Chapter 7: Little sister
Ami was lying on her bed, reading a book when Serena came into the room, "Hey Serena," Ami greeted cheerfully, putting down her book, "Wow, you have a lot of bags there! What did you get?"
Serena smiled as she put down her shopping bags," I've got everything pretty much I could think of."
"That's so cool. I wish a guy would do that for me," Ami said wistfully, climbing out of bed, making her way towards the bags to check out Serena's new clothing and whatever else was inside each bag.
"I guess it's cool, But I think he did it more out of pity for my lack of fashion sense than anything else… Is what I wear really THAT bad?" Serena asked, sitting down on the floor and looking expectantly at her friend.
"They're not that bad really, but your clothes aren't considered 'exactly – well -- fashionable'."
Serena nodded in agreement, "Well now… I now have 'fashionable' clothes," she said, lifting her head proudly and tilting her nose into the air, making Ami laugh as she continued to forage inside the bags.
"Yeah…a lot of it too, as I can see," Ami exclaimed, pulling out some shirts and skirts, "You like him don't you Serena?" Ami asked innocently, grinning as she playfully gave Serena's shoulder a little nudge.
"No… I don't! I like him as a friend, yes," Serena said, smiling.
Ami shook her head. "Denial, denial."
"Whatever," Serena answered, rolling her eyes. Do I like him? Serena asked herself as she folded her clothes. No… of course I don't. He's just a really nice guy. A really nice and unusually handsome guy, that is. I wonder why he would do all of this for me. This hadn't crossed her mind until Ami asked if she liked Darien. I mean, he spent a lot of money on me today! But, like I said earlier, he did it out of pity for me is all. There's no way a guy like Darien would like someone like me. sigh
"What?" Ami asked as she helped Serena fold clothes.
"Nothing… I'm just tired. I think I'm gonna turn in early… Second day of school tomorrow!"
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"Dude, where were you all day?" Andrew questioned, as Darien walked through the open door.
"I was shopping with someone," Darien replied absently, taking off his shoes.
"Someone female, or male?" Andrew asked, raising an eyebrow, smiling.
"Why does it matter? Darien replied, looking at Andrew blankly, "It was a girl if you must know."
"You -- crushing -- on someone Darien?" Andrew exclaimed.
"No! Why do you always think that? I don't 'crush'…"
"Lately, you haven't 'crushed' on anyone," Andrew corrected, "So tell me, what's this chick's name?" Darien, shaking his head and stared at his friend before allowing his head to fall into his hands.
"Come on Darien! Who is she?"
"She lives across the hall from us…her name's Serena," Darien finally answered.
"Oh, Serena… Nice," Andrew said approvingly, grinning from ear to ear.
"Nice nothing… I don't like her, Drew."
"Yeah… That's why you spent all day shopping with her," Andrew retorted as he plopped down on the couch.
"Whatever just drop it," Darien said as he climbed into bed, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
I don't like her. I'm just being nice. He thought to himself as he lay on his bed looking up at the ceiling. Besides, I need a girlfriend in my life. Not a girl-girl friend, a friend that's a girl. He told himself, and with that thought, it wasn't too long before he drifted off to sleep.
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Tuesday morning came all too soon for Serena. She got up out of bed, swinging her legs to the floor and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, stood up, stretched and yawned before heading towards the closet. Then she remembered that she had a brand new wardrobe!
I'm so excited to show off my new look! She smiled to herself. She chose a screen-t, and put on a cute track jacket over it. Then she slipped into a pair of jeans with holes fashionably placed on them, and black converse shoes. Ooo this looks so cute! Somewhat 'vintage-y' she thought to herself.
The girls quickly headed out the door, and down towards the café to grab some breakfast before class, "You look really cute, Serena," Ami said, commenting on her friend's outfit.
"Thank you!" Serena smiled.
Darien strode into the café, not long after the girls. He looked at Serena and smiled to himself. Clothes really do make a big difference, he said inwardly as he checked her out. The outfit, though simple, showed off her body to perfection. The jeans hugged her in all the right places, especially her hips and shapely legs. Her clothing really flattered her figure, and made her standout a lot more than she did usually. She won't have any trouble finding a guy now, thought Darien as he got in line.
Darien, on impulse, snuck up behind Serena, put his lips close to her ear and whispered, "Nice outfit."
