Chapter Six

The 'Date'

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When Serena finally got to Raye's, she couldn't find her. Serena decided to look around the new temple for her friend. She wasn't in her room, not in the kitchen, no one was in the bathroom. Finally Serena checked the place where Raye did her fire readings. She overheard Raye.

"Please tell me if this guy proposes a threat to Serena, or anyone." Raye asked the fire.

"What are you talking about, Raye." Serena broke in. "You think he's dangerous?"

"Serena?" She said with a questioning tone. "Oh, no, I just wanted to be sure that he's good. You know how we all worry." She reminded.

"Well I think I'll be fine, thanks a lot Raye." Serena walked off steamed at Raye.

"Serena," Raye tried to stop, but Serena ignored her and kept walking.

"She thinks that I can't help myself, they all think that just because of that guy, I can't do anything for myself, well they're wrong." Serena stormed off.

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When she finally reached the Crown, Jarrett was already there waiting for her.

"Hey, what's wrong Serena?" He asked with deep concern.

"Oh, nothing, I'm fine now." She lied.

"You sure?" He asked.

"Yah, so what o you wanna do?" She said.

"Well we can stay here, order some food and just talk." He suggested.

"Sounds good. Wanna sit at a table or the counter?" He asked.

"Uh...table." She said.

They made their way to the table and started talking.

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After about an hour of talking about interests and classes and such, they got on the topic of sports. Serena's favorite. She was very passionate about her favorite sport.

"I love football, baseball, soccer, basketball, and golf. Do you like any sports." Jarret responded to her question.

"Yah, I like NASCAR. I have a need for speed." She giggled.

"Oh, I never got the point of that. It's just cars going around in circles." He argued.

"NO, NO, NO!!! Some times they run on a curved triangle and road courses." She explained and laughed. "But seriously, there's much more to it, there's banking, mileage, worrying about having enough gas to make it to the win."

"Oh, I guess that makes since-" He was cut off.

"And the most important part is the points." She finished.

"Yah, I just never really got into it."

"Oh well. Anyways, I should get going, I still have some homework to finish. It was great talking to you, we should talk some more. See you tomorrow."

"Okay, see you."

Serena walked out the door, leaving him at the table.

Crap, I didn't know she was into NASCAR so much. I probably totally blew my chance to be with her. We didn't even have that much in common!! Argggg. He thought watching the blonde beauty walking out the door.

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While on her way home, Serena started thinking about her 'date.' Well the most important thing, my favorite sport he hates! How the hell can that work? We have almost nothing in common, we'll be more apt to argue all the time. Well maybe if I get to know him some more. I just don't think it'll work out with us. I couldn't even tell him what happened to me, it just felt wrong when I was with him...not like-THUD. She had tripped on the sidewalk and landed in Darien's arms.

"Whoa, there. Lost in deep thought I see." Darien said as he saved her from a painful face plant into the cement.

"Yah, sorry, and thanks." She said, clearing her head.

"So what are you so lost in thought about?" He asked.

"Oh nothing, just my 'date' thing with Jarrett and Raye." She responded.

"Huh, you were on a 'date' thing with both?" He said looking confused.

"No, I went to Raye's before I went to the Crown, and I overheard her asking if Jarrett will cause any harm to me or anyone. And then I just stormed off. Then my at my 'date' Jarrett said that he hates NASCAR. And it may seem dumb, I don't date a guy who can't stand NASCAR...as stupid as that may sound." She giggled.

"Well, first off, I can understand where Raye is coming from. I mean good friends like the four you have are hard to come by you know."

"Yah, I guess you're right. I'll apologize to her tomorrow at school. Thanks Darien."

"No Problem, and I'm sorry that things didn't work out with Jarrett. Want me to walk you home?" He offered, hoping to comfort her.

"Sure, thanks a lot Darien."

"So what's up with you, other then that?" He asked making conversation.

"Not much, just thinking a lot about guys lately. How much I want to be able to just run to the one I love and cry in their arms. You know what I mean?"

"Yah, me too. I've been thinking if I'll ever find the girl of my dreams." They both sighed. "So what kind of music do you listen too anyways?"

"Weird combination, but pop and country, you?"
"Same here." He thought, "So you like NASCAR?"
"Yah, do you?"

"Yah, I've liked it since I can remember."

"That's cool. Let me guess, you're one of those jerks who hates Jeff Gordon."
"Actually no, he's my favorite driver." He said matter-of-factly.

"REALLY!?!?! Mine too!"

"That's cool"
They got talking about anything and everything under the sun. Realizing they have a lot in common. Before they knew it, they were standing in front of Serena's house.

"Wow, here already." Serena realized.

"Time flies wen you're having fun." Darien said and they laughed.

"Yup, well I'll see you tomorrow?" She asked.

"Of course, want me to pick you up tomorrow?"

"Sure, see you then." Serena said very excited and got up on her tip toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Bye."

"Uh...bye." He said waving. Did she just kiss me? I felt like a jolt of something when she did. I wonder if she felt it too...or did she just do something to me? He thought as he walked away. I guess I've really been thinking about the girl of my dreams...but I don't need to anymore, I think I've found her.

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Serena arrived in her room. I KISSED HIM?!?! WHAT WAS I THINKING...WE JUST MET A FEW DAYS AGO!!! Well I do really feel close to him, almost like we're best friends. BUT YOU DON'T KISS YOUR BEST FRIEND ON THE CHEEK! She argued with herself as she got ready for bed. But what what that jolt? It almost felt shocking...But anyways, what am I gonna do about Jarrett. I'll have to talk to him tomorrow, maybe we can get to know each other even better. She laid down and thought some more. I guess I really am thinking about guys lately. But I don't think I need to anymore, I think I found the perfect guy.