AN : Oh goodness guys sorry for the lateness ;; I was rather busy. But I made the chapter a bit longer than usual to make up for it :D. Enjoy!
Disclaimer : I do not own Sailor Moon.
Kiminoke : Ah sorry the armed man is not revealed :XX I was so torn over what to do with him that I just decided to leave it out for now xD
srsmoon : Oh God, forgive me for the lateness and enjoy!
iluvboys : Bah, sorry it's so late. Hope this chapter's okay.
Chibi Strawberry Neko : Haha, my goodness I haven't played board games in a while. I lost 'em all when I moved ;(
Kiweee : Ack xD I didn't think that it was that good, thanks!
PRiNcEsS oF mY oWn wOrLd : Lol, I was going to delete that whole part but I just had to keep that line so it stayed.
serenity287 : I updated late again ;; don't worry I promise the next one will be update quickly
TsukinoGoddess : Well if you like Andrew, you're going to love this chapter, lol.
anonymous : It's supposed to float in that direction late on but for now, shh, the story can go anywhere
DaOnleeSam : Scandalous! One of my favorite words ever. Enjoy the chap.
raye85 : Why thank you very much ;P Enjoy
Silver Moon Goddess1 : Ahah, I updated late sorry :X Enjoy the slightly longer chapter
Mirna : YES! I am an avid Diet Coke addict! Finally, someone understands!
Darcy : Acks, sorry I updated so late! Thanks for reviewing
Iknowascandal : I love your username! How Gossip Girl-y… not that I really like the series but yeah lol . Enjoy.
.-.E.m.m.a.s.t.a.r.z.-. : Thanks a bunch! Hope you enjoy.
Love on the Catwalk : Chapter 06
dizziified
Reason to Change #6 : Tipsy kisses are sweet
"Ah—hauem." I sat up and yawned, stretching out all the sore muscles of my body. After a small scratch of my head I plopped back down and snuggled into some nice warm … carpet?
Blearily, I opened my eyes, fighting off tears from sleeping with my contacts on and focused in on the wall clock. Six o'clock.
'Ugh! It is way too early for this.' I still can't believe that I haven't shaken the habit of waking up at this ungodly hour.
"Hm," a guy grunted and I felt a leg land on top of mine. Then something started to tickle at my stomach… and then something rolled on top of my hand.
… Something's not right here.
I groggily reopened my eyes and lifted my head to focus on my surroundings. It didn't take long to realize that I was in an island of models.
"Ugh," I grunted as I pulled my arm out from under Molly's body. I proceeded to shove Chad's head off my stomach and Andrew's leg off of mine. Lazily, I got up and headed for the kitchen for a glass of water.
After padding across a sea of body parts, I managed to fetch myself a glass of water and headed towards the fire escape for some fresh air. I was a bit startled to see that someone was already there.
"Mornin'," he greeted as he peered back at me from his perched spot on the railing.
"M-morning," I replied and took a seat on a chair, sipping at my water.
'What is he doing up so early?'
"… You smoke?" I questioned.
Darien looked at the cigarette in his hands and smirked. "It would seem so."
"You'll die early, ya know."
"Hmm…," he hummed uninterestedly before inhaling deeply.
I shifted uncomfortably… silences—awkward or not—unsettle me deeply.
"I feel icky," I blurted out. … I feel icky? That's a good one.
He looked up with a raised eyebrow and turned so that he was leaning on the railing and facing me.
"I mean…," I continued. "I'm wearing yesterday's clothes and yesterday's make-up and my contacts are killing me."
"You want me to drive you home, princess?" He smirked. Great, now he thinks I'm a spoiled brat.
"Um… I don't know…." It felt weird leaving when everyone else was still sleeping.
"I doubt anyone would mind," he commented.
"… Okay," I gave in and got up.
He snubbed out his cigarette and jerked his head to the side. "Let's go."
"What are you—wait, down the fire escape!" Is this man insane!
"Why not," he shrugged before making his way to the ladder.
"Is that even legal!" Wouldn't people think we were thieves trying to get ourselves in?
"I'm pretty sure it isn't but it's not like that's gonna stop us." He was already making his way down to the escape below us.
