TITLE: "Mystery Valentine"
AUTHOR: Dream Catcher
DISCLAIMER: See other chapters
A.N.: *Ducks Head* Sorry for the delay! I had no idea a month had gone by until one of my dear readers e-mailed me and brought me back from wherever lala-land I had been in. So we all owe this person a huge thank you. *a chorus of "Thank you Nunnya Buiznes"* And thanks to everyone who took time to review: frozen fire,Tiffany,Sabriel, Pyro-Girl, samsonite, ondongo3, Denial, Ami D'Aqua, Leeza, and all the others that I love to type out but don't have enough time to if I want to post this tonight. Love ya all!
EVERYONE, PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOTES AT THE END OF THE STORY!!
CHAPTER SIX...
I was nervous as hell.
There was no other way to describe the anxiety I was feeling or the physical torture I was going through. I kept fidgeting in the backseat of Andrew's car, trying to listen to his conversation with Mina, but my mind seemed to like torturing me by reminding me of where I was going and who I was going to meat. My hands wouldn't stay still and kept moving from my lap, to the door handle, to the annoying loose string hanging off my dress.
I'm glad Mina and Andrew offered to give me a lift to the dance because the way I kept squirming, if I had driven myself, I would have not gotten to the dance in one peace. But I think Mina had other motives for offering me a ride: She was afraid I would chicken out and not go to the dance, a very good possibility
I eyed door handle, while estimating the possible speed the car was going. We didn't seem to be going too fast. I reached for the door handle, and when it didn't open, I cursed the childproof locks and their inventor.
I began to perspire, and my hands went clammy. Not good. When I get seriously nervous, I get flushed, which makes me really uncomfortable. I rolled down the window even though it was below forty outside, but it still felt like a sauna inside the car to me.
"Serena!" Mina screeched. "Put that window up! It's freezing outside, and the wind is messing up my hair."
Forlornly, I rolled the window back up, and immediately began to sweat.
"Serena, why are you so nervous? It's just a dance? Mina asked.
"Just a dance! It's my first major dance!"
"Oh that's right, you didn't go to the prom last year. Why is that, by the way?"
I was having a near panic attack, and she wanted to ask me why I didn't go to the prom last year. That's Mina for you.
"I can't dance!" I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest and began to pout.
That's right, I can't dance. It's just another thing on my things-that-make-me-a-loser list. I used to dance with my dad when I was little, but I'd always stood on his feet, but after a while, I got too old to stand on his feet. And by that time, all my aunts, uncles, and second cousins were already married; so, Dad never had another opportunity to teach me.
"You can't dance? Why didn't you tell me? I could have gotten Andrew to teach you."
"Thanks but no thanks, Mina. I'll just stand along the wall the rest of the night."
"What if your admirer asks you to dance?"
"I'll say I broke my toe."
I heard Andrew laughing from the drivers seat, and I pouted even more. He looked into the rearview mirror and gave me a smile. "Don't worry, Serena, Darien's a really good dancer. His mother taught him to dance really young before...Anyway, if you dance with him, it will feel like your dancing on a cloud. That is how you girls say it? Right, Mina?"
I stared at Andrew, confused. Then I looked at Mina and saw the look she shot Andrew.
"You told Andrew?" I exclaimed, pissed.
"Yes, Serena, but-"
"No buts, Mina. You told! Why? You know he's Darien's best friend."
I can't believe she told Andrew I have a crush on Darien. He would have every opportunity to tell Darien, and then, my life would be over. I can just see my tombstone now: Serena Matthews, a loving friend daughter, and president of NBKC, died of embarrassment. Even my afterlife seems bleak.
"Don't worry, Serena," Andrew stated calmly. "I didn't tell Darien, or anyone, for that matter."
I met his eyes in the rearview mirror, and realized he was telling the truth. Slowly, some of my anxiety vanished. Key word here: some. I just lost my worry about Darien knowing of my crush; I was still nervous as hell about the dance.
*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&
We pulled into the already filled school parking lot ten minutes later. My heart jumped when I saw all the cars. It looked to me that more people decided to show up for the dance than school. I don't remember there being this many cars in the parking lot on a normal day.
Trying to calm my breathing, I followed Mina and Andrew to the gym. I attempted not to trip over any cracks in the sidewalk on my journey to the gym and was surprised that I made it there in one piece.
The three of us entered the gymnasium, and was surprised at all the decorations. Red and white helium balloons tied too long strings were floating across the ceiling, while more balloons someone had spent time to blow up were scattered across the floor. Pink and white crepe paper was stung across the ceiling and walls, and, along with the helium balloons, it gave the ceiling a sort of whimsy parachute appearance.
A few chairs and round tables were scattered along the walls, and in the center of each table, there was a small vase that held one white rose apiece. A long table ran parallel to the left wall, and different types of snacks covered its top. At the very back of the gymnasium, the dance committee had set up a stage of sorts, where a live band was already singing into their microphones. A piano and DJ station were off to the side to be used whenever the band went on their break.
The only lights in the room were a few strategically placed strobe lights and black lights that made anything white glow. I figured I would shine like a beacon in my white dress.
We made our way through the crowd to where our friends were standing near the snack table, sipping punch. I suddenly wished that the crowd would part for my friends and me, like it does for characters in movies. But of course, this wasn't a movie; it was my life.
When our friends noticed us, they smiled and waved us over. I admired each of the pairs, as I got closer.
Amy, in the knee length pale blue dress we all picked out for her, looked quite elegant standing next to the tall and lanky Greg, who had somehow managed to slick back his cowlick. Both smiled bashfully at us.
