Disclaimer: I don't own any of it. Well, maybe all the stuff you don't
recognize . . .
AN: Okay . . . first of all, I know Serena isn't the type of student who studies, but I wanted to show how she is beginning to mature and accept her educational responsibilities. That's how she's going to be portrayed in this fanfic. I mean . . . everyone matures EVENTUALLY . . . ^_^ Secondly, I wanted to know if you guys think I should have battles in this story. I'm not quite sure. Also, do you think Darien should find out EVENTUALLY what Mai did? Please tell me what you think in your review!!! I'd really appreciate it! Thirdly, I love all my reviewers! You are all sooo great! I finally got over 100 reviews! I never expected to . . . Thank you soooo much! I would also like to thank all the GREAT people who have me on their favorite author's list! I feel sooo honored! ^_^ I hope I live up to your expectations! Here's Chapter 13!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 13: Too Funny & Too Nice
"Hm . . . looks like Yori's not home yet . . ." Darien muttered as he unlocked the door and stepped into the house, motioning for Serena to follow him.
"Okay. I'll just wait for her in her room." Serena responded, making her way up the stairs.
"Want something to eat while you wait? I'm gonna get something to eat anyway . . ."
"Naw . . . that's okay." She declined, just as her stomach let out a loud growl.
Blushing, she smiled innocently at Darien as he stood there with a cocked eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"
"Um . . . maybe I'll have something to eat after all. I'm kinda starving." She admitted.
"Heh . . . me too. So what do you want on your sandwich?" he asked, as Serena sat down on a stool near the kitchen counter.
"Everything."
"Uh. . . You sure you want EVERYTHING?" he asked, raising one of his eyebrows, as if to taunt her.
"Yep. Everything."
"Risky. Very risky."
"Ha. Believe me. I can handle it."
"If you insist . . . " he smirked, piling on everything from chili peppers to onions to hot sauce.
Grinning, she watched curiously as he popped a spicy pepper into his mouth and put his finishing touches on his food creation.
It was massive. Its contents spilled out onto the counter as Darien passed Serena half of the extravagant sandwich.
"Wow. You really DO mean everything." She mumbled, staring wide-eyed at the giant, overstuffed sandwich in her hands.
"Afraid?"
"Haha! You wish!" she sneered, as she opened her mouth as wide as she could and took a large bite.
Darien watched her chew thoughtfully, his mouth hanging open in awe, as he took a large gulp of his soda. No one has EVER eaten my sandwich without spitting it out, he thought. Impressive. I must admit, the girl can eat.
She swallowed after a while and paused, staring hard at the sandwich.
"So???" he asked impatiently, awaiting her response.
"Eh . . . needs more hot sauce." She reached over the countertop and grabbed the large red bottle. To Darien's amazement, she slathered it onto the sandwich and took another bite.
As she chewed her food, their eyes met from across the counter.
Unable to hold it in, Darien burst out laughing, spewing his soda all over the kitchen.
"Whuuuut???" Serena scowled, a glint of humor in her eyes as she spoke with her mouth half full of food.
Darien gasped for breath and slapped the countertop hysterically.
Gulping down the remaining food, she slid her hand across her mouth to wipe away the hot sauce that clung to her lip and placed her hands firmly on her hips.
"Are YOU laughing at ME?"
"Haha . . . y-y-yep . . . haha . . ." he stuttered, amid his peals of laughter.
She shot him a piercing look and glared at him. Sensing her gaze, he stopped mid-giggle and looked deeply into her eyes.
They stared at each other for a few seconds, neither one daring to make a sound. They were locked in a heated staring contest, both determined to outlast the other.
Serena struggled to contain herself and immediately started to giggle.
He joined in and they soon ended up chortling and lying on the couch, clutching their stomachs. As they lay cackling on the couch, Darien accidentally bumped Serena's shoulder, causing her to yell out in pain.
"Owww!"
"What?"
"Nothing. It's nothing."
"C'mon Meatball head. Let me see it!"
"No."
"Pleeease?"
"NO!"
"PLEEEASE?"
Annoyed by his persistence, she let out an irritated cry.
"Okay! Fine."
She turned towards him so he could examine the bruise more closely.
"Ow. Looks like it hurt. I'll get some ice." He muttered, walking over to the freezer to get an icepack.
Gingerly, Darien placed the cold icepack onto her arm. She winced as the cold material sent chills through her body and her upper arm throbbed with pain.
His touch was unexpectedly caring and gentle. He held her arm with delicately, as if it were made of porcelain. Though she hated to admit it, his touch was rather relaxing. Something about it made her forget about everything. Still, there was something oddly familiar about it that she just couldn't put her finger on.
"Why did this happen again, Meatball head?" he asked, as they sat for a few minutes in awkward silence.
"Um . . .I'm a klutz . . .i guess." She responded, timidly.
