A.N: Thank you for the reviews (as always)! I am truly sorry about the long wait.
But I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP about what Serena should get Darien! Thank you to those who have put in suggestions. It's a definite possibility that I'll use it.
Here's my next chapter! I did it as fast as I could!
Chapter 43: Soul-mates
Darien and Serena were sprawled out on the floor now, playing a very intense game. A battle that separates the fast from the slow; Mario Kart.
"I won!" Serena screamed, raising her arms above her head in victory, grinning victoriously.
Darien shook his head in shame, rolling his eyes. "You obviously got lucky, Serena. You got one of those magic floating boxes and blasted me out of the way! Hardly counts," Darien explained, pointing at the TV. screen, his controller on the ground.
Serena couldn't stop smiling," You keep coming up with excuses. I've won five games consecutively. Just face it Chiba…. You….. suck," she said the last part slowly, poking him while saying it.
Darien noticed that when Serena got competitive, she called people by their last names. He laughed and shook his head. " I bet you won't win the next one," he dared her, his eyes getting serious.
Serena shrugged her shoulders. "Fine. But what happens if I win?" she asked her eyebrows rising up.
Darien thought about it for a moment, and answered," Your choice if you win again."
Serena smirked and nodded. "You're going down, Chiba," she said as she picked up her controller again, starting another round of Mario Kart.
Ami came bustling through the door, books in hand, looking frazzled. She heard race car noises and grunting sounds. Ahh… Mario Kart, she thought immediately. Her and Serena would sometimes stay up late playing the game. Laughing and accusing each other of cheating. When Ami rounded the corner, she saw both Darien and Serena on the ground. Serena was lying on her stomach, her feet up in the air in one of those 'talking-on-the-phone-with-a-girlfriend' stance, biting her lip as she stared furiously at the screen. Darien, on the other hand, was sitting cross-legged next to her, tongue slightly sticking out of the corner of his mouth in concentration, swaying back and forth with the race car on the television as he steered. Ami laughed quietly to herself and put her books down quietly. To think they call themselves 'college students', she thought, rolling her eyes.
Serena suddenly screamed," Darien! You can't do that! Stop it!"
Ami looked over at Darien, who kept leaning over towards Serena and hitting the controller out of her hand, laughing as he did so and passing her kart.
"We didn't set up any rules, Serena," Darien said matter-of-factly once he finally left her alone.
Serena's face scrunched up and she focused once again on passing Darien's kart. "You are so going to regret that, Chiba!" Serena steered Yogi past the Princess (which was Darien's choice character). She raced for the floating boxes and got a banana, which she dropped right in front of the Princess. Darien's Kart spun around, just inches away from the finish line. Serena sped to victory. "Hah!" she shrieked, pointing at his face. "I won. AGAIN!"
Darien dropped the controller and fell backwards onto the floor, covering his face with his hands, laughing as he said,"Noooooo!"
Ami giggled. "That was intense," she joked as they finally noticed her presence.
Serena looked up at Ami and grinned. "Ami! I didn't know you were here! But since you are… you can help me decide what I get to do with Darien," Serena said as she spun around and looked at Darien's form lying on the ground.
Darien propped himself up on his elbows, and leaned his heads back to look up at Ami who was standing behind him. " Yes. I would love to know so I can get it over with," he said, smiling.
"I don't get it," Ami said, looking baffled.
Serena got up and headed towards Ami, and leaned against her. "Me and Darien made a bet. If I beat him I get to do with him what I please," she explained.
Ami's eyes brightened as she finally caught on, nodding mischievously.
Darien frowned, looking up from the floor at both of them," I don't like the look in your eyes, Ami. It's kinda… scary," he drawled.
Ami laughed and whispered something in Serena's ear, which made Serena's eyes widen. Serena bursts out in laughter as she looked at Ami. "This is going to be good," Serena said as she looked back at Darien.
Darien got up once he realized he could be in trouble. Or be put in a very uncomfortable and awkward, not to mention, embarrassing, scenario.
"Darien," Serena said, barely able to control herself from laughing again," You are going to enter in a ….." she paused and looked at Ami for her to finish the rest of the sentence.
"Drag contest," Ami finished, looking extremely happy.
Darien's face dropped immediately, suddenly feeling sick. "What?" he almost whispered.
"You're going to enter a drag queen contest," Serena repeated, giggling slightly.
Darien gulped, and went to Serena, shaking his head. "No… you can't do that. Anything but that," Darien argued.
