She turned around reluctantly, and entered the doors to work. No one was in the restaurant, and Serena wasn't surprised by this. It was a Monday night, not many people went out to dinner at a place like this. Besides, most of their crowd came in at lunch anyway.

"Serena, is that you?" a nasally voice chirped from the kitchen. Her boss, Richard, was a nice guy, but he really got on her nerves sometimes.

"Yeah, Hi. I'm going to go change, I'll be right out," she hollered as she made her way to the backroom. She shut the door behind her, and clicked on the overhead light. Extra employee uniforms hung on a pole that ran the length of the room, and brown cardboard boxes littered the floor. Serena opened her bag, and pulled out a pair of caramel khakis, and a button up black blouse. She didn't really mind the uniform, she wore this type of clothing anyway. She then tied a black apron around her waist, and for the millionth time, was grateful it wasn't the kind that wrapped around your neck, like a weird form of Betty Crocker apparel. After taking a drink of water from her water bottle, she pulled her long auburn and blonde hair up near the top of her head, and tied it with a ponytail. She glanced in the mirror, before ditching her bag behind a crate of peppermints. It wouldn't be the first time if someone took something during work, so she always hid her stuff, instead of putting it in the cubby with the rest of the employees' belongings.

Finally, she exited the room, heading down the narrowed hallway to the kitchen. She pushed open the swinging oak door, and grabbed her time card, punching in. Serena was just about ready to head back out front to help set up, when she heard a pair of voices coming from Richard's office. Stealthily tiptoeing across the room so as not to announce her arrival, she came to the end of the kitchen, and craned her head around the corner. Richard's office door was open. Two figures were standing inside, but because of the angle, she couldn't get a good look. She just wanted to know whom he was talking to. Perhaps he had hired another new guy. That would make the second new one this month. She strained her ears to hear what they were saying, barely able to make out Richard's voice.

"I'd like to introduce you to the rest of the staff, come on out front." Not good! Serena wheeled around and bolted through the kitchen and around the corner through the door. She skidded to a halt behind the front counters.

"Christ Serena, why the hurry?" Lita asked her, a bit concerned, but chuckling nonetheless. Serena waved her hand across her throat, shaking her head. Lita threw her a perplexed look. Serena nodded towards the kitchen. Seconds later, a scrape echoed from down the hall, signaling that they had just pushed open the door. Richard appeared, closely followed by…

"Afternoon ladies," Richard sang in a voice that was much too cheerful. "I'd like you to meet Jake, he's going to be working the counter a few days a week." Serena wanted to die, right then and there. This was going to be the worst torture imaginable, but it got worse. "I'd like you two to help train him in, you both know what you're doing. I'm not anticipating a huge crowd, so you shouldn't have much trouble," he patted Jake on the shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen once again.

Serena looked over at Lita, receiving an utterly sympathetic stare in return. Slowly she turned her gaze to Jake, who was either incredibly pleased with himself, or was just being overly friendly. Serena couldn't tell, and she frankly didn't care. Being how she was at work, she doubted he would try anything really annoying, and also doubted that she should act like a jerk around him, unless provoked. Oh, he was sly, this one. He had probably thought of the same thing.

"I guess you'll be training me in then, eh McGinnis?" he asked, sauntering towards the front counter. Serena was wiping glasses feverishly, and merely nodded. She was relieved to hear Lita speak next.

"Alright, listen Bohan, here's how things are going to go. This counter, up here, is where we serve coffee, sundaes, drinks, and that sort of thing. It's called "The Counter", for obvious reasons. Basically what you do is run the register, and serve the people who want to order some Counter food," she motioned to the large overhead menu above them. "Dine in, is our job. The menus are there. When people come in you ask if they are dining or getting something from the counter, got it? If they are dining in, you bring a like amount of menus, and seat them in the appropriate waiter's section. You also help us clear tables if we ask you too, and if we're really busy, you can help us serve drinks, but we get the tips." She finished. "Any questions?"

