Hi, everyone. This is a new one, that I've been thinking about writing for a long time. You'll notice a slight difference in Darien's age here. He's alittle over 21 in here, so don't fret too much. Enjoy it and let me know what you think of it. Check out my site for updates at: geocities.com/Tokyo/Bay/9408. MOONLIGHT MIRAGE By Lady M Harris Editor: Sun Princess Part One . . . "How do I get Darien to open up and talk to me?" Serena asked Rei as they sat in the diner, sipping their milkshakes. "I knew you were mulling over something, Serena." Rei said pensively. "You've hardly touched your milkshake. It's so odd to see you like this all the time." Serena made face at her, then picked up her shake and sipped it slowly. She could hardly taste it. Of course, nothing interested her much lately. She was beginning to get tired of chasing after Darien, especially with him practically ignoring her and pushing her away since their breakup. In fact, lately she was starting to get very angry with him. How dare he push her away without so much as an explanation! In fact, in an attempt to get her mind off him, she had actually started studying! Can you imagine that? She was starting to get better marks in school now. Miss H. had practically keeled over when she had handed back her last test. A and B-; impossible, she had said to Serena. She was upsetting everyone. "Well, maybe instead of chasing after him, you should just ignore him completely." Rei suggested, as she milled over the situation. "Chad's always hanging around 'cause all I do is ignore him." She chuckled. Deep down though, Rei really did enjoy Chad's somewhat outrageous attempts for her attentions. Of course, she'd never admit that to anyone. She even enjoyed being around him, compared to the other boys. She was comfortable around him, the way you were comfortable with an old pair of jeans. Besides, she remembered the time Chad had shown her a couple of pictures of him and his college buddies in a preppie school. It had shocked her to the core. First, he was way older than she was and with a college degree to boot. The second, and by far the most shocking, was how Chad had looked in the pictures. He was downright, gorgeous without all that hair covering half of his face! He really shouldn't hide it. He had been smiling, but had a distracted look in the picture. His hair was cut short and neat, and his clothes were expensive looking. He laughed; yeah his parents were loaded, he confirmed. Why he was hanging around with her and grandpa at the temple, had become an endlessly intriguing puzzle for her. Rei wasn't sure if Chad really liked her. If he did, it would explain why he was staying with her. And yeah, he joked around and complimented her a lot. Yet, she just wasn't positive about that. She sure as hell wasn't going to make the first move on him, though! And Serena thought she had problems! Rei wasn't even sure what her feelings for him were herself. "Somehow, I don't think that's going to work with Darien. He'll just keep ignoring me as usual." Serena replied sullenly. "Yeah, you're probably right." Rei agreed. Then, she was hit with a flash of inspiration. "Maybe," she began, the wheels turning in her mind. "Yeah?" "Maybe, you need to get him jealous!" Rei piped up as the idea began to take shape. "Yeah, with whom? In case you haven't noticed, most of the guys around here are complete dorks, and all the good ones are taken!" Serena lamented. "It's no use; it wouldn't work." "We could get Chad to play the part, Serena!" Rei said, starting to get excited. Serena looked at her friend in utter shock. "You've got to be kidding! With Chad?! Why would Darien get jealous over him?" She looked over at Rei, "I mean, no offense Rei, but Chad's goofy!" "I know he is, but you haven't seen pictures of him without all that hair hiding his face," Rei continued smiling mischievously. "What do you mean?" Serena asked, curious now. "What I mean, is that there is more to Chad than you and the rest of the Senshi realize!" "What are you talking about, Rei? What do you mean by that?" Serena asked, totally puzzled. What was she up to, Serena thought. "What I mean, is that Chad is way older than us and has been in college! He has a college degree in Computer Science! And get this--we know he's rich, right?" At Serena's wide-eyed nod, she continued, "Well, he showed me pictures of him in college with his friends without all that hair! And guess what?" "What?" Serena asked, her curiosity piqued. "He's drop-dead gorgeous!" "No way! Chad?" Somehow, Serena couldn't picture Chad