Lita wore a floor length pastel pink dress that made her look more feminine that she usually did. Her arm was laced through Ken's, and her head was rested on his shoulder. She was more at ease with her date, than everyone else.
Raye and Chad's stance looked more like best friends than dates. She had her elbow resting on his shoulder, while his arm encircled her waist. Her dress, a very short red halter-top, looked rather revealing in my opinion, but Raye looked completely at ease in the dress. Chad looked rather dashing in his tux. He even pulled his shaggy hair away from his face in a ponytail. I'm sure it was Raye's doing.
For the first time that night, I saw got a good look at Mina and Andrew together. Andrew wore a white tux that seemed to compliment Mina's gold dress.
I looked at all my pretty friends and suddenly felt like a plain Mary Jane. I looked down at my dress, that looked, if possible, worse than it had in my mirror at home. I looked around me, and suddenly felt lonely even though my friends surrounded me.
"Serena, you look great," Lita smiled, and I felt a tad better.
"Thanks," I smiled for their benefit. "I'm going to go get some punch. Be right back."
I left them, and made my way to the table, hoping that the red liquid would soothe my jitters. I took one of the already filled glasses, and turned to look at the swarm of people in the gym.
The Valentine's dance was a lot like the prom; the main difference being the prom usually takes place at a hotel lounge, never in the gym. But the same rules for prom apply for the dance: You must be a junior or senior unless you are the date of a junior or senior.
Alana and her group were dancing as close as they could to the band, their hair managing to stay in place even though they were bobbing their heads with the music. I saw Rachel dancing with non other than Kyle Johnson, wearing the dress she had described to a board Raye yesterday. Silently, I wondered who she had to kill to be able to go to the dance with him. After all she had said she would "kill" to be able to go to the dance with him.
There were a few people I recognized, but I was slightly surprised when I saw Eve standing near a guy I recognized as a junior. She didn't tell me she was going to be here, and she didn't look like she was having much fun.
I took another sip as jealousy reared its ugly head. Why couldn't I be out there, dancing with a guy? What was so revolting about me? I sighed and took another sip of my punch, wishing it were a pint of cookie dough ice cream. I also wished that instead of looking at a group of happy teenagers, I were watching a cheesy romance movie on TV.
Well, you know what they say: You can wish in one had and crap in the other, and then you can see which one fills up first.
"Hey, Clumsy."
I groaned out loud for Darien's benefit, while on the inside my heartbeat sped up. Taking a rather large gulp of my drink, I turned to face the most handsome guy I've ever seen, on the big screen and off.
He looked dashing in a black tuxedo, which clung to his broad shoulders, and made him look like all the princes from the fairy tales I used to read as a kid. Underneath his tuxedo jacket, he wore a silver vest over a white dress shirt. I knew all the layers had to be uncomfortable, but he looked completely at ease, as if he was born to wear a tux. His hair remained slightly disheveled like any other day, and I watched as he brushed his long bangs out of his eyes, an unconscious habit I'd come to love over the past month.
I sighed wistfully, before smiling slightly at Darien. "Hi, Darien," I said, not bothering to fake cheerfulness.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
I turned to stare at the dancing couples, just as the band began to sing Brain Adams's "I'll Be Right Here Waiting." I loved that song. I sighed once again as couples started to slow dance.
Turning back to Darien, I said, "Nothing's wrong."
He gave me a look, took my drink, threw it away, and grabbed my hand and slowly lead me to the dance floor. Confused I followed.
"Care to dance?" He asked me, smiling.
"I," I looked at my feet, blushing a rosy red. "I can't dance," I mumbled.
Darien's hand came under my chin, and his index finger slowly lifted my head, forcing me to look in his eyes. I shivered at his touch and the look in eyes.
"What did you say?" he asked quietly, his smile gone.
"I want to dance with you," I said hurriedly, wanting to let him know I was more than flattered before adding, "but I don't know how." I coughed, and then trying to act like it didn't matter, I said, "Besides, weren't you supposed to meet someone here?"
His smile returned, and he said teasingly, "Yeah, I did meet someone here, but I don't think any of the guys on the basketball team would want to dance with me."
I laughed, more at ease. So Raye was right: there weren't any other girls in the picture.
Darien turned more serious. "It's not hard to dance; just follow my lead."
"What if I step on your feet?" I asked, hoping to get out of what was bound to be a disastrous event.
"Then I'll step on your feet," he said, smiling evilly, before looping his left arm around my waist and taking my left hand into his right one.
I stared down at my feet while he began to lead me in a dance, and I managed not to step on his feet--a miracle in itself. Being so close to Darien was suddenly making my senses go haywire as his cologne, a mixture of roses and cinnamon, was making my mind swarm. The hand that was holding mine was so much bigger than my own, and took time from looking down at my feet to I marvel at its size and how small I felt in his arms. His touch, though strong, was gentle, and I felt protected in his arms.
I felt whole.
It was odd how I was suddenly feeling everything romance writers like to describe in their books. Even more confusing was how I was feeling them all at the same time.
"You know, Serena," he chucked, "you'll never learn to dance if you keep staring at your feet. Let me lead you. Trust me."
I did trust him. So, I did something I never thought I'd have the courage to do: I moved my arms to around his neck and laid my head on his chest, where I could hear his steady heartbeat. I let the rhythmic drumbeat of his heart slowly hypnotize me until I was drowsy.
"Serena?" He whispered later.
"Hmm?" I asked, lifting my head--rather reluctantly--from his chest.
