Chapter 8: Sick Cycle Carousel
so when will this end it goes on and on
over and over and over again
keeps spinning around I know that it won't stop
till I step down from this for good
I tried to climb your steps
I tried to chase you down
I tried to see how low I could get down to the ground
I tried to earn my way
I tried to change this mind
you better believe that I have tried to beat this
so when will this end it goes on and on
over and over and over again
keeps spinning around I know that it won't stop
till I step down from this
sick cycle carousel
this is a sick cycle yeah
sick cycle carousel
this is a sick cycle yeah
Next morning, Darien rushed to his door to open it. A towel wrapped around his waist, and shampoo in his hair.
"Wow, no way you are just getting up!"
"What do you want, Drew!"
"Rumor has it my cuz saw you last night. She was upset to find you left so soon."
"I wasn't feeling good."
"Well, we decided to stop by then!" Nicole yelled appearing from behind Andrew.
"Nicole!"
"Hi!"
"Darien!" All heads turned back. "Come back! I need you to wash my back!"
"Wash her back? Wohoo! Who does the playboy Darien have in his shower now!"
"Can you two maybe come by later?"
"Sure. You coming to the dungeon tonight?"
"Uh, sure." Darien was about to say anything to make sure they didn't see Serena. "I'll come by."
"Bring the new honey."
"Fine." Darien closed the door. He put the locks on.
"Man, who is she?" Andrew shrugged. They left. Serena stood naked as can be as Darien walked back.
"Who was at the door?"
"Andrew and his cousin, Nicole."
"The girl from last night?"
"Yeah." Darien watched the droplets of water down her body, around the curve of her breast, into the soft blonde curls at her mound. Serena giggled as his little buddy quickly pointed at her.
"Water's getting cold, which I think is best for you." Darien picked her up over his shoulder. She let out a scream. "Put me down!"
"Me cavemen, you my woman!"
"Such an asshole."
"But I'm your asshole." He carried her up the steps to the shower. They spent the day shopping around for her birthday in disguises, with poppy eyed glasses, Kimberly looking like runway model, in her jumpsuit, way too mature for her, as did Darien ,who went against the norm in a preppy plaid outfit and sunglasses, almost gay looking.
That evening, Darien watched Serena strut around in just cream strapless bra and string bikini.
"Can you just put some something so we can go?"
"I am about to meet all your friends...I want to look nice!"
"Most of them have seen you in a bikini top and micromini." She groaned. She forced Darien to drive her home, so she could sneak some more clothes out, since what she had in her bag was not right. "Baby, come on. You look beautiful in anything!" She held up a dress. "Not that!"
"Why not?"
"I don't want my friends drooling over you."
"Perfect then." She pulled on the pink plaid shirtdress. Darien completely buttoned it from neck to knee. Serena undid many buttons. She bent down to slip on her pastel multi-colored leg-wrap sandals with 4'' heel. Darien stood behind her, holding her by the waist against his groin.
"You do this to annoy me."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Serena said finishing up the ties. She stood up. She stood nearly the same height. She didn't have to stretch as much to kiss him. Darien looked so sexy in that navy button-shirt, black slacks and shoes, she brought him, even though it was her birthday coming up first, not his.
"I love these pants, makes your ass look so tasty!" Serena patted his butt after Darien slid his leather jacket on her.
"I love your ass too." She pushed him away. "I saw, we take my bike."
"Okay."
Darien helped her off the bike and took his jacket.
"So, shall I expect any exes here tonight?" Darien took the helmet from her hands.
"Maybe a few."
"A few!"
"Sorry."
"Now I am nervous."
"Don't be, come on." Darien took her hand. He kissed both of them and then her cheek. Darien was simply let on in by the bouncer.
"Wow, they didn't even card me?"
"Doesn't mean you can drink."
"I know!" She hugged his arm, holding his hand.
"Are you sure he's coming tonight?" Raye asked as she took a seat next to Lita and Mina. Raye the only one so concerned with Darien's new girl.
"Yeah, he said, he would come," Nicole said getting her drink. "She did sound young."
"How young?"
"Probably still in college." Andrew laughed and choked on his drink.
"Well, well..."
"Oh, there he is with her," Lita said. Raye looked up and gasped. Darien walked over with Serena.
"Hey, guys. That's, Lita, Ken, Mina, Chad, Raye, you know, Andrew and Nicole. Guys, this is Serena, Serena West."
"Hi." Serena smiled.
