Overcoming Obstacles-chapter 7
by Sailor Em (SailorGalaxia1@yahoo.com)


AN: hiya, peeps! I'm sorry this took like...a year to post, but i've had
MAJOR blockage for this story and couldn't get anything out for this. I had just read this story and found out..this story is really terrible! Then I got all discouraged and stuff, but all you wonderful people out there kept emailing me and encouraging me to finish! Thank you so much! I really appreciate this! i'm sorry if this isn't 'up to par' with the other chapters. But if you don't like this story, read my others! Please!
When they have dinner, they have it at the prom. This might not be how it's done at your school, but it was done at MINE and it fits my story. :P so please, no flames on the inaccuracy of the dance! ^_^



OO-chapter 7

   The next week after the beach, Serena and Mina went to the library for
a study session with the girls. Serena saw Darien sitting at the farthest corner of the building, staring at a thick chem book. She crept up behind him and gave him a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek.
   "Hey, Darien." She sat on the chair across from him.
   He touched her nose lightly. "Hey, Rena." He noticed her bright smile
etched across her face. "Why are you so happy today?"
   "The prom is tomorrow!"
   He grinned. "I know."
   "So what are we going to do? I've run out of ideas!"
   "Don't worry about it. I'll think of something."
   She frowned. "But tomorrow's our last chance! If we fail, we fail our
friends. And I can't stand Mina's unhappiness."
   "Don't worry, Rena. So," he began, trying to divert her attention onto something lighter, "what are you going to wear?"
   She immediately brightened. "Secret!"
   He laughed. "I bet."
   "Well, Darien, I have to go now. Mina is here with me and she's going to 
be suspicious when she sees me in the science section."
   "I might call you later, okay?"
   "Okay." She still sat there, smiling her head off.
   "Okay, Serena. Why are you REALLY so happy? Did some really handsome guy
sweep you off your feet today?"
   "Yup."
   "Oh, really?" his heart sort of sunk a bit...he was still unstable about
where he and Serena stood...
   "Yup. You might know him. His name is Darien Chiba."
   His heart soared played along. "Hmm...I might know him. Can you describe him to me?"
   "Well, he is really tall and has a GREAT body *wink*, he has beautiful 
deep blue eyes and silky black hair...he's really smart and cute....and he
has a girlfriend!" she frowned.
   "You mean Christina?" he turned serious. "You know, Serena, that I care 
about you. She means nothing to me."
   "Yeah, I know. But how much do you really care? I know that I'm a lot
younger than you and immature and a baby, but I really think that I --"
   "No, Serena. You are gorgeous and mature and a beautiful woman. But don't 
say it. Don't say it until you are perfectly sure that you mean it. Love is 
too precious to throw around."
   "How do you know that it can't be true for us? Is it because you don't
feel the same way? If you don't..you can just tell me. I'm strong enough to
take it. " her eyes started to shimmer with tears.
   "Serena..don't cry. I just...I can't. I don't love Christina at all. That's not it. It's just that--"
   "That what? You just want to treat me like a toy to play with? I can't
believe you. I thought you were better. I honestly had begun to think that you were different from other guys; that you actually had values." she laughed bitterly. "stupid me." She was tired of Darien's indecisiveness, It was really getting to her. Why couldn't he just figure out what he felt? Was it really that hard?
   Darien shook his head quietly. "That's not it at all. I really really....
lo...care about you. You wouldn't understand. If I dump her, I go to jail.
I can't risk that." 
   Serena's eyes filled with tears. "Fine Darien. Be that way. If you're afraid to love, or even LIKE me, then that's your loss. Although I think it's a bad choice, I'll respect your wishes."
   She stood up. "Bye."
   He stood up and grabbed her wrist before she could leave. "Is that it? Are
you just going to leave me like that, Serena? That was what I was afraid of.
So many people have picked me up and dropped me on the ground. How do I know
you're not going to be the same? How do I know that I can trust you?" he 
looked into her tear-filled eyes and sighed. "How can I tell you I love you 
if I'm not sure you love me back? My heart can't take it anymore. I'm sorry
Serena, but I can't. I can't give away my heart so easily anymore."
   She glared at him. "If you knew me better, if you trusted me, you would
know my answer." she touched his cheek. "I thought we had something, Dare.
Something that could last. But nothing can last when we have no trust
between us. I thought you were different, but I was wrong." she stopped,
her eyes softening at the obvious pain in his eyes. "You have to choose
between me and Christina. I know you take our relationship seriously; so do
I. Good BYE, Darien." She yanked her arm away from Darien's grip and stomped 
off to find her friend. 
   He watched her walk away from him, from his life. "Serena," he whispered.

