Emotions
Chapter Four: Medieval Balls and Kisses
Darien walked into the Crown Arcade, dressed in a white muscle T-shirt and casual jeans. He had gone home and changed before coming from the University to Andrew's workplace.
"Hey Andrew," Darien said lazily as he took a seat.
Andrew turned. "Hey Darien," he said as he handed Darien a Mountain Dew. "What's up?"
Darien shrugged. "It's this medieval masked ball the University's holding. Haven't you asked anyone?"
Andrew smiled sheepishly. "Actually, I was hoping Serena would ask Mina for me."
Darien grinned, for he knew of his friend's huge crush on the other blonde in Serena's group of friends. He had thought her attractive until a pretty sailor-suited heroine started stepping into his thoughts constantly.
"Yeah, right, like Serena would ask Mina for you. Keep dreamin', Milkshake Boy," Darien said teasingly as he gulped down his soda.
Jingle jingle. Giggles resulted from the door; Darien knew it was Serena.
"Hey Andy!" Serena said as she slid in right next to Darien. She gave Darien a sidelong glance. "Hello, Jerkface."
Darien smiled. "Finally! You use my nickname, Meatball Head! I shall rejoice in the company of my friends!" he said, being overdramatic as he posed humorously. Surprisingly, instead of being annoyed at his comment, Serena thought he was being funny and laughed.
Darien stood still, surprised. Did Serena just laugh? That was impossible! Serena never laughed at anything that involved him! Although, her laugh was pretty adorable. Wait a minute!
Andrew spoke, drawing Serena's attention away from Darien's silence. "Serena? Could you do me a favor?"
Serena looked at him, laughter still shining in her eyes. "What do you need, Andy?"
"I need you…to ask Mina…if she…would…" the last part was muttered inaudibly.
"I didn't hear you, Milkshake Boy," she remarked, drumming her fingers on the counter.
"I NEED YOU TO ASK MINA IF SHE WILL GO TO THE MEDIEVAL MASKED BALL WITH ME!" Andrew yelled. Luckily no one was in the arcade.
Serena frowned in concentration. Darien caught himself admiring her. Her frown was…so cute. Wait another minute! Did I just think that?
Serena shrugged. "If it'll make you happy, Andy, sure I'll ask Mina. Meanwhile," she added with a bit of mischief, "I would like a cherry lemonade please."
As Andrew served Serena, Darien started thinking. Since when did Serena start drinking cherry lemonade?
"Thanks Andrew," Serena said when she was finished. She looked at her watch and jumped up. "Ohmygosh! I got to go!"
"Where're you going?" Andrew asked curiously.
"There's this new choir teacher at school. He's having tryouts for the new women's choir right now! Bye guys!" Serena yelled as she dashed out. Andrew removed his apron seconds after she left.
Darien raised an eyebrow. "Going somewhere?"
Andrew nodded as he gathered his stuff. "I'm going to hear Serena sing. You know, she has a really good voice."
Darien snorted. "Serena? A good voice? You've got to be kiddin' me," he said as he got up. "Guess I'll go with you."
Andrew gaped. "Go with me?" He shrugged. "If you say so, Dare-Bear."
Serena arrived just in time. She stood, silently panting in the back, as the teacher arrived.
"Hello girls," he said. "My name is Professor McHall. I graduated from the University five years ago and went to America to continue my studies in music."
As he continued, many girls were whispering about how hot he was. Serena grudgingly admitted that he was…suitable looking was the word.
His chestnut hair was swept back from a widow's peak, away from his sparkling hazel green eyes. His face was generally attractive, for all he was twenty-nine. He was tall, at least six feet, and well built.
"Alright girls," he said as the classroom was getting louder. "Let's hear what you got."
Five girls went up, one at a time; none were chosen. Five more girls went up; three were admitted.
Darien and Andrew lounged outside the door, cringing as they heard girls singing.
"They sound horrible," Darien remarked as they silently slipped inside the large room. Andrew nodded in agreement.
Professor McHall admitted seventeen more girls out of thirty, making the total of twenty girls in the choir. He looked at Serena and nodded. "Your turn."
Several girls giggled as she stepped up. They had learned, in middle school, that Serena was never adept at singing. Serena rolled her eyes. Well, she was going to teach them.
When she took her place, she began singing. Girls and teacher alike stopped moving, captivated by Serena's voice.
"Lying here with you, listenin' to the rain. Smilin' just to see, the smile on your face."
