The Perfect Prank

Chapter XXI. VideoCam Confession?

By: Sailor Angie

AN: I've got one last challenge for my readers, please see the end author's notes. Rock on, oh yeah, and don't forget to: Read, Review, and Enjoy!

"Do you know how long this is supposed to last?" Serena sat nervously next to Amy.

"Why? Do you need to be somewhere?" Amy asked innocently. "Oh, there's Darien!" Amy waved, Serena ducked. Amy turned to Serena suspiciously, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Serena replied, as if she had no idea to what Amy referred.

"Okay Serena, I know we're not the best of friends, but what's up with you?"

Greg took his seat beside Amy and began to set up his camera.

"I'm fine." Serena attempted to lie. That was something that Darien admired about her, she was not a good liar when she was truly upset. She shook the last thought out of her head.

"You just hid from your boyfriend; what's going on?"

"He's not my boyfriend." Serena sighed.

"What do you--" The realization hit Amy, "Oh Serena, I'm so sorry. How long ago did it happen?"

"A month," Serena felt uncomfortable talking about what had happened, but for some reason trusted Amy with the information that she hadn't even revealed to Mina.

"Why did you agree to come here today?" Amy was confused.

"Mina's been pretty busy with Andy lately, and I kinda didn't tell her that we broke up. So when she was in the room, if I didn't take the tickets and come today, she'd know something was up." Serena explained.

"Can I ask you why you broke up?" Amy wasn't at all trying to be nosey, she simply thought that Serena might appreciate an unbiased person to talk to. . . she was right.

"It all started because of a stupid prank. After I first met Darien, I was completely enthralled. He was gorgeous, mysterious, intelligent, funny, and everything I'd ever wanted in a guy. But the problem was that I had a bug up my ass and I wouldn't admit to anyone that I had a crush on him; I wouldn't even admit it to myself. So I devised 'The Perfect Prank,' which satisfied every aspect of my feelings toward Darien." Amy stopped her.

"What was 'The Perfect Prank?'"

"I told Mina I was going to make Darien fall in love with me, then I was going to break his heart to pay him back for embarrassing me in the beginning of the year. It was perfect. It allowed me to get close to him without anyone suspecting a thing. However, what I didn't plan on was falling for him for real. After I called the truce with him he began to have problems with Raye, and I was extremely taken aback when he came to me for comfort and empathy. I'll never forget the first time I saw him so completely vulnerable. When I saw him for what he truly was, I fell in love with him, and I haven't stopped falling since. I called the prank off shortly after he and Raye split; I thought everything would be fine because I never intended to follow through on the prank. I just needed an excuse to be near him so I could appease my pride. But when Darien found out about the prank, he didn't see it the same way. He thought it was vicious, and I don't blame him for feeling that way." Tears began to form in Serena's eyes, "I just never got to tell him how much I love him, and how much he changed me. He made me a better person when he showed me that the world wasn't as cynical as I assumed it was." Serena wiped her eyes.

"Why can't you tell him now?" Amy felt horrible for Serena.

"He won't believe me. How can I blame him? It doesn't matter anyway; I'll be leaving soon." Serena sniffed.

"Leaving to go where?" Amy didn't know Serena was going anywhere.

"I'm vacationing in London during the summer with my family. I'm leaving tonight at 9. Hopefully I'll be able to get over Darien while I'm there. I certainly can't forget him while I'm here."

"Running away won't help." Amy reasoned.

"It's the only thing I know how to do." Serena turned to see Darien and the rest of his graduating class take their seats, "I'm sorry Amy; I can't stay here." Serena stood up and passed in front of Amy, and left.

Amy didn't know what to do, "It's best if you let her be." Greg read her mind.

"That poor girl, I just wish there was something I could do." Amy sighed.

"Not today Ames; not today." Greg rubbed her back.

"Darien, c'mere," His mother called. After the graduation ceremony he went out to dinner with his family and was getting ready to return to his apartment for the night. "The audio's all funny in the beginning or your graduation tape."

"I'm sure it's noth--" Darien stopped as soon as he heard her voice. He rushed over to the TV, "Turn it up!" He demanded; his mother complied.

"When I saw him for what he truly was I fell in love with him, and I haven't stopped falling since. I called the prank off shortly after he and Raye split."

"She called off the prank!?" He cried.

"I never intended to follow through on the prank; I just needed an excuse to be near him." Serena continued.

Darien didn't need to hear anymore; he scrambled to grab his things to find her.

"I just never got to tell him how much I love him." He heard as he gathered what he needed.

He was almost out the door when he heard the last part: "I'm vacationing in London during the summer with my family. I'm leaving tonight at 9."

Darien looked at his watch, it was 8:40; if he hurried he could make it. He could get to the airport and find her and sweep her off her feet and tell her that he was nothing without her and that he'd been such a fool for not listening and realizing the prank was over and never meant anything. He'd get her back yet!

Serena boarded the plane half hoping that Darien would magically appear and sweep her off her feet. But she knew he didn't know she was leaving for England, so how could he?

Across town Darien sped to get to the airport. Each street light passed in a blur. He wondered what he would say when he got to her. What would he do? How could he possibly apologize for being the biggest jerk time ever saw?

Then the negative thoughts began to take over. He wondered, what if she wouldn't forgive him? What if she already had a new boyfriend? And god forbid, what would he do if she wasn't there?

He shook his head, "She will be there. I'll take her in my arms and tell her I'm sorry and that I love her. Everything's gonna be okay." He tried to convince himself.

Darien pulled up to the front of the airport. He put his flashers on and ran inside. Right next to the doorway was an electronic signboard with the flights. Darien scanned the sign rapidly, but was confused when the only flight leaving at 9 was not going to London. In fact, none of the flights were heading to England.

He flipped open his cell phone and called Mina, "What flight is Serena on?" He asked hurriedly.

"Darien?" Mina was puzzled.

"Mina, I don't have time for this, what flight is she on!?"

"Flight 541, is everything okay?" Mina tried.

"She not going to London?" Darien compared the number to the board.

"She's got a 3 hour layover in New York, she's not flying out of an international airport. The flight will arrive at J.F.K. international at midnight."

"Thanks Mina." Darien looked at the signboard again. 'Flight 541-JFK New York, NY- 9:00 pm- Final Boarding Call- Gate E'

Darien began to run, and run fast. He was temporarily stalled at the metal detector, but picked up his pace again. 'Why are airports so damn big!?' He yelled in his head. The gates flew past: A, B, C, D, and finally Gate E. He lunged for the door.

"Sir, you can't go through there!" A female employee tried to restrain him.

"I HAVE to get to her!" He growled.

"Sir, the flight is taking off." The woman pointed out the window next to the door, at an airplane at the end of the runway at a 45 degree angle, almost off the ground.

Darien banged his fists on the window, "Dammit!" he hung his head, "I love you Serena." He whispered to himself. "This isn't over yet." He flipped open his cell and dialed, "Dad, I need you to charter your company's plane to J.F.K. in New York."

AN: Talk about suspense. Wow. Anyways, my last challenge to all my readers.

THE LAST CHALLENGE!: This is gonna be your last chance to get a shout out, I wanna post everyone who reviews for this chapter. And my main goal is to get people who have me on author alert. Over 80 people have me on author alert, and I want you guys to drop me a line and say hi, especially if you never have before, let me know what you think of the story and how you'd like to see it end. Please, I wanna hear from you all. I wanna go out with a bang! Have a great one guys, and thanks for reading!

Preview --- Chapter XXII. Racing The Clock --- Darien will stop at nothing to get to Serena. However, if he gets to her, will she forgive him? Stay tuned.