An Everly Tale
Chapter Four
By A Shot of Amber
Please remember to read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com.
An Everly Tale Chapter Four By A Shot of Amber
"Hey minna, I mean everybody, I'm not here right now! Please leave a message with your name and number and I'll call you back later! Ja Ne!"
The machine beeped then began to record. Darien took a breath and started to speak. "Hey Serena, its me Darien and I'm just calling to see how you are doing. I'm sorry my last call was so rushed. Please call me back on my cell, you have the number. Well bye."
Darien turned off the phone and set it back in its holder. He then sat back against his bed and looked up at the ceiling. He had said he would call Serena the day after their date but unfortunately he had been re- routed. When walking in the door of home he had been captured by his mother's advisor and told of his new plans for the week. The prince of some foreign country was getting married and he and the queen were off to the wedding. Before Darien could protest, the queen appeared. Usually she went to bed at nine but tonight she had stayed up to see him.
The queen was one of these womyn who looked like she was supposed to be a queen. She was short, only reaching five feet with long white hair that she always kept short and curled. Tonight she was dressed in a white night gown that went down to her lavender slippers which matched her lavender dressing gown. The queen had once been a beauty and it still seemed to cling to her like a mist. When she was dressed in her royal jewels she was like a glittering butterfly. Now she was dressed simply in her favorite color of purple.
"Mother what are you doing up? I thought you would be asleep long before this, its what?" Darien looked at his watch. "11 p.m."
"I was waiting for you Endymion," the queen replied, her voice still pure and sweet. "Please come with me, Edward I'll be fine. Please make sure the girls have all my things packed." The queen nodded her head to Edward her advisor then took Darien's arm and led him down the hall towards her room. Inside her sitting room which was decorated in shades of lavender like her dressing gown, tea and cakes had been set up on the table.
"Please have a seat while I pour the tea." The queen gestured to a chair then sat down herself and begin to pour tea into two china cups.
"Mother its late and you are pouring tea at this hour? Don't you think you should be sleeping?" Darien asked as he took a seat.
The queen did not answer but instead handed him a cup and took one for herself. After she took a small sip she lowered the cup to her lap and gave Darien a steady gaze that seemed to bore through his scull.
"I've decided to take our search for your bride out of this country and into another one. Prince Edvard of Sweden is getting married to some princess and we are invited to the wedding. I didn't know how to tell you so I waited until I could get you alone. You are very hard to get alone since you seem to always be busy."
"I do have a life mother."
"Yes and that life is pushing out your royal duties. Andrew by chance told me you had a date tonight with a commoner, a newspaper girl I gather."
"Yes and she is wonderful."
The queen held up one finger. "She may be wonderful but she is using you. Those types from the newspaper are the worst. They take a million pictures of us and talk about every little thing we do wrong. Because of them I'm not sincerely loved by my people."
"Now that's not true mother, everyone loves you. You've done so much for Basalt. More then we could ever believe and as for Serena, I don't think you have to worry about her. She didn't seem to know who I am. She's new to the country, fresh from Japan, and I'm not in the least bit worried about her. She'll never guess who I am, she's not that smart."
"Anyone can guess who you are Endymion, all they have to do is pick up a paper or magazine and see you with one of those bimbo's you seem to cavort with."
"Serena is not a bimbo," Darien replied lowering his eyebrows downward.
"Yes, yes, I see. Still I warn you to be careful of her. She is probably just out for a story and the only way she could get was by dating the prince himself." The queen shook her hand as if to dismiss the matter and went on to more important matters. "Now as for the wedding, we are leaving tomorrow by the jet. I want to get there early so we can dine with the royal family. It will be a small affair, just fifty people so be prepared to dress nicely. None of these ratty jeans you seem to prefer, instead tuxedo's and suits would be proper. And also I want you to meet Jeanette; she is the daughter of the Lord Enterbury of England. They say she is very beautiful and the seasons highest catch."
Darien sighed and looked over the queen's head to the pictures on the walls of pink cheeked shepherdess. This Jeanette was probably dull as paper with the personality of a china doll. He would meet her, kiss her hand and come back to Basalt happy to make another date with Serena. Serena! Suddenly Darien sat up. He was supposed to call Serena tomorrow! He was going to ask her out on another date, but how could he when he would be on a jet to Sweden?
"What is wrong Darien? You have this wild look in your eyes." The queen asked.
"I can't possibly go to Sweden tomorrow or any day. I made plans with Serena."
The queen sighed as if this was no big problem. "I'm afraid dear you are going to have to cancel. For you not to go to Sweden would be a slap in the face of the royal family. Just call the girl and tell her you're going away on a vacation or better yet just call her and end it with her. She'll never know the difference."
"Mother I'm not ending it with Serena, I just got to know her."
"No matter what you'll have to cancel your date with Serena. You are not dismissing the royal family so easily." The queen yawned and stood up. "Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to bed and I suggest you do the same. We are leaving at 9 am tomorrow morning."
