WILL I DREAM OF YOU TONIGHT "Hi there Serena," her parents greeted her at her bedroom door after several rain falls of tears had fallen and dried to nothing earlier. She smiled and when they asked why she looked so weary, she only said she was tired. They would never know of the real pain she was carrying inside. Her father looked around the room with a raised eye brow. "Jeez, it's a botanical garden in here!" he exclaimed, referring to all the flowers and vegetational gifts that her friends and relatives and family and even classmates and teachers had sent her. She laughed a little at his joke. Her mom spoke up. "So, we've been speaking to the doctor and he said you should be ready to go home, no sweat honey in a few days. What do you think of that. It was just a fall and left a bit of a lump on the head. Nothing serious." Serena tried to share her mother's enthusiasm. But nothing seemed to matter much. She had this terrible and lonely feeling of abandonment inside her and it wouldn't go away. >Toby, how could you leave me! What did I EVER do to you....except care?< ____________________________________________________________________________ Darien had requested time off from his job in the afternoonal hours so he could be with Serena for an hour or so until she was out. On his way, he was thinking to himself,and putting his hands in his pockets. He then realized the crinkled piece of paper in his pocket. he took it out and recognized it as the poem that Serena gave to him a week or two before when they met in the park one late afternoon. HEARTS UNBOUND Bound by something stronger than string, I watch two paper hearts dangling, one and one other heart; They brush together in winds, they touch in the breeze And they neither fall not break apart. They hang there, swaying in the winds, Bound together by something stronger than string.... My someone and me only stop swaying at night With only the moon light to color the song two hearts sing. If one falls, the other should fall as well. They either dangle together or not at all, all or nothing. Two strong paper hearts close together, but even if they fall, They were kept with something stronger than string. He was reading the poem over, when he walked smack into a tree since he had not been paying too close attention to where he had been walking. >This just is NOT my week!< he turned his head to see where he had walked. he realized he'd walked right into the park. Looking around he accidentally caught sight of something he regretted later seeing. Toby and a red haired girl, Morealle, on a bench. he was kissing her and she was rubbing her hands in his hair. At first Darien wasn't sure he had the right person, but he recognized him any where! he stared in disbelief and disgust. So Libby knew what she was talking about. Serena's faithful night was apparently quite the ladies man! Without knowing what he was doing, his anger seemed to control him and he stormed right over them. Sensing a shadow standing over them in their private scene, they stopped their making out to look up. Toby narrowed his eyes at Darien. "YOU! What are you doing here!" "The question is WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING HERE!" yelled Darien fiercely. Morealle looked from Toby to Darien in confusion and slight annoyance. Darien yanked Toby up to a standing position by his collar. The younger man gave a cry of peevish surprise. "Hey man! What gives!" "HOW DARE YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SERENA'S INNOCENCE LIKE THAT! YOU TWOTIMING RAT!" he yelled. "If it weren't for You she would be ok!" "Whoa, man easy!" cried Toby in distress at Darien's menacing tone. Darien connected his fist with Toby's face, and slammed him against a tree and looked him eye to eye. "Understand me school boy," Darien glared at him. "If you EVER hurt Serena again, I'll fertilize the park with you! Starting with your oversized head!" he then pushed Toby down into the bushes and with anger and satisfaction, stormed away. Morealle glanced at Toby with distaste and discomfort. Not making an issue, she walked away leaving Toby peeved, humiliated, and even a little..... afraid? he rubbed his bleeding nose and walked away. ___________________________________________________________________________ Serena was talking with Mina and Lita in her room when Darien arrived. "Hi Darien." she smiled. It was not with her usual enthusiasm, but it was not the depressed smile she had been showing him for the last 3 or 2 days. "Serena, I just saw Toby." he said to her seriously. >She has to believe me if I tell her this! She has to hate that guy!