~Serena's P.O.V~ I saw the saddness in his eyes when he said that he didn't have any parents. I didn't pity him, but I felt the need to comfort him. I crawled over to him and took him in my arms. I heard his soft sobs and felt his warm tears soaking a small area of my shirt. I began to rock him back and forth. I had a strange feeling that he had never told anyone before, and he finally let all his anguish and pain come out. When his sobs subsided, he looked up at me, a little flushed. "I…I'm sorry Meatball Head." He said. "No, it's ok. I understand." He smiled gratefully and looked at Pierce. "Ya know, he really looks like he wants to stay with you." "I…uh…" I studdered, looking at Pierce. "I guess. I'll take him, but you gotta walk home with me tomorrow to get him." " 'Course. Let's go get his food and stuff." "O.k." After we changed, Darien led me towards his house with Pierce at his side. It was silent most of the walk, but I decided to make a conversation. "So, um, Darien, how far is your place?" I asked. "Only about two more blocks." "Cool. So, what is it like at your home?" "Peaceful, quiet, and clean." "That's it? Wow! My house is loud. Well, because of Sammy. Sammy's my little brother. He always like's to steal my things, especially my stuffed bunnys'. It gets me so mad sometimes but you can't stay mad, ya know?" I blabbered. He chuckled softly. "Sounds like you have a lot of fun." He said, still chuckling, and I myself began to giggle. When we finally gained our composure back, I noticed I was in Darien's arms. He was looking down at me and smiling. I blushed slightly. "Sorry…he he." I said. He just simply chuckled and then looked down at Pierce. He was sitting down with one paw over his face. ~Darien's P.O.V~ I looked down at Pierce just as Serena did. His paw was over his eyes and he was in a sitting position. I had to laugh at him. Serena laughed a little too as we started on our journey again. Pierce circled around us as we walked. He seemed to be checking us out, making sure we weren't doing anything, like he was my father. Finally he stopped and walked happily by Serena's side. "Darien?" She asked. "Huh?" "How far is your house?" "Um…not that much further, why?" I asked her. "Oh, I just wanted to know. That's all." She replied. ~Serena's P.O.V~ The walk to Darien's house seemed so long! I felt the need to talk, but what the hell was there to talk about? Food? Ok, I'm going to ask Darien, "What kind of food do you eat?" No way! Think…think….think. T.V, sports, uh… videos, video games…yea! Video games! Ha ha! I am a genious! "Do you play video games?" I asked him. "Somerimes. It depends. I have two systems though." He teplied. "Really? Have you ever played Um Jammer Lammy?" "Yea, once or twice. I also have Parrapa the Rappa. They're funny. Parrapa is so easy. Jammer Lammy is harder." "Um Jammer Lammy is one of my favories! Parrapa the Rappa was ok, but it was way too easy. I think it's cool that they put Chop Chop Master Onion in both games. He's cool. My brother loves playing that game. You should meet him. He can be anoying but what else is new?" that's were I stopped. I noticed I was babbling again and blushed. ~Darien's P.O.V~ I noticed that Serena had stopped talking so I looked down at her. I almost sighed happily at the sight of my little Meatballhead blushing, with her blue eyes sparkling. I smiled down at her and continued our conversation further. We finally reached my apartment building. We walked into the elevator and I pressed the number for my level. 'Thank god for elevators' I thought to myself. I leaned back on the wall and looked down at her again. Pierce sat down by my feet and wagged his tail furiously. Serena kneeled next to him and began to pet his head. Only God could make an angel as perfect as my little Meatball Head. She kissed Pierce's nose and held his head gently in her hands. The elevator stopped at our floor and we stepped out, Pierce running ahead of us. By the time we got near my door, he was already sitting and waiting. I sighed and realized that the nosey neighbor, Anne Marie, was peeking out her door to get a glance of my Meatball Head. I caught her giving me a small wink. I rolled my eyes and unlocked the door to my apartment. ~Serena's P.O.V~ Darien opened the door for me and I walked into his apartment, with Pierce of course. He ran to a small bed with blankets covered all over it. "Hey, Meatball Head, you want something? Coke? Sprite?" "A coke