Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Love's Got a Hold On My Heart ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Love's Got A Hold On My Heart (Revised)

Chapter 1

By: Jessica M. Moonflower

Rated: PG-13

 

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies

 

ANs: I know I've stated in the past that Chapter 1 has been revised, but I felt that I didn't do the best job on the revision. After eight years of finally coming back to this story, I realized just how horrible my writing was when I first started. My writing skills have improved since then, which is why I put newer chapters for this story and The Beauty Within Her on hold. I really didn't see the point in continuing two stories where my older chapters didn't reflect the maturity of my writing style now. I want to thank everyone who has ever e-mailed me or left me comments on my site asking me about the continuation of either multi-part fic. Your unfailing devotion means a lot to me, and I'm determined to finish both fics. Enjoy the newer and better revision.

 

"Follow love and it will flee. Flee love and it will follow thee."

-John Gay

 

-----

 

“Lita, have you seen my laptop case?”

 

Serena rushed out of her bedroom and flung back the double doors of the hallway closet. She bent over and tossed shoeboxes, sneakers, high heels, and folded shopping bags over her shoulder. Serena then straightened up and pushed the coats hanging off their hangers aside in the hopes that she carelessly stashed her missing black laptop case deep inside the closet. After spending part of her morning turning her whole room upside down to look for it, Serena was on the verge of panicking.

 

She raked a frustrated hand through her sunflower colored bangs. A helpless sigh escaped from her glossy pink lips. The last thing she needed was to be late for work over a laptop case, which contained her laptop. On it, was a saved copy of a very important review she did on a bakery located on 34th Street. Leaving the apartment without her work would not be a wise decision. Not only that, but there were a few last minute tweaks she needed to make on her article before sending it off to her editor this morning. As the top food critic of The New York Times, Serena had deadlines to meet. The idea of being late for work on top of not having her review in her editor's inbox by 9 a.m. sharp was not an option. As a journalist working for a reputable New York newspaper, it was imperative to be on top of everything.

 

Serena prided herself for being one step ahead of her deadlines and of writing quality reviews people wanted to read. She wasn't about to let her college degree in journalism go to waste by spewing out garbage. If people wanted to read trash, they could buy the tabloids at their local supermarket. Serena was a responsible and hard working food critic and she never missed a deadline. Missing a big deadline for the first time in her life would taint her already perfect track record for submitting articles in on time. Her editor would not be too pleased either if she could not keep her act together.

 

Picking up a pair of cream-colored pumps Serena tossed earlier off the floor, she hurriedly slipped them on and ran into the living room to continue her search. She checked under couches and tables with the hopes of finding her laptop case, but came up empty-handed. Serena tossed a pillow back on the couch, stomping one foot on the cushioned carpet in agitation.

 

Where was Lita anyway? She never did respond to Serena's urgent call earlier.

 

“Lita, can you come out here please.”

 

The command flew out of Serena's mouth with a mixture of unrestrained irritation and apprehension.

 

The bathroom door swung open to reveal a towering brunette in the process of tying her hair up in a ponytail with a satin green ribbon. From where Serena stood, Lita could easily be mistaken for a supermodel rather than the owner and head chef of one of New York's finest dining places, The Mystic Forest. Her 5'10” stature, olive tan skin, and striking emerald green eyes made Lita much prettier than any cover model Serena had seen in Vogue or any other fashion magazine out there.

 

“You called?”

 

“Actually, I called for you,” Serena glanced down at her gleaming silver watch, “about ten minutes ago, but that's besides the point. Have you seen my laptop case? My laptop is in there and I've been going nuts looking for it.”

 

Lita shook her head. “No, I haven't seen it.”

 

Serena groaned and stalked into the kitchen, where she grabbed a wooden stool and plopped herself on it. She rested her chin on the table, a dismayed look etched on her face. Lita followed her into the kitchen, and opened the cupboards to search for two ceramic coffee cups.

 

“I need my laptop, Lita,” Serena moaned. “My review is in it and my editor expects the article to be sent to him by 9. What am I supposed to tell him? Sorry, sir, but my article will be late because I lost my laptop case with my laptop inside? Sorry, but I'm not about to utter a string of excuses to my editor.”

 

“Here.” Lita poured the steaming black coffee into a yellow mug and offered it to Serena. “Have some coffee.”

 

Serena took the mug from Lita and smiled gratefully. “This is so aggravating. If I could rewrite my review now and still submit it in on time I would.” Serena dumped two lumps of sugar into her coffee and stirred the liquid rigorously with her spoon. “But where am I going to find the time? It's not like I have spare time to do this before going to work.”

