Opposites Attract
AN: Hey, I know most of you don't bother to read this but I thought I might must say that I got this idea for my story from reading several other similar pieces. I tried to make it different though.
Disclaimer: SM does not belong to me.
Chapter One: Friday Afternoon
Serena's POV
"Oh Sere, it's beautiful."
"I can't believe you're getting married."
"Who would have thought you would be the first?"
These were the remarks that flew around me as soon as I extended my hand to flaunt my ring in their faces. I was grinning from ear to ear, a surge of pride flushing my slightly tinted cheeks. My friends were staring at the diamond on my finger with sparkling eyes.
"How?" Mina asked tearing her gaze away from my finger for less than a second to ask me. "How did he ask?"
I felt my face brighten. Finally, permission to rub in my lucky fortune in their faces. "He asked me at his concert last Friday in front of everyone." I saw their eyes widen and I felt myself go giddy with delight. "He dedicated this really romantic song to me and when he finished he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I was shocked I couldn't move until someone from behind pushed me on the stage. I wouldn't have believed it myself if he hadn't pulled out the ring and showed it to me." I sighed as I remembered those few memorable moments, when I was sure that I had died and gone to heaven.
"You are so lucky, Seiya is so romantic." Lita exclaimed staring at me with wonder in her jade green eyes. Mina was still admiring my ring still taking her time to let the idea that I'm going to be married sink in.
"It's about time he asked. I thought you would have grown into an old maid before he got the nerve." Raye said smiling at me, tossing her raven locks over her shoulder. I shrugged the comment off. I was in too much of a good mood to let her get to me. But Amy surprised me.
"Are you sure you want to do this Serena?" My head snapped around so fast I could have sworn I did a full three hundred and sixty. Amy blushed under my scrutiny. The other three also dropped what they were doing to stare at her. "I mean, I know you two have been together for three years now but you're only nineteen. I just thought that maybe...never mind."
I stared at the top of Amy's head as she played with her fries. I was gaping at her my jaw had dropped down to the floor. Okay, I admit Amy had a point. She was always reasonable and I was only nineteen with my whole life ahead of me. But I still couldn't believe she would have been the one to say that. I thought she could at least be happy for me.
"No, I would like to hear what you have to say?" I said dryly, my lips in a grimace and my eyes narrowing at her.
Amy looked at me horror stricken. "It's just...I mean..." She stammered. For the first time in her life Amy couldn't find any words in her long list of vocabulary to say what she wanted to say. In another situation I would have pointed that out but I wanted to know what her objections were. I had a fair idea what she was going to say but I wanted to hear it none the less. "Go on..."
"Sere, you're so young. We all are. I have nothing against Seiya, I think he's great. It's just...I don't think he treats you with enough respect. Are you sure you can be happy with him? I know you want a big family...but does he? Will he be willing to give up his music touring to stay with you? What if something happens and he's half way across the world?"
I was stunned. That was not what I was expecting and what did she mean Seiya didn't treat me with enough respect. And of course I would be happy with him. I've been happy with him the last three years we were together.
"Look Ames, I know you only want what's best for me but I am happy. I'm even happier now than I ever have been. I'm sure Seiya would want kids and he looks after me. I want to get married to him, have his children because I love him and he loves me."
Amy looked at me wistfully. I guess she was still having problems getting use to the idea. Then she smiled. "I wish you all the happiest then. Congratulations." She said softly.
I smiled at her returning to my banana split. My spirits had lifted a little but not enough to get her words out of my mind. I don't think he treats you with enough respect. Are you sure you can be happy with him? I sighed, of course. But why was there this tightening feeling in the pit of my stomach.
"Serena, you coming? We're leaving tonight at six." I heard Lita's voice breaking my train of thoughts.
"No, I'm going to spend the weekend with Seiya." I said some what unenthusiastically. I did want to go with them. We had been planning this road trip for a while now but Seiya wanted me to stay. I couldn't begin to wonder why, especially since he was going to be at rehearsal most of the time. I sighed again. "You guys go and have fun for me."
I tuned out as I heard them making plans. It sounded so exciting and it was dampening my mood. A small frown creased my forehead. Why didn't Seiya understand? I guess I was too absorbed in my thoughts to even notice that someone had walked in until I felt the itching feeling that I was being watched. I looked up, my frown deepening as a pair of midnight blue eyes stared straight back at me.
