Hello, this is LG, and I'm going to give you a new chapter! Here you go, all!

Chapter Five:

If Only I Had A Nickel
Friday finally came, and Mina, Raye, and I (after they finally agreed to help me again!) had recruited another member to our elusive team of matchmakers. I wasn't going to give up in the least little bit. That man was going to be mine! I had gone through my slump, but now was the time to get back on my game. Anyways, as I was saying, our new member proved to have many ideas and when I filled them in on the plan, I was bombarded with hugs, kisses, and retorts of "What a lucky guy! If only I wasn't so deeply in live with my own girl!" Can you even guess who it was? Yup! You're right! The adorable, cute, lovable Andrew Furuhata!

Ok, so after Mina told us our brand new 'Serena Proof' plan, (She called it that cause she said it was so perfect that even I couldn't mess it up!) we got to work. After Andrew assured us that he could do his part, which was getting Darien to the opening of the amusement park, we all started to do our part. You won't believe the long list of items that was involved in this complex plan. We had all kinds of stuff! Communication Radios (or as I call them, Walkie Talkies), mini skirt, hoped earrings,

So, Friday morning rolled around, and the girls and I all ventured in to the brand new amusement park, Roller Paradise. We were all really hyped up about this trip. We had been looking forward to it all week. But now we did not have time to think of the great rides sitting in front of us. We had to concentrate on the plan we had established as "Our Last Hope". I was scared that it wouldn't work, but I trusted Mina, and I very confident that this one was going to work, because all I had to do was be me. Whiny and Clumsy. And that, my friends, was an easy thing to do. Very easy.

After a brief pep talk speech from Mina, we went our separate ways. Ami, Lita, and Raye had stationed themselves near the prize booths, while Mina and I were off on our own, looking for our victims. As a witch says before she eats her prey, eeehehehehe....

We walked past the ton of prize booths that I was tempted to stop at, but walked into the most dreaded place of all for me. I knew that I had to whine and cry about going on the scariest ride in the park in front of Darien and Andrew, but then I knew that I had to actually ride it. I was really, really scared about that.

We stood in front of the roller coaster and waited for the two men to arrive. While we waited, I couldn't help but whine a little. I told Mina it was practice, but I knew that she saw right through me.

"I'm really...not scared! Really!" I said, and I could tell that my words sounded shaky.

"Yeah, right. Whatever, Sere. Oh, look! There they come! Keep up that fake whining!" Mina turned and ran her fingers hurriedly through her hair. Did I ever tell you that even though he was taken, Mina had a huge crush on Andrew? Well, that can be a different story for a different time. This is my story! Not Mina's! Hey, quit that! I know what you're thinking! You want the scoop on Andy and Mina, don't you? Well, I'll tell you later, ok? Can we please get back to my dilemma? Thanks. That's better. You're a good audience, but you get sidetracked too easily!

"Hi, girls! What are you doing here?" Andrew came up to us, flashing us a smile. I smiled back, and then noticed that Darien was smiling at me from behind his friend. I blushed and turned to listen to Mina talk.

"Well, duh, Andy. I thought we told you that we won tickets to today's opening!" You know, I really think she would be a good actress.

"I know, but where are the other girls?" Oh, and Andy should be an actor!

"By the prize booths. We left them to go ride a couple of things. But Serena here won't ride that roller coaster with me. Either of you want to ride it with me?"

I turned red. She was foiling the whole plan just so Andrew would go ride that damn roller coaster with her! I was going to get her for that one!

"I didn't say that Mina." I said, giving her an evil look.

"Oooh?" She looked back at me feebly, knowing that she was dead meat.

"No, I didn't. I'll ride it. I'm a little nervous about it, but I'll ride it." I took a moment to stare up at it for effect. Ok, I looked up cause I really didn't want to ride that thing!

I turned back and smiled at the two handsome men standing in front of me. "You guys want to join us?"

Andrew took the bait easily. "Sure! Let's go! It'll be fun!"

