Serena woke up the next morning fully refreshed and full of warmth. She dreamt of her date with Seiya
and his proclamation of undying love for her. She went to the arcade to spend time with her old friends,
She walked into the arcade, well actually she skipped into the arcade. Gave andrew a big hug and
ashed for a burger with fries and a chocolate shake. Andrew had seen the old Serena he knew, so happy
and full of smiles and laughter. He was going to ask what had brought back her bubbly attitude but
decided against it. He was glad he got to see his old Serena. When Andrew produced her food she
gave him a warm smile and headed to the girls that had sat in the same booth for four years. Everyone
at the arcade knew that was their booth it was in the corner of the arcade infront of the window directly
across from the counter on the other side. All the girls gave her a warm hello except for Mina who was
staring outside the window avoiding her presence.
"Oh Mina, you know i dont think of Andrew that way any more. The reason i chose him was because
Taiki and Yaten are like my brothers and that would be gross. Darien and Seiya would have gotten up
set if i kissed the other and I knew you liked Andrew it was payback for that dare."
"It was really mean Serena and im not too happy with you."
"I know. I offer you Mina, goddess of love and beauty, a peace offering of fries and shake." Serena
proclaimed while positioning herself in a low bow.
All the girls had a laugh at Serena's display of a peace treaty nogotiations. Mina had moved aside to let
her sit down beside her so they could share the 'peace offerings'. As the morning went by the five girls
talked about Serenas party, and how when it was Ami's turn to drink a bottle of beer, that was placed
between Yaten's legs, she got all flushed and shy. How Andrew was tickling Lita while he drank the
bottle. Before the girls had left the next morning Yaten had asked Ami out on a date. Lita had found
out Taiki was an accomplished chef and they were going to share recipes. Finally the time came
when they had to head their separate ways, Ami was volunteering at the hospital, Lita was going to
the Starlight to make arragements with Taiki. Raye was due at the temple and Mina had to practise
on her vocals for an audition she had later on in the week.
She was walking through the park admiring the cherry blosoms, that had grown beautiful this year,
children running around and flying kites, while people in love rented a boat and floated around the
lake. The sun was bright, there wasnt a cloud in the sky, and the day coudlnt get better. Unless
somebody was there sharing this moment with her. As if her thoughts were being read, a pair of
strong arms wrapped around her from behind. But these arms werent the ones that held her last
night, these were a different pair. These arms had wrapped around her like they hadnt dones so
in a hundred years,and wouldnt be able to again for a thousand. The owner of the arms brought
his head down to breath in her hair.
"I've missed you Serena."
"I tried to get a hold of you all week. But you didnt answer your phone and nobody has seen you."
"I knew Seiya wanted to spend the week with you so i just stayed out of the way."
"Why are you doing this Dairen?"
"I want to talk to you. i got all of your messages and we had a deal. If you called me the morning after
your party we would talk and i would tell you what i was thinking about."
"Alright well how about we sit on the dock. I would mind putting my feet in the water."
"Sure no problem."
Serena really wasnt sure if she liked Darien touching her that way. As they walked towards the dock
she noticed he was very nervous. Darien was clenching and unclenching his hands, and was mumbling
somthing underneath his breath which Serena couldnt make out. Serena took of the sandals she was
wearing and placed her feet in the water. Darien continuously figeted with his hands while Serena
played with the water with her feet.
"So what were you thinking about that night?"
"Before i tell you that i want to explain why i teased you. When I was five me and my parents were in a
car crash. My parents died and i survived with amnesia. I didnt know who i was or anything. I was then
sent to an orphanage where i was allowed to have a pet. Every pet that i ahd gotten died. After my third
pet i didnt bother to get anymore. As i grew up i kept my distance from everyone. When i met you i was
instantly attracted to you but becuase i my past i kept my distance with you like i did with everyone else.
But i still wanted to keep you near so i teased you. It was a way, for me, to keep you at a distance but
still keep you close."
"Oh Darien im so sorry. I didnt realize."
"Its ok. At the time i didnt know why i wanted to keep you close. When you had left for California, I
found out why. Serena you are my light. Whenever you wernt around i was in complete darkness but
when i saw your face my life had its light back. For the fifteen years i spent my life alone with out my
parents nothing had meaning to me. You showed me how to live. Then when you were gona for that
year in California it got worse. Not only was i not able to see but everything was spinning. I rarely slept
and ate. It was like i lost my will to live."
"Why are you telling me this?" Serena asked while gazing into his midnight blue eyes that were filled
with truth and dispare.
"Serena you make my world complete. You brighten up my day and keep me from falling."
"Darien, i-i cant do this. I need to go. Please give me some space i need to be by my self and think."
Serena put her sandals back on and ran as fast as she could back to her parents house. When she
arrived she locked the door behind her and crouched down onto the floor of the front entrance before
crying until she couldnt cry anymore.
