Just A Coincidence Ch.7
"And class, don't forget about the extra credit assignment... I see most of you are in dire need of
the points." Mrs. Haruna had managed to say after the class began to walk out at the shrill ring
of the bell.
And I wanted to walk out with them. To be in the middle of that stampede.
To hide from him.
To get away from him.
It's amazing really. I only have one class with him and I still can't handle it. Well, you can't
blame me for wanting to leave there as soon as possible for Pretty Boy has once again out done
himself.
He returned my stares that I had once did to him a couple of weeks ago. And those we're not
normal stares like zoning out in my direction or spacing out 'to my way'.
No. From the corner of my eye, the guy was looking at me very strangely. Almost in a different
way. I can't say what it is exactly, because I could only tell from the corner of my eye. Or when
I'd absentmindedly look in his direction. He would just be gazing at me. I'd say the number of
his stares were more than what I use to give him.
'Pretty ironic 'eh?'
And what frightened me about it was that there was something in those gazes.
It was as if he knew something about me.
Like he acquired new found information. A knowledge about me.
"Meatball Head..."
I pretended to ignore him, my eyes fixed through the doorway.
However, as I walked out, something caught my wrist. I didn't bother to turn around.
"Chiba, if you've got something to say, I don't want to here it." I rolled my eyes, not willing
to face him. "But if you're worried that I'll bail out on you about being your partner for Mina's
birthday, don't worry. I don't do such drastic measurers unlike most people will."
"I just want to apologize..."
"Save it for somebody who wants to hear it."
"Just listen..."
I turned around to face him, putting on the best glare I
could muster.
"Look save your sympathies for somebody else. All that happened was me getting embarrassed.
And you'll probably say that there wasn't anything for me to be embarrassed about-"
"Would you let me finish?" He interrupted my sentence, giving me a frown. "I am sorry that I
didn't give you back the journal as soon as you asked me too. But here. I want to give this back."
He handed me two pieces of paper.
Curious, I hesitantly took them from his hands, a short pause following as I scanned the
documents.
My eyes widened.
They were the missing pages to my journal.
"They fell out when you... grabbed the journal from me."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh. So not everyone in the school knows that I have weird dreams about a guy then. That's just
great... Unless..." I alternated glances from the papers to his face, still holding my scowl.
"Did you read these?"
"I... I did but-"
"Oh wow. Did you make copies and pass them around school?"
"No..."
"So why are you giving these to me? Come to rub it in my face? Mock me?" I began tapping the
papers on the palm of my hand. "And don't think that this is a peace or truce offering of some
kind."
"It isn't. I thought I'd do the right thing by returning something that wasn't mine."
"Oh so that makes you the good guy then?"I looked haughtily at him. "You came to give these
back to me just so you can make yourself feel better."
"No. That's not the case... Listen, there's something I need to talk to you about."
"Chiba there's nothing to talk about." I looked at him smugly. "Even though you knew I was
already HUMILIATED you continued to read things that were still none of your business?"
"Yes, but I had good reason too-"
"Now let me finish." I interrupted him this time. "Good reason to? I don't see why I'm even
listening to you. Because, quite frankly you're not making any sense. I don't care if you say you
'have' a good reason to look through my things because there is NONE."
"Now listen. It was a good thing that I did read them because-"
"What are you? The police? Did you have a search warrant to go through my things? And you're
still questioning them?"
"Yes, but listen damn it!"
"No. No Chiba. You know, your apology isn't accepted. Lita and Raye? I forgive them because I
know it was in their nature to be jack asses sometimes, but you on the other hand... had the nerve
to just ASK what my journal was all about even when I was demanding it back from you. And
even after all of that, you still read THESE." I raised the papers to his face now, my eyes turning
into slits. "So if you're asking for my forgiveness, you won't get it. If you're asking for a truce, I
can do it. But that's all you'll get from me."
I proudly walked away, leaving him with a surprised expression.
But something appalled me back there. He had looked at me still in that different way, the gaze
holding more that just guilt (which I had expected). He looked at me as if I didn't know
something. And he was going to tell me what it was.
But it's too late now.
I don't have time to be listening to some pathetic excuse at why he'd want to apologize or
whatever he wanted to say. Because he had hurt me.
He had hurt me for the second time.
'No. Just forget it Serena. You've got to focus on something else... Like what's about to happen
today.'
Oh yeah that's right.
Today I was finally going to meet him.
I was finally going to meet sxytuxboi.
----------
The cold air greeted me as I stepped onto the grounds of the Crown Arcade. It was a lovely
afternoon, but my insides were feeling anything but lovely. The ulcer and weird palpitations had
returned and butterflies were added to that. They were fluttering in my stomach, as if they were
having a fight, definitely making me feel uncomfortable. Maybe it was time I checked with the
doctor for all these physical or rather internal ailments. What would cure these things?
And on top of that, another version of fear was in the midst of these.
I felt like this wasn't happening. Like I wasn't really going through this room. Towards that
empty booth there...
'What would he be like? Ugly? Sexy? Would he look like road-kill? Or would he look like
Mister Universe?' The thoughts came one after another. 'Is there any chance he might even like
me? Or... Am I going to... like him?'
Nervousness was definitely noticeable in my movements as I gripped tightly onto the items that I
was instructed to bring. A favorite video game of mine and a chocolate bar.
