A/N: I hope you guys love this chapter been working super hard tonight to get the first and second chapter done so the story could get flowing.
Serena awoke abruptly feeling her head pound and her stomach churn. She never was much of a drinker, a shot simply made her feel quite tipsy. She sprawled out of her sleeping bag on Mina's floor and made a beeline to her bathroom.
After some time puking and brushing her teeth to rid the taste from her mouth she returned to Mina's room where the rest of the girls were starting to wake up. Mainly each girl had a headache since they were used to drinking more often so the effects on them were less strong. Ami however decided against drinking and felt no effect. Serena envied her currently.
"So Serena," Mina yawned, "Want to explain how you managed to shove your tongue down a stranger's throat last night? Or why?" Mina raised her eyebrow suspiciously.
"I don't know he was cute and I was sort of drunk," Serena shrugged shyly.
"You sure it had nothing to do with Andrew watching you?" Raye smirked.
"Well the first small kiss did but after that something came over me, probably the alcohol," Serena blushed remembering his dominance in the kiss.
"Well I am all for you making Andrew jealous but be careful you didn't know him and it's dark in there for all you know he could be forty," Lita laughed.
"I seriously doubt he was forty he was too perfect to be THAT old," Serena laughed throwing a pillow and Lita.
After the girls had fully awoken they all packed their things and went their separate ways home. Serena walked the short way home while she pondered about last night. Lita's words made her think a bit. How old was he anyway? No way was he forty but then again maybe he looked younger and it was dark in there. She knew his name was Darien, maybe she would check on Facebook for him later. But she secretly hoped she would see him again one day. A day where she was less drunk.
Once she made her way to her house she headed inside to dodge her parents catching the slightest smell of alcohol on her she darted up the stairs to her room where she changed out of her clothes and threw her things in a pile on the floor and grabbed her shower towel off the back of her door where she headed to the bathroom to clean herself up so her parents would be clueless to her activities.
She stood in the steamy hot shower while the water trickled down her head and body and began to think of him again. Who was he was all she kept asking herself, she had never seen him around town and she was always out with her friends at various places. So where did he come from. She continued to wash her hair thinking of him while all thoughts of Andrew disappeared.
Once the smell of alcohol had worn off her she returned to her bedroom and slipped on some sweats and a baggie t-shirt and made her way downstairs to grab a bite to eat from the snack pantry.
Only half way down the stairs Serena's mother finally noticed her presence home, "Serena dear when did you get home I didn't even hear you come in?"
That was because she snuck her way upstairs to avoid them, "Oh a while ago I guess you guys were in another room," Serena shrugged avoiding eye contact, her mom could almost read her lies in her eyes.
"Alright, well get dressed please? We are going out to dinner to celebrate your birthday since we couldn't celebrate last night," Her mother smiled.
Serena nodded and turned around with a pout she was hungry now she didn't want to wait till they went out which was sure to take forever. Once back in her room she began to brush out her endlessly long golden blonde hair till it was free of tangles and styled it in her traditional bun-pigtail hairdo. She only wore her hair differently for special occasions. She then began to dress herself in a modest white skirt that touched her knees and a baby pink blouse. She saw no purpose in putting on any makeup other than a little foundation and mascara since it was just her family.
Once ready she headed back downstairs again hoping this time fill her stomach which was now starting to ache from the lack of food. But noticed her parents were in their own rooms still getting ready. She groaned out loud and plopped down on the couch trying to not grow too impatient. After what felt like hours but in actuality was only ten minutes Serena's parents emerged from their room and they all began to pile out the front door into her parents' car.
The family of three finally much to Serena's pleasure pulled up to an Italian restaurant that Serena had been going to one time every year for the past seventeen years. She loved this place and loved their cheese and sundried tomato pizza. She got it every year. They all entered the brickhouse Italian restaurant while the smell of tomatoes and garlic entered all of their noses in a welcoming manner. Serena's mouth watered at the scents invading her nose and then her and her family was escorted by a hostess to a booth where they were immediately served with some drinks. Once all three of their drinks were on the table and their orders were placed the family began some small table talk.
