Minna-chan please be aware that i wrote this story a long time ago... it was the first fan fiction I had ever written. Thanks for the reviews!
Chapter 5: Get On Top, Girl!
"Ring-ring", the telephone pleaded. Serena ran from her room to get it. Well, whom could it be...she had just talked to Amy about their night out in two days. Mina was out shopping for her wedding dress with her mother who had just arrived from Scotland. Seiya was right downstairs, and besides if he coveted anything he'd go up the stairs rather than calling her. It could only be Darien. Her heart was jumping; she hadn't seen him outside work for almost a month now. Of course, her mind wouldn't admit that such crime against its beliefs would be committed. It was already planning a very unfriendly salute.
"Hello?"
"Hi Sere!" greeted an adolescent voice on the other side of the like.
"Hey Hutaru," she answered feeling her heart sink, so it wasn't Darien, "'Sup, Girl? Is everything alright?"
"Sure, just wanted to ask you if I could go over to you this weekend," Hutaru wondered a little unsure, like always. It was a pity that such a bright young lady had to be born so insecure and introverted, "It's kind of boring here in the weekends, 'cause everyone goes home on Fridays..."
"Oh sure, Huta-chan!" exclaimed Serena, "Baby, this is your home! You can come here whenever you feel like doing so!"
"Gee thanks, Sere!" she acknowledged, "Well, I'll come around on Saturday morning, alright?"
"No, no," Serena objected, "I tell you what; I'll go and pick you up right after work on Friday?"
"Okay then," the younger girl agreed, "I'll be waiting by the main gates!"
"Righty, sounds great to me!"
"Okay then, I'll catch you on Friday then," Hutaru concluded, "I have to go now, I have a few seconds left on my phone card...bye"
"See you," Serena said before hanging up the phone.
She brushed her lose fringe away from her eyes, she had been in need of a hair cut in years but never got around to do it. Quickly, she walked back to her room grabbed a hair-band. After having played with the lengthy hair mane, she magiced a perfect ponytail. Looking at her watch, she decided that it was about time to get going to her work. She walked to the living room and seized her backpack. Heading to the bus station, she bought the morning newspaper and read it while waiting for the bus. Seemed like a calm mundane day, not even the newspaper had anything interesting to offer her. She wondered what Darien was doing at the precise moment. Would he be thinking of her? Or had he already forgotten about her and hooked up an easier, more sophisticated woman? A bolt of jealousy hit her spine, making her shiver. 'Who cares about him, anyway? He's just a regular player...who impressed me...hey what the hell; he's not supposed to be on your mind Serena!'
Three quarters of an hour later, she was in front of a group of dancers. Some of them were a few years older than she was, but the majority was about her age. She had good control over her group; age it didn't matter as she had a very obstinate attitude. She was treated with respect, intermixed with fear. She was right now showing the steps to "Tears of Pearls" by Savage Garden. The music was on but what the group of dancers were concentrating on were the "One, two, three, and four" Serena was shouting as she moved around. They practiced the moves she had just taught them a few times. Then they moved on to a more current song..."Blow Your Mind". Serena felt good about this song, the liked the hip-hop rhythm in it. That week's edition of the show would be on "Why Pop Artists Become Unpopular
After A While", so "Tears of Pearls", being an old song by an old pop-group fitted in that category...at least that was Serena's opinion.
As she walked out of the auditorium, sweating, with her backpack being supported by only one shoulder her mobile rung. She quickly got it out pocket and brought it to her ear. Who could it be now?
"Hello," she said starting to walk towards the bus station, meaning to go to the CIB building.
"Hi Sere," greeted a dominant male voice.
"Oh you," she sighed, "I'm not late! I'm on my way there!"
"No, no, I didn't call you because you're late," Darien explained, "You don't have to come today; Grandpa has that huge meeting we've been talking about for ages so he'll take all the papers you've been working with to get that deal with the construction company."
"Oh, damn..." she muttered, "What the hell will I do..."
Hearing his chance and yet pretending that he hadn't heard it he went on: "So I was wondering if we could have some coffee somewhere around here..."
"I'm sorry, Darien, but it just happens that my best friend is getting married soon and she'll probably use some of my help..." Oh damn, she should have said yes, why oh why was she so senseless? Now was too late to tell him what she really wanted.
"Oh," Darien pronounced, "Maybe we'll do that some other time..."
"Yes," she exclaimed lightly without thinking, "That's for sure!"
"Okay then," Darien concluded, feeling a bit encouraged by Serena's last words, "I'll see you around then..."
"Yes," she affirmed, "Bye, then!"
