Andrew glanced at the large clock. Serena started in 25 minutes. It was one of his favourite times of the day. She always brought such energy to the cafe. Wiping the clean counter again, he checked the clock again. The afternoon shift was so boring. There was no-one here. A bell chimed indicating a customer. A tall, black haired man entered wearing a pink button-up shirt and jeans. Andrew cheered silently before greeting him.

"Darien! I am so glad you are here. I was going crazy." Perfect teeth formed a smile.

"Hey 'Drew, can't stay long, just looking for a coffee before work."

"The hospital's been busy lately eh?" Andrew asked casually getting a paper cup to fill with steaming black liquid.

"Yeah, I can't wait until I finish my internship. Less of these ridiculous 18 hour shifts. It'll be good in the long run I'm sure, but it's hard right now." Darien reached a tan hand into his pocket for some coins to pay for the coffee.

Andrew shoved his hand away. "Only another 15 years before you're a doctor then I'll make you pay."

Darien thanked him and left. Andrew watched him leave and sighed at the sun streaming through floor to ceiling windows. I can't even enjoy the weather he thought glumly. He smiled as a pair of meatball shaped buns came into view above the sign. Too bad she missed Darien, those two always put on a good show. The buns stopped and turned and Andrew noticed Jon Diamond's pale face standing over them. What Serena saw in him still was a mystery to him, but he couldn't tell Serena who to date. Watching the couple finally enter the Cafe Andrew waved.

Serena's small smile seemed forced. Diamond was still right behind her, he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him again.

"Jon let's talk about this later," Serena whispered.

"We need to decide right away."

"I want to think about it more. This is a big deal, I never wanted to elope. It just feels wrong!" Serena glanced toward Andrew. He quickly turned his attention to the clean counter. She walked further into the cafe and sat at the rear booth. It was odd that Serena wore black long sleeves and jeans on such a warm day in August. It was odd too seeing dark circles under her eyes. Jon followed her and the couple whispered at each other again, this time Andrew couldn't hear what they were saying.

Ringing bells indicated Mina and Lita's arrival in the Cafe. Andrew threw them another smile. Mina was hot in her short white shorts and orange tube top, Lita wore board shorts and a white tee; messy brown ponytail under a white ball cap.

"Hello Ladies!"

"Hi Andrew," Mina's melodic voice flowed smoothly. "Is Serena here yet?"

"She is. She's in the back booth," Andrew lowered his voice. "I don't think she wants to be disturbed though. Her and Diamond are in a pretty intense conversation."

"I wonder what it's about. We went to the club last night, everything seemed fine. She was dancing with this fine guy, I think he wanted to get her number then suddenly she was gone. It was so weird. She didn't leave with the hot guy though, he was there all night," Lita sat on hard red leather topping a chrome stool at the counter.

"She said something about eloping before heading back to the booth. Is she that serious with him. I mean the guy is a prick," Andrew said.

"Weren't you the one who told her to accept the date in the first place?" Mina asked.

"Well, yeah. He seemed nice at first, but have you seen them the last two months?" Andrew scratched his head while the girls shook their heads. "It seems like he is sucking the life right out of her."

Hearing movement from the back of the Cafe the three pulled apart slightly. Serena looked defeated and Diamond looked triumphant.

"See what I mean?" Andrew asked before Serena was in earshot.

Jon turned and planted a long kiss on Serena's lips before leaving. She watched him go and joined the three at the counter.

"Hey Serena!" Andrew smiled. "Looking a little down today, how about a big chocolate milkshake before you start. Your looking a little down today."

"Sure, thanks Andrew." Serena's voice didn't have the usual bounce that he loved, but he turned to make the milkshake anyways.

"Where'd you disappear to last night? Get picked up by a hot boy? Serena your so naughty," He heard Lita say as he scooped strawberry ice cream out of a white 5 gallon tub into a silver cup.

Serena screeched. "How dare you! I am not that kind of girl and if you were my real friend you would've know that by now. I am not a Whore." She'd whispered that part.

Andrew dropped the cup. It clanged loudly on the tile floor. The ice cream scoop was cold in his hands as he turned around. Serena was looking at the floor. Mina and Lita had wide eyes and gaping mouths. Serena's buns started to tremble before she spoke next.

"I don't want to see you again Lita. We are not friends."

Lita opened and closed her mouth a few times. Mina's baby blues darted between her two friends. Ice cream was melting in a puddle at Andrew's feet, but he hardly even noticed. Serena continued looking at the floor.

"I think we should leave now," Lita finally said breaking the tension. She got up off her stool grabbed Mina's arm and started to walk away. Mina still had a look of shock on her face staring over her shoulder at Serena as Lita pulled her out of the arcade. The bells chimed quietly but Serena hadn't moved. Neither had Andrew. When the girls were finally out of site He spoke up.

"What the hell was that?" He shouted. Ice cream was now melting onto his hand, cold and sticky.

Serena looked up. Her blue eyes had dark circles under them and her skin was paler than usual, especially against the harsh black of her sweater. There was no life in those eyes, and no love in her words.

"Stay out of it."

Serena quit the next week. Andrew missed her so much, not only was she not working with him, she never came into the arcade to play. Whenever the girls came in he would ask about her, but the answer was always the same. She doesn't come out anymore, she's always with Jon, she still hasn't spoken to Lita. He even tried to call her. She never returned the calls.

It was after Amy went to school before he saw her again. She had cut her beautiful hair to mid back and it had lost it's shine. She walked into the arcade behind Jon, holding his hand and looking at the floor. Jon looked angry with his violet eyes glaring around the room like everyone there had offended him personally. He roughly pulled Serena in front of him before saying. "You got two minutes."

Serena looked at Andrew. "Sorry I haven't returned your calls, I just wanted to let you know that I got married." At that she lifted her left hand to show a small diamond ring.

"But.." Andrew started

"ummm.." Serena glanced behind her, Jon was standing with his arms crossed glaring daggers at Andrew. "Thanks for all the milkshakes before. Umm... I guess I'll see you."

She turned to leave, Jon moving right behind her when the bells rang again. Darien walked in wearing dull green scrubs.

"Hi Odango Atama." He said breaking into a smile.

Andrew was frantically mind communicating 'stop, stop.' Darien didn't have a chance before Jon's fist connected with his jaw. Darien stumbled back a few steps holding his chin.

"Don't talk to her," Jon said. He grabbed Serena's hand; her eyes wide and more full of emotion than Andrew had seen in a long time while she was pulled out of the arcade. She watched Darien for as long as she could. He stood there stunned.

"What?" Darien asked.

Andrew hung his blond head. "She's married."

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Sorry about the short chapter, I did just write chapter 7 and it is much longer, but untill I get the next chapter written you just have to wait a bit. Thanks again for all the people who have read this, and please review. It helps me stay motivated.