Chapter 5: Days Go By

So come on and leave the years
When you watched the days go by
Come on and leave the fears
That you were afraid to find
Cause while you wait inside
The days go by

So all the memories fade
And the days go by
Forget the lonely yesterdays in mind
I know it's never gonna be the way you like
I know you don't wanna think about the endlessness you find
You wait forever blind

Come on and leave the fears
That you were afraid to find
Cause while you wait inside
The days go by

Serena ran very hard into her house. Her parents sitting at the dinner table with Samuel. Food ready. Serena put her book bag down and took her seat opposite Samuel who was smiling at her.

"I'm so sorry..." Serena's mother picked up her napkin. Her father said grace. Serena picked up her napkin and they ate in silence. "I'll do the dishes." Serena quickly started piling them up. Serena rushed into the kitchen. Serena looked up from the dishwasher to see her mother walk in. "I know you're mad for being late..."

"No calls, no message, nothing, Serena!"

"I said I was sorry."

"Where were you?"

"Uh..."
"I know for a fact you weren't with Molly, Jamie, Elaine or Karie. Madame Sokolva said you had left early without..."

"I went shopping for some cute cheerleading accessories and this ballerina set. I lost track of time."

"You didn't carry any bags in."

"I went shopping, I couldn't buy anything, with my account so low."

"You haven't put your check into your account yet! I gave you money a week ago!"

"That's where I went before I got here!"

"Oh."

"I'm sorry. I should have called you guys."

"I want the basement cleaned tomorrow."

"Mommy!"

"Tomorrow." Irene left the kitchen.

Serena opened her phone, pressing speed dial 2. Kitchen door opened slightly.

"How could you not cover for me!"

"Hello to you too," Molly said on the other end.

"Sorry."

"Where were you?"

"Shopping for cheerleading things." Serena's father listened in.

"For 2 hours?"

"I lost track of time, great lie huh."

"I guess."

"Now, I have to clean the basement, so you have to come over and help me."

"What? Why me?"

"You should have lied for me! I always do for you!"

"When have you lied for me?"

"Plenty of times! Besides, I need you to help glitter up some posters for the team, since I have to now work on cleaning my nasty basement."

"Fine!"

"Good, see ya at 9!"

"Fine!" Molly hung up. Serena smiled and closed the top, she set the timer and went upstairs. Serena laid on her bed, holding her huge Red dog. She couldn't believe how great her life was about to get.

By the next week, Serena and Darien's secret relationship had grown. Many times, simple slight touches and smiles went a long way. It was just January 12th, a Friday, last day of a long week. Serena walked to her car that afternoon tired. She got that extension on a paper, but still didn't know what time she would have to do it. She couldn't believe how fast…how great… days go by. This time last week, she only had fantasies and wet dreams about any time alone kissing Darien. Serena just used to watch the girls drool and sigh after Mr. Shields as he passed, including herself. Now, she was the doing the secret kisses before school, longer kisses after school. She lifted her bag into her Porsche and lifted her sunglasses.

Lately, she has been feeling so carefree at times, in love with life. Even Madame Sokolva noticed how loose Serena has been lately, but today was a bit different with having to learn the new skills for her audition finally given out by the company. Serena was a bit frustrated to have the change-up so late, and then there was another issue.

The team's cheerleading competition just a week away, Serena decided to give the team a free pass today and they would get together Sunday to work hard. This would give her a day with Darien, no interruptions.

Darien wanted to rent some movies tonight over Chinese take-out for their early dinner today.

"Good, you're early! I just ordered the food." Serena kissed his cheek and walked on inside. Darien noticed her slight uncheerful manner. "Is something wrong?" He asked quickly.

"Can I shower?"

"Sure."

"I just feel so crabby and icky."

"Icky?"

"Yeah, too much training in the sun lately. Madame Soko is trying to kill me."

"You know where it is."
"Thanks."

