Title:Childhood Pals Author:Tapestry E-Mail:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com Rating:PG Standard Disclaimer Apply I apologize if some of the names are confusing.I sometimes jump from first name to middle name. I remember the time we first met...His name was Darien Endymion Gaia.He was 8 years old,I was 4 years old.My name is Serena Serenity Moon. My mother and his mother were close friends... "Selene,I''d like you and your daughter to meet my son,Darien..."said Terra Augusta Gaia. "He's adorable..."said mother. "Your daughter takes after you."said Terra. "My darling...say hello to Darien."said my mother. "Hello."I said meekly. Darien Endymion Gaia looked sulky and dark....he frightened me at first. But then,I found out he was just sulky at his mother for dragging him here. He was actually an intriguing person. We became best of friends...our families met every summer.I remember one summer,I'd hid his clothes when he went swimming...it was a sunny day.... I was 12,he was 16.Beryl Prisscon had followed the Gaia's on the family tradition trip...Darien thought it was okay,I thought it was violation. "Serenity!!Give me back my clothes!!!We have to go back to the cabin!!I've got a date with Beryl!!"shouted Darien from the water. "No way...I'm not..if I let you go to the town,I'll be left alone in the cabin."I said. "Please????Besides,you can't come with us...you're only 12!!"reasoned Darien. "No.."I replied. "SERENITY!!!"he cried anguishly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I had to give him back his clothes because Beryl showed up and said she'd tell if I didn't...wasn't that like that girl.. I believe Darien and Beryl actually went out on a couple of dates before Darien got bored of her. As 16,Darien was the heart throb of Riviere Academy....what can I say??He has wild midnight hair,deep blue eyes and arrogantly good looks. And me??Oh I had a couple of friends here and there...and well,some boys thought me pretty and cute,but what I saw when I looked in the mirror,was a stocky 12 year old with bony knees,ugly blond hair and a body that was too thin...only my sapphire blue eyes were my pride... I think Darien went out with a girl named Melissa after Beryl.But I don't remember...afterall,he had lots of girlfriends that didn't last more than a month,least,was probably a week or two. I rarely saw him at the academy,but I did get a glimpse of him once in the basket ball court.I was there for gymnastic's training. "SLAM DUNK!!!"shouted a voice on the court. I turned to see Darien dunking a basketball into the net. On the bleachers there were a dozen girls staring all starry-eyed.I smirked. The girls ran onto the court and crowded around Darien. "Darien!!That was amazing!!"swooned a girl. "Oh Endy,that was totally amazing!!"said another. "Endy you're so manly!!"cooed another girl. "Oh Darien....You're taking me to the Academy prom aren't you??" "Buzz off!!He's taking me!!" "No he's not!!He's my boyfriend!!"shouted one girl. My cousin,Mina Venusluv and I giggled as we watched the girls squabble and tug at Darien's arm. When I heard the girl's remark on boyfriend,a funny feeling arose,but I ignored it and pretended to gag. Earning a shriek of laughter from my cousin. All the girls and Darien turned to look in our direction.We blushed slightly and continued with our gymnastic's. I saw Darien's expression.He had a twinkle of laughter and amusement in his eye.He gave a boyish grin and winked slightly. I turned away trying to ignore my childhood friend's silly flirting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four years later... I'm now 16,one more year in the Academy and I'll would move on to college. Darien was already in college.He became a college freshman two years ago. I haven't seen him since then... Holidays came again and my parents told me we were spending this summer with the Gaia's and I could bring Mina and a couple of friends along. I thought Darien was still that flirtatious young boy I knew...boy was I ever wrong... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I petted Luna,my cat as I waited for Mina and Raye Flames to come on board the plane. Luna gave a meow."I guess,Endy still is that cute and mischievious boy, Luna."I told her. Luna merely gave another meow. The journey to the old summer place took 6 hours,and another 1 and a half to reach the place. "Selene!!Apollo,how good to see you again!!"greeted Terra. "It is good to see you too,Augusta."said mother. "Hello Terrence."greeted my father. Terrence Damian Gaia,Darien's father. "Where is your son??"asked mother. Terra gave a laugh."Oh,my son is in town,romping with two of his friends, I'm afraid."apologized Terra. I gave a smiled...Two friends?? Suddenly,a loud beep startled me.I gave a cry,losing my balance.Luna jumped out of my arm and ran towards the woods. "Luna!!"I cried anguishly. Luna disappeared into the woods. I turned to