Darien and Andrew froze. Her voice was pure, undying as the song flowed through her. A smile grew on her face as she kept singing, letting her voice grow louder and softer at certain parts. Darien's jaw dropped unconsciously as Andrew grinned.
"These are the moments, I thank God that I'm alive. These are the moments, I'll remember all my life. I've found all I'm waitin' for, and I could not ask for more."
When she ended with a strong high note, silence reigned in the room. Then spontaneous clapping and whistles broke it. Professor McHall stood, confidence shining in his eyes.
"I think we have an angel among us today," he preached to the girls' clapping. They replied enthusiastically. "We would be glad if you joined the choir," he said to her, smiling.
She nodded graciously, and the other girls came and congratulated her on her performance. After they filed out, Serena noticed Andrew and Darien in the back, Andrew grinning and Darien gaping.
"Hey guys!" Serena called to them, drawing some girls' attention. Noticing Darien and Andrew, they began talking in heated whispers, glancing at the college boys and giggling.
"Hey Sere," Andrew said when they drew close. He slung his arm around her shoulders, making some girls sighing in jealousy and longing. "You sang beautifully. Don't you think so, Dare?"
Darien shook his head as they exited the school. "I liked it. Nice job, Serena," he said as he walked ahead. "I'll see you guys later," he called over his shoulder as he turned a corner.
Serena slightly blushed. My first compliment from Darien!
"I'll see you later too, Andy," Serena said, drawing away from him. She smiled as a thought popped into her head. Grabbing a pen from her pocket and Andrew's hand, she quickly scribbled something on his hand.
"What're you doing?" he demanded, yanking back his hand as she finished. He looked at it closely. "This looks like a phone number," he remarked, looking at her with suspicion.
Serena flushed. "It's Mina's number. You can ask her to your ball," she called as she ran home.
Darien walked toward his apartment, ignoring some longing sighs from admirers. He was thinking.
Serena had sounded like an angel, he knew. Her voice had been pure and crystalline. The song she chose was…quite the romantic one. Darien remembered hearing it at one of his friend's weddings.
Why did she choose it? Darien thought as he skirted the park. The sun stained the sky with the colors of sunset, a combination of pinks, purples, and deep hues of blue. As Darien looked up, he felt peace and calm.
He saw the first star, a bright one that winked and sparkled at him. Another bright star soon joined it, and they reminded Darien of Serena's eyes, how gorgeous and clear they were, always filled with happiness and warmth.
The gold that shone from the dying sun reminded him of her hair, how beautiful it was in the sunshine. He could see her now, smiling tenderly at him while her eyes twinkled with affection.
He shook his head. Why am I thinking this? I don't love Serena! I don't even like her! What's happening to me?
What was happening was Darien was finally seeing Serena in a different light, and he was slowly falling in love with her.
The same was happening to Serena.
"Why do I have to do this?" Andrew whined helplessly, his eyes pleading behind his pale yellow mask as he fidgeted.
Raye's boyfriend, Chad, grinned evilly, his eyes glinting menacingly behind his maroon mask. "Because you like Mina, that's why."
"He's right," that was Amy's boyfriend, Chase. He combed his brunette curls from his face with his fingers, careful not to disturb the pastel blue mask on his face.
"But why are you guys coming?"
"Because we're helping you pay for the limo and Serena needs friends because she doesn't have a date," Michael, Lita's boyfriend, remarked, his eyes looking bored under his forest green mask. "You could only guess what the girls would've done to us if we didn't do this."
All the guys shuddered as the white limo stopped in front of the Hikawa Temple.
They stepped out of the limo, straightening their tuxedos as the doors opened. Chad looked up and dropped his jaw.
Raye appeared first, looking divine in a billowy ruby red gown. The old-fashioned bodice and short sleeves were decorated in sparkly sequins and fitted her like a glove. The satin skirt flowed over her, the hem skirting her fiery red stilettos.
Her hair was in a bun with tendrils framing her face. A ruby necklace adorned her throat while rubies took hold of her earlobes. A ruby bracelet was on her wrist. A glittery ruby red mask covered her daring violet eyes.
She stepped down from the temple and walked right up to Chad. "Do I look all right?" she asked him, smiling. He nodded and Lita came next.
Her chestnut brown hair was curled, just brushing her shoulders. Like Raye, her emerald green gown fitted her, the green beads on the bodice and elbow-length sleeves shimmering faintly in the light of the full moon. She wore flat green ballet flats, as she was already tall. Emeralds glittered at throat, earlobes, and wrist. A matching emerald green mask covered her extraordinary emerald eyes.
