Understanding Hurt

Chapter 4: Letting Someone In

Serena walked up her driveway to get to her front door thinking about her day at school. When she reached the door she opened it walking inside straight to TV flipping it on.

Seiya heard her come in and walked out his room and into the living room where Serena is. "Hey Ser, how was school today?" She ignored him and continued to watch TV.

He figured that she didn't hear him and repeated his question. "Hey Ser, how was school today?" But she ignored him again.

"Serena Tsukino! Answer my question!" He yelled getting upset.

"Seiya!" She said turning around fast. "Just shut the hell up!" His eyes widened surprised. "You know, you really have changed. Your not my loving sister you used to be." She looked at him with a hard expression. "I grew up, Seiya. That's all." Then she turned and walked away.

"Serena! You get back here right now!" He yelled. She ignored him as she opened the front door and took off running.

Serena was crying as she sat down next to the pond in the park. Darien was jogging through the park until he heard someone crying. She picked up a rock and threw it into the water as she whispered, "I messed it up. Seiya will never forgive me."

Darien looked over to the pond and saw Serena sitting there. He walked over and took a seat next to her. She looked up when she heard someone sitting next to her then looked away. "Still following me, I see."

He laughed and smiled a bit. "No. I only do that when we're in school." He said, trying to make her laugh. But she only laughed without humor. "Yeah, sure. Look just leave me alone, okay?"

"What's wrong?" He asked, ignoring what she just said.

She wiped the tears that were running down her cheek. "Nothing." She stood up and started walking.

"Wait! Why don't you let me walk you home?"

"No, I'm fine." She said as she continued to walk.

"No, you're not fine. Just let me walk you home."

She looked down at her feet as her and Darien walked to her house.

He looked at her. "So, uh, why were you crying back at the pond?

She looked away from him not wanting to answer, but does anyway. "I, uh...got into a fight with my brother that's all." She said, her voice cracking.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

She shrugged. "It doesn't matter. But this is my house, so um thanks I guess." She turned and walked up to her door. He followed her up the steps. She heard him following her so she turned around. "Uh, you can leave now."

"What? Not going to invite me in?"

"I don't even know you."

Serena was standing at her locker getting her books. Darien leaned up against the locker next to Serena's. She slammed her locker shut in frustration. "You know this stalking thing is getting old."

He laughed. "Yeah, I-"

Andrew walked up to him. "Hey Darien, do you have the homework, from Math?"

"Uh, no, I don't." Serena looked over at Andrew.

"That's what I thought." Andrew looked over at Serena and gave her a digusted look before walking away. Serena knew right away why Andrew gave her that look.

"What was that all about?" He asked, referring to Andrew.

"Oh, uh nothing. Look I have to get to class." She turned and walked to her class.

After class, Serena walked out into the courtyard and pulled out her diary turning to a page and writes...

Dear Diary,

I had a fight with Seiya last night, which is usual, but this was different. It wasn't one of our normal little fights. Where we make up like nothing happened afterwards. He said I changed, and I said I grew up. I mean I have but maybe not in a good way. Then there's Darien...