Now Mina was looking nervous. "R-r-really? You sure you don't want to let...Darien and Serena go ride the Scorcher? We could go ride that!" She swirled her fluffy blonde head around and searched for any ride that didn't look dangerous. I was actually surprised. I had no idea that Mina was nervous about big rides like me. We really could be twins! She pointed out a boat ride, and I looked at her and laughed.

"And you call me the lame one! C'mon, let's go!" I grabbed her hand and drug her to the back of the line to the Scorcher. I noticed that Darien and Andrew still hadn't moved, so I went back, grabbed their hands, and yanked them up to the line.

"You guys are slow!" I said, and made a point to stand next to Darien when we got up to the line.

"Sorry, Sere. I was trying to find which ride Mina was talking about." Andrew was still letting his eyes roam the park for the ride Mina had tried to point out. Darien sighed.

"The boat ride, genius." He shook his head sadly. "You really need to pay closer attention."

Andrew laughed. "Yeah, I know."

I smiled. I was really trying not to think of the roller coaster just ten people in front of me. We would be on the ride the next time a cart came around. I wondered if anyone would mind if I started balling right about now...

I gulped and noticed that the next car was here. I knew we were about to board, and I reached out and forgot that Darien was behind me. See, I thought it was Mina. I was going to pinch her and tell her that I wanted to kill her for "Our Last Hope." But when my hand made contact with his, I almost screamed. I was really afraid that he would laugh, but when he squeezed my hand, I almost fainted. I turned to look at him, and noticed that he was giving me an encouraging smile. I smiled back, and took in a breath of air and started to walk towards the ride. I noticed that on this roller coaster, your feet dangled and there were four seats per car, so immediately, I drug Mina in the middle. So, in the end, I sat beside Mina and Darien. I thought it was perfect. I could scream in Mina's ear the whole time, (Hehehehe) and hold Darien's hand while leaping to my own demise in a death trap of a machine.

So, it seemed to be working out. Darien was gripping my hand, and I whispered to Mina that I was going to scream in her ear out of payback for her stupid little scheme. She grinned weakly.

"Oh, so you noticed that?"

"Sure did, missy." I grinned back, and up the hill we went
At the top of the hill, I almost died. There were so many different loops and tunnels. I watched another car go upside down, twist and turn. I wanted to get off so badly. I whimpered. Darien noticed, though, and squeezed my hand tight.

"Don't worry about it, Sere! It'll be fun. Just close your eyes, breathe in a deep breath of air, and get ready for the plunge."

I smiled at him and nodded, my head hitting the yellow side barrier separating us. "Ok...but I'm going to kill Mina for making me do this."

"You can kill her and the rest of us when we get off. If we get off."

And that's when the drop came. I felt the car lurch forward, and the operator of the ride call out over a microphone. "Have Fun!" and down we went!

"What do you mean Iffff!!!!??" I screamed.
Once the horrible ride was over, I was in heaven. I was so happy that we were finished with that ride that I didn't know what to think. The sunshine was bright out and the four of us were blinded when we stepped off the ride. There had been a long bar blocking the sun on the ride. Darien turned to me the second it was over and saw the look on my face and laughed.

"You Ok, Serena? You look like you're in shock!"

I smiled slightly and jumped out of the seat I had occupied. "I'm fine. But you're right! It was kind of fun! After you get over the first long hill down."

See? I told you you'd be fine!" He leaned over and picked me up and swung me over the platform I was about to have to step over.

"Thanks."

"No problem!" He winked at me, then turned and gave Mina a hand out.

"Thanks, Darien! Hey, Sere, what do you want to ride next?" Mina jumped over the platform and grabbed me in a bear hug.

I shrugged. "You chose that one, didn't you? Well, if it's my choice..."

Andrew made his way to stand next to us and looked at all the rides in front of us. "Choose, Serena! The sooner you choose a ride, the sooner we're off it so I can choose!"

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, Andy! You choose!"

His eyes lit up. "Really! Yes! C'mon, lets go!"

He and Darien walked out ahead of Mina and I, so we stood back and talked about them softly so they wouldn't hear.

