Gosh, it's only been a week and already I'm updating. It is because of all you wonderful readers and reviewers. Thank you so much. And as usual I would like to thank all the reviewers. Also i can't seem to use dashes anymore to show a change in the scene so i'll be using this '&' to indicate a different scene. This is getting ridiculous. First with the asterisks and now with the dashes!
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Standard Disclaimer: I do not nor have I ever owned Sailor Moon.
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"It is a good idea Mina. But not something I want to reduce myself to. I mean either way I'm giving into him. And God knows that man does not need yet another ego boost. I don't know, all men seem to have such enormous egos and most of them aren't even the least bit attractive. It's kinda funny though. Watching a man with a horrible comb-over and a pot belly poking out through his shirt hitting on a Paris Hilton clone."
Has anyone else noticed the increasing number of wispy blondes who are impossibly flawless? They're everywhere. The girl who delivered my pizza a week ago, fit into that category. Did I miss the "Gorgeous blondes" sale?
"True. Well this could go either way. You can either screw the hot slut, knowing he came to you. Or you could screw the hot slut, knowing you caved. Gee, what's a girl to do? I have an idea! Just screw the guy and get over it!" Hmm, is it just me or does my cheerful blonde friend sound agitated? Now the real question. Should I question her and risk possible bitch attack? Or ignore her obvious anger and risk my life? I'll take bitch attack for one thousand Alex.
"Okay, what's wrong?" My eyes are squeezed shut and I move the receiver a few inches away from my ear incase Mina decides to break the sound barrier. My eyes instantly open when I hear her crying. Now I know something is seriously wrong. Mina only cries face to face with a person. I know it's confusing. I once asked her why she'll only cry face to face with a person and she said, "I'm an aspiring actress." I haven't asked again.
"Oh honey, tell me what's wrong." I speak in a rather soothing tone.
"I just don't think I'm cut out to be an actress. Every audition I've been to they all told me the same thing. 'I'm not what they're looking for.' Which is bullshit! I mean have you seen how many thin, blonde haired, blue eyed women are super stars?" I'm telling you I missed the sale.
"Mina you can't give up just because a few people don't think you're good enough. The bottom line is you want to be an actress. Only you can make it happen." My mom told me something along those lines when I told her I wanted to quit softball. I can't really remember why I wanted to play softball. I only know why I quit. An oversized bitch hit me in the head with the ball on "accident." Before you say anything those softballs are NOT soft.
"I know you're right. It's just so hard when I don't have my support system with me." Ah the support system. We made that in the 3rd grade. We as in, Mina, Raye, Lita, Ami and myself. The reason we made our support system, a boy put gum in Ami's hair. We were later informed by the boy's mother that he had a crush on Ami. Ami's response, she threw a mud ball at the boy's face. They later "went steady" in the 7th grade.
"Speaking of the S.S. when are Raye and Lita supposed to get back from Atlantic City?" I was supposed to go with them to Atlantic City. Why didn't I go again? Oh that's right I'm broke.
"I think tomorrow. I can't remember. Those two always change their due dates. You think after loosing nearly a grand they'd want to get out of that city a.s.a.p. I bet they hooked up." Mina always thinks whenever anyone goes anywhere they hook up. One time, a couple years back, I went to my family reunion. I was there only a day before Mina called me, convinced I was hooking up with someone. Let's just say we have never brought up THAT conversation again.
"When do you get back? I'm telling you now I'm only making one trip to the airport. So it's either you or the other two." Airports are evil. Maybe I should call an exorcist. I can see it now. A priest with a crucifix aimed at the flight attendants while their heads spin round and round.
"Tomorrow. I wasn't supposed come back for another two days but I don't want to stay here any longer." Poor girl. This happens every once in a while. Mina realizes how hard it actually is to hit stardom. But she bounces back after a couple of days of drinking and male strip bars.
"Okay what time does your flight get in?" Where did I put that pen….I spot it on the fridge. I pull it free (it's one of those Velcro attachments) and since I can't find any paper I write on the palm of my hand.
