Author's Note:

I am soooo sorry. I grovel at your feet for my tardiness in this latest update. I know. I know. You've heard all the excuses but I'll give them to you anyway. School, work... school, more school. P.S. I hate physics. I absolutely do. Actually, to be honest I hate my ignorance on the subject more than the subject itself. I don't know. Maybe science is just not for me... sorry about that little tangent. Anyways I've been really busy and I don't think my updates will come quite as fast as they used to. I did, however, write a pivotal part of the story-- it will come soon so don't worry. I'm excited for that part. Anyway, I didn't really edit this chapter too much. I just sat down and wrote because I think you will all agree with me that I've waited long enough to update. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Again- my deepest, most sincere apologies.

Happy reading ;)

Futureprincess

P.S. Remember comments are much appreciated!

You Again?

Chapter 17

That whole scene with Sammy happened two hours ago and here I am- alone- basically abandoned.

After Sammy shared every embarrassing secret of mine with Darien and vise versa they decided they had to go and get lunch and- in Sammy's case- breakfast supplies. I, of course, had not agreed.

When I argued, Sammy was all, "But you were just sick! You can't go out!"

His worry was sweet but I didn't want to be stuck here while they went gallivanting off to who knows where. So I glared at Darien- who had agreed with Sammy about my health issues- "What happened to playing hooky?"

To that, Sammy once more turned against Darien- it seems their new found soulmate friendship is very fragile- I couldn't help but smirk at that-, "What about hooky now?"

Even I felt the daggers he was figuratively throwing at Darien with his eyes.

Darien didn't even flinch, "It was an excuse to get her to stay home. She's a stubborn one." A shrug.

My smirk disappeared.

Sammy apparently found this to be a perfectly plausible excuse because he nodded his agreement- with a sympathetic expression even!- and said, "That she is."

"I'm right here!" I had to shout. I felt like I was completely invisible to those two. They were talking about me like I wasn't even there.

When they turned to actually acknowledge my existence I glared first at Sammy, "Traitor," I pointed at him then Darien, "Liar."

They weren't fazed by that at all.

Sammy grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me down on the couch.

"Stay." He commanded- as though I were a dog.

"Didn't you just come home? Aren't you tired?" I know Sammy well. He's always tired… or hungry. One or the other.

Apparently this time, hunger overruled. Damn my luck.

"I'm fine. I'm young." He replied.

"Are you implying that I'm not?" I narrowed my eyes. He was sooo not going to get away with calling me old.

To his credit, he had enough sense to back away from me, but then he ruined it by saying, "All I'm saying is you're more fragile."

His smirk- before he fled from the apartment- clearly told a different story, it screamed, "You're elderly Serena!"

Which pissed me off.

I crossed my arms and turned to a smiling- on the verge of laughter- Darien, "You do realize that he just called you old too, right? We're the same age."

He shrugged, smile still intact, "I'm not vain."

I couldn't contain my snort at that, "Peh-leez." I rolled my eyes at him. "Like you don't stare at your pretty little self in anything reflective that crosses your path."

His smile widened, "You think I'm pretty?"

I rolled my eyes again but I'm pretty sure that a blush crept up my face- the heat there was a clear indication, "That is not what I'm saying. I'm saying you think you're pretty."

His smirk didn't go anywhere, he walked out of the apartment backwards, departing with, "You think I'm pretty." His laugh could be heard long after he'd gone.

While they were gone I managed to make myself presentable because I just realized how crappy I've looked the past two days. It is a miracle Darien didn't run screaming. Okay, well it isn't that bad but it isn't pleasant.

By the time I heard the knob turn I was extremely annoyed at them. If they thought I was so sick- or dying- why were they leaving me alone for so long? My corpse could have decomposed and no one would have been the wiser…

I turned down the TV volume and turned to glare at the door with my arms crossed, ready to chastise their inconsiderate behavior, but when the door finally opened, only one face greeted me.

Sammy.

I couldn't help but frown slightly. Where had Darien gone?

"He had to go to work." Sammy informed me, apparently understanding my expression.

It bothered me that I was so transparent, "I was just going to ask what food you brought," I lied to him.

He didn't look convinced but he didn't argue either, he just brought the food to the table and started going off on random tangents- like he usually does. He first caught me up with why they had been gone for so long- apparently Darien got called in by Andrew and Sammy decided to see what their company was all about- something I didn't even know.

"So what does the great Shields do?" I couldn't help my sarcastic tone. It comes natural when Darien is involved- even if he's sort of grown on me.

