176Total Eclipse of the Heart
Summary: Serena is a primary school teacher and has a watchful eye over a very special student. However Darien is his father, a very rich, successful and married man - Who also happens to be in a very unhappy marriage.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, or any rights associated.
Trigger Warning - There is some inappropriate behaviour in this chapter from one of the characters. I do not support this behaviour in real, however the character is a real jerk! So heads up in advance, and apologies if you find this bit of the story offensive.
Chapter 10: Repressed Memories
"Finally, you're alone," Seiya's voice came into her head as she pushed herself through the crowded hallway. All she wanted was to be left alone. Her chest was feeling heavy and tight, and she was not sure if she was about to brake down and cry or scream. "I know a quiet place we can go," he tried to grab her hand and tried to lead her in another direction.
"Seiya!" she said flatly in a harsh tone yanking her hand away from, "please!" she strained as her eyes tried to contain her emotions, "can you please, just leave me alone this one time already!" she was about to snap. It was like she was walking on thin ice that was about to break and unleash all of her emotions, and she wasn't sure if she could handle it. She was still trying to process the information just moments ago which caused this sudden feeling within her.
Surprise was apparent on his face, but he still didn't like her persistence to pretend that there wasn't anything between them. "Serena, I'm trying to find a quiet place for you! I'm trying to be nice here," he almost laughed. It was a little lie, but surely he could guilt her into submitting to him for once and for all. He was sure that once he was able to sleep with her, she would change her mind. It was an intimate act that shared feelings and emotions between two people. Surely it was only logical that she would definitely feel something for him after that.
Serena let a groan out. Yes it was very unladylike and rude of her. But her patience was wearing thin. And she really did not have the time to play this game with Seiya. Not right now. It may have been fun at first to tease him. But how many times did a girl need to say no before a guy understood? "I just need to leave Seiya! Leave me alone!" she argued trying to wrestle her arms away from him.
"Serena," he kept laughing like it was a joke, "I can take you away from this place, leave with me," he smiled trying to push her in the direction of the exit.
Yes, it was the direction she wanted to go, but not with him. Not him of all people. Okay, it was probably a tie between him and someone else. She just wanted to leave this place and go somewhere quiet to sort out her emotions and memories. She just wanted to be alone.
"Can't you take a hint buddy?" came a very familiar voice to her ears, "It's obvious from my point of view that she doesn't want to go anywhere with you," his voices sounded angry and frustrated, yet there was a hint of urgency in it.
Serena resisted the urge to look into the direction of the voice. But she did feel Seiya's hands leave her arm and his presence move away from her. From the corner of her eye she noticed he had stood up straight and straightened out his attire. "Well, if it isn't you again," he sighed in frustration, "you know, you and your partner have the worst timing!" he growled, taking a step towards Serena and grabbing her harshly on the wrist.
Serena yelped in surprise to Seiya's sudden reaction. She was too busy trying to ignore the other man that had interrupted them. She refused to say he saved her and give him the satisfaction. She figured she could wrestle Seiya later when they got out of the guys presence. She really wished she could just teleport out of there. Have press came and force them apart even!
"HEY!" Darien's voice boomed again, "She doesn't want to leave with you." Well, he didn't know for sure, but when he rounded the corner he could see she looked about ready to snap his neck with her eyes while she fended of his advances. So he made the assumption. Plus, he needed her more than this… man, in front of him.
Seiya let go of Serena's arm with a sigh and faced towards Darien direction again, "Listen, buddy," he said sarcastically, "This is none of your business. So I suggest you go back and mingle while you're here. Cause I will personally ensure you can't advance further into this industry! I'm sure you know exactly who I am!" he was almost nose to nose with Darien, "Now shoo," he motioned with his hand as he turned around away from Darien.
But just as he was turning around Darien reached out and grabbed his shoulder forcing him back into his direction. "I don't like to be threatened," he said in a low voice, pulling Seiya towards him so only he could hear his words, "You cause any issue for me whatsoever, and trust me, it will be the biggest mistake of your life!" his voice was like ice. Low and thick, pronounced in a manner that meant business. "I may be trying to break into this industry, however I am still Dairen Shields, powerful in my own right! And little man, I can cause you a great deal of hassle myself."
