Title:Childhood Pals 2 Author:Tapestry E-Mail:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com Rating:PG Standard Disclaimer Apply I remember staring down at the little girl for the first time.Her name was Serena Serenity Moon.She was 4 years old. I was 8 years old that year.My name is Darien Endymion Gaia.I sulked.My mom wanted me to be friends with HER???I was angry at my mother for bringing ,wait...dragging me here,to meet her bestfriend and daughter. "Selene,I''d like you and your daughter to meet my son,Darien..."said my mother. "He's adorable..."said Selene Selenity Moon. "Your daughter takes after you."said my mother. I stared at the little girl who was half my age.I frowned again,sulking. She was peeking from behind her mother's dress,staring at me curiously. Somehow,the little girl was amusing..but I still sulked. "My darling...say hello to Darien."said Selene. "Hello."she said meekly.Her voice had to be the cutest little thing.Her eyes were a beautiful crystal blue. She looked frightened.Probably because I was sulking.I felt like bursting into laughter. Then my mother forced me to go play with Serenity.She asked why I was so dark and sulky looking that I burst into laughter,startling her. Okay..so maybe she's not so bad...she was amusing. We became best of friends in a short while,since out families met every summer at a little cottage far from civilization. I remember,we explored the woods together and stumbled upon a secluded area which was opposite the direction of the cottage.Seperated by a lake. Speaking of the lake...I also remember when I was 16,she'd hidden my clothes to keep me from leaving her alone in the cottage. I had a date with Beryl Prisscon.She'd followed my family and me on the trip.Serena was 12.... ~FLASHBACK~ "Serenity!!Give me back my clothes!!!We have to go back to the cabin!!I've got a date with Beryl!!"I shouted from the water. "No way...I'm not..if I let you go to the town,I'll be left alone in the cabin."said Serena. "Please????Besides,you can't come with us...you're only 12!!"I reasoned. "No.."she replied. "SERENITY!!!"I cried anguishly. ~END FLASHBACK~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luckily,Beryl came along...but I didn't like it when Beryl threathened Serenity,if she didn't return the clothes,she'd tell on her. That's probably what bored me from her.I can't stand tell-tales.Not that it mattered much breaking up with her... At 16,I was the heart-throb of Riviere Academy.But then,who wouldn't if they had my stormy blue eyes and midnight hair. At 12,Serenity was actually very pretty...but I guess she didn't think so. After Beryl,I went out with a girl named Melissa...Boy...I never met such a possesive witchy girl in all my 16 years. I rarely saw my bestfriend at the academy.I did see her once in awhile, like during lunch and once during gym period. She was doing some gymnastics with her cousin,..what was her name??Oh yeah Mina Venusluv.I was practicing basketball. "SLAMDUNK!!"I shouted aloud as I dunked the basketball with perfect ease into the basketball net. After I did that..the dozen or so,starry-eyed girls surrounded me like lovesick groupies...Yeah,that's me...the guy with his own fan club. "Darien!!That was amazing!!"swooned a girl.I merely shrugged. "Oh Endy,that was totally amazing!!"said another.I cringed.The girl had a voice of cow bells... "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.I was about to gag when something else interrupted. A shriek of laughter from Mina.Apparently Serena had been pretending to gag.Every girl looked in their direction. Serenity stopped.She and her cousin blushed bright red and returned their attention to their gymnastics...But not before I managed to catch the eye of my bestfriend.I grinned and winked teasingly at her. Serenity merely shrugged it off,ignoring me...She was probably the only girl who wouldn't give me the time of day....since she grew up with me. Sighing,I let myself get dragged out by the group of over-zealous girls. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four years later... I'm 20 years old and in Riviere College.I'm into my third year.Also my last. Mother informed me,we would be spending the summmer with the Moons.It had been 2 years since I saw Serenity.I wonder what she's like now.My mother told me I could bring a couple of friends to make the trip bearable...what she said. I decided to bring Malachite Williams and Jadeite Rowans.Two of my bestfriends.I met during the first year of college. I guess Serenity was still that cute irritating girl I knew since young. But then...I could be wrong... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I frowned.The Moons were not at the cottage yet.I was bored waiting for my old bestfriend to show up..turning to my friends,"Hey..lets check out the town."I said. "I'm there,Endy."said Jadeite.Malachite shrugged."Sure.."he replied. Jumping into my red sports car,we drove off. