Oh yea, I know… I suck with updates on this story, huh? But… here it is, after months of waiting… the third chapter! YAY! Enjoy.

"What is this?" Darien roared at the little radio, singing happily with the same voice he had heard twice already. His fists clenched themselves at his side, his lower lip pinched between his teeth as he gathered up the last of his composure in an attempt to stop himself from losing all control. Hadn't he suffered enough already? Had he dreamt twice in a row? Or was he… stuck?

Stuck…

Was that even possible? Was it even logical that he could be stuck in… a day? Doomed to repeat his most despised day of the entire year… could reality be that cruel? Darien's hands unfurled themselves, digging into his soft black hair as he fell back onto his bed. Millions of thoughts skimmed through his head, many as irrational as the current situation. Was he stuck for a reason… was there a purpose in all of this? The announcer's voice had faded, a love song taking its place. The song was a dim ring amongst the many thoughts buzzing in Darien's head… the words barely registering…

I've seen what you can do

I've seen you make miracles and hopeless dreams come true

You've made the heavens and the stars

Everything, come on how hard

Could it be, To make her love me?

I've said some things I shouldn't have

Tried everything to win her back

I'm human, I messed up, Is she gone, Are we done?

Forgiveness, another chance, that's all I want, it's in your hands

Like the flick of a switch, all lights turned on within Darien's mind, his eyes wide. His hands releasing his hair, he ran into the shower and poured the water over his skin, prepared to be on time. Now was he thinking that he could fix this by winning her heart? That he could free himself from this torturous day by making her love him? Did that matter to him at all? Of course not… only one thought occupied his mind now.

This is my chance.

Darien hardly noticed the rest of his morning routine, his body working separately from his mind. He needed to get to the arcade… he needed to see her. The smile on his lips glowed brightly as he pulled his shirt over his head. This is amazing, he thought, most people don't get the chance to fix their mistakes… I'm being offered the chance to fix two. He could make this right again, he could make he fall in love with him. No… not could, that was the wrong word. Would. He would make her see who he truly was – he would make her love him.

Serena…

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Darien marched into the arcade, fully prepared for anything that might come his way. He knew the day before had started beautifully, up to the point where he lost his temper. This time, he swore to himself, this time I will not lose my temper. She can say anything she wants… I will take it all, I will smile and brush it off. I won't hurt her this time.

"Hey Darien," Andrew said in the same perky tone that Darien had come accustomed to. Just like reading the lines of a play, Darien knew everything that he had to say to lead up to his dearest Meatball Head.

"What's up, Andrew?" Same chuckle, same cup of coffee. Darien smiled into the steam, taking a sip of the warm contents. It was comforting, really… he didn't need to worry about slipping up. He could make everything perfect, with time.

"What's up? Dude, it's Valentine's Day!" Andrew said, just as happy as the two times before, the same sparkles gleaming within his love struck eyes. Of course, Andrew… you have your loving girlfriend and soon, very soon, I will know the same joy that you do.

Darien knew the rest of the line, but he was more than happy to complete it himself, "It's the most romantic day of the year!"

Andrew had scowled the first day… the second day… and today Darien had caused him to do the opposite. Rather than sending his eyebrows to scrunch up, they perked up in an obvious look of surprise. There was no resentment or sarcasm… Darien sounded generally happy about Valentine's Day. "Uh… Dar?" Andrew placed his hand against his friend's forehead to check for a fever, "You don't feel warm… are you okay?"

But Darien didn't hear his friend… he barely even noticed when his hand touched his head. She had walked into the arcade – punctual for once, despite the fact that she wasn't trying. She didn't know she had a date waiting for her, ready to sweep her off her feet on this most romantic day. Darien stood up from his stool, knowing that her first try at the game would end early and that his moment would arrive shortly after. "Dar…?"

Andrew stared blankly as Darien walked over to the blonde hunched over at the machine, her nose scrunched in concentration. Her fingers flew across the buttons, but it did no good in defeating the villains of the game. Darien smiled as a frown fell upon her lips, her hand dipping into her pockets in search for another quarter… this was his cue.

Clunk.

The soft clink of a quarter tumbling into the machine and finding a rest upon the mounds of change within caused Serena's head to snap up to the culprit. As the game chimed to life and the start up screen was presented towards her, her bright blue eyes met the stormy eyes of Darien. A smooth grin slid across his lips as he leaned against the machine, "You were looking for another quarter, right?"

She stared at him blankly for the second time in a row, nodding her head slowly in response. Looking happy, dumbfounded, ditzy… all expressions were beautiful when displayed upon her face. Darien couldn't help but grin wider at her confused expression, the next line sliding out perfectly, "Well, then I suppose this one is on me… Happy Valentine's Day…" Darien caught his tongue, the hated nickname nearly slipping past his lips, "Serena."

Andrew's eyes were as wide as Serena's when Darien spoke her real name. Something was indeed different about his friend today, his happiness and willingness to please Serena were far too different from his usual tactics. He would have suspected a new development between the two, but he could tell by Serena's expression that she had no idea what was happening either.

"D-Darien…?" She whispered up to him. He hadn't moved after speaking her name. He was staring at her with those deep blue eyes, calculating , inquisitive, passionate… Serena shook her head in a futile attempt to clear her mind. It was nothing different, of course. Even on his cruelest moments she found herself lost in the depths of his eyes.

"Yes, Serena?" Darien had to admit he was enjoying this in every way possible. Her confusion was more than apparent… her beautiful blue eyes deep in thought. Go ahead, Serena… figure me out if you can.

