Chapter 12: Walking Away

The same old streets just a different name
Same old house just the family's changed
Pickett fence
The window stains
Freedom spells by a man in chains

Silence is all we have to give
And the memories of a life I wish we'd lived

Hey, remember me
I remember you walking away
Hey, remember me
I remember you walking away

But I can't
Can't let go
Can't turn around
Hold my head high and walk away

Serena laid out on Darien's couch. He wasn't home yet. She sat in the pitch dark just thinking, crying, tissues around her. She left cheerleading early. It was going to be a hard and long April coming up shortly. State competition to start, National competition in the end, along with Prom. Graduation coming just a month from Prom, could this be all. She was coming to the end of one life, a life she never knew she would miss so much until now. Darien came into the door. He found it dark. Darien saw Serena crying there.

"Serena?" She sat up, wiping her eyes. He turned on the lights. "Baby, honey what's wrong?"

"Hi. How was your day?"

"What's wrong?" Darien sat down, as she hugged him.

"Just being a girl."

"What?" Darien pulled her into his lap. He held her tightly.

"I just realized...this is the end. In like 2 months, high school for me is done." Darien smiled. "I mean, I just...I always knew it would end, but I didn't think it would be this fast."

"Oh baby. I'm sorry."

"I just...I don't want to end, I don't want to be an adult!" She cried against his neck. Darien had to hold back a laugh. "Why does it have to end?"

"It's not ending!"

"Yes it is! I'm 18! An adult! My life is over with!" Darien laughed. "You're laughing!"

"Oh, baby, I'm sorry." She bit his neck. "Ow!" Darien pinched her butt.

"Ow!" They fought back and forth, ending up laughing. Serena smiled at him. She laid back against his neck and chest.

"You know I felt the same way you did," Darien said.

"You did?"

"Yeah, well not for high school, but when I was in my final semester of college. It hit me like it's hitting you now. I can't be a kid anymore."

"Bet you didn't cry."

"No, I just drank myself to stupidly and passed out in the Greek courts. Andrew had to carry me home." Serena smiled. She looked up at him. "I think for guys it hits us at 21 that we have to grow up, we are truly adults. For women, I believe it hits them at 18." Serena sniffed. "But you know, you're never alone."

"I can't lose you."

"What are you saying? You won't lose me."

"I can't lose you. My life would be empty without you."

"I feel the same." They kissed. "Let's play PlayStation. I'll let you kick my ass at 'Grand Theft'."

"Ha! I always kick your ass!" Serena went over to his wall system and opened the doors. Darien grabbed 2 controllers. He kissed her neck. Serena turned and hugged him.

"I love you, Darien."

"I love you too. And don't think I'm gonna go easy on you."

"Ha! When do you ever! I'm the one that loosens up!"

"You sure are." She hit his chest.

"Come on, dickhead." She loaded the game.

In English class, Molly was reading a poem, as Serena was writing one herself. It was the end of March now. March 26th, Tuesday afternoon. Serena couldn't wait to get home and show Darien her poem. Mr. O'Brien came up behind Serena. He noticed she wasn't paying attention.

"Serena!" Serena gasped. "Next poem please." Serena lifted her book.

"Uh..." Molly mouthed the page. "44, right...Okay. 'Same old street. Just a different name. Same old house. Just the family's change...'" Serena finished the poem. Mr. O'Brien clapped.

"Very well spoken. Impressed. Why do you think the author entitled this poem as it did?"

"Well...it is simple. Things in time change. Though appearance may be the same that is deceiving. If there is one thing we all know that happens in life, the only constant thing is change."

"Brilliant. You will earn your 4 on the AP exam."

"Thanks." Serena sat down.

Once the bell rung, Serena packed up with Molly. She pulled out her cell phone, checking the time and making sure it was from silent now.

"Serena, could you hang back. I need to speak to you."

"Uh, sure."

"I'll get the pom poms and set up."

"Thanks." Once everyone was gone, Mr. O'Brien looked over at Serena. The door was closed. "You wanted me, Mr. O'Brien?" She stood in front of the desk.

"Yes. Your paper..."

"Oh. I know I kind of went on the deep end with those poems, but..."

"I thought your poem selection was excellent."

"Thank you sir."

"Your paper was the first one I read. But you forget to add your conclusion."

"What?"

"You started one, but the final page is missing."

"That can't be, I know I turned it."

"I can only grade what I have. This isn't the first time you left out a page, Serena."

"But sir, that wasn't my fault. My little brother had this way of using my computer and printer. He took a page of paper that time and turned it in with his work."

"I would just appreciate if you got me that final page."

"Of course." Serena pulled out her book and made a note. "I'll get it to you by tomorrow morning."

"Okay. Wait, Serena."

"Yes?"

"I just want to tell you that I have watched you grown into a very beautiful girl through these short 4 years." Serena saw he was looking at her chest.

"Uh, thank you sir."

"And I have loved teaching such a mind as yours." Serena held her book to cover her chest. He was standing before. She slightly fell against the desk. "The school is going miss such a beautiful, talented woman." He reached to kiss her. Serena leaned back.
"I should go." Serena slid from under him.

