Title: "Exactly"
By: Lady Lightning
Chapter One: 'Close Encounter'
Rating:  PG
E-Mail:  iwillzapyou@hotmail.com

Okay, I admit it.  It's my first fanfic.  I just want you to laugh a little, 
and try and enjoy
the ride.  I hope you like my story, but don't hesitate to tell me how you 
feel!  Send
questions, comments, concerns, and flames to
iwillzapyou@hotmail.com
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO


	It was Saturday.  Her favorite day of the week.  No alarm clocks, no
hurrying to school, no skipping breakfast... 'Ummm.  Breakfast,' she said to
herself.  The smell of frying bacon and slightly burnt pancakes had wafted 
up the
stares and assaulted her nostrils.  Even though the aroma made her stomach
growl, she didn't get up.  The blonde just rolled over and gazed out the 
window.
'Already a gorgeous day,' she smiled to herself.  Big, downy clouds drifted
lightly in the pale blue sky.  An occasional bird flew past the window eager 
to
find its own breakfast.  Her kitty, Luna, was on the floor basking in the 
warm
sunshine.
	Serena lay in bed until the sweet fragrance of breakfast coaxed her to
get up.  She rolled out of bed and made her way to the vanity sitting across 
from
her.  Serena sat down and started to brush her golden mane.  She was a tall, 
slender
girl of 15.  She had gentle, subtle curves and although she was oblivious to 
it, they
made more than one head turn. Part of her charm was her lack of vanity.  
Atop her
long neck was a porcelain colored face with rosy cheeks that would deepen in 
color
when she felt a strong emotion.  Instead of lips, she had soft pink rose 
petals and
above those was a small pointed nose.  Her eyes were a very soft blue with 
long
lashes that fluttered when she laughed.  If eyes be the window to the soul, 
you would
find no ill will or temper here- at least, not right now.  'I wonder what my 
love is
doing this very instant.'  Serena continued to pull the brush through her 
hair while
a dreamy look besieged her face.

_________________________

'Time to get up, Darien.'  A young man not one and twenty lay sprawled
out across his large bed.  The forest green comforter was on the floor and 
the sheets
were twisted at the end of the bed.  He flopped over onto his back a stared 
at the
ceiling.  The curtains that covered the windows in his bedroom let no light 
through,
but his clock told him it was morning.  He pulled himself to his feet and 
headed
toward the bathroom to take a shower and start the day.  As he did, he 
passed a
large mirror fastened to the wall.
Darien was quite handsome, to say the least.  He had dark hair that forever
hung in his eyes.  And what eyes they were.  Large, and the deepest, 
clearest blue
imaginable.  They made any girl swoon should they receive the honor of being
looked upon by him.  Most would argue that his eyes were his best feature, 
but his
trim and well-built body hardly went unnoticed.  Any woman in her right mind
would love to fall into his broad shoulders and muscular arms.  His charm 
was not
hindered by his well nurtured vanity.  With women falling at his feet and 
drooling
as he passed, how could one not be vain.  One would think his heart was not 
so
easily touched, but indeed he had discovered his true love.  And her name 
was...

__________________________

Serena had finished getting dressed and bounced down the stares to the
kitchen.  She was wearing a white tank top that accented her long, slim arms 
and a
pair of blue jeans that hugged her hips.  On her feet were white strapy 
sandals that
clicked on the hard ground when she walked.  In her ears she wore the 
earrings that
Lita, one of her best friends, had bought for her.  They had a star shaped 
stud with
little crescent moons that hung down jiggling when she walked or moved her 
head.
Her flaxen colored hair was up in the style she had worn for as long as she 
could
remember.  On each side of her head was a bun of hair and from each bun hung 
the
rest of her hair curling slightly at the ends, which almost touched the 
floor.
Serena walked over to her mom who was at the sink.
"Good morning, Mom!"  Serena placed a small kiss on her mother's cheek.
"My, you're in a good mood this morning."  Serena's mom handed her a
plate full of eggs, pancakes and bacon.  "Lot's of syrup over everything, 
just like
you like it."
"Mmm, smells good."  Serena took the plate from her mother and sat down
at the table.  Within seconds, the entire plate had been emptied, licked 
clean and
placed in the sink.  "That was great, thanks!  I'm going to the arcade to 
meet the
girls!  I'll see you later!  Bye!"  Before Serena's mom could get a word 
out, her
daughter ran out the door and was skipping down the street towards the Crown
Center Arcade.