He didn't say anything, instead he lowered his head. Was he going to kiss me? I wondered even as my eyes drifted close. I could feel his warm mint breath on my lips, and my heart began to beat faster in anticipation.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard someone say something, but it was quickly overlooked.
Unexpectedly, I felt the loss of Darien's breath on my lips, and felt as his body began to move away from mine. Confused, I opened my eyes to find Darien looking at someone to his right.
I blinked back the haze over my eyes so I could clearly see the guy looking at me rather than Darien. Everything began to come into focus, and I realized, shocked that the band was no longer crooning the slow song. Instead, a DJ was currently playing the latest song by Pink.
How long had we been dancing? More importantly, why had we stopped?
"May I cut in?" the guy was asking Darien.
HELL NO! I wanted to yell but didn't.
I looked Darien in the eyes, silently pleading him to tell the guy no, but I watched sadly as he allowed the guy to take my hand. My eyes followed his back when he walked away.
I turned to the guy wanting to dance with me and said, "I'm sorry, I don't feel up to dancing anymore." I brushed past him, uncaring if he was disappointed.
I pushed past people, intent on my destination: The ladies' room. I shoved open the door and entered the small room, the florescent lights momentarily blinding me. I was surprised to find it empty, but not unhappy. I entered a stall for my privacy, in case someone decided to come in the restroom. I latched the stall closed, closed the toilet lid, sat down, and forced myself not to cry.
I had never cried in public, and I was not about to start now. Even if a bathroom stall wasn't exactly public, when I left it, which I would eventually have to do, the signs of crying would be there. I couldn't let my mascara run or let my makeup get smudged because everyone would be able to see I had been crying like a child.
So I wouldn't allow myself to cry over Darien because he obviously didn't care enough about me to say no to that guy and keep on dancing with me. I wouldn't cry over my no-show secret admirer, either.
I realized that I didn't care so much about my admirer anymore; it was Darien's rejection that was causing me so much grief. And I hated it.
Someone entered the restroom, but I ignored her and the running water. I breathed in calmly, exhaled, and blinked rapidly to get rid of the moisture in my eyes. I stood up, brushed away the wrinkles in my dress, and flushed the toilet for the benefit of whoever was in the bathroom.
I exited the stall and came face to face with Eve's reflection. She was calmly putting on a fresh coat of lip-gloss.
"Hey!" I said, hoping my voice sounded cheerful.
"Hey, Serena. Enjoying the dance?"
"It's okay, but I came stag. So dancing's hard by yourself."
"Oh, I understand. My boyfriend Jack brought me, but failed to mention he wasn't feeling well when he called me tonight. I insisted he go back home and rest. He wouldn't listen, and he dragged me to the dance anyway. I still got him back, though." She smiled, "I refused to dance with him because he refused to go home."
I laughed a genuine laugh. "So not only does he suffer because he's sick but because you won't dance with him."
"Well, he finally relented. He's taking me home as soon as I get out of here. Bye, Serena. See you Monday." She left.
I stared at my reflection, and was happy to notice there weren't any signs of near crying. I washed my hands and was reaching for a paper towel when Raye stormed in, hands on her hips.
"Alright. What happened?" I told her everything, and she quietly listened. When I was finished, she said, "Well, I don't know what to tell you, except to go out there and pretend it had no effect on you. Who knows, your admirer still might make his move."
"I don't care much about my admirer anymore, Raye."
"You don't?"
"Not after I've danced with Darien."
"Well, don't give up totally on your mystery man. He could prove to be better than Darien."
"No one would be better than Darien."
Raye just smiled and winked at me before she left.
I watched the door swing close, thinking how weird my best friend was. She could be more mysterious than the phantom in Phantom of the Opera. I squared my shoulders, and exited the restroom, my eyes once again adjusting to the change in light.
Across the room I saw my group of friends. Did they ever dance? I wondered. I saw no sign of Darien, and I figured that as a good thing. I pushed through the mass of bodies just as another slow song began, this time a piano solo. The room immediately became quieter as the couples slowed their dancing, and any talking was done in a hushed whisper.
I watched as everyone of my friends began dancing with their dates, but instead of looking at their dancing partners, they were all staring at me with a goofy smile on all their faces. What in the world were they up to?
I slowed my pace as I neared them and allowed myself to listen to the notes of the piano solo that were gradually filling the gym.
The music seemed oddly familiar, and I strained my ears to hear it. That's when I recognized it...
Oh, God.
I came to a complete stop, my eyes bulging in my head. The song that was being played was the song my admirer had written for me.
So my admirer hadn't been a no-show, but that still doesn't change that fact I care more about Darien than my admirer. Dang it, this only complicates things. Now I have to turn down a perfectly nice guy because of my feelings for someone else. Why can't my life be easy?
I turned and faced the direction of the piano, but couldn't see who was play for the dancing couples. Without realizing it, my feet propelled forward, dodging people as I made my way towards the piano.
I'll admit that I was curious, and that was why I was walking to what was surely to be my death. I could just ignore the song and let the guy hang in the breeze, but that would be cruel. I had to face him, tell him I didn't return his feelings, even if it embarrassed the stuffing out of both of us.
I know it would hurt the guy either way, considering he would have just finished playing our song, but at least this way I won't leave him wondering whether or not I had left early or had been in the restroom where I couldn't hear him play.
I suddenly wished that I could be like Alana and laugh off any advances that came my way. But I had too much heart; I know what it's like to have someone not return my feelings.
