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Title of Story: A Deal for Love
Chapter 2

By: Sweet Luna

Everything was so blurry. Serena could barely concentrate, not that she did anyways but that wasn't the point. The Darien that used to trip her, put paste in her hair and pour sand from the sandbox on her head in elementary school was now her boyfriend. The boy who'd push her off swings and steal her sparkly pencils is the guy that people think she is dating. It wasn't too late. She could still fix this… couldn't she? But than again, Chris was getting on her last nerves. Did she really want it to be fixed? C'mon, this was Darien! If it would have been Andrew the situation would have been a lot easier and less awkward she'd tell you that. Serena let out a sigh. She raised her hands waving them until it caught the teacher's attention.

"Excuse me? Can I go to the bathroom?" The teacher nodded who wrote out a pass and let her out. As Serena was walking down the hallway she had a tendency to peer inside the classroom as she walked by. She noticed the classroom that Andrew and Darien would be in right now, so she peaked in. There was Darien in the back with his friends chatting away laughing at whatever joke he made. Typical of him to not listen in class. How does he manage to get such high grades? Darien than turned around to the lesson but his eyes caught Serena looking inside straight at him. Serena ducked quickly but not fast enough. She was sure he saw her. And she made it worse by trying to hide. Oh my god! That's so embarrassing. What will he think? Serena crawled away until she was out of sight from the classroom.

"Young lady, what do you think you are doing? What are you doing on the floor?" Suddenly black shoes appeared in front of her.

"Uh, I lost my earrings. You know, you have very shiny black shoes. Do you polish it often?" Serena patted it not wanting to look up.

"Get up." Serena slowly got up dusting her knees. Serena noticed the person who stopped her as one of the history teacher. She never had her but she heard stories about her, which gave her a not so amiable reputation. Serena gave a weak laugh.

"Both your ears have earrings intact," the teacher said nonchalantly," Let me see your hall pass." Serena handed her the slip of paper. "Take this as a warning young lady. I do not want any fooling around in the hallways." The teacher trotted giving Serena a chance to stick her tongue at her and run away to the bathroom. Once she got there he locked herself in a stall and sat thinking. What to do, what to do! I can say there was a big mistake and hope that those who saw it don't think I lied to get attention. Serena could imagine it now. 'Yea I saw what happened. She says there was a mistake but I know she only wanted to get Darien's attention and make herself feel special.' Serena shuttered. And she would have to deal with Chris. Well I could go along with it and hope that Darien does too. But what are the chances? It's not like I have anything he'd want. I'm not smart compared to him, I'm dead broke and whatever he wants he could probably buy it himself. Serena stomped on the floor in frustration and let out a whine. Why should I worry! It didn't look like Darien got worked over it so why should I? And why do I care what others think? WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? Just play it cool. Like nothing happened. Serena calmed down and was about to get up but stopped when she heard a bunch of girls enter. Without any thoughts she lifted her feet up and stayed hidden.

"Beryl, why did you break up with Darien? He's like the hottest guy ever," a girl asked.

"You know me. I love it when guys come crawling back," Serena glowered at the statement.

"You know what I heard?" Serena heard another voice enter," I heard that he has a new girlfriend." Serena listened more carefully.

"What do you mean a new girlfriend! Who is it this girl?" Beryl asked incensed.

"Yea just found out today. Some girl named Serena. I've seen her. She's in my math class."

"Serena? How did she ever get a guy like Darien? The only girl good enough for him is me." Serena sat waiting for them to finish talking and leave. She looked through the opening and stared at them fixing themselves in the mirror. One was putting mascara on and another some lip gloss. Serena saw Beryl just barely leaning on one side checking her fingernails chewing away her gum. Finally after they had left Serena got up and unlocked the door. She walked over to the mirrors and looked at herself. I'm good enough for anybody. Serena pouted.

…………………….
The bells rang as Serena gathered the last of her books and than she head towards the café. There she saw Mina flirting with another guy like usual, Rey, Lita and Ami who were already there. She took her usual seat at the table.

Ah, I'm hungry. I head piece of bread and OJ for breakfast," Serena put her head on the table.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day Serena," Ami informed. Serena smiled. Good to know I have friends who care. Serena went up to go on line to buy food and she couldn't have been happier. But before she could reach the line she was pulled away and dragged by her arm. She looked over to see who was pulling and saw Darien. She let out a groan. She willingly followed. The sooner they got this over the sooner she could eat. He took her out by the side of the school and let go of her.

"Why are we here? To make out?" Serena asked dully rolling her eyes.

"Why were you looking in my class?" Darien questioned.

"Uh, well you see," Serena straightened up as she tried to think of a legitimate excuse," That's not important. People think we're dating."

"Well it's not my fault is it?"

"You could've denied it all." Even though Serena knew it would've been devastatingly humiliating if he did and she knew Darien did as well.

"So what now?" Darien eyed her.