"No, I think I'll get the hang of things pretty quick," he replied.

"Right, then I'm going to explain how to use the cash register," Lita answered. Serena groaned. This was going to be a long night.

And she was right, too. Lita and her only had about 7 tables each, and spent most of their time up at The Counter, serving the overwhelming amount of people who wanted hot chocolate, or warm coffee drinks, as the weather had grown cooler in the past couple of hours. They showed Jake how to use the blender, coffee machine, pop dispenser, and ice cream maker. Richard had insisted that Jake help Lita and Serena clean up at closing, despite their protests. The three of them wiped down all the tables, and flipped up the chairs. Serena swept the wood floors while Jake followed her with a mop, and Lita made short work of printing out the register summary, voided receipts, and bills.

The girls returned to the kitchen, and punched out, then to the backroom to grab their belongings. Lita grumbled angrily about how ridiculous it was that Jake was working here, and that she hoped he would at least be good at the job. Serena agreed, grabbing her bag from behind the peppermints. They left through the front door, and said their good byes, Serena telling Lita that she wanted to talk to all 4 of the guys online tonight, so that she had better be there. Lita promised that she would be, and waved, as she rounded the corner.

"Serena!" someone shouted from behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Jake quickly caught up to her, as she walked briskly down the fairly empty sidewalks. "Jeez, we sure are spending a lot of time together now huh?" he asked grinning. Serena rolled her eyes.

"Joy to the world," she replied, uninterested.

"Yeah, you being a waitress is pretty awesome. I should come in sometime when I'm not working so you could serve me," he laughed at himself, loudly.

"I think I'd spike your drink," she shot, still not even looking at him as she walked.

"With a date rape drug?"

"With rat poison." Jake laughed again.

"I'll be seeing you," he shouted, and turned, heading back in the opposite direction. The rest of the walk home was peaceful. It was 8:00, and most people were doing last minute errands, or taking a walk around the lake. She could see the cool water rippling from the street, and dreamily thought of how romantic it would be to take a walk there with someone. Her mind then flipped to Darien. Serena was pretty damned excited to tell the girls about this guy. She wondered if any of them knew him. More importantly, she wondered if they knew if he was single. Was it even okay to be interested in your tutor?

Upon returning home, she quickly bolted upstairs, and logged on to her computer. Music hummed from the speakers, and she took no time in joining a chat room with Amy, Rei, Lita, and Mina.

FiReChild: So what's this urgent meeting about Serena?

CooKinSizzles: Yeah really, I don't know why you didn't just tell me at work. I've been wondering all night.

BraniacManiac: I'd probably be online anyways, doing research, but it did strike my curiousity.

LoveMiTender: You guys, I think I know! I just can't hold it in any longer!

CrysTalClear: Mina, you're horrible. Did you tell everyone already!

LoveMiTender: No, I swear! But tell them before I do!

CrysTalClear: Alright girls, well you know how I'm doing those study sessions after school?

FiReChild: Of course.

CooKinSizzles: yeah?

BrainiacManiac: Right…?

LoveMiTender: Heehee!

CrysTalClear: Well, my tutor is….

LoveMiTender: AN ABSOLUTE HOTTIE!

FiReChild: I doubt that

CrysTalClear: His name is Darien, and he is gorgeous! He's really nice too you guys! I was wondering if any of you knew him.

BraniacManiac: Wait, Darien you said?

CrysTalClear: yeah.

BraniacManiac: Is he tall with dark hair and blue eyes?

CrysTalClear: Yes, do you know him?

BraniacManiac: Yeah, I do. He helped teach an exam course that I took

last year. He's a year older than us, haven't you seen him around school before?

CrysTalClear: Not that I know of….and I would have remembered.

CookinSizzles: Is he that good looking? I've just heard about him is all.

LoveMiTender: Yes.

FiReChild: All I know is that Jamie says he hangs out with a Darien.

