Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Normal Teenager ❯ The Surprise ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon and its characters. Got it? Good. Also, some parts in this chapter are from “Macbeth”.

A Normal Teenager (04/-)

By: Lillian

“Serena Claire, please stay after class for a few minutes,” Professor Taylor, Serena's English teacher, informed her with an authoritative tone.

Serena sank lower into her seat, a blush readily staining her pale cheeks. She nodded in affirmation and continued her descent towards the tiled floor.

“What did you do?” A curious Mina whispered across from her.

Serena shrugged. “I don't know.” But she did know. It probably had to do with her essay she turned in three days ago. Her last English tutor never enforced the need to write essays. They mainly sat in the family study and discussed literature, and most of the time, she'd be dozing off or thinking of her next role.

“Professor Anthony talked to her as well,” Amy stated, looking at Serena suspiciously. “If you're having any trouble with your schoolwork Serena--,”

“I'm fine, really,” Serena cut off. “Professor Anthony just wanted to ask if I was adjusting well to our `beloved school',” she said in a sarcastic tone.

“It's not just math though, Serena. You're also behind in physics.” Amy's forehead creased in a troubled thought. “I understand you were considered the top of your class but that was at your public school. Orcyrde Academy has different standards of difficulty. Maybe its best if you switch to a lower level in your trouble subjects?”

“Amy!” Mina said, aghast. “That was quite rude of you to say that.”

Amy had the decency to blush. “I had to be blunt in order to get the point across, Mina. I wouldn't like to see our friend Serena fail…. She's at a disadvantage, as you well know. We've all been schooled at the top private schools, but Serena's only just now experienced our way of life. I'm sure it must be difficult for her.”

“I'm right here you know,” Serena said, irritated. She sighed. “Let's just read this passage like Professor Taylor told us to do,” she said, changing the subject.

“I've already read Macbeth, so you two could just finish up,” Amy responded.

Mina grinned sheepishly. “I'm not a nerd like Amy,” she stuck her tongue out at the smart girl in a teasing manner, “but I've already read this as well.” Mina pushed the heavy book onto Serena's desk.

Serena stared down at the book, then at her two friends. “Were we supposed to read this over the summer or something?”

Both her friends shook their heads. Serena didn't want to be the only one reading…. The name Macbeth sounded familiar to her. Hopefully when the teacher began the discussion, it would trigger some part of her memory to remember the story.

She feigned surprise. “Wow, I've read this already too.” She laughed. “I guess we're done then.”

“You have just a few more minutes class,” Professor Taylor announced.

Serena closed the book, then took off her glasses and closed her eyes, leaning her head against the cool desk. She could hear the desks scraping against the floor, probably moving them back to their proper rows. She opened her eyes and took a peek at her surroundings. Amy and Mina still hadn't moved from their spot next to her. She sat upright and looked at them questioningly.

“We don't have to move just yet,” Amy told her, nodding her head towards another group who were still busy reading.

“Wow Serena, you're so pretty without your glasses!” Mina immediately covered her mouth in shock. “Not that you aren't always pretty,” she tried to fix her blunder.

Serena shoved her glasses back on. “Ha,” she laughed weakly.

“Alright class,” Professor Taylor said. “Let's try something new today. Who would like to be Macbeth?” If Darien had been there, Serena was sure he'd get the part. In his place, another boy with brown hair and pale green eyes took the part.

“And Lady Macbeth?” None of the girls raised their hands. Professor Taylor scanned the room, her eyes focusing on… “Miss Claire, care to play Lady Macbeth?”

Serena shrugged. It couldn't be that hard. “Certainly, Professor Taylor.”

“Alright, we'll start with Act 1, Scene 5. Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, I want you two to act this scene out. There's also a messenger in this scene, but we'll just skip that part for now.” She walked over to the two students and handed them a paperback version of `Macbeth'. “Go to the front of the room now and please take this seriously. The rest of you, follow along in your books. I believe it is on page… 339.”

Serena trailed after her fellow classmate to the front of the room. She found the spot in the book and stared calmly back at her classmates. She glanced at her acting partner. He seemed… nervous somehow. Was she supposed to be nervous too? They were merely acting after all.

