CHAPTER NINE

Again, Serena managed t avoid the awkward questions from her friends, especially the ones regarding the encounter with Darien. She really was becoming quite adept at telling them lies, which she hated. It was the one thing that really played against her true nature. She really hated lying to her family and friends. But the threat that Darien posed to her well-being was far out-weighing whatever it was her friends would do to her once they found out.

But it had served as the perfect opportunity for Serena. It really was quite handy living with the mother of the school genius. Who would have though that there would be such damning evidence to blackmail Darien with? The whole walk home, Serena had been laughing maniacally to herself at the brilliance of her own plan. She really was quite devious. Even he own friends had been subject to her mischief over the years. Except this was different. Serena was unsure as to how she would act when the study sessions started.

Serena was still thinking about this throughout dinner that she did not hear aunt Jenny calling her name until a well place kick to her shin jerked her out of her thoughts. Serena looked towards the brothers and realized that it was Nate who had kicked her judging by the tongue directed her way.

"I'm sorry, aunt Jen. What were you asking?" she asked turning away from Nate.

"I asked what you wanted for a snack tonight?" aunt Jenny explained.

"Oh. Ummmm. I'm not sure."

"Nothing greasy. And make it for two," piped Darien.

All eyes turned towards Darien who just continued to eat as if everything was normal.

"For two? Are you studying too, Darien?" asked a very surprised uncle Kevin.

"Yes. And mom, please bring it up to Serena's room," he continued.

It was then Serena's turn to be scrutinized. Aunt Jenny had a smile on her face, uncle Kevin still wore the same surprised look on his face and Nate was glaring at her again.

"He's helping me study," Serena explained.

Everyone was still staring at the both of them when Darien signaled that it was time to start the study session. Their eyes followed them until they disappeared out of sight of the dining room. Serena gulped. She was having second thoughts. She told herself that she created this situation and she must see it through. What could a weeks' study time to her senses that three years of high school had not already done?

"What do you want to start with?" Darien asked when they made it to her room and sat down at her study table.

"How about math?" Serena handed him the textbook.

"What are you up to?"

"Probably the same as your class."

Darien flicked through her textbook and said, "I don't know what we're up to either."

Serena looked at him with confusion written on her face.

"What do you mean? Do you not do any work in class?"

Darien looked at her blankly and said matter-of-factly, "I have a photographic memory. Once I read something I remember it forever."

Again, Serena had this thought that Darien was not human at all. It was quickly established that Serena was falling behind on her work miserably. It was no wonder that she was failing spectacularly.

"Tonight I will make sure that you memorize and use correctly four formulas."

Serena pouted, "But it's almost midnight."

Darien proved to be quite unmerciful. They ran through several problems until Serena could solve the problems without the scoldings and scowls from Darien. But Serena was happy. She was ecstatic to know that she understood what she was reading. It was a good start. Darien was a great tutor.

Everyday for the whole week Serena and Darien started their tutoring sessions from 7pm until midnight. Darien had devised a timetable for Serena that proved to be beneficial. They had worked together to make a comprehensive book of notes that Serena carried everywhere with her. Each study period Serena would solve problems on each subject that Darien had created for her and every night for one hour they would revise them together.

Her friends were flabbergasted at seeing her determination. They knew that once Serena had taken hold of an idea, it was difficult to steer her away. They watched her work even through meal breaks, which was highly unusual in itself. Serena was usually unstoppable when it came to food. It was the one thing in her life that she gave undivided attention to.
"Okay, so tonight seeing as how it's our last study session, I made you a mock exam" Darien said giving Serena a bundle of papers.

Serena groaned. The exam was tomorrow and she was nervous as hell. But this may be a good way to do a text run of all that she had learnt throughout the wee,

"How did you come up with this?" Serena asked curiously rifling through the papers. At first glance Serena thought it was the real thing.

"I just picked out questions that I thought would come up."

"It looks almost like the real exam."

"Alright, you have three hours."

For the next three hours Serena worked diligently through the mock exam Serena was amazed that she found herself able to answer the questions. She was excited and some of her nervousness was melting away.

"Done!" Serena said out loud after circling the last of the multiple-choice questions.

Serena looked over to Darien and found that he had fallen asleep next to her. He had pillowed his head on his folded arms. Serena watched him sleeping. He had worked just as hard as Serena did this past week. Some would probably argue that he worked harder than she did. He looked so peaceful in his sleep, like a little boy. Serena smiled to herself.

It was rare to see Darien so relaxed and she was happy that she could witness it for herself. His eyelashes were so long that it made her so jealous. His midnight hair looked so soft and was even softer when she brushed it away from his forehead. The love that she felt for him was bursting out of her. If only he felt the same way. For now this would have to be enough.

She put her head down and dreamt a happy dream where all her fantasies had come true.

The next day when Darien and her were leaving, aunt Jenny stopped her at the door and handed her a small pink colored cloth bag.

"I made you a good luck charm," aunt Jenny said.

"Thank you," Serena said and was about to open the bag but aunt Jenny stopped her.

"Open it after you get your exam results."

"Okay," Serena put the charm inside her bag and left.

Before the exam, Serena encountered Darien just outside of his classroom.

"Thank you," she whispered as she passed him by.

"Good luck," Darien muttered right back.

That was the nicest thing she had ever heard from him and it was even better that any good luck charm in the world. She did not want to disappoint him.

Serena was even happier when she received her exam papers. Almost each and every question was very similar to the ones that Darien had given her. She answered them with ease.

Thank you Darien, she thought.