"Come on Darien. It's Christmas. Have some Holiday spirit. At least come to the party."
"Andrew I told you. I have things to do."
"Serena will be there."
Andrew gave Darien a knowing smile as his friend stared off into space. His friend sighed then got up to leave.
"Knowing you Andrew you will have the entire Arcade full of mistletoe."
"So?"
"So? You'll probably try to get me under it with a girl."
"Hey! A guy can try can't he?"
Darien sighed again and walked out of the Arcade. He walked to the park. (Oddly enough) He was looking around. It was quiet. No one was in sight. He smiled to himself.
*The snow sure is pretty. *
He was trampled out of his thoughts by being hit from behind. He landed in the snow face and all. He tried to get up, but was aware of someone on top of him. He lifted his face out of the cold wet snow.
"Could you please get off me Meatball Head?"
"Humph. How did you know it was me?"
"You are the only one who Klutz into me."
She got off him and picked up her ice-skates. Darien got into a sitting position and looked at her. She was busy untangling two pairs of ice-skates. Her lips were pressed into a determined pout. He smiled at his adorable Meatball Head. HE stood up and brushed the snow off himself. He reached out and started helping her untangle the skates. Soon she realized another pair of hands. She looked up and examined Darien's Sapphire blue eyes. (AN: My birth stone '~' ) Their hands overlapped and they both looked at each - other. Serena smiled at him and made his heart go from a frozen ice - berg to a sizzling puddle. Serena turned back to the skates and untied a shoestring, which put a pair of skates in both arms.
"Umm thanks Darien."
"No problem Meatball Head. It would have taken you forever to untangle them anyways."
He laughed as she glared at him.
"I didn't come here to be insulted Darien Chiba!" She looked down at the ground and dug a little hole with the tip of her shoe and put her hands behind her back. "I umm came to ask you if you would teach me to ice-skate."
Darien looked at her. He nearly dropped dead. She was actually asking him to teach her to ice-skate!
Serena looked at Darien as she waited for a reply.
"You want ME to teach you to ice-skate?"
Serena's eyes started to water.
"You're right Darien. Why would you want to teach me, a klutzy 14 year old who couldn't get a good grade if she tried."
She turned and started to run when Darien grabbed her wrist. He spun her around and looked into her tearful eyes.
"Actually I would love to teach you to ice-skate."
She smiled and launched herself into his arms. He lost his balance and they both fell into the snow. Darien looked at the girl in his arms.
*This is exactly what I wanted for Christmas. *
He looked to the sky and thanked God for letting him have Serena in his arms.
Serena pulled herself off of him and held out her hand.
"Come on Darien. I want to have a good start."
"That's actually a good idea Meatball Head. With your Klutz attacks we might be there for a while."
"Stop calling me Meatball Head!" She yelled at him. "You have to be nice to me!"
She pouted. "It's Christmas!"
Darien smiled at her. He grabbed her hand and they raced to the pond.
"I won! Haha Darien is so slow!"
Darien just smiled at her. They sat on a bench with a full few of the lake. When they had their skates on Darien glided onto the ice. Serena cautiously and slowly put a foot on the ice. She pushed off and tried to keep her balance on one foot.
Unfortunately she lost her balance. Darien tried to catch her, but they both feel.
"Ow! Oh Darien I'm so sorry."
She looked down in defeat. Darien cupped her head in his hands.
"Don't give up so soon Serena. Nobody is perfect the first time."
Darien helped himself up then extended a hand for Serena. Serena looked at him.
*Wow. Darien is actually being nice to me. *
She took his hand then shakily stood up. She turned her head from side to side. She furrowed her brow and looked at Darien curiously. He gave her a confused smile as she examined his head.
"What are you looking for Serena?"
"A bump."
She said simply. He raised an eyebrow still smiling.
"A bump?"
"Yeah. I think when I tackled you, you hit your head."
He laughed at her. He pulled her around the ice all the while trying to teach her how to get her balance. She would have it for a while, but she would slip and bring them both down. She would look at Darien expecting to see a look of disappointment in his eyes. She was surprised however that she never got that look. Instead she got words of comfort and a Beautiful smile. She had never seen Darien so cheerful.
*It's almost as if he was hiding from me. I've never noticed how charming he really is. Wow, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'm falling in love with Darien. *
After an hour she seemed to get the hang of it. Darien watched his Angel's pale pace and flushed cheeks.
*I don't know how long I could live without my Serena. *
"Hey Meatball Head!"
She glared at him.
"Hey! You promised remember?"
He smiled at her.
"Yeah, yeah I remember. Force of habit I assure you."
