Love Boat Part 2a: You Invited WHO?! Rated: G or PG by: Alexia-chan e-mail: alexiachan@yahoo.com Hey minna-san! I was reading Part 1 over again, and I realized that I had put in something about a scout meeting at the beginning of the story, but never included it. For some reason, that really bothered me, so I decided to write it now. Part 2b should be out soon! Enjoy the story! Disclaimers: All standard disclamers apply.Sailor Moon doesn't belong to be, but this storydoes. ~Serena~ I glared at my beeping alarm. Why does Raye always have to have scout meetings so early in the morning? It's Saturday! Why can't I just sleep in? Grumbling, I dragged myself out of bed, turned off my alarm, and stumbled into the bathroom. 20 mintues later, I emerged with a towel around my head and went into my room to get dressed. "My, you're up early, Serena!" Luna exclaimed, yawning. "It's not my choice. We have a scout meeting today, remember?" I reminded her. Normally, she reminds *me* aboutmeetings. "Oh yeah. How could I forget? Well, I'm going to out for a walk, so I'll meet you at the temple," Luna said and trotted out of my room. Something was up with her, but I didn't know what. Maybe she's upset because I'm going away for the holidays. I'll have to see if I can take her along. I walked over to my closet and pulled out a gray sweatshirt. I pulled a pair of jeans out of the dresser and grabbed a pair of white socks out of the laundry basket sitting by my door. I dug around under my bed for my tennis shoes and finally found them. I tied them and walked out of my room. I stopped halfway down the stairs when I realized I still had my hair in a towel. Sighing, I walked back up, and took my hair out of the towel. I brushed it out and put it into my normal "meat balls". I decided to spruce my hair up a little, so I added pink bows to buns. I walked out of my room again and went downstairs to tell mom I was going to the arcade. Since I had about an hour to kill, I figured I would go there and talk to Andrew about my problem. He was a good listener, hey, maybe even Darien will be there! I walked out of the house, laughing. Mom was so amazed that I was up so early, she gave me money for breakfast so I could eat at the cafe in the arcade and I could use the money left over to play games. This was going to be a good day! I walked through the sliding glass doors of the arcade at 9:00. That gave me a half hour until the meeting. "Hi. May I help...Serena! Why are you here so early? Is everything ok??" Andrew asked, his mouth gaping open. Geez, why was everyone making such a big deal about me beingup so early?? "Yeah, everything's super Andrew. I have to meet my friends at 9:30, and I had some time to kill, so I decided to have some breakfast here." "Oh, ok. What can I getcha?" Andrew asked, walkingbehind the counter. "Um...how about some waffles and two eggs?" I was really hungry this morning. Must be this whole getting up early thing or something. "Sure. Coming right up!" Andrew wrote the order down on a piece of paper and handed it to the cook. A few moments later, my food was done and Andrew brought my plate over and watched in awe as I woofed down my meal in record time. "That was so good! Be sure you tell your cook I said that, please!" "Sure thing Serena," he replied. "Thanks!" I said, grinning. "So, what's up Serena?" He asked, leaning on the counter. Man, he was soo cute! "Well, I have a bit of a problem. I won tickets to a Christmas/Millenium Cruise, but you see, I don't have anyone to go with now, because all of my friends already have plans! Do you know what I can do??" I said to Andrew. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the doors open and Darien walk in. This is my chance to ask him, but I don't know if I can! "Hey Andrew, hey Meatball head!" he said, as cheerfully as he could, but it didn't sound too cheerful at all. I could tell something was up. "Since you sound down Darien, I'm gonna let that Meatball Head slide, just once. What's wrong?" I asked, concerned. He wasn't his normal self. I wonder what's wrong... "Nothing, I'm fine, Serena," he replied. "Are you sure Darien? You don't look fine," I said, concern still showing on my face. "I'm just not in the Christmas spirt, I guess." he replied dully. How could a person not be in the Christmas spirit?! Before I had time to think about what I was saying, I heard myself say, "Hey Darien, I won two tickets to a Christmas/Millennium Cruise and I don't have anyone to go with, so would you like to go?" I felt my face redden. I don't believe I just said that! It's not like I *didn't* want to go with him, I'd love to spend 3 weeks with Darien! Jeez, he's gonna think I like him...oh wait...~Darien~ Did I just hear her right? She actually wants to spend time with me?? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but still! I didn't know what to say. I really wanted to go, but I hate the holidays! Maybe spending them with Serena would be different. She's looking at me...she's expecting an answer. Before I had time to think about it much longer, I blurted out a quick yes before I was nearly knocked to the ground by a bear hug from Serena. "Thank you!! My mom wasn't going to let me go unless I had someone to go with, and I really wanted to go! We're gonna have so much fun! Hey, wanna come to my house for dinner tonight? My mom's gonna want to get to know you and stuff, since she doesn't know much about you. Come to think of it, I don't know much about you either. Oh well, we can give each other our whole life histories on the cruise. Oh sorry, I'm babbling!" Serena said, still hugging me. "Um...ok. Where do you live?" I asked. She eased herself out of my arms, grabbed a napkin, and scribbled something on it. She handed it to me and glanced at her watch. "Crap! I'm gonna be late! My number's on there, too. Call me later! Bye!" Serena exclaimed and in a flash, she was gone.