It was dark. That was a given but as to the time, Serena had no
clue. She picked up her Nike bag, trying to fight her feelings. Darien.
Damn him anyways. Why? Oh why?
She was so caught up into herself, Serena didn't even look up
when someone called from behind her.
"Serena!!"
Oh why did she have to be in love with Darien. It was the
downfall of her life and she was sure that when she told him.
"Serena!!!"
She had no choice. She had to tell him.
"Serena!!!! Open your damn ears and listen up!,"
Serena looked up. Was someone calling her?
She turned around.
There she was, standing as if she controlled the night. Mina,
dressed flawlessly in a pink mini-skirt and matching sweater, hands on
her hips, was glaring at Serena. Her layered hair, a shade lighter than
Serena's flowed in the wind. She was the picture of fragility, flawless
beauty, the kind of girl Serena wished she could be. Reflectively,
Serena took in her drab appearance, basketball shorts, t-shirt, and a
hat. She sighed. Then looked up.
"Hey. You're Mina right?"
"Yes. Your Serena. Serena Tsukino." There was no question in that
statement. Mina walked up to Serena, eyeing her. "I know your secret.
Serena. I can help you. Will you accept it?" She whispered.
Serena looked up, thinking about Darien. It escaped her
comprehension how she knew what mina was talking about. She decided not
to pretend like she didn't.
"Does it show?" she said ruefully.
"Yes. But not like you think it does. It's hidden very well but
it's there. I know you love him. Do you want my help?"
Serena looked beyond Mina, into the distance, sighing and
thinking. What if it worked. What if she turned into a female and
Darien would be going out with her tonight instead of his girl of this
week?
She raised soulful eyes to Mina.
"Do you think that you can do it?"
Mina smiled, gently. She felt an unexpected pang of sympathy
for this person who was very much the female that everyone thought she
was not. She reached out, putting an encouraging hand on her shoulder.
"Yes. Come to my house tomorrow, after school. Here's the
address." She handed Serena a sheet of paper with her address, gave an
heartening nod, then walked off.
Serena stared at the paper, not really looking at it, but rather,
thinking about how everything would change if she changed. She smiled
suddenly. A new day was coming and she couldn't wait.
Darien caught up with Serena as she was heading out of school the
next day. He grinned at her.
"Hey Sere. You want to go play basketball or something?"
Serena bit her lip. She couldn't tell him of her plans.
"Sorry Dare. I already have plans." She started to walk faster
but he changed his speed to match with hers. His eyes were no longer
cheery.
"What plans Sere?"
She glared at him. "None of your business!!"
He glared back. "Why not?"
"Because. I don't ask you your plans everyday so give me some
space. You don't need to know everything."
"If you asked I would tell you my plans Serena."
Serena stopped, furious. She eyed him, fury matching fury.
"You know what? I don't ask you so for all of the times that you
had plans and I didn't ask, you could return the same courtesy. Now
leave me the hell alone."
Darien laughed. Serena grew angrier. She punched him in the
stomach and ran off.
Darien stared off after her. He frowned, wondering. Where was
Serena going??
Serena arrived at Mina's house at 3:00 exactly. She walked
through the unusually beautiful garden that seemed to have flowers of
every kind. There was also a concrete fountain that had fairy watching
the water. Serena smiled at the fountain. It was neat.
She laughed at herself for thinking a stupid word like neat, then
walked up to the door. She knocked precisely three times, observing the
numbers on the house. 8702. There was a cat on the window sill to her
left. It was staring at her. She was about to go to it when the door
opened.
A tall brown haired girl answered the door. Then Mina appeared,
pushing the giant of a girl out of the way. She smirked.
Mina smiled brightly and pulled her in.
There was a giant white couch to her right, and three people were
sitting in it. Serena looked once, then twice to make sure she saw
right.
"What the hell?" She glared at mina.
"Sorry Serena. These girls are going to help me-us fix you up."
"Oh." It couldn't take just one person to accomplish the miracle
she was hoping for. She took a seat in the black recliner next to the
couch. She sat back watching, observing as four eyes observed her
equally.
