A.N: I know that some of you like my older version of chapter 14 better. In my opinion, my old chapter fourteen was really rushed, and it didn't show as much emotion as what my revised version does, and it goes into my other chapters (15 and 16) better. I'm really trying not to rush my chapters, and I'm trying to put emotion and more detail into each chapter as well. I'm just getting really busy with school, so the next couple of chapters won't be updated as quickly. Sorry: (
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Chapter 17: Princess
Ami was curling Serena's hair before Serena's first official date with Darien. The girls were sitting in the bathroom, talking about the current boys in their lives, giggling and swooning over them.
"So tell me more about yesterday night with Brett," Serena said to Ami, as she watched Ami spray her hair, and curl it.
"Well, he was dressed quiet nicely. He's such a gentlemen, Serena! He opens doors for me, he offers me his arm.. he just really notices me. When we're together, I feel like there's nobody else around but us. And when I talk, he looks in my eyes. I mean, directly into my eyes. It makes me feel… I dunno… important. And he is just so cute! His hazel eyes, dirty blonde hair. He's tall, he's smart, he's athletic. He's my kinda guy," Ami said, smiling as she uncurled one of Serena's hair.
Serena could see how truly happy Ami was by the sparkle in her eye and the smile she got every time she talked about Brett.
"You told me you slow-danced with him yesterday. How did that go?" Serena asked, looking in the mirror to Ami.
"Well, we got done eating dessert, and he got up, and went around to my side of the table. I started getting so nervous because I've never danced before! Anyways, he kind of bowed, and gave me this little smile and stuck his arm out to me. I hesitated to take his arm for awhile because I didn't want to make a fool out of myself, but I eventually agreed. He led me out to dance floor, and showed me how to slow-dance. He put my arms around his neck, and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I automatically started looking down at my feet, so he lifted up my chin, looked in my eyes and whispered,' Don't look. Just follow the beat, and relax. I'll lead, so just follow me. Don't pay any attention to the other people around us.' So I listened to him. I would sometimes look down at my feet, but I did alright. I stepped on his foot a couple of times, but he just gave me a smile and said it was alright. When I started getting comfortable, I rested my head near the crook of his neck, closed my eyes, and listened to the music. I remember that I wanted that moment to last forever, but of course, it ended," Ami said, smiling. "It was just a perfect date."
When Ami was done telling the story, she looked at Serena's face. Her face looked kind of like a child's when their mother would tell them a night time story. "What?" Ami asked.
"That… is so romantic," Serena said, sighing. Ami smiled even bigger.
When Ami was done with all of Serena's cascade spiral curls, she gave it a quick hair spray all over, and let Serena look at it in the mirror. Her hair was a little past her waist, and it was beautiful. Her hair was long, with soft yet elegant spiral curls. It looked so silky and picture perfect.
"Oh my gosh Ami! It's beautiful!" Serena yelled, looking at the mirror.
"Thanks! It's your hair," Ami said. "Well, go put on your dress, and put on some makeup."
Serena smiled and gave her friend a big hug, and rushed out to pick a dress. She opened her closet door, and stood, looking through her wardrobe. Her eyes fell to the perfect one. It was white, and it was made out of silk and lace. It was a strapless dress, and it had little pink beads and sequins on the top part, and it ruffled a little at the bottom of her dress. Serena took it off the hanger, and grabbed a pair of shoes that matched it perfectly. She went back into the bathroom, and put it on. It looked amazing on her. She tied up half of her hair, so her hair wouldn't fall on her face and cover her exposed shoulders. She put light makeup on, and sprayed some perfume on herself.
Ami was sitting outside, waiting for Serena to get done so she could see. When Serena stepped out of the bathroom, Ami's eyes widened, and her mouth fell open.
"OH MY GOD. Serena, you look… RIDICULOUSLY fantastic…" Ami said, circling Serena, examining her from head to toe.
Serena grinned happily. "Thank you! And thank you so much for helping me with my hair, Ami. It looks wonderful."
"No problem! Tonight is your night. So, go knock him off of his feet!" Ami said, smiling.
The girls both giggled, and squealed, jumping up and down like 5 year olds. Serena composed herself, gave her a friend another hug, and went to find a white handbag.
Just as Serena was putting some things in the handbag, someone knocked on the door.
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Darien stood outside, nervously tapping his right foot on the floor. He was dressed in a classic tuxedo, with a black tie, and a white handkerchief in his pocket. He ran some gel through his hair and shook it about, so however it dried, that's how he looked. It looked unkept, but in a very model-like way.
He heard footsteps coming towards the door, and stood up straight. Serena opened the door, and she took his breath away. She looked stunningly beautiful. Darien couldn't help but stare at her. Her hair was perfect, in long curls, half of it tied up, some on her shoulders. Her dress looked absolutely amazing on her. She looked like she stepped out of a movie. She looked like a princess.