"You know, I heard Andrew broke up with Rita yesterday. Raye told me! She met another guy in Europe, so he's free! You think I got a chance? I mean, I kind of look like you, and he is always kidding about how much he's in love with you." Mina hooked her arm through mine and I looked at her and laughed.

"Honey, he only said that because I'm like his little sister! He and I have known each other so long that we know everything about each other! He may love me, but not in that way. But, anyways, I say you go for him. You deserve it. Even after you almost left me alone to deal with Darien by myself. I'm not ready to do that yet!" I winked and looked up to glance at the two handsome men walking a few yards in front of us.

"I wonder what they're talking about." Mina murmured.

"Probably wondering what we're talking about!" I rolled my eyes. "I don't know."

"Hey, you and Darien seemed to be hitting it off pretty well. Was it just my imagination or did I see you two holding hands on the Scorcher?"

"You did. I was surprised myself. I thought you were behind me, but he was, but I guess it worked out better! See, I got to hold his hand, and now I can pinch you for making me go on that!"

I pinched her arm, and then ran up beside of Darien, so she wouldn't return the favor. I love doing that kind of thing.

"Hey, let's ride that!" Andrew pointed up to a swirling teacup ride.

"Honey, we aren't at Disney World. Do we have to?" I groaned.

His lower lip quivered and he grabbed my arm. "You said I could choose! C'mon, Serena! Please!"

I laughed." OK, OK! Just don't do the puppy face! Anything but that!"

We got on the empty ride and noticed that it was two to a car.

I noticed that Mina had claimed the seat next to Andrew, so Darien and I had a race to the nearest cup. I grabbed the inside of the cup, while he got next to the door.

"Well, at least I know you won't run away form me this time!"

I laughed. "Are you still mad cause I ran off at the arcade the other day?"

"No...but, hey, it doesn't matter. Is that guy you told me about here today? The one you're in love with?

I gasped and looked down, trying to think what to say. "Well, yah, actually he is."

I looked up and noticed that the ride had started, but neither of us paid attention really to it.

"Really? It's not Andrew, is it? I know you two have known each other for a long time, so...."

"NO!! No way! Andrew's like my brother! It's not him, Darien. I promise you that! Mina has that part taken! She found out that he broke up with Rita and she's going at it!" I shook my head and laughed.

We both started to turn the wheel in the middle of the cup, and I blushed every time his hand brushed mine. He didn't really notice, I don't think.

"Hey, is this guy with the other girls or did you just see him sometime today?'

"Neither." I was diving for it. I thought it was about time he figured it out. So, there it was. If he had the brains to figure it out, then I either had to run for my life, or just accept it. I was scared about it, but it had to come out sometime! Darien was the man I was in love with, and he needed to know.

"Neither? Hey, does he work here?"

"Nope." The car was turning faster and faster.

Now the man looked baffled, confused, and...did I see hope? That confused me.

"Then...Sere, I don't get it. I thought you said he was here today..."

"He is." I noticed that we were spinning extremely fast, and I was starting to get a headache.

"Serena, who is he?"

I gulped. "He's sitting right in front of me."

And there it was. Darien's eyes widened. The ride stopped, and to me it seemed like the earth stood still. Mina and Andrew ran up to our cup laughing and joking around, but neither one of us paid attention. We were too busy staring each other straight in the eyes.

Andrew broke our silence by opening the door. "Hey, Serena! It's your turn to pick! But we have got to come back to this thing! It was fun!"

"Yah! Loads of fun!" Mina hung on Andrew's arm and continued to laugh. "My head is spinning! Hey, Andy, look at all the pretty stars!"

They burst out laughing and ran to the exit. Darien and I followed numbly, not speaking.

Mina saw three familiar faces and called out. "Hey! Raye, Lita, Ami! Over here!"

The three girls ran up, all carrying snow cones. "HI!"

We were all standing in front of the water ride, Splash Waterfalls Heaven. I didn't say anything, but I was dying to ride it. I was too afraid at the time to say a thing.

I took a quick glance at Darien, who was standing at the right of me, next to a very pretty little pond filled with lily pads and such. He seemed to be lost in his own world, oblivious to everything. I took another plunge.

