Chapter 14
Serena stayed on the back of Darien's motorcycle very quietly. She was wondering how her parents would react to her being home. Would they be mad? Angry? Sad? Happy? Surprised? She was surprised when the bike stopped. She looked to her left and smiled as she saw the old, familiar house.
"We're here," Darien said.
Serena nodded.
After all this time, she thought. I am going to see my family again.
Together they headed up the walk.
Sammy got up from the couch surprised by the knocking sound. It continued even as he neared the door. "Hang on," Sammy mumbled. He opened the door and was surprised to see Darien with a blonde-haired woman beside him. He was even more surprised when the blonde woman said, "Sammy? Is that you?"
The teenager smiled. It was her! "Serena!" he cried. He wrapped his arms around her.
Serena smiled. "Glad to see you," Serena said, surprised by his strength. "You've changed," she said looking at her brother, who was now over six feet, had dirty blonde hair and was more muscular.
Sammy let go and looked at his sister. After a while, he said, "So have you. Come on in."
Darien entered and Serena behind him, shutting the door. "Mom! Dad!" Sammy called up the stairs. "Visitor!"
"Who is it?" a tired voice asked.
"Come on down!" Sammy yelled back. Serena stood beside Darien, holding his hand. What would her parents think? Would they be happy? Would they be mad? Would they give her a joyous reunion?
Her attention drifted back to the voices upstairs. She looked at the stairs and almost gasped when she saw the people coming down the stairs. Her father had a lot of gray hair and her mother's eyes were all puffy and red. When they were near the bottom of the stairs, they seemed to notice that they had a visitor.
"Hello," Mr. Tsukino said to Serena. "Hello, Darien. How are you both?"
Serena's gaze drifted to the floor as a realization swept over her. They don't recognize me.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Tuskino," Darien replied. "Fine, thank you." He gently nudged Serena.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino," Serena said.
Mrs. Tsukino's eyes widened in recognition. She knew that voice! "Oh my god!" Mrs. Tuskino cried out loud. "It can't be! Serena!"
Mr. Tsukino's eyes widened as he placed the voice. Of course! "Serena!" he said.
Tears filled Serena's eyes as her parents hugged her. They weren't mad! Her parents let go. "Darien, you found her!" Mrs. Tsukino exclaimed.
Darien smiled. How long had it been since he had seen Serena's parents happy? "I must be going," Darien said. "I'll see you soon, Serena. Tomorrow at Terence's."
Serena nodded, and Darien walked out of the house. When the door clicked shut, Serena remembered the awful reason why she had run away in the first place. She shook the ugly thought out of her head. She was home.
