much information.
A long silence followed, and then Darien, the brave man he is, broke it. "You think your life isn't interesting?"
I was flustered. I expected Darien would act like any other guy and change the subject. Maybe Darien wasn't any other guy. No. He was just like any other guy to me. He was uncharted territory, the road less raveled by, and that makes me nervous.
I have no idea how to act around guys. Do I burp and fart, and become one of the guys, or do I flirt? Well, even if I tried to flirt, I knew I would come out looking stupid. I would over do it. My luck, I'd bat my eyelashes like Betty Boop, and he'd ask if I had something in my eye. Yup, I know what you're thinking. I'm a dork. A big one.
I sighed, not wanting to continue the conversation, but my mind came up blank for ways to change the subject. I was saved, however, when the nurse I had secretly began calling a vampire said I was finished.
I blinked and looked to find Darien smiling at me. It seems he was the perfect distraction, after all. I had completely forgotten about the tugging on my arm, as my mind began to focus on Darien and Darien only.
Now, that I think about it, it's not that weird.
I glanced over at Raye after the nurse handed me a can of Sprite and found that she was gone and someone else was in her place. I felt a little hurt because she hadn't told me she was leaving, but I figured her nurse had probably ushered her out of the library before she had time to.
"Hey, Serena would you hurry up already. I need to get this over with so I can get back to physics class."
I thought Darien had left, but apparently, I was wrong.
"Are you up next?" I asked him.
"Yes," he said, apparently in a hurry.
I hid my smile with my Sprite can, as I began to finish my drink, and I took my sweet time doing it too.
By the time I was finished, Darien was shifting form foot to foot, impatiently. Good. I stood up and smiled at him, but I dropped the smile when I saw the bag of blood my nurse was holding. I suddenly felt light headed, a feeling I've only felt when I haven't eaten in about eight hours. I swayed a little, but I shook my head and tried to brush past Darien.
"Serena, are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," I lied, trying to make it to the door.
But I didn't make it to the door: I fainted, something I had never done in my life and never thought I would do. It was something I thought only frail little princesses did. I wasn't out long, though, because I woke up leaning against Darien's chest, my head swimming.
"Vampires," I whispered, staring at Darien's white cotton shirt.
I heard him chuckle even though I couldn't get my thoughts together. I tried to push away from his chest, but I realized that the arm I had my blood drawn from felt like jello. I was lead by Darien and the older nurse to the worn couch in the library and was told to rest. I tried not to, but eventually I drifted off to sleep.
I awoke later to the sound of the bell, signaling the end of first period. It was odd, but when I woke up, I had the strangest feeling that someone had been caressing my face. It's bad when you start dreaming things that feel real when you wake up. I'm sure that if I went to a shrink he'd tell me I needed to take some kind of special happy-pills.
Feeling better, I headed to second period. Unlike any normal day, I was last to arrive. I took my seat in the back with Amy, and told her about everything that happened in the library. She was, of course, worried about me and my health.
I expected her to be concerned because not only was she my friend but because she planned on being a doctor. If someone sneezes in class, while everyone else choruses "bless you," she suggests the person to take two Tylenols when they got home. One day, she'll make a great doctor.
The class was slow going as usual, but notes were few and D.I.R. (Daily Individual Reading) made up half the class period. I love D.I.R because it allows me time to read my latest book I had checked out of the library after my nap (It was the same book that had failed to distract me at the blood drive). I especially loved it today because it kept me from having to use my right arm, which was still sore form blood loss.
The class ended an hour and a half later, and I was more than ready to leave, even if it was my favorite subject.
I made my way to my locker and then to third period, where we, once again, had a substitute. Today someone brought a movie for us to watch. It was common knowledge that Mrs. Hart was never absent one day if she was sick, and according to yesterday's sub, she had been sick.
A few people watched the movie, but the majority of the class was scattered around the class in groups, talking amongst themselves. Except for one person standing in a corner of the room by himself, and if I was correct, it looked as though Greg was talking to himself.
"You know, Greg, I hear voices too, but at least I don't talk back to them," I said coming up behind Greg, a smile on my face to show I was joking.
He smiled timidly in return.
Greg, for as long as I've known him, has always been boyishly cute. He may have been tall and far from gangly, but his round face that was toped with a crop of brown hair, complete with cowlick, gave him that boyish look. But the thing that really gave him the impression was his large green eyes, shadowed by brown lashes so long it was a shame they were wasted on a guy. He was often shy, and it surprises me sometimes that he's with The In Crowd because of it. But he is on the track team, and anyone involved in sports is considered "worthy" at our school.
"What's wrong," I asked when he gave no explanation to why he was talking to himself.