"Haha. Figures." He grinned wickedly at her.
She smiled weakly, turning her head away. If only he knew, she thought.
Just as Darien was about to speak, they heard the door open and slam shut.
"Looks like Yori is home." Serena muttered.
"Serena?" Yori called from the main entrance hall. She rushed into the living room, clutching her schoolbooks.
As Yori saw her sitting on the couch with ice, she ran over and threw her books carelessly on the floor, a look of worry and anger painted on her face.
"Are you okay? Why didn't you tell us what happened?"
"Well, I . . ." Serena began.
"Tell who? What happened? Huh?" Darien asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"Ugh . . . Mai, that horrible, beastly . . ." Yori started to explain, turning to address her brother.
"Yori! Stop . . ." Serena whispered. "It's okay. Really."
"NO! It isn't. She had no right to do that! You didn't even do anything to her!"
"Mai? What about Mai?" Darien questioned impatiently.
"That witch . . ." Yori spat out, emphasizing her insult.
" . . .did nothing. Absolutely nothing." Serena raised her voice, attempting to drown out Yori's angry ranting.
"Serenaaa!" Yori stared pleadingly at her. She desperately wanted her brother to know the truth.
"Yori . . ." Serena warned, her eyes looking disapprovingly at Yori.
"Fine." Yori pouted, folding her arms across her chest and frowning.
"Huh? What about Mai? What happened? Whaaa?" Darien moaned, looking back and forth between Yori and Serena, apparently baffled.
"Nothing. Believe me. It's nothing. Thanks for the sandwich and the ice. We'd better start working."
Serena handed Darien the melting icepack and motioned to Yori to head upstairs.
Yori nodded and they left the room, leaving Darien alone with a dripping icepack in hand.
Strange, he thought as he watched Serena's retreating figure leave the room. Funny girl, though.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The two girls sat in silence, surrounded by an endless sea of textbooks and paper. Pencils and pens were scattered around the usually spotless room.
Serena lay on the bed, a pencil clasped in her mouth. Her eyes were narrowed, concentrating hard on an open biology book in front of her.
Yori glanced up, a look of blatant frustration on her face. Suddenly, she slammed the book shut and glared questioningly at Serena.
"Why didn't you tell him? He should know. She IS his girlfriend . . ." she fumed, staring incredulously as Serena shook her head.
"I don't want him to make any decisions on my account. He should realize how horrible she is on his own."
"You're too nice for your own good, Serena."
Serena chuckled. Mockingly, she let out a dramatic sigh.
"I know . . ."
The pair giggled and resumed their strenuous studying for an exam the next day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AN: Yeaah! So that's it! I have to thank all my reviewers! ^___^ LOTS AND LOTS OF THANKS!
Sky: Aw! Thanks! I fully intend to continue writing! I hope you enjoy it! ^_^
Panda10s: Uhhh . . . yes . . .you are weird! Hahaha . . .but I am so very lucky to have friends like you who review! YAH! I looove reviews! ^_^ Thanks for reading again! You're the best!
LiLKiKi15: Hehe . . .I liked writing that part too! ^__^ Thanks for reviewing again!
Namiko-Daughter of Sekhmet: I hope I updated soon enough for you! ^___^" I'm sooo glad you like my story!!! Thank you for reviewing!
Angelgirl 4-ever: Hehehe . . . I know . . . It took me a reeaaally long time to update! I'm sooo sorry! ^____^" Thanks for reviewing! I'll try to update sooner . . . well, at least every week, If I can . . .
Babli16: Thanks! I'm glad you like it! Thanks for reviewing!
Angel: Aww! Thank you! I'm really glad you enjoy reading my story! I'll try not to keep you waiting!
Sailor aqua001: Reaally? You love my story! That is sooo nice of you to say! Thank you for reviewing! ^__^
Mercurianprincess: Glad you like it! Thanks for the review!
super sailor usagi: I dunno exactly how I plan to have Darien find out . . .or if he will ever find out. Do you think he should? Hm . . . Thanks for the review!
Mae: Really? His eyes are blue? Hmm . . . I must have forgotten. I haven't watched the anime in a loooong time. ^____^" Thanks for pointing that out! I'll change his eye color to blue in the later chapters! I'm not exactly sure what part the teacher will play, but I think she'll be pretty important. I don't think I'll have a battle though . . .I'm no good at those. Thanks for being so observant! ^___^ I really appreciate it! Thanks for the review!!!