"Um hang on let me get the itinerary. Okay my flight gets in at 2:25 p.m. Remember I'm riding Sky Blue Airlines. Hey didn't you use the same airline when you visited your parents last week?" I shudder. Why oh why did she have to bring up my trip through hell? Deciding to face my fear I do what any normal person would, I immediately change the subject.
"I'll be in the short term parking terminal okay. So as soon as you walk out those doors the first thing you'll see is my smiling face." Well maybe not a big smile but it will be a smile none the less.
"Alright Sere. I'm exhausted so I'm going to go to bed. I'll see ya tomorrow. I hope everything works out for the horniest with the slut." Ugh. If Mina were here she'd be seeing the whites of my eyes as they roll upward. "Oops! I meant works out for the best with the slut. Bye" I hear her giggling as she disconnects our call. I think I was a clown in my last life. It certainly would explain why so many people laugh at me in this life.
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"Come on Serena. You can go in there. You have to. Well you don't have to but you need to." Why did she have to be late? I knew something like this would happen. I really think Mina is just trying to mess with me. I bet she decided not to come back today because she all of a sudden felt like her old cheerful self.
So here I am. Sitting in my car which has been parked in the short term parking terminal for the past fifteen minutes. I'm going to have to move somewhere soon but I really don't want to have to go inside. It's a nightmare in there.
I decide I have to do something. So I get out of my car, I inhale deeply and walk calmly over to the baggage carrier. The man looks rather annoyed. Probably because he realized long ago that his life consisted of lifting luggage and tagging baggage. Poor soul. Anyways back to my situation.
"Um excuse me. I was wondering if you could help me." I put on my most desperate, confused face. Usually it works with men.
"What do you need?" Okay he sounds a little testy.
"Do you know any of the flight information? My friend was supposed to get in twenty minutes ago and she's still not here." I try to sound distraught but it's hard when I know this man could break at any moment.
"Listen lady. All of the flight information can be found inside. So stop bothering me and move your ass inside if you're so worried about your friend." My eyes immediately narrow. My claws have been unsheathed and my fangs lowered. I'm about to use his face as my scratching post.
"Serena. Get rid of those squinty eyes and help me with my luggage." I turn and see Mina struggling to keep a grip on her bags. I look at the angry baggage lifter and tagger. He doesn't even know I'm there anymore. My claws retract and my fangs disappear. He got lucky. It seems lately, all the men I've encountered have been lucky. I think I'm loosing my touch.
"Your late." I'm good at stating the obvious.
"Way to state the obvious." Told you.
"Just for once ignore your intense urge to complain and help me. These bags are heavier than I remember." I take the luggage in her left hand. I pull up the handle and place it evenly on it's wheels. Sometimes I'm scared for Mina. She just looks outraged and embarrassed. I decide not to make fun of her. Well, at least not until she gets home.
"I've had a long day." I just smile and nod my head.
"Of course." She just looks at me for a moment and then smiles too. At least she realizes what happened was funny. And that I have every right to make fun of her. We load up the trunk of my car, buckle ourselves safely into our seats and make our way back to Mina's apartment. Which reminds that I should check up on the worm pretty soon. His time is almost up and my finger has just been itching for a reason to call up mom and dad.
"So how was your trip? Did ya meet any hot movie stars?" That has been my friend Mina's goal since we were six. Grow up, get famous, marry the hottest male celebrity. I think that was my goal at one point in my life.
"Unfortunately no. I think they hibernate. It's the only logical answer as to why I have yet to meet let alone actually see a hot guy celebrity. Maybe there's a secret underground society of hot men and they have my picture posted in the middle of a billboard that says, 'Beware. Dangerous. Seeks relationship.' It's possible right?" And I thought I had problems. My poor friend. She really needs a boost.