~Serena~ I can't believe I just did that! Well, it worked. I now have someone to go with, and it's Darien! A few weeks ago, the thought of spending three weeks with Darien would have really ticked me off, but for some reason, my feelings toward him have changed. Or maybe, deep down, I had always loved him, and hating him was just my way of denying it. I ran up the stairs to the temple, panting. I was only a few mintues late, so Raye wouldn't be too made at me! "It's about time you got here!" Raye grumbled when Iran into the room. "Sorry guys. I was at the arcade. I found someone to go with me of that cruise." I managed to say between taking deep breaths. "Who??" Mina asked excitedly. "It better not be Andrew! I already called him!" Lita said, grinning. "Lita, Andrew has a girlfriend, remember?" I said, laughing. "I know, but I can always dream!" she said, giggling. Amy rolled her eyes and said, "Well, are you ever gonna tell us??" I smiled. I knew they were gonna be so suprised when I tell them. "Just don't laugh, kay?" They all nodded and I continued, "Darien is going with me." I was answered by complete and total silence. Amy just sat there staring straight ahead, Raye looked like she was about to cry, Lita was trying to talk, but nothing came out, and Mina's mouth was hanging wide open. I knew they'd be suprised, but still! This was going a little too far! "Guys...um...GUYS?" I said weakly. Amy was the first to snap out of it. "You're joking, right? I thought you couldn't stand him!" Raye chimed in, "Yeah! And besides, *he* went out with*me*! He's still mine!" "Well, it's up to you, Serena. I knew you were desperate, but I didn't think you would sink so low to ask someone who is your enemy," Lita said, finally regaining hervoice. "I can see where's she's coming from, actually. You guys have to admit that he *is* pretty cute!," Mina said, winking at me. "Thank you, Mina! At least someone supports me on this. And I really don't hate him anymore. He's actually kind of nice when you get to talking to him for a while. I just have to get to know him better. He's coming over for dinner tonight so mom and dad can meet him. I hope dad will let him go because he is a little older than me," I said. I hadn't thought of the whole age thing until now. He was a freshman in college and I was still in junior high. Dad was definately going to have a problem with that! "Serena, I think he's more than a little bit older than you. Are you sure he's not just going with you so he can take advantage of you," Amy said, throwing a worried look myway. "Amy! I'm sure he would never take advantage of me. And even if he tried, I wouldn't let him." I knew Darien would never try anything like that. I'm just a stupid girl still in junior high. "Ok, Serena. We're just looking out for your safety. If he does try anything, just get out your moon tiara and take care of him!" Lita said, laughing. "Good idea, Lita!" I said, giggling. "I can see it now. He makes a move on me and I suddenly shout out 'Moon Tiara Magic!!' He looks at me strangely, but then gasps when something zips by his face!" The whole room burst into laughter. I glanced over at Raye and saw that she wasn't laughing. "Raye, are you ok about all this? I thought you guys stopped seeing each other a while ago." I didn't want Raye to be mad at me over all of this. "If you don't want me to take him, I won't. I don't want our friendship to break up all because of a guy." "No, Serena. I want to you have a good time. I know Darien and I stopped seeing each other, but I still wanted to think that he was mine. Him going with you just shows that he's totally over me. I just have to accept it," Raye said, sadly. Unshead tears glistened in the corners of her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. "Ok, Raye. If you say so, but if you change your mind at anytime, I'll call the whole thing off." As much as I wanted Darien to go with me, I valued my friendship with Rayemore than anything. "Thanks Serena, but I'm sure I won't change my mind," Raye said, smiling at me for the first time today. "Can we now discuss scout business? I'm sick and tired of your gossip!" Luna shouted. Geez Luna! Who shoved a stick up your butt? She's been in such a bad mood lately! "Sorry Luna. We'll get busy now," I mumbled. "Yeah, sorry," the others chorused. "That's better! Raye, have you picked up any nega vibes lately?" Luna asked, walking into the center of ourcircle. "No, nothing, Luna. Maybe we'll have a quietholiday," Raye replied. "I would highly doubt that. If Queen Beryl is smart, she would know that humans use a lot of energy during the holiday season. It would be a perfect time for her to send out youmas to gather energy for the nega force," Artemis said, joining Luna in the center. "I agree. We have to be extra careful. Always have your communicators and tranformation pens with you at all times," Luna reminded us. "I think that's about