   
   Andrew called Mina that night.
   "Hello? Aino residence."
   "Hello? May I speak to the beautiful girl by the name of Mina?"
   The voice giggled. "Hi Andrew. You flirt!"
   He chuckled. "You know you like it!"
   "I was just about to call you about tomorrow night. Can you pick me and
Serena up at her house at....5:30?"
   "Sure thing! I hope everything works out!"
   "Me too...I hope everything is okay between Serena and Darien. We went
to the library today and I left her alone for a few minutes, and she came
back sobbing. I asked her what happened and she just said that she hit
her head. I saw her talking with Darien. That idiot must have done something
to her."
   "Well...Darien is getting really unstable. I know that he's in love with
Serena, but he won't admit it. And what are we going to do with Christina? She's another element we forgot about. Hopefully, by tomorrow night, he can dump her off and confess to Serena how much he really cares."
   Mina got a case of sudden anxiety. "oh no! What if he can't do it? What
are we going to do? Serena's heart is going to be broken. I can't stand it
when she's depressed...it seems like the world is never going to be right." 
   "Listen, I gotta go, okay Mina? My dad needs to call the police department."
   "What? What happened?"
   Andrew laughed. "Don't worry...i'm fine. My dad's the head of the department, and he just needs to know what his schedule is tomorrow."
   Mina sighed in relief. "Bye, Andrew!"
   "Cya, cutie."

~PROM DAY AT SCHOOL~

   Serena and Mina were chatting excitedly about the upcoming prom. They 
chatted during History, they chatted during English. When they met up with
Ami, Lita and Raye in Homeroom, they all began to chat excitedly. Luckily, their
whole class was abuzz with exitement, so the teacher let it go. 
   As they walked down the hall for p.e, they still chatted about what
they were going to wear, what they were going to eat, etc. Even Ami was getting
into the spirit of things as she described her dress. 
   When they got into the gym, the teacher hadn't arrived yet, so they gathered in a little group and began talking about something. Ami finally got annoyed about the prom, so they began talking about what Mrs. Packard had covered during English. Serena smiled happily and seemed to be happy and the most cheerful of the group. She laughed, she giggled, she whispered secrets like no others. Suddenly, all her friends were quiet.
   "Guys? uh....guys?" Serena asked nervously. Was something...wrong?
   "Serena, don't look now, but I think someone is calling you." whispered Rei. "Someone really, really hot!"
   Serena's face perked up. "Someone really hot? Calling me? Oh..who?!"
    "Well LISTEN!" Raye harshly whispered.
    "Serena! Serena!" someone called. She turned
her head, and saw Darien Chiba from the other side of the gym waving frantically and shouting her name. She froze mid way as she noticed that he was jogging over to her. She quickly turned around and began talking as if nothing happened. 
   Lita grew excited. "Hey, Rena...if you don't want him, then I'll get him
off your hands."
   "Rena, where did YOU snag him?" Raye asked incredulously.
   "What's the big deal?" Serena sniffed. 
   "Well, he's ONLY Darien Chiba, the hottest guy in this whole school!" she
hissed back. "And he's coming here right now!"
   Serena felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around slowly. Darien was
almost face to face with her; he stood less than a foot apart from her. 
   "Rena?" he whispered.
   "What do you want, Darien?" she asked coldly.
   "Can I speak to you alone?" he put his hand on her shoulder. "I really need to talk to you."
   "Uh, sorry Darien, I can't. Some other time, maybe." she waved her hand
in his general direction and shook his hand off her shoulder.
   Darien sighed exasperatedly. He took a quick look around the room, thinking fast. He grabbed her by the waist and began dragging her to the corner of the gym.
   "Guys! Help me! Let me go, Darien! Take your filthy hands off me!" Serena
screamed. Her supposed friends winked and waved at her as a fuming Darien
lugged her to the farthest corner of the room. 