And now I was going to do that to some poor guy. I felt like a shit.
I broke through the crowd and stopped dead in my tracks because sitting at a piano as black as his hair, was none other than Darien Shields. His bangs were hanging over his eyes, and without the use of his hands to push them back, they remained in his face.
I must have gasped out loud because Darien suddenly looked up, straight into my eyes. He continued to play, having memorized the song.
Darien can't be my admirer; it was too perfect. And perfect is only in fairy tales, not real life. Even if they did happen on rare occasions, they wouldn't happen to me. I wasn't lucky enough. I have a reputation as being unlucky; it goes along with my being clumsy.
But when Darien smiled uncertainly at me, the fear of rejection showing in his blue eyes, I figured that, somewhere out there, someone was making it up to me.
I smiled back at him, and for the first time, I saw him smile a genuine smile, one that reached his eyes. Compelled by his smile, I approached the piano bench.
Lying beside him on the bench where I would have sat was the fourth and final page of our song.
I picked it up, and skimmed over it before I sat down beside him and propped the music on the piano. I smiled at Darien one last time before I began to play the upper octave of the song.
When I joined in with him, the music seemed to come to life, becoming louder and fuller, filling the gym with its soothing notes. It was our song.
I felt free, brimming with euphoria. Everything around us slowly faded away until it was just Darien and me. When I first played our song in front of others, I had tried to up with a picture in my mind to go with the notes that had been written for me, written by Darien. Now, I had not only found that picture, I was living it. At this moment, when the black lights, the crepe paper, the balloons, and the people around us blur and all sound but the sound of our song fades away, I'm living our song.
The song ritardandoed to an end, and unlike the first time when I played for an audience, no one was left hanging. Now, everything seemed balanced, perfect. The room had the same feeling one has when just finishing a satisfying meal.
An applause startled me out of my reverie, and I gazed at the large crowd of dancers. I blushed and turned to Darien, who was smiling at me. The band, fresh from their break, returned, and we were forgotten about.
"I didn't know you could play the piano," I said for lack of better words, pushing back his bangs from his eyes.
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me," he said, stroking my cheek.
"I'm willing to learn," I said rather boldly, blushing even redder.
He smiled, and searched my eyes. Then, using the hand not stroking my face, he extracted the sucker from strings class out of his tux pocket. I read the KISS ME on it, and had to smile. So he had really wanted to kiss me earlier. His eyes searched mine for the answer to his unspoken--more like written--question.
My eyes darted down to his lips, he saw the encouragement he needed, and he leaned in and gave me my first kiss. It was short and chaste, but it still sent my emotions soaring. I used to worry about my first kiss, wondering if I'd do it right since I've never been kissed before, but it seemed almost like instinct.
When he pulled back, he smiled, knowing what the kiss had done to me. "You didn't run," he stated. I groaned and playfully punched him in the arm, but not hard because I still couldn't function properly.
Once I had my bearings, I asked, "How did you do it all?"
"Well, honestly, I had a little help from Raye."
Raye had helped him? If that was true, then that meant...she had known all along that my admirer was Darien. I whipped my head around searching the crowd for my dark haired friend. I found her and all my friends standing fifteen feet away, smiling sweetly. When I caught her gaze, she just smiled bigger and waved.
Mina had her ever-present star-struck look, while Amy just smiled innocently. Lita on the other hand had her hands clasped together and was batting her eyelashes while making a kissing face. My friends. What a bunch they are.
Shaking my head, I turned back to Darien and asked, "How?"
"Well, at first I wasn't sure how to admit I liked you. I figured I could pump Raye for information about you since she's your best friend. She told me about your secret admirer fantasy, but I didn't believe that you would want that. So, she purposefully made you confess you had that fantasy in front of me to make me believe."
He looked down at his hands, embarrassed. I found it very endearing. "Well, once I found this out," he continued, "I had Raye show me where you locker was so I could slip the note into it on Monday. I also got you e-mail from Raye, and then your locker combination so I could put the rose and bear inside."
He smiled lopsidedly, "So now you know."
"Now I know," I agreed. I sighed, "There's just one problem."
I watched his smile falter. "What?" he asked.
I sighed again for effect, "I have to kill Raye for not telling me."
He grinned, "I would help you, but I owe her."
"Hey, Serena," Mina teased coming up behind me along with the other girls.
"You guys knew the whole time?"
"Just Raye. She told us about everything while you two were dancing so we would have front row seats when the show started," Lita said from her position on Ken's arm.
"Hey," Rachel said coming up to our large group. "Can I take your picture?"
For once, Raye didn't seem annoyed that Rachel was near. We all nodded our heads and got into position. She took the picture and smiled at us.
"Thanks guys, I'll have you each a copy by Monday. Oh by the way, Serena, Darien, you guys make such a cute couple."
After Rachel left, I took a good look at my group of friends and then at Darien. I realized I had just lived through my very own fairy tale.
THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A.N.: Well that's it...the final chapter of "Mystery Valentine." This could be a happy thing to some...or a rather disappointing thing for others, who after reading this, may want more. I don't have a sequel planned, and, honestly, I don't think I will be writing one. But I want your input on my next story. Would you like to see another high school love story? Do you want Serena to be an adult? Do you want some drama? Action? Mystery? Murder? DO you want it from first person or second? Do you have a plot, story line, or scene you want me to write? Please tell me what you want to see in your reviews or e-mails, and you just might see it. (Hope that didn't sound too much like an info-commercial because it did to me.)