see,who the idiot was that scared me and my cat. I saw Mina and Raye gawking. I frowned...I saw a red sports car and three men sitting in the car. One had short light blond hair with twinkling green eyes.He looked more boy than man.Another had peculiar white hair,with light blue eyes. The one who was driving had wild midnight hair,which looked familliar. His eyes were shielded by dark glasses.He had a broad shoulder expanse and his mouth wore no smile. I frowned.He looked vaguely familliar. No matter..."What in the world do you think you're doing,beeping the horn like that and scaring off my cat!!"I shouted. His mouth curved into a smirk.I'll bet if those glasses weren't covering his eyes,he'd look even more irritating,since they'd be laughing at me. "Sorry Meatball head."he said smirking. "You're not the least bit SORRY!!"I sputtered angrily. He took off the glasses and smiled a mocking smile."Well...I apologized, but if you don't want to except it,too bad."he replied calmly. I glared at him angrily...now I REALLY had the eerie feeling I knew the creep...he had beautiful deep blue eyes I could get lost in. "C'mon Endy,lay off on her."said the man with white hair. Okay...now this was creepy....Did I just hear the guy call THIS irritating conceited creep of a man,Endy??As in,Darien Endymion Gaia????!!! "Yeah,Endy."agreed the other. I know I must've looked stupid...my jaw was hanging open. "Did you just call THIS-this...egoistical jerk,Endy????Please say my ears decieve me."I said frantically. "Sorry,you heard correct,Meatball Head."replied Darien. Nightmare!!!What happened to the Darien I knew??The Darien I imagined would be him???No,this was not my imagined Darien...but the real one... sometimes I truly hate reality. Darien was no longer a boy but had become a man...a handsome one but with an attitude.How 2 years could change a person. Darien looked at me queerly,an expression,I couldn't decipher. He shook his head slightly. "Please tell me,you're NOT who I think you are."said Darien suddenly. I frowned."Who do you think I am??"I asked. "Serena??"he asked uncertainly. "Bingo..."I acknowledged sarcastically. "Y-You've...uh...changed."said Darien looking her over. My heart felt like it was riding a roller coaster."I can say the same for you,"I said icily. "C'mon Mina,Raye...we have to find Luna!!"I said to my friends anxiously. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the woods... "Luna...here kitty..."said Raye. "That guy with the white hair is so dreamy."swooned Mina. I frowned."Keep your mind focused on the cat Mina,not the guys we left back there."I told my cousin. "But I can't help it."said Mina. "Mina's right...those college boys are hunks..."said Raye with a blissful expression on her face. "You two one day are going to get hurt bad..."I told them bitingly. Raye and Mina looked at me with shock."Serena..."they began. "I know,I know....I'm still refering to that jerk...fact is,I think men are all jerks...I thought my childhood friend was different...but he's not." I said hugging myself. "Meow??" I looked up and saw Luna."Luna!!!"I squealed happily. Picking up my cat,I walked back to the cabin.I knew my friends were looking at me with THAT expression.I didn't look back.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the cabin... "Hi Serena."said a voice. I turned and saw Darien.I frowned."Where's our parents?"I asked. "They went into to town."said Darien smirking. I frowned again.I said nothing and left the jerk sitting in the living room smirking. The nerve... I went upstairs to my room with my cat in my arms. Awhile later,I heard the door slam.I guess it was Raye and Mina as they knocked on my door a moment later. "Hey Sere,want to go for a swim??"asked Mina."Yes....the boys agreed." said Raye smiling. "Swimming???With the BOYS???"I asked incredously. Mina nodded."Yes.So,you in or not??"asked Raye. "No...I don't want to go swimming with HIM."I bit out. "See...he was right."said Raye to Mina. "Huh??Oh,yeah...."said Mina. "What?"I asked. "Darien said you were scared of the lake."said Raye with a triumphant look on her face. "Rubbish,and hogwash."I stated fuming. "REALLY???prove it."challenged Mina. I couldn't back out of a challenge,I never did...I had to do it...even if it meant facing my...EX-best childhood friend, "Fine...I'll go!!"I blurted angrily. Mina and Raye shared a smile...somehow...I had the feeling I had been duped... