Hi, everyone. This is a new one, that I've been thinking about writing for
a long time. You'll notice a slight difference in Darien's age here. He's
alittle over 21 in here, so don't fret too much. Enjoy it and let me know
what you think of it. Check out my site for updates at:
geocities.com/Tokyo/Bay/9408.
MOONLIGHT MIRAGE
By Lady M Harris
Editor: Sun Princess
Part One . . .
"How do I get Darien to open up and talk to me?" Serena asked Rei
as they
sat in the diner, sipping their milkshakes.
"I knew you were mulling over something, Serena." Rei said
pensively.
"You've hardly touched your milkshake. It's so odd to see you like this all
the
time."
Serena made face at her, then picked up her shake and sipped it
slowly.
She could hardly taste it. Of course, nothing interested her much lately.
She
was beginning to get tired of chasing after Darien, especially with him
practically
ignoring her and pushing her away since their breakup. In fact, lately she
was
starting to get very angry with him. How dare he push her away without so
much as
an explanation!
In fact, in an attempt to get her mind off him, she had actually
started
studying! Can you imagine that? She was starting to get better marks in
school
now. Miss H. had practically keeled over when she had handed back her last
test.
A B-; impossible, she had said to Serena. She was upsetting everyone.
"Well, maybe instead of chasing after him, you should just ignore
him
completely." Rei suggested, as she milled over the situation. "Chad's
always
hanging around 'cause all I do is ignore him." She chuckled.
Deep down though, Rei really did enjoy Chad's somewhat outrageous
attempts
for her attentions. Of course, she'd never admit that to anyone. She even
enjoyed
being around him, compared to the other boys. She was comfortable around
him, the
way you were comfortable with an old pair of jeans.
Besides, she remembered the time Chad had shown her a couple of
pictures of
him and his college buddies in a preppie school. It had shocked her to the
core.
First, he was way older than she was and with a college degree to boot.
The
second, and by far the most shocking, was how Chad had looked in the
pictures. He
was downright, gorgeous without all that hair covering half of his face! He
really
shouldn't hide it. He had been smiling, but had a distracted look in the
picture.
His hair was cut short and neat, and his clothes were expensive looking. He
laughed; yeah his parents were loaded, he confirmed. Why he was hanging
around
with her and grandpa at the temple, had become an endlessly intriguing
puzzle for
her.
Rei wasn't sure if Chad really liked her. If he did, it would
explain why
he was staying with her. And yeah, he joked around and complimented her a
lot.
Yet, she just wasn't positive about that. She sure as hell wasn't going to
make
the first move on him, though! And Serena thought she had problems! Rei
wasn't
even sure what her feelings for him were herself.
"Somehow, I don't think that's going to work with Darien. He'll
just keep
ignoring me as usual." Serena replied sullenly.
"Yeah, you're probably right." Rei agreed. Then, she was hit with a
flash
of inspiration. "Maybe," she began, the wheels turning in her mind.
"Yeah?"
"Maybe, you need to get him jealous!" Rei piped up as the idea began
to
take shape.
"Yeah, with whom? In case you haven't noticed, most of the guys
around
here are complete dorks, and all the good ones are taken!" Serena lamented.
"It's
no use; it wouldn't work."
"We could get Chad to play the part, Serena!" Rei said, starting to
get
excited.
Serena looked at her friend in utter shock. "You've got to be
kidding!
With Chad?! Why would Darien get jealous over him?" She looked over at
Rei, "I
mean, no offense Rei, but Chad's goofy!"
"I know he is, but you haven't seen pictures of him without all that
hair
hiding his face," Rei continued smiling mischievously.
"What do you mean?" Serena asked, curious now.
"What I mean, is that there is more to Chad than you and the rest of
the
Senshi realize!"
"What are you talking about, Rei? What do you mean by that?" Serena
asked,
totally puzzled. What was she up to, Serena thought.
"What I mean, is that Chad is way older than us and has been in
college!
He has a college degree in Computer Science! And get this--we know he's
rich,
right?" At Serena's wide-eyed nod, she continued, "Well, he showed me
pictures of
him in college with his friends without all that hair! And guess what?"
"What?" Serena asked, her curiosity piqued.
"He's drop-dead gorgeous!"
"No way! Chad?" Somehow, Serena couldn't picture Chad that way.
She
tried again and again, failing miserably each time as the comical picture of
Chad
blossomed in her mind. There were images of him ridiculously chasing after
Rei.