~ * ~
Darien's POV
I walked into the crown arcade like I always did everyday about this time. In habit I walked towards the counter, sat down in my usual seat and banged on the counter. "Yo Drew...I'd like some service here."
A blonde head poked around the back, he looked pretty flustered. "Coffee." I said grinning at him not missing the look of annoyance in his eyes.
"Coming up Dare, just wait a sec. I'm having some problems with the storage door."
I heard some shuffling, a loud bang and a couple of cursing before Andrew finally showed up wiping his hand on his apron. "One coffee espresso coming up."
I leaned back and scoured the room for possible targets who would be worthy of my attention. As per usual girls were eyeing me, drooling at me seductively trying to persuade me to take the empty seats by their side. I flashed them my most heart melting smile and then finally my gaze lingered on a certain blonde who seemed to be deep in thought. I groaned inwardly. I didn't need this. Suddenly she looked up and saw me staring at her. She glared at me, which I found amusing.
"Well if it isn't little miss perfect. You here to see how the real world fares?" I asked sneering at her. "And you better lose the make-up. It makes you look like a monkey. Oh wait, that's just your face." She shot me one of her death glares when I said that. Inside I pictured myself throwing my head back, laughing so hard and clutching at my sides. But on the outside I remained cool with total composure a smirk playing on the corner of my lips.
"What would you know what a monkey looked like Darien." I heard her scoff. "You couldn't even tell the difference between you face and your arse."
My face faltered for a bit. Just a bit. I wasn't going to let her know that she had gotten to me. Her friends were trying so hard not to laugh but you could tell the way they were going on.
"And what a cute arse it is too huh Serena. Why I didn't know you liked to admire it so much." I drawled. So I shifted in my seat to give her better access to the sight of my behind. I smiled in triumph as I saw her face redden slightly then as quickly as it had come it was gone.
"You call that an arse?" She replied mockingly. She looked at me cocking one of her perfectly shaped brows and slowly got up. "This is what I call an arse, so watch it walking away from you." I watched her walk of course as she swayed her hips enticingly and finished off with a small well polished pivot. She flashed me one of her superior smiles. I must say I was impressed, not everyone could pull something that simple with elegance radiating sexual vibes. Most of the guys in the room had also stopped doing what ever it was they were doing just to watch her.
Before I could pull out a remark at her little performance Andrew had showed up with my coffee. He had such impeccable timing. "One coffee espresso. Black with no sugar and cream." He said placing the steaming mug in front of me. "Just the way you like it."
"Thanks Drew, you're a life saver." I said beaming at him.
"You want anything else with that?"
"No. Maybe later…after I've worked up an appetite." I winked at him and he must have gotten my meaning because he disappeared to the back shaking his head and mumbling incoherent words. Then his head popped back round the corner.
"Hey you coming this weekend Dare? We're leaving at six. I'm actually considering closing the arcade early today so I can get ready. The show is supposed to be really good."
I looked at him questioningly. "It must be good if you're actually closing the place for the whole weekend…what's up? Can't find anyone to take your eighteen hour shifts?"
"More like I don't trust leaving my baby in the hands of an amateur. Even if it means losing a little business."
"Reasonable enough. Okay back to the question at hand. I think I'll take a raincheck this weekend. I have a lot of work to catch up on."
"Suit yourself man." Then he was gone again.
I would have been quite content sitting here drinking my coffee and reading the paper if the sound of bubbling laughter hadn't caught my attention. It was Serena…and she was in the arms of someone, smiling one of her rare smiles I never saw.
~*~
Serena's POV
I had shown that pompous arrogant beanbag that I wasn't one to be messed with. My little show had him and half the male population in the arcade drooling all over me. I flashed him one of my practiced superior smiles mocking him, just daring him to pick up the challenge. But then Andrew showed up with his order and he had completely ignored me. In normal circumstances I would have been furious, nobody ever ignored me. I just shrugged at least he was off my back. I was about to return to my seat when I felt two arms encircle around my waist and lips brush against my ear.
"Hey beautiful. Missed me?"
