So so so so sorry about that really long delay between chapters... yes I realize it has almost been a month. Apart from when I've been doing assessments... I've just been really lazy- no other excuse for it. Sorry guys… really… sorry sorry sorry.

Thankies to: Selphie108, SulliMike23, Alicia Blade, palikani, jokersgirl, kay, Hiei's Ice Maiden, crystalblue, Red-Rose18, ladykagome1230, Usagi-Tsukino-uf06, Tenshi Bunny, Moonlightshadows, Reader, ReneeCP, reihino417, Chibi Tsuki, ffgirlmoonie, Leeza, MoonBunny777, Illusion Glades, sailorceb, Ishq, Cherry-Dmv, SailorButtons, Usagi no Megami, Rose Zen, MizzDL, Sugacoated-Cherries (x4), celticas, cardcaptor eternity, Pyro-Girl, jumping-jo, Lady Dark Angel, Princess Vanne, anonymus, renegade-452 and Crystal

Note: The following chapter is in SERENA's Point of View

Title: Mystery Girl
Author: Crystal Saturn
Rated: PG 13
Chapter: 19- What do I do now?

I spent the past two weeks trying to avoid a confrontation with Darien. He left messages on my phone and tried to talk to me but I couldn't face him. I know I sound like a snobby stuck up cow, but I just didn't know what to say. This was driving me insane. A while ago, everything was perfect. I had a boyfriend who loved me and my best friend was just that, a friend. Now my world has turned completely upside down and I'm so lost. I'm confused and I don't know what to think, what to feel, how to act. This is just so hard for me to comprehend. I'm lost and I feel numb.

I don't know how I feel about Lucas anymore. And the guy who I thought was my best friend, loves me. To tell you the truth, I'm not quite sure I really think of him as just my friend either. I've always felt something for Darien. He's so sweet, so kind, but I never thought of him as a boyfriend. I never really noticed him there because I was just so blinded by my feelings for Lucas. I can't believe how selfish I've been acting. All this time, Darien has been spilling his guts to me and I've been gushing out my feelings towards Lucas. Oh gosh… I feel like such a loser. All Darien ever wanted was to love me and every time, I just let him down and broke his heart. That's all he really wanted. He was always there for me, he did anything and everything for me and I was such an idiot. How could I be so blind?

BRRRRRIINNNGGG

Another class down, not that I was paying attention anyway. Math isn't exactly my strong suit, but then again, what is? I packed my geometry equipment away and walked out of class.

Smack

"Oh I'm so sorry Darien I-"

"It's alright Serena." Chad helped me pick my things up.

"Oh… I'm sorry Chad, I thought you were Darien… he's the only one I happen to run into all the time…" My voice began to trail away at the sound of his name rolling off the tip of my tongue.

"That's alright. Look, I have to talk to you. Come sit with me in the cafeteria in 5 ok?" He was strangely nice to me. I didn't think he actually knew my name but something seemed to be bothering him so I nodded and he hurried away. I packed my things into my locker and made my way through the crowd to the cafeteria.

"Hey Chad." I put my tray down and offered him some food since he clearly didn't have any with him. He shook his head.

"Look, Serena I've gotta talk to you."

"So how's it feel to be a loner?" I couldn't help but ask him since my memories of junior high were plagued with his taunts and teases. Quite ironic how the tables have turned.

"Yeah yeah, look. I'm here to talk to you about Darien. And the reason why I don't hang around the guys any more is because of you anyway."

"Now now, how can it be my fault? It's not like-"

"Darien has a thing for you and he levelled me when he heard that I told you to leave him alone and stay away from him. He thought I had ruined his chances with you. But look, he's a great guy and he really likes you Serena."

"So why are you telling me this now?"

"Because I'm missing the guys and well, Darien's a nice guy, Just give him a go. He went through all that trouble on Valentine's Day to set everything up just to make your day the best day ever and Lucas took all the credit for it. I think that's just wrong. Besides… he beat the crap out of me, one of his friends, because I was badmouthing you, Lucas too. That's just how protective he is of you, so if he can hit me, imagine what he'd do to anyone else who would dare upset you." Chad urged.

"Look Chad, this is all very nice of you but I don't know. Darien's great but, I just don't think I deserve a guy like him. He seems too good to be true."

"Don't give me that bull Serena."

"I just don't know if it would be fair on either of us if I started to date Darien because I felt sorry for him. I don't know if my feelings for him are strong enough, and to tell you the truth… I'm not entirely over Lucas." I sighed, putting my apple core back on the tray.

"Well I think you have to seriously think about this. Don't keep him waiting too long. It wouldn't be fair. He loves you Serena, probably more than anyone else ever has. Don't throw away what you have with him because you think you're going to have your happily ever after with someone who you obviously can't trust." Chad stood up and left the table.

