A/N: Darren's birthday is already passed (it's in October) and Rose's is near the beginning of November; they're both 15 now.

Chapter 14

"Nick," I blushed, "you didn't have to do this."

"Well what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't treat you to a romantic picnic?"

Indeed, Nick set up a small picnic in the park, under a tree with lots of shade. He had it all: the checkered blanket, wooden basket, all kinds of food laid out, and plenty of drinks. He even had a single flower in a small vase.

Nick took me by the hand, letting me sit down.

"Pepsi?" he offered with a smile, holding out the can like it was a bottle of wine.

"Please," I grinned, holding out the sytrofoam cup for him to fill.

Once he filled his own, we touched our cups in a toast, then we each took a sip.

"So, the Winter Ball is coming up..." he started off.

"Yeah?" I prompted, hoping he was going to ask what I think he was going to ask.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go with me?"

"Of course!" I happily replied, putting my cup down to give him a hug.

...

It was the day before Thanksgiving. Everyone was hyped to get out for break, however, I had to stay behind in school. Why, you may ask? Because Mrs. Jones was giving me a chance to turn my C into a B by doing extra credit, and she wanted it emailed to her the day after Thanksgiving. I really didn't want to do work on the holiday, so I simply stayed behind to finish it in school.

The library was large and peaceful, the perfect place to get a report on the cell done. Well, it would be even more peaceful if the thunderstorm would stop outside.

All throughout the day there were severe weather alerts for the Miami area, cautioning us about the upcoming storm. We all laughed at it, wondering how a bright and sunny day could be considered 'severe weather.'

Guess who's laughing now?

I jumped after a particularly loud boom. I didn't mind storms, really I didn't, but sometimes the loud thunderous noises would startle me.

"Based on this information, you now know more about the cell than you have before...wow, what a conclusion, Red. I'm in tears over how poetic it is."

I squeaked in surprise, spinning around in the chair to face a smirking Darren.

I scowled, "did you follow me here?"

"Just to make sure that you were okay," he smiled.

I could feel my insides warm. I bit my lip, not commenting and instead clicking 'save.' After it did, another loud boom sounded, this time the lights flickered on and off.

My eyes widened.

"We should get out of here," Darren advised.

"Yeah, that'd probably be good," I agreed, a bit nervous. The school was creepy enough with no one in it (well, besides Darren and I) but with all the lights out? Scary.

I shut down the computer, pushed in the chair, gathered my stuff, then started following Darren towards the main doors.

When we were right in front of the doors, a powerful gust of wind blew them open, letting leaves and twigs in.

"Watch out!"

I turned to see a particularly large branch coming straight toward me. All I could do was stand, completely frozen.

Then a figure pushed me into the wall, using himself as a shield.

He stared into my eyes. "You okay?" Darren asked me, breathless.

I nodded.

"Good. Let's get out of here," he took my hand, leading me away from the doors and down another hallway.

We stopped a few hallways away, gasping for air.

"I think we're safe now," he spoke.

"I hope," I replied.

Another loud rumble of thunder sounded, and the lights started to flicker again.

Off.

On.

Off.

On.

Off.

They didn't come back on.

It was deathly quiet, not to mention pitch black. It brought me back to that night in the haunted house, something I never wanted to have to live through again.

"Darren? Darren!" I didn't want to be alone again, I didn't want to hear the horrible voices again, those that sounded like they were speaking right against my ear...

"I'm right here," I felt him take my hand, giving it a slight squeeze. "I'm here, I'm not going anywhere," he said in a soothing voice that made me more calm.

"Maybe this'll help," he suddenly spoke. Next thing I know, I see a small, round ball of bright orange. Below it, was a hand. The hand moved to the side, with the ball following it. It stopped to reveal Darren's face, the shadows along his skin making him look more mysterious.

"Better?" he questioned, smiling.

"A lot, thanks," I grinned.

"Well, no use just standing here, then."

I could imagine my face must've looked as confused as I felt. Darren smirked, and I saw a burst of orange magic hit the floor. All of a sudden, there were two candles lighting up a small, thick red blanket, two plates full of spaghetti, tall glasses of soda, and some bread.

In awe of the dinner, he helped me sit down, then took his own seat.

"Darren, you didn't have to do this. I mean, yeah we're trapped here, but you didn't have to-"

"No, I wanted to," he smiled. "Think of it as our own Thanksgiving dinner...minus the turkey. Or...did you want turkey? Because personally I wouldn't want to eat turkey two days in a row, but I'm not sure if you're the same way, and I remember that your favorite kind of food is Italian-"

"Darren," I laughed, stopping him. "relax. It's beautiful; I love it."

