Title: A Dance to Remember - Part 3
Author: Alicia Blade
E-mail: Kammi22@sprintmail.com

Hey there! I didn't forget about ya!! Sorry I couldn't get this out 
last week. Anyway, here it is!! Thanx to the million plus people who 
e-mailed me (I've never gotten so many replies to a story since Winning 
Love!) Please keep the letters rolling in! Don't let my inbox go 
lonely!!!! 

Okay, now I must thank my favorite people, like, ever!

Athena: a GREAT friend and incredibly talented writer! Definitely read 
her works, she has been so much inspiration for me!! LUV YA!!

Edeet: also just about the best friend you could hope to have! So sweet 
and SO talented! Her Seeing Past Rumours is AWESOME people! 

Patricia Dawson and R-chan: My bestest buds ever! Go read both of their 
stuff!!!! Through the Time Gate is WAY trippy!!! (Wait 'til it picks 
up. ~_0 )

Tiffany and Psycho Star who were both VERY inspirational for this story 
and gave me some great ideas!! 

HaRUka TeN'Oh who is SOO supportive and inspirational, you have NO idea 
how kind she's been!!!! Also an incredible writer, though I'm not sure 
if she's posted yet... (I get to preread it. Ha ha!!!)

And my new VERY FAVORITE MEMBER OF THE PACK (don't ask) Rebe-chan aka 
Spiral. Go to her site!!! If you draw SM pics send them to her pronto! 
And sign the guestbook!! (Tell her Ali-chan sent ya. (~_0) )

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Bridge/8224/

And now (Duh-da-da-da) CHAPTER 3!!! (The crowd goes wild) Heh heh... I 
just had half a bag of cheetoes. Forgive me. ANYWAYS...

A Dance to Remember - Part 3: Decisions, decisions...