Chad trying to sing and only causing all the girls to groan in pain as they
covered
their ears while Rei proceeded to chase him about the temple with a broom.
"I swear to God! He looks like a super model!" Rei giggled,
blushing a bit
as she recalled her own reaction. She remembered blurting out to Chad, why
he
would hide that foxy, fine face of his. Her eyes had bulged, and she had
flushed
an embarrassed pink hue as had Chad laughed good-naturally at her response.
For a moment, Rei had wondered if he was hiding something, but
dismissed
the thought. Could Chad actually have a motive for being at the temple? No
way,
she thought.
"Now, all we have to do is convince Chad to go along with the part."
Rei
said thoughtfully. "You can leave that up to me!" She volunteered herself,
smiling. This just might be fun.
"Okay, but I'm telling you, it's not going to work!" Serena added
doubtfully. Chad a playboy? No way! It defied all logic.
"Don't you worry! You'll get Darien back, Serena. You just leave
it up to
me!"
"Dude! There's no way you're going to get me under some shears,
Rei!" Chad
protested as he, Rei and Serena stood before the deserted barber shop. It
had
taken all week just to convince Chad to play the part for Serena. All he
had done
was grumble and moan, stating he would rather play boyfriend to Rei. Chad
could be
such a baby sometimes, Rei had thought, her temper flaring up.
"Oh yes you will, Chad! If you want to stay at the temple, you
will!" Rei
threatened. Serena giggled at the scene. "You've gotten this far; it's
only a
couple of steps away, anyhow!" Rei exclaimed in exasperation. Flinging her
long,
purple-black hair over her shoulders, with her impish nose high in the
air, and
her eyes flashing dangerously at him, Chad was momentarily stunned.
"Rei, babe." Chad began, his voice changing for a moment. It
sounded so
decisive and authoritative. Rei paused, wondering what had suddenly
happened to
the Chad she knew. "The only reason why, " he continued; then he saw the
look on
her face and he changed his voice back, "I let you run all over me, is cause
I
adore you!" he proclaimed, ardently.
Rei looked at him again. For a moment, it had seemed like he was
someone
else. Someone she didn't know at all. No way. She shook her head,
dispelling the
doubts as her lips curled with impatience again. She looked over at Serena;
even
she looked puzzled for a moment.
"You got to quit saying that in public! Especially since, you're
supposed
to be interested in Serena now." Rei almost growled as she grabbed his arm.
Serena
grabbed his other arm as they pushed the struggling young man into the
barbershop.
"Oh yeah. Hey! Wait, this is bogus! I can't go through with
this!" Chad
cried as he was suddenly deposited in the barber chair.
"Hello, ladies!" Mr. Fletcher called out in greeting. "Ho, ho,
hoooo!"
Mr. Fletcher chuckled. "If you want to, ladies," Mr. Fletcher
began,
sizing Chad's head of hair. "You can go do some shopping. This one is going
to
take a while!"
Chad grumbled as he folded his arms in resignation over his chest.
Serena and Rei returned to the barbershop with their arms loaded
with
packages. For her part, Serena had to get some dazzling new outfits. Rei
had
picked up lots of suits and casual wear for Chad that she thought would be
very
fashionable on him. They had giggled, trying to picture Chad looking
sophisticated.
For the first time since their break up, Serena was beginning to
feel a ray
of hope. Thank God for friends like Rei. Just wait until they told the
other
girls! Her appetite had even returned! Unfortunately, she had to skip a
cheeseburger at the mall since she spent most of her money on her new
outfits.
Serena's gaze searched for Chad, but she only saw this incredible
looking
guy sitting in the waiting room. Rei stood next to her, frozen in place as
the guy
got up and smiled at them. He winked at her with brilliant, baby blue eyes
and
walked towards them. Serena's eyes glossed over as she realized who the guy
was.
Chad!
"Well, it looks as if I passed inspection." Chad laughed, his hand
rubbing
the back of his head, still searching for his hair. His face flushed
slightly as
Rei continued to stare at him.
"Get a grip on yourself, girl!" Serena admonished, hitting Rei on
her back.
Rei choked out a croak, still gaping. "My God, Rei, this plan is definitely
going
to work! Darien won't recognize Chad at all!" Serena exclaimed, her heart
pounding
in excitement as she thought of getting Darien back.
It seems to her though, that Rei had just lost her heart completely!
