Part I. Fading memories of the past

Chapter 1…

The alarm clock echoed the words in its monotonous voice 'First day of school! First day of school!' I groaned when I heard them while brushing my teeth. It was usual that I woke up before the alarm went off, but it was a reminder of the headache of school. The last year of Junior high school would be a lot more difficult with the absence of Darien, who had moved on to High school. The only thing that I looked forward to was his return from vacation. I missed his presence and truth be told I was lonely. Coincidently every one of my friends was out of town. So summer had seemed like the longest time this year.

I opened my closet door and looked through the clothing; trying to decide what to wear. My style in clothes has always been what I feel comfortable in. I took out a pair of white pants and the same color half sleeve shirt but underneath I wore a very light baby blue full sleeve tee-shirt. But my look hadn't been complete until I put on my glasses that barely covered my eyes and put my hair in a straight pony tail while it reached down to my hips. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled liking the person that I displayed myself as.

My personality was of a rather very simple person. Most of the time I was quiet, having little to say. My thoughts laid in abundance on the back of my mind because I never found the courage to express them; I was too diffident. My four friends Mina, Amy, Rei, and Lita, were the popular girls of the school. I don't think I would have made friends with them had I not been friends with Mina. At first I didn't want to be around them because I was never good with crowds. But they made it so comfortable to be around them that I could be myself. This year would be our year to get through it together.

"Miss Serena…" Susanne said from behind me. "Breakfast is ready downstairs…won't you come down to eat?" She asked.

"Yeah Susanne, hold on while I grab my book bag." I replied while she made her way down and I followed after her. As I took my time eating Susanne watched me closely waiting for the chance to say something. "Did my mother call?" I asked knowing what she might have had on her mind.

"Yes…" She answered "She had asked about Samuel and I had told her that he still hadn't called this week. And she also asked me to tell you to make sure that you join that program they have at the club that she is a member in. It was something that they have for the young members… I forget the name." She said thinking hard.

"Junior community service." I reminded

"Yes that!" She exclaimed "That was all she had said."

I gave a slight chuckle out of hurt. "Funny! She hadn't even asked how I was." At that Susanne looked down. She had been taking care of me ever since my parents decided to make their careers the most important thing in their life. She had two kids but no husband. Being a single mother; Susanne worked really hard for them but still was there for me in many ways. Whenever I needed anything she was there to give me advice. She was always sad at the way I viewed my parents and the way that they viewed me. I think that was because we have each other right now yet our family isn't able to be together. But she didn't have anyone other than her two little kids.

"Don't think that Miss Serena, a mother always worries about her children. Some just show less affection than others." She said as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I finished the juice and gave her a hug.

"Well I guess that she really doesn't have much to worry about since you're with me." I said to her and she smiled at me before I headed out the door. The driver dropped me off as scheduled and I made my way into the prodigious building. Our school was the only Junior High school that existed in the lavishing town that only had residents making up the successful professions. The school only had two hundred students in total. But with the amount of money that was donated by the parents; indulged the faculty members to make things such as the football field and more classrooms.

I walked through the empty hallways that would in about twenty minuets be alive with students; rushing to get to class, meeting with friends, trying to figure out what their class room number is. But now in such silence the slightest bit of sound echoed as I sauntered to my locker. After a moment I heard footsteps behind me, 'A teacher?' I thought presuming to get to my locker unloading the notebooks and getting on my way to class. The footsteps kept on and I checked to see if there was someone behind me. When I turned around there was nothing…I kept on walking. It continued once again and stopped every time I stopped. This time I stopped and waited a full minuet before looking back. The janitor walked past me having that frown that was always set in his face. I was rather relieved to see him and continued on my way.

Suddenly I found myself falling smack down to the floor when something heavy or rather someone jumped on my back. Fear rushed through my body like a palpable wave. I wanted to scream for help but my voice got stuck on my throat and had failed me at the moment. I expected the being to do something to hurt me next but instead of all of that they hugged me around the waist and relaxed.

"I'm back Sere!" the person finally said to me and I breathed out a sigh of relief recognizing Darien's voice. He stayed on top of me and I couldn't find a way to tell him to get off because I was being crushed by his weight.