is fine. And my name is Serena! S-E-R-E-N-A! Serena!" I scolded him. "M-E-A-T-B-A-L-L Head. It's cuter." He replied. "Dar…what? Did you just say what I thought you just said?" I asked in disbelief. I walked up behind him as he was digging through his refrigerator. "Yea. I said what you thought I said. It's cuter." "I…I…wow. That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." I said shyly, knowing I was obviously blushing. He stood up with two cokes in his hand and gazed down on me. "You should be complimented more. I'm sorry for being so mean…" He whispered. I gasped softly as his face inched towards mine. His bright blue eyes were gleaming and I felt as if I were trapped. I couldn't move. My eyelids became heavy and I felt myself lean forward. Suddenly a loud ringing noise made us jump apart and Darien groaned. "Coming! Just wait a second!" He yelled at the door. I giggled nervously and sat myself on the couch, with Pierce at my side. I lightly stroked his head and smiled softly. ~Darien's P.O.V~ I looked at Serena and smiled. I turned around and answered the door. It was the nosey neigbor, Anne Marie. "Hi Darien, could I borrow some sugar?" she asked. "Uh, sure. Come in." She did as I said and found a seat in the kitchen. I looked through my cabinets for some sugar. 'I knew I had some around here somewhere,' I thought. "So, Darien, who is this pretty young lady you are with?" she asked curiously. "Her name's Serena. She goes to my school." I replied easily. "What do you think of her?" "What exactally do you mean?" I asked her quiziclly. "Do you like her?" "Me?! Like that Meatball Head? I don't think so!" I yelled, letting my denial get the best of me. Suddenly a small form walked into the kitchen, her eyes glazed with unwashed tears. "I thought you were my friend" she whispered. "S…Serena…" "You can keep it to yourself, and keep Pierce too." She said. "Serena…please…I…" I stuttered. Tears ran freely down her cheeks and she ran out of my apartment. A sudden pain wash through my body and I fell to my knees. "Oh Serena…" I whispered. ~Serena's P.O.V~ I ran down the street with my tears flowing swiftly down my cheeks. 'Darien…' my mind kept on saying. I couldn't take anymore. He confused me so much. I thought he had liked me as a friend, but I guess I was wrong. More tears streamed down my face as I cried harder. My mind kept on thinking about Darien, and nothing else. Something inside me wouldn't let me forget about the way he looked at me with his deep ocean like eyes gazing into mine, or when he smiled gently down on me when we laughed, but there was one thing that my mind loved playing for me. "Me?! Like that Meatball Head?! I don't think so!" I ran into my house and up to my room as fast as I could, so that my parents would not see my tear-streaked face. ~Krissy's P.O.V~ I picked up the phone in my luxurated room and dialed Michelle's number. "Hello?" she asked. "Hi Michelle! It's me, Krissy." "Hey Krissy! What's up?" "Nothing much. Listen, I think I know how to get rid of Serena…for good!" I said excitedly. She squealed happily and asked, "Does this mean we get Darien all too ourselves?" "Oh, of course! Of course! Now, this Saturday, bring a watch to the game, and…" I began to whisper into the phone so my mother would not hear me. ~Darien's P.O.V~ Anne Marie stared at me, while I stared at the door, She always seemed like the type to be nosey, but she had gone to far. "Anne, I kindly ask you to leave my house now." I said softly. "Oh, but Darien, you didn't give me any-" "Leave now!" I said, more forceful than before. She didn't argue with me and slowly got up to leave. "Good luck with her Darien!" She said just before closing the door. I sighed and went to lay down in my bed, when Pierce looked up at me with sad eyes. It almost looked as if he were crying too. I knelt down and hugged him as tears finally started to streak down my cheeks. Serena's image was still imbedded in my mind as I went to sleep in my warm bed. ~Serena's P.O.V~ I woke up to a warm Saturday morning. The week went by faster after I had run out of Darien's apartment. I didn't talk to him or even see him after that. It just made me feel guiltier then before. "Serena, are you awake? You have to get ready for the game." My mother said, walking into my room. "I can't face him…" I muffled into my pillow. "Serena, just go and do the best you can." She said, smiling softly. I nodded and got up to take a shower. "Oh, Serena, breakfast will be on the table in ten minutes so hurry up" Mom added. I smiled and went into the bathroom to take a shower. ~Andrew's P.O.V~ I waited in Darien's livingroom for him. "Hey Dare! Hurry up! We don't have ALL day you know!" I yelled. "Okay Master Andrew!" He countered back. I laughed and layed back on his couch. 