"I don't know. I was hoping I could get the answer from you." Serena shifted her weight from one foot to the other anticipating a response," Well I've thought about it. I don't want to further embarrass myself and I don't want Chris all up on me. And I don't know what I can possibly give you that you don't already have. But—you know—still I--."

"Are you implying that we should pretend to go out to fool people?"

"I'm trying but I don't see how this can be a fair deal," Serena was still thinking in her head.

"Ok, how about this? We make up a contract. Two copies, one for me and one for you. You name your terms and I'll name mine and then I'll come by your house around 6. We'll go over it and make it into one contract." Serena looked at him suspiciously. There was nothing wrong with the idea.

"Ok…" Serena answered slowly," But c'mon can you handle this? You're the kind of guy who needs a different girl hanging on you arm every week."

"What are you trying to say? That I can't do this?"

"No never mind." Darien walked back inside the school. Serena remained where she was and leaned against the wall. She rubbed her head to release the tension. This is full proof, this is full proof. Serena kept it repeating in her mind.

………………
Beryl watched intently as she saw Serena and Darien talking in the corner. Jealousy ran over her whole body making her clutch her hands into a fist. So that's who's going out with Darien. She saw Darien go back inside followed by Serena.

She's going to get it. Oh she was.

………………
After school, Serena was glad that her friends had other activities to attend to. She walked home as fast as she could. Serena slammed the door behind her and ran up to her room. She was thankful that no one was home. Right away she went on her computer typing the rules and terms like she was suppose to.

……………..
The doorbell rang and Serena looked over to the clock. 6:17. Boy. She grabbed her papers and went to answer the door. When she opened the door there was Darien standing tall. She couldn't help but gape as he took his sunglasses off and toss his hair a bit. Serena snapped out of it. It was so foolish. What was she thinking?

"C'mon lets get this over with," Serena said hoping he didn't see her staring at him. TWICE. She moved aside to let him in. She led them to her kitchen looking at the clock. Her parents weren't going to be home till 8:00 and her brother was up in his room. They sat down across from each other with pens by their sides. They exchanged their papers looking through it.

Darien's terms:

Terms:
1. PDA: Public Display of Affection will be allowed in order to deceive others into thinking they were one couple.
2. Must be together 90 if out in public.
3. Must attend parties or other social events together.
4. Cannot doubt any moves that Darien may make to make them look like a genuine couple.
Etc, etc, etc.

Serena read as it went on and on, until finally it came to:

Rule:
For it to be a fair deal the other party must give her time into attending to Darien's reasonable needs. She must be over his residence every weekend to do whatever task may be at hand until the time is up. She must not protest against her duty and must do them fairly.

"What are you kidding me?" Serena looked at him unbelievingly.

"I stated it was reasonable," Darien looked at her and gave her his innocent smile.

"I don't want to be treated like a slave," Serena griped.

"Do you want this or not?" Serena looked down at the paper and feebly nodded.

Serena's terms:

Rules/terms:
1. Darien must not scam on other girls, ladies, women etc. and neither will Serena.
2. He will not abandon/ditch Serena at whatever cost for any other women. (Other than his family members.)
3. They must make what they do believable.
4. Neither one of them will be forced into doing something life threatening or truly uncomfortable/displeasing to themselves or others.
Etc, etc, etc

"Ok well now we have to state the penalty if any one of these are broken," Darien looked up from the paper.

"Fine, if you break any one of our rules it will be the payment of $500 American dollars cash." Serena beamed.

"Ok than. Mine will be if you break any rules or term I am allowed to discontinue our act whenever I feel and may refuse any of the blame."

"That's your punishment? Wouldn't you rather get something out of it?" What are you doing? Who cares! It's better for you anyways! Do you want him to have the upper hand?

"Your humiliation is good enough for me any day," Darien answered, "What's today? So if February's almost over we have 4 months of school. Ok I got it. Let's have this pretense for about two months beginning from March to April. Two month's good enough right? Well let's make that contract. Where's your computer?"

"Are you sure you can handle two months?" Serena asked sardonically.

"I'm Darien, am I not?"

"Getting a little cocky don't you think?"

"Do you have a computer or not?" Darien asked again.

"In my room but I'd rather you not go so I will be right back," Serena snatched the papers and ran up the stairs. After few moments she came down with two new papers and set it on the table. She looked at Darien smiling. He took it and proof-read while Serena took her seat across from him.

The Contract:
Participants: Serena Tsukino and Darien Shields

The parties signing this contract do solemnly vow to bide by the terms and rules. They must keep all information exchanged between them a secret. This contract is effective for two months starting from March to April 2006.

It went on to list first Darien's rules and terms than Serena's. Underneath had the penalties and finally there was the mark X and the line to sign their names. Serena waited until finally he looked up at her. They stared at each other silently agreeing to the contract. They both picked up the pen beside them and signed their names. They switched the papers and signed the other contract and slammed down their pens. They stared at each other grinning. They both got up from their seats and shook each other's hand briefly. Darien gathered the paper and gave Serena one last look before putting his sunglasses on and leave.