< "What?" Where? is he coming to see me?" she sat right up and stared at him. "No, I saw him in the park... with another girl." "WHAT!" exclaimed Mina. They stared from Darien to Serena. None of them had actually expected that answer. serena's face went a little whiter. "Are...are you...sure? Darien...maybe it was..." "He and her were all over each other Serena. And I asked Libby. she says he is usually with a different girl every time she sees him!" Serena stared at him in disbelief, hurt and shock. "But...but he always said I was something special.....how could he do this to me...?" tears began to well in her eyes. He leaned forward and wrapped her in a small hug, letting her cry against his shoulder. "I never liked that guy." Lita shrugged. "Shut up Lita! I didn't ask you." Serena frowned, surprising them again. "Serena, the guy is no good! he never was!" Darien said. She pulled away from him slowly. "You're wrong! YOU'RE WRONG! He said I was someone special! he said...he said...." she felt a sob fall down her throat. They had only ever been just words. She realized she had no actions to prove their honesty. But.... "NO! You're WRONG!" she cried. Darien stared at her and frowned. Why didn't she just accept it, for crying out loud! he held her thin shoulders in his large hands and stared directly into her face. "Serena, he LIED to you! he didn't CARE! He DOESN't CARE! When he gets tired of this one, he'll go to the next. I've been trying to tell you all along..." She shook off his hands and pushed them away and covered her ears. "NO NO NO! YOU're the LIAR! he wouldn't! he wouldn't!...he...he....He... wouldn't,....no...I..." she started to sob and shake her head and with her hands clamped over her ears, she only made Darien frustrated. He pushed her down on the bed on her back, forcing her hands from her ears and stared at her eye to eye. "SERENA! LISTEN TO ME!" he said shaking her shoulders. "HE DOESN'T CARE! BUT I DO!" and he kissed her urgently on her trembling lips, almost touching his any way. She didn't struggle, but when he released her, he saw she had her eyes closed tightly. he gently let go of her and watched her. After a few moments she opened them and he saw she had tears falling from them. She looked at him and shook her head. "Serena...please..." he said "He doesn't care! But I care about you! Please...." he said. She just turned over on her side. "Leave me alone Darien. ....Please?" she sighed sadly and he stared at her, then got up and went out slamming the door. Mina coughed uncomfortable and she and Lita went out to leave Serena alone. But she had actually forgotten they were even there. All that remained were feelings of hurt, pain, confusion and betrayal. And the knowledge she was really alone. Not even Darien could understand. Toby had made the message loud and clear. No one would ever want to love her! Darien was stalking out of the hospital building when Lita caught up to him. he felt like he had lost something important by some stupid gambling move. Sure, he knew she would be hurt. But she didn't even want to believe the guy was a two timer! But he with her all the time, always there for her....why didn't she see he cared? Maybe she did. Maybe she didn't care for HIM? Lita tapped him on the shoulder. he spun around. "Lita?" "Yeah," she smiled at him. "Just wanted to say Darien..... GREAT JOB! It's about time someone knocked that guy into a tree!" somehow her enthusiasm didn't help his mood. "Darien, you really care for her don't you?" "Yes...I think...I DON'T KNOW!" he said in frustration. "Yes, I care! A lot! But she doesn't care for me! She can't get it through her thick head what this guy is like! WHY does she hang on to him like that!" "Darien.....Serena's been betrayed and all along she thought he loved her. It's hard to take. Believe me. I know." she added bitterly. "But she'll come around. You know, she likes you too. Now that Toby, the slime bucket is out of the picture, I don't think any one else stands a chance. Just give her time." he shrugged and smiled tiredly at Lita. "Yeah, fine Lita." "Hey, on your wedding day she'll thank you for it. And you can thank me when your first child's a boy with blue eyes." He laughed. "Lita, I don't even know if we'd even make it through a date. Let alone get married." he said. She grinned. "Just doing some fairy magic in my free time. Don't worry.After she cries for a few days,she'll get over him." Serena thought about the days ahead. How could she go back to school... face every day, knowing that Toby was out with some other stranger, probably telling people about how she'd really thought he'd lived her or something. Every moment it brought her more pain and mortification. All the fuss she had made...for him! But she'd loved him. Why hadn't he loved her?! Men really were confusing. She thought about how he had always complained about her. She'd never heard him complain about any one but her. >No, it's me......but I can't blame him. Who would want to spend life with me any way.< she thought glumly. She felt a stinging feeling of loneliness, And it made the days to come seem scary and hurtful. in seconds She was out of bed and going to her window. She sat by a vase of flowers and pulled out her note book. >I never even wrote a poem for Darien...< she thought of the days he HAD been the closest friend she had. But even he probably wouldn't be able to stand being with her like that! if he deserted her, and he probably would, she didn't know what she would do. >I'm better off just finishing everything so I don't ever have to know.