Seiya swatted Dairen's fist from the front of his shirt. He was aware that right now Darien did in fact hold more power. But that was only temporary. It would only be a matter of time though. He didn't work this hard for Kenji Tsukino for nothing! His hard work and effort would pay off and he would be rewarded with everything he desired. Starting with Serena.
However, before he could even mutter a word in rebuttal to Darien, Serena had let out a massive sigh and started to walk away from them. Clearly over whatever was happening between them. There was no way she was going to witness them sizing each other up deciding who was more 'macho'. She really didn't want to deal with either of them. They were clearly sorting out their own issues, so they could continue without her audience.
At this stage Andrew had also managed to catch up to them, and approach the situation, "what's happening?" he said quizzically as he looked between Darien and Seiya who looked like they were both ready to rip each others throats out, and the retreating form of Serena a few steps ahead, who clearly had no interest in what was about to go down.
Darien gave Andrew pleading eyes for a moment before slitting his eyes to Seiya's form, "you need to learn how to take a message," he growled before stepping aside to chase Serena.
'You owe me big time!' Andrew thought to himself as he turned towards Seiya, "Just the man I was after actually," he started.
However Seiya gave him a rough look over and scoffed with a shrug as he took off back towards the seminar room. Leave a very stunned Andrew. He didn't expect the guy to be this rude. However given the situation, in addition to the previous one where he found Serena come back from the balcony, he did assume the guy was full of himself. But he figured he would hang back and give Darien some time alone with Serena.
"Can you please just stop," he asked quietly as he followed the blonde through corridors, into the lobby area. She was making her way towards the coat valet, which also happened to be a very public and populated place. "Please stop ignoring me," he asked again, however this time he reached out and touched her shoulder lightly.
It was mainly just to make his presence known to her, but in response to his touch she gave a small flinch and came to a halting stop. Her face whipping around to his own, her eyes burning with anger, "don't you dare touch me again!" she growled in an unfamiliar voice. In a flash Darien had his hands in the air as a show of surrender.
She didn't know why she was so angry. Okay, she was irritated. Not that it made it any better. But she was so ashamed of her behaviour. First Seiya taking more bold actions to try and 'woo' her, and now the disappointment that a decent man she met was actually someone from her past that she forced herself to forget with every ounce of her being. This was half the reason why she avoided returning here, and what made her want to leave Japan again. Double standards! She returned in hopes to clarify things… but she also feared the unknown of 'what if's'… gosh she could be such a coward. And this was just another perfect occasion for her to realise it.
She sighed in self-defeat and frustration of her own behaviour, "I just… this has been a very trying night for me," she explained. Why? Well she didn't even know herself. Maybe it was helping her clarify her own thoughts? She couldn't care less what he thought of her anymore. She was used to people misunderstanding her and saying things about her behind her back.
"I just want to talk," Darien said in a low voice. His facial features softened. Ever since the day they fought in his teenage years, he had so many regrets about that incident, and she was impossible to find. Yet all this time she was under his nose. He knew it was selfish of him, but he really would go to the ends of the world to be given a second chance by this woman.
She hummed it for a moment. But in reality, the past was the past. He was now married with a son. She wouldn't be that woman. No matter how much past history they had, or unresolved issues to sort out. "I think it'd be for the best if we forgot everything Darien. And just pretended to be exactly who we thought we were these past few weeks. I'm your son's teacher, and your married. I think you need to sort your personal home issues out first, and really think about the situation before you continue whatever it is that's on your mind right now," she replied thoughtfully.
"I can't just forget again Serena," he beseeched, "I tried so hard all these years, and prayed for an opportunity to see you again. And you want to just bypass everything and pretend?" He argued. "You just up and left. I had no way to find you."
Serena looked down. She couldn't watch the pain etching on to his face, "It's the only way I know how," she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek. Okay, so after everything that happened during their teenage years, she did leave everything on a sour note. But it's not like he chased her or anything. He had how many years to act on his wants. Yet he persisted to tease and taunt her. "By the end of the year your son will go to another teacher, and I don't have anything to do with my father's business… so there's no logical reason for us to even pretend anything is going to happen or change in our lives. It's for the best," she said firmly. It was more to confirm her own thoughts. But it was true nonetheless.