He seemed nervous for some reason, and I was about to prod more when he sighed and said, "It's about a girl."
Oh, girl problems. Being the curious person I was, I said, "Tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help. After all, I am a girl."
He looked at his shoes, then deciding that he could trust me, he looked up and began to explain. "Well, you see, there's this girl, and tomorrow's the dance..." he trailed off, but I knew what he was getting at.
"You want to ask her out, but don't know how." He nodded, and I continued. "Well who is she? If I know her, I might be able to tell you the best way to go about asking her out."
"You do know her." Before I could go through my list of friends, he began to speak again. "Amy, I like Amy."
I smiled, imagining the two together and deciding they would be cute together. I looked at Greg, and decided I needed to give the poor boy some advice.
"Alright," I said, thinking about the information I've gathered about Amy over the years. "Amy is old fashioned, so there is no way she will ask you out. You have to do it yourself. She is shy, so whenever you ask her to the dance, do it privately and don't go overboard and get her a huge banquet of flowers. She hates for a lot of attention to be brought to her.
"Hmmm. Oh yeah, don't worry about being nervous because, chances are, she will be too. She's smart, so, most likely, once you take her aside, she will have guessed what you're about to say; therefore, she will be nervous and won't notice your anxiety unless you're outright stuttering. Got it?"
He nodded, "Thank you."
I slapped him on the back, "Go get her, tiger."
Greg walked away towards Darien and left me standing by myself. I should have been happy for Amy, but all I could think about was how I was now the only one without a date now. Bummer.
I walked over to Raye, who was busy talking- or rather listening- to Rachel. As I got closer, I could tell that Rachel was jabbering about the dance tomorrow night.
"I'm going to wear this awesome pink dress that comes to just above my knees. It's so pretty. It cost a fortune, but it was worth it. What are you gonna wear, Raye?"
"I haven't gone shopping yet," Raye replied, board.
"Well, what color are you considering to wear?"
"I don't know. I was thinking black, maybe."
"Black?" Rachel asked, outraged. "You can't wear black to a Valentine's dance. You have to wear red, white, or pink."
"Where is that rule written? I've never heard of it."
I smiled at the annoyed look on Rachel's face. "It's not written. It's just known. You know what I mean?"
If looks could kill, Rachel would be a pile of ash because Raye looked ready to strangle her.
"No," I said coming into the conversation, "I don't know what you mean."
Raye and I shared a smile, as Rachel harrumphed and left. Raye couldn't stand Rachel, but I could tell she found it amusing sometimes to watch Rachel's ditzy behavior.
Raye and I decided to watch the movie the rest of the period even though we had missed half of it. When the bell rang, we were both still trying to figure out the plot.
Lunch was the same as it was every other day: the five of us met at the tree, talked, complained about the weather, and gave our usual thanks that school was almost over for the day. The only eventful thing was when Greg came over to our group and pulled Amy aside.
"Bet you ten bucks, Lita, that Greg will ask Amy to the dance." I smiled, evilly.
Lita, never the type to pass on a dare or bet, agreed. "There is no way he will ask her to the dance. Greg is way to shy."
I waited, and when Amy came back to out group, blushing red as a tomato, I knew Greg had found the courage. Good going, Greg.
"Well?" Everyone but me asked.
Amy cleared her throat and dug her shoe in the dirt. While she looked at her feet, she said quietly, "He asked me to the dance. I said yes."
I smiled while three other jaws dropped to the floor.
"Damn, I'm out ten bucks," Lita said, after she picked up her jaw.
"Keep your money, Lita. I already knew he was going to ask her out."
"You knew? And you didn't tell us?" Mina asked, clearly upset.
"Yeah, he told me during strings."
I didn't want to tell them I gave him advice because I knew Greg would be embarrassed if I told anyone, especially Amy.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Lita asked.
"I thought Amy should hear it from Greg, not me," I said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, which it was.
"Why didn't you tell me? I have strings with you!" Raye asked.
I don't know why I didn't tell Raye. I guess, even though Greg didn't ask me to keep it secret, I felt it should be one. Of course, I wasn't going to tell that to Raye or any of the girls. Instead, I switched the subject to the first thing that came to mind.
"I fainted into Darien's arms today after I donated blood"
The subject was instantly changed.
***********************************************************
"How about that one?"
"No, too short."
"What about that one?"
"Nope, too big."
"What do you think of that one?"
"Too dirty looking."
"Mina!" Raye screamed. "The rest of us have already found our guys. Now it's your turn."
After hours of shopping, we all had found a dress to wear and were now resting in the food court. Amy was sipping her water, Lita was licking her ice cream, I was eating my own ice cream, and Raye was yelling at Mina for not having picked her guy yet.