"Hi, come on! Sit!" Nicole jumped up and got a chair. Darien breathed out.
"Now our 4th player is here, we can play poker," Andrew said pulling out his kit. Ken and Chad got up to go to another table.
"Yeah, Darien, you boys go play. We'll take good care of Serena. Don't worry, we don't bite."
"Thanks. And girls, no stories." Darien kissed Serena on cheek. He playfully held his finger at the girls and walked away.
"So, sit." Serena took a seat quickly at Nicole's request. "So, how long have you and Darien known each other?"
"Since last fall."
"Dating?"
"Uh, nearly 2 months."
"I wondered what has made Darien smile so much lately, and Andrew feel like he lost his best buddy." Serena stopped smiling. "Don't worry, I like that he spends more time at home with me and the baby. A wedding takes time to plan and with the groom home, much easier to toss his ideas away faster." Serena laughed with Mina.
"Where did you two meet?"
"In school."
"Of course," Nicole said. "What are you... a junior?"
"Senior."
"Wow, me too! Graduating and going into the real world. Scared too huh?"
"I guess. I mean, college is not my thing, I want to move to New York City and become a ballet dancer."
"Oh, you're a dancer?"
"Yeah, pretty good, if I may say myself. Actually, I am tops in the country."
"Tops?"
"Yeah, been training since I was 4."
"That's great. Let's get you a drink."
"Sorry, but I can't."
"Oh, sorry…still not 21 yet?"
"I just don't drink. Haven't ever but you know wine or champagne with the parents during holidays." They all laughed except Raye.
"So, I heard you were showering with Darien..." Serena blushed. "You two have sex this morning?"
"Not exactly…I mean, we... we decided that….well..."
"Say no more. That's your business, what you and Darien do is all you."
"Why did it take you 4 years of college to realize you didn't like it?"
"Raye!"
"Hey, no worries bout her! You two look good together, and I haven't been here long, but from what I heard, he does seem happier than ever before."
"Thanks. He makes me happy too. More happier than I have ever been."
"She's cool," Nicole said. Raye rolled her eyes. She was the baby on the girls, just turning 21 herself. "Don't worry about these old hags!"
"Hags!" Lita threw her napkin at Nicole.
"I am only 2 1/2 years older bitch," Mina yelled.
"Yeah, and I'm just 3! Hag? Bitch!"
"Wooo," Nicole held up her hands as if she was afraid. She nudged Serena. Serena smiled. "So, tell us more?"
"Uh, what do you want to know?"
"Have you been in California all your life?"
"Oh, yes all my life. My parents, though no. My mother is Canadian. My father is French. My father is Chief of Police too, actually. They moved here after New York where they had me."
"Wow."
"Do you speak French?"
"Yeah, both my parents speak it, since practically all Canadians speak French it seems. And some Italian, and a bit Russian."
"Cool. So, where have you been, I don't see you in school, do you travel?"
"I've been to basically every country in Europe, Australia, South Africa, Mexico and Canada of course. It's a big school. But enough about me, tell me about all of you."
"I start..." Everyone groaned. "What! I know all your stories, besides. I should go first, before I have to pee again." Serena smiled as Mina told her tale. Mina Lowe was 23, 24 in the fall, expecting her first child, a son. She was almost 5 months pregnant, with her wedding this fall. She met Andrew in college, she ran track, until she found out she was pregnant and had to stop training so hard. Lita was next. She was the eldest of the girls with Raye, Lita Hawken was head chef at Mesquita Grill for 2 years at just 24 years old. She told about how Ken was her perfect match. She made the food, he fixed the drinks. A perfect couple. They had been together for 4 years now. Nicole went next, on break from Stanford, in her final year. She was a basketball star hoping to go into the WNBA. Raye went last. Raye Cooper, company VP at 24, as her father runs the place.
"You're missing our other girl, Amy. She should be here next time, something about her students tests."
"Amy?"
"Yeah, Amy Michaels? Oh, she teaches at Grover High. Do you know her?"
"No, I mean, yeah, I think I heard of her, she teaches the lower level English, right?"
"Right."
"Yeah, I know her. I go, went there."
"Excuse me." Raye got up.
"Does she not like me?" Serena asked after Raye's tone and evil glare.
"Raye is very protective of Darien and new girls. She thinks her opinion is the only one that counts."
"Did they date or something?" The girls laughed.
"For about 2 weeks! We have all kind of dated Darien, whether or not, we wanted to."
"Oh."
