Hello peoples!!!
This story is in alternate universe, and it happens in Sydney (where I live).
This is mainly about Serena and Darien, and it is a 'what if' story, because
what if Darien did have parents and Serena was an exchange student in his
family. (Yes he does have parents and a sister.) Darien is one year older than
Serena.
Hidden Love - Part 1.
By Roo.
Saturday...
"Be good, dear," said Mrs Tsukino, with tears in her eyes in the airport
with her family.
"I will mother," said Serena, tears in her eyes too. "I'll miss you." She
hugged her mother, then her father.
"I'll miss you," he said with tears in his eyes. "Say goodbye to your
brother."
Serena went to his twelve year old brother. "I didn't think I'd ever
say this, but I'll miss you too, Sammy." She gave him a hug.
"Me too, sis. I'll miss you a lot."
"Flight 747 boarding now," said the loud speaker. "Japenese
Airlines to Sydney, gate 3."
"That's my flight," said Serena. She took hold of her luggage trolley.
"I'll write everyday, I promise. Good bye!" She waved her hand.
"Good Bye!"
She turned the corner, boarding onto the plane.
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Serena Tsukino sat in a seat, in economy class, on the Japenese
Airline. She would surley
miss her close family while she was in Sydney, on an exchange student
program. As she layed down, peacefully, she remembered the day she had
the opportunity to do this....
xxxxxxx
"Dad! Mum!" called Serena, as she entered her home, book bag
in her hand. She wore her school uniform, and her long hair was up in a bun.
"What is it honey?" called her mother from the kitchen.
Serena entered the kitchen, to find her dad home early, reading the
newspaper. "Mum! Dad!" she said again. "I got accepted
to go as an
exchange student to Sydney Grammar College in Australia," she said as
she was waving a piece of paper in the air.
"College?" said her father, as Mrs Tsukino took the note from Serena.
"You are only seventeen years old, young lady, and you might be smart, but
you are not going to a college."
"No, Daddy." She giggled, as she sat on the chair opposite to
him at the dining table. "In Australia, college is a private school, and
Sydney Grammar has students from kindergarten to year twelve. Aged five to
eighteen, and the primary school is called the junior school, and the high
school is called the senior school.
"So," said Mrs Tsukino. "If you go, you will be attending the
eleventh grade right?"
"Yes, I will. But what do you mean *if* I go. I thought I *am* going."
"We will decide whether or not your going, dear."
"Okay."
The next day...
"Serena?" said her mother in the living room to her daughter who was
watching televsion with Sammy.
"Hold on Mum. After this finishes."
"It's about the exchange program," said her father.
"You were saying?" said Serena, turning the televion off.
"Hey leave the T.V on!" said Sammy.
"Sammy," said his father in a stern voice. "Leave it off." He sat on
the couch, as did his wife.
"We have decided to let you go to Australia," said her mother.
"YAY!" said Serena.
"But," said Mr Tsukino. "We want you stay with our friends in
Sydney, the Chiba family."
"Who?" asked Serena.
"The Chiba's. Can't you remember, Serena? We last saw them about
twelve years ago, when you were five years old. I guess you can't
remember them."
"They have a son about your age, and a daughter about five years old."
"Is he cute?" Serena knew that was a mistake saying that.
"That's the problem, Serena. We don't want you going out with boys
because it will distract you from your studies, like a couple of years ago,"
said Mr Tsukino.
"But you can go out on dates if you are careful," added Mrs Tsukino.
"Okay, Mum and Dad. Thank you so much!" She hugged them.
xxxxxx
She sighed. That was one of her best days in her life. She fell
asleep as the inflight movie started.
***
"Excuse me, miss," said a flight attendant to Serena, who was asleep.
"Hmm...? Oh, have we arrived?"
"Yes, miss." She smiled. "Have a nice day." Then she left.
Serena got up and walked over to the exit of the plane. As she
stepped outside it was boiling hot, because it was December and the season was
Summer. Boy it's hot, she thought while she descended the stairs, she took
off her coat and now she wore a long purple skirt and a white long sleeved
blouse, with her hair in a bun. Oh man, I really need to change, she thought as
someone checked her passport. She went to the waiting area where she was
supposed to be picked up, and sat down on one of the sofas. She had her
luggage with her: two small suitcases and a smaller bag. She had to pack
quite a lot since she was staying for six months in Sydney.