"How do I look?" she asked Michael, twirling in front of him with a smile. He placed a kiss on her cheek as Amy came out.
Her gown was long-sleeved; the translucent blue satin sleeves went well with her hair. The dress flowed away from her, brushing the ground as she walked down the steps. The darker blue embroidery on the blue silk matched the sapphires at neck, earlobes, and wrist. She met Chase with a smile. A shiny sapphire blue mask covered her ocean blue eyes.
When Mina appeared, Andrew gaped.
Mina was a sight to behold. Her hair was down, some tendrils curled around her face. Her gown was sleeveless, but she wore golden silk gloves. Her dress was of the same gold silk, fitting her like the others. Citrines shined at her throat and ears; she wore no bracelet. She stood in front of Andrew, her sapphire blue eyes glinting behind her gold mask.
"Like?" she asked him. He nodded wordlessly. Polite clapping came from the other girls as Serena appeared.
Her dress was pure white silk, multi-layered and so light that it fluttered on the light breeze that sprung. A band of gold lace topped her dress, and another band supported her modest-sized chest. Puffy, swirl-like straps held up her dress. She wore her hair in its usual buns with pigtails, but the buns were held up by delicate strands of pearls. A gold bracelet and gold spiral earrings were her only accessories. She walked down the stairs quietly, her sky blue eyes sad behind her sparkly white mask.
Andrew moved to speak to her, but Mina placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't," she warned him as Serena stepped into the limo. "It would make matters only worse."
"What's wrong?" he asked her before entering the limo.
Mina shook her head. "We don't know. We asked her while getting ready. She didn't answer us. Don't worry," she shrugged and smiled. "Let's go!"
Serena's breath was caught. The Ballroom rented by the University was beautiful beyond all measure.
Crystal chandeliers hung at immense heights above the dance floor. Soft candlelight reflected off the white marble of the floor and walls. A orchestra played in one corner and several people were dancing as they descended the grand staircase.
Immediately, all of the guys asked their ladies to dance, leaving Serena alone. She wandered aimlessly around the floor, a few masked college guys asking her to dance.
When she finished her tenth dance, she went to a balcony. The room felt stuffy and she needed fresh air. Drinking deeply, she leaned on the balcony railing and turned her face to the moon shining above.
"Serena?"
Serena turned at the deep masculine voice. A tall broad-shouldered man dressed in a startling white tuxedo stood there, looking at her with midnight blue eyes behind a white mask. Serena sighed gratefully, for she knew it was Darien.
"Hello Darien," she said. She widened her eyes. "Andrew told me you weren't going. Why are you here?"
He chuckled. "I thought it would be fun. Why did you come?" he asked her, advancing a step.
She shrugged as she moved closer. Her eyes, hidden by her mask, roamed up and down his upper body. He was well muscled and she could see the muscles rippling under his white tuxedo. His black hair contrasted greatly with his tuxedo, and his eyes glinted from the moonlight under his white felt mask.
"Andrew asked Mina to the dance, and she made me go along. Although," she remarked casually, "I was bored, but now I'm starting to enjoy myself."
Darien smiled as he checked her over. She was beautiful. Her cheeks were flushed with pink and her pale skin went well with her white silk dress. He bowed before her and offered his hand. "Would you like to dance, milady?" he asked her, voice dramatic.
She giggled at his theatrics and decided to go along with him. "I would love to dance with you, milord," she replied, her sweet voice equally dramatic as she placed her hand in his. He drew her into the ballroom.
People moved around them as they took their places. Her hand laced with his gloved one, and her other hand gripped part of her dress. His other hand rested on her waist.
They moved in time to the music. Serena felt grace and experience settle on her shoulders as she gazed into Darien's eyes, her heart beating faster than in time to the music.
Darien admitted that no dancer was as graceful or talented as Serena. He kept his eyes locked with her as they danced. They didn't notice the other dancers moving off the floor for them.
They got lost in the dance and the music, never breaking their gaze as they danced around and around the floor. Only when the music ended did they break their contact as the others in the room applauded.
Darien led Serena back to the balcony, where she collapsed on the bench while he leaned with his elbows on the rail, looking at her.
"Wow!" she exclaimed, looking at him. "I've never done that before!"
Darien laughed, a deep ringing that melted Serena's insides. "Of course you haven't! You've never been to this kind of thing before."
Serena stood, walking over to where he was leaning. Surprising Darien, and herself, she put her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, almost leaning into him.
"Thank you," she whispered to him, "for being here and dancing with me." She looked up at him. "I appreciate it, Darien."
