A.N: Thank you for the reviews! Here's the next chapter! Tell me what you think!
Chapter 44: Opening presents
It was now two days until Christmas break began. The campus had settled down, and sorority parties, as well as frat parties, simmered down to a halt as everyone buckled down to cram for their exams. Everyone seemed to lock themselves in their dorm rooms, excommunicating everyone from their lives as they hit the books. Finals were the time Ami was most proud, knowing her endless days of studying wasn't for nothing. She could breathe and not have to feel the weight of the world on her shoulders as everyone else did. All Ami had to do now, was skim over some notes, touch-up on some reading, and she was done. Not like Serena…
Serena was sprawled on the ground; her books were strewn across the floor in a chaotic, unorganized manner as she concentrated and focused on her studying. Over the weekend, she had cut-off her social life so she could catch-up and prepare for exams. She even blocked out Darien, socially and mentally as well. She wrote vigorously in her notebook, writing down important facts she'd have to know. She bit her lip as she immersed herself in endless amounts of books. Serena was a procrastinator to say the least. Cramming and being stressed before finals was what she was known for. She seemed to do well under pressure, and always managed to scrap by with at least a B in every class. When she needed to study, she let nothing get in her way. When Serena set a goal, at least academically, she always seemed to achieve it, much to her liking.
Ami got up, smiling to herself as she watched Serena frown as she worked out some practice calculus problems in her notebook. Ami shook her head and said," I'm gonna go get us supper. I'll be back, okay?"
Serena was so engrossed in the math problem, she didn't even notice or hear Ami say anything. She got aggravated with the equation and groaned loudly, erasing something.
"All right, then!" Ami said and left the room.
Across the hallway, Andrew and Darien were quizzing each other back and forth. This, they found out, seemed to be the best way for them to study. They'd been studying this way since high school. While one would ask questions, the other would shoot basketball hoops and answer. The boys couldn't sit down and study like most people tend too. They needed noise, and even a little chaos.
Darien found it extremely difficult to concentrate when his mind kept drifting off to Serena. Two days away from her felt like an eternity of isolation; it drove him insane. He felt anxious as he thought of her, constantly wondering what she was thinking or doing. He missed her goofy laugh, her clumsiness, the smell of her hair, her sarcasm; he even missed her bratty little pouts when things didn't go her way. Darien smiled as he pictured her puppy-dog pout and her blazon-blue eyes. Suddenly, something soft hit him in the head, and plopped weightlessly to the ground. Darien frowned and looked down. It was a balled-up sock.
Andrew, sitting on the couch with Darien's book in hand, was looking particularly annoyed with Darien. "Would you pay attention? Finals is a day away, and you're all day dreaming of your girlfriend," Andrew said seriously, his eyes in a bit of a glare.
Darien threw his hands up, apologizing as he shrugged. "Sorry, Drew."
"Yeah, you will be sorry when you diagnose a patient with something they don't actually have," Andrew exclaimed, reminding Darien that studying to be a doctor was a big deal. "They'll sue you, and when they do, I'm gonna point at you and laugh," he finished off, looking smug.
Darien rolled his eyes and laughed," Well it won't be your problem if they sue me, will it?" Darien fired back. "Anyways, repeat the question."
Finals were now over, and Christmas break had officially begun! Alumni's ran out of their classes, arms up in the air screaming and hollering joyfully. No college for a whole month seemed like absolute heaven to them.
Serena aced her graphic design class, the last class of the day. She smiled happily as she exhaled all the stress from her body. Tomorrow she'd be back home with her family, alongside Darien.