that way. She tried again and again, failing miserably each time as the comical picture of Chad blossomed in her mind. There were images of him ridiculously chasing after Rei. Chad trying to sing and only causing all the girls to groan in pain as they covered their ears while Rei proceeded to chase him about the temple with a broom. "I swear to God! He looks like a super model!" Rei giggled, blushing a bit as she recalled her own reaction. She remembered blurting out to Chad, why he would hide that foxy, fine face of his. Her eyes had bulged, and she had flushed an embarrassed pink hue as had Chad laughed good-naturally at her response. For a moment, Rei had wondered if he was hiding something, but dismissed the thought. Could Chad actually have a motive for being at the temple? No way, she thought. "Now, all we have to do is convince Chad to go along with the part." Rei said thoughtfully. "You can leave that up to me!" She volunteered herself, smiling. This just might be fun. "Okay, but I'm telling you, it's not going to work!" Serena added doubtfully. Chad a playboy? No way! It defied all logic. "Don't you worry! You'll get Darien back, Serena. You just leave it up to me!" "Dude! There's no way you're going to get me under some shears, Rei!" Chad protested as he, Rei and Serena stood before the deserted barber shop. It had taken all week just to convince Chad to play the part for Serena. All he had done was grumble and moan, stating he would rather play boyfriend to Rei. Chad could be such a baby sometimes, Rei had thought, her temper flaring up. "Oh yes you will, Chad! If you want to stay at the temple, you will!" Rei threatened. Serena giggled at the scene. "You've gotten this far; it's only a couple of steps away, anyhow!" Rei exclaimed in exasperation. Flinging her long, purple-black hair over her shoulders, with her impish nose high in the air, and her eyes flashing dangerously at him, Chad was momentarily stunned. "Rei, babe." Chad began, his voice changing for a moment. It sounded so decisive and authoritative. Rei paused, wondering what had suddenly happened to the Chad she knew. "The only reason why, " he continued; then he saw the look on her face and he changed his voice back, "I let you run all over me, is cause I adore you!" he proclaimed, ardently. Rei looked at him again. For a moment, it had seemed like he was someone else. Someone she didn't know at all. No way. She shook her head, dispelling the doubts as her lips curled with impatience again. She looked over at Serena; even she looked puzzled for a moment. "You got to quit saying that in public! Especially since, you're supposed to be interested in Serena now." Rei almost growled as she grabbed his arm. Serena grabbed his other arm as they pushed the struggling young man into the barbershop. "Oh yeah. Hey! Wait, this is bogus! I can't go through with this!" Chad cried as he was suddenly deposited in the barber chair. "Hello, ladies!" Mr. Fletcher called out in greeting. "Ho, ho, hoooo!" Mr. Fletcher chuckled. "If you want to, ladies," Mr. Fletcher began, sizing Chad's head of hair. "You can go do some shopping. This one is going to take a while!" Chad grumbled as he folded his arms in resignation over his chest. Serena and Rei returned to the barbershop with their arms loaded with packages. For her part, Serena had to get some dazzling new outfits. Rei had picked up lots of suits and casual wear for Chad that she thought would be very fashionable on him. They had giggled, trying to picture Chad looking sophisticated. For the first time since their break up, Serena was beginning to feel a ray of hope. Thank God for friends like Rei. Just wait until they told the other girls! Her appetite had even returned! Unfortunately, she had to skip a cheeseburger at the mall since she spent most of her money on her new outfits. Serena's gaze searched for Chad, but she only saw this incredible looking guy sitting in the waiting room. Rei stood next to her, frozen in place as the guy got up and smiled at them. He winked at her with brilliant, baby blue eyes and walked towards them. Serena's eyes glossed over as she realized who the guy was. Chad! "Well, it looks as if I passed inspection." Chad laughed, his hand rubbing the back of his head, still searching for his hair. His face flushed slightly as Rei continued to stare at him. "Get a grip on yourself, girl!" Serena admonished, hitting Rei on her back. Rei choked out a croak, still gaping. "My God, Rei, this plan is definitely going to work! Darien won't recognize Chad at all!" Serena exclaimed, her