"Music producer." Sammy replied and his smile was ecstatic. Sammy loves music- almost as much as he loves to write- journalistic work, not made up "junk" (as he sometimes refers to it) like me. "You should've seen the guys they had today. Incredible. Not famous or anything but it's only a matter of time."

I had to blink a few times, "Music?" It came out relatively incredulous.

"Yea. This one guy, Howwy I think they said, has an amazing voice. I mean, usually I'd say that kinda music is for chicks but it was so… I dunno, just cool."

He continued to talk about his day's adventures and I couldn't help but be boggled by this newest piece of information.

None of this really makes sense, does it? I mean, Darien was student body president in high school. He tried to save the environment. He took a million AP science and math courses- one English (with me). None of that really adds up to musician. It doesn't add up period. I'm curious- I can't deny that. But, of course, I'll have to wait to get the answers. I filed this latest revelation in my mind for future examination. I would figure out the illusive- not great, but definitely illusive- Darien Shields.

Then Sammy completely got me out of my reverie by shocking me once more.

"He likes you."

It was said just like that. A plain and simple declarative statement.

"Well, I wouldn't say he's in any danger of being ensnared by my charms and worshipping anytime soon, but hopefully he does have some sort of amicable feelings toward me. We are working together, after all."

"Not like that Sere. He likes likes you." Sammy replied with a serious look, "I mean, don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy and everything but I dunno. Call it brotherly protectiveness but he's not good enough."

Well, that was sweet, although everything else he is saying doesn't make sense.

"First of all, I'm older. I'm protective. You're annoying." I said. "And secondly, what the crap are you talking about?"

"He liikeess you Serena." Sammy repeated slowly. When all I did was blink at him he rolled his eyes, "as in. Do a little dance…" He trailed off with a wave of his hand and I continued to blink, "Make a little—"

He would've continued but I finally understood. My veil of stupidity finally fell and it dawned on me. My hands shot up to cover Sammy's mouth before he uttered the words. My little brother, no. He is completely innocent. Unaware of anything to do with "Get Down Tonight".

Yes I'm ignorant.

And it is bliss, I promise you.

When he started prying my hands away I let them fall to my sides- he's stronger than I am, it wouldn't help to resist.

"Eww." I finally managed.

Sammy looked sort of surprised, "Wow, that bad huh? I mean, I'm no girl but I wouldn't have thought that a guy like Darien would get an 'ew'. But what do I know about girls?"

I couldn't agree more with that last statement. My brother knows nothing of the opposite sex. I'm sure of it. He has to.

But I started arguing the first point before I made a true, conscious decision to reply, "Not the idea of him. You. You making a comment about that is ew."

Sammy's eyes narrowed.

"Although, I mean. I guess… that other… thing…" I made an awkward hand gesture, "is also…" I trailed off, unable to finish the blasphemy.

Because it is blasphemy. I guess I'm big enough to admit it. The thought of Darien is… well, definitely not 'ew'.

Without my permission an image of Darien popped into my head. Not an image of reality I am sure. Firstly, because I'd never seen the site before and secondly because I'm sure no living, breathing human being can look as good as the image in my mind.

That musing is definitely not a good idea because now Sammy is glaring at me. Daggers firing away and all.

Yup, that heat is definitely a blush. Crap.

"Serena, you two," He gestured with his hands awkwardly, "you didn't actually…" His voice trailed off and his face scrunched up in disgust at whatever thought… oh, god!

"No! NO! What is WRONG with you!?"

"You BLUSHED!" He exclaimed, "Why would you blush if nothing happened? It was like… like… you were remembering something." He made the disgusted face again.

"NO!" I shouted again and then something dawned on me. "How would you know what a remembering face looks like?" I glared but he rolled his eyes and I sighed in relief. Sammy blushes as much as, if not more, than I do. It gives him away whenever he's trying to hide something- just like me. Although right now I'm only trying to hide my thoughts- not memories.

We stared each other down for a long- not quite awkward but not quite comfortable- silence. Then-

"Okay, I think we should get off this topic." Sammy said with a shudder. I heard one final 'ew' escape him before he started sorting the unopened food and that is when I remembered- food. I'd forgotten.

"Let's eat." I said, trying to get the image still front and center in my mind out.

Sammy didn't need to be told twice. He was half finished by the time I'd put food on my plate, but this is Sammy and he, of course, can't leave well enough alone.

"Be warned." He said through a full mouth.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help thinking if he was right.

Why Darien Shields would like me I have no clue, but… well, it saddens me to say that the idea doesn't repel me. It saddens me more to admit that none of this actually saddens me. The smile on my face felt like it was pasted permanently.

I don't know what is wrong with me. Honestly, I don't.

Second Author's Note: I doooo ;)