Serena had finally figured out what to get Darien over the last week. She remembered his family photo he kept in his keepsake drawer… the only picture he had with his parents when they were still alive. Serena asked Andrew to let her into the room while Darien was at one of his classes. She went in and got the photo out carefully. It looked weathered and tattered, as if it were ancient. The picture had yellowed a bit, and there was a crease in the middle of the photo when Darien used to keep it in his pocket, all folded up. Serena took it to have it touched-up and restored, a brand new picture. He'd still have his old one, of course, but he'd have an all new photo, one that was distinct. When she was finished with the new picture, she put the old one back in Darien's keepsake drawer so he would have no idea. She also had a picture of the two of them made. It was on one of their double-dates with Ami and Brett. Darien and Serena were sitting on a bench at the school campus under a large oak tree that towered above them. Darien had an arm around Serena's shoulder. He was smiling broadly, looking as if he'd been laughing while the picture was being taken. Serena was grinning also, leaning into Darien a bit, and looking as if she were blushing. Both of their eyes seemed to pop in this picture, as blue as the endless ocean. Serena then bought two photo albums, unique in it's own way. The family picture of Darien was put in a gorgeous black frame that had the word "Family" engraved into. The picture of the two of them was put in a silver metal frame, and Serena had this one specially made. She had a man engrave "In Love- - Darien & Serena November 2005". These were two small gifts that had great sentimental value to them.
As Serena thought of the long break ahead of her, she saw Darien walking towards the café, his hands in his pockets. She had forgotten how much she'd missed him until she spotted him. She squealed excited and without thought, darted off in his direction, a huge grin plastered on her face. Darien's eyes finally fell on his blonde headed beauty, and he stopped walking as he smiled back at her, feeling completely overwhelmed and relieved to see her again. As she neared him she didn't slow down, but instead she jumped on him, wrapping her legs around his waist and throwing her arms over his shoulder and around his neck buoyantly. Darien stumbled backward a little at the sudden force, completely surprised. He steadied himself and wrapped his arms around her to keep her from falling.
Her chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Hello to you too," he said as he smiled up at her lovingly.
Serena smiled back at him, feeling her heart race as she looked into his eyes. All the feelings for him that she'd lost focus of during her two day cramming period, all flooded back to her. She'd forgotten how much she missed being in his arms or just near him. "I missed you," she said softly, inching her head closer to his.
"I missed you too, Meatball Head," he teased," More then you could possibly imagine," he whispered the last part.
Serena felt herself blush at his last statement, falling completely head-over-heels for him all over again. She slowly leaned in and kissed him gently, and sweetly on his lips, then pulled away and looked at him again, as if making sure he was really there. Serena smiled quickly at Darien, and placed her lips back on his for a longer kiss this time. She savored every second that went by, deepening the kiss as she tightened her grip around his neck. Serena moaned as their tongues danced together, the kiss becoming more heated, passionate and fiery. Darien also tightened his grip around her as he lost track of time, his mind spinning as they kissed each other intimately.
Someone walked past the couple, frowning and shaking their heads disapprovingly at the obvious display of affection. They yelled out," Get a freakin' room!"
Serena began to pull away slowly and reluctantly. Her eyes fluttered open and looked into his lustful eyes. He grinned at her and gently placed her on the ground, but never letting go of her waist. Serena's arms were still around Darien's neck as her feet touched solid ground.
Serena rested her head on his chest. "Someone told us to go get a room," she said embarrassingly.
Darien smirked and let go of her and took her hand, pulling her towards the dormitory building. "Then we'd better listen to them."
There was going to be a little 'get-together' party at Serena and Ami's dorm room with the usual people; Darien, Brett, Andrew, and Raye. They all decided to spend time together before they all had to go to their family's homes.
The mood was quite cheerful as everyone gathered in the room. Some brought presents while others didn't. Serena and Ami somehow managed to find a small Christmas tree and jam it in the corner of their room. They decorated their dorm room with festive green and red ribbons, strung around the room and hanging from the ceiling. They even purchased some lights and lined it around the room, creating the perfect Christmas atmosphere.
Serena had purchased lingerie for Brett, pretending it was from Ami. She made sure to wrap it in the same wrapping paper as Ami, so she could switch it out with the one under the tree when Ami wasn't there. Everyone had agreed to open presents at the party, so Serena was extremely excited about Brett opening the present.
As everyone settled down and ate, the unwrapping began! Serena had already told Darien he'll get his present, but he's going to open it with the rest of her family so he'd have to wait.
