My bad. I am wrong for taking forever to update. I have had the chapter done a good while a go but never had the time or the chance to actually sit at my computer and finish it how I wanted to. To me its not actually finished, and since I have so much information to put out there with this, I have to say that it will be about two more chapters. Thank you guys. I know I haven't been here and again I am sorry. Please review, I really need to know what you guys think. I didn't have a chance to reread this chapter so if there are any loop holes, big things that throw the story completely off, tell me and I will rewrite this chapter right away. Thank you guys so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you: Rosebudjamie, monique,

Sailor Caris: I'm glad that the language relates to you, not everybody catches on to certain slang because slang across the world is different, and sometimes I write and be like 'man I hope they get this.' lol

Samifanatic: Thank you, I think one of my big problems stem from not developing my characters enough. Thank you so much, but this is something I will continue to work on, so you guys can relate more. I've learned that most guys do fall for the plain jane girls, they just never tell them.

moonfan: my bad, its about two more chapters lol

merangelgal: I think its about time they sort their feelings out and see where that gets them. I'm not depressed even though I should be, so much is going on in my life right now that I should be writing about that instead lol but oh well thats life.

Dertupio: which one? lol

Sakura Ai: You and me both lol I'm ready to work on my novel.

Yuskefan: I've learned that not everybody may be who they seem to be

ffgirlmoonie: Thinking of that right about now...

Sunny38: Isn't that always the case when you are young, have two crushes but still like one crush more than you like the other one. I think that the ending will be big or I can make it small but I should make it go boom lol whatever that means.

milkshakelvr: I've noticed that too, I think I some how leaked some of my personality into this lol

guitarbabe: maybe

Sailormoon5645: Please dont kill me, this chapter is kind of rushed, it may be missing the details you want, but I didn't want to keep holding on to it, it's not fair, I've been wanting to update for the past 2 months.

roswellachick: Yea, thats one thing that I always feel like I dont have, time.

Chibi Babe: My bad about it being confusing, I will fix that chapter and post it on my site.

okay now for the longest review ever. mojacko1984, I'm not sure if I sent you something already but just to be on the safe side I will reply anyway. Thanks for your wonderful review, it meant the world to me. In the beginning Ashley didn't care enough about Darien, but she fell for Darien once they started to get to know each other, things change once you start dating someone. you grow to love certain things about them and hate some things about them. So yes in the beginning you guys only knew Ashley as Serena's enemy, but now that she is Darien's girl friend, you guys were bound to see different sides of her. Darien loves Serena, and when most guys flat out love a girl, instead of being with them they run, its easier to be with someone you could care less about than someone that you know you could completely loose your self in. lmao men never want to admit when they are wrong and let alone apologize lol so for some chicks to get that, its major, but trust me I understand exactly what you are typing. No one is perfect, and Darien knows this, for this reason alone he cant blame Ashley cause he allowed himself to help put Serena through alot of the things she has gone through, but it's not just Ashley fault. I cant explain to you why he feels sorry for Ashley or explain if he will get mad at Ashley, that would take away from my story, sorry. Serena smiled because she knows that she loves him, not gonna love someone else and she's made it up in her mind that she will be the other woman just to be with him, she's accepted defeat. I read you r whole review and no thank you, please let me know what you think, it means alot to me. You wont be mad by the end of the story I promise lol I will straighten everything out and you may be getting the things you want. Again thank you.

Disclaimers: I dont own Smoon, never did and never will.


Just One Of The Guys

Chapter 11

After the initial shock had worn off, Lita sat wondering why she hadn't took notice of Serena's pain. Lita hadn't thought of how the many changes had affected Serena. She thought back to that fateful day of Serena's first makeover and how they found her in Darien's arms. Lita knew then, Serena would always run to Darien who would always be drawn to her.

"I'm sorry Serena." Lita said, apologizing for not being a good friend. Lita's guilt replaced her anger over Serena hiding important things from her. She smoothed her shirt down and found more important things to stare at than Serena.

"Lita, it's no problem, just keep this between us." Serena said glancing sideways at Darien who really wanted to leave as soon as the conversation had started.

"Come on now, it's your business." Lita stated, digging in the bag of cookies. She nibbled on a cookie, her mind still processing the current events. Darien shook his head, really not needing to know the ends and outs of girl power. His shoulders sagged, pains shot through his lower back to his legs.

"Damn." He groaned while stretching his arms, the only thing he wanted was a warm hot bath, not to stay and listen to girl talk about their relationship. 'It's going to be all over the wire.' He thought accepting that they would be the center of attention for all of the wrong reasons again.