“Start on line 15, Serena,” Professor Taylor ordered.

Serena nodded and scanned the lines before and after it, trying to pick up the tone of voice so she could imitate it. She took a deep breath, and then started. “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full o' the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.”

She continued along, making sure to fully enhance her emotions through her facial expressions and bodily movements. She finished line 58 and stopped with a flourish. It was Macbeth's turn to speak. She stared down at the book, waiting to hear Macbeth's lines, but they were never uttered. Curiously, she looked up and stared at Macbeth. He was staring at her oddly. She looked at the teacher and her fellow classmates. They too seemed to have been caught up in the silence.

One lone voice broke the stillness. “Bravo!” Professor Taylor called out, clapping her hands ecstatically. Her classmates soon followed in her example. Clapping filled her ears, as well as hooting and other such calls. Serena looked at them, shocked. “That was simply marvelous, Miss Claire. I haven't seen such professional acting like that in years. My, you would be a lovely addition to our school's theatre group.”

“Uh, thank you, but no thanks. I can't act.” Serena quickly mumbled and hurried back to her seat. She sat down and buried her head within her arms.

“Can't act?” Mina whispered in disbelief from her seat next to her. “I consider myself a good actress, but I could never pull off what you just did.

Serena stared at her friend. “What are you talking about?”

“You brought Lady Macbeth to life, Serena. You were brilliant,” Amy commented as she closed her book. She gathered the rest of her textbooks into a side pile on her desk.

Before she could respond, the bell rang. Students promptly carried their things and walked swiftly out of the door.

“Hurry up with Professor Taylor's chat, alright? I don't want to be too late for lunch today like last time,” Mina said. Mina then looked at the blue haired girl then demanded “And you, you'll be eating lunch with us this time.”

Amy blushed. “I guess I'm just so used to eating by myself that it's become habit to walk outside and not into the cafeteria.”

The two followed their classmates out the door while Serena walked over towards her professor.

“Serena, you have a gift and that gift is acting,” Professor Taylor said. “Now, I usually don't do this but I'll make an exception for you. I'll be more lenient on you when it comes to your essays,” the professor visibly winced, “if you improve your writing skills AND join this year's play.”

“That's all?” Serena asked in surprise.

Professor Taylor nodded. “You're friends with Miss Anderson, correct? Well, have her help you on your essays. She could proofread it for you and give you some pointers. Miss Anderson is a brilliant student who would be delighted in helping a friend out.”

Serena silently agreed and nodded in approval.

“Now as for this play, the drama professor decided it should be based on `Romeo and Juliet'. You'd be just perfect to play Juliet.”

Serena frowned. “You said based on. Do you mean that it'll be modernization of the original?”

Professor Taylor smiled. “Yes, that's what's happening for this play. I don't know the full details of course, so that's why I want you to go see Professor Winthorpe as soon as possible. She's the drama teacher if you didn't know.”

“Alright,” Serena agreed.

Professor Taylor picked up a folder and searched through the bundle of papers. She picked one out and handed it to her. It was her essay. “I want you to work on this and hand it in to me by Thursday. That gives you three extra days, alright?”

Serena graciously accepted her horrible essay. “Thank you for the second chance.”

“Thank you, Serena, for agreeing to be part of the play. With you playing the lead, I'm sure we'll have a bigger audience than the previous years.”

* * *

“You did what?!” Luna screamed into the phone.

Serena winced and pulled the phone further away from her ear. “I said that I joined the school play.”

“And just why exactly would you do a stupid thing like that?” Luna asked forcibly.

“How is joining the school play stupid?” Serena asked confusedly. She could hear Luna's pen tapping from the other line. Serena visibly winced. That only meant one thing: Luna was annoyed. An annoyed Luna was not a nice person to talk to.

“It's stupid because it could give you away! People could see how you act and associate it to well, you! You have a distinct acting style, Serenity. If they see you on stage, people could see past the act and realize that you're Serenity Blair and not nerdy Serena Claire.”

Serena sighed. “That won't happen Luna. I'll make sure that won't happen.” (

“At least tell me how you're doing in school. Are you the top of your class?”