Darien stood up also and set down his tea cup. He bent over and kissed his mother's cheek before walking out of the room. At the moment he was not the happiest man on Earth. He was angered by the fact that this trip had to come up at the worst of times. He had really enjoyed his date with Serena. She was sexy, easy to talk to, funny, and to tell the truth he had had a great time with her. He was all ready to call her tomorrow and ask her to a movie. Now that would never happen. Instead he found himself walking to his room and plopping down on the bed. Darien let out a breath of air and looked at the ceiling which glowed in the dim light from the hall. He then turned his head and looked at the phone next to him. All he had to do was call her and tell her something came up. Maybe the death of a loved one, or a business trip, no wait he had told her he didn't work. Then maybe the death of a loved one so she wouldn't have any idea where he was going. Yes that would be it!
Darien sat up and picked up the black plastic phone. He already knew the number which he punched in.
* * * * * * *
Serena was just walking out of the bathroom after she had finished flossing her teeth. She was dressed in her favorite pair of pajamas, a pair of pink plaid flannel pants and a white t-shirt with the words "Miss Wonderful" written on it. Her hair was down and braided into one long braid. She was fully prepared and about to climb into bed when the phone rang.
Serena looked up from the coverlet at the phone next to her. The number pad was lit up and as if to confirm her thoughts it rang again. Serena looked at the clock next to the phone. Yep it was almost midnight so who would be calling now? Her family knew what time it was here so it couldn't be them. Still it had to be something important, maybe it was them and something terrible had happened!
Serena reached for the phone and picked it up. "Hello?" She asked nervously.
"Hey Serena! Its me Darien."
Serena let out a sigh of relief and brought one leg up to bend at the knee and rest on her bed. "Darien! Wow you scared me for a second there! I thought it was my family calling to tell me something awful happened."
"No, its just me." On the other end Darien smiled as he heard her sigh of relief.
"Well I'm glad you called because I don't know if I ever told you but I had a great time tonight."
Darien smiled. "Yea so did I." He ran his hands through his hair. How was he going to tell her?
"You know I was thinking while I was getting ready for bed after you left, I'm free this weekend if you want to maybe go on a picnic or something? I know there is a lake here and I thought you could maybe show me around the park."
It was now or never. "Serena I would really love to but I'm really sorry but I can't get together with you this weekend. I really hate this but something came up."
"Oh..." Suddenly everything seemed to deflate inside of her.
"I know this sounds bad but it's the real truth. One my family members died and I just got wind of it. My mother and I are leaving tomorrow to go the funeral for a few days but when I get back I would love to go out with you again."
"Where is the funeral at?"
"Sweden," he replied automatically. Damn! He shouldn't have said that!
"Oh wow! I heard Sweden is a beautiful place." Serena smiled. "Hey you know, I understand completely. You need to go to the funeral and I shouldn't be so selfish as to be jealous. I would love to get together again when you get back, just give me a call."
"I'll definetly do that. Thanks for understanding Serena."
"No problem. Now you know its late and I need sleep before work tomorrow, I mean today so I'll talk to you when I get back. Bye." Serena hung up the phone and dropped her leg back over the edge of the bed. He wouldn't lie? Would he? No! He was too nice and genuine for that! He truly did have a funeral to go to! Just, wow, Sweden! That family member must have been distant if they were living all the way in Sweden.
"Stop it Serena! He does like you, he said so himself!" Serena yelled at herself. She looked over at the phone as if waiting for it to ring again and it would be Darien calling to tell her he wanted to end it. No he wouldn't do that. Serena pushed back the covers and climbed into bed. She reached over and shut of the light and curled up on her side.
He was a genuine guy...right?
* * * * * * *
It was a week later when Serena walked in to the loft with a few bags of groceries in hand. She didn't even look at the answering machine with its flashing light as she walked into the kitchen to deposit her bags on the counter. A white plastic bag was turned over and dumped onto the gray granite spreading bags of fruit and packages of fish everywhere. Serena quickly put away here food, all remenets of the things she used to eat in Japan including doughnuts and a cake. When she was done she walked past the phone into her bedroom to change into some old jeans and a t-shirt. She still had cleaning to do before her movie night with Mina and Lita. But for the minute she just wanted to sit down and relax. Back in the main room Serena plopped down on the couch and sighed as her muscles begin to ease out of their knots.
It had been a busy day at work. She had typed out two columns and answered her fan mail plus helped to fix the copy machine which she had by accident jammed with to much paper and broke. Yes it had been a very long day.
Serena let her head fall back onto the couch and was about to close her eyes when she saw the flashing light. Someone had called! Instantly awake and no longer full of knots Serena pressed the button.
"You have one unheard message, first message. '"Hey Serena, its me Darien and I'm just calling to see how you are doing. I'm sorry my last call was so rushed. Please call me back on my cell, you have the number. Well bye."'
He had called! Instantly all her doubts about him had vanished. She smiled and picked up the phone. Over the week since his last call on Monday she had been afraid that he may never call again. There had been those doubts about a funeral in Sweden but now it didn't matter! He had called! Serena pressed the call back button. There was a beeping sound and the phone began to ring. One ring...two rings...three rings... "Hello?" It was Darien's voice.