heart pounding in excitement as she thought of getting Darien back. It seems to her though, that Rei had just lost her heart completely! And to Chad off all people. Serena silently laughed to herself. "Yeah, Serena." Rei stated, still staring at Chad. "I've never seen you speechless before, Rei." Chad grinned, his eyes crinkling mischievously as he showed off his never-before-seen gorgeous smile. Again, the girls stared, enthralled. "I should've cut my hair long ago if I knew that you'd give me goo-goo eyes like you're doing now!" "Goo-goo eyes?!" Rei snapped, the fog clearing from her brain instantly. "I'll give you goo-goo eyes!" And with that, she smacked him on the arm harshly causing Chad to yelp like a wounded puppy, begging for mercy. Serena and her laughed. Serena suddenly noticed that Rei had actually blushed as she caught Chad's winking eye. She had never seen Rei blush at anything Chad ever did! The following day. . . . "Before I agree to this façade, you have to help me too, Serena." Chad had asked her quietly outside of the arcade. Her and Chad were getting ready to take their places in the charade. Chad had told her that he knew Darien would be at the arcade this afternoon. Rei, Mina, Amy and Lita would be waiting inside the arcade for them, having been appraised of the situation. Andrew had told Rei and Amy that Darien would be by the arcade today to pick up some study guides from him. Darien had specifically asked if Serena would be there at that time, making it obvious he was avoiding her. Serena remembered feeling fire burn out her ears when she had heard that. "Sure, Chad anything!" Serena agreed, smiling. "Well, it's actually a pretty big favor." Chad began, looking at her shoulder. "What do you mean?" She asked, one blond brow arching slightly. "What could be so big that you can't look me in the eye and ask?" Her other eyebrow went up in query. "Well, 'cause I'm not going to do this unless you agree to help make Rei jealous in the process." Chad stated, his eyes suddenly narrowing. "What?!" She gasped out. "Are you nuts? She'll kill me!" She said looking at him, incredulous. She looked inside the arcade and could make out Darien talking to Andrew. Her heart ached as her eyes caressed his dark head. How would she be able to stand doing this to him? She loved Darien with all her heart. "She won't kill you. Besides, she hardly ever notices me." Chad said, imploring her. Serena's eyes went wide. You've got to be kidding, she thought. "Not notice you?" She began, her ire up. "You're as gorgeous as Darien, Chad!" She said, honestly. Chad flushed at the compliment and smiled. "Thanks, but I'm still not going to do this unless you agree. I want Rei for my own, Serena. This is the only way I'll do it; either this way or not at all." Chad said as he put his hands in his pockets. He looked very handsome in his new outfit. He had on beige linen slacks, a beige, ribbed sweater vest over a light grey silk shirt, and rusty color casual dress shoes to complete the ensemble. "You can pretend to be innocent and unaware of it so that you don't get into too much trouble with Rei," Chad bargained. "I'll just pretend to start liking you. You won't have to do a thing." "Oh, well that's easier to live with!" Serena replied sarcastically. "My God, you're serious about this, aren't you?" She asked with a sense of growing shock and horror. At his confirming nod, she wanted to cry out and stamp her feet with a 'no', but refrained from the temptation. "It's gotta look real, Serena." Chad said taking her hand. Suddenly, Serena could feel sweat beading on her forehead. "Remember, this is for Darien too." He said and she nodded. "Smile! You're supposed to like me, babe!" Chad grinned. "Oh yeah." She pasted on a bright smile as they approached the doors to the arcade. "Pretend you don't see him." Chad whispered under his breath to her. She swallowed the rising lump in her throat and then grinned back at him. The playacting began. "Chad, come on! Everyone's waiting for us!" Serena said loud enough for her voice to carry to where Darien and Andrew were chatting. They walked past Andrew and Darien. Their was conversation low and animated, seemly deeply engrossed with each other. Serena burst out laughing at something Chad whispered into her ear. Serena could feel her heart thudding madly in her chest as the conversation died between Andrew and Darien. She could feel two hot coals--Darien's eyes--burning into her back as she and Chad passed by a couple of arcade games to where the girls were waiting in a booth. For an