Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Normal Teenager ❯ Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon and its characters. Got it? Good.

Summary: She grew up a star, and now is Serenity Blair's chance to be a falling star. She'll hang out with normal people and live life in an upscale boarding school…at least for a month, and maybe fall in love. That is, if she can gain the right attention of the ever popular Darien. It's hard when she has to play the role of school nerd, Serena Claire, Darien's favorite person to torment.

A Normal Teenager (01/-)

By: Lillian

Serenity Blair shut her eyes wearily, hoping to get some shuteye before her manager began the meeting. The night before had been a hectic one, what with her best friend dragging her all about L.A., searching for the perfect outfit to wear on her next big date.

She snorted.

The relationship wouldn't last a week, she knew. Either Raye grew tired of them, or they grew too scared of her. Poor Raye with her fiery temper, she couldn't seem to settle down with one guy and just be content. Then again, she herself never had a boyfriend.

Poor her.

Oh well, it wasn't as if she had the time for a boyfriend. She lived a busy life as it is. What more for a guy taking up all her time? There was also the parents' issue. "They let me act at the age of two, yet won't even let me date at the age of sixteen," she scoffed.

"What was that?" asked Luna, her acting manager. She was kneeling on the carpeted floor, hands shifting through the stack of folders that she still needed to file. Luna's dark blue eyes gazed curiously up at Serenity, who now appeared to be awake and flushed with embarrassment.

"Don't mind me Luna. Just talking to myself like I usually do," she joked. She shifted in her seat and looked up at the clock hanging above the entranceway. She'd been in Luna's office for nineteen minutes already. Another minute rolled by. "Did you find it yet?"

Luna tugged at her wavy black strands in agitation. "No, not yet. It seems to like hiding from me." She sighed. "I'm sorry about this Sere. I know you have to be somewhere after this…"

"Don't worry about it Luna," she replied airily. "It's only a typical family dinner. No biggie. I'm sure Mom won't mind if I'm late." Serenity twirled about in her seat. Swivel chairs, what fun!

The woman groaned, her hands rubbing at her temples. "The faster I need to find it then. Mrs. Blair was just on my case a few days ago, saying I keep you too busy." She went back to searching through the pile of folders.

Serenity continued to twirl about in her chair, her feet providing the speed and momentum needed to spin faster and faster until she got dizzy. The cream-colored walls blurred in with the green potted plant at one corner, and the blue sky that emerged through the glass window. Even the door was just a brown blur to her, and Luna's small figure was merely a black shadow. She stopped suddenly, and immediately wished she hadn't. "Ugh, my head hurts."

Luna stood up and sighed in exasperation. "Get off my chair Serenity before you hurt yourself."

The young girl got up and shakily walked over towards the guest chairs, her hand holding the sturdy mahogany desk as a support. Luna shook her head before seating herself on the chair. She spun once, and then settled her legs under the desk, hands clasped neatly over the glass top.

"I have a surprise for you," Luna announced, smiling. "Unfortunately, the papers I needed to show you are temporarily MIA. Don't worry though; it's bound to show up sometime…"

"You really need to be more organized Luna," Serenity said as her cheek found comfort against the cool leather backed chair. She rested her head and closed her eyes, the dizziness slowly subsiding.

"You know I'm usually more organized than this. It's just that ever since the last secretary quit, and Artemis has been more demanding lately," she said stressfully. "There's really no time for me to clean the place up."

Serenity moaned, her hand now over her eyes. "I was only teasing Luna."

"I knew that." Luna's pale cheeks turned pinkish. "Let's get back to business. I have a proposal for you. I find that it will benefit all of us. If only I had that folder with me… I probably left it at my condo or something."

Serenity surveyed the woman's neat desk. On it was a single manila folder, right in front of them. "Luna, is that it?" She pointed to the folder, and once Luna saw it, she began to laugh.

"Ah yes! That's it! Take a look at it. Tell me what you think." She slid the folder towards Serenity, who picked it up and perused through its contents. She noticed a picture of a large and elegant building. It was a school, as the sign clearly indicated `Academy' in front of the trim lawn.

After several minutes of reading, she set the folder and its contents down. "Absolutely not," she said firmly. "I refuse to do this silly stunt."

