Disclaimer: Daria characters do not belong to me. I make no money writing this.
A quick explanation: This story was just supposed to be just notes for me because I really didn't know who my character Duncan was or how his influence on other characters would be in my story TO MYSELF I TURN aka IN ANOTHER LIFE. It ended up turning into a story.
Warning: Duncan and other characters in this story are not replicas of canon characters. They all are very different just because I have my own theories of how a boy raised in the Morgendorffer/Barksdale family would turn out and how that boy would influence or interact with others.
Second note: To the people who read and liked TO MYSELF I TURN aka IN ANOTHER LIFE, I will continue that once I finish this story. I have not abandoned it.
Moving on: I appreciate reviews of any sort. I hope you enjoy the story.
Chapter 1
Duncan Morgendorffer sat in the backseat of his dad's blue Lexus. His little sister, Quinn, was sitting in the front passenger seat putting on her make-up. Duncan rolled his eyes. He didn't get why a fourteen and half year old girl needed to wear make-up. Quinn wasn't supposed to be attractive at this age.
At the moment, the two were waiting in the car for their dad.
Duncan sighed, leant his head against the window and closed his eyes. Today was his and Quinn's first day at Lawndale High school. He was a sophomore and Quinn was a freshman.
"We're going to be late," Duncan muttered.
"Well, dad did get up later than us," Quinn said. "Obviously, he forgot that he was supposed to take us to school."
"I know. From my room, I heard mom remind him," Duncan said amused.
"I heard from the kitchen," Quinn said laughing lightly.
A few minutes later, the Morgendorffer siblings watched as their dad rushed out the front door and hurried to the car.
"Hey, kids," Jake said, out of breath, getting into the car.
"Hi, daddy," Quinn said simply.
"Good morning, Jake. Have a nice long sleep," Duncan asked amused.
Jake glared at him. "Its dad, and, um, sure," he said putting on his seatbelt.
"Until mom yelled at you to get up and take your children to school," Quinn added lightly.
"Yeah," Jake grumbled starting the car, pulling out of the driveway and heading for the high school.
"Now, driver, if you could just drop me off somewhere that isn't Lawndale High, that would be greatly appreciated," Duncan said seriously.
Quinn giggled.
"You're going to Lawndale," Jake stated firmly.
"I know," Duncan sighed disappointedly.
After a moment, Jake spoke, "I feel like I should say something encouraging."
"How about: if you're going to take out the school leave no survivors; they only complicate things," Duncan said flippantly.
"Duncan," Jake reprimanded.
"It sounded encouraging to me," Duncan said innocently.
Jake sighed. "Look, I know you're not happy to be going to Lawndale, but we still haven't heard back from the other schools. So, this is it, kiddo," he said lightly apologetic.
"Yeah. I know," Duncan said grumpily and looked out the window.
"Actually, I think it's great that we get to go to school together," Quinn said cheerfully.
"Now, who is that great for exactly?" Duncan asked sardonically.
"Ha ha," Quinn said dryly. "You're just mad because you have to make new friends since Jack and Chris want nothing to do with you anymore since we moved here."
"You have that twisted, Quinny," Duncan said annoyed.
"Don't call me that!" Quinn said angrily. "And what's twisted about that? Except for the fact that they've been friends with you since third grade. What they saw in you…" she said, shaking her head.
"Oh, be quiet," Duncan said irritated. "And it was me who ended the friendships with them for your information," he said firmly.
"Why was that?" Jake asked, surprised. "I thought you guys were close? You guys could have written to each other to keep in touch."
"Dad, that's, like, so lame," Duncan chastised. "Besides, a long distance friendship with the two seemed impractical."
"Why?" Jake asked.
"Because it was just too expensive to keep the friendships going. You know, adding up plane tickets to visit each other and phone calls to keep in touch. I highly doubt, dad, that you wanted to pay for all that. Same as their parents," Duncan said simply.
"True," Jake said. "But you could still have tried…"
"Dad. Mom gave me this lecture last week when she found out from Big mouth," Duncan interjected, glaring at Quinn.
"Why'd she lecture you?" Quinn asked intrigued.
"Because she thinks I'm becoming antisocial and that something is wrong with me since they were my only friends in life and now I have none," Duncan said dully.
"Well, I'd worry, too. I've had lots of friends my whole life," Quinn said. "It's kind of sad when you think about it, Dunny. Two friends in your whole life," she said disapprovingly.
"Yeah, well, at least they were good friends. Anyway, I don't see any of your so-called friends calling or writing to you these last three weeks," Duncan said angrily.
"Yeah, well, I've just simply out grown them. I told them I couldn't bother with them anymore. Especially, once I make my new friends here," Quinn said haughtily.
"Or, maybe they're just not that impressed with you anymore," Duncan suggested smugly.
"Guys, knock it off," Jake said absently, focused on driving.
"Whatever, Duncan. You're still just angry because I'm better at making friends than you are," Quinn said airily.
"I am not! And how do you know anyone here will like you? Maybe you'll end up an outcast," Duncan snapped.
"Why wouldn't I be liked?" Quinn asked annoyed.
Duncan smirked. "Oh, I can think of plenty of reasons, Quinny."
