Part Two
*Serena*
Being friend with a ghost was very interesting.
She had to be careful not to talk loud when she talked to
him, and she had to be careful where she looked when she
did. But she had to admit that Darien made life much
bearable for her. He was always there, to talk to and to
laugh with when the other kids were horrible to her. She
found out that he died when he was 17, but that he didn't
remember how or why. All he knew was that one mourning he
woke up a ghost and was like that ever since. He really
didn't mind, or at least that is what he told her so she
let the topic drop. He also showed her some neat tricks he
could do. Stuff like become invisible, walking through
walls, and he could even pick up objects, which when he
was invisible was even neater. She could tell after a few
days when he was close to her. There was always a drop in
the temperature around her. Soon she knew he was there
before he became visible. The one thing that surprised her
the most was that he could touch her. It wasn't like in
books or movies where the ghosts floated right through
you, even though he could do that. He became solid. It was
pretty neat. He looked almost alive then he did but there
was something that wasn't quite right. It was hard to put
your finger on and at a distance you wouldn't even notice.
Even in this form his touch was still chilling. She
started getting used to it quickly. Now it didn't bother
her as much, but if he caught her off guard she did
sometimes jump.
Two and a half weeks after she came she almost didn't want
to leave anymore. Darien had made her life interesting,
and he was her only friend. It was her third Saturday when
she was called to the main office. Walking nervously down
the hall she thought about the reasons for being called.
The main one that kept popping up was they have news on
her family situation. Entering the office she sat in the
chair in front of Mrs. Stantine's desk.
"Well Serena I have some news for you. I got a call from
the people responsible for finding your family. They have
had no luck. They say you most likely don't have any
family to take you in. So it looks like you are staying
here. Dismissed."
"That's it? You just call me in here to tell me I have no
family like it is everyday news, and then dismiss me?
Don't you even care?"
"Of course I care Serena. But I just can't give you
special attention. Almost 50 kids live here with out
parents. I just can't give one special attention."
"I am not asking for it. You could have at least sounded
sorry."
She could tell her own temper was rising along with Mrs.
Stantine's, but she didn't care. She was upset. She just
found out for sure that she didn't have any family. She
realized to herself that it wasn't as big of a shock as
she thought it would be. But the way that woman had
handled it was shocking. She didn't even care.
"Serena, do you know how many kids I have told that they
didn't have parents? Tons. I have found that the straight
out way is the best and easiest. It is easier for kids to
get over it when everyone is not feeling sorry for them.
Now I think you should go."
Serena got up and left the room. Halfway to her own she
felt a sudden chill.
"What do you want Darien?" she snapped out. She knew she
shouldn't be mean but she couldn't help it.
"Serena what happened? Was it bad news? Please tell me.
Maybe I can help."
She ignored him all the way to her room. Opening the door
she stepped in and closed it. She then fell onto her bed
and started crying. She didn't even notice or care about
the coldness that had touched her shoulder. She just kept
crying.
*Darien*
When she had closed the door in his face he
couldn't believe it. He could tell she was hurting. Just
by looking at her face he could tell. He didn't hesitate
with the thought of going through her door. Entering her
room he found her face down on her bad crying her eyes
out. Sitting next to her he placed a hand on her shoulder.
She didn't even shiver. He sat there and let here cry.
That was the best thing for her. She needed to let it out.
After a while she stopped crying and moved closer to him.
Sitting up she looked at him with her sad face.
"Serena what's wrong? Please tell me."
"Oh Darien. She was so cold about it. She didn't
even care. She just goes and tells me that I am alone in
this world, with no family. Then she dismisses me like
that. It was horrible. I couldn't believe it."
"Serena its ok. You're going to be fine. It's ok. I
promise."
With those words she fell into his arms. She started
crying again but this time around he spook softly to her
trying to clam her down. Glancing across the room he saw
them selves in the mirror. He would have chuckled if
Serena wasn't feeling so bad. Even though he was in his
"solid" form as Serena put it he still had no reflection.
Soon after she started crying he noticed that she had
stopped. Looking down he saw that she was asleep in his
arms. Looking at her face, tear stained, yet at peace made
him feel something. He didn't know what the feeling was so
he dismissed it at once. Laying her down on the bed he
watched her curl up into a ball. Gently he took the
blanket from the end of the bed and laid it over her.