Luna's face dropped and quickly turned into a frown. "Why not? I thought you'd be excited about this."

"Do I seem like the academic type to you Luna? I've never set foot inside a school. Why would I want to start now?"

"It'll be enriching?" Luna suggested.

Serenity didn't want to sound like a baby in front of her manager, but how else was she to tell the woman that she was afraid? It was true she didn't attend school. Instead, she had tutors come to her and teach her the basics of what she would have learned in school. Being in a room full of kids her age was… Well, to put it lightly, it was frightening. Why would her manager want her to go through that when she had perfectly competent tutors willing to teach her? "I'm sorry Luna, but I can't possibly do that. The very idea is ludicrous. They'll eat me alive in there. Besides, where would I stay? It's far from home, my parents…." She sighed. "I can't do it."

Luna rubbed her forehead. She had been doing that a lot lately. "I hate to do this to you Serenity, but you have no choice. Your parents have already signed the necessary documents, and you'll be transferred there starting in two weeks. You'll only have to stay there for a month, maybe longer if you wish to finish the term."

"But you don't understand. I can't possibly go to a school with nobody I know. I'll be an outcast, a loser. I'll have no one to talk to. I don't want to go through that." The door would look tempting right about now. If only she could run away from this meeting, but that would solve nothing.

"You'll make friends," was all Luna could say to comfort the girl. Serenity still didn't look convinced. In fact, the girl appeared as if she'd seen a ghost. Was it really affecting her that badly? "Serenity, you're the sweetest, bubbliest girl I know. You'll make a ton of friends. They'll be crazy if they don't want to be friends with the famous teen idol, Serenity Blair."

She sniffed. "They wouldn't be real friends if they only befriended me because of my acting career."

Luna changed the subject immediately. "Speaking of acting career, there is a reason why I'm pushing this little side project. It's for you to get a new gig that's supposedly going to be big. A new TV series if you will that all the teens in the U.S. and other countries will watch and love."

"And how do you know that if it hasn't even aired yet?" Serenity said sarcastically.

"I just know these things," she said. "Aren't you going to ask why you're going to school?"

"To learn?" Serenity replied innocently enough.

"Learn what?" Luna urged further.

She shrugged. "Math, English, blah." Serenity propped her feet onto the chair across from her and slumped into her seat. She was beginning to wish she were at dinner right now. Then she could yell at her parents for agreeing to this madness.

"Not quite. You'll be learning how it is typical teenagers live their lives. You'll experience first hand the tribulations of being a nerdy teenager who goes through love, betrayal--"

"Wait, stop right there," Serenity interrupted. "Nerdy? Are you trying to get me killed in there? Besides, I can't act like a nerd. I'm not intelligent enough."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "Are you not an actress? This should be a piece of cake for you."

Her stupid pride had to kick in at that moment. Of course she was an actress, a marvelous one in fact. That's all she'd been doing since she was two: acting. Why couldn't she act like a nerd? How hard could it possibly be?

"I'll buy you ice cream," Luna bribed in her sweet voice. "A triple scooped ice cream cone of whatever flavor you want."

If she had one weakness, it was food. As much as she hated to admit it, she had a secret obsession of food, especially junk food. Her weight trainer Amara scorned her eating habits, but still the woman couldn't stop her from eating all sorts of sweet delicacies. Ice cream just happened to be one of her favorites. "Four scoops," Serenity said stubbornly, folding her arms and pouting.

Luna smirked, knowing she'd won the battle. "Fine, four scoops it is. I'll treat you to ice cream the day you leave for your new boarding school."

Serenity nibbled on her bottom lip, anxiety coming back full force. "Just make sure I have my own dorm room," she sighed. "I need my privacy."

"I know. I've already arranged everything. Since you're playing the nerd, you'll be placed in all the hard courses. Also, I'm having Trista pick out your new wardrobe tomorrow. If you want, you can accompany her."

"I trust Trista in picking out good clothes, I`ll only get in her way if I go… Although it really isn't necessary Luna. I have more than enough clothes in my walk-in closet."