"When did this turn into an us?" I questioned and looked down at him through the fire escape bottom.
"Come on," Darien egged. "Live a little."
"You're crazy," I laughed and shook my head.
"I know," he grinned. "Come on."
"I can't believe I'm doing this," I muttered and got myself onto the ladder.
"Don't look up," I warned him. I don't need some crazy—albeit good-looking—model looking up my skirt.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
In no time we were down to the last fire escape and Darien literally jumped a good 10 feet onto the grass—barefooted.
"How am I supposed to do that?" I questioned. What? You can't expect me to fly down to my doom!
"I'll catch you," he replied and clapped before extending his arms.
I quirked an eyebrow. "Yeah, leave my life in the hands of a lunatic."
"I'm sure Andrew would kill me if I let you splat onto the ground," he retorted.
I blushed. "Okay, I'm coming down."
With that, I gathered my legs together as tightly and possible and jumped down. Darien caught me with a grunt and spun a little before letting me down onto the ground.
"See, that wasn't so bad," he smiled.
"You didn't see anything did you?" I asked embarrassedly.
"Don't worry, princess," Darien dismissed. "Come on, my car's around the corner."
I nodded and padded after him. That was fun. It was probably one of the craziest things I had ever done in my life.
When we got to his car, I walked over to the side and got into the passenger seat.
"I live on—," I started.
"I remember where you live," he cut in before starting the car up.
"Oh," I replied dumbly. "Okay."
We sat in silence as he drove us to my apartment but it was a nice silence… not awkward or uncomfortable—but I still felt a bit unsettled.
"Um… thanks," I said when we pulled up in front of my building.
"No problem," he shrugged off and unlocked the doors.
I pushed the door open with my foot and got off. "I guess I'll see you around?"
"Mhm," Darien nodded curtly and I slammed the car door. I watched as he did a U-turn and was puzzled when he pulled up next to me, window down.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Pink." And then, he pulled the window up and drove off.
It wasn't until I was changing out of my clothes in the shower that I realized he was talking about my panties.
scene
"HA HA!" .
"Shut up! I've never been more mortified in my life."
It's Tuesday afternoon at Seiya's studio. He was almost done with all his work and he had plenty of time before the deadline so I was allowed to go to work with him again. I'd just finished telling him about the party and the whole underwear incident.
"Are you sure about that?" He peered over at me from his table. I was lying down on the one next to it.
"That I was mortified? Of course I'm sure!" No duh.
"I don't know, I can think of a few pretty mortifying incidences in your life."
"Like what?" How can they measure up to Darien catching glimpses at my underwear?
"Like the time you fell into the lake senior year—."
"I didn't fall in, I was pushed in!" I cut in.
He rolled his eyes. "The time you were pushed into the lake senior year and you had on that white dress."
Oh God, the lake incident. A few nasty girls had thought it would be fun to push me off the dock and into the lake during a party (I had been invited by association to Seiya). I was wearing a white dress (white had been the theme of the party) and needless to say I was soaked and my dress had become totally transparent. My bra and underwear shone through and everything—they weren't even matching!
"Yeah, but you saved me," I pointed out, blowing a piece of hair off my face.
"Hmm," he shrugged.
Seiya had convinced a few friends to grab the girls who had pushed me and jump in after me. Soon jumping in the lake turned cool and everyone was doing it—regardless of the underwear exposure that it brought along. He'd swum over and draped his huge (white) jacket over me so that I'd be totally covered when I got out.
"And what about the time you tripped during the ballet recital?" he pointed out.
"I thought we discussed that we would never mention that whole ballet era ever again."
Ballet; it had been the bane of my existence for many of my younger years. During junior year I'd tripped during a ballet recital and messed up the whole show by knocking a few girls down with me. Needless to say I never returned to the dance studio out of shame and in fear of receiving the smite of the other ballerinas there.
"Still, that was pretty bad," Seiya said and continued to sew.
"I guess," I shrugged. "But still!"
"There are far more embarrassing things than flashing your panties to a guy, Usa," Seiya lectured.
"Fine, you win," I sighed and turned over on my stomach to face him. "So when's the next show?"
