Paradise

The horn of the boat sent out a deep low rumble, signally to all aboard that this was the beginning of their journey. Hundreds of men, women and children crowded around the boat screaming, yelling and dabbing at their tears as they watched their friends and loved ones wave ferociously to them from on the boat. Confetti was thrown from the boat filling and sprinkling the air with color as the 6 friends stood on deck waving to their loved ones. Lita had worn jeans and a green T-shirt, her traditional brown ponytail held tight with a green bobo, both her arms waving frantically through the salt sea air. Amy dabbed at her eyes as her one gloved hand waved goodbye to her family on shore. She had worn a simple blue summer dress, a woven blue straw hat on her head and simple flat white shoes on her feet. Mina was wearing a mini skirt and an abstract designed blouse. One gloved hand and another ungloved covered her mouth as she screamed goodbye to everyone below. Rei stood tall her light untraditional Kimono showing off her elegance as she waved single handedly to her grandfather below. Serena was the only one who decided on a different hairstyle then her usual one. Her hair was straight down cascading over her back and she wore a white tank top, and a tight denim skirt, white platform shoes. It took almost all of her grace, which she had little of, to stand straight without falling over in those things. But her mother thought she'd lend them to her daughter who was now, growing up into a woman…don't ask. In her arms was her cat, Luna who angrily stared out over the people. Serena had one hand on her paw waving it at the crowd as if she were a doll and not the main agent of the sailor scouts.

This was the start of their journey and it was looking to be a promising one. The sun was shining, the waters glistening and blue, and no Darien in sight.

The girls stayed on deck waving and waving at their loved ones as they turned into tiny specks of darkness. Everyone had lowered their arms and had stopped waving that is except Serena. Well, until Luna screamed at her to put her down that instant. Laughing Serena set her down, and they all started towards their rooms, cheering and giggling.

"Hey Serena!"

"Yeah Lita?"

"We get our own rooms right?"

"Uhh, yeah I think we do."

Nodding to no one in particular Lita made her way to Serena's room where the baggage was put until after the ship's launch. Serena's room was actually very big. She had a large kind sized bed, a gigantic shell mirror, and a giant bathroom with little samples for herself. It was a beautiful white and all the girls couldn't wait to see theirs. Grabbing each of their luggages, they promised to come back around 7 so they could get ready for the 8 o'clock ball upstairs. Luna had already made herself comfy on the bed, and Serena thought, hey, why not? I'll unpack later. Curling up to her cat, Serena happily passed out until a knock a few hours later awoke her.

"Ugh… wait…just a second"

Serena's door flew open and she was staring at none other than Darien. He had a short sleeved white shirt on and baggy dress pants as if he had just came from work. His eyes were large and bright and his hair was sloppy. Oh! And he smelt of that wonderful intoxicating smell... that smelt like… him…yeah…that smell. Serena almost felt herself going into a dizzy spell when his voice brought her back to reality.

"Hey Serena."

"…Darien"

I just wanted to thank you again for the tickets… they are umm… great meatball head"

"Thanks, Darien"

Serena had been too caught up to actually notice that he called her meatball head, and the fact that she overlooked it seemed to bring both amusement and pity on the poor meatball head. She must have quite a bit on her mind. Maybe she's never been away from home.

"Mind if I come in Serena?"

"Uh actually, I…I'm kinda-"

"Thanks"

Darien shot past Serena walking into her room and plopping down on her bed. Damn... hers was softer than his was and her bed was bigger. He took a second to look around while Serena glared at him closing the door. It was large, and… well white. The mirror was large, fit for a conceited one of Serena's stature, and her comforters fluffy and white, fit for Serena's delicacy. Her floor was carpeted and pale pink, which already showed signs of pre-use and poorly paid maids. Well, it still looked more elegant than his did with that large chandelier over head, and those windows that actually opened.

"Darien! Get off my bed! Don't you know your not supposed to walk in to a lady's room un-chaperoned!"

"Calm down Serena, I just wanted to talk to you for a minute…about that letter."