Having said that she hung up her mobile and continued walking to the underground station, but her aim now was her flat. She arrived just in time for a train to her zone. She sat down, cursing herself for not going with Darien to have a coffee. But now she had a whole afternoon in front of her...just to relax. Well at least that was one good thing!
Soon she was lying in her bed with her arms and legs stretched upon it. Listening to her slow breath, and feeling her continuous pulse, she was slipping into a gracious dream about the lover after her. Unfortunately, someone knocked on her door; she quickly sat up. Then she slowly unglued herself out of the bed, and slothfully towed to the door. With one hand rubbing her left eye, yawning, she pressed the doorknob to open the door. It was Mina, she wore a happy face, and in one of her hands, she embraced a scroll of paper.
The two friends walked over to the sofa, where Mina showed Serena the design of her wedding dress. She explained that it would take about three weeks for it to be finished, and that her mother thought that the dress was a bit modern. Serena observed the drawing: it had a heart-shaped neckline bordered by a gold string. It was tightly fitting from the breasts down to her feet, with a long slit on the left leg. The sleeves were bell-shaped and longer than the arms. And over the dress, there was an extensive, twinkling, translucent mantle. Personally, Serena agreed with Mina's mother; she wouldn't wear such dress if she were to marry...which, she thought, would not happen anytime soon. But she liked the dress, it was very creative. It was perfect for such an elegant person like Mina was; she'd probably look like a princess in it.
Mina hung around Serena's apartment for an hour or so before she left. It was time to go to buy the shoes with her mother, and she still had to pick her mother up at her hotel. Serena on the other hand went back to her room to take a nap. Perhaps her longing for Darien was driving her towards obsession, making her again glide into a Darien-filled dream. The dream evinced her wedding day. It was a slightly rainy day went she entered the chapel with her right food at the sound of the organ, and there was her Darien prepared to swear in front of God that he'll for eternity be truly hers. Later, after having blessed themselves with a long emotional kiss, they were welcomed outside by an intense rainbow, and a timid sun.
Serena had just arrived from work; it was a Thursday. She threw her backpack on to the sofa and ran to her room. She opened her wardrobe and pulled out what she was going to wear tonight. It was a pair of lavender pants with an embroidered dragon on her right leg. Then she put on a purple, long sleeved T-shirt and over it, she wore a white, short sleeved T-shirt. Dressed, she brushed her golden mane and redid her ponytail. Thereupon, she wore her black sandals with 2inch inch high heals. She looked presentable; she didn't care to look any better. Sitting on one of her puffy pillows, she turned the TV on, waiting for Amy and Zack to come and pick her up.
It wasn't long before Amy phoned her proclaiming her that they were down stairs waited for Serena to come down. Quickly, Serena stuffed her wallet into one of her hind pockets and seized her keys from the Japanese table. After having locked the door, she dashed down the stairs. Minutes afterwards she found herself in Amy's and Zack's metal blue Audi A6. In the front seats were her friends.
Soon after, the three friends joined Lita, Nick, Raye, and Joachim to dine in the Silver Millennium. Raye looked very sensual in her scarlet, bantam, strapless dress. She wore remarkably high-healed black boots with it, and her raven hair was done very fastidiously. The seven friends dined at Silver Millennium, and after that, they drove to a club by the Tames River. There, they met up with Mina and her fiancé Mariano Aino. They all occupied a table and ordered some drinks.
"Seems like you and Kim are back together," Serena noted to Raye.
"Yeah," Raye admitted, "Joachim is my soul mate, no matter what I do, I'll always come back to his love..."
"It was about time you rationalized that, Pyro!" Serena teased, sipping her coke.
"Hey," Raye shot back; "You shouldn't be talking, because it's taking you a hell of a long time to understand that the Chiba guy we met is the one for you. Hopefully, it won't be too late before you do realize it."
"Now where did you get that idea from?" Serena inquired curiously.
"Well, I met him at the agency and few days ago," Raye stated, "He was with a blue-haired woman who was trying some new clothes for her latest violin concert or something. I was out on my coffee break, and while the blue-haired girl was trying all sorts of dresses, we got talking. He ended up telling me about how much he was in love with you and how hard it was to talk you into going on a date with him."
"Him in love with me!" Serena commented, "That's bullshit!"
"No, it's not rubbish at all," Raye went on, "Perhaps it's true how can you know?"
"Oh, give me a break, the longest time one of his girl friends lasted was 6 days and a half and you think I'm supposed to take him seriously?" she pointed out, "Anyway, what did YOU say to his comments?"
"Well, I told him that you had to have a stable job and economy before you could start with relationships. I also told him that you are afraid of being heart broken, and therefore don't want to have anything to do with the business. And that you didn't like his macho way right from the start...well these kinda things, you know..."