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An hour and a half later... I was about to pull up to the cottage when I saw three girls,one with raven hair and 2 blondes.One was holding a cat and had the queerest hairstyle I'd ever seen. Annoyed they were standing there,I let out a loud beep from the car,the girl with the meatballs was startled and fell,her cat who was probably frightened scampered off into the woods. "Luna!!"she cried anguishly. The cat disappeared into the woods.Then,the girl turned to stare at me. You could tell she was angry.Her clear blue eyes flashing dangerously. Somehow,a queer feeling told me I knew the girl.I stared at her as she marched over to the car.Her 2 friends were gawking at my friends and I. When she reached,she frowned slightly,her eyes turning more curious than angry.She looked as if she was trying to remember something. But then,her eyes flashed with life again.Her anger was back... "What in the world do you think you're doing,beeping the horn like that and scaring off my cat!!"she shouted. I smirked.She couldn't see my eyes since they were covered with dark glasses.But if she could,she'd see I was trying to remember too. "Sorry Meatball head."I said smirking.I retaliated the only way I knew. "You're not the least bit SORRY!!"she sputtered angrily.How did she know? But I had to admit.She looked cute. I took off my dark glasses to stare eye to eye."Well...I apologized,but if you don't want to except it,too bad."I replied calmly. Now she was staring at me with a look I couldn't decipher. "C'mon Endy,lay off on her."said Malachite. Her eyes were going wide now.As if she couldn't believe her eyes. "Yeah,Endy."agreed Jadeite. I wanted to chuckle badly now.Her jaw was hanging open. "Did you just call THIS-this...egoistical jerk,Endy????Please say my ears decieve me."she said frantically...panicking. "Sorry,you heard correct,Meatball Head."I replied curtly. She was now staring at me with a look of horror on her face.Her crystal eyes wide and focused.Why did I have the feeling I knew those blue eyes?? But then,something snapped...Wait...she couldn't be...could she?I stared at her. "Please tell me,you're NOT who I think you are."I told her. She frowned."Who do you think I am??"she asked. Looks like her..well I guess the only way to be sure is...ask..I thought dreading. "Serena??"I asked uncertainly. "Bingo..."she acknowledged sarcastically. No way!!THIS was Serena Serenity Moon???She was gorgeous!!A perfect petite hour-glass shaped body with long golden hair tumbling down.Her eyes angry and flashing and her lips were in a cute pout. "Y-You've...uh...changed."I said,looking her up and down. "I can say the same for you,"she said icily.Ouch..that one hurt. "C'mon Mina,Raye...we have to find Luna!!"she said anxiously to her friends. Oh,so the other blonde was Mina her cousin!!! I watched Serenity and the other 2 girls walk off towards the woods. I sighed and got out of the car. "You know her?"asked Jadeite. I nodded. Malachite could only chuckle."Hey,the brunnete is cute!!Beautiful even," said Jadeite. I rolled my eyes.Even Malachite seemed to have a dreamy look. "I thought the other blond was cute."admitted Malachite.I threw my hands up in the air with exasperation and walked into the house,with Jadeite and Malachite behind me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the cabin.. "Oh,darling...there you are!"said my mother."Did you see Serenity and her friends??" I nodded. "Okay...tell them her parents and us are heading to the town.We'll be back tomorrow."said my mother. I merely nodded. "Okay,goodbye honey."said my mother.Closing the door behind her. I got up and went into the kitchen to get a drink.Jadeite and Malachite had gone upstairs. Suddenly,I heard the front door slam close.Now I wonder who that could be. I saw Serena come in frowning. "Hi Serena."I said behind her. She turned to face me."Where's our parents?"she asked. "They went into to town."I replied smirking.I sat down on the chair and took a sip out of my drink. She frowned slightly and then stormed off upstairs,holding her cat. Just then,the door opened and slammed again.I saw Serena's friends walk in.I shrugged. Just then,Malachite and Jadeite came down stairs. Mina suddenly asked.."Say,would you guys like to go for a swim??" I shrugged.Malachite was silent.Jadeite agreed. "That means Meatball head will here alone."I said not looking up.Mina looked at me."Why?" "Because if I'm there...she's not going."I explained. "Leave that to us.You guys just meet us at the lake."said Raye a twinkle in her eyes. I shrugged.Why did I have the feeling they had a little scheme,in their little heads??? The two girls trudged upstairs. We went upstairs taking what we needed and were outside before you could say swimming geese. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Moments later, We were swimming about in the water when the 3 girls arrived.I was resting by the side.I couldn't resist to tease Serena. "So...you decided to come,Meatball head."I mocked. "Do not make fun of my hairstyle,frogface."she threathened. I shrugged and swam out.She stood there looking at somthing.A faraway look in her eyes. Her friends jumped in.Calling to her... "Hey Sere!!You getting in????"shouted Mina. "Yeah Serenity...are you getting in??"asked Raye. I saw her roll her eyes and then jump into the lake with perfect ease and grace.She had really changed. Swimming closer to her.... "So Meatball head...what have you been up to??"I asked mockingly. She glared at me."Stop calling me that name,"she bit out. "Awww..I'll call as I please little meatball..You're what??Sixteen right?" I asked mocking. "What's it to you??"she grounded. "Nothing..you just look different.You filled out for your age."I replied. Did I really SAY that????How embarrassing... "DARIEN ENDYMION GAIA!!!"she shouted at me. "Yes??"I drawled lazily.You oaf!!How can you still look so calm??My mind screamed at me. "YOU....HAVE THE MANNERS AND COURTESY OF-OF...A-A..A TOAD!!"she screamed angrily.I know..I know...Geez...I actually had the gall to say it aloud.I thought to myself. "I meant that as a compliment..."I said. "Yeah??Well you can take your compliments and go drown."she said angrily swimming back to shore. I don't blame her...I really should take my compliments and go drown... I saw her swim back to shore.I sighed...messed up again...I dived under water.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After Serena left.... Mina was throwing water at me."Darien...How could you say THAT aloud??" "Sorry!!My mouth ran away with me!!"I protested. "Sigh...Endy...you're such a jackass."said Malachite. "I know..I know.."I admitted."But that doesn't mean ALL of you can throw water at me!!"I laughed retaliating.Then a water fight occured... Shrieks of laughter errupted from the lake. Suddenly,a cold wind swept across the water surface.I shivered slightly. Brrrr...where did THAT come from??I wondered. "Hey..it's getting cold all of a sudden!!" "We noticed.."said Mina shivering slightly."Lets go back." Everybody agreed and we swam to the water's edge. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When we reached there..I found my clothes missing,and it was beginning to get colder.I shivered slightly.I remembered the last time this happened... Serena.... "Looks like Sere took your clothes for revenge,Gaia."laughed Mina. "Oh be quiet."I growled. What else could happen????Something that was worse than your old bestfriend who you've infuriated and took revenge by making you have to walk back in your swim shorts??Nothing right???Wrong!!!It just had to drizzle... That was when I heard crunching of boots.I looked up and saw Serena.She was carrying my clothes,and a lot of rain coats... "Serena!!You took my clothes!!"I accused. "Yeah whatever...hurry up and wear them...and the rest of you put on these rain coats!!"she 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!!"she told us. "Where are they staying?"I asked worried. This surprised her.Guess she was surprised that I even bothered to ask. But then...2 of the people stranded in the town were my parents!!What was I to say??? "The inn at the village."she replied curtly. Suddenly a crack of thunder made her jump and cry out.She fell to the ground frightened.I distinctively remembered she had a fear of storms. Mina bent down and hugged her."Sere-come on...I know you're scared of lightning and thunder...so we better move."she whispered. She nodded shakily. I felt sorry for her.She had to come out and risk her neck...she was brave alright...especially if she was afraid of storms. I sighed and watched as she shakily stumbled through the path. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 watched as Serenity was running as fast as humanly possible.But then, she slipped,and cried out. "Ow!!!"she shouted. "What's wrong??"asked Mina worried. "I twisted my ankle."she said as she touched it,wincing. I felt sorry for her.I was about to say something when suddenly.... Another crack of lightning and thunder caused her to whimper again in fear. She was shaking...right now,she didn't look like the Serenity who had shouted at me for scaring off her cat.She looked frail and vulnerable.I watched as Malachite stared up at the sky. "The wind and rain is picking up."said Malachite in a serious and somber tone. "Can you walk???"asked Raye frantic. Serenity shook her head.A sad look on her face. I gritted my teeth and swept her up into my arms.Serena gave a squeak, her hand clutched onto me. I wanted to laugh. "C'mon,lets keep moving.We don't want to catch pneumonia now do we??"I asked the group. A clap of thunder sounded,Serena gave another squeal and buried her face into my chest.I smiled slightly.I looked down slightly and saw her face buried whilst her wet blonde hair hung limply in a tangled mess. Holding her tighter to me,I continued on after the others who were already beginning to walk at a fast pace again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the cabin... We reached the cabin sopping wet.I had carried Serena all the way back to the cabin.And boy...were my arms tired. I laid her down on the sofa and followed the others upstairs to our respective rooms to change into something warm and dry. Jadeite nudged me slightly."So...I gather you like her??"he asked. I glanced at him suspiciously."I have no idea what you're talking about." I said calmly.However,my heart was thudding against my chest at an almost unhealthy rate. "Sure you don't.."said Jadeite sarcastically. I rolled my eyes in exasperation and threw on a blue sweater.Ah...to be in dry clothes again...a heavenly feeling... I stepped out of the room and went back downstairs to the living room, where Mina was handing Serena a fluffy white towel and Raye coming with a thick blanket. "Here....use