Wacky Wednesday
Serena skipped down the street humming to herself. Her day had started out
pretty well. She had set her alarm clock an hour behind so she would make it to school on time. She was going to shock the poop outta everyone at school. She
had made a bet with Darien and the prize was a big chocolate shake from the arcade and dinner at the Café. She took a shower and had even eaten breakfast at
the kitchen table. Her mom had practically fainted when Serena came downstairs. Sammy, her little brother, had hosed down her empty bed and nearly had a heart
attack when her usual barrage of threats didn't hit him in the nose. She passed the arcade and paused to look in the dark window it looked so peaceful. She
sighed, when a shrill scream interrupted her thoughts.
"Serena? Can it be you?" Serena jumped and nearly fell over the red-haired girl
staring at her.
"Molly! You don't have to let the whole world know," She said as she looked at
all the school kids blinking at her in disbelief.
"I'm sorry. I just never knew you even got up this early. I thought…" Molly let
her sentence trail off as Robert, her new crush, strolled by. They caught a whiff of his Calvin Klein cologne and Molly sighed, "Don't you just love that
smell?" Serena nodded. It wasn't all that bad, but Darien's Lucky Brand smelled
better.
The girls started walking towards school, when they ran into Lita.
"Hey guys!" Lita said. "What's happenin'?"
"Nothing much. Molly, here, is just swooning over Robert."
"Robert eh?" they both looked at Molly, still in her dream state. "I used to
have a boyfriend by the name of Robert. I might have to meet this guy."
"Lita! You already HAVE a boyfriend," Serena whispered fiercely.
"So? Does having a girlfriend stop the guys from checking other girls out?
'Sides having a boyfriend isn't the end of the world. You are allowed to check other guys out. You just don't touch." Lita chatted away. Serena thought about
this.
"Well, maybe it's okay if you both do it and are okay with it. But I never
would. Especially, if it's serious and you really like the guy."
"Yeah. That's true. But that's not me and Mike. We're really easy going," she
replied. "Wanna get some ice cream with me after school?"
"I can't Darien owes me a chocolate shake and dinner at the Café!" exclaimed
Serena.
"I swear, you spend more time thinking of that guy…" Lita shook her head.
Serena giggled and they both walked to class. The room was suddenly silent.
Serena felt out of place but then the room was filled with cries.
"OH MY GOSH!?!"
"Is that Serena?"
"Can't be she's always late!?"
"No way. Haven't you heard? That hottie Darien is going to take her out to
dinner at the Café since she's early."
"Wow. How come she gets all the guys?"
"She's so lucky!"
"He must be the guy she's had her eye on. Always gets what she wants."
"Hey, now people. Be nice. Serena CAN be responsible from time to time. Give
her a break." Lita yelled over the commotion. Everyone immediately quieted down.
Nobody wanted to get Lita mad.
As the bell rang and everyone sat in their seats, a boy nudged Serena. "I'll
miss you in detention, my sweet!" Serena rolled her eyes. She sure wouldn't miss
him. Jed was such a sweet guy, hot too. Yet Serena just didn't like him like that. He tried too hard and bugged her about it too much. Plus he was a jock.
She just didn't go for the jocks. They were evil.
The teacher walked in and started to take roll. "Serena?!" the teacher
stammered. "What are you doing here so early? Are you feeling alright?"
"What does she enjoy giving me detention?" Serena muttered under her breath.
"No, I'm fine Miss Numan."
"Alright then," still she eyed Serena with curiosity. Miss Numan started class
and Serena continued to stare at the clock. The school day went as usual. But for some reason the bet between Serena and Darien got all over the school. As
did the fact that Serena had won it by coming to school early. Many kids that
barely ever looked at Serena came up to her asking her if it was true.
"Yes," She admitted. She didn't see any reason to lie about it.
"Well, did you know that every guy in this school wishes he could be in Darien's
shoes tonight. And you're the envy of every girl in this whole place." They told
her. Serena couldn't believe it. Did that many people really like Darien? Oo. She'd really have to watch out for competition.
