Chapter 5. Swaying a Girls Heart

The Make-Over

Sunday morning arrives and the weather man was right, another scorcher. It is so hot that even the pavement feels pain from the intensity of the suns beams. The Crown is very busy and Serena decides to help Andrew with the customers. She also calls Mina and Lita to help out, too. Lita was trilled to do it but Mina had to be convinced with free milk shakes.

Diamond, Rubeus and a couple of the guys from the football team enter the Crown. Serena almost crashes into them while carrying an empty tray back to the counter. Diamond eyes Serena as he makes his way to one the empty booths.

Andrew sees them and knows that they are up to something, especially Diamond who had a wicked grin on his face as he stares at Serena.

"I'm going to take their orders," says Serena.

"No, no I'll do it," says Andrew as he takes her pen and pad. He heads over to the guys. "What would you like guys?"

"I'd like…" says Diamond thinking and still looking at Serena. "For Serena to be our waitress."

"She's busy," says Andrew. "I'll take your orders."

Lita is behind the counter making the milk shakes and taking the orders from the kitchen to Mina and the other waiters. Serena sits down on a stool next to Lita.

"Oh, can I have the left overs," asks Serena seeing that Lita had filled a cup to the top but the blender had a quarter of milk shake in it. Lita smiles at her friend and pours her the left overs in a cup. "Hmmm…its good. You've got it perfect just like Andrews."

"Thanks," replies Lita with smile. "Hey, Serena. Aren't those guys Darien's friends?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Why didn't Andrew let you attend them? They are on one of your assigned tables."

"Don't know. Maybe he wanted me to take a break." Serena sips her shake.

"That guy's been eying you ever since he got here. He might burn a whole in you if he continues."

"Lita." Serena turns around and sees Diamond look at her then he stands up. Andrew stops him from walking over

"What are you doing?" asks Andrew. "Leave her alone okay."

"No one tells me what to do," says Diamond as he pushes Andrew aside. He continues to walk over to Serena. She quickly gets off the stool and is face to face with Diamond. "Well, hello there."

"Hi," says Serena. "Is there something I can help you with?" Serena is mesmerize by his eyes and couldn't stop looking at him.

"Yes, maybe you can," says Diamond with a grin.

Another man walks over to where Diamond and Serena are standing. He taps Diamond on his shoulder and Diamond turns around. The young man looks at Serena and she recognizes him then he looks at Diamond.

"Excuse me," says the young man more to Serena as he decks Diamond in the face. Everyone looks over to Diamond on the floor with bloody nose. "Sorry." He looks at Serena then turns away.

"Wait," says Serena jumping over Diamond and grabbing hold of him. "What's your name?"

"Haruka," replies the young man or shall I say woman.

"Haruka." Serena smiles at her. "Thank you."

Diamond's buddy run up to him and help him up. Andrew goes over to them and tells them to get out. Diamond starts to blame Haruka but Andrew decides to ignore him and pushes them all out. Andrew then walks over to Haruka.

"Nice punch," says Andrew with a laugh and they all begin to laugh.

A couple milk shakes later, Haruka explains to Serena her real reason for punching out Diamond.

"He did," says Serena. "I can't believe Darien's friends with a guy like that."

"I wasn't going to let him continue doing that to another girl," says Haruka.

"So, you're with Michiru," says Lita.

"Yes, we met at her family reunion. We've hit it off."

"Oh, I get it now," says Serena.

Andrew, Lita and Mina laugh at Serena's comment.

"You're too pretty for Darien," says Haruka to Serena making her blush.

"I like him," says Serena. She then realize that Andrew is there. He takes a deep sigh and smiles at her.

"You're secret safe with me," says Andrew as he heads over to a new customer.

"He's really a sweet guy once you get to know him. This may sound weird but I always feel safe when I'm around him. I even think of him every minute of the day. Is that normal?"

"Serena you're in love," says Mina. "That's so sweet."

"I feel the same with Michiru," says Haruka. "He better treat you right or he'll have to deal with me."

"And me," says Lita.

"I have two body guards," says Serena. "Am I a princess or something?"

After Andrew had the Crown under control with serving people, Lita, Mina and Serena head out. They say bye to Haruka.

Monday, after school Darien pulls Serena over to his car. He introduces her with some woman with long dark brown hair who looks like a model.

"This is my cousin Rita," says Darien.

"Is she the one that asks you for advice on clothes?" asks Serena.

Darien and Rita laugh at that. Rita then looks at Darien with a stern face.

"You told her that," says Rita feeling embarrassed. "Well, lets get to the business."

"Business?"

"Yes, I'm here to make a new you."

"A new me." Serena turns to Darien. "What is she talking about?"

"She's really great at this," says Darien.

"Why do you…don't you like the way I look?" Serena's blue eyes are glaze and Darien in frozen where he is. "It's my hair, right?"

"Serena it's not what you think. There this party tonight and I want you to come with me as my date. It's masquerade costume party."

"I'm just going to find you a dress and help with your make-up," says Rita. "I promise I won't do anything with your hair."

"Okay," says Serena as she enters Darien's car. He closes the door and faces Rita.

"You sure are the sweet talker," says Rita.

"Get in the car Rita," says Darien.

"What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing."

Darien drives the girls over to an old antique dress shop where Rita works. They both get out of Darien's car and wave as he drives away.

"Okay, we've only got two hours to make you over for tonight," says Rita. "Don't worry Serena, you're in good hands."

"If Darien trust you then I trust you," says Serena as Rita takes her hand and takes her inside the shop.

Inside are tons of old style dresses dating from 1600's to the 1800's. Serena begins to look through the aisles with Rita and finds a really pretty dress in the back of the store.

"That one is beautiful," says Serena.

"Yeah, it is," says Rita. "Don't know why no one buys it. I guess it's your lucky day. Try it on."

Serena puts on the dress in the back room then comes out for Rita to see her in the dress. Rita is surprise that the dress fits her like a glove and it looks incredible on her.

"Serena that's the dress," says Rita. "Now lets look for some accessories."

"Are these all real?" Serena is looking at case filled with old jewelry.

"Some are. Some are really good replicas."

"These earring and that bracelet would work, right?"

"Yes, and I know just the mask for you. Wait here." Rita pulls out a box and places it in front of Serena. She opens the box and pulls out the golden embroidery mask. "Perfect."

The two hours had pass and Darien picks Serena up at the shop. He steps out of the car to open the passenger door for her. As he turns around to look at Serena, he is completely spellbound at how incredibly beautiful she looks.

AN: Okay, one chapter does great and the other not so great. Oh well must be the day. I hoped you all enjoyed it. More soon. R & R.