1Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews! It means a lot that you like my story! Now, about my story being a Cinderella story, it wasn't meant to be, but it did kind of start out that way. I'm not sure how much of Serena's step-family I'll use in the story, but we'll see. I'm just kind of going with the flow and writing whatever comes to me! I really want the main focus to be with Serena and Darien though! So, enough talking...go enjoy chapter two! Be sure to leave reviews. Flames are accepted.

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When Life Gives You Lemons

Chapter Two

Later that afternoon, Andrew took Serena back to her old house. He was going to help her gather her things. Serena had refused to come alone, afraid that she would back down at the last minute. As they walked up the stairs and stood on the porch, she took a deep breath. Andrew cupped her shoulders and told her that everything would be alright. Slowly, she opened the door and walked in. Sarah had been in the living room and looked up when she heard someone coming in. She glared when she saw Serena. "Where have you been?" Clearing her throat, Serena said, "I've been at Andrew's. I'm moving in with him. I can't live with you for any longer and I won't. I'm here to gather some of my things, and I will be out of your way forever. Keep all of Daddy's money. He set up a trust fund for me years ago, so I'm pretty much set. I bet he didn't tell you that, did he Sarah? He may have loved you, but you didn't fool him. He saw past your selfish ways. Now, if you'll excuse me." With that said, she headed up stairs and into her bedroom.

"I can't believe I just did that."

"I'm proud of you, Sere. You don't deserve to be taken advantage of and I for one am glad that you stood up to your step-mom."

Serena smiled and hugged him, "You're such a good friend, Andy."

Andrew smiled, "I know." She slapped him playfully. They then got to work and started packing her things.

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After they had unloaded her things, Andrew and Serena sat down with a bowl of popcorn to watch a movie. They were laughing and talking with each other while the movie was playing. Serena grabbed a piece of popcorn and threw it at Andrew. He glared evilly at her and threw a whole handful back at her. Thus began a popcorn war. While the war was going on, the door to the apartment opened, and in walked none other than Darien Shields. He looked at the two on the couch and shrugged. He didn't know Andrew had a girlfriend. Not that he cared. It's not like he was close to him or anything. Andrew was just his roommate. He didn't have to know everything that was going on in his life. Darien walked past the two and headed towards his room. He stopped when he heard his name being called. "Hey Darien!" called Andrew.

"Yeah."

"This is Serena. She's going to be our new roommate. You don't mind, do you?"

"No, not at all," said Darien cooly. "It was nice to meet you, Serena."

"Likewise," she said. Darien walked to his room.

"Wow, he's kind of cold!" exclaimed Serena.

"Yeah, he's always been like that. He's very mysterious. You'll get used to him." Serena laughed.

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Darien sighed as he took his shirt off. So Andrew's girlfriend is moving in, huh? "This should prove to be interesting," he said out loud. He shook his head. He had to admit, she was beautiful. "Don't say things like that Darien. She's your roommate's girlfriend. You got that? Your roommate's girlfriend." Sighing, he shed the rest of his clothes and took a nice, hot shower.

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Serena had just gotten out of the shower and was brushing her long, blonde hair. Humming to herself she stared at her reflection. Satisfied with herself she set her brush back down on the dresser. Her eyes landed on a picture. Picking it up, she smiled sadly. It was a picture of her and her dad. She remembered that day well. She had just graduated from high school, and her best friend, Amy, had taken the picture. That had been the perfect day. He had taken her out to lunch earlier that day, and after that he had taken her shopping and had bought her everything she had wanted. He had been so proud of her. She had been the valedictorian of her class, and had been accepted to Harvard. She put the picture down as her eyes began to tear up. That picture had been taken a few weeks before he died. She was supposed to attend Harvard in the fall, but that wasn't going to happen now. Life just didn't seem worth it anymore. Harvard had been their secret. No one else knew about it. "Yup, its definitely not worth it. I can't go there anymore. Tomorrow I start working at Andy's arcade." She had agreed to work at the arcade so she could start making a living. Granted, she had her trust fund, but she didn't want to rely on that forever. Besides, Andy really needed the help. With those thoughts in mind, she crawled into bed and fell asleep.