"That's it! As soon as Raye and Lita get back we're going to get totally plastered, visit every male strip joint on this side of California, and then when the alcohol finally wears off we will be completely refreshed. Understood?" Okay well we may not feel refreshed physically when the alcohol wears off but on the inside we'll be rejuvenated. Every woman needs to let loose every once in a while. If guys get to let loose in gross, degrading ways so do women! Okay yeah that even sounded wrong to me.
"Sere, what are you doing? Don't take the express way. It'll be bumper to bumper traffic. Let's take the turn pyke." I sigh and turn my head towards Mina with a small smile on my face. How naïve she is.
"Mina you've been gone for the past three weeks. I think I know what I'm doing okay? So just relax and enjoy the short car ride home." Okay yes I do realize I've only been back in town for a day but that's still longer than she has. Mina just sighs and shakes her head. I knew she'd see it my way. She always does.
I turn my head back to the road in front of me just in time to slam on my brakes. The car in front of me isn't moving. In fact none of the cars are moving. I look out my window and notice people sitting in their cars. The woman in the car next to me is talking on her cell phone while painting her nails. Never once do her eyes wander up towards the road. I hear Mina clear her throat a few times. I don't even bother to look at her. I can already see the smug smile on her face.
"Say one word and you'll walk." This is so embarrassing.
"You know at the moment, that doesn't seem like the worst idea." I look at her and stick out my tongue. She laughs and all I can do in response is turn the radio on, loud.
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It took us two hours to finally make it through the traffic and reach Mina's apartment. I had to sit in that car with THAT woman for two hours. Listening to her complain and bitch about how I never listen to her and if I had we wouldn't be stuck in traffic. Never before have I ever had such an intense urge to throw my life long friend out the window.
But finally we have reached her apartment. Despite the grueling trip home I feel somewhat proud of myself. I made it through an airport pick up trip. Maybe it's just me, but those always go wrong. I mean so many things can go wrong. For instance flight times are changed, traffic, anger. Yes anger. If angry enough a person can just say "screw it!" and drive off without even picking up the person they had originally come for. That's never happened to you? Maybe I'm special.
"Did you restock my fridge?" She must think I'm nuts. Like I'd ever fill up her fridge.
"Didn't get the chance." No I did not just lie to her. Yes I did just fabricate the truth. A friendship would never last without fabrication. Everyone knows that.
"Fabricator." See. Everyone knows that.
"I think I'm gonna go back to my apartment. Check up on my little bro. You know the drill." Of course Mina knows the drill. This happens every time I leave. The real issue is why, if I know what will happen, do I allow my brother to crash at my place while I'm gone? I figured this out a few years ago. I'm not a very clean person. Almost everyone knows that. So when Sammy trashes my apartment it gives me an excuse to get it clean. And I don't even have to lift a finger. But sometimes I really doubt whether it's worth it.
"Mind if I come too? I'm sure Sammy stocked up your fridge. I need to do a little shopping." What she means by "a little shopping" is she needs to pick items out of my newly filled fridge.
"Fine. But you're picking up Raye and Lita. Ami says they're definitely coming back tomorrow." I start grabbing the few clothes I brought over with me and make my way towards the exit.
"How does she know they are definitely coming back tomorrow? Last time they told me when they were 'definitely' coming back and I didn't hear from then again for two weeks." Oh yeah. I forgot about that time. Mina thought they were kidnapped.
"I'm not exactly sure what happened. But from what I got from Ami, they got kicked out of too many casinos." Those two should not be allowed to go anywhere together without supervision.
"Again?" Oh well those two are the perfect trouble makers. Can't say they aren't the life of a party.
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This time Mina drove. She didn't trust me to make the right decisions on the road. It doesn't matter to me. It's fun being driven around. If I could have I would have been in the back seat. Maybe I'll get one of those dividing glass screens between the front and back seat. Then I'll hire someone to drive me everywhere. I'll even make them have to wear the chauffeur caps. I do love those caps.
We finally make it to my apartment building. Me clutching my seat belt all the way. Mina is a bit of a speed racer. When we were teenagers it was fun. Now that I'm older it's scary beyond belief. I hope that doesn't mean I'm getting old. I'm only 22. That's not old. Right?
