Only her - chapter three
By Henra
HenraM@tuxedomask.com
PG rated
Hey guys! Thanks for ALL your emails!
So many people questioned me about one of my other fics, “Yours for all
eternity,” asking when I’m going to finish it and such. *sighs* To tell you
the truth, I have absolutely no idea. I’m getting what you can call writer’s
block... But for people asking whether part six is going to be the last part...I
don’t know, either...I had wanted to make it the last part, but then there’s so
many things, still, that I want to write about...sooooo...
This chapter’s sort of...disturbing, if you look at it one way.
There are some swearing, too...remember I already warned you about that...
Disclaimer: Oh, come on...seriously--you still need me to say it?
Chapter three
“I need help,” Serena simply stated. She glanced at herself in the
mirror.
“What do you mean?” Mina asked on the other end.
Serena sighed and pushed back some bangs that were falling into
her eyes. “Okay...Rod’s going to be here to pick me up for the party exactly...”
she looked at the clock on her nightstand, “in three hours and twenty two
minutes. And, to be quite honest, I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!”
Mina laughed. “Seriously, Serena, calm down. I’ll be over in a
minute.”
“Really?” Serena sighed loudly, sitting down on her bed. “Thank
you so much! See you then!” She hanged up the phone with a smile.
Serena decided to look one more time in her close, hoping for a
miracle that she could find some decent clothes to wear. Just then, the phone
rang. She looked around, temporarily forgetting where she put it. She grabbed
it on the third ring. “Hello?”
“Serena? It’s Rod.”
*Speak of the devil.* To Rod she said, “Hi. What’s up?”
“I don’t know. Nothing, I guess. Are you preparing for the party?”
Rod asked.
“Hmm-mm.” Serena decided not to tell him about her clothes problem.
“I’m really excited. It’s the first party I’ve been to since I came here.”
“Really.” Rod sounded bored.
Serena tried on a brighter tone, although inside she was sweating,
“Yeah. So, what are you calling for? You are going to come in three hours.”
“I know.”
“So, what?” A small scowl was working its way to Serena’s face.
“Nothing.”
By now, Serena was getting frustrated. What was wrong with this guy?
He called her, and now all he could reply was a simple sentence.
“Listen, uh--don’t get all dressed up, okay? I mean, the last time I
asked a girl to a party, she ended up looking like a freak. I was so embarrassed,”
Rod told her.
“I know. I won’t. It’s just a party after all. I asked you before,
remember?”
“No, I don’t.”
Serena sighed dramatically. “Well, Rod--my friend’s going to be here
in a minute. I’ll see you later?” she asked awkwardly, no idea how to say goodbye.
“Sure. Bye.” And he hanged up with a loud click.
Serena stared at the phone in her hand. “What was that? A bored
nonsense phone call?” She got up and put the phone back in its place. “Dress
casually.” She looked at herself in the mirror. A white shirt with a pair of
loose blue jeans. That was real causal, all right. “Maybe I should just wear
this to the party.” She then laughed.
Serena walked to her balcony, looking down on the streets, hoping to
catch a glimpse of Mina coming. She sighed and leaned forward. People were getting
off from work, and so the streets were very busy. She was about to turn away from
the balcony when she saw Mina’s blonde hair flying through the crowd. Serena
smiled, and watched as Mina worked her way through. She was about to shout a
hello, when she noticed someone else she knew.
Her breath got caught in her throat.
Darien.
He was wearing dark sunglasses, and was pushing through the busy
streets. His face was as calm as ever, not showing any emotion. Serena fought
not to shout, “Hey! Darien! You talked to me, remember? It’s me, Serena!”
Serena swallowed and forced her eyes to wander to somewhere else.
But they unconsciously came back to where Darien was again. He was gone. *He
couldn’t walk that fast, could he?* Serena searched for him in the crowd, but
there were too many people closing in. She sighed. *Stop. You mourn to see him
in school, and you’re still mourning to see him OUT of school? Stop it.*
Just then, Serena heard the faint doorbell sound. She dashed downstairs,
and flung open the door, knowing exactly who it was. “Mina! Come on in!”
Mina gave Serena a bright smile. “Hey!”
“Come on...let’s go upstairs. We have very short time in our hands.”
Serena led her friend up to her room, and sat down on her bed, facing the closet.
“Hmm...let’s see. You want to go casual, since it is just a fun party...
but you also want to appear good in your first party since you came here,” Mina
murmured while she made her way to the closet.
Serena nodded her head eagerly. “You’re sooo right. So?”
Mina pushed one shirt after another on the hanger, and when she came
to a long-sleeved, white crisp blouse, she stopped to look at it. She seemed to
be lost in thoughts for a while, and then took the blouse out with the hanger and
threw it on the bed. She took a few steps back, going back to the clothes she went
through before. She pulled out a light blue knitted vest, and threw it on the bed
also. She turned to look at Serena. “Where are all your jeans?”
Serena stood up from where she was sitting and reached out to push
some clothes back, showing the “jeans section” in her closet.
“Okay, let’s see...” Mina murmured a few no’s as she went through them,
pushing back all the light blue, black, white jeans. Her eyes landed on a pair
of dark blue flares jeans. Mina’s blue eyes lit up, and she pulled the jeans out.