'I like this,' I said. Just then, Chris, Dave, and Jerry walked in, and looked at Darien's clock. "Holly crap! Holly fricken monkey crap!" Chris yelled. "We are going to be so late! I'm gonna kill Darien!" Dave said. "You're gonna do what to me?" Darien asked, suddenly popping up from no where. Dave looked at him and said. "I'm gonna kill you cause we got to be there...now!" I laughed and got off my lazy butt and stood with them. ~Dave's P.O.V~ I stood there impatiently as Darien grabbed his helmet. 'Boy is he gonna get it,' my mind said. As I waited for him, something caught my attention. It was a small gold and green frame on a nightstand. I picked it up and saw a picture of Serena, who was winking and blowing a kiss. 'I wonder where he got this.' "Hey guys," I spoke loudly, "look what I found on Darien's nightstand!" I went to hold it up to them but Darien grabbed it away from me and put it face down on the table. "Don't touch that!" He exclaimed. I looked at him curiously and he gave me the, 'you say anything you die,' look. I backed away and stood behind Jerry, who did not seem to understand what was going on. "Aright, I'm ready, lets go now." Darien told us. "It's about time!" Chris said, making Andrew laugh till his face got red. I noticed Jerry and Darien were also laughing. "What the hell is going on here?" I asked them. They each shook there heads and Andrew replied, "Nothing, you just wouldn't get it." I sighed hopelessly and walk with them. ~Lita's P.O.V~ I looked over the crowed, being the tallest of the group, and looked for Serena, who didn't know we were here. I looked over by the cheerleaders, but she wasn't there, so I looked over by the bathrooms', and there she was, crouched down, looking very rankled. I poked at Mina and said, "Look at Serena, I think something's wrong." She looked over to where I was looking and saw her too. Her face had a sad expression on her face. It was then that I realized why she was sad. We had ditched her from jealousy when she won the try-outs. I was just about to get up when the game started. 'I'm sorry Serena…' I said to myself. ~Krissy's P.O.V~ I looked around to make sure that Serena was here. Then I spotted her against the wall of the small snack bar; a few pathetic tears were rolling down her face. I snickered and whispered to Michelle, "Look at Serena over there, that pathetic little whimp. Do yo have the things ready for the pyramid?" "Yea, I got 'em. Don't worry. Everyone is ready." She replied, a wide grin on her face. I smiled and watched as the games began. ~Brett's P.O.V~ I noticed that Darien wasn't quite concentrated. The normal victorious grin in his eyes was gone, and a sad confused one replaced it. He wasn't very talkative today and also, he didn't mention anything about Serena, which was really odd. He always said something about her, even if it's 'she's such a klutz,' or 'what a meatball head.' I knew something was bothering him and I was going to find out. No matter what, I was going to get him to tell me what is going on. I suddenly realized that the crowed was screaming and Darien was standing at the touch down line. 'I guess we got a touch down,' I thought. The half time buzzer went off and the teams went to sit on the sides. ~Darien's P.O.V~ I sat on the sidelines waiting for the cheerleaders to do their routines. I had to see Serena, even if she was angry with me. I needed to see her blue eyes, and her golden hair. I needed to see her. I quickly looked up as our teams' cheerleaders went up. I saw Serena with them, acting as bubbly as can be. I smiled softly at her sweet expression. No one can out-smile my Meatball head. I heard most of the guys whistle her name and howl like wolves, and I joined in. "Hello….Serena!" Dave called out dreamily. I laughed and shouted, "Hey, hey Serena!" I saw her turn around and I whistled at her. She turned back the other way in disgust and I laughed. The girls started their routine to the song, "You Drive Me Crazy," by Brittney Spears. Their performance was excellent, but Serena's was better. Her performance was done with all her heart and soul, and I could tell she