"I'll get you some towels." Serena pulled off her sweater and jogging pants. Darien smiled at the nearly naked woman in just a bra and thong, walking away.

Darien got some plates and glasses out. He set up his DVD with the movie in his bedroom. Serena stood under the showerhead, let the water wash away any sadness, any frustration. Darien came into the bathroom to watch her. She was holding herself up by hands against the wall. Her body sore, nothing uncommon, but her mind was clouded. Her parents were fighting again and it always scared her. They tried to hide it, like before, but this time it was Samuel having to listen to it. Serena couldn't let that happen. It was hard enough for her as a kid, she didn't want that on her little brother. Serena turned and saw Darien standing there in the mist. Serena wiped her face down. She smiled and nodded. Darien pulled off his shirt and shorts. He opened the glass door and stepped inside. Serena hugged him. They kissed under the showerhead. Darien lifted her into his arms, her legs going around his waist. They made love right there. Darien heard the buzzer, though neither knew if that was the first time or second. Darien rushed out, wrapping a towel around his waist. Darien opened the door and found Andrew paying the man with the Chinese food.

"Keep the change."

"Thank you."

"How did you know I wanted Chinese food?" Andrew asked.

"Go away!" Darien took the bags of food.

"Hey! I paid for that!" Darien went back inside and found 40 bucks on the small table.

"Take it and go."

"What is she here or something!" Andrew walked inside. Serena came out in just a navy towel, brushing her hair down. "Well, well, well." Darien put the food on the table.

"Andrew, hey."

"Hey, sweetie." Andrew went over to her. "So, I see we're having Chinese food."

"Oh, goodie, starving." Serena wiped down her hair after Andrew's kiss. "Can I borrow something?"

"Help yourself to whatever you want. I have to take out some trash!"

"HEY!" Darien grabbed Drew by the arm. Serena giggled and went back up into the bedroom in a hurry.

"I want some alone time with my girl."

"Your girl now, thought this was just fucking?"

"Shhh! It's not like that okay."

"Woaho! Whoa, you are not getting serious with her, are you!"

"None of your business!"

"Hey, we're bros here. I'm just looking out for you!"

"You don't have to." Darien opened the door. Serena came out in just a white tee shirt and black silky boxers.

"Andrew, leaving so soon?"

"Actually I.." Darien looked at him. "I can't stay long. The girl and I want some alone time as well. Baby naming tonight."

"Wow, cool."

"You two have fun in bed...I mean with your Chinese food." Andrew winked.

"Maybe we can double sometime?"

"Sure, anytime princess. Bye." Darien rolled his eyes. Serena opened the bags greedily.

"Smells awesome." Darien put on some silky PJ bottoms.

"Let's move to the bedroom. I'll set up the movie." Serena popped a shrimp into her mouth.

"Always trying to get me into bed, I see how you are."

"Come on!" Serena laughed and followed him. They ate with chopsticks watching the movie.

Serena laid back against the pillow as Darien sat up. Both naked, having eaten for first minute into the movie, then made love again. Darien said, food would taste better after sex, and boy was he right. Serena had never felt so hungry, then after he came inside her. She ate everything she could get her hands on. Darien amazed, how quickly she ate.

"Look at this?" Serena showed her stomach. She pushed it out to make herself look fat, almost pregnant.

"You are not fat!"

"Madame Soko will kick my ass if she found out I was eating all of this."

"You could have stopped after that first plate." She dug through for another egg roll. "Or now."

"Whatever." She poured soy sauce on it. Darien drank down his second beer.

"Want something else to drink?"

