Sailor Witches
Chapter 2
Serena's New Job
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter but I think they're both great! AN: I'm trying to write how Molly talks so there are no typos. What is her accent anyway? Anybody know?
Darien and Serena were on a date during Darien's lunch break. Darien kept checking his watch. "Are you finished yet, Serena?" he asked.
"Darien, I'm eating as fast as I can," she muttered after swallowing a mouthful and she bit off a piece of bread, "faster than usual."
"I have to be back in ten minutes," he said edgily.
"You're working a lot now, Darien," Serena said.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you," Darien smiled. "I've been promoted."
"Promoted?" she choked on her drink. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I've been given a raise and…"
"I know what promoted means!" Serena snapped, "My dad's trying to get a promotion. But…how'd you get promoted? Right when you finished school?"
"My boss wants me to work more," he shrugged, "I'll be going full time now."
"Great!" she cried. "Just perfect! I sacrificed my summer plans to spend more time with you and you tell me this now?"
"Serena, I forgot, sorry."
Serena groaned.
"I can see you on the weekends," he said, taking her hand and she wrenched in away. "Don't be mad."
"You know, I shouldn't get in your way." Serena said, wiping her mouth on her napkin.
"You're not--,"
"You've been demoted," Serena muttered.
"Huh?"
"We're through!" Serena shouted, rising to her feet. "You're supposed to be my past, present and future but if you can't make time for me then I guess maybe you really don't care for me!"
"But I do!" he stood up. People paused and looked at Serena with Darien. "You're embarrassing me!" he hissed, looking around.
"Oh great, now I'm embarrassing you!" Serena grunted, "You know Darien, I'm starting to think we don't deserve each other. We probably never did in the first place!"
"Would you just calm down?" Darien demanded.
"Calm down?" Serena cried, "How can I calm down? Forget it. If you're going to be like this then I don't want to be with you." She grabbed her bag, "I guess I'll have more time watching TV instead!" Serena ran out of the restaurant.
"Serena, wait!" He turned around and sighed. He checked his watch. He'd better be getting back to work now. He put the money on the table and walked out of the restaurant, hands in his pockets.
"I'll give Serena a couple of days," he said to himself. "She'll be all right."
--
But Darien was wrong. Serena was serious about not wanting to see Darien again. They've been fighting for weeks now and their relationship was the pits. Serena thought that once summer came they could salvage whatever what was left but she couldn't do that when he was going to be at work fulltime. Good thing Rini went back to the future or she'd be getting an earful from her future daughter. She didn't want to have to deal with it.
She had done the right thing. She knew it. But why did she feel so horrible inside.
Serena groaned and rubbed her eyes. But summer just started. What was she going to do for the whole summer? She couldn't spend all of it watching TV. She saw OsaP Jewelry—the jewelry Mrs. Baker—Molly's mother owned.
"Hello, Sahenah!" Molly said cheerfully.
"Hi," Serena said, looking around.
"Are you okay?" Molly frowned and walked toward her. "You look sad."
"I um," Serena kept her lip firm. "Broke up with Darien."
"I'm so sorry!" Molly exclaimed.
"It's for the best, Moll," Serena sighed and walked to a display of earrings.
"Whatcha looking foh?" Molly inquired.
"A present for Lydia," she answered, "Her birthday's the 23."
"Oh yeah, that's right!" Molly said. "Need a hand?"
"Sure," Serena said, "Lydia already has tons of good luck charms so I have to be careful not to get her something she's already got."
"Yeah, I remember the box she had," Molly said thoughtfully. "Hey, here's a charm bracelet just like the one she had in there!" Molly exclaimed, picking up a gold chain bracelet with a rainbow, a horseshoe, a rabbit's foot, a wishbone, a four-leaf clover and a Celtic-love knot.
"I really like that one," Serena said, "It was one of my favorites. I wonder if she'll mind if I borrow it. I need all the good luck I can get."