put time in practicing for it. As the song came to an end, all the girls got into a pyrimad wirh Serena on top. I watched in amazement as she kept perfect balance. The other girls looked at each other and nodded, I guess they were telling each other it's time to go back to the sidelines. I watched as they tossed Serena in the air, and the other girls quickly jumped down. Each of them got in a small circle and held out their arms. Serena closed her eyes as she fell closer to their arms. The girls took an almost un noticable step backwards and grinned. I gasped in horror as Serena's body started to panick and then hit the ground. "Serena!" I screamed as I ran to her. The other boys began to follow and so did her family. I pushed the other cheerleaders out of the way who were saying "oops". I kneeled down beside her and whispered her name softly a few times. I noticed her arm looked a little odd and her leg was bent the wrong way. She had landed on her back and her face was pale. "Serena…can you hear me? Please wake up." I whispered in her ear. There was no answer and I started to panick. The tears I had been holding back finally flowed down my cheeks. I shook her almost violently and yelled, "Damn it Serena! Wake up! Serena…!" I began to cry and I held her limp body close. I ignored all the flashes of cameras and kept on whispering her name quietly. ~Chris's P.O.V~ I shoved my way through the camera men and saw Serena's pale body; her lips had lost their color, and were now almost turning blue. Suddenly a bunch of people pushed me over and kneeled down next to Darien and Serena. "What's her name?" One of the men asked. "Serena… Serena Tsukino." Darien replied, his eyes watery as he looked down at Serena. All the men had big red crosses on the back of their jackets, which pointed out to me that they were parametics. I looked around and saw Max and Jerry standing next to me. Max's face was pale as he looked in horror at Serena's body. Jerry had the same expression, but he had a few tears streaming down his cheeks. I suddenly realized the loss. If something happened to Serena, nothing would be the same. She is the only person I know that tries to make friends with enemies. I looked at Serena again and noticed that some men were holding Darien away from Serena and fright was written all over his face. They had a mask on Serena's face, covering her nose and mouth. A woman with dark brown hair was pumping a bag that was attached to that mask. Another parametic was holding her neck straight as the put her onto a cot and into the ambulance. A few tears began to fall from my eyes as I watched Serena's friends and family stepped into the ambulance. The doors closed and Darien was freed from their grasp. As the van drove away, Darien chased after it, tears continuously falling from his eyes. ~Raye's P.O.V~ I looked at Serena quietly. My best friend was seriously injured and I didn't even say sorry for ignoring her the way I did. I stroked her hair and whispered, "Come back to us Serena, you have to. We can't loose you. Not now. Not when we need to forgive you for what we did." I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Amy's teary blue eyes looking at me. I suddenly let myself go and cried on her shoulder, and she cried on mine. I couldn't concentrate on anything but Serena. She was my best friend, and now I could loose her. I never gave her my true friendship and I know I should have. My eyes filled with more tears as we pulled up to the hospital, with a van full of football players right behind us. Suddenly, the doctors got up, started taking Serena away, and lead us to the waiting room. Amy, Lita, Mina, and I huddled together for comfort… trying to cling to each other for fear of fears itself. We wanted to believe that nothing had happened to her, but we all knew it wasn't true. We cried on each other's shoulders, and tried to black out the picture of Serena, laying helpless and pale on the ground, her lips blue and her limbs lifeless that was imbedded in our minds. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ That's it for part 1! Sorry it was kinda short, but I have GEPA testing and alot of homework so it holds me up Plus I just showed my dog Phantom in a dog show and he got first place! He got a big blue ribbon and a big golden cup that is now in my room. Tell me what you think! E-mail me please. I wanna know how you liked it so far, k? Ja ne! God bless you! Lynn Minmae (Minmae-chan)