Oh yeah, these unique items.
The video game was a symbol of the interests we shared.
The chocolate bar I had to remember was his favorite. Chocolate in general that is.
I remembered one night, sxytuxboi and myself had stayed up for hours just talking about
chocolate. And what he would do with if...
I blushed at the thought.
'Yeah already im going crazy just at the thought of him...'
I had quietly sat down in the empty booth that I had spotted with a weary but cautious eye
scanning around the semi-busy room. People as usual were about, doing their business, either
having a good conversation or having their mouths busy eating a good sundae.
Oh how I'd love to eat right now, but all this nervousness has effected my appetite. And I hadn't
eaten all day today...
'And they look so care free... As if they don't have a care in the world... And I... I'm worried sick
about this whole thing.'
I looked at the clock across the room and it would only be a matter of time until he gets here. At
3:30.
Only ten minutes more.
I wasn't going to run.
( ^_^) (^.~) ( '_') (~.^) ( O_O) (^.^) ( O.o) (~.~)
"Come on Andrew pick up..."
"Hello?"
"Andrew, It's me Darien."
I was at home, pacing nervously around, anticipation playing with my nerves. I felt like my heart
was about ready to burst as I continued to watch the electronic clock on my desk change it's last
minute to 3:30 pm.
Apparently I wasn't at the arcade.
"Oh, Darien. Hey what's up."
"Andrew, I need you to do me a favor." I ran a shaky hand through my hair, having an internal
dispute with myself to either sit down or stand up.
"Yeah sure. What do you want me to do?"
"I need you to look for somebody. A girl. She should be in there right now."
"Okay... and her name?"
"No. Look for a girl with a video game and a candy bar." I continued to pace around, deciding
that sitting obviously was not going to happen. "Tell me who the girl is."
"Okay. What's this all about?"
"Just do it. Don't ask any questions. I'll explain it to you later." I directed, this time putting a
hand to my neck.
"Fine. But you better tell me what's going on once I tell you who it is."
And then a click was heard as he had set the phone down. It seemed like forever as the buzz of
silence coming from the phone seemed to scream at my ear. Nervousness was not being kind to
me.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, I'm here. So who is it." My mouth I felt was becoming dry.
And then the unexpected answer was heard.
"I... don't see anyone matching you're description."
I raised an eyebrow.
"No. Seriously check again."
"Okay..." He paused for a moment as I tried to swallow the dryness from my throat. "Yeah...
I think I see someone."
"Okay."
"And... I see a video game and a... chocolate bar on the table."
"Great now who is it."
"Okay and... I see..."
"What? WHAT?"
"Will you hold on? The girl has a menu covering her face..."
"Well, HURRY IT UP. I NEED TO KNOW!"
"I see blonde hair..."
"Andrew!" I felt ready to kill Andrew for keeping me in the suspense.
"Would you hold your horses? She just put the menu down..."
"Okay, tell me or I'll shove this phone up your ass."
"Okay its..." He paused for a moment as if he knew it would annoy me.
"Andrew, don't make me you're murderer."
"Tell me what this is about again?"
"SHYT ANDREW JUST SAY WHO IT IS!"
"It's... Serena."
"Serena... who?" I asked almost incredulously, my nerves instantly calming.
"Who else. There's only one Tsukino here in this arcade you know. So tell me what this is
about."
"...FINE." I sighed in relief as my beliefs were finally confirmed. "I haven't told you this but,
I've met someone online."
"I'm listening."
"And this person... I've been talking a lot with this person lately." I couldn't bring myself to say
her name. Why couldn't I? "You could say we developed some form
of a relationship."
"Let me guess... This would involve Serena right?"
"Yes. And as you can see, we were suppose to meet-"
"Shyt! Don't tell me what you're going to tell me!" Andrew practically yelled into the phone as
he realized what I was getting at. "Oh Shyt. You guys didn't know it was-"
"Yeah. We didn't know it was the both of us." I finished for him.
There was a long pause, giving myself time to gather my thoughts.
"Yes. She's my supposed 'cyber girlfriend'. And I'm suppose to meet her today."
"Shyt. I can't believe this! How did this happen?"
"Long story. I'll explain it to you tomorrow."
"So... What are you going to do now?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're coming down here aren't you?"
I paused for a moment, my eyes leading back to the clock in front of me. My heart began racing
all over again.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow and thanks."
"Wait-"
And I hung up the phone.
( ^_^) (^.~) ( '_') (~.^) ( O_O) (^.^) ( O.o) (~.~)
"Four thirty and he isn't here yet..."
One hour of waiting nervously. One hour of watching people go through those sliding glass
doors. One hour of my head perking up at any movement near the entrance way. And each
excruciating minute that passed by was a disappointment.
'Did he take one look at me and leave?'
"Serena? You're here alone again?" A friendly voice asked behind me.
"Oh. Hey Andrew." I gave a smile as he walked around and sat into the booth in front of me.
"Just waiting for someone important."
"Do you want anything to eat? Drink? While you wait? I noticed you've been in here for an hour
without anything to munch on." He gave a smile but his eyes had shown something different. As
if he was sorry for me. Or worried for me.
What could he be worried about?
"Oh my. I'm so sorry. I didn't order anything while I was in here. That's so rude of a
customer..." My eyes began to scan the menu again, looking for anything besides the milkshakes.
