The room was thick with tension, Serena waited for Amy to speak as did the rest of the room. Four pairs of eyes focused on the tiny bluenette who wanted to ease the tension but at the same time knew she was about to release a can of worms.
"I know our approach was a bit unorthodox but we all felt that Darien might be able to reach you in a different manner that we can't. But I take full responsibility for the outcome" she stated, her brow furrowed in thought while Serena tried to control her emotions. She was shocked this was Amy's ideas she thought it would be Raye's idea for sure maybe Lita but not Amy.
"I don't know why any of you felt that way. He means nothing to me. Honestly I'm over him and his bullshit," said Serena her eyes giving away her true feelings.
"Like hell you are," voiced Raye who had a determined look on her face. "We all see how your face lights up when you hear his name. How you come closer when you think we are about to make reference to him."
"Even that one-night stand was just cover-up for what you were feeling," spoke up Mina for the first time, "Look Serena before you headed downstairs I caught you looking at your phone at his number you stared at the contact, turned off your phone and headed towards the first dark-haired guy you could find."
"You have to fight, I know you can be brave enough." stated Lita who held a fiery gaze in her eyes while taking ahold of Serena's hands in her own.
"What proclaim my love for him? Tell him I'd rather die than be without him that we were destined to be together. That I crawl up into a ball every day on September 21 and cry myself to sleep. Grow up you guys," she said while closing her eyes gently taking her hands away from Lita and walking away from the girls.
"He was the first boy I loved the first boy I kissed. He was the first man to make love to me." She said her voice trembling yet continued "Then he broke my heart he broke me," Serena continued her voice failing her.
"Love is worth fighting for and I believe you and Darien have that. I believe in your love, in love in general if I didn't I wouldn't be where I am now." came Amy's strong reply. Her blue eyes focused on the devastated blonde woman.
"I know you think he's being an ass and honestly he is but he's suffering too I can feel it," stated Raye
"You should have heard the lecture he gave me earlier; He had the nerve to call me disappointing! After he broke everything off and left me looking like an idiot!" Serena yelled shaking with the emotion that consumed her. She looked around and saw the soft faces of her friends.
"We love you Serena, we just want you back the real you," said Mina "Please just take into consideration what we said but let's not ruin our time together."
Sniffling Serena said "I'm sorry you guys I just want it to stop, the missing him the loneliness. I am so happy for you Amy for all of you guys who have found your soul mates."
The girls embraced all feeling the sadness Serena emanated, crying for their best friend who was getting married and the other who was heartbroken. The moment was broken when Serena began to chuckle from the middle of the cluster they had formed.
"Wow Raye never thought I'd see you shed a tear again the only time I can remember was when I borrowed your bike in second grade and you thought I ran off with it" laughed Serena.
"It was a gift from my grandmother and you had a habit for taking things and returning them in horrible condition crybaby," replied Raye who smacked Serena on the back of the head.
"You guys don't ruin the moment with your childish arguing" pleaded Mina. "Fine Mina chill but remember in sixth grade..." continued Raye. The girls laughed on the floor sipping on wine and eating the cupcakes Mina had brought while they recalled their childhoods. An hour later a box of empty cupcakes laid on the floor the ache in Serena's heart fading as it concentrated on the support of her four friends.
"Don't forget wedding rehearsal tonight, just the finishing touches I swear," stated Amy looking down in order to avoid the tired faces of her friends. The perfectionist side of her asking to be gratified.
"Zoicite insists as well and you know how he can get," continued Amy her voice waning. "Yeah yeah yeah he'll kill us if we ruin his day," stated Raye not one bit intimidated by an angry Zoicite. "What a groomzilla. I've seen enough My Fair Wedding to see how bad men can get" came Mina's serious response. The girls erupted in laughter at Mina's response.
"While I think Zoicite is unnaturally involved in the planning, I hardly think that makes him a 'Groomzilla'" chuckled Amy.
