86. Tackle
Darien was taking his usual route to the Arcade, his worn green blazer nestled on his shoulders, and his lips smirking his signature smile. It was going to be a good day. It was going to be good, until he realized he hadn't seen Serena all day. He screeched to a halt, kicking gravel along the path and frowned.
He played back the day in his head, but couldn't recall a single flash of blond streamers or echo of a wail. Honestly, it made him frown. And frowning made him realize how empty his life was without her.
His feet skidding along the path, dragging like a petulant child's. He just about threw a tantrum right there in the park. So wrapped up in his depression, he didn't hear the crunching gravel behind him before it was too late.
Serena plowed into Darien, hurling him to the ground and smashing his face into the path. She popped up, begging forgiveness.
"Oh! I'm so sorry," she wheezed, a little bruised herself. "Are you oka-
She bit off the end of her sentence and swallowed it as the green jacket groaned and rolled over. Her sheepish look quickly turned into a shocked one. Darien glared at her from the ground and she burst into laughter.
"Oh Darien, I'm sorry but you have pebbles stuck your face!" she giggled. "I must say, it's quite an improvement."
Her eyes swept his prone form one last time before skipping off down the trail, most likely toward the arcade. Darien knew for a fact that the whole building would know about this before he got anywhere near there.
He brushed the rocks off his face and smiled at the pile that came off in his hand. Today was going to be a good day.