"Hmm-Hmm" a voice cleared its throat that made both Darien and me jump. It was the same janitor that just passed by to the boy's bathroom. Both Darien and I found ourselves sitting up fast on the floor while the Janitor now held a scowl in his face. "Kids theses days…" He muttered as he walked away.

I panted trying to get my heart beat back to normal, then turned to Darien, who was rubbing the back of his neck. He forced a smile at me, what really ticked me off and I couldn't stop myself from slapping him. "Do you always have to do that!?!?!" I yelled at him.

"Ah…Serena that hurt!" He exclaimed rubbing his cheek. But I knew better that it didn't hurt a bit and he was acting.

"I hope it did and I still have another one from where that came from!" I held myself back. "Why do you always have to do that?"

"Do what?" He asked innocently

"Scare me like that!" I answered "And for a second there I thought you were that Janitor. Man…he gives me the creeps at times." Darien started chuckling about something right about then. "What's so funny?" I asked

"Just the thought of the janitor having the hots for you!" He said now bursting into laughter. Anger was starting to form inside of me but instead of hitting him I decided to ignore him; it would serve a better punishment.

"Oh yeah...well enjoy you're self with the dirty mind of yours cause I'm really not interested." I said picking up my books. Just as I was about ready to leave him on the floor he grabbed my wrist and balanced on me to get up. "Let go of me Darien…I got to get to class!"

"You really need to go to class a half hour before it starts?" He asked lifting an eyebrow. I didn't answer so he turned me around to him "I'm sorry! I just can't help it; every time I make fun of you…its just very cute how you get angry."

"Really?" I asked him blushing at his statement

"Nah! You should've seen you're self…you looked like your head was about to burst. Then you would've been headless, which come to think of it would've been funnier." I frowned about to reply back but he cut me off. "Oh come on Serena, I wasn't able to do this for two months being away and plus I won't be here this year. I really missed hanging out with you…I missed us."

I gave him a hug "I missed you too Darien."

"Okay then, I have one favor to ask of you, so don't say no!" He said looking hopeful.

I smiled at him "Of course I wouldn't!" but seeing the sheepish smile on his face made me regret saying it. This was Darien! The one always coming up with all the crazy plans that I never wanted to do.

"Okay, what do you say that we ditch school and hang out the rest of the day?" He asked excitedly.

I glared at him "I do wonder sometimes Darien, why those ideas suddenly hit you when I'm around. Are you crazy?!? I'm gonna get in so much trouble and what a time to ask genius when I'm already in school!!!"

"Come on there is a lot of time until class starts and the teachers are barely here yet. No one will even know when you slipped out of the building and it's only the first day of school. Besides who would ever think that the most innocent and best student, Serena Tsukino, would ever skip school?" He asked confident as he always was.

"She wouldn't if she didn't have a friend named Darien!" I muttered.

"So that means you're coming?" he smirked

"I don't think that is wise." I pushed my glasses up

"Alright, I'm only giving you ten seconds to decide!" He said as he lazily leaned against the wall. I stared at him hoping that he would change his mind or if I could just sneak out when he wasn't looking just for one moment. I thought about it, 'Did I really want to go to classes today?' I sighed, making up my mind and looked up to tell him my decision. He was already about out the door to the stairs ready to leave. "You coming?" He asked holding the door.

"Wait up!" I called trying to catch up to him. It was like he knew I would give in and was just waiting patiently. He scared me at times with the ways that he understood me so much. I was surprised when I saw Mrs. Shield waiting outside in front of her car.

I stopped and made Darien stop as well. "Darien! You're mom is here and she'll kill us both if she hears that we cut school on the first day." I told him all in a whisper dragging him to a corner.

"Actually…she was the one who suggested it." He said in a cheerful voice and I looked at him shocked. "She thought that since we have a full week of school, we should at least get this day to hang out. But other than that she would have forbidden me from ever thinking of it."

I winched hoping that he wasn't joking around. He grabbed a hold on my wrist and ran towards Mrs. Shield. "Hey mom!" she looked towards us with a smile. "Sorry it took so long…Serena here was having second thoughts."