LoveMiTender: Is that the guy you keep talking about?

FiReChild: Yes! He's in my gym class….

BraniacManiac: Darien is handsome. His uncle is the owner of Shield Co.

CookinSizzles: You mean that big new department store downtown?

BraniacManiac: Yes, it's doing very well.

CrysTalClear: That would explain it.

LoveMiTender: Explain what?

CrysTalClear: Darien offered me a ride to work, because I was running behind.

FiReChild: Go figure.

CrysTalClear: . Anyway, he drives a red Mustang.

CookinSizzles: baWOOOOOga!

LoveMiTender: whistles

FiReChild: Impressive!

CrysTalClear: And he also didn't tell me his last name. No wonder. He didn't want me to judge him.

The girls continued to chat a bit, before signing off. Serena grudgingly started some of her math homework before showering, and going to bed.

EEP EEP EEP EEP! A harsh beeping noise filled Serena's room. Groaning at the fact that it was already 6:00 AM, she reached over and swatted blindly at the source of the cacophony. Damn that stupid piece of-

Her hand thwacked against something hard, and a second later, a crash came from her floor. Serena poked her head out from under the blankets. Unfortunately, she had broken another one of her alarm clocks. Her mom wouldn't be too pleased. She was forced to buy them in bulk now, because Serena went through about one a month. Slowly she crept out of bed, shoving the jumbled parts of the broken clock under her dust ruffle. Her sleepy eyes drifted to her closet. She decided on a pair of perfectly worn blue jeans, and a form fitting long sleeved ribbed shirt, in a teal color. She dressed quickly, because her room was cold, and stared into the mirror while applying her makeup. She grumbled angrily to herself. Foundation, silvery eye shadow, black eyeliner, mascara…why did she feel the need to wear this anyway? She wished she was one of the girls who looked good without makeup, but it just felt weird to her. She let her blonde and red curls spill over her shoulders. After snatching her bag and checking to make sure she had her music player, she headed downstairs. Upon entering the kitchen, her mom greeted her cheerfully.

"Morning, Sere. I made you breakfast, hurry up and eat then brush your teeth, you're running late." Mrs. McGinnis shoved a plate in front of her on the table.

"Mom, I'm not even that late!" she protested. Instead of eating the large breakfast, she snatched a piece of toast, and told her mother to give the meal to her brother. He loved breakfast food. She mumbled a goodbye to her mom through a mouthful of toast, and headed out the door.

It was a nice day out, and Serena had a good 10 minutes more than she normally had to get to school. She took her time, ambling along, occasionally stopping to lick jelly from her fingers. As if to mock her, 5 minutes into her walk clouds began to cover the sun, and grow dense. Serena didn't really notice this until a drop of rain landed sharply on her nose.

"Oh shit," she mumbled. It was going to be pouring soon. In attempt to avoid looking like a human sponge, she started to run, for the most part avoiding getting wet. Just as it started to come down, the school came into view. She cursed again, and lifted her bag above her head, putting the toast in her mouth as she entered the grounds.

As soon as her foot touched the school pavement she came into contact with a very large piece of something, and was sent flying to the ground. Her knee slid against the rough pavement, tearing open her jeans and flesh, and to her utter dismay, her beautiful piece of toast ended up stuck to her shoe, jam smeared across the hem of her pants.

"AWESOME!" she yelled furiously into the sky. A chuckle was emitted from behind her.

"Cute, Serena, maybe you'll start a trend," Serena glared, hatred filling every cell in her body. Jake Bohan stood in back of her, his leg stuck out irregularly.

"You're one to talk," she snapped, pointing to his shoe. Jam was globbed across the toe of his white sneaker. His smirk vanished, then reappeared as quickly as it had gone.

"You seem to be falling for me more and more every day, baby. I don't know why you can't see it yourself."