"I bet this is the biggest gift you've ever gotten a girl," she said with a grin, expecting the obvious. Darien didn't even feel a twinge of pain at this comment… he was assuming she would respond with some sort of insult, hoping that it would jolt him out of this new behavior. Wish away, Serena… I'm going to keep my temper, he thought with an inward grin, I'm going to make you realize… me…

"You know…" he sighed deeply and dropped his gaze, noticing with a quick glance that her grin had grown. She was waiting for this. He peered at her through his dark lashes, his grin just as smooth as ever, "You're right, Serena. It probably is… perhaps…" He knelt down so that he was at eye level with his beautiful angel. She was gaping at him now, completely lost for words, "Perhaps you could help me change that?"

Serena's mouth had gone completely dry from the second that he peered at her through those lashes. What a hunk… Serena thought. She didn't have to inwardly scream at herself for that – there was no denying that Darien was an unbelievably attractive man. She could hate him from head to toe and that still wouldn't stop the fact that he was quite possibly the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. Not that she'd ever say that out loud. She tried to mutter out another insult… something to bring Darien back to his original state… but the only word that left her mouth was, "H-how?"

So, she's interested already? Come now, Serena… put up a fight. Darien smirked inwardly at the thought. A fight was the last thing he wanted from her… he wanted her to love him as much as he loved her and a fight would not improve the situation. He reached forward and took one of her hands in both of his, listening to her breath catch in her throat. "Well… if you're not too busy… I'd love to spend the day improving my expenditures on girls." He paused, rubbing his thumb over the top of her hand, "Namely you."

She tried to swallow, but there was no moisture left. Her mouth, her throat… completely dry and completely at a loss for any decent response. His hands were warm against hers, his thumb like silk dancing across her skin. What had changed the man she knew so well? The man that she could predict perfectly, know ever insult and rebuttal before they left his lips… had changed completely. So what did Serena do? There was nothing she could do, besides nod.

Andrew watched as Darien, hands still holding onto Serena, stood up and lifted the young blonde with him. He watched in awe as his best friend slipped his arm around the waist of the girl he had teased every single day of the week and led her out the arcade's doors. What's going on with you today, Darien? Andrew wondered to himself, And why Serena? What are you scheming…?

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Serena squealed in delight as Darien retrieved the stuffed teddy from the deposit slot on the machine. Crane games… easy satisfaction for just about anyone and after hours of practice he had worked up quite a skill. At least a skill for realizing that a certain amount of bills would trick the game into a play until you win scenario. He handed the stuffed joy to Serena who accepted it happily, squeezing it tightly within her arms.

They had of course gone to the mall, the most accessible place for anything that Serena might ask for. He had indulged her with chocolate fudge, entertained her with the new VR center, warmed her with hot cocoa in the café and finally the crane games. He smiled down at her, her eyes staring down upon the new bear in her arms. "I'm glad you like it."

"Darien?" she whispered, pulling the bear closer as she met his gaze. She had enjoyed the day… she had loved the day… but why was he doing this? "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Because…" he began, biting his lower lip momentarily in thought. He had expected this question, racked his mind for answers to it… but nothing fit. "I've been mean to you for too long and I want to make up for that. I want to be friends."

"Oh…" she muttered, staring back down at the bear. Darien watched her, affection shining in his eyes. She was expecting more of an answer than what he had given her… that much was obvious. He rested his hand upon her shoulder, causing her to stare back into his eyes, "What is it?"

"I love you, Serena," he whispered, a smile wide upon his lips. He had told her… told the woman that he cared about more than anything else… that he loves her. He had planned the entire day, word for word and action for action. He knew how she would react, how he could make her smile. Everything went perfectly…

Until now.

"I hate you." Darien's eyes widened with her response, watching as her eyes filled up with tears. This wasn't right… he hadn't planned for this. She wasn't supposed to cry tears of sorrow or say that she hated him; it was wrong. He was about to open his mouth to respond, but she stopped him before he could, "You're horrible, Darien. Smart, but horrible."

"Serena, I…" he started, but once again she shot him down.

"No! You've… you… you did all of this to hurt me, didn't you? You made me so happy, you made me… made me care about…" No, no, no… why was this happening? Why was she reacting this way? "You did all that just to say that you love me… to make me want you to say that."

"But Serena, I do…" she turned away from him now, moving away from him. He reached forward to place his hand back upon his shoulder, but predicting his movements, she moved.

"No, you don't. How could you? You were too nice," she muttered, her words and shoulders quivering with her tears, "You set me up. You would make me love you and then… tomorrow… you would laugh."

Darien stared at her, mouth wide open and hand still reaching out to her. That's what she thought I would do… he whispered inwardly, she thought I would do all this just as some large prank?

"You would laugh," she continued, choking back tears over the words, "And it would hurt more than it does now. But I won't let you hurt me like that, Darien. I will never care for you that way."

She didn't even turn to look him in the eyes. She didn't bother to see the pain written clearly across his face… didn't notice his heart on the floor. She simply walked away from him, leaving him with tears in his eyes and pain in every part of his body. He could barely swallow, lost to her words.

She hates me… She truly…

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"…Yesterday you'd forgiven me,

But it will still be two days 'til I say I'm sorry."

It didn't wake him up… Darien had been waiting for the alarm to switch over for nearly half an hour now. The song finished, the announcer sang their cheerful montage of Valentine's Day chatter… but it didn't matter. Darien set his left hand over his eyes, closing them tightly against his palm. He had so much resolve… he always kept his chin up, even if his attitude didn't always display it. He never let his feeling break through his tough skin, but today… the fourth day… the fourth day of seeing her, of breaking his heart. Today, he couldn't help it.

Darien let the tears fall.

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