Serena stood and looked down at him sitting on the bed, letter in hand. She turned her head away ashamed and blinked back tears. Okay, now he was going to tell her she was too young to care about him… and to look for someone her age. Just great! She shouldn't have been more careful about what she put into the envelope! She should have known. She was thankful she left her hair down today, happy that he couldn't see her face right now, and ashamed she let herself become that affected by the stupid letter. Where were her friends when she needed them? They always interrupted when she didn't want them there, and now that she needed them, they were nowhere in sight!

"Listen, Serena, I know you have… well, you seem to have…uh… feelings for me. You're still young you know? An-"

"I'm not young Darien! I graduate this year! I'll be 18 in a few months, legal."

"All right… well, I guess you're not young then…umm… this is kinda hard for me to say Serena… but…well… God this is so difficult."

Serena closed her eyes and walked to her dresser and began unpacking. That way he won't at least have to face her. She pulled out a few pairs of clothes and placed them into the dresser, and she dropped her shoes to the floor.

"Well, Serena, I guess what I'm trying to say is, do you want to join me for dinner tonight?"

All right… that was not what she was expecting. The bottle of perfume she had been pulling out her bag dropped and fell to the carpet, shattering in to a million tiny glass shards. She instantly knelt down and began picking them up. Darien knelt by her side, and taking his hands in hers, grabbed her attention from the perfume seeping into the carpet. It was all or nothing now.

"Serena, will you join me tonight for dinner?"

Serena's eyes scanned his own and she saw that he was serious. His chocolate brown eyes… were dead serious. She stared at them a little bit longer, enjoying how close he was, and how close...he was moving to her. His lips parted and going for hers. Oh god…he was going to kiss her… her very first kiss. She closed her eyes and puckered her lips and suddenly a knock at the door destroyed the mood, and Darien quickly pulled away from her.

Damnit! Just like she said, never there when she needed them, always there she didn't.

"Hey Serena, Amy wants to know if your gonna join the rest of us to get ready for the ball upstairs"

"Yeah Lita, I'll be there in a bit"

"Well break a leg! We're all waiting for ya"

"All right, be right there."

Footsteps slowly made their way away from her door, and Serena stood wiping off her denim skirt of glass shards. She dare not look Darien in the eye. Not after the embarrassment of the almost kiss. She kept her head low, and began digging in her travel bag for the dress and the makeup she would wear tonight.

"Well, I guess your gonna be having dinner with your friends. Sorry for intruding, I'll see ya-"

"No! Wait Darien. Uhh, what I meant was… I'll um… sit with you upstairs…"

Darien nodded, and then opened the door walking out slowly. Serena slowly backed against the wall and slid to her knees. She would be at the ball with DARIEN! She sat for a few minutes on the ground until the glass shards dug into her skin making her jump up and scream for a few moments. Going to the ball with Darien!

After hours and hours of plucking, combining, shaving and dusting, the 5 girls made their way down the stairs and onto the ball room dance floor. There were a few dozen people already there dancing and laughing away. Women happily spun with their dates and a live orchestra played their instruments superbly. Amy marveled at their instruments immediately recognizing the orchestra as the best known in Japan. Her gloved hand shot up to her face as she caught sight of the conductor. The one famous across all seven seas. Her face immediately grew hot setting off her red lipstick and her light blue eye shadow. That was the color Serena picked for her that night. She wore a light blue gown of long sleeves and ruffles, her dress falling in a straight unwavering line to her feet. Underneath she wore flat shoes, comfort before beauty of course.

Mina tugged onto her arm and pointed to the large glass chandelier, which hung high over the ball room dancers. She wore gold, her bold choice sparkling as she giggled over how the crystal hit her matching bag. Like Amy her dress was long, and straight stopping at her toes. Luckily it showed off her pretty red nail polish and her outrageously high metallic blue shoes. On her face she had metallic blue eye shadow and a rich red that made her look absolutely dazzling. Her hair fell over her face in a high ponytail to her left side topped off with a sparkling blue bobo.