She playfully punched his shoulder, but lost her balance and pulled them both down. She wound up on top of Darien. They looked at each other. Their breath was slow and uncertain. Slowly their heads moved closer. Each one wanting to know what was happening. Darien blinked and looked away. Serena looked at him. The moment broken. Serena got off him and tried to stand up. Darien extended a hand and she gladly took it.
"Come on Serena. I'll buy you some hot chocolate."
Serena smiled at him. He nearly slipped and fell. He had claimed that smile was just for him. He never saw her smile at anyone else that way. They skated over to a stand and bought the chocolate. They carefully skated over to a bench by other people. Serena actually didn't spill a drop. Darien laughed as she exclaimed her delight in her accomplishment. They sat next to each other in a silence only enjoyed by those who have already said enough. Where to speak would only make them think of things besides their love. Serena noticed Darien trying to unsuccessfully avoid the gaze of a tall red haired woman. Serena started to giggle. Darien looked at her with curiosity. He gave her a corky grin.
"What?"
"Hehe. You."
"What about me?"
"Hehehehe. Why don't you go talk to her?"
Darien nearly spit out the chocolate he was drinking. This brought more laughter from Serena.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Well,… She… Well,… She,.. she won't leave me alone."
Darien stated triumphantly. Serena raised an eye - brow.
"What? Every where I go she always pops up. I swear one time she followed me into the bathroom of a restaurant." (AN: Come on who has done this before? Raise your hands! -_-" (Sweat drops))
Serena started laughing and Darien soon joined her.
"Ohhh. Darien has a stalker how cute."
This brought forth more laughter from both of them.
"Come on Darien I want to have some more time to skate before the party." She got up and pulled Darien with her. Some children came and tugged on her pigtails and she skated off and played with them. Darien skated under a tree and shoved his hands into his pockets. He watched Serena as she played with the kids laughing and slipping. He turned his head at the sound of his name. He saw Beryl skating towards him waving her hand in the air with a big smile.
"You who! Darien! Guess what you are standing under."
Darien gave a pained/panicked expression. His face turned red as he slowly turned his head upward towards the sky. There it was. The one plant that made him want to die. Mistletoe. Cursing the man that invented the stupid tradition he took his hands out of his pockets and looked for someone to grab a hold of so he wouldn't have to kiss Beryl. Serena skated by him and he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a kiss. She squealed with surprised, but it died as his lips met hers. He pulled away looking into her still shocked eyes. He looked dazed, uncertain, and greatful. He shifted his head and she looked the way he motioned. She saw Beryl and a smile found it's way to her pink lips. He whispered into her ear. It sent chills through her body.
"We were under mistletoe." He said softly. "It's tradition."
Serena looked at him.
"We must not break tradition then."
He smiled at her.
"No of coarse not."
They skated away while Beryl looked on in horror. They stopped at their bench and started to put on their shoes. He saw out of the corner of his eye the strange look Serena gave him. He looked at her confused. Then it hit him.
"Oh! Serena I'm so sorry. That was your fist kiss."
He slapped his forehead with his hand.
"Umm. It's OK Darien, really."
"No it's not you should have shared that with someone special."
"Darien it's fine I forgive you."
"Then at least make it a lot better."
She looked at Darien surprised.
"Wha…"
She didn't get to finish. Darien had wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. Being farely new at it Serena just copied his motion. When he pulled away breathlessly he looked deep into her eyes. That's when she saw it. It nearly gave her a heart attack. In side she smiled. Her heart - beat grew faster.
* I've finally figured him out! *
"Would you like to take me to the Christmas party at the arcade?"
Serena turned her head in embarrassment.
*Did I just say that out loud?!*
Darien just looked at Serena. Smiling at her embarrassment.
"Actually I was wondering if you would go with me."
He smiled as she launched herself into his arms.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you!"
She quickly gave him a kiss on the lips, gathered her stuff in her arms and rushed home to get ready. Behind her she left a stunned Darien. He just grinned and got up. He turned to walk home and saw Beryl heading towards him.
"Darien! You who!"
Darien's face fell. He winced and ran full speed away. When he arrived at his apartment he leaned against the door and sighed heavily. Then a thought hit him.
*What am I going to get Serena! *
He dashed into his room and rummaged through his things. He came along a black box. He dropped what he was holding and picked up the box. He sat on his bed and opened the lid. He stared at the treasure. It was a ring. In the center was a ruby shaped like a blossoming rose. Around the edge of the rose was a pearl shaped like a crescent moon and the ring was lined with good.
Darien stared in awe at the beautiful ring.