"Thanks." Serena muttered watching Darien stand, his first two steps shaky. Serena giggled, wishing the awkward moment would pass. Lita watched Serena, wondering if her friend had lost her mind. 'Maybe the school year was a little stressful.' She thought recounting the many problems they all had faced. Lita clasped her fingers together in her lap and waited for one of them to speak.

"Remember my first day in heals, I sort of walked like that." Serena said, eyes twinkling with mirth. Lita laughed remembering that particular day causing Darien to turn around. He stood there casting an angry glare towards them, deeming them both silly. Serena dropped the bag of cookies thinking of the full memory that felt like yesterday. Darien couldn't help but smile, sensing something he hadn't felt from her in ages, the old Serena. Lita perked up not missing a beat, this Serena with Darien was much happier than the Serena without Darien.

"Great, I nearly die and it's the thing to laugh at." He pouted, limping out of her back yard to get to the nearest bus stop to head for home. Serena and Lita nearly fell off of the bench while watching his retreating form.

"Serena…" Lita started unable to find the right words of advice she was looking for, "Be sure that this is what you want… I've been the other woman before and it's not pretty… It seems like a good idea at first because you think with your heart… think of your love, but in the end it could destroy you." She finished, running her fingers over her pants pocket not ready to see exactly what Serena felt.

"I know Lita, I know. Thank you." She said leaning over to give Lita a hug, happy that it was she who had found her in the crazy predicament tonight instead of the others. Goodbyes were spoken leaving Lita to set for home. Serena reluctantly climbed back up her tree into her quiet bedroom to think of what she had committed to. 'Wow.' She thought wondering what tomorrow would hold.


Ashley sat in her bedroom, decorated in the latest teen princess theme. She wouldn't believe it, refused to let her thoughts take flight. Her vision became blurry and instead of taking her purple colored contacts out, she sat there feeling numb. The pictures of her and Darien became unfocused. 'All of this...' Her thoughts started in, a drowning sensation struck her. Ashley's heart felt like sinking. 'Be real...' But being real was something she wasn't accustomed to doing. Ashley hadn't been herself in years and trying to do that now was unthinkable. Her image blurred even more in the mirror across from her bed, she looked away unable to look at who she had become. She found something across her bedroom more interesting like her ice skates. Nobody knew that she could ice skate, and ice skate good. Those were just one of her best kept secrets. Right about now she had it all, the looks, most popular in school, most likely to be prom queen, a group of friends who worshipped her, and Darien. Her thoughts paused as the information her friends shared with her sank in. He was spotted with her enemy Serena. 'It could mean nothing.' After all Darien and Serena were friends since the sand box, she expected them to speak to each other again. Darien was with her night after night, wrapped up in her arms so it could mean nothing. Ashley resisted the urge to let her thoughts walk on the dark side. Serena was never pregnant and Ashley doubted Serena had ever experienced anything beyond a tongue kiss with Darien. In a crazy twisted way when the pregnancy scandal first started she added fuel to the flames and enjoyed every minute of Serena's torture. Ashley took pride in the rumor of Darien being so in love with her that he left his pregnant girl friend Serena. Now it seemed trivial, the difference between her and Serena was she would loose all if she lost him and Serena would loose nothing. Darien had slept with plenty of girls, he was experienced and he had left his mark upon her. She couldn't resist his quirky grin, those startling blue eyes whenever he was on top of her. Ashley was his no questions asked. That was the difference between the two; Serena was still a virgin who hadn't been cursed by fulfilling her curiosity. Serena didn't take the chance of becoming pregnant, but Ashley did and it scared her. Not once had he ever complained about making out with her, Darien allowed it and wanted it just as much as she did. In that Ashley knew she had him, what good was a relationship with a saint? Darien was a man and he had plenty of desires. Her worry over him creeping with Serena erased from her mind for she knew before he went there he would cheat elsewhere with other females willing to have sex. Ashley had changed over the past few months, her male following completely stopped. Her whole world changed once she hooked up with Darien and she wanted to keep it that way. She dialed Darien's house praying that he would answer but no one picked up. She reluctantly placed the phone back on the hook and went to her computer. She logged into her MySpace account and had a few good laughs. Still no call, she clicked out of her page wondering what would keep him from her. She refused to give in and dial his number again, instead she hit her bed hoping sleep would claim her soon.
Serena trusted Lita with her secret, no one could know, not even Mina. It pained Serena to hide something so important from her very best friend, but she had no choice, too ashamed to admit her feelings. What she wanted and did with Darien was her business and hers alone. Serena had worked hard to regain and rebuild her strong image. No one could know of her yearnings, no one. Her deepest secret was coming back to haunt her and she was willing to do anything to keep it, to keep him. It pained her that she became so different, a desperate girl willing to do anything. Her light denim mini skirt said it all as she walked to school instead of getting her usual ride from Andrew. She needed to clear her head, have some alone time. The usual cat calls were made while she walked in her low top white Chuck Taylors. Her chucks matched her white tight cotton shirt from Wet Seal. She thought 'Why dress up, when my skirt speaks for itself.' And it did, her thighs looked beautiful, due to all the sports she used to play. She thanked being a tom boy at one point for something and kept moving past the goggling eyes of the people. Her hair was pulled up into a neat genie pony tail and a silver necklace adorned her slim neck. The silver charm bracelet on her wrist jingled as she swung her arms lost in her thoughts. 'Just relax, nobody knows.' She thought, entering the school, stopping herself from hyperventilating. She hurried down the hall heading towards her old class room. The school bell would ring in any second, but she had to see him, to see if things were true. 'Did he really leave her?' Rang out as she peeked her head in and didn't spot him in his usual seat, he wasn't there at all. Mina was there, sitting in the back where they used to sit and she waved. Serena waved back and quickly moved to go to her class. The bell rung, she was late and she wouldn't hear the end of it from Andrew. Thanks to Andrew she had taken her education a little more serious and applied to a few colleges. It had hit her a few months back that it had to be more to life after high school, and the questions of what to do with ones future after graduation was always present. She didn't worry about the financial burden. She prayed that the scholarships and financial aide she had applied for would come through. She was so consumed in her thoughts that she didn't realize she was on the third floor walking past the empty library.