"I'd rather date my mom, Jake." He glared, and Serena raised her eyebrows, daring him to say something more. She kicked the piece of toast off her shoe, and rubbed off as much of the jam as she could, before grabbing her bag, which was now wetter than the fricking clouds themselves. She began to head for the doors, but was immediately blocked by her seeker again.

"What!" she asked, throwing her hands up in the air. It was a little late to worry about getting wet.

"At least give me your number, or let me pick you up after school today," he offered, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"Are you too stupid to realize that I am not interested in the slightest?" she growled, attempting to move forward, but his arm held firm. He merely smirked back at her, saying nothing. Serena was just about ready to use violence when a familiar male voice echoed from the other direction. Upon seeing who it was, she gasped. Darien. His shoulder backpack wrapped across his chest. He was carrying keys in one of his hands.

"Serena? What's going on?" he asked, looking shocked.

"Just dealing with the trash," she smiled anxiously, trying to seem in control.

"What's it to you, anyway?" Jake shot at Darien, who was slowly approaching them. Serena took the opportunity to pull away from his grasp, and started walking briskly towards the doors. Her shaking hand barely touched the handle when it was quickly snatched away.

"Where do you think you're going?" he breathed, catching up to her. That was it.

"Jake, touch me one more time, and I'll kick your ass," she said, firmly, but in acalm manner.

"Promise?" he laughed, grabbing her other arm. She had given him a warning. Serena kneed him as hard as she could in the stomach. He let out a grunt, and doubled over in pain, his breathing ragged, his hand still planted around her slender wrist. He made a move for the other one again, and she braced herself. But just as Jake's hand closed around her arm, a very strong pair of arms ripped him away. Serena opened her eyes. Darien stood, before her, glowering at Jake.

"What is your problem?" he spat, massaging his own wrist. Serena said nothing. To be brutally honest, she was thinking the same thing. His help was more than appreciated….but she couldn't believe he would do something like that for her. They only just met yesterday.

"My problem is you. Now back off, or I'll make you," he said calmly. He motioned for Serena to move inside, but she couldn't move an inch. Her mind was completely blank. Her blue eyes stayed focused on Darien.

"A little jealous, Shields?" Jake snapped. "Angry that you and your cronies aren't getting all the attention? Or is McGinnis here, special?" Serena's eyes grew wide at his words. Darien clenched his fists.

"Just leave her alone. You won't prove anything here." Jake moved forward, and to Serena's horror, shoved Darien sharply backwards.

"You think not?" he taunted.

"I think not."

"Then prove it." Serena screamed as Jake threw a punch. Darien was too fast. He quickly side stepped, evading 3 more like punches.

"Jake, STOP!" She yelled. He didn't. She couldn't take this any more. She turned, bolting through the doors and down the hallway, looking desperately for a teacher. She spotted Mr. Roudron, walking into his room.

"SIR!" she yelled, sprinting. He stopped, and looked in her direction.

"McGinnis keep your voice down, and stop run-"

"Sir please you have to get out front, now! He's crazy, I don't…won't..punches…Darien.." She panted, trying to catch her breath. Roudron's expression grew grim, and he turned, at once, walking immensely fast, so that Serena had to jog to keep up. The scene that met them outside was intense. Jake was pinned against the brick wall, his arm tucked painfully behind his back. Darien released him roughly, and slowly backed away, so that he was standing beside Roudron and Serena. Roudron's eyes grew wide, and he swallowed.

"You three, follow me, now." He turned, and reentered the school, the three of them trailing behind. Class was already in session, so no one was in the halls, making their footsteps echo uncomfortably. They entered Mr. Roudron's room, and stood, in a line, before him. Roudron leaned against the front of his desk and crossed his arms.

"What happened?" He looked straight at her, and she felt her spine tingle anxiously.

