Chapter 15: Blind

I would fall asleep
Only in hopes of dreaming
That everything would be like is was before
But nights like this it seems are slowly fleeting
They disappear as reality is crashing to the floor

After all this time
I never thought we'd be here
Never thought we'd be here
When my love for you was blind
But I couldn't make you see it
Couldn't make you see it
That I loved you more than you'll ever know
A part of me died when I let you go

Abouta weeks later, Serena came into the apartment. It was Tuesday, April 16th about 7pm. With Prom just a little over a week later, Serena felt like tearing down each poster she saw about 'Prom Night'. Darien couldn't take her and there was no way she was going alone or with another date. Serena cursed out a guy who wrote "teacher's slut' across her locker again. She was tired of high school and couldn't wait to graduate in a month, at the end of May, just 6 weeks away. She slammed her gym bag to the ground. Darien looked up from watching tv.

"Hey, baby, what's wrong?"

"Stupid school...stupid immature pricks...damn cheerleaders, can't get one single thing right, wonder why I even try..." She muttered ripping off her hoodie. "Bastards, just ask for one thing, one stick, one simple pyramid..."

"Baby, what happened?" Darien stood up.

"Nothing! I need to shower." Serena stormed to the bathroom. Darien didn't move as she slammed the bathroom door.

Serena came out about 20 minutes later in just a short white robe and a pair of his boxer-briefs. She was brushing her wet hair. Darien was in the kitchen fixing her dinner.

"What are you doing?" Serena asked.

"Thought I could make you a grill cheese with over easy eggs."
"Did I ask for that?"

"Oh." Darien turned off the burner. He threw the uncooked sandwich into the trash. Serena got a soda. She bent over, holding the fridge door. "Serena!"

"I'm...I'm fine." She went back into the bedroom. She came out in a simple blue-cropped top. Serena sat on the couch. Darien was reading a book. He looked over at her in the corner of his eyes. She was rubbing her side as she sighed, flipping the channel. When she saw Darien turning his page again, she groaned.

"Are you okay?"

"Do I look okay?"

"Want to talk about it?" Darien closed his book and turned to her.

"To you, a guy? Ha!"

"You know, just because you're on you period, don't take your shit out on me. I didn't do anything."

"You're a guy, of course you did something."

"Fine." Darien opened his book and continued reading.

"So you are just going to ignore me?"

"Pretty much." Darien turned a page after a minute.

"Could you find the thermal blanket for me?"

"You are the one that put it away last, and lost it... "
"And I am asking you to find it for me."

"If you are in pain, take an Advil and lay down, it will pass. As pertaining to your blanket, you lost it. You find it. " Serena huffed.

"Fine." Serena clicked off the tv and went into the bedroom. Darien looked up to see his clothes getting tossed out the bedroom. He jumped up.

"Have you gone mad!"

"Have I? I don't know," Serena emptied more of his drawers.

"Stop it!"

"I'm looking for the blanket!"

"It's not in my sock drawer!"

"How gay is that, a sock drawer!"

"You have a bra and panty drawer!" Serena threw socks at him.

"I don't have a whole drawer just for gay socks! Let me try the clothes!" She threw his suits around as she opened his closet.

"Stop that! You are crazy! Those are hundred dollar suits!"

"Oh, sorry!" Serena stepped on one. She jumped on some others on the ground.

"You are mad woman!" Darien started picking up his clothes. "Are you having fun!"

"Actually, I am." She threw another shirt at him. "Well, what do you know, not in here as well." She went over toanother dresser. Darien stopped her, he had enough of this silly behavior, and they weren't getting anywhere. He picked her up and threw her to the bed softly.

"I don't know what is wrong with you, but this is ridiculous," Darien said holding her down. "You are an adult, act like one!" Serena burst into tears as she fell back and stopped fighting him. Darien ran his hand through his hair as he sighed and let her go. "Serena...I'm...sorry..." He sat beside her.

"Go away!"
"I can't do that." He covered Serena with his body as he got on the bed and hugged her. She sobbed against his neck. He kissed her head, as he rolled her on top of him. " Please don't cry. I'm sorry, I just…I was stupid, okay. Want to talk about what's really bothering you?"

"I just want my fucking blanket, okay! It helps me! Why can't you just understand that! Why must you always be so fucking...you!" She muttered against his neck.

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I love you. And I would never want to hurt you. Now what's really wrong?" Serena wiped her eyes. "I know it's not the blanket or me. At least, I hope it's not."

"I just want my Mommy." Darien looked at her.

"Oh. That. Well, I don't know if I can help..."

"It's just...when I have my fucking...per-…"

"Period."

"Ye-yeah. She would bring me my blanket, with a wet cloth, rubbing my side until I fell asleep and everything was okay. The pain meant nothing because she was there. I could handle having my...per-"

"Period."

"Gosh, why must you say it so bluntly?"

"Because I love to see you blush."

"I know I should be able to talk about this with you since...well, we're dating. It's still embarassing."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't...understand. You think I'm crazy."