And yes, out of boredom I had been trying to busy myself by looking through the menu, almost
memorizing the price of each item. "So to make it up to you, can you... give me a banana
split sundae? I've been craving for some an hour ago."
"Oh. You shouldn't worry about not ordering anything if you don't want to. Mina and the rest of
you are the only special customers I have. So don't be forced to order anything."
"That's sweet of you Andrew but I insist. I really do want that sundae." I gave another bright
smile. I hate to say this but Andrew was distracting me of looking for-
My head looked up.
Pretty Boy walks in.
Shyt.
'This is the last thing I need... Another verbal dispute with Pretty Boy...'
He looks around the room and he spots the both of us.
'Crap. He just has to be here. I swear the man's timing is impeccable.' I thought as I began to
raise the menu higher up to cover my face. 'God please I hope he doesn't come over.'
"Andrew." As if response to my last request to the heavens above, Pretty Boy acknowledges his
friend, my face scrunched in disgust.
"Darien." Andrew slipped out of the booth and turns to me with a normal smile now, as I
lowered my menu a teensy bit. "I'll leave you two alone now and Serena... I'll get you your
sundae."
'Leave us two alone? What does he mean by that?'
I watched longingly as Andrew walked away. I never thought I'd say this (not to mention Mina
would kill me) but I wanted Andrew to stay with me... well anything to keep me company just so
I wouldn't be alone with 'him'.
My eyes darted to him, surprised that he had seated himself in front of me. I then raised the
menu back up to shield myself again.
"Okay. Now will you please leave?" I instantly commanded, looking up at the ceiling hopefully.
"I really don't have time to engage myself in an enlightening conversation with you at the
moment."
"No can do. I've got nobody else to talk to."
"And what is Andrew to you?" I raised an eyebrow although I knew he couldn't see. "Go harass
him."
"Andrew's a busy man. Can't interrupt his services to others now can I?"
"Seriously. Please just leave..."
I heard something unwrap in front of me. Like...
"And what? Pass up the chance to eat this candy bar, borrow this game from you, and try to have
a good conversation with you?"
I lowered the menu slowly and found, that across from me, Pretty Boy had taken a bite already
out of the chocolate bar.
"What the HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" I dropped the menu onto the table my
jaw doing the same action.
"Eating. I'm hungry." Was his simple reply.
"You ass! That candy bar was for somebody else!"
"Who?"
My hands began to clench themselves into a ball underneath the table. I was ready to launch
myself at him.
"So I finally met a guy who likes to gossip..." I seethed gritting my teeth. "Such a nosy person
aren't you?"
"So you're expecting company. Might as well talk until they get here." He took another bite of
the candy bar, his eyes narrowing as usual.
"Oh and I suppose our 'talking' will lead you to ask me that burning question." I shook my head
while I gave a small fake laugh. "Or at least alleviate the guilt that you're feeling. So you can say
to yourself, 'at least I tried.'"
"What question would that be?" He smirked taking another greedy bite. "What am I
'supposedly' asking from you?"
I raised an eyebrow, "You want me to forgive you right?"
"So why don't you?" He stopped his chewing.
"Dream on. My answer still stands. And what you did... it's un-forgivable."
My head perked up at the sound of the glass doors sliding apart. Disappointment had shown in
my face when I realized it was just a teenage couple walking in.
'Stupid lovers...'
"Well, I didn't deliberately go and find that journal of yours did I?"
My eyes returned to his face, changing my disappointment back to a frown.
"Sure. But I heard you ask for it from the girls. Not to mention you eyes were already on it."
"So I admit doing that. I just couldn't help it. And I have a good explanation for it-"
"Chiba, just leave now. Please. I'm begging you..." I said as another couple walked in from the
entrance.
'Ugh... Why did sxytuxboi choose this place out of a million places in Juuban City?'
Pretty Boy had turned around to follow my gaze. He then faced me again, a smirk plastered on
his face.
"Let me guess... This company you're suppose to be meeting... It's a guy?" He took the last bite
out of the candy bar, dispar written in my eyes as he crumpled the wrapper, dropping it onto the
table.
'There goes my gift.'
"Yes. It is. And I'll have you know, this guy is more of a man than you'll ever be, Chiba." I
smugly stated, as I watched his eyes turn into an angry stare. "Because he respects me... and he
respects my privacy."
"Did you even meet him yet? What's his name?"
"Again with the badgering. When will you get it through your head that you're a male gossip?"
He paused for a moment and then returned to putting on his smirk.
"You know. Some people are right. Online relationships are nothing. I think only desperate
people do such a thing just so they can have some attention."
My jaw dropped in shock.
'How did he know... does he even know that I'm going to meet him?'
"And this is coming from a hypocrite-"
"I dumped her yesterday so don't worry." He began picking up my video game, opening the case
to take out the game manual. "She was a real bytch."
"So you got tired of her? Like you do with all the other girls you date? You shallow jerk."
"No. She really IS a bytch... Says the most awful things to me... You know, she even reminds me
of you."
For some reason my heart stopped at this, but I pinched myself
to get me out of the state.