"I get it," he said with sombre, "But when you left, communicating with everyone, things didn't add up. And I think we both need to clarify a few things. Remember what you said over lunch the other day? About friendship to DJ? A silly schoolgirl notion of changing things? Don't leave it like this. Talk to me," he was almost begging. His shoulders had slumped over and pain was etched in his features. She couldn't help but think about the past. She always felt like there was a miscommunication somewhere. But then his actions were always bipolar. One day he seemed interested, the next his taunting made her cry. So much pain came from her memories, which was why she decided to lock them up and forget all about them. Forget about 'friends' and 'stupid crushes'! Having people in your life meant weakness and getting hurt. It took her years to let people into her life again and date. But as mentioned before, she still encountered residual issues. And yet, after running into Andrew, all the times at the arcade came crashing back to her. And realising just whom Darien was… that ache in her heart came back tenfold and it left her utterly confused between the memory she had, and the man she was recently getting to know.
- Flashback -
Today was the day. She had spent most the morning finalising her packing, for tomorrow morning she was jet setting abroad for goodness only knew how many years it would take her to complete a degree. She knew she wouldn't have been able to brave telling the girls in advance about her decision to leave Japan… but today she was going to! They were supposed to all meet up at the Crown, their usual hang out for all times sake as their final hurray in graduating High School and moving on with their lives.
Of course Serena also wanted to take this time to let the girls know she was leaving. She would always chicken out when she was about to let them know before this moment. But today was the last chance she would have. So she prepared in advance. And she even got to the Crown earlier than planned… although there was another ulterior motives behind that decision.
Walking through the doors she was saddened not to see Andrew (her first crush) working. She assumed he must have of had class, as he was a college student. He was about five years her senior… along with her arch nemesis. She was distraught the day she found out that someone as sweet and lovely as Andrew was friends with someone so dark and twisted as her nemesis. Apparently they had grown up together like brothers. Both of the same age too. Serena couldn't deny that the dark, twisted man was handsome. She had somehow along the way formed a small crush, hoping there was more to his teasing. His name, Darien Chiba!
Of course their relationship wasn't as simple as that. When she first met him she had thrown a failed test paper at him by accident. His teasing actually encouraged her to do better. However every time he was around the crown he would always tease her – eliciting some sort of anger from her. Multiple times he would say how cute she was when angry. Until she developed… physically with age. And he started to taunt her. Sometimes it was a brush of his hand, subtle gestures, other times he would whisper things in her ear that drove her crazy. She was always getting mixed messages about his behaviour. But the girls always told her she was dreaming, that someone like him would never want anything serious with her. Especially Raye who kept telling her that boys their age only use girls, and that she should be careful about his true intentions. And it did make sense. She was always told how silly and immature her behaviour was. Not to mention her lack on interest in school copped her a lot of slack about her future. But best friends were supposed to be honest right? Have your best interest at heart? Some days she questioned their friendships. They were all so vastly differently, and she felt like the odd one out some days. But Amy had once said to her that she was like the glue that held them all together. It was indeed Serena who approach them first and introduced them all together. Which made Serena want to believe what her friends were telling her the truth all the more. Like how Andrew only seen her as a baby sister because he felt sorry for her due to her innocent immaturity. And Darien only teased her because he was setting her up for a future filled with disappointment because he too believed she wouldn't amount to much. And of course Raye always telling her this because she thought honesty was the best policy and didn't want Serena to get hurt and find out the hard way.
She actually stopped in her footsteps as she thought about Raye, for she was already at the arcade too. "Raye!" she waved her arm towards her friend.
"Serena, what are you doing here so early?" Raye looked at the girl with surprise. Serena was known to be tardy and late for everything. It was a running joke that she'd probably be late for her own wedding and funeral.
Serena just stared in shock herself! She was not expecting Raye to be here this early either. To be honest, she was hoping to spot either Andrew or Darien before she met with her friends… laughing off her disappointment she made her way towards Raye.