“More like the bottom,” she moaned. “Honestly, it feels like boot camp minus the physical labor. You just had to pick one of the hardest schools for me.” Serena bite her lower lip and whispered closer to the receiver. “I'm failing all my subjects and even one of my friends is noticing it. If I remember correctly, she's the top student out of the whole school.”

“Well, at least you're friends with her. You could imitate her when we start filming that show.”

Serena nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. You just need to remember that I didn't even try out for the part yet.”

“That doesn't matter. All the important people already know you have the part. So, how's life at your school? Met anyone?” Luna asked teasingly.

Serena sighed. “Well, there's this jerk that keeps bugging me in almost all my classes…”

“Is he cute?” she prodded further.

“Yes… no! No, he isn't cute. Luna! Why are you even asking that?” Serena groaned. She picked up her pillow and fluffed it up before lying back down on her bed. She stared up at the ceiling while waiting for Luna's response.

“I can tell you're lying Sere,” Luna said. “It'll do you good if you get a boyfriend as well. Remember what the show's about.”

“Yeah, yeah. You mentioned something about the nerdy girl falling for someone.”

“The script says that the lead falls for a handsome jock type. Hey, is your `jerk' a jock type?”

“Um, maybe? Why?”

“Serenity dear, off the record so your father won't kill me when I tell this of you: snag him.”

Serena blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Make him your boyfriend.”

“But I'm only staying here for a month!” she yelled into the receiver.

“Oh, about that… Well, plans change Serenity. You'll be playing student for another two months.”

“Two… more…months?” she repeated weakly. She was shocked at the turn of events. “What did my parents say about this change?”

“They rather liked it actually,” Luna said smugly. “If I remember correctly, your mother said that you might actually learn something useful this time. She also mentioned something about tutors and food. I didn't really understand what she meant by that though.”

Serena blushed. “Uh, when I was younger, I'd have a temper tantrum and would throw food at the tutors I hated.”

“Uh huh.” Luna paused.

The door opened and Mina stormed in, followed closely by Molly and Amy.

“Look, I gotta go Luna. I'll talk to you later,” Serena whispered hurriedly and shut off her cell phone.

“Who was that?” Molly asked as she made herself comfortable on Mina's bed. Amy did the same while Mina made her way towards her closet.

“Just a friend thinking I'm nuts when I told her about me being in the play,” she replied. “I was known to be quite shy at my old school.”

They nodded their heads. “At least you're not as shy as Amy here,” Mina joked as she rummaged through her clothes.

Serena looked at her curiously. “What's she doing?” she asked the other two girls.

“Play rehearsals of course. We don't have to wear our uniforms so I'm changing into some normal clothes for a change,” Mina answered still poking around in her small closet.

Serena winced when she heard that. So far, she had gotten away with wearing only her school uniform and her nightclothes. She was used to the more glamorous fashions, not the plain clothes that Susan had designed.

“You should change into more comfy clothes as well. G-d, I've been dying to wear jeans. I like skirts, but wearing it all the time with knee-high socks is just too much.”

“I didn't know you were in the play, Mina,” Serena said. “What part are you playing?”

“She was playing Juliet until you came along,” Molly said with a sad smile on her face as she stared at her best friend.

Serena placed a hand over her mouth in shock. “Oh gosh, I'm sorry Mina! I didn't know they filled that part already.”

Mina turned around and faced Serena. “Although I was a tad bit upset, I know you'd play a better Juliet than I could. The only thing I'll regret is missing out on kissing Darien.” She let out a dreamy sigh. “Oh well, there's always next year.” She winked.

Serena immediately stood up. “Did you just say kiss Darien? You mean I have to kiss Darien?!”

“That is how the play ends, Serena,” Amy said with her nose in a book.

“Except you get to kiss him more than once,” Mina grinned. “You two would make the perfect couple.”

Serena rolled her eyes. “He's not my type,” she said off-handedly. She was worried. Kiss the jerk more than once? He was cute, she had to admit, but he was such a player and an annoying jerk.

“Aren't you going to change?” Mina questioned.

Serena nodded and walked up to the closet she shared with Mina. She discreetly pulled out a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. “I'll go change in the bathrooms and meet you back here,” Serena said.