“All right... Put the jeans on, the blouse, with the vest over it.” She handed
Serena the clothes, and pushed her toward the restroom.
Serena grabbed them from Mina and walked inside the restroom. She
came out a moment later, wearing them all.
Mina stood close to her, and pulled out the bottom part of the long
blouse that was tucked inside the jeans. Because it was longer than the vest,
about three inches of white showed below the blue vest. Mina sighed and shook
her head. “Never tuck anything in, you hear me? NEVER tuck any sort of shirt
inside your pants--unless you are wearing a jacket or something.”
“I figured since the blouse was longer than the vest...”
Mina smiled. “It goes with a style.” She took a look at the buttons
that were all neatly buttoned and frowned. She reached out and unbuttoned the
buttons that showed above the neckline of the vast. “Do you have any necklace?”
“Ehh...yeah. A lot, in fact.” Serena turned and took a little box on
her dressing table to Mina. She opened it.
Mina looked inside, and fished through them, eventually pulling out
a gold locket. She put it on Serena, letting the locket show at where the
unbuttoned buttons were. “There. That’s nice.” She looked at Serena’s face, and
grinned. “Sit down.”
Serena sat, and Mina grabbed a tube of pale pink lipstick. She carefully
applied it on Serena’s lips, covering every last bit of her normal dry lips. Mina
then applied another coat of shiny clear lipstick on top of it. She put some
sparkle on Serena’s eyes lids.
Serena waited patiently until her friend finished with her makeup,
her hair. When Mina finally said “There!” she let out a huge breath of air. She
stared at herself in the mirror, and smiled. “I hadn’t really meant for you to
do my makeup and hair also...but I’m not complaining.”
“Oh, Sere...” Mina shook her head.
“What time is it?” Serena suddenly asked, alarmed. She looked at the
clock on the wall above her bed. “Oh, dang...only half an until Rod comes!”
“What? It’s being two and a half hours already?” Mina exclaimed.
“Yes.”
“Wow...but, Serena--you look great. Now, when Rod comes, put on a pair
of the cleanest white shoes you can find, okay? I have to go now...Mom’s going to
be worried. I didn’t even tell her where I went.” Mina gave Serena a hug, and
walked out of her room with Serena.
“Thank you so much, Mina. I don’t know if I’ll be able to come up
with an outfit as cool and as casual as this by myself,” Serena said earnestly.
“Don’t thank me just yet. Thank me when everyone pays attention to
you at the party.” Mina winked at her, and climbed down the stairs. She opened
the front door, and left, with another bright smile at Serena.
“Ooookay.” Serena took a deep breath. She shot another look at the
clock in the living room, and felt herself tense up again. She walked in the
living room, and sat down on the sofa. She clicked on the TV, and flipped through
the channels.
Ding-dong.
Serena’s gaze flew to the door.
“Serena honey, could you get that? I’m sort of busy in here,” Serena’s
mom shouted in the kitchen.
“Um--sure Mom!” Serena could only yell back. She stood up, wiped her
sweaty palms down her pants, and walked to the door. She opened it, and pasted a
smile on her face. “Hey, Rod.”
“Hey.”
He leaned casually on the sidewall outside the door. He looked at
Serena up and down. “Nice outfit.”
Serena smiled a what she was hoping a nonchalant smile. “Thanks. Come
on in...you’re sort of...uh, late.”
“I’m not an usually early person.” Rod walked inside, surveying the
living room. “Whoa...this is grand.”
Serena tried her best to not look exasperated. “Thanks, I guess. Um--”
“You’re not going to have me go through those parent introductory
thing now, are you? ‘Cause I can’t stand those,” Rod interrupted, putting up his
hands.
Serena stayed still. She stared. “No,” she said at last, flatly.
“All right.” He looked at his watch, and smiled. “Wanna go now?”
*No.* Serena thought silently.* She smiled tightly. “Yeah. We can go...I
guess.”
Rod nodded and opened the door. Serena pointedly walked to the kitchen,
and gave her mom a kiss. “Bye, Mom. I’m going to that party I told you about.”
“Oh, yes.” Ilene grinned and nodded. “Have fun.”
*I plan to.*
The ride to Matt’s house seemed especially long to Serena. Rod kept
talking about his friends and sports, and she could only listen abstractedly, and
sometimes nod.
When they finally arrived at Matt’s, Serena’s heart began to pound.
She thought about all the people who were in there, and her palms got sweaty. *Oh,
man. What if I don’t fit in? What if I can’t even talk to any one of them?* And
then, she got a horrible thought. *What if they were all seniors? And I’m the only
sophomore? Would they think I’m low?*
“Serena.”
Serena lifted her head, finding Rod smiling openly at her. Somehow, the
smile, instead of making her heart flutter, it made her heart beat faster--but with
nervousness. “Yeah?”
“Want me to ring the doorbell?”
“What? --Um, sure.” She looked at him, a little weirdly, thinking how
dumb THAT question was. Who cared about who rang the doorbell?
Rod pushed the button by the door and waited. Serena breathed deeply.
The door opened, and sudden, loud music blasted from inside.
It wasn’t until a few seconds after her ears got used to the sound that
she realized who opened the door.
It was Darien.
He was staring at her.
Serena stared back.