"Why, when we just.."

"Look, Mr. O'Brien, I think you are a great teacher, but you need to back off." He went to grab her arm.

"Where are you going?"

"What you need be doing...walking away. Let me go!"

"Come on, don't tell me you don't want it. Those poems proved you had feelings for me..."

"What! I don't like you!" Mr. O'Brien pushed her to the desk and attempted to kiss her again. "No! Get off me!" He kissed her. Serena pushed at him. "NO!"

Darien was passing the halls and heard a girl cry out. He rushed to the classroom he thought he heard the girl from and flung it open.

"Get off me!" Darien pulled Mr. O'Brien off Serena and punched him. He lifted Serena up off the desk. "Darien!" Serena screamed.

"You okay?" Serena nodded. He hugged her, holding her head. "You sure?" Serena nodded.

"You fucking busted my lip!"

"How dare you touch her!" Darien lifted him by his collar. Mr. O'Brien kicked Darien in the groin. He gasped and fell to the ground. Serena jumped on Mr. O'Brien's back and was swung to the ground. Darien got up and rushed into him. .

"No!" They started fighting around the desk. Serena ran into the hall. "Help! Help please!" She ran back inside. Darien was punching Mr. O'Brien in the stomach with several fists. "Darien, stop it! He's not worth it!" Serena pulled Darien back. She hugged him.

"What are you fucking her!" Darien went hit him again, when a few other teachers, cops and the vice principal came into classroom.

"Mr. Shields! What is going on here!" The cops grabbed Darien and held him back.

"He's fucking that student!"

"Mr. Shields!"

"Vice Principal Randall, Mr. O'Brien came on to me in an attempt to, well kiss me. He even had pinned me to his desk and Dar-Mr. Shields found me in trouble and came to my aid."

"Mr. O'Brien, is this true!"

"I was simply giving Ms. West an compliment about her paper, when she tried to force herself onto myself..."

"That's a lie," Darien said. "I found you on top of her, she was screaming no."

"He is the one lying! Arrest him for assault."

"Assault! You forced yourself on her, be lucky I don't tear you from limp to limp!"

"Mr. Shields!"

"He attacked me for no reason! Ms. West threw herself at me. You see how she walks around here like she owns the place, Vice Principal Randall. She caused me to fall on top of her."

"That is not true!"

"Until we can get our stories straight, I want you all taken down to the station for questioning."

"No, Mr. O'Brien should be the one in trouble. Dar-Mr. Shields saved me."

"And that may be, but we still need to question you all, Ms. West."

"Fine, but I want my father there. I want him to punish this man."

At the police station, Serena sat awaiting to see if Darien would be in any trouble.

"Daddy!" Serena stood up. "What's happening to Dar-Mr. Shields?"

"Your teacher is still being questioned."

"Daddy, he didn't do anything wrong. He saved me."

"Mr. O'Brien claims the other way."

"Baise! Bullshit!"

"Serena!"

"He came on to me! He forced himself on me, why can't anyone believe me!"

"I do, Serena. I do, but he has filed charges against Mr. Shields and there will be a case."

"NO! Darien..."

"What is going on between you and that teacher?"

"Nothing! He's just..my teacher."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"You should get home, your mother will have dinner ready soon."

"I want to make sure.."

"Honey, there is nothing you can do now. We have your statement for the case. Go."

"But Daddy..!"

"Go." Serena left the station.

Serena sneaked out her room. Her father looked out the window of his car to see Serena get in her car and drove off. He followed her. Serena pulled up to Darien' complex. Serena's father looked at his paper where it listed Darien's residence to be this apartment complex. Serena smiled and waved to the doorman. Serena went to Darien's place.

"Hi..."

"Officer..is there.."
"Can you tell me where that young lady that just arrived headed?"

"Yes to Mr. Shields's residency."

"I need to get up there."

"But sir, only if..." He showed his badge. "Chief, of course." Mr. West went up the elevator.

He listened outside the door.

"I can't believe this is happening! That creep! How dare he?"

"I know, but there is nothing I can do until the trial..."

"I'll help in anyway I can."

"I know you will."

"It's my fault."

"No, it's not."

"I know it is. I can't believe this is happening to you." They hugged.

"Should you even be here?" Darien asked.

"No, but I needed to see you. Make sure...you know."

"Then you should go. I'll be fine."

"Can I come tomorrow?"

"When do you have to ask?" They kissed their way to the door. Just as Darien opened it from hugging her again, he gasped. Serena fell back into him after she turned and found her father staring at them.

"Daddy!"

"You lied to me."

"Daddy wait..." He grabbed her arm and pulled her away. "Ow, Daddy!"

"What are you doing here?"

"I just...I just wanted to make sure Mr. Shields was okay!"

"Liar! Something is going on here and I don't like it. Go now!"

"But Daddy!"