The one with the crow looking hair was watching her like a hawk.
Serena was getting irritated and stared back at her equally. She
couldn't take this girls piercing stare. It was making her nervous.
"Look Scarecrow, keep your eyes off a me, You're giving me the
creeps!" Of course she didn't look like a crow but she didn't care at
the moment. She glared at her. In the corner of her eye she saw Mina
fidget nervously.
"Umm guys-"
"Mina shut up." The black haired girl had a voice to match the
fury Serena read in her eyes. Reflexively Serena saw the three girls
back away. Now she really was nervous.
"Look, I didn't mean it. And I can see that your going to make a
scene or something over a harmless comment so lets just cut the crap."
To Serena utter bewilderment and chagrin, Raye laughed. It
transformed her face making her exceptionally beautiful. Serena sighed.
If only she could look like that.
Mina intercepted the look of wistfulness that she read in
Serena's eyes. That gave her more determination than ever to make
things the way Serena wanted them to go. She took in Serena's customary
hat, baggy shorts, and t-shirt. How long was Serena's hair? She
suspected it was short, hidden under that cap.
Amy, the peacemaker, stood up and put herself between Raye and
Serena. The tension was felt and Amy put on her scolding voice that
made Serena and Raye feel like children.
"Shouldn't we introduce ourselves first? Serena doesn't know us."
Raye laughed ruefully. "What? Do you want us to say our names and
favorite ice cream?" then she laughed again.
Serena couldn't help but laugh too. Maybe Raye wasn't soo bad.
And, the joke was kind of funny although it seemed to bother ol' stiff
over there. Serena kind of felt bad for her though, because that smart
one wasn't really accomplishing anything.
To her surprise, the silent girls voice came again with edges of
steel.
"My name is Amy," she said forcefully, glaring at Raye, then
smiling at Serena. Her eyes frosted to a light blue that had Serena a
little uneasy. Then Amy smiled, and Serena let out another frustrated
groan. Another supermodel. "And, my favorite ice cream is strawberry,"
Serena smiled and thought that it was a pretty nice crack for
softie over there.
The giant with the mop of brown hair stretched out her long legs
over the length of the white couch and closed her eyes.
"My name is Lita." She said, eyes closed, not paying much
attention. "I've seen you play football and you're real good Sere, you
don't mind if I call you that do you? Of course you don't. And I've
seen you have mad skill in football. I was wondering if you could-"
"Thanks Lita, so nice of you to introduce yourself. Now Serena
take off your hat," Mina pleasantly interrupted.
The change in conversation was so slick and clever Serena found
herself reaching for her hat without even thinking. She smiled at Mina,
a knowing smile. "Ah. You almost got me there. I'm not taking off my
hat and having you four supermodels laughing at my hair."
"Just take the damn thing off Birdbrain."
Serena glared at her. "Where the hell do you come off calling me
Birdbrain you overgrown hawk!"
Raye's eyes glared maliciously. "You want me to come over there
oh wise and strong one?" she mocked.
Serena glared with a malicious set of her own. "You can try!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, go ahead and do your best!" Serena stood up. Raye stood
up. They eyed each other like two animals about to battle.
"Be very afraid meatball head before I have to grab a stake and
some garlic."
Serena lifted a sardonic eyebrow. "Oh, so is that what ware
wolves eat?"
Suddenly Raye stood back and smiled. "Your not such a bad
opponent," she said, then glared again, "now take off your hat," Then
she took the hat off of Serena's head. It was so unexpected, Serena
stood there like a deer in headlights. She flushed bright pink.
There was a simultaneous gasp from the crowd as Serena's golden
hair fell from the cap. It was shiny and fell in semi-waves to the
midlle of her thighs.
"OH! And I thought that your hair was short!" came Mina's awed
voice.
"Why do you wear that stupid cap meatball head? It doesn't' even
look halfway decent," said Raye angered. She had also thought there was
something wrong with Serena's hair. Why else would she wear a stupid
hat?