The meeting concluded and the girls headed separate ways with the intention to meet at 7pm that night. Millions of thoughts swarmed Serena's mind mostly the reoccurring thought; to fight or to fall she thought. Yet before she knew it she was in front of her coffee shop, not hers but the one she frequented. Taking a deep breathe she went in half hoping to run into Seiya half hoping she would not see him. She ordered and took a seat waiting for her name to be called in the semi full shop.
A few minutes later coffee in hand Serena took a seat once again when the door swung open reveling Seiya and box he was juggling. After he placed it on top of a shelf he found Serena's gaze and threw a smile her way. Serena rubbed her lips in anticipation what was she thinking she had enough torment with one man this was no time to be lusting after another.
Nevertheless Seiya approached her, "Couldn't wait to see me again?" he said flirtatiously taking the seat in front of her.
Surprised but intrigued Serena turning on her charm and replied, "Cocky much?"
"Transparent much?" came his respond and trademark smirk.
"I'm no good at this am I that obvious?" she said softly looking down and then back up.
"Hey I didn't mean to upset you" said Seiya softly mesmerized by her big blue eyes. At his reaction Serena threw a smirk worthy of his own. "Not bad huh?" she giggled.
"What can I say I'm sucker for those baby blues" he said holding her gaze. She laughed feigning interest and added "Whatever strokes your ego."
"If it's my ego you want to make it up to, go out with me next Saturday," replied Seiya reaching out to stroke the side of her hand.
Serena weighed her options did she want to be the lonely single bridesmaid at her friend's wedding and what would she do if Darien brought a date? She didn't want to spite him but she wanted to at least be prepared if he showed up with someone else.
A slight blush crept up on her face and she nodded before saying "No I can't well I can't that day but actually I was wondering if you could come with me to my friend's wedding?" She waited for his response feeling slightly guilty for the attraction she felt for his man but at the same time reminding herself that Darien was out of the picture if he wanted her he would have to prove it in the meantime why shouldn't she give Seiya a chance.
"I'd enjoy that very much Serena" responded Seiya his hand still on hers. Number exchanged and a few minutes later Serena left the coffee shop content with her trip. The day continued as Serena ran a few errands deciding to go grocery shopping the next day her typical Sunday routine. At about 6:30 Serena was almost done her long hair in a casual updo a royal blue wrap dress that hugged her hips and waist. She applied light touches of make-up and decide to make her ways to the hotel that would host the ceremony practice.
The hall was lit up in beautiful silver and blue lights no doubt choices made by the groom, Serena laughed at the thought and entered the room. Mina and Kunzite stood at the beginning of the aisle walkway while Raye and Jadeite made their way to the end of the aisle arm in arm. At the archway on one side was Lita across from her was Nephrite with Darien standing next to him. The doors shut with more noise than Serena expected, "Crap" she muttered making her way behind Mina while greeting Amy's and Kunzite's parents.
"Good you're here Sere," came Amy's demure voice. "Darien make your way back here and we can continue the sequence."
"And why am I last?" she asked
"Sorry short stuff but it looks so much better if we stick you guys in a ladder," replied Zoicite with a chuckle.
"Can't argue with your logic I guess, I'm just surprised you called me short to my face," said Serena sticking out her tongue while Zoicite rolled his at her childish antics.
At that moment Darien offered his arm his face stoic as always. Serena sighed and took his warm arm feeling the electricity spark between them as it had it in the past. Neither one said anything as they both thought the same thing; this is what it would have been like. This is where they belonged where they felt at home and safe, unknown to them but not to their friends they clinged on to each other and made the walk agonizingly slow neither one wanting to let go.
They departed at the arch; their eyes meet her eyes looking for the man that swore to protect her. His brain scattering to overpower his heart and soul but his decision was final for her it had to be. The moment was stopped when the pianist showed up apologizing for her tardiness. The rehearsal continued but this time Darien refused to look her in the eye afraid he would take it all back precautions out the window.