   Darien deposited her on the floor unceremoniously. He panted for a few
minutes, trying to catch his breath. "Serena, I'm sorry."
   Serena stood up, furious. "Good for you, Mr. Chiba. I'm sorry too. Sorry that I ever met you to begin with!" she began to stomp back to her friends, her SUPPOSED friends that were eyeing them interestedly. Darien grabbed hher arm and jerked her back to him.
   "Do you mean that?" he whispered.
   She looked him straight in the eye, eyes only wavering a bit. "Every single word." She began to walk back again. And this time Darien didn't stop her.

   "So, Rena, what happened? Spill!" Lita commanded.
   "Oh, nothing. He just wanted to talk to me about picking Mina up at my house." she lied quickly. "Well, look at the time! School's going to end! I'll see you guys at the Prom, k? Mina, let's go!" she grabbed Mina's arm and hauled her forcibly out of the gym.
    The girls stared at her silently. "Well--" Raye managed to say. "That was certainly..an..experience."


~Serena's House~
   
   "Oh, Mina, I'm so excited!" Serena squealed.
   Mina laughed. "Good for you! So am I!"
   "Let's eat a bite first, okay? I'm starving. You want a cookie?"
   "Sure!" 
   Serena and Mina went to the deserted kitchen. "I guess my mom isn't home yet. She said she was going out today for groceries." She opened the common cookie jar and pulled out two humongous chocolate chip cookies. She handed one to Mina and grabbed a couple glasses and filled it with milk.
   Serena sat down on a stool and bit into the cookie. For a moment, her face was pure bliss. Mina just laughed, accustomed to Serena's antics. She knew she had to get to serious business soon, before the prom was over. She had to act as cupid (AGAIN) and patch things up!
   "Serena?" she ventured. 
   "Hmmm?" she murmured, still savoring the chocolate. 
   "What do you think of Darien?"
   Serena grinned slyly. "FIRST tell me what you think of Andy."
   Mina blushed from head to toe. "Welllll...I think he's nice."
   Serena snorted. "Understatement of the YEAR!"
   Mina laughed a little bit. "So what do you think of Darien? You have to tell me, since I told you what I thought of Andrew."
   Serena choked on the chunk of chocolate in her mouth. "What do you think? I hate him, of course! He's a jerk and always will be. Especially what he did to me...that was the last straw."
   "Well," Mina hesitated, "Then what happened today? With you and Darien?"
   Serena suddenly stopped gnawing on her cookie and looked seriously at her.
"Can I trust you?" she asked solemnly.
   "Of..of course!" mina replied, worrying over what had made Serena so serious.
   "I told Darien. And he rejected me. That's it!" she sighed. "That's it."
   "You mean..you told Darien that you love him and he told you to go away?"
   "Yeah." she snapped. "Wasn't that clear?"
   "Sorry, sorry." she apologized. Now she was thoroughly puzzled. She and Andrew were positive that Darien was in love with Serena, so why was he pushing her away? 
   "One last question. Did he give you a reason why he told you he didn't like you?"
   Serena groaned. "He just said he couldn't give his heart out easily or something. I wasn't really listening."
   "Serena!" Mina grew exasperated. "What if he gave you a legitimate reason?"
   Serena pulled on a wise look. "Mina, if someone loves you and you love them, that's all that matters. If you just let everything overpower you, there's no point for you to live. You have to make your own choices, decide which path you take. You can't let obstacles get in your way. That's what life is all about. Overcoming obstacles." (AN: mwahahaha! that's the title of the story! ^_^)
   Mina began to stumble out of the kitchen, dazed and slightly afraid of Serena's new insights. "I--need to go to the bathroom." She raced upstairs, leaving Serena chewing her cookie. Mina went to Serena's room and grabbed her cordless. She proceeded to the bathroom and sat on the rug, dialing Andrew's number.
    "Crown residence! Andy speaking." a voice said.
   "Hey Andy! Mina here. Big news. Darien just dissed Serena."
   "What? What do you mean? I'm sure he likes her.."
   "She obviously told him that she loved him. And your stupid STUPID friend told her not to say that to him."
    "Oh. That's it?"
    "What?" Mina shrieked. "What do you mean by that? Our friends are at stake here!"
   "Oh, don't worry, Cutie. Darien still loves her alright. Remember I told you he lost his parents at a young age? Well, with Christina bugging him and his lack of love, he isn't really trusting right now. That's it."
   "Are you sure?"
   "Positive. Now, you girls go make yourselves beautiful! We'll pick you up in 2 hours."
   "Bye Andy."
   Mina flushed the toilet to make her 'toilet story' a little more believable and put the phone back in Serena's room. She walked downstairs, where she found Serena watching some reruns of Fushigi Yugi.
   "Serena? Ready to transform ourselves?"
   Serena looked up, grinning. "Ready!" She dragged Mina upstairs. "I just gotta show you my dress! Mom and I spent hours looking for it! After that...you have to show me yours, okay?"
   She led Mina to her room and plopped her on the bed. "Just LOOK at this.." she opened her closet and pulled out a dress. Mina gasped. "It's..why..Serena..this dress is so gorgeous!" Mina sighed. "This satin feels so nice."
   "Yeah, yeah." Serena threw the dress on the bed. "Now show me yours!"

