Understanding Hurt
Chapter 10: Bad News
Serena walked into the school with Darien hand in hand. I could feel everybody watching me...us. I'm sure they were all thinking, why was Darien, the new kid with her. I mean why would they not be thinking that? I'm Serena Tsukino the girl who killed her best friend.
He let go of Serena's hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Raye was standing at her locker with her friends, watching Serena and Darien as they made their way down the hall. She turned around and let out a heavy sigh.
When Darien wrapped his arm around my waist, I felt safe. With him, I don't have to worry about anything. All the hurt just goes away...
Serena and Darien walked into their class, Math. He took his seat in the very back, where he normally sat, Serena sitting next to him. She pulled out her notebook and copied the problems that were on the board and then she went on to solving them while Darien was still on the first problem. He sighed and threw his pencil down. "I hate math! I don't understand any of it!"
She looked up at him. "Sounds like you need some help." She said, cracking a small smile.
"Yeah, I do." He paused. "My house, later tonight?" He asked smiling.
"Uh, sure I guess." She said not really wanting to because she knew Andrew didn't like her.
I made my way to Darien's front door nervous. I've been here before but as we all know that didn't go so well...
She reached the front door and reached out and rang the doorbell, letting out a deep breath as she did so. Darien opened the door, letting her in. "You can go have a seat in the living room, if you want. I have to go up to my room and get my book."
"Okay." She said then she turned and walked into the living room as she heard Darien run up the stairs.
A brown haired girl that had her hair in a high ponytail turned her head as Serena walked in. "Hi!" She said in a friendly tone.
"Uh hi." She said confused as to who the girl was.
Andrew turned and looked at Serena. "Lita this is Serena. Serena this is Lita." He said in a nice tone. Serena was shocked by how nice Andrew was being. She just stared at him before she looked back at Lita. "Hi, nice to meet you."
A woman with short blonde hair up to her neck walked in the living room. "Lita, what time do I need to have you back at the airport tonight?" Serena turned her head and looked at him confused as to who she was too.
The woman looked at Serena. "Oh, sorry. Did I interrupt something?" She asked.
"Oh no, your fine. I was just waiting for Darien." She paused. "I'm one of Darien's friends, Serena Tsukino."
"Oh, I'm Amara, Darien's older sister. It's nice to meet you." She said, extending her hand so Serena could shake it. Serena extends her hand as well shaking Amara's hand. Darien came running down the stairs, with his book in his hand. "Okay, so you ready to tutor me in Math?" He asked Serena. "Let's go." She said as she turned and headed into the kitchen. Darien followed her into the kitchen and sat down next to her at the table.
"Who was that girl on the couch with Andrew?"
"Oh, that was his girlfriend, Lita."
"Really? I've never seen her around here before."
"That's because she doesn't live here. She pretty much lives across the country. She lives where we used to live, and she just comes and visits when she has the chance."
"Oh, that's nice. I didn't know you had an older sister."
"Yeah, but she's off at college most of the time. She's just home for the week."
"Oh." She said, not really knowing what else to say so she just looked up at him. Their eyes met and he leaned in and touched his lips to hers.
The next day, Serena sat on her bed remembering the night she had with Darien. She grabbed her diary out from under her bed and opened it to a new page and began to write...
Dear Diary,
It's been a while since I wrote. A lot has been going on. Ever since Darien came into my life, it's changed...I don't-
She was interrupted by her phone ringing. She reached over and grabbed her phone off her nightstand and answered it.
"Hey." He said and a smile spread across his face.
"Hey." She said smiling at the sound of his voice.
"Thanks for the help last night. I think I finally understand math for the first time in my life." He said letting out a small laugh.
She laughed. "Your welcome."
He smiled at the sound of her laugh. He stayed silent for a moment before he spoke again, "Hey...uh Serena, I uh-"
"Darien?" She paused. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"I really didn't want to tell you this way."
"Tell me what?" She asked nervous already. "Darien?"
"I'm-" He stopped not wanting to hurt her. "I'm moving...back to my hometown."
"...Why would you leave me? Especially now?" She asked as tears stung her eyes. "I still need you, Darien..."
"I'm sorry." He said knowing that he hurt her more than he wanted to. She stayed silent as she let the tears run down her face. He hung up the phone without another word, not wanting to hurt Serena more than he already has. He laid the phone down next to him and put his face in his hands as images of Serena filled his mind.