 

“Take a deep breath and calm down, Serena. Sit here and drink your coffee while I go and look for your laptop case. I'm sure you just misplaced it.”

 

Serena sipped her coffee, an appreciative smile replacing her frown. “Thanks, Leets.”

 

“No problem.” She winked.

 

Serena took another sip of her hot coffee, savoring the bittersweet taste of the liquid. Although she was thankful that Lita was willing to take over the search for her missing laptop case while she had her coffee, Serena couldn't help but check her watch every five seconds. The threat of coming to the office late still loomed over her head. It was difficult to relax when her morning started off badly already. She watched Lita exit the living room and disappear in another room in the apartment.

 

Good old Lita, Serena thought as she reached for a croissant on the counter table. I can always count on her to be there for me.

 

Lita was one of Serena's long time high school friends and her best friend. She recalled their first meeting. Lita was a new transfer student at their private high school. Many of the students were in awe of her because of her exceptional beauty, but they were also scared of her. Rumors were floating around the school about how Lita got kicked out of her previous high school for beating up three students. Other rumors claimed that she was an unruly delinquent that the teachers and principal had no desire to handle anymore, which led to her being thrown out of her last school.

 

Serena heard all the rumors, but she was one of the few who weren't afraid to approach the brunette. She remembered seeing Lita sitting at a table in a corner of the cafeteria all by herself. Lita ate her lunch quietly while she looked out the window. Serena noticed how sad and lonely the tall girl was without anyone to talk to. It was Lita's sad eyes that convinced Serena to approach her.

 

Serena smiled at the memory of her other friend Amy trying to dissuade her from talking to Lita. Despite Amy's fervent warnings, Serena was determined to make friends with the new girl and ignore the rumors. She never regretted it since. Not only did Serena find out that the rumors were greatly exaggerated, she also found out that Lita was a fiercely loyal person who would protect her friends at all costs.

 

After they graduated from college, Lita and her rented an apartment together and lived together as roommates ever since. During that time, Lita worked as an apprentice under renowned chef Pierre Laurant while working tiny jobs in between to save enough money to open her own restaurant. Serena got her start as a journalist by working at a small newspaper company called The New York Minute. Two years later, and after a lot of struggle and hard work, both of them ended up at a good place in their careers. Lita had saved enough money to open her own restaurant in Midtown Manhattan and Serena had secured herself a job at The New York Times as a food critic.

 

Serena snapped out of her reverie when the doorbell rang. She dropped her half eaten croissant on a plate and wiped the remaining crumbs from her mouth before getting up to answer the door. Lita poked her head out of her bedroom at the same time as Serena left the kitchen.

 

“Who is it?” Serena asked while Lita emerged completely out of her room to join her roommate at the door.

 

“It's Mina!” a chirpy voice answered.

 

Serena scratched her head and checked the time. 7:45 a.m. What was Mina doing here? Wasn't she supposed to be at work by now? Serena shot a look over to Lita, who shrugged and shook her head, feeling just as puzzled as Serena was. Serena unlocked the door and pulled it open to unveil a jovial blonde at their door.

 

“Good morning, ladies. How are you two today?” Mina beamed, stepping into the apartment.

 

“Fine, except, aren't you supposed to be at the school?” Lita asked.

 

“I've got time to spare. I don't need to be in until at least 8:30.”

 

Mina worked as a kindergarten teacher at a local elementary school. Her friendly and easy-going attitude towards children made her a favorite teacher among her students.

 

Serena closed the door behind her and leaned against it. Standing side-by-side, Mina could easily be mistaken as her twin sister. It was a comment both Serena and Mina got often in college. The only difference between the two women was that Mina's hair and eye colors were a shade lighter than Serena's. Mina was constantly cheerful while Serena was more serious.

 

Serena flicked back a bothersome stray curl and grunted at the sound of Mina's upbeat attitude. “It's not a lovely morning, Mina, so please take the cheeriness level down a notch.”

 

Mina whirled around to face Serena, her smile wiped clean from her face. Instead, a concerned look replaced her sunny disposition. “What's wrong, Serena? Bad night?”

 

At Mina's last comment, Serena's eyes narrowed at her. Mina gulped, and she slowly backed away from her blond friend. When Serena was in her irritated moods, it was best not to provoke her any further.

 

“She lost her laptop case with her laptop inside. Her review is saved on her computer, and today's the deadline for the article,” Lita calmly and gently explained. “Please excuse Serena for her annoyed attitude this morning. She has been tearing her hair out looking for her laptop case.”