Rei shook her head at her dear friend. Of course she would see the first thing that sparkled in a room. Walking towards Lita, she placed her hands into the sleeve of her Traditional Kimono. It was long and beautiful embroidered with beautiful full white moons and swirls of orange fires over a metallic red. Her shoes were high-heeled flip flops, of red, her toes beautifully painted with orange. Her hair was a low bun with ornaments that had belonged to her mother. Her lips full with an orange/red lipstick her eyes only sporting a thin line of black eye liner.

Lita raised her purse up and instantly spotted the man she would bug for the rest of the night. Her dress was an off the shoulder Green dress that hugged her waist tightly, and ended fully at her knees. Frills of white sat under the skirt raising it to a full and bouncy shape. Her shoes high green Mary Jane's that matched the dress with impossible accuracy, that showed off her shapely, calves. Her hair was let down waving into her face as she laughed and giggled at "her man" who suddenly caught sight of her. Hr large red pouty lips blowing kisses towards the man while her green shadowed eyes winked. It didn't take long for her to jump down the stairs and join his side.

Serena gazed over the banister looking for Darien who should have been there by now. Her dress was the only full one falling like a puffed O at her feet. Her dress was a sleeveless one and held tight to her breasts, pushing them upward as she draped a sheer shawl over her bare arms. Her hair was up the top half in a bun with a white rose wrapped sweetly around it. The rest fell in a blonde sweep resting on the bow that sat just below her waist. It shielded her back which was completely bare, aside from a few spaghetti straps holding the dress together. She took a step forward, her strappy white high-heeled sandals clicking lightly as she walked closer to the balcony. Her eyes scanned over the happy smiling faces, her silver eye shadow beautifully accenting her peachy skin. Her lips were a soft sheer red, giving the illusion of full round likes like Lita's. Oh how she wish she had them.

A hand rested on her shoulder and she turned only to stare into the face of none other than Darien. His large brown eyes showed first shock as Serena's beauty, but then settled into a look of content and happiness. He was wearing a black tux he had rented for the ball and after a quick glance Serena looked down to see his shoes shining much to her approval. His wavy black locks resting peacefully on fore head. He smiled fully at her and pulled something from behind his back. A beautiful black rose corset.

"I wasn't sure what you would be wearing tonight and since black seemed to go with everything.. and what I was wearing, I picked it up in the gift shop. I hope you like it."

Serena merely nodded, tiny tears forming in her eyes as she held out her hand. Taking it delicately in his he bent down and kissed it lightly before slipping the corset onto her hand. Bowing he extended his elbow for her, and she gladly accepted as they stepped down the stairs and onto the dance floor. She passed each of her friends as they mouthed words to her of both shock and excitement, and she did the same. The both continued to walk, stopping when they were underneath the chandelier. Taking her hand, Darien placed one of his on her waist and led her into a waltz with the rest of the dancers.

"You're looking… umm beautiful tonight Serena."

"Thank you Darien, you're looking quite handsome yourself"

"Thanks… well, I guess I can't really call you meatball head tonight huh? Maybe meatball will do"

"No big head I don't think either will do"

"All right, alright, heh. I wanted to talk to you... about the letter… if you don't mind"

"I…uh…I don't mind… go ahead."

"Did you mean for that to end up with the ticket?"

"No… actually I didn't"

"I see"

"But I mean, I do mean it if that's what you do as well… and if you don't, I guess I don't either"

Darien threw his head back and let a hearty laugh escape his lips as he swirled Serena faster to the music.

"Then I guess you have a problem on your hands huh?"

"A problem?"

"Yeah, how to hide this little romance from your glaring friends"

Serena's face lit up understanding that he too had a few feelings tucked away for her. Then looking up she caught sight of her friend staring at her angrily, ready to pounce and demand info from her. Serena ducked her head and laughed as Darien twirled her in the direction away from her friends.

"I guess we do have a bit of a problem"

"We… who said anything about we? I said you."

Serena looked up at Darien her mouth dropped in disbelief.

"Darien, you can't be-"

"Heh, I didn't mean that Serena, you're so uptight tonight, loosen up"

"HEY!"