Darien stood there in the empty hall way, knowing she would pass by any minute. There she stood looking gloriously delicious in her light denim mini skirt. He immediately put a stop to his naughty thoughts and spoke to her. A look of surprise crashed her features from seeing him there in front of their old meeting spot. He sheepishly shrugged off her knowing smile.

"I thought you weren't trying to get caught." She teased not sure why she couldn't keep her distance from him.

"Well I just had to see you, now... I mean good morning…" He broke off, wondering why his tongue felt so thick, why it seemed he couldn't coherently speak to her. 'She's beautiful.' He thought, making a mental note of how her smile lit the hallway.

"It wasn't like you weren't going to see me." She joked laughing at how they would have eventually bumped into each other, school wasn't that big. She loved the affect she had on him, loving the fact that this time it was him wanting her most of all.

"I mean after all you were going to see me around." she finished walking past him implying that he would be seeing her later.

"Well about that..." he started and paused unable to stop himself from looking at her beautiful legs. She blushed, lost on the attention he gave her. She felt warm inside and nothing could have stopped this glorious moment, nothing at all.

"I was thinking that I pick you up after school, well ten minutes before school let out to um... so we can hang out?" He asked blushing when he finished. He couldn't believe he didn't know how to ask his ex best friend out. She didn't hesitate with her answer but instead hugged him, the front of her body pressed against his. 'Wow, she has grown.' He thought, thinking of how she had shed the boy image to replace it with a beautiful model image.

"Of course I'll slip out of the school to be with you." She whispered in his ear leaving a trace of her lip gloss on his cheek. She didn't care if Ashley would notice; she was officially claiming him as hers. 'What the hell, if I'm going to be with him, I might as well go all out with it.' She thought, sauntering away to get to class.


Mina sat in class feeling a little uneasy; Serena's abrupt departure left her wondering if she had done something wrong. Then it dawned on her that maybe Serena just had a lot on her mind. Just like Mina had a lot on her mind. For them high school would be over in two months, they had their futures to think about. College was something Mina always wanted to do but doubted she would ever be able to. She hadn't told anybody, not even Andrew that she had signed a contract for a movie. She would be gone for a year and a half. It was then that she realized that this was the reason why her parents never allowed her to be a normal teenager, why they always kept her separate from her peers. She couldn't say goodbye to them, wouldn't be able to say goodbye to them. Her long time friends Amy, Lita, and Raye would understand; they had known her longer than Andrew, Serena, Chad, Molly, Ken, Greg, and Melvin. How would they take it especially her boyfriend Andrew, she had already knew his plans, but would he want to be with her after high school. Would he really want to be there once they started their real lives for high school was just a test and right about now Mina felt like she was failing. The teacher's words were drowned out as she pondered on and she felt a pang in her heart towards the girl who had become her sister, Serena. They could've passed for twins and that's what she told her new agent when she met him for lunch, that the only family she had was her twin sister Serena. Telling Serena was going to break her, but she knew she had to do it. She had to tell Serena that she would be gone by the end of June. 'Tell Andrew tonight, he deserves to know first.' She reasoned with herself unsure if she would be able to do it at all.