 

Mina tilted her head to the side with a bemused expression on her face. “Is that all? You just reminded me of why I was here.” She pulled out an object from behind her back and held up a thin black laptop case with a triumphant and satisfied twinkle in her eyes. “I believe this is yours, Sere. You must have left it at my place when you and Lita came over last night.”

 

Serena's eyes lit up with an overwhelming sense of joy at the sight of her precious laptop case. Her bitter mood dissipated in an instant as she rammed into Mina to grab the case from her. The sudden impact of Serena's body on Mina's caused the latter to lose her balance, which sent the two of them toppling backwards onto the floor. Serena landed hard on top of Mina, who moaned beneath her.

 

“Serena, I know you're grateful to have your laptop case back, but was it really necessary to tackle me?” she yelled, struggling under Serena's weight. Mina rubbed the back of her throbbing head and growled. Now, she knew how football players felt when they were tackled to the ground to gain possession of the ball.

 

Serena chuckled sheepishly and moved off of Mina. She stepped back to give her enough room to stand up and gather her things together. “I'm sorry, Mina. I've been going crazy trying to find my laptop case. You don't know how much you're saving my behind right now.”

 

“Yeah, yeah,” she waved a tired hand at Serena. “Just take your laptop case already.”

 

Serena grabbed it from Mina's outstretched hand, and hugged it close to her chest. She gleefully chanted, “My beautiful laptop case” several times, and Lita and Mina exchanged weird looks. Serena's normally serious demeanor was temporarily effaced by her uncharacteristically silly mood, which wasn't something either Lita or Mina was used to.

 

“Psycho.” Mina shook her head.

 

“You're telling me.” Lita rubbed her tired temples.

 

“Well, I don't care what you guys think of me.” Serena strode past them with a stupid smirk on her lips. She grabbed her mug off the countertop and gulped down the rest of her coffee. “The important thing is my laptop case is now in my possession and I won't be missing my deadline.”

 

“If we don't get going now, your boss won't be too happy to find you late for work.” Lita pointed to her watch, which read 8:00 a.m.

 

Serena's eyes widened and she hastily swung the strap of her laptop case over her shoulder and grabbed her shoulder bag off the dining room table. Instantly reverting back to her normal self, Serena looked at Lita and Mina and tapped an impatient foot on the hardwood floor. “It's already that late? What are you guys waiting for? Let's move it.”

 

“Slow down, Speedy Gonzalez.” Mina held her hand up to stop Serena in her tracks. “There's no need to freak out again. I can drive the two of you to work. Your office and Lita's restaurant are in the same direction as the school.”

 

“It's not any trouble, Mina?” Lita questioned, snatching her purse and keys from the coffee table.

 

“Not at all.”

 

“Good. Now quit talking and start moving. We don't know what the traffic will be like this morning,” Serena declared. She threw the door wide open and rushed down the hall to the elevator.

 

Mina and Lita stared at the opened door and sighed.

 

“She never changes,” they said in unison.

 

-----

 

Traffic was moving at a quick and consistent speed for the morning rush hour. Occasionally, there was at least one or two cars honking their horns, but other than that, it was a pleasant drive through Manhattan. Serena occupied the passenger seat while Lita had the whole backseat to herself. The comforting melodies of jazz music playing in the background produced a mellow atmosphere, but Mina kept the volume low to allow casual conversation to be heard.

 

“How are you and David doing, Serena?” Mina queried as she pulled the car to a stop at a red light.

 

“You mean are we hitting it off?” Serena asked in an impartial tone. Her interest was directed more towards the words flashing on her laptop than having a detailed discussion on her dating life.

 

Mina rolled her eyes at Serena's cool remark.

 

“What do you think? Of course that's what I mean.”

 

Serena saved her file, closed her computer, and then slipped it in its case before zipping it shut.

 

“I'm not dating David anymore.”

 

“What?” Mina and Lita exclaimed together, shock evident in their wide eyes.

 

“I don't know why both of you sound so stunned. The two of you already know that I'm not easily wooed by men anymore.”

 

Mina exchanged a look with Lita through the rearview mirror.

 

Serena knew Mina and Lita found it difficult to understand her, especially when Serena changed from a very optimistic and hopeless romantic young girl to a more bitter, colder woman. All her friends were concerned when she decided to take a bitingly realistic approach to life after they graduated from college. Serena started working harder, more than she ever did before, and always found an excuse to refuse dates from potential guys. She no longer had time for foolish daydreaming.