"More juice." Darien got up pulling on some pants and a tee-shirt. The movie was toward the end. It was chick flick, which surprised Serena that Darien got the movie she said she wanted to see, because she hadn't in a long time. It meant he actually listened to her closely. Serena sighed and laid comfortably down. She looked through the skylight, smiling. Here she was naked, not even carrying to be modest and cover up, the most handsome guy in the world getting her something to drink. Getting her something to drink. The sex was amazing. He was so kind, yet so powerful. He fell to his back after they had made love, exhausted, spent to the max. She couldn't help but laugh that she made a grown man tired. She went on eating, as Darien caught his breath. Who would have believe that young Serena West had become such a nympho in the sack. Though she could blame Darien, he was totally freak in bed. The movie ended. Serena watched the credits, wondering where her mate had went. She moaned at the sight of him and his body as he left. Tight toned muscles, defined abs, and delicious firm ass.

"Where have you been? What took so long? I just needed a juice!" Darien smiled as he walked in, stripping. Serena sat up. "Where's my juice?"

"God, you are the most beautiful, golden blonde haired, fair skinned goddess that ever walked the lands." He had a grin on his face to show he was up to something else. Darien put a bag down and stripped off his pants, he pulled out something and held his hands behind his back.

"You know, whenever you start speaking in that soft, sexy manner, it is strange, in that you, want, sex." Darien kneeled to the bed smiling. "And seeing what is pointing at me." Serena looked down. "I know you're up to something naughty with sex."

"I think we need to start spending less time together."

"Ha! You're a guy, how complicated can it be to read you."

"Wow, you... are...so...brilliant...and...beautiful." Darien kissed the tip of her nose.

"What are you up to, is it dirty..."

"Dirty me?" She giggled and held her hands to his chest stopping him as she sat up a bit. "You are the 'Dirty Pussycat' here, Serena."

"What's behind your back?"

"My dessert toppings," Darien whispered.

"But you didn't order any dessert to go with it." He smiled at her nude body, kissing her on the lips softly.

"Because I have you." Darien showed her the small bag of chocolate kisses.

"Darien.." He smiled and opened the bag.

"Shh...just lay back." Serena hesitated. "Trust me, baby."

"Trust you? Oh, you have way too much faith in me, Dare."

"Do as I say or you won't get the surprise kiss."

"What surprise..."

"Serena!" She laid to the bed. "Close your eyes." Serena got comforty and did as he said. Serena gasped as Darien placed many kisses strategically on her body. Darien licked his way to each kiss. Serena laid back and enjoying being a dessert. "You make chocolate taste so good." (Normally, it's the ice cube caress dancefor sex, but Hershey's kissesare much better, trust me, way better than ice cubes:)

"My turn." Serena took the bag, after Darien put one right at her neck before sucking it off. She put one right over his nipple. Darien tightened up at the kiss, then moaned, as she sucked it off, licking and biting at his nipple. When she first sucked on his nipple he thought he would die from the pleasure. Never before had a girl made him feel so good. Serena almost hated having to leave that bed, and shower. She felt so comfortable with herself than with Darien, but Darien's rule, no sleeping over.

Typing could be heard filling the room with classical music in the background. Serena sat in front of her computer typing up an English. She was on the last page, when there was a knock at the door.

"Go away." The door opened. "Baise!" Serena cursed in French, as she turned in her chair. "Sammy babe, I'm really busy with this paper, you should be in bed asleep."

"I couldn't sleep." Serena sighed and pulled off her glasses. Her parents could be heard yelling down the hall in their bedroom.

"It's 11 o'clock, Sammy." He jumped onto her bed.

"Why do Mommy and Papa fight?"

"Something they do, little man."

"But why?"

"I don't know." Serena saved her paper. "Want to get out of here?"

"Really?"

"Sure. Let's get ice cream." Serena smiled, knowing she could never look at ice cream the same.

"Now! Mommy and Daddy would be angry!"

"We don't care!" Serena laughed and picked up her walkie-talkie. She clicked to Molly and it beeped in. "Mols, where you at?"

"Bonsais Chilly Dogs and Ice Cream!"

"Is it big?"

"No, why?"

"I'll be there in 5 with the tike." Serena closed up her computer and picked up her cell phone.