Mystery Valentine By Dream Catcher Romance/Comedy © Oct 2003
AUTHOR: Dream Catcher
DISCLAIMER: See other chapters
A.N.: *Ducks Head* Sorry for the delay! I had no idea a month had gone by until one of my dear readers e-mailed me and brought me back from wherever lala-land I had been in. So we all owe this person a huge thank you. *a chorus of "Thank you Nunnya Buiznes"* And thanks to everyone who took time to review: frozen fire,Tiffany,Sabriel, Pyro-Girl, samsonite, ondongo3, Denial, Ami D'Aqua, Leeza, and all the others that I love to type out but don't have enough time to if I want to post this tonight. Love ya all!
EVERYONE, PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOTES AT THE END OF THE STORY!!
CHAPTER SIX...
I was nervous as hell.
There was no other way to describe the anxiety I was feeling or the physical torture I was going through. I kept fidgeting in the backseat of Andrew's car, trying to listen to his conversation with Mina, but my mind seemed to like torturing me by reminding me of where I was going and who I was going to meat. My hands wouldn't stay still and kept moving from my lap, to the door handle, to the annoying loose string hanging off my dress.
I'm glad Mina and Andrew offered to give me a lift to the dance because the way I kept squirming, if I had driven myself, I would have not gotten to the dance in one peace. But I think Mina had other motives for offering me a ride: She was afraid I would chicken out and not go to the dance, a very good possibility
I eyed door handle, while estimating the possible speed the car was going. We didn't seem to be going too fast. I reached for the door handle, and when it didn't open, I cursed the childproof locks and their inventor.
I began to perspire, and my hands went clammy. Not good. When I get seriously nervous, I get flushed, which makes me really uncomfortable. I rolled down the window even though it was below forty outside, but it still felt like a sauna inside the car to me.
"Serena!" Mina screeched. "Put that window up! It's freezing outside, and the wind is messing up my hair."
Forlornly, I rolled the window back up, and immediately began to sweat.
"Serena, why are you so nervous? It's just a dance? Mina asked.
"Just a dance! It's my first major dance!"
"Oh that's right, you didn't go to the prom last year. Why is that, by the way?"
I was having a near panic attack, and she wanted to ask me why I didn't go to the prom last year. That's Mina for you.
"I can't dance!" I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest and began to pout.
That's right, I can't dance. It's just another thing on my things-that-make-me-a-loser list. I used to dance with my dad when I was little, but I'd always stood on his feet, but after a while, I got too old to stand on his feet. And by that time, all my aunts, uncles, and second cousins were already married; so, Dad never had another opportunity to teach me.
"You can't dance? Why didn't you tell me? I could have gotten Andrew to teach you."
"Thanks but no thanks, Mina. I'll just stand along the wall the rest of the night."
"What if your admirer asks you to dance?"
"I'll say I broke my toe."
I heard Andrew laughing from the drivers seat, and I pouted even more. He looked into the rearview mirror and gave me a smile. "Don't worry, Serena, Darien's a really good dancer. His mother taught him to dance really young before...Anyway, if you dance with him, it will feel like your dancing on a cloud. That is how you girls say it? Right, Mina?"
I stared at Andrew, confused. Then I looked at Mina and saw the look she shot Andrew.
"You told Andrew?" I exclaimed, pissed.
"Yes, Serena, but-"
"No buts, Mina. You told! Why? You know he's Darien's best friend."
I can't believe she told Andrew I have a crush on Darien. He would have every opportunity to tell Darien, and then, my life would be over. I can just see my tombstone now: Serena Matthews, a loving friend daughter, and president of NBKC, died of embarrassment. Even my afterlife seems bleak.
"Don't worry, Serena," Andrew stated calmly. "I didn't tell Darien, or anyone, for that matter."
I met his eyes in the rearview mirror, and realized he was telling the truth. Slowly, some of my anxiety vanished. Key word here: some. I just lost my worry about Darien knowing of my crush; I was still nervous as hell about the dance.
*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&*&&
We pulled into the already filled school parking lot ten minutes later. My heart jumped when I saw all the cars. It looked to me that more people decided to show up for the dance than school. I don't remember there being this many cars in the parking lot on a normal day.
Trying to calm my breathing, I followed Mina and Andrew to the gym. I attempted not to trip over any cracks in the sidewalk on my journey to the gym and was surprised that I made it there in one piece.
The three of us entered the gymnasium, and was surprised at all the decorations. Red and white helium balloons tied too long strings were floating across the ceiling, while more balloons someone had spent time to blow up were scattered across the floor. Pink and white crepe paper was stung across the ceiling and walls, and, along with the helium balloons, it gave the ceiling a sort of whimsy parachute appearance.
A few chairs and round tables were scattered along the walls, and in the center of each table, there was a small vase that held one white rose apiece. A long table ran parallel to the left wall, and different types of snacks covered its top. At the very back of the gymnasium, the dance committee had set up a stage of sorts, where a live band was already singing into their microphones. A piano and DJ station were off to the side to be used whenever the band went on their break.
The only lights in the room were a few strategically placed strobe lights and black lights that made anything white glow. I figured I would shine like a beacon in my white dress.
We made our way through the crowd to where our friends were standing near the snack table, sipping punch. I suddenly wished that the crowd would part for my friends and me, like it does for characters in movies. But of course, this wasn't a movie; it was my life.
When our friends noticed us, they smiled and waved us over. I admired each of the pairs, as I got closer.
Amy, in the knee length pale blue dress we all picked out for her, looked quite elegant standing next to the tall and lanky Greg, who had somehow managed to slick back his cowlick. Both smiled bashfully at us.
