Wow! What a long wait, I know! I'm am so sorry about that. I've had this chapter partially written for awhile now, but I finally decided to sit down an finish the chapter. Hope you enjoy!
When Serena and Mina got back to their dorm Serena fell down on the couch. Mina sat next to her friend waiting for an explanation.
"So…what happened?" Mina began. Serena just groaned, and took a deep breath.
"When I got back from class my cell rang. It was my ex-boyfriend, Darien," Serena started to explain, but was interrupted by Mina.
"What?! The Darien? The one you have been pining over for the past five years?!" Mina asked with wide eyes. Serena blushed slightly.
"Yes, that's him. Anyway, he called and at first we started talking like usual, but then he told me he graduated from medical school! I was blown away. Then he drops the bomb of returning home, and that he wanted to see me right away. After we got off, I went straight to the arcade to talk to Andrew. I didn't have time to even bring it up because Darien walks in! He sits down with me, and we begin talking. I didn't have many nerves left so I exploded on him for really no reason and stormed out. In the end, he ended up chasing me in his car down the street. We got arrested for no reason! We didn't even get a warning or a fine because all we did was speed. Whatever. I'm just glad it's over," Serena told her the situation. Mina just blinked.
"Wow," She breathed, "I never knew you were capable of such actions."
"Mina!" Serena laughed lightly hitting her on the arm. Mina laughed.
"Okay, just don't do it again unless I'm with you. You can't keep all the fun to yourself, you know," Mina joked, "How about a movie?"
"Okay," Serena agreed, "Let's watch…Beauty Shop!"
The girls had a good time with that hilarious movie.
--
Once again, Darien was back at the arcade. This time he sat at the counter with a hot cup of black coffee in his hands. Andrew was standing in front of him drying a glass. Darien didn't want to talk about it because Andrew already knew what happened.
"So…," Andrew started not knowing what to say. Darien just grunted.
"Does she look any different?" Andrew knew that would get him talking. Darien glanced up at his best friend and sighed.
"Yeah, she does. She isn't an innocent 16 year-old, anymore. I could tell in her eyes," Darien commented softly. Andrew nodded agreeing.
"Yep, that's right. She painted a picture last year, and gave it to me. She said that she didn't have a reason to keep it, and thought I might like it," Andrew said. Darien raised his eyebrows.
"Do you still have it?" He asked. Andrew grinned.
"Of course! It's hanging in the office," He told him. The two men then went to see the painting in Andrew's small office. Darien spotted it as soon as he walked in. It wasn't that big of a painting, about normal size. Serena painted a picture perfect sunset on a beach. There was also a girl in a white dress sitting alone on the beach. She had her knees up to her chest with her arms wrapped around her legs. Her back was facing them as she watched the beautiful sunset in solitude.
"Wow," Darien breathed.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Andrew said.
"Yeah, it's amazing. I never knew she had such a talent," Darien commented as he walked up closer to the painting. He looked closely at the girl. You could see some of the one side of her face.
"She's crying," Darien said softly. Andrew walked up next to his friend.
"What?" Andrew asked. Darien pointed to the girl's face.
"She's crying," He said again. Andrew looked closer, and sure enough she was.
"Hmph, I never noticed," Andrew said as he pulled his hand through his hair. Andrew never noticed, but it was the first thing that Darien saw. Serena drew a lonely portrait.
"Do you think it's based on something?" Andrew mused, holding his chin.
"Yeah," Darien said. Andrew raised his eyebrow at him.
"What?" He asked.
"Her life," Darien said, and walked out the door with his hands in his pockets and his head down.
--
Serena was running as fast as ever. She couldn't see a foot in front of her through the pouring rain. She kept running trying to reach him. Serena didn't want him to go. She saw a red sports car zooming further up the street. Serena needed to catch up to it.
"Please, don't go!!" She shouted, but her plead was drowned out by a crack of thunder. She ran out into the abandoned street, but slipped on a puddle. Serena fell hard onto the cold ground in tears. She knew she wouldn't be able to catch him in time. She put her hands to her face and just cried.
"Please, don't go. Darien, please, I love you…," She trailed off in misery. The scene faded off with the sound of rain, the distant sound of a speeding car, and the crying of a heartbroken girl.
Serena's eyes slowly opened to the darkness of her dorm room. She reached up to feel the wetness of tears on her face.
'Why do I always have random dreams like that?' She thought as she rolled over to face the wall. Suddenly, there was a sharp knock on the front door. Serena twisted her body, and looked towards the bedroom door in confusion. She looked over at Mina's bed to see her still fast asleep. When Serena heard the knock sound again, she reluctantly went to answer the door, but not before she grabbed one of her high heels. You know, just in case.
"Who could be here at this hour," Serena asked herself, "Who is it?"
"Serena, just open the door," A male voice called back. Serena slowly opened the door just slightly to peak out, her heel was being tightly held in her grasp. She saw a tall man with dark features standing their waiting. Serena opened the door wider.