"Yeah," she said half absentmindedly. 'So he told Raye that he loved me...' she secretly whispered in her mind as if afraid of something...like her cynical side for instance. 'Oh come on, Serena, don't be such a dumb ass! Do you really think that is the truth?' her inner voice questioned pessimistic as always. 'Yes, you do think so Serena, or else why would he say that to Raye...You have nothing else that might interest him but love!' her heart squeaked. 'Nada, Serena, don't be as naïve as your heart, just because you aren't rich it doesn't mean that you don't have other uses!' contradicted her inner voice. 'Like what?' asked her heart. 'Like being a potential of the CIB, and being used as an object to decorate the right seat of his Ferrari.' 'Oh shut up, you idiotic, pessimistic, unromantic fool. Let her love whoever she wants to.' 'Never, I will only let her love someone who wants her well!'
"Serena?" Mina called, "Are you listening?"
"Huh?" Serena articulated going back to reality, "Sorry, I wasn't listening..."
"Sere, are you all right?" asked Lita cautiously noticing a hint of preoccupation on Serena's face.
"No," Raye chipped in laughing, "She just dying to know who that vulgar blue-haired woman who stole her Chiba is!"
"For your information the so called 'blue-haired, vulgar woman' you are talking out is Michiru Chiba," Serena spat, "Meaning, Darien's sister. And if that isn't enough for you, she's married to the famous car racer Haruka Tenou, and they have a child together."
The whole group cracked up! She sounded so serious and natural about the matter that it sounded ironical. After the laugh Nick pulled Lita and Raye to the dance floor, soon after the rest of the group except Mina and Mario preceded them. The three that were still sitting watched their friends shaking down crazily!
"So Mina," Serena asked casually, "What are you going to do with your apartment? You haven't been there in ages!"
"Well," Mina informed, "After our wedding, I'll leave it..."
"Oh," Serena nodded understandingly, yet disappointed with the expected truth, "Life will be lonely without you close."
"But don't you think that you should find yourself a partner too?" Mario chipped in jokingly, "I know quite a few people that would be ready to love you back..."
"For instance?" Serena questioned, not believing a single of Mario's words.
"Well," he answered calmly, "Darien for instance...I mean he sounded serious about you last time we met."
"Do you know him?" Serena asked curiously.
"Yes," Mario replied cheerfully, "We've been close friends since College!"
"Well, if you know him that well then you'd probably understand that he's a major playboy!"
"That might be true, but I think he's serious this time. I mean it!"
"Nada!" Serena exclaimed not wanting to believe Mario's words. She stood up to hit the dance floor.
There she started to shake he booty, bringing the attention of many people, but of course as always she didn't notice. This time she was too busy worrying that she might fall in love with Darien some time soon. She had to find a way to not do that. Besides, what had he done that had impressed her so much? I mean he's been a senior macho, arrogant moron, so what did he do to get her attention? 'Well, apart from being THE most sexy man I've met on earth,' she admitted, 'He was also strong minded, and perseverant, and always tried to breaks limits, making his very radical...And he was one of the few men who respected her without fearing her much (unless she threatened with violence of course).' But why did it have do be a playboy, of all men on earth? It was obvious that Serena was head over heels for Darien, but SHE still hadn't realized it. The night wore on, and by one o'clock in the morning, when everyone was up in the dance floor doing their thing the disco had to close. This time Raye and Joachim gave Serena a ride home, as they were headed for Joachim's apartment, which was not far from Serena's. Serena was pretty sure of what the couple would be doing, especially with a drunk Raye...But she decided not to hint that she knew.
Friday afternoon, Serena found herself rushing to the CIB building to catch a glimpse of Darien, before going to Mr. Chiba's office. Darien, no longer popped in his Grandfather's office so often, after a certain incident. She entered Mr. Chiba's office quietly and found the whole family engaged in a deep conversation.
"Good afternoon," she greeted carefully walking to her desk.
"Ah, Ms. Tsukino!" began Mr. Chiba, "You did a good job organizing and counting all those numbers for me! I'll have to congratulate you for practically getting the deal for us!"
"Well, thank you Mr. Chiba..." Serena thanked humbly.
"We will have a big party at the end of this month," announced Michiru freely, "And we'd like you to be there, it's to celebrate Grandpa's 80th birthday."
"I'm honored to come!" Serena acknowledged surprised, as Haruka hand her the invitation.
"Wow," Darien broke in, "So you are going to accept that invitation?"
"Yes," she shot back in a more unfriendly voice, "Why wouldn't I?"
"Does that mean that you'll come with me for lunch tomorrow?" he tried.
