Chapter 10: Unknown

this doubt is screaming in my face
in this familiar place sheltered and concealed
and if this night won't let me rest
don't let me second guess
what I know to be real
put away all I know for tonight
and maybe I just might
learn to let it go
take my security from me
and maybe finally
I won't have to know everything

I am falling into grace
to the unknown to where you are and
faith makes everybody scared
it's the unknown the don't-know
that keeps me hanging on and on and on to you

Andrew looked up to see the couple arrive.

"Well, well! Lovers have arrived. Have fun fucking...I mean, at the beach."

"Shut up!" Darien high fived Greg and Ken. "You guys remember Serena."

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Oh, happy belated birthday." Andrew got up and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you."

"Happy birthday too."

"Thanks"

"Where are the girls?"

"Coming, I guess. They wanted to do some shopping."

"Maybe some weekend they'll let you tag along, those girls love to shop." Serena smiled.

"Oh, and just so you know. R&W are here."

"Great."

"R&W?" All of sudden, the 2 girls came downstairs from the bathroom. Whitney stopped as Darien stood there with his arm around Serena.

"There will be no need for drama. I'll get us a drink, what do you want?"

"Diet is fine." Darien kissed her cheek. Raye went over with Whitney. "Hi, I'm Serena." She held her hand out for her.

"I could care less little girl. Oh, I see he has branded you." Whitney touched her shoulder.

"Leave her alone," Andrew said"

"Oh, the young brat can't stand on her own?" Darien came over.

"Don't mind her, Sere… she's just jealous."

"Of the brat? Ha!"

"Don't call me a brat, and don't take your shit out on me, bitch." Serena walked passed them. Andrew and the other boys held back their tongues with smiles on their face. Darien smiled. Andrew was the first to laugh.

"I guess she can stand on her own." Ken drank his beer.
"I need a drink."

Serena took her drink as she found the empty foosball table. She drank half down in one pass.

"Bitch!"

"Calm down." Darien found a ball. "She means nothing and you set her straight." Darien pulled out some money. He paid for a game. "Since you're new, a novice, I should..."

"No, I want to..."

"Okay." Darien held his hand up as he could tell she was pissed. Serena dropped the ball to the table, but missed the ball. Raye and Whitney laughed, with the boys. Serena glared up at them. She went to hit again, when Whitney shouted out at her.

"You're supposed to hit the ball sweetie! Wow, Darien, you're with her, she can't even seemto play asimple mindless game!" Whitney laughed.

"Loosen up." She closed her eyes.

"I can play this stupid game."

"Right." Serena grabbed the handles to her linemen and pulled them where she wanted.

"I'll kick your ass."

"Not hitting like that."

"Okay, 20 bucks a game."

"What?"

"Afraid to lose to little me?"

"Fine, but its your money to lose." Serena smiled. She stood up straight and picked up the ball. She dropped it on the table with a spin. On the second bounce, she kicked it with a man on her line and scored. Darien gasped. Serena smiled at her fast goal. "I guess, I'm not a novice at all." She picked up the ball from the bottom and dropped it again. Darien couldn't even get a great block in as she scored. Darien had yet to take one shot against her goalie as she was a perfect blocker before mid-field. "And that is..."

BAM!

"Game. 10 to nothing." Serena said as the ball flew pass Darien's goalie line. "Best out of 3?"

"You...you..." Andrew gasped. Not even he could beat Darien that badly in foosball and they played constantly.

"Yes, I know. I'm good." She drank down her soda. Darien came up behind her, planting kisses on her neck. She giggled. "Stop it!"

"Can't believe I fell for that. 'Foosball? What's that? A game with stick men in a line and a ball. I would love to try it!' I am such a loser!"

"But I still love you." She held his face and made kissy noises at him. "Oh, a jukebox! Can I get some money?"

"You earned it." Darien handed over a twenty.

"Not that big! Just a dollar or so will do."

"Dollar? I got change, hold on." Darien handed over a few dollars. Serena looked through the jukebox for music. "React" Serena went back over to Darien, dancing.

"I need a new drink." She pointed.

"Not your bitch."

"You will be after I beat your ass again."

"Maybe, but I get to drop the ball."

"Whatever, but just remember, the moment I score, you won't get the ball back ever." Darien took the ball. Andrew groaned again as Serena bent over as she handled the sticks.

"It's like forbidden fruit," Ken said.

"Exactly!"

"Darien is a luck man."

"If thattop was anymore cutI might..." Darien would make sure to flash glares at his friends, when Serena would bend over the table the cleavage was in view.

"It's the forbidden fruit, see! Unknown. Lucky bastard!" Andrew yelled. Darien looked up.

"I need another drink," Ken said. "Want one?"

"Sure."

"Strong shots!" Andrew yelled.

Serena watched Darien trying to figure an angle to set up his other line.

"Do you always give your girlfriends gifts? Is that why you gave me the key as..."

"No!" Darien missed his shot in anger.

"Sorry." Serena's head went down in fear. "I'm sorry. Take another."

