Bravery and Confession Part 2 --- Congratulation Serena By: Neo-Queen Serenity E-mail: Serenausako@hotmail.com Webpage: http://crystaltokyo.cjb.net "How are you feeling today, Serena?" a hand lightly rested on Serena’s shoulder. She was Lita, who just walked into her morning English class, and sat on a seat behind her friend. "Yeah, thanks Lita. You’re always so energetic, but it’s a good thing." Turning around, Serena smiled. A gorgeous smile curved on her lips. With that, she found her seat in front of Lita, and sat down with her heavy text books. "Finished with your big Bio project yet?" "Nope..." The taller girl flushed. "Don’t you worry, it’s not yet due until next Monday. Mr. Maaksji assigned a lab today." "Phew, scare me!" Lita lay a hand on her chest, rubbing with a relived motion. "Serena, congras on your final mark." Darien looked down at the blond who sat on a seat beside himself. He was in the room early as usual, seeing the girls conversation on their project, he decided to join the club. "Thanks Darien. You’re not bad yourself." "I thank you for that compliment. How’s everything going?" He smiled, something glittering in the depth of his midnight blue eyes. He’s dashing and intriguing. "Fine. I guess. Life is boring." She shrugged her shoulder , still memorizing her lines for English. Setting down his "The Tempest", Darien cast his attention from Shakespeare back to Serena Bates. "I planned to act out this play for our school’s annual drama festival. Any of you ladies got any ideas for me? Or anyone of you care to help me?" Darien stroked the hard cover page, wondering what Serena will react next. She was a bit startled by the reason why Darien Chiba, the born leader and "brain" would ask her to help with his drama production. Honestly speaking, she’s more than willing to help. "Why me?" She asked carefully. "You seem to be very comfortable with English literature. I like the way you dramatized Shakespearean speeches. That soliloquy you did last class was amazing! Especially you’re an original American born. I figured that you are better than most of us. Care to help?" He’s right. Serena always felt this certain preference towards English literature, when she was nothing but a little junior high school girl in the States. She loved those strong feelings William Shakespeare put down himself, some 400 years ago. As now, she was a bit flattered to discover Darien thought her performance was amazing. But oh well... "Sure, I certainly would be glad to help, if I am any help to you. I know ‘The Tempest’ fairly well, I suppose it’s no problem." "Great! Thank you Serena." Darien clasped his palms together, squeezing it, he smiled. For the first time in 10 months, Serena suddenly realized how handsome the boy who sat beside her is. Was his eyes always this deep, serene, and amazing blue? Was his jaw line always so handsome, rigid, and full of determination? Was his midnight black hair always so silky and wild like wind blown? Was he always so tall, confident, and looking so handsome and dashing? Was her heart always hamming like mad in her chest whenever she saw him smile? Her thick lashes swept up to meet his heart-warming gaze, a blush crept up to grace her smooth cheek. ********** "Congratulations! Darien." Ken caught up with Darien, if a little breathless. "Congratulations?" Darien frowned. "Of course. The first in our grade! Shouldn’t I congratulation you?" Ken gave him his famous ‘impossible’ look. "Plus, the great Darien is up to his popular Shakespeare play now. Should I say good luck too?" Darien couldn’t help but smile at his friend’s mocking expression. "Tell me pal, what’s up with you anyway?" "Up to what?" he was confused. "Yeah, yeah. Don’t you run around in circles with me. Man, I know you better than anyone else. You, Darien Chiba, I know everything your precious brain came up. The director things with Serena Bates of course. Looking so innocent, you think I don’t know? Use the play to get the lady eh?" Ken nodded his head with a helpless, but fake sigh. Before he realized what’s going on, Darien slapped his shoulder with the books that he was holding. "Quit it! I am only asking her to help." "Help? Help yourself or the play? I don’t believe the evil Darien would suddenly turn out to be so sheepish. Mark my prediction. No longer than 3 months, you will come to beg me for an idea. When time comes, I will have to consider if I will help you or not." "Yeah right." Darien rolled his eyes sarcastically. ********** "Darien had asked you to help him with ‘The Tempest’?" Mina exclaimed with surprise, her eyes fixed on a quiet Serena who’s silently eating her food. "Don’t get so excited Mina-chan. Eat your lunch." Rei petted her friend’s head, a fake annoyed look pasted on her face. "Yeah. He asked me to be his production’s assistance and advisor. I am not sure yet as to whether I get to play a part of it as well." "That’s a wonderful idea! I wish I had paid much attention during my English studies, so I can be a part of it too. Acting must be so much fun." Mina sighed dreamily, so much in hope to fulfill her actress dream someday in the future. "But Mina-chan you’re such a horrible actor. Darien wouldn’t want you to ruin his play." Rei gave her that fake angry look again, but couldn’t help smiling. Of course, she didn’t truly mean it to her friend after all. "hey!" Mina got an upset face staged and now she’s ready to fight. "You two cool