Every time the five of us go to the mall, we play a game we created in which we search the mall for a guy we wouldn't mind dating. You know, our imaginary boyfriends when we didn't have real ones. It's a silly thing Mina came up with when we were younger, but it has become a ritual now.
"Hey, there's one," I said pointing to a rather cute looking guy in one of the lines.
"Where?" Mina asked, whipping her head in the direction of my finger, while hitting Raye in the face with her hair in the process.
"He is cute." She squinted her eyes. "Alright, I've found my guy."
"Okay, I have a question," Lita said, leaning back in her chair.
The rest of us perked up. Whenever one of us starts a sentence with "Okay I have a question," I means one thing. It's another game we have going where one of us will ask a question and we all must answer it. What color eyes do you like on a guy? Who's the best kiss you've ever had? It was usually silly little questions, but we always have fun answering them.
"What to you is the most sexiest outfit a guy could wear?" Lita asked before she leaned back in her chair and continued to eat at her ice cream.
"I like a guy in only boxer shorts," Mina said promptly, before adding a sinful smile, "Smiley face boxers."
Raye went next, "I think it's sexy when a guy has on only pajama pants. No socks."
Amy went next, "Well, I like white lab coats."
"Is the guy wearing anything underneath?" Lita asked, smiling devilishly.
Amy blushed, and said nothing else.
It was my turn. I thought for a minute before saying, "I like a guy in a black tuxedo. I think that black tuxedo convey a since of mystery that white tuxes don't."
The girls murmured their agreements, and I began wonder if my admirer would wear a black tuxedo to the Valentine's dance. I still have no idea who he is, but that didn't stop him from asking me to the dance.
After school, when I had gone to my locker, I had found a cute teddy bear sitting atop my books. Attached to the stuffed animal, was the third page of our song and letter from my admirer, simply stating he would be at tomorrow's dance before asking me if I would be there too. When I had shown the girls the letter, they had made me try on every dress at the mall until they found the one they insisted had been "made" for me.
"What about you? What do you think is the sexiest thing a guy could wear?" I asked Lita.
She smiled. Then, without batting an eyelash, she said, "I like a guy in his birthday suit."
"Lita!" Amy yelled, embarrassed at our rather blunt, dirty-minded friend.
We got a good laugh out of it, though, until something-or rather someone- caught Mina's eye.
"Andrew!"
Sure enough, Andrew was looking around for a table. And so was Darien. Thanks to Mina's big mouth, they saw us and headed our way. When they reached us, I couldn't look at Darien I was so shy. So, I pretended to suddenly find the ice cream at the bottom of my cone suddenly interesting.
"What are you guys doing here?" Amy asked.
Because Andrew and Mina were in the middle of a full blown session of PDA (Public Display of Affection), Darien answered. "We had to pick up our tuxes."
"Is yours black?" Lita asked.
Under the table, I gave Lita a swift kick in the shin. She jerked and yelled, "Ouch!"
Everyone turned to look at Lita. Even I pretended not to know what had happened, and no one seemed to notice the glare she gave me.
"Are you okay?" Dr. Amy asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. My foot, just, uh, fell asleep and it began to tingle," she laughed nervously, knowing that her lie was obvious. No one commented on it, though.
Once Mina stopped trying to suck Andrew's tonsils out, Andrew asked, "So what were you lovely ladies up to before we interrupted you?"
I smiled up at the two guys and told them, "Truth or Dare." Then, I made my eyes go all innocent as I put my elbow on the table and propped my head on my hand. My gaze was on Lita. "So, Lita, truth or dare?"
Whoever said revenge was sweet sure knew what they were taking about.
She fidgeted fearfully in her chair, as she tried to discern which was the safest answer. It seems she was having a hard time answering under everyone's expectant stares. I could tell she was weighing her options. Lita knew I was the keeper of some her most deepest secrets, and it would be pretty embarrassing for it to come out in front of the guys. However, any dare I happened to give her, would be seen by many, many people.
Cityscape Mall was the biggest mall in the county, so, naturally, it was the biggest meeting place for teenagers. It also meant that a lot of cute guys from other schools were present.
Tough choice, but she had to make it. Knowing Lita though, she'd chose dare. Lita never- I repeat- never turns down a dare.
And I was right; she chose dare.
I paused, trying to think of something that would be both embarrassing but still wouldn't get us in trouble with the law. So there went the idea of having her flash the pimply covered guy at the pizza booth.
I looked around the room, suddenly a little worried that I couldn't come up with a good enough dare. I have never been able to come up with a good dare, and I could tell Lita knew, too, by the look I saw on her face.