I looked straight at him and sighed. "Darien, would you please say something! Anything! You're freaking me out!"

He turned away and glanced in the pond. "I'm shocked, Serena, that's all. You know, I thought you had the exact opposite feelings about me."

I nodded. "You thought I hated you. Yah, well, I've always thought you hated me, because of the Meatball Head teasing. But lately, you've been acting different. I haven't heard you call me that name in a while. It's been Sere and Serena, just like you were a friend."

"SERENA, DARIEN, WATCH OUT!!!" Lita yelled at the both of us and we turned and saw Raye and Mina fighting over a snow cone. They fell backwards and hit the two of us. We both fell backwards, and into the pond we had been standing beside. We sat in the murky water and looked at each other. We just sat there. Staring. And then, Darien, brushed a piece of mud out of my face. That's when it all happened. I found myself locked in his intense gaze. Everyone stood watching us, Mina and Raye slurping on the same snow cone. Then, I started laughing. I couldn't help it. We were both covered in mud. We looked so stupid sitting there that I cracked up! Darien started laughing, too, and stood up and gave me a hand out of the pond.

"Hey, Sere, let's hit the water rides and clean up!" He said, and grabbed a piece of green seaweed looking stuff that we saw was plastic off my shoulder.

I laughed and grabbed his arm. "Good idea!"

We started to walk towards the tall waterfall looking ride that was in front of us. The others followed, Mina and Raye both apologizing like mad. Well, Darien and I were still laughing our heads off. We just couldn't help it! Then, all of the sudden, to mine and everyone else's surprise, Darien stopped. He looked at me, and waited for me to stop throwing mud at Mina. I looked up at him, and found myself being kissed. His head leaned down, and his tender lips touched mine, and I found that I was addicted to kissing him from that moment on.

Lita and Andrew were high- fiving, and the rest of the girls were awing. When he let go and we came up for air, I asked him why he kissed me. He grinned, his gorgeous eyes happy and livid, and answered.

"Because you're the first girl I've ever been able to laugh with and fall into a pond, and make fun out of it. Just so you know, Sere, you were dead wrong. I never hated you. The first time I saw...well, was run over by you, I thought you were the funniest, most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I'm in love with you, Serena. When you told me there was a guy, I was devastated! But then, in the cups, I went in shock. I was so sure there would never be a chance for me that I was extremely surprised when you said it was me!"

I was in shock this time. "Really? You mean it?"

He nodded. "Of course!"

I smiled and jumped up and hugged him. "Good! I was so scared that you hated me!"

"AWWWWWWWWWW!!!!" Three girls behind us cooed.

We both stopped. I turned and remembered our friends. "Oops. I forgot we had an audience. "I said.

Darien nodded. "Me, too. Lose them in a huge crowd?"

"No, I'll go for threatening. Girls, get out of here now or I'll find ways to torture you. Oh, and carry Andrew with you!"

"Oh, don't worry, Sere! We'll leave you and lover boy alone! C'mon, guys, I vote we go get some pizza! I'm starved! Besides, they have water rides to go on! Let's go!" Lita grabbed Mina and Raye and started to drag them away. Mina grabbed Andrew and started to pull him away, too. Ami, being the perfect friend, winked at us, and turned and followed the others.

"Up for millions of water rides?" Darien asked me, his hand gripping my waist.

"You bet." I said, and we turned and ran towards the entrance of Splash Waterfall Heaven, both of us still covered in the remains from the now ruined pond that we had fatefully fallen into.

Was falling in that pond a mistake? Or did Mina and Raye mean for it to happen? I'll never know. But I was so glad that we had been pushed in!
Ok, so it isn't exactly finished yet. I have one more point to finish up. Hey, R & R, and give me your opinion! Plus, do you think I should follow up with a Mina and Andrew story? By the way, I have another chapter coming up, but it won't be out for a little while because I 'm going to be busy for the next few days. My brother's birthday is Monday, June 7, and plus I may have a job lined up, so the chapters will come slower.

Luv U All And God Bless!

LunaGirl