| Title : The Apartment Chapter : One Author : Emilie Trig Stalk Her? : «email» roses2small@yahoo.com Rating : PG13 Summary : Serena lives in an apartment in Albany, New York. Her life is simple and she is happy with it. With Ken as her boyfriend and Lita, Raye, Amy and Mina as her bestfriends. Everything changes when her new roommate, Darien, comes to rent half of her apartment. * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = There was a knock on my door at 11a.m. and I was still in bed, dozing away my morning. My friends were all too busy with their boyfriends and work this morning, and hadn’t even the time for me. Raye was probably in her office, yelling at the workers for doing such a messy job. Lita was in her gym, teaching kid’s karate for defense against the biggest of bully. Amy, on the other hand, was spending quality time with her boyfriend, Greg, and his family. Mina also was with her boyfriend, my older brother Andrew this morning and who knows what those two were doing; probably in Andrews’s new apartment making out. My own boyfriend was also too busy to hang out with me this morning; he was set on a plane to his next lawsuit in Chicago for the next two week. And since it was my day off, I was free for the day. So here I was this morning; all alone in my apartment in Albany, New York. It was a pretty little apartment with one building apartment stuck to the next. Kind of like the apartment where Meg Ryan lived, in the cheesy movie (my friends had thought it was cheesy): You Got Mail. I got slowly out of my bed and walked rather crookedly to the door. My head was still trying to grasp reality. My eyes were really squinting to find the door; it hadn’t gotten adjusted to the sunlight yet. My hands held the door knob and then pulled it open. “Yes?” I said to the man in front of me in a rather sleepy tone. I gave a yarn behind the palm of my hand, and then; focus my full attention to him. He held up a piece of paper and I’d read it out to be the renting papers I had put up a few days ago. Andrew had recently moved out of my apartment because he’d thought I’d seen too many of his personal life and he’d hadn’t liked it; like when I’d seen Mina and Andrew kissing. I’d come in the living room to watch some television one afternoon and found them on the couch eating each other’s face. Hhehehehehee… So immediately after Andrews moved out, I’d put up the renting papers, in hoping to find somebody to help me pay the rent. “Is this yours?” The man asked curtly to me; his piercing blue eyes looking at me in a rather observing manner. “Yes, it’s mine” I’d answered in a cheery voice; then a little boldly asked him, “Are you here for renting?” “Yes, I am.” He’d sound quite polite. His unruly black hair made him appear to be dark and mysterious. The man wore a dark blue business suit with a suitcase in hand, which made me wonder why he was here to rent a room in my apartment. “As I have written on the paper,” I said to him in a business tone. “The apartment will count as half of yours and half of mine. The rent will cost $450 a month, as you know how expensive an apartment can cost in Albany. I will provide breakfast and dinner. And how I provide the meals does not matter. Whether it’s Chinese take-out or my horrible talent of cooking,” I added in with a little choke, “I will provide you breakfast and dinner. How we split the apartment, I have no idea.” I’d smiled in my most brightest and then finished with a cheery voice, “How does it sound to you?” Without even a pause of hesitancy, he’d answered, “It doesn’t sound too bad. I’ll take you on your offer.” I gave him another bright smile and then said, “I’m glad. My name’s Serena Tsukino. Nice to meet you.” He didn’t return my smile, but still managed to remain very courteous. “Darien Corrigan. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” We stood there for a few silent seconds—not knowing what to say to each other—and then I’d asked him in. We walked in my apartment and then I’d showed him to his soon to be room. His room was in opposition to my room and the living room was in between our rooms. He’d said he liked his new room and had even asked if he could move his things in tomorrow afternoon. I’d given him a yes and with a nod and a goodbye, he left my apartment. He was such a nice and polite guy that I hadn’t even any worries about the guy hitting on me. Later that day, I had a call from my boyfriend, Ken--bluish-gray eyes to die for and dark-brown hair with a great sense of humor. He was such a sweet guy that sometime I’m not even sure I deserve him. He was super smart with a college degree and I didn’t even have a high school degree. I worked at a Hotel with very low pay, while he made mucho money as a lawyer. We met each other through Lita. Ken and Lita were bestfriends. And so we hung out each other since we we’re young. He left Albany to go away to college and I’d never seen him since then. A couple of years later, I’d met him again in a court room. At first I didn’t recognize him, but then when he’d called out my name, I’d immediately remember. We hung out ever since then. But then one day, he called me up for dinner and shyly asked me if I would be his girlfriend. You should have seen how shy he was about asking it. His face shaded red and at first he couldn’t even bring up the topic. He was so funny that he made me cracked up a couple of times. Even 2 year later, I still thought him to be very funny that day, but it was very sweet of him as well. Ken called to ask if I was lonely at home and he was very sorry to having left me bored to death at home. Isn’t he sweet? I know. I know…..You probably want me to stop using that “sweet” word, but I can’t help it. He was the definition of sweet. ************************************* After wasting a whole day yesterday, I decided to make something of today. I had already made plans to have a wonderful day today. After being stuck in the house the whole day yesterday, it had almost driven me crazy. First thing today, I decided to go and buy some grocery and maybe a little junk food—got to have my daily of sweets now. Then I’ll stop by at Lita’s karate gym to check how things are going for her. And after that, I’ll be home in time to wait for Darien to move his things in. Yelp….the day was all set. Dressed in an old pair of blue jeans and color-dyed T-shirt, I drove my old and beat-up car to Shoprite. I brought a little grocery and then drove to Lita’s gym. When I pushed through the glass doors, I’d saw Lita teaching kids some cool karate kick move. She immediately called for a break as soon as she saw me walk in. Lita was such a cool person. She was tall—like she’d always been—and was the most athletic out of most of my friends. I had met her when I was but fourteen. Some kids picked on me that day when we met and Lita--knowing karate--kicked those mean kids away, which isn’t a surprise to why she had open up her own gym for karate class. So it was that I was in debt to her that I started to hang out with her ever since. “Great kick, I saw you performed in there.” I said, with a smile, “Think I can do that same fancy kick of yours?” Lita laughed, “Wanna try?” “Kicking?” I said in a smirk, still smiling, “never.” “So, what brings you to my humble gym?” “Bored out of my mind, I guess.” I walk behind her desk and sat in her chair. I started pondering at some of the pictures on her desk. We came to a couple of silent seconds and then I’d immediately remember Darien Corrigan—my soon to be roommate. “Guess what Lita?” I asked her. “What?” she replied back at me in the same replicate tone I used. “I’d just caught myself the cutest roommate. Wanna know his name?” I’d said in anticipation. She must have figured out what I was up to because she immediately refused. “No, Serena.” Lita raised one palm toward my face. “Don’t try to hook me up to this guy.” “But why not?” I quickly said as innocently as I could muster. “I don’t even have to tell you. You know. Stop hooking me up to guys the first time you see them. I can get my own boyfriend.” “Wait! Just listen to me before you refuse so quickly. His name is Darien Corrigan. I have no idea of his profession, but the guy is extremely polite and nice too. He’s pretty tall. Wait,” I said again, when I sensed that she wasn’t listening to me at all. “Mysterious blue eyes with a great built. Oh, did I forget about his super hot tushy? Scouts honor, I checked his buns out myself.” She laughed in hysteric at my last comment and I did too. “Personally,” I said to her, trying my best to keep my voice in a serious tone. “If I didn’t have sweet, handsome, charming Ken, I wouldn’t mind