this to dry yourself off."said Mina to Serena. Serena accepted it thankfully,mouthing her thanks. I watched as Serena took her hair out of it's meatballs to dry it.Her wet golden hair cascaded down her back. "Serenity,how does your foot feel??"I asked concerned,making myself known. Serenity stared up at me."My foot??"she asked blankly,staring up at me. She made such an adorable picture,her blonde hair all ruffled and wet and she with a confused look on her face. "Yes,...does it feel stiff?Sore?and does your boot feel tight?"I asked calmly and seriously,hiding my amusement. She frowned slightly,moving my foot slightly,but ever so slowly.As soon as she did so, she winced,a painful look on her face. "Now that you mention it,yes...it does feel all that."she grimaced. "As I expected...your ankle is swelling."I explained calmly. "Malachite,can you go to the freezer and get some ice??"I asked. "Jadeite,go find some bandages."I ordered. The two quickly went...Mina volunteered to help Malachite with the ice. I lightly brushed her ankle through the boot,drawing a sharp cry from her. "OWW!!That hurts!!"she exclaimed glaring at me. "Sorry.The swelling is going to make it difficult to remove the boot."I told her frowning.My brow creased in frustration. "Why are you being so nice??"she asked sharply. "Why ask such a question?I've known you for 12 years."I stated. "Well...you're not the boy I knew..."she said her eyes beginning to water. I smirked."Well...I can say the same for you,Meatball Head." "I told you not to call me that!!"she exclaimed rising from the sofa, forgetting about her swollen ankle. "Eeieeyee!!!"she shouted as she set her weight on foot.I wanted to laugh. She stumbled,collapsing. However,of course,you didn't expect me to let her fall flat on her face did you??I caught her before she hit the floor.She gave a frustrated frown. I grinned lightly. "Looks like your ankle is sprained pretty badly."I said as I lifted her up with a smirk. "Endy,here's the ice you wanted."said Malachite coming out of the kitchen. "I found the bandages!!"exclaimed Jadeite. I set me down on the sofa once more and turned to retrieve the items my friends held. "Alright,first we have to get the boot off....."I said calmly.After putting tons of ice down her 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..."I explained slowly. She stared at me and grimaced. She nodded slowly,bracing herself for the pain to come.She cracked open an eye to see. I smirked.Not rubbing her ankle yet...I took some rubbing oil and applyed it on my hands. I the pressed my hands into her ankle without warning drawing a sharp cry from her..... "OWWWWWWWW!!!!"she shouted. I applied more pressure on the ankle...I knew it hurt.But there was no other way. "Hey!!You're hurting it even more!!"she huffed indignantly. She looked adorable this way. "Sorry Serena,but that's how it's got to be...bear with me awhile...I promise.."I said soothingly... She frowned at me but said nothing... I noticed she bit on her lip to stop herself from screaming out whenever I pressed hard into her ankle. She grimaced with each rub. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later,I stopped and placed an ice cube on the ankle,moving it around. After a minute or two,I removed the ice...and Serena let a sigh of relief I then bandaged her ankle. "We'll have to repeat the massage tomorrow...if you're lucky,your ankle will be fine in two days."I informed her. She frowned slightly,then gave a sigh of defeat.I smiled at her.Shaking my head,I walked away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That night,I lay in my bed,pondering.Serenity had really changed since I'd last seen her.But then,everybody changed. Serenity had become a ravishing beauty who could take anybody's breath away.She had wits and a temper to match. What had happened to the little shy silent girl,who had once been my friend??What had changed Serena so drastically till she was wary of men and despised them? He used to love and care for Serena like a little sister.And I still do, argued his mind. But then,why did he have this funny feeling whenever she laughed at Jadeite's jokes or playfully joked with Malachite??And why was she so damn infuriating???Serena could always bring out the worst in him.Also the most childish and mischievious side of him. He hated not knowing and cowering away from a problem...Ah..what the hell, just go to sleep,Gaia....who knows what Serenity can do to my mind?? So,go to sleep and avoid a painful headache...scolded his brain...with that,Darien plopped his head on his pillow and fell fast asleep.... (Note:Isn't that like a man??Joking!!:} ) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Next day... "It's beautiful..." "I made it myself....I took a class in carpenting."I smiled.I watched Serena gape at the walking stick. "Oh??You want to be a carpenter??"she asked impishly,staring at me curiously. I 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..."I said putting my dark glasses on. I smirked at her expression.She was staring at me oddly again.I can never but help wonder what goes through the little impish mind of hers... The mind that always got us into trouble it did... ~FLASHBACK~ A 10-year old Darien panted...his breath was ragged...he had been running all morning to try and keep up with a 6-year old imp,who ran like a forest pixie. "Serenity...