"In a week," he answered and brushed out a few stray threads from the top he was working on.
"When do you think you'll be done working?" I asked.
"I'm going to have the models fitted this Thursday over at the other studio and then that'd be pretty much it until the day of the show," he answered.
Seiya has two studios. This one—his second home and workplace (he has a bed here for God's sake!)—and another one for fitting. Remember when I told you no one steps into this studio? Yeah. He went so far as to rent another studio about twenty blocks over so that it would stay that way. It's smaller and only has one table and sewing machine but still, it'd save him a lot of money to just use this one—not that he needs it.
Come to think of it, I've always wondered why Seiya chooses to live in a dinky apartment instead of a huge flat. Hello, he's filthy rich! His pieces go for tens and thousands of dollars.
"Why don't you live more extravagantly?" I asked.
"Talk about random," he commented. "I like my life as it is."
"You like living in a dinky apartment building?" I gave him the eyebrows.
"Well, yeah." He set down the top. "I live comfortably and I have everything I need. I don't need some huge ass flat; I'm fine with a one room apartment. I don't need to flash my money everywhere."
"Hm." And this is coming from the same guy who pays $20 for a $6.50 cab ride. Interesting.
"I just love how hypocritical you are," I laughed.
"Please, I ama humble man," he scoffed.
"You go on and think that." I rolled off the table. "Let's go eat, I'm starving."
"Alright, alright. I'm done with this top anyway."
"Oh!" I squealed. "Let's eat some Thai food! I haven't had it in forever."
scene
"So," Seiya drawled. "Are you gonna call Andrew?"
"What!" I nearly spat my drink out.
"Well, he certainly sounds interested." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"No—no!" I shook my head furiously. "He's probably just playing around, I mean, him liking me; no way.
Seiya gave me a serious look. "Serena."
Oh no, my real name.
"You're a beautiful girl. There's no reason that someone wouldn't like you—it'd be unnatural for a guy not to feel attracted to you. And you're a sweetheart too so it's all the better."
I gave him a bland face. "You've been telling me that for the past what years now?"
"Well, now you don't hide yourself," Seiya replied and pushed my forehead back.
"Well," I huffed. "I don't like shallow people."
Seiya gave me a look. "Usa, you won't find one person in this world who isn't at least a teeny bit shallow."
"I'm not shallow," I retorted. Ha! Got ya there.
Seiya raised his eyebrow in an 'oh-really?' look. He pointed behind me and I turned back to see a rather portly man chowing down on a plate of spicy spare ribs.
"Would you go out with that guy?"
The said man noticed us looking at him and he had the audacity to wink and send a smooch, giving us a barbeque sauce covered lip smile afterwards.
I shuddered and turned back. "I'm not being shallow by saying no to him; he's just plain greasy and I'm not even sure if that kiss was meant for you or me!"
"Well then," Seiya shrugged. "Would you have gone out with him if he didn't send that disturbing wink-kiss-smile?"
"If he had a nice personality, sure," I tossed back.
"Pft," Seiya scoffed. "You don't fool me for a second. You're just as shallow as the rest of us."
"Am not!" I exclaimed.
"Fine," Seiya leaned forward. "Pick out the most attractive guy in this room—besides me of course—and I'll be the judge of that."
"Have it your way," I said and scanned the room for said male.
"Him," I answered and pointed to a scrawny looking guy in the corner. He had a bit of a lanky frame with longish red hair and a few freckles gracing his cheeks. He was alone, demurely eating his curry rice while looking out the window.
"The beefy blonde guy?" Seiya questioned.
"No, the redhead," I corrected.
Seiya gave me a look. "Please tell me you aren't serious."
"Note serious face."
"You've got to be kidding me! He's so shrimpy. There's something perpetually wrong with your tastes. How do you go from me to that guy?"
"He looks nice," I defended. "Look, he's not a messy eater and he observes the world around him instead of looking straight into some girl's boobs like that blondie over there."
Seiya didn't look all too convinced.
"And freckles are sexy!" I quipped.
Seiya continued giving me the 'oh-my-dear-Lord-this-girl-needs-help-ASAP' look for a bit before putting his head into his right hand and shaking it.