getting in the back seat with a gorgeous guy like him.” I ended with another joke. I swear to you, I’d seen something painful entered Lita’s eyes when I’d mention Ken. But I’d quickly dismissed it. Was she worried that Ken would do something dramatically painful to me? But he’ll never do that, I was almost sure of it. Ken was a great guy—he really is. He’d never do anything beyond horrible to hurt me. He and I, we’re madly in love—at least I think we are. Lita had never had a real boyfriend in her life. Sure she dated them and calls them her boyfriends, but it wasn’t serious dating. Even when I see her arm in arm at stores and malls she and her boyfriend looked more like best pal—you know, chums. That was why I started hooking Lita to guys. So that she can feel happily in love like I was with Ken. I wonder why, sometimes, she didn’t take serious turns with anyone of her boyfriend. “You know Serena, the name sounds really familiar. I can’t place where I’d heard it from.” Lita said to me. By the looks of her, I could tell she was trying to find where she had heard it from. I looked at her once and then looked at my watch. It was time to go. I got up from the chair. “Think about it. If it’s a yes, I’ll hook you up with the guy immediately” I said to her. “Speaking about the guy, he’s moving his things in this afternoon. Have to go home.” I left her gym and went straight for home. Quickly, I put on some casual clothing—a pair of short and tank top—and waited for my mysterious blue eye roommate to get here. About half an hour later, a moving van parked in front of my apartment--and Darien Corrigan stood in front of my house—dressed in a white t-shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans. He’d called his moving guys to bring his things in. I met him at the door and had asked him if I could help with anything. He’d said that he was ‘fine’—in a very respectful manner—that he didn’t need any help. So it was that I ended up doing nothing, again. With a paint brush and paint, I sat in my room—with closed doors—painting away. I’d maybe expected the guy to let me help him and I guess I was hoping to know him a little—but I guess not. Maybe he wanted to do things on his own. Maybe he wanted some privacy. The guy was very peculiar: He didn’t smile, was too polite to be true, and he was one that didn’t flirt—at least not to me. Hmm, I thought to myself, he was very much mysterious. ************************************** After hours of painting, I decided to stop. It was time I surface from my room anyways. It was my time to make dinner. Darien was probably half or more than done with his belonging by now. I’d already given enough time to sort his things out. It was enough privacy. I emerged through my door and looked into the living room. He wasn’t there. It was empty, no sign of anyone scuttling or anything moving—except for an opened window that blew on the shades. I then looked at his closed door. I wonder if he was in there. My feet automatically took me to his door. I knock once, then twice, three times, but no one answered. Curiosity made me reach for the door knob. I’d check to see if it was lock and it wasn’t. My instinct told me not to, it was too rude of me. But my curiosity had gotten the best of me. My hand slowly turned the knob…but my conscience reached through me. I couldn’t do it. Forget it, I decided, I didn’t want him to get a bad impression of me—if he were to find me barging into his personal room. I walked myself to the kitchen and then to the refrigerator—probing to see what there was for me to cook. And suddenly, the door opened. I looked up and Darien’s tall, broad form came through—his mysterious blue eyes looking intently at me in silence. “Hi,” I said to him. He returned my ‘hi’ and was silent again. “Where have you been too? You weren’t at your jealous girlfriend’s house explaining to her why your sharing an apartment with a girl, were you?” I joked around with him. He smiled and I did too. I was glad my corny jokes were finally getting through his serious face. “No. But I was at her house.” “So you do have a girlfriend. You should have told me sooner. I was going to keep you all too myself. Shucks…” I smiled again, indicating that I was only joking. We were quiet again and it made me a bit uncomfortable. What was it with this guy? Couldn’t he say a little more? Share some thoughts with me? At least something that will keep us talking. Maybe he was shy, I said to myself. “Hey,” I said to him, “Lets go celebrate your first day here. Yeah! Let’s go to McDonald and celebrate.” “Why?” His tone was of curiosity. My smile faded and my voice had loosen a little cheeriness, “because…because. It’s just because. You don’t have to have a reason.” I marched right in front of him and gave him one of my most charming smiles. “Let’s just go. I don’t want to cook today anyway.” He was very hesitant about it, but agreed none the less. I grabbed my jacket and we left the house. We took his shiny red sport car instead of my ratty old one. The ride to McDonald was somewhat hush. His eyes were completely on the road and mine were wearily at the window. He didn’t say anything and it seemed to me that he wasn’t a conversational person. Jeeze, the guy never talks, does he? I tried to start a conversation a couple of times in the car, but he would only reply and wouldn’t exchange any comment with me. He seemed secretive about something. And since it was too quiet, I kept on talking. I didn’t like the quietness. “So….” I said to him, trying by best to keep a conversation. “Where do you work?” Not taking his eyes off the road, Darien replied, “I work at an enterprise.” And once again, the air of silent surrounded us. He couldn’t at least tell me which enterprises he worked in and what he did in there? That was when I was up to my last straw. If he didn’t want to talk, then forget it. I won’t even try to talk to him. Maybe it was then that he’d seen the discouraging face of mine and decided to talk because he did. “And you? Where do you work, Serena?” Darien asked me. “Oh, I work at the Queenie’s Hotel. I clean out the rooms. You know, fold blankets and tied up the beds. It’s a pretty boring job, but somebody has to do it. It helps me pay the rent you know.” I said in a merry tone. I was in high spirits that he had tried to keep up with the dialogue. “Do have any relative in Albany?” I asked him another question. “No, actually. My foster parent lives in Galloway, NJ. As for my real parents, I don’t know where they live. I’ve never met them.” He sounded a bit sad and it made me feel dreadful. “I’m sorry.” I apologize, but then brighten my tone. “Well, wanna know about my family?” He took his eyes off the road for a mere second, to look at me and then smiled slightly. There was something in that smile that made me affectionate and tender-hearted. Now we’re getting somewhere, I thought. He was finally cooperating. “Okay, why not? Shoot.” He said to me. “Well, I have a brother. His name is Andrew. We’re so different that I sometime ask myself if we really are related.” I laughed out loud at the thought of Andrew. But then my laughter quickly died down. “My parents died a long time ago. I can’t even remember them. I’m like you, I guess. I’ve never met either.” I smiled depressingly and then wondered why I had told him that. I was supposed to cheer him up, not put myself in my own sorrow past. We reached McDonald shortly and had ordered 2 Big Mac, 20 pieces of chicken nugget, a large fry, and he ordered for a medium coke, while I ordered a strawberry shake. Darien and I grabbed the nearest seat we can find. The place wasn’t very busy tonight. There were very few people. As I started chomping down on my Big Mac, he started making conversation to me which was a big surprise. “Have you always lived in Albany, Serena?” He asked me and then began to take a bite out of his own Big Mac. “Yes. I lived here as long as I can remember—even when my brother and I were at the orphanage, which was located here.” I told him with a full mouth. “And even after we were old enough to leave the orphanage, we stayed in Albany. It was the only home we ever really known, you see.” “And you? Where have you lived most of your life?” I asked him almost the same question. “Well, I didn’t always live here. I lived down in Atlantic City, before I came to Albany, New York.” Darien said to me and started dipping sauce on one of the nugget. “Oh, Atlantic City. You must be a bad boy then. You spend most of your time down there gambling, haven’t you? Oooh….Darien’s a bad boy in disguise.” I said accusingly. I know, I know, stop with the corny jokes. I can’t help it. We