"Don't worry, those 2 never would work, as would any of us. Darien is like a brother to us. Whitney on the other hand."
"Whitney?"
"One of the many of Darien's exes. She sometimes comes by. She only comes to hang with Raye."
"You don't like her?"
"Honestly, I think she's a bitch.."
"Hey, speak for yourself," Mina said.
"It's true, especially after…" Nicole and Mina hushed Lita's outburst.
"Hey! Don't talk about someone not here to defend herself," Mina said. They all laughed knowing Mina didn't really care too much about Whitney.
"What did she do?" Serena asked.
"Broke our little Darien's heart."
"Shhh!"
"She left our poor boy at the altar," Lita whispered.
"So that was her..."
"Darien told you about that?" Mina asked.
"Yeah, not the girl's name."
"Wow, you two must be going down uncharted waters.."
"Uncharted waters?"
"Yeah. Your man telling his deepest saddest secrets... that is big, Serena. Only after a few months, usually I have to twist Ken's arms to talk to me."
"Yeah and I had to get pregnant to have Andrew open up to me finally." Everyone laughed.
"But of course, Darien was always so different," Nicole said. She smiled at Serena.
Darien was forced to get a round of beer when his hand lost first.
"Hey, how's Serena?"
"Why would you bring a child here?" Raye asked.
"Whoa, she's not a child, Raye."
"She's too young for you!"
"What!" Darien laughed.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"What does this have to do with you?"
"This is all some sick joke, right?"
"NO!"
"Then what are you running at this...sick cycle carousel? Running with some baby little girl, is she just a good fuck or something!"
"I didn't think I was require your permission, Raye, to fuck anybody. So, back the fuck off!"
"She is far too immature for you."
"Are you jealous?" Raye huffed.
"Of you and her? Ha! Right. I would just hate to have to visit you in jail!"
"In 2 weeks none of that will matter!"
"So, she is too young," Raye said.
"Like I said, soon, none of that will matter."
"You're acting like you two are getting married or something! Oh, god, no!"
"Did I say I was?"
"But you're thinking like that."
"It's far too soon for that."
"I can see it in your eyes, Darien."
"Yo Darien! Where are the beers!"
"Come on, beerbitch! I'm out!"
"Coming! Look, Raye. I like her okay. Really like her! Right now, that's all you need to know, so back off and keep your opinions to yourself." Darien went back to his table.
Darien held an helmet out for her as they stood outside the club. Serena wanted to get home by curfew.
"Did you have fun?"
"Yeah, but I think I lied to your friends. No, I did lie."
"How so?"
"I think, they think I'm a senior..."
"You are."
"In college."
"Oh. Well, that's okay. They can find out later on."
"You sure?" He nodded and they kissed. Serena put on the helmet. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. They will eventually find out, trust me, the boys will be able to tie together you to that night, and then they can't keep their mouths shut to their women, especially Andrew."
Monday morning, Serena came bouncing down the hall.
"I see someone is better."
"Thanks!" She opened her locker.
"I heard you got sick at the dance, was it the cheese because I felt weird too?" Elaine said.
"No, just wasn't what I needed you know."
"What happened to you then?"
"I just relaxed and watched some tv."
"You seem happy."
"Too happy," Jamie said. "Did you have sex!"
"As if!"
"Better not have given you flower away to some loser!" Molly came over.
"What's going on?"
"Me think Serena has a boyfriend she's hiding."
"What! How could you not tell me!"
"Now, I know she doesn't if Molly doesn't have a clue," Karie said. "Come on, the tardy bell is about to ring. Bye."
"Bye!" Serena and Molly walked to Science.
"Like how I played that, huh, right into the hoop! Swish!" Serena laughed. Darien walked in.
"Good morning, class! Hope you had a great weekend!"
"Good morning, Mr. Shields!" Serena smiled. Darien cleared up throat.
"We are going to have an interesting lesson today."
Darien was erasing the board of chalk, after he kissed Serena. Serena was looking through some notes for the tutoring session this week, sitting on Darien's desk behind him. Amy Michaels came into the room.
"Oh, hi Amy."
"Ms. Michaels, hi."
"Excuse us, Ms. West. Now." Serena quickly went to her book bag.
"See ya later, Mr. Shields."
"Thanks for helping up." Serena walked over to the door smiling.
"No problem."
"Close the door, please." Serena did.
"Do you want to lose you job?"
"Excuse me?"
"Serena West, Darien, the girls told me about meeting your new girlfriend this weekend. Then I heard the name, Serena West."