"Hi honey!" She said taking me into a warm embrace. I gave a shy smile being embarrassed of what she was allowing us to do. "Serena, if you're not comfortable than you are welcome to go back." She said noticing my apprehensiveness

Darien gave me a hard whack on the back that almost knocked me off my feet. "Nah, she's okay mom and there is no way she is going back now!"

I glared at him but he only stuck his tongue out at me. Then he opened the door for me to get in which Mrs. Shield smiled at; I knew that he wanted to impress her. And we were out of there while the rest of the student body were barely arriving.

"So when did you get back?" I asked him while the soft radio was the only other thing that was any sound to our silence.

"Late last night, that's why I didn't meet you until today." He answered. And our conversations grew from there while Darien spoke of his vacation. I called Susanne after school hours were over and told her that I would be over at Darien's until late. Mrs. Shields treated us to ice cream and Darien gave me the souvenir that he got for me.

"Hmm…a decorated box?" I asked after taking it out of the wrappings.

"Try… a music box!" He corrected sarcastically

I ignored him contemplating the object. "So how do you open it? It has two key holes etched on it ."

"Well, here is you're key." He said throwing it towards me and I caught it a few inches from my face. "And I have one for myself. I bought it in Florence at an Antique shop. The store owner said that it was a special kind of music box: you need two people to open it. The name of it is 'Uniting two hearts'. I thought why not give that to you…a gift that we both have a part of."

"Put you're key in already!" I said impatiently not even listening to the rest of what he said. He put his key in and took a seat next to me. The top of the box split vertically out and a hologram clip played in front of us. The music was soft and the characters were animation. The clip started off with a princess on the balcony. She was looking down to where her prince stood waiting for her. They were now both under the moonlit night. He went down on his knee and held out a hand. She took his hand and they danced together while suddenly rose petals dropped from the sky around them. The music kept on while they held each other close and found themselves gazing at one another. When their lips met, there was only the image of the consistent embrace. The music stopped and the box closed on its own. "That was really beautiful Darien!" I told him amazed.

"I'm glad you liked it." He smiled "You can keep the box and I'll keep my key. Either way we both have to be there to see it happen again."

"Are you ready to go Serena?" Mrs. Shield asked coming inside the room and I nodded.

"Hey I'm comin too!" Darien said racing down the stairs before we could leave.

"What I don't like about high school is that they are making us wear uniform." Darien started his usual complaining once we were inside the car.

"Actually I think it's a pretty good idea, than the girls won't have the stress of what to wear to school." And as usual I disagreed with him.

"Yeah…I would really like to see you in a short skirt uniform" He mumbled under his breath.

"What was that?" I asked not liking his comment.

"Nothing!" he replied fast with a sweat drop.

"We are here you guys." Mrs. Shield said after stopping the car in front of the front entrance but announced it knowing that we weren't paying attention at all. "Let's get a few things straight before anyone gets out of the car. Today was a privilege that you earned but you must honor this by never doing it again! NEVER again! Is that clear?"

"Yes!" We both answered at once; there actually was no other acceptable answer.

"Serena, by the way if Darien ever tries to convince you, you have my permission to smack some sense into him." She said sarcastically.

"I am honored Mrs. Shield." I said before getting out of the car and received a glare from Darien. "Thanks a lot!" I yelled before closing the front door. I hummed as I got inside and found Susanne waiting for me.

"Long day?" She asked

"Yup and boy am I wiped! Susanne you didn't have to stay for me, won't your kids get worried?" I asked passing her; acting as casual as I could, making my way to the staircase.

"Actually my friend is covering it for me. So how did you enjoy you're day cutting school?" She asked, her words stopping me on my tracks.

"Uh…" I said surprised on how she might have found out.

"Mina called asking if you were sick or something because you weren't in class." She explained knowing my thoughts all too well.

"She did?" I asked hesitantly shocked and was deciding what to do to the idiot when I see her tomorrow.

"Yes she did!" She said in a tone that I knew she wasn't all too happy about the matter. "I can't believe that you would do such a thing miss Serena! And you were late coming home when you know that it is a school night. What suddenly got into you?"

