Chapter 7: Simon

catch your breath
hit the wall
scream out loud
as you start to crawl
back in your cage
the only place
where they will
leave you alone
cause the weak will seek the weaker till they've broken them
could you get it back again
would it be the same
fulfillment to their lack of strength at your expense
left you with no defense
they tore it down

and I have felt the same
as you I've felt the same
as you I've felt the same

Molly sat outside the dressing room as Serena tried on dresses. The dance was tomorrow night, and Serena had yet to find the perfect dress.

"We've been here for 2 hours!"

"How about this one?" Serena came out in a black tulle dress.

"NO BLACK! Why do you always want to stand out!" Molly yelled.

"Sorry." Serena went back inside.

"My dress is fushica. A nice pink or red dress will do. You look great any color. Why isn't Karie with us?"

"She's pissed at me."

"Oh."

"She screamed never again! Gosh! Why did I let myself get talked into this dance!" Serena came out in a red short bubble ball gown.

"No."

"Too red?" Serena asked.

"Yes. Like a plum tomato."

"Thanks." Serena closed the door behind her.

"I can't believe you are not a virgin!"

"Shut up! Can we not talk about this?"

"What? We always promised to lose it on the like the same day to have that story to tell our friends."

"I'm sorry."

"What's it like?"

"Okay."

"Okay? Did it hurt?"

"Mols!"

"What? Did he hurt, how big is he, did it feel good to have an orgasm?"

"Mols! No, about 9, and yes."

"9!"

"Yeah."

"Damn, had to hurt."

"At first."

"How did he do you, on top?"

"Yes! We have only done it with him on top."

"Why?"

"Can you imagine me on top of him!" Serena came out in a red and black tulle dress.

"NO! And definitely no black!" Molly yelled. "But you did love him, right?"

"Don't ask that to me again."

"I have to. You can't be over him after just a few days."

"I am over him! I said it once before, I am threw with Darien Shields. I don't want to think, see or hear about him anymore."

"Okay." Molly knew she was lying, but didn't want to press on still open wounds. Serena needed more time.

"Last one here, then I give up and go in jeans and shirt."

"Now, you can't do that! I'm surprised you have nothing at home! You have like 3 closets!"

"2 walk-in closets,and nothing I want to wear."

"Whatever." Serena gasped as she put on the final dress. "What?" She opened the door. Molly gasped. "That's it." They both smiled.

"Yay! Now shoes and a purse."

"NO!" Molly groaned. "Another hour!" Serena laughed.

The lady cashier was wrapping the dress. Molly was paying for the dress, shoes, purse and new earrings with the card, as Serena rushed to use the bathroom. Serena froze seeing Andrew and Darien in the tuxedo store. Andrew picking out his tux for his wedding this coming August. It was early, but Andrew wanted to start early. Darien looked up to see her. He pushed the tailor's hands away and rushed after her. Serena hadn't said one word to him since she left. She and Molly even moved to the back of the room, laughing, not paying attention in class. In angry, he would just send them both to detention. She would take any means to avoid him. She slammed the bathroom door in his face.

"Serena! Please! You can't stay in there forever!" Serena called Molly. She climbed out the window and met her at the car. Darien found the bathroom empty. He punched the door.

The mansion was transformed into the huge Valentine's Day Bash for the school. Darien was home at his place, cursing at this hateful, dreaded day. He never truly had a great Valentine's Day. Andrew had dropped off some extra lobsters, shrimp and crabs stuffing for him, which wasn't helpful. Darien stared at the glass bowl with 2 lobsters swimming around, still much alive on his coffee table. Then he got the dreaded call. Amy Michaels, Greg's girlfriend, and fellow teacher colleague asked him to come chaperone the dance. Darien quickly claiming he couldn't, knowing Serena would be there. So that should the last place he ought to be. She hates him and he didn't want to spoil this day. Not for her, but Amy was persist. And there is no saying now. She even asked him to bring a date and it would be fun. Darien reluctantly pulled out a suit.