   Two hours later, Mina and Serena stood in front of the mirror. Serena now stood the same height as Mina, wearing high heels and Mina wearing pumps. They looked at themselves, obviously content with the picture.
   "Oh, Mina, thank you so much for doing my hair! It's so beautiful." She stared at her newly transformed hair. Where the meatballs once were was now a pile of golden curls with ribbon woven through them. A golden waterfall of hair cascaded down her back. She tugged at a curl in satistfaction.
   Mina smiled happily. "Well, I love MY hair too!" Mina smiled at her french twist, messily placed on purpose. She loved it! It looked so chic and cool. Andrew would love it too; she was sure of it.

~Andrew's House~

   "Hey, Dare, you nervous?" Andrew glanced at Darien and laughed. Darien's hands were shaking uncontrollably as he tied his bow tie. "Hey, uh, Darien, gosh..why are you so nervous? It's okay, it's only a prom."
   Darien turned to look at Andrew. "ExCUSE me? Only a prom? I would be nervous enough as it is, but with Serena angry at me--"
   "What? Why is she mad?" Andrew had heard it from Mina already, but he wanted Darien to say it. After all, it wasn't every day that this guy would own up to his feelings for anyone!
   "Well...Serena said she loves me."
   "That's wonderful Dare!" Andrew exclaimed.
   "But--I told her not to say 'love' before she meant it, and she assumed that I didn't lik...love her. And she left me before I could explain."
   "Dammit." Andrew muttered. Now Serena was mad at Darien. How could they make up before the end of the prom? Andrew tried to laugh lightly. "Well, that's okay, Darien. After all, she is my date. You talk as if she's yours!"
   Darien paled slightly. "Oh....yeah."
   "Well, let's go! Our beautiful ladies are waiting for their handsome escorts!" Andrew pushed Darien away from the mirror and out the door.

   They got into the car and drove off to Serena's house, where their beautiful dates would be waiting. Andrew could sense Darien getting nervous and fidgety. "Hey, man, don't worry. Treat her nicely and tell her how you feel. Your night's going to be great. I guarantee it."
   Darien gulped. "Are you talking about Mina or Serena?"
   Andrew looked sideways at him and grinned. "Which do you think?"
   Darien blushed hotly as they stopped in the driveway. "Come on, Andy, let's get out. It's now or never."
   Darien got out of the car, holding his corsage for Mina. He and Andrew walked silently to the door and knocked.
   "Coming!" they heard a bunch of giggles and blushed. Suddenly the door swung open and two gorgeously decked girls stood there grinning their heads off.
   "Hello." Mina said dramatically, batting her eyes at the gawking boys.
   "Hi hi hi! Come on, let's go! I'm starved!" Serena squealed, ruining the effect.
   Andrew laughed and took Serena's hand. "You look gorgeous, Rena. For you, my lady." he handed her a rosebud corsage. (AN: is there such a thing?) He gave her a hug and whispered, "From Darien, Sere." he heard her give a little gasp. "Thank you." she whispered.
   As Darien absently gave Mina her lily corsage from Andrew, he surveyed Serena with silent satisfaction. She wore a sleeveless pink satin gown, with a thin layer of white lace draped on the skirt. The dress hugged her waist tightly and puffed out gracefully to her feet. On her head was a delicate crown of pink rosebuds interwoven together to lay on her head. The sight of her made Darien sigh. Suddenly, he felt a jolt at his side. Mina was poking him, grinning mischievously.
   "She's beautiful, isn't she?" she whispered. 
   "Oh..Mina! You look so beautiful!" Darien exclaimed. Andrew nodded enthusiastically. Mina's gown was a light yellow with flower beads sewn all over it. It was princess cut, with little sequins embellishing the collar. Andrew sighed in happiness. She loked so beautiful!
   Five minutes ticked by. Serena and Mina stood there, getting impatient. The boys just stood there, staring at them. They rolled their eyes and looked at each other. What was these guys's problems? Haven't they ever heard of MAKEUP?
   "You guys, can we go now?" Serena complained. "I haven't had anything to eat since that dinky cookie after school."
   "Yeah!" Mina chimed in. "I don't want to be late for the first dance!"
   The boys shook out of their stupor and held out an arm to their respectful dates. They walked them to the car, and was about to seat them, but Andrew said, "Hey, Mina, can I talk to you about something? It's about...school."
   "Sure." Mina said hastily. She jumped into the front seat, leaving two very disgruntled and awkwardly placed people in the back of the car.
   As the car began moving, Serena stared out of the window, giving Darien the silent treatment.
   Darien was very very uncomfortable. 'Trust Andrew for putting me in such a tight spot.'  "Uh, Serena?"
   Serena ignored him, staring at a VERY interesting spot on the window.
   He sighed. This was going to be so hard. He didn't know how to say what he felt. He didn't know any words or gestures he could place to let Serena how much he really cared about her. "Serena, onegai, yurusu watashi." (very roughly put, this means please forgive me."
   She finally turned towards him, irritated. "What did you say?"
   "I'm really sorry, Serena."
   "What?"
   "I really--DO--love you. I'm serious." he looked pleadingly at her.
   She melted at the sight of his face, but she hardened her heart. "Whatever." She turned back to the window. (AN: how could anyone deny a pouting Mamo-chan?!)