"So Serena," Her mother started calmly almost nervous of her daughter suddenly.
This reaction made Serena nervous she knew what was ever about to come out was going to be bad or very intrusive and she hated like all teenagers did when their parents pried into their lives to find out exactly what it was they did behind closed doors or online.
"Your father and I have agreed now that you are seventeen and going to be eighteen before we know it that it's time for you to get a job and get some experience," Her mother paused for Serena to have an outburst.
But Serena didn't feel upset or bother she actually was excited. She always wanted a job but whenever she brought home an application her parents always disagreed with the place of employment and discouraged her.
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the waiter who was placing their scorching hot meals before them. It took all of Serena's power to not scarf down her sacred pizza due the smoldering heat it held in fear of burning her tongue.
When Serena felt confident that the pizza was now cool enough she picked it up and brought it to her lips prepared to take a hulking bite out of it when her father interrupted her bite of heaven to continue the conversation her mother left off with, "But not just any job, we don't see a fast food restaurant or a clothing store any beneficial to your future and those jobs tend to be very inflexible with a student like yourself."
Serena put down her pizza upset she couldn't enjoy her meal at the moment, "But why not Dad? Those jobs build character, where else can I even work at my age," Serena frowned at her parents across from her.
"Your mother has a friend from her nursing ward who is in desperate need of a babysitter," Her father smiled now hoping his daughter would accept.
Serena's frown began to fade knowing she loved kids and dabbled in her thoughts in the future in becoming a school teacher for younger kids, "Do I know her?" Serena smiled at her mom.
Her mom responded, "No you don't but she can't wait to meet you. She has a three year old daughter she would like you to watch."
"How often?" Serena smiled.
"Well, she will go over that during your guys' interview later this week. She wants to meet you for coffee sometime this week, but she will let me know what day later," Her mom smiled glad her daughter was so compliant.
"That's wonderful thanks mom," Serena smiled brightly and finally indulged herself in her pizza she had been so patient for its savory taste.
Once the family had finished their meals they all packed themselves back up into the car and returned home. Once Serena was alone in her room again and changed for bed she began to think about the woman who she would be babysitting for. She wondered if she was nice and what her daughter liked, and what the woman expected of her. Her mind again wandered back to the man from last night. She smiled to herself and began to drift off to sleep.
On the other side of town Darien tucked his daughter into bed and kissed her on her forehead before retreating back to the living room where he plopped down on the couch and turned on the television to his favorite show. Not even two minutes into the show his wife Beryl bellowed down the stairs in a huff.
"What's wrong?" Darien sighed not even knowing why he bothered asking anymore.
"I have to leave now and I can find my heels," Beryl grumbled.
"Where are you going this late?" Darien rose his brow knowing whatever Beryl said was a lie.
"Out with friends, its Ann's birthday," Beryl smiled while looking around the living room for her heels.
"Sure," Darien mumbled under his breath, "What heels are you looking for?"
"The black ones with the red bottoms," Beryl said looking under the couch.
"The ones that cost more than this house," Darien frowned, he hated those damn things.
What was the point in all this designer shit, they weren't rich no matter how much Beryl wanted to act like they were. They were well off but that extra money should be spent on paying off the house early, their daughter, or a million other things rather than a designer bag to throw her shit in or some expensive heels that would break eventually. Beryl was a nurse for Christ's sake not some reality TV star. While Darien was a successful business man at a firm that once belonged to his father that he inherited after he passed away this last year. Sure they had money but that money shouldn't be going only to her.
"Don't start," Beryl frowned but smiled quickly after she found her expensive heels on the floor behind the couch, "Okay I am leaving honey," She smiled in a fake manner before placing a quick unenthusiastic kiss on his cheek before quickly leaving out the door before Darien could protest.