Ashley sat in her seat wondering if Darien was alright. 'He's dropping his mother off so he's going to be late.' She thought happy that he was driving today, him driving meant they could sneak off and be together. She ignored the stares of her girl friends and opted not to speak on the information they had shared with her. Each one of them thought that she was coming and going but she didn't care. Darien walked into the class room and her eyes lit up at the sight of him. 'God I love him.' She thought as he plopped down in his seat and she latched her arm to his, taking note of the strange shade of lip gloss on his cheek. Her eyes darkened calculating who he could have been with. 'He was with his mother.' Ashley shook her head ignoring her jealous feelings. Mina snickered at the sight of them; they annoyed her to no end. 'He's no prize Ashley; his heart will never belong to you.' Mina thought tuning them out to listen to the lesson plan.


Serena walked into class, apologizing for her tardiness. She headed straight to her seat next to Andrew. A few of the guys raised their eyebrows and watched her walk the distance. "Um... Ms. Tsukino, isn't that skirt a little too short?" Mr. Cork asked and Serena blushed pulling her skirt back down to the respectable length.

"What's up with the tardiness?" Andrew asked and Serena shrugged her shoulders avoiding his question. She didn't want to tell him about her naughty dreams of Darien that had attacked her during the night.

"Good Morning Andrew." She greeted with a new cheer Andrew didn't associate with her in the morning. He perked up taking in her full appearance; a short skirt was mighty bold for her. Something was wrong and he noticed the differences.

"Serena." He whispered wanting so badly to understand the changes she was going through. To him she seemed different, just a little and it scared him. 'Maybe it's prom.' He thought, rationalizing every female problem down to having to deal with prom.

"My bad Andrew." She whispered back accepting the pen and paper he slipped across his desk for her. Regardless of how late she arrived, he always had her back and came prepared for the both of them. He was going to miss this, hanging with her through out the school day. He hoped they were both accepted into the same college. Just like that the school year had gone by and here he sat next to someone he considered his sister. Andrew would always have Serena's best interest at heart, even if they were to separate.

"Rena, I'ma miss high school, just tripping with you was something else this year." He said writing down the new notes Mr. Cork wrote on the board for their final exam.

Serena blinked back a tear, realizing that she would miss being with Andrew as much as she had grown accustomed to being with Darien.

"Me too Drew." She said trying to ignore the subject by writing her notes, it didn't work. New thoughts fought against the raining thought of Darien, it was over, all of it was over. High School was ending in a few weeks and they wouldn't have the school lockers to lean on. They wouldn't have the gym to sneak into; they wouldn't have to cut lunch by sneaking off school grounds. All of it would be gone. It scared her, if they wouldn't have any of that, would they still have each other kept nagging her for the rest of the school day.

She felt weird avoiding the gang, scared to face the people who helped her pick the pieces up after Darien. Her model bop never faltered, she kept her head held high regardless of her darkening thoughts. 'Not today Rena.' She kept moving, walking right out the front school door to the parking lot. Darien sat in the driver's seat, a smile of relief appearing on his features at the site of her.

"Thought I wasn't going to come." She said taking her time to get to his car. She swayed her hips the way Raye had taught her and enjoyed how he nearly drooled from watching. Darien licked his lips then shook his head, 'keep it together man…'

"Come on before we get caught." He said not looking in her direction; not looking meant being strong, meant that she couldn't control him. But goodness, '…those legs' He shook his head for a second time right as she hoped in, her skirt nearly hiked above her ass, he refused to look down as she pulled down the material.

"Why da hell did you leave the house in that?" He asked, his possessive side winning over his be cool side. He reached down and gripped her skirt, heat rose where he touched and Serena jerked back. Darien snatched his hand back telling himself not to do it again.

"To get the attention of my new boyfriend." Serena retorted and this time it was Darien's turn to blush for he was the new boyfriend she wore the skirt for.


Mina stood in the parking lot beside her car, hair billowing around her while she waited for Serena or Andrew to arrive. Nervousness swam in her stomach, she had to tell. Lita came out of the front school door with Amy and Andrew following. Ken jogged behind them yelling silly things to Lita causing Amy and Andrew to go "Ooooooooohh and Aaaaaaawww." Mina smiled filing away their antics for the lonely nights she would spend over a script instead of with them. Lita sped up nearing Mina's car before the rest of them.

"Where's Greg?" She asked Lita who caught her car keys with ease. Lita stared at Mina's car keys in wonder.