"I…" her voice was groggy, and she cleared it, her stomach rolling in knots. "I was running, because it was raining out, and Jake tripped me," She gestured to her bloody knee. Darien's body tensed. "he started talking to me, he wouldn't leave me alone, and wouldn't let me pass to get inside….he grabbed my arms, and I told him that if he didn't let go of I would kick him, and I did, but he still wouldn't leave me alone. He…." Serena lost her voice, suddenly, and felt her throat clench. She would not cry.

"It was harassment," Darien sneered under his breath. Roudron glanced in his direction before returning his gaze to Serena.

"Is that true, McGinnis?" Serena nodded.

"No it's not, sir! She's lying, I would never harass Serena."

"Bohan, you'll get your fix in the end. Please explain what happened between Mr. Shields and Mr. Bohan, McGinnis."

"Darien saw what was happening, he asked what was going on, and I told him. When Jake grabbed me, Darien pulled him off, and told him to leave me alone. Jake yelled at him, and tried to get him to fight, but he wouldn't. Darien…Darien was just trying to help," she said quietly. "He started going after him, and that's when I ran inside, to get Darien help, sir." Roudron nodded, silently. He turned to Darien, next.

"Is that true, Shields?"

"Yes." Serena saw him glance in her direction.

"Then why, exactly, was Mr. Bohan pinned against the school wall?" he asked sharply.

"Self defense sir. He was out of control, and I didn't want him to follow Serena again. I figured she would have gone inside, to get someone."

"I see," he answered. He paused, then spoke again. "Mr. Bohan, I find it improbable that both of them are lying, but I will give you your turn, nonetheless."

"I wasn't trying to harass anyone, I just wanted to talk to her. I guess I lost my temper when Shields started yelling at me to leave her alone."

"Did she tell you to leave her alone?"

"Er…"

"Did she seem interested in talking to you at all?"

"…uh…maybe not exactly."

"Mr. Bohan, are you aware of the fact that it is illegal to hold, or physically force someone against their will?"

"Yes."

"Did Miss McGinnis seem willing, per say?"

"mm…."

"That's what I thought. I believe we have evidence staring at us in the face," he gestured to Darien. "Come with me Mr. Bohran. You two, get back to class." He exited the room. Jake threw Darien one more glare before he followed. Serena looked up at Darien. He turned, sending midnight locks into his eyes. His damp skin was slightly flushed. As he turned, Serena gasped. His left eye was swollen and purple. A cut several inches long ran across his eyebrow. "Darien, your eye," she murmured, touching it softly with her cool fingers. He smiled, shrugging.

"Are you okay?" he questioned, putting his hands on her shoulders. She looked upwards, into his sincere eyes, nodding. That was a mistake, Serena… She felt herself being drawn in. His arms slid slowly down from her shoulders to the small of her back. The space between them seemed to be growing increasingly smaller, as he inched towards her. Anticipation crawled into her mind. Darien's soft lips met hers, sending her into a frenzy. Was that something that should normally happen between a tutor and his student? Serena's eyelids fell. Her body felt like it was being electrocuted, her spine on fire. She rested her hands on his chest. Serena didn't know if there was a heaven, but she decided then and there that she needed no heaven with bliss like this on Earth.

His lips were soft, and velveteen. Serena breathed in his scent, and felt her head grow faint at the smell of his cologne again. Her body seemed to bend at will at the touch of his hands, and just as she was getting used to the feeling, it was over. Darien opened his eyes slowly, his arms still around her waist.

"And are you okay now?" he whispered. Serena knew what he meant by the question, and smiled in return.

"I guess the stars are a good thing," she answered. Darien smiled down at her. A door slammed somewhere outside. He jumped, abruptly, releasing her.

"Oh…oh, god Serena I'm so sorry," he apologized, smacking himself in the head. Unfortunately, Darien appeared to have forgotten about his swollen eye, and the smack didn't help matters. He cringed, as it filled with tears.

"Why are you apologizing anyway?" she asked, pulling his hand away from his face. Darien looked to the floor.

"I, well….we just met, it might have seemed too forward." Though he was looking at the ground, Serena swore she could see a patch of crimson on his cheeks. She was astounded that he would treat her that respectfully.