"I don't know what to do with you," he confessed.
I rolled my eyes. "You are such a drama queen."
"Don't you care what your babies will look like?"
"I'm sure people don't go looking for spouses based on how their babies will look like."
"You'd be pretty surprised…."
"Well, I will marry out of love to a man who'll love me even if I gain 2100 pounds."
Seiya whistled. "Usa, I'm not even sure if I would love you after you gain 200 pounds."
"Oh, shut up," I said and playfully whacked him in the arm.
"Drunken noodles and Fisherman's Madness with jasmine rice," the waitress announced and placed the plates between us.
"Ah," I sighed as I inhaled deeply. "Let's eat!"
"Careful," Seiya teased. "Don't want you gaining 200 pounds now."
I responded with a big chomp of noodles.
scene
"And then he all out fainted on top of her! Five people had to pull him off and she nearly died from suffocation," Seiya laughed. I giggled along and paused as I felt the familiar vibrating of my cell phone.
I cleared my throat. "Hello?"
'Who is it?' Seiya mouthed.
"Serena?" My breath halted. It was Andrew.
'Who is it!' Seiya mouthed again.
I shooed him off. "Hi Andrew! What's up?"
"Andrew?" Seiya whispered sharply.
"I was just wondering if you'd like to go out tomorrow night," Andrew answered. "That is, if you have time to—."
Aw, he's flustered. How flattering.
"You mean on a date?" Seiya looked absolutely livid from all my shooing.
"Um, yeah."
"With me?"
Andrew burst out laughing. Did I mention how much I like his laugh?
"Who else is there?" he asked; I could feel the smile in his eyes.
"O-okay." Oh my God, oh my God!
"I'll pick you up at eight." He sounded like a kid who'd been slipped five dollars to spend at the candy store. "Dress formally."
"I will." Oh my God, oh my God! "See you then."
Seiya took my cell phone out of my hands and snapped it shut. "Let me guess, 'Oh my God, oh my God'?"
"I have a date with Andrew Bradshaw!" I shouted. "Oh my God, oh my God!"
Seiya shook his head in amusement. "I have a feeling that I'm going to have to spend a long time with you tomorrow."
I have a date with Andrew Bradshaw! Me! With Andrew Bradshaw! This is effing unbelievable!
scene
"How do I look?" I asked and posed in front of Seiya, arms extended.
"Smokin'," Seiya blew out his thumb-index finger gun and stuffed it into an invisible sling.
I was wearing a strapless black eyelet cutout dress with a white eyelet cutout layer underneath. I had a long white wrap around my arms and black buckle slides donned my feet. My hair was down in loose waves and pearls rested on my neck and ears.
There were three loud honks from outside and a flutter of nervousness came over me.
"That's him," I murmured.
"Hurry up and get on out of here," Seiya commanded as he pushed me by the butt towards the door.
"Don't touch my butt," I laughed as I swat his hands away.
"Hmph," he pouted. "I'm sure you'd let Andrew touch 'em."
I gasped dramatically. "On the first date? I am not that kind of girl!"
He smiled and handed me a white clutch with a big black ribbon across it. "Don't forget this."
"Thanks," I took it and smiled before giving Seiya a deep hug. "Thanks so much."
"No problem," he shrugged off sheepishly. The honks went off again. "Now go!"
"Okay," I smiled. "Wish me luck."
He raised an eyebrow. "Usa, you won't be needing it."
When I got out Andrew was leaning against a red sports car in black slacks, a gold buckle black belt, crisp white dress shirt, and a white blazer. His hair was nicely yet messily gelled and as usual, he wore his necklace.
Like a gentleman, he opened the passenger door and helped me in before getting into the driver's seat.
"Is this your car?" I asked as I buckled my seatbelt.
"Yep," he answered, pulling out of the no parking zone. "Picked it up this morning. You look beautiful by the way."
"Thanks," I blushed. "You look nice too. Where are we going?"
"You'll see," he answered. "Hope you don't plan on going home too early."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? And what will we be doing that requires so much time?"
"You'll see."
scene
"Oh my God, Andrew," I said as we were seated. "Peacock Alley? Isn't it a tidbit too… upscale for a first date?"