Darien let out a groan knowing his wife was again leaving to cheat on him and got up off the couch no longer caring for his favorite TV show now and headed towards his shower. Once the water was heated up and the bathroom was completely steamed he got into the shower where he rubbed his face with the hot water hoping to alleviate his agitating feelings towards his bitter wife. His mind began to wander off towards the beautiful blonde from the night before. A smile spread across his face at the thought of her. He only wished he was able to take her to a hotel room before her friends dragged her off. He had seen plenty of beautiful women before but this one was different. She had something about her that made him still think about her even after their encounter. He began to ponder on why he hadn't seen her before. She had to be roughly twenty or twenty one if she was drinking that night which made him wonder where she worked and if he had ever seen her before but possibly didn't recognize her. That could be possible she was all done up he thought. Plus it was dark she could be different looking. He stood in the shower while steam surrounded him while he tried to recall as best as he could what her face looked like or if he could match her name with anyone he knew.
After an hour Darien gave up and turned the hot water and dried himself off and slipped into some boxers and sweats and got into his bed which he used to share with his wife but now each of them slept alone in it at separate times.
Serena bolted up out of bed to her alarm buzzing waking her from her dreams. She groaned and plopped back down in her bed wishing she was still asleep, in her dream she was kissing that mysterious man again but this time they shared a gentle kiss over a milkshake. She let out a sigh knowing even if she fell asleep again her dream would more than likely not pick up where it left off. She turned off her alarm and began to roll herself out of bed to get ready for school.
It was in the middle of the school year and Serena and her friends were all seniors. Senior year was the year of parties and most importantly senior prom, although that was a ways away still.
Serena began to brush out her endlessly long blonde hair redoing her bun and pigtail hairstyle everyone teased her so much for and began to dress herself in her school's uniform. Once she was dressed and ready she applied some light natural makeup and made her way downstairs where she was greeted by her mother who handed her a piece of toast with jam on it while she got ready to leave for work.
"I am off to work Serena, but my friend wanted me to let you know that she wants meet you today at four at the coffee shop across from that arcade you and all your friends go to," Her mother smiled while she grabbed her purse.
"Used to go to," Serena emphasized.
"You will get over him honey," Her mother smiled kissing her daughter's forehead, "Promise you'll meet her today though?"
"Yes mom," Serena smiled up at her mom till her mom finally left the house.
Her mother left around the time Serena usually left for school while her father usually left way before Serena even woke up in the morning.
Serena quickly scarfed down the toast and grabbed her school bag and left the house as well while she walked her familiar path to school, feeling slightly nervous about her interview with her mom's friend after school. What if she decided Serena wasn't cut out for babysitting, where would she work it's not like her parents made it easy for her to get any job. Serena sighed and pushed those thoughts out of her head and put on a big smile on her face when she approached her and her friends' meeting spot outside the school.
"Hey Serena," The girls all greeted her in unison.
"You're late," Raye frowned.
"I am so not late," Serena shouted at the raven haired girl.
"Only by two minutes," Ami giggled.
"That's not late," Serena shouted again.
"Maybe meatball head is eating too many donuts again and is getting slow by the extra weight," Raye laughed while all the other giggled at the two and their crazy antics.
"Anyway Serena I meant to ask you something yesterday before you left my house," Mina whispered with a smile spread across her face.
"What's up?" Serena raised a brow looking at the fellow blonde feeling something mischievous was up.
"Did you ever catch mysterious man's name? I thought we could do some hunting on him," Mina smiled.
"All I know his name is Darien," Serena shrugged already knowing they had no such look of finding him online.
"I might be able to find something based on that," Mina smiled.
"Mina it's pretty doubtful unless I knew his last name, we aren't sure even how many people share that name," Serena sighed as the bell rang for classes indicating they all had to say their goodbyes and head to their classrooms.
A/N: Alright guys thank you for reading and please review and I promise more to come soon –heart-