Name: Starlit Princess
Title: Charade, Chapter 1
E-mail: starlitprincess@tuxedomask.com


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"Jerk." 

She sniffed as I hurled another insult at her again, almost 
painfully. She pushed me out of the way and ran out the sliding
glass doors in a huff; long blonde hair flying out behind her, as 
I stood there, watching her curiously. We'd exchanged insults day
after day, hour after hour; a consistent pattern ever since that 
crumpled test paper bounced off of my head.

Yet lately, every time I teased her about those crazy 'meatballs,'
or laughed at another one of her failed attempts at math, it just 
seemed... so wrong somehow. Every time I saw her tears fall, I 
wanted to scoop her up in my arms and hold on tight...

Waaaaait a minute... that just doesn't sound right...

Serena and I hated each other... didn't we?


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    <3 <3 <3          @)~~>~~>~~~          <3 <3 <3

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I was at the counter in the arcade, talking to Andrew, when once 
again, the blonde whirlwind flew in and plopped down in front of
the Sailor V game. Muttering angrily, she just seemed to get even 
more steamed every time Sailor V kicked the bucket.

Chuckling, Andrew and I walked over to the seething blonde. I
knelt down on the floor next to her. "So Serena, has Sailor V
begged for mercy yet?" My eyes sparkled mischievously.

Serena whirled around in shock to find her face to face with me, 
gazes locked. "You shouldn't make such a superhero suffer like 
that, you know."

"Ooooh... shut up, Darien! I don't have to take this today! First
one disaster strikes, then you show up! What else could go wrong!" 
she seemed to scream at me. I winced, and Andrew nudged my arm, 
giving me a look.

Andrew looked at the fuming girl, shook his head, and sat down 
next to her. "Now, Serena, calm down and tell us what happened.
What's so terrible?"

She looked at him, her eyes widening, and stuttered, "I... um... 
well..."

"You see, ah, there's this really obnoxious girl at school who's
always shooting off her mouth about her so-called 'older' 
boyfriends, and today was going on and on about her hot, sexy 
boyfriend who's in high school, and when me and Lita didn't 
believe it, she laughed, saying I probably didn't even *have*
a boyfriend, and made fun of me, and said I wasn't pretty enough 
to have a guy even look at me twice, and..."

WHAT?!? Not pretty?! Her looks could stop a raging mob dead 
in their tracks! Who the hell was this awful girl? Why would 
she totally slam her like that... Whoa, where did *that* come
from? Meanwhile, as I tried to pull my crazed emotions together,
Andrew nodded at Serena. "Go on," he said comfortingly. But I 
knew where this was going; I had a funny feeling...

She gulped, and said, "Well... I got so steamed at her nasty
insults, plus all her stupid bragging about some nonexistent 
boyfriend, that... I said my boyfriend was a really dashing, 
intelligent, gorgeous, cool guy that was in college who was 
tall, dark and handsome, romantic, totally in love with me, 
plus drove a really awesome car to boot!"

"What?!?" I nearly fell over laughed. "Now what'd you do 
that for, Meatball Head?

She glared at me coolly, before turning back to Andrew. "So
anyway, she laughed again at me, and said I couldn't prove 
that I had such a cool guy in my 'clutches;' by then most 
of the class was listening, and she said to prove it by bringing 
him to the class picnic on Saturday, and introduce him to everyone,
and now I'm stuck because I don't have a boyfriend, I never had, 
and now I'll be humiliated in front of my entire class!" Tears 
were rolling down her cheeks at that point, and she sobbed on 
Andrew's shoulder. He patted her back.

"There, there, stop crying, Serena... I... think I have the 
solution to your problem." He gave a sideways glance at me, 
and said, "Darien's perfect to play the part!"

My eyes nearly fell out of my head as my mouth hung open in 
surprised shock. "Me? Be *her* boyfriend? No way! Not a chance, 
Andrew!" Actually, I was kind of hoping that she'd agree... No 
such luck. Serena was just as upset. "Andrew, you've got to be 
kidding me! If he shows up, he'll humiliate me even more! Calling
me 'Meatball Head' is *not* my idea of 'romantic!'

He shook his head at us both. "Come on, you guys! Darien is the 
exact description you just told me! He's tall and dark, plus in
college, he's in all AP classes, and he drives that fast little 
red number parked outside! He's absolutely perfect!"

Serena crossed her arms, still unconvinced. "Well, he's not 
dashing, romantic, *or* gorgeous! Least of all in love with me!" 
she fumed as she glared at me. But even as she said that, her 
eyes seemed to be looking me up and down... almost longingly? Huh?

"Andrew, I don't think I can do this... " I said weakly. I 
couldn't; I'd have to pretend I was head over heels in love with 
her... it just couldn't be done... I didn't love her... did I?

My heart seemed to yell out at me, "Take her! Bring her to that 
picnic and prove you care! You know you want to! What in the name 
of God is holding you back? She likes you, too! So give in to the 
inevitable and TAKE HER!!!"

Well, you can't ignore your heart, right? 

With a little sigh and a smile, I looked up at Andrew.

"Um... actually, Andrew, I think maybe I *will* take this gorgeous
blonde to that picnic... for Serena's sake; to save her sanity, 
or whatever's left of it."

"Oooh, you cre--what?" She looked at me in astonishment. "What 
did you say?" Andrew was just as shocked as Serena was, not to 
mention ME.

As if I was possessed, I reached for her hand, kissing it gently. 
"What time does that picnic start?" I said softly, looking up at 
her shocked gaze.

Serena seemed to be shaking as she mumbled, "Uh, um, twelve 
o'clock..."

"Great. I'll pick you up at eleven-thirty. Where do you live?"

"Uh, in Juuban district... near the shopping center... the house 
next to the flower shop over there... number 306..."

"Okay, then I'll see you Saturday then, Meatball Head..." I got up 
and walked to the door, still a bit dazed. Did I actually 
volunteer for this escapade? Did I really say I'd be her 
boyfriend? And did I really kiss her hand? How did I get so... 
Why did I kiss her... Before walking out past the glass doors,
I glanced over my shoulder. Andrew had his arms crossed, smiling 
to himself. And Serena...

She had a starry look in her eyes, as she gazed down... at 
her hand.

I grinned. Maybe this might be fun...

@)~~>~~>~~~


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So! How was it? Did you all like my story? I hope so! E-mail me 
and tell me what you think; my inbox gets lonely... and if you're 
a total romantic like me, visit my new website, a dedication to our 
lovely couple, Serena and Darien, or Usagi and Mamoru, called 'An 
Eternal Starlit Romance!' The URL is: 
http://www.homestead.com/aneternalstarlitromance/welcome.html
and enjoy yourselves at my realm of romance!

Standard disclaimer. I don't own Sailor Moon; Naoko, Kodansha, 
TOEI Animation does, and DiC does the English version, so don't 
sue! The most you'll get out of me is five bucks!

~May the stars shine brightly upon you,
Starlit Princess, gentle, wise (but panicky) ruler of the
Realm of Romance
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