"We're going out like this?" Samuel was in a black sleeper jumpsuit, Serena in a white Victoria's Secret tee with candy pink stripes pajama bottoms. She stood in front of her vanity mirror, brushing her hair.

"Why not? Hand me my shoes."

"Which ones?"

"Anything! Not those!" Samuel picked up her white Converse sneakers. Serena slipped them on. "Let's go!" Serena picked him up and sneaked them downstairs.

Molly patted Serena's car as she pulled up.

"You brought the brat! He's no fun!"

"Hey!"

"I'm not a brat, loser!" Sammy yelled sticking his tongue out. Molly did the same.

"Be nice, you two!" Serena closed her car door. She lifted Samuel and carried him over to the girls.

"Sporting the PJs, nice," Karie said. They high-fived. "Slamming look."

"Thanks." Bonsais was like an open restaurant with tables all around, cars could pull up, park and eat. Like a 50's thing. Most high schoolers come late a night on Fridays, in their cars, listen to music and clown around before the cops come to stop any horse partying. Serena went up to the booth. "We'll have 2 chilly dogs, a chilly fries, and 2 cones of 2 scoops of ice cream for later." Serena paid the total.

After 10 minutes, the man brought the tray over.
"Wow, stuffing yourself, I see?" Jamie picked up a fry.

"Shut up." Serena lifted her brother to the table and they ate. "Oh, I burned a new CD." Serena went to her car and loaded a blue disk. Molly started bouncing as Serena cranked it up. They started dancing around. Samuel laughing at Serena as she goofed off. Many guys from school came over to them. They all started dancing around with them. Some cheerleaders arrived. Serena was giving them tips with some steps for the competition next week. Samuel even getting into the dancing, doing some cheers with Serena.

"Oh, the shit!" Molly said going over to Serena's car to turn up the volume. "Don't Cha" coming on. "This is our song!"

"You know it."

"Let's do it!"

Darien pulled down the street from Bonsais. Darien sighed.

"Explain to me why you needed me to come with you to get a late night snacking for Mina?"

"I needed someone's car, my car is in the shop."

"Then walk."

"With the load Mina wants. Bonsais is right here. Wow, I didn't know it was a club too." They pulled into the parking lot. "Look at those girls." Darien pulled up to park. Serena and Molly danced to "Don't Cha" teasing the boys. "Hey, isn't that..."

"Serena."

"Wow, that girl can move."

"Just get your stuff." Darien watched Serena stand on the table and dance with a little boy. He recognized him as Serena's little brother, Samuel. He couldn't figure out why they were here so late in their PJ's, no less. Serena flung her hair around, moving her hips. She spanked the little boy's bottom, before putting him down. They were on the table. A guy grabbed her by the waist to help her down. "Pon De Replay" played next. Serena danced around, not care in the world. As they all partied, Darien couldn't help but think back to days in college and frat parties. He smiled until he watched a guy attempt to kiss Serena. He gripped the steering wheel. Serena picked up her ice cream cone and shoved it into his face. Popcorn thrown at her from his friends after what she did. She threw some fries at them.

All of sudden an all out food fight came out. Serena rushed to buy more food. She picked up Sam and spun him around to protect him. Andrew hid in the car, once food started getting tossed around. He saw his order was up. Serena ended up bumping into Andrew as he rushed to get his food.

"Uh, sooo sorry...Andrew? What are you doing here?"

"Mina's midnight cravings."

"Oh." She saw Darien's car. "Is Darien here!"

"Yeah."

"Oh, god! He must think I'm such a kid!" Serena attempted to fix herself, with no luck.

"Actually, we were both having fun watching this reminds us of our days in high school."

"I'll bet."

"Well, I should go. Mina will be wanting this."

"Of course, bye." Serena waved at Darien in the car. He smiled and waved back. All of sudden 3 cop cars started their approach. Everyone jumped to leave. "Oh, shit! Samuel come!"