Finally, when the bell rang and school was out Serena rushed over to the arcade
as fast as possible. She walked in just in time to see the look on Darien's face
when Andrew told him that she had won.
"Hey, Meatball Head. I hear you actually got to school 5 minutes before the bell
rang. I'm impressed. Did you just not sleep all night? Or was it just because I'm that attractive?"
"Quit being so cocky, Darien. I just want a free meal. I'll be sure to order the
most expensive thing on the menu." Serena shot back. He looked hurt, but only for a few seconds. She wanted to hug him. Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't know that it
would affect you so much. You are really all that attractive, but you can't be
so cocky about it. Serena thought reassuring him in her head.
Darien turned and ordered her a big chocolate shake. In handing it to her he
said, "Only fair." Her eyes lit up as she quickly examined the shake, and in finding nothing wrong started drinking. Why is he being so nice? She thought.
God, I love that smile. Darien smiled and sat in the chair across from her.
"I'll pick you up at 7. Your place, but the Café is fancy. I want you to wear a
dress." He smiled evilly. He had followed her home so many times he could get to
her place blindfolded. He had already gotten his tux the night that they made the bet, he was so excited. And he knew that she hated wearing dresses. He loved
to make her mad, which was why he wanted her to wear one, that and the fact that
she had the perfect supermodel body. Or at least as close as you can get these days.
"A dress?" her face fell. "I have to? Why?"
"Because there are a million other girls who want to go in your place and you
won the bet. I have to take you out. You picked the place and I pick the clothing. Only fair."
He smirked.
"Why don't you take one of the other girls then." She pouted.
"Cuz you won the bet not them."
"I don't own any dresses?!" She whined.
"Then you better get one." Darien got up out of his booth and walked down the
street. It was only then that she noticed about 20 people who were crowded around her listening to every word.
"Don't you people have a life?" she yelled exasperatingly. She wondered down the
street mumbling to herself and trying to be sad but she just couldn't. A date with Darien was all she had ever wanted though she tried to convince herself
otherwise. She didn't want to actually admit to it, but she could think about
it.
"SERENA!" She immediately jumped out of her daydreams and back into reality
where Mina and Lita were running to catch up with her.
Suddenly, the idea hit.
"Mina! I have a major crisis."
"We heard," said Lita. "He's taking you to the Café and you don't have a dress.
That's why we're here."
"Shopping time!" Mina grabbed Serena's wrist and pulled her down the street, already window shopping and talking about the best colors and styles for Serena.
"Oo. Look at that one!"
"No, too flowery. Look at that one over there." Lita commented.
"Nah, I'd have to fight her to get her into something that short."
Finally, they found a shoppe with a large blue silk dress in the window. Lita and Mina left her at the door. They were running about pulling dresses off the shelves and racks frantically. They looked like they were five year olds who just discovered candy. Serena tried hard not to laugh. "Here," Mina said firmly, piling Serena's arms full of different variations of dresses. "Try these, let us see them all."
Serena walked into the dressing room. Shopping was definitely NOT one of her favorite things to do. But Mina always had good ideas and Lita made it entertaining, so it was okay sometimes. She walked out with the first dress on. It was white and had elastic right under her breasts.
"Um..no."
"What's wrong with it?" Mina asked.
"It's too angelic." Lita pointed out. "She's trying to look seductive not innocent." Lita winked as Serena blushed and went back into the changing room.
"~And this is the next new style, modeled again by the lovely Serena. Notice how the ebony creases flow down her legs as she walks," Lita voiced as Serena walked out of the room. "See the elegance of that dress? Who styled that?~" Lita changed pitch and continued, "Well, apparently someone who was thinking nursing home back in the 80's, Rupert."
Serena and Mina burst out laughing. That was exactly how the dress looked. Mina handed Serena her next dress as Serena went back into the dressing room.
"So Serena, I heard you were the big woman on campus today."
"Yeah, I didn't realize how many people liked that jerk, Darien," Mina said.