"Unfortunately, I cannot," she declined sweetly, yet disgusted by his attempt, "My niece is coming over today and I'd like to send some time with her tomorrow."
"A niece?" Mr. Chiba asked interested.
"Yes, sir," Serena assured, "She's about 12 years old..."
"Oh, how wonderful, isn't it, Peter," Michiru emphasized turning towards a boy around 14 years of age, "Serena, take your niece along to the party!"
"Mom..." Peter groaned, "Now are you going to invite babies to the party? I don't believe this!"
"Shut up, Peter Tenou!" Haruka lectured, "You are becoming a spoiled brat, maybe I need to put some restrictions on you, to make you think before you talk."
"No, no..." Peter apologized, "I didn't mean it that way..."
After having been introduced to Serena as Michiru's and Haruka's son, Peter left the office with Haruka. Soon after, Michiru followed them, to buy herself and new violin for an upcoming concert. Darien hung around Mr. Chiba, talking about business for quite a while, from time to time, he would sneak glimpses at Serena, but of course, she wasn't watching.
No, she was starring at her computer inserting Mr. Chiba's personal expenses over the past month in an excel spreadsheet. But her mind was so disappointed to find that Darien was not looking at her, when she stole glimpses at him. She was beginning to think that he wasn't interested in her anymore.
Unfortunately, Darien had to leave for meeting, Serena felt her heart sink: he hadn't looked at her one single time since she had started working. Since when did she care? She sensed her two inner-selves starting a fight; she could not stop them, but focused more of the spreadsheet. 'You idiot, what are you doing to this genius of a mind?' lectured her mind angrily. 'Now, what did I do?' asked her heart bored. 'You, stupid, idiotic, naïve, brainless fool are making Serena unhappy,' the mind shouted. 'It would have worked just fine if you hadn't come in between with your pride, pessimism, offencesism, verbality, intolerance,' snapped the heart. 'For your narrow information the word offecesism does not exist,' the mind pointed out, 'And I was helping Serena, to make the right decisions.' 'What is "right" is not always the way to happiness,' the heart argued, 'Besides if you hadn't interfered than she's be happy with Darien right now, and she'd probably have a higher position it the work!' 'Hey that's true...' the mind agreed. 'But you never thought of that did you?' the heart boasted, 'Mind your idiotic self before you criticize others, Baka.' This battle was victorious for the heart, but the war hadn't ended yet...
"Serena," called Mr. Chiba from his desk. He had been observing her; she was much focused. She was one of her best workers, to say it plainly. He was wondering if he should move her to higher position. But if he did, he'd lose a very competent organizer...But right now, she seemed a bit disturbed.
"Sir?" Serena answered going back to reality.
"Are you alright?" Mr. Chiba asked, after all he didn't like to see his grand-daughter-in-law-to-be worried.
"No," she babbled out, "I mean, yes sir, I'm fine."
"If you say so then," Mr. Chiba ended, understanding that she didn't want to talk about it.
After work she ran down to the reception and ordered a taxi. It would take too long if she took the underground. Soon enough she was heading to Hutaru's school. It wouldn't have taken long to arrive to the Augusta Park Boarding School. But right at that moment she found herself stuck in the middle of a long car line. She wasn't too surprised, it was rush hour time, and most people were going back home from work.
Augusta Park was a school meant for the aristocratic, rich society of London; Serena knew that her modest niece didn't fit in very well in the environment. She also had in mind that Hutaru didn't make the least effort of fit in, and that she was quite independent from what people said about her. Serena was proud of her niece for having such a strong personality at such a young age. She remembered when she was twelve; she was a failing student, and was falling in impossible crushes all the time! But she changed since she entered High School, she was forced to because she knew that her family could not afford to pay her college and therefore had to work hard to reach for a scholarship. Since then her life had changed, friends no longer knocked at her door every moment of the day, and she had gone from the most popular girl to the geek of the High School. At first the used to cry herself to sleep, but then she got stronger and understood that her education came in first. She couldn't believe herself when she got the scholarship to one of the best universities in England.
Finally, the taxi stopped in front of the school's gates. Hutaru was patiently standing by them with her cabin bag for the weekend. Serena stepped out of the car and ran towards her niece, they hugged each other. Then without questioning anything the elder girl carried the cabin bag to the taxi. While driving home, Hutaru and Serena got chatting about school and corresponding matters. She learned that Hutaru was the top student in Junior High, and was considered THE geek, like always.
Hutaru had talked about her title indifferently, that for a moment anyone would think that she liked to be one. But Serena knew the façade, and was quite sorrowful to admit that her lovely niece could easily bear such title. This could be noticed in her pitiable appearance. She cursed the school for not being like normal British schools in forcing their student to wear uniforms. For Hutaru dressed in a very nerdy way, she wore old fashioned, flowery dresses, and wore her hair in two long braids. What made it worse however were her thick glasses. She wondered where Hutaru had learned to dress that way, certainly not from her mother! As they neared Serena's place, she had decided that Hutaru was to have a make over this weekend.