Suddenly before Serena could unleash her loud screechy voice upon Darien's ears, the orchestra stopped, and the conductor called for everyone to take their seats, the Feast was about to begin. Darien took her arm and led her to the table where he pulled out her seat and sat at her left-hand side. Her friends instantly flocked over to her side and sat with them. Rei on her right, Lita, Mina, and Amy across from them.

After everyone was seated Waiters rushed out piles of seafood appetizers on their hands a they began to serve the 200 some odd guests. Rei quickly tugged on Serena's shoulders and began whispering harshly to her.

"Serena! What is this about?"

"What about!"

"This you and Darien thing, since when did you two become interested in each other?"

"Since this afternoon"

"And you didn't tell us!"

Suddenly a waiter showed up behind Rei and Serena and plunked to plates down in front of them. Rei let go of Serena's arm, and she whimpered as she rubbed it gently. Rei crossed her arms and looked down at the meal in front of her. Shrimps in lobster sauce with a side of Sushi. Looks good. She glanced at Serena's plate that had the same thing. Her chopsticks happily clicking away and she shoveled the food happily into her mouth.

Lita, who had been sitting across from Serena, mouthed words to Rei as she tried to figure out why the hell Serena and Darien were seen together and not hating each other's guts like before. It didn't take long for Rei to mouth an angry I don't know, and for Lita's foot to go crashing into Serena's calf. The poor girl dropped her chopsticks and let out a painful yelp and her hands instantly grabbed her leg. Mina elbowed Lina, and Amy slapped her hand lightly, as both scolded her for her actions. Darien helped over look Serena's leg as she blushed furiously, Rei making puking faces over to her friends across from her. When Serena felt her leg was well enough for her to continue eating, not more than two seconds, she picked up her chop sticks and shoveled more food into her mouth until it was all gone.

Pretty soon, another plate was placed in front of her, the Main Course. A large boiled lobster drenched in butter, angel hair pasta with a delicious creamy sauce and firm string beans with a delicious hint of bursting flavor. Serena happily gobbled it down, and sweat drops formed on everyone's heads. Amy dropped her napkin and stood followed by Mina, Lita and Rei. Serena paid them no mind and continued stuffing her face until Rei grabbed her arm and dragged her into the lady's bathroom.

When the door was closed behind all 5 of them, Serena was bombarded with questions from her friends.

"Serena is that Darien!"

"Since when were you with him Serena!"

"Quite a catch there, great work!"

"I'm so happy for you Serena!"

"Just what the hell did you think you were doing!"

Suddenly all eyes turned to the source of the anger, Rei. Her face was red and her tongue sharp. Everyone had known that Darien was her ex, what really was Serena doing with him to begin with! You don't date your friends ex!

"I was enjoying myself Rei"

"With Darien!"

"Yes with Darien Rei"

"Serena, you've gotta be kidding me!"

"Rei, I'm sorry, I just want a nice time… that's all"

"You don't even like him!"

"That's a lie and you know it Rei!"

"That's not quite what I remember"

The three girls watched as they screamed and yelled at each other back and forth across the bathroom. They shook their heads. Rei was being much too cruel to Serena and Serena much to insensitive to Rei. There wasn't an easy solution to this one. Amy looked sadly at Lita and then at Mina who shook their heads no to stay out of it. It wasn't long before Serena had had it, and screaming angrily at Rei took off out the bathroom in tears to her seat at the table. Suddenly it seemed that Rei was the bad guy in their group.

"Rei why didn't you just leave her be?"

"Excuse me Mina! Did you just see her out there with Darien! And then I'm the insensitive one!"

"I know it's a bit mean, but can't you be a little bit more understanding?"

"Amy what's to understand! My best friend decided she wants to date the guy I used to have a feelings for"

"But if it was used to then why such the problem!"

"Listen Lita, I'd rather not discuss this now! How about later tonight? Come on, lets go finish our dinners" Nodding, they all followed Rei out the lady's bathroom and into the Fiery Ball room.

Alright you guys! The beginning of Trouble in paradise! Write your reviews and let me know what you guys think okay! I hope you enjoyed this, I'll be sure to lengthen the chapters, and update soon. See ya! Lova ya! Carolina