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the lake... "So...you decided to come,Meatball head."mocked Endy. "Do not make fun of my hairstyle,frogface."I threathened. I learned,his two friends were Malachite Williams and Jadeite Rowans. Mina and Raye had taken a liking to them. Men...they were all pigs. A splash of water brought me back to reality.... "Hey Sere!!You getting in????"shouted Mina. "Yeah Serenity...are you getting in??"asked Raye. I rolled my eyes in exasperation.I divided into the lake with perfect ease and control. "So Meatball head...what have you been up to??"asked Darien mockingly. I glared at him."Stop calling me that name,"I bit out. "Awww...I'll call as I please little meatball..You're what?? Sixteen right?"he asked. "What's it to you??"I grounded. "Nothing..you just look different.You filled out for your age."he replied. "DARIEN ENDYMION GAIA!!!"I shouted. "Yes??"he drawled lazily. "YOU....HAVE THE MANNERS AND COURTESY OF-OF...A-A..A TOAD!!"I screamed angrily.How dare the creep say that aloud.... "I meant that as a compliment..."he said. "Yeah??Well you can take your compliments and go drown."I said angrily swimming back to shore. I reached shore and picked up my towel,drying myself off.. I noticed Darien's clothes by the lake and my lips curled slightly as a devious idea formed in my head.... I walked over to the set of clothes and picked them up.Darien Gaia,would just have to walk back to the cabin in his swimming shorts... I held the bundle of clothes and left... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As I walked through the woods,holding his clothes were starting to irritate me as his clothes smelled of his cologne.Probably cinnamon and some other spices...and..wait a minute..roses??? "Get a hold of yourself!!!So he has nice cologne...now keep walking and stop inhaling the cologne."I scolded myself. I smirked...it would probably be a good hour or so before they came out of the water to go home...so Endy wouldn't miss his clothes... Finally reaching the cabin.... I set his clothes down onto the sofa when my cel phone rang... "Hello??"I greeted. "Serenity,darling??"spoke a clear voice. "Mom??"I asked. "Hello sweetie....I'm afraid your father and I can't come back tonight." said my mother. "Why not??Where are you??"I asked. "Oh,darling...we're in the town...a thunderstorm broke out here and we can't go back,because lightning struck the bridge down.The storm is headed your way..I hope everybody is at te cabin alright...So,Mr and Mrs Gaia,your father and I can't come back.We'll be staying at the inn in the village." explained mother. "I-uh...everybody's fine...Hope they repair the bridge soon...."I lied. After I hung up....I quickly grabbed Darien's clothes and some rain coats and headed out.I had to get back to the lake... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was already drizzling slightly when I was half way there...the storm was coming...Oh how I hate storms...especially lightning... As I neared the lake I saw everybody,including Darien,as he was the most noticeble.The rest were wearing their clothes whereas he wore only his swimming shorts. "Serena!!You took my clothes!!"he accused. "Yeah whatever...hurry up and wear them...and the rest of you put on these rain coats!!"I urged."A storms going to hit!!My mom called and said they can't come back from the village as the lightning struck the bridge!!"I told them. "Where are they staying?"asked Endy worried. I was surprised...at that moment,I could actually believe he was not the rude arrogant egoistical jerk I met earlier today... "The inn at the village."I replied. Suddenly a crack of thunder made me jump and cry out.I fell to the ground frightened. Mina bent down and hugged me."Sere-come on...I know you're scared of lightning and thunder...so we better move."she whispered. I nodded shakily. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We ran through the woods trying to reach the cabin as quick as possible.] The rain was coming down already,making the ground,muddy and slippery. I slipped,twisting my ankle.I cried out. "Ow!!!"I shouted. "What's wrong??"asked Mina worried. "I twisted my ankle."I said as I touched it,wincing. Another crack of lightning and thunder caused me to whimper again in fear. So what if Endymion was there watching me in the helpless state...I didn't care...I was shaking with fear. "The wind and rain is picking up."said Malachite in a serious and somber tone. "Can you walk???"asked Raye frantic. I shook my head..I knew tears were running down my face as I tasted them in my mouth... Suddenly,Darien lifted me up in his strong arms.I gave a small squeak of fear and surprise. "C'mon,lets keep moving.We don't want to catch pneumonia now do we??"he asked. A clap of thunder sounded,I gave another squeal and buried my face into his chest. His smell of cinnamon and roses assulted my nose.For a moment since Alan Graham,I felt safe... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We reached the cabin,sopping wet....Darien had carried me all the way back to the cabin...maybe...there was still a spark of the boy I once knew... Darien put me down on the sofa and he and the rest disappeared to change. A chill crept down my bones...I shedded my wet rain coat and jacket. They came back into the living room,wearing dry clothes.Mina was holding a fluffy white towel.Raye,a cozy looking blanket. "Here....use this to dry yourself off."said Mina. "Thanks..."I whispered. I dried my hair,which I took out of it's buns.Raye had already left for the kitchen to fix me a cup of cocoa. "Serenity,how does your foot feel??"asked Endy concerned. "My foot??"I asked blankly. "Yes,...does it feel stiff?Sore?and does your boot feel tight?"he asked calmly and seriously. I frowned,moving my foot slightly,but I winced as soon as I did,for I felt pain shoot up my leg. "Now that you mention it,yes...it does feel all that."I grimaced. "As I expected...your ankle is swelling."explained Darien. "Malachite,can you go to the freezer and get some ice??"asked Darien. "Jadeite,go find some bandages."ordered Darien. The two quickly went...Mina volunteered to help Malachite with the ice. Darien lightly brushed the ankle through the boot,drawing a sharp cry from me. "OWW!!That hurts!!" "Sorry.The swelling is going to make it difficult to remove the boot."he frowned.His brow creased in frustration. "Why are you being so nice??"I asked sharply. "Why ask such a question?I've known you for 12 years."he stated. "Well...you're not the boy I knew..."I said my eyes watering. He smirked.I hated that smirked....it was so annoying."Well...I can say the same for you,Meatball Head." "I told you not to call me that!!"I exclaimed rising from the sofa, forgetting about my swollen ankle. "Eeieeyee!!!"I shouted as I set my weight on foot.Pain shot through my body,I stumbled,collapsing. However,Darien caught me before I hit the floor.I gave a frustrated frown. "Looks like your ankle is sprained pretty badly."he said as he lifted me up with a smirk. "Endy,here's the ice you wanted."said Malachite coming out of the kitchen. "I found the bandages!!"exclaimed Jadeite. Darien set me down on the sofa once more and turned to retrieve the items his friends held. "Alright,first we have to get the boot off....."he said calmly.After putting tons of ice down my boot,I was finally able to take the boot off.. "Alright,Serenity...I'm going have to massage your foot to stop it from swelling anymore,so it's going to sting..."explained Darien slowly. I nodded slowly.I braced myself for the pain to come.Nothing....I cracked open an eye to see Darien taking some rubbing oil and applying it to his hands. Suddenly,he pressed his hands on my ankle.... "OWWWWWWWW!!!!"I shouted. He applied more pressure on my ankle...which seriously hurt.... "Hey!!You're hurting it even more!!"I huffed indignantly. "Sorry Serena,but that's how it's got to be...bear with me awhile...I promise.."he said soothingly... How I hate that smooth and sure voice..... I bit on my lip to stop myself from screaming out whenever he pressed hard into my ankle. I grimaced with each massage...if you can call it a massage. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later,he stopped and placed an ice cube on my ankle,moving it around. The cold on my skin was terrible....Finally after a minute or two,he took the ice away..much to my relief. He then bandaged my ankle. "We'll have to repeat the massage tomorrow...if you're lucky,your ankle will be fine in two days."he informed me. I frowned slightly,then gave a sigh....what had to be done,had to be done. So...I couldn't do activities like swimming and other things...how boring.... Mina and Raye tried their best to cheer me up...their efforts in vain. At least the swelling had gone down... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Next day... Darien offered me a walking stick,he'd made from a branch he'd found in the woods... "It's beautiful..." "I made it myself....I took a class in carpenting."he smiled. "Oh??You want to be a carpenter??"I asked impishly. He merely smiled and gave a shrug..."Your cousin and I are going to check if the bridge has been repaired yet...So we'll see you later..."said Darien putting his dark glasses on. This way...he looked like the arrogant Darien Endymion Gaia who had scared my cat,Luna. I watched as he and Mina roared off in the red sports car.I felt a pang of jealousy towards Mina...wait...ME,jealous of Mina???I think I've been in the house for too long.... I limped towards the lake,where I found Raye,Malachite and Jadeite.They were fishing as the bridge had been knocked out and there was no way to go get food but from the woods. "Serena!!You shouldn't be walking about like this!!"lectured Raye. "I was bored...the three of you went of to the lake like this and Darien and Mina went to check if the bridge has been restored.I'll go nuts if I stay in the cottage like this."I said. Jadeite and Malachite chuckled."Okay...okay..."they laughed in defeat. I sat down wearily beside them.I stared out at the lake....the wind caused ripples to appear on the water's surface.Leaves rustling slightly and birds chirping their timeless tunes....I closed my eyes,my mind wandering. "So Serena...You've known Darien for 12 years??"asked Jadeite. My eyes snapped open."What??"I asked confused. "You've