"Konichiwa! I mean hi Darien! Its me, Serena!"
"Serena!" His voice filled with gladness. He sounded genuinely happy to hear from her. "How are you?"
She sighed and brought her feet up to tuck them underneath her. " Tired. I had a long day at work."
"Oh, sounds bad. So you might not be up to seeing a movie with me tonight? There is a new Tim Burton movie out that all the Americans are raving about."
Serena smiled, her heart filling with happiness. "I would love to," she suddenly remembered the movie night she was supposed to be having with her friends. "Oh! But I can't!"
"Why not?"
"I'm already having a movie night with my friends. We had this planned already. Some of my neighbors are coming over and we're going to order some chinese and watch movies all night."
"Sounds like fun. Can I guess its all girls?"
"Yes! How did you know?"
"A friend of mine, Rei always does the same thing with her friends. They watch a sad movie and the first girl to cry orders and picks up a pizza for the rest of the girls. It must be a girl thing. Do you do that?"
"No but it sounds like a good idea although I would probably be the first to cry. I'm easy to tears."
His warm laughter filled the line making her heart beat faster. "I could see you doing that. You look like the kind of girl who has the kind of soft heart that is easy to tears."
She beamed with happiness.
"Well I won't keep you from getting ready for your movie night. You probably have to clean, right?"
"Yea," she said dreamily.
"Then get to work and go out with me tomorrow. We could catch dinner and movie. What do you say?"
"I would love to!"
"Great," he shifted the phone onto his shoulder as he pulled out his date book. "How about I pick you up at your place at 7pm. That way we can make a 9 o'clock show. Maybe we can even go to some Chinese place. You like Chinese food right? Its like the stuff you had at home."
"Actually Darien Chinese food and Japanese food are really different."
"Oh, well, then maybe we can find a Japanese restaurant somewhere in town. I'll go online and find one. In the meantime you have a good time with your friends and I'll see you tomorrow. And dress casual, just jeans and a nice blouse are fine, nothing fancy. Bye Serena."
"Bye Darien," she replied softy as she heard the click of his phone. Thrilled to pieces she hung up her own phone and got up from the couch. She had a date! Tomorrow! With Darien!
Serena pumped her fist in the air and kicked one leg in front of her before walking off to the cleaning closet.
* * * * * * *
"Alright everyone! We have for our viewing pleasure these wonderful American titles. "The English Patient."
"Oh please, not that movie again!" Lita groaned. "How many times have you made me watch that movie? Fifty times now?"
"It's a good movie!" Mina replied waving the DVD in the air.
"Well I give it a thumbs down. What about you Serena?"
"I don't know! I've never seen it!" Serena shouted from the kitchen where she was fixing drinks.
"Serena gives it a thumbs down also," Lita replied holding both thumbs down. "Pick something else."
"Alright," Mina set the box down and looked through the other movies she was holding. "How about Clueless?"
"To juvenile. We are adults here Mina."
"Fine," the movie went into the discard pile. "How about Possession?"
"The one where the hot guy takes off his shirt? That English guy, what's his name?" Lita asked.
"I have no idea but yes he does take off his shirt in the movie," Mina replied.
"Sounds good to me. Pop it in!" Lita settled back on the couch, happy now that the movie had been chosen.
Mina got up from kneeling in front of the glass coffee table and put the cassette into the VCR just as Serena walked out of the kitchen with a tray of drinks and a bottle of tequila.
"Drinks are here!" She sang gaily as she set the tray down on the table and picked up two full shot glasses.
"Serena! Did you buy a whole bottle of tequila for us three?" Lita asked wide eyed.
"Between the three of us its hardly anything," Serena replied handing Mina then Lita a shot glass before taking one for herself. "Come on pikers! I used to do this all the time with my friends in Japan except over there it was Sake. Come on! One! Two! Three! Drink!" She tossed the whole thing down her throat and swallowed. After a moment's hesitation Lita did the same thing.
"Wow that stuff is nasty. Give me another shot," Mina said making a face but holding out her glass again.
"Its nasty yet you still drink it?" Lita asked in shock while Serena filled Mina's glass again.
"Yes, I need to get drunk. Those little spores at the day care center are driving me nuts." She tossed back her drink then sat down. "I can already feel the alcohol taking over." Mina sighed and smiled.
"Do you want another shot Lita?" Serena asked holding out the full bottle.
"No thanks. I think I'll stick with soda. I don't like the taste of tequila."
"Do you want some rum and coke?"
"I don't really like rum either," Lita began.
"Oh come on Lita! You can't even taste the rum in a can of coke!" Mina chided. "You might as well get drunk! We can't possibly have a movie night unless everyone is drunk."
"You two get drunk. I'll be the sober one who answers the door for the delivery guy," Lita replied.
"No way! Your getting drunk just like the rest of us!" Mina shook her head and turned to Serena. "Get her a rum and coke and make sure she drinks it."