"You know, you're not only a male version of a gossip, but you really are a man skank, a man
skeeze, a man WHORE..."I began to mouth the best insult I never thought I'd come up with. I
was giving him the truth. "You're a player Chiba. A player. How you play all those girls... Beryl
and your own cyber girlfriend. And to sum it all up, there are only two words to call guys like
you... You're a Pretty Boy. Nothing but a Pretty Boy. And because of that, you'll never be happy.
Hell, you'll never HAVE the ability to make a girl happy even if YOU wanted to. Because you...
you are worthless."
A long silence sat amongst the both of us.
I had watched his eyes turn in different emotions - shock, anger, then nothingness. Nothing. No
emotion, only giving a blank stare.
And at the same time, I had realized something.
I had gotten him back.
I had won.
And after knowing this... After saying what I wanted to say...
I didn't feel like a winner.
"I see... Well... Thanks for you're time Tsukino."
He slowly slid off the booth, his eyes I felt, did not want to meet mine.
"I'm sorry for having taken your time."
I was about to open my mouth to say something but... he simply turned around and left.
"I..."
"So how did the talk go with Darien?" Andrew had startled me, sliding the huge sundae in front
of me. "Oh and this is on the house-"
"Oh not well... I think I may have hurt his feelings..." My eyes immediately looked at the treat
which I so badly deserved. My stomach however did not comply with what I had in mind.
-----
I can't believe he didn't show up.
Sxytuxboi had left me with Darien Chiba instead.
Pretty Boy.
Instead of maybe having a good time, having a good conversation,
enjoying that sundae other than eating it alone... I was set up. I was left to deal with Pretty Boy.
And I had hurt him.
Sure, I said what I wanted to say. Hell I know he deserved it to.
But I had still hurt him.
I actually hurt HIM.
And sxytuxboi didn't show up.
I WAS SET UP.
But surprisingly, I wasn't angry.
Disappointed but not angry.
And I had hurt Darien Chiba... That was a first...
I sat in front of my computer, the 'compose an e-mail' window, up and ready to go.
Sxytuxboi was definitely going to get something from me.
( ^_^) (^.~) ( '_') (~.^) ( O_O) (^.^) ( O.o) (~.~)
-----------
TO: sxytuxboi@jch.ed.net
FRM: lone1igrl@jch.com
SUBJECT: WONDERING WHERE YOU ARE
Hi.
As you know, we did not meet. Hehe, don't think this is going to be hate mail or anything. But
I'm just wondering why you didn't show up this afternoon. I think you probably have a good
reason why.
Anyway, something very interesting happened to me while I waited for you. An enemy of mine
showed up.
We had an argument, and we exchanged a few insults. But I ended up saying something that
made me cross my own limit. And by saying what I said, I had hurt his feelings.
And I only said this because I knew he deserved it. Remember me getting embarrassed
yesterday? This guy was a part of me getting hurt. He had violated my privacy. And that hurt me
so much. That's why I thought I should get him back but...
Even after saying what I wanted to say at the exact moment, to the right person...
I felt so bad.
Sure this guy was a jerk, a bastard, an ass... but it wasn't in my nature to hurt him... in that way. I
was going to apologize to him too, to say that we were even.
But he had walked away without me finishing.
Anyway, if you decided not to meet me because of reasons... which I don't know about... It's
okay.
It's enough for me just to know you online even if it means never seeing your face. I just enjoy
your company and believe it or not, I just get my kicks by talking
to you.
I never met a person who could understand me so much.
So thanks.
-------
At first I didn't want to read the e-mail.
But I did.
She was a bytch. But she had a reason to be.
Instead of someone she wanted, she was only stuck with me.
Darien Chiba.
The one that she refers to as 'Pretty Boy'.
So that's what she calls me... Thinks of me as a Player.
But I deserved it. And she wanted to apologize.
I had hurt her. She only returned it back. Because I had hurt her.
I violated her privacy, insulted the concept of online relationships...
I deserved it.
"Hello?" Andrew had this usual tone in his voice every time he picks up the phone. It was
cheery. Hell. ALWAYS CHEERY. But then again, everything too me right now seems too
cheery.
"Andrew help me here." I sat on my couch, my body aching from the tension I was getting all
day.
"What should I do?"
"Tell Serena."
"But that's... impossible. She hates my guts. If she finds out-"
"Just do it. She deserves to know. Don't do what you did to Beryl..." Andrew was giving me the
lecture but this time, something was different about it. "And don't just
GIVE IT TO HER. Tell her and more."
"So I tell her... and then what?"
"But before I help you with your problem. Tell me... how did you guys meet online anyway?"
"Remember that time I talked to you about meeting the girl of your dreams... in a series of
dreams?"
I began to tell him everything from the start. How I had the dreams for a year, how I met her
online, what happened in the Masquerade Ball and so on. I also added in the details of what
happened yesterday about the journal and why I did it.
After I was done explaining, a long pause had followed.
"I really don't know why or how this happened. I'd like to say it's a coincidence but it feels
something more than that..." I broke the silence after gathering more thoughts to the situation.
"What do you think it is?"
"Man, I think you found what you've been looking for."
"What?"
"Tell me... Do you love her?"
My heart stopped.
"WHAT?!"
"Seriously. I know you've had a relationship with her online... as you claim you've been
dreaming about her for more than a year... so there's only
one question to this. Do you LOVE her?"
"I... take a liking in her but... love?"
"It's the whole nine yards Darien. You love her... Or if you want to be with her you go all the
way. So tell her."