She looked at a picture of the Chiba family, the family that was
supposed to pick her up in a few minutes. There was a tall man with black
hair and green eyes and he was about in his late forties. The woman, probably
his wife was also about the same age as him with shoulder length blue hair,
and blue eyes. There was also a young man about her age with stunning blue
eyes and blue-black hair and there was a young girl with short brown hair and
green eyes at about four or five years old. He sure looks cute, thought
Serena, thinking about the young man in the picture.
"Serena," asked a gentle feminine voice.
Serena looked up from the picture, and was greeted by the Chiba
family. She stood up. "Oh hello! You must be Mrs Chiba."
"Hello, Serena. It is nice to see you again, after so many years,"
Martha said as she embraced Serena.
"Nice to see you again," said Mr Chiba.
"Thank you for letting me stay at your house, Mr Chiba," she said
shaking his hand.
"My pleasure. And just call me David." He smiled.
"Can we get going now?" said Darien.
"This is Darien," said David. "He can get annoying at times, so just
ignore him," he whispered into her ear.
She nodded. "Nice to meet you, Darien."
"Yeah, you too." He smiled.
They took her luggage and packed it in the back of the four-wheeled
drive. As they were driving, Darien pointed out all the land marks of Sydney,
including the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Centre Point.
They arrived at a two story building, not far from the city. It was
a contempory house, painted in a light blue.
"Well this is the place you will stay," said David. "Not a five-star
hotel, but it *is* our home." He smiled. They walked into the house, and
all Serena could do was hold her breath. It was beautiful! The foyer was
large, with a grand staircase leading to the second floor, and to the left
was what looked like a small study, to the right a large lounge room and
there were two hallways on the sides of the staircase. The house was very
cool as a result from an air-conditioner.
"Wow," Serena breathed. "It's beautiful."
"Thank you," said David. "I designed it myself."
"You designed this yourself?" Serena asked, looking up and down.
"Yep."
"Wow," she said again.
"What do you carry in here? Rocks?" asked Darien as he came in
with one of Serena's heavy suitcases.
Serena blushed. "Sorry."
"Mummy, Mummy!" said a four year old girl with short brown hair,
running to Martha.
"Hello sweety. Did you eat your lunch?" said Martha as she picked up
her daughter.
"Yes Mummy, and it was yummy!" She giggled.
"Say hello to Serena."
"OOHHH! Is this Serena! She's pretty! I bet Darien has a crush on her!"
Both Serena and Darien blushed. "Hello," said Serena, walking over
to the child. "I don't know what your name is. Could you please tell me?"
"My name is Samantha, but you can call me Sam and I am four years old,"
she said shifting into Serena's arms. "Take it from me," she whispered into
Serena's ear. "Don't listen to what Darien says because he is a concited
jerk."
Serena was shocked by her words. "She sure knows a lot for her age,"
she said to Martha.
"Tell me about it! She and Darien always argue together. God know's
*what* they say!"
"Hey Mum!" called Darien from upstairs, looking down the void, over
the staircase railing. "Where do you want these bags?"
"Umm...the room next to Samantha's."
"Right Mum!"
"He can be such a dear at times. I guess you would like to have a nap
after a long ride."
"Yes, that would be nice." She smiled.
"Sam, go show your new friend her room."
"Yes mummy!" She slid away from Serena and took her
hand. "Your room
is next to mine, so I can talk to you through the intercomm," she said as
they climbed the stairs.
"What is an intercomm?"
"Just a little thingy stuck on the wall, so people can talk through
this big house from one place to another."
"Hhmmm...I see." They reached to top of the stairs and there was a
huge rumpus and a sunroom. "Wow."
"Your room is over here," said Sam as she dragged Serena's arm to
the right. It was a small room, walls painted in white, a desk, chair, built
in waredrobe and a single bed. Serena looked through the window and was
greeted with the beautiful Sydney skyline. "Wow," she breathed.
"Beautiful isn't it?" said Sam.
"Yeah..."
"Honey," said David, from the doorway. "Serena would like to have a
little nap now. You can talk to her later."
"Alrighty. Have a nice nap Serena!"
"See ya," she said, then closed the door behind her.
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"Well?" Martha asked Darien in the family room, where David was
reading the newspaper, and Martha sitting on one of the two couches.