Lita wore a floor length pastel pink dress that made her look more feminine that she usually did. Her arm was laced through Ken's, and her head was rested on his shoulder. She was more at ease with her date, than everyone else.
Raye and Chad's stance looked more like best friends than dates. She had her elbow resting on his shoulder, while his arm encircled her waist. Her dress, a very short red halter-top, looked rather revealing in my opinion, but Raye looked completely at ease in the dress. Chad looked rather dashing in his tux. He even pulled his shaggy hair away from his face in a ponytail. I'm sure it was Raye's doing.
For the first time that night, I saw got a good look at Mina and Andrew together. Andrew wore a white tux that seemed to compliment Mina's gold dress.
I looked at all my pretty friends and suddenly felt like a plain Mary Jane. I looked down at my dress, that looked, if possible, worse than it had in my mirror at home. I looked around me, and suddenly felt lonely even though my friends surrounded me.
"Serena, you look great," Lita smiled, and I felt a tad better.
"Thanks," I smiled for their benefit. "I'm going to go get some punch. Be right back."
I left them, and made my way to the table, hoping that the red liquid would soothe my jitters. I took one of the already filled glasses, and turned to look at the swarm of people in the gym.
The Valentine's dance was a lot like the prom; the main difference being the prom usually takes place at a hotel lounge, never in the gym. But the same rules for prom apply for the dance: You must be a junior or senior unless you are the date of a junior or senior.
Alana and her group were dancing as close as they could to the band, their hair managing to stay in place even though they were bobbing their heads with the music. I saw Rachel dancing with non other than Kyle Johnson, wearing the dress she had described to a board Raye yesterday. Silently, I wondered who she had to kill to be able to go to the dance with him. After all she had said she would "kill" to be able to go to the dance with him.
There were a few people I recognized, but I was slightly surprised when I saw Eve standing near a guy I recognized as a junior. She didn't tell me she was going to be here, and she didn't look like she was having much fun.
I took another sip as jealousy reared its ugly head. Why couldn't I be out there, dancing with a guy? What was so revolting about me? I sighed and took another sip of my punch, wishing it were a pint of cookie dough ice cream. I also wished that instead of looking at a group of happy teenagers, I were watching a cheesy romance movie on TV.
Well, you know what they say: You can wish in one had and crap in the other, and then you can see which one fills up first.
"Hey, Clumsy."
I groaned out loud for Darien's benefit, while on the inside my heartbeat sped up. Taking a rather large gulp of my drink, I turned to face the most handsome guy I've ever seen, on the big screen and off.
He looked dashing in a black tuxedo, which clung to his broad shoulders, and made him look like all the princes from the fairy tales I used to read as a kid. Underneath his tuxedo jacket, he wore a silver vest over a white dress shirt. I knew all the layers had to be uncomfortable, but he looked completely at ease, as if he was born to wear a tux. His hair remained slightly disheveled like any other day, and I watched as he brushed his long bangs out of his eyes, an unconscious habit I'd come to love over the past month.
I sighed wistfully, before smiling slightly at Darien. "Hi, Darien," I said, not bothering to fake cheerfulness.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
I turned to stare at the dancing couples, just as the band began to sing Brain Adams's "I'll Be Right Here Waiting." I loved that song. I sighed once again as couples started to slow dance.
Turning back to Darien, I said, "Nothing's wrong."
He gave me a look, took my drink, threw it away, and grabbed my hand and slowly lead me to the dance floor. Confused I followed.
"Care to dance?" He asked me, smiling.
"I," I looked at my feet, blushing a rosy red. "I can't dance," I mumbled.
Darien's hand came under my chin, and his index finger slowly lifted my head, forcing me to look in his eyes. I shivered at his touch and the look in eyes.
"What did you say?" he asked quietly, his smile gone.
"I want to dance with you," I said hurriedly, wanting to let him know I was more than flattered before adding, "but I don't know how." I coughed, and then trying to act like it didn't matter, I said, "Besides, weren't you supposed to meet someone here?"
His smile returned, and he said teasingly, "Yeah, I did meet someone here, but I don't think any of the guys on the basketball team would want to dance with me."
I laughed, more at ease. So Raye was right: there weren't any other girls in the picture.
Darien turned more serious. "It's not hard to dance; just follow my lead."
"What if I step on your feet?" I asked, hoping to get out of what was bound to be a disastrous event.
"Then I'll step on your feet," he said, smiling evilly, before looping his left arm around my waist and taking my left hand into his right one.
I stared down at my feet while he began to lead me in a dance, and I managed not to step on his feet--a miracle in itself. Being so close to Darien was suddenly making my senses go haywire as his cologne, a mixture of roses and cinnamon, was making my mind swarm. The hand that was holding mine was so much bigger than my own, and took time from looking down at my feet to I marvel at its size and how small I felt in his arms. His touch, though strong, was gentle, and I felt protected in his arms.
I felt whole.
It was odd how I was suddenly feeling everything romance writers like to describe in their books. Even more confusing was how I was feeling them all at the same time.
"You know, Serena," he chucked, "you'll never learn to dance if you keep staring at your feet. Let me lead you. Trust me."
I did trust him. So, I did something I never thought I'd have the courage to do: I moved my arms to around his neck and laid my head on his chest, where I could hear his steady heartbeat. I let the rhythmic drumbeat of his heart slowly hypnotize me until I was drowsy.
"Serena?" He whispered later.
"Hmm?" I asked, lifting my head--rather reluctantly--from his chest.