"Sere come on already. Time to move your ass!" She would make such a wonderful coach. I can see it now. Mina with a white cap on her head, a whistle around her neck and a clip board in her hand. Chubby little teenage girls and boys running the track while Mina blows her whistle telling them to go faster or else they fail. Yup that's her alright.
"How inspirational. You nearly killed me but very inspirational!" It's true. Thank God for seat belts. It's a good thing I went to the bathroom before we left otherwise my leather seats would be ruined along with my self-respect.
We go into my apartment building, stopping to say hello to Mr. Garibaldi. He lives two floors below me. He's a nice man with just one too many cats. Last Christmas I bought him flea collars. I claimed they were for his cats but hopefully he used one. He's a nice man and all but having flea infested cats can't be good for a persons hygiene.
After exchanging pleasantries with the slowly balding Mr. Garibaldi (has anyone else noticed the irony of his name?) we trudged our way up to my apartment. Anticipation was running through my veins. Maybe I really should stop setting Sammy up like this. I mean yeah he does trash my apartment of his own free will but he doesn't know that I set it up this way.
But honestly when I got back in town I really wasn't expecting my apartment to be THAT messy. Usually Sammy just empties my fridge and leaves his food lying around. It had to have been Darien. I mean "The Slut." I meant to say "The Slut."
"Serena where are you going?" I stop and turn around towards Mina. She's looking at me like I've grown a second head. Oh. Now I know why. I'm three doors past my apartment door. See already Darien's messing up my thinking. I said his name again didn't I? Fudge.
"Sorry I have a lot of my mind." I shouldn't have said that.
"Thinking about a certain gorgeous looking slut are we?" I knew I shouldn't have said that.
"Not in a good way. Don't look at me like that. Stop. Don't even say it. You think I like him don't you? Oh my God! I can't believe what I'm hearing! You actually think I like him?! Well you're wrong. Yeah that's right you heard me. You are completely wrong." I wish she'd stop looking at me like that. I don't like him. I really don't. He's hot yes, he's got an incredible body yes, but he's a slut. Oh but such a pretty slut. Ugh! Get out of my head damn it!
"Anytime now Sere." Mina was tapping her foot impatiently. Waiting for me to open my home to her. That's right I have all the power! Ha! That's it. Tomorrow I'm seeking psychiatric help. I insert my key into the lock and open the door.
"Holy Guacamole!" Did I really just say that? I haven't said that since I was ten. Maybe I should try and bring that phrase back into circulation. Oh right the reason I said it. My entire apartment is filled with sunflowers and lilies. There has to be at least twenty vases full of the flowers.
"Oh my…." Mina has stepped into my apartment now, leaving me standing at the doorway with my mouth open and eyes wide. She walks over to the sofa where I finally notice Sammy is sleeping. He seems to be completely out with a towel over his face blocking out the sunlight. Mina turns to me and shrugs her shoulders. "Should I wake him?" She questions.
"No. Let me." She just smiles. I guess she knows what I want to do. I walk over to my sleeping baby brother. I stand behind him and lean my head down so my mouth is right next to his ear. I lift my eyes and give Mina a mischievous grin.
"Earthquake!" I scream as loud as I can. I then shove him off the couch and start pelting him with the pillow he was asleep on. Mina and I are both laughing our asses off as Sammy screams like he's three years old again and locked in the dryer. Good times. He seems to be fully awake now because his girlish screams have stopped. He blinks many times and rubs at his eyes furiously. I quickly drop the pillow back onto the couch and kneel next to him.
"Sammy are you alright? When Mina and I came in you were on the ground screaming about an earthquake." I hear Mina stifle a giggle as Sammy eyes us both suspiciously.
"Real Goddamn funny Sere. You could have seriously hurt me." What a drama queen. He falls all of one foot and suddenly his life was in danger. And who said men were the dominant sex again? I'd like to introduce that man to my baby brother.
