As soon as Darien walked through Serena’s door he engulfed her in a hug.
“Serena, baby, what’s wrong?”
“Do you have time to hear the whole story?”
“Of course, I do! Anything for you.”
“Why don’t you go make us some coffee, while I go change out of this thing.” Serena said with discussed referring to her skimpy dress.
“Black?”
“Just wait, it’s part of what I have to tell you.”
Serena went up the stairs to her bedroom, while Darien went to the kitchen. When she came back down she was dress in a light blue sweat pants with a white T-shirt, that had a few blue stars on the front. Darien was just bringing in two mugs of coffee. They both sat down on the couch turned so they could see each other.
“The place to start would be when we told each other that we loved each other.” Serena said.
“Ok start there.”
“I knew that you would be leaving to college and be starting a career. I understood that. Then when you told me that you were going to apply to some of the best schools, I wanted you to. I was happy for you. But then the acceptance letters started coming, and I was so in love with you, I couldn’t stand the fact that you would leave. I cried my self to sleep hoping you would ask me to come with you, or at least promise to come back. While feeling very selfish, I knew that this is what you always wanted even before you met me. Nothing could be worst than you leaving me, but I was wrong.”
“When Andrew and Raye wouldn’t give me your address I thought I would go insane. They wouldn’t tell me anything except you were alive, which kept me going, or rather kept me hoping.
“Then two years later both my parents were killed by a drunk driver. I convinced the judge that Sammy and myself could take care of our selves. I had to take on a full college schedule and a work from home job. Then I sang for both food and tips at Lita’s. Both Sammy and me made sure we earned A’s in all of our classes. I needed you, to hear your voice, have you hold me, want comfort from you kisses.” Serena paused. Darien wiped away her tears that were running down her cheek.
“You can continue in the morning if you want to Serena.”
“No, you need to know. After college I worked at a designing business, but still wanted my own store. Thankfully between what my parents left us and what both Sammy and I saved up we were able to pay out way through college and still have money and good credit. I asked Sammy to help me start ‘Serenity’s Originals’ about three years ago. And it has been doing good, and getting better with each business day. Timothy came into my life about ten months ago as a ‘boyfriend’. We were acquainted or met about a year ago at the bank. My life was getting better and I thought having a boyfriend would make it even better. At first it did, by getting me out of my house and studio. I thought I was happy, or rather thought Timothy was the cause of my happiness. And when he proposed I thought it would make me even happier being married to him.” Serena took a drink of her coffee. “But then I opened my eyes. I would never ask Timothy to take me to the ice shows. He despised Andrew’s Arcade and refused to even drive pass Luna and Artimis’s. I even noticed how none of my friends liked him. And just look at the type of cloths he bought for me and ordered me to wear, black of all colors. I hate black! To say the least Timothy did not make me happy.” Serena took another drink of her coffee. “Then you came back. Instantly we were back to what it was like before and I was happy, extremely confused, but still so happy. Everything you said and did made me fall in love with you again. You are still Darien, matured, grown up, and changed in a few ways, but still you. What we shared was back when was so strong that I’m afraid that no matter how deep we try barring it, we will never be able to keep it barred forever.”
“What are you saying Serena?” Darien asked.
“What I am saying Darien, is that I cancled, ended, fined the wedding.”
“Why?”
“Because Timothy Rich is the most boorish, manipulative, over powering, unromantic, chauvinistic man I have ever met. And I can’t help but to be in with somebody else.” Serena said with a laugh.
“When did you decide to cancel the wedding?”
“After the plane ride to Florida, and in Florida, if not before.”
“Do you know hoe much I love you?” Darien asked as he took her in his arms and kissed her sweet lips. The kiss was a gentle one that held the promise of more to come in the future.
“What’s next?” Serena whispered.
“We have seven years to make-up one day at a time. Starting this afternoon at the arcade. Is lunch good?”
“Missing two weeks in a row won’t go over well with the girls.” Serena said. Darien took her head in his hands and kissed her again gently and lovingly. “I’m sure I’ll be able to get away from them.” Serena said breathlessly.
Wednesday Afternoon
“She did what?” Lita asked.
“She demanded to talk to him.”
“Raye, that doesn’t sound like Serena.” Amy said.
“What did Darien do?” Mina asked.
“He said a quick good-bye and left.”
“If you ask me, I would say we went back in time.” Lita said.
“And why do you say that?” Raye asked Lita sarcastically.
“Obviously something happened to Serena last night and Darien was the first one she turned to. Just like she did in High School!”
************************FLASH BACK*********************
Have any of you talked to Serena today?” Lita asked earnestly while walking up to the girls sitting in a booth at the arcade.
“No why?” Mina said.
“Mrs. Owlton gave her a hard time this morning and I think her day went down hill from there. I glanced at her, before I had to leave for my cooking glass, and she looked as if she was ready to cry at any moment.”
“At lunch she said she left her essay on positive electron molecules at home?” Amy said.
“I hope she’s ok.” Raye said.
Then Serena walked in laughing, with Darien right beside her.
“I guess she is more than ok.” Mina said with a sigh.
***************************End of Flashback**************************
“Isn’t that why we wouldn’t let them know how the other was doing, once Darien left?” Mina asked,
“In a way yes it was.” Raye said.
“In what other way was there?” Lita asked.
“No matter how close Darien is to us as a friend we couldn’t let him hurt Serena. It was better that they made a ‘clean break’.” Raye said.
“Plus we didn’t know if he would come back. That way Serena could move on with her life.” Amy finished.
“Is he going to stay this time?” Lita asked getting ready to go kill Darien.”
“He said he loved her.” Raye said.
“Serena has always loved him, and it was obvious that he loved her before.” Mina pointed out.
“Then we will have to wait and see.” Amy said.
“Don’tforget to put Tim-Tim into that equation, Amy.” Raye said rather sharply.
Outside the arcade
“Sere,baby?” Darien asked to get Serena’s attention. They were walking hand in hand to the Arcade for lunch.
“Um?”
“I love you!” Darien said while gently lifting her chin up, and kissing her ever so sweetly.
“I love you Dare! Will you promise me something?”
“Anything!”
“Never get sick of telling me that!”
“That is a promise I won’t have any problems keeping.” Darien then kissed his Sere one more time before they entered the Arcade.
“Well look who decided to show up.” Lita said with a smile so it didn’t sound angry or mean.
“I’m sorry girls, but I promised Darien I would have lunch with him.” Serena said while standing in front of their booth, leaving Darien to find them their own booth.
“Serena we have this lunch every week to get away from the men in our lives.” Mina said.
“This will be the last one. I promise! I’ll give her back to you for your weekly lunch.” Darien said while coming up behind Serena and wrapping his arms around her waist.
“You better.” Raye said.
Then the two lovebirds went over to their own booth sitting next to each other. Darien put his arm around Serena and pulled her close to him.
“I don’t think I will ever let you go again!”
“I don’t think I want you to!” Serena replied back to him. Then she gave him a quick kiss on his adorable, kissable lips.
“And what can I get my two best friends?” Andrew asked.
“Two hamburgers.” Darien said.
“And a chocolate milkshake with two straws.” Serena said without taking her eyes off Darien.
“Ok I’ll be back soon with you order.” Andrew then left the two lovebirds alone.
“You know we aren’t teenagers anymore?” Darien said teasingly into Serena’s ear.
“You said we had seven years to make up and the beginning of those years were my teenager years, Dare.” Serena said matter-of-factly.
“Have I told you that I love you?” Darien asked while bring her even closer to him (if that was possible.)
“Not in at least four minutes.” Serena said with a laugh.