Serena placed her shaky hand into Darien's outstretched palm, a 
de ja vu flitting past her thoughts. Her blue eyes darted around the 
familiar school parking lot. It was mostly empty, save a few small 
groups of friends, all dressed in dresses and tuxedos... she smiled as a 
few boys turned their heads to gawk at her as she walked past, with her 
arm strung through Darien's. 'So THAT'S what they mean by 'turning 
heads'.' She giggled to herself. But her small smile gave way to a 
frown as she leaned up against Darien's supporting arm. 'Hmm... one 
minute I'm nervous about him coming, then I was nervous about dancing, 
and then that incredible kiss left me a bit... no, COMPLETELY dazed... and 
now this... Oh, I hope everyone is green with envy. I hope I don't klutz 
out. But, I hope beyond hope, that Darien will kiss me again... or at 
least start to like me... Oh, who am I kidding. I mean, this is like a 
pity date more than anything else... isn't it?'
	"Earth to Serena..." Darien whispered, sending shivers down her 
spine. She looked up at him wonderingly. He smiled down at her. "How 
are you feeling?"
	She thought about it for a second. "A little tipsy..."
	"Nerves?"
	"Exactly."
	"Anything I can do?"
	She looked up at his concerned expression and smiled. "No, I 
don't think so. Oh, Darien, I just don't want to see Josh right now, I 
don't think. Or Jessica..."
	Darien stopped walking and turned her around to face him. 
"Serena... if at any time you want to leave, just say the word, okay? We 
can always go... hang out at a bowling alley or something..."
	Serena laughed. "Dressed like THIS?!"
	Darien smiled even more. "Aw, come on, you must be used to 
receiving attention. The most gorgeous girl in Tokyo..."
	Serena blushed, making Darien smile wider. "Don't worry about 
Jessica, okay? You say you want to make her jealous? Well, by the time 
this night is over, she will be boiling with envy. And Josh... well, as 
soon as he gets a look at you, he will be hitting himself for letting 
you slip through his fingers." Serena looked at him thankfully. "Now... 
are you ready to knock 'em dead?" She laughed. "Great! Rock 'n' roll!"
	With her laughter echoing through the parking lot, they continued 
their walk toward the gymnasium where the dance would be held. 
	"That's the field over there. Bad memories. We have to run a mile 
every Friday! Oh, it's awful! And the cafeteria is down that path over 
there. I usually don't go there though. I bring lunch, and then Amy, 
Lita, Mina, and I all go and eat by the courtyard."
	 Darien nodded and smiled at all of her gibberish. Then, without 
warning, she paused and stood silent. He looked down at her to see what 
had happened. She seemed a bit paler, and she stood staring straight 
ahead of her. He looked to see what had caught her eye. They had come 
to the dance entrance and now stood about 30 feet from it. Directly 
outside was a small group of teenagers who looked to be only one or two 
years older than Serena. The three girls, all in short skirts and 
revealing tops, were chatting and gossiping and laughing in the most 
annoying high-pitched giggles. The three boys, most likely their dates, 
were all bowing their heads and looking incredibly bored. 
	"What is it Serena?"
	She said only one word. "Jessica."
	"Oh..." Darien nodded his head, contemplating what to do. 
He looked the girl that, by the way she was talking the most, seemed to 
be Jessica. Waist-length, stringy blonde hair, dull grey eyes, large 
hips, anorexic waist, unnatural bust, scrawny legs, even if they were 
long... 'Not much to look at,' he thought. Then even chuckled a little. 
"So... Josh chose THAT over you?! So, is he blind or something?!" Serena 
looked up at him strangely. 
"Darien... what are you talking about? She's the most beautiful 
girl at Juuban!"
Darien looked at her from the corner of his eye. "Trust me 
Serena, that girl is NO match for you! No contest!" This, of course, 
only made Serena blush yet again. He smiled down at her. Finally, he 
released Serena's arm and slid his hand, rather possessively, around 
her waist. Bending over so that his lips barely brushed against her 
ear, he whispered, "Just relax. Introduce us... and I'll take care of 
everything."
	Serena looked up at him startled. He only winked. She felt her 
body relax unconsciously. With a small nod, she resumed her walk, at 
about half the speed. Darien fixed his bow tie and smiled his most 
charming smile. (AN: And trust me, with that smile, you could faint on 
contact! >sigh<)
	Jessica looked past her friend's shoulder and immediately perked 
up to see a certain meatball-headed blonde. With a smug grin, she 
called out, "Oh, Serena, I wasn't sure that you'd come! What a 
surprise!" 
	Taking a breath, Serena forced a smile, then felt Darien's arm 
tighten around her, and began to smile for real. "Hi, Jessica!" They 
approached the now silenced group. Darien watched as the boy with brown 
hair standing next to Jessica lifted his eyes enthusiastically to see 
the new arrival. His jaw clenched as his eyes met Darien's, but then 
dropped as he drunk in Serena's appearance. His blue eyes roved over 
her longingly and mournfully. Jessica, noticing the gleam in her date's 
eyes, smacked him hard in the side with her evening purse. He groaned 
and clamped his jaw shut, but continued to gaze at Serena with his full 
attention. And then... Jessica saw the man with his arm around Serena. 
	'Woah... what a hunk! What would a sexy guy like that be doing with 
Serena?! Ha! Well, she won't be able to hold onto him for long. Ooh, 
he's already looking at me! Not that I blame him...'
	"And Serena, who might this charming man be?"
	"Um... Jessica, this is Darien. Darien... meet Jessica and... Josh."
	Josh smiled and inhaled deeply as she said his name. Just like a 
bell... the sound rolled off her tongue. 'She's so beautiful... oh, I wish 
I had ignored that stupid bet!'
	With a sly smile directed to Jessica, Darien released his arm 
from around Serena and gently took a hold of Jessica's palm, bringing 
it to his lips and lying a soft butterfly kiss on the back of her hand. 
He almost broke out laughing when she practically collapsed to the 
pavement below. 'Eat your heart out!'
	Serena watched with wide-eyes, jealousy boiling inside of her. 
'This isn't right! What is he doing? Oh, is he so caught up in her 
beauty that he's going to leave me too? Oh Darien...' 
	However, before the tears could flow to the surface, Darien had 
gracefully dropped Jessica's hand, leaving her trembling. Then with a 
quick movement, he had his arm once again wrapped around Serena. With 
his free hand, he tilted her chin up to look at him and kissed her 
fully, but quickly on the lips, sending warm shivers of electricity 
down her spine. "Should we go inside, love?"
	She could only nod, emotions flowing freely within her. And so, 
suppressing a chuckle, he smiled captivatingly at the three swooning 
girls around him, and then at Josh with a hint of victory, and pulled 
Serena into the gymnasium.  
	It was dark inside, the dim candlelight and a few mirror balls 
throwing intricate designs on the walls and dancing couples. Most 
everyone was in a cluster of friends, or surrounding the food tables. 
Girls dawdled into the bathroom periodically - always with another 5 or 
6 friends tagging along, for what reasons guys never seemed to 
understand. A few couples hung around the corners, stealing kisses and 
never drifting more than inches apart, always lost in each other's 
gaze. Paper hearts and cupid shapes hung from the ceiling, surrounded 
by red and pink streamers. Balloons adorned every wall and sparkling 
glitter was scattered all around the floor. Darien wondered if the 
dances he had never gone to before were like this. 
	He pulled Serena into a deserted corner where the music wasn't so 
loud. With a quirky grin he asked, "So... how'd I do?"
	Serena stared at him awhile before finally laughing. "Darien... 
you... are... AMAZING! How... I mean... ooh, did you see the look on her FACE?" 
Darien laughed along with her.
	"Yes... I know I'm irresistible," he said in his most mature 
British accent, calmly fixing his bow tie for effect. Giggling, Serena 
slapped his chest lightly. Seizing the moment, he grabbed her wrist and 
wrapped his other arm around her once again, bringing his face only 
inches from hers. "So... do I make the cut?"
	Serena felt herself drowning in his mischievous blue eyes, the 
small smile still lingering on the corners of her lips. "You must have... 
you were the only guy auditioning!" she said before her eyes took on 
complete seriousness. Darien wasn't sure which look he liked more... 
	'She's gorgeous no matter what she does...'
	"You're gorgeous..." he said, half in a daze. She gasped as she saw 
his lips edging toward hers. 