it. Have fun over the holidays girls and be careful!" "Wow, Luna. Short meeting!" Amy said. "Yeah, I know. There's not much to talk about. No youma attacks lately." Luna replied. "What time does your plane leave Ames?" I asked with my mouth full of grandpa's famous muffins. "6:00 tonight. We're leaving the house at 5:00 so we get there on time, though. I'm not very happy about missing two days of school. I'm only 10 chapters ahead!" Amy replied. "I don't think we're going to be doing much of anything Ames, so I don't think you're going to have to worry," Lita said. "Yeah, we never do much of anything around the holidays. Ms. Haruna rarely gives out detention, too!" That's the best part of the holiday season! Ms. Haruna is too much in the holiday spirt to be mean. "Well, I'm going to go home and make sure I have everything I need. I'll send you all post cards!" Amy said, getting up. We all stood up with her. "We're gonna miss you, Ames," Raye said, hugging her. "I'm sure you'll have fun visiting your father," Amy said and moved on to hug the rest of us. "Serena, be careful!" She warned as she hugged me. "Oh, Ames. Don't worry bout me!" I said, grinning. Amy laughed and shook her head. "Bye guys!" "Have a safe trip!" Mina yelled as Amy walked downthe stairs of the temple. "You too, Mina! Try not too fall down any mountains!" Amy shouted back, grinning. Mina laughed and stuck her tongue out. "I'll try notto!" "Well, guys, I should be going. Mom doesn't know I found somone to go with me yet. And I have to tell her that Darien's coming for dinner so she can make something really good. I'll see you guys tomorrow!" I was excited to get home to tell mom and dad. Hopefully they'll like Darien as muchas I do! "Ok, later Serena!" Lita said, as we walked to the door. "I suppose I should get going, too. Later guys," Mina said, walking out with me. "I have to go, too! I told Ken I'd meet him in the park at 11:00. I'll call you later, Raye!" Lita said, following us. "Bye guys!" Ray called from the top of the steps. We allwaved back. At the bottom of the steps, we all went our separate ways. Mina in the direction of her house, Lita to the park, and me tomy house. On the way home, I though of how I was going to tell mom about Darien. I didn't want her to be upset that I picked an older guy to go with me, so I had to be as gentle as I could. Luckily, when I got home, I discovered that dad was out. That made it easier already because he was just so over protective about me! Mom understood me way better! I opened the front door and walked in. My mom was sitting in the living room watching TV and knitting a scarf for someone in the family, I assumed. "Hey mom," I said cheerfully. "Hello Serena. How was your little farewell party forAmy?" She asked warmly. "Oh, it was just super!" How am I going to bring this up? 'By the way mom, I found someone to go with me on that cruise'? Nah, that sounded really lame! "Did you find anyone to go with you on that cruiseyet, dear?" Wow, she made that easy! "Well, um, yeah." I said, uneasily. This was going to be harder than I thought! "Really? Who is she?" mom prodded. "It's not a she, it's a he. Do you remember me talking about Darien? You know, the guy who always teases me? Well, I was at the arcade talking to Andrew, when he walked in and I really don't know why, but I asked him if he would like to go with me, and he said yes. So, I invited him for dinner so you and dad could get to know him better. I know he's in college, and I'm only in junior high, so I hope you'll be ok with him coming along." I really hope mom agrees with this!! "Well, I'm ok with it, but I don't know about your father. You know how he is! Maybe after he meets Darien, he'll be ok with it. I'm just glad you found someone to gowith," Ilene replied. Wow, I hadn't expected mom to take this so well! I figured she would say something about the age thing. "So you don't care that he is five years older than me?" "No, not really. If he's your friend, then it doesn't matter. I know he wouldn't try to take advantage of you." "Thanks mom!" I exclaimed and rushed over to hug her. "Anytime, dear. What would you like for lunch?" "Um...how about some soup?" I asked. "Ok, that sounds good." Mom went into the kitchen and opened a can of soup. I heard her pour it into a pan and then put it on the stove. About ten mintues later, she called me and told me that dinnerwas ready. I ran into the kitchen, sat down, and gulped down my soup. "Great soup mom! I'm gonna go upstairs now. Talk to dad about this when he gets home, please!" "Ok, dear. Hopefully he won't be too upset." "WHAAAAAAT?" Ken's cry echoed through the house. "Calm down, dear! He's just Serena's friend, nothing more!" Ilene said. "But she's just a child and he's a man!" Ken protested. "He's coming for dinner tonight. Don't judge him until you get to know him, ok?" "Ok, fine, but I still don't like this!" "Well, whether you like it or not, our daughter is dead set on having this young man go with her!" That's it for Part 2a. I hadn't planned on it being this long, but it's just how it turned out! I have most of Part 2b written, but it's not typed out yet, so give me some time for that! Don't forget to e-mail me at alexiachan@yahoo.com and let me know what you think! As of today (11/4/99) I've gotten 4 positive e-mails, so I'd like to think you guys for e-mailing me. As for the rest of you: COME ON!! E-MAIL ME!! :)