"And class, don't forget about the extra credit assignment... I see most of you are in dire need of
the points." Mrs. Haruna had managed to say after the class began to walk out at the shrill ring
of the bell.
And I wanted to walk out with them. To be in the middle of that stampede.
To hide from him.
To get away from him.
It's amazing really. I only have one class with him and I still can't handle it. Well, you can't
blame me for wanting to leave there as soon as possible for Pretty Boy has once again out done
himself.
He returned my stares that I had once did to him a couple of weeks ago. And those we're not
normal stares like zoning out in my direction or spacing out 'to my way'.
No. From the corner of my eye, the guy was looking at me very strangely. Almost in a different
way. I can't say what it is exactly, because I could only tell from the corner of my eye. Or when
I'd absentmindedly look in his direction. He would just be gazing at me. I'd say the number of
his stares were more than what I use to give him.
'Pretty ironic 'eh?'
And what frightened me about it was that there was something in those gazes.
It was as if he knew something about me.
Like he acquired new found information. A knowledge about me.
"Meatball Head..."
I pretended to ignore him, my eyes fixed through the doorway.
However, as I walked out, something caught my wrist. I didn't bother to turn around.
"Chiba, if you've got something to say, I don't want to here it." I rolled my eyes, not willing
to face him. "But if you're worried that I'll bail out on you about being your partner for Mina's
birthday, don't worry. I don't do such drastic measurers unlike most people will."
"I just want to apologize..."
"Save it for somebody who wants to hear it."
"Just listen..."
I turned around to face him, putting on the best glare I
could muster.
"Look save your sympathies for somebody else. All that happened was me getting embarrassed.
And you'll probably say that there wasn't anything for me to be embarrassed about-"
"Would you let me finish?" He interrupted my sentence, giving me a frown. "I am sorry that I
didn't give you back the journal as soon as you asked me too. But here. I want to give this back."
He handed me two pieces of paper.
Curious, I hesitantly took them from his hands, a short pause following as I scanned the
documents.
My eyes widened.
They were the missing pages to my journal.
"They fell out when you... grabbed the journal from me."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh. So not everyone in the school knows that I have weird dreams about a guy then. That's just
great... Unless..." I alternated glances from the papers to his face, still holding my scowl.
"Did you read these?"
"I... I did but-"
"Oh wow. Did you make copies and pass them around school?"
"No..."
"So why are you giving these to me? Come to rub it in my face? Mock me?" I began tapping the
papers on the palm of my hand. "And don't think that this is a peace or truce offering of some
kind."
"It isn't. I thought I'd do the right thing by returning something that wasn't mine."
"Oh so that makes you the good guy then?"I looked haughtily at him. "You came to give these
back to me just so you can make yourself feel better."
"No. That's not the case... Listen, there's something I need to talk to you about."
"Chiba there's nothing to talk about." I looked at him smugly. "Even though you knew I was
already HUMILIATED you continued to read things that were still none of your business?"
"Yes, but I had good reason too-"
"Now let me finish." I interrupted him this time. "Good reason to? I don't see why I'm even
listening to you. Because, quite frankly you're not making any sense. I don't care if you say you
'have' a good reason to look through my things because there is NONE."
"Now listen. It was a good thing that I did read them because-"
"What are you? The police? Did you have a search warrant to go through my things? And you're
still questioning them?"
"Yes, but listen damn it!"
"No. No Chiba. You know, your apology isn't accepted. Lita and Raye? I forgive them because I
know it was in their nature to be jack asses sometimes, but you on the other hand... had the nerve
to just ASK what my journal was all about even when I was demanding it back from you. And
even after all of that, you still read THESE." I raised the papers to his face now, my eyes turning
into slits. "So if you're asking for my forgiveness, you won't get it. If you're asking for a truce, I
can do it. But that's all you'll get from me."
I proudly walked away, leaving him with a surprised expression.
But something appalled me back there. He had looked at me still in that different way, the gaze
holding more that just guilt (which I had expected). He looked at me as if I didn't know
something. And he was going to tell me what it was.
But it's too late now.
I don't have time to be listening to some pathetic excuse at why he'd want to apologize or
whatever he wanted to say. Because he had hurt me.
He had hurt me for the second time.
'No. Just forget it Serena. You've got to focus on something else... Like what's about to happen
today.'
Oh yeah that's right.
Today I was finally going to meet him.
I was finally going to meet sxytuxboi.
----------
The cold air greeted me as I stepped onto the grounds of the Crown Arcade. It was a lovely
afternoon, but my insides were feeling anything but lovely. The ulcer and weird palpitations had
returned and butterflies were added to that. They were fluttering in my stomach, as if they were
having a fight, definitely making me feel uncomfortable. Maybe it was time I checked with the
doctor for all these physical or rather internal ailments. What would cure these things?
And on top of that, another version of fear was in the midst of these.
I felt like this wasn't happening. Like I wasn't really going through this room. Towards that
empty booth there...
'What would he be like? Ugly? Sexy? Would he look like road-kill? Or would he look like
Mister Universe?' The thoughts came one after another. 'Is there any chance he might even like
me? Or... Am I going to... like him?'
Nervousness was definitely noticeable in my movements as I gripped tightly onto the items that I
was instructed to bring. A favorite video game of mine and a chocolate bar.