The girls went back to the bride's preparation room where Amy showed her something blue, old, new and borrowed excited with her items some gifts others family heirlooms. The girls presented Amy with a small locket that held a picture of all five inside on one side while the other side showed Amy and Zoicite. The men stood outside in the hallway, Zoicite contemplating the choice of wedding song while Nephrite urged them to go get something to eat.
" C'mon let's go get something to eat preferably somewhere I can have a drink," said Nephrite " Lita has been driving me nuts with all the catering details,' Check this how does this taste ' well after about twenty cake samples they all taste the same."
"Don't know why you don't say no, Raye would never pull that on me," came Jadeite's cool reply. "She's feisty but she knows when to back off."
"Yeah Raye back off ha that's hilarious," said Kunzite while Darien gave a small chuckle.
"Ahh so he does talk" stated Jadeite testing the mood of his friend.
"I'm in no mood Jadeite" the dark haired man stated his eyes looking away from the group of men.
"Could it have to do something with a tiny blonde you know long blonde hair small waist big …." Jadeite said in taunting manner.
"Watch your mouth" Darien replied his voice clearly annoyed.
"I was going to say blue eyes shesh where's your head? Do you think I have a death wish? If Raye even heard me telepathically she'd kill me" said Jadeite his eyes narrowing. At this Darien ran a hand through his hair he was acting crazy but he couldn't get her out of his head his heart ached for her as well as his body.
Hoping to break the tension Kunzite said, "So the rest of us are heading downtown dinner and some drinks you two in? The girls are on there already."
"Sure" replied Darien unsure of what this night could lead to. "If my best buddy is in then so am I" mocked Jadeite
The women arrived half an hour before the men choosing a large booth in the corner Lita and Amy opting for some food then drinks. On the other hand Mina, Raye and Serena ordered their choice of liquor.
"I'm so glad we could all unwind you know after the long day," said Serena ordering a round of shots for the three. "Yeah about that Kunzite and the rest will be here any minute," said Mina trying her best to look innocent.
Seeing Serena's nervous demeanor Raye jumped in "Fuck it we'll still have a good time and if you haven't noticed karaoke is tonight which means we have do a duet."
Taking another shot Serena replied, "Your right let's have fun," three songs later Raye came down the stage exhausted and feeling the drinks catching up to her, "The mike is all yours Sere make me proud!" she yelled.
Serena feeling the adrenaline from the spotlight and the warmth of the alcohol decided to take the opportunity to sing by herself.
The men entered finding Serena at the center of the small stage while the rest of the girls cheered on. Swinging her hips and running her hand around her waist Serena sang, "I know that I'm a mess with my long hair and my suntan, short dress bare feet I don't care what they say about me what they say about me. Cause I know that its l-o-v-e you make me happy you make me happy. And I never listen to anybody …"
By this point Serena had loosened her hair and her cheeks held a pink tint to them. While the rest of the guys were not surprised, Darien was mesmerized by her movements. "Just you and me feeling the heat even when the sun goes down" sang Serena ending the song and making her way back down stage tripping at the last moment.
Expecting to meet the floor she was surprised to feel a pair of strong arms around her, "That was quite a show," replied Darien in a velvet tone. Much to his dismay he had had to let her go but she pulled him, "You haven't even seen the half of it" she whispered in his ear and walked back towards the booth.
Ordering straight bourbon from the bar he made his way back to his group of friends seeing the effects of alcohol on them in different ways. Raye was clinging onto Jadeite, Mina was dancing with Kunzite in the small area reserved for dancers and Amy was giggling at something Zoicite was saying her eyes glazed over, even Nephrite was allowing Lita to show him more affection than he normally would. What he didn't know was that the rest of the men were determined to make him admit his feelings by the end of the night they had been conspiring for some time.
A few minutes later the men stood up heading to the bar, "I'll bet him I can drink him under the table, I know he'll take the bait especially if it's me," said Jadeite to Kunzite and Nephrite who simply nodded and Zoicite who hoped this wouldn't turn into a disaster.
An array of different shots in hand Jadeite motioned towards Darien, "How about a little game? "