known Endy for 12 years??"repeated Jadeite. I nodded."Yes...I have...but the last time I saw him when he was still in high school..."I told them. "How long have you known Darien??"I asked curiously. "I'm afraid shorter time than you,Serenity."replied Malachite. "We've only known him for 2 years."said Jadeite. "Oh??When he first attended college??"I asked.Now I was really interested. "Yeah..."replied Jadeite. "So...what was he like then??"I prodded. Malachite and Jadeite shared a smile...they aren't going to tell me...I know it. "All the girls fell for him at first sight."stated Jadeite. "He was the heart throb of the collge.Still is."supplied Malachite. I imagined all the girls fawning over him...which wasn't difficult to do, as it was the same when he was in high school... "So...does he have a girlfriend??"I asked. "Darien??Sure he does...but not a steady one..."answered Jadeite. "Why do you want to know anyway??"asked Malachite. "Uh...I'm just comparing to what's he like now and then."I replied."So, Who's his current girlfriend??"I asked. "Nobody yet...I think his last one was Carrie Adams."said Malachite. "No,it was Fiona Hughs."corrected Jadeite. I gave a giggle...Endy sure has been busy the past 2 years... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later.... Endy and Mina returned about 2 hours later... "Well??How's the bridge??"I asked. Darien shook his head."I'm afraid the bridge is still out."replied Darien somberly."How's your ankle??Better??"he asked. "Still a bit stiff and slightly sore."I replied. Raye came out of the kitchen..."There's fresh fish for dinner...so,what type today??Boiled?Fried or baked??"she asked brightly. I laughed..."Better make it boiled Raye....you know how Mina is with cooking."I reminded my friend. Raye laughed and nodded and reentered the kitchen. "What's the joke,Serenity?"asked Jadeite curiously... "Oh,nothing....just that,Mina is a terrible cook...So,if you fry the fish, we're afraid she'll fry it for too long,and if it's baked,she'll bake it to a crisp..."I informed the three men sitting around with puzzled looks. Darien looked positively adorable at the moment... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and relaxed....it had been a lond time since I had a pleasant feeling like it....since Alan Graham's betrayal..... Tears came into my eyes....I shook my head to rid my thoughts of the jerk...he was gone...that was all that mattered... A knock on the door made me look up... "Morning Meatball head."said Darien as he poked his head into the room. I gave a frown."How many times have I told you NOT to call me that???!!!" I asked exaspereated. He chuckled..."Okay,sorry....breakfast is ready sleepy-head.It's already 9.30am...So,how's your ankle??"he asked curiously. Surprisingly,when I movewd my ankle slightly,there was no pain...even the swelling had disappeared. "It's okay!!There's no pain!!!"I exclaimed happily. Darien gave a smile..."Well...I suggest you stay off your feet for the time being...don't want to strain your weak ankle now do we??"he asked. I merely smiled happily. He gave a sigh and closed the door as he left.... I stared at the door...Thanks to Darien,my ankle was healing quickly.... At least more of his sentimental side I knew as a child is coming out, instead of the jerk who took his place when he became a college student... perhaps...just maybe...my best childhood friend still exists in the man,who is now Darien Endymion Gaia....maybe..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later.... My handphone rang.... "Hello??"I spoke into it. "Serenity,dear??"came a voice. "Mom??" "Darling,how are you!!I'm afraid we can't come back to the cottage,seems the bridge will be out for the rest of the trip here....so we'll meet you at the airport when we're leaving okay??"asked mother. "Okay mom....don't worry about us...there's plenty fish here...which I hope we won't get sick of..."I said staring down at my cat,Luna.....at least somebody's happy about the food we eat... A laugh was heard from my phone. "I trust you'll all be fine...you only have to live on fish for another 2 weeks dear....I'm sure you and Endy well get along fine as you did during childhood...I've got to go...goodbye darling..Augusta sends her regards to you and her son...you'll tell him won't you???Anyway...goodbye."finished my mother. "Sigh...just like mom...not letting me get a word edgewise..."I muttered offing my phone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At that moment,Endy walked into the kitchen backdoor,startling me. "Hey Meatball head." "Dimwit!!Don't ever sneak up like that again!!"I shouted. "Your boyfriend called??If you have one that is..."he asked mockingly. "I don't have a boyfriend....but there are plenty others who'd be more than willing to be with me,Dimwit."I said angrily.He was beginning to become the irritatingly annonying Darien Endymion Gaia,I met earlier during the