I knew that silky voice and the familiar scent around him. I felt my heart doing flip flops as his lips left small wet kisses down my neck. His warm breath was tickling my nerves. "Because I sure as hell missed you."
"But you saw me this morning, after breakfast. And you called me before lunch." I said lightly smiling up at him.
"I miss every second I'm not spending with you." He purred before capturing my lips in a soft kiss. I laughed jovially and smiled one of my brightest smiles I only ever used when I was happy.
"You're such a romantic." I whispered my fingers tracing invisible lines on his chest. "And I couldn't be happier now that you're here."
"Good. And I've been thinking. I don't think it's fair of me to deprive you from going on that road trip with your friends. It's only the weekend right?"
I was astounded. "You really mean that?"
"Sure I do. And we can make up for lost time when you get back."
I jumped into his arms and hugged him so hard. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you." I murmured. He chuckled softly kissing me on my forehead.
"How about some lunch? You hungry?"
"Well I've already eaten but I can always have a second helping." I told him pulling him towards the table a huge grin on my face. The girls were eyeing me under their lashes with suspicious looks on their faces.
I stopped when I felt him stiffen. "What's wrong?"
Seiya looked me over a slight frown on his features. "Serena I don't think it's a good idea you eating so much. You're putting on weight."
I was stumped and one of my hands flew to my flat stomach. "You think I'm getting fat." I croaked. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"No Sere, I just think you're putting on a little weight. When we get married the PR will be all over us and I just want you to look beautiful for the cameras."
"But you never had a problem with my eating before." I told him in a matter of fact tone. "Why now?"
"Because before I wasn't sure we were getting married." He said through gritted teeth, his jaw tightening.
I glanced at my friends expressions to see what they were thinking. Mina looked dumbfounded and Rei was glaring at him, her violet eyes burning. Lita had a frown on her face, her fists clenched and Amy seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me. My eyes dropped to my stomach.
"All right Seiya. If you think I should lose some weight I will." I said in a small tight voice. Suddenly I heard a deep chuckle and all thoughts left my mind as I glared at the conceited egotistical jerk.
~ * ~
Darien's POV
I never would have thought that Serena of all people could actually find and keep a boyfriend and get married to him none the less. It was some what difficult to believe and phew…if looks could kill I would be roasting in hell right now the way she was glaring at me.
I had unintentionally been listening to their conversation which at first was making me sick to the core and then things turned interesting. I made a point to look her up and down scrutinizing her appearance as if considering her as a possible candidate for the next 'super model' of the world contest.
Her boyfriend had seen me and was baring his teeth pulling her closer to him. I just smirked at his useless tactics. As if I would touch the snotty she thinks she's all that tooth pick in his arms.
"I didn't know you were into anorexic girls Seiya." I said my gaze not leaving Serena. "If you make her lose any more weight she's going to look like a tooth pick." I had in fact succeeded in making her blush again and making him tighten his hold on her.
"At least I know how to keep a girl. Not like the floozies you've leeched on." He said eyeing the red head who found her way to the seat next to mine.
"So, I prefer my women to have curves and a feisty attitude, especially in bed." I retorted my gaze lingering over the chick's body which was barely covered, my eyes resting on her chest. She flashed me one of her alluring smiles.
"You like what you see honey?" she purred leaning in closer.
"Oh yeah. And the view is getting better all the time." I said ignoring the couple to give the red head my full attention. Unfortunately Seiya wasn't going to make it easy for me.
"Why don't you just go and crawl back in the hole you came out of?" he hissed. "Instead of burdening the world with your polluted presence."
I gripped my mug making the effort not to break his nose. He was smirking at me, a look of triumph in his eyes. I saw the look of surprise on Serena's face before it quickly diminished. They were both perfect for each other.
"I would but I think your mother would miss me." I replied in a controlled voice, glaring at him. I wanted to laugh at the disgusted look on his face before it swiftly changed into one of pure hatred but I was too riled up to make sport of it. The air in the room had suddenly gone tense.
"You are white trash Shields. You were born from white trash and you talk like one. You will be nothing more than that." Seiya said loudly. I heard the gasps coming from all of the girls at his outburst. My grip had tensed around my mug.