ThatsMsDiva2U: Thanks! I'm sooo glad you like my story! Thanks again for reviewing! ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AN: I'll try to update soon! Oh yeaaah . . .if you were wondering why Darien didn't notice, even though it was pretty obvious . . .well, that's because he is pretty oblivious. Do you think he should find out? Please review and tell me what you thought about this chapter! REVIEWS KEEP ME GOING!!! Please REVIEW! ^_~
AN: Okay . . . first of all, I know Serena isn't the type of student who studies, but I wanted to show how she is beginning to mature and accept her educational responsibilities. That's how she's going to be portrayed in this fanfic. I mean . . . everyone matures EVENTUALLY . . . ^_^ Secondly, I wanted to know if you guys think I should have battles in this story. I'm not quite sure. Also, do you think Darien should find out EVENTUALLY what Mai did? Please tell me what you think in your review!!! I'd really appreciate it! Thirdly, I love all my reviewers! You are all sooo great! I finally got over 100 reviews! I never expected to . . . Thank you soooo much! I would also like to thank all the GREAT people who have me on their favorite author's list! I feel sooo honored! ^_^ I hope I live up to your expectations! Here's Chapter 13!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 13: Too Funny & Too Nice
"Hm . . . looks like Yori's not home yet . . ." Darien muttered as he unlocked the door and stepped into the house, motioning for Serena to follow him.
"Okay. I'll just wait for her in her room." Serena responded, making her way up the stairs.
"Want something to eat while you wait? I'm gonna get something to eat anyway . . ."
"Naw . . . that's okay." She declined, just as her stomach let out a loud growl.
Blushing, she smiled innocently at Darien as he stood there with a cocked eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"
"Um . . . maybe I'll have something to eat after all. I'm kinda starving." She admitted.
"Heh . . . me too. So what do you want on your sandwich?" he asked, as Serena sat down on a stool near the kitchen counter.
"Everything."
"Uh. . . You sure you want EVERYTHING?" he asked, raising one of his eyebrows, as if to taunt her.
"Yep. Everything."
"Risky. Very risky."
"Ha. Believe me. I can handle it."
"If you insist . . . " he smirked, piling on everything from chili peppers to onions to hot sauce.
Grinning, she watched curiously as he popped a spicy pepper into his mouth and put his finishing touches on his food creation.
It was massive. Its contents spilled out onto the counter as Darien passed Serena half of the extravagant sandwich.
"Wow. You really DO mean everything." She mumbled, staring wide-eyed at the giant, overstuffed sandwich in her hands.
"Afraid?"
"Haha! You wish!" she sneered, as she opened her mouth as wide as she could and took a large bite.
Darien watched her chew thoughtfully, his mouth hanging open in awe, as he took a large gulp of his soda. No one has EVER eaten my sandwich without spitting it out, he thought. Impressive. I must admit, the girl can eat.
She swallowed after a while and paused, staring hard at the sandwich.
"So???" he asked impatiently, awaiting her response.
"Eh . . . needs more hot sauce." She reached over the countertop and grabbed the large red bottle. To Darien's amazement, she slathered it onto the sandwich and took another bite.
As she chewed her food, their eyes met from across the counter.
Unable to hold it in, Darien burst out laughing, spewing his soda all over the kitchen.
"Whuuuut???" Serena scowled, a glint of humor in her eyes as she spoke with her mouth half full of food.
Darien gasped for breath and slapped the countertop hysterically.
Gulping down the remaining food, she slid her hand across her mouth to wipe away the hot sauce that clung to her lip and placed her hands firmly on her hips.
"Are YOU laughing at ME?"
"Haha . . . y-y-yep . . . haha . . ." he stuttered, amid his peals of laughter.
She shot him a piercing look and glared at him. Sensing her gaze, he stopped mid-giggle and looked deeply into her eyes.
They stared at each other for a few seconds, neither one daring to make a sound. They were locked in a heated staring contest, both determined to outlast the other.
Serena struggled to contain herself and immediately started to giggle.
He joined in and they soon ended up chortling and lying on the couch, clutching their stomachs. As they lay cackling on the couch, Darien accidentally bumped Serena's shoulder, causing her to yell out in pain.
"Owww!"
"What?"
"Nothing. It's nothing."
"C'mon Meatball head. Let me see it!"
"No."
"Pleeease?"
"NO!"
"PLEEEASE?"
Annoyed by his persistence, she let out an irritated cry.
"Okay! Fine."
She turned towards him so he could examine the bruise more closely.
"Ow. Looks like it hurt. I'll get some ice." He muttered, walking over to the freezer to get an icepack.
Gingerly, Darien placed the cold icepack onto her arm. She winced as the cold material sent chills through her body and her upper arm throbbed with pain.
His touch was unexpectedly caring and gentle. He held her arm with delicately, as if it were made of porcelain. Though she hated to admit it, his touch was rather relaxing. Something about it made her forget about everything. Still, there was something oddly familiar about it that she just couldn't put her finger on.
"Why did this happen again, Meatball head?" he asked, as they sat for a few minutes in awkward silence.
"Um . . .I'm a klutz . . .i guess." She responded, timidly.
"Haha. Figures." He grinned wickedly at her.
