Title of Story: A Deal for Love
Chapter 3

By: Sweet Luna

"What he's got a girlfriend already?" someone said in a livid tone," He hasn't gotten over Beryl yet! How does he have another one?"

"It was you who caused them to break up wasn't it? Why?" They were behind a building talking.

A grin appeared. "The master genius. I just can't stand him. He's too perfect. Everything he tries he succeeds in. School, sports, everything and everyone worships him. That's why I had too. I noticed he was taking Beryl seriously unlike the other girls he's dated. A little competition never hurt anyone. I thought I got him for sure this time. I don't think it's fair that god seems to favor him the most."

………………….
Already the next day Serena noticed everyone whispering to one another as she walked by. At first it kind of plagued her, were they saying something bad about her? But as the day progressed she got use to it and let it go. She had no more energy left to deal with it. At times during the day Darien walked her to class carrying her books. He walked with his arms around her keeping her close to him while putting on a nice façade but Serena would inch away not feeling comfortable. Serena couldn't help but freak out a bit. What should she do? React the same way and act like they were really a couple, but if Serena did she felt so odd and like a weirdo. Should she let Darien do all the work? After all he seems to have had more experience. Sorry but she didn't play guys like he did with girls. It just felt so strange that he was her boyfriend and still her biggest enemy. Finally lunch time rolled in and Serena went to her usual table.

"Serena Tsukino! You better explain yourself missy!" Serena looked up and saw Rey approach her with an unreadable expression. "I hear a rumor that you have a boyfriend."

"It's no rumor," Serena muttered.

"And it's Darien nonetheless! You have a boyfriend and it's Darien! You just have all the luck!" Mina interrupted.

"More like a curse," Serena whispered to herself.

"Did you say something?"

"No," Serena smiled angelically.

"But Serena just yesterday you were bad-mouthing about Darien and how you loathe him," Lita explained. Serena froze.

"Uh--- well--- I--," Serena stuttered.

"Serena you tried to pull this off without knowing that we'd find out? You know you can't hide anything from us. You only badmouthed Darien because you didn't want anyone to know you guys were dating. Am I right, am I right?" Rey forced.

"Nothing gets past you Rey huh? Yes I didn't want words to get out but I guess it did." Serena looked at the faces of her friends to see if they were buying any of this. She let out a sigh of relief. That was such a close one.

Serena sat eating her lunch but girls she barely even knew came up to her and started to ask bunch of questions. About Darien.

"When did you guys start going out?" she noticed a blonde freshman ask. He even has 9th graders all over him? They need a hobby.

"How did you guys hook up?"

"What's he like?"

"How did you ever get Darien in the first place?" Serena tried hard to look like she didn't hear it. Beryl had said the same thing. All the questions they were down pouring on Serena were giving her a headache. She was getting claustrophobic with these freaks surrounding her. They needed lives. After Serena finished eating she looked around for her friends but they weren't anywhere. They left her? Serena wedged herself out of the mob of girls who didn't even notice Serena leave.

Serena saw her friends chatting away with Andrew at his table. Which also meant the Darien was sitting there with him too along with some other guys. She walked over to them and looked down on her friends.

"Why did you leave me? They were literally killing me back there. Not to mention some rudeness too. It's seems like there's a Darien fan club."

"We didn't want to interrupt. We were talking about the senior trip in two weeks. Serena why are you here? You seemed like you were enjoying the moment back there."

"She's here because she wanted to see her good-looking boyfriend." Serena turned to Darien, with an unhappy look.

"C'mon why aren't you sitting next to him Serena?" Mina asked.

"Yea Serena. Why?" Darien added.

"No thanks. There's only few minutes left so it's alright for me to stand."

"Serena, there's ten minutes. That's plenty of time. C'mon." Serena hated when Mina tried to play matchmaker. They all watched Serena and had quizzical expressions as to why she wasn't even going near Darien. Any girl would have been all over him by now. Serena wasn't obviously going to win this, especially against Mina. She sat down next to Darien keeping few inches away. Darien put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Serena's eyes widened and turned red. She felt uncomfortable and bothered. Ew! I'm being touched by Darien the Evil. Serena glanced at Darien and then to her friends.

"Aw, you guys make an endearing couple," Ami said her face in admiration. Serena made a face.

"So you guys are going out eh? I mean a good-girl like Serena and a playboy like Darien? It seems unlikely, don't you think?" Andrew looked at them two.

"So what are you saying?" Serena stared back.

"Well I mean yester- you know what never mind?" Serena felt a little knot in her stomach? Did Andrew figure it out the plan already? Had Darien told him? A smile crossed his face a split second. "Words just don't cut it for me; prove that you two are really going out."

"What are you talking about? How?" Rey asked.

"Let's see you guys kiss. No peck or none of that. A real one on the lips. C'mon give us something to cheer about"

"What? I am NOT kissing him!" Serena screeched. All her friends stared at her quizzically.

"Why not Serena," Andrew looked at her innocently. "So wait, you guys are dating but you refuse to kiss him? That's a bit odd don't you think? You sure you guys are going out? Won't Chris be happy about the news?"

"We are dating," Serena said feebly.

"Ok then I'll believe it when I see it. Kiss him." Darien gazed over at Andrew and grinned. He knew what Andrew was trying to pull. Unfortunately he could care less about kissing a girl. He's done it practically everyday. Serena glared at Andrew. He gave her a smile fully aware of what he did. She gave him an evil look hoping he's get the message that she will get him back for this.

She glanced at her friends as they waited patiently. Her face was in misery and she couldn't stand the thought of kissing Darien. It was bad enough that she had to be his slave literally for the next two months but kissing him was like committing suicide. Seconds passed and nothing happened. Darien afraid that their whole "relationship" will be blown acted quickly. One second Serena was pouting and the next she realized Darien was kissing her. Before Serena could react he let go and left her startled and aggravated. The bell rang and everyone filed out of the cafeteria. Serena was left behind and looked as if she was in her own little world.