He gingerly placed his arms around her slender shoulders and looked at her, smiling gently. "Want to leave?" he asked her.
She smiled. "YES!" she sang at the top of her lungs as she grabbed his hand. He laughed at her antics all the way to his car.
Serena ripped off her white heels as she reached the beach in the park. Darien followed, hopping on one foot to take off his socks. Serena laughed.
"You're a slowpoke, Darien!" she called to him as she danced under the stars, twirling with arms stretched out.
He arched an eyebrow. "Oh really?" he said as he strolled over. "I just like to take my own sweet time, thank you very much."
"I think I know why you're slow," she countered back, coming closer to him.
"And what do you think, Smart One?"
"Your head is so big that it weighs you down!" she said to him, a teasing note in her sweet voice.
He raised both brows. "And this is coming from a blonde?"
She drew his head close to hers and started searching his scalp. "I can bet you that you have at least one blonde hair on this big head of yours."
He sighed and rolled his eyes, then yelped as she pulled out one hair. "What was that for?"
She smiled triumphantly, holding up a pale strand of hair. "Aha! I found it! You have blonde hair after all!"
He chuckled and looked at her. The moonlight shined in her gorgeous sky blue eyes and her cheeks were tinged in red. Suddenly he had a sudden urge to kiss her.
He gave in to that urge. Gently pushing her hand away, his arm curled around her waist. Her eyes were questioning his actions as his hand rested gently on her cheek. Her hands were splayed against his chest and she was warm to his touch.
He drew her head to his own, closing the gap to meet her full lips. Her lips were like silk, so soft and sweet.
Serena tensed up. Darien's kissing me? This cannot be happening!
But it was. Serena liked the feel of his velvet lips against hers and she relaxed. She could feel his heart speeding under her hand.
He drew back, surprised to see Serena with her eyes still closed. "I'm sorry, Serena," he said softly, regretting what he had just done. "I shouldn't have done that."
Eyes still closed, she whispered, "Kiss me again."
"What?" he said, incredulous.
Her eyes half-opened, looking at him. "Kiss me again, Darien," she repeated.
He just stood there, looking at her with disbelief.
Sighing, she drew his lips back to hers, savoring his sweetness. He relaxed and pulled her closely, molding her form to his.
His tongue rubbed hesitantly against her bottom lip. She opened her mouth, inviting him in.
Her tongue met and teased his, getting close and darting away. By the tightening of the muscles under the silk of his tux jacket, she guessed she was driving him mad.
She was. Darien loved her sweet taste, and she tasted sweetly of cherries, just like Sailor Moon. She was making him think uncontrollable thoughts, making him want her even more.
Growling deep in his throat, he drew her even closer, putting both arms around her waist. Her arms came up around his neck and her fingers dug into his ebony hair.
Before long, they needed to draw away for breath. Gasping, they mentally tried to slow their rapidly beating hearts while battling the rise of passion in both of them.
Understanding dawned on Serena. She drew away and turned from Darien. He frowned, puzzled.
"What's wrong?" he asked her, his warm breath stirring near her ear.
"We can't do this," said Serena as she stepped away from his warm presence. She could feel his confusion at her words.
"Why?"
"Because!" she turned to face him, tears streaming down her face. "Because we're two totally different people who dislike each other!" She stepped closer to him. "Because I love you and I knew you wouldn't understand!"
He widened his eyes. She loved him?
"You love me?" he asked her, stepping closer.
"YES!" she exclaimed, sobbing harder. "I love you! I've loved you since I've set eyes on you! It only took tonight to see that," she murmured to herself, hugging herself.
He gathered her in his arms and gave Serena a deep kiss. She gasped as he crushed her to him, making her feel sheltered and safe. He broke away and took off his mask.
"Sere," he murmured, "look at me." She did. "I love you too."
Her eyes widened. "You do?"
He dipped down for another kiss. She put her arms around his waist as his arms slung around her shoulders.
"Yes," he replied huskily, "I do."
"When?"
"Ever since I laid eyes on you," he replied, gently smiling. Fresh tears welled in her eyes, and Darien took off her mask. The sky blue gems that were her eyes glittered from the light of the moon.
"How are we going to tell our friends?" she asked him, slightly grinning.
He grinned back. "We let them guess."
What does Darien mean by that? Next chapter: Serena and Darien get together, it's Serena's 17th birthday, and Tuxedo Mask is revealed! Gasp
Plz R&R! I beg you! (goes down on knees and clutches hands with puppy pout on face)