Laughing, Luna began to shake her head. "You expect to wear those styles while at this school? I don't think so Sere. You're playing the nerd, not the popular girl. You're to befriend the other children like you and learn from them on how they act socially. Hell, imitate their study habits even."

A thought occurred to her. "I don't actually have to do the work, do I?" Serenity said in horror.

Luna looked at her incredulously. "Of course you have to do the work! You're still in school Serenity."

"This isn`t going to work out then. I`m hardly an A-student. Ask my tutors; they`d say I`m a D student or something. That`s why I`m not going to college. There`s no need for school when I have acting for a job."

She shrugged. "You'll manage somehow." Luna looked peered at the round clock. "You better rush on home now Serenity. Your parents have the times and dates for your makeover and everything else relating to this little trip."

They both stood up from their seats, Luna appearing happy while Serenity seeming rather downcast. "Cheer up Serenity; I'm sure it'll work out for you. You'll gain new friends, a new experience."

Serenity let out a sigh. "I only hope so." She walked out the door after mumbling a goodbye.

Her driver accompanied her towards the car, and then opened the door for her. She got in and immediately made a grab for the bottle of water. She took a sip and watched as the buildings passed by her line of sight. "What have I gotten myself into?" she mumbled to herself.

A ringing noise filled the small compartment, the tune of Moonlight Densetsu playing softly as it continued to ring. Serenity pulled open her purse and grabbed her cell phone.

"Hello?" she answered, not bothering to check the caller id. It was probably her mom anyways.

"Hey Sere, it's me," the voice of Raye filtered through. "You busy tonight?"

Serenity smiled. "Besides reading comic books all night, then no, I'm not busy. What do you have planned?"

"I got a new photo shoot set up for tomorrow. I really need a new look."

She could just picture the raven-haired girl holding a mirror in front of her face. "Let me guess, you want me to come with?"

"Yeah," Raye said. "It's not like you've got anything better to do. You still have to return my comics back to me by the way. It's been a week already Sere."

Serenity groaned. "Give me a break! I can't read them so fast Raye. Don't be so mean. Another week and I'll return them to you, I promise."

"Right Sere, right," Raye said sarcastically. "Well anyways, I'll pick you up later then and we can head to Michelle's salon."

The car stopped suddenly. Serenity looked out the window to see that they were inside the garage already. "I gotta go Raye. Dinner calls."

Raye rushed. "Fine, I'll pick you up in 30 minutes, okay? Bye!"

"Bye," Serenity responded and ended the call. She stuffed the phone back into her purse and exited the car. Dinnertime, the only time she had a meal with her family. Everyone else was usually busy, including her. Only her younger brother Sammy seemed to have a mellow life.

She kicked off her shoes in the shoe closet before entering the warm and inviting dining room. Her mom and dad were already seated, but Sammy appeared to be missing.

Taking her seat, she gave her mother a questioning look. "Where's Sammy?"

Her mom beamed. "He's on a date! Can you imagine that? My little boy, already on a date with such a nice girl."

Serenity coughed. "I didn't know he had a girlfriend." It was sad, even her younger brother got a date before her. At this rate, she never was going to gain a boyfriend.

"Oh, how did your meeting with Luna go?"

She shrugged. "Okay I guess, despite the fact that I'm to attend school as a geek for a whole month."

Her father looked up from his newspaper. "You don't have to go if you don't want to Serenity," he said. Serenity opened her mouth to respond, but quick he cut her off. "But it would do you some good if you do go. It'll build character."

"Yes Dad," she replied. She picked up the spoon and sipped at her soup. Only twenty or so minutes of torture until she could go out with Raye. This reminded her... "I'm going to hang out with Raye later, alright?"

Serenity's mom placed her glass of wine down on the table. "Whatever for? Didn't the two of you go shopping just yesterday? Seriously Serenity, it's like you're trying to avoid the family time I'm always trying to set."

"It's not like that Mom," she argued. "We're going to Michelle's salon to--"

"But you're appointment isn't until next Monday," her mom said.

"Not for me Mom, for Raye. She's getting a haircut I think."

Her mom sighed. "Well, if you insist on having your own appointment today, I'll call Michelle up now to change your appointment."