laughed and we giggled our way through dinner. Can you imagine that Darien even laughs? Well, he did. I didn’t think it was possible, but he did. I’d told the jokes and we both laughed together. And as the meal progressed, I’d found out that I really enjoyed my talk with Darien. Even if he didn’t talked very much. I think I’d liked talking to him because he wasn’t a talkative person. At first, I hated the fact that the guy didn’t even try to talk to me, but I guess now that it can’t be help. He didn’t like to talk, it wasn’t his fault. I liked to pry his mouth to open and make him talk more. It became a challenge for me, I guess. And when he talked, I’d felt really close to him. As if we had known each other from so long ago. How odd, I thought. Title : The Apartment Chapter : Two Author : Emilie Trig Stalk Her? : «email» roses2small@yahoo.com Rating : PG13 Summary : Serena lives in an apartment in Albany, New York. Her life is simple and she is happy with it. With Ken as her boyfriend and Lita, Raye, Amy and Mina as her bestfriends. Everything changes when her new roommate, Darien, comes to rent half of her apartment. * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Morning had come too early and the next thing I knew I was making breakfast. It was a Monday and I have to go back to work. Life sucks sometimes. I was back to dealing with my pain in the ass boss and his pain in the neck wife. God, the two made a great couple. He was always trying to flirt with me and I was always trying to out-run him, with his wife forever on my throat about seducing her husband. As if I would actually want to seduce the old geezer. The thought of it even makes me want to puke. I cringed at the thought of those two. This morning, I had decided to make a simple breakfast-bacon, eggs and toast. Hey, if Darien was hoping for a gourmet breakfast, he can forget about it. Morning just wasn't my thing. And as far as I can see it, he can definitely kiss that gourmet breakfast farewell and Godspeed. After I finished frying the eggs and bacons, I went to take a shower. I probably was fuming with unpleasant odor. When I was done with my shower and had gotten clothed in my rather plain white uniform, I saw Darien dressed in a business suit and next to him was a suitcase. He was sitting down, helping himself to the bacons and eggs. His hair was sleek and put up in a rich business man style. His rather handsome tan skin was closely shaved. Man, the guy really knew how to dress up. He looked amazingly...handsome. Hey, I might have a boyfriend, but I'm still allowed to look. Besides, so what if I thought he looked handsome? It didn’t mean anything. What is it to you anyways? You’re only a reader, who cares what you think—I’m only kidding. But seriously, I can look at guys and say that they are very handsome and it wouldn’t mean a thing. You must also remember that I already have charming Ken. I stood before him and whistled in amazement. “Where are you going today? You’re wearing a killer suit.” I stood before him checking out his whole outfit. “Work. This is what I always wear for work.” He replied with an air of ease and stopped eating until I sat down. He was still a gentleman at heart and that made me smile on the inside. Darien was probably the only male species I'd known to be this polite. “What do you work as in an enterprise anyways?” I asked him, wondering what he did. Darien gulped his food down. “I, ah…, I work with computers. I try to persuade customers to buy the company’s computers.” “Cool,” I said to him, smiling. I started to eat some eggs. “You know, Serena.” he said, staring thoughtfully at my hair, “Your hair reminds me a lot of spaghetti and meatballs. It looks like you have two meatballs on your head.” I looked up from my plate, “You did not say I have two meatballs on my head.” Darien laughed. “You know, the more I think of it. The more your hair looks like a meatball. I should call you Meatball head.” He chuckled, while I scrunched my nose in distaste. “Meatball head,” He repeated that hideous name again. I acted like I really despise the name, but in all truth-ness, I didn’t really. I was just happy that he laughed- even if he called me names. He was a pretty tough guy to cackle at a joke, you know. I was very glad that he had eased himself around me. He was barely talking to me yesterday and look at today, he’s finally smiling and had even started to laugh. It was a big improvement. But he was still not very sociable, as in talkative. There was nothing I can do about that. The fact that he eased up was great and was definitely good enough for me. And the rest of the morning breakfast, he became quiet again. Not the quiet way that made me uncomfortable. I was already used to his solemn attribute. He answered and I asked the questions, but once in a while he would ask the questions just to be polite. I suppose it wasn’t all that bad. He left the apartment an hour before I did. My shift started at 9 a.m. I leave around 8:30 while he left around 7 a.m. He’d gone in his shiny red sport car. But before he departed, I’d told him to come home for dinner because I was going to make spaghetti and meatballs just in honor of him. I had also told him that he better not miss out on my cooking, in the most mean looking way--just kidding. I wasn’t that bossy. Darien quickly nodded and had even said goodbye to me. ************************************** “You’re late, Serena!” My boss, Pete, berated me as I came through the door, with his wife looking scornfully at me by his side. Here we go again--another day of this. Why don’t I just quit? I asked, but then mentally scolded myself. I had to pay rent. Money makes the world go round you know, I told myself. Plus I didn’t have a high school degree and that made it extra hard for me to find another job. Queenie’s Hotel was probably the very few places in Albany that didn’t require a high school degree. As much as I wanted a better job than at Queenie's Hotel, I couldn't do anything about. Unless I go and get my high school’s degree, but I’d never consider myself to take this optional route. I wasn’t ready to take classes in high school. “Sorry Pete,” I said to him grimly, “You know how old my car is. It’s even amazing why it didn’t collapse in a pile of dirt by now.” “Then get yourself a new car!” His wife bellowed out loudly. “And stop calling my husband Pete! It’s too intimate. Call him ‘boss’ or something else.” I really hated the lady. She was old, grouchy, and loud-obnoxious to the core and a pain to my side. “Whatever,” I said ignoring her. After years of working at Queenie's Hotel, I'd already learn how to deal with Pete's irritating wife. I had to use the one tactic that had always worked for me, that was to ignore her. I came up to the counter to sign the time I’d entered in for work. 9:05. I was 5 minutes late. It figures that they would count 5 minutes as being seriously late. “Cleaning in room 31,” Pete’s wife had screech. I nodded a yes and was off. Homefree and away from them for the time being. Another minute of her talking would make me want to slap her. Who did she think she was anyway? Sure, she was the boss's wife, but she didn't need to treat me and everyone that worked at Queenie's Hotel so horrible and disrespectful. People had feelings. They do get hurt at what other people says. Why the first month I had worked here was the worst thing that had ever happened to me. Pete's wife had been cruel from the start. And seeing that her husband was interested in me, she had treated me even worst. I'd never thought that I would stay working at Queenie's Hotel for this long. But because I needed money, I gritted my teeth and kept on working. I ignored her blabbering and told myself that she wasn't worth it. To this day, I'd never been able to forget her cruelty toward me, the harsh way she spoke to me. It had really hurt. I had feelings like she did too. Why couldn't she understand that? I never even wanted her perverted husband to be interested in me. During the afternoon of that day, I thought about Lita. She’d been very solemn these past few weeks. As if she was hiding something from me. Maybe it was something about Ken, but what? I had an inky feeling it was Ken because her eyes lost its glimmer every time I had mentioned him. Was she suspecting that he was cheating on me? Ken had also been acting oddly strange these now a day. He sometimes spaced out when I'd talked to him and that almost never happens between us. When I stumbled across the word cheating again, I quickly dismissed it. I trusted Ken with all my heart and that was all that was needed in a relationship. I told myself the