He beamed, his white teeth glinting in the candlelight.

I looked down, as I could feel my cheeks start to warm. Lately whenever he would smile like that, I'd get all these weird tingley feelings.

Wait a minute. "Hey," I began.

"Yeah?"

"How did you remember that I liked Italian food? I only told that to you once, and that was in first grade when we had to do that 'break the ice' activity, and you had to interview me."

"I...I just remembered it, I guess," he answered, donning a sheepish look. Just as quick, it turned into a sly smirk, "and you must remember that interview in clear detail too, for you to remember that you even told me that."

"Well of course I do, it's when we first met," I blurted without thinking of what it sounded like.

He knew perfectly well what it sounded like, given by his smirk widening.

"And when you became a thorn in my side," I added quickly. This time, he rolled his eyes.

I thought of something. "Darren?"

"Yeah?"

"I'd like to eat this dinner and all, but why can't you just tele-transport us home?"

"Tele-transporting during lightning storms is extremely dangerous, we could get electrocuted and possibly die."

"Oh," I replied, looking down in embarrassment from not knowing.

"Hey, relax. I don't think you're dumb or anything, Agamemnon and I just never told you. One of us should of, I'm sorry," he gave me a reassuring smile.

"It's okay," I answered with a shy smile.

"Now, let's not let our dinner get cold, huh?" he winked, eyeing the plates of spaghetti.

"Let's not," I grinned. Instantly, we began getting to work on the food.

"Thank you for this dinner, by the way," I said once we finished. Now, were picking at our bread.

"You're welcome," he replied with a smile, then it dropped. "So...how's it going with Nick?"

"It's going good," I answered, "he's taking me to the Winter Ball, actually."

"He is?"

"Yeah. Do you have a date?"

"No," he gazed down at his plate.

"Really? You don't have a date?" I was surprised. "I figured you would, since...you know, you're popular and all that..."

"Yeah, well, I prefer to go with someone who I care about, and who cares about me in return," Darren looked up at me.

"How about Aurora? I know she likes you," I suggested. I still remember when she gave me that horrible headache over him.

"She may like me, but I don't like her at all," he scowled.

"Are there any girls you do like?"

"There is one, but she's already taken..."

My interest peaked, "ooh, who is it?"

He grinned, "can't tell you that."

"Aw," I pouted, "come on, tell me!" I don't know why, but I was desperate to find out who this girl was.

"It doesn't matter anyway, I don't think she likes me," he frowned.

"Why not? I know at first you can seem like a real jerk, but once they get to know you, you're a real nice guy," I stated.

His eyes brightened, "really?"

"Mhm," I nodded. "I'm sure you can get this girl if you tried to...you know, 'woo' her and all that..."

"You're saying I need to 'woo' her?" Darren smirked.

"Yep!"

"Okay," he scooted closer to me, "how do you think I should start?"

"Well," I bit my lip, "how about a compliment? That usually works."

"Alright," he stared deeply into my eyes, "you are the most beautiful girl I've ever met; your vivacious personality, kindness, and intelligence charmed me from the first day I met you."

I tried to keep back my blush, "that's nice."

A corner of his mouth turned up, "what's next?"

"Umm...how about saying stuff in her ear? I've never had it done before, but I heard girls like it."

Darren smirked, then brought his lips close to my ear. Maybe I shouldn't have suggested this one. I fought against a shiver.

"Votre amour me ravit, ce est un pouvoir que je ne peux pas résister. Chaque fois que vous parlez, je tiens à vous prendre et vous embrasser insensée," he murmered in a low voice.

My breath hitched. I have no idea what he said, but it sounded attractive as hell.

"How was that?" he asked, his voice still lowered and a smirk tugging at the edges of his lips.

I swallowed, while also trying to breathe normally; my heart was starting to go into overtime. "Good," I whispered.

"And do you think she'd like it if I did this?" He brought a hand slowly up my arm, then cupped my cheek.

My mouth was slightly open, my breathing gone a bit ragged. "Yes."

"And if I turned her face towards me like this?" He dropped the hand, now using his finger to turn my chin so that I was staring into his shadowed face.

All I could do was nod.

Darren leaned closer to my face, so that his breath danced along my lips. "Do you think she would mind this?"

"Not at all," I managed to get out.

"Good."

Slowly, he pressed his lips against mine.