   During dinner, Serena sat next to Andrew across from Darien. It was the worst time of the night for Darien. Serena seemed totally engrossed in three things: her food, Andrew and the rest of her friends. Not him. That, of course, was blatantly obvious. She paid no attention to him, just gave him little nods and grunts when necessary. She barely even looked at him, just focused her attention on making her friends laugh and smile. She went out of her way to be cheerful and smiling to Andrew, saying witty things and becoming the fun party-goer while to Darien, she was a serious, frowning girl. He sighed. What a big difference.
   However, it was the worst time of the night for Serena too. She had been smiling her face off, and now her cheek muscles wer starting to hurt. Darien kept sending her these depressed looks that didn't do too well with her conscience after she had blown him off. She ignored him, but he would still get in her mind now and then, and when she would sneak a peek at him, he would still be there, right across from her, looking intensely at her. She had kept talking and not staying still, for fear that Darien would try to talk to her.
    Lita and Raye had sensed something was wrong,too, but they didn't press the matter. Darien always had this sad look on his face, staring at Serena. And Serena was ignoring him, and going all out to show that she didn't care one whit for him. But they all knew she did. Amy nudged Serena's arm a bit. Serena turned to look at her, smiling.
    "Serena, are you okay? Do you need to talk?" Amy whispered. 
    Serena's smile faltered a bit. "I'm sorry, Amy. I...can't. Not now. I'll tell you later." Amy could see tears forming in her best friend's eyes. She patted her back. "It's okay, Serena. everything will be okay." Serena nodded and turned back to the table. She glanced at Mina, who was silent. She was looking longingly across the table at Andrew. Bingo! Serena's plan popped into her mind, and she sprung into action. She jumped up, suprising everyone. She leaped adroitly around the table and hauled Darien out of his chair. Everyone stared at her, and she had the grace to blush prettily. "Sorry, everyone. I just have to talk to Darien about something for a moment, okay?" the music began to play a slow dance. "Why don't you guys start dancing? We'll be back in a minute. Oh, Andrew, don't wait up. You can dance with Mina." She pulled Darien outside the gym, leaving a startled group of people behind. 
   "Why don't we go dance now?" Lita suggested, breaking the ice. She grabbed Ken's hand and headed to the gym floor. Everyone shrugged and went to the floor. Soon Mina and Andrew were the only ones remaining at the table.
   "Why do I get the feeling we were set up?" Mina asked.
   Andrew shrugged. "Beats me. Anyway, who cares? Carpe diem! Shall we?" he held out to his hand to a blushing Minako.

~~~
mwahahahaha! I finally finished the 7th part! yess! go me! ::ahem:: sorry about that. got a little carried away, huh? one more part left! yes, i'm sure of it! please, email me! 

~Sailor Em
(sailorgalaxia1@yahoo.com)