Serena got up and headed to the kitchen to fix the drink while Lita turned around on the couch.
"Alright but not to much rum! Just a teaspoon full please!" She called into the kitchen while Mina shook her head and sighed.
It was about 40 minutes into the movie when the girls decided to have a game of truth or dare. Mina and Serena had already had two shots and Lita was on her second rum and coke. The movie was forgotten as they all experienced fits of giggles over the fact that the womyn were wearing dresses. It was Mina who suggested the game and the other two girls quickly agreed.
Serena was picked first and decided to choose truth.
"Alright Serena," Mina began. "Are you a virgin?"
"Yes I am," Serena replied solemnly.
"Boring!" Lita booed pointing her thumb down.
"Alright! If you think that is boring then you think up some fantastic truth or dare for Serena." Mina replied angrily.
"Actually I have a great dare for you Mina," Lita giggled.
"What is it?"
"I dare you," Lita giggled again. "I dare you to dress up only in a towel when the delivery guy comes and to answer the door like that."
Serena burst out laughing while Mina got a determined look on her face. She stood up and brushed her hair behind her. "Fine! I accept your dare. Serena where do you keep your towels?"
"In the linen closet next to my bedroom," Serena giggled.
Mina stalked off into the bathroom while Lita and Serena laughed at the mental picture of the delivery guy's face. Hopefully he was hot.
Soon Mina emerged from the bathroom dressed in a pink terrycloth towel that only went down to mid-thigh. Her hair was completely down, her trademark red bow laying on the floor along with her other clothes. Mina walked over to the couch and was about to sit down when the buzzer rang.
"Oh lord! Its him!" Lita gasped then burst into laughter.
Mina stood up and squared her shoulders. She walked over the door holding the towel together with one hand and pressed the intercom button. " Just a moment I'll buzz you in. I'm in apartment 4C." She sang into the intercom then pressed a button letting the delivery guy in.
Mina turned to the two girls and gave them a thumbs up sign before turning towards the door. She waited till the doorbell rang then counted to three before opening the door and putting on her biggest smile.
"Hi there! I'm sorry for my appearance! I didn't think you'd be here so soon so I thought I would just hop in the shower. But just as I was about to hop in I remembered I needed shampoo so I thought I would ask for some from my neighbors and just as I was going to go get some you arrived! Talk about perfect timing!"
The poor delivery guy could just gawk. Here was this beautiful blond womyn in a pink towel chattering about shampoo to him. He could do the only thing he knew how to do.
"Um, I'm glad I got here in just in time. I mean I'm sorry to be such a hassle. Here is your food ma'am. Its going to be E17.68.
"Oh wonderful! Serena! Could you be a dear and take this? I can't since I'm holding up my towel and if I let go it might drop and that would be terribly embarrassing!" She laughed softly and looked him right in the eye.
Serena got up quickly and took the food from the poor guy and put a twenty into his hands. "Keep the change," she said softly before backing away.
"Thank you so much...um..." Mina began.
"Brian, my name's Brian," Brian replied still staring at her in awe.
"Oh thank you Brian! You're so sweet." She kissed her hand then touched his cheek. "I hope to see you again soon Brian! Bye!" Mina closed the door and sighed before turning to the other girls. "Tada!" She cried letting go of the towel so it could slip to the ground.
"Mina!" Lita replied horrified.
Mina was wearing her bra with the straps tucked in and her orange panties.
"I thought you were supposed to be naked under there!" Lita cried.
"If I was naked I could have never pulled it off. What if my towel fell off and I accidentally flashed him? He was only 18 years old you know. I couldn't scare a minor like that."
Serena laughed and set the food down on the coffee table. "Mina you are something else. Go and get dressed so we can eat and finish the movie."
Mina winked at the them and walked into the bedroom to get dressed and fold the towel and put it away. When she came back the girls ate their food and finished their Possession.
It was during the second movie, Ever After, that the girls started gossiping. They chatted about work and co-workers before going onto their love lives. Lita and Mina were currently single so they chatted more about Serena's love life.
"So your seeing this Darien guy for a second time tomorrow night? That's great, it must be serious."
"Oh Lita! Its just a second date, there is nothing serious about that. I think its great though, he's really handsome, at least what I saw," Mina replied.
"Yea he is handsome," Serena sighed dropping her head onto her hand.
"You know," Mina giggled. "I thought he kind of looked like Prince Endymion."
"The prince is handsome," Lita concided.
"I've never seen the prince. What does he look like?" Serena asked lifting her head again.
"He's tall with this wavy black hair and blue eyes. Your standard male and he's a helpless womanizer. He's always having a scandal with some womyn or another. I doubt he'll ever settle down and get married," Mina replied.
"The queen is anxious to have him married so he can produce an heir," Lita added.
Mina begin to giggle again. "What if you really were dating the prince of Basalt Serena? Wouldn't that be hilarious?"
"I highly doubt my Darien is the prince of Basalt. They don't even have the same first name," Serena replied closing the matter soundly.
Sorry this was so long but I did have a lot of fun writing this chapter! Please read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you and I hope to have chapter five out next week!