~ On the other side of the gym ~

	"I wonder if Serena is going to come," worried Lita, nibbling on 
a carrot stick. 
	"That scene with Josh earlier was awful!" exclaimed Mina, chowing 
down on a chocolate truffle. 
	"Yeah... but that wouldn't keep Serena from actually coming to the 
Valentine's Dance... would it?"
	"I wouldn't be too surprised if she doesn't show up."
	"Hmm, poor girl. It's a shame that had to happen last minute. I'm 
sure I could have set her up with one of Ken's friends..."
	"Yeah, but... well... timing is everything!"
	"And the timing majorly choked this time."
	Ami, who had been silently staring off to a corner now reached 
out and tugged Mina's dress. 
	"Um... guys?"
	"Yeah Ames?"
	"I... think she came..."
	"What?!" they chorused looking to where she was pointing. 
	"Well, who else has hair like..."
	"Who on Earth is she with?" asked Lita, not really directing the 
question at anyone in particular. 
	They watched as the couple laughed a little and then paused as 
the tall man began to lean in to kiss her.
	"Woah... what is going ON?!" Mina screamed quietly. 
	"It hasn't been 5 hours since she break-up with Josh! And now 
she's kissing someone before even introducing us?!"
	"Come on, girls," Mina said in her most authoritative voice. 
"Let's go screen Serena's date!"
	"Yeah!" Lita cheered. They each grabbed one of Ami's hands and 
dragged her over to the corner. 