____________________________

	Darien grabbed his house keys and wallet before he left his small, but well
kept, apartment.  He had taken a shower and was feeling very refreshed.  
Darien had
on a pair of dark colored slacks and a white polo shirt.  His dark shoes 
completed
the ensemble.  He always liked to look his best.  The impeccably dressed 
young
man took a quick ride down the elevator and then strolled down the sidewalk 
and
put on his sunglasses.
	Darien reached his destination and sat down at the counter.  The arcade was
already bustling with young bodies forcing quarters into video games.  
Darien was
sitting in the cafe part of the arcade and after a glance over his shoulder, 
he quickly
tuned out the noise as he did every day.  This was a local hangout for kids, 
but
Darien's best friend Andrew worked here, so Darien was there often.
	"Hey there, Dare!  What can I get for you?"  Andrew stood behind the
counter and smiled as he asked his question.  He already knew the answer.
	"A coffee and a old-fashioned doughnut."  They said in unison.  Andrew's
eyes were dancing with laughter.  Darien just grinned.  "Why don't you try
something new for once?"  Andrew turned around and started pouring him a cup 
of
coffee.
	"No thanks."  Was all Darien said and picked up the coffee that was set in
front of him.  He brought the cup to his lips and let the bitter, warm 
goodness in.  He
broke a part of his doughnut off and dunked it in the coffee.
	Andrew laughed audibly and walked off to another customer.  He was a tall,
lean man of 20.  He had short blonde hair and an enthusiastic smile that was 
forever
plastered on his cute face.  His eyes were friendly and he would let you 
talk his ear
off without an inkling of resentment.  Andrew and Darien had been best 
friends for
a long time.  The respect they shared for each other had lasted through the 
years.
	Darien brushed some crumbs off his face and took the last gulp of his 
coffee.
After catching Andrew's eye, he shook his cup in the air signaling that it 
was empty.
Andrew let out a jovial laugh and headed back towards his friend to refill 
up his cup.