cheating business was rubbish I was thinking. How can anyone even consider sweet Ken as a guy that cheats on girls? He wasn't that kind of guy at all, I told myself. No, Ken definitely wasn't like that, I kept telling myself. Later in the afternoon I met Mina, while working. She also worked at Queenie's Hotel. That was how I met her in the first place and had introduced her to Andrew. Mina was a blond and looked almost like me. Even her personality was almost like mine. She was cheery and was very fun to be around with because she was so energetic, so lively. We were both cleaning in the same room because the people that had been here the day before made a huge mess of the room. "Haven't seen you since Andrew moved out of my apartment." I said to Mina, while picking up empty chip bags and empty beer cans from the floor. Mina finished folding the blankets and looked at me. "I know, I haven't seen you in a while either. I'm sorry, Serena. If you think I spend too much of my time with Andrew instead of you. Its just that I love him so much, you know? I miss him every second I'm not with him. I'll make it up to you, somehow." I smiled warmly at Mina. It was good to know that Mina truly loved Andrew as much as he did her. "It's okay. I don't blame you." "How about this." Mina said with a bright idea in mind, smiling the whole time she said it. "Me and Andrew are going clubbing at Deja Vu on Thursday. How about you bringing Ken and join us. It'll be real fun." "Ken's not back from Chicago. He won't be home till next week." I said forlornly to her, but quickly thought of Darien Corrigan. I think I might just drag that guy along with me. I nodded to myself with an agreement to bring Darien along. "But I'll go anyways." I told Mina, "I have someone in mind that I want to take." "Well, okay. Bring anyone you want. We go on Thursday--8 o'clock sharp. Me and Andrew will pick you and whoever you're taking to the club." Mina smiled at me and we continued to clean the room--talking and giggling like school girls. ************************************ I left work a quarter of 6:00 and took my weary self home. I drove to the grocery store to get what I needed and then straight for home. And by the time I’d gotten home, it was 7:00p.m. It’s amazing how times fly so fast sometimes. Darien will probably come home soon so I started to cook the spaghetti and meatballs, I had promised. Afterward, I sat by the couch, watching a little television and when I’d gotten bored I turned it off. I sat in the living room by myself, staring at the ceiling. I was bored once again. And as the time flew by I started thinking. I missed Ken, I'd thought sadly. Was Ken missing me as much as I did him? He wasn't going to be back until next weekend. I wonder what he was doing right now. He probably was in court. I soon threw aside the thought of Ken and looked at the clock. 9:00 p.m. Where was Darien anyway? And that was then when I heard the keys rattle. I quickly hopped onto my feet. I expected that it was Darien since he was the only one I had given a key to this apartment. Slowly and lightly, I stepped to the door and with a quick flick of the wrist, I'd sprung the door open. And as expected, it was Darien. His hair was disarrayed and he looked somewhat tire. His tie had come off loose and the first button of his shirt had come unbutton. With my widest smile, I said, “Welcome home!” Darien raised one dark eyebrow, giving me the weird look. I could tell he was a little surprise but then he made his face turned into amusing. "Good to see you too." he said, a little smile had formed on his lip. My smile widened an inch. I pulled him inside, took his suitcase by the hand and threw it carelessly to the side. “You’re home, finally! I'd thought I'd scared you away. But now that your home, lets eat that spaghetti I'd promised." He stood oddly at the door way for a few second; as if he wasn't sure he lived here. I left him to stand and ran over to the pot of spaghetti; I hope it hadn't turned cold yet. I'd turned back to him and saw that he was still standing there. His deep blue eyes stared at me mysteriously. "Why are you standing there? Go change so we can start eating already." I ordered him. He left to his room, while I set the food on the table. Darien came out a moments later dressed in a pair of comfortable blue shorts and a white sleeveless shirt. He walked over to the kitchen and looked at the spaghetti. Darien stood right across the table from me. "Here," I said to him, handing him a plate with decorated grapes etched in, "take as much as you want." I took some to my own plate and then walked to the living room. I never eat dinner at home without having the television on. Darien put some spaghetti on his plate and followed me to where I'd sat with my plate on the table and the couch behind my back. He placed his plate down and sat beside me. I had my feet under the table and he folded his. I clicked the power button and left it at whatever channel it was on. "What would you like to watch? Any shows you want to watch in particular?" "No, not really." Darien said. "I don't usually watch T.V." I smiled widely, "Too bad, from now on you will." I took strings of spaghetti to my forks and put it in my mouth. I chew it and told him to put some spaghetti in his mouth. Darien did and had complimented me on good spaghetti. He’d probably complimented me only because he was a courteous guy—trying not to hurt my feelings. "Oh I'd forgotten the drinks." I said when I finished swallowing, "We have Pepsi in the fridge, you want some?" Of course, Darien nodded a yes and was pulling himself together to stand up so he can get both of us drinks. Wasn't he a gentleman? I told you he was too polite for his own good. But...I pushed him back down and gotten two cups of Pepsi Cola with ice myself. Just because he was a male and I was a female, he didn't have to get up and get the drinks for me. I can surely get it myself. Seated again, I took the remote control to my hand. "Let's see," I said out loudly, "What's on T.V. today." I flickered through the channels, while he ate. And after flickering the channels three times around, I had found that no channels was worthy of being watch. I decided to turn it off. "No good channels," I told him, explaining why I had turn the T.V. off. I took a big chunk of meatball into my mouth. "So...what do you usually do for fun?" I asked him. We needed something to start conversation or else we stay quiet the whole evening. He stopped eating and looked at me. "I don't do anything really. I stick to my books." "You mean you read for fun?" I asked him. I can't believe it. I couldn't even stay awake reading page 1 of a book and he did it for fun. "I suppose so." Darien replied awkwardly. I think he felt embarrass. "My foster parents," he started explaining, "they expect a lot from me. They wanted me to be successful at everything I do and did. Even in High School, I had to stay at the top ten ranks in school. So they bought tons and tons of books for me to read. I guess they wanted a brainy kid in the family and since I was their only one, I had no choice. I sort of ended up liking to read." I looked at my almost empty plate. I felt kind of sad for him. Even thought he had people to adopt him, it didn't make his life any happier. I think he had a lot of pressure during his younger years. His foster parents probably expected a little too much of him. It was funny how much I wanted to be adopted when I was young. I actually yearned to have people adopt me--none ever did though. It used to make me sad, but now that I think about Darien's situation, I didn't have any feelings of sorry or regret for not ever getting adopted. Darien saw my morose face and said in what almost was consider a whisper, "Don't feel bad for me, Serena." I looked at him; saw it in his eyes that he didn't want anyone to pity him. His beautiful eyes told me not to pity him and I understood. I would never want anyone to pity me either. I quickly recollected myself, and with a blink of an eye, all my sad expression was gone. I gave him a beautiful smile—a merry, bright smile. "Hey," I said to him with smiling eyes, suddenly remembering Mina's invitation, "My friend invited me to Club Deja Vu and since I don't have a date. Wanna come with me? We’re only going for fun." Darien took a moment to think. I could tell he was leaning to the 'no' decision. It obvious that that he didn't like to go to clubs. All he ever did for fun was read his books. "Don't say no," I said, then warned him, "I'll whack you in the head if you don't come with me." He didn't say anything, still considering whether he