Simple Sweetness

Chapter 5: The Beginning

Darien's sophomore year of High School past, with out much notice to him. He kept focused on his goals, of becoming stronger, more confident in his fighting techniques. He had yet to beat Kane in the ring, the monster still took him down hard. Pummelling his face and torso, as if creating some vile painting upon him with his bruises. But Darien vowed that before High School was over he would win a match against him, only then would feel he was ready to start competing in real bouts. Kane and Hollywood had already started fighting in professional cage matches, slowly working their way up in the standings to eventually get their chance at the Championship. While Jed, Zac and him were still having to cool their heels in the bleacher's cheering them on.

When the summer heat came in, Darien found himself searching for her more and more. The year with out her had been brutal, he was now far more bitter and jaded about life then before. His tone with Andrew and anyone really was sharp and impatient. The girls fawning and steady praise over how strong and utter perfection his body had become had filled his head with arrogance. He was confident, cool and had an ego now that could rival a rock stars. He knew he was looking good now, knew he had the choice of any girl he wanted. But he only wanted to find one girl, needed to make amends and get their relationship on the right track again. God he missed her!

But he never did, she avoided him all year at school and when the summer started she was no where to be found. It was like she completely disappeared. The summer went by in disinterest for him. He maintained his routine of jogging, training and hanging out with Andrew as often as he could. He had interrogated her three girlfriends when he found them, but they had nothing to say to him. He only received glares and rude snubbing from them, soon giving up on that as an avenue to find her.

By the fall he was desperate, and worried she had moved away. The lonely year and the even more long lonely days of summer only making him depressed and full of discontent. He wished for just one more chance to make things right, because life had no meaning without her, no colour or joy. Just endless tedium and routine. He was sick of it! He wanted some adventure, some pointless fun, all the things she had provided for him. But mostly he just wanted to hear her voice again even if it was just to yell at him that he didn't care. He missed everything about her, his life just sucked with her not in it. He didn't know how much he needed her, how much she meant to him until she was no longer around. He wondered if she found the days without him just as sad and pointless. He wondered if the light in her heart had gone out, as it has in his...snuffed out by his stupidity at pushing her away. He would give anything for just one more chance.

Summer was ending with a pathetic whimper for him, he had done nothing interesting but the status quo. He found himself hiding out in a booth at Crown, absently watching the wisps of clouds gliding overhead in the warm blue sky. Thinking about her...wondering and regretting and utterly depressed.

Andrew watched him from just behind the front counter, a grim look plastered on his face. Wearing baggy jeans and an untucked black and white striped ref's jersey. He had been slowly watching his best friend spiral downward all year. In the beginning he had tried to convince Serena to talk to him for at least a minute. But she refused vehemently, stating she made a promise to him and she always kept her promises. That he had stated he didn't want her around anymore and she was fine with that. She had moved on and that she didn't need him anymore. But he could see the tears of regret still moist in her eyes. She hadn't meant a word of it, she was missing him as much as he was missing her. They were both just to stubborn to admit it. At least Darien had seen the error of his sudden temper with her, Andrew knew if he was given that chance to seek amends to repair the damage he had done. It would be different between them...at least he hoped so.

Darien let out a long, lingering sigh focusing his attention, a bit to intently on his index finger, drawing circles on the table top. Looking morose and beaten down like a guilty dog. Andrew took his friends silent invite to talk, heading over to the table and sitting down.