_____________________________

	Serena approached the arcade and slowed up some.  The sliding glass doors
opened and Serena sucked in her breath as she caught sight of him.  'There 
he is!
He is so gorgeous!  Okay Serena.  Concentrate.  Remember that you hate him.  
Don't
let him know you like him.'  She knew Darien was something special.  She 
felt a
warmth wash over her when she was in his presence.  Something about his 
face,
about his air, was so familiar to her.
	Serena let the doors slide closed behind her and skimmed the restaurant for
her friends.  She saw them sitting in a back booth waving to her.
	"Serena!  Over here!"  Lita's voice rose above the rest of the cafe.
Darien heard her name and instinctively turned around.  She was overcome
with joy and her heart skipped a beat when she caught his eye.  'He looks so 
good!'
He stood up and flashed her one of his sly grins.  She stood up a little 
straighter and
did her best to glide over to him putting on her game face preparing to do 
battle while
completely ignoring her friends trying to get her attention.
	"Well, well, well.  If it isn't Meatball Head!  Up kinda early, aren't ya?  
You
must be so sleepy!  How many times have you fallen over today?"  Darien took 
a
step in her direction with mock concern on his face.  He knew he made Serena
angry, but she was so precious when she scrunched up her mouth in a frown.  
She
would get a little crinkle in her nose...
	"Ha, ha, ha, Darien.  As is so happens, I haven't tripped once today!"  And
as if to accent her statement, her feet got tangled in themselves and she 
went
sprawling forward.  Almost as if he had anticipated this, Darien was by her 
side
saving her from the hard floor that she had been headed for.  He let her 
rest in his
arms.  If anyone had walked in at that moment, they would've thought that
Serena and Darien had been dancing and he had just dipped her.  They 
relished the
high voltage that swept through their bodies from the closeness.  Serena's 
face took
on a brand new shade of red.  All the world slowed.
	'So close... I could just lift my head and kiss him.'
	'So close... I could just lower my head and kiss her.'
	"It doesn't count, you know."  Serena mumbled weakly, staring at Darien's
lips with craving in her eyes.  Her heart was racing.  She had never been so 
close
to him for such a long period of time.  Usually she landed on top of him 
when she
was in a rush and crashed into him, but she always picked herself off him in
seconds flat.
	"What?"  Darien's focus was just on her mouth, not the words coming out
of it.  Did she know how much he wanted to kiss her?  Did she know that 
being
this close to her was making his pulse race and palms sweat?
Serena tried to explain her somewhat flawed logic but her mind was not
on her anger or embarrassment.  Her thoughts were solely of the man who held 
her
in his arms.  Darien.  Her sworn enemy.  Her forever tormentor.  And 
although she
dare not admit it, one day she woke up and all that loathing and antipathy 
she felt
towards this man was replaced by something infinitely sweeter.  Even though 
she
didn't show it, deep in her heart, Serena knew she was totally and 
completely in
love with Darien.
	"This doesn't count as a fall.  I never touched the ground."  She finally
managed with tremendous difficulty.  As if any logical thought could occur 
with
Darien so close...
With this, Darien snapped back to reality and was conscious of the faces
staring at him and the beautiful girl in his arms.  He was usually an 
even-tempered
guy who could not be fazed easily, but this was too much.  The entire arcade 
and
cafe had their eyes glued to the paragon of the perfect looking couple.
	"Oh yeah?  Well how about now?"  And with that, he dropped her lightly
on her butt.  He then slapped some money on the counter for his breakfast 
and
made a break for the door.  As the glass sliding doors began to close, he 
heard her
screaming something about him being a jerk and how she'll get him someday.  
He
didn't care. Darien wanted to get out of there fast!  'What was I doing?!' 
he said to
no one in particular.  Darien half ran, half walked back to his apartment.  
'If no one
had been there, I would've kissed Serena!  I would've kissed her, and then 
she
would've slapped me and then I would never be able to talk to her again.  
She would
hate me!  Darien made it to his apartment building and jogged up the stairs, 
not having
the patience to wait for the elevator.  Once in his bedroom, he fell face 
down on a
pillow.

______________________________

	"Oh!  He is SO gonna get it!"  Serena picked her self up and stood fuming
towards the door of the arcade.  'Oh my gosh!  We were so close!  I wonder 
if I can
pull that off again...'  "Next time I see him, I'm going to punch him square 
in the
nose!"  Serena fought a battle with herself.  She had to keep up the facade 
that she
hated him.
	"Hey Serena, calm down.  He didn't mean anything by it."  Andrew stood
next to Serena trying to clear the smoke that bellowed from Serena's ears.  
'Always
the mediator.'  Andrew sighed to himself.  'I wonder when they will break 
down
and tell each other how they feel.  Like they're fooling anyone.  I guess 
when they're
ready.'  He tried consoling Serena once again.  "Come on, I'll buy you a 
chocolate
shake."
	By this time, all Serena's friends had gathered around her and were all 
talking
at once.
	"You looked so funny when he dropped you on your butt!"  Raye had ran up
to Serena to make sure she was all right, but was now doubled over in 
laughter.  Her
arms clutched her stomach from the pain.
	"You shut up, Raye!  It's not funny!"  Serena put her hands on her hips and
cocked her head to the side; her anger was quickly turning toward someone 
else.
"Gosh, are you okay, Serena?  I must say, that was not very nice of Darien 
at
all!"
"Thanks Amy, that really means-"
"But I must agree with Raye, you DID look rather silly!"  Amy put a hand to
her mouth and tried to stifle a giggle, but to no avail.  Mina and Lita were 
also trying
to hide their convolutions of laughter.
"No, Amy!  Not you too!  Isn't ANYONE on my side?"  Serena stood in the
middle of her four friends looking positively helpless with sorrow.  Her 
blue eyes
ready to overflow in tears.
	"We're all on your side!"  Lita was the first to let her giggles die.  The
other girls followed suit.
	"Really?"  Serena sniffled.  The girls nodded in agreement.  "Good!  
Because
I'm going to need your help in getting him back!"  Serena punched her fist 
in her
hand.  The girls stood wide-eyed at her sudden change in demeanor.  "But 
first,"
Serena said in a sing song voice, "we need to go shopping!"