Serena shook her head, smiling cheekily. "Nope! Nothing else BUT that," she confirmed.
"If you love me, you won't make me do this," Darien said pleadingly.
"Oh Darien," Ami said as she patted him on the shoulder," Love has nothing to do with this. You bet with us and we win… your body and soul is pretty much ours."
Serena laughed again, covering her stomach in pain as she mentally pictured Darien dressed up in drag.
Darien shook his head in disbelief, but couldn't help but smile. "All right then. If I've sold my soul to the devil, I guess I have to play puppet until I get it back."
Serena came up to him and threw her arms around his neck. "I cannot wait," she laughed.
Darien shook his head again. "I can't believe you're making me do this. It's… immoral."
"You should have been smarter and not made a bet," Serena said as she tip-toed up to kiss him lightly on the lips.
"Well I know that now," he said grinning down at her.
There was a knock on the door, and everyone turned their head expectantly towards it.
"I'll get it," Serena said as she let go of Darien. When Serena opened the door, there stood Rory looking as if she'd just got done with a photo shoot.
"Hey Serena," she said smiling, flipping her gorgeous brown hair off her shoulders. "I know I'm early but last minute shopping for Christmas is killer," she said as she stepped in.
Serena smiled back," That's fine! Come in real quick. Let me get ready and we'll head out," Serena said as she closed the door.
Rory was wearing a cute aqua tank-top with Capri jeans. Her long brown hair was straight, but she had half of it up, creating a little poof at the top of her head. Her green eyes seem to stand out more because of her beautiful, flawless tan skin. Rory was one of those 'exotic' looking girls; like she was born in Brazil. She sauntered in and noticed Darien and Ami standing there, looking a little awkward. Her eyes skimmed over Darien quickly. Mmm, she thought to herself as she took in his tousled ebony hair, his entrancing blue eyes, and his masculine form. He looked gorgeous as always. Wearing a t-shirt that fit him just right. Making it show off his muscle outline.
Rory smiled charmingly at the both of them and said," Hey," casually.
"Hi," Ami and Darien seemed to say in unison.
Darien shifted around, feeling a little uncomfortable in the presence of his ex-girlfriend. We're friends, remember? He told himself as he looked at her. "How have you been?" he seemed to force himself to say.
Rory nodded," I've been fine, thank you. What about yourself?"
"Good," he answered mechanically.
Serena finally joined everyone. "All right! Let's hit the mall," she said cheerfully, not noticing the tension in the room.
Rory smiled at Serena and nodded.
Serena went up to Darien and kissed him quickly on his lips and said her goodbyes to her friends as she left to go with Rory.
Once they were gone, Darien groaned in frustration. Ami looked at him and smiled lightly. "You don't like her still? I thought things between you two are cool," she said.
Darien took a seat on the couch and sighed. "Yeah. They are, but I don't know. I'm just very curious about Rory's intention with Serena," he answered as he brought his hand to his chin in thought.
"Me too," Ami said with a sigh.
As the two drove to the mall, they engaged themselves in easy conversation. Talking about anything from the weather to shopping.
As Rory pulled into a parking spot, she asked Serena," So how are things between you and Darien?"
Serena smiled and answered," It's going good. We have little arguments here and there, but it's natural."
Rory nodded and got out of the car. "Things are a little strange between the two of us," Rory confessed as they walked into the mall.
Serena frowned, seemingly confused. "I thought you two are friends now…"
"Yes, that was the agreement, but he seems… I don't know. He's just not 'himself' when he sees me," Rory said with a shrug as they finally entered the mall.
At this time of season, the mall was always busy with people as they clawed for presents that were left on the shelves at malls and toy stores. Last minuet shoppers were brutal.
Serena walked aside Rory as they glanced around at random people. "Well," Serena started again," he didn't like the thought of us two hanging-out," Serena told her.
Rory frowned as she turned a corner. "Why?"
"Probably because of what happened before. Your scheme to 'break us up' and whatnot. It's just hard for him to trust you again is all," Serena answered nonchalantly.
Rory glanced over at Serena as she kept walking. Rory was struck by Serena's naivety and innocence. She seemed to trust people so easily and make friends easily also. And forgive easily… In one question, Serena told the complete truth and was not even disturbed by it at all. She didn't seem to feel awkward as she reminded Rory what she was going to do with her and Darien.
"Oh," Rory simply replied. "I guess that's fair," Rory said with a smile.