And
to Chad off all people. Serena silently laughed to herself.
"Yeah, Serena." Rei stated, still staring at Chad.
"I've never seen you speechless before, Rei." Chad grinned, his eyes
crinkling mischievously as he showed off his never-before-seen gorgeous
smile.
Again, the girls stared, enthralled. "I should've cut my hair long ago if I
knew
that you'd give me goo-goo eyes like you're doing now!"
"Goo-goo eyes?!" Rei snapped, the fog clearing from her brain
instantly.
"I'll give you goo-goo eyes!" And with that, she smacked him on the arm
harshly
causing Chad to yelp like a wounded puppy, begging for mercy.
Serena and her laughed. Serena suddenly noticed that Rei had
actually
blushed as she caught Chad's winking eye. She had never seen Rei blush at
anything
Chad ever did!
The following day. . . .
"Before I agree to this façade, you have to help me too, Serena."
Chad had
asked her quietly outside of the arcade. Her and Chad were getting ready to
take
their places in the charade. Chad had told her that he knew Darien would be
at the
arcade this afternoon. Rei, Mina, Amy and Lita would be waiting inside the
arcade
for them, having been appraised of the situation.
Andrew had told Rei and Amy that Darien would be by the arcade today
to
pick up some study guides from him. Darien had specifically asked if Serena
would
be there at that time, making it obvious he was avoiding her. Serena
remembered
feeling fire burn out her ears when she had heard that.
"Sure, Chad anything!" Serena agreed, smiling.
"Well, it's actually a pretty big favor." Chad began, looking at her
shoulder.
"What do you mean?" She asked, one blond brow arching slightly.
"What
could be so big that you can't look me in the eye and ask?" Her other
eyebrow went
up in query.
"Well, 'cause I'm not going to do this unless you agree to help make
Rei
jealous in the process." Chad stated, his eyes suddenly narrowing.
"What?!" She gasped out. "Are you nuts? She'll kill me!" She said
looking
at him, incredulous. She looked inside the arcade and could make out Darien
talking to Andrew. Her heart ached as her eyes caressed his dark head. How
would
she be able to stand doing this to him? She loved Darien with all her
heart.
"She won't kill you. Besides, she hardly ever notices me." Chad
said,
imploring her.
Serena's eyes went wide. You've got to be kidding, she thought.
"Not
notice you?" She began, her ire up. "You're as gorgeous as Darien, Chad!"
She
said, honestly. Chad flushed at the compliment and smiled.
"Thanks, but I'm still not going to do this unless you agree. I
want Rei
for my own, Serena. This is the only way I'll do it; either this way or not
at
all." Chad said as he put his hands in his pockets. He looked very handsome
in his
new outfit. He had on beige linen slacks, a beige, ribbed sweater vest over
a
light grey silk shirt, and rusty color casual dress shoes to complete the
ensemble.
"You can pretend to be innocent and unaware of it so that you don't get into
too
much trouble with Rei," Chad bargained. "I'll just pretend to start liking
you.
You won't have to do a thing."
"Oh, well that's easier to live with!" Serena replied sarcastically.
"My
God, you're serious about this, aren't you?" She asked with a sense of
growing
shock and horror. At his confirming nod, she wanted to cry out and stamp
her feet
with a 'no', but refrained from the temptation.
"It's gotta look real, Serena." Chad said taking her hand.
Suddenly, Serena could feel sweat beading on her forehead.
"Remember, this is for Darien too." He said and she nodded.
"Smile!
You're supposed to like me, babe!" Chad grinned.
"Oh yeah." She pasted on a bright smile as they approached the doors
to the
arcade.
"Pretend you don't see him." Chad whispered under his breath to her.
She
swallowed the rising lump in her throat and then grinned back at him. The
playacting began.
"Chad, come on! Everyone's waiting for us!" Serena said loud enough
for
her voice to carry to where Darien and Andrew were chatting.
They walked past Andrew and Darien. Their was conversation low and
animated, seemly deeply engrossed with each other. Serena burst out
laughing at
something Chad whispered into her ear. Serena could feel her heart thudding
madly
in her chest as the conversation died between Andrew and Darien. She could
feel
two hot coals--Darien's eyes--burning into her back as she and Chad passed
by a
couple of arcade games to where the girls were waiting in a booth. For an
added
effect, she intertwined Chad's arm with hers and looked up into his face as
he
smiled down at her, seemingly enchanted by the girl holding his arm.