Glancing over her once more he slowly faded out of her
room into the hall.
She was so sad, he thought to himself. I wish there was
more I could do for her. That is when his heart and mind
seemed to say to him at the same time that being her
friend was one of the best things he could do for her.
That is what she needed. Floating down the hall he decided
to go outside. Of course the first thing he saw was the
flower garden. He remembered how Serena loved looking at
the flowers. That gave him an idea. Walking over to the
garden he looked though and found a dozen flowers he
thought she might like. Picking them he then went back
towards the building. He knew he couldn't go through the
walls holding the flowers so he had to open the door.
Looking around he made sure no one was near. Quickly as he
could he opened to door and stepped inside. Suddenly
hearing voices he ducked into a closet near by. From there
he watched the kids walk past. When they were gone he
headed towards Serena's room.
Things are so much easier with out these flowers, he
growled as he hid yet again. Finally he reached her room.
Quietly he opened the door and saw she was still sleeping.
Quickly he laid the flowers on her desk then faded out
once again.
*Serena*
She awoke to the sound of the warning bell for
dinner. Sitting up she tried to remember what had
happened. Then it hit her. She remembered the meeting with
Mrs. Stantine, and being mad at Darien. She also
remembered how he had stayed with her. The last thing she
remembered was Darien holding her.
I must have fallen asleep, she thought to herself.
Getting up she looked around her room to see if he was
still there. But instead of finding Darien she found
something else. A dozen flowers were set on her desk. She
picked them up and looked them over. There were several
kinds, including a few roses, which were her favorite.
"Thank you Darien" she whispered as she left the
room. In her hand was one of the roses that she had
gotten. On her way down to dinner she ran into the same
group of kids she had meet her first day. They had not
given up on making her life miserable. Before she could
get away the leader of the group, who name was Jennifer
grabbed her arm.
"Hey where you going Memory?"
When Serena didn't answer them she was pulled into the
circle of kids.
"Hey didn't you here me? I asked you where you thought you
were going."
"Maybe she forgot," joked Kevin.
"Is that right? Did you forget?" asked Shana.
"No I didn't forget. I am heading to dinner. And don't
call me Memory. It's not my name." Serena chocked out. She
had to admit that the group did scare her. But she hated
it when they called her Memory. But she didn't want to
protest because she never wanted to get them really upset
in fear of what they would do to her.
"So Memory does remember how to talk. I'm impressed.
Aren't you?" Jen said looking at the others.
They nodded their agreement.
"Please just let me go. I didn't do anything to you,"
begged Serena. Usually they would tease and let her go. It
didn't look like that was going to happen anytime soon.
"I hear your staying. What a shame. What no one in your
family wanted you? I wouldn't blame them. Who would want
you?"
Serena couldn't help it any longer. She started crying
again.
"Aw what's wrong? Stuck up family girl doesn't want to
live here with us lower orphans? O well. Looks like your
stuck here. Little cry baby."
"Please let me go," Serena tried again even though she
could barely get the words out.
"I like this. I haven't made some cry in a while. I am
having fun."
The others again nodded their heads in agreement.
"Hey what you got there?"
"A rose. Why?" Serena held on to it a little tighter.
"Who would give you a rose?"
"A friend did. That's who."
"Who this friend. Must be invisible cause I have never
seen him."
Serena would have smiled at the joke of it if Jen had not
made her next move. She quickly grabbed to rose from
Serena's hands and in front of her face ripped the bud in
half. Serena who had stopped crying couldn't help it and
again started.
"Maybe we should make her cry a little harder. What do you
think…?" Serena noticed that Jen was not looking at her
anymore. She was now looking past her down the hall. Her
eyes were wide, and she began to pale.
"Jen what's wrong," asked Shana.
Kevin was now also looking. He pointed to behind them down
the hall. Curiosity getting the better of her Serena also
turned around to look. What she saw almost made her laugh.