“Darien, my man!” Rod, oblivious to the staring between the two people
beside him, grinned fully as he slapped Darien on the shoulder.
Darien almost jumped at the little punch. He tore his gaze away from
Serena and forced it on Rod. “Hey--” he cleared throat. “Hey, Rod. Um, come on
inside.” He stepped aside and with another glance at her, disappeared.
Serena unconsciously followed Rod as they made their way to the living
room. It seemed like with each step she took, she bumped into someone talking to
his or her friends. It was too crowded.
“Hey, I’m going to talk to a couple of my friends. Be right back,
okay?” Rod said, looking at Serena.
She could only nod. Serena looked around her, and sighed. Too many
unfamiliar faces. Then she remembered that Raye was here, too--even though she had
come in Darien’s arms. She looked for Raye.
“If you are trying to find Raye, she went to the restroom upstairs.”
Serena abruptly turned around, facing the person that was talking to
her. Instantly, she felt her heart pounding. “Yeah?”
*Oh my god. How did he know?*
Darien nodded, as he took a sip of the drink in his hand.
“Okay. Um, thanks.” Serena wanted to smile, but couldn’t get her
lips to stretch.
“Yeah, sure.” He took another sip. What to do now? “Oh, well,” he
began, “I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah. See you around,” Serena replied as she watched him join a group
of friends. She saw drinks and food on the kitchen table, and strolled toward
them. Better to look as if she was doing something rather than be seen as a loner.
“Serena!”
Serena barely finished pouring herself a cup of soda when she heard
the voice calling her. She turned around, eyes wide, hoping it was who she
thought it was. “Raye!” she called out in relieve, spotting her friend coming
toward her from the stairs.
Raye reached Serena, and gave her a small hug. “So! You’re here
with...Rod?”
“Yeah. And--you with Darien.”
Raye nodded, a big smile lit on her face. She turned her head around
the crowd, murmuring to herself, “I wonder where he is right now.”
Serena wondered if she should show Raye where was Darien. She saw
him over by the stereo, since she had watched him go over there. *What are you
thinking? Raye’s your friend! Of course you should tell her!* She cleared her
throat, and gently touched Raye’s arm to get her attention. “Raye...look toward
the stereos, and you’ll find him.”
Raye followed Serena’s directions, and although Serena didn’t bother
to see if Darien saw Raye looking at him, she could tell by the way Raye’s smile
widened that he made notice of her. She resisted a sad sigh that was coming up
her throat. “Why don’t you go talk to Darien?” Her smile was forced. “I’m going
to go to the restroom.”
“Hmm.” Raye looked at Serena hesitantly, eyes searching her face.
“Serena...is it...okay? I mean--” she licked her dry lips, “I know you have...a thing
or something for Darien.”
“Well--that was...nothing. Don’t worry about it--I just thought he’s cute,
that’s all,” Serena answered, hoping her tone was cheerful enough.
“Yeah. Well--Serena, I want you to know that if you feel uncomfortable
or anything, just because I came to the party with Darien...tell me, okay? ‘Cause
I know you like him.”
“It doesn’t really matter, Raye,” Serena lied, “I mean--he’s just a
guy that I once said that I would admire from a distance, remember?”
Raye nodded, her face showing no sign of giving up that doubtfulness.
“You’re right. It doesn’t matter--it’s just a stupid party after all.” She gave
Serena a big smile. “I’ll look for you later, all right?”
Serena smiled back. She worked her way through the crowd, and went
to the dark hallways behind the living room, where she saw doors leading to rooms.
She stood hesitantly at the first door, and realized with embarrassment that
she didn’t have any idea which door was bedrooms, which was bathrooms. “Ugh.”
She sighed with disgust.
Oh, well. She didn’t really want to go to the restroom anyway.
Serena smoothed down the bottom part of her blouse, and walked
toward the light and noise. *I planned to make friends. And I am going to.*
“So, what? You plan to be a teacher when you grow up?” Serena asked
the blonde haired young man in front of her.
The guy nodded with a small smile. “Anyway...let’s not talk about me
anymore. What about you?”
“What about me?” Serena asked innocently.
He grinned. “You know--the usual stuff. Do you have a boyfriend or not,
are you a good student in school...you popular or what.”
Serena shrugged, putting on a careless expression on her face. “I’m
a normal boyfriend-less girl--”
Before she could finish the sentence, someone bumped into her from
behind, and caused her to drop the drink she was holding in her hands. Serena
gasped and watched helplessly as the cup fell to the floor and the soda soaked
into the carpet. She frantically looked around the crowd, and realized with
surprise that no one actually saw. Or maybe they did see, but just ignored it. She
allowed herself to relax.
“I’m sorry about that.”
Serena was startled at the sound of the voice from behind her. She
turned and saw a boy staring down at her. She realized that this was the guy that
bumped into her. “Err...it’s okay.”
He nodded. He smiled warmly down at her.
“My name is Matt.”
Serena gasped inwardly at the name. “You’re--you’re the host of this
party, right?”
“Yeah. What’s your name?”
“Serena.”
“You’re that--” Matt trailed off, his eyes widening for a split second.
Serena knew what he was thinking. She knew then that he must have heard
of her “outfit” and knew her name. She shifted uncomfortably.