Luckily, there was no one in the bathroom when she entered. She locked the door, wanting her privacy and hoping an angry classmate wouldn't come by any time soon. Serena held the plain cotton t-shirt in her hands. It was designed well enough, she guessed, but this was a girl who would wear silk and satin blouses on a daily occurrence. Although she'd forgo jeans for a more pretty skirt or pants, the few jeans she did possess were all designer brands that looked expensive. The jeans Susan had bought her were called Mudd Jeans. Why would anyone wear a piece of clothing that was named Mudd?

Serena removed her uniform consisting of a polo shirt, skirt, jacket, and tie. She removed her knee high socks as well. She dubiously picked up the pair of jeans and slid them on. They were a solid plain blue color, something that had gone out of style in the `90s. She took the shirt and put that one on quickly enough, glancing at her reflection. It was a cute shirt, she guessed after looking at it for a while. She sometimes saw other teen girls wearing shirts with cute phrases. Hers merely had a picture of glittering stars.

“This is a public bathroom!” Serena heard someone shout from the other side of the door. “Unlock the door already! I need in.”

Serena grabbed her belongings while she yelled out a “sorry” to the person on the other side. She unlocked the door and ran out of the bathroom in a hurry, not stopping until she reached her dorm room.

“What took you?” Mina asked, annoyed as she brushed her long blonde hair. “We're gonna be late if we don't leave soon.”

Serena dumped her uniform onto her bed. “Where's Molly and Amy?” she asked.

Mina shrugged. “They left a few minutes ago. Cute shirt by the way. Where'd you get it?”

“Um…I don't remember,” she fibbed.

“Ah well.” Mina put the brush down on her dresser. “Come on, let's go.”

* * * *

The various actors and actresses of the school sat in semicircle on the stage. The drama teacher had a flair for words as she sang her praises about the future production.

“And since we have a new actress amongst us, why don't we all just mingle and get to know each other better?” the teacher stated cheerfully. “Come on students, up and about. We can't have laziness present on this stage after all.”

Mina bounced out of her seat waved at Serena to do the same. “Do you need to be introduced to anyone here, Serena?” she asked

“Hello, new girl,” a smooth sexy voice said from behind her. She cringed and slowly turned around.

“Shields,” she replied dutifully, nodding her head in greeting.

“You've been avoiding me,” he stated, blue eyes twinkling with amusement as his lips formed a pout.

“Oh, just leave me alone jerk-face!” she screamed at him, frustrated. Mina tugged at her shoulder and navigated her away from Darien.

“Do you really hate him that much? I agree, he can be a jerk at times, but most of the time, he's pretty agreeable with.” Mina and Serena now stood in front of a tall girl, brooding silently at the corner of the stage.

“Hey Lita,” Mina greeted the tall girl. The girl twirled her auburn colored hair and stared down at them. She studied Serena the most, her emerald eyes staring closely at her. Serena fidgeted in her spot, not liking the almost knowing stare that Lita was giving her. She didn't know the truth, did she?

“You two could be twins,” Lita finally said, a smile on her face. “I'm Lita,” she said, holding out her hand for Serena to shake. Serena let out a sigh of relief before shaking the taller girl's hand in return

“You're in my art class if I remember correctly,” Serena said. She was delighted, now she had a friend in that class.

She nodded. “I hear you got stuck being Lady Montague, Mina. What happened?” Lita asked curiously.

Mina laughed. “She stole my part.” She nudged Serena playfully.

A looming figure blocked off the stage light. “Serena,” his voice called out her name. It sent shivers down her spine. No one ever made that name sound so exotic before.

“What is it Shields?” Serena sighed.

He was standing there, hand rubbing at the back of his head in nervousness. “Perhaps we can chat alone?”

Serena placed her hands on her hips and frowned. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of my friends.”

Mina and Lita gave each other a look, then stared back at Serena and Darien.

“They'd make such a cute couple, don't you think?” Mina whispered to Lita quickly tuning out Serena and Darien and their conversation.

Lita continued to scrutinize Serena. “There's something off about her though… I can't put my finger to it. But honestly, I'm surprised that Darien Shield's even talking to her. She's not his type.”