"Your hair blends in well. You look real exquisite with your hair
exempted of that discolored hat. I am almost speechless," this came
from the brain.
"WOW! How did you fit all that under that small cap Sere?" came
the giant who was now sitting up on the couch, her eyes owlish. "I mean
I've seen you play football when I was waiting for Ken but I never
expected this,"
Serena looked at each of them as if they were crazy.
"You don't have to lie. We're supposed to help each other." She
spoke as if she were talking to a kindergartener. "My hair is okay.
That's it. It didn't mix well with my boys image. But look at how it
doesn't' work with my face, my nose it too big and off center, my ears
are too small and my mouth is way too big."
Raye and Mina exchanged looks and this made Serena nervous. Lita
lounged back on the couch, groaning, and closing her eyes.
"She's so clueless." She muttered and Serena thought that she
went to sleep.
Mian determinedly to Serena. "It seems to me," She said with a
raise of her eyebrow and a smile, "that you are lacking self confidence
Serena. Considering how hard you try at being a guy, it goes beyond
me," she said in a bland English accent. She had her nose upturned and
reminded Serena of one of those scolding English teachers holding their
noses to something foul.
Serena looked at Mina blankly.
"What's with the accent?"
Mina blushed and averted her head. "I was practicing for my
acting career." She muttered and walked away blushing.
Amy spoke up, obviously sensing the ruffles in the water.
"She is saying that your lack of self confidence contradicts with
the confidence you muster in your portrayal of a man, assuming boyish
qualities."
Serena looked at Amy blankly.
"Would somebody speak some friggin' English here? One speaks
'English' and the other speaks 'Dictionary'."
"What Amy and Mina are trying to say is that you don't have any
self confidence and because guys are so pigheaded and stubborn and you
hang out with them all of the time, it's hard to see how you don't have
any confidence," explained Lita making Serena start since she thought
that she was sleeping.
Serena looked at Lita, knowing this time that she wasn't
sleeping. "Thanks for the translation Lita."
Raye stood up. "Now Meatball head, it's time for us to tell you
plan A."
clue. She picked up her Nike bag, trying to fight her feelings. Darien.
Damn him anyways. Why? Oh why?
She was so caught up into herself, Serena didn't even look up
when someone called from behind her.
"Serena!!"
Oh why did she have to be in love with Darien. It was the
downfall of her life and she was sure that when she told him.
"Serena!!!"
She had no choice. She had to tell him.
"Serena!!!! Open your damn ears and listen up!,"
Serena looked up. Was someone calling her?
She turned around.
There she was, standing as if she controlled the night. Mina,
dressed flawlessly in a pink mini-skirt and matching sweater, hands on
her hips, was glaring at Serena. Her layered hair, a shade lighter than
Serena's flowed in the wind. She was the picture of fragility, flawless
beauty, the kind of girl Serena wished she could be. Reflectively,
Serena took in her drab appearance, basketball shorts, t-shirt, and a
hat. She sighed. Then looked up.
"Hey. You're Mina right?"
"Yes. Your Serena. Serena Tsukino." There was no question in that
statement. Mina walked up to Serena, eyeing her. "I know your secret.
Serena. I can help you. Will you accept it?" She whispered.
Serena looked up, thinking about Darien. It escaped her
comprehension how she knew what mina was talking about. She decided not
to pretend like she didn't.
"Does it show?" she said ruefully.
"Yes. But not like you think it does. It's hidden very well but
it's there. I know you love him. Do you want my help?"
Serena looked beyond Mina, into the distance, sighing and
thinking. What if it worked. What if she turned into a female and
Darien would be going out with her tonight instead of his girl of this
week?
She raised soulful eyes to Mina.
"Do you think that you can do it?"
Mina smiled, gently. She felt an unexpected pang of sympathy
for this person who was very much the female that everyone thought she
was not. She reached out, putting an encouraging hand on her shoulder.
"Yes. Come to my house tomorrow, after school. Here's the
address." She handed Serena a sheet of paper with her address, gave an
heartening nod, then walked off.