"Did you tell them she was.."
"Of course not, yet! How could you be so stupid!"
"Look, what Serena and I have is…none of your business."
"She is a student! You are a teacher, her teacher! I should report this."
"Wha..why?"
"Why! She is a child!"
"In 2 weeks, she'll be 18."
"And that makes this all better! Are you sleeping with her!"
"Not exactly now."
"Does that mean...I don't even know if I really want to know that. If you're not fucking her, then what is really going on between you two?"
"What do you mean?"
"She's too young for you. Serena is still in high school! And young girls at this age are very impressionable, especially when an older gentlemen is thrown at them."
"I know that, and it's nothing like that."
"I know she walks the halls as if she owns the place with her best friends, and perhaps she does. From all the teachers I hear about her, she's a brilliant girl. Way too smart, years ahead of herself, but she is far too young for something as serious as being with a man 25 years old!"
"Our age difference has nothing to do with how we feel."
"You're serious about her?"
"I love her." Amy nearly fell over as she choked.
"Love her?"
"Yes."
"This is some serious shit, Darien. Her father is Chief of Police. He will kill you."
"Don't you think I know that. That's why we are discrete and..."
"You took her to the dungeon! Not that she hasn't been before, a 'Pussycat' I recall." Darien smiled.
"We are taking things as they come, slowly."
"You love her, how slow can that be!"
"Yes, I love her, doesn't mean I'm gonna jump up and marry her tomorrow, but in the future..."
"Who are you?"
"What?"
"You are not the same Darien. You didn't even act like this with Whitney! You two dated for 3 years, before she pushed for a marriage. Hell I was the first one you called for help with a ring."
"I never felt like this before with any woman. I don't know how to explain things, but Serena makes me want to change. Be a betterperson for her."
"Oh, my god."
"What?" Amy was looking into his eyes.
"No."
"What?"
"That can't be love I see in your eyes." Darien smiled.
"I want to, I want to have wife, be a husband, have children with Serena."
Serena gasped and fell back away from the door. Molly found her.
"Serena, you look pale, sit down!" She fainted against Molly's chest. "Serena!"
"But she's so young, do you know if she even wants that?" Amy asked.
"I believe so. I hope so. Are you gonna turn me?" Amy groaned.
"I don't know. You're my boyfriend's best friend, like a brother to me. He would stand by you through anything and you know I would too. You're a good man, Darien. I know that. You have a gentle soul, but you better make sure she stays a good girl. I won't say anything. You have my word."
"Thank you." The bell rung.
"I have another class."
"Me too. And Amy, really, thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. I'll be watching you two. If you hurt her in anyway, you and me buddy in the parking lot are fighting."
"Deal." Amy smiled and walked out.
Darien found Molly fanning Serena in the secluded hallway, as he squatted before them.
"Ms. Reynolds, what's happened?" Serena barely looked up, as Darien felt Serena.
"You tell me, I found her pale outside your door, then she fainted. I practically carried her ass to get some fresh air." They were sitting under an opened window.
"Serena, what's wrong?"
"You want to marry me?" Molly gasped, mouth opened. Darien ran his hand through his hair.
"Molly, can you excuse us?"
"Uh..." Molly looked at Serena. She nodded. "Okay." Molly got up. Darien sat down next to Serena.
"I didn't know you were listening."
"You want to marry me!" Serena squeaked out.
"Yes."
"Me? Why?"
"Why not? You're beautiful, smart, athletic, compassionate, funny, gifted, a brat, silly at times, did I mention gorgeous and brilliant, everything I want in a wife."
"I love you, but are we there?"
"Not yet. I want to marry you, but not tomorrow. Or next week. A few years down the line, Serena, I hope, no I pray we will." Serena smiled and went to kiss him, but Darien pulled back. "Later." She nodded. "You okay now?"
"Yeah."
"Did me wanting to marry you, scare you that much?"
"Well, I'm not even 18! I didn't even think when this New Year came I would find love with you, but I have and it's wonderful. But to get married, wow. I didn't, I couldn't believe any guy would want to spend the rest of his life with the likes of me."
"Why?"
"I'm a brat, spoiled to the core, remember." Darien smiled.
"That you are." Darien laughed.
"Hey!" She hit his chest. "At least I can admit it. Most brats don't."
"True. How about this..I write a note and I treat you to ice cream?"
"How I love you!" She looked around. Serena kissed his cheek.
"Come on."
much more to come soon, possibly tomorrow...until next time...:P