She smiled weakly, turning her head away. If only he knew, she thought.
Just as Darien was about to speak, they heard the door open and slam shut.
"Looks like Yori is home." Serena muttered.
"Serena?" Yori called from the main entrance hall. She rushed into the living room, clutching her schoolbooks.
As Yori saw her sitting on the couch with ice, she ran over and threw her books carelessly on the floor, a look of worry and anger painted on her face.
"Are you okay? Why didn't you tell us what happened?"
"Well, I . . ." Serena began.
"Tell who? What happened? Huh?" Darien asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"Ugh . . . Mai, that horrible, beastly . . ." Yori started to explain, turning to address her brother.
"Yori! Stop . . ." Serena whispered. "It's okay. Really."
"NO! It isn't. She had no right to do that! You didn't even do anything to her!"
"Mai? What about Mai?" Darien questioned impatiently.
"That witch . . ." Yori spat out, emphasizing her insult.
" . . .did nothing. Absolutely nothing." Serena raised her voice, attempting to drown out Yori's angry ranting.
"Serenaaa!" Yori stared pleadingly at her. She desperately wanted her brother to know the truth.
"Yori . . ." Serena warned, her eyes looking disapprovingly at Yori.
"Fine." Yori pouted, folding her arms across her chest and frowning.
"Huh? What about Mai? What happened? Whaaa?" Darien moaned, looking back and forth between Yori and Serena, apparently baffled.
"Nothing. Believe me. It's nothing. Thanks for the sandwich and the ice. We'd better start working."
Serena handed Darien the melting icepack and motioned to Yori to head upstairs.
Yori nodded and they left the room, leaving Darien alone with a dripping icepack in hand.
Strange, he thought as he watched Serena's retreating figure leave the room. Funny girl, though.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The two girls sat in silence, surrounded by an endless sea of textbooks and paper. Pencils and pens were scattered around the usually spotless room.
Serena lay on the bed, a pencil clasped in her mouth. Her eyes were narrowed, concentrating hard on an open biology book in front of her.
Yori glanced up, a look of blatant frustration on her face. Suddenly, she slammed the book shut and glared questioningly at Serena.
"Why didn't you tell him? He should know. She IS his girlfriend . . ." she fumed, staring incredulously as Serena shook her head.
"I don't want him to make any decisions on my account. He should realize how horrible she is on his own."
"You're too nice for your own good, Serena."
Serena chuckled. Mockingly, she let out a dramatic sigh.
"I know . . ."
The pair giggled and resumed their strenuous studying for an exam the next day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AN: Yeaah! So that's it! I have to thank all my reviewers! ^___^ LOTS AND LOTS OF THANKS!
Sky: Aw! Thanks! I fully intend to continue writing! I hope you enjoy it! ^_^
Panda10s: Uhhh . . . yes . . .you are weird! Hahaha . . .but I am so very lucky to have friends like you who review! YAH! I looove reviews! ^_^ Thanks for reading again! You're the best!
LiLKiKi15: Hehe . . .I liked writing that part too! ^__^ Thanks for reviewing again!
Namiko-Daughter of Sekhmet: I hope I updated soon enough for you! ^___^" I'm sooo glad you like my story!!! Thank you for reviewing!
Angelgirl 4-ever: Hehehe . . . I know . . . It took me a reeaaally long time to update! I'm sooo sorry! ^____^" Thanks for reviewing! I'll try to update sooner . . . well, at least every week, If I can . . .
Babli16: Thanks! I'm glad you like it! Thanks for reviewing!
Angel: Aww! Thank you! I'm really glad you enjoy reading my story! I'll try not to keep you waiting!
Sailor aqua001: Reaally? You love my story! That is sooo nice of you to say! Thank you for reviewing! ^__^
Mercurianprincess: Glad you like it! Thanks for the review!
super sailor usagi: I dunno exactly how I plan to have Darien find out . . .or if he will ever find out. Do you think he should? Hm . . . Thanks for the review!
Mae: Really? His eyes are blue? Hmm . . . I must have forgotten. I haven't watched the anime in a loooong time. ^____^" Thanks for pointing that out! I'll change his eye color to blue in the later chapters! I'm not exactly sure what part the teacher will play, but I think she'll be pretty important. I don't think I'll have a battle though . . .I'm no good at those. Thanks for being so observant! ^___^ I really appreciate it! Thanks for the review!!!
ThatsMsDiva2U: Thanks! I'm sooo glad you like my story! Thanks again for reviewing! ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AN: I'll try to update soon! Oh yeaaah . . .if you were wondering why Darien didn't notice, even though it was pretty obvious . . .well, that's because he is pretty oblivious. Do you think he should find out? Please review and tell me what you thought about this chapter! REVIEWS KEEP ME GOING!!! Please REVIEW! ^_~