Serena jumped in surprise, and smiled when she realized it was Darien. She grinned, " Why thank you, kind sir."
"I wonder who bought it for you," Darien joked.
"I found it on the street," Serena replied with a grin.
Ami was off to one side watching the two of them. They are SO into each other. They probably don't know it either, she thought, smiling.
"Well Meatball head, I need to get something to eat, and I'm gonna head off to my first class… See ya later." Darien winked and gave Serena a quick smile, before turning to order his breakfast.
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Serena was attending her first class of the day -- graphic design. She actually quite enjoyed the class. The teacher was really funny. He laughed as he told jokes during class, but nobody else did. The guy sitting next to Serena was taller than her by 2 inches or so. He had dirty blonde hair, and his eyes were hazel. She didn't know his name though. A girl was sitting on her other side. This girl had dark, long hair, and dark eyes. She's pretty, Serena thought.
When the professor gave them their assignments, everyone in the room started messing with the computer. The boy next to Serena leaned over and whispered, " Do you have any idea how to do this?"
Serena looked at him, and answered, " None whatsoever."
He smiled at her, "What's your name?"
"I'm Serena Tsukino," Serena answered, sticking her hand out.
"Hi, I'm Brett Stanley. Nice to meet you," He said, shaking her hands.
Serena smiled at him and nodded. Then focused back on her assignment, and stared at the computer screen dumbfounded. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing, she thought to herself. Serena looked to the girl next to her. She looked as if she knew what she was doing, so she leaned towards her and whispered, "Hi... um, do you know how to do this?"
The girl didn't look at Serena, but answered, " Yeah."
"Could you, er...possibly show me?" Serena asked feeling a little embarrassed.
The girl turned her head towards Serena and sighed, "Sure, I guess…a good deed a day keeps the devil away," she said, almost to herself.
"What was that?" Serena asked, looking confused.
"Oh nothing…" The girl replied dismissively and started showing Serena how to start programs and what to do. The girl spent a couple of minutes showing Serena how to operate the program, "And that's about all," She finished with a grin of accomplishment.
"Thank you. What's your name?" Serena questioned.
"I'm Raye Hino… And you are?"
"I'm Serena Tsukino, nice to meet you," Serena answered, politely.
The girl gave Serena a quick smile, and turned back to her work. Tough crowd though Serena. Raye thought before concentrating on the task at hand.
Brett turned to Serena, " I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Do you have any plans for Halloween?" he asked, looking into her sapphire-blue eyes.
Serena caught herself comparing Brett's hazel eyes, to Darien's aqua-blue ones, "Um, not at the moment. Why?"
"Well, there's going to be a Halloween Party at my friends. He lives pretty close by, and I was just wondering if you'd like to accompany me there next week."
Hey, now was I just asked out on a semi-date? Thought Serena. Wow…these clothes really do work!
"I would love too!" Serena answered, smiling broadly.
"Great! Well I'll give you more details about it next week," Brett promised. He gave her a charming smile, and turned back to his computer. Oh, my gosh…that's officially the first time a guy has asked me out! Well, he didn't really 'ask me out', but he invited me to a college party with him!
The clock chimed, and the professor yelled, "Class dismissed."
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Serena had a bounce in her step the rest of the day, and she couldn't stop smiling everywhere she went. Serena spotted Darien, walking ahead of her, so she ran to catch up with him, "Darien... Guess what?" she said excitedly. Darien looked down at her, smiled, and raised an eyebrow.
"I got asked out today! This guy named Brett Stanley asked me to go to a Halloween Party next week!" She shrieked, "It's because of the new clothes, I know it! It has to be! I've never been asked out to anything before by a guy, and the first time it happens is the day I wore 'fashionable' clothes. All thanks to you!" She jumped up, and gave him a peck on the cheek, "I gotta tell Ami! I'll talk to you later, Darien…bye!" In one graceful movement, she sprinted off. Darien looked after her as she ran off ahead of him. She got asked to a party? He thought as he kept walking. She kissed me, he suddenly realized as he put his hand to his cheek. Darien suddenly had a strange feeling well up inside… He couldn't explain it. He'd never felt anything like this before. Could it be...jealousy? He asked himself, no… I don't like her, there's no way it could be jealousy.
As he made his way back to his dorm, he tried to convince himself that he was just wanting to protect her. She's like my little sister! He told himself, yes, she's like my little sister.