"With Chad for some after school activity." She answered still pointing to Mina's keys waiting for an answer.

"I'm going with Andrew." Mina said causing Lita to raise a suggestive eyebrow.

"Well don't we move fast?" Lita teased enjoying the fact that she wasn't the only one being picked on today.

"Have you guys seen Serena?" Amy asked dodging around the car to stand next to Mina, avoiding Andrew and Ken's deadly teasing match.

"Come to think of it, I haven't seen her leave the building." Mina said, blue eyes squinting deep in thought. Her shoulder sagged at the task ahead of her. She lifted her hand up to move the bangs from her eyes. Lita didn't like the signs Mina gave off, if she kept this up she would quickly put two and two together.

"I think she has some stuff to do after school too." Lita supplied walking around the car to stand next to the girls. Mina blinked back giving off a soft giggle, her fingers fiddled with her silver charm bracelet.

"Really spacing out today." Amy said, digging into her bag to find the snickers she had purchased from the vending machine. Ken bumped into Amy causing Amy to squeal, her arms flailed and Lita grabbed her before she fell.

"You two idiots." Amy nearly yelled, stamping her right foot. Andrew's smile faded and he hid behind Mina.

"Oh no buddy I can't save you now." Mina said moving from in front of him. Ken moved to where Andrew stood and they held each other. Lita laughed, loving the carefree moment they shared. She knew Serena would truly be mad about missing this; the boys rare performance. Amy's mean demeanor faded and was replaced with a smile. Lita walked around and hopped in the driver's seat of Mina's car.

"Come on guys." Lita yelled to Amy and Ken who slowly followed, dragging their asses on purpose. Andrew's questioning gaze lingered on Mina, blue clashed with blue.

"Let's go." Mina said grabbing his hand and heading for his car. Andrew became nervous his thoughts running wild, dating was hard, and he wasn't sure if he had forgotten something important. He stopped in the middle of the parking lot, her tugging his arm and him pulling back.

"What's the deal?" Mina asked, not sure if she had done something to anger him. 'Aw what the hell, just ask if you did something wrong…. Cant be prom, can't be our anniversary, a date maybe.' He thought canceling out what the problem could be.

"Did I do something baby?" He asked; his tender voice sending shivers down Mina's back, his fingers massaged her palm. His eyes gazing into hers nearly causing Mina to melt, she would have, right in the middle of the parking lot. Her heart sped up and she nearly threw herself into his arms.

"Oh baby no. I just want you to come with me." She said placing her free hand on his shoulder. Andrew leaned down ready to kiss her senseless. Mina stopped him by placing her fingers to his lips.

"Lata." She murmured unsure of the signals she had just sent him with her body language. Andrew nodded; she didn't have to tell him twice. He practically dragged her to his car to get the hell out of there to enjoy the rest of the day with his girl.


The fresh open road surrounded them, Serena enjoyed every minute of it. The wind whipping through his hair, the way the light caused his dark blue eyes to shimmer warmer than usual. It felt like old times to her soul and his. Darien pulled his car to a stop in an open field. She could tell Darien enjoyed the car ride as much as she did.

"What now?" She asked wondering where the playful banter had gone. The open field left so many questions lingering between them. Butterflies slammed her gut and she nearly jumped from his car to save herself the embarrassment. He hadn't noticed her new fear instead he got out to pop his trunk pulling the small cooler with their snacks from it.

"Grab the blanket from the backseat." He told her, she obeyed half way turning around to reach for the yellow sunflower covered cotton blanket. She pulled it into her lap waiting for him to call her from the car but he didn't. He came to her side of the car and grabbed the blanket from her lap. Curiosity nibbled at her mind, her eyes intently looking in the rear view mirror trying to make out exactly what Darien was doing.

"Now?" She asked waiting for him to yell back a yes, he didn't. She heard clanking noises and nearly stuck her head out of the side of her window. So intent on trying to figure out what he was up to, she didn't realize he had opened the car door for her. He stood there reaching for her hand and she allowed him to help her. Serena's eyes lit up once the scene came into view. The yellow blanket neatly placed, on top an arrangement of fruits and chocolates to die for, two wine glasses with a bottle of apple cider sitting next to them. Serena's heart skipped two beats, Darien's sweaty hand going unnoticed. His eyes darted from her and his arrangement, the very first time he considered being romantic with a girl, skeptical about whether he had done the right thing. Serena sighed fighting back her silly tears, her breathing becoming ragged because she would dream of him at least trying to make a move on her heart. She turned around to face him, him ready to cop a plea if it wasn't exactly what she wanted.