*This is perfect for my Meatball Head. *
(AN a little possessive aren't we now Darien?)
When Serena was far enough away from Darien she stopped and jumped up and down.
"Yes, yes ,yes ,yes ,yes ,yes ,yes ,yes ,yes!! I can't believe this is happening to me! I must be the happiest girl in the world! I better run home and get ready!"
She sprinted off towards her home. When she arrived she ran into her room and collapsed to the floor. Out of breath she climbed on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Deep in thought she played with one of her pigtails.
*What am I going to get Darien. It has to be something that shows I will always be there for him. *
A light went off in her head and she ran to her attic. Her cat followed right behind her. (AN: I don't know if she has a attic. But bear with me and use your imagination -_-') She dug into a box and threw its contents every which way. An old shirt covered Luna were she sat on a trunk.
"Oh Luna I'm sorry!"
She walked over and took the shirt off of her and petted her head. Luna responded by purring.
"Oh Luna were is it?"
Luna looked at her mistress as if to question what she was looking for.
"If only I could find that pink box."
Luna jumped down and scampered off. Serena sadly watched after her. A few min. later she heard a soft screeching sound. It was like a box was being pushed on the hard wood floor. She heard a meow and walked over towards Luna. She saw her clever kitty pulling on a red bow with her teeth. At the end of the red bow was a pink box. She smiled and laughed and picked up her cat. She hugged her close and whirled around.
"Thank you so much Luna!"
She picked up the dusty box and headed down to her room. When in her room she shut the door, set her cat on her dresser and placed the box on her bed. She knelt down next to her bed and carefully untied the ribbon. She opened the box lid and reached inside. She pulled out a picture frame. It had designs all over it. Moons, stars, suns, and bunnies. In side was a picture of Serena when she was small wearing bunny ears. On the bottom was a sentence: "Those who love us dearly are those who see us clearly." Serena smiled.
*This is perfect. *
Serena walked downstairs and into the kitchen where her mother was cooking lunch. She sat on the counter and examined a peach.
"Mom."
Her mother jumped and covered her heart.
"Serena honey don't sneak up on my like that."
"Sorry mom. Do we have any wrapping paper left?"
"Oh, no honey we don't, and I still have a few more presents to wrap."
"Well, I have a present to wrap so if you give me the money I'll walk to the store and buy some."
Ikuko looked at her daughter.
"Well, ok dear. But hurry back. We still have to do your hair for that party tonight."
Ikuko smiled at her daughter and gave her some money. Serena was almost to the door when she heard her dad yell.
"Party! What party?! Are there going to be boys at this party!"
She ran out the door before her dad could reach her.
*I love ya dad, but I wouldn't miss this party for the world. *
Darien was walking back to his apartment from the store. He went to get a jewelry box fit to hold the ring for Serena. He pulled the small box out of his pocket and looked at it. A smile spread across his lips. He returned the box to his pocket and continued to his apartment. He looked up and saw his Meatball Head crossing the street. She was skipping swinging a bag back and forth while she hummed a soft tune. A beautiful smile apparent on her soft pink lips. Out of the corner of his eye Darien saw a red corvette speeding towards Serena. His face froze. Panic stricken Darien ran towards Serena. All the while yelling her name. She turned to him surprised. She was about to ask him why he was running at her when he hit her to the ground. They tumbled on the road tangled into each other's arms. Serena closed her eyes tight and hugged Darien with all her might. A sharp pain stabbed at her head. Darkness plagued her and refused to give up the battle. Soon Serena gave in. Hoping Darien was ok. When she woke up next she had a cold rag being pressed against her forehead.She groggily opened her eyes to the worrying ones of Darien.
*He looks close to tears. Oh Darien. I'm sorry. *
She reached up and placed a weary had on his cheek. He placed his on top of hers. She gave him a confused look.
"What happened?"
"You almost got hit by a car."
The memory rushed to her and she broke down in tears. Darien wrapped her into his arms.
"Shhh. Serena. Shhhh. It's OK. Your safe now."
"Oh Darien."
"You scared me Serena."
"Not anymore than I scared myself. Thank you Darien. For saving me."
He pulled from the hug and looked into her eyes.
"Your welcome my Meatball Head."
She looked at him surprised. Then she saw it for the second time. She smiled brightly at him. She pulled him into a lying position and snuggled up close to him.
Darien looked at her wide - eyed. She laid her on his chest and closed her eyes. He just stared at her.
"Why don't you tell me about it Darien?"
He grew deathly pale.
*Does she know? But, how can she? Maybe Andrew told her. *
"My mom always said it makes you feel a little better by talking about it."