Serena prepared a special dinner for Hutaru and herself. It wasn't very often that she had family dining with her; in fact, family had never dined with her since she came to London. Her parents couldn't afford to visit their daughter, and even if Trista offered to pay the tickets, they did not want to leave their "safe" nation, the famous United States of America. Her brother was too worried with his studies to travel. Trista had visited her in between flights, but only for an hour or two. So, it was a great joy to have Hutaru dining with her that day. They had an obliging conversation during diner, which made Serena even more decisive that Hutaru must have a renovation of looks- swiftly!
"So," Serena grinned, "Apart from your intellectual life, do you happen to have an emotional life?"
"Well," began the helpless little creature, blushing, "Well, no...Not really."
"Ah, you are blushing!" hinted Serena deliberately, "Tell me who the lucky guy is..."
"Well, um..." she stuttered apprehensively.
"Oh come on, Girl," Serena encouraged, "It's like I'll tell anyone!"
"Well," Hutaru began once again, but this time more secure of herself, "It's a boy..."
"I would imagine so..."
"He is highly popular, and has all the girls after him..."
"Sounds not bizarre to me!"
"Well, he doesn't have a girlfriend, but he does flirt a lot with a certain popular girl."
"So, what's his name then?"
"Peter...Peter Tenou, they say his parents are homosexual."
"Oh! What a coincidence!"
"What, do you know him?"
"No," Serena half lied, "I just happened to meet his parents the other day..."
"Oh, were they nice?" Hutaru asked interested.
Their conversations swung back and forth like so as they finished eating. It continued as the two girls helped each other with the dishes, until they were up to see a movie. When the movie ended, they made themselves ready to sleep. They would share Serena's double bed. Hutaru went to sleep first, while Serena stayed up. Once she knew her niece was in slumber, she walked over to her phone and dialled her sister's number. Right now, Trista was in Tokyo, probably up and alive giving the final touches of her newest collection. The phone signalled a couple of times before Trista cheerfully saluted her on the other end of the mobile receiver.
"Hey, Tris," Serena greeted, "It's me!"
"Oh, hi, why do call me so early... did something happed to Hutaru?"
"Oh no! Huta-chan is fine! -But she's in a desperate need of a make over!"
"No kidding! But I don't guarantee any success upon you. My daughter is an enigmatic person...I've tried so hard to understand her, but in vain."
"Understanding her is quite easy: she is a normal girl who has feelings and is friendly and nice, but unfortunately had encounter with the title of 'Geek'."
"Good that I have you to understand her so well, now I wish you good luck with your idea..."
"I will succeed like always, Honey, but I need a bit of a capital for my reinvestments. And I was wondering if I could use some of the cash in Hutaru's monthly account."
"Oh yes! I was waiting for it to be touched! Sure, buy whatever you want with that money! I can't believe Hutaru hasn't touched a single bill of it since she came to London!"
"That doesn't surprise me at all, by the way where did she get the idea of those awful flowery dresses?"
"Ugh, New York...with my five-hundred -year-old mother-in-law, of course! This is why I was so eager to get her out of NYC!"
"I see," Serena finally said, "Well, I'm not a millionaire here, so phone calls to Tokyo cause holes in my wallet!"
"Well, bye...and good luck!"
"Bye."
The next morning was a happy one; Serena woke up all excited of what was to come. She turned around a found Hutaru still sleeping. She wondered what kind of style Hutaru would like best...But they would talk about it during breakfast. They would take a taxi to Oxford Street and enter the consumism civilization of some hours. It wasn't the most delightful visit for Serena, for she despised to shop; she only shopped when it was awfully vital. But it would be for a good cause, and that kept her interests alive... And of course, there was always a small expectation that they should meet Darien, a petite chance, that is for the street was huge and the shops many.
She delicately stepped out of the bed, and walked headed for the shower. Not long after, her niece found her in the kitchen making breakfast. It smelled delicious, just like pancakes with maple syrup, Hutaru's favorite. Serena, apart from her grandmother, was the best cook in the mother's side of the family. Soon enough Hutaru took a shower and ran to the breakfast awaiting her.
"Um, Huta-chan," started Serena, "I was thinking, the clothes that you wear...do you feel comfortable with them? I mean, nobody wears them nowadays, and well, honestly, do you like them?"