It was a trick Darien offend did to cheer her up. He was
holding a medium sized paper ball and was tossing it
around in the air. What made the trick neat was that he
was invisible. So it looked like the ball was bouncing
around in thin air. Jen was the first to turn and run. The
others quickly followed leaving Serena to deal with what
ever was happening on her own. When they were gone Darien
became his visible self. Serena walked over to him and
gave him a hug, which he returned.
"Thank you Darien. For saving me and for the flowers."
"I wish I had been here sooner. Look what they did to your
rose," he said gesturing towards the shredded flower on
the floor.
"Darien it's ok. I wish she wouldn't have done it, but we
can't do anything about it now. At least they didn't do
anything to me."
"If they would have touch you…" growled Darien under his
breath. Serena could help it and started to giggle.
"What?" he asked
"You are way to protective."
"Am not. That girl has no right to even talk to you much
less tell you lies."
"Well, one she said wasn't a lie."
"What?"
"She said that my friend was invisible. She was right. You
are."
Darien gave a slight chuckle as they walked down the hall
to the dinning room. She was late, but it really didn't
bother her. She ate fast away since she didn't really have
anyone to talk to. As usual she ate quickly, not talking
to anyone. Listening her heard Jen telling people of the
bouncing ball in mid air. Not many believed her no matter
how much Kevin and Shana backed her up. Serena smiled to
herself and glanced at Darien who was also listening in.
He shook his head and made a low tsking sound. Bending
close to her ear he whispered,
"She must be losing her mind. A floating paper ball, like
that would ever happen."
Again Serena smiled. Finishing her meal, she headed out
side to catch the sunset. It was beautiful as usual. She
walked through the flowers and watched as the sun slowly
disappeared. Darien stayed at her side the whole time. He
said very little, but that barely bothered her. She really
wasn't in the mood for talking. When it was over the bell
rang and she and Darien headed back inside. Reaching her
room she opened the door and went inside. Looking toward
her desk she suddenly gasped.
"Darien," she called out. When he floated in he came
straight to her and she pointed towards the desk. Where
the flowers had once been there now laid a completely
shredded pile of flower bits. Next to them was a mall
folded note. Written on it was a simple message for
Serena.
"Next time you won't get a way."
End Part 2
*Serena*
Being friend with a ghost was very interesting.
She had to be careful not to talk loud when she talked to
him, and she had to be careful where she looked when she
did. But she had to admit that Darien made life much
bearable for her. He was always there, to talk to and to
laugh with when the other kids were horrible to her. She
found out that he died when he was 17, but that he didn't
remember how or why. All he knew was that one mourning he
woke up a ghost and was like that ever since. He really
didn't mind, or at least that is what he told her so she
let the topic drop. He also showed her some neat tricks he
could do. Stuff like become invisible, walking through
walls, and he could even pick up objects, which when he
was invisible was even neater. She could tell after a few
days when he was close to her. There was always a drop in
the temperature around her. Soon she knew he was there
before he became visible. The one thing that surprised her
the most was that he could touch her. It wasn't like in
books or movies where the ghosts floated right through
you, even though he could do that. He became solid. It was
pretty neat. He looked almost alive then he did but there
was something that wasn't quite right. It was hard to put
your finger on and at a distance you wouldn't even notice.
Even in this form his touch was still chilling. She
started getting used to it quickly. Now it didn't bother
her as much, but if he caught her off guard she did
sometimes jump.
Two and a half weeks after she came she almost didn't want
to leave anymore. Darien had made her life interesting,
and he was her only friend. It was her third Saturday when
she was called to the main office. Walking nervously down
the hall she thought about the reasons for being called.
The main one that kept popping up was they have news on
her family situation. Entering the office she sat in the
chair in front of Mrs. Stantine's desk.
"Well Serena I have some news for you. I got a call from
the people responsible for finding your family. They have
had no luck. They say you most likely don't have any
family to take you in. So it looks like you are staying
here. Dismissed."
"That's it? You just call me in here to tell me I have no
family like it is everyday news, and then dismiss me?
Don't you even care?"
"Of course I care Serena. But I just can't give you
special attention. Almost 50 kids live here with out
parents. I just can't give one special attention."
"I am not asking for it. You could have at least sounded
sorry."
She could tell her own temper was rising along with Mrs.