should go or not. Darien was hesitant a bit before he smiled and said, "Okay." "Yay!?!" I hooted with happiness. My arms flung around his neck in a hug. I pulled back and gave him a kiss on his left cheek. "You’re the greatest," I said to him, smiling happily. He stared at me for a brief second. Something was in his mysterious cobalt eyes, but I couldn't place what emotion. Title : The Apartment Chapter : Three Author : Emilie Trig Stalk Her? : «email» roses2small@yahoo.com Rating : PG13 Summary : Serena lives in an apartment in Albany, New York. Her life is simple and she is happy with it. With Ken as her boyfriend and Lita, Raye, Amy and Mina as her bestfriends. Everything changes when her new roommate, Darien, comes to rent half of her apartment. * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = I woke up to the delicious smell of pancakes in the early morning. Somehow, my alarm clock had gone ballistic over night and hadn’t woken me up. I ran out of bed and swung my door open to see what was going on. And as it turned out, Darien stood by the stove, flipping pancakes. He wore a suit. The vest had come off and his dress shirt showed. I could only see his back. “Darien?” I asked, making sure that it was really him. I rubbed one sleepy eye. He turned around and a smile reached my lips. He was wearing my pink kitchen apron. It made a funny picture. I’ve never seen a guy in a pink kitchen apron before, let alone a kitchen apron itself. “Good morning meatball head.” Darien smiled lightly. “I took the liberty of making breakfast this morning. You’ve overslept.” I looked at the clock; 8:15 a.m. It was almost time for me to go to work and it was way past the time he had to leave. “It’s late. Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” I asked him, wondering why he didn’t leave earlier. “I already called in. I told my boss that I was going to be a bit late today. We’re close friends so he understands.” “Really,” I grinned at him with adoring eyes, “Thanks for staying at home and making breakfast for me this morning. I know it’s my job to provide breakfast.” “It’s no problem,” he said with a polite smile etched across his lips. His smiling eyes looked down toward me. I smiled back and looked into his eyes. And suddenly thought, Darien’s eyes really were beautiful. “Well then,” I said to him, “I’ll go change and see if your pancakes taste as delicious as it smells.” I left him to flipping pancakes. And when I got back dressed in my plain uniform again, Darien had already piled two plates with delicious looking pancakes. I took a seat and Darien did too. We started eating and I took the first bite. These pancakes really did taste good. Darien was not only nice and polite, but he was also a great cook. “I leave in a few minutes,” I said to him, swallowing my last bite. “When are you leaving?” Darien dabbed a napkin to his mouth and said, “Whenever you leave.” “Well, I guess I should leave now.” I said to him. It was that time to go to work again. I glowered at the thought of work. I wasn’t lazy of working. I just hated Pete and his wife. You know I can’t stand them. We both stood up and Darien took my plate along with his to the sink. And soon after that we left the apartment. “Have a great day at work, Darien,” I said, when we were about to part. I tiptoed up to straighten out the knot in his tie. “And thanks for making me a great breakfast this morning. I appreciate it.” And I really meant it. I do appreciate his thoughtfulness in making me breakfast. No one had ever made me breakfast before—except for Andrew. I’ve always made my own meals. “You have a good day too, Serena.” He replied. His breathing had become audible and I heard him inhale a quick breath. I gave him a wide smile before I turned to leave. We both went separated ways again. He drove in his car and I drove in mine—-both in opposite directions. ****************************** The rest of the day and the next went by in a breeze of a second. Thursday afternoon had come and the night of the club invitation was here. I was running around in my room when I heard a knock. “I need a couple more minutes,” I said, then ran across the room to check on my reflection in the mirror. I’ve spent a pretty good hour in my room, trying to find an outfit that will look decent looking enough for a club. My room looked like it had been ramshackle. It had built up to be worse than Andrew’s room, which was really bad. Have you ever even seen Andrew’s room? A pig’s pen would probably portray to his hideous room. “Okay,” Darien replied patiently, “Take your time.” He walked back to the couch. After a few minutes, I surfaced. I was all dressed and ready. I looked over to Darien, who was sitting on the couch. What was he thinking? I asked myself when I noticed what kind of clothing he wore. “Darien,” I said, catching his attention. “What are you wearing?” “This.” He replied quizzically, “Is something wrong with it?” Yes! I thought to myself. Something is wrong with it. Darien was going to Club Déjà vu wearing a plain tucked in white dress shirt and dark blue pants. He looked more like he was going to work than clubbing. I can’t believe the guy. I knew I should have done a check on what he was going to wear. “You’re not wearing that!” I said pointing to his clothing like it was too gruesome to even look at. “Nothing’s wrong with it.” Darien replied, unworriedly. “No,” I said to him, “we’ll go in your room and see what else there is to wear.” Just then, a horn honked outside of my apartment and I knew it was Andrew and Mina. They were here. Darien’s one lucky guy, I said to myself. If they would have given me a few more minutes, I’d probably drag Darien back in his room and dress him myself. “You’re lucky, pal.” I said to him with accusing eyes. Darien smiled at a corner of his lips, knowing how lucky he just was to escape my wrath. I pulled Darien down the stairs and we were out of the apartment. Andrew’s car awaited us from across the street and I could see Mina waving at me through the window. “Hi big bro,” I said to Andrew when I got in his jeep. How he even had the money to afford the jeep, I had no clue. “This is Darien,” I said to Mina and Andrew. “Darien, this is Andrew and Mina.” Mina said a cheery hi to Darien, while Andrew gave him a nod of a welcome. “So,” Andrew said to Darien as he took a turn on the road, “You’re my sister’s new roommate. She’s not picking on you, is she? She can be real bossy at times.” Andrew’s face cracked a smile and I smacked him. The rest of the way was all talks. Everyone was busy in making conversation except for Darien, who spoke very little. He occasionally laughed at a few jokes on the way, but that was probably it. ******************************* “You big nerd,” I whispered to Darien when we went in the club. I still didn’t forgive him for wearing the kind of clothing he wore right now. Everyone was wearing skin-tight clothing and party attire, while nerdy Darien wore his work clothing. “So, I’m a big nerd,” Darien said with a teasing smile, “So what?” I whacked him in the arm with my purse and then turned my attention to Andrew and Mina. “We’re going to get some drinks. You want some?” “No,” Mina said then pulled Andrew to the dance floor, “We’re going dancing.” The music pounded loud and hard. People laughed and drank without a care. The dance floor held a large crowd of wild people dancing. “Hey!” I yelled loudly to Darien, “Amy and Greg are at the counter!” “Who’s Amy and who’s Greg?” Darien asked in bewilderment. “My friends,” I said to Darien with a widening smile. I pulled him to where Greg and Amy sat at the counter. They both were talking and hadn’t even noticed me. I wonder why they had gone to Club Déjà vu in the first place. Greg and Amy were both careful people. They were the last two people on earth that I thought would step into a club. Besides, they were supposed to be out of the city to Greg’s parent’s home. Amy was supposed to ‘meet the parents’, since Greg gave her an engagement ring. “Amy!” I shouted her name again. She wheeled her chair around. “Serena? Is that you?” “Oh Amy,” I ran up to her and gave her a hug, “When did you come back? It’s been a month since you were out of the city. When did you come back? Why didn’t you call me?” Amy giggled happily. “I came back yesterday night. I was so tired that I forgot to call you. I’m still fatigued from the flight home.” “Then why are you here?” I asked her. “Greg’s sister came home with us to Albany. She dragged us to the club. You know I’d never step into a club if I didn’t have to.” “It’s so good to see you,” I said then hugged her once more. Amy and I both giggled in