"You had best move yourself from my face before I give you a face lift." I growled ignoring the pain that seared through my arm as the mug broke shards of glass slicing my hand, hot water burning my skin.
"I'll see you later Sere, I've suddenly lost my appetite." I heard him say before planting one last kiss on her lips. He glared at me then left.
Andrew had by this time cleared the broken mug and was making an effort to clean the counter. "Dare, why don't you go to the back and clean up your wounds. You're bleeding all over the place." He muttered giving me a cloth.
Serena cleared her throat. "Darien I'm so sorry I…"
"Thanks Andrew. I won't be having anything to eat. If I don't see you later have a great time." I managed to say pushing the red head away from me ignoring Serena's pained look. "I'll talk to you Monday."
I felt the cloth moisten and winced when I touched a shard of glass that was logged inside my palm. 'Ouch! What the?' I looked down and found I had hit my toe on a brick.
"What was Andrew doing with a brick in here?" I cursed. I shoved the brick away to a corner with my foot and walked inside the storage room looking for Andrew's first aid box. After a lot of rummaging I found the rusted red box and went about to clean my wound. I must have been in a lot of pain because I didn't hear the door shut with a silent click.
~ * ~
Serena's POV
Oh my god. The room was still tense from the conflict between Darien and Seiya. I was kind of upset that Seiya had to sink to a low calling Darien white trash and I was really impressed with the way Darien handled it. By the look on his face I was sure he was trying not to lunge at Seiya and kill him right here.
I sank in my seat with a heavy sigh. For the first time in my life I felt guilty. Maybe even sorry for Darien Shields. I still couldn't get the hurt look in his eyes out of my head and Seiya's harsh words was thrumming through my mind giving me a head ache.
"Why I should go and pound some common sense in Seiya's head. The nerve he had." Lita bit out her knuckles white.
"Talk about unfair play. That was a new low, even for Seiya." Raye snapped.
"Hey, don't listen to him Sere. He doesn't know what his talking about. You're not fat." Mina reassured me.
"Thanks guys, but I think he's right. I haven't been watching my weight lately." I replied rubbing my temples. "And I know Seiya was a bit offensive, but he's really very nice and Darien did provoke him."
"That's still no excuse." Raye responded a hint of malice in her voice. "But I suppose you had better defend him since he is your future husband." Future husband. Why didn't that make me happy? I stared at my ring with a sad expression.
"Serena, we're going now. Do you want to come?" Amy's quiet voice asked.
I shook my head. "No, I'll catch up with you all later. I want to talk to Andrew." I smiled at them to let them know I was alright.
"Okay, have fun. We'll see you Monday." Lita added getting her gear together. That's when I remembered about the road trip. I swivelled in my seat but they had already gone out the door. I just shrugged.
"I'll surprise them this afternoon when I show up." I muttered still gazing at the ring as brilliant lights reflected of its many flat surfaces. Now to find Andrew so I can get my gear packed.
The arcade was emptying. There were only a few people still on the machine games. Andrew wasn't around. 'Must be at the back.' I mused.
I found the door to the back room open but no one was around. "Andrew." I called out. I heard some muffling noises behind the storage door and thought maybe he was there taking an inventory on his stock. I opened the door and stepped in. The air seemed to be filled with some foul stench mixed with something else. I scrunched up my nose in distaste.
"Andrew." I called out quietly. There was a noise around some shelves and the sound of scurrying feet. I walked towards the noise and almost…almost…collided into someone. It was Darien.
"No." he yelled looking at something behind my shoulders. He scurried past me towards the closing door but the door had shut just as he made it there. He turned around and looked at me fiercely.
"You idiot. Why didn't you stay by the door? Do you know how rude it is just walking into a room without permission." He yelled at me.
All my previous feelings of sympathy towards him swiftly dissolved. "You have no right calling me an idiot. Who do you think you are?"
"Do you have any idea what you just done?" he said through clenched teeth. He pointed at the door and told me exactly what he thought I had done.
I could feel all the colour in my face drain away. "What?" I said meekly. I did a quick pivot and ran to the door and felt for the door knob. Wait a minute…there was no door knob. I groaned so loudly and banged my head against the door. This was not good.
AN: So what do you think? Read and Review!!!! Please!!!!