Stantine's, but she didn't care. She was upset. She just
found out for sure that she didn't have any family. She
realized to herself that it wasn't as big of a shock as
she thought it would be. But the way that woman had
handled it was shocking. She didn't even care.
"Serena, do you know how many kids I have told that they
didn't have parents? Tons. I have found that the straight
out way is the best and easiest. It is easier for kids to
get over it when everyone is not feeling sorry for them.
Now I think you should go."
Serena got up and left the room. Halfway to her own she
felt a sudden chill.
"What do you want Darien?" she snapped out. She knew she
shouldn't be mean but she couldn't help it.
"Serena what happened? Was it bad news? Please tell me.
Maybe I can help."
She ignored him all the way to her room. Opening the door
she stepped in and closed it. She then fell onto her bed
and started crying. She didn't even notice or care about
the coldness that had touched her shoulder. She just kept
crying.
*Darien*
When she had closed the door in his face he
couldn't believe it. He could tell she was hurting. Just
by looking at her face he could tell. He didn't hesitate
with the thought of going through her door. Entering her
room he found her face down on her bad crying her eyes
out. Sitting next to her he placed a hand on her shoulder.
She didn't even shiver. He sat there and let here cry.
That was the best thing for her. She needed to let it out.
After a while she stopped crying and moved closer to him.
Sitting up she looked at him with her sad face.
"Serena what's wrong? Please tell me."
"Oh Darien. She was so cold about it. She didn't
even care. She just goes and tells me that I am alone in
this world, with no family. Then she dismisses me like
that. It was horrible. I couldn't believe it."
"Serena its ok. You're going to be fine. It's ok. I
promise."
With those words she fell into his arms. She started
crying again but this time around he spook softly to her
trying to clam her down. Glancing across the room he saw
them selves in the mirror. He would have chuckled if
Serena wasn't feeling so bad. Even though he was in his
"solid" form as Serena put it he still had no reflection.
Soon after she started crying he noticed that she had
stopped. Looking down he saw that she was asleep in his
arms. Looking at her face, tear stained, yet at peace made
him feel something. He didn't know what the feeling was so
he dismissed it at once. Laying her down on the bed he
watched her curl up into a ball. Gently he took the
blanket from the end of the bed and laid it over her.
Glancing over her once more he slowly faded out of her
room into the hall.
She was so sad, he thought to himself. I wish there was
more I could do for her. That is when his heart and mind
seemed to say to him at the same time that being her
friend was one of the best things he could do for her.
That is what she needed. Floating down the hall he decided
to go outside. Of course the first thing he saw was the
flower garden. He remembered how Serena loved looking at
the flowers. That gave him an idea. Walking over to the
garden he looked though and found a dozen flowers he
thought she might like. Picking them he then went back
towards the building. He knew he couldn't go through the
walls holding the flowers so he had to open the door.
Looking around he made sure no one was near. Quickly as he
could he opened to door and stepped inside. Suddenly
hearing voices he ducked into a closet near by. From there
he watched the kids walk past. When they were gone he
headed towards Serena's room.
Things are so much easier with out these flowers, he
growled as he hid yet again. Finally he reached her room.
Quietly he opened the door and saw she was still sleeping.
Quickly he laid the flowers on her desk then faded out
once again.
*Serena*
She awoke to the sound of the warning bell for
dinner. Sitting up she tried to remember what had
happened. Then it hit her. She remembered the meeting with
Mrs. Stantine, and being mad at Darien. She also
remembered how he had stayed with her. The last thing she
remembered was Darien holding her.
I must have fallen asleep, she thought to herself.
Getting up she looked around her room to see if he was
still there. But instead of finding Darien she found
something else. A dozen flowers were set on her desk. She
picked them up and looked them over. There were several
kinds, including a few roses, which were her favorite.
"Thank you Darien" she whispered as she left the
room. In her hand was one of the roses that she had
gotten. On her way down to dinner she ran into the same
group of kids she had meet her first day. They had not
given up on making her life miserable. Before she could
get away the leader of the group, who name was Jennifer
grabbed her arm.
"Hey where you going Memory?"
When Serena didn't answer them she was pulled into the
circle of kids.