< she thought. She decided to write one last poem: "I, A sunset setting fire to the sea, And the ribbons of colors always capture me. The stars are the lonely tears shed by the moon And I have shared tears like those, too. One red sail sailing on that sea..... And is always going to be there for me. Between the stars, and below the sky, How happy we could have been, the sail boat and I. But I have been falling, and soon will be gone. And without watching my red sail boat very long. I hope that when I am gone, and the moon is here only I will not make his journey dark, I will not have left him lonely. Good Bye Darien. She put the page in a vase of flowers and got out on the window ledge. She looked down at everything and then started to creep along the ledge. The far ledge, about 5 windows down, was wider and easier to jump from gracefully. She looked down, feeling sick and nervous. She'd always feared heights. After a few minutes, she'd nearly reached the first window. >4 more to go after that one< she thought. >Then.....I won't have to be afraid any more.< Darien looked up when Lita screamed Serena's name. In Horror he saw her on the ledge and realized what she was about to do. >OH NO! Serena NO!< he thought and tore for the building as fast as he could. If she jumped before he got up there.....he ran to the elevator, but it was busy. "C'mon! C'mon!" he thought desperately. But then he decided waiting 5 minutes for the elevator could cost Serena her life. She didn't know what she was DOING! he tore for the stairs and ran as fast as he could up them. There was about 6 he had to climb to reach the floor she was on. He tore down to her room. The window was opened and he ran to it, feeling relief when he saw she was still trying to work her way to the end. She had paused several times when she felt nauseated by the feeling of being up so high. "SERENA! What are you doing!" he cried desperately at her. She was about 3 windows away from him. She looked at him, her hair blowing around her. "I'm sorry Darien..I..I just...can't do it anymore!" "Serena, stay right there! Don't move! I'm going to help you!" he called. "No Darien!" she shook her head. "Please, just...just....just help me!" "I am helping you! Just stay right there!" "No! Tell me to jump! Please!" "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!" he cried. She shook her head. he couldn't lose her! Not now! "Serena, please....stay there! I'll help you!" "Darien, I can't go back now. I just can't go on living every day knowing I'm a failure." she cried. He shook his head. "Serena, BELIEVE ME! You're NOT a Failure! Please, stay there! Serena, DON'T YOU DARE JUMP!" he threatened. She shook her head helplessly. "Darien, you've been my best friend...but...I...I..." "Anything Serena. I'll be anything you want. Just stay there!" he begged. She looked down and feeling nauseated and dizzy again she nearly fell forward. But she grabbed the side of the building in time again. "SERENA! DON'T!" he cried. The fire people arrived and they were below, assembling a ladder. Police were rushing into the building. Time was running out. "Serena, come forward. Don't leave me!" he called. "I'll be your friend if that's all you want from me.... just don't jump! I need you!" "NO you don't!" she called back, tears running down her face again. "SREENA, I NEED YOU! PLEASE, COME BACK! SERENA...." she looked into his eyes and saw fear and worry and truth. She looked down again. She suddenly lost her nerve. What did she think she was doing! Getting out on a ledge that was 8 stories high! She shrank down and backed herself against the ledge as far as she could. Her legs were shaking. She was too scared to go back towards Darien incase she fell. "Serena..." he knew she was too scared. He looked out to her. No matter what, he had to get her off that ledge! "Serena, wait there! Don't move! I'm going to come and get you!" she looked at him in fear. he could fall if he tried to help her! "No Darien! I'll come! Just...I'm scared." "Don't be. Don't look down. Just look at me and feel your way towards me!" he called, and reached out a hand. She stood up shakily and started to move towards him. But she looked down and then shrank down again. "Darien.... help." she whined in fear. he started to come out on the ledge. "If you DARE get on that ledge, I'll jump here and now!" she cried at him and he sighed, and went back to the first scenario. "Serena, you can do it! TRY!" she got up at the urgency in his voice and started to creep towards him again. he held a hand out for her. As she got closer to him, she reached for his hand and touched the finger tips. But then she accidentally looked down again and this time she slipped.... 