Soooo so so sorry I didn't post a chapter last week. I have so many assessments and so little time. To compensate for this, I will attempt to release 2 chapters this weekend. Since its Friday now, I'll try to get the next chapter out by Sunday.

Thanks to: Lexi Wexi, Illusion Glades, Hiei's Ice Maiden, Forever Tranquility, MoonPrincess568, CharmedSerenity3(they will), Tenshi Bunny, Lady Shiriana, Moon-Daisuke, saiyangrlserena, Selphie108, nessa, Becx (don't worry, you weren't) jules, animix-chix, Fuzzy, IisGenius, xfilesoc, xalmostxfamousx, Elle nim 'loki (thanks for taking the time to write an awesome review) Jennyroseangel, MoonRose Angel, SulliMike23 (I despise guys like that too) bunnybunny, samsonite (thanks for the reviews!) kimmikat (thought I made most intentions rather clear.) Pyro-Girl, Pamela and ra

Title: Mystery Girl
Author: Crystal Saturn
Rated: PG 13
Chapter: 12- Sneering Rivalry

"Err… what if I said I was busy?"

"Don't lie Dar, I so just saw the ball hit your face." He chuckled and I watched as he stood up out of bed and closed his curtains playfully.

"So what's so important that you just couldn't resist calling the almighty Darien?"

"Almighty?" I laughed.

"Oh, gee thanks Sere, way to burst a guy's ego!"

"Sorry." My laughter subsided into giggles. "I just… needed someone to talk to." I sighed wistfully.

"Oh? About?" He asked and I paused to think.

"Just… things…" I frowned and shrugged. "I'm supposed to be at the movies with Lucas right now."

"You are? Then what are you doing home?"

"He cancelled… he called at the last minute and said he was feeling sick." My blue eyes began to water and I felt my heart sink in my chest again.

"Oh…"

"It's just…" I let out a soft sniffle. "I got so excited! I mean, I went to all the trouble of getting all dressed up and looking all pretty and…" I sniffled once more.

"Aww Serena… don't cry…" I heard the sympathetic tone in his soft voice. I don't know what it is about that line: 'don't cry' but it always makes me want to cry more, which is what I did for most of the night.

"Sere how about we go catch a movie now?" Darien suggested.

"Now?"

"Sure! Why not?"

"No… I don't think so Darien. I look like a mess and I just don't feel like it." I looked at my reflection in the mirror and needless to say, I really did look horrible. I had makeup everywhere. The mixture of mascara and tears had created a ghastly effect on the canvas that was my face. My clothes were mangled and crimpled, hanging lifelessly onto the curves and contours of my body.

"Oh… alright, well how about we go out for lunch tomorrow then?"

"Ahh… I'd love to Dar but Lucas promised me he'd take me shopping tomorrow to make it up to me."

"Oh…" Darien sounded disappointed.

"Aww, I'm sorry Dar…"

"No no! it's fine! We'll go out some other time." I couldn't help but feel bad. He was trying to cheer me up by taking me out and I rejected him. In a way it kinda felt like I was letting him down more ways than one.

"Babe that looks hot." Lucas grinned.

"You really think so?" I twirled around and looked at my reflection in the mirror. "It's not too revealing is it?" I didn't really notice how short the skirt really was until I put it on.

"No, no, no! It's perfect on you!" For some reason his tone didn't quite disperse my feeling of inappropriateness. I tugged on the red low cut midriff top in an attempt to cover up a little more flesh and keep some sense of decency, unfortunately the tug only resulted in me revealing more cleavage.

"Baby really! You look awesome! We'll take it." Lucas handed the shop assistant his credit card.

Well ok… if he's paying…

We walked out of the sixth store that day and I couldn't help but think that maybe he was giving me a makeover. I didn't mind though. As long as we were together, everything was perfect. My day was going by so well. It's still hard to believe that I, Serena, am going out with Lucas… it's my dream come true! My fairy tale fantasy! Unbelievable!

I caught sight of Darien working at the juice bar and casually made my way over, smiling happily.

- Dariens P.O.V -

Well my day's been pretty miserable. I wouldn't have had to work today if Serena had taken me up on my offer of lunch, but nevertheless, she's out on a shopping spree and I'm slaving away. Doing the hard yards, raking in some money. Not that it's a bad thing, I'm going to need all the moolah I can get if I'm going to successfully splurge on Serena for Valentine's Day to woo her and win her over to my side. The good side…

"Good side..." I smirked while doodling all over a napkin. "Lure over… welcome to the good side." I scribbled a couple stick figures, one of myself blasting the Lucas stick figure to oblivion and winning the heart of the fair maiden stick figure, Serena.

"Aherm." A soft voice brought me back to reality and I realized there was a customer waiting.

"Hi Welc- oh hey Sere!" I smiled when I looked up and realized Serena was standing before me.

"Hey Dar!" she shot me her warmest smile.

"So what'll it be."

"Just a regular watermelon."

"So… the usual?" I smiled and winked.

"Am I paying you to flirt with my girlfriend?" Lucas strolled up to Serena's side and pulled her closer to him protectively.

"Are you signing my pay cheques at all?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Boys please…" Serena tried to settle us both down.

"Look juice boy, they obviously didn't train you well enough here. Your service is crap and I don't see why we should be paying for this kind of garbage." Lucas began to argue right when my manager walked in.

"Lucas that's enough…" Serena warned once more.

"Here you go Sere, it's on me." I managed a small smile and handed Serena the regular sized juice cup over the counter. I turned to my manager, exchanged a few words and stepped into the back room for my break. Thankfully for me, my manager likes me and is fairly understanding. I don't think he would've believed anything Lucas had said anyway considering what an ass he is. I removed my apron and placed it on its designated hook before stepping out of the juice bar for my lunch break. Perfect. I have just enough time to get myself some lunch and purchase everything I needed to complete phase one of operation Romeo. Lucas Kingston. Prepare to meet your match. This is it. This is war, and I am determined to win Serena's heart, no matter what the cost.

This should be very interesting.

Ok that's it for now and I'll hopefully see you all again with another chapter in a couple more days. I'll try to get out longer chapters but we'll see how it ! Read and Review! Ciao!

Crystal Saturn