delight. I looked over to Darien. He stood in silence watching me. I’d almost forgotten about him. “This is Darien Corrigan. My new roommate since Andy moved out.” I said to Amy. “It’s nice to meet you,” Amy said with a welcoming nod. “This is my fiancé Greg.” She said, pointing to Greg. Darien and Greg both nodded a simple hi to each other. Guys, I thought. Couldn’t they do anything else, but give each other a nod? And when we were going to start a new conversation. Amy eyes were suddenly on a coming figure and I turned to see who it was that she was looking at. “Hey cutie,” the girl said to Darien. She elbowed Darien on the side and gave him a seducing wink. “This is Melinda, Serena. Greg’s little sister.” Amy introduced me to her. Melinda looked as old as me, maybe a little older. She was utterly beautiful and didn’t even make a note to hide it. Her dress showed every curve there was too see, which annoyed me at first. But if she had the body, it was hers to show it off. Melinda’s curvy brown hair was cut short to shoulder length. Her brown hair was the only trait that I could relate her to Greg. They didn’t even look a tiny bit identical. Only their hair marked them as related. “Is this your date?” Melinda asked me. Her voice sounded so seducing. I gave her a quick nod. “Mind if I take your handsome man to the dance floor?” “Take him away,” I said to her. Then to Darien, “Have a great time and don’t be afraid to show your wild side. I know it’s in there somewhere.” I gave him a charming smile and he left with Melinda. Darien looked reluctant to go, but Greg’s sister pulled him right out to the dance floor. Greg left immediately after that. He said he wanted to go to the restroom, but I knew Greg was only giving me and Amy some time together. And as soon as Darien disappeared from my sight, I went back to talking to Amy. There were so many things to say. “How are you and the gang?” Amy asked. Her hands wrapped around a glass of water and I smiled at that. Who would order a glass of water in a club? How did Amy even find a glass of water in this place? “I’m fine.” I told her, “I haven’t talked to Raye in a long time, so I have no clue how she’s doing. I just talked to Lita the other day. She’s doing fine too. She took a trip to Chicago a few days ago for some business reasons.” I smiled a cheerful smile then ordered myself a glass of alcohol. (AN: I don’t drink any kind of alcohol, so I don’t know what brand Serena should drink.) The bartender gave me a small cup and I quickly dunked it down my throat “And how have you been? How were Greg’s parents? Did you like them? Did they find you agreeable?” Amy giggled. “You always have too many questions for me to answer.” “I can’t help it. You only phoned me once during your whole trip.” “And I can’t help that, either. His parents lived in the country side. They didn’t believe in ‘phones’.” “Okay, I guess you’re forgiven.” I told her. “I didn’t even ask for forgiveness.” Amy said in a laughing tone. We both laughed and then the laughter died down. “I miss Ken, Amy. He went to Chicago, too. A few days before Lita left.” I said to her. I really did miss him. He hadn’t called me in a while and I was beginning to wonder what had happen to him. “Serena,” Amy said to me gingerly, as if she was afraid she’d step on my feelings. “Have you ever noticed anything between Lita and Ken?” “What is there to know? They're best friends.” “You don’t see the sparks in their eyes when they're together?” “What sparks,” I said to her in a laughing tone. “There’s no sparks.” Amy looked down at her glass cup. She was silent. Amy looked like she was pondering whether or not she should tell me something. I sat in silence with her. Were there sparks between Ken and Lita? Has it always been there? How did I not notice it? Am I the only one who missed it? And that was when I stumbled across the possibility between Ken and Lita. Did Amy suspect that they were cheating on me? The same suspicion that I thought Ken wasn’t capable of doing. Only now, Lita was involved in this whole messy business. “Amy,” I said with a voice full of hopes, “You don’t think Lita and Ken…” I paused. I couldn’t finish the line, couldn’t even bring myself to say the hateful word. “Yes, Serena.” She drawled out slowly. “I had these suspicions for a long time, but I’ve never told you. I think Mina had these suspicions, too.” “Oh, Amy,” I said fearfully. “I suspected too, but Ken and Lita? They wouldn’t. Ken isn’t like that. Lita isn’t, either. I think we’re jumping to conclusions. We must be, Amy. There is just no way. How can we even think that Lita would do such a thing?” I rubbed a palm of my hand to my forehead. The loud music was getting to me. I couldn’t think straight anymore. I knew a nasty headache was coming on its way to torture me. My head spun. Ken and Lita? Lita and Ken? Their names whirled around my head. They couldn’t, they wouldn’t. I must be jumping to conclusions, I told myself. I needed to get home. I needed to call Ken. Just to make sure. My suspicion had gone overboard and I really needed to call Ken. I needed to regain my confidence and Ken was the only one to tell me. “Amy,” I said to her. “I’m going home. Andrew and Mina are here. Can you tell them I went home? Tell them I had a bad headache and needed to get home real bad.” I picked up my purse and collected myself. Greg came back soon enough and had asked me if I was okay. Was it that easy to see through me? I thought. Was I that visible? I told Greg that I was okay and gave him a quick goodbye kiss before I left. I marched myself to the exit. My feet took quick strides. God, I thought to myself. Help me. Don’t let this nightmare come true. I wasn’t ready for it. The thought of Ken and Lita whirled faster in my head. Lita and Ken. Ken and Lita. How could this be? I thought. A headache was definitely forming. I needed to get out of this club. I walked past the exit and a hand shot out to pull me back. It was Darien. I’d forgotten about him. “Where are you going?” he asked me. “Home.” I told him simply. All I wanted now was to go home. Nothing else mattered. Darien looked at me. I think he understood of my needs to go home because he didn’t ask anymore questions. “I’ll take you home,” he told me. I looked at him and then nodded. I didn’t want to say anymore. I just wanted to get home. He hailed for a taxi cab and we were on our way home. Throughout the whole taxi cab ride, I was silent and Darien was too. He didn’t ask me what had happen or why I chose to go home so early. He remained quiet and was letting me have my space. When we got home, I ran to my room and shut the door behind me. I didn’t even bother to say anything to Darien. I knew he would understand that I had personal business I needed to take care of. I threw my purse aside and grabbed for the phone on my side drawer. I looked for Ken’s phone number in my address book and dialed it as fast as I could. I waited impatiently for someone to answer. And with every unanswered ring, my heart squeezed in anticipation. I needed Ken to answer my questions really badly. What if he said yes, that he was having an affair with Lita behind my back? What would I say to him and to Lita? How will I ever talk to Lita ever again? Everything would be so confusing. How would I even react? On the other hand, if Ken said no and that I was the one who jumped to conclusions too quickly, then everything would be okay. It would only be my fault for jumping to conclusions. In my heart and in my mind, I was hoping that it was my entire fault for jumping into conclusions. I hoped and wished it my fault. I wanted everything to be blame on me for jumping into conclusions. The phone rang a couple more times and just when I was about to give up, someone did answer the phone. Only that it wasn’t Ken, but Lita who picked up the phone. “Hello?” Lita said cheerily over the phone. She sounded real happy. I recognized her voice right off the bat and the instant that I recognized her voice, my heart sank to the bottom. It was over for good, I thought. She and Ken really did cheat me behind my back. I didn’t even need to ask the question and I knew. A sixth sense had told me. But I still had to ask the question anyway. I owed it to them and to myself to ask. “You and Ken, Lita. Is it true?” I asked straight out. I held my voice firm. Lita remained silent over the other line. She knew it was me speaking to her. “I’m sorry, Serena.” Lita started to apologize. “I didn’t mean to tell you this way.” From after she said I’m sorry, I blanked out. Overwhelming emotion came crashing down on me. So I was right about all these suspicions I had about Ken after