"PARTY IS UP GUYS! GO HOME!" Serena lifted Samuel into her arms.

"Ms. West, you know better than this."

"Sorry, Officer Ray." Serena got into her car after putting towels up so not to get her leather seats too dirty.

She drove back to the house in quiet.
"Can we do this every Friday?"

"If I live," Serena muttered.

"What?"

"Uh, sure. I'm glad you had fun, kiddo." She rubbed his head.

"You are the best!"

"I know. You know I love you." Serena picked him up from the car. "Though you can be a major pain in the ass."

"Hey! I am the best little brother you could ask for!" Serena laughed as she carried him into the house, standing there waiting, their parents.

"Maybe you should go upstairs, Sammy."

"Why?"

"Because you shouldn't hear this." Serena put him down.

"But…but we didn't do…"

"Samuel, upstairs now!" He looked up at his father and quickly rushed upstairs. Her mother followed Sam upstairs to give him a bath.

"Vous faire vous rend compte ce que chronomètre c'est?" (do you realize what fucking time it is?)

"Oui, Papa..."

"Quel âge vous sont?" (how old are you?)

"Nearly 18, but you know that answer..."

"Alors l'acte comme vous êtes 18 ! Vous ose comment le prend hors cette maison ! Vous n'avez pas demandé même, vous deux disparaissent juste dans la nuit (then fucking act like you are 18! how dare you take him out this house! you didn't even ask, you two just disappear into the night!) What the hell happened to you two!"

"Que le fait a l'air de…." Serena said, seeing the angry building in her father's eyes. "It was just a food fight, Daddy" she quickly added. (what does it look like..)

"A cet endroit de Bonzo?" (At that Bonzo place)

"Oui, Papa. Bonsais. It was just some silly fun on a Friday night."

"He is far to young to be hanging out with that crowd!"

"Those are my friends, Daddy! We were just having fun, nothing more! Gosh!"

"Avec ces adolescents coloré qui va là-bas faire la fête! Vous êtes plus intelligent cela!" (with those ruddy high schoolers that go there to party! you are smarter that!)

"But…"

"Way smarter Serena! I thought we taught you better than some stupid food place to hang out with boys! And you say we need to treat you as an adult, how! When you act like this!"

"It's great food with my friends! It's not like we were doing anything illegal! Just hanging out! Why are acting like this was bad! Sam had fun!"

"He is 7 years old! He should be in bed! Not horsing around with his silly older sister and her stupid friends!"

"My friends are not stupid! And he would have been asleep if you hadn't...!"

"You're grounded." Serena's mouth dropped open.

"What?"

"2 months." Serena gasped

"For what! It's a Friday night!"

"You didn't ask permission to go out!"

"Je ne suis pas enfant! 2 mois! Sam ne pourrait pas dormir grâce à vous et Maman! Quel était j'ai supposé pour faire, mais obtenir hors la maison jusqu'à ce que vous deux combat arrêté! Baise!" (I am not a child! 2 months! Sam couldn't sleep thanks to you and Mom, what else was I supposed to do, but to get out the house until you twostopped fighting. Fuck!)

"You will not dare take that tone to me like that in my house."

"Baise ! La vérité ! Quand vous êtes et Maman grandissant en haut ! Vous et Maman que le combat aime les chats et les chiens ! Pourquoi devrait Sammy et je tolère que dans notre propre maison? (fuck! just telling the damn truth! when are you and Mom gonna grow up! you and Mom fight like cats and dogs again! why should we have to put up with that shit in our house...!)

CRACK!

Serena felt the stung of her father's hand across her cheek. She touched her face and gasped. It hurt so much. Serena had tears in her eyes, her father never hit her like that before. Her mother, yes, her father always understood Serena.

"Ne jamais me parler comme cela encore." (don't ever talk to me like that)

"I think you meant, don't I ever speak to you again. I can't wait until I can get out the hell of a house!" Serena ran out the house.

