Sometimes
by Phantasy Star
--------------------
Chapter Eight
"A trip, Raye?"
"Yeah, Serena!" the young priestess said enthusiastically, "Isn't it a
great idea? We can all take some time off!"
"And the monster attacks have been less frequent lately," Mina said, "If
anything really does come up, Luna can just give us a call."
Serena's face broke into a smile, "All right! A whole weekend of fun!
I can try to learn how to ski again!"
"Hopefully, we won't get stuck in a icy hole in the ground like last
time," Raye muttered.
"That was NOT fun," Serena said, "Anyway, I gotta go. Have to go pick
up Sammy from his art class. See you guys."
After the blonde had disappeared down the steps of Cherry Hill Temple,
her four friends looked at each other. Raye smiled evilly.
"Are you sure it's a good idea?" Amy said, "Darien and Serena's
relationship is really none of our business."
"None of my business?" Raye said incredulously, "Serena is one of my best
friends! I'm not going to sit here and do nothing when she is obviously
confused about her own feelings for Darien!"
"Okay, explain the plan to me again?" Lita said.
Raye sighed, exasperated, "The five of us are going up to my family's
ski cabin for the weekend. We'll invite Andrew and Elizabeth, and tell
Andrew to ask Darien along. Imagine, romantic weekend for Serena and
Darien. Without Ann and Alan."
"Hmm, it just may work..." Lita said slowly.
"It's gotta!"
* * *
"All right, we're off!" Serena squealed, "Ski trip, here I come!"
She looked around at the others, still smiling, "So, what are we waiting
for? All five of us are here."
"Well, Andrew and Lizzie are coming," Amy said, "And also..."
Before she could finish, three people came to view and came to the bus
stop.
Serena's mouth dropped open. Then she turned to look at Raye, who was
staring at her shoes, looking innocent.
"Oh, hi girls," Darien said, "Didn't know... you'd all be going."
"Okay, we're good to go then!" Raye said, ignoring a fuming blonde,
"Let's get on this bus!"
"Waaaaaait!"
Eight faces turned to see a redhead running towards them, hauling four
suitcases, two in each hand, and wearing a huge purple backpack.
"Surprise!" Ann said.
Raye stared.
Serena stared.
Amy, Lita, Mina, Andrew, Elizabeth, and Darien stared.
"I accidentally heard about the trip when you were talking about it in
math class yesterday, so... here I am! Ta-da!"
Amy, first to recover, smiled, "Hi Ann."
* * *
"So, where's that fancy cabin of yours, huh, Raye?" Ann said
enthusiastically once they were on the bus, then giggled, "Oh well, it
doesn't matter as long as I'm with Daaarien."
She turned to Darien, who sat beside her, sweating uncomfortably at the
way she clung on to him.
Raye groaned inwardly, trying to unclench her hands which had turned
white. How could this red-haired harpy just waltz in and ruin her plan?
Meanwhile, Serena looked out the window and tried not to look at the
couple.
She sighed. She was glad that Ann was so happy. She had never seen the
poor girl this full of energy.
Maybe Ann really did need Darien more than she did.
* * *
"Well," Raye said as she and the others stepped into the cabin, "This
place has eight rooms. We could each have had one, but then we had an
unexpected *visitor*. So, one of us is going to have to sleep
downstairs on the couch."
With that, she turned to look at Ann.
"I'll do it," Darien volunteered.
"Aw, you're so sweet!" Ann said.
Serena and seven other people (Darien included) cringed as Ann threw her
arms around Darien and lifted her head up to his, but Darien quickly
pushed her away.
"Anyway," Raye said, "Since it's so late, I guess we should all unpack
and turn in for the night. We've got a busy day tomorrow..."
"Okay, g'night guys," Serena said, "I'm so tired, I think I can sleep
in half a second.
* * *
Serena turned the other way and pulled the blanket tight around her.
It was almost two o'clock and she still wasn't asleep.
Half a second, yeah right.
'Why is Darien and Ann being together bothering me so much?' she thought,
'I thought I had moved on. I thought I was happy for them.'