"I didn't insist--"

"Serenity dear, if you're going there tonight, there's no need to go back on your scheduled day. It'll all save up time." She looked at Serenity's long blonde hair. "Just don't have it cut too short. You're hair is so lovely."

Serenity refrained from rolling her eyes. "Yes Mom."

She nodded and took a sip of her red wine. "Good," was all she said before turning her attention back on her food. Serenity on the other hand had enough.

"May I be excused?" she asked. She didn't bother to wait out an answer, as she got up from her seat and tossed the table napkin onto her empty plate.

She immediately rushed out of the stifling room and out onto the front lawn. She had grabbed her purse and a pair of flat sandals before she left the house, and now slipped them on while sitting on the stone steps. She closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of the crickets and birds chirping. It was quite calming, which she needed.

Serenity then remembered the folder that still was inside her purse. She took it out and leafed through the papers, right until she found something of interest. "Name, Serena Claire." She snorted. It was so similar to her real name. At least her future alias would be easy to get used to. "Lives in Vanilla, California. Yeah, wherever that is." She continued to read on, a look of confusion entering her face. "Gray eyes? Brown hair? That so isn't me. Unless they're going to make me wear a wig or something..." Another paper, a doctor's prescription, was found as well. "Glasses?!" It was true, in a neat handwriting, glasses were recommended for a Serena Claire.

A car horn beeped. Serenity looked up immediately to see Raye waving for her to hurry. Still carrying the folder within her arms, she entered the red convertible and shut the door.

"Seatbelt Sere," Raye reminded her before zooming off to the nearest highway. Serenity obliged, as well as stuffed the folder back inside her purse.

"So when's that date with what's his name?" Serenity asked lightly.

Raye's face contorted into that of anger. "I wouldn't know. He canceled on me an hour before our date tonight."

"I'm sorry Raye," Serenity said honestly. "So you going to dump him then?"

"Yes! No one cancels on me the very last minute. Who does he think he is? That man is infuriating, with his ugly green eyes and badly styled blond hair." Her fists were tightening on the steering wheel.

Serenity coughed. "You're going to make us miss our exit Raye. Just calm down."

Raye made a sharp turn until they were in the correct lane, then slowed down slightly. "I don't get it Sere. Why do men have to be such pricks? I seriously thought he was the one. Silly of me to think so."

"You just turned seventeen Raye. You're still young. You'll find the right one eventually," Serenity stated wisely.

"Not soon enough," Raye sighed sadly.

The ride had been a silent one after that. Serenity wished her day would improve, or at least improve for her friend. She hated seeing anyone upset, especially Raye. Yes, she was used to seeing Raye angry, and yes, she was used to seeing Raye happy... sometimes. But rarely had she seen Raye this miserable. It was almost as bad as the time when Raye's mom died, although Raye had refused to cry even then.

"We're here," Raye interrupted her thoughts. She removed the keys from the ignition and stepped out of the car. Serenity did the same and stared at the pleasant stucco building in front of them.

Serenity thought back to her mom's comment with her hair. "Raye, I'm cropping my hair. Maybe up to my shoulders or something. What do you think?" She fiddled with her long strands of hair.

Raye laughed. "I bet you'll chicken out before a pair of scissors snip off that long hair of yours."

The two friends walked amicably into the warmly lit salon. There were no other costumers besides them. Michelle, who was sitting behind the reception area, immediately brightened once she caught sight of them.

"Ah, my two favorite customers," said Michelle, leading them into a private room. "Serenity, you're mother called to inform me of the change in schedule. I already have everything set up for your make-over." She winked. Raye looked at her best friend curiously.

"What's she talking about Sere?" Raye whispered as she sat down on one of the chairs.

Serenity sat on the chair next to her and could only shrug. "Beats me. I only came here to accompany you."

It had seemed that Raye didn't really want to change her looks. She had a short trim that took only ten minutes of Michelle's time. Then it was Serenity's turn. The rebellion in her wanted to cut her hair short, and maybe dye it some outrageous color. At least she'd be the future nerd with the cool hair color.

"I want my hair this short," she began, leveling her hand towards her shoulder, "and maybe--"

"Sorry Serenity," Michelle said, a twinkle of mischief in her green eyes. "I'm afraid you don't get to choose. I was given directions by your manager on what's to be done. I must say you'll definitely not look like yourself."