Please remember to read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com.
An Everly Tale Chapter Four By A Shot of Amber
"Hey minna, I mean everybody, I'm not here right now! Please leave a message with your name and number and I'll call you back later! Ja Ne!"
The machine beeped then began to record. Darien took a breath and started to speak. "Hey Serena, its me Darien and I'm just calling to see how you are doing. I'm sorry my last call was so rushed. Please call me back on my cell, you have the number. Well bye."
Darien turned off the phone and set it back in its holder. He then sat back against his bed and looked up at the ceiling. He had said he would call Serena the day after their date but unfortunately he had been re- routed. When walking in the door of home he had been captured by his mother's advisor and told of his new plans for the week. The prince of some foreign country was getting married and he and the queen were off to the wedding. Before Darien could protest, the queen appeared. Usually she went to bed at nine but tonight she had stayed up to see him.
The queen was one of these womyn who looked like she was supposed to be a queen. She was short, only reaching five feet with long white hair that she always kept short and curled. Tonight she was dressed in a white night gown that went down to her lavender slippers which matched her lavender dressing gown. The queen had once been a beauty and it still seemed to cling to her like a mist. When she was dressed in her royal jewels she was like a glittering butterfly. Now she was dressed simply in her favorite color of purple.
"Mother what are you doing up? I thought you would be asleep long before this, its what?" Darien looked at his watch. "11 p.m."
"I was waiting for you Endymion," the queen replied, her voice still pure and sweet. "Please come with me, Edward I'll be fine. Please make sure the girls have all my things packed." The queen nodded her head to Edward her advisor then took Darien's arm and led him down the hall towards her room. Inside her sitting room which was decorated in shades of lavender like her dressing gown, tea and cakes had been set up on the table.
"Please have a seat while I pour the tea." The queen gestured to a chair then sat down herself and begin to pour tea into two china cups.
"Mother its late and you are pouring tea at this hour? Don't you think you should be sleeping?" Darien asked as he took a seat.
The queen did not answer but instead handed him a cup and took one for herself. After she took a small sip she lowered the cup to her lap and gave Darien a steady gaze that seemed to bore through his scull.
"I've decided to take our search for your bride out of this country and into another one. Prince Edvard of Sweden is getting married to some princess and we are invited to the wedding. I didn't know how to tell you so I waited until I could get you alone. You are very hard to get alone since you seem to always be busy."
"I do have a life mother."
"Yes and that life is pushing out your royal duties. Andrew by chance told me you had a date tonight with a commoner, a newspaper girl I gather."
"Yes and she is wonderful."
The queen held up one finger. "She may be wonderful but she is using you. Those types from the newspaper are the worst. They take a million pictures of us and talk about every little thing we do wrong. Because of them I'm not sincerely loved by my people."
"Now that's not true mother, everyone loves you. You've done so much for Basalt. More then we could ever believe and as for Serena, I don't think you have to worry about her. She didn't seem to know who I am. She's new to the country, fresh from Japan, and I'm not in the least bit worried about her. She'll never guess who I am, she's not that smart."
"Anyone can guess who you are Endymion, all they have to do is pick up a paper or magazine and see you with one of those bimbo's you seem to cavort with."
"Serena is not a bimbo," Darien replied lowering his eyebrows downward.
"Yes, yes, I see. Still I warn you to be careful of her. She is probably just out for a story and the only way she could get was by dating the prince himself." The queen shook her hand as if to dismiss the matter and went on to more important matters. "Now as for the wedding, we are leaving tomorrow by the jet. I want to get there early so we can dine with the royal family. It will be a small affair, just fifty people so be prepared to dress nicely. None of these ratty jeans you seem to prefer, instead tuxedo's and suits would be proper. And also I want you to meet Jeanette; she is the daughter of the Lord Enterbury of England. They say she is very beautiful and the seasons highest catch."
Darien sighed and looked over the queen's head to the pictures on the walls of pink cheeked shepherdess. This Jeanette was probably dull as paper with the personality of a china doll. He would meet her, kiss her hand and come back to Basalt happy to make another date with Serena. Serena! Suddenly Darien sat up. He was supposed to call Serena tomorrow! He was going to ask her out on another date, but how could he when he would be on a jet to Sweden?
"What is wrong Darien? You have this wild look in your eyes." The queen asked.
"I can't possibly go to Sweden tomorrow or any day. I made plans with Serena."
The queen sighed as if this was no big problem. "I'm afraid dear you are going to have to cancel. For you not to go to Sweden would be a slap in the face of the royal family. Just call the girl and tell her you're going away on a vacation or better yet just call her and end it with her. She'll never know the difference."
"Mother I'm not ending it with Serena, I just got to know her."
"No matter what you'll have to cancel your date with Serena. You are not dismissing the royal family so easily." The queen yawned and stood up. "Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to bed and I suggest you do the same. We are leaving at 9 am tomorrow morning."