“Um--you, uh...enjoying this party so far?” Matt asked, hoping to break the
sudden tension.
Serena nodded. “Yeah, I guess. It’s just that I’m new here and such,
I’m not exactly what you call extremely comfortable.”
“And how would you feel comfortable?”
Serena allowed a small smile to form as she saw the real tenderness
in his eyes. “Have more people to talk to.”
He grinned easily. “Leave that to me. Come on--I’ll introduce you to
my friends.”
Serena glanced around one more time to see if she could catch a glimpse
of Rod--she HAD come here with him, after all. But when she didn’t see him, she
followed Matt toward his friends.
I watched from the corner of my eyes as Matt led Serena to the far
side of the room. I glanced at where they were going. Oh--should have known. His
best buds. I turned my attention back toward the guys again, and laughed when I
heard Andrew make a joke.
I saw Raye by the sofa, looking uncomfortable as some guy talked to
her. I eyed the young man. It was Brad Limfy...the guy that had dated almost every
popular girl in the school. He was the dangerous type, forcing himself on you
and so on, and I decided that I should walk over to them...to save Raye.
Raye’s eyes found mine as I strolled toward them and they washed over
with relief. Brad, noticing Raye’s look, turned so his gaze locked with mine. I
tried an icy smile. He barely smirked, and walked away toward the backdoor. He
knew he should leave whenever I had on that smile. It was expected, almost--every
time I did that, the opponent would recoil. “Oh, god...” Raye let out a huge breath
of air, and sighed loudly. She looked gratefully up at me. “Thank you so much,
Darien. I don’t know what he would’ve done.”
I nodded, and grinned easily at her. “Don’t thank me.” I looked over
at where Brad went. “How did that creep get here anyway? Matt didn’t invite him,
did he?”
Raye shrugged. “Don’t know, and you can bet I don’t give a damn.”
She sounded angry, and I felt sorry.
Why was Brad here, anyway? To have his hands on more girls? He was a
real player, dumping one girlfriend after another when he set his eyes on a more
beautiful girl. He was known throughout the whole school for this--but his
popularity never decreased. It all depended on his looks. Even I had to admit--Brad
was the sort of person that would make a girl melt with just one glance.
The more that fell for him, though, the more girls that knew what he
was like. I was secretly thankful for that. I remember one time when I was
walking to school, and spotted this pretty brunette girl crying her eyes out.
Turned out Brad had dumped her just the night before, and she was terribly in love
with him. Man--the sight of her bawling out by the front lawn of the school made
me want to punch him out--and I had absolutely no idea who the girl was.
“Are you having fun so far?” Raye asked.
I snapped to attention. “Yeah, pretty much. Chatting with friends,
and the usual stuff.”
She nodded. A smile spread across her face. “Why aren’t you dancing?”
I laughed. “In this crowd? I’ll be lucky if I can move my hips without
causing a large break of falls...”
“It IS pretty crowded, huh?”
I nodded in agreement.
Serena felt tired. The smile on her face was now completely forced.
Matt’s friends were okay--but she was pretty annoyed at all of them when their
eyes widened as they gasped when Matt told them her name. They all knew her--or
rather, her name.
Right now, she just wanted to get out of that room.
The room felt so hot and sticky. Serena could catch the faint smell
of perfume and cologne, but other than that--she felt unwanted heat. Her cheeks
were burning up, and drops of sweat gathered on the tip of her nose.
She shot a look out at the backyard. The coolness of the night sky
was such a pleasant sight. She so wanted to be there, enjoying the fresh air.
Finally, after one of Matt’s buds stopped talking for a few seconds
to take a breath, she excused herself and worked her way out, eyes pinned on the
big screen door that led outside. She pushed open the screen with a small grunt,
and stepped out, feeling suddenly calmed by the cool air. She sighed peacefully.
Serena strolled quietly along the trees, breathing heavily into the
nighttime air. Matt’s house had a big backyard, and she could tell that his family
liked planting things. Flowers of all kinds were planted here and there along the
stone paths; little thick green bushes surrounded them...
She saw a swing over by a tall tree and smiled. Just what she needed.
She walked to it, and sat on the seat, grabbing the two dangling chains with her
hands. She began to swing.
It felt so quiet and peaceful. She looked toward where she came from,
and could barely hear the noises from the party. Here, compared to inside the house,
were completely two different worlds. She closed her eyes, the corners of her lips
turning up. She let her legs swing, feeling herself gradually get higher.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps.
Heavy, male-like footsteps. They were coming toward her.
Serena’s eyes popped open. She thought she was alone in the backyard.
Her legs stopped kicking. In the dim backyard light, she could barely make out a
figure strolling toward her. She narrowed her eyes, hoping to catch a better glimpse,
yet she did not want to move from her spot.
“Damn...must have drank too much of that punch.”
Serena’s eyes widened. A drunken man? What in the world was he doing
in the backyard of Matt’s party? She sat up straighter, listening.
Suddenly the figure caught the light shining from inside the house,
and Serena caught a glimpse of the face. She frowned slightly...this guy wasn’t
as old as she expected him to be. In fact, he looked almost the same age as her,
maybe a little bit older. The guy looked up and saw her, and Serena’s whole body
tensed.