For the first time, Darien was at a loss for words. His mouth opened and closed as he looked at her. "You…you…yeah..nice," Darien mumbled .
Serena couldn't help but smile at him. He looked so handsome. The suite fit him perfectly, and his hair was so adorable. She noticed that he held a red rose in his right hand, but he was too busy looking at her to remember to give it to her. She closed the door behind her, and stepped closer to him. "Hello Darien," she said in a sweet, yet seductive voice, teasing him.
Darien swallowed. "Er… hello, Serena." He started getting nervous again.
"So, where are we going tonight?" Serena asked, one of her eyebrows rising.
"Umm.. I'm taking you to an outside restaurant actually," he said, clearing his throat, now starting to compose himself. He realized the flower was still in his hands. "And this is for you," he held the rose out to her, smiling.
Serena grinned, and took the rose, bringing it to her nose and inhaling it's unique scent.
Darien grinned, and gave her his arm. "Are you ready?"
Serena looked up at him, and smiled. "I'm always ready."
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They drove to a restaurant, a little out of town. The restaurant was enchantingly beautiful. At the entrance was a big fountain, brightly lit. Christmas looking lights rimmed around the restaurant, and around the entrance doorway. Darien led Serena in, her arm wrapped around his. Inside the restaurant was even more gorgeous. Little Italian tables spread about, candles floating in a glass décor on each table. The room was lit in a romantic setting. The whole restaurant felt like an Italian villa.
A waiter in a suite came towards the two of them, holding two menu's under his arms. He bowed courteously at Darien and Serena. "Right this way," he said, and led them through the restaurant.
Serena glanced at couples as they passed their tables. Some were whispering over the candle light and some were laughing. They passed a big ballroom area, where several couples were swaying to the live orchestra playing on stage.
The waiter led them outside, on top a balcony. The sun was already slowly going down in the horizon, and you could see the moon off to the side, already shining. The balcony was large, but there was only two other couples out there. They got a seat next to the railing. Outdoor lights lined around the railing, making it beautifully bright.
The waiter pulled the chair out for Serena, and she took a seat. The table was round, and small, but a good size for two. The table cloth was white, and on top of the table was a little glass bowl, halfway filled with water. Rose petals and candles floated on top of the water, throwing off a romantic feel.
Darien took a seat, and thanked the waiter. The waiter gave them each a glass of champagne to start.
"How do you like the view?" Darien asked, looking at the sky as the sun slowly sank down below the earth.
"It's lovely," Serena said quietly, looking towards the horizon, smiling.
Darien watched Serena as she looked at the sky. Her eye lashes fluttered together, a soft smile played on her face as she looked out. Darien couldn't help but smile with her. She was so mesmerizing.
Serena turned back to look at Darien, only to find him looking at her. She suddenly felt self conscious. "What? Is something on my face?" Serena asked, looking worried.
"No. You look beautiful," Darien said, looking in her eyes.
Serena started blushing and looked down at her hands, smiling. "Thank you," she replied, slowly looking back up to Darien.
He gave her a charming smile, the one that always manages to take her breath away.
"You look beautiful too," Serena said, grinning. She picked up her champagne glass and took a sip of it.
"I know I look beautiful. I always do," Darien joked, smirking.
Serena smiled at him and rolled her eyes.
"So, what are you going to order?" Darien asked, finally looking at his menu for the first time.
"Oh yeah!" Serena said, suddenly remembering how hungry she was. She flipped through the menu list, and looked at the price. There was nothing below 20 dollars in the menu. Her eyes got big, and she put down the menu, whispering," Darien! Did you SEE how expensive this restaurant is?"
He chuckled at her, nodding. "Yes, I know. Don't worry about it Serena. This is a date. The man pays for everything," he said.
"I don't see a man anywhere… who's gonna pay for us!" Serena laughed, teasing him.
"Ohh you're so funny," Darien said, smiling at her. "I'll just let you pay for your own food, and I'll pay for mine," he said, now looking serious.
"Fine," Serena said without much thought. She waited until Darien focused back on the menu before she opened her handbag and peeked inside. She had 10 dollars with her. Crap, she thought.
Darien saw her looking in her handbag out of the corner of his eye. "Serena, I was just kidding," he said, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"I know…" Serena said, closing her handbag," I was just making sure I brought my lipstick with me…" she lied.
Darien raised an eyebrow at her, smiling. "You are a bad liar, do you know that?"
"So?" Serena said, defending herself. "It's a good thing that I can't lie."
"It is," he said agreeing. The waiter came back to their table, holding out a notepad and a pen in his hands.
"Are you and the lady ready to order sir?"