Serena had no clue what they were talking about.
As the other Senshi called out a greeting to them, she and Chad
could hear
the door slamming. Serena's heart felt like it was about to burst as she
released
the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Chad nodded his head at
her as
he gazed at the closed doors.
"My God, Chad, it worked! It really worked!" Serena breathed out,
scarcely
able to believe that they had just passed the first charade.
"Sure did. He looked ready to put a fist in my face!" Chad laughed
as he
nudged her towards their group.
"Is that you, Chad?" Mina gasped out, incredulous.
"I would have never thought. . .!" Lita laughed as her gaze went
over
Chad's features.
"You look very handsome, Chad." Amy stated, smiling. She was just
as
surprised as everyone else.
"Thanks, Amy." Chad grinned, flashing pearly white teeth. This
caused all
the girls to gape at him, their young hearts fluttering at breakneck speed.
"I'm seeing things, aren't I?" Mina exclaimed as she continued to
gaze at
Chad, wonderingly.
"I saw that, too." Lita joined in as Amy, Serena and even Rei
nodded.
"What?" Chad asked, bewildered.
"Never mind, Chad." Rei giggled as she continued to stare at Chad.
He
really did look absolutely hot today. Oh God, I can't believe I'm thinking
that
way about him, Rei thought, alarmed.
Chad kicked Serena in the foot, under the table. She looked over at
him,
silently wondering what he was up to. Please not now, she thought,
dismayed.
"Yeah, well, I can't take all the credit here," Chad began, grinning
from
ear to ear. "Serena here, looks pretty cute today. It's no wonder Darien
got all
mad; I would have too if she were my girl!"
Serena's eyes bugged forth at the sincere tone in his voice. All
the girls
giggled, except for Rei. Her face seemed to be set in stone. I'm going to
become
a pancake if this keeps up, Serena moaned to herself.
Rei could feel the turmoil boiling within her. Already, she could
feel
jealousy gnawing at her insides. She wanted to rant and rave that Serena
did not
look cute. Chad had never told her that she looked cute! Yet, she knew it
wasn't
Serena's fault that all the guys wanted to be next to her. Serena had that
kind of
sunny disposition that appealed to everyone. Chad had just better not start
liking
her, that's all, Rei thought. Again, she was dismayed with herself. She
didn't
like Chad, did she? Of course not!
Trying to dispel some of the tension that suddenly seemed to fill
the air,
Lita asked, "So, what's your next move?"
"Yeah, what's next?" Mina piped up.
"Well," Rei began, joining in the conversation to shake off the
unpleasant
emotions. "The next step, is to find out what Darien will be doing this
weekend."
"Dude, that's easy." Chad replied.
"You know what he's doing this weekend?" Serena asked, excited.
"How do you know so much about what Darien's going to be doing?" Amy
asked,
puzzled.
"Yeah?" Lita and Rei voiced at the same time.
"The Java's having a big gig tonight, everyone's going." Chad
answered, his
dark brow raising slightly.
Rei frowned, "Isn't the Java, a club?" She asked.
"Yes, the biggest and baddest!" Chad replied, picking up his Pepsi
to take
a sip.
"Yeah, but only for people 21 and older." Amy sighed. Sometimes,
life just
wasn't fair.
"Oh don't worry about that!" Rei laughed as another idea came to
mind. The
girls looked at her in puzzlement.
"The Luna pen!" Rei whispered into Serena's ears. Serena's eyes
went wide
in understanding, and smiling, nodded her head. The other girls caught on,
remembering Serena's disguise pen.
"Don't worry about a thing, Chad!" Rei said, then added, "You're
taking
Serena to the Java tonight."
He looked startled.
"I'll pull some strings and get her in. Now all we need is to come
up with
a strategy." Rei nodded her head towards the girls. They smiled and put
their
heads together as they began planning phase two.
"Remember our agreement, Serena." Chad whispered to her as they were
leaving the arcade.
"How could I not?" She said under her breath as she nodded,
acknowledging
his statement. Tonight, they would testing both Darien and Rei's hearts.
Serena
felt her stomach twist into knots while trying not to think about hurting
Rei.
Yet, she wanted Darien back. Chad would end the whole thing right then and
there
if she didn't go along with the plan. Love could make you do all sort of
crazy
things, she thought to herself.
Stay tuned for part two. . . .Lady M Harris.
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