"Now!" Serena walked over to the elevator. "You are not to go near my daughter again. I'll be filing a resistraining report by the hour. If I catch you with my daughter, you go straight to jail." He went over to the elevator. "Inside!" Serena looked back at Darien.

"I'm sorry."

"Intérieur!" Serena was shoved into the elevator. (Inside)

"You had no right!"

"You are my child!"

" Je ne suis pas enfant! J'ai 18 ans!" (I am not a child! I am 18 years old!)

" Il est votre enseignant!" (He is your teacher!)

"So!"

"That is very unprofessional for me to catch you in his home!"

"I was making sure he was okay."

"Why should you care!"

"Because I feel like this is my fault! I should have been able to stop them from fighting after Darien helped me!"

"Mr. Shields." Serena went to her car. "I want you home."

"Merde!"

"I mean, straight home!"

"I said, fine!" Serena got into her car. She sped off.

Wednesday morning, Serena sneaked to speak to Darien alone. He closed the office door behind her.

"How are you?" Darien asked.

"Fine."

"I got the paper."

"I don't understand, how can he do that? I never..."

"He's your father and the Chief of Police."

"This sucks! You shouldn't be treated like this!"

"I know." They hugged.

"I missed you last night."

"I missed you." The bell rung. "You better get to class." Serena nodded. She opened the door and found Molly waiting.

"Clear." Serena closed the door behind her. Around the school, rumors about Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Shields fighting over Serena. By the end of the school day, Serena was getting hounded by a reporter. Darien found her trying to push away from the cameraman.

"Get away from her!" Darien shielded Serena to her car so she could leave.

Darien met Serena in the park a few days later. She was claiming to be going on a run in the park with the team, but that was a lie. Darien was sitting on at a bench.

"Darien?"

"Hey." He stood up.

"What's wrong?"

"The case starts Monday. Unless I can find proof, I might be in some serious trouble." She hugged him. "I need you. Can you come back to my place?" She nodded. They went to his car after kissing.

Serena's father received the photos of her daughter and teacher. He slammed them to his desk in angry.

"I'm sorry sir. If she was under 18, but she isn't.."

"She is his teacher, this illegal and I will make him pay!" He rushed over to Darien's place. Serena and Darien were just lying on the couch together, Darien just wanted to hold her. There was a knock at the door.

"Probably Drew?" Darien got up. He opened the door.

"Where is my daughter?"

"Mr. West..." Serena came down the hall zipping up her hoodie.

"Daddy?"

"Are you having sex with my daughter!" Darien looked at Serena. She gasped.

"Daddy..wait before you.."

"Are you having sex with my daughter!" Mr. West grabbed Serena. She cried out as his grip was murder on her arms. Darien looked Serena in tears. She was in pain.

"Let her go."
"Excuse.." Darien pulled Serena back and behind him. She held Darien. They both gasped as Mr. West pulled his gun out and held it up at Darien's head. "That is my daughter! If you are sleeping with her, I will kill you."

"Daddy wait...I love Darien." Serena stepped before him. "I love him, Daddy."

"Love? You are a child! A foolish one at that!"

"I am not a child!" Serena cried. "I am 18!"

"I love her, sir. I love her so much."

"Get away from him!" Mr. West shoved his daughter aside.

"No!"
"Darien Shields, you are under arrest for sleeping with a minor!"

"I am 18 years old! You cannot arrest him!"

"I can and I will. Turn around!" Darien was shoved into the door.

"Daddy this is crazy! You cannot do this to the man I love!"

"I will see that he pays for taking advantage of you!" Darien was forced harder into the door and cuffed.

"Daddy no!"

"Call Andrew for me. He can..." Serena nodded.

An hour later, Darien was released on 1000-dollar bond paid by Serena and Andrew. Though an sexual assault case needed more proof to keep him in jail. Darien was able to call in a favor with a judge and get out on bond that Friday afternoon. Mr. West looked up as Serena arrived with Andrew and a check.

"You are forbidden to be with him! This resistraining order means, if he comes within.." Serena snatched the form from her father's hand. She ripped it up before him. "All I have to do is create another one."

"I am an adult! You cannot force this order when I don't want it. I'm leaving with Darien, so please don't be make a scene."

"Excuse me."

"Walk away, Daddy. We don't need any more problems."

"You are being manipulated by a 25 year old man!"

"I love him! He is not manipulating me! I want to be with him! I love him!"

"You can't possibly know what love is! You're a child!"

"I am old enough to make my own decision now, father! You can't order me around anymore!"

"As long as you are living under my roof and.."

"Then maybe I won't!"

"Excuse me."

"Maybe I won't be living under your roof, Daddy!"

"If you leave with him, don't expect to be welcomed in my house anymore."
"Fine by me!" He grabbed her arm.

"This is not a game, Serena!"

"I hate you so much for making me do this. But if I have to chose you or Darien. I chose Darien." She went over to him. He put his arm around her. They left together.

"I want him in jail."

Yes, sir."

4 fully-loaded chapters in one day...I need a nap...what will Serena's father do next...should Darien invest in a bulletproof vest...all that and much more coming up in a few days...until next time...babyee