Serena looked up at Rory and smiled back. "Don't worry, Rory. He'll come around. He'll eventually see that your intentions aren't bad, and you two can be friends again without feeling any resentment or awkwardness," Serena said as she pranced into a store.
Rory paused outside the store as she took in what Serena had said. She completely trusted Rory, without a doubt. She makes it hard to not like her, Rory thought to herself as she entered the store with Serena. She couldn't admit it, but Serena was starting to grow on her little by little.
As Rory and Serena talked and sifted through clothes and items in stores, a guy approached Rory. He was tall and decently handsome. His hair was fiery red, and his eyes were a unique topaz color.
Rory was talking to Serena about her favorite brand of clothes when the guy interrupted their conversation.
He cleared his throat, and said," Hello," meekly at Rory.
Rory paused and glanced up at the red headed boy and said politely," Hello."
He suddenly seemed very nervous and fidgety in the presence of two beautiful girls, but especially one in particular. "I….I'm Chase," he blurted out, blushing in embarrassment.
Rory could feel her lips form into a smile as she watched him." I'm Rory. Can I help you with something?" she asked with a sweet smile on her face.
Serena, standing off to the side, watched in fascination as she tried to contain a giggle that was tickling to break through. She smiled widely at the two of them as she watched how nervous and adorable the red headed guy was. It was obvious he was wanting to ask Rory out on a date or something.
He shifted around on his feet a little and ran a hand through his hair as he answered her," No… I was wondering if maybe I could have your number," he said quietly, glancing away from Rory for awhile.
Rory's smile widened and she turned to look at Serena. Serena giggled and nodded. Rory turned back around to him and watched him. Then answered," My, you are forward, aren't you?" she laughed lightly. "But sure. Why not? Here's my number," she said as she took a pen out of her purse and took his hand to write her number on it. The guy suddenly looked more alive, he straightened up and smiled happily as she grabbed for his hands, blushing.
"Thanks," he responded with a confident grin. "I'll call you sometime," he added.
Rory nodded and waved to him as he walked away with a little bounce in his steps. Rory went back to looking for clothes as she shook her head while smiling.
"Wow," Serena said as she stood next to Rory," do you always have guys acting like that around you?"
Rory frowned, looking confused. "What do you mean?"
"The guy would have agreed to jump off the Empire State Building if you wanted him too. He was in love," Serena teased as she explained.
Rory rolled her eyes with a smile playing on her lips. "I don't believe in love at first sight. And besides… he's not my type," she shrugged.
Serena's jaw dropped as she stared unbelievingly at Rory. "How is he not your type? He was adorable! And he seemed extremely sweet," Serena said in shock.
Rory shrugged as she started to walk out of the store. "Yes… he was cute… but I just don't like him," Rory said without much thought.
Serena simply replied with a nod as she turned into Crate and Barrel to get her mother something. "Do you like anyone?" Serena asked as she looked at decorated kitchen plates.
Rory picked up a uniquely shaped cup and answered," Well I do like this one guy, but he is unattainable." Darien, she thought to herself with a soft sigh.
Serena picked up a box of beautifully decorated plates and cups for her mother and wobbled to a register with it. "Why is he 'unattainable'?"
Rory set the cup down and followed Serena in line and said sadly," I think he's in love with someone else." This was probably the first time she talked to anybody about relationships in a long time. It was strange that she could talk to Serena about things like this so easily, but she, of course, couldn't tell her everything. Ironic, she thought.
"I'm sorry," Serena said gently, getting in line. "You know, you'll find someone. And when you do you'll wonder why you ever fell for the guy you like right now in the first place. I believe everyone has a soul-mate. If things don't work out with one person, then it's just obvious that it wasn't meant to be. But you have to give other people a chance, otherwise you'll never know."
Rory was shocked by Serena's speech. "Do you think Darien's your soul-mate?" she wondered.
Serena turned around to face her, the big box still in her hands. She smiled sweetly, her eyes getting softer, and she nodded. "Yes. I really do. I've never any other boyfriend to compare him too, but I just know… it feels right when I'm with him," she responded.
Rory was frozen in place and nodded numbly.
Serena stepped up to the register finally and paid. "My mom's going to love this," Serena said happily as her and Rory walked away together.
It was after that day that Rory decided to drop any deceitful things she had scheming against Serena and Darien. She couldn't do it anymore… not after she got to know Serena and talked to her. As she dropped Serena off, she got a call from an unknown number. She picked up hearing a deep voice on the other end. "Hi Rory, it's Chase! I told you I'd call!"