"In a minute, come here." Darien stopped and looked at her. "Look. What I had with all the other girls means nothing to me now. I have you, okay. I don't want to compare my past with you, because they couldn't possibly compare. What we have now is a millions times better than all the days with them together." Serena smiled. She reached over to kiss him. Kimberly stole the ball from him with smile.

"Thank you. Here's is goal 6." Darien groaned. "In Da Club" came on the background. Serena moved around. "It's my birthday, we gonna party like it's my birthday!" She hit the ball with ease. She mouthed the song as she moved about her lines men scoring on Darien. She leaned down to get the ball. Darien would try to make her miss grabbing her stick on his side.

"Cheater!" She took handle to her linemen harder and took a shot.

"Stop staring at my boobs!" Serena said as she bent over to pick up the ball that flew from the table, Darien had threw to the table when he blocked a clear goal with his hand. Darien glared back at the guys staring at Serena.

"They wouldn't ifthey weren't so beautiful." Darien came up behind her, touching her butt, the game forgotten since she was down to winning another set. "I think we should try this position when we home." He leaned down against her back, kissing her neck. "I think I would love to feel you ass slamming against my hips. I wonder if it would feel as good as having you bouncing on my hips." Serena missed the ball, as that sent a shiver of pleasure up her back. She didn't care Darien wasn't on the other side to block any advances. She blushed.

"Oh!" She pushed back with her butt. "Off!" Darien laughed. Andrew was staring along with every other male in the dungeon. Serena missed again when she took a peak up at Whitney.

"Yes! I might have a chance now to win. Thanks babe. How did you get so good?" Darien asked stepped away from her. Serena was in trance of his ass as he walked around. "Are you staring at my ass now!" Serena shook her head. She smiled and came up behind. "Get Low" came on the background.She held his hips, whispering in his ear this time, before moving her hands up his arms smoothly.

"If you let me have the ball back, I'll let you do whatever you want tonight." Darien stood up straight.

"Whatever I want?" Serena nodded, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Yeah." Darien smiled. He went down and made his shot.

"I already get to do whatever I want to you, because you are mine." He kissed her cheek. She slapped his ass and rolled her eyes. "It's my birthday next, next Thursday actually, what are you doing to beat what I did for you?"

"Not a damn thing."

"Harsh!" Serena moved to her side, blocking his next attempt to score.

"I don't know if I can do anything that day, audition practice that day, Thursday is a big day for me, with cheerleading too."

"Oh."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Darien spun the pole hard and scored before Serena was set.She stopped him, grabbing his 2 lines. She reached over and kissed him. "I just want to be with you on my birthday."

"I don't care about the audition, okay." Darien smiled. They kissed.

"This game is not over." Darien went for another shot, but Serena decided it was time to bring out the sisters. She leaned down Darien's line of view. She pushed her breasts together and Darien missed. Serena laughed.

"Men. Good job, girls," Serena said looking down at her chest. Serena bent down and all the guys groaned again.

"You need to wear a collared shirt," Darien angrily muttered. Serena won all 3 games easily they played. She drank down her soda. "Back That Ass Up" now playing.

"Well, I believe that is 60 big fat ones, babe!" She held her hand out. Darien pulled her over to him. He kissed her softly. Andrew whistled. "Pay up." Darien groaned. He squeezed her bottom with one final kiss before Darien pulled out his wallet.

"I can't believe my own girlfriend hustled me."

"I can't believe your own girlfriend beat the shit out of you in foosball. I thought you were the master of the table." The couple sat down for a second.

"Well, we can't be on top forever," Darien said looking at Serena. She smiled, as he took her hand. "We should go." Serena nodded. "We're gonna head out now fellows."

"Sure you are."

"Goodbye, fellows."

"Have fun tonight!"

"Bye!"

A little over 2 weeks later, March 17th, Darien woke up to about 110 pounds girlfriend jumping onto his stomach.

"Happy birthday muffin!" Darien groaned. Serena pulled the covers from his face. "Get up! The sun is about to rise!"

"Baby, it's..." Darien pulled his clock over. "6:08 in the morning!"

"But it's your birthday! I always want to see the sun rising on my birthday, come on!" Serena tugged him out of bed. Darien was dragged to his balcony.

"Cold!" Darien yelled as his bare feet hit his balcony.
"You baby!" Serena lifted the cupcake with a candle. She lit the candle. "Make a wish." Darien closed his eyes and blew it out. Darien wrapped his arms around her.

"Thank you." Serena fed him the first bite before taking one herself. They stayed until the sun rose up completely in the sky. "A beautiful sight."

"The sun?"
"You." Serena looked up. They kissed. "Thank you. I think I found a new tradition." They swayed in the new day's light.

Darien showered as Serena ironed in his shirt for dinner and strip club he was going to, thanks to Andrew and the guys. She was still in her towel, having gotten kicked from the shower. Darien couldn't keep his hands to himself and they were running a bit off schedule.