"Well what?" He asked, taking an apple from the fruit bowl in the
kitchen, and bitting into it, then lounging on the lounge and looking at the
local t.v guide.
"About Serena. What do you think about her?"
"She's nice, I guess," he said.
"So you like her?" asked his father.
"Yeah...well she's nice, like I said so. Can we rent a video? There
aren't any good movies on tonight.
His parents groaned and ignored him.
1 and a half hours later....
Serena woke up, still dressed in a long skirt and blouse. I guess
this is too hot to wear. She stood up, opened her suitcase and took out a
short white skirt and a white top with a small pink bunny printed on
it. This should do.
She walked down the stairs and turned right and walked down the
hallway, to see a huge family room, a kitchen and a solarium to the left.
There was also a piano and a door leading into another room at the back.
On one of the couches sat Martha, sewing something, David reading a
paper, and Darien lounging and reading the sports section of the newspaper.
Martha noticed Serena's presence. "Hello, dear. Did you have a
nice nap?"
"Yes," she said.
"That's good. Dinner will be ready in half an hour, at six."
"Okay. Where's Sam?"
"She's outside on the trapoline," said Darien.
"Isn't it a bit hot out there?"
"Your not used to the hot at this time of the year are you?" He asked.
"Hmm. Not really." She smiled. "May I see that paper?" she asked
Darien.
"Yeah, sure." He handed the paper to her, as she sat down on the
same couch as him.
Now why should she be interested in the sports section? I thought she was
a brainiac. Women! Their so mysterious!
"Oh no!" said Serena.
"What is it?" asked Martha, concerned.
"Michael Chang isn't in the Davis Cup finals!"
"You like Michael Chang?" asked Darien.
"Yeah well he *is* kinda cute..."
"Michael Chang cute? Ha! You *must* be kidding me!" Darien couldn't
stop laughing.
"Would you stop that? I didn't realise you were so annoying!"
"What ever you say, *Mrs* Chang." He laughed even more.
Sam then came in to find her big brother chuckling a little. "What's
with you?"
"Oh, nothing." He smiled.
Darien's mother and father were in the kitchen, preparing
dinner. "At least they are getting to know each other," Martha told David.
"You call that getting to know each other," he said, gesturing to
the fuming Serena and the still chuckling Darien.
"Well...maybe soon. Dinner's ready!"
Serena, Darien and Sam made their way to the solarium where there
was a dinning table, set with rice, prawns, chicken and vegetables.
From the dinning table, you could look through the large windows and see the
beautiful city lighted up by electricity.
"Smells good," said Serena with a smile.
"Probably anything to you would smell good," Darien muttered
under his breath.
"Would you do us all a favour, and shut up?" said Serena.
"Yes, Mrs Chang," he said sarcastically.
"I warned you," said Sam, as she sat next to Serena.
Darien sat across Serena, and his parents at the ends of the
six chair dinning table.
Serena took about two servings of the food, as she was very hungry,
as she normally was. "I was wondering," she said taking a sip of her glass
of water. "How did you know my parents?"
"Well. That is a very long story," said David. "How 'bout we
catch up a little after dinner?"
"Okay! That'd be great!" She smiled.
After dinner, they all sat down in the huge lounge room. Serena sat
on a three seater sofa with Sam on her lap, Darien sat at the end of the
same sofa, while Martha and David sat at the opposite side on the two
seater sofa.
"This is great to catch up on things in Tokyo," said Martha.
"We hadn't seen you in about ten years!"
"It's twelve actually," said Serena.
"Oh my. That long? We have to visit some time," said Martha.
"It was in Tokyo twelve years ago, wasn't it?" asked David. "Yes,
it was." He smiled.
"And you two were best friends then," he said to Serena and Darien.
"Who!?" said Darien. "Me and her?"
"Yes," said David.
"Now that is very hard to believe," said Serena.
"You were *very* friendly with each other," said David, as Martha
was looking through old photo albums.
"Time has changed," said Serena. "Luckily," she muttered under
her breath.
"See, here," said Martha holding up a photo.
"Please don't tell me who I think it is," said Serena.
"This is you and Darien, under a mistletoe," said Martha.
Serena could almost cry out. The picture was of her and Darien with
locked lips under a piece of mistletoe, about twelve years ago when she
was five.