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Serena woke up bright and early the next morning. Today was her first day of work, and she didn't want to be late. She got out of bed and stretched. 'Today is going to be a good day,' she thought. She took a shower and changed into a pair of blue jeans and a white button up blouse. It was casual enough to make her feel comfortable, but professional at the same time. She grabbed her purse and headed out the door. As she walked to the arcade she began to feel a little nervous. She was afraid she wasn't going to do well. 'What if I spill a milkshake on a customer, or trip and make an idiot of myself?' Too preoccupied with her thoughts, she wasn't paying attention to where she was going. She suddenly found herself bumping into a very hard chest. She looked up and blushed when she realized it was Darien. She opened her mouth to apologize but Darien interrupted her. "You should really watch where you're going," he said and walked away. "Well that was rude," Serena said to herself. Shaking her head she continued the trip to the arcade.

Once she arrived, she threw on an apron and walked behind the counter. "Good morning, Andy." "Morning, beautiful." Serena blushed. He was always complimenting her. "Are you ready for your first day?"

Serena smiled, "You bet! But I'm a little nervous."

"Don't be. You're going to do just fine."

"Thanks, Andy!" Their first customer walked in. Serena smiled and greeted him. While taking his order a few more customers walked in, and before she knew it she had a line full waiting for the morning coffees. One by one she got them their coffee and wished them a good day.

"Good morning, sir. What can I-" she was interrupted.

"Coffee. Black," the young man said.

"Geeze, Darien. You don't have to be so rude. How can you drink your coffee that way? I have to use lots of cream and sugar."

Darien just glared at her, "My coffee please."

"Okay. Okay. Hold your horses. Here's your coffee. Your total is $2.14." He handed her a five, "Here. Keep the change because I don't have all day." He took his coffee and left.

"Ohh, the nerve of that man!" Serena vented.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Serena was doing really well, and all of the customers loved her. Around 4 o'clock a group of three girls walked in. Serena smiled and walked over to them. "Good afternoon, ladies. What can I get for you?"

The girl with blonde hair smiled at her. "I haven't seen you around here before. Are you new?"

"Yeah, I just started today. I'm Serena."

"Well it's nice to meet you. I'm Mina, and this is Raye and Lita." The girls waved at her.

Raye winked, "We're regulars here, so be prepared to be bugged by us a lot."

Serena laughed, "Oh, I don't mind. You seem like pretty cool people." She took their orders and went to retrieve them.

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Serena and Andrew were in the kitchen cooking dinner. "So, I see you met Mina and her friends," said Andrew.

"I did. They seem really nice."

"Yeah, they are," sighed Andrew.

Serena looked at him funny, "What was that sigh for?"

Andrew looked up, "Huh? Nothing."

"Oh come on, Andy. What's up?"

"Nothing. It's just that..."

"Just what?"

"Did Mina say anything about me?"

Serena paused, "You have a thing for her. Don't you?"

Andrew blushed, "Of course not."

Serena giggled, "Yes you do."

"Ah, come on now Serena."

"Admit it Andy! You like her."

"Ugh, ok. I like her." He ran his hand through his hair. "So what do I do?"

"Duh! You talk to her. Find out what she likes, what she doesn't like. Then, when the timing is right, ask her on a date."

"I can't do that."

"Yes you can. Any girl would be lucky to go out with my best friend." She gave him a hug. Andrew kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Sere! You're the best."

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It was about ten o'clock. Serena was on the couch reading a book, and Andrew was sitting in the chair reading the paper. Darien walked in the door. Wrapped around his arm, was a beautiful woman. She was tall, with long slender legs. Every man's dream. He glanced at Serena and Andrew and lead the woman to his room. Serena looked shocked, while Andrew looked unfazed.

"What was that?" she asked.

Andrew rolled his eyes, "Oh that was nothing. Every night he brings a different girl home. He never says a word about it. He has his way with her, and then he never sees her again."

Serena sighed, "Poor girl."

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Today was Saturday. It was Serena's day off. Serena was on the couch watching MTV. Darien walked into the living room. Sitting beside her he said, "How can you watch that? It's garbage."

She glared at him, "I didn't ask you to join me, Darien. If you don't like what I'm watching then you can feel free to leave."