all this time. I guess Ken was capable of cheating on me after all. I couldn’t believe he would do something like this. I couldn’t believe they would do something like this. My heart squeezed tight and I could feel a block of pain over my heart. The tears started to well up in my eyes, and I closed my eye lids to prevent any tears from escaping. I didn’t want to cry. “Serena. Serena?” Lita repeated over and over again. I heard Ken at a far distance from the phone. He asked who it was and when he founded out that it was me; he’d taken over the telephone. “Forgive me,” he started to say, but my mind was too numb and too frozen to even listen. The tears started to seep through my eye lids and I couldn’t control them from escaping any longer. The pain had gone too deep and too large for me to contain. I couldn't speak for the longest time, but when I'd finally found my voice to speak again, I said shakily to the the both of them. “It’s okay." My voice was barely even a whisper and barely audible to the ear. It was more than shaky now, but I'd tried my best to keep it calm. “I’ll be fine. Everything’s going to be okay.” I told them both and then numbly turn off the phone. Everything was going to be okay, I had told them. I’ll be fine, I had said. It was all crap. Nothing was going to be okay and I wasn’t going to be fine. I wanted everything to be fine, but life didn’t work out that way. And my heart doesn’t mend quite as easily as I want it to. Tears flowed freely down my face and I welcomed it. I needed to cry. I sat scrunched up in a ball on the floor, my back against the bed side. Ken, I thought, charming Ken. I could see a perfect picture of him in my head, but my tears quickly blurred the sight of him. How could he? Why did he? I thought he loved me, but I guess not. I must have sat in my room crying for a long while, because I’d forgotten about Darien again. He knocked lightly on my door. “Are you alright, Serena?” Darien asked from outside. His voice sounded concerned. No, I replied solemnly to myself. I wasn’t going to be alright. Not alright at all. Nothing was going to be alright anymore. Ken was gone and so was my best friend, Lita. They both betrayed me. I’d trusted both Ken and Lita with all my heart and look at the outcome of the whole situation. I felt like an abandoned puppy. I felt like I only had me and myself. I was a lost and forgotten puppy without anyone to hold or comfort me. I felt deserted. I didn’t bother to answer Darien, and even if I did try, nothing would come out. Tears started to pour more rapidly down my face and I’d let my face wipe the tears off from my sleeve. My head bowed down to my knees and blocked everything from my sight. It was just me in this lonely world. “Serena?” Darien asked again. His voice seemed more concerned and worried this time. I looked up with wet eyes; I saw that he was close up now. Darien was no longer standing behind the door, but knelt down beside me. His eyes looked so tender and so warm, so understanding for something I hadn’t even explained to him and so inviting for me to tell him whatever problem I was having. And it was the tender, warm, understanding, and inviting response shining in his eyes that made my arms come up to encircle him. I’d pulled myself against Darien and I’d cried my heart out. I needed someone to cry on and I decided that it was Darien--my over-polite apartment roommate--that I needed the shoulder to cry on. I didn’t care if I was getting his shirt dirty and wet. All I needed was a friend and Darien was the only one available. Title : The Apartment Chapter : Four Author : Emilie Trig Stalk Her? : «email» roses2small@yahoo.com Rating : PG13 Summary : Serena lives in an apartment in Albany, New York. Her life is simple and she is happy with it. With Ken as her boyfriend and Lita, Raye, Amy and Mina as her bestfriends. Everything changes when her new roommate, Darien, comes to rent half of her apartment. * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = “Hello?” I heard someone say at a distant corner of my ear. “Is this Queenie’s Hotel?” Queenie’s Hotel? I thought. Who was calling for Queenie’s Hotel? There was a pause of silence and then the person started to speak again. “I like to inform you that Serena Tsukino, a worker of yours, will not be coming to work today. She is very ill.” Was I ill, I questioned myself? I partly opened my eyes and stared forlornly at the ceiling. Is broken-hearted considered as an illness? I heard the phone click and then the light thudding of Darien’s footstep. I’d recognized that it was him because he was the only other person in my apartment. So I wasn’t going to work today. I gave a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Darien had called Queenie’s Hotel because I wasn’t at all ready to go back to work. I wasn’t ready to go anywhere for a while, not even out of my room. I heard the tea-kettle whistle and thought Darien was probably thirsting for his morning coffee. I had the duty of making breakfast, but my body was too restless to move. I still hadn’t forgotten about the hurt and the sorrow; the betrayal of Ken and Lita. How could I even forget when it had made such a sharp slice over my heart? How could I forget when it had left me an ache so huge? A tear drop suddenly slipped down my face. Ken, I murmured in a whisper. His name caused me to throb with pain. He didn’t love me anymore and that was the most painful part of it all. Another tear drop followed after the first one and I gave a quick wipe of the hand. I didn’t want to start crying again, not after yesterday. Yesterday was a lousy day, I told myself. After making that hideous call to Ken’s hotel room, I had cried for the longest time. I had even pulled Darien into this whole messy business. But it was nice that I had pulled him in. He had comforted me and was so gentle with his words yesterday, even though I didn’t tell him a thing. I was glad he was there. I gave another depressing sigh and decided to get up. It was my duty to make breakfast after all. Personal business had to be thrown to the side line. Pulling the blankets a side, I sat upward. The phone suddenly rang and I heard Darien’s thumping of footsteps again. He said hello and I’d pulled the door open. I stood quietly at the door way staring at Darien’s back. “Amy?” Darien said over the telephone and then shifted the phone to his other ear. “This is Darien, Serena’s roommate.” A pause was followed and Darien turned suddenly to meet my gaze. He seemed surprised at my presence. “Serena?” he said over the phone to Amy. He looked over to me to suggest what he should say to her and I mouthed to him a no. I knew Amy was going to call and ask me if I was well. She was a good friend and I knew she was worried about me after yesterday, but I truly needed some time of my own. “She’s still sleeping.” Darien lied to her and for that I was gratefully thankful to him. Who knew Darien could lie so smoothly? Darien eyed me as he told Amy that he’ll tell me to call her as soon as I wake up, and then hung up the phone. I looked at him and he eyed back at me. I didn’t know what to say to him. Explaining what had happen to me and why I’d cried yesterday was the last thing I wanted to tell him. “Good morning,” he greeted me. “I see that you’re up already. I hadn’t expected you to wake until later.” Darien walked over to the kitchen. The light spilled over his beautifully tanned skin. “I’ve already made breakfast and I’ve even made a call to Queenie’s Hotel. I’d told them you weren’t coming to work today.” “I know. I heard you over the telephone.” I said as I eased my weight onto the door frame. “Thanks.” I wanted to avoid looking into his eyes so he wouldn’t ask me any questions and the only thing I could do was keep my eyes downward. I felt Darien’s questioning gaze, but didn’t react. He was probably wondering about my change in attitude. “I’ll be going to work today. I’d figured you might want some time alone.” he told me then set up two plates on the kitchen table. “Are you up for breakfast?” “No. I’m not feeling hungry right now.” I told him and gave him a weak smile. “Okay. It’s fine with me as long as you don’t starve yourself during the day.” He joked lightly. I knew he wanted to cheer me up a little, but it was useless. I didn’t smile or give any response to his light joke. Instead my eyes wandered to the floor and stared forlornly at it. There wasn't anything I could say to him. “I’m going back to my room, now." I finally decided to tell him. He'd already made breakfast. My duty was done. I didn't need to be out here. "You have a good day at work, Darien.” I said before I'd left him. I