"I can…" He broke off, her lips crashing upon his sending every thought to melt in his brain, nothing mattered. Her tongue darted in his mouth, his fingers finding the sides of her mini skirt, a strange burning between her thighs whenever he seemed to come close. She moaned, soft, exquisite to his ears, and he nearly lost it, wondering why he never realized before that being with her meant never saying no or leaving.


Andrew glanced down the hall way to Mina's room tip toeing while to him she stomped. He wondered for a moment where her grace had gone. He stopped outside of her bedroom door, not wanting to enter. He had been to her house plenty of times before but never in her room unaccompanied.

"Are you sure it's just us here?" He asked his hand holding the door knob, unwilling to turn it until she gave the ok. Mina laughed, was she sure; her parents were never home. Mina yelled; nothing in particular and Andrew nearly jumped out of his skin. It was no return yell but he didn't like the joke Mina had played on him.

"They aren't home, remember they are never here." She said her voice loosing the playful banter from before. She touched his hand that held the knob giving him reassurance, his heart aching because of her problems. He opened her room door still a little leery of stepping in.

"Baby I'm sorry about how your parents treat you." Andrew said stepping in and closing her room door behind them. He always had to pause and take in the beautiful pictures of his girl friend. He loved the fact that she was his girl. The mural on her ceiling captivating his attention for a few seconds, his eyes landed back on her, she seemed spaced out.

"Mina, don't worry, they don't know what they are missing. You've got me." He said sending her mind into disarray. 'Tell him now.' She thought scared of his reaction to what he needed to know. 'Just breathe.' She took a slow sip of air and gushed out. Mina didn't fight them, the tears that sprang forth and rolled down her cheeks. Andrew went to her, wrapping his arms around her, wanting to know exactly why her parents would cause his usually happy Mina this much misery.

"I don't know if I will still have you." She hiccupped, leaving Andrew to stop in his sweet attempts to soothe her.

"What do you mean?" He asked scared of her answer, he clenched his eyes shut and her breathing hitched as if someone was trying to murder her. 'Do it.' Her mind screamed and she blurted out what had been eating at her conscious ever since she had signed the contract.

"I've been given a lead role in an up and coming movie. I won't be here. I'm not going to college. I'll be living off of the set for who knows how long." She said her chest heaving as new tears formed and rained down upon her beautiful features. Andrew's world nearly shattered, his mind unable to comprehend the fact that she said she was leaving. She couldn't be, she couldn't just up and go without thinking it through. She couldn't just up and leave him.

"M… Mi… Mina." He stuttered and Mina's heart shattered then, right when his hands started to shake and his eyes became misty from processing her confession. His lips parted but no sound came out. Mina took a step forward and Andrew took three steps back.

"Are you breaking up with me?" He asked, his eyes resting on hers, his tears falling freely now. His resolve gone, replacing every good memory of her with something bitter. She was his first love, his first echoed through him.

"No. I… I want to be with you, but I have to leave." She whispered, her chest still heaving, wondering why she wanted to be a fucking star anyway. Being a star never equaled out to finding Serena and the love of her life Andrew. Stardom wasn't that important, just a lonely life of nothings, no parents, no friends, no one but an agent out to bleed her dry. Mina turned her back to him. Her breathing calmed.

"This is what I want Andrew. I want to be with you, but unlike you I don't have college to fall back on. Take a look around." She gestured to her walls running up and snatching a few magazine covers she appeared on down. Andrew followed her every move wrapping her up in his arms, stopping her from destroying her beautiful room.

"Stop it." He commanded and her body went limp in his arms. His chest heaved as he fought back every impulse to give her every reason to leave him, only to make the decision she had made easier on herself.

"I don't have what you guys have, ever since I was a child I was in the spotlight and right about now that's the only place I have to go, my grades weren't good enough for college, so here I am going back to the only job I know will keep me stable in life." She sobbed, her voice hollow and broken causing Andrew to drop to the floor holding her. His chin pressed against her neck, fighting for control over his raging emotions.

"Mina, baby. I'm not leaving you just like your not leaving me." Andrew said pulling her tighter into his embrace. His decision was final, he would battle for her if he had to but leaving her was out of the question. Mina sighed wanting to tell him how much she loved him more than any thing, but still had to do what she had to do.

"I understand…" He pulled her hair back for her and allowed her to cry, "Do the others know?" He asked and Mina nodded her head in a no and Andrew stopped his questioning. He stroked her arms gently rocking her back and forth. Hours passed with them sitting in that odd position in silence. He was pretty sure the perfect gentleman would have left an hour ago, but he refused to leave her side.

