The Perfect Prank

Chapter XIX. The Answering Machine

By: Sailor Angie

AN: I know it's taken a while, but I've been very busy with a full and part time job to make money for my college books, and perhaps an anime DVD here and there. Once I get back to college in two weeks, I'll really be in the swing of things. I've already started writing my next Serena/Darien fan fiction. More on that later, now onto the story!

Darien set his keys on the counter as he entered his apartment. His classes were exhausting him. Not to mention everything else that had been going on in his life as of late.

He grabbed the phone and began to dial. Halfway through Serena's number, he hung up the phone, remembering that he couldn't call her. He sank into his couch and stared out the window, wondering what had happened.

He wanted to know if she was okay. He wanted to know how badly he had hurt her. He wanted to run to her and take it all back. But he couldn't. Because no matter how much she was hurting, he couldn't help but blame her and her 'Perfect Prank.'

Eventually he snapped out of his daze. Darien got up and hung the phone back on the hook. He noticed he had two new messages on his answering machine.

He pressed play; the first message was from Greg: "Hey Darien, your mom called me and asked if I could tape your graduation. I know you probably don't want me to, but she insisted. Plus she offered to pay me. Anyway, I need to get some tickets from you. Your mom said you had a few extra. I need three. Amy's coming, and she's got one of her foreign friends coming to town. We'd leave her at home, but it'd be rude don't you think? Not that forcing her to sit through a graduation ceremony is great either – not that you finally graduating isn't great, but you know what I mean. Okay, this message has been far too long as it is. Gimme a call when you get this and lemme know what's going on. Talk to you later." Darien chuckled at Greg.

The next message began to play, "Umm, I don't know if you're talking to me right now, but when I saw you yesterday you looked sick," Darien froze at the sound of Serena's voice. It quivered a bit. She sounded like she had been crying, "Maybe it was just because you were mad at me. I just called to apologize, not that it matters now, because the damage has been done, but I never meant to hurt you. Anyway, there's Tylenol in the bathroom, and I think there's still some left over chicken soup in your fridge. Make sure you get plenty of rest. You'll never forgive yourself if you do poorly on your finals because of a cold. I'm not sure how you found out about the prank, and I know I'm the last person you want to hear from right now, but if you want to talk to me about what happened, you have my cell phone number. Have a good day, and take care of yourself." There was a click and the message ended.

'How can she be so strong?' He thought, 'How can she still manage to care about me when I was so harsh yesterday; I don't understand.'

"Serena don't you have class?" Mina spotted Serena still in bed. It was three in the afternoon. Serena didn't reply, "Are you sick?" Mina approached Serena's bed.

"Yes," Serena croaked from under the covers.

"Oh," Mina backed away, "Well, don't get me sick okay." Mina exchanged her books and went to the door once again, "I'm going over to Andy's to study. I prolly won't be back. Have a good night."

Serena heard the door close and sighed. It was definitely unlike her to skip classes; especially this close to finals. But she knew being out in public wouldn't help anything.

It had been three days since she had seen Darien. She hadn't been to class in two days. She had called Darien yesterday, but he had not returned her phone call.

She sat up in her bed and wiped away a few tears. She was all cried out. Her stomach ached, and Serena tried to remember the last time she had eaten anything.

Her cell phone rang and she bolted to answer it. It was only Sammy.

"Hi Serena." He cheered.

"Hey Sammy," She changed the tone of her voice.

"Mom and Dad can't make it to my kindergarten graduation this weekend. Will you be there?" He sounded disappointed.

"Of course I'm coming Sammy; I wouldn't miss it for the world." At lease she had something to look forward to.

"Can you bring Darien? He promised he'd play catch with me the next time he came over." Sammy suggested.

"Umm, I'll try, but he's got lots of tests, so he might not be able to come, okay?" Serena tried to be strong.

"Oh, sure, that's fine. Mina can come too okay."

"Yeah, I'll bring Mina," Serena walked down the stairs deciding to get something to eat.

"I miss Mina, she never comes to play with me anymore." He pouted.

"I know Sammy; I'll make sure she comes." Serena felt suddenly aware of the fact that ever since Mina had started dating Andrew, she had become a completely different person and hadn't paid any kind of attention to anyone but him.

"Make her bring me presents too! She missed Christmas and my birthday."

"I know sweetie, she'll make it up to you, I promise." Serena intended on following through.

"Serena?"

"Yeah Sammy?"

"I miss you Serena."

Serena got a bit choked up at his innocence and honesty. Both were qualities she believed she had lost. "I miss you too Sammy."

"Mom and Dad are letting me and my friends visit them for a while in London. I know you said you wouldn't go, but please come with me. We can go visit those soldiers that don't move!"

Serena thought about it for a moment. 'Perhaps it will help me get my mind off of Darien.' She was optimistic, "Alright Sammy, I'll go with you. But I'll have to meet you there because I've got some tests to take."

"Just like Darien?" Sammy drew an analogy.

"Yeah Sammy, just like Darien." She winced, "Hey Sammy, I gotta go." She had reached the cafeteria, "I'll call you later okay." She smiled knowing at least Sammy still had faith in her.

"Okay, I'm so happy you're coming to my graduation, and to London."

"Me too."

"Bye Serena, I love you."

"I love you too Sammy." They both hung up.

Serena got some food and slowly began to eat it. Surprisingly her appetite still hadn't returned to her.

She picked up her phone and dialed Darien's land line. Of course he didn't pick up, but the answering machine did.

"Hey, this is Darien," the message began.

"Darien, do you have any ice cream?" Serena sounded in the background.

"Serena, shut up, I'm recording the answering machine message." He yelled into the kitchen. "How do you start this thing over?"

"Leave a message after the beep and he'll get back to you." Serena finished the message. The machine beeped.

"Hi Darien, I know you're not talking to me cuz I know you're there. You never miss that stupid reality tv show I always make fun of you for." She paused in thought, "I called for a reason," Another pause, "Oh, right. Sammy called and wants you to come to his kindergarten graduation. I realize you won't go because I'll be there, but he says you promised you'd play catch with him and I can't explain to him why a person suddenly never wants to see someone else ever again." She took a deep breath, and exhaled, "I'm sorry, I have no right to be mad at you. I did this to myself. If you could just call him and tell him you're busy; I told him you had tests to take. That's all. Good luck with your finals. And if you wan to change the machine message, you just have to hold toe record button down until it beeps, then press it again when you're done."

Darien picked up the phone, "Serena?" She had already hung up.

He took out a piece of paper.

Dear Sammy,

I'm sorry I couldn't come to your kindergarten graduation. I know it's a very important event for you, but you know I wish I was there with you instead of taking tests. I promise we'll play lots of catch this summer –

He crumpled up the letter and threw it away, "I can't lie to Sammy. This had nothing to do with him." Darien sighed.

AN: I really wanted to convey to you guys (my readers) in the last two chapters how much Darien has come to depend on Serena, from her telling him to jiggle the lock last chapter, and then in this one: knowing where the Tylenol was, knowing that there was chicken soup in the fridge, and knowing how to erase and re-record the phone message. Also, I felt like the message it self was very symbolic of how they used to be. And for those of out there that are just devastated that they've broken up, have no fear. Notice that he hadn't erased the message. Have hope. Please review, so I know what you think, and I'll see you all next time. Only four more chapters left! The suspense is killing me!

Preview --- Chapter XX. What Are Friends For? --- Serena goes to Sammy's graduation. Will Darien show up? And how will Mina and Andrew meddle when they figure out that Darien and Serena have been having some problems?