weekend....Like Jekyll and Hyde.So what if it had been my mom??He doesn't need to know that. Darien's face became a mask for a moment,and then it twisted into a smirk. "Whatever you say,little rabbit..."he laughed walking away. "OOoooh....you're so infuriating!!!!!"I shouted after him.But he merely laughed as he walked into the living room. I frowned...but then,it dawned on me,he'd called me 'little rabbit',he hadn't done that since we were kids..... ~FLASHBACK~ An eleven year old Endy ran into the clearing in the woods....it was their hideout whenever they came to the cottage summer house to spend vacation. It was near the lake and was situated in the opposite direction on the cottage. "Serenity!!Serenity!!"cried the young boy.He had dark messy hair and deep blue eyes.A worried expression on his face... "Endymion??"asked a little girl by the age of 7.She had short curly golden locks and clear sky blue eyes....She was shaking and shivering. "Serenity!!Why did you run off??"asked the boy..."Didn't my momma tell you that I was suppose to look after you while they were at the village??" The little girl sniffled a little...The storm was so loud Endy...I was so scared....I'm sorry..."said the young girl sniffling. The boy looked down and smiled."Serenity??Don't cry...I'm not angry...I was just worried...Come on little Rabbit...lets go back..."said the boy taking hold of the girl's hand and leading her back to the cottage.... ~END FLASHBACK~ I smiled slightly as that day slipped away into my memory...had it really been 9 years ago???How time passed so quickly.... Suddenly an idea struck me...I decided to visit the old haven Endy and I once loved so much... I hadn't been there for a long long time........ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I gazed around at the tall trees surrounding the clearing..still as beautiful as ever....I smiled remembering what Darien had once said.... ~FLASHBACK~ "Serena....you see this place,as long as there's love,peace and prosperity in the world....this place's beauty will never,die or fade...but will keep on blooming throughout the years..."said a 13 year old Darien. ~END FLASHBACK~ I sat down on the grass under my favourite oak tree..how I loved that tree....it always held all my good times and bad.... A voice startled me out of my reverie.... "I figured you might be here when I didn't find you in the house or by the lake...."said Darien. "Oh...Endymion..."I said. He grinned."This place brings back fond memories doesn't it....very fond ones....It's still as beautiful as ever..."he said smiling. I gave a giggle."Yes...it is,isn't it....like you said once upon a time... "As long as there's love,peace and prosperity in the world-"I began when Darien cut me off..... "This place's beauty will never die or fade...but will keep on blooming throughout the years..."finished Darien. I smiled...he had a thoughtful look on his face,his eyes turned slightly misty....he looked around the clearing fondly before settling down on the grass next to me... "It's been a long time hasn't it??"I asked. Darien turned to look at me...."Yes it has....Has it really been 2 years already since we last saw each other??"asked Darien. I nodded slightly. "How time flies...in a blink of an eye,you're no longer the little girl I met when I was 8....no longer the Serena Serenity Moon who once klutzed out a lot and was so playful...."said Darien as his eyes became misty once more....his eyes holding a look I didn't recognize...never saw in him before... "Yes...It's been awhile...."I murmured. I looked up,and saw Darien staring at me with a strange look in his eyes. This starled me....it never occured to me his eyes could change from deep blue when he was younger,to the deep midnight blue they were now...no longer a boy is he...but a man.... Our lips crept closer and closer.... Suddenly.... ~FLASHBACK~ One year ago...I knew a boy named Alan Graham,I fell for him almost immediately as he had,for me...or so I thought... But he'd wanted more than I could give,and he was also going out with a girl named Ann Reed.That was when I realized,I had to leave him.... "Alan,I want to break up..."I said firmly. "What??!!"he asked. "I want to break up....I know about you and Ann Reed....so I think it's best you devote your attention to only one girl."I told him. I turned to leave the park....when he grabbed my wrist... "I'm not letting you leave me....if you think you can walk away from here just like that,you're wrong..."he growled through clenched teeth... "Let go of me!!" He pushed me up against a tree and tried to kiss me....it might have been worse if Andrew Brim,one of my good friend's boyfriend,Rita Cunningham hadn't been walking past the park...as it was late and hardly anyone walked into the park at that time.... Alan Graham was sent to prison for attack.I was left a scared child... It took me months to come out of my stupor and trust men again,even if I hated them.... ~END FLASHBACK~ I was about to push Darien away,when a drop fell on me....it was beginning to rain....again. Darien broke away and pulled my wrist.I gave a gasp as I was suddenly tugged away from the clearing back to the direction of the summer cottage. "Come on Meatball head...it's begining to rain!!We don't want to be caught in it!!"shouted Darien. I was helpless but to follow... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We reached the cottage in the nick of time.... The rain poured heavily as we entered the safety of the cottage.... "It's about time you got back!!!We were getting worried!!!"shouted Raye. I said nothing....running upstairs to my room.... I didn't come down until dinner time....Afteer dinner,I stood outside on the porch....the rain had stopped an hour ago....I stared up into the star lit sky and at the mysterious moon....it had always intrigued me... "First time I've seen a moon,staring up at the moon..."joked Darien, coming out to stand beside me. I smiled half-heartedly. "Little Rabbit,what's wrong..??Are you angry at me about today?"asked Darien. The name again...."No...I'm not...just angry at myself..."I said sadly. Darien didn't know about last year....but if I'd kissed him today,I would have told him...told him everything...even how much I'd come to love him. Yes...love him...I realized that when I did some thinking in my room..... I knew he could mend my broken heart,if he wanted too....but he could easily shatter it again as easily as he'd mended it.....could I take the chance?? No...of course not...I didn't want to be hurt...ever again.... "I'm sorry...it's nothing to do with you Endy,just me,"I said lamely. "Want to talk about it??"he offered. "No thanks...."I muttered as I continued to stare up at the moon.... "Okay,Serenity...if you feel that way...."said Darien walking back into the cottage.... I turned to see him enter...his wild midnight hair blowing slightly in the cool breeze that swept through the woods.... How I wish I could run my fingers through it....have him hold me and never let go....but that can never happen now can it??? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The week passed easily...soon,it was time to bid farewell once more... "I'll miss you Aunt Terra...."I said hugging Mrs Gaia,as our families got ready to take the different private planes back to the city...sure we lived in the same city,but we hardly ever met each other there.... I turned to Malachite and Jadeite..."Be seeing the two of you..."I told them. Lastly,I turned to Darien as my mother talked to Mrs Gaia for awhile... "Well...I guess...I'll see you..."I said reluctantly.... "Maybe...in a couple of years or so..."said Darien seriously. I looked up..."Why???"I asked. "I'll be continuing my studies in University...after I graduate from college...meaning by the end of the year." "Darien??" "I'll miss you Little Rabbit..."he said hugging me...I wanted to hold on forever....so much... We both boarded our planes...taking off into the sky as our planes lost sight of each other.... A tear trickled down my cheek. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The months passed.... I hoped I had forgotten all about my love for Endy...but I never did... At the end of the month.... "Serena!!!"shouted mother. "What is it??"I asked groggily,still half-asleep. "You have a letter...it's from Darien.."said my mother. This popped my eyes wide open...I took the letter and thanked my mother before heading back to my room with it.... Dear Little Rabbit, Guess what??Congratulate me!!I graduated from college with the highest grade!!I'll be moving on to University in 2 weeks time....Yes,I know...it's fast...but I have too.... I hear you're siting for your finals soon...wish you luck...you'll need it when you reach college... I guess I'll be busy studying and other things in University,but I'll never be too busy to write my closest childhood pal a letter...Hope you won't be too..... Study hard little rabbit....it's going to be tough in college....I'll miss you and everybody else...Wish me luck with making University friends.... Your childhood pal, Darien Endymion Gaia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I wiped a tiny tear away...."You never had problem making friends,Darien.. I'm sure you'll do great..."I whispered sadly... Two weeks passed by.... I felt guilty and lonely,for not allowing myself to love and lonely for pushing everybody away....Tomorrow,Darien would leave...I stared at the clock as it turned 1.00am.... Darien only liked me as a kid sister...he could never love me the way I love him...and I could never tell him...He'd only laugh at me... My friends tell me they are worrid because I am starting to look pale and hardly have an interest in anything...even my 17th birthday... ~FLASHBACK~ "Endy??"asked a small 10 year old girl with blonde hair... "What is it Serenity??" "You'll always be with me to celebrate my birthday right??" Endymion smiled."Yes....even if I'm not,you'll always recieve a gift from me..." "We'll be friends forever,Endy!!!"shouted the young girl smiling. Endymion merely smiled... ~END FLASHBACK~ "Friends forever..."I whispered...I sat up....did I really want to only be friends forever???I should tell him....even if our friendship might be destroyed in result...At least I didn't run away.... I owed myself that at least....It had taken so long for me to realize,how much Endymion mattered in my life....I didn't want to imagine him with another girl....another girl....another girl...the word repeated itself over and over in my mind... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next day..... At 10.30am,I called the Gaia mansion... "Hello??" "Hello...may I speak with Darien??"I asked nervously. "Oh,I'm afraid you missed him,he left for the airport 20 minutes ago." "When does his flight leave???"I asked panicked. "It leaves in an hour's time."replied the voice. "Thank you..."I said clicking the phone down and running towards the nearest bus stop.... A car pulled up when I reached the bus stop.It was Malachite... "Malachite??"I asked curiously. "Hi Serena...get in...I'm on the way to the airport."said Malachite. Hesitantly I got into the blue sports car. "How did you know??"I asked. Malachite smiled..."Darien was feeling down the past few months ever since we left the summer cottage....I had a feeling it had something to do with you...."said Malachite unsure. Something was not right....Malachite was lying through his teeth when he said he had a feeling.... Nevertheless,she trusted him.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We reached the airport at 11.25am....Oh god....I hope we're not too late. Malachite couldn't find a parking space and told me to get down and hurry to the boarding gates.... "Hurry Serena...hurry....don't lose this chance..."said Malachite. I ran as fast as I could.....My watch said 11.32am when I reached the boarding gates....I felt tears spring in my eyes....I'm too late!!!I scolded myself for being selfish and cowardly....not brave enough to admit I cared. I held myself quietly.... Tears flowed freely down....I made no move to wipe them or do anything... My last hopes for happiness were gone....now Darien would never know...he'd probably come back with a classy girlfriend or something.... I turned to leave...walking away.... A hand touched my shoulder.... I turned to look and saw the deepest blue eyes ever.... "Darien??I thought you left for University!!!"I exclaimed."What are you doing here!!!??" He stared at me..."You've been crying??"he asked with concern. I bit my lip....what did I do now??? Instinctively,I threw my hands around his neck and hugged him tightly... never wanting to let go.... Hesitantly,he hugged me back.....but when he did,he held on as if he was afraid,if he let go,I'd disappear... "Little Rabbit???"he asked. "Endy....I-I..."I struggled to get it out...but the words seemed to be stuck in my throat... ~FLASHBACK~ "Serenity....you're the best friend anybody could have...."said a younger Endymion. "You too,Endy...We'll always be together,forever and ever!!" ~END FLASHBACK~ "I LOVE you!!!"I shouted hugging him again. This time,this struck him speechless....I looked up at him...willing for him to return my love...but he just stared at me.... I pulled away...he'd rejected me....I guess...since he always considered me a kid sister.... When I pulled away,suddenly,he grabbed at my arms...unwilling to let go... he pulled me to him,his arms holding me tightly.... "Endy??"I asked confused. "Serena.....did you mean it??"he asked uncertainly,his eyes searching mine with hope and happiness. "Darien???" "I love you Serena..."he said. It took a moment for my mind to register what he'd just said...."Darien?? D-Do you mean it???"I asked,tears coursing down my cheeks.. He took his thumb and slowly wiped away my tears...."My little rabbit.... of course I mean it...I love you..."he said. Before I could say anymore,he'd swooped down to capture my lips in a kiss. My feet began to feel like jelly as he kissed me.... No one had ever kissed me like this before....not even Alan....but I pushed the ugly memory of him away and concentrated on the present... I heard sounds of whistles and claps....but I didn't care about anything but being here with my Darien Endymion Gaia...... I'd tell him about my past later and worry about the futur later....all that mattered was that he was there and he LOVED me...... From now....I'd gladly take any challenge Lady Fate throws at me,as long as Darien's here with me..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ The End....? Hey!!I'm done!!!I'll be going back to school soon too...whew....well.... watch for my sequel,Childhood Pals 2,the story told in Darien's point of view....and the epilogue that goes with it,is for both stories!!!~