"Okay, what's this all about?" an annoyed looking Raye asked, hands at her hips.

"You haven't heard?" Michelle asked, clearly looking surprised. "Serenity will be going undercover, spying on some kids at some random school."

"I'm not going to spy Michelle," Serenity said irritably, still quite upset at the idea that she couldn't decide her new look. "Luna said I was to learn how a nerd acts and stuff. I'll need it for my next role, that is, if I pass the auditions. Thus, I'm being sent to an academy where I'm to learn first hand what it's like to act and live as a normal teenager."

Raye stared dubiously at Serenity. "They have a school for that?"

"Well, no. I'll attend a school and pretend to be the school nerd for a month. Then it's back here to my tutors and shopping trips." She grinned at that.

"You don't have to pretend Serenity, you're already a nerd," Raye said, a look of annoyance flitting through her face. "And why didn't you tell me this before? Some friend you are."

"Oh dear," Michelle said, mostly to herself, as she held a brush over her mouth.

"How can I possibly tell you when you were blabbing about your silly boyfriend?" argued Serenity, getting up from her seat. Michelle, trying to prevent a fight from breaking out, shoved the blonde girl back into her seat and began working on her hair.

"Sit still Serenity, before I cut your ear off by accident." That did the trick, but it didn't stop Serenity from bickering with Raye.

"If you were paying attention Serenity, you'd have known that he isn't my boyfriend!"

"Yeah right! It's so obvious that you like him still!"

"Shut up! Just shut up, alright?"

"No, why don't you shut up first," Serenity challenged.

"No, you."

"You."

"No, you."

"Girls!" Michelle yelled, catching the two girls' attention. "Raye, sit over there and entertain yourself with some magazines. I found an especially interesting article on makeup usage. Yes, that's the one. Good girl. Now just sit there and remain quiet." Michelle turned her attention to Serenity. "As for you Serenity, you will be extra quiet and won't move a muscle. Got that?"

"Yes, and I'm sorry Michelle," Serenity said glumly.

"Yeah, I'm sorry too Michelle," said Raye from across the room.

Michelle just shook her head, a small smile forming at her pink painted lips. "It's all right you guys. I find it humorous that the two of you can still act like you're three." She began to snip at Serenity's hair. "How does three inches below the shoulder sound to you Serenity?" she asked.

"It's not like I have a choice in the matter."

She laughed. "No, you don't." With that said, she began creating her magic.

Serena Claire had come to life. No longer was she just mere words written on a piece of paper describing in dull notes on how she looked liked. She existed, when just an hour or two before, she had been someone else, someone who was not Serena Claire. It was quite a transformation, a new beginning for her. It was exhilarating, yet it also made her very afraid. What would happen to the old Serenity Blair once everything was over with? Would she be a changed person? Or would this Serena Claire take over her life totally, and influence Serenity into a whole another entity?

"Well Serenity, do you like it?" Michelle asked, a weary but proud look in her eyes.

Serenity didn't know what to say. Staring at the looking glass, she saw herself, yet it wasn't what she'd expect to see. Minute by minute, she'd seen the transformation happen. Blonde tendrils littered her feet. Her new do wasn't as long as before, and it wasn't too short as well. Instead of Michelle dying her hair brown like she'd expected, Michelle made lowlights throughout her hair. Her hair did look brown now, but with highlights. Her eyebrows were the same color of the lowlights, making it appear as that was the natural color instead of the honey blonde strands. It really was an utter transformation.

"Wow Sere," Raye said in amazement. She walked up to them, hand still holding onto her magazine. "You actually look decent for once."

Serenity sniffed. "Thanks... I guess. And it's wonderful Michelle. I really don't look like me." She stared sadly at her reflection. She liked the way she'd looked before.

Michelle seemed to notice the girl's sadness. "It's not permanent Serenity, just remember that."

She nodded. At least her eyes were still blue and not covered by eyeglasses... yet.

"Do you know how to braid your hair Serenity? Or perhaps wear it in a bun? You're to wear those two hairstyles only. Maybe keep it in a ponytail as well." Michelle shrugged.