"Mina we can make this work." He said his throat raw with emotion. She never answered, instead she moved, the first movement he'd gotten out of her in hours. She stood extending her hand to him, he took it. She led him to her bed and climbed in, pulling him with her. Andrew didn't protest; he only wrapped his arms around her to hold her while she cried herself to sleep.


Neither one spoke of what had just transpired, the warmness of the leather seats ignored. Tonight was a night to let go, and they both were willing to let the past couple of months go. Darien reached for his socks on the front passenger seat, grabbing some napkins too. He wiped up the evidence that trailed her leg and discarded the used condom out of the window.

"It still hurts you know." Serena commented on her damaged heart and lost virginity, how nothing could ever fix it, not even him being with her in another town staring over the small county. A breeze hitched through the hill side and Serena shivered. Darien leaned forward to put the window partially up.

"I know baby, I've done some things that you didn't deserve, no one deserves…." He started, running a hand through her damp hair, his eyes unable to leave hers.

"I love you. It's all in here." He finished, grabbing her small hand and placing it over his heart. Her fingers touched his tanned chest. He flattened her hand so her palm could feel the rhythm, his midnight eyes shining a unique shade of grayish silver.

"This is yours." He murmured loosing himself within her. Her cheeks stained red, blushing from his admittance.

"I love you too." Her confession seemed small compared to his my heart beat is yours, but he didn't seem to mind. He actually nearly lost his mind allowing her to really be apart of his world, no girl had ever compared to her. He couldn't phantom being with some one else after sharing his soul with her. He decided then and there, that beating around the bush would never be good for the both of them. He decided right then and there that she was his forever. She reached forward grabbing her panties and handed him his shirt. Nothing could take them off of cloud nine as he pulled up in front of her house just short of twelve o clock. The stars shining for the bond they had reinstated. She rushed a goodbye climbing from his car. Her walk was a little wobbly, but she made it up the steps just fine. She felt jittery, her fingers shaking as she tried to unlock her front door. Once inside she tried to tip toe, her wobbly walk had subsided only to be replaced with a bowlegged one. Her thighs burned and the pit of her stomach ached. Her right foot touched the first step and Irene decided to make her presence known then.

"Serena." Irene said, startling the blonde to press her body against the wall. Her blonde hair hid her passion marks on her neck and she thanked God that she had taken her genie ponytail out. Irene's eyes were calm, but calculated her daughters every move. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that Serena hadn't come home with the girls, but with a boy. Irene knew this because Crystal called asking if Darien had staked outside of her house again begging for forgiveness from Serena. 'Oh God.' Irene realized when Serena took a step forward just how far her relationship with whatever boy Serena was with had gone.

"Don't." Irene said, holding up her hand to stop Serena from making any confessions. She shook her head not wanting to accept that her seventeen year old daughter was no longer a virgin. It was no way in the world she would break the news to her husband, this was something that Serena and her would have to carry to their graves.

"Were you protected?" Irene asked as shame burned Serena's face. Somehow Serena's voice had left and she could only nod her head in a yes, unable to raise it enough to meet her mother's accusing eyes. She felt dirty, dirty beyond words. Words couldn't describe how much of a sinner she felt in that moment. Hot tears burned Serena's cheeks.

"Was it Darien?" Irene asked not sure if Darien was being a gentleman and dropping her off or the one who had helped Serena on her journey to womanhood. She prayed for the first, hoping that it was some other guy she could forbid Serena from seeing. Serena's nod of a yes shocked her for a millisecond. Irene quickly bounced back, her eyes only snapping shut to calm her nerves. "I'm not going to ring her neck, not tonight I won't." Irene said not realizing she spoke out loud. Serena gulped, her tears subsiding to face the one person she never thought she would have to face about sex.

"It… Ma… Aw Ma. I don't even. I don't. Ma." Serena hiccupped, the realness of her situation finally sinking in. She nearly fell where she stood sobbing louder than before, wondering why things had gone as far as they had gone with him. Irene gave her an understanding look, some things didn't need to be stated, some things were just clear.

"I know honey. We'll talk in the morning." Irene said dismissing her daughter. Serena wobbled up the steps to the bathroom to run a hot bath. Irene reached for the cordless phone from off of the coffee table and dialed Crystal.

"Did you see him?" Crystal asked when she picked up, worried that Darien might have run away, he hadn't checked in. His girlfriend Ashley had been there half the day waiting for him.

"I think we have a problem." Irene said, the calmness to her voice fading on problem. She swore her blue hair would be gray by the morning.

"Please tell me that everything is alright." Crystal said gripping the back of her couch.