Darien stood up also and set down his tea cup. He bent over and kissed his mother's cheek before walking out of the room. At the moment he was not the happiest man on Earth. He was angered by the fact that this trip had to come up at the worst of times. He had really enjoyed his date with Serena. She was sexy, easy to talk to, funny, and to tell the truth he had had a great time with her. He was all ready to call her tomorrow and ask her to a movie. Now that would never happen. Instead he found himself walking to his room and plopping down on the bed. Darien let out a breath of air and looked at the ceiling which glowed in the dim light from the hall. He then turned his head and looked at the phone next to him. All he had to do was call her and tell her something came up. Maybe the death of a loved one, or a business trip, no wait he had told her he didn't work. Then maybe the death of a loved one so she wouldn't have any idea where he was going. Yes that would be it!
Darien sat up and picked up the black plastic phone. He already knew the number which he punched in.
* * * * * * *
Serena was just walking out of the bathroom after she had finished flossing her teeth. She was dressed in her favorite pair of pajamas, a pair of pink plaid flannel pants and a white t-shirt with the words "Miss Wonderful" written on it. Her hair was down and braided into one long braid. She was fully prepared and about to climb into bed when the phone rang.
Serena looked up from the coverlet at the phone next to her. The number pad was lit up and as if to confirm her thoughts it rang again. Serena looked at the clock next to the phone. Yep it was almost midnight so who would be calling now? Her family knew what time it was here so it couldn't be them. Still it had to be something important, maybe it was them and something terrible had happened!
Serena reached for the phone and picked it up. "Hello?" She asked nervously.
"Hey Serena! Its me Darien."
Serena let out a sigh of relief and brought one leg up to bend at the knee and rest on her bed. "Darien! Wow you scared me for a second there! I thought it was my family calling to tell me something awful happened."
"No, its just me." On the other end Darien smiled as he heard her sigh of relief.
"Well I'm glad you called because I don't know if I ever told you but I had a great time tonight."
Darien smiled. "Yea so did I." He ran his hands through his hair. How was he going to tell her?
"You know I was thinking while I was getting ready for bed after you left, I'm free this weekend if you want to maybe go on a picnic or something? I know there is a lake here and I thought you could maybe show me around the park."
It was now or never. "Serena I would really love to but I'm really sorry but I can't get together with you this weekend. I really hate this but something came up."
"Oh..." Suddenly everything seemed to deflate inside of her.
"I know this sounds bad but it's the real truth. One my family members died and I just got wind of it. My mother and I are leaving tomorrow to go the funeral for a few days but when I get back I would love to go out with you again."
"Where is the funeral at?"
"Sweden," he replied automatically. Damn! He shouldn't have said that!
"Oh wow! I heard Sweden is a beautiful place." Serena smiled. "Hey you know, I understand completely. You need to go to the funeral and I shouldn't be so selfish as to be jealous. I would love to get together again when you get back, just give me a call."
"I'll definetly do that. Thanks for understanding Serena."
"No problem. Now you know its late and I need sleep before work tomorrow, I mean today so I'll talk to you when I get back. Bye." Serena hung up the phone and dropped her leg back over the edge of the bed. He wouldn't lie? Would he? No! He was too nice and genuine for that! He truly did have a funeral to go to! Just, wow, Sweden! That family member must have been distant if they were living all the way in Sweden.
"Stop it Serena! He does like you, he said so himself!" Serena yelled at herself. She looked over at the phone as if waiting for it to ring again and it would be Darien calling to tell her he wanted to end it. No he wouldn't do that. Serena pushed back the covers and climbed into bed. She reached over and shut of the light and curled up on her side.
He was a genuine guy...right?
* * * * * * *
It was a week later when Serena walked in to the loft with a few bags of groceries in hand. She didn't even look at the answering machine with its flashing light as she walked into the kitchen to deposit her bags on the counter. A white plastic bag was turned over and dumped onto the gray granite spreading bags of fruit and packages of fish everywhere. Serena quickly put away here food, all remenets of the things she used to eat in Japan including doughnuts and a cake. When she was done she walked past the phone into her bedroom to change into some old jeans and a t-shirt. She still had cleaning to do before her movie night with Mina and Lita. But for the minute she just wanted to sit down and relax. Back in the main room Serena plopped down on the couch and sighed as her muscles begin to ease out of their knots.
It had been a busy day at work. She had typed out two columns and answered her fan mail plus helped to fix the copy machine which she had by accident jammed with to much paper and broke. Yes it had been a very long day.
Serena let her head fall back onto the couch and was about to close her eyes when she saw the flashing light. Someone had called! Instantly awake and no longer full of knots Serena pressed the button.
"You have one unheard message, first message. '"Hey Serena, its me Darien and I'm just calling to see how you are doing. I'm sorry my last call was so rushed. Please call me back on my cell, you have the number. Well bye."'
He had called! Instantly all her doubts about him had vanished. She smiled and picked up the phone. Over the week since his last call on Monday she had been afraid that he may never call again. There had been those doubts about a funeral in Sweden but now it didn't matter! He had called! Serena pressed the call back button. There was a beeping sound and the phone began to ring. One ring...two rings...three rings... "Hello?" It was Darien's voice.