The surprise on Raye's face wasn't entirely uncalled for either. It was a first for Serena to be early. But today was her last day… she was very secretive about her moving abroad after high school to study. Tomorrow she was leaving first thing, and today was the last day she had with her friends. She wanted to spend as much time as possible with them. But of course she also wanted a chance to speak to someone one last time before she left…
As much as she hated Darien, their relationship was absurd. She struggled to even comprehend it. Why would someone who clearly hated her, and teased her to death, still associate with her? Plus he always laughed when he achieved a response from her, and acted way too friendly. She just needed to know why. Why he tried so hard to illicit responses from her and laugh at her. But he always had those endearing eyes that wanted to apologise to her, but just couldn't. She just needed to know why. What it all meant. And why it was just her that he treated in this manner. Yeah, okay she was a bit of a klutz, but surely someone as attractive as him would have a girlfriend or someone of interest at college? His own age! Surely! So why did he spend so much time at the arcade, when he clearly said many times he'd rather be studying or at home, than surrounded by teenage girls? Andrew was always busy working, so it's not like he was there for his friend. But her friends kept telling her otherwise. No way anything more would ever happen between the pair. So it was easier to hate him, than allow herself to give in the flutters of her heart and stomach when he was around.
"What's with that nervous laugh meatball head!" Raye giggled as she dragged Serena to their usual table. "Expecting someone else huh?"
Serena hated that pet name. It was given to her from her arch nemesis Darien – the one and only, who loved to make her feel horrible about herself. Yet he said it was supposed to be 'pet name' because it was cute and unique. Yet he didn't respect her wishes when she asked him to stop calling her that. So many the girls were right about him after all? In addition to the names, and teasing about her hairstyle and grades, he would also tell the girls dreadful things he thought about Serena when she wasn't around. At first Serena thought the guy was treating her differently for a more… romantic reasons… and just had issues expressing himself. However her friends were quick to remind her about the bad stuff he would say behind her back - especially from Raye. At first she thought that perhaps something was going on between Raye and Darien because he told her a lot of stuff, but Raye never let on about anything. And Raye was known for her assertive behaviour when it came to things she wanted. Plus Darien didn't interact with anyone else but Andrew and Serena when at the arcade. Every now and than he'd say hello to the girls, and have an intellectual conversation with Amy. But never enough to make Serena think anything fishy was going on.
"I can't hide anything from you," Serena whined. It was going to be a few more hours until the other girls arrived, so Serena decided to cave and tell Raye the real… partial reason, she was early. "I was going to wait until everyone was here, but I'll tell you first," Serena started as they took a seat opposite each other. "I'm leaving tomorrow to go abroad for college." Serena held her breath while she waited for Raye's response.
Everyone who knew the girls knew that Raye and Serena didn't particularly get along at the best of time. Mainly because Raye lacked the patience to handle Serena's klutzy and childish side. It irked her that someone so clueless and bubbly gained so much attention without realising it. However Serena was aware that the shock on Raye's face slowly dissipated as she visibly sat in deep thought processing what was just said.
"Before you say anything!" Serena started, pushing her hands forward in case Raye wanted to interrupt, "I know I should have told you guys sooner, but I didn't know if I could handle saying goodbye to everyone. Which is why I wanted everyone to be available today so we could spend the whole afternoon together!" she smiled warmly for forgiveness. "I even wrote everyone cards with my new contact details so we can still keep in contact," she dug into her bag bringing out some square cardboard papers. "I even wrote one for Andrew, and even Chiba-Bum-Face… in case…" she sighed.
Raye just looked at her blankly, "Overseas? What are you talking about? Like to check out colleges? Or you're already enrolled?" Raye asked quickly.
"Yes Raye, I'm going abroad. I've already enrolled and have housing set up for me. I actually leave tomorrow morning." Serena said slowly as she looked down at the table in front of Raye. She was a coward to wait so last minute to tell her friends. But it felt good to at least finally tell someone!
"But…" she paused for a moment, "why the contact cards Serena? We all know your number and email?"
"Well… it's a bit hard to explain, but my parents enrolled me under a different name, so they changed my phone number and for professional purposes my parents made me get a new email address," Serena started, "Just because I'll be away for a few years, I still value all our friendships and want to stay in contact."
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Raye demanded. Her voice sounded harsh with anger.