She frowned and stared up at the ceiling.
'Don't think about it,' she told herself, 'You'll be fine when you get
up in the morning.'
She sighed.
'Maybe I just need a glass of water.'
She got up from her bed and tiptoed down to the joined living room and
kitchen. Then she saw Darien on the couch.
She smiled as she looked at him. He looked so innocent when he as
asleep, his hair resting comfortably away from his eyes.
She watched as his chest rose and fell slowly with every breath. Walking
a little closer, she sighed.
'How am I supposed to feel about you?' she thought, 'Why do you keep
giving me all these mixed feelings?'
She shook her head to clear her thoughts and turned around, heading for
the fridge.
"You're up late."
She froze and turned around to see Darien in his vest, rubbing his eyes
as he sat up and looked at her.
"Couldn't sleep," she answered, "Did I wake you up?"
He shook his head, "No. I wasn't sleeping either."
"Well, you're sure good at *pretending* to be asleep."
"I get that a lot," Darien said.
Serena rolled her eyes, "You always have trouble sleeping?"
"No..." Darien said, "Just that... I was thinking, that's all."
"Thinking 'bout what?"
"It's nothing," Darien said, "Things that I don't like to think about.
It's hard not to though, especially today..."
Serena blinked, confused, "What do you mean?"
"I..." Darien began, then chuckled, "Never mind."
"No, tell me," Serena said as she walked over to him and he made room
for her on the couch, swinging his legs over to the side.
"Well..." he said quietly, "Today's actually my birthday."
"Happy birthday," Serena said softly, "What happened?"
Darien turned to her, "What do you mean?"
"Something happened on your birthday a long time ago, didn't it?" Serena
whispered, "That's why you're sad..."
"Why do you think I'm sad?" Darien asked, shocked.
Serena smiled, "I don't know... I think it's your eyes."
Darien let out a breath of air, "Wow... Uh..."
He looked at her briefly, then turned away, "On my sixth birthday... I
was in a car accident with my parents, and... they were both killed."
Serena let out a small gasp, "I'm... so sorry."
"Don't be," Darien said, "I don't even remember who they were, what they
were like. It's not a big deal. I just get a little depressed sometimes
on my birthday, just because I'm different than everyone else, that's
all..."
Serena didn't say anything. She just put her hand over his larger one
and squeezed it.
"It must have been hard," she whispered.
"For a while, I guess," Darien said, "But it all turned out fine."
Serena nodded, "You're right. You grew up to be one of the smartest,
most successful people I know."
Darien laughed, "Wow, that's a compliment if I've ever heard one."
"Don't expect it often," Serena teased.
Suddenly, a huge roar of thunder interrupted them.
Serena let out a little scream and instinctively threw herself against
Darien. He wrapped his arms around her as if to protect her.
"I hate thunder!" Serena exclaimed, "I..."
She looked up to see Darien's eyes staring into hers, such a short
distance away.
"Serena..." he whispered, not loosening his grip.
He was about to lower his head when she pressed his hands against his
chest and pushed him away.
"Sorry!" Serena said as he fell back against the arm of the couch, "I
just... This is wrong! This isn't how I want my first kiss to be like!"
"You're right," Darien said, ashamed, "I'm sorry."
"It's just... Ann... and... and..."
"I know, I know," Darien said, shaking his head, "Really, I'm sorry. I
shouldn't have..."
"It's okay..." Serena said softly.
They sat in silence for a moment. Then he turned to her.
"Your first kiss?" he said, "What about... Alan?"
"Alan?" Serena said, "We were never even really together. We've agreed
to just be friends..."
Darien nodded understandingly.
"You know..." Serena said, "I think I'd better head back to my room.
Sorry about... um... you know..."
"It's not a big deal."
"Okay, good night."
"Good-"
The thunder roared again, and Serena screamed, jumping back on the
couch. She froze, staring up at Darien, who blushed slightly, looking
down at her.
"Serena..." he said softly.
Too close, she thought, way too close.
Before she knew it, he was lowering his head to hers.