"Konichiwa! I mean hi Darien! Its me, Serena!"
"Serena!" His voice filled with gladness. He sounded genuinely happy to hear from her. "How are you?"
She sighed and brought her feet up to tuck them underneath her. " Tired. I had a long day at work."
"Oh, sounds bad. So you might not be up to seeing a movie with me tonight? There is a new Tim Burton movie out that all the Americans are raving about."
Serena smiled, her heart filling with happiness. "I would love to," she suddenly remembered the movie night she was supposed to be having with her friends. "Oh! But I can't!"
"Why not?"
"I'm already having a movie night with my friends. We had this planned already. Some of my neighbors are coming over and we're going to order some chinese and watch movies all night."
"Sounds like fun. Can I guess its all girls?"
"Yes! How did you know?"
"A friend of mine, Rei always does the same thing with her friends. They watch a sad movie and the first girl to cry orders and picks up a pizza for the rest of the girls. It must be a girl thing. Do you do that?"
"No but it sounds like a good idea although I would probably be the first to cry. I'm easy to tears."
His warm laughter filled the line making her heart beat faster. "I could see you doing that. You look like the kind of girl who has the kind of soft heart that is easy to tears."
She beamed with happiness.
"Well I won't keep you from getting ready for your movie night. You probably have to clean, right?"
"Yea," she said dreamily.
"Then get to work and go out with me tomorrow. We could catch dinner and movie. What do you say?"
"I would love to!"
"Great," he shifted the phone onto his shoulder as he pulled out his date book. "How about I pick you up at your place at 7pm. That way we can make a 9 o'clock show. Maybe we can even go to some Chinese place. You like Chinese food right? Its like the stuff you had at home."
"Actually Darien Chinese food and Japanese food are really different."
"Oh, well, then maybe we can find a Japanese restaurant somewhere in town. I'll go online and find one. In the meantime you have a good time with your friends and I'll see you tomorrow. And dress casual, just jeans and a nice blouse are fine, nothing fancy. Bye Serena."
"Bye Darien," she replied softy as she heard the click of his phone. Thrilled to pieces she hung up her own phone and got up from the couch. She had a date! Tomorrow! With Darien!
Serena pumped her fist in the air and kicked one leg in front of her before walking off to the cleaning closet.
* * * * * * *
"Alright everyone! We have for our viewing pleasure these wonderful American titles. "The English Patient."
"Oh please, not that movie again!" Lita groaned. "How many times have you made me watch that movie? Fifty times now?"
"It's a good movie!" Mina replied waving the DVD in the air.
"Well I give it a thumbs down. What about you Serena?"
"I don't know! I've never seen it!" Serena shouted from the kitchen where she was fixing drinks.
"Serena gives it a thumbs down also," Lita replied holding both thumbs down. "Pick something else."
"Alright," Mina set the box down and looked through the other movies she was holding. "How about Clueless?"
"To juvenile. We are adults here Mina."
"Fine," the movie went into the discard pile. "How about Possession?"
"The one where the hot guy takes off his shirt? That English guy, what's his name?" Lita asked.
"I have no idea but yes he does take off his shirt in the movie," Mina replied.
"Sounds good to me. Pop it in!" Lita settled back on the couch, happy now that the movie had been chosen.
Mina got up from kneeling in front of the glass coffee table and put the cassette into the VCR just as Serena walked out of the kitchen with a tray of drinks and a bottle of tequila.
"Drinks are here!" She sang gaily as she set the tray down on the table and picked up two full shot glasses.
"Serena! Did you buy a whole bottle of tequila for us three?" Lita asked wide eyed.
"Between the three of us its hardly anything," Serena replied handing Mina then Lita a shot glass before taking one for herself. "Come on pikers! I used to do this all the time with my friends in Japan except over there it was Sake. Come on! One! Two! Three! Drink!" She tossed the whole thing down her throat and swallowed. After a moment's hesitation Lita did the same thing.
"Wow that stuff is nasty. Give me another shot," Mina said making a face but holding out her glass again.
"Its nasty yet you still drink it?" Lita asked in shock while Serena filled Mina's glass again.
"Yes, I need to get drunk. Those little spores at the day care center are driving me nuts." She tossed back her drink then sat down. "I can already feel the alcohol taking over." Mina sighed and smiled.
"Do you want another shot Lita?" Serena asked holding out the full bottle.
"No thanks. I think I'll stick with soda. I don't like the taste of tequila."
"Do you want some rum and coke?"
"I don't really like rum either," Lita began.
"Oh come on Lita! You can't even taste the rum in a can of coke!" Mina chided. "You might as well get drunk! We can't possibly have a movie night unless everyone is drunk."
"You two get drunk. I'll be the sober one who answers the door for the delivery guy," Lita replied.
"No way! Your getting drunk just like the rest of us!" Mina shook her head and turned to Serena. "Get her a rum and coke and make sure she drinks it."
Serena got up and headed to the kitchen to fix the drink while Lita turned around on the couch.