~ Okay, back to the kissing scene. Heh heh... ~
	
	She could feel his breath beginning to tickle her lips and 
unconsciously leaned forward on her tip-toes. His hands roamed over her 
back so lightly, lingeringly... His body was warm and inviting... She could 
already feel delightful tingles running up and down her spine...
	"SERENA! You made it!!!" came a happy squeal. Before she knew 
what was happening, an arm had grabbed onto her and pulled her roughly 
out of Darien's arms.	
	"Huh?!" Darien and Serena yelled loudly. Serena was turned around 
to face three of her best friends, Mina still clinging to her arm. 
	"Wha...?" she managed out. Her lips were still tingling 
uncontrollably. 
	Darien realized his arms were now out in mid-air, with nothing to 
hold onto. He immediately let them drop to his sides. 
	"Serena, we were so worried that you wouldn't come, ya know, 
because of this whole Josh thing, but we are SO glad you did! It just 
wouldn't be the same without ya!" Lita bubbled enthusiastically. 
	"Oh, and don't worry about Jessi, either, we have a VERY special 
thing planned for her later this evening, if ya know what I mean..." Mina 
gently nudged her in the side with her elbow. 
	"Huh?" was all that Serena could stutter. Then she managed to 
choke out, "Where's my kiss?!"
	Lita and Mina each blushed with small glances toward each other. 
	"Serena, about this whole other date thing..."
	"We cannot believe you went and found another guy to take you 
without even consoling us first!"
	"Really, I mean, we have to check these guys out and make sure 
they're good enough for you and all that..."
	"You cannot just go out with any guy. We're your best friends! We 
need to at least meet him first!"
	"Um... guys?" said Ami, standing off to the side.
	"Yeah, Ames?"
	"You HAVE met him."
	"Huh?" They all turned around to face Serena's new date. Mina and 
Lita's jaws fell. "DARIEN?!"
	Serena blushed, looking up at Darien apologizing. He just stared 
for a minute. He was suffering from lack of her kisses earlier, and 
felt it would take a long time to recover if he didn't at least feel 
her in his arms VERY soon.
	The small group stared at each other for a few moments. Finally, 
Darien asked, "Can I have my date back?"
	Serena giggled and Darien reached forward and put an arm around 
her waist, pulling her toward him. She smiled wider and drooped her 
head onto his chest, once again drifting off in his cologne... before 
lifting her eyes expectantly toward her friends. They were all in 
complete shock.
	Lita stuttered, "D...D... Darien?!"
	"But... I mean... I thought... y... you hated each other!!" 
	Serena blushed, looking up at Darien dreamily. "Well... not... 
exactly..."
	Darien smiled lovingly down at her. "It's a long story."
	Mina looked on wonderingly at their intimate glances and loving 
touches, awestruck and dazed at her friend's choice of companion. 
However, she DID feel something between them. Something strong... and in 
someway worthwhile to the constant insults and teasing... almost as if 
all that had been nothing more than steps leading them to this 
particular place. It was a connection, almost like a bonding between...
	'No, it couldn't be! Serena and Darien?! Soul mates?!' But, being 
the senshi of love, she knew there was no way she could deny this 
feeling pounding in her heart. They were meant for each other, clearly. 
And, at that moment, she made it her sworn duty that this night would 
be perfect for the both of them and NOTHING would get in her, or their, 
way.
	"But... you two an item? It's absurd! This is a joke, right?" Lita 
continued to stutter.
	 Mina hit her not-so-gently in the side. 
	"Ow! What did you do that for?!"
	"Lita, I think that... they make a very cute couple, don't you?" 
asked Mina quite seriously. Lita gawked at her for a minute and Mina 
mentally urged her to agree. Seemingly haven gotten the hint, Lita 
turned back to her friend and who was her enemy just this morning. 
	"Uh... well... I guess... now that I think about it..." She looked them 
up and down. How Serena did fit so well in his arms, and how her blonde 
meatballs lightened up his dark tan and ebony hair. How her light azure 
eyes clashed so perfectly with his dark, midnight gaze. "Wow, you DO 
look great together!" she mused finally. 
	Serena giggled, looking up at Darien who was staring utterly 
stunned and confused. He looked down at her and shrugged. She laughed 
some more. "Gee, thanks Lita."
	Mina smiled proudly to herself. 
	Lita gasped lightly as a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves 
