Finding Serena

Freedom

  I wake up in Derek's arms. I didn't know I had fallen asleep. I get up and look at the clock. It's noon. How long had we been asleep? I nudge Derek.
"Derek, wake up."
"What? What's wrong?"
"It's noon."
"Oh my gosh, how long have we been asleep?"
"What time did we fall asleep is a better question."
"Yeah. College in two days, you psyched?"
"Yeah, you?"
"For the sports."
"What do you wanna be when you grow up, Derek?" I say as I sit down.
"A doctor. I like helping people."
"But you hate losing people."
"That's part of it, I want to help people, but when your a doctor, you lose people as well, which can make you want to do more to help people."
"Oh."
"What do you want to be?"
"A special education teacher."
"That's cool. So you'd teach like kids with Down's syndrome and dyslexia and autism?"
"Not necessarily teach them. The actual teachers will teach them, I just help them process what they're learning so that they can have a brighter future."
"That's nice."
"We'll have you heard the quote 'Being deeply loved by someone with special needs gives you courage, while loving someone with special needs gives you strength.'?"
"That, was deep."
I giggle.
"I better go home. My mom's gonna kill me anyways."
"You're leaving in two days so she won't be in charge."
"Ya but for those two days, I'll be grounded unless she likes you enough to not even care."
I kiss him.
"Bye! I'll see you tomorrow. Canobie!"
"Bye."
"I stop mid-walk and turn around.
"Would you like to walk me home?"
"I'd love to, m'lady."
"Thank you, my prince."
We hold hands and I grab my bag as we walk out the door.
"Bye Mrs. Tompson!"
"Bye!"
We walk to my house. When I get home, Derek kisses me goodbye and he goes home. I walk in the door.
"Where were you all night?" I hear my mother tell from the kitchen.
"Let me explain."
I walk up the stairs, put my bag on the counter and look at my mother.
"Well? Explain." She says as she folds her arms across her chest.
"I was at Derek's and we were watching a movie-"
"What movie?"
"Jurassic Park."
"Continue."
"We were in his room, sitting on his couch and we just, fell asleep."
"Serena-"
"Mom! I'm nineteen. I'm a legal adult, I can vote and you get mad at me because I fell asleep. Give me my freedom."
"Don't talk to me like that! I don't care how old you are, I am still your mother!"
"Mother or not, just give me my freedom."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I want to be treated like an adult, not a child."
"Fine, Serena."
I walk down to my room and change into different clothes. I call April.
"Hello?"
"Hey April!"
"Oh, hey, Serena."
"You seem upset."
"No, it's nothing. So what's up?"
"We're still on for Canobie tomorrow, right?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
"So, do you want to come to the mall with me to pick out bathing suits."
"Sure."
"Okay, I'll pick you up in ten minutes!"
"Okay, see you then."
I hang up the phone and change into jean shorts and an over-sized t-shirt that Derek gave me. I put on black sneakers and put my hair in a messy bun.
  I get to my car and hop in. I drive to April's house.
  I arrive at April's house and I honk the horn. I hear screaming and then April stomps towards my car, frustrated. She gets in the car and slams the door.
"April, what's wrong?"
"Just drive!"
I start to drive. When we're a safe distance away from her house I again ask her "what's wrong?"
  She hesitates to answer.
"My mom doesn't think I should hang out with you anymore."
"April, I've known your mom my whole life. Why now would she not want you around me?"
"Well since I started dating James-"
"When did that happen?"
"Hang on, Serena."
"Sorry..."
"Since I've started dating James and you started dating Derek, my mom doesn't want our friendship to be ruined."
"It won't be, I swear. Now, about you and James."
She laughs.
"Well, Andrew cheated on me with Angela, and James was there for me. He comforted me and now we're together."
"Oh. Okay."
"Yeah."
We get to the mall and go into the swimsuit store they have there, which is only open in the summer.
  "Ooh! Serena, what about this one!"
She holds up a black bikini."
"I like this one." I hold up a purple one. "Or this one." I hold up a mint one."
"Try them both on and I'll tell you which I prefer."
"Okay."
I go into the dressing room and put on the purple one. I show her and she says nothing. I change into the real one, and show her and again says nothing.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Your just really pretty."
"Thanks. So, which do you prefer."
"The mint one. It goes better with you hair and your tan. But get the purple one too, for next summer."
We check out and leave the mall. We get to April's house and I go in with her. I say hi to her mother, who I've known since first grade, and I leave.
  I get home and have dinner, since it's about six o'clock. Then, I go to my room and get in my pajamas and lay in my bed. My phone rings. It's Derek FaveTiming me. I answer.
"What do you want?"
"To see your gorgeous face."
I giggle.
"I bought a bathing suit for tomorrow. Your going to love it!"
"I love everything you wear."
"You're bringing a bathing suit, right?"
"Do you want me to, princess?"
"Yes I do, prince."
"Then of course I will."
"I knew you would."
"James and April still on?"
"Yeah. You know, they're dating."
"What?"
"Yeah, apparently Andrew cheated on April and James was there for her."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
We sit in silence for a few minutes.
"I miss you!"
"You saw me earlier, Derek."
"That doesn't mean I can't miss you?"
"I didn't say that."
"Do you miss me?"
"Yeah."
"So you're making fun of me, and you miss me too?"
"Yes."
He smiles.
"I'll see you tomorrow. I love you, Serena."
"I love you too Derek."
"Bye."
"Bye."
I hang up and go to sleep.
I wake up with my phone on my chest. I put it on my nightstand and walk over to my dresser. I put my bathing suit on and I put on a crop-top type shirt. It doesn't reveal too much. It ends just above my belly-button. I also put on a pair of jean shorts and flip-flops.
My phone buzzes with a text from Derek.
Coming to get you in ten.
Kk.
I put my hair up in a high ponytail, the bottom of the ponytail still touching my shoulder. I hear a car pull up and then a honk.
"Serena!" My mom yells.
"I'll be right there.
I put a small bottle of sunscreen and a water bottle in my bag and put on my sunglasses and leave.
I hop in the back seat next to April. Derek drives and James rides shotgun.
"Hey girl!"
"Hey April!"
Derek clears his throat.
"Who's ready for Canobie?"
We all cheer and Derek starts driving. He wears a tank top and shorts with sandals. James wears a t-shirt with shorts and sandals. April has on a tank top and shorts with flip flops and her hair's in a bun. We all have sunglasses.
Me and April sing along to all the songs that come on, and when the boys change the station we ignore them until they put it back on.
We arrive at the park. We pay for our tickets and go in.
We ride the Extreme Frisbee which spins as it goes back and forth. Then we ride a ton of other rides until we arrive at the Corkscrew which is a roller coaster that goes upside-down.
"No." I say. Derek looks at me.
"What? Oh."
"Yeah."
April looks at me.
"Serena, what's wrong."
"No."
Derek chimes in,
"She hates roller coasters. Serena, come on you have to do it."
"Fine." I look at Derek, "but you have to do the Starblaster with me."
He thinks.
"Fine."