"Wow…" she said, in a hushed voice. He looked up, eyes wide with wonder. "No guy has ever been that sweet to me, is all."

"Well I can't see why," it was Serena's turn to blush.

"So don't apologize, you're one of the nicest guys I've met in a long time. You better get back to class, I hear you have a whole line of AP classes this year."

"You're probably right…I'll see you after school in the library, alright?" he glanced over his shoulder once more, before exiting the room. Serena stood there a few moments, dazed, before following his example.

The remainder of the day passed ungodly slow for Serena. Ever since those few moments with Darien, she had been a bit out of it, and groggy, too busy dreaming to pay attention to her surroundings. When her science teacher told her she needed to fix something on her assignment, Serena thanked her, and smiled dreamily before snapping back to reality. Another time, she had tried to walk into the boys bathroom, before Rei grabbed her and laughed at her stupidity. Her internal battle then arose. Darien was her tutor, not just a guy. Yes, he was the best looking guy Serena had ever seen. Yes, he was also really sweet, and had just saved her the trouble of dealing with Jake. And yes, given the opportunity, she would love to go on a date with him, in order to get to know him better. But wasn't there some unwritten rule about this somewhere, that read something along the lines of, "thou shall not date thy teacher," ? If there wasn't, there was surely one out there that read, "thou shall not kiss man until 24 hours have passed since you met".

Fortunately, however, she managed to stay physically awake during the rest of her classes, and was relieved to hear the final bell ring at 2. After making a quick pit stop at her locker, she headed down the hall towards the library. She was just about there, when a kid from her science class ran up to her.

"Serena, is it true?" she asked, with wide eyes.

"Whazzat?"

"Everyone heard…what with Jake being suspended….are you dating Darien Shields?" she asked her, in awe. Serena laughed.

"Look uhm, what's your name again?"

"Maddie."

"Right. Well, maybe you'd better go ask the rest of the student population, they probably know more about it than I do, which, sadly, is kind of true…. And just for future reference, don't ask me about stuff like that ever again, I hate gossip," she strode away, leaving Maddie behind with her mouth agap. Serena didn't particularly care, at the moment. It was none of her goddamn business, anyway.

The school library wasn't generally the place to be, for teens, but today a sufficient amount of students were scattered between the shelves and tables. Their school always played up the fact that their school had the biggest library in the county, whoopie. As far as Serena was concerned, that could be a right pain if you were trying to find someone in it.

"Serena!" a voice called out, just as she started to stride along the rows. Darien waved from across the room, and jogged over to her.

"Hi," she said, trying not to notice the people who were now staring at them as if they were celebrities.

"Hey….I have the perfect place for today. Away from ….well…here," he nodded to the crowd.

"I was hoping you would, this is enough to drive me crazy," she complained.

"Follow me," he led her towards the back corner of the library, through a door, past a row of tables, and around a corner. Serena looked around. They were in a part of the library that looked about as popular as Saturday school.

A very large beanbag, at least 10 feet long, sat on the floor behind an old wooden table that was low to the ground. To her knowledge, no one even knew that this was here. Darien plopped onto the beanbag, letting his head fall back, and sighed. He laughed as she eyed him, skeptical.

"What's the matter?"

"I just can't believe you have a hang out in the library," she laughed at his dorky quirk.

"Yeah, it's great, I know." Serena smirked, dropping her bag onto the floor, and took a spot on the beanbag next to him.

"So, did you start that math?"

"Yeah, started it."

"Let's see what you got," Darien said, sitting up on his elbows. Serena pulled out her binder and book, and slid it in front of him on the table. He pulled a pair of glasses out of his pocket. Serena blinked, confused.

"You wear glasses?"

"Only on days when my eyes are bothering me," he smiled, but Serena felt a tad guilty about his still swollen eye. She made a mental note to ask him about it again later. He slipped them through his silky ebony hair, and peered down at her paper.