Serena sat with Pete in the back of the black limo. Across from them, Molly and Melvin kissing away.

"Let's leave those two." Serena nodded. She patted Molly's head.

"Breath every minute or else you'll be lightheaded." Pete helped her out the limo.

"God, Serena, you look absolutely amazing."

"Thank you." She was dress in a pink taffeta halter organza dress with bubble skirt, ruched empire waist with beading under bust and above bubble hem, light pink jeweled sandals. Her hair pulled up into a glamour ponytail undo with some ends down as a bang swept to just above her left eye. Pearl drop earrings, and bracelet. Pete led her into the doors. Molly and Melvin arrived a few minutes later, looking a bit unsettled.

"I'll go get some drinks," Pete said walking away. Serena nodded.

Darien stepped into mansion, about an hour before the party started. Molly and Elaine were in charge of student parties at the school, though Serena was president. She gave those rights over to the right people, with her already hard schedule. They rented out a mansion to throw the party at instead of some stinky old gym. Many student arrived, eating, dancing and talking. About an half an hour into the party, Serena and Pete arrived. Darien stood frozen in place, as she walked in, though smiling, holding Pete's arm, she wasn't truly happy. He could tell from her eyes. Her date kissed her hand and walked away. Serena was looking around the place, when her eyes crossed those piercing deep blue eyes. She gasped. Darien slowly walked over.

"Can we talk?" He whispered, though both not even acknowledging one another.

"Go to hell." Pete came over with 2 cups. "Great, hey, I see Jamie and Kevin. Let's go talk to them."

"Oh, sure." Pete held his arm out for her. She took it and walked away with a smile.

Serena moved slowly with Pete to the music playing. She would looked up to see Darien. Pete dipped her.

"Sorry, I just can't..." Serena walked off the dance floor. She rushed into the bathroom. Molly pulled from her date and ran to see about her.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't do this! Why is he here!"

"I know, sweetie."

"He's deliberating ruining my night! I hate him!" She cried.

They came out. Melvin took Molly's hand.

"Come on, babe! Let's dance."

"You okay?"

"Go, have fun! I'll be fine!" Pete came over to Serena.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry. I just haven't been here tonight."

"I know. I noticed. What's wrong?"

"Being here, in this stupid dance...I don't even know why I try."

"Want to play a game?"

"Huh?"

"Simon."

"What?" Pete laughed.

"Simon says, I feel the same about this as you do."

"Why?"

"If my girlfriend knew I was here..."

"Girlfriend?"

"Her sister's in the hospital. Melvin told me about Molly's friend not having a date. I thought since I don't have a date and, we use to have so much fun as kids, we could just hang out tonight."

"Oh. I didn't know you had a girlfriend. Gosh, we really need to keep in touch."

"She hates you."

"Why?"

"You're beautiful, most popular girl in our school, hell the state. You make her look bad." Serena laughed.

"I don't know about that."

"So, what happened?" Serena looked ahead to see a woman walk over to Darien and hug him. Darien was shocked, but held on. When she went to kiss him, Serena gasped. "What? What's wrong?" Serena quickly turned around.

"Nothing."

"Don't lie. Let me guess, your date couldn't come too."

"No. Nothing like that."
"Don't tell me, an actual guy turned you down! What a fool!"

"Thanks, he..he was nothing. He meant nothing. Excuse me." Serena looked back to see Darien holding the woman's hands. They were smiling. She ran out.

Darien looked up from hugging Andrew's cousin, who he hadn't seen in years to see Serena running out the room. Darien excused himself. Serena found her way upstairs and to an balcony down the hall. She slid down outside crying. Darien rushed upstairs.

"Serena?" Darien checked the bedrooms. He heard crying. "Serena?" Darien went to the balcony. He pushed the curtain back and saw her crying. Darien pulled more to completely close off the balcony with more curtains before he stepped outside. Serena gasped and quickly tried to wipe her eyes clean. "Serena?" She stood up quickly. "Wait!" She turned to him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Well, hello Mr. Shields. Fancy seeing you here."