around her shoulders. "You disappeared," whispered a soothing voice in 
her ear. She blushed. He could always make her blush. It was the one 
thing she hated about him, and the one thing he prided himself on.
	"Hey, Ken!" Mina said cheerily. 
	"Hello, ladies. Oh, hi Serena! I didn't know you were here too!"
	"Hi Ken! Oh, Ken, this is Darien, Darien, this is Ken!"
	"Hi." Ken unclasped his hands from around Lita long enough to 
shake Darien's hand. "So, ya wanna dance?" he asked Lita, once again 
giving her his full attention.
	She smiled widely. "Sure!" He grabbed her hand and led her to the 
dance floor. 
	A shy, brown haired boy then made his presence known as he came 
up and gently took Ami's hand. 
	"Oh, hello, Greg!"
	"Hi Greg!" the girls chorused. Serena beamed at the two holding 
hands. It had taken her many hard working weeks getting those two to 
admit their feelings... but at least it paid off! 
	"Hi, everyone," Greg said happily. 
"You guys should go dance too!" Serena prodded when she noticed 
them just standing and taking occasional glances at each other instead 
of heading off to dance like they should have been.
	Greg raised an eyebrow at Ami who nodded shyly. With a wide 
smile, he took her away amidst the other dancing couples. 
	Mina and Serena smiled proudly at each other, knowing full well 
the extent they had each gone to insuring the love life of their 
friends. Darien noticed the looks but ignored them; pretty sure it was 
something he didn't want to know about. 
	A sly arm somehow made it around Serena's shoulders, Darien's 
still wrapped around her waist. She gasped and turned to see two 
crystal clue eyes, brown bangs falling messily over them, smiling at 
her.
	"Hi Serena. Look, I was hoping that you could save a dance for 
me?"
	Serena stared at Josh bewilderedly. "Huh? Wha...? J...Josh...?"
	Darien's eyes narrowed to a glare and he immediately pulled 
Serena away from Josh's arm. She gasped again, her mind doing confused 
turns in her head. 
	"I don't think she'd want to dance with you," said Darien in an 
ice cold voice. Josh returned the glare easily.
	"Oh? Well I think she can answer for herself. You obviously seem 
to think she's a dimwit of some sort. Well she's not. She happens to be 
very bright and can make her own decisions, thank you."
	"I know perfectly well that she's not a dimwit. I'm only saying 
that she's here with me, and we don't need you ruining our night, do we 
Serena?"
	"Stop putting words into her mouth. She WAS my date first and I'm 
sure she would love to go back to the original plans. Serena?"
	"Now who's putting words into her mouth? Look, you lost her. 
Tough luck if you think I'm gonna make the same mistake."
	Josh, whose arm had snaked back around the stunned girl, smirked 
at Darien. "I didn't lose her, but even if I did, I can win her back. 
You obviously don't deserve to be with such a perfect girl. I suggest 
you leave."
	"Oh, and what about YOUR date. What was her name? Jennifer?"
	"Who cares about Jessica? No one in this room is any match for 
this angel."
	Mina watched on, just as stunned as Serena, as Darien and Josh 
basically had a tug-o-war with the desired girl. This wasn't going good 
at all! Finally, she took matters into her own hands. 
	"Excuse ME!!!" she screamed, making them pause their quarreling 
for a moment to stare at her. She cleared her throat. "Josh, in case 
you haven't noticed... Serena is with Darien. And HAPPY. Now, take a hint 
and get lost."
	Josh raised another eyebrow. "And am I the only one who feels 
Serena can make this decision herself?"
	Everyone turned to Serena. She looked from Josh, then Darien, and 
then took a pleading look at Mina. 	
	Mina sighed and rolled her eyes. Stepping forward, She grabbed 
onto Serena's arm and quickly pulled her away from the boys. "Fine, you 
two work this out. WE'RE gonna go raid the buffet!"
	Darien and Josh looked on as Serena was dragged into the dancing 
crowd. Darien was the first to speak, never actually looking at Josh. 
	"She's mine."
	"A bit protective, are we?"
	"You lost her, she made her choice."
	"I'll have her again. She DID say yes to me before you were even 
in the picture."
	"But she came to the dance with ME. And I assure you, she will 
LEAVE the dance with me."
	"I'll win her back."
	"Over my dead body."	
	"If that's what it takes."
	With arms crossed in front of his chest, Josh pivoted and walked 
away, a plan forming in his head...
	Darien took a deep breath and began searching for Serena. There 
wasn't a chance that he was gonna let any other guy, especially that 
creep Josh, get their hands on her.
	