"Like I said, I didn't want to say goodbye… I'm terrible at it. I always chickened out last minute…"
"And you say you value our friendship?" Raye cut Serena off, "Your actions say you don't respect us or our friendship," Raye started on behalf of the absent girls in the group. "You should be able to tell your friends anything and everything. Even this Serena!"
"I know… I just couldn't bear the heartache to say bye to everyone sooner."
"That's not good enough Serena! You can't always get your way and expect people to forgive you. God you're so spoiled and selfish! You keep so much about yourself secret, and yet the girls still think you're the perfect friend!"
"I don't mean to be so secretive," Serena sobbed. And it was true. She rejoiced in the fact that her friends liked her for who she was. During primary school her friends only liked her because of her family's status and wealth, or other kids were encouraged to make friends with her because of their parents wanting to engage Serena's parents. So she told white lies every now and than so the girls couldn't find out where she lived, or meet her parents. It didn't change who she was at all.
"Yes you do!" Raye kept cutting Serena off, "If you can't be completely honest with your friends, why even say that we are your friends?! You've just been using us all haven't you? Laughing at how foolish we have been? Now all of a sudden you're going overseas? Not once did you even mention that you wanted to go abroad, little lone looking at colleges over there!"
Anger was clearly coming off Raye, "Why are you being so mean Raye?!" Serena started as tears slid down her cheeks. This was not what Serena had imaged. Perhaps she should have wait until all the girls were there? Or just left and sent them messages when she landed overseas?
"Being mean?" Raye scoffed, "Isn't what your doing mean? Keeping everything about yourself secret? Pretending all this time, and now poof you're leaving like we mean nothing to you? You know this is going to hurt the girls when they find out too? All this time we've been talking about college and how we'll manage to stay in contact and visit each other… what were you doing? Pretending to be here and laugh at how naïve we all are?"
"Raye!" Serena started, but was cut off as two young men came barging in towards them, each of them pulled a girl away from the other as they witnessed Raye towering over and shouting at Serena who looked visibly scared in her chair avoiding eye contact with the menacing figure in front of her.
"What on earth are you two arguing about?" Andrew started as he put a protective arm across Serena, shielding her from Raye's reach and putting space between the pair.
Both Andrew and Darien were returning to the arcade from their class when they entered to witness Raye yelling at a sobbing Serena. With a quick glance to each other, they rushed forward. Luckily just in time, as it appeared that Raye was about to hit Serena.
"Where are the rest of the girls?" Darien interjected as he pulled Raye back, grabbing the wrist that was about to be flung into Serena's direction. He knew he was grabbing Raye much harder than he should have, but the thought of her hitting Serena made him angry.
"What's going with you two?" Andrew asked again as Raye stared at Serena with heavy breathing, rage thoroughly radiating off her. And poor Serena had just burst into tears as she sobbed into Andrew's protective embrace.
Raye forced herself out of Darien's grip with a grunt, "Nothing! Just Serena being her usual selfish, immature, bratty self!" her words dripped with a vicious note, and both men were very aware of her raging anger.
"You two are friends, why the hostility," Darien interjected as he looked at the hurt expression on Serena's face as she continued to cry.
"Serena has been keeping a massive secret from us all! Even her so called 'best friends'. What do we even really know about her? Nothing!" Raye started, "And now she drops a massive bomb which proves just how much she trusted us, and cared about our feelings and friendship."
"What's going on?" Andrew asked softly to Serena as he held her supportively as she cried. Serena just sniffled as she tried to process her thoughts.
"I just wanted today to be a good day!" she stressed, holding back tears, "you always ruin everything Raye!" Serena screamed as she stomped her foot, shrugging off Andrew's hold as she raced out of the arcade crying once more.
"That's right! Do what you do best and run away!" Raye yelled out as she watched Serena run through the arcade out into the street.
Another glance was shared between the men before Darien took off following Serena.
Andrew looked at Raye, "Care to explain at all?" he asked with a questioning look. Raye looked somewhat smug, but anger was still present.
Raye just glared at him but quickly noted the cardboard papers Serena left on the table. Quickly grabbing them, she tried to act normal, "Andrew, no offence, but I don't think it's any of your business."
Andrew looked at her carefully, curious what she was so eager to snatch off the table, but let it go. "I've seen you girls grow up through the years, watched you all hanging out here. You're all like little sisters. And you of all people know how sensitive Serena can be," he started, but stopped as Raye just laughed at him.