He didn't say anything, instead he lowered his head. Was he going to kiss me? I wondered even as my eyes drifted close. I could feel his warm mint breath on my lips, and my heart began to beat faster in anticipation.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard someone say something, but it was quickly overlooked.
Unexpectedly, I felt the loss of Darien's breath on my lips, and felt as his body began to move away from mine. Confused, I opened my eyes to find Darien looking at someone to his right.
I blinked back the haze over my eyes so I could clearly see the guy looking at me rather than Darien. Everything began to come into focus, and I realized, shocked that the band was no longer crooning the slow song. Instead, a DJ was currently playing the latest song by Pink.
How long had we been dancing? More importantly, why had we stopped?
"May I cut in?" the guy was asking Darien.
HELL NO! I wanted to yell but didn't.
I looked Darien in the eyes, silently pleading him to tell the guy no, but I watched sadly as he allowed the guy to take my hand. My eyes followed his back when he walked away.
I turned to the guy wanting to dance with me and said, "I'm sorry, I don't feel up to dancing anymore." I brushed past him, uncaring if he was disappointed.
I pushed past people, intent on my destination: The ladies' room. I shoved open the door and entered the small room, the florescent lights momentarily blinding me. I was surprised to find it empty, but not unhappy. I entered a stall for my privacy, in case someone decided to come in the restroom. I latched the stall closed, closed the toilet lid, sat down, and forced myself not to cry.
I had never cried in public, and I was not about to start now. Even if a bathroom stall wasn't exactly public, when I left it, which I would eventually have to do, the signs of crying would be there. I couldn't let my mascara run or let my makeup get smudged because everyone would be able to see I had been crying like a child.
So I wouldn't allow myself to cry over Darien because he obviously didn't care enough about me to say no to that guy and keep on dancing with me. I wouldn't cry over my no-show secret admirer, either.
I realized that I didn't care so much about my admirer anymore; it was Darien's rejection that was causing me so much grief. And I hated it.
Someone entered the restroom, but I ignored her and the running water. I breathed in calmly, exhaled, and blinked rapidly to get rid of the moisture in my eyes. I stood up, brushed away the wrinkles in my dress, and flushed the toilet for the benefit of whoever was in the bathroom.
I exited the stall and came face to face with Eve's reflection. She was calmly putting on a fresh coat of lip-gloss.
"Hey!" I said, hoping my voice sounded cheerful.
"Hey, Serena. Enjoying the dance?"
"It's okay, but I came stag. So dancing's hard by yourself."
"Oh, I understand. My boyfriend Jack brought me, but failed to mention he wasn't feeling well when he called me tonight. I insisted he go back home and rest. He wouldn't listen, and he dragged me to the dance anyway. I still got him back, though." She smiled, "I refused to dance with him because he refused to go home."
I laughed a genuine laugh. "So not only does he suffer because he's sick but because you won't dance with him."
"Well, he finally relented. He's taking me home as soon as I get out of here. Bye, Serena. See you Monday." She left.
I stared at my reflection, and was happy to notice there weren't any signs of near crying. I washed my hands and was reaching for a paper towel when Raye stormed in, hands on her hips.
"Alright. What happened?" I told her everything, and she quietly listened. When I was finished, she said, "Well, I don't know what to tell you, except to go out there and pretend it had no effect on you. Who knows, your admirer still might make his move."
"I don't care much about my admirer anymore, Raye."
"You don't?"
"Not after I've danced with Darien."
"Well, don't give up totally on your mystery man. He could prove to be better than Darien."
"No one would be better than Darien."
Raye just smiled and winked at me before she left.
I watched the door swing close, thinking how weird my best friend was. She could be more mysterious than the phantom in Phantom of the Opera. I squared my shoulders, and exited the restroom, my eyes once again adjusting to the change in light.
Across the room I saw my group of friends. Did they ever dance? I wondered. I saw no sign of Darien, and I figured that as a good thing. I pushed through the mass of bodies just as another slow song began, this time a piano solo. The room immediately became quieter as the couples slowed their dancing, and any talking was done in a hushed whisper.
I watched as everyone of my friends began dancing with their dates, but instead of looking at their dancing partners, they were all staring at me with a goofy smile on all their faces. What in the world were they up to?
I slowed my pace as I neared them and allowed myself to listen to the notes of the piano solo that were gradually filling the gym.
The music seemed oddly familiar, and I strained my ears to hear it. That's when I recognized it...
Oh, God.
I came to a complete stop, my eyes bulging in my head. The song that was being played was the song my admirer had written for me.
So my admirer hadn't been a no-show, but that still doesn't change that fact I care more about Darien than my admirer. Dang it, this only complicates things. Now I have to turn down a perfectly nice guy because of my feelings for someone else. Why can't my life be easy?
I turned and faced the direction of the piano, but couldn't see who was play for the dancing couples. Without realizing it, my feet propelled forward, dodging people as I made my way towards the piano.
I'll admit that I was curious, and that was why I was walking to what was surely to be my death. I could just ignore the song and let the guy hang in the breeze, but that would be cruel. I had to face him, tell him I didn't return his feelings, even if it embarrassed the stuffing out of both of us.
I know it would hurt the guy either way, considering he would have just finished playing our song, but at least this way I won't leave him wondering whether or not I had left early or had been in the restroom where I couldn't hear him play.
I suddenly wished that I could be like Alana and laugh off any advances that came my way. But I had too much heart; I know what it's like to have someone not return my feelings.
And now I was going to do that to some poor guy. I felt like a shit.