"No wonder you're the baby brother. Nice job cleaning my apartment. But don't you think you went a little over board with the flowers?" Sammy looks confused for a moment and then finally seems to notices the dozens and dozen of flowers all throughout my apartment. Are people who do something supposed to have a look of utter confusion on their face at the mention of the act they supposedly did?
"I didn't do this. I mean I cleaned your apartment but I have no idea where the flowers came from." I stand up and walk over to Mina and start examining the flowers. Maybe there's a note attached to one of them.
"Well if Sammy didn't do it, then who did?" Very good question Mina, very good indeed.
"I did." Oh bad question Mina, very, very bad question. I spin around to where the voice originated in the doorway. There he was. Leaning casually against the doorframe with a playful glint in his eyes. He looked directly into my eyes before giving me a roguish smile.
"Oh you must be 'The S…' I mean Darien." Mina smiles charmingly at him before gesturing for him to come inside and shake her hand. He does, all the while looking at me. He walks over to Mina and takes her hand. But instead of shaking it he kisses the top of her hand. Mina just giggles and comments about how chivalrous he is. Traitor.
"You must be Serena's twin sister. You are very beautiful." Darien flashes her a dazzling smile and then winks at her playfully. Mina again giggles. I'm going to throw-up.
"Wrong Mr. Suave. We're just friends. Well thank you for the flowers, really, but I think it's time for you to leave. Mina and I have so much planned for today we have no time to spare." I try to shoo him towards the door but Mina almost immediately puts a stop to my feeble attempts. She's such a turncoat.
"Nonsense Serena. The man obviously went through so much to get your attention. I think the least you could do is let him explain why. Don't you agree Sammy?" Oh she is in for it! That's it! No strip clubs!
"One hundred percent Mina." Sammy just smiles at me. This is very aggravating.
"Well I was wondering is Miss Carter would mind escorting me to a charity ball next Friday." Darien looks at me and only me. Never once does he break eye contact. And yes it is somewhat unnerving when someone doesn't even blink while staring at you. Oh wait did he just ask me out on a date? And did he act like a gentleman the entire time? This has got to be a rerun episode of The Twilight Zone.
"Uhh…no…uh no I don't think so. Definitely no." Smooth Serena. Very smooth. All I need now is drool at the corners of my mouth. He didn't look convinced but somewhat disappointed. Disappointment is good right? Well you know what I mean. In this type of situation it's good anyway.
"Are you sure? It's for a good cause and it'll give us a chance to get better acquainted." Okay this is too freaky. Just the other day I found him naked with another chick in my apartment and now he wants me to be his date to some charity thing? Maybe he suffers from short term memory loss and he's completely forgotten about being a slut. What? It could happen.
"Darien why don't you let her think about it and call you back with her real answer okay?" Did Mina just do what I think she just did? I'm trying to get rid of this guy and she won't let him go. Her and I are going to sit down and have a serious talk about this.
"Alright. I'll be waiting." He winked at me and walked out the door and down the hall. Once I was sure he was out of ear shot I turned to Mina. A death threat looming in my eyes. She must have sensed it because she took a step back and laughed nervously.
"Don't look at me like that. You know you wanted to say yes. Besides I'm going to that Charity Ball too. At least think about it. If the date doesn't go well you can ditch him and hang with me the entire time ok?" I look at her skeptically. Yeah maybe I did want to give him a teensy, weensy, bitty chance but that still doesn't excuse what she did.
"Fine I'll think about it! Happy now?" Mina just rolled her eyes at me and plops on my sofa, flipping the television on. Sammy makes his way out the door with a mumbled goodbye. And I just stand there. My mind a complete garble of thoughts. The top thought was, what did I get myself into?
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Phew! That was a long one. I hope you like it. I must say this is probably my favorite chapter. I didn't think I could make it so long. Anyways please, please, please review. I know it probably gets annoying but it really is the only way I know whether or not you all like it. So please tell me what you think.