Andrew smiled and waved it off. "It's fine. Order whatever you want."
We were sitting in Peacock Alley, a very upscale French restaurant that required formal wear. I'd heard a lot about it at Mode but I'd never dreamed that I would ever eat there. Entrees averaged over $40 and I wasn't exactly flowing with money.
"What do you want to eat?" Andrew asked, while skimming through the menu.
"Oh God, I don't know," I replied. "I don't really go to fancy restaurants that often."
"Foie gras' always good," he suggested. "But honestly, everything's great here."
"Then…." I skimmed my eyes over the menu again. "I'll have the sea bass."
"Okay then." Andrew turned to the waitress. "One sea bass, one foie gras, and one poached chicken with Gascon stuffing. And may we have a bottle of Chardonnay?"
"One sea bass, one foie gras, and one poached chicken with a bottle of Chardonnay?" the waitress inquired. With Andrew's nod she scurried off to the kitchens.
"So," Andrew started and focused his gaze on my face. "I didn't get to say bye to you the other day."
I smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. Darien just offered to take me home and I ended up leaving. Sorry."
"It's fine," Andrew waved off. "But I have your shoes and bag in the car."
"Oh! That's right—I totally forgot about them."
We idled on small talk as the wine came out and the food was brought out before us. It was delicious and I guzzled down glasses of wine with it. It was 10:30 by the time we actually got out of there, crème brulee consumed and tip left on the table.
"Where are we going?" I asked and smiled. My face was a bit flushed from the wine and I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.
"Central Park." Andrew peered over and caressed my cheek with a free hand. "You're so cute."
"Why thank you," I beamed.
When we got out of the car, it was a bit chilly and I wrapped my wrap tightly around me. Looking at my slightly shivering form, Andrew laughed and casually slung his arm around my shoulders.
"Let's walk," he said and guided me over to the park path.
It was dark and only a few people were about. The street lights gave the place a nice yellow glow and the cars a nice backdrop sound.
"So how'd you like our first date?" Andrew asked.
"Hmm, it's nice," I answered and leaned into his chest. Whoo, that wine is doing me good. My God, I'm such a bad drinker.
"Just nice?" He joked.
I giggled. "It was great. My goodness I haven't gone out on a date for a loonngg time."
"Is that so? And did this one meet expectations?" He grinned down at me.
"Mhm," I nodded and peered at him. "Do you like me Andrew Bradshaw?"
"Well, Serena Tsukino, I would think that I like the girl I bring out to dinner," he replied.
"But why? I'm sure there are tons of prettier girls you can choose from." By now we stopped walking and were standing in the middle of the path.
"Serena, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever had the pleasure of having dinner with and I'd be honored to be able to take you out again."
I cocked my head to the side. "Are you asking me out?"
He laughed. "Yes, Serena Tsukino, I am asking you out on a second date."
Oh he is just too beautiful.
"But I barely know anything about you," I teased and put my hands on my hips.
"Haha." Oh how I love that laugh. "What do you want to know?" He reclaimed my shoulders and we proceeded to walk.
"Everything," I answered bluntly. "How's your family? Did you always live in New York? I don't know. How many girlfriends did you have before? Stuff like that."
"Hmm," he titled his head in thought. "My family's fine, I'm an only child. My folks live in Long Island and I visit them from time to time. I moved here from New Jersey when I was five and I haven't left since. As for girlfriends … too many."
"Too many?" I laughed. "How can you have too many girlfriends? Just tell me the number."
"I don't think I can even remember," he confessed.
I eyed him in shock. "You're a player!"
He broke out in laughter. "I admit I used to be one back when I was a teenager but I calmed down after my ex."
"The one who gave you the necklace?" I looked at it reflecting the yellow glow of the streetlamps.
"Mhm," he nodded.
"How long did you go out with her?" What? I'm curious and tipsy, let me be rude for once.
"Four years," he answered with a bit of a faraway face. "But enough about me, what about you?"