"We've all been blind fools as Serena played with us! Do you even know anything about her? Every time we suggest going to her place, or meeting her parents, or even talking about her family, she reflects and finds some lame excuse! Yet she puts on this façade to us all, afraid to open up and share. And now, she tells me she is leaving overseas to study! Can you believe it? Not one utterance while we all talked about college plans!"
Andrew was stunned to hear this news. He could understand how Raye might be annoyed and upset, but he definitely felt like she was overacting a bit. "What? She's leaving?" Andrew said in disbelief. Perhaps Serena didn't know how to approach the situation? He couldn't imagine Serena being the evil villain that Raye was portraying her out to be. Definitely a case of misunderstanding he thought.
"That's all you got from that?" Raye said as she slammed her hand on the table. "Arg! You are all wound around her damn little finger! So worried about her," she looked at her other hand where she held the cards and sighed in frustration. "I say good riddance! All she did was complain about everyone and demand attention while being so secretive about herself!"
The words dripped like venom and Andrew couldn't help but notice how Raye's behaviour was vastly different to her usual. He noticed that Raye forced herself to be nice to Serena when the girls were around, but today she was clear about how she felt towards Serena. To Andrew, Serena was the little sister he always wanted. She was cute and gullible, which made him want to protect her. Yes she was sweet and innocent, and yes, she didn't share much of her personal life, but everyone deserved to have their own secret if they wanted. She wasn't harming anyone, and the way she acted around her friends was real, there was nothing that seemed fake – unlike Raye's behaviour and characteristics.
"Raye," Andrew started but stopped. He had an inkling that part of her hatred towards Serena was Darien, especially because she tried so hard to get the mans attention, yet without effort on Serena's part, Darien gave his undivided attention to Serena without hesitation. Which Andrew knew irked Raye. But it couldn't explain what was happening now. They were still friends after all, and didn't women have a code, just like guys when it came to liking the same person? 'Bro's before hoes' as they say? Why risk a friendship over some girl that's probably going to break your heart anyway.
"Forget it Andrew," Raye sighed as she picked up her bag from the chair next to her, "The girls will be here later. Just tell that we cancelled the whole thing cause Serena decided she wanted to leave overseas earlier than expected," she looked back at his face, "I don't know anything else but that! So don't even ask!" she said sternly before taking off. Exiting through the front doors she looked back at her hand. She slid one card into her bag and threw the rest into the street trashcan that was in front of the arcade building.
Meanwhile, Darien was yelling down Serena to get her to stop running. Eventually Serena managed to trip over herself, allowing Darien to catch up quiet easily.
"Just leave me alone!" Serena groaned as she broke into tears, "I can't handle you right now! Or you're damn snotty comments and arrogant face!" she didn't even care she was on the ground crying anymore. Her legs were hurting and she was all out of breath, gasping for air as she sobbed.
Darien didn't say anything as he bent down and took her into his arms. Slowly he just soothed her as she cried out. He could never admit to himself that he liked this girl. It defied everything he believed in. She was the complete opposite of what he thought he wanted. Even at 17 she still looked liked like the 12 year old he first met many years ago! Her personality was carefree and she acted silly about everything. At first it was enjoyable to watch her get all worked up when he teased her. But eventually, he just wanted to spend more time with her. Of course it frustrated him that the only way he could communicate to her was through taunting and teasing… but he knew a girl like her would never like him, little lone agree to go out with him. Not to mention the age difference, and her being severely underage all these years.
And it was confirmed multiple times when her friends would always say she hated him and wished he would just die and leave her alone. She never showed a sign that she was interested in him. Even times when he touched her and whispered in her ears, she looked more offended than anything. So he gave up on wanting anything more. But he also couldn't stop liking her and wanting to spend time with her. It was the only reason he wasted his time at the arcade. He hated people and the noise, but to see her smile and hear her voice, it was all worth it.
"What are even trying to do Chiba?" she sniffled as she lifted her face off his arm. It was surprising to say the least when he came to comfort her. But he was being unusually quiet. "Why are you still here?" she looked at him.
Darien took a deep breath in, "Surprising at it seems Serena, but I've always considered you a friend."