Serena stared at the paper, not really looking at it, but rather,
thinking about how everything would change if she changed. She smiled
suddenly. A new day was coming and she couldn't wait.
Darien caught up with Serena as she was heading out of school the
next day. He grinned at her.
"Hey Sere. You want to go play basketball or something?"
Serena bit her lip. She couldn't tell him of her plans.
"Sorry Dare. I already have plans." She started to walk faster
but he changed his speed to match with hers. His eyes were no longer
cheery.
"What plans Sere?"
She glared at him. "None of your business!!"
He glared back. "Why not?"
"Because. I don't ask you your plans everyday so give me some
space. You don't need to know everything."
"If you asked I would tell you my plans Serena."
Serena stopped, furious. She eyed him, fury matching fury.
"You know what? I don't ask you so for all of the times that you
had plans and I didn't ask, you could return the same courtesy. Now
leave me the hell alone."
Darien laughed. Serena grew angrier. She punched him in the
stomach and ran off.
Darien stared off after her. He frowned, wondering. Where was
Serena going??
Serena arrived at Mina's house at 3:00 exactly. She walked
through the unusually beautiful garden that seemed to have flowers of
every kind. There was also a concrete fountain that had fairy watching
the water. Serena smiled at the fountain. It was neat.
She laughed at herself for thinking a stupid word like neat, then
walked up to the door. She knocked precisely three times, observing the
numbers on the house. 8702. There was a cat on the window sill to her
left. It was staring at her. She was about to go to it when the door
opened.
A tall brown haired girl answered the door. Then Mina appeared,
pushing the giant of a girl out of the way. She smirked.
Mina smiled brightly and pulled her in.
There was a giant white couch to her right, and three people were
sitting in it. Serena looked once, then twice to make sure she saw
right.
"What the hell?" She glared at mina.
"Sorry Serena. These girls are going to help me-us fix you up."
"Oh." It couldn't take just one person to accomplish the miracle
she was hoping for. She took a seat in the black recliner next to the
couch. She sat back watching, observing as four eyes observed her
equally.
The one with the crow looking hair was watching her like a hawk.
Serena was getting irritated and stared back at her equally. She
couldn't take this girls piercing stare. It was making her nervous.
"Look Scarecrow, keep your eyes off a me, You're giving me the
creeps!" Of course she didn't look like a crow but she didn't care at
the moment. She glared at her. In the corner of her eye she saw Mina
fidget nervously.
"Umm guys-"
"Mina shut up." The black haired girl had a voice to match the
fury Serena read in her eyes. Reflexively Serena saw the three girls
back away. Now she really was nervous.
"Look, I didn't mean it. And I can see that your going to make a
scene or something over a harmless comment so lets just cut the crap."
To Serena utter bewilderment and chagrin, Raye laughed. It
transformed her face making her exceptionally beautiful. Serena sighed.
If only she could look like that.
Mina intercepted the look of wistfulness that she read in
Serena's eyes. That gave her more determination than ever to make
things the way Serena wanted them to go. She took in Serena's customary
hat, baggy shorts, and t-shirt. How long was Serena's hair? She
suspected it was short, hidden under that cap.
Amy, the peacemaker, stood up and put herself between Raye and
Serena. The tension was felt and Amy put on her scolding voice that
made Serena and Raye feel like children.
"Shouldn't we introduce ourselves first? Serena doesn't know us."
Raye laughed ruefully. "What? Do you want us to say our names and
favorite ice cream?" then she laughed again.
Serena couldn't help but laugh too. Maybe Raye wasn't soo bad.
And, the joke was kind of funny although it seemed to bother ol' stiff
over there. Serena kind of felt bad for her though, because that smart
one wasn't really accomplishing anything.
To her surprise, the silent girls voice came again with edges of
steel.
"My name is Amy," she said forcefully, glaring at Raye, then
smiling at Serena. Her eyes frosted to a light blue that had Serena a
little uneasy. Then Amy smiled, and Serena let out another frustrated
groan. Another supermodel. "And, my favorite ice cream is strawberry,"
Serena smiled and thought that it was a pretty nice crack for
softie over there.