it." Ami stood out and stopped the pair. "And I wish, this goes well..." Serena grinned brightly at the other four faces. ********** (2 weeks later) "So Miranda is yours if you don’t mind. Of course I need your ideas about the stage set up and comments about actors’ gestures. That’s all for today." Darien closed his agenda and handed a play layout to Serena. He had chose to play the white magician, Prospero. And Serena was to play his sweet and beautiful daughter, Miranda. She wouldn’t help but admire how quickly Darien is at working things straight. In less than a week, he’s got the plans laid out, characters gathered together and ready for practice. He even managed to memorize Prospero’s speeches at night. This is amazing. She started to truly enjoy this play production. Having a person as energetic as Darien around is making her feels good through various complicated process of acting practice. Darien Chiba is definitely making this easier for me...she smiled inside. And everyone else could tell that Darien was enjoying her company equally as much... ********** (3 days later) "So glad of this as they I cannot be, Who are surprised withal; but my rejoicing At nothing can be more. I’ll to my book; For yet, ere supper-time, most I perform Much business appertaining." Serena applauded for him. He’s good! His gestures, facial expression and his own feeling merely blended with this play. Anyone could tell that he put a lot of effort into it. "Thanks Serena." Darien found a seat beside her among the audience’s row. The school’s auditorium was nearly empty, except the performing party on stage and Serena the judge. No one else was present. "You were great. The play is really coming along nicely." "5 more days. I am pretty nervous, yet excited. You’re a good Miranda though." Wiping away some sweat with a towel, he complimented her. "Thanks, but you gave me this opportunity to try my best...I should thank you." Darien now has to wonder, how much he likes the girl sitting beside him. She’s full of spirit and charming ideas. She really boomed up his mood and making him forget all the troubles. She cheered him up and gave him encouragement. Without her, his play would not be as successful. As actors left their stage, no one noticed that two hearts were beating closer and closer to each other. ********** (5 days later) "I’ll deliver all; And promise you calm seas; auspicious gales, And sail so expeditons that shall catch You royal fleet far off. My Ariel, chick, That is thy charge; then to the elements Be free, and fare thee well! Please you, draw near." Prospero delivered his farewell to the audience and the curtain fell gracefully. So there came the great flood of applause and cheer. Serena looked out from her position from the back stages, still wearing her gown as Miranda. Their play was a success! She was so happy and excited. All those long hours she spent to memorize her lines and help organizing the process with Darien, had finally paid off. She’s thrilled to have others praising her hard work, at least it was worth it. Serena had tried her best at acting and observing, now she’s rewarded. Concluding the pass few weeks, her time with Darien was just amazing. She didn’t realize how fast it had passed. With a trace of longing, she wished that this would last forever. But as the moment the curtain fell, her cooperation with Darien Chiba may have to end right there. They talked more and more in class and spare time now, and Serena actually got a chance to explore this mysterious Darien’s interior mind. He wasn’t all as deep and hidden as he appeared to be, behind the public mask, an honest and sincere heart beating at a steady pace. She really wanted to be his friend, to learn him, and hear him... ********** Darien drew aside his fake mustache, His blood circulating with delight through his blood vessels. He knew fully well, without Serena, this whole thing wouldn’t be possible. He was so much thrilled with joy and excitement that he felt an urge to run up to her and hug her and plant a kiss on her sweet lips. He likes to hear about this American exchange student. That cheerful and knowledgeable blond. With a slight yearning and regret, he wished he could do a few more plays with her, just to know her better, to hear her dreams and preferences. To listen to what she has to tell him about her family in US and the feeling of her sweet and soft voice ringing in his ears. He had never felt anything toward anyone as he is now to her, in his entire life. But this girl is making him feel light-hearted and special, when he’s around her. The silly flush on his cheek and fast pounding of his heart. Fast pounding? Oh my, he’s falling in love... With the end of "The Tempest", so ended Serena Bates and Darien Chiba’s team work. The only rope that’s tieing the two together was slightly loosened. The "Shakespearean" bond nearly disappeared with the end of their drama production. But love and the feeling of falling in love would not be so easily replaced or forgotten. Your heart always know the best. The couple were up with a decision in which they will again live a separate school live. Yet that little cherished moment they shared with everyone else was still deep in memory. They story will not just end right here. With 2 more school months to follow till their finally graduation, love, this wild yet gentle creature has more installed for the destined two... to be continued...