CHAPTER 3

All eyes were on me as I took my seat at the table. Father had not arrived yet but all three of my brothers were present.

"So, Serena…" Justin, my elder brother, started.

I looked at him questioningly.

"How do you like Miami so far?" He tried again.

"I wouldn't know. The only part of "Miami" I've seen so far is the airport."

"I see. Well, why don't you come out with me and a couple of my friends after dinner? We could show you around." He asked, ignoring my sarcastic tone.

"I think I'll pass." I replied with a sickly sweet smile.

"Suit yourself. It's your loss." I could see he was surprised I was being so hostile. But what did he expect after all these years.

"Hardly" I knew I was being impossible but I couldn't help it. I wasn't in the mood to play nice.

"So, you're in grade eleven, right?" Jake inquired. "We're in twelfth so if you get lost, we'll be there to help you out." Jake was Justin's twin. He was older than Justin by a couple of minutes.

I shrugged and dug into my food.

"So, where's…um…you know-"

"Where's Dad?" Matt inquired softly. Matt was in his third year of university. We used to be really close when I was young. But that was a long time ago.

"Yeah" I said, pretending to be really interested in my food.

"Dad never makes it to dinner. He's always away on business trips. We hardly ever see him." Jake piped up.

"Okay. Well, I was just asking."

The rest of the dinner went by in awkward silence. When I was sure no one was looking, I would steal glances at my brothers. Jake and Justin had grown up to be very handsome, just like my father. Matt and I looked more like our mother, with out silvery blond hair. I caught Matt looking at me a few times, but he quickly looked away each time.

Dinner was almost over and I was secretly pleased that nothing drastic had happened. I had maintained my cool throughout the meal and I was sure I seemed sophisticated and disciplined. Everything was going smooth. That is, until HE showed up. Until Darien Shields entered my life once again. Let me tell you about Darien:

He is one of the worst kinds of male species there is out there. He is cocky, annoying and infuriating all at the same time. He is also one of the most gorgeous guys you will ever come across. He excels in everything he does, be it studies or sports. He also happens to be Matt's best friend. Even at the age of five, he made me boil with fury. So you can just imagine my disbelief when he walked into the dining room. I recognized him right away. He had midnight black hair with piercing blue eyes that could see right into your soul. He was tall and well-built. In general, he was the object of envy of all males and the object of praise for the females.

He looked around as if searching for something and when he saw me, he smirked in that arrogant way of his.

"Well, if it isn't our little Serena. You back home already?" He smirked.

"Bite me, shields." I spat out.

"Only if you ask me nicely, princess"

"When pigs fly" I retorted.

He raised his eyebrows. "You haven't changed a bit. Still got that sharp tongue, I see. Your head seems to have gotten a bit big, though." He laughed, studying me.

I gave him the middle finger, which must have surprised both him and my brothers.

Darien raised his eyebrows. "Whoa princess. Play nice."

"I am not playing anything with you, Shields. What the hell are you doing here? Don't you have anything better to do than piss me off?"

"Don't flatter yourself, hun. I just came here to pick up Matt. We're heading out, so you don't have to worry about me hanging around."

"Do I look like I give a shit? I don't think so. I'm so outta here." I rolled my eyes and stomped out, not bothering to finish my dinner.

I trudged up to my room and decided to retire early, since I didn't have much to do anyway. I went off into dreamland the minute my head hit the pillow, my mind weary from the day's events.