"You must be really having a hard time, huh Sahenah?"
"Yeah."
Molly smiled and laid her hand over Serena's. "It's okay. All ya need is time."
Serena smiled. Not too long ago she was giving love advice to Molly when she lost Nephlyte and here was Molly, doing the same for her.
"You're right, Molly," Serena nodded.
Molly went to the necklaces. "Hmm, if her birthday's the 23rd then that will make her a Leo. We got a new shipment of zodiac pendants couple of days ago."
Serena walked over. "Hey those are really pretty!"
"I know," Molly nodded, "They're quiet populah. Oh, Leo, here we go!" Molly pulled the pendant off the hook and showed it to Serena.
It was a golden lions head on a gold chain. Serena turned it over. "I bet Lydia doesn't have this. Hey, I think I'll get mine too. Do you have any Cancers left?"
"Yeah, sure," Molly said. She picked off a Cancer necklace and handed it to her. She led Serena to register and she noticed a HELP WANTED sign on the counter as she put her money down.
"You're hiring?" Serena inquired.
"Yeah," Molly nodded. "Now that summer's here we've gotten busy and Mom wants to go on vacation soon. We'll need to get more people before we go though."
"Is your mom around?" Serena asked.
"Yeah, she's in the stockroom sorting out today's shipment. Why?"
"Well, since I won't be spending time with Darien anymore," Serena began, "I could use a summer job."
Molly smiled. "I'll go and get her!"
Mr. Baker was happy to have a break from the stockroom. She led Serena to her office to talk.
"I know I might not have any experience," Serena began. "But I'll have plenty of time."
"I'm sure you already know enough about jewelry," Mrs. Baker said, "and Molly can show you the ropes."
'Wow, that was quick,' Serena thought. "You don't want a list of references or anything?"
"You've been friends with Molly for years," Mrs. Baker smiled, "I'm practically one myself."
"I'll just have to tell my parents first." She said, twiddling her thumbs. "But I'm sure they'll be okay with it."
"Good," Mrs. Baker nodded and yawned. "Goodness! Excuse me!"
"You look awfully tired," Serena said. "You need some rest."
"I'll be able to once we take a vacation," she said sleepily. "If you're parents give you permission, then we'll see you tomorrow morning then. You can start in the stockroom. We'll have you start off doing part time for now."
"Wow!" Serena jumped up, "Thank you Mrs. Baker!"
"We'll make a nametag for you," Mrs. Baker said as Serena shook her hand. She came out of the office.
"Your mom says I've got the job!" Serena announced.
"Congratulations!" Molly cried, hugging her. "You'll love it, Serena!" She grabbed Serena by the hand. "Let me show you around really quick while it's slow…"
"I just hope my parents are up to it!" Serena said.
--
"Absolutely not!" Mrs. Tsukino exclaimed at dinner as she slammed the pot of soup down, soup slopping out of the top. "You're too young to hold a job!"
"But Mom," Serena groaned, "They could really use the help! You should've seen Mrs. Baker. She was exhausted!"
"Why do you think you need a job, Serena?" Mrs. Tsukino demanded.
Before Serena could explain, her nosy, annoying brother Sammy spoke. "Maybe because she's not seeing her boyfriend anymore."
"You little twit!" Serena exclaimed.
"Boyfriend?" Mr. Tsukino cried, his hand slipping off the back of his chair and he fell to the ground.
"Oh, Dad, are you okay?" Serena asked in shock.
"What boyfriend?" Mr. Tsukino demanded, jumping to his feet, his voice rising as he interrogated his teenage daughter. "What's his name? How old is he? Where does he live?"
"His name's Darien," Serena answered, "and we broke up today so it doesn't matter! Jeez! I was asking about a summer job anyway!"
"What do you think, honey?" Mrs. Tsukino inquired her husband. "Do think Serena has enough experience to work at a jewelry store?"