"Hey didn't you here me? I asked you where you thought you
were going."
"Maybe she forgot," joked Kevin.
"Is that right? Did you forget?" asked Shana.
"No I didn't forget. I am heading to dinner. And don't
call me Memory. It's not my name." Serena chocked out. She
had to admit that the group did scare her. But she hated
it when they called her Memory. But she didn't want to
protest because she never wanted to get them really upset
in fear of what they would do to her.
"So Memory does remember how to talk. I'm impressed.
Aren't you?" Jen said looking at the others.
They nodded their agreement.
"Please just let me go. I didn't do anything to you,"
begged Serena. Usually they would tease and let her go. It
didn't look like that was going to happen anytime soon.
"I hear your staying. What a shame. What no one in your
family wanted you? I wouldn't blame them. Who would want
you?"
Serena couldn't help it any longer. She started crying
again.
"Aw what's wrong? Stuck up family girl doesn't want to
live here with us lower orphans? O well. Looks like your
stuck here. Little cry baby."
"Please let me go," Serena tried again even though she
could barely get the words out.
"I like this. I haven't made some cry in a while. I am
having fun."
The others again nodded their heads in agreement.
"Hey what you got there?"
"A rose. Why?" Serena held on to it a little tighter.
"Who would give you a rose?"
"A friend did. That's who."
"Who this friend. Must be invisible cause I have never
seen him."
Serena would have smiled at the joke of it if Jen had not
made her next move. She quickly grabbed to rose from
Serena's hands and in front of her face ripped the bud in
half. Serena who had stopped crying couldn't help it and
again started.
"Maybe we should make her cry a little harder. What do you
think…?" Serena noticed that Jen was not looking at her
anymore. She was now looking past her down the hall. Her
eyes were wide, and she began to pale.
"Jen what's wrong," asked Shana.
Kevin was now also looking. He pointed to behind them down
the hall. Curiosity getting the better of her Serena also
turned around to look. What she saw almost made her laugh.
It was a trick Darien offend did to cheer her up. He was
holding a medium sized paper ball and was tossing it
around in the air. What made the trick neat was that he
was invisible. So it looked like the ball was bouncing
around in thin air. Jen was the first to turn and run. The
others quickly followed leaving Serena to deal with what
ever was happening on her own. When they were gone Darien
became his visible self. Serena walked over to him and
gave him a hug, which he returned.
"Thank you Darien. For saving me and for the flowers."
"I wish I had been here sooner. Look what they did to your
rose," he said gesturing towards the shredded flower on
the floor.
"Darien it's ok. I wish she wouldn't have done it, but we
can't do anything about it now. At least they didn't do
anything to me."
"If they would have touch you…" growled Darien under his
breath. Serena could help it and started to giggle.
"What?" he asked
"You are way to protective."
"Am not. That girl has no right to even talk to you much
less tell you lies."
"Well, one she said wasn't a lie."
"What?"
"She said that my friend was invisible. She was right. You
are."
Darien gave a slight chuckle as they walked down the hall
to the dinning room. She was late, but it really didn't
bother her. She ate fast away since she didn't really have
anyone to talk to. As usual she ate quickly, not talking
to anyone. Listening her heard Jen telling people of the
bouncing ball in mid air. Not many believed her no matter
how much Kevin and Shana backed her up. Serena smiled to
herself and glanced at Darien who was also listening in.
He shook his head and made a low tsking sound. Bending
close to her ear he whispered,
"She must be losing her mind. A floating paper ball, like
that would ever happen."
Again Serena smiled. Finishing her meal, she headed out
side to catch the sunset. It was beautiful as usual. She
walked through the flowers and watched as the sun slowly
disappeared. Darien stayed at her side the whole time. He
said very little, but that barely bothered her. She really
wasn't in the mood for talking. When it was over the bell
rang and she and Darien headed back inside. Reaching her
room she opened the door and went inside. Looking toward
her desk she suddenly gasped.
"Darien," she called out. When he floated in he came
straight to her and she pointed towards the desk. Where
the flowers had once been there now laid a completely
shredded pile of flower bits. Next to them was a mall
folded note. Written on it was a simple message for
Serena.
"Next time you won't get a way."
End Part 2