She scoffed as she tried to get up. Ungratefully she took the help offered from Darien who didn't show an ounce of emotion on his face. "Friend, right," she almost laughed between her hiccups. If only he could be nicer and friendlier to her. Maybe things would have been different? They were both similar in being guarded about themselves and what they let other people knew about them. But his exterior was always cold and unyielding. Not to mention he was always arrogant around her.
"I know I haven't been the nicest," he laughed more at himself, "But Serena, I really only do tease you because I think it's cute how you react." He said softly as he touched her cheek, pushing back a strand of hair behind her ear.
Serena held her breath. 'Why is he touching me like this?' she said to herself. Something shook within her to her core. Just like all those other times he was soft like this. But reality was a bitch. He just saw her crying. What better way to wound a person than when their down? She knew the jabs were coming soon. It was him after all. That was what their relationship was. Nothing more. It's been years of knowing each other, and behaviour in the same manner. If he really did like her more than he let on, something would have changed over the years. "Look, thanks. But can we please just not do this today?"
"What's this?" he questioned with a raised brow.
"You know exactly what! You can't help yourself but be an arrogant jerk to me," she sighed.
"I know," he turned subtly and look away. "It just, happens, when you're around."
"Happens?" she scoffed. "You take pleasure out of it! Enjoying the fact you get a response from me! I bet you feel warm and cosy at home knowing you made me fall asleep crying because you said something hurtful! Continuing to lower my self-confidence in myself?"
He furrowed his brows. Surely that wasn't right? "I didn't know it affected you like that," he tried, but Serena cut him off.
"Liar! Everyone tells me exactly what you think about me! Exactly why you're so mean to me! What your game play is! And you know what? You're a horrible person!" she was raising her voice a little as he just started at her in shock. This was definitely not how he expected his day to go down.
"What games?" he said with anger and frustration appearing over his features, "who is telling you this stuff?"
"Well guess what? I hate you just as much as you hate me! Maybe even more!" she laughed.
"Hate you?" he looked at her with confusion. 'Where is she getting this from?' he thought to himself.
"You may be cute, but you have a terrible heart Chiba! You're a terrible person!" she continued.
Darien just snapped and forcefully grabbed her upper arm, "I may have said some mean things to you, but that doesn't make me a terrible person. I had no malicious intent!" he stated firmly.
"Just like how you taunted me with little touches here and there? Soft whispers in my ear? for goodness sakes, how many times have we almost kissed before you pull away laughing?" she argued, "You play a sick game of making an innocent girl fall for you and then use her like yesterdays toilet paper? You should be ashamed of yourself! Especially with our age difference. I expected better from the great Darien Chiba!" she yelled with sarcasm.
"You know what Serena?" Dairen changed his tune to a much deeper, and serious tone, "You aren't as innocent as you think! You have some nerve to stand here and tell me off. It takes two to play a game. Talk about arrogance!" he replied releasing his grasp on her. "I have tried to be nice to you! Tried to show you my feelings for you! It's impossible! YOU'RE impossible!" he threw his hands up in the air.
"Yeah well, you'll be free of me once and for all. You're existence won't be annoyed by me any longer!" She spit out venomously. "Everyone can be free of the carefree, klutzy blonde!" she boomed out to no one in particular. She gave one last scoff at Darien's stunned exterior before she turned to walk away. "Hope I don't see you around," she sarcastically laughed before stomping off in anger. Today as the worst day!
Darien just stood there amazed, processing what she was saying. Leaving? Existence? 'When did she ever speak like that?'. Something didn't feel right about the whole situation. He was going to chase after her, but he heard another female yelling his name. Turning around he noticed the raven-haired girl that was fighting with Serna in the arcade with just before. Turning back towards Serena's direction, her figure was no longer in sight.
"Did you catch up to her?" Raye asked in a huff like she was running. She almost looked frantic.
"Yeah, but she chewed my ear off," he said slowly looking down in thought, "I… I didn't realise she thought so little of me," he said with a sadder note.
"She really hates you!" Raye started, "you know, every time you'd tease her, she would beg god to kill you. Or make you loose all your hair," she laughed, trying to listen the mood a bit.