She looked up at him and smiled. He just looked at her confused. He swallowed hard.
"I,… I… better go get you an aspirin. You'll probably get a bad head-ace."
He got off the bed and went into his bathroom. Serena stared off after him.
*Oh Darien. You might think you can stay away from me, but I'll get close. I'll find out why you're so sad. *
"Well, here."
He thrusted a black box into her hands. She looked at him then opened the lid. She gasped in surprised. It was a silver bracelet. It had 10 charms connected to it. Each one the symbol of the nine planets: Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, Venus, Pluto, a rose and a crescent moon. And each symbol had a jewel with its color placed in the center of it. Serena looked at her little brother again.
"I was going to wait until Christmas morning, but I thought you could wear it to your party."
She hugged her little brother.
"Thank you Sammy I love it."
"You do?"
"Of coarse. Who wouldn't?"
He smiled.
"Just to let ya know. If that guy even thinks of touching you Dad and me will shoot em."
He gave her a wink and a thumbs up. Serena laughed and hugged him again. He went into his room and she stood at the top of the stairs. She watched Darien talk to her mom. His back was to her, but her mom was facing her. She didn't see her yet she was busy talking to Darien. When she looked up she stopped in the middle of her thought.
"Oh my."
Curious Darien turned around to look at what Ikuko was staring at.
"Oh."
Was all he could force out, Serena blushed and walked down the stairs holding the front end of her dress so she wouldn't trip. She noticed Darien was dashingly handsome. Wearing a black suit and tie. It fit him perfectly. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she smiled at Darien. He was mesmerized by this beauty.
"Hi Serena you look wonderful."
"You look great yourself Darien."
"Thank you."
He said while looking arrogant about it. She playfully punched him in the shoulder.
"Well, it is time you to should get going."
"That reminds me mom. Where is Dad?"
"Oh I locked him in the study dear."
Serena smiled at her mom, hugged and kissed her. She walked to the closet and pulled on a coat. With Darien's assistance. They were standing by the door saying their last good-byes to Serena's mother when she pointed up.
"Looks like you two got caught."
She smiled mischievously. Serena gave Darien an apologetic glance. He just smiled and leaned close to her.
"It's tradition."
He closed the gap and kissed her. They saw a flash of light and turned to Serena's brother holding a camera with a sly grin on his face. Serena looked back at Darien and whispered in his ear.
"We must not break tradition then."
He smiled back at her. He opened the door for her and they walked to his car. Serena swung the bag with gifts for the girls and him in it. She stopped and gapped at the car parked in the driveway.
"That can't be your car!"
He smirked at her.
"Yep."
"What did you do steal it?"
"No, I saved up for it. Why?"
"It is a very nice car."
"Thanks."
He opened the door for her and shut it when she was all the way in. It was a good thing she wasn't watching him he thought. She would have seen the leap of joy and that big goofy grin on his face. But, unknown to him Serena did see it. She smiled to herself. A small plan forming in her mind.
*This will be his best Christmas ever. *
Intently she looked out the window. Watching for signs of the park. When they were almost to the park Serena placed her hand on his. He looked at her.
"Pull over."
"Why?"
"Just pull over please Darien."
He gave her a confused look, but complied. He watched her get out of the car with a package in her hand. He followed her. He listened to the snow crunch under her feet. He saw when she stopped by a bench looking over the frozen late. She motioned for him to sit on the bench and he did.
"What are you doing Meatball Head?"
Instead of glare at him Serena looked seriously into his eyes. She gave the package to him and watched him stare at it.
"Open it Darien."
He looked at her. He slowly untied the bow and ripped off the paper. His eyes froze when he saw his present. It was a picture frame. In the center was a picture of him and Serena. He looked at it and felt every inch of it with his hands. Like a blind fool he stared at the picture. He read the words slowly.
Then looked at Serena.
"I know it was wrong to take this picture, but… I, I wanted to let you know that I would be there for you. And, and that I will be all the family you could ever want if you would just let me. And if you wanted me to."
Darien just stared at her. Unable to speak. Unable to breath for that matter. He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. Serena look his hand with hers. He got off the bench and knelt in front of her.
"Do you mean it?"
"Of course Darien. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."
She smiled at him. He threw his arms around her and hugged her with all his might.
"Thank you Serena."
Then he remembered his present to her. He smiled. She will have to wait to get it.
"Come on Serena. We better go. Andrew will have a fit if are late. Then again you are accustom to that aren't you?"
Serena gave him a playful glare.
"You better watch it buddy. If you keep it up I might be forced to deprive you of a kiss."