Andrew went first. He hopped up from where he was sitting and headed towards the tree to retrieve a present. "Aha," Andrew scuffed as he grabbed a hideously wrapped present and went to hand it to Darien. "Here ya go, man," he said patting Darien on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Drew," Darien said, smiling. Him and Andrew were practically brothers. While Darien was a little more serious when he bought presents, Andrew wasn't, so he didn't know what to expect when he opened it. "I like your wrapping skills," he commented sarcastically. Andrew just shrugged and smiled. When Darien was finished unwrapping his gifts, he laughed heartily, holding it up for everyone to see. It was a collection of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
"Yeah! Remember when we used to watch that?" Andrew asked excitedly.
Raye raised an eyebrow up, smiling to herself as she shook her head. "You two watched the Ninja Turtles in the tenth grade?"
Andrew looked at her and nodded seriously. "Umm… yeah. We owned the movie and everything. It's a very nice collection! They're figurines," Andrew said matter-of-factly.
Darien laughed again and gave Andrew a hug. "Thanks man. The best present you've gotten me so far!"
Darien was next. He got Andrew a very expensive Fossil watch. When Andrew opened it, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Dude.. .I can't take this," he said seriously, trying to hand it back to Darien.
Darien shoved it back to Andrew. "No. You keep whining about your broken one, so I got you this one. It's no problem, Drew."
Andrew thanked Darien and hugged him. The girls, including Brett, all laughed at the boy's girly affection towards one another, making fun of them. Andrew frowned at everyone, but then smiled again as he put his new watch around his wrist.
"I say they might as well marry each other," Raye commented, laughing as she looked at Serena. Serena nodded and rolled her eyes as the guys.
Raye went and gave Ami and Serena each a present. They both got a sixty dollar gift certificate to any store in the mall. They both shrieked in surprise and hugged Raye at the same time, giggling.
Ami and Serena had purchased a gift, together, for Raye. They got her a cute bracelet that had her named sequined in it. Raye brought her hands to her mouth as she gasped in surprise, hugging the both of them afterwards as well.
Ami went back and grabbed the last present underneath the small Christmas tree. Ami, who had absolutely no idea it was a gag gift, handed Brett the present happily. Brett smiled and opened the present quickly. When he took the box off, his eyes widened and his cheeks suddenly flushed red. Ami frowned, feeling her heart race at his reaction.
"What is it?" Andrew asked as he leaned over to look in the box. As his eyes fell on the present, they widened in surprise also. He slowly lifted his head and looked at Ami, his mouth hanging open.
Ami gulped. "What? You don't like it?" she asked, feeling extremely nervous.
Serena started giggling, as Brett picked up the "Santa" looking lingerie and nodded. "Um… no. I like it.." he gulped
Ami gasped, as she felt her face redden, feeling embarrassed. Then she felt herself start to smile as she realized what must have gone through Brett's mind.
Raye looked the lingerie and said," Oh Ami! I didn't know you were like that! Naughty," and bursts out laughing.
Serena went up to Ami and bumped her, laughing uncontrollably. "I'm s…sorry," she breathed," I just c-couldn't… resist," Serena said.
Ami looked at Serena, and started laughing as well, hitting her playfully. "I can't believe you," said shaking her head.
When everyone settled down, Serena handed her Ami's actual present and gave it to Brett. It was a scrapbook she'd spent endless nights making for him. Ami loved art, and she always brought a camera wherever she went. When she was with Brett, she'd snap random pictures as a reminder of what they did, or where they went. She'd accumulated many pictures, and decided to make him a scrapbook. It was a very beautiful and thoughtful present.
Brett told Ami that for Christmas, he'd take her anywhere she wanted to go. The portrait he bought her counted as half of her Christmas present.
Andrew told Raye he had a surprise for her, and he'd have to take her somewhere to show her. She smiled happily, looking surprised.
The party eventually simmered down, and everyone went back to their dorms.
As Serena lay in bed, she couldn't sleep because she was so excited to be heading back home the next day. What she didn't know, was things between her and Darien, might be getting a little heated.