"But, it wasn't my intent. I tried to apologise to her…" he said more to himself than at her. "What was that drama about before anyway? At the arcade?" he finally looked at the girl.
Raye took a second to think. She left Andrew with little information, "Did she say anything to you?" she asked slowly.
Darien laughed, "no! She's impossible to talk to when she's in these moods of hers."
With a small smirk, Raye took her chance. Knowing Serena would go home to cry, falling asleep. Only to wake up for her flight, she knew she was safe to control this situation. "She wanted to tell everyone that she was leaving abroad and had no intention of coming back. She also made it very clear how she felt about everyone. Why she was so secretive. She never really liked us. We just passed the time. You know that bubbly, klutz act was just that? An act?" she said mater of fact. "I got a bit hurt and angry at her sudden confession. That's when you guys walked in," she said in an emotional voice, chewing her bottom lip to make it more convincing.
Dairen just looked at her confused. Crazy to think the Serena he knew was like that. But than again, he hardly knew anything about the girl either. However he never shared much about his own personal life either. So he could understand why she might have been protective of her own personal life. But could it really be true that the girl he has been pining over all these years was really like Raye described? Perhaps it was a good thing he couldn't control himself and be honest with his feelings.
"I know, it's crazy!" Raye said judging the look on his face as confusion and thoughtfulness. "But it makes sense. One minute she's acting all bubbly and cheerful, and the next, she's talking about people behind their backs with words I'd never image her use before."
Darien just stood there staring at the ground as he processed everything.
"Forget her," Raye said placing a hand on Darien's forearm. "She hurt us all. Manipulated us. To be honest, we hardly know anything about her. Every time we'd try to ask about her home life and family she would avoid it. People like her are users," she said slowly and quietly as she rubbed his arm, "I know you had feelings for her. It saddens me to see you upset with the truth about her. But you shouldn't waste your time. She has no intentions of coming back. She didn't even leave her new contact details."
"She's really leaving? And not coming back?" he whispered. Hurt was evident in his voice, and on his expression as his eyes glazed over, still staring at the ground. It was too late now to run after her. He didn't know what direction she took. Plus no one even knew where she actually lived! Suppose he could wait at the airport? But he didn't know the time, or the terminal, little lone the location – so he could be waiting at the wrong gates!
The more it sunk in, the more it saddened him that this was the last moment he would ever have with her. Reality hit him like a tonne of bricks. Today he actually had plans to ask her out! Andrew suggested he wait until after her high school exams and college entry exams. And today was the first time he had free to really dedicate it to her. He knew they needed to talk to clarify his previous behaviour towards her. But now… now he felt lost. He felt like a hole was carved into his chest hearing this now.
"Mhmm," Raye hummed with a smile, "All the more proof that she didn't really see us as friends."
- End Flashback -
"Darien!" both Serena and Darien heard. Darien instantly knew it was Andrew. However he continued to stare at Serena.
Serena looked over Darien's shoulder to see his friend making his way towards them. "Let's discuss this another time? I… I can't… I don't want to do this right now," she stuttered as her repressed memories entrenched old feelings within her. She was shuffling on her feet like she was ready to make a mad dash at any given second.
Darien noticed the tear streaks on her cheek and unconsciously moved his hand to brush her check. This caused Serena to stiffen and gasp, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Please don't run away this time," he said pushing her curl behind her ear.
She stared at him with wide eyes. Even after all this time she still held strong feelings for this man. But she couldn't help but let her previous words resinate inside of her. What was the point anyway? Things could never be the same again. They couldn't turn back the clock. And they both had new lives. "We shouldn't be doing this," she whispered, slowly turning her gaze away from him.
She noticed that there was a bit of a crowd entering the lobby, and Andrew was just a few steps away. When Andrew placed his hand on Darien's shoulder, she noticed Darien's gaze moved from her figure. Taking this opportunity, she did what she done best. She ran away, making a mad dash to the entrance doors.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the next instalment! Just a heads up that I have an intensive I am required to attend out of town for two weeks, so I won't be able to work on the story much until mid February. If I find some time I will, but please don't hold your breath for another update too soon. Apologies to my loyal readers! But rejoice! I have not, and will not forsake this story until it is completed!
Until next time my lovelies~