	He was alone...
	She watched over her gossiping friends' heads as he walked away 
from the dim corner and began circling the dancing couples. He was 
looking for someone... 
	"Probably me."
	"What Jessi?" asked Brittany, an anorexic redhead. 
	"Nothing. And DON'T call me Jessi!! You make me sound like a 
boy!"
	"Sorry. But look, anyway, the guy was, like, totally checking me 
out and stuff, but he, like, wouldn't even approach me! Men these days 
are SO blind. No matter how much you flirt, they are still totally 
oblivious. Like, doncha think so, Jess?"
	"Shut up Brittany. Unless you can get my name right, I forbid you 
to talk to me."
	"Oh yeah, right, sorry, but anyway, like doncha think that men 
are so totally..."
	"Yes, you're completely right. Look, I have to do something real 
quick. Ta-ta."
	"Oh, bye!"
	She walked up quickly, but gracefully until she was standing only 
a few feet away. He wasn't paying any attention to her. 
	'Ugh! I'm standing right here! Look this way!" She realized her 
ESP wasn't working too well. Finally, she took out a silk handkerchief, 
(she refused to use anything else). With a small smile, she walked past 
him and 'dropped' the tissue. 'That should do the trick.'
	Darien raised an eyebrow as Jessica walked terrifyingly close to 
him... and dropped a handkerchief?! 'Gosh, this girl has NO clue, does 
she? Oh well... this is a perfect opportunity to make her envious. Why 
not take it? Serena will be proud later...'
	He smiled to himself, finally bending down and picking the 
kerchief off the hard floor. He looked slyly over at Jessica who was 
now walking away VERY slowly, pretending she had no clue that she'd 
dropped something. He rolled his eyes, but decided to play along. 
Walking up behind her, he grabbed her hand gently. She smiled and 
turned around to face him.
	"Oh hello... uh... Damion was it?"
	"Darien."
	"Oh, I'm so sorry. I am absolutely horrid with names!" she 
giggled annoyingly and Darien cringed inside. 
	'Ew, I HATE girls who do that!'
	Plastering on a fake smile, he held up her handkerchief. "I do 
believe you dropped this."
	She looked at it for a second, scrunching her brow as if to make 
sure it was really HERS. Darien refrained from rolling his eyes again. 
	Finally, she smiled and plucked it from his hand. "Oh thank you 
so much. I didn't even realize I'd lost it!"
	'Sure ya didn't. Like I believe that.'
	"Oh, Darien, you are really a gentleman. Not at all like Josh. 
Did you know he disappeared to get punch five minutes ago and still 
hasn't come back?"
	"Uh... no, I didn't know that."
	Jessica broke into terrible high pitched laughing again. "Oh, and 
you're SO funny!" He smiled agitatedly. She didn't notice. "You know, I 
honestly don't think Serena appreciates you." Darien snapped to 
attention at the mention of HER name. "I suppose Serena CAN be nice. 
But really, she couldn't possibly hold her own with you. Such a 
handsome, charming guy and that air-headed ditz? It doesn't go well 
together."
	Darien clenched his teeth and fist. "Well I think you are 
completely wrong about her. Anyone who has ever talked to her can see 
that she's not as dumb as she seems. And she does have a huge heart 
and..."
	"Oh, yes, yes, I'm sure she does... but come on, she's not your 
type, Darien. You need someone with character, personality, and 
beauty."
	'And you're telling me what? That a stuck-up bimbo like you is my 
type? I don't think so, Jessica. You don't know a thing about character 
or personality. And you certainly don't match MY description of 
beautiful. Not in a long run.'
	"I was thinking that you really should just ditch her. I'm 
certain that you've already realized how much more perfect for each 
other WE are. And besides, all that dunce is capable of is failing 
tests and being a total klutz."
	Throughout the anger boiling inside of Darien, this last sentence 
seemed to strike a memory. Their first meeting to be exact. He could 
still see her sad face, turning to beat red anger, and then her 
meatballs bouncing as she marched away. He unconsciously smiled at the 
image, a dreamy glaze covering his dark blue eyes.
	Jessica smiled proudly. He was smiling. He was agreeing. Not that 
she blamed him... of course he had to see her incredible perfection 
compared to someone like Serena. "And so, anyway, I thought that maybe 
you'd like to go somewhere else... blow this immature dance off and go... 
have our own party?" She edged closer to him, one elbow resting on his 
shoulder while the other toyed with the lining of his tuxedo jacket 
before resting on his chest. 
	Darien snapped back to attention as he felt her nearness, and 
panic raced through his mind. However, before he could brush her off, 
she reached up both arms behind his neck and, with surprising strength, 
forced his lips to clash with her own.