"I must of been drunk to do that," said Darien.
"That was the last Christmas your family and our family shared
together," said David.
Sam giggled. "You look funny there, Dare. I knew ya had a crush on
her," she said then winked at him.
"Shut up, Sam."
"And now we can share another Christmas with at least one Tsukino,"
said David.
"So how did you get to know my family?" Serena asked.
"Your father and I used to go to school together," said David.
"We still kept in touch after we got married, and to our surprise,
your mother knew Martha!"
"Really? That's a coincidence," said Serena.
"Yes, it really is," said David. "Then we came here, to Sydney
because I was
offered a job, and then Darien was also born here."
They talked and talked for a couple of hours, catching up with each
other's lives, as Sam fell asleep in Serena's arms.
The next day was Monday, Serena's first day at Sydney Grammar
College. She got out of bed at glanced at her watch and it read six fifteen.
Whoa! I'm actually up early! thought Serena. I guess it was *to* hot to sleep
anyway. She had to be at school at eight o'clock, and she didn't want
to be late for her first day at her 'exchange' school.
She changed into a blue skirt, that went about an inch above her
knees a white short sleeved shirt. This was the uniform she was going to
wear for the next six months.
She put her hair up in a bun as she usually did these days, and put on a
pair of white socks and black shoes.
She packed her small back-pack she would take to school, filled with
stationary and text books. She glanced at her watch again and it was now six
fourty-five. She made her way slowly down the quiet stairs, and found her way
into the kitchen. She decided that she would have toast and jam for breakfast.
When she sat down at the table in the solarium, Martha walked into the
kitchen wearing a pink house coat and and slippers. "Good morning,
Serena," she
said as she turned the kettle on.
"Good morning, Martha."
"Your up a little early."
"Yeah, I couldn't sleep much."
"Hmm. I couldn't either. It's just to hot to, even with the
airconditioning on."
She made her cup of coffee, and joined Serena on the dinning table. Martha
looked at the wall clock, and looked a little worried.
"What's the matter?" asked Serena.
"It's seven now. Darien should be up now, since you leave in
fifteen minutes."
"Mum!" shouted Darien, running down the stairs, topless and wearing a
pair of trousers.
"Where is my shirt?!" he said, grabbing one of Serena's pieces of toast from
her plate.
"Hey! That is mine!" Serena said. He's even hunkier than I thought.
"Yeah, well you can live without it," he said, bitting into the toast.
"Your shirt is in the laundry, dear," she said, somewhat ashamed at
what he did to Serena. "Thanks Mum!" He ran down the hall, to the laundry.
"Sorry about that," said Martha. "We still have to teach that boy
some manners."
"Hey, it's alright." She smiled.
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David had offered to drive them to school, but they would normally
be taking the
bus. "Have a nice day, kids!"
"Bye, Dad," said Darien, holding his backpack.
"Thank you," said Serena. "Bye!" She too held her back-pack.
They made their way into the school, Serena receiving many stares
and appreciated looks from other young men.
"Hey, I'm sorry about this morning," said Darien.
"What are you talking about?" "The toast..."
"Oh that! Never mind. I didn't want it anyway." She smiled. "Thanks."
They made their way into the hallways of the school, filled with
students and lockers.
"Hey, Ben!" called Darien who was still with Serena. He called out to his
friend down the hall who was talking to a girl. He was a tall young man,
with short wavy blond hair. "That guy never seems to hear," mumbled Darien.
As they were getting closer and closer to Ben, Serena recognised the
young man instantly. "Wait," she said, touching Darien's arm. "What is it?"
"What's Ben's full name?" she said, never taking her eyes of Ben
and the girl he was talking to. "Why?" "Just curious."
"His name is Ben Tomoi. He also comes from Tokyo...Serena? Are
you okay?" He looked worriedly at the now pale girl. "What's the matter?"
"Ben...is my...ex-boyfriend," she whispered.
TO BE CONTINUED...
How do you like it? I'm not sure if I will continue it. It depends on how
many e-mails I get, then I will see if I will continue it. Those people from
Sydney reading this, stop laughing. *I know* that Sydney Grammar is actually a
guys only school, but I didn't know any other school in the city, (well
near it) so don't *blame me!* Send compliments and flames to: roovel@aol.com
Have a nice day!!!