"I do understand now. I shouldn't have told you to just take some Advil and lay down. I should have been more understanding. More sensitive to you. This is not fun for you."

"No, it's not," she muttered her face in his neck.

"I'm sorry."

"Yea, me too... Sorry about your clothes."

"Forgotten."

"Darien..."

"Yeah."

"Were you frightened?"

"Terrified." Serena laughed. "It's just...well, it's just during this time, I tend to make sure I am miles away for any woman during her period."

"I hate guys."

"Exactly why I am miles away. Hell has no fury like a woman on her period."

"Damn straight." Darien kissed her forehead.

"Look, what can I do? What can I get to make you better?"

"I want my blanket."

"Okay." Darien got up and searched for it. After 20 minutes, he came with it and plugged it in. He waited for it to warm and wrapped Serena in it. "Anything else?"

"Just hold me." Darien rubbed her head and back, as she snuggled against him. Serena slept through the night in his arms.

A week later, Wednesday afternoon, Serena was with the girls at Darien's place.

"So, what time are you girls getting ready?"

"Well, we all have appointments early Saturday morning with our hair. Tomorrow we all get our nails and waxing done."

"Going Brazilian?" Serena asked helping with earrings selections.

"I am!" Karie said. "Mark and I are gonna have the perfect night." They all laughed.

"Mols?"

"No way! That hurts! Remember, I was there with you."

"Serena, you sure cried like a baby!"

"Didn't you see how she ripped those tabs off? She wanted my skin!" They all laughed. Darien came into the apartment. "Hey baby." Darien smiled. He kissed her cheek.

"Hey girls."

"How was your day?"

"Okay." Darien was going through his mail. He went into the kitchen.

"So what are you two doing Prom night?"

"Probably dinner and a movie."

"Sounds like a bore."

"Yeah, probably will be a bore. Oh, I like that bracelet for you Mols."

"Not like you can do anything.."

"That is nice." She dangled it on her arm. Darien listened from the kitchen.

"You know if you want I still have that extra ticket."

"No way am I playing 3rd wheel."

"But it's your Prom too, Serena. You always wanted to go!"

"I went my freshman year and last year."

"I know, but you're our Queen."

"What?"

"Jamie!" Karie, Elaine and Molly yelled at Jamie for spilling that secret.

"Sorry, I checked the votes out. Even with all that has happened, you were still voted Queen."

"I don't need some silly crown, I mean it's a stupid high school..."

"But the 'King and Queen' dance. You always said, King and Queen dances is the best thing about Prom night, especially since you saw Jenny get proposed to during her dance with Phil."

"It is…was...girls please! I'm happy for you girls. This is going to be a great night for you all, okay. Don't ruin it by worrying about what I am doing. I'll be fine. I'll…I'll be fine."

"I better get these back to my Mom's shop," Karie said. "Gonna come with us tomorrow?"

"Of course. I need my nails done."

Serena walked them out. She closed the door and sighed. Darien stood there.

"You should go," Darien said.

"Wha…no, I'm fine."

"But this is your prom, Sere."

"So! Just a silly dance."

"You know you want to go."

"Of course I do! But I can't, okay!"

"Because of me."

"Yes!" Serena passed him. She stopped. "Dar, please. It's not because of you. I wouldn't want to go without you."

"But you can."

"And I definitely don't want to go alone."

"Then don't."

"Excuse me."

"Find a date."

"3 days before the Prom! No way!"

"Why not?"

"I told you why! I don't want to go with anyone else!" Serena had tears in her eyes as she screamed.

"But I can't take you!"

"Do you want me to go with someone else!"

"If that means your night won't be a bore with me." Serena sighed.

"I didn't mean that we are a bore. I just meant..."

"Go to your Prom, Sere."

"I don't..."

"Go." Serena wiped her eyes.

"No. I don't want to go, so just drop it." Serena went into the bedroom. She laid to the bed. She cried holding a pillow.

"You should go. I need you to see that I am giving you permission to go."

"I don't want your damn permission. I said, I was fine."
"You thought you were fine about the Valentine's Dance when you didn't have a date."

"Why are you making this so hard!"

"Because I don't want you coming back here after your girlfriends have gone off with their dates to the Prom crying!"

"I won't be crying!"

"Oh, right. Like you aren't now."

"Damn you!" Serena stood up. "You are so stupid!"

"No, I'm telling the truth. I hate to see you like this!"

"You are so fucking...blind! I am not sad about some stupid Prom. I could care less!"

"I just don't want to have you crying all night when I told you can go to your Prom! I will be fine here! You don't have to stay to spare my feelings!"

"You never listen! I am fine!" Serena yelled back.

"Liar! You want to go, so damnit go!"

"Fine!" She picked up her purse and duster as she walked to the door. "I'm leaving!"

"Serena..."

"Don't call me!" She slammed the door. Darien rushed to catch her at the elevator.

"Serena wait!"

"You want me to go so badly, well I'm leaving!" She hit the button.

"I meant to the Prom. Why are you leaving now?"