"Ah," Hutaru beamed, "Honestly, no. But my grandma says that-"
"Oh come on," Interrupted Serena, "Your grandma is a bit old fashioned...great! I need a new pair of pants, so I decided to go shopping to today. It would be cool if you came with me, then we could do a whole makeover on you, you know like buy stuff that you like and do a new hair style...stuff like that!"
"I know, Serena," revealed Hutaru, "You don't need to find an excuse to make me over...um I heard your phone call yester day...!"
"Uh, sorry," apologized Serena, sweat-dropping, "I just thought, well, since, well...Peter and all."
"I know, will take that offer!"
"Great then!" jumped Serena all winded up, "Let's eat quickly and get going! Oh, what a cool day it will be...but what kind of clothes would you like to have?"
"I thought, I always liked your style, you know," she giggled.
"Well then, my style it shall be!" chanted Serena before putting a huge pancake bit into her mouth.
After having cleared the table, and done the dishes the two friends headed down stairs, waiting for their taxi. In what seemed to Serena like forever, they arrived at Oxford Street. The taxi driver was very confused that the two girls coming form a poor neighborhood would stop at Oxford Street! Serena paid him and turning to Hutaru decided that they should first make a visit to a hairdresser. She consulted Hutaru on the type of hairstyle she would like to have. Surprisingly enough, Hutaru wanted her hair to be cut. Her aunt knew just what type of cut she would fit in. When Hutaru's hair was washed Serena popped by the hairdresser's side to command the haircut. The hairdresser seemed annoyed with Serena, but did not complain, as they were the ones paying. Finally it was done, it was a quite simple cut; Hutaru kept her fringe, but now her hair scarcely reached her shoulders. Hutaru was pleased with the cut; Serena somehow always seemed to know what she wanted.
Having received the change, they moved toward the clothing shops. But first they bought eye contacts to replace Hutaru's frightful corrective lenses. Serena was a quick shopper; in just two hours they had bought many pants, shirts, tee shits, shorts, formal dresses, and a few dresses. Serena decided that Hutaru should not wear the flowery dress she had been wearing, instead large bell shaped pants with a huge silver dragon embroidered on her left leg, a baby blue tee shirt, and a white tee shirt over it. Hutaru looked way cuter, and cooler in those clothes, and the little one had to admit that she felt much more like herself in the clothes.
They walked into a huge shop for evening clothing. Serena's idea: to buy something for both herself and Hutaru for the upcoming party at Mr. Chiba's place. Hutaru set eyes on a beautiful dark blue dress. It was of silk, quite unelaborated. Serena noticed that Hutaru, like herself admired simplicity. She sent her niece to try it out, while she looked for a dress to herself. It did not take before Hutaru came out of the changing room, which was situated close to where Serena was standing. The dress fit Hutaru perfectly, and she looked divine in it. It was soon decided that they should buy that dress, and Hutaru popped back in the changing room to change.
Meanwhile Serena found a dress, which she liked in both style and price. For the dresses in that special shop were normally of exorbitant prices. She guessed that the dress she saw was of a design of more than two years old. Serena looked at the label to see the quality of the material; to her surprise, it was a T. Tomoe dress out of lavender satin. She found it comical that she should be buying a dress that her sister had designed a few years before for a "Liberal Collection"! She took it from the hanging place and placed it congruent to her body, she was sure she fit beautifully in the dress. Just then she felt two fingers rapidly poking her waist-sides. She had only time to give an ecstatic grasp before two hands enclosed her eyes. Right then she knew that it could only be one person...there was only one person who did such silly things.
"Oh come on, Lita, it's no fun anymore," she hypothesized, "You've tried this trick too many times on me!"
But the hand didn't move away, and she heard Hutaru's voice saying: "It's not Lita."
If it was not Lita, only Raye could invent such jokes. "Raye!"
"Not Raye either!" Hutaru hinted, "Think someone unexpected."
"Amy?"
"Nope..." Hutaru informed, "Someone I don't know!"
"Mina?" Serena guessed again "No you know Mina!"
"No, Sere," Hutaru said, "Think male..."
"Mr. Aino?"
"I know who Mario is," Hutaru affirmed, "Look; I have seen this person once at your place...you weren't quite polite to him...um-"
"Pig!" Serena blurt turning around, "I mean, Darien!"
Yes, right in front of her stood the very beautiful Darien Chiba. Boy that was a surprise! Now how would she act this one out? Time to bring in her two "great" advisors...'Act normal, and friendly. Don't upset him' recommended her heart. 'What the hell? Did you see what he just did to you? Slap him four times!' her mind practically screamed. 'Oh shut up! This time let me be in charge! There is no harm in being nice to the poor man...' the heart ventured. 'You in charge? That is totally out of question!' her mind objected firmly. 'Come on, for a tiny moment...' her heart pleaded. 'No' the mind declined. 'Hey where in the democracy? You corrupt being...I've never been in charge!' her heart shot. 'Okay then, but once I see something going in the wrong way I'll-' 'Thank you, thank you, thank you!'