slid back to my room and closed the door behind me. It was probably rude of me to leave Darien by himself, but I needed to be alone. I didn’t want to face reality yet. I needed my own space and he knew it too. Darien had even told me himself that he was going to give me some time alone. He understood what I needed to do and that was one of the most thoughtful things he had done so far. Darien left a moment later and had left me to myself. What was I going to do with myself now? I thought. During the first half of the day, I did nothing else, but think of Ken. His name echoed in my ears and seemed never to go away. It hurt to think of him, but my head wouldn’t let me stray on other thoughts. I cried a couple of times and had remembered every painful memory of Ken. I knew I still loved him, but I wished I didn’t love him so much that the pain would be so overwhelming. And during the second half of that day, I’d either laid around the house or did everything else, but coming to the topic of Ken. I wanted to avoid all thoughts of him now. I didn’t want to shed anymore tears and because the thought of him made me want to cry all over again, I avoided thinking of him. Over the span of the next week, life went on as it had always been before. Only that I wasn’t as happy as I used to be. I went back to work first thing Monday morning and had even received my first loud berating from Pete’s wife for the week. Some things just never change, do they? Lita had called several times over the week, leaving apologetic messages every time she'd called. But I never returned any of her phone calls. I didn't wan't to talk to her. I never want to speak to her again. What was I suppose to say even if I did return her calls? Oh, all you did was steal the man I’m in love with, Lita. That’s all, no one special. You’re forgiven. We can still be friends. I guess I’ll tell her that? No, that wasn’t exactly what anyone would say to their best friend who just cheated on them with their own boyfriend. Up to this point, I wasn’t sure of what to feel about Lita. Maybe I loathed her. I knew I had hated her the second she told me she was cheating with Ken. I think now the hate had become stronger and had formed into loathing. It was probably insensitive of me, but what was I suppose to feel? How was I supposed to react? I wasn’t one of those big-hearted girls who forgive and forget all the horrible things other people did to her. No, I was definitely not one of those girls in the movies. I was human and that was how a real human would act like in a situation like this. If only Lita had told me sooner about Ken and herself. Maybe we could have salvaged our long time friendship. Maybe I could forgive and forget. Maybe, I thought, but then thought twice. Maybe not. Darien had taken over the job of making breakfast over the week and I still had the duty of making dinner. I’d never eat breakfast anymore, so Darien was practically forced into making breakfast for himself. He didn’t seem to mind and so I let him take over the job. Saturday had come again, and I found myself sulking in my room. Ken was coming back today. I still hadn’t forgotten about that. I had tried to ignore all thoughts of Ken for the past week and now I find myself crying over him again. Crying, I thought, that’s what I do best now a days. And it was true. I had shed so many tears for Ken. And the name Ken was all I could ever think about even if I tried to forget about him. “Serena?” I heard Darien from outside. “I’m having breakfast. Do you want some?” I quickly wiped my tears away. “No,” I answered. My voice sounded too shaky. There was a pause and then. “Can I come in?” I quickly wiped the remaining trial of tears. I didn’t want Darien to see me crying again. I would feel so embarrassed. Darien opened the door. He wore casual clothing today, khaki pants and a dark blue Tommy Hilfiger polo shirt. Darien hadn't put his hair up in a business style today, but left it hanging over his eyes. He looked at me from the door way and his face became gentle. “You’ve been crying again.” I sniffed and rubbed my wet eyes. “Yeah,” I told him. There was no use in lying to him. Even if I did, he wouldn’t have believed me. It was too obvious. My eyes were too swollen and red to conceal. Darien looked down. “I don’t know what’s troubling you, Serena. But you’re spending too much of your time sulking. You never smile anymore and you’ve grown a bit skinnier over the week. It’s bad for your health.” I looked down at my hands. What was I supposed to say? I can’t help it if my heart is breaking. I can’t help it if I cry. I had no control over this emotion. “Listen,” he said tenderly. “There’s a carnival in town. It’s one of those carnivals that have clowns and cotton candies. Do you want to come with me?” “No. I’m not in the mood for a carnival.” I quickly declined him. “When are you going to get in the mood to go anywhere? What happened to the fun Serena? She’d always thought I was a big boring nerd. Now she’s becoming a big boring nerd herself.” He grinned. His mouth flashed white teeth. I smiled a little. Darien was really thoughtful. I knew this invitation to the carnival was just to cheer me up. “Ask somebody else.” I’d told him. “I know you have one or two friends out there. They’ll be delighted to go.” “I want to take you, Serena,” he said. “It’s not a bad idea to go.” Another smile reached my lips. “No.” I said again. His offer was tempting, but I didn’t want to go anywhere. All I wanted was to be left alone. He gave a desperate sigh. “You’re stubborn, but I can be stubborn too.” Darien said then looked at his watch. “I’m timing you, Serena. 15 minutes. Get ready.” I gave him a surprised look. I didn’t know Darien had this domineering side to him. Who knew Darien Corrigan-—my roommate—-had this trait in him? It was all good, I suppose. “I’ll be waiting outside.” He said and closed the door behind him. His timing was perfect because if he had given me another second I would have refused him. At exactly a quarter minute later, a light knock came on my door. “Serena?” The guy was so punctual, I thought as I slipped on a light sweater. “I’m coming out,” I answered Darien. I guess I was going after all. Half an hour later, we arrived at the entrance of the carnival. Darien went over to the ticket booth to get the entrance tickets. I stood next to him staring at a colorful clown standing in front of a large red tent. His hand held a handful of flying balloons. A little Asian girl with straight brunette hair came up suddenly to the clown giggling delightfully, asking for a balloon. She wore a pretty yellow dress. The little girl walked away from the clown, smiling beautifully at an Asian woman from afar. The woman had the same straight colored hair and I knew it was the little girl’s mother. She hugged her little girl happily and I felt envious at the picture. Where was my own mom? Had she ever hugged me like the way that Asian woman had hugged her daughter? Had my mother ever stared down at me with so much love in her eyes? It made me wonder where my own mother was. “Hey,” Darien greeted me. His voice startled me, but I didn’t show any signs. “Lets go.” he said, pointing the way in. His face grinned from ear to ear like a little boy on his first time to the carnival and I smiled at the thought of him. We walked past the clown and past the Asian woman holding her daughter. We past the mirror maze and the Ferris wheels. “How do you want to torture me, now?” I asked when we finally stopped in front of the bumper cars. I heard laughter and then a few ‘aw’ after the bumper cars stopped. People giggled wildly as they got up from their car seats and loud talks of 'you bumped into me' were being said a loud. “Wanna go?” he asked. I knew he meant the bumper cars. “It sounded like those people had fun.” “Are you kidding me?” I asked. I looked at the line and saw a bunch of 10 and 11 years old and a couple of adults taking their little ones in for the ride. “What are you afraid of, anyway?” “Embarrassment, maybe?” I said with raised eyebrows. It seemed to me like the ride was a kiddy one. I wasn’t about to humiliate myself in front of little kids. “Who cares?” Darien countered back and went to the back of the line of the bumper cars. He waited for me to follow him and when he noticed of my refusal to go, gave me a warning look. It wasn't a deadly warning gaze he gave me, but I didn't want to take a chance to see his poisonous side. I gave a light shrug to myself and decided to go along with it. There wasn’t anything better to do than mortify myself in front of the kiddies anyways. Besides, it wasn't like I had an option. |