Oh yeah, these unique items.
The video game was a symbol of the interests we shared.
The chocolate bar I had to remember was his favorite. Chocolate in general that is.
I remembered one night, sxytuxboi and myself had stayed up for hours just talking about
chocolate. And what he would do with if...
I blushed at the thought.
'Yeah already im going crazy just at the thought of him...'
I had quietly sat down in the empty booth that I had spotted with a weary but cautious eye
scanning around the semi-busy room. People as usual were about, doing their business, either
having a good conversation or having their mouths busy eating a good sundae.
Oh how I'd love to eat right now, but all this nervousness has effected my appetite. And I hadn't
eaten all day today...
'And they look so care free... As if they don't have a care in the world... And I... I'm worried sick
about this whole thing.'
I looked at the clock across the room and it would only be a matter of time until he gets here. At
3:30.
Only ten minutes more.
I wasn't going to run.
( ^_^) (^.~) ( '_') (~.^) ( O_O) (^.^) ( O.o) (~.~)
"Come on Andrew pick up..."
"Hello?"
"Andrew, It's me Darien."
I was at home, pacing nervously around, anticipation playing with my nerves. I felt like my heart
was about ready to burst as I continued to watch the electronic clock on my desk change it's last
minute to 3:30 pm.
Apparently I wasn't at the arcade.
"Oh, Darien. Hey what's up."
"Andrew, I need you to do me a favor." I ran a shaky hand through my hair, having an internal
dispute with myself to either sit down or stand up.
"Yeah sure. What do you want me to do?"
"I need you to look for somebody. A girl. She should be in there right now."
"Okay... and her name?"
"No. Look for a girl with a video game and a candy bar." I continued to pace around, deciding
that sitting obviously was not going to happen. "Tell me who the girl is."
"Okay. What's this all about?"
"Just do it. Don't ask any questions. I'll explain it to you later." I directed, this time putting a
hand to my neck.
"Fine. But you better tell me what's going on once I tell you who it is."
And then a click was heard as he had set the phone down. It seemed like forever as the buzz of
silence coming from the phone seemed to scream at my ear. Nervousness was not being kind to
me.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, I'm here. So who is it." My mouth I felt was becoming dry.
And then the unexpected answer was heard.
"I... don't see anyone matching you're description."
I raised an eyebrow.
"No. Seriously check again."
"Okay..." He paused for a moment as I tried to swallow the dryness from my throat. "Yeah...
I think I see someone."
"Okay."
"And... I see a video game and a... chocolate bar on the table."
"Great now who is it."
"Okay and... I see..."
"What? WHAT?"
"Will you hold on? The girl has a menu covering her face..."
"Well, HURRY IT UP. I NEED TO KNOW!"
"I see blonde hair..."
"Andrew!" I felt ready to kill Andrew for keeping me in the suspense.
"Would you hold your horses? She just put the menu down..."
"Okay, tell me or I'll shove this phone up your ass."
"Okay its..." He paused for a moment as if he knew it would annoy me.
"Andrew, don't make me you're murderer."
"Tell me what this is about again?"
"SHYT ANDREW JUST SAY WHO IT IS!"
"It's... Serena."
"Serena... who?" I asked almost incredulously, my nerves instantly calming.
"Who else. There's only one Tsukino here in this arcade you know. So tell me what this is
about."
"...FINE." I sighed in relief as my beliefs were finally confirmed. "I haven't told you this but,
I've met someone online."
"I'm listening."
"And this person... I've been talking a lot with this person lately." I couldn't bring myself to say
her name. Why couldn't I? "You could say we developed some form
of a relationship."
"Let me guess... This would involve Serena right?"
"Yes. And as you can see, we were suppose to meet-"
"Shyt! Don't tell me what you're going to tell me!" Andrew practically yelled into the phone as
he realized what I was getting at. "Oh Shyt. You guys didn't know it was-"
"Yeah. We didn't know it was the both of us." I finished for him.
There was a long pause, giving myself time to gather my thoughts.
"Yes. She's my supposed 'cyber girlfriend'. And I'm suppose to meet her today."
"Shyt. I can't believe this! How did this happen?"
"Long story. I'll explain it to you tomorrow."
"So... What are you going to do now?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're coming down here aren't you?"
I paused for a moment, my eyes leading back to the clock in front of me. My heart began racing
all over again.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow and thanks."
"Wait-"
And I hung up the phone.
( ^_^) (^.~) ( '_') (~.^) ( O_O) (^.^) ( O.o) (~.~)
"Four thirty and he isn't here yet..."
One hour of waiting nervously. One hour of watching people go through those sliding glass
doors. One hour of my head perking up at any movement near the entrance way. And each
excruciating minute that passed by was a disappointment.
'Did he take one look at me and leave?'
"Serena? You're here alone again?" A friendly voice asked behind me.
"Oh. Hey Andrew." I gave a smile as he walked around and sat into the booth in front of me.
"Just waiting for someone important."
"Do you want anything to eat? Drink? While you wait? I noticed you've been in here for an hour
without anything to munch on." He gave a smile but his eyes had shown something different. As
if he was sorry for me. Or worried for me.
What could he be worried about?
"Oh my. I'm so sorry. I didn't order anything while I was in here. That's so rude of a
customer..." My eyes began to scan the menu again, looking for anything besides the milkshakes.