Serena followed the line of his face up to his eyes. She tried to look away, but it was like her eyes were glued upon him, transfixed. He's your tutor Serena….do not look at him like that. Stop it, right now! You'll scare him away! Darien looked up from the assignment.

"So you're through number 8, most of them look good, except for this one here, it's right, but there's a much easier way to do it," he said, pointing with a pen. Serena leaned in, looking over at the paper.

"Oh?" she asked, smiling slightly. She listened to him explain the properties of alternate exterior lines, and how much easier it would make her work if she would consider using them in her proofs as well. "It's not really all that common that you use them, but there are times," he finished, setting his pen down on the table. "That's pretty much all you have to do, I don't think you'll have questions about the rest, and I don't want to make you work on them right now, if you don't want to, so you can decide."

"Really?" she asked. Darien nodded. He stretched his arms and lay back on the beanbag, as if doing a sit up. He patted the spot next to him, motioning for her to join him. She did so rather noisily.

"Do you feel better about your math now? That is sometimes nice to have it done early, at least part of it anyway," he commented. Serena nodded.

"I guess so. It's like I said earlier though, I just don't know why I am even having problems with this in the first place." She sighed, disappointed in herself.

"Sometimes there is no real reason."

"But I managed all of it before! Why am I having trouble now, after years of doing well, years of achievement? Why couldn't this have happened when I was in grade school, and grades didn't matter?" she lashed out, angrily. Darien's voice remained steady.

"Because there was so much less to worry about when we were younger. Serena, look at your life now. When you were little, I'm sure you had friends, like you do now," he stated, waiting for her to respond.

"Yeah?"

"When you were little, friends meant going to the park and swinging, or playing with dolls. Now, being a friend is so much harder, and demanding. You seem like the type of person that is always close to your friends, giving them support, helping them through their problems, and just spending a lot of time together. That's a big responsibility."

Serena remained silent, listening carefully. He was right. Sometimes having friends was hard, especially if someone moves away, or distances themselves from you. She knew how that felt, being a good friend, but almost never getting one in return. For a brief moment, her thoughts flickered over to him.

"Add all of that to the stress of a job, on top of school work that can determine your future, and between all that, you barely have any time to be with family and just be alone. That's not even taking into account your personal life, which I don't know much about," Darien turned, watching her as he talked. She seemed to be soaking all of this in like a sponge. She remained quiet a moment before speaking.

"You really are smart, aren't you Darien," she whispered. He looked up towards the ceiling.

"I just want you to realize that you have a right to feel the way you do."

"I wish I knew how to put it all out of my head, is all. No matter what I try, nothing fixes my problems."

"You've got to do something you really truly desire, have something fun happen, create a sense of fulfillment," he replied.

"What's something you really want?" he questioned. Serena felt stupid telling him this. She hoped she wouldn't regret it.

"I want things to work out between me and…someone," she finished lamely.

"Is there someone specific?"

"There was…a guy I used to know, we used to date, and since he moved things have been weird but…now I think there's someone else, but I don't know how he ermm….feels," she sat up and pretended to cough, so that she could turn away with him and not reveal her no doubt pink face.

"I see. And does this guy know how you feel?" Serena laughed, mockingly.

"Probably does now," her eyes grew wide, in horror. She had most definitely not meant to say that. Slowly, she turned to face Darien, praying that he wasn't giving her a look of the utmost distaste. On the contrary, his eyes were slightly screwed up with concentration, and the corner of his mouth twitched upwards. He nodded.

"I'm sure he's flattered," Darien said. Serena's stomach flipped uneasily.

"So, how was the rest of your day?" he asked, turning to look at her. His arm covered his good eye from view, so the purple one blinked back at her. Serena flushed a little at the thought of how spacey she had been the rest of the day.