*gasp* w-wait..*pant*...up.."gasped Darien. "C'mon Endy!!I found the bestest mud puddle in the whole world!!" Endymion gave a weak smile at her enthusiasm."But,we're not allowed to jump into puddles..."protested Endymion. "Who says we're jumping in them??We're just gonna accidently fall splat in them and since there's no use in wasting a perfectly good puddle,we played!" laughed Serenity still running. Endymion shook his head. Serenity took off again. "Hey!!Wait!!" ~END FLASHBACK~ I grinned at the memory.Starting the engine,I stepped on the clutch and Mina and I roared away towards the broken bridge. Mina's hair was flying wildly in the wind. "So,Mina...what have you Serena been doing??"I asked curiously. Mina turned to me and stared at me."Oh,nothing..."said Mina flatly. Why did I have the distinct feeling,Mina was lying??? "Say...can you answer my question..?" "I'll try."said Mina. "Why is Sere so cautious of men and acts like she despises them all of a sudden?"I asked. Mina stared at me...a emotion flickered past her eyes...a sad one..as if she remembered something... "Why ask me??I don't know."bit out Mina. Okay...so that question is a no-no... "Sere's changed a lot hasn't she??" "Yes...she has."said Mina quietly. "Mmm-hmm...she's not the little girl I once knew.She's more sure and mature now.In fact..I haven't seen her klutz out once!!Well...not since 11-years old..."I said thinking. Mina burst out into laughter."True..true...I remember when we were kids in elementary school...Serena use to klutz out all the time.Once she'd insisted her mother,Aunt Selene,to buy her a dress which was too long for her.She stepped on the skirt and fell flat on the ground!!"laughed Mina. I chuckled at the thought. "Say...since when did Serena start keeping that strange hairstyle??"I asked curiously. Mina burst out laughing. I stared at her flabbergasted. "Oh...dear..sorry...it's just a long story."said Mina wiping tears away. I smiled."We have time...." "Okay...Serena when she was 13 had a weird notion she wanted to have hair like Rapunzel's.." "Uh-huh.." "She'd braid the hair up,until she was 14 and a half,her hair became too long to braid.So she'd leave it half-done.The braids would always come undone and then she'd trip on them.But one day,something else happened,the braids came undone as usual,but this time she'd tripped a teacher and 3 students into the pool.From that day on,she decided to put them in that unique hairstyle." "You mean to say,she tripped 3 people and a teacher into the pool with her hair????" Mina nodded. I sighed...Meatball head...seems she led quite a eventful past 4 years. Sure I saw her once in awhile.But not always. It had been 3 years since their families had had a vacation together. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2 hours later.... Mina and I entered the cottage and Serena was looking at me expectantly. "Well??How's the bridge??"she asked. I shook my head."I'm afraid the bridge is still out."I replied somberly. "How's your ankle??Better??"I asked. "Still a bit stiff and slightly sore."she replied.She smiled slightly. I was about to say something else when Raye came out of the kitchen. "There's fresh fish for dinner...so,what type today??Boiled?Fried or baked??"she asked brightly. Serena laughed..."Better make it boiled Raye....you know how Mina is with cooking."she reminded her 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..."she laughed. All three of us stared at her curiously.She gave a giggle and got up. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I sat in the living room reading in the early sunlight.It was 9am.I wondered if Serenity was awake yet.However,Mina assured she wouldn't be up b before 9.30am. "Darien!!I can't believe you're reading a-a..PHYSICS book during..SUMMER no less!!"gasped Mina as she entered the living room. I looked up and grinned. She snatched the book away."This is a vacation!!Not a summer schooling course!!" I shrugged."I like to read it to kill time..."I admitted whole-heartedly. "Besides..aren't you and Raye suppose to be making breakfast???" "We're done."said Mina. "B-But..I thought you said it'd be ready by..9.30am..."I said staring at my watch."It's only 9.30am...not...wait..9.30AM ALREADY????"I said staring at the watch. "I thought I'd been reading the book for only 5 minutes...this darn watch has got to be broken."I said aloud tapping the watch.."Nope..still running." said Darien who looked down at his watch flabbergasted. "Endy...will you go and wake Sere??"asked Raye coming out of the kitchen pulling her apron off. But hey...a chance to wake Serena??I don't mind.I thought to myself smiling. I walked upstairs and knocked on the door. "Morning Meatball head."I said poking my head into the room. She frowned slightly."How many times have I told you NOT to call me that??!!"she asked exasperated.She looked positively adorable. She sat on the bed,in her flannel pajamas and her hair was tousled in a disarray.a sleepy look on her face. I chuckled..."Okay,sorry....breakfast is ready sleepy-head.It's already 9.30am...So,how's your ankle??"I asked curiously. She flexed her ankle slightly...then,her face burst into a smile. "It's okay!!There's no pain!!!"she exclaimed happily. I gave a smile...She looked so darn cute with that smile on her face. "Well...I suggest you stay off your feet for the time being...don't want to strain your weak ankle now do we??"I asked in a teasing tone. She merely smiled happily. I gave a sigh and closed the door as I left.... I looked at the door and shook my head.Serenity had sure become a flighty bird.But then,she had always been this way....maybe I never noticed because I never paid attention... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later... I walked along the lake smiling at the memories it brought back... ~FLASHBACK~ "And one day,the lady spirit of the lake will arise to find the one who killed her!!"said an 11-year old Endymion. "Not true!!"huffed a 7-year old Serenity."Nobody died here,Endy!!You're a big liar!!"shouted Serenity. "How would YOU know if anybody died here before??"challeged Endy. "Mommy says,dragons and ghosts don't exist...so I'm not believing a thing you say Endy!!" ~END FLASHBACK~ Darien chuckled to himself.Those were the days...ah...to be young again. To be innocent and playful.He hadn't done it in a long time. He squinted slightly trying to see the little hide-away clearing that was situated oppsite the side of the lake he was standing.It was well hidden by trees. ~FLASHBACK~ "Hey Serenity!!Look at what I found!!"exclaimed a 10-year old Endymion. "What??"asked a young 6-year old girl with curly gold hair. "A clearing in these woods!!A perfect ROUND one too!!!" "It's so pretty here!!" "Yeah!!This'll be our secret spot!!Nobody will know of it except us!!You promise??"asked Endymion looking at Serenity. Serenity smiled and nodded. ~END FLASHBACK~ I smiled.Picking up a stone...I threw it over the water as the stone skipped 5 times before sinking. Guess I'll head back to the cottage... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I opened the cottage's kitchen door,startling Serena who was there.She was clutching a handphone. "Hey Meatball head." "Dimwit!!Don't ever sneak up like that again!!"shouted Serenity. "Your boyfriend called??If you have one that is..."I asked mockingly. But at the same moment,I felt my heart thud painfully in my chest.A strange feeling rising like tidal wave. "I don't have a boyfriend....but there are plenty others who'd be more than willing to be with me,Dimwit."she said angrily. She's right...who wouldn't want to be with her??Even I,tease her because I want to spend time with her.Even if it were the briefest moments. I snapped out of my thoughts and smirked. "Whatever you say,little rabbit.."I laughed walking away. "OOoooh....you're so infuriating!!!!!"I heard her shout after me.But I merely laughed as I walked into the living room. She was so cute sometimes....I smirked inwardly...'little rabbit..'I haven't called her that nickname since we were little children. Maybe I should apologize to her for calling Meatball head.She really looked miffed back there. But then,I don't blame her...after all,I started the whole fiasco.Wait!! Endymion Gaia,what in the world are you thinking??? YOU??Responsible for the whole name-calling fiasco??Definately NOT!!If she hadn't stood in the middele of the drive way,I wouldn't have beeped the horn... I was broken out of my mental arguing when I heard the kitchen close. Somebody must be back..... Just then,four people walked into the living room,through the front door. "Hey Endy...where's Sere?"asked Mina. My mind went back to the closing of the kitchen door.Serena must have went out... "I think she just went out."I told them. "Oh??But the clouds looked pretty dark.I think another storm is brewing." informed Malachite. "So..you want us to find her??"I asked. All 4 nodded. I sighed...that Serenity was so troublesome sometimes...she could be anywhere... "Lets check the lake."said Raye. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When we reached the lake...we found not a single soul. "She's not here...where could she be??"asked Mina. "The woods are vast...she could be anywhere."answered Jadeite. A thought hung in my head...the old hide-away clearing...she wouldn't be JUST anywhere. "Lets split up."I told the group. They agreed...and off we went... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I smiled at the thought...Serena had loved that little old clearing,since young.She had to be there... ~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~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When I reached the clearing,I saw her sitting underneath her favourite oak tree...she used to cry there... She looked deep in thought...a tiny smile on her face. "I figured you might be here when I didn't find you in the house or by the lake...."I said to her. "Oh...Endymion..."she answered. I grinned."This place brings back fond memories doesn't it....very fond ones....It's still as beautiful as ever..."I said smiling. She 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-"she began when I cut her off.....I remembered that..I told her that...I'm surprised she even remembered..... "This place's beauty will never die or fade...but will keep on blooming throughout the years..."I finished. ~FLASHBACK~ A 13-year old boy and a 9-year old girl sat in the clearing.Laughing and joking to their hearts content. "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 looked around,remembering those olden times...times when we were young. I smiled slightly.Settling down on the grass next to Serena. "It's been a long time hasn't it??"she asked me suddenly. I turned to look at her...."Yes it has....Has it really been 2 years already since we last saw each other??"I asked. She 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...."I said as my eyes became misty once more....How I love her....WAIT!!Did you just say LOVE,Darien Gaia????? "Yes...It's been awhile...."she murmured. She looked up,I stared at her intently.My eyes swept over her face,her crystal blue eyes and golden silk hair....So beautiful....how could I be falling for my old childhood friend??This slip of a girl....perhaps, providence had a strange way of telling me something.... Our lips crept closer and closer....My heart was thudding rapidly. Then,she hesitated...she was about to pull away from me when a drop of rain hit my head....brrr...the cool raindrop startled me. Quickly,I broke away and got up.Clutching her wrist,I pulled her into a run.She gave a gasp. "Come on Meatball head...it's begining to rain!!We don't want to be caught in it!!"I shouted to her as we ran.Heading for shelter... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just as we entered the cottage,the rain bgan to pour down heavily.I breathed a sigh of relief,releasing her wrist. I noticed the angry and worried faces of 4 irritated people... "It's about time you got back!!!We were getting worried!!!"shouted Raye. Serena said nothing and me being too tired to answer Raye,plopped down on the couch and fell asleep at Raye's nagging.I distinctly heard somebody run up the stairs... But my mind was too tired to register who....I fell to a dreamless nap... I awoke at dinner...not because I wanted to,but because of the constant pushing of 2 very irritating friends,... Jadeite and Malachite. I gave a yawn and stumbled into the kitchen. Serena and I were silent,whereas the other 4 were making polite conversations with one another.I looked up at Serenity a few times.She seemed to be staring at her food,playing with it. I heard her cat mew. Serena looked down and smiled slightly.Picking up a piece of food and feeding her... I smiled...Serenity had always liked animals... ~FLASHBACK~ A 14-year old Darien and 10-year old Serena made their way to the clearing when Serena spotted something moving. Serena gave a shriek of delight and ran towards it.Following her...Darien gave a gasp... "Sere!!"shouted the young boy. A giggling Serenity ignored her friend's shouts. Endymion grabbed at the struggling 10-year old's waist and held her firmly. "Let go!!" "No..that's a porcupine!!"said the young boy struggling against the struggling girl. ~END FLASHBACK~ I chuckled lightly at the memory... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After dinner...Serena walked outside onto the porch.It had stopped raining.I followed Serena outside.I saw her staring up at the moon.She looked so beautiful and innocent as the moonlight washed over her features. "First time I've seen a moon,staring up at the moon..."I joked. She said nothing.Smiling half-heartedly.God,she'd beautiful.... She's probably still angry or upset over what happened at the woods earlier...Sigh,...I don't want her to be angry...Doesn't match her features. "Little Rabbit,what's wrong..??Are you angry at me about today?"I asked sadly. She looked up.Her eyes held so much sadness and pain in them...Love can do crazy things to your mind,couldn't it??Yes..I love her..with all my heart. Not the little innocents we were,but young adults.The playful and friendly emotion no longer there...replaced by something more...powerful...stronger.. more...intimate....love.. "No...I'm not...just angry at myself..."she said sadly.Such pain in her voice...Serenity...if only you knew...if only I could tell you.... "I'm sorry...it's nothing to do with you Endy,just me,"she said,turning back to look at the moon... "Want to talk about it??"I offered.If only you'd let me understand you Serena...let me in your hard shell...let me...love you.. "No thanks...."she muttered as she continued to stare up at the moon.... I gave a sigh...but that'll never happen will it???She doesn't feel the same way....no...she just thinks of me as the irritating older brother... and she,the little sister...nothing more,nothing less.... "Okay,Serenity...if you feel that way...."I said walking back into the cottage.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The week passed easily...soon,it was time to bid farewell once more... I watched as she hugged my mother... "I'll miss you Aunt Terra...."she said hugging mother....I wouldn't see her in the city...we hardly crossed paths... How ridiculous...I'm going to University after that...how can I even think to even have a relationship...?? I tuned out as she said something to Malachite and Jadeite... ~FLASHBACK~ "No!!I don't wanna go!!I wanna stay with Endy!!"screamed a 10-year old, Serenity. "Darling...we have to go back...school's,starting honey.."said Selene Moon. "No!!I hate school!!I wanna stay here!!I don't wanna go back to that place!!Everybody hates me!!Mommy!!I don't want to g-" Selene Moon picked her daughter up and boarded the plane..Serena,screaming her dislike. A 14-year old Endymion watched as his bestfriend was taken on board the plane and the plane lifted off.. ~END FLASHBACK~ I snapped my attention back to the goodbyes.. Serena stopped in front of me... "Well...I guess...I'll see you..."she said reluctantly.... "Maybe...in a couple of years or so..."I said seriously. She looked up..."Why???"she 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..."I said hugging her...and I would!!I would. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Months passed. Exam was over.I did well...despite my wandering mind.I miss Serenity. I wonder how she's doing??I wonder if she got my letter?? But why worry??I'm leaving soon...in 2 weeks...I'll never see this city for a few years... I'm so pathetic... I love Serena...but I don't dare tell her...I'm so pathetic.... Malachite and Jadeite,think so too.... But she doesn't love me that way right??I thought so.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2 weeks passed... Today is the day,...I leave..My fllight leave's at 11.30am.How I wish I dared to pick up the phone and call Serena.Tell her goodbye and my feelings. But I don't dare... I'm so pathetic... "Goodbye Darien!!Study hard!!"shouted my mother as I took the cab to the airport. "I will mother!!Take care of yourself and father!!!" "I will honey!!We love you!!" "Goodbye mother!!"I shouted as I waved to my mother who stood in the driveway.... Malachite had said I should tell her..I said no....I am a coward.Maybe that's why,I'll never experience...true love... Some people say it's better to love and lost,than never to have loved at all...but I've felt it...but never experienced it...so..does it count?? Serena.... I'll miss you... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I look at the watch,11.25am...time to board the plane. ~FLASHBACK~ "You're such a sissy Darien Endymion Gaia...a coward and a pretty pathetic person.. For once...you should face the music of love,instead of pushing it away... For once...embrace love and give it a try... If you run away now..you'll regret it forever!!"shouted Malachite. "Leave me alone!!" ~END FLASHBACK~ The words had stung...they'd hit right on the spot....I am a coward.I should face love... Never ever run..... I made up my mind not to run...not to go...now I had to find a phone booth... Turning...I saw a dejected looking Meatball head walking away,from the entrance gate,I was suppose to enter. Walking up to her...I touch her shoulder... She turned and her eyes go wide.... "Darien??I thought you left for University!!!"she exclaimed."What are you doing here!!!??" I stared at her...Her eyes were red and her cheeks were wet."You've been crying??"I asked with concern. She bit her lip.... I stared at her for a moment...when suddenly,she threw her hands around my neck,hugging me.All of time stopped for a moment at that time... Somehow..my hands wound themselves around her tiny waist.. "Little Rabbit??"I choked. "Endy....I-I..."she began struggling with the sentence and trying to find the right words. I stared at her.My mind was numb.I could only stare at her curiously. "I LOVE you!!!"she shouted hugging me again. I stared down at her,mute with joy...she looked up at me...hope in her eyes.But then...her eyes grew sad and she began to pull away. My mind protested,and I held her tighter..drawing her into my arms. She was a bit surprised. "Endy??"she asked confused. "Serena.....did you mean it??"I asked uncertainly,my eyes searching hers with hope and happiness. "Darien???" "I love you Serena..."I admitted to her.Okay okay...so..she said it first! BIG DEAL!! She stared at me..mutely... "Darien??D-Do you mean it???"she asked,tears coursing down her pink cheeks I took my thumb and slowly wiped away her tears...."My little rabbit.... of course I mean it...I love you..."I said again.There..I said it... She stared at me again. I just then,had a sudden urge to kiss her...so I did... My mind grew hazy as the taste of her lips and mouth intoxicated me so, like a drink of good champagne. Dimly...I heard whistles and claps from all around us...so what??I only have to enjoy what's happening now!!Who cares if I missed my plane??I can study right HERE!!I don't have to fly to GOD knows where in the world to study...Only thing that mattered was...Serena and now... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Epilogue.. "Reeny!!"shouted Serena. I laughed as Serena,my wife chased our active 2 year old daughter around in the garden. Serena glared at me,with an 'I think you're in big trouble' expression. I immediately ceased laughing and got up to help my lovely wife with our very troublesome daughter....reminds me of a certain 'someone' I know... Chuckling at my thoughts I run towards Reeny,playing the 'big monster' and she squeals happily and runs evenm faster...much to Serena's annoyance..but I know my wife...she wouldn't have it any other way... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ The End.. That's the end of Childhood Pals. :)) Wishing all of you uh...a good time back at school!!! :) *sheepish grin*