"I..."
by Phantasy Star
--------------------
Chapter Eight
"A trip, Raye?"
"Yeah, Serena!" the young priestess said enthusiastically, "Isn't it a
great idea? We can all take some time off!"
"And the monster attacks have been less frequent lately," Mina said, "If
anything really does come up, Luna can just give us a call."
Serena's face broke into a smile, "All right! A whole weekend of fun!
I can try to learn how to ski again!"
"Hopefully, we won't get stuck in a icy hole in the ground like last
time," Raye muttered.
"That was NOT fun," Serena said, "Anyway, I gotta go. Have to go pick
up Sammy from his art class. See you guys."
After the blonde had disappeared down the steps of Cherry Hill Temple,
her four friends looked at each other. Raye smiled evilly.
"Are you sure it's a good idea?" Amy said, "Darien and Serena's
relationship is really none of our business."
"None of my business?" Raye said incredulously, "Serena is one of my best
friends! I'm not going to sit here and do nothing when she is obviously
confused about her own feelings for Darien!"
"Okay, explain the plan to me again?" Lita said.
Raye sighed, exasperated, "The five of us are going up to my family's
ski cabin for the weekend. We'll invite Andrew and Elizabeth, and tell
Andrew to ask Darien along. Imagine, romantic weekend for Serena and
Darien. Without Ann and Alan."
"Hmm, it just may work..." Lita said slowly.
"It's gotta!"
* * *
"All right, we're off!" Serena squealed, "Ski trip, here I come!"
She looked around at the others, still smiling, "So, what are we waiting
for? All five of us are here."
"Well, Andrew and Lizzie are coming," Amy said, "And also..."
Before she could finish, three people came to view and came to the bus
stop.
Serena's mouth dropped open. Then she turned to look at Raye, who was
staring at her shoes, looking innocent.
"Oh, hi girls," Darien said, "Didn't know... you'd all be going."
"Okay, we're good to go then!" Raye said, ignoring a fuming blonde,
"Let's get on this bus!"
"Waaaaaait!"
Eight faces turned to see a redhead running towards them, hauling four
suitcases, two in each hand, and wearing a huge purple backpack.
"Surprise!" Ann said.
Raye stared.
Serena stared.
Amy, Lita, Mina, Andrew, Elizabeth, and Darien stared.
"I accidentally heard about the trip when you were talking about it in
math class yesterday, so... here I am! Ta-da!"
Amy, first to recover, smiled, "Hi Ann."
* * *
"So, where's that fancy cabin of yours, huh, Raye?" Ann said
enthusiastically once they were on the bus, then giggled, "Oh well, it
doesn't matter as long as I'm with Daaarien."
She turned to Darien, who sat beside her, sweating uncomfortably at the
way she clung on to him.
Raye groaned inwardly, trying to unclench her hands which had turned
white. How could this red-haired harpy just waltz in and ruin her plan?
Meanwhile, Serena looked out the window and tried not to look at the
couple.
She sighed. She was glad that Ann was so happy. She had never seen the
poor girl this full of energy.
Maybe Ann really did need Darien more than she did.
* * *
"Well," Raye said as she and the others stepped into the cabin, "This
place has eight rooms. We could each have had one, but then we had an
unexpected *visitor*. So, one of us is going to have to sleep
downstairs on the couch."
With that, she turned to look at Ann.
"I'll do it," Darien volunteered.
"Aw, you're so sweet!" Ann said.
Serena and seven other people (Darien included) cringed as Ann threw her
arms around Darien and lifted her head up to his, but Darien quickly
pushed her away.
"Anyway," Raye said, "Since it's so late, I guess we should all unpack
and turn in for the night. We've got a busy day tomorrow..."
"Okay, g'night guys," Serena said, "I'm so tired, I think I can sleep
in half a second.
* * *
Serena turned the other way and pulled the blanket tight around her.
It was almost two o'clock and she still wasn't asleep.
Half a second, yeah right.
'Why is Darien and Ann being together bothering me so much?' she thought,
'I thought I had moved on. I thought I was happy for them.'