"I hate to interrupt, but we've got to go. I have to wake up early tomorrow," explained Raye as she glanced at the time in her cell phone.

"That's alright," Michelle said as she walked behind the reception desk and typed in something into the computer. "Credit card I presume?"

Raye nodded as she handed the plastic over to Michelle. Serenity attempted to do the same, but Michelle just shook her head.

"I've already been paid by your manager," Michelle said.

"Oh," was all Serenity could say.

Michelle handed back Raye's credit card. "It was a pleasure doing business with you girls. Come back for a visit sometime."

"Of course," said Raye as she exited the building.

"Goodbye Michelle," Serenity nearly whispered as she too left. "And goodbye Serenity Blair. I'll see you in a month." She didn't really understand why she felt this way. She was an actress; she should be used to this. Yet somehow, this was different. Her life would be a stage, acting with the other actors. But when did the acting stop? This was real life. The other actors weren't forced to be nice to her. She'd have to act all day and all night. It wouldn't end. She'd be Serena Claire, a girl she really didn't understand or know.

"Get a move on it Sere!" Raye complained as she revved the engine.

Serenity shook her head, clearing all the silly thoughts from her head. "Don't leave without me!" she wailed as Raye's convertible began to move backwards.

Raye slammed on the breaks. "Well hurry then!" Raye shook her head. "As if I would leave her to begin with," she mumbled to herself.

Serenity got in and immediately put on her seatbelt. "I'm ready," she said. Raye pushed down on the gas and zoomed down the road ahead.

The next few days had been a blur to Serenity. At one point, she had gone to see an Optometrist. On that trip, she'd gained gray contacts as well as thick-framed black eyeglasses. She was forced to wear the contacts and eyeglasses everyday now. But by far, it was the shopping trip that was worse. Having to shop at the local Wal-Mart was humiliating for her. Trista didn't seem to be enjoying herself either.

Somehow, Trista got the job done and bought enough clothes to last the new Serena Claire a lifetime. Of course, Serenity planned to burn the cheap clothing once her time in hell school was up. Yes, she usually was an optimistic person. She didn't want to kid herself though. She was going to make enemies, lots of them.

And now here she was, Miss Serena Claire of Vanilla, California, waiting for her bus to arrive that would take her to school.

Her hair had been placed into two tight braids. The eyeglasses somehow hid the color of her eyes, giving them a dull look unlike her usual vibrant blue eyes. She was wearing an overly baggy sweater, despite the heat of the Californian sun. To complete the outfit, she was dressed in a pleated skirt that reached her knees, rolled up socks, and sneakers. Who wore raggedy sneakers with a skirt on? And especially with the skirt she was wearing now, which wasn't even her school uniform.

"Here you go Serenity." Luna handed her a quadruple scooped ice cream cone, just as she had promised. Serena Claire stared at the ice cream broodingly.

"It's vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, and butter pecan," Luna said since the girl didn't say anything. "Serenity?" Still the girl didn't respond. Luna sighed. "Serena?" she tried. Gray eyes met her eyes.

"Yes?" she asked, licking the first scoop of ice cream.

Luna shook her head, smiling. "You'll do fine Sere. You're a natural."

Serena Claire just shrugged. "Whatever you say Luna." She pictured ways on how to get payback on Luna and her parents. Sweet revenge, she thought as she licked away at her ice cream.

The bus soon arrived and she was forced to throw out the ice cream cone because of the `No Food on the Bus' rule. Luna smiled apologetically as she waved. Serena smiled and said goodbye to everyone congregated at the bus stop. Turning around, she entered fully into the bus and found a seat, dumping her luggage at the seat next to her.

"Orcyrde Academy, here I come," she said softly to herself as she pulled out a book. The title said Calculus, but inside was the comic book she never returned to Raye. She smiled softly.

"Let the games begin."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the story. I had to re-write the beginning four times until I was satisfied with it. Sad, I know. Thanks to Krys for once again editing my fic. *glomps you* Anyways, I hope you all take the time to review, and if you do, I promise to get the next chapter out soon. *begs for at least 10 reviews* ^^; A girl can hope, can she not? REVIEW!