I swirled my spoon in my chocolate pudding as I let Chad's words stir through the pudding that I called my brain. The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced that my feelings for Darien weren't just feelings of friendship. The days where I just watched him through my bedroom window, all the times I called him just to listen to his various random thoughts and theories. Could I have just been in denial? All those times when we just talked on the phone, I listened to him talk about his dream girl and I wished I could find someone who would talk about me like that. And all that time, he was just next door. It was all becoming clear to me. I was so busy trying to dress Lucas up to be my dream guy that I didn't notice my real dream guy right in front of me. Gosh I was blind. Even if Darien had jumped up and down wearing nothing but neon lights and sent flares into the air, I highly doubt I would've recognized him because I was so busy lying to myself.

Don't be naïve… he doesn't love you

I could hear Darien's words echo in my mind. The more I thought about it, the more I knew it was true… and the more I felt torn. A part of me yearned for Darien's arms. I knew he would be a wonderful boyfriend, but another part of me struggled to come to terms with the fact that my high school crush was nothing more than a lying, cheating player. I spent so many years humbly infatuated with someone who isn't all that I thought he was. I felt cheated in so many ways.

Love is how I feel when I look into your eyes

I couldn't believe just how blind I was. All this time, I pushed away the one man that truly had feelings for me from the start. Lucas only really noticed me after I came out of my shell and stopped pretending to be someone I wasn't. Darien was always there for me. From the day that I first met him… and even now.

Just give me a chance…

"Serena…" A deep voice from behind whispered my name so soft that it was barely audible, but loud enough to send chills down my spine all the same. I knew that scent as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I turned my head to face him and he captured my lips against his. My heart fluttered as he left me breathless.

"Mmmm… D-" I opened my eyes slowly, "Lucas!… uh… hi."

"Hey sexy." He winked and I heard a tray clatter to my right. I turned my head and watched Darien walk out of the cafeteria, obviously unhappy.

"Lucas… I-I have to go ok." I hopped up and rushed after Darien, leaving Lucas sitting at the cafeteria table, looking rather mystified.

"Darien! Wait. I need to talk to you." I jogged towards him in the empty corridor.

"Congratulations." He muttered, still striding away.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Well you're here to tell me that I was always wrong. You're here to tell me that I mean nothing to you and you're here to tell me that you and Lucas are together again. Well good luck Serena." He looked straight at me; his eyes were cold and filled with anger.

"No you've got it all wrong." I grabbed hold of his arm to stop him from walking away from the situation. "Darien, I've been thinking about everything you've said and I… I wanted to ask… well… what are you doing this weekend?" Alright… so I'm not the best at asking a guy out, but I was always a firm believer that the man should always ask the lady, so I'm not very well equipped with the skills of the 21st century.

"Jogging… going to the beach… spending all my time at the juice bar, watching movies and listening to loud music… oh and I'll be making lots and lots of fruit juice!" He used my words against me and I felt my heart sink in my chest. "Don't do this Serena." He sighed and looked away.

"Do what?" I looked at the back of his head, rather confused.

"Don't do this to me. Stop playing with my emotions." He clenched his fists tightly.

"I'm not! I really do want to spend this weekend with you."

"Stop it Serena," Darien turned around to face me. "Just turn around and go back to Lucas. He's waiting for you. Just go… walk away from here and we'll both just pretend we never met."

"But I like you Darien… more than just a frien-"

"No you don't. You don't know what you're feeling. You just feel sorry for me right now. Take your guilt trip somewhere else Serena, I won't be your rebound guy."

"Stop trying to tell me how I'm supposed to feel! I know what I'm feeling. You… you're just scared!" I felt my eyes becoming watery.

"Scared? What of Sere?"

"You're just scared because someone you've liked for so long finally feels the same way about you and you don't know what to do. For once in your life, you don't know what to do or say. You're lost Darien!" I watched him shake his head, turn and walk away from me. "Don't turn your back on me Darien! You know I'm right! Why can't you just admit it? Darien? Come back… Darien."

He walked down the corridor and I had never felt worse in my life.

"That's it then! Fine! You know what? You can be like that!" I shouted after him. "Your choice, your loss! I'm going now… I'm… I'm turning around! I'm walking away…. Now. You've lost your chance Darien. Do you hear that? Lost your chance… lost." I sighed and leaned against a nearby locker. I knew how it felt to be him now. I knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of a broken heart. It wasn't him who had lost his chance… it was me.

That brings us to the end of the second last chapter. Meanwhile- I've just updated my latest story "Ski Bunny Blues", so if you enjoyed reading Mystery Girl, you'll love Ski Bunny Blues. Check it out and please don't forget to Review!

Crystal Saturn