She frowned and stared up at the ceiling.
'Don't think about it,' she told herself, 'You'll be fine when you get
up in the morning.'
She sighed.
'Maybe I just need a glass of water.'
She got up from her bed and tiptoed down to the joined living room and
kitchen. Then she saw Darien on the couch.
She smiled as she looked at him. He looked so innocent when he as
asleep, his hair resting comfortably away from his eyes.
She watched as his chest rose and fell slowly with every breath. Walking
a little closer, she sighed.
'How am I supposed to feel about you?' she thought, 'Why do you keep
giving me all these mixed feelings?'
She shook her head to clear her thoughts and turned around, heading for
the fridge.
"You're up late."
She froze and turned around to see Darien in his vest, rubbing his eyes
as he sat up and looked at her.
"Couldn't sleep," she answered, "Did I wake you up?"
He shook his head, "No. I wasn't sleeping either."
"Well, you're sure good at *pretending* to be asleep."
"I get that a lot," Darien said.
Serena rolled her eyes, "You always have trouble sleeping?"
"No..." Darien said, "Just that... I was thinking, that's all."
"Thinking 'bout what?"
"It's nothing," Darien said, "Things that I don't like to think about.
It's hard not to though, especially today..."
Serena blinked, confused, "What do you mean?"
"I..." Darien began, then chuckled, "Never mind."
"No, tell me," Serena said as she walked over to him and he made room
for her on the couch, swinging his legs over to the side.
"Well..." he said quietly, "Today's actually my birthday."
"Happy birthday," Serena said softly, "What happened?"
Darien turned to her, "What do you mean?"
"Something happened on your birthday a long time ago, didn't it?" Serena
whispered, "That's why you're sad..."
"Why do you think I'm sad?" Darien asked, shocked.
Serena smiled, "I don't know... I think it's your eyes."
Darien let out a breath of air, "Wow... Uh..."
He looked at her briefly, then turned away, "On my sixth birthday... I
was in a car accident with my parents, and... they were both killed."
Serena let out a small gasp, "I'm... so sorry."
"Don't be," Darien said, "I don't even remember who they were, what they
were like. It's not a big deal. I just get a little depressed sometimes
on my birthday, just because I'm different than everyone else, that's
all..."
Serena didn't say anything. She just put her hand over his larger one
and squeezed it.
"It must have been hard," she whispered.
"For a while, I guess," Darien said, "But it all turned out fine."
Serena nodded, "You're right. You grew up to be one of the smartest,
most successful people I know."
Darien laughed, "Wow, that's a compliment if I've ever heard one."
"Don't expect it often," Serena teased.
Suddenly, a huge roar of thunder interrupted them.
Serena let out a little scream and instinctively threw herself against
Darien. He wrapped his arms around her as if to protect her.
"I hate thunder!" Serena exclaimed, "I..."
She looked up to see Darien's eyes staring into hers, such a short
distance away.
"Serena..." he whispered, not loosening his grip.
He was about to lower his head when she pressed his hands against his
chest and pushed him away.
"Sorry!" Serena said as he fell back against the arm of the couch, "I
just... This is wrong! This isn't how I want my first kiss to be like!"
"You're right," Darien said, ashamed, "I'm sorry."
"It's just... Ann... and... and..."
"I know, I know," Darien said, shaking his head, "Really, I'm sorry. I
shouldn't have..."
"It's okay..." Serena said softly.
They sat in silence for a moment. Then he turned to her.
"Your first kiss?" he said, "What about... Alan?"
"Alan?" Serena said, "We were never even really together. We've agreed
to just be friends..."
Darien nodded understandingly.
"You know..." Serena said, "I think I'd better head back to my room.
Sorry about... um... you know..."
"It's not a big deal."
"Okay, good night."
"Good-"
The thunder roared again, and Serena screamed, jumping back on the
couch. She froze, staring up at Darien, who blushed slightly, looking
down at her.
"Serena..." he said softly.
Too close, she thought, way too close.
Before she knew it, he was lowering his head to hers.
"I..."