 

“Serena, you've been rejecting every guy that asked you out. And the ones you do date, you give them the brush off once the night is over. Isn't it about time you gave these men more of a chance? There are plenty of decent guys in the world. It's just a matter of finding them,” Lita pointed out, putting her hands behind her head.

 

“Lita is right, Sere,” Mina chimed in, swerving the car to the right at the next corner. “I think you're rejecting every single guy out there because you're afraid to have your heart broken.”

 

“That's not true,” Serena rebuffed Mina's claim before she could say anything else. “I'm a busy woman. My career comes first, before anything else. If I remain single until I'm ninety-years-old, then, that's fine by me. This is the year 2007. Women are allowed to be strong and independent with or without a man.”

 

“Take it easy, Serena.” Lita leaned forward and draped one arm behind Serena's seat. “There's nothing wrong with being an independent woman, but we both think that you're not meant to be alone. You once believed in love.”

 

“Love is an illusion. It doesn't exist. At least for people like me,” Serena whispered the last part to herself. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she stared at the stores and cars that whizzed past them.

 

Mina sensed it was about time to alleviate some of the tension that engulfed the entire car, and changed the subject entirely.

 

“Amy called me last night. She said she'd meet us for dinner at the Royal Lounge around 8:30 tonight. Are you guys still coming?”

 

“Yeah,” Lita answered for both Serena and her. “We'll be there. Is Raye coming too, Serena?”

 

“I don't know yet. I'll have to ask her when I see her.”

 

Mina pulled the car to a stop in front of a grand and lavish building. The New York Times building looked more like a modern day palace than an office building. The exterior of the building was the color of sand and the high roofs were painted a mint green. Several rows of windows dazzled against the morning sunlight. Crowds of people were bustling inside and outside of the building: a normal sight on a typical workday.

 

Serena slammed the car door shut and waved good-bye to Mina and Lita through the window.

 

“I'll see you guys tonight.”

 

“See you.” Mina and Lita exclaimed as the car sped off.

 

Silence enveloped the current inhabitants of the car. Lita sat with her arms crossed over her chest, her mind momentarily elsewhere. Her forehead crinkled slightly as if she was trying to concentrate on something important.

 

Mina's eyes briefly rested upon the rearview mirror, and noticed Lita's tense sitting position.

 

“Something wrong, Leets? You look like you're deeply uneasy about something.”

 

“It's Serena. Don't you ever wonder if she'll open her heart to love again?”

 

Mina sat quietly in her seat and pondered the question seriously.

 

Serena may deny that she was leaving carefully constructed walls around her heart, but Mina knew that, deep down inside, her friend was scared of love and getting her heart broken. When love was concerned, Mina was very perceptive of other people's emotions and hearts. She was somehow able to sense if couples fit together seamlessly like a richly woven tapestry. Although Mina wanted more than anything for Serena to find her match, she didn't want her friend to end up with the wrong guy either. Then again, Serena wasn't going to find the right guy if she didn't take a chance at exploring the men who were interested in her. Out of the handful of guys in this city, there must be one that was bold enough to take on Serena, the Ice Queen.

 

“I'm not exactly sure if she will, Lita. You know that girl is a stubborn ox.”

 

“You have a point there.” Lita's eyes strayed towards a Barnes & Noble bookstore standing off to the side, and she scrutinized the display window from her seat. “Serena is as curt and indifferent with men as she is with her restaurant reviews. No wonder half of New York's finest restaurant establishments are terrified of her. She didn't get the nickname of `Ice Queen' for nothing. And the ironic thing is, you never would have believed she was one back in high school and college.”

 

“Serena is a different person, but--“ Mina trailed off.

 

“But what?” Lita prodded, eager for Mina to finish her thought.

 

“But what if the men she's meeting aren't challenging enough? One look at Serena's icy glare would send any man shrinking back to the deepest corner of the world, never to return.”

 

“You know, I never looked at it that way before. So far, no one has taken up the challenge of chipping away that strict and aloof exterior Serena seems to favor outside her circle of friends. Do you think such a guy is capable of such a task?”

 

“Maybe.” Mina's sky blue eyes shimmered with hope. “I have a hunch that the right person is out there. It's only a matter of time before Serena stumbles upon him.”

 

 

 

To be continued…

 

 

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You may have noticed that I've made considerable changes to this chapter. Expect a few changes in all the other chapters currently published. Special thanks to Raven and my editor Lavendermc, who have both edited this chapter. Also thanks for reading, and leave me a review or drop me a line. Any reviews and encouragement is much appreciated. Until the next revision!

 

 

(Chapter revised July 27, 2007)