"Are we taking my car or you car?" Darien asked rubbing his hair down.

"The boys will make sure you get home."

"What are you gonna do until I get back?" Darien wrapped his arms around her.

"A little homework and practice a little dancing steps."

"You haven't danced for me yet."

"I really have to work on some ballet spins. Is it okay if I move things around?"

"Of course."

"Thanks." Serena pulled away and held his up his shirt. "There, crispy and steamed."

"Thank you!" He kissed her cheek. Darien passed Serena's dress. "You finally picked a dress!"

"Took me long enough." Serena held up 2 sets of bra and panties. "Which set?"

"Why does it matter, I'll just take it off later."

"Confident little dickhead."

"Black ones."

"Then red." Serena tossed the black ones aside.

"Brat." Serena dropped her towel. Darien groaned.

"Can I ask, why you always have strapless bras?"

"Nothing really to hold up," Serena said sliding on her thong.

"You have plenty, babe." Serena slipped into her one-shoulder dress with single strap-back and knee-high boots. Serena had gone to get her hair done after school, simple curls pulled into a bun. For her surprise later, she wanted curly, instead of straight hair. Darien came up behind her, buttoning his shirt. He kissed her neck. Serena smiled. She turned and finished the job on his shirt.

"You look amazing, not a day over 25." Darien laughed. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Thank you for the gift."

"You're welcome." Serena made a DVD of all of Darien's pictures and tapes. "I knew you would like it." They hugged. "Oh shit! Andrew might kill me for making you late."

"We'll be fine."

"If I drive."

"Oh no!"

"My car, I drive."

"No missy! I don't want to be sick over dinner!"

"Shut up!" Serena nodded to the bellboy as they walked out.

"And then when all the lights were turned on, there he stood, only a clad pair of boxes, tied to a chair!" Everyone laughed. "Sigma Chi across his chest in red lipstick." Everyone roared into laugher. The 11 of them piled into Darien's favorite place to dine, Olive Garden for best Italian foods. Andrew was telling how Darien got attacked at a sorority party.

"You know, I will never forgive you for that trap!" Darien pointed at Andrew.

"I have one better, remember Senior prank."

"No, not the rubber ducks!"

"Rubber ducks?" Darien covered Serena's ear. "Hey!" She pulled his hands down.

"Maybe the kid shouldn't hear this," Raye said.

"Hey, I am not a kid!"

"Fine. Here's an idea for senior prank.."

"Oh, we already have that planned since the summer."

"Oh really!"

"Yeah, best one in Grove history."

"I don't believe we need to be hearing this," Amy said about to cover her ears. Serena smiled.

"So, tell me about the ducks."

"Okay, get this, senior year, Dar and I wanted our male class to play in the fountain."

"Oh, every senior does that one."

"Yeah, but we got to dress up with yellow rubber ducks and inflatable naked women dolls."

"Oh?"

"Get this, the yellow ducks over our dicks for all the guys." Everyone laughed. "The principal nearly caught us, and we had to run home like that."

"Oh!" Everyone laughed.

"That must have been some small ducks." Mina, Amy, and Lita laughed, giving Serena high fives.

"Good girl!" Darien reached over and kissed her shoulder.

"I'll get your later."

"Oh, I'm scared." She stuck her tongue out at him. Raye cleared her throat. Serena got another roll. She was only eating salad and soup.

"Are you sure you don't want something else?" Darien watched Serena picked at her tomato.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"They are paying not us." Serena kissed his cheek.

"I'm fine."

Once 8 o'clock rolled around, Andrew was determined to leave for the strip club.

"It's time!"

"You are way to excited to see another girl's breasts!"

"I'm only going for Darien."

"Yeah, right!" Amy said.

"It is time, though," Ken said. "First hour, drinks on the birthday boy!

"No fair!" Serena watched all the girls prepping their boyfriends before they left.

"Now, you take care and don't give your money away to the first girl that spreads for you," Lita said to Ken. He kissed her.

"Have fun."

"I wish you were there."

"Let's go birthday boy!" Greg yelled after kissing Amy. Darien stood up.

"Strippers are waiting!"

"Oh, and Darien.." Serena stood up and kissed him. She kissed deeply, allowing his hands to roam along her back. She framed his face, kissing him softly. "You may go." Darien was pulled away by Andrew. His eyes on Serena. She sat back down with a smile, as she wiped her lips. "I feel good."

"I don't know why."

"Huh? Did you see the way he looked as they had to drag him away from me!"

"Yeah, and you just let him go to a strip club all hot and bothered." Serena's smile faded.

"Shit."

"Just a few things you need to learn, honey, don't worry."

"I want to thank you for taking me to that store. I got everything I wanted."

"Good," Mina said. "Now, shouldn't you be setting up?"

"Oh, right."

"What are you doing?"

"A surprise for Darien."

"Is it dirty?" Nicole asked.

"Oh yea!"

"That's my girl!"

"Bye." Serena threw down some money.

"Bye!"

"Thanks again. See you later."