A/N: Wow! I got some good reviews on the first chapter! So I decided to write another one, and here we'll give Darien a POV. Thanks for the reviews, I'll keep the chapters coming when I can!

Benefits

Chapter Two: Our Time Is Running Out

The phone rang. Once...twice...three times a--

"Hello?" a gruff male voice answered. I blinked. "Um...is Hina there?" I asked uncertainly, a slight break in my usually smooth voice. The man cleared his voice, and then I recognized it. "Oh, hey Darien!" her brother said cheerfully. I sighed with relief inwardly. Within a few moments, my girlfriend's calm voice was on the phone. "Hello?" she inquired musically. I grinned. "Hey babe," I said easily.

"Oh...hi Darien..." Something about her tone..."Is something up?" I asked. I could envision her shaking her head. "No, it's just...um...I didn't expect you calling, it's nowhere near nine yet." She was referring to the free minutes we got after nine on our cell phones. I pouted, even though I knew she couldn't see it. "So? I'll pay for it," I said. Then I paused. "Er...is this not a good time?" I asked. Her brother WAS over, after all...she might be busy, I knew she and her brother were very close. She hesitated. "Yeah," she said. "I kinda can't talk right now. Talk to you later babe, love you." And before I could say it back, she was gone.

"Hmm..." I said outloud. "Must be important..." Ah well, when one girl turned me down...

I'm not really a player. Honestly. Things are sorta falling apart with Hina and I, though neither one of us really wants to admit it. Serena and I started up our friendship when she was cast as a Munchkin in last year's production of "The Wizard of Oz". She was in eighth grade then, thirteen, and the most beautiful Munchkin maiden I'd ever seen. I was the title character, so we worked on completely different shifts, but I did get to know her a bit better over the summer.

I've got a bit of a crush on the freshman beauty, but I won't admit it. Out loud, anyway.

I dialed her number. It was only five, and we were fresh out of school. I didn't have any homework, and I know she never did hers...she picked up on the second ring. "Hi Darien," she said cheerfully. I have never seen her upset, she was always perky. I grinned. "Hey gorgeous," I said, laying on the charm I never used with Hina. "Doing anything tonight?" She chuckled, knowing the routine. "I already told my dad, come get me," she said. I laughed. "On my way," I replied, hanging up and heading out to my car.

xbxexnxixfxixtxsx

I leaned over to open the door for Serena, and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. She smiled. That was one of the things that attracted me to this girl. She had such an open mind, and the same wild streak that I did (unlike Hina). But most of all, she appreciated every little gesture I made for her. A simple flirt, a kiss, a wink...she responded to it all. I gave up with Hina, she always looked confused when I'd drop a cheesy pick up line. "Good afternoon, my little rabbit," I said cordially, feigning a British accent. She laughed. "Hey Darien," she said, smiling.

We made our usual drive through the backroads and out to the park by the river. It was mid-October, and slightly chilly. No one was out swimming at this time of the year, just two crazy high school theater students. We got out of the car, and I saw her hug herself for warmth. I stood behind her, wrapping my arms around her and resting my chin on top of her head, between those two hair buns she wore. We were silent for awhile, watching the sun begin its descent.

Serena broke the silence, though.

"How are things between you and Hina?" she asked.

I sighed, hugging her closer. "I really don't know, Bun," I said quietly. "She's getting more and more distant, and I'm falling further and further away from her...it's like she's a totally different person since she started college." She leaned against me, wordlessly listening as I poured out my soul to her. Every single thing about our relationship that was going wrong, every shred of guilt I felt about doing these things with her, and every wish that I made to make it all get better. She listened to word that slid from my lips, never saying anything against it.

It was times like these where I almost loved her.

Finally I finished, out of breath. I released Serena and sat on the car hood, leaning back and staring up at the sky. She sat behind me, and I laid down, my head in her lap. I closed my eyes, and relaxed, breathing in her scent. She knew just how to soothe me...this wasn't the first one of these sort of outings. As I drifted off into a light sleep, I heard her speak (finally). "My Darien," she whispered softly. "Where would you be without me to take care of you?"

I reached for her hand drowsily, lacing my fingers through it. "Nowhere," I said before nodding off.

Chapter Two: end

A little shorter this time...review anyway! Should I keep going?