'DARIEN!!!!!!1" she cried as she felt herself fall forward. "SEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNAAAAA!" he cried in fear. It was seconds later he noted with relief she caught a window ledge just a few feet under neath her own. She dangled there and clutched the ledge, trembling like a wall bug. "Darien...HELP!" frantically he thought of what to do. She couldn't hang on there forever! "Serena, wait right there! WAIT!" he called and he grabbed the sheets off her bed and stretching them as much as he could, tied them to the bed post and then flung some out the window. "Serena, on three I want you to grab the end of one!" he called. "And I'll swing you up but then grab my hand! These won't support your weight very long." she nodded. She grabbed the end of a sheet and he started to pull her up. He could feel the strain in the thin fabric of the sheets. "Serena grab my hand when I let go of the sheet. ok?" "LET GO! DON'T YOU DARE!" she cried in fear. he heard a rip behind him. "Serena, I'm serious. It won't hold you much longer! Trust me...please!" he called and she nodded,d though fear almost paralyzed her. >Serena you idiot! of all the things you have to do!< she scolded herself. "One,. two......ready Serena?" he heard another tearing noise. "Three! Now!" he let go of the sheet and reached for her hand with both his arms. he pulled her up strainiously and dragged her through the window, her hanging on tightly to him all the time, and they fell back into the bed,next to the window. She was on top of him, her face on his chest. They started to shift from each other but then just stopped. They stared at each other and then just clutched each other tightly. "I'm sorry...I'm really sorry!" she said sadly. He wrapped his arms tighter around her and held her to him. "For what! What on earth makes you so crazy!" he cried with relief and bewilderment. he ran a hand through her hair to convince himself she was ok and she was with him. There was nothing to worry about. "You told me....about Toby...and..." "I ALMOST LOST YOU BECAUSE OF HIM!" he cried in shock. He hugged her tighter. "Serena!" "No...it's just......he's never complained about any of his other dates... and....he complained about me all the time. I loved him more than any one probably did and....he didn't even care! I was an embarrassment to him and.... Darien....who wants to be with me! It's clear! he made it clear! No one ever will!" He rolled over and pinned her to the bed, so he was on top of her now. he stared at her face fiercely. "Serena! of all the pig headed, stubborn, and idiotic....! Get this in your head right this minute! I WANT to be with You! I care about you! I LOVE YOU!" he yelled at her unbelieving and shocked face. "Serena, I LOVE YOU!" he said again and kissed her. At first she hesit- ated, but then she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. he seemed to relax and when he broke away, he brushed his lips against her ear. "I love you Serena! Right or wrong, I need you." They kissed again, softly. Mina and Lita grinned in the doorway,. "Ok, cut it out you two! You're not married yet remember." Lita grinned, startling both of them. Darien got off Serena and they both sat up, slightly embarrassed. When things were sorted out, and she was left alone in her room again to rest, she felt a warm glow of happiness. Before drifting off to sleep she crept out of bed, went to the vase of flowers, took out the poem she'd made and ripped it up. She then let the pieces flutter down to the street and smiling with happiness, went back to bed. ______________________________________________________________________________ Serena's family came to pick her up the next day. Inside, When her family came up she hugged them. She felt sad to leave all her flowers but her dad said "No way am I getting these things in the car!" so they drove home and she napped most of the day. Later that afternoon, Darien came around to the Tsukino house. Mrs. Tsukino answered the door. "Hello...um..is Serena ok? Can I see her?" he asked. "Oh, I'm sorry Darien. She's sleeping. Do you want me to leave a message?" "Um..no, that's ok. I'll come back later." Serena opened her eyes at the sound o f his voice. She heard her mother close the front door and as fast as she could, she ran to it. he was walking to wards the gate. She opened it and stepped out onto their porch. "Darien?" she asked. he stopped and turned around. Seeing her, he smiled. She ran to him and they wrapped their arms around each other. "I thought you were sleeping." "Not when I heard your voice." she smiled at him brightly. he smiled back, feeling really happy inside himself. For the first time in his life things were starting to go right! he kissed her and she blushed. "Darien, if my dad sees....." He smiled. "I don't care." "Well I do! I have to live with him you know." she laughed and poked him in the ribs. he gave her a hug. "I'll call you later." he smiled. She nodded. he smiled at her and waved. "See you round meatball head!" and he was gone, Leaving a faint breeze of bliss around her. She danced back into the house, the world a version of colored rainbows. She jumped to her bed, turned on the radio & opened her notebook: "I love you not only for what you are.... But for what I am when I'm with you; I love you not only for what you have Made of yourself, but what you're making of me.... You have done it without a touch Without a word, without a sigh, or a call... You have done it by being yourself. Perhaps that is what a friend means after all." Underneath the poem, humming a Selena song on the radio, She wrote around the doodles. "I Love You Darien." THE END ____________________________________________________________________________