I looked down at the floor embarrassed trying to figure out something to say to her. "I'm sorry Susanne, it was my fault!" Mrs. Shield said from behind us.

"Mrs. Shield?" Susanne asked surprised. Darien grabbed a hold of my hand at the same time and led me up the stairs.

"I'll explain everything to you when we get upstairs!" He whispered. He stopped near my door and let go of my hand. "Mina just called me and asked if you were with me the whole day. When I told her what happened she told me to go right away and help you out because she called earlier and told Susanne that you weren't in class."

"Well at least she didn't let me get in trouble and now I'll have to reconsider killing her." I sighed relieved.

Darien looked down guilt over looking his features "I'm sorry…" he began but I cut him off by hugging him.

"Thanks for that save!" He looked back surprised at me when I pulled away.

"You're not mad?" he asked

"No, why should I be?" I asked lazily leaning on the wall.

"Well…I almost got you into trouble when I knew that you didn't want to cut school. It was all my fault." He gave me an apologetic look

"But you did give me a choice right? And I didn't make the best one so, don't feel that much guilty ok?" I asked putting a hand on his shoulder. He smiled and nodded. "So are you ready for high school tomorrow?"

"To be honest…no." He said in a shy manner "I'm glad I got to spend today with you. It would be weird without you around. I'm kind of nervous because I didn't even get to visit the school over the summer. So tomorrow I'll be a lost soul wandering the halls." I gave a slight laugh.

"You'll get used to it!" I assured him.

"Well, I'm ready to call it a night. I'll see you later okay?" He said as he pat my hand and disappeared down the stairs.

"All right, Mrs. Shield as long as I have your word." Susanne sighed

"I'm sorry if I have troubled you Susanne." She says before she is out the door.

"No problem Mrs. Shield." Susanne said and then closed the door turning to me while I stood on the second floor near the railings of the stairs. "Don't get used to this compromising, because if it does happen again I don't care who tries to cover up for you!" She said with a frown.

"I love you Susanne!" I said to her in a soft voice. She looked at me then shook her head.

"God help me from those words of hers that I don't turn out spoiling her." She said it aloud to herself but I knew it was directed towards me. "Well, you are all Mr. James' responsibility now." She said as she grabbed her purse and left. The house was in silence now. With mother and father always away and Sam who had attended boarding school it was normal that I was alone at home. Susanne was around during the day and James 'the butler' was my guardian at night. He was always strict with me and not half as easy going as Susanne. He had a strong accent that sometimes confused me on what he meant.

"You should head for you chambers Miss Serena!" He said startling me from behind. I didn't answer but headed to my room. After closing the door I looked to where the music box now stood. I ran my fingers back and forth on the designing of the box and smiled to myself. Darien…he was so lucky to have his mom. Mrs. Shields was the best mother anyone could ask for. She always encouraged him in everything that he tried to accomplish. She let him make a lot of choices on his own but guided him in everyway she knew how. She allowed him some privileges that other parents wouldn't dare to and unlike other kids he didn't want to hurt her so he followed everything she asked of him. They were more good friends than mother and son. Mrs. Shield understood that I was a loner the first day Darien introduced me to her. She pulled me in with them and I was always invited to be around. Sometimes it felt like I practically lived with them.

Despite Darien's relationship with his mother he never really knew his father that well. Mr. Shield owned two major import and export companies and just like my case was never around. He was awfully formal with everyone and didn't like it at all when Darien called him dad but preferred to be called sir. It was a wonder how Mr. and Mrs. Shields could be married because their personalities were so much different from each other. Darien says that his mom claims Mr. Shields wasn't always like that, that he changed a lot over the years but that no matter what he should respect his father. I sometimes forgot that he even had a father.

It was strange that when I found Darien I also found his mom. He almost reflected her in many ways. But I was grateful to both of them because of how they pulled me in with them. When the three of us were together I felt the feeling of being wanted and I liked that feeling. Our days were always filled with laughter and joy. But that horrible winter morning in the same year was something that had thrown us all off.