I broke through the crowd and stopped dead in my tracks because sitting at a piano as black as his hair, was none other than Darien Shields. His bangs were hanging over his eyes, and without the use of his hands to push them back, they remained in his face.
I must have gasped out loud because Darien suddenly looked up, straight into my eyes. He continued to play, having memorized the song.
Darien can't be my admirer; it was too perfect. And perfect is only in fairy tales, not real life. Even if they did happen on rare occasions, they wouldn't happen to me. I wasn't lucky enough. I have a reputation as being unlucky; it goes along with my being clumsy.
But when Darien smiled uncertainly at me, the fear of rejection showing in his blue eyes, I figured that, somewhere out there, someone was making it up to me.
I smiled back at him, and for the first time, I saw him smile a genuine smile, one that reached his eyes. Compelled by his smile, I approached the piano bench.
Lying beside him on the bench where I would have sat was the fourth and final page of our song.
I picked it up, and skimmed over it before I sat down beside him and propped the music on the piano. I smiled at Darien one last time before I began to play the upper octave of the song.
When I joined in with him, the music seemed to come to life, becoming louder and fuller, filling the gym with its soothing notes. It was our song.
I felt free, brimming with euphoria. Everything around us slowly faded away until it was just Darien and me. When I first played our song in front of others, I had tried to up with a picture in my mind to go with the notes that had been written for me, written by Darien. Now, I had not only found that picture, I was living it. At this moment, when the black lights, the crepe paper, the balloons, and the people around us blur and all sound but the sound of our song fades away, I'm living our song.
The song ritardandoed to an end, and unlike the first time when I played for an audience, no one was left hanging. Now, everything seemed balanced, perfect. The room had the same feeling one has when just finishing a satisfying meal.
An applause startled me out of my reverie, and I gazed at the large crowd of dancers. I blushed and turned to Darien, who was smiling at me. The band, fresh from their break, returned, and we were forgotten about.
"I didn't know you could play the piano," I said for lack of better words, pushing back his bangs from his eyes.
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me," he said, stroking my cheek.
"I'm willing to learn," I said rather boldly, blushing even redder.
He smiled, and searched my eyes. Then, using the hand not stroking my face, he extracted the sucker from strings class out of his tux pocket. I read the KISS ME on it, and had to smile. So he had really wanted to kiss me earlier. His eyes searched mine for the answer to his unspoken--more like written--question.
My eyes darted down to his lips, he saw the encouragement he needed, and he leaned in and gave me my first kiss. It was short and chaste, but it still sent my emotions soaring. I used to worry about my first kiss, wondering if I'd do it right since I've never been kissed before, but it seemed almost like instinct.
When he pulled back, he smiled, knowing what the kiss had done to me. "You didn't run," he stated. I groaned and playfully punched him in the arm, but not hard because I still couldn't function properly.
Once I had my bearings, I asked, "How did you do it all?"
"Well, honestly, I had a little help from Raye."
Raye had helped him? If that was true, then that meant...she had known all along that my admirer was Darien. I whipped my head around searching the crowd for my dark haired friend. I found her and all my friends standing fifteen feet away, smiling sweetly. When I caught her gaze, she just smiled bigger and waved.
Mina had her ever-present star-struck look, while Amy just smiled innocently. Lita on the other hand had her hands clasped together and was batting her eyelashes while making a kissing face. My friends. What a bunch they are.
Shaking my head, I turned back to Darien and asked, "How?"
"Well, at first I wasn't sure how to admit I liked you. I figured I could pump Raye for information about you since she's your best friend. She told me about your secret admirer fantasy, but I didn't believe that you would want that. So, she purposefully made you confess you had that fantasy in front of me to make me believe."
He looked down at his hands, embarrassed. I found it very endearing. "Well, once I found this out," he continued, "I had Raye show me where you locker was so I could slip the note into it on Monday. I also got you e-mail from Raye, and then your locker combination so I could put the rose and bear inside."
He smiled lopsidedly, "So now you know."
"Now I know," I agreed. I sighed, "There's just one problem."
I watched his smile falter. "What?" he asked.
I sighed again for effect, "I have to kill Raye for not telling me."
He grinned, "I would help you, but I owe her."
"Hey, Serena," Mina teased coming up behind me along with the other girls.
"You guys knew the whole time?"
"Just Raye. She told us about everything while you two were dancing so we would have front row seats when the show started," Lita said from her position on Ken's arm.
"Hey," Rachel said coming up to our large group. "Can I take your picture?"
For once, Raye didn't seem annoyed that Rachel was near. We all nodded our heads and got into position. She took the picture and smiled at us.
"Thanks guys, I'll have you each a copy by Monday. Oh by the way, Serena, Darien, you guys make such a cute couple."
After Rachel left, I took a good look at my group of friends and then at Darien. I realized I had just lived through my very own fairy tale.
THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A.N.: Well that's it...the final chapter of "Mystery Valentine." This could be a happy thing to some...or a rather disappointing thing for others, who after reading this, may want more. I don't have a sequel planned, and, honestly, I don't think I will be writing one. But I want your input on my next story. Would you like to see another high school love story? Do you want Serena to be an adult? Do you want some drama? Action? Mystery? Murder? DO you want it from first person or second? Do you have a plot, story line, or scene you want me to write? Please tell me what you want to see in your reviews or e-mails, and you just might see it. (Hope that didn't sound too much like an info-commercial because it did to me.)
Mystery Valentine By Dream Catcher Romance/Comedy © Oct 2003