Mr. Tsukino sighed and sat down, his mind still on the boyfriend matter. "Job?"
"I think it's a good idea," Sammy said, "She won't be home to hog the TV."
"You're not helping!" Serena spat at her brother.
Mr. Tsukino rubbed his temples. "When did Mrs. Baker say you could start?"
"Tomorrow morning," she answered.
"And your shifts?"
"Huh?"
"How many hours a week will you be working?" He rephrased.
Serena tapped her chin, "Uh, she said I'll be doing part time to start with."
"I see. What about benefits?"
"Honey, she's already under our insurance," Mrs. Tsukino said.
"Do you get an employee discount or anything?" Mr. Tsukino inquired.
"Oh yeah," Serena said, "Twenty percent."
"Really?" Serena's mother breathed, "Hmm, I may consider applying myself."
Mr. Tsukino glanced at his wife and back at Serena. "You can have this job Serena," he said slowly, "if you promise not to see this Darien again!"
"But I broke up with him already!" Serena half laughed. "I told you that."
"And not just other him, but other boys!" He cried. "I'll have less chances of having a heart attack with you having a summer job than you getting—,"
Mrs. Tsukino broke in quickly, looking nervous, "Oh, she'll be too busy for boys."
"Yeah!" Serena exclaimed. "I can buymy own jewelry for now on!"
"But remember to do your chores around here." Her mother said.
"No problem, Mom!" Serena said excitedly.
"And now that you've got a job," Sammy added, "you won't be bored."
"I know," Serena added. "I'll have tons of fun working at OsaP—you bet I will! I won't be bored at all! Nope, nope, nope!"
--
THREE DAYS LATER
"I'm bored, bored, bored, BORED!" Serena groaned, her head on the counter.
"So tell me," Raye began, "Why are we here again?"
"I thought you'd might want some extra cash," Serena retorted. "Sorry."
After Serena's first day at OsaP, she excitedly called a special scout meeting and told them they had to apply. They were all up for it, except for Raye. They all insisted that she come.
"Thank you so much for telling us about this, Serena," Ami said, rearranging some bracelets in one of the glass displays. "I may be able to save enough money for another computer class."
"You're welcome," Serena mumbled.
"Yeah, it's fun watching what people buy," Mina added and a hunky guy came in. She gasped and ran to him. "Hello, sir, can I help you?"
"Yes, I um," he said nervously, "I'm here to buy a ring."
Her eyes perked up, "an engagement ring, may I ask?"
"Yes."
"Right this way!" she said excitedly, leading him to the diamond rings. "These are our best ones. Wow, I'm so excited for you. Congratulations! Has she already said yes?"
"N-no," he said, "but I hope she will."
A young woman walked in and Lita walked to her. She was the best salesperson of the group. "Good day, madam! What can I do for you?"
"Well, I'm looking for a present for my grandma." She said thoughtfully.
"Then you've come to the right place!" Lita chirped and showed her the sales. She picked up a teddy bear pin. "Isn't this just the cutest thing ever? You will find no better bargain, no better bargain!"
"That is cute!" she exclaimed, "My grandmother collects teddy bears. I'll take it!"
Serena face faulted. That was the fastest sale she ever witnessed Lita make. She even finished her sale before Mina!
"I can help you right here," Lita said cheerfully as she led her to the counter, scanned the item and gift wrapped it for her. The young lady paid for her purchase and left. "Have a nice day!" Lita said.
"Thank you," the young woman said, "you too!"
"Wow Lita," Ami said, "that's the third sale you made today and it's not even lunchtime yet."
"Yeah, the store's been busy today, hasn't it?" Lita inquired with a grin.
Mina kept picking up a diamond ring, showing it to her customer and putting it back. "Too flashy, okay, how about this one? No…okay…"
Lita chuckled, "poor thing. I think she's trying too hard."
The door jingled and Lita put on her business face, "Hello and welcome to OsaP! Can I help you?"