"Our kids have done the unthinkable." Irene answered wanting to go ring Darien's neck too for taking Serena anywhere.

"Oh no, oh no. I'm going to kill him. He knows no sex before marriage." Crystal ranted wondering why her son had to be hard headed and go out and do the things she had taught him not to.

"You know, I'm angry, but I can't be, it was bound to happen some day." Irene admitted defeat knowing deep down in her heart it would have only been a matter of time for their children to hook up.

"I know." Crystal sighed releasing the back of her couch to walk around and plop down on it.

"What should we do?" She asked trying to figure out if they still held parents accountable for lapses in sanity, "I can plead insanity you know." Crystal joked causing Irene to give a weary chuckle.

"No. We do nothing; that will only make them go behind our backs. I guess we have to let them figure these things out on their own. But don't worry; I'll be taking her straight to the doctors to slap her ass on birth control." Irene said wondering why she couldn't have another son, girls always had to be more trouble the older they seemed to get.

"I'll talk to Darien about protection and respecting his girl friend…" It dawned on Crystal then the words she used. "Darien has another girl friend, shit! Um wow!" Her mind went blank trying to piece back why she hadn't mentioned Ashley more, it dawned on her that she was hoping it would end between them and Serena would be back in the picture. She didn't want Serena back in the picture like this, it was sure to end in heartbreak, this would be a tragedy.

"What? You mean to tell me…." Irene broke off ready to march upstairs and put her foot so far up Serena's ass that her teeth would be the color of her toe nail polish.

"No no no, I'll deal with Serena." Irene said clicking the phone off trying to find something else to do instead of murdering her boyfriend stealing daughter.

"Rini, Rini!" Crystal yelled unintentionally, she didn't want to wake her sleeping daughter. Just as she stopped her yelling Darien came walking through the door, car keys jingling acting as if he didn't have a care in the world. She fixed him with a look so deadly his nuts nearly shriveled up and retracted back inside of him. She knew, he could tell he nearly ran back outside the door, his heart hammered away in his chest. 'Aw shit!' was stuck on repeat in his mind, 'Play it cool.' He thought walking into the rest of the apartment, but he still had to make it around her to get to his room. 'You can do this.' He pumped himself up only to stop a few feet away from where she sat.

"I know what happened." Her deadly tone made him take a few steps back. His eyes darted around the room for an escape.

"How could you?" A simple question breaking all of his flight instincts, a simple question required a simple answer.

"I love her." He said, his eyes never leaving hers. Crystal shook her head wondering who had been feeding her son such garbage about love, he was too young.

"Love, what do you know about love?" She asked him standing up to walk around the couch, ready to plant a good slap on his face if he was to even retort with a nasty comment. Her jaw ticking from frustration, her eyes lit on fire. Darien didn't flinch and refused to back down.

"Mama, I know love, and I've seen it. Same way you love daddy, I love Serena. This girl is my sunshine, can make you feel like your walking on air. She's taught me so much about loving someone more than you love yourself, her love is selfless." He stopped from his mother's hard slap to his face sending his head to jerk to the other side, but he didn't stop.

"Love is in her smile, her kiss, her talk, the way she does that model bop walk. The way she tilts her head and her eyes light up, love is the way my heart beats for her regardless of the things going on around us." He said not caring if he would receive a punishment for loving someone he didn't want to let go, not ever.

"Stop it." She demanded, "Have you thought about what you have done tonight? You have another girl friend." She said stepping away from him, disgusted with how her son could carelessly cause two females to fall in love with him. Unlike Irene, Crystal knew that if he slept with Serena he was already sleeping with Ashley on a regular basis. Darien's lips stopped moving and he didn't want to accept that Ashley was his girlfriend.

"Darien, Serena's love maybe selfless but I can't say the same for you." She said walking away from him and heading to her room, unable to stand another minute of dealing with the mess her son had created.

To Darien, they didn't understand, they wouldn't understand. Yes Ashley was still his girl friend but she didn't have his heart, couldn't replace what he had given to Serena tonight. His bed felt uncomfortable as he plopped down trying to come up with a plan to fix the mess he had put him and Serena in.


I wont be able to update for a hot minute. I have a lot of things to do, but in the mean time I will get back on top of my boyfriend and make him fix my website. I'll be putting a rated r version of this chapter on my site. I didn't want to put it here, felt like it would just ruin the somewhat pg 13 thing I had going lmao. Thank you guys for holding me down, please review, tell me what you like and don't like I need to know these things. Email me if you guys want and I'll get back at you guys soon as possible. Once again thanks. I'm writing the next chapter which will be the last and then the epilogue will follow.