And yes, out of boredom I had been trying to busy myself by looking through the menu, almost
memorizing the price of each item. "So to make it up to you, can you... give me a banana
split sundae? I've been craving for some an hour ago."
"Oh. You shouldn't worry about not ordering anything if you don't want to. Mina and the rest of
you are the only special customers I have. So don't be forced to order anything."
"That's sweet of you Andrew but I insist. I really do want that sundae." I gave another bright
smile. I hate to say this but Andrew was distracting me of looking for-
My head looked up.
Pretty Boy walks in.
Shyt.
'This is the last thing I need... Another verbal dispute with Pretty Boy...'
He looks around the room and he spots the both of us.
'Crap. He just has to be here. I swear the man's timing is impeccable.' I thought as I began to
raise the menu higher up to cover my face. 'God please I hope he doesn't come over.'
"Andrew." As if response to my last request to the heavens above, Pretty Boy acknowledges his
friend, my face scrunched in disgust.
"Darien." Andrew slipped out of the booth and turns to me with a normal smile now, as I
lowered my menu a teensy bit. "I'll leave you two alone now and Serena... I'll get you your
sundae."
'Leave us two alone? What does he mean by that?'
I watched longingly as Andrew walked away. I never thought I'd say this (not to mention Mina
would kill me) but I wanted Andrew to stay with me... well anything to keep me company just so
I wouldn't be alone with 'him'.
My eyes darted to him, surprised that he had seated himself in front of me. I then raised the
menu back up to shield myself again.
"Okay. Now will you please leave?" I instantly commanded, looking up at the ceiling hopefully.
"I really don't have time to engage myself in an enlightening conversation with you at the
moment."
"No can do. I've got nobody else to talk to."
"And what is Andrew to you?" I raised an eyebrow although I knew he couldn't see. "Go harass
him."
"Andrew's a busy man. Can't interrupt his services to others now can I?"
"Seriously. Please just leave..."
I heard something unwrap in front of me. Like...
"And what? Pass up the chance to eat this candy bar, borrow this game from you, and try to have
a good conversation with you?"
I lowered the menu slowly and found, that across from me, Pretty Boy had taken a bite already
out of the chocolate bar.
"What the HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" I dropped the menu onto the table my
jaw doing the same action.
"Eating. I'm hungry." Was his simple reply.
"You ass! That candy bar was for somebody else!"
"Who?"
My hands began to clench themselves into a ball underneath the table. I was ready to launch
myself at him.
"So I finally met a guy who likes to gossip..." I seethed gritting my teeth. "Such a nosy person
aren't you?"
"So you're expecting company. Might as well talk until they get here." He took another bite of
the candy bar, his eyes narrowing as usual.
"Oh and I suppose our 'talking' will lead you to ask me that burning question." I shook my head
while I gave a small fake laugh. "Or at least alleviate the guilt that you're feeling. So you can say
to yourself, 'at least I tried.'"
"What question would that be?" He smirked taking another greedy bite. "What am I
'supposedly' asking from you?"
I raised an eyebrow, "You want me to forgive you right?"
"So why don't you?" He stopped his chewing.
"Dream on. My answer still stands. And what you did... it's un-forgivable."
My head perked up at the sound of the glass doors sliding apart. Disappointment had shown in
my face when I realized it was just a teenage couple walking in.
'Stupid lovers...'
"Well, I didn't deliberately go and find that journal of yours did I?"
My eyes returned to his face, changing my disappointment back to a frown.
"Sure. But I heard you ask for it from the girls. Not to mention you eyes were already on it."
"So I admit doing that. I just couldn't help it. And I have a good explanation for it-"
"Chiba, just leave now. Please. I'm begging you..." I said as another couple walked in from the
entrance.
'Ugh... Why did sxytuxboi choose this place out of a million places in Juuban City?'
Pretty Boy had turned around to follow my gaze. He then faced me again, a smirk plastered on
his face.
"Let me guess... This company you're suppose to be meeting... It's a guy?" He took the last bite
out of the candy bar, dispar written in my eyes as he crumpled the wrapper, dropping it onto the
table.
'There goes my gift.'
"Yes. It is. And I'll have you know, this guy is more of a man than you'll ever be, Chiba." I
smugly stated, as I watched his eyes turn into an angry stare. "Because he respects me... and he
respects my privacy."
"Did you even meet him yet? What's his name?"
"Again with the badgering. When will you get it through your head that you're a male gossip?"
He paused for a moment and then returned to putting on his smirk.
"You know. Some people are right. Online relationships are nothing. I think only desperate
people do such a thing just so they can have some attention."
My jaw dropped in shock.
'How did he know... does he even know that I'm going to meet him?'
"And this is coming from a hypocrite-"
"I dumped her yesterday so don't worry." He began picking up my video game, opening the case
to take out the game manual. "She was a real bytch."
"So you got tired of her? Like you do with all the other girls you date? You shallow jerk."
"No. She really IS a bytch... Says the most awful things to me... You know, she even reminds me
of you."
For some reason my heart stopped at this, but I pinched myself
to get me out of the state.