He gave her a good old once over, and a sly smile spread across his
sharp features. She silently watched as he came up closer to her, but didn’t move
an inch. He looked pretty harmless...besides, what could he do, anyway, with a full
house of party people just some short distance away?
“Hi there.”
Serena didn’t know if she should smile back. He was gorgeous, she
realized unconsciously, with penetrating dark eyes and black hair, he was one
handsome fellow. There were two small silver earrings on his ears, hinting that
no one should mess around with him. “Hi.”
“What is a pretty girl like you doing out here in the dark, and not
enjoying the party inside?” He asked, as he nonchalantly glanced back toward the
house for a few seconds.
“I just needed some fresh air, I guess.”
“Oh...” He moved closer, eyes on her all the while. “Do you want company?”
Serena almost snorted when he asked that. Did she look like she
wanted company? Who did he think he was? Thought he could just walk up to a girl
and have her open her arms to him welcomingly? “No, I prefer being alone.”
“Aww...but don’t you think have someone next to you will make you feel
better?”
Was it her, or did he suddenly came up VERY close? All he need was
another step, and her knees could touch his legs. “No, I don’t. Now, would you
excuse me?”
He didn’t move. He stood there, his eyes never once moving from her
face, his lips still stretched into that cold smile. She suddenly felt very
uncomfortable. This situation had somehow become very uneasy.
What was he doing? She told him to move, god dammit!
Serena waited as he suddenly made a sound.
“Well,” he chuckled slightly, and Serena never heard of such horrifying
sound in her life, “I don’t want to leave a lady as beautiful as you all alone.”
His foot moved just a slight bit.
And then, before she knew what was happening, she was lifted from
the swing, and was placed standing on the ground. Two arms were wrapped
possessively around her waist, and she felt a warm body pressed closely to hers.
He whispered in her ear, “I do not want to leave a beautiful lady
like you alone at all...” And then he bent down and covered her mouth with his.
Serena felt hot tears rising to her eyes, her vision was blurred,
but she tried to push him away. She used all her energy to make him drop his hands,
but instead, he seized tighter. She blinked rapidly, letting the tears drop, and
focused on the light that was coming from the house. *Oh, god. Please...someone...
help me.*
His kiss was demanding and harsh, forcing her to stay still. She
couldn’t move anyway, for his arms were tightly wrapped around her. But, she
still resisted with all her might. She wondered who this guy was. Then, his
hands slid downer from her waist and Serena squeezed her eyes shut, screaming inside.
She placed her hands on his forearms, and tried to get them away.
Then, she heard a groan. She felt a little push by the guy, and her
eyes popped open. Before she could even make out what was happening, however
the guy broke off all contact with her, and was staring at something behind him.
“What the hell...”
There was another figure. Serena squinted her eyes to see better, but
a shadow covered his face. The dark-haired guy cursed more, and threw a punch at
the unseen figure. The figure ducked and connected his fist with the guy’s jaw.
He fell.
Just as the figure was about to take a step toward Serena, the guy got
up and started to run. Serena gasped and then, without thinking, ran toward him
and blocked him with all her might.
“Get the hell out of my way, girl,” he muttered.
Serena’s heart was pounding in her ears, but she didn’t move.
“Oh, for god’s sake.” He punched her.
Serena felt momentarily the pain, but it was gone in an instant when
she felt herself falling, and hitting the ground. She only saw the shadow going
up to the guy and gave him a kick, before she closed her eyes, and fell into a deep
trance of black.
*Thank you...whoever you are...*
I wanted to cry.
Serena was out cold. Damn that bastard. He was still running, even
after I threw that kick with all the fury I felt.
I knew it was Brad...I could tell from that dark hair it was him. Damn,
why did Serena have to be out in the backyard at the same time as him?
I gained speed. “Just stop running, Brad! I’m going to catch you at
school tomorrow, anyway!” I didn’t even know why I was chasing after him...
He laughed, and stopped running. He turned around to face me, his
black eyes piercing into mine. “And what if I don’t go?”
I stayed still for a moment, replaying his words in my mind.
Then, he took off again, I gathered a breath and went after him. I
didn’t even realize that I was chasing him at the park...did we run that far already?
The park was quiet, only a few people were in sight, and I was thankful for that.
Some tall trees came into sight. I groaned. I always liked these trees,
I could always sit down near one and count on quietness, because the trees were
thick and blocked all sounds. But now, they were getting in the way...in the darkness,
I could barely make out the running figure in front of me. Then...I blinked my eyes,
and--he was gone.
I screeched to a halt. I narrowed my eyes, and looked around me,
hoping to pick up some movement or sound. But I got nothing.
I sighed, and cursed myself for blinking.
Oh, well...I could only go back now. Suddenly I gasped out loud.
Oh my god...what about Serena?
With her name on my lips, I picked up speed again, and ran toward the
direction that I had come. *Brad...wherever you are...may you rot in hell.*
When I reached Matt’s house, I was panting like a dog. I swallowed, and
wetted my mouth. Gosh, I needed to drink some water.
I worked my way pass the large house, and walked to the backyard.
And stopped.
There was Rod, kneeling next to a lying Serena, holding her right hand
to his cheek, eyes staring down at her.