"Long and horrible, I kept spacing out, I guess. I didn't even notice all the looks I was getting from people until after the bell rang. On the way to meet you, this girl I barely know from my science class runs up to me, and asks me if we were dating," she cried, a bit agitated at the fact that people were talking about it before anything had even happened.

"What did you say?" Darien asked, smiling. Serena knew she turned pink this time.

"Well, I told her that she should go talk to the rest of the student body, because they appeared to know more about it than I. It was sort of rude, I suppose, but I can't stand gossip." Darien laughed, heartily.

"Me neither. I caught a guy telling one of his friends that I got my black eye from a girl who got mad when she saw me and you making out in the girls bathroom," he snorted. Serena rolled her eyes.

"That's pathetic. Why do they even care? I guess we are just that cool eh?" she nudged him playfully in the side, and he laughed, hunching over. "Are you kidding me? You're that ticklish!" Serena shrieked, doubting it.

"No, I'm not, usually, you just caught me off guard." He said while trying to keep a straight face.

"I see…hey, how is your eye?" she asked, rolling onto her stomach, looking down on him. He waved a hand.

"You tell me." She moved closer, to get a better look.

"It looks sore. Did you ice it earlier?" Darien shook his head. "You should have, it's good for it. And hey….I never got to tell you, earlier….but, I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up this morning. I can't believe something like that actually happened, usually I can take care of it. But you didn't have to do that for me, so, thanks."

"I'd do it again in a heartbeat," he replied, his voice edgy, and warm. His eyes roamed over her over the thin rimmed glasses. Serena's hair was strewn across his chest, she was so close. An internal alarm started to beep inside her head. She could only assume that it was her logical portion of her brain. Darien reached up, and cupped the side of her face in his hand.

"No way I'd let anyone hurt you," he said. Serena watched his eyes closely. She swore she could almost read them, and tell how he was feeling. They were like mirrors, reflecting out the thoughts of his innermost soul. Their sincere depths captivated her. Oh lord, not again…

Darien's hand moved to her neck, and Serena shivered. He drew her to him, anxious to feel her against him again. Her breath caught, as they closed in another warm kiss. It was long, and tender, and Serena felt herself tremble. Their lips brushed together again and again, each kiss deeper than the one before. Serena was sure Darien could feel her shaking, now, and when his other hand found the side of her waist, it happened.

Her quaking elbows gave way at the touch, and she fell forward, onto his firm chest. Her torso stretched across his. She felt Darien smile, and he rubbed his hand up and down the length of her back reassuringly. His body felt good under hers, and Serena was getting lost. His kiss was more addicting than anything she had ever tasted, breathed, or experienced. Her hand found its way to his stomach, and she caressed it gently, she could almost feel the tight muscles underneath. He swallowed, as she continued to trace the chiseled outline, their foreheads pressed together.

"Serena," he said hoarsely, "can I take you out Friday night?" Serena wanted to jump for joy, cartwheel, do a victory dance. Knowing that she shouldn't sound too eager, she sat up.

"Why would you want to do that?" She teased, throwing her hair over her shoulder. She could almost hear her own voice calling her a slut right now. She muffled it angrily.

"Well…because you're a really great girl, and I want to get to know you. I've kissed you twice today, and you're not even my girlfriend. You make me laugh, and you're really…"

"Really what?"

"Pretty," he said, running a hand through his hair. Serena couldn't stand it anymore. She broke into a toothy grin, and laughed.

"That would make my day," she replied. "I guess now we know as much as the rest of the school."

"Serena?"

"Whazzat?"

"Can I kiss you again?" Needless to say, the answer to his question pretty much destroyed the "thou shall not date thy teacher" theory, as well as "thou shall not kiss a man unless you've known him for 24 hours".

AN: Part 2 is complete! How are you liking it so far? I'm trying to keep the chapters as even as possible so that the story is a smooth read. Like I said, not too graphic…yet…. I'm sorry if my writing bores you. The story really isn't going where I want it to go, but anyway…review if you read. Thanks!