"Rentrer ici maintenant! (Get back here now) Now!"

"Pourquoi! Donc vous pouvez me frapper encore?" (Why, so you can hit me again?) Serena opened her door. "I don't need this! And I don't need you!"

"If you get in that car, it's more than 2 months!"

"I could care less! I'm out of this fucking house in 4 months!" Serena started her car and sped away.

Darien barely heard the doorbell ring, when the banging at this door came.

"Darien!"

"Yes?"

"Please, let me in!"

"Serena?" He opened the door. She was crying.

"I shouldn't be here, I know, but...I had to see you." She hugged him quickly and kissing his face. They kissed slowly. Darien picked her up and slammed the door behind them. He carried her to shower first, since she was covered in food and ice cream. Serena barely coherent as he washed her body down, she was crying so much, just wanting to hold him. She couldn't believe what she said to her father. He dried both of them off.

"What happened?" Darien asked as they laid beneath his sheets, both naked, holding each other. It was a jumble of talk, with a mixture of French and English, as she tried to explain, while crying.

"Calm down…my French is rusty, so you are going to have to speak slowly, and in English."

"Sorry, when I'm upset, I go native and I speak French."

"I see that, talk to me. Tell me what happened." Serena sniffed and nodded. She laid to her back, as Darien was on his side, stroking her face, as she blew her nose again.

"Well, when we got home from Bonsais, my parents were waiting for us. I shouldn't have taken Sammy with me, I was wrong to not ask, but… My Dad, he was yelling at me, because I was stupid and…"

"You're not stupid."

"Yes, I am! I took my baby brother out at 10 o'clock at night!"

"You wouldn't get your lil brother into any trouble. You two were fine."

"I know, but…well, Daddy said some things, I said some things, and then... and then he slapped me."

"He what?"

"He slapped me, Darien."

"He hit you!" Serena nodded. "He shouldn't have hit you!" Serena wiped her eyes and blew her nose again. She tossed the 10th tissue aside.

"I know, but he's my Dad. If not him, and I said that to Mom, she would probably do the same, without hesitation."

"You are not 5, Serena. You stop hitting your child when she becomes 12 and 13." Serena laughed. Darien's glare made her stop. He looked extremely pissed.

"Sorry. Are you okay?"

"I'm mad. He hit you. He hurt you, your own father. That shouldn't happen."

"I said something I shouldn't have Darien, an immature thing out of anger. I mean, I keep asking for them to treat me like an adult, then I go and take my baby brother out to horse around with some friends of mine. I mean, cops had to tell us to go home! I was wrong doing that without telling them."

"You love your lil brother. He would be safe with you."

"They know that. They know I would give my life for Sammy, but I still do stupid things. You know, they don't want me to go to New York City, they think I will die without them. Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm not ready. Maybe I will die without them."

"You're stronger than that, you know it."

"I am! I keep saying, boosting how strong, how secure I am! But I will just be 18! 18! What do I know about the real world! I use my Daddy's credit card to get whatever I want, whenever I want. I don't know the real world! I have a talent, great, ballet. Just because I always wanted to be this gran ballerina, doesn't mean I will. What if I fail because I'm stupid...and I mess.." She turned away from him as she cried.

"You are not stupid."

"I am! I'm nothing, if I don't make my audition. Nothing! And I'll be a nobody for the rest of my life."

"Don't say that! Don't you believe that! You are going to be something big." He hugged her tighter, pulling her around to face him. "I believe in you, you hear me. I believe in you. I know you're going to be somebody, because you're too damn smart not to be." He kissed her head. She turned her head up to kiss him deeply. "Let's get some sleep." Serena smiled, closing her eyes.

"I'm sorry I came here, I know the rules..."

"Fuck the rules. I'm glad you came. Goodnight."

"Night." She snuggled up against him after he kissed her again, and they went to sleep.