"You'd be surprised what a pretty face can do," Serena yelled as she walked out of the dressing room again.
"Rupert, now notice this exquisite ensemble, Serena is styling here. This designer was thinking of cheerleaders everywhere. ~How do you know that, Sara?~ Because this dress was made by people who don't believe in boobs." Lita started up again and even some of the clerks, who were watching, started laughing.
As she tried on dress after dress, Serena couldn't help but become frustrated. Why was she going through all of this for Darien! True, he was cute, but he always made fun of her. She hadn't missed that gleam in his eye when he told her to wear a dress. What exactly was he planning? Serena walked out of the dressing room in a red flower print silk dress that went to the floor. It was Japanese style and form fitting.
"That's the one!" Lita exclaimed.
"What happened to Rupert and Sara?" Serena wanted to know.
"It doesn't matter, honey, because that dress is fabulous!" Mina made her twirl around and everyone watching (there were now about 3 people Serena didn't know watching) complimented her on the dress. Serena bought the dress and followed her friends out.
"Guys, I don't know if I can do this? I don't know how to act around him. Especially in a dress. " Serena squeaked.
"Come on Serena, you've handled a thousand more guys and either of us." Mina encouraged.
"If you're really worried we could buy you a copy of Dating for Dummies!" Lita said with a cocky smile.
"That might be my only hope!" Serena sputtered, still laughing.
When the girls quieted down, Mina started looking through windows again. "We already have a dress, Mina." Serena reminded her.
"I know, but we have to find jewelry," Mina started. "And more final touches."
"Don't worry Mina. I have some really awesome earrings and things that Serena could wear at my apartment."
Lita and Mina looked at each other, then at Serena. "Makeover party at Lita's house?" Mina said with an eyebrow cocked playfully. Serena nodded eagerly. Finally, something that she enjoyed.
* * * *
Darien strolled up the walk of Serena's neighborhood. It was always so peaceful here. The flowers were blossoming on the cherry trees that lined her yard, and the big white fence kept only the tree trunk from extending on the walkway. The afternoon was cool and the flowers smelled magnificent. He paused for a moment outside her house, looking at it. It was pure and sweet, just like Serena herself. How many times he had walked down this very sidewalk and scolded himself while quietly enjoying it? How many times had this girl infiltrated his thoughts? What had made her so special? Why was he so attracted to her? He looked down at himself, his tux. What was he doing? He was 19 and he was taking a 16 year old out to dinner!
"But I didn't even think she was going to WIN!" Darien spluttered aloud. He had kept himself functioning on the barest hope he allowed himself. The few dreams he regulated and tried to control. Without realizing it, he was standing on her front porch, ringing the bell. "Don't answer, don't answer!" he told himself, suddenly nervous, but he couldn't fool himself. Every cell of his being was hoping for her to walk out of that door and come to him.
The door opened and a pleasant blue haired woman appeared. "Hello?" she asked.
"I'm uh.." he felt like he had just been caught naked, he flushed. "Serena... she was going to come out to dinner."
"Oh," the woman smiled. She didn't look like Serena at all. "She's over at Lita's. Here's the address," she handed him a piece of paper and he thanked her and left. Walking away quickly and hoping that she wouldn't ask what he wanted with her daughter.
* * * *
"Now a bit of mascara and you'll be all done," Mina spoke to Serena's closed eyes, a tube of mascara in her hand.
"Wow Mina, maybe you should do some makeup for me," Lita said, staring at Serena's perfect face. She had no blemishes, a stunning array of light blue eye shadow which made her natural blue eyes more apparent, and a perfectly tantalizing pink mouth. "Darien will have to borrow ice cubes not to be attracted to THAT."
"Lita!" Serena exclaimed.
"It's true!" the girls laughed as the doorbell rang. "Speak of the devil," Lita murmered and went to get the door.
Refresher. So keep checking up! She is currently experiencing writer's block and severe homework overload. Allow some time before she gets back to work. But:
If you'd like to e-mail her please feel free, pestering her seems to work. Da Black Rose