"Good evening, Serenity," Darien said in a low voice with a smile. Serena stepped back in shock.
"Darien, what are you doing here?" She asked.
"I wanted to see you," He said, "May I come in?"
At first, Serena hesitated, but she let him in anway. Darien stepped into her and Mina's dorm, and looked around. He eyed the three doors probably assuming one was the bedroom and the other was the bathroom, but the third he wasn't quite sure of.
"Thank you. This place looks cozy," Darien commented. Serena smiled at the compliment.
"Thanks. Mina and I decorated it," Serena said gesturing to the furniture and pictures. Darien nodded.
"Oh, you can sit down if you'd like," Serena said nicely as she walked over to the white couch.
"White couch? Isn't it hard to keep clean?" Darien asked curiously as he sat down.
"It can be, but we don't eat on it; at least we don't normally. We eat in front of it on the floor," Serena told him, "I like sitting on the floor when I eat with my back propped up against the couch."
There was a moment of awkward, uncomfortable silence. They didn't know what to say to each other, especially after their last encounter. About ten minutes passed by in complete silence. Serena was beginning to fidget from the moment.
"I saw the painting that you gave Andrew," Darien spoke up breaking the silence. Serena turned to look at him.
"You did?" She asked surprised, but then quieted down, "Wh-What did you think?"
"It was very good," Darien said, "You've got talent, Serena."
Serena blushed at the forward compliment, "Thank you."
"Do you have anymore that I could possibly take a look at?" Darien questioned. Serena perked up.
"I do actually!" She said happy to show off her hard work. Darien followed her into one of the other rooms. This one wasn't a bedroom or bathroom; it was a mini art studio. Darien was surprised that they had one inside a dorm room.
"You have an art studio inside a dorm room?" Darien voiced his thoughts. Serena nodded.
"Yeah, but we had to pay more since we got a dorm with an extra room," Serena said. Darien nodded in understanding. He looked around with inquisitive eyes at the works of art all over the room. One particular painting caught his eyes, though. It was of a girl with long silver hair with her back turned away. She wasn't wearing anything except for a thin white sheet wrapped loosely around her body. Half of the girl's face was facing them, but once again Darien noticed the lonely, silver tear the trailed down her pale face. The background was mostly dark except for a silver-white sphere hanging in the sky, which Darien believed to be the moon. The girl had remarkable blue eyes that had specks of silver. They were Serena's eyes.
"Serena…," Darien trailed off as he walked over to look at the painting more closely. Serena turned around and gasped at what he found.
"Oh, no! I forgot that I had that one out!" Serena cried, but she knew he saw it anyway. Darien turned to look at Serena's angelic face.
"This painting is probably the best piece of art work I've ever seen. I can actually feel the emotions radiating from it. You did a remarkable job on it," Darien complimented sincerely.
"T-Thank y-you," Serena's voice cracked. Darien stood up as she sniffed up her tears.
"Why are you crying?" Darien asked.
"Oh, I don't know. I've just been a mess ever since you've left, and painting has helped me greatly," She cried trying to wipe all her tears away, "But hearing you compliment my work…it just makes it all come pouring out."
"Oh, Sere," Darien whispered pulling her into his arms. He let her cry softly for a few moments. Finally, she began to pull back. Serena went to wipe her remaining tears away, but Darien grabbed her hand gently.
"The girl in the painting reminds me of a lonely, moon maiden," Darien whispered softly, "She reminds me of you. Besides, you have her eyes…and you shed silver tears."
"Oh, Darien…," Serena sniffed, "I can't help it. As much as I hate to admit it…I'm still in love with you."
Darien smiled lovingly down at the petite girl trying to contain all of her emotions inside. He knew all these years she was lonely, and he was sorry for leaving her, but now…he knew they'd become stronger. He stilled love her too. He wanted his princess back.
"Serena," Darien began, "I've always loved you and I'll never stop ... this I promise you."
Serena coughed up even more tears then before. She ran back into Darien's arms again. Oh, how she missed them. Darien leaned down slowly to kiss her gently on the lips for the first time in five, long years. It was a sweet, longing kiss that made them both wanting more, but right now ... all they wanted to do was hold each other.
And they did.
One year and some days later...
Serena made that painting about her emotions six years ago after Darien left her for medical school. It was never exposed to the public during that period of time. After Serena graduated college, she decided to give up its public virginity and sent it to be displayed at the college. The only difference was that right next to that masterpiece was a new one. This one was of her and her love, Darien, standing quietly on a moonlit beach holding hands. This time…Serena was smiling proudly next to her prince.
The End
Wasn't that sweet? Yeah, I know! I can't believe it's over! I was going to go more chapters, but I had a major blank. I had no idea where else I wanted to take it from where it was now. And the situation at the beginning was perfect for the reconcile of our two lovebirds. Besides, it was a cute ending, right? I'm proud of it, actually. Well...thanks for reading "This I Promise You"!! We had fun, didn't we? :D REVIEW!! Bye! MoonlightMaiden14 P.S. Want to read more? Check out my other creations! :)