The giant with the mop of brown hair stretched out her long legs
over the length of the white couch and closed her eyes.
"My name is Lita." She said, eyes closed, not paying much
attention. "I've seen you play football and you're real good Sere, you
don't mind if I call you that do you? Of course you don't. And I've
seen you have mad skill in football. I was wondering if you could-"
"Thanks Lita, so nice of you to introduce yourself. Now Serena
take off your hat," Mina pleasantly interrupted.
The change in conversation was so slick and clever Serena found
herself reaching for her hat without even thinking. She smiled at Mina,
a knowing smile. "Ah. You almost got me there. I'm not taking off my
hat and having you four supermodels laughing at my hair."
"Just take the damn thing off Birdbrain."
Serena glared at her. "Where the hell do you come off calling me
Birdbrain you overgrown hawk!"
Raye's eyes glared maliciously. "You want me to come over there
oh wise and strong one?" she mocked.
Serena glared with a malicious set of her own. "You can try!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, go ahead and do your best!" Serena stood up. Raye stood
up. They eyed each other like two animals about to battle.
"Be very afraid meatball head before I have to grab a stake and
some garlic."
Serena lifted a sardonic eyebrow. "Oh, so is that what ware
wolves eat?"
Suddenly Raye stood back and smiled. "Your not such a bad
opponent," she said, then glared again, "now take off your hat," Then
she took the hat off of Serena's head. It was so unexpected, Serena
stood there like a deer in headlights. She flushed bright pink.
There was a simultaneous gasp from the crowd as Serena's golden
hair fell from the cap. It was shiny and fell in semi-waves to the
midlle of her thighs.
"OH! And I thought that your hair was short!" came Mina's awed
voice.
"Why do you wear that stupid cap meatball head? It doesn't' even
look halfway decent," said Raye angered. She had also thought there was
something wrong with Serena's hair. Why else would she wear a stupid
hat?
"Your hair blends in well. You look real exquisite with your hair
exempted of that discolored hat. I am almost speechless," this came
from the brain.
"WOW! How did you fit all that under that small cap Sere?" came
the giant who was now sitting up on the couch, her eyes owlish. "I mean
I've seen you play football when I was waiting for Ken but I never
expected this,"
Serena looked at each of them as if they were crazy.
"You don't have to lie. We're supposed to help each other." She
spoke as if she were talking to a kindergartener. "My hair is okay.
That's it. It didn't mix well with my boys image. But look at how it
doesn't' work with my face, my nose it too big and off center, my ears
are too small and my mouth is way too big."
Raye and Mina exchanged looks and this made Serena nervous. Lita
lounged back on the couch, groaning, and closing her eyes.
"She's so clueless." She muttered and Serena thought that she
went to sleep.
Mian determinedly to Serena. "It seems to me," She said with a
raise of her eyebrow and a smile, "that you are lacking self confidence
Serena. Considering how hard you try at being a guy, it goes beyond
me," she said in a bland English accent. She had her nose upturned and
reminded Serena of one of those scolding English teachers holding their
noses to something foul.
Serena looked at Mina blankly.
"What's with the accent?"
Mina blushed and averted her head. "I was practicing for my
acting career." She muttered and walked away blushing.
Amy spoke up, obviously sensing the ruffles in the water.
"She is saying that your lack of self confidence contradicts with
the confidence you muster in your portrayal of a man, assuming boyish
qualities."
Serena looked at Amy blankly.
"Would somebody speak some friggin' English here? One speaks
'English' and the other speaks 'Dictionary'."
"What Amy and Mina are trying to say is that you don't have any
self confidence and because guys are so pigheaded and stubborn and you
hang out with them all of the time, it's hard to see how you don't have
any confidence," explained Lita making Serena start since she thought
that she was sleeping.
Serena looked at Lita, knowing this time that she wasn't
sleeping. "Thanks for the translation Lita."
Raye stood up. "Now Meatball head, it's time for us to tell you
plan A."