Mina frowned at this and stared at the brunette now whispering quietly to Darien. The girl, more out of habit, nudged her large framed glasses upwards. It was an unusual sight to see, the new school nerd and the popular jock together.

“You'd be a better match, Mina,” Lita said. “With your blonde hair and his black, you'd be quite a couple.”

“You're wrong though, Lita,” Mina replied with a gloomy tone. “Both their personalities just click. Besides, it's over between Darien and me.” She sighed. “Secret relationships never do work out well, do they?”

Lita saw the tears beginning to form on Mina's face. She quickly embraced the girl in a hug. “You have a big heart, Mina. I'm sure you'll find the perfect boyfriend soon enough.” She let go of their embrace, a smirk on her face. “I've seen a certain Malachite staring at you in drama class.”

Just from hearing it, Mina's blue eyes searched for the owner to the name. There he stood, just a few feet away, eyeing her like a lost puppy. Mina turned away and blushed. “You think he likes me?” she whispered.

“Obviously, he does,” Lita replied absolutely. “Hey,” she directed towards Darien. “Do you think we can have our friend back now?” Her eyebrow rose as she waited for his answer. Both of them laughed. Darien shook Serena's hand and walked over towards his friends. Serena did the same, a glazed look in her eyes.

“Sorry we zoned out. Well, tell us the scoop!” Mina said anxiously.

Serena smiled. “The jerk finally apologized. He even agreed to do my math homework for me, but I told him Amy wouldn't like that. So then he agreed to help tutor me in math.” Serena began to jump up and down. “Now I won't fail math! Yes!”

Lita stared at the brunette incredulously. “You mean to tell me that you both were whispering over ten minutes just to arrange a tutoring session?”

Serena frowned. “What else would I be talking about?”

The two girls listening intently fell over when they heard that.

“So he didn't ask you out?” Mina asked weakly.

Serena blushed. “We're taking the next step.”

Both girls were all ears as they waited to hear Serena's answer.

“Friendship,” Serena sighed happily.

Molly and Amy walked onto the backstage through the side door at that exact moment.

“Why are those two on the floor?” Molly asked as she walked over to Mina and helped her up. Amy and Serena did the same and helped Lita on a seat.

“You don't want to know, Moll,” Mina said, shaking her head.

Lita nodded in agreement. “Definitely.”

* * *

“You didn't seem to do much in rehearsal today,” Amy spoke out amongst the group.

Serena shrugged. “The teacher just gave me a copy of the play and told me to start memorizing my lines.”

The girls were wandering off towards the front lawn to relax. Classes were officially over for the day, as were most after school clubs. Amy was the only person in their group who carried a handful of books with her. Lita stretched out but immediately stopped in her tracks. The rest of the group soon followed and stared at the figure that held Lita's attention.

It was a tall girl, although not as tall as Lita. She held herself with such confidence and grace. Her long fiery purple locks swayed with each step she took. She removed the sunglasses covering her eyes and smirked at the group, most specifically, Serena.

“Sere!” she called out. “You still didn't give me back my comic book!” she yelled jokingly. Serena just stared at her friend in confusion. “Don't you even miss me in the slightest?” Raye asked, slight hurt in her voice.

Immediately, Serena ran up to her best friend and trapped her in a bear hug. “What are you doing here?” she finally asked once the joy of seeing her had slightly faded.

Raye tossed a few strands of her dark purple hair over her shoulder. “I'm on break,” she said dramatically. With a manicured nail, she poked the girl's glasses. “Wow, totally not used to this `you',” she whispered so only Serena could hear.

Serena shook her head, a smile still firmly placed on her face. “Well anyways, let me introduce you to my friends. This is Amy, and Lita, and--,”

“You!” Mina and Raye yelled at the same time, pointing accusatory fingers at one another.

“You know each other?” Serena asked in surprise.

But both of the two girls ignored her. They were too caught up in glaring at each other.

Author's Notes: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I really do need to thank all of you for the amount of reviews I received for the last chapter. It was mind-boggling. ^_^ Think you can give me the same amount again? J/k! Or am I? 0.o

Also huge thank you to Krys for beta reading and contributing so much of her input on this. If you're reading this, I'll make sure to add in a certain scene that you requested. ^_~ *huggles*