"Because I can't stand to be with you now!" The doors opened. Darien stood in the doorway to prevent it from closing. "Move."

"No." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Look, why do we even have to fight about this. I want you to have a special night. This is your Senior Prom. You only get one, and you should go to it. You should be happy, you should be excited… that's why I want you to go. And be happy."

"Well, I can't be happy now."

"I want to you to be happy now, please, come back inside." Serena shook her head.

"No…I can't stand to be with you. I'll go to Mols, so don't call, I'm fine." Serena hit lobby. "Move."

"No."

"Darien, you bastard! Move the hell out of the way! I want to go." The bell rung.

"Fine, go. Walk away like you always do."

"Fuck you."

"Fine, go! Go." Darien stepped back allowing the doors to close. As soon as the door closed, Darien punched the wall. She was right, he was blind and stupid and he just let her walk away.

Molly opened the door.
"Serena, what are you doing here?"

"Can I stay here for a while?"

"Of course, what happened?" She closed the door behind Serena.

"Sometimes, I want to just...strangle that man. He never understands!" Serena went to Molly's bedroom and laid down. Molly laid behind her, hugging her sister to comfort her.

"He's a guy, what do you expect?"

"I don't care about Prom night. I just wanted us together. He can be so stupid!"

"Once again, a guy. They can't help but insert foot into their mouths."

Saturday morning, April 27th, Serena woke up to find Molly throwing on her tracksuit.

"Hey, morning!"

"Wha…where are you going?"

"I need to pick up my flower."

"I thought that was Melvin's job."

"He got the wrong flower, so I made a new order."

"Oh."

"We gonna get our hair done when I get back, so be up and showered."

"Yeah, yeah." Serena pulled up the covers.

Early that morning, Darien stood outside the Tiffany's jewelry store of LA with Andrew. It would be opening at 8, it was just 7:55.

"Why am I doing this with you?"

"I need your opinion man!"

"No, why are you trying to make me look bad?"

"What?"

"Buying her an engagement ring after just a few months! If Mina finds out, it took her being pregnant after nearly 3 years of dating before I popped the question. Next thing I know, you two will be married before us. "

"Mina is just 2 months away, why haven't you married her yet?"
"Don't you start, okay. I get this from my parents enough about not marrying her months ago."

"Then marry her."

"And we will in August. Not now."

"And you really think Mina is okay with that?"

"I would know if she wasn't. It was her decision for the August wedding, so she would be skinny for the wedding dress." The doors opened. Darien looked up and down the glasses.

"Can I help you sir?"

"Engagement rings." The clerk nodded.

Chief West was passing by when he recognized Darien's car. He parked and went walking up and down the street to search for his daughter. Since the prom was tonight, he knew she would doing some last minute shopping to find that perfect piece missing. He stopped outside the jewelry store and gasped. Darien was on one knee holding a ring to Andrew. He left disgusted. His daughter was dating a homosexual.

"You're right, this is weird," Andrew said. "Could you not do that?"

"I want to see your face when I do this, maybe then I can tell what Serena's reaction will be when I ask her."

"Still if any of the guys saw us like this..."

"They would laugh and have a field day, but who cares. Tell me, do you like this one?"

"Uh..."

"Well, Drew! Be honest, what ring looks best?"

"I don't know, after like 50, they all start looking the same! Just pick one of them.."

"Andrew please! This is important!"

"You never took this serious with Whitney. You just closed your eyes and picked a ring, do that now!"

"This is different! I have never loved another the way I love Serena. This is the only ring I want to give the woman I love. This is very important to me. Please, help me." Andrew sighed.

"Fine, not that one."

"Why not?"

"Because, it's too triangle and small...Serena wouldn't want it." Darien looked at it.

"It is too triangular. What about this square princess cut?"

"No." Darien stood up and looked through the line. Andrew stopped on one ring on another row. "This one." Darien looked over as he held it up. "Yeah, this one is great." Darien took it. He smiled. "This is the one you said, caught your eyes first. The reason why is because it's perfect for Serena. Give her this and she will love you forever."

"Thank you. I have the ring."

"Thank god! After 2 hours!" They hugged. "I'm gonna take this one."

"Ahh yes, the perfect selections. A one of a kind piece. She will adore you. Congratulations." Darien smiled.

"Thank you."

"Anything else sir."

"Pearl stud earrings and maybe, no, I also want a pearl bracelet."

"Of course sir, we have a great selection here." Darien went to look with the clerk. Andrew stopped on a ring. He lifted it up and smiled. Darien looked back at Andrew. He saw the rings Andrew was looking at. Gold bands.

"Mina would love them."

"You think?"

"I know." Darien patted his back. The boys went back to the apartment to set up. Darien had several boxes filled with decorations for tonight. He had brought out several things from Victoria's Secrets for Serena, along with 2 boxes from La Femme Fasion, shoebox from Chinese Laundry. Andrew and the other boys helped Darien with the set up. He was grateful for all their help. Tonight was going to be the best night in Serena's life.