I thought back over my years of playing Truth or Dare, and could think of nothing that would be suitable. Then, I remembered this e-mail someone had forwarded to me entitled 68 FUN THINGS TO DO IN WAL-MART.I didn't remember many that would apply to the mall as well as Wal-Mart, but then one stuck out in my memory. Of course, it was funny to read in an e-mail, but actually doing it didn't seem that imaginative. Oh, what the hay, it's better than nothing.
I scoped the food court for the perfect targets, and found them right away. Sitting at a table not far away, was a teenage couple enjoying some burgers. They were within hearing rang, so we could make sure Lita wasn't cheating without being obvious to the couple that we were listening.
"Lita, I dare you to go over to that couple and ask the girl for a tampon. And for the heck of it, squeeze your legs together like you have to use the bathroom."
I looked at everyone's reactions and wasn't displeased. Amy, of course, was wearing a look of horror on her delicate features, while Raye opted for a smirk as she leaned back in her chair, ready to watch the show. Mina looked amused and ready to laugh, and Darien and Andrew looked a tad horrified at the mentioning of the feminine product but were shaking with suppressed laughter in a matter of seconds. Lita, one the other hand, looked ready for battle.
She squared her shoulders, stood up from her chair, and walked over to the couple. By the time the two acknowledged Lita's presence, she had already assumed The Position.
With her legs wedged together, she asked the girl, "Do you happen to have a tampon I could have?"
Our group laughed as quietly as we could so we wouldn't miss the couple's reaction. At first they looked confused, then appalled, then embarrassed. But, then to our surprise and amusement, the girl began to dig through her purse.
Two minutes later, Lita came back to our table to find the rest of us in the middle of body-shaking, hard-to-breathe peals of laughter. Then, Lita sat down, smiled triumphantly, and threw a tampon on the table.
We stopped laughing long enough to register what she had actually done and to stare at the object lying in the middle of the table. The guys looked embarrassed when they read pink writing declaring "TAMPAX" on the side of the white wrapper. Of course, the girls and I began yet another bout of laughter at the guys' reactions. Soon the guys were laughing with us, drawing the attention of many eyes.
Once we calmed down, Lita called my name.
"Yeah?" I asked, still finding it hard to breathe.
"Truth or Dare?"
"What?" I asked, not sure I had heard her right.
She repeated herself, and I immediately knew I was doomed.
I may enjoy revenge, but Lita does too. And she's a whole heck of a lot better at it than me. I know her deepest secrets. She knows mine. But she, unlike me, knows just how to make my secrets suit her purpose. Thus, she can twist my secrets to her whim and make them into a dare.
In other words, I'm screwed.
Big time.
Ah, hell. "Dare."
I wasn't sure why I chose dare, but my gut told me it was the better choice. I could swear I heard the funeral march playing somewhere.
"I dare you, Serena, to go up to and kiss the guy of my choice."
Oh no! She knew I've never been kissed, and she was purposely giving my this dare, knowing how I would react. Remember how I said she could twist my secrets into dares? Yeah, she's that good.
Before I could object to the dare she so cruelly gave me, she continued, "And the guy I choose is...Darien."
How'd I know that was coming? After all, why twist one secret, when you can twist two for the price of one? I was suddenly cursing my gut for making me chose dare. How bad could truth have been?
Suddenly, I realized my situation. I was just dared to kiss Darien, my secret crush, when he was standing just a few feet away, listening to our conversation. I felt like I could die.
"Lita," I hissed, hoping to change her mind, "you know I've, I've never...you know."
"Know what?" Lita asked, knowing full and well what "you know" was.
I looked up at Darien, then back at Lita, then to Darien, and back to Lita. "Lita, I can't...kiss Darien?"
"Why not?" Darien asked, shocking the hell out of me. "Am I too ugly?"
"No, no you're not ugly! Far from it, actua-" and then I realized that I just admitted to Darien I thought he was cute, and he seemed happy in a I-knew-she-she-had-a-crush-on-me sort of way.
If I wasn't going to die before, I sure was now.
"Serena, I did my dare. It's only fair you do yours."
I knew she was right, so I stood up, pick up my bags with sweaty hands, and faced Darien. I couldn't read his eyes, but then again, I never had been able to before. I think he looked a tad shocked, though.
With fierce determination that I knew was showing in my eyes, I gazed up at Darien. Then, ever so slowly, I stood on my toes and...kissed Darien on the cheek. Then, with speed I never knew I owned, I bolted for the exit, ignoring the calls of my friends.
Lita never had said anything about where I supposed to kiss Darien.
TO BE CONTINUED...
A.N.: Thanks for reading. I hoped you liked it. It's not my favorite chapter, especially after I've already written the conclusion. Please review, it might just be incentive I need to finish the next chapter quick as possible. Till the next chapter. ^_^