"Sere?" Hutaru asked after a long moment of awkward silence, "Are you alright?"
"Yes," she answered, "I was just controlling my temper! Oh hi, Mr. Darien Chiba, comment ca va?" she then asked sardonically.
"Ca va bien, merci," Darien answered amused, "Now back to English, for French is not my preference."
"Then what you do you prefer, sir?" she questioned "Portuguese, Spanish, German, or maybe Japanese?"
"Serena, don't be cynical," he said seriously, "Plain old English is quite good."
"Fine with me!" she agreed, "That is the language in which I know all the bad words to call you!" 'You idiot, I didn't even let her say something!' her heart hollered. 'Oh sorry,' her mind apologized.
"Well," Darien answered, "That is also the language in which a can give answers that might irritate you, my dear."
"That's true," she gave in, "So we better not start, then turning to Hutaru, "This is my niece, Hutaru Tomoe."
"Pleased to meet you," Darien greeted shaking her hand, "My nephew would be very interested in seeing such a pretty girl!"
"Pleased to meet you too, Mr.," she crystallized quietly. At the moment she had made no connections, and didn't imagine that Peter might be coming soon.
"So, is Peter with you?" she questioned smiling, emphasizing the word "Peter".
"Yes, we came to buy an outfit for Grandpa's ball."
"Oh," she said moving towards the paying area, and then to the employee, "The two dresses are separate, please." She paid first Hutaru's dress, and then took her credit card and paid her own. Then, turning her to Darien again she said, "How nice! We could have that coffee you were talking about the other day!"
Darien was surprised that she had remembered! All he could manage was a yes. Serena was an enigmatic girl; he had never met such an unpredictable woman! Well, he had managed to at least bring her to a café, and if he's patiently hang on for some time, he calculated that soon he could invite her for lunch, and if he waited a little longer a dinner would come in hand.
The three people walked out of the shop to meet Peter. There, Hutaru blushed intensely. Peter waved "hi" to her smiling in dislike, however like her aunt didn't like his impoliteness and frigidly greeted him back with a "Do I know you? I distantly recollect your face, but I cannot recall from where... in L. A. perhaps?"
She could feel Serena almost letting out her laughter. But Peter spoke first, "No, we are in the same class, and your sit beside me in some on the classes." Now Serena had to crack up! Hutaru gave a sarcastic, innocent, apologizing smile. Darien asked clueless what was going on, while Peter just stood there not knowing what to think.
"I don't know who taught you to answer like that," she exclaimed in between laughs, "Let's get moving as it would be nice to have a coffee right now!"
The group found a nice coffee shop and sat down by a four-person table. They ordered their drink and food and started a nice chat.
"So Hutaru goes to Augusta Park?" Darien asked curiously.
"Yes," answered Serena, "Her mother is Trista Tomoe and her father Andrew Tomoe, why should she not?"
Darien didn't answer Serena's mocking question, but went on toward Hutaru: "So how is school, do you like it?"
"No, sir, I do not enjoy school," Hutaru smiled, and left the other half of his questioned unanswered.
"But she gets the best grades in the whole Junior High!" Peter cut in.
"Oh really? That is great! Then you must be very popular! How come I've never heard you talk about Hutaru, Peter? "
"Man, Darien, you are worse than a gossipy!" Serena exclaimed saving both adolescents from a nasty situation. "All your frequent dinner dates never stick with you because you are a privacy louse!"
"Frequent dinner dates?" Peter exclaimed, "Last time he dined outside was in April or something. He is totally head over heals for a girl who doesn't want him, surprisingly enough! Isn't life unfair?"
"In Darien's case, no," joked Serena, "He deserves such lesson!"
"But you have to agree that the girl has been a bit of a bitch!"
Serena laughed! "Oh, yes she has, she's has been a great bitch, (who did taught your such words, certainly no the teachers at Augusta Park, but I bet they're very descriptive sometimes) if you would consider a bitch to be awfully smart, intelligent, and less prostitute-like as the women who would accept his invitations!"
"How about we change the subject?" Darien suggested, "I feel as if Hutaru and I are feeling a bit outside."
"That is a good idea," Serena responded, "But next time, Darien, please teach your despicable little nephew some manners!"