"Ouch," laughed Darien. "A girl has never told me to leave before."

"Well there's a first time for everything."

"Such venom, meatball head. Aren't you friendly to everybody?"

"What did you just call me?"

Darien winked, "Meatball head."

"That is not my name," said Serena angrily.

"Really? I think it suits you well. I mean come on. That is a pretty ridiculous hair style."

"You have some nerve, you know that?" Serena got up and went to her room. She slammed the door.

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'Such an idiot,' thought Darien. 'All you wanted to do was get to know her a little more. She is your roommate's girl. The least you could do is be nice to her.' But that was part of the problem. Darien thought that Serena was Andrew's girlfriend. He had to tell himself that he didn't like her so he wouldn't be attracted to her. Yes, she was very beautiful. There was just something about her that made him want to kiss her. 'Stop those thoughts, Dare. You don't like her. You can't like her.' Ah, who was he kidding! These last few weeks had been torture for him. He saw her everywhere. At home, the arcade, random moments on the street, he saw her all the time. Every time he saw her he tired to convince himself that he didn't like her, but he was failing miserably. The only reason he was mean to her was to keep himself from grabbing her and kissing the living daylights out of her. Yes, he definitely was in a dilemma.

Later that afternoon Darien walked into the arcade. "Hey Andrew," he said.

"Hi Darien. Can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure, I guess." This was a little weird for him. He and Andrew didn't talk much. They pretty much just stayed out of each other's lives.

"Well, it's about Serena. You're really making her upset by treating her so badly all of the time."

Darien looked down, "I know Drew. I'm sorry. I'll try to treat her better, okay?"

Andrew smiled, "That's all I care about. I love her, you know? I don't like seeing her upset." Darien smiled at him. If he couldn't have Serena, then Andrew would be the next best person in line. It was obvious that he cared for the girl. He would do anything to keep her happy.

"I'll see you later, okay Andrew?"

"Okay dude."

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Serena was sprawled out on the floor with a phot album when Darien walked in. She glanced up when she heard someone walk in but quickly looked away when she saw it was Darien.

"What are you doing Serena?"

"Wow. You actually used my real name."

"Come on now Serena. I'm sorry about earlier."

She smiled, "It's okay. I was just looking at this photo album. That's all."

Darien sat beside her and began to look through the album. His eyes landed on a picture of her and an older gentleman. His arms were wrapped around him her and the two looked very happy. "Whose this?" he asked. He looked at her when she didn't respond. For a second, he thought he saw sadness in her eyes, but that was quickly replaced.

"That's my dad," she said.

"You two must be very close. You have a lot of pictures of him."

"Yeah. Close," she said. "Well, I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Goodnight Darien."

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As soon as Serena went to bed Andrew walked through the door with a blonde woman on his arm.

"Hello Darien."

Darien glared. Serena's boyfriend was in her apartment, with another woman on his arms.

"Hi," he said. "Whose this?"

"Oh, this is Mina. She's great. We're going on a date tonight."

Oh no, this is definitely not good. "A date?"

"Yeah, that's what I said. What's gotten in to you man?"

Darien couldn't take it anymore. How could he cheat on someone as wonderful as Serena? "Isn't your girlfriend going to mind?" he asked glaring daggers at Andrew.

Mina gasped, "Girlfriend? I'm out of here." She turned to leave, but Andrew grabbed her wrist. "What girlfriend?"

"What do you mean, what girlfriend? Serena, the one you're in love with." Andrew blinked at him. All was silent for a minute. Andrew then burst out laughing.

"Wait, let me get this straight. You think that Serena is my girlfriend? Haha, that is so funny. Darien, I love the girl, but I don't love her in that way. Serena is my best friend."

Darien slapped himself. "I've been so stupid."

Andrew laughed, "Don't worry about it man." He turned to Mina. "I'm going to go and get changed, and then you and I, my lovely lady, we'll begin our date."

Mina giggled.

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Wow, thought Darien. All of this time he thought he couldn't have her, and it turns out that she's not taken at all. Darien smiled, "Serena Tsukino, I will make you mine, if it's the last thing I do."

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And there you have it! Chapter two is done! I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to hearing your reviews!