*** Meanwhile ***

	"Oh, Mina, what am I going to do?! I was so confused and I 
couldn't talk or think... Oh, what if Darien actually thinks I would have 
chosen Josh? Do you think he does? Why couldn't I JUST have said I 
choose Darien?! What's wrong with me?!"
	"Serena, calm down. I am telling you everything will be fine, but 
you have to chill. Now listen. Darien will understand perfectly. You 
are a great person with a huge heart, and THAT'S why you couldn't just 
blow Josh off because you're too nice for that. But Serena, you have to 
answer this as honestly as possible."
	"What's that?"
	"Do you choose Darien?"
	Serena stared at her with her jaw agape for a moment, before 
squealing loudly, "Of COURSE I choose Darien! He is so perfect and 
sweet and charming... I can't believe you even have to ask me that!"
	"Okay, okay, calm down, I get the point. That's good. Now there's 
not any confusion. I'll tell you exactly what to do. You are going to 
go find Darien, apologize for leaving, and hold onto him like a vice 
the rest of the night and NEVER let him out of your sight. There are a 
lot of boy crazy girls here who would kill to get a hold of a hot guy 
like Darien. As for Josh, if he bothers you again, tell him very 
clearly that he lost his chance with you and you chose Darien. You can 
be polite about it, though I don't know why you would, but make sure 
there is no misunderstanding that YOU BELONG TO DARIEN. Got it?"
	Serena pierced her lips together. Finally, a bright smile crossed 
her pink lips. "Oh thank you Mina! What would I do without you?" 
Without warning, she flung herself into Mina's arms. "I am so glad I 
have friends like you and the others!"
	"Hey no problem, we'll always be there for you." Mina pulled 
Serena back to look at her from arms length. "Now why are you still 
here? Go find Darien!"
	"Don't need to tell me twice!" With that, Serena scampered off 
toward the dark corner she had deserted him in a minute ago. 
	She pushed her way through another clique of teens, still with 
no Darien to be seen. With an agitated cry, she turned on her heels to 
look the other way... and froze dead in her tracks. 
	Darien was standing only 10 feet in front of her, with Jessica. 
She watched as Jessica placed a hand on his chest and he... smiled?! 
Serena felt her mouth run dry and tears of bitter jealousy flood her 
eyes. And then Jessica reached up and pulled his head down to hers, 
kissing him passionately. 
	An unstoppable wail escaped her lips before she turned on her 
heels and fled from the gym, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. 

Alright, alright, so it wasn't nearly as romantic as chapter 2... but 
hey, I have to set a plot line here!! I really do hope you enjoyed it 
though, and the next chapter will be really sweet I promise!! 

God bless everyone!
<3 Alicia