I had stopped near a tall bush, and I quickly moved myself so no one
sees me, but I could see them. I watched Rod and Serena closely. Looking at the way
he was looking at her, I had to admit--he did seem to really like her.
In my mind, I was debating whether or not go up to them, or just leave,
since I had no party mood whatever left inside me. I took one last glance at Serena,
and decided that she was in good hands with Rod--even though he was a jerk most of
the time, he could also be caring. I would see Serena at school tomorrow, anyway...I
hoped. I ran a hand through my wind-blown hair, and then turned toward the streets
once more.
Serena groggily opened her eyes.
She blinked once. Twice. Her vision was a blur at first, but then she
could make out the concerned face of...Rod. Rod? She blinked again...and realized
that she was lying on the ground. “Rod...?”
He was relieved. He let out a huge sigh. “Serena...thank god you’re
awake.”
She pushed herself to a sitting position, and looked around her. “What...
what happened?”
“You were out unconscious, Serena...”
Unconscious? What happened? Then she caught a glimpse of the red house,
and remembered. Her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped, feeling tears once more.
She remembered the guy...his kiss...and then the guy falling...as another figure kicked
him. Then the guy ran...and she blocked him, and then he punched her... But that...that
figure was chasing after him. She frowned slightly, as she couldn’t remember who
it was that saved her.
“Serena...seriously, are you okay?”
Serena turned toward Rod, and her eyes widened as a thought flew past
her. Was it...could it...be Rod? He certainly was the type of guy who COULD save her
from a jerk like that...“Rod...did you,” she swallowed, “did...you save me?” Then, before
she could hear an answer, she felt faint...and fell forward. That bastard really gave
her a fist...
Rod easily caught her, his mind racing. He didn’t know how to answer
that question...He wanted to tell Serena that he had saved her...but he knew who was
it that really saved her--his pal, Darien.
Rod had been standing near the screen door leading outside, drinking a
soda; when he saw Darien suddenly rushing out to the backyard, panic on his face.
He had let his eyes stay with him as he watched Darien going toward a guy and a
girl. He had saw Darien threw that punch toward the guy who was kissing a blonde
girl...and realized in an instant as the guy moved away, that the girl was Serena.
HE panicked. At first he felt betrayal, thinking that Serena was with another guy
while on a date with him. But when he saw the tears on Serena’s face, he knew why
Darien threw that punch.
He had wanted to run out there to help Darien, but something pulled
him back. He stayed in his place, silent as he watched the scene before him. No
one at the party had noticed anything happening in the backyard except him...
Then, the guy hit Serena, and took off running. Rod right then, had
wanted to jump through the door, and chase after him...but pulled back again when
he saw Darien going after him. Then, he had stared at the fallen Serena on the
ground. He had quickly put down his drink, and, without making it obvious, dashed
toward her.
*Thank goodness she’s all right.* Rod thought as he watched Serena now.
He gently shook her small body. “Serena...?”
She opened her eyes again, but they were tired eyes. Rod looked back
at the people in the house, and knew he take her home. “Serena...I’m going to take
you back home, okay? But you have to try to stay awake, to tell the way back.”
Serena nodded. She tried to smile. “Thank you for saving me...”
Before he could even utter a reply, she already closed her blue eyes,
resting.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
I tried a nonchalant smile. I tried a smirk. And then I tried on a
careless expression. Okay...that would be what was going to be on my face when I
walk into school today.
I grabbed my backpack from the sofa and shoved my feet into a pair of
sneakers by the door. I walked to school, feeling very conscious of things around
me. Ever since yesterday that I got back from Matt’s, I had been feeling as if
danger was at every corner I turned.
I guessed it had to be natural, since yesterday night I saw the girl
that I really...liked...been kissed by the heartless jerk of the school...and she hadn’t
want him to.
I shook my head suddenly, as I remembered how I knew yesterday that
Serena was in trouble. Okay, so I was...talking to this really pretty girl, when I
suddenly felt a feeling of panic wash over me. I had a very bad feeling right then...
because the feeling that I got, I knew it had something to do with Serena...and it
was not good.
And then, unexpectedly--almost as if I wasn’t controlling my own body--I
had turned toward the backyard of the house. I had faced the screen door...which was
a very good distance away from me, and stared. There were two forms I had been able
to see, and I had coughed a bit embarrassedly, for I could see that the taller form
was lifting the smaller one out of the swing she was sitting on before. They were
about to kiss, I could tell, and I had wanted to turn my gaze away. But, before I
could turn away, I felt something grab hold of my chest, and squinted my eyes to see
better--though I had no idea why.
Then, I saw--I saw that the shorter figure was trying to push the taller,
bigger one away. And then, someone had pushed me from behind, and I stumbled forward,
and I was looking at the two figures from a different angle. What I had saw
made me choke. I would know that blonde meatballs anywhere. And I also sensed a
familiarity of the black hair on the guy’s head.
Without thinking, I had pushed through the crowd, careful to let my
face void of any emotion I was experiencing, since I didn’t want anyone else to
notice, and rushed toward outside. But as I got nearer, I knew my face was completely
showing what I was feeling inside. Panic.
I sighed. I looked up. I was standing near the school already.
*All right, Darien. Get a hold of yourself. Got to stay careless, so
other people won’t come up and ask questions.* I inhaled deeply, and walked toward
the front door.