added effect, she intertwined Chad's arm with hers and looked up into his face as he smiled down at her, seemingly enchanted by the girl holding his arm. Serena had no clue what they were talking about. As the other Senshi called out a greeting to them, she and Chad could hear the door slamming. Serena's heart felt like it was about to burst as she released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Chad nodded his head at her as he gazed at the closed doors. "My God, Chad, it worked! It really worked!" Serena breathed out, scarcely able to believe that they had just passed the first charade. "Sure did. He looked ready to put a fist in my face!" Chad laughed as he nudged her towards their group. "Is that you, Chad?" Mina gasped out, incredulous. "I would have never thought. . .!" Lita laughed as her gaze went over Chad's features. "You look very handsome, Chad." Amy stated, smiling. She was just as surprised as everyone else. "Thanks, Amy." Chad grinned, flashing pearly white teeth. This caused all the girls to gape at him, their young hearts fluttering at breakneck speed. "I'm seeing things, aren't I?" Mina exclaimed as she continued to gaze at Chad, wonderingly. "I saw that, too." Lita joined in as Amy, Serena and even Rei nodded. "What?" Chad asked, bewildered. "Never mind, Chad." Rei giggled as she continued to stare at Chad. He really did look absolutely hot today. Oh God, I can't believe I'm thinking that way about him, Rei thought, alarmed. Chad kicked Serena in the foot, under the table. She looked over at him, silently wondering what he was up to. Please not now, she thought, dismayed. "Yeah, well, I can't take all the credit here," Chad began, grinning from ear to ear. "Serena here, looks pretty cute today. It's no wonder Darien got all mad; I would have too if she were my girl!" Serena's eyes bugged forth at the sincere tone in his voice. All the girls giggled, except for Rei. Her face seemed to be set in stone. I'm going to become a pancake if this keeps up, Serena moaned to herself. Rei could feel the turmoil boiling within her. Already, she could feel jealousy gnawing at her insides. She wanted to rant and rave that Serena did not look cute. Chad had never told her that she looked cute! Yet, she knew it wasn't Serena's fault that all the guys wanted to be next to her. Serena had that kind of sunny disposition that appealed to everyone. Chad had just better not start liking her, that's all, Rei thought. Again, she was dismayed with herself. She didn't like Chad, did she? Of course not! Trying to dispel some of the tension that suddenly seemed to fill the air, Lita asked, "So, what's your next move?" "Yeah, what's next?" Mina piped up. "Well," Rei began, joining in the conversation to shake off the unpleasant emotions. "The next step, is to find out what Darien will be doing this weekend." "Dude, that's easy." Chad replied. "You know what he's doing this weekend?" Serena asked, excited. "How do you know so much about what Darien's going to be doing?" Amy asked, puzzled. "Yeah?" Lita and Rei voiced at the same time. "The Java's having a big gig tonight, everyone's going." Chad answered, his dark brow raising slightly. Rei frowned, "Isn't the Java a club?" She asked. "Yes, the biggest and baddest!" Chad replied, picking up his Pepsi to take a sip. "Yeah, but only for people 21 and older." Amy sighed. Sometimes, life just wasn't fair. "Oh don't worry about that!" Rei laughed as another idea came to mind. The girls looked at her in puzzlement. "The Luna pen!" Rei whispered into Serena's ears. Serena's eyes went wide in understanding, and smiling, nodded her head. The other girls caught on, remembering Serena's disguise pen. "Don't worry about a thing, Chad!" Rei said, then added, "You're taking Serena to the Java tonight." He looked startled. "I'll pull some strings and get her in. Now all we need is to come up with a strategy." Rei nodded her head towards the girls. They smiled and put their heads together as they began planning phase two. "Remember our agreement, Serena." Chad whispered to her as they were leaving the arcade. "How could I not?" She said under her breath as she nodded, acknowledging his statement. Tonight, they would testing both Darien and Rei's hearts. Serena felt her stomach twist into knots while trying not to think about hurting Rei. Yet, she wanted Darien back. Chad would end the whole thing right then and there if she didn't go along with the plan. Love could make you do all sort of crazy things, she thought to herself. Stay tuned for part two. . . .Lady M Harris.