"Fancy seeing you anywhere these days."

"Your decision."

"No."

"What do you want, Mr. Shields." Serena wiped her eyes again.

"Darien...it's Darien. I was wrong the way I talked to you the other day. I am so sorry and I...I miss you."

"Funny, I can't say the same."

"Liar. What's wrong?"

"You."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't care!"

"That's a lie! I do care about you!"

"Now, who's the liar!"

"Will you quit doing that! I do care about you. I haven't able to sleep, or think about anything but you since we fought! You were wrong. You mean so much to me!"

"Right, if I meant anything to you then how could you say those things."

"Because I am a fool." Darien pulled out a letter.

"What's this?"

"Take it."

"What is it?"

"You were wrong. I did write you letters, I was just too afraid to give them."

"What do you have to be afraid of?"

"Rejection again." Serena opened the letter.

My dearest Serena

Whoa, dearest, sounds almost too corny, even for me. This has to be my first

letter to a girl since middle school, when I asked a girl to be my girlfriend and

she checked back no. Talk about your heartache. I'm sitting here,

bored out of my mind, waiting on you. I can't believe its been a week.

A week and yet, I feel like its just been hours.

Everything is so new with you. I touch your hand and I am amazed.

The softness of your skin, those beautiful blue eyes, that delicious ghetto booty. I am lost in you.

I find myself doing things with you I only envisioned, now it's happening for really.

Everyday I spend with you, is a day more I need to be with you.

I don't know what my life will be if you're not in it.

I hope this last for a very long time. I better get back to my work.

A quiz is coming up this week, so be on the lookout. I know I shouldn't

write that, not like you will read this or fail. I'm happy to hear your team could win

that competition with the new beats you created. I can't wait to see you. And I can't

wait to hold you when you get here. And kiss you.

Love, Darien

Serena wiped her eyes again.

"You wrote this?" Darien nodded.

"And I have a shoebox of others just like that. I just...I just never gave them to you because.." Serena hushed him with a kiss. She wiped his eyes. "I love you." Serena smiled. "I love you so much, that the idea of losing you, scared me. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said those..." She shook her head

"Let's get out of here." Darien smiled. He took her hand. They sneaked out back, stopping the limo to get the duffle weekend bag, Serena had brought to spend the weekend with Molly. Molly got a text message. She informed Pete that Serena had left the party, wasn't feeling too well.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. She needed to go home, this wasn't the place for her. I'm gonna go call my girl and check on her." Molly smiled.

Darien opened his door. Serena was carrying her huge bouquet of roses and huge teddy bear, Darien had in his car.

"Go, sit, you hungry?"

"I did skip lunch and dinner."

"I have lobsters."

"Yummy. Can I help?" Darien pulled off his jacket.

"Sure. But you sure you want to mess up that pretty dress?"

"I'll be careful." She helped him chop up some vegetables, as Darien lifted the lobsters by tongs. "Ew!" She screamed. Darien teased her with it. They cook, kissing the whole time. Darien placed the 2 plates on the tray. They sat on bed. Serena turned on the tv.

"This is really good. I haven't had lobster since Christmas."

"Lobster on Christmas?"

"Yeah, we do weird things in my family. We celebrated in Australia." Darien smiled. Serena looked over him as she ate. Darien caught the garlic butter on her chin. He kissed it off. They finished eating, several glances as they ate.

"Did you know I would forgive you?"

"No. I hoped, I prayed..."

"You pray?"

"Not exactly, but, I can't say I didn't wish I could though."

"Maybe you were right. Maybe, I'm not ready for an adult relationship."

"No, you are ready. It's me, that's the problem. You were right. I don't take you out. I don't do the boyfriend things I should, and for that I am deeply sorry."

"You know you could have trusted me with Pete. I would have..."

"I know. I was stupid. I know I can trust you with my life, since you already have my heart."