I looked for Serena.
“...and so, that’s basically what happened,” Serena finished.
Raye, Lita, Mina, and Amy all just stared at her.
“Wow...” Amy breathed. “I can’t believe it...it must had been frightening
for you!”
Serena nodded her head, feeling tears gathering again. She blinked
rapidly, letting the tears die down.
“Serena...” Mina put an arm around her friend’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry
you had to go through that.”
“Did you see who it was that did it?” Lita asked, unknowing clenching
her fist.
Serena narrowed her eyes. “I saw his face. But I don’t recognize him.”
Raye sighed. “My god...I was at the party, and I didn’t even suspect a
thing!”
“That’s because it happened in the backyard, and you, along with the
rest of the people, were partying inside. No one was really paying attention to
the yard, and it was dark, anyways, so even if some people did glance outside,
they might not saw me...and him...” Serena paused, and a thoughtful look spread across
her face. “And so that’s why I wonder how Rod came to my rescue.”
“Well, let’s not worry about that right now. The good thing is that
you’re okay. I mean, that guy didn’t really cross the line...right?” Amy looked at
Serena in concern, suddenly alarmed.
Serena smiled reassuringly, and nodded.
“So...what’s going on between you and Rod now?” Lita asked.
“...Same...I think...” Serena replied, a little confused.
“Lita meant,” Mina said, “did you thank Rod for what he did?”
“I thanked him...yesterday...”
“Don’t you think you should thank him again?” Mina pressed.
“Geez, Mina, what’s going on with you?” Serena exclaimed, a little
troubled at how persistent her friend was being. “I already thanked him!” *Not to
mention I do not want to see him right now…*
Mina shrugged, and smiled innocently. “It’s just that--I think it’s so
cute, having a knight in shining armor to save a damsel in distress like that!”
Everyone groaned. Serena playfully hit her friend on the shoulder.
“That really wasn’t fun, Mina...”
“Serena?”
The five girls turned around, and faced the new person.
Rod stood there, looking at Serena. “Just wanted to say hi.”
Serena gulped, and pasted on what she hoped a grateful smile. “Rod!
Hi!” She looked pointedly as Mina, “Thank you, again, for saving me yesterday.”
Mina smiled, meaning she acknowledged Serena’s point.
Rod cleared his throat, uncomfortable under Serena’s warm gaze.
*Funny. If she didn’t think that I saved her, I bet she never, ever would look at
me like that.* He sighed inwardly. *Yeah--and you only know who saved her...along
with the person that saved her...*
The bell rang, alarming everyone. Serena flashed another smile at Rod,
and then waved a goodbye to him, walking off with her four friends. “Thank you!”
She shouted over the noise of the busy students.
Rod stared after them, biting his lip.
I sighed.
Well, so far I wasn’t having much luck on trying to catch Serena and
ask her if she was all right. I stood up straighter, and started to glance
around for Brad.
He was supposed to be in almost all my classes, but so far, he
hadn’t shown up in one yet. I smirked unknowingly, hoping that the guy knew
that he would get all his teeth knocked out if he ever did dare to show his face.
Still, punching him won’t get rid of the anger I had felt when I saw him kissing
Serena. My god, what if I didn’t look at the exact moment to catch them?
I shuddered, pushing away the terrible thoughts.
I looked at my watch. Lunchtime! Funny...I didn’t feel like eating
right then. I saw that I was near the double doors leading to the grass field
outside, and I picked up speed. I pushed open the door, and a ray of sunshine
caught in my eye. I blinked, and used a hand to block my eyes.
I did a scanning of the students I saw.
Nope, no Brad present, no Andrew present, no Josh present...geez,
where did everyone go? Then, my heart fluttered as my eyes landed on something
else. There was Serena, sitting with--who all seemed to become her best friends
just recently--that brown haired girl who I didn’t know the name of, that blonde
girl...what was her name--Tina? Lina? And then there was Raye--I knew her from camp
last summer, and Amy--who was...possibly the smartest girl in our whole school--
everyone knew her. Should I go? I did a short measure of the distance between
where I was standing now to where Serena was sitting.
And then, before I could make up a decision, they all stood up, and
I sighed regretfully. They seemed to be finished eating already.
I resisted the urge to yell.
Now that I thought about it, it was totally weird...how Serena and I
had always had the weirdest times to see each other. I mean, the first time I saw
her--Andrew had yapped on and on about her grandma’s cooking whatever. Then there
was the time that she had stared right at me the moment I had looked at her--which,
I’m pretty sure, I looked real sheepish.
And then...oh, god...I sighed. That Monday when she had wore the most
showy outfit...and she had caught me staring at her, open-mouthed. I felt like
kicking myself. Darn it! Why couldn’t she ever see me when I was in a “handsome”
mode? And then, I remembered the moment that I caught her and Rod close together...
God.
The only thing that had happened that prevented me from completely
giving up on her was the fact that...that I had talked to her...and she had said
something to me back. Okay, fine...so I probably messed up on that talk...but at least,
I talked to her.
Maybe I could again.
“...Darien?”
I was so caught up in my musing, I didn’t even notice that there was
somebody in front of me, waving a hand in front of my face. I looked at the person,
and blinked before I realized that it was Raye. I cleared my throat, and hoped that
the blush I was feeling didn’t make its way up to my cheeks yet. “H-hey, Raye.”