"Hi Lita," said a familiar voice.
"Oh, hi Darien," Ami said, looking up from the counter.
"When did you guys start working here?" he asked.
"Since Meatball Head told us it was the best place to work at in the city," Raye muttered, jabbing her thumb in Serena's direction.
Darien turned his gaze to Serena, "Serena, you're working here now?"
"Yeah," she answered, not so business like. "So, what do you want, Darien?"
"Um," he said, scratching his head.
"Our sales items are to your right," she indicated, "but that shouldn't be a problem after your promotion, would it?"
Darien looked to the sales items and back at Serena, "n-no, guess not."
The girls watched Serena closely, even Mina as she continued to help her customer.
"Well, are you going to buy anything?" Serena demanded, "That is why you came in here, isn't it?"
Darien looked uncomfortable. He had come in to find a gift for Serena to patch things up but he had no idea she'd still be upset and she'd gotten a job. 'Maybe she's not over it yet,' he thought.
"I hope you came in to get a present for Lydia," Serena muttered. "her birthday's on the 23rd, you know."
"Er, yeah, that's it," he said. He had nearly forgotten about Lydia's birthday. Now was a good as time as any to get her a present. "Lydia's present."
"Well you know she's got tons of good luck charms," Serena muttered, "and I already gotten her a Leo pendant," she motioned to the zodiac pendants behind him. "But I'm sure you can find something."
"Oh, okay," he said and he walked around the room aimlessly, careful not to look at Serena's eyes.
"Serena, what is up with you?" Raye demanded.
"What?"
"You were totally cold to Darien," she hissed.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, walking to the stockroom. "If you excuse me, I have work to do."
"Here, Darien, let me give you a hand," Lita smiled, walking to him.
Serena joined Molly in the stockroom. "Hi Saharah, how do ya like the front countah?"
"I think I prefer the stockroom," she said, opening a cardboard box. "You don't have to deal with nasty customers."
"Oh no, what happened?"
"Darien's up front," she explained.
"Is he really?"
"Yeah," she said, "must be his day off or something."
"You're still angry with him?"
"Well, sort of," she mumbled. "I don't know—but I don't think—we deserve each other anymore. It's kind of complicated, Moll."
"I see."
"Anyway, I'm having a more productive summer with this job than I would with Darien anyway." She insisted.
"Yeah, you've been a real help," Molly smiled. "We're planning on going on our vacation in a couple of days—if—if that's all right. We have to talk about it."
"No, I think you should go!" Serena exclaimed. "You have people to help you now. You have two managers and your mother has an interview with a new person for management and I'm still telling people about this place. You two need a vacation."
"Yeah, all right."
Serena finished a filling a tray of jewelry and paused before going up front. She waited by the door and listened for Darien's voice.
"Lydia will like that, Darien," she heard Lita say.
"Okay, thanks," he said. "See you around."
The door jingled and he was gone. Serena sighed and walked back in, placing the jrewlery on the 'new items' counter. Mina's customer had already left. She was putting the diamond rings back.
"Did he pick one out?" Serena asked, trying to cover everything up.
"No," Mina answered. "Said he'd look around some more."
"Serena, why were you—well—not all that happy to see Darien like you usually are?" Lita inquired.
"Because," Serena retorted, placing down a bracelet, "we broke up."
"You what?" the four girls echoed in disbelief.
"For heaven sakes, Serena, what for?" Raye demanded.
"Just drop it, all right?" Serena snapped over her shoulder, trying to keep her tears under control. "It's just better this way. I don't want to talk about it right now. Let's just get to work!"
The rest of the day dragged on. Serena thought about Darien. 'You're doing the right thing, Serena,' she told herself mentally as she borough new merchandise to the front counter. 'You'll get over it soon enough. Maybe you'll meet someone else—if Dad doesn't go mad.'