"You know, I was going to sleep with you anyway." Darien laughed.

"About that..."

"What?"

"I think, maybe, we need to slow down."

"What?"

"I love you, but I want to know every other side of you, besides sex."

"But that's the fun part."

"I want your respect, your trust, your love."

"And you have it."

"Now, I want to earn it."

"So, no sex?"

"Not tonight."

"Sour puss." She pouted. Darien kissed it away. "How do I gain your respect, trust, and love?"

"You have my love and everything else. It's me who needs to do the work." She laughed. "You look so beautiful tonight."

"Thank you." They hugged.

"Oh, I have something for you." Darien went to his closet and pulled out the shoebox. "When you left, these past 4 days has been hell. Everything seem to remind me of you, so.."

"Coupons for 'Love' rentals."

"I'll get them tomorrow for us."

"What about the 'no sleepover' rule?"

"We can leave that one out." Serena hugged him. She opened up another letter. Written just last night.

"You sound so sad."

"I was. You weren't here with me."

"I love you." Darien smiled. They kissed. Serena stood up and pulled off her dress slowly. Darien moaned. Serena stood in just a lavender lacy Brazilian tanga. She walked over to his closet and got a hanger. Darien sighed as she got into bed.

"Igottagoputthedishesaway!" Darien jumped up out of bed with the tray in his hands. Serena laughed. She pulled her hair out. Darien returned 20 minutes later. Serena's tanga at the foot of the bed. Serena laid looking asleep. Darien slowly stripped down to nothing. He lifted the tanga and took in a deep breath. He got into bed after turning off the lights. As he lifted the sheet and saw Serena naked on her side facing him, his friend sprung to life. Darien groaned. "No. No. No! Go down!" Darien muttered getting into bed. He turned his back to Serena, who was awake. She slowly moved behind him, her hand at his hip, causing Darien to fly from the bed.

"Jumpy babe." She patted the bed. "Come on and hold me." Darien gulped. "It's cold." Darien got back into bed. She laid to his chest. Darien tentatively put his arm around her. "I want us to work, Darien."

"Me too. We have something special here, I feel it. And I know I don't want to risk losing it."

"I guess we are finally a couple. So, when do wego out?"

"Soon, mylove."

"When can I call you lover again?" Her leg went over his waist. Darien groaned. Her hand reached down to stroking him.

"Uh, so-sosoon, oh, god, not soon enough." He took her hand, kissing her hand. "Please, don't tempt me. I want to do this right."

"Why not, it's so much fun!"

"Serena, we are more than sex."

"I know that."

"Good. When exactly do you turn 18?"

"Soon."

"How soon?"

"Couple of weeks. I was born on February 29th." Darien looked at her, confused.

"Wait, there aren't 29 days in...you were born on a leap year?" Serena smiled.

"Yeah."

"So, you're really only like 4 years old? I'm doing a 4-year old!" She slapped his chest. "OW!"

"Serves you right."

"You never told me you were born on the 29th."

"You never asked the date. I told you I was born in February."

"What do you usually do?"

"Molly and I have a big bash together, since she was born on the 26th."

"So what day do you celebrate on?"

"Usually when not the leap year like this year, my parents start the week of the day, then on February 28th, I'm allowed to skip school, and go anywhere I want for a day."

"A whole day?"

"Yep."

"You really are a spoiled princess."

"Hey!"

"I can't help they love me and do everything in their power to please me." Darien shook his head. "Has he gone down?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"This is going to be hard for you."

"No idea. I don't think hard will say what this will do to me." There was a long silence. "I want to do something for you for your birthday."

"Okay. It's a Friday, so I can have the whole weekend off to be with you."

"So, I can have the day after all to myself?"

"Sure." Darien kissed her. "I love you, Darien."

"I love you too."

"Goodnight." She put her hand at his side, crawling up his hip and stomach. He stopped her.

"Ye-yeyeah, goodnight." She giggled and kissed his neck. They went to sleep.

reviews always welcomed...until next time :P