______________________________

	"Don't you just love the mall!"  Serena let her arms swing wide with 
delight.
The rest of the girls nodded their heads in agreement as they set off to do 
some
serious window shopping.  It was truly a sight.  Five girls as different as 
they could
be all walking side by side chatting about nothing in particular and 
enjoying every
second of it.  The soft spoken Amy, who always had her nose in a book, had 
taken
the day off from her rigorous study sessions to spend the day with her best 
friends.
Her blue locks stood fast in a clip that matched her lavender ensemble; her 
blue
eyes all ease and happiness.  Next to Amy stood the tall and powerful 
looking Lita.
Not one to trifle with, she commanded respect but her gracefulness was 
evident in
her poise and confidence.  In the middle stood Serena.  She was not saying 
anything
but her face was plastered in mischievousness.  Almost as if she was 
devising a plan...
Next to Serena stood Raye.  Long, shiny black hair played around her face 
while
watchful eyes darted here and there.  With a sharp tongue and wit to match, 
Raye
possessed a fiery temper which quite often was set aflame by one certain 
meatball
headed girl.  And the last of the five friends was Mina.  She's just as boy 
crazy as
the rest of them, but she possessed a certain knack for match making and 
love advise.
Her long, blonde hair was half up in a red bow and she wore a huge smile for 
all to
see.
	After a few laps around the mall, the girls were ready for a break.  They
headed for the food court where they could rest and recuperate with some ice 
cream.
	"So," started Serena, "I've been thinking-"
	"About that totally hot guy that works at the luggage store?  Me too!  He 
was
so cute!  To bad I can't think of an excuse to go in there..."  Mina paused 
to ponder
her predicament.
	"No, that's NOT what I was thinking about.  I was going to say that when we
passed the book store, I got a really great idea to-"
	"Wow Serena!  You read my mind!  I wanted to go into the book store as
well!  I wanted to check if they have the book I ordered on subatomic 
particles
which really is very fascinating-"  But Amy was interrupted.
	"No, no, no!  I don't want to go into the book store!  I want to tell you 
guys
my plan for-"
	"For the picnic next weekend!  I was wondering about that.  I was thinking
about preparing a meatloaf casserole-"  But Lita was cut off.
	"Eww!  Who's ever heard of meatloaf casserole?"  Mina's face was scrunched
up as she continued.  "I think you should make that yummy lasagna with-"
	"Now let's be reasonable, Mina," Amy interjected, "this IS going to be a
picnic so we need to find something that isn't going to be so messy."
	"Will you guys listen to me!"  Serena looked as if she was going to 
explode.
Her eyes were bulging and her fists were clenched.  The other four girls in 
the party
stopped talking mid word and looked at Serena.  "Thank you!  Now, as I was
TRYING to tell you, I've come up with a plan to get back at Darien for 
making me
look like a moron at the arcade this morning."
	"You don't need Darien to make you look like a moron."  As soon as Raye
cut in she regretted it.  The daggers coming from Serena's eyes made her 
cringe.  She
didn't interrupt again.
	"Now," started Serena, "I'm going to need all of your help, so if you don't
want to participate, let me know now."  Silence.  "Good."

__________________________
There's nothing wrong with a little e-mail now and then, right?
iwillzapyou@hotmail.com.  Thanks for reading!
-Lady Lightning