Hutaru was ready to give to support her aunt, but she closed her tiny mouth before the uttered a word. Peter, kindly apologized Serena for what he had said, not knowing why she got offended...maybe the girl was her friend or something like that. He found it safer to get to know Hutaru, and leaving the two older talking businesses. He noticed that he had been staring a Hutaru for quite a while now...although she hadn't noticed because she was engaged in building a castle out of sugar cubes. He didn't exactly know that to say...he knew her as being the most unpopular girl in school and therefore had disliked her. But now he noticed that she pretty, and even with those flowery dresses and braids that she wore to school she was pretty.
"So what are you building?" He asked her, knowing exactly what she was doing.
"I'm trying to do a castle," she answered more polite this time.
"Oh," he said not knowing what else to say, and really wished right now that she would have given him a bad answer like before. An awkward silence fell upon them, and they could both hear their two friends disagreeing upon an issue. Peter tried again, "What do you think of Giovanna?"
"She is," Hutaru replied tranquilly, "She is a highly ignorant, absurd creature."
Peter didn't know what to say to that, he thought she was going to say something nice about his flirt. No girl talked bad about Giovanna in front or behind her back! But she isn't a friend of Giovanna's, so she supposedly doesn't care if what she just said reached Giovanna's ears. He kept quiet for a while, trying to find what else to say, he guessed that she only liked to talk about intelligent topics... Now what could be intelligent at the moment? He could think of nothing, but just then, he remembered one time that he saw her watching the World Soccer Cup some weeks ago with the boys.
"I bet you like football," he remembered.
"Yeah," she said shyly, "I love soccer!"
And so a conversation between the two young people finally commenced! They both enjoyed the subject, and quite agreed of the teams that should have won, or lost. By that time Serena and Darien and finished arguing about investing on the Stock Market. Darien looked to his side to find their little friends having a good time together. Then he turned to Serena and said:
"They are a nice couple aren't they?"
"You amuse, Darien," Serena snapped laughing lightly, "But yeah they kind of do look cute... It's very unlucky that they can't be together!"
"Why?" Darien inquired asked obliviously.
Trying to escape that question Serena looked at her watch, it illustrated four o'clock in the afternoon. She sincerely thought that is was a pity to announce that they two girls would be leaving, but it was getting late. She then, from her mobile, called for a taxi. After having saying their good byes, they left Darien and Peter. As they walked out to the taxi, Hutaru admitted to Serena that is was a wonderful day. It wouldn't be everyday that she would talk for two and a half hours with the popular Peter! Serena could only smile, in her case; she could converse with Darien whenever she wanted. She was sure that if she just called him, he would leave everything to come to her. And she heard what Peter had said; he really was in love with her...at least enough to last more than six and a half days. Maybe it was a good idea to let her heart lead the way today, but her mind had yet to return.
Still inside the coffee shop, Darien gave Peter a little lecture for saying that Serena was a female dog. Once Peter heard that "the certain girl" was Serena, he laughed. He didn't think she was bitchy anymore, because he was used to hearing his mothers say so many pretty things about her that he though she was the coolest person alive. He teased Darien for trying his luck of such a hard person, but soon admitted that he was doing pretty well in the process of conquering her heart. Then he thought about himself, and absentmindedly thought out loud that he "had a crush of the most unpopular girl". Darien of course had to ask about the person, and soon got the account of Hutaru's whole reputation, and how she was intelligent, and sporty, and good looking, and cool, yet unpopular. This is all because Giovanna had decided that Hutaru should be unpopular. Now Darien understood why they switched subjects whenever they came near the subject of her popularity.
Soon Serena and Hutaru entered the hall of the apartment building. Serena anxiously ran to the mailboxes to check if she had any mail. She did. Some bills, commercials, a note from the proprietor to announce the rent-day, and an unusual blue envelope with her name printed on it and with a stamp from the United States. It could be her birthday card from her parents as the 30th of June was just a fortnight away. She decided to open it when she got home. Together the two young misses walked up the stairs. As soon as they entered the apartment Serena threw her normal mails on the Japanese table and enthusiastically ripped the one of ends of the sides of the envelope. She took the letter, unfolded it, and for a few seconds read it. It wasn't a birthday card, not a marriage proposal form Darien either...It was something much better; it was a letter from the Time Glass Editorial, Andrew Tomoe's publishing company.
Her book manuscript was to be printed; they had accepted it! She could not believe her eyes, and asked Hutaru to read it for her and to pinch her to make sure it wasn't a dream. But no, it wasn't a dream... They said that she had a phenomenal, erudite writing style and her book's tale was peculiar, yet very engaging. They hoped that for the sake of the book's class, herself, and for their company, that it would be a best seller. Serena couldn't believe her life; it was almost like living in the celestial home.
Fin...Of this chapter that is...they is yet loads to come...no just kidding the story is eight chapters long, and an epilogue.