Chapter 2: What's your name?
Monday…the torture begins tomorrow, Serena thought as she looked out of her dorm window.
Since their meeting on Saturday two days ago, Ami and Serena were beginning to settle into their dorm. They were gradually getting used to college life before the real work began. Serena was Surprised that she and Ami had formed a sisterly bond in such a short time. They were already opening up to one another. That's good, she told herself, I need a friend like Ami.
Ami was hooking up a computer to the connection in the dorm. Her face scrunched up in thought as she tried to figure out which wire went to what outlet at the back of the computer. Where does this red on go… let me see… this red wire goes into that red outlet, but where is it? She asked herself several times already, the frustration beginning to show on her usually calm face.
"ARGGHHH!"
"What is it!" Serena asked," Are you hurt!"
"No...I just can't figure out how to put this computer together and get it working… We're starting TOMORROW… I need the computer by tomorrow! I'll have so much homework… Oh, my gosh. I'm gonna fall behind…" Ami ranted, as she drew her hand through her hair in frustration.
"Wow… Chill out, Ami! We won't have that much homework yet! I'm sure someone at this University can hook it up for you. Why don't you just go across the hall and ask someone?"
"Eh… No, I'm fine… I just need to rest or something… I'll figure it out," Ami growled as she sat back in her chair.
"I bet you got all straight A's back in High School, huh?" Serena asked, smiling as she climbed into the bottom bunk.
"No," Ami snapped defensively, "I got a C in physical education."
Serena giggled aloud, unable to help herself, "How… ha-ha… did you… puahahah… get a C … hehehe… in P.E.…?" Serena exclaimed and stared at her new friend disbelievingly.
Ami glared at the bouncing blonde and answered, "It is very hard! Not everyone is athletic you know. I'm not a sports type of girl… I'm a…"
"Shakespeare kind of girl?" Serena finished her sentence for her and grinned.
Ami simply stuck out her tongue, then looked at the computer, gave out a big sigh, and scrunched up her face in concentration once again.
I'm hungry, Serena thought as she lay on the bunk bed. I wonder if that cute guy I met yesterday is in the café now. For some strange reason, Serena found herself thinking of that tall, dark haired, blue-eyed boy back at the café. Not the other one. Not the one who so rudely interrupted her thought, but the one behind him. I can't get him out of my head… Serena thought.
"Okay, I give up! You'd think I'd be able to figure this computer thing out with my intelligence level, but no… It surpasses even me! Serena, could you go get someone to hook it up for us?" Ami asked as she shook her head at the stubborn machine in front of her and sighing in frustration.
Serena laughed as she got up, "Yeah… No problem. I'll just ask the people across from us." She opened the door and winked before heading out the door.
"This is so dull," whined Andrew as he flipped through the channels on the TV, "Why don't we go do something?"
"Like what?" Darien asked as he put his clothes in the closet.
"I don't know. Just something… anything but this."
I didn't get her name, Darien thought as images of the cute girl with the equally cute hairstyle popped into his head as he stacked his t-shirts on top of one another. Her face was cute, and her hair was… special… I wonder why she hides under all that clothing though. Darien couldn't figure out why she had made such a big impression on him. It's probably cause no-one has ever stood up to me, or my friends before, he thought as he finished putting his stuff away.
KNOCK-KNOCK
Darien looked at Andrew to see if he was going to answer the door, "What are you looking at? I'm not your butler, go answer the door yourself," Andrew said as he turned off the TV.
"You're such a douche-bag," Darien muttered as he headed towards the door.
I wonder who this could be, he thought as he reached the door and opened it, and to his surprise, the café girl was standing right there in front of him as if she had popped out of his thoughts and materialized before him. She was looking about the hallway, before turning around to see who had opened the door. They stood there for a moment or so in complete silence -- Serena with her mouth opening and closing -- Darien was looking at her dumbstruck.
Finally, Darien broke the silence, "Come to apologize to Andrew?" Darien said with a smirk on his face.
As Serena opened her mouth to say something in her defense, Andrew showed up at the door, "Who is it?" He asked anxiously as he looked from behind Darien. Then he saw her, "Oh, I see you've come to apologize for your insincerity yesterday! Well, I accept." He smiled conceitedly.
Serena couldn't believe it -- they are so arrogant! Serena told herself as she felt the vessel on her temple pulse, "For your information, me and my friend live across the hallway from you two pathetic homosexuals. We were going to ask nicely for your help with hooking up our computer, but as I can see, you two have other things on your mind," Serena said snobbishly, as she began to turn away. Both Darien and Andrew realized they had their shirts off and they weren't wearing anything other than their boxers, "and I never had any intention of ever apologizing to you, if anything, I would have expected an apology from YOU," Serena hissed as she spun around and walked off in a huff to her door.
Darien and Andrew glanced at each other awkwardly, and Andrew was about to turn around and go back into the room, but before he did, he paused," If I hadn't said anything to you in the café, we'd still be in line right now!"
Darien smiled and shook his head at his friend. Serena was knocking on her door. I forgot the stupid key… she chided herself as she continued to knock.
Darien looked at Serena's back as she stood at the door, waiting for Ami to open it. He cleared his throat, "If you get to know Drew, he's pretty cool ya know."
Serena ignored him as she knocked harder, "What's your name?" Darien asked as he leaned against his door.
She wouldn't answer him, trying to be tough are we? Darien thought as he smiled, "Aw…come on. We're just messing with you! Look… if you need help, I'll hook up the computer for you. But only if you tell me what your name is."
She turned around to face him, "What is YOUR name?"
"Well… I asked you first."
"Tsukino… Serena Tsukino," she replied and crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked at him expectantly.
"I'm Darien Chiba," he replied, smiling at her with genuine warmth.
She just looked at him, with no expression on her face. It was then that Darien noticed how piercingly blue her eyes were.
"Has anyone ever told you that your hair looks like two meatballs on top of your head?"
She glared at him, and turned back around, this time knocking on the door with all her might, "Ami…open the door!"
Darien's smile widened. He didn't know why he was having so much fun picking on a girl he hardly knew, but he enjoyed it. He walked towards her and stopped just behind her, and leaned against the wall. Serena turned her head the other way, trying not to look at him.
Ami finally opened the door, "Why the hell did it take you so long to open the door?" Serena yelled as she stomped in.
"Oh, I'm sorry…I was using the restroom! Did you find someone to hook up the computer for us?" Ami asked, looking behind Serena.
Darien stood in the doorway, "That would be me. Hi, I'm Darien Chiba," he smiled and shook her hand.
"Great! Hi, I'm Ami Mizuno. Thank you so much for helping us!"
"Oh, no problem at all," he answered with a smile, heading towards the computer. He saw Serena standing by the window, looking angrily at him. He gave her a charming grin, as if nothing was wrong.
Serena grabbed her purse and turned to face them, "I'm gonna go take a walk, Ami. Call me on my cell phone when Mr. Chiba has left, would you please?"
"Sure…" Ami replied in a confused tone.
With that, Serena left the room. I… hate… Guys…