"Hm," I gazed at my feet. "My dad's Japanese and my mom's British, they met in the States. I have a little brother named Sammy… he's in college right now but he's still an annoying brat sometimes—but I still love him. Ah… I was born in Queens and Seiya lived right next door. And boyfriends… I've only had one."
Andrew did a double take. "Only one?"
"Yep." It's a sad story indeed.
"How is that possible?" Ha, funny.
"Because I'm ugly and shy—or I used to before—you get what I mean," I replied exasperatedly.
"I still find that hard to believe." He gave me a look. "Okay, were you ever seeing someone?"
I shook my head and giggled. "Nope. Just one boyfriend. I don't know how I even managed that but, yeah—it was Seiya so—."
"Whoa, whoa." We stopped walking. "Your only boyfriend was Seiya Kou?"
Jeez, he looks like I just announced that I had an extra ear on the top of my head.
"Mhm," I nodded.
"Well that's a surprise," he murmured. "But there's nothing between you right now?" He looked at me for confirmation.
"Nope," I shook my head. "He's my best bud."
Andrew's lips were still in a bit of a frown. Aw, he's jealous.
"Are you jealous," I asked, all smiles.
"Psh, no," Andrew denied with a scratch of his head. Too cute.
And then—I swear to God it was the alcohol! I would never do it on my own!—I did something crazy. I grabbed his face and stared for a few seconds. He seemed a bit puzzled and silently stared back. I then got on my tiptoes and brought his head down for a kiss. It was short and sweet, a nice rubbing of lips.
"Don't be jealous," I whispered. "I like you." And then, blushing from what I had done, I turned around and rushed ahead.
"Look, it's Balto!" I pointed to the dog sculpture over on the rock a few trees down.
I felt Andrew take hold of my wrist and I turned back, an inquisitive smile in place. His face was intent as he placed his other hand on the back of my head and without a word, leaned his face down to mine.
"And—," I started but was cut off as his lips reached mine.
He gave me a long chaste kiss and my mind blanked. It was like I was pulled into a fairy world and was floating in a beam of light. He let go of my wrist and my eyes automatically shut as I locked my arms around his neck and stood on my tiptoes for more access. In the back of my mind, my kiss counter was going off but the wine just hazed it all out—all I could focus on was Andrew and Andrew's lips on mine.
The kisses became shorter and more … is urgent the right word for it? I just went with the flow of things, tilting my head as the kisses became open-mouthed. His lips pulled at mine, leaving a slight trail of saliva. Normally, I would have pulled out right then and there, but the inner bad girl in me was urging me on, throwing conscience and self-awareness to the side.
As Andrew began to press his tongue over my lips and between them, a strange, tingling, warm feeling pooled at the bottom of my abdomen—things were really heating up. I could feel the tip of his tongue against my teeth as it seeped between the cracks of my lips and then I sobered up.
I opened my eyes to see his closed ones in front of mine. I placed my hands on his chest and pushed back a bit. When that seemed to do nothing, I pushed a bit harder and took a step back. He lazily opened his eyes and looked at me in confusion.
"I'm sorry," I apologized and put my hands on my burning cheeks.
"You didn't like it?" Andrew asked with a troubled, confused face. Oh, he is just too much!
"It's not that I didn't," I hastily explained. "It felt good—really good. I'm just ... not ready for that kind of stuff."
"Hm?"
Oh boy …, how will I explain this one?
"I've never, you know, French kissed before," I whispered. "It feels weird—I got all tingly and …" I looked up at him, at a loss of what to say.
He grinned. "We don't have to do anything you don't want to do."
I nodded.
"Do you want to go home now?" he asked. I nodded again and he gingerly placed an arm around my shoulders and led me back to the car, me tripping a dozen times on the way.
The ride home was silent, but I was too preoccupied to be unsettled. Andrew walked me upstairs and gave me a hug and a kiss on the forehead before I went in.
Once inside, I spotted Luna on the counter and I grabbed her by the sides and twirled her around as I did a little dance.
Oh my God, oh my effing God!
end Love on the Catwalk : Chapter 06
AN : Finally! Sorry it took so long, guys. My brain just totally shut down with the impending weekend. I'll update again really soon to make up for my slowpoke behavior. REVIEW PLEASE! THANKS!