Darien had insisted Lita spend the night with Serena, as a surprise he said. Serena could see that he hadn't planned this but she knew it when he excused himself. He said that he had to talk to someone; he didn't come back that night. Lita had come over; she didn't looked as dazed as Serena did.
Serena rolled over as she stretched herself awake and she stared at the ceiling. The image of that man danced in her head; Darien told her to stay away from him and has asked if the girl with him was . . . Was what? What could make Darien react this way.?
"Breakfast," Lita called from downstairs. Serena quickly forgot the man as she pulled on her school uniform and raced downstairs. The sound of something sizzling and smells of cake greeted her and Lita watched as Serena walked in and sat down. "Pancakes," Lita smiled as she lifted a plate of golden pads. Serena pulled two of them onto her plate and lathered them with syrup. Lita served herself and chewed slowly as Serena ate her own and pulled more onto her plate.
"Serena," Lita said slowly. Serena lifted her head and put down her fork and knife. Lita continued, "I'm worried about Darien. He didn't pay any attention to you for a couple of weeks, then he took you out last night, and now this."
"He works hard Lita," Serena answered flatly, "and since we defeated the Crimson Celest, he just has more time. We were all pretty busy battling them, don't you remember?"
Lita gave a sharp shudder and then resumed her posture, "I remember, don't worry. I'm just pointing it out. By the way, did you finish Folds' homework? It is due tomarrow."
"Oh, no," Serena cried before slumping in her chair, "I forgot about it. The Celest's forces kept me busy." Serena thought for a moment, "The homework, is it hard? Maybe he'll extend the deadline."
Lita closed her eyes and settled back, "Serena, he won't extend it if you just ask him, that's just not how school works. You should have done it. Do you even know what the assignment was?"
"No idea," Serena giggled, "but the easier it was, the more likely Folds will give us extra time. Come on, lets go!" Lita sighed, straightened her uniform, and followed Serena out the door.
"Who are you?" Serena stopped when she heard the voice. She turned to see a girl with golden hair and a red dress. Lita stopped behind Serena and watched the girl with wonder.
"I met you last night," Serena remembered, "you were with that guy, Darien and I were walking home and we met you and that other man. Who are you? And what did you do with Darien?"
The girl shook her head, "uhn-uh, I asked you first. Who are you and why does Erin want to know about you?"
Serena recoiled for a moment but then she softened, "My name is Serena, what's your name?"
"Erin calls me Arie, he's my older brother," The girl answered as she began twisting. Her dress swung around her in a hypnotic swirl and she continued, "and he says that you are an interesting person. Do you know why?"
Serena's smile drained away in confusion, "I don't know but can you take me to Erin? I would like to ask him."
"No," Arie answered, shocked that Serena would propose that, "Erin won't let me talk to you. I have to go now. Bye." Arie turned and ran. She disappeared before Serena or Lita could react.