--
Molly and her mother left for their week vacation to New Zealand in four days. Mrs. Baker was a little "worried" about her store but Serena insisted that it was in good hands. There were two new people in management and plenty of more workers. Serena had enough time to work and play around. Thanks to Lita's impeccable skill and making sales, she was given an award and was placed at the front as her permanent permission. She made more sales than most of the workers. Serena remained in the stockroom with Raye and Ami. The store was having amazing business and Serena was ecstatic when the big day came for her paycheck.
"All right," said Mr. Honda. "I bet you've all been waiting for this." He said as he picked up the envelopes. "I just want to thank you all first for your hard work while Mrs. Baker has been away. You've done a good job!"
There was applause and he handed out the paychecks. Serena ripped it open. It was huge! She never saw so much money. What should she spend money on first? The mall? The arcade?
The other girls gasped in surprise as they looked at their paychecks. They felt such power in the piece of paper.
"Let's go celebrate!" Mina grinned. "To the mall, girls!"
On their day off, the girls went to the mall and bought new clothes and the things they've always wanted. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, except for Serena.
'It's not the same without him,' she thought sadly, looking at a cozy coffee place they used to go all the time. She sighed and blinked. 'Get a hold of yourself, Serena. You're free! No more having to wait around for Darien. You have the freedom to flirt! It's okay now. Flirt! Flirt! Go crazy!'
Serena looked manically around for the nearest boy. She saw a group of cute boys hanging outside a music store. She grinned and cleared her throat, checking to see if she was decent. She sniffed her arm pits and smoothed her hair and walked as attractively as possible to the group of cute boys.
"Hello!" Serena said, flirtatiously. "My name is Serena!"
"Uh, hi," said a red haired boy.
"So um," Serena moved her foot side to side in a flirtatious, thinking sort of manner. "So, do you work here?" she pointed at the music store.
"I do," said a dark haired boy. Of course he was. It was obvious by his shirt and nametag.
"Oh, yes," Serena said, looking at his badge, "Tommy."
"How do you like it?" she asked.
"It's all right," he said with a shrug. "You thinking of applying?"
Serena noticed the help wanted sing. Dang! She was already working. Too bad she hasn't come to the mall first and she could work with a cute guy.
"I'd love to but," she began, "just got a new job this summer. I work at OsaP Jewelry store."
"Nice," he said.
"Hey, look at those cute guys Serena's talking to!" Lita told the other girls.
"Yeah," Mina said, "she can't have them all to herself, even if she has broken up with Darien. Come on!"
"But guys, she's talking with them," Ami said nervously, "It's rude to—interrupt—their conversation."
"It's not interrupting," Raye insisted, pushing the shy blue-haired girl forward, "it's joining!"
"Hey, Serena," Lita said, "Who are your friends?"
"Well this is Tommy," Serena began, "and…"
The guys smiled and introduced themselves. They had a good ten-minute conversation about school and their jobs and their hobbies.
"Well, my break's over," Tommy said, checking the clock "see you around. Bye."
"Bye Tommy!" Serena said, waving.
"Hey," said the red haired boy named Adam. "We were on our way to Joe's Pizza. Wanna come?"
"Sure!" Lita exclaimed.
"Cool," said a blond named Derek.
They went to have pizza together. Serena couldn't believe what was happening. She has been for single for two weeks and here she was now with a bunch of boys having pizza. Of course, her friends were with here but she was the one who found them and started talking them. Serena grinned. 'Yeah…I'm the girl every boy wants.' She thought to herself as she nibbled on her pizza. 'No one can resist me! I don't need Darien anymore!'
After pizza they cruised the mall together, window shopping and really shopping. She nearly gave her number out until she remembered what her dad told her about boys. Okay, maybe it will be a while until she goes on a date. But Serena was slowly but surely getting used to being single. She felt better now that she was on her own. Serena felt better than she had in a long time and wondered why she hadn't done it earlier. Her future was in front of her and this time, she was in charge of it.
To Be Continued