"You know, you're not only a male version of a gossip, but you really are a man skank, a man
skeeze, a man WHORE..."I began to mouth the best insult I never thought I'd come up with. I
was giving him the truth. "You're a player Chiba. A player. How you play all those girls... Beryl
and your own cyber girlfriend. And to sum it all up, there are only two words to call guys like
you... You're a Pretty Boy. Nothing but a Pretty Boy. And because of that, you'll never be happy.
Hell, you'll never HAVE the ability to make a girl happy even if YOU wanted to. Because you...
you are worthless."
A long silence sat amongst the both of us.
I had watched his eyes turn in different emotions - shock, anger, then nothingness. Nothing. No
emotion, only giving a blank stare.
And at the same time, I had realized something.
I had gotten him back.
I had won.
And after knowing this... After saying what I wanted to say...
I didn't feel like a winner.
"I see... Well... Thanks for you're time Tsukino."
He slowly slid off the booth, his eyes I felt, did not want to meet mine.
"I'm sorry for having taken your time."
I was about to open my mouth to say something but... he simply turned around and left.
"I..."
"So how did the talk go with Darien?" Andrew had startled me, sliding the huge sundae in front
of me. "Oh and this is on the house-"
"Oh not well... I think I may have hurt his feelings..." My eyes immediately looked at the treat
which I so badly deserved. My stomach however did not comply with what I had in mind.
-----
I can't believe he didn't show up.
Sxytuxboi had left me with Darien Chiba instead.
Pretty Boy.
Instead of maybe having a good time, having a good conversation,
enjoying that sundae other than eating it alone... I was set up. I was left to deal with Pretty Boy.
And I had hurt him.
Sure, I said what I wanted to say. Hell I know he deserved it to.
But I had still hurt him.
I actually hurt HIM.
And sxytuxboi didn't show up.
I WAS SET UP.
But surprisingly, I wasn't angry.
Disappointed but not angry.
And I had hurt Darien Chiba... That was a first...
I sat in front of my computer, the 'compose an e-mail' window, up and ready to go.
Sxytuxboi was definitely going to get something from me.
( ^_^) (^.~) ( '_') (~.^) ( O_O) (^.^) ( O.o) (~.~)
-----------
TO: sxytuxboi@jch.ed.net
FRM: lone1igrl@jch.com
SUBJECT: WONDERING WHERE YOU ARE
Hi.
As you know, we did not meet. Hehe, don't think this is going to be hate mail or anything. But
I'm just wondering why you didn't show up this afternoon. I think you probably have a good
reason why.
Anyway, something very interesting happened to me while I waited for you. An enemy of mine
showed up.
We had an argument, and we exchanged a few insults. But I ended up saying something that
made me cross my own limit. And by saying what I said, I had hurt his feelings.
And I only said this because I knew he deserved it. Remember me getting embarrassed
yesterday? This guy was a part of me getting hurt. He had violated my privacy. And that hurt me
so much. That's why I thought I should get him back but...
Even after saying what I wanted to say at the exact moment, to the right person...
I felt so bad.
Sure this guy was a jerk, a bastard, an ass... but it wasn't in my nature to hurt him... in that way. I
was going to apologize to him too, to say that we were even.
But he had walked away without me finishing.
Anyway, if you decided not to meet me because of reasons... which I don't know about... It's
okay.
It's enough for me just to know you online even if it means never seeing your face. I just enjoy
your company and believe it or not, I just get my kicks by talking
to you.
I never met a person who could understand me so much.
So thanks.
-------
At first I didn't want to read the e-mail.
But I did.
She was a bytch. But she had a reason to be.
Instead of someone she wanted, she was only stuck with me.
Darien Chiba.
The one that she refers to as 'Pretty Boy'.
So that's what she calls me... Thinks of me as a Player.
But I deserved it. And she wanted to apologize.
I had hurt her. She only returned it back. Because I had hurt her.
I violated her privacy, insulted the concept of online relationships...
I deserved it.
"Hello?" Andrew had this usual tone in his voice every time he picks up the phone. It was
cheery. Hell. ALWAYS CHEERY. But then again, everything too me right now seems too
cheery.
"Andrew help me here." I sat on my couch, my body aching from the tension I was getting all
day.
"What should I do?"
"Tell Serena."
"But that's... impossible. She hates my guts. If she finds out-"
"Just do it. She deserves to know. Don't do what you did to Beryl..." Andrew was giving me the
lecture but this time, something was different about it. "And don't just
GIVE IT TO HER. Tell her and more."
"So I tell her... and then what?"
"But before I help you with your problem. Tell me... how did you guys meet online anyway?"
"Remember that time I talked to you about meeting the girl of your dreams... in a series of
dreams?"
I began to tell him everything from the start. How I had the dreams for a year, how I met her
online, what happened in the Masquerade Ball and so on. I also added in the details of what
happened yesterday about the journal and why I did it.
After I was done explaining, a long pause had followed.
"I really don't know why or how this happened. I'd like to say it's a coincidence but it feels
something more than that..." I broke the silence after gathering more thoughts to the situation.
"What do you think it is?"
"Man, I think you found what you've been looking for."
"What?"
"Tell me... Do you love her?"
My heart stopped.
"WHAT?!"
"Seriously. I know you've had a relationship with her online... as you claim you've been
dreaming about her for more than a year... so there's only
one question to this. Do you LOVE her?"
"I... take a liking in her but... love?"
"It's the whole nine yards Darien. You love her... Or if you want to be with her you go all the
way. So tell her."