Raye smiled. “Thanks, Darien, for taking me that party last night...”
I smiled back, then realized something. I almost forgot about it... “Listen
Raye,” I looked at her apologetically, “I’m sorry that I left early...I had something
to do.” Yeah, had someone to beat the crap out of, and then had all the party gene
inside me sucked out.
“It’s okay, Darien, really. I managed to get a ride home, don’t
worry,” Raye assured me, still smiling.
I nodded, and unconsciously looked behind her, seeing if I could catch
a glimpse of her friend...Serena.
Then, her smile died down. “Did you heard about what happened?” Then
she observed me, and let out a small forced laugh. “I guess you didn’t, since you
must had been talking and completely oblivious to...what happened.”
I looked at her, alarmed. “What happened?”
Did something happen that was more dreadful than what happened with
Serena? Or...I realized, was it ABOUT Serena?
“Well,” Raye sighed, and started walking.
I quickly moved my feet so I was walking beside her.
“Serena...was, what you say, ATTACKED by a male yesterday night...at the
party.”
I nodded...I half-expected it, anyway. But I urged her to go on, since
it felt like she had more to say...maybe she could tell me how Serena was feeling...?
“And, boy, if I know who that bastard was...I would sure like to wrap
my fingers around his neck and just...SQUEEZE.” She narrowed her eyes.
I nodded again. How I would really like to do the same thing...except
some additional punches, maybe...
“Hey, Darien...” Raye suddenly stopped walking, looking at me, “You and
I are friends, right?”
I looked down at her, surprised. “Of course we’re friends, Raye...I thought
we became that last summer...”
Raye smiled. “Yeah, we are...” She looked away, and continued walking.
“Anyway, I just barely found out what happened with Serena today, because she just
told us this morning.” She sighed painfully. “I can’t believe it--I mean, while
she was out in the yard with that...guy, I was inside, talking and having fun...”
I knew exactly how you feel, Raye.
“But, thank goodness that it’s over, and nothing really...major happened.”
Then she laughed bitterly, “If you can call that what happened isn’t major already.”
“She’s...I mean, Serena...she’s all right now, isn’t she?” I asked, the
words rolling off my tongue in a rush.
Raye nodded, and then smiled sadly. She stopped walking again, staring
into space. “Yeah, I guess she’s okay...but it must be terrible, too, for her right
now...since she said that she could almost feel his mouth again every time she
drinks or eats...and that’s why she didn’t really eat much at lunch today...Actually,
she didn’t even eat at all.”
I slowly made a fist with my right hand, feeling anger again.
“But anyway, we all owe a huge thanks to Rod, don’t we?” Raye smiled
again, but this time it was genuine, and grateful.
I began to nod again, and then realized that I had no idea what she
was talking about. Thank Rod? For what? For bringing Serena to the party...? I
stared at the girl beside me. “Thank Rod for what, Raye?”
Raye looked at me, a little startled. Then she broke into another
huge smile. “Oh, sorry, I guess I didn’t tell you...Rod saved Serena.”
I was a little bit dumbfounded. “Rod saved Serena?”
She nodded. “Yeah. He first hit the bastard-guy, making him get his
hands off Serena, turning around. He tried to punch Rod, but Rod ducked, and hit
him instead. Then the bastard-guy fell, but started to run...and then Serena blocked
him, and he punched her...” Her eyes sharpened at this, “And Serena went unconscious.
The last thing she saw was Rod going up and kick the guy.” She finished.
I felt my eyes widening with each word she spoke. No...
It couldn’t be...
Serena couldn’t possibly think that...that it was...Rod, who saved her,
could she? But then, looking into Raye’s eyes, I knew she--THEY all thought so.
But those things Raye just said...it was exactly what _I_ did.
What the--I took a deep breath, hoping to calm my senses. “You sure it
was Rod?”
Raye nodded, looking into space again. Then she looked at her watch,
and gasped. “Oops, gotta run. See you, Darien!”
I barely acknowledged as she walked away.
I felt as if my whole body was numb.
I sucked in huge chunks of air. Oh, my god...
_I_ had saved you, Serena...how could you think that Rod had?
What in the world was going on?
__________________________________________________
Okay, I’ve run out of ideas, so I’m stopping right there.
So...what have we got so far? Serena thinking that Rod saved her, and Darien just
found out about it...and, what, my dear readers, (if someone IS reading it) should
happen next? ^^ Oh, god...I really don’t know what to do. Should I have Darien
confront Rod? Or Serena? Or not?
Quickly, quickly--please send me emails! I need to hear from all of you!
Oh, and I want to thank...err...I forget your name, but you’re the one that emailed me
about having Rod take things “a little too far.” Although at the time I said that
I didn’t want something to happen like that in the story, but now I changed my mind.
THANK YOU!!! Even though I didn’t use Rod as the bad guy, I still sort of used
your idea. After all, it was you *smiles* that first put the suggestion of the “take
things a little bit too far” into my mind. *sweatdrops* Err...you know what I’m talking
about, right? *grins* Thank you so much...and I’m sorry I forget your name...^^
Be sure to email me!
Moonieround - http://www6.ewebcity.com/moonieround
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