"Alright but not to much rum! Just a teaspoon full please!" She called into the kitchen while Mina shook her head and sighed.
It was about 40 minutes into the movie when the girls decided to have a game of truth or dare. Mina and Serena had already had two shots and Lita was on her second rum and coke. The movie was forgotten as they all experienced fits of giggles over the fact that the womyn were wearing dresses. It was Mina who suggested the game and the other two girls quickly agreed.
Serena was picked first and decided to choose truth.
"Alright Serena," Mina began. "Are you a virgin?"
"Yes I am," Serena replied solemnly.
"Boring!" Lita booed pointing her thumb down.
"Alright! If you think that is boring then you think up some fantastic truth or dare for Serena." Mina replied angrily.
"Actually I have a great dare for you Mina," Lita giggled.
"What is it?"
"I dare you," Lita giggled again. "I dare you to dress up only in a towel when the delivery guy comes and to answer the door like that."
Serena burst out laughing while Mina got a determined look on her face. She stood up and brushed her hair behind her. "Fine! I accept your dare. Serena where do you keep your towels?"
"In the linen closet next to my bedroom," Serena giggled.
Mina stalked off into the bathroom while Lita and Serena laughed at the mental picture of the delivery guy's face. Hopefully he was hot.
Soon Mina emerged from the bathroom dressed in a pink terrycloth towel that only went down to mid-thigh. Her hair was completely down, her trademark red bow laying on the floor along with her other clothes. Mina walked over to the couch and was about to sit down when the buzzer rang.
"Oh lord! Its him!" Lita gasped then burst into laughter.
Mina stood up and squared her shoulders. She walked over the door holding the towel together with one hand and pressed the intercom button. " Just a moment I'll buzz you in. I'm in apartment 4C." She sang into the intercom then pressed a button letting the delivery guy in.
Mina turned to the two girls and gave them a thumbs up sign before turning towards the door. She waited till the doorbell rang then counted to three before opening the door and putting on her biggest smile.
"Hi there! I'm sorry for my appearance! I didn't think you'd be here so soon so I thought I would just hop in the shower. But just as I was about to hop in I remembered I needed shampoo so I thought I would ask for some from my neighbors and just as I was going to go get some you arrived! Talk about perfect timing!"
The poor delivery guy could just gawk. Here was this beautiful blond womyn in a pink towel chattering about shampoo to him. He could do the only thing he knew how to do.
"Um, I'm glad I got here in just in time. I mean I'm sorry to be such a hassle. Here is your food ma'am. Its going to be E17.68.
"Oh wonderful! Serena! Could you be a dear and take this? I can't since I'm holding up my towel and if I let go it might drop and that would be terribly embarrassing!" She laughed softly and looked him right in the eye.
Serena got up quickly and took the food from the poor guy and put a twenty into his hands. "Keep the change," she said softly before backing away.
"Thank you so much...um..." Mina began.
"Brian, my name's Brian," Brian replied still staring at her in awe.
"Oh thank you Brian! You're so sweet." She kissed her hand then touched his cheek. "I hope to see you again soon Brian! Bye!" Mina closed the door and sighed before turning to the other girls. "Tada!" She cried letting go of the towel so it could slip to the ground.
"Mina!" Lita replied horrified.
Mina was wearing her bra with the straps tucked in and her orange panties.
"I thought you were supposed to be naked under there!" Lita cried.
"If I was naked I could have never pulled it off. What if my towel fell off and I accidentally flashed him? He was only 18 years old you know. I couldn't scare a minor like that."
Serena laughed and set the food down on the coffee table. "Mina you are something else. Go and get dressed so we can eat and finish the movie."
Mina winked at the them and walked into the bedroom to get dressed and fold the towel and put it away. When she came back the girls ate their food and finished their Possession.
It was during the second movie, Ever After, that the girls started gossiping. They chatted about work and co-workers before going onto their love lives. Lita and Mina were currently single so they chatted more about Serena's love life.
"So your seeing this Darien guy for a second time tomorrow night? That's great, it must be serious."
"Oh Lita! Its just a second date, there is nothing serious about that. I think its great though, he's really handsome, at least what I saw," Mina replied.
"Yea he is handsome," Serena sighed dropping her head onto her hand.
"You know," Mina giggled. "I thought he kind of looked like Prince Endymion."
"The prince is handsome," Lita concided.
"I've never seen the prince. What does he look like?" Serena asked lifting her head again.
"He's tall with this wavy black hair and blue eyes. Your standard male and he's a helpless womanizer. He's always having a scandal with some womyn or another. I doubt he'll ever settle down and get married," Mina replied.
"The queen is anxious to have him married so he can produce an heir," Lita added.
Mina begin to giggle again. "What if you really were dating the prince of Basalt Serena? Wouldn't that be hilarious?"
"I highly doubt my Darien is the prince of Basalt. They don't even have the same first name," Serena replied closing the matter soundly.
Sorry this was so long but I did have a lot of fun writing this chapter! Please read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you and I hope to have chapter five out next week!