"I think we are," Darien said, glancing at Serena.
Darien ordered pasta, while Serena ordered fettuccine alfredo.
As the two talked and waited on their food, the sun completely disappeared, and the stars now shone brightly above, making for a more romantic air.
"It is so beautiful out here," Serena said, looking up at the stars, admiringly.
"Yes it is," Darien said, also looking up towards the sky.
"Why were you such a jerk to me when you first met me?" Serena asked, looking at Darien across the table.
"I don't know. I wasn't being a 'jerk', I was just teasing you. And then I guess I started too because you'd always respond back or challenge me, which I thought was funny. You're really stubborn, which makes it all the more fun," he said, smiling.
"You thought making my life miserable was fun! When I first met you, I thought you were so hott, then you opened your mouth and I thought you were an ass," Serena said, giggling.
"But at least I was a good looking ass," Darien joked.
"Ahh, so egotistical of you," Serena said, snidely.
"What? You don't think I'm good looking?" Darien asked, amused.
"No, you are very good looking, but the bad thing is, is that you KNOW you're good looking," Serena said, crossing her arms.
"But I just joke about it, I don't go around shoving it around in everyone's faces," Darien said.
"I guess so," Serena said as the waiter came back out with their food at hand. The waiter handed Serena her plate first, then Darien's. "Mmm! This looks soo delicious!"
Darien watched as Serena forked up some fettuccine and stuffed it in her mouth. "I'm guessing you were really hungry?"
Serena nodded, stuffing some more food in her mouth. Darien started laughing at her.
"You're such a pig," he joked.
When Serena swallowed, she gave him a dirty look. "That is not how you're supposed to talk to your date!"
"How am I supposed to talk to a date?" Darien asked, looking in her eyes, smirking.
"You're supposed to say sweet things."
"I already told you that I thought you looked beautiful, wasn't that enough?" Darien asked, grinning.
"Well… yeah. But you should have left it at that! You ruined it when you said I was a pig…" Serena said frowning as she forked up some more noodles.
Darien chuckled. "Alright, fine. I won't say anything that is insulting to you anymore," he said, putting his hand up.
Serena smiled and nodded at him.
The two engaged into more conversation, learning more and more about each other throughout the night. They sat outside on the balcony, talking, laughing, and flirting, paying no attention to time.
It was around 10 when they finally got up to leave.
As they walked out of the restaurant, Darien grabbed Serena's hand, entwining his fingers through hers. She looked up at him, smiling happily.
She really is beautiful, he thought, smiling back down at her.
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As they drove home, they talked about Ami and Brett. Darien told Serena how jealous he got when he thought Brett and Serena were going out with one another. Serena started blushing.
In the midst of their talking, Darien's engine started smoking.
"Great," he said, pulling off to the side shoulder. They were somewhere in the rural areas, so there wasn't much lights and people around for help. "Stay here, I'm gonna see what's wrong with the car," he said as he unbuckled and got out of the car.
Serena watched as he made his way to the front of his car, and opened up the hood. Steam was shooting up from the engine. She watched as he slammed the hood down, and went back around to the driver's seat.
"My oil dried up. There's a leak somewhere in my engine. I'm just gonna have to call Andrew and tell him or something," he said, pulling out his cell phone.
Serena got out of the car, and stood outside, looking up at the stars. It was amazing. They were somewhere in the country area, so there were no lights around to block out the other stars that you usually wouldn't see in the city. It was breathtaking.
"Yeah. I'm not really sure where I am. I'm on highway 240 somewhere, heading south," he said to Andrew on the phone. "Yeah.. okay. Thanks Drew. Bye. Hey Serena! Drew's gonna come get us, but it'll probably be like an hour before he gets here," Darien said looking at Serena.
"Alright, that's fine," she said, still gazing at the skies. Darien looked up with her as he walked around to where she was.
"Wow," Darien whispered.
"Yeah, it's gorgeous. Makes you feel so small."
Darien looked at Serena. She had her arms wrapped around each other, trying to block the wind from her. Darien took off his suite jacket, and put it around her shoulders. Serena looked up at him, and smiled.
"Thanks," she said, pulling the jacket around her more. "And thank you, Darien, for tonight. I had a wonderful time," she said smiling up at him. She went up to him, and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head near his shoulder. Darien smiled, and wrapped his arms around her and his jacket that was around her.
"You're welcome, princess," he said, kissing her on top of her head.
Serena looked up, blushing a little. He called me princess..
He smiled down at her, and bent down the rest of the way to her lips. She'd been waiting for this kiss all night. Her hands wrapped itself around his neck, and he pulled her in tighter. She could taste the champagne he had after their dessert. She loved this. This moment when she's in his arms and when it feels like nothing else in the world mattered.