Quinn turned in her seat and glared at him. "Ooooh," she growled angrily and threw her lip-gloss at him.
"Ow!" Duncan cried as the gloss hit him in the chest. He grabbed it and threw it back.
Quinn dodged it and the lip-gloss hit the windshield.
"Hey! I said knock it off!" Jake said startled, lightly swerving. "What are you throwing?" he asked glancing at the two.
Quinn picked up the lip-gloss from the floor. "Nothing," she said as she threw the lip-gloss back at Duncan.
"Ow! Hey!" Duncan yelled angrily.
Quinn then shrieked, "Don't!" when Duncan opened the back window and motioned to toss the lip-gloss out.
"Enough! Give it to me," Jake demanded angrily, holding his hand out.
Duncan gave it to him. Quinn held her hand out for it, but Jake pocketed it.
"But daddy! I need it," Quinn whined.
"You can have it back later," Jake said sternly.
"Won't your buddies at work wonder what you're doing with pink lip gloss, dad?" Duncan asked, smirking.
"Never mind," Jake said seriously, as he pulled up in front of the school and stopped. "Get out," Jake said wearily.
"Gee, dad, I've never felt more loved than I do right now," Duncan quipped, opening the car door.
Jake looked at him. "It's too early, son," he said simply.
"It really is. Bye, dad," Quinn said annoyed and got out of the car.
"Bye, honey," Jake said.
Duncan and Jake watched as a group of girls and boys immediately surrounded Quinn.
"Hi. You're cool. What's you're name?" a girl with braids asked.
"Quinn Morgendorffer," Quinn answered.
"Cool name," said a pretty brunette.
"Will you go out with me?" a boy asked.
Quinn seemed overly pleased with the attention.
Duncan looked at Jake. "Did you really want a girl?" he asked.
"Just look after her," Jake said. "Now go. I have to get to work. I'll see you later."
"Later, dad," Duncan said and got out of the car.
Jake drove away.
Duncan looked at the crowd that was admiring his sister. He shook his head, irritated, and walked into the school's main building. He went into the Main office, picked up his class schedule and was told to sit in the hall to wait for the Principal.
There was already a small group of students in the hallway. Duncan figured they must be the other new students. He stood near them, but far enough away so as not to be spoken to.
Quinn was the last one before the bell rang. She collected her schedule and stood next to Duncan.
"So, I wouldn't be liked, huh?" Quinn said with a smirk.
"Okay. I was wrong," Duncan said annoyed. "So, are they you're new friends?"
"Just a couple of girls, Sandi and Stacy," Quinn said. "Had to turn down the dates, though."
"Dates?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah. A few guys asked me out, but I said no," Quinn said lightly.
"Good. You're too young to be dating," Duncan said grumpily.
"Well, I didn't turn them down for that reason," Quinn said.
"Why then?" Duncan asked confused.
"It wouldn't be fair to the other guys who might want to ask me out during the day if I already had a date before eight o'clock," Quinn said seriously.
Duncan groaned. "How I ended up with you as my sister is a mystery. Or a tragedy," he said.
"I could say the same thing about you being my brother," Quinn teased.
"I think I'm a great brother, considering who my sister is," Duncan said with a smug grin.
Quinn rolled her eyes.
A second bell rang and a short stern-looking Asian woman walked up to the group of students.
"Good morning," she said. "I am Ms. Li, the Principal of Lawndale High."
Some of the students said listless 'Good morning's'.
"Good. Well, follow me," Ms. Li said and started down the hallway.
"As you can see, our Lawndale High students take great pride in their school," Ms. Li said gesturing to the immaculate hallway and the banners on the walls depicting school spirit. "That's why you'll each be taking a small psychological exam to spot any little clouds on the horizon as you sail the student seas of Lawndale High," she said, stopping in front of an office door.
Ms. Li knocked on the door and opened it. "They're here, Mrs. Manson," she said.
"Okay," Mrs. Manson called and then looked out into the hall. She beckoned to a brunette girl to enter. The girl did so.
"Have a good day, students, and welcome to Lawndale High," Ms. Li said and then walked away.
Duncan sat on a bench with the other students. He counted seven other students plus Quinn and himself. If he wasn't called before the first four, he knew it was going to be a long morning.
"I didn't know there'd be a test," Quinn said. "We never had to take a psychological test in school before."
"I know. It's a bit strange," Duncan said.
"What do you think will happen if we fail?" Quinn asked concerned.
Duncan smirked. "If you fail, sister, you'll be in a straightjacket heading off to the loony bin," he said amused.
Quinn rolled her eyes. "I don't think they'd be that drastic."
"You never know," Duncan said and sighed. "God, this is going to be the most boring day of my life," he said.
"I know," Quinn agreed and started looking through her backpack and then stopped. "Damn, I forgot dad has it," she said annoyed.
"What?" Duncan questioned.
"My lip-gloss. Why'd you have to try and throw it out the window?" Quinn complained.
"You shouldn't have thrown it at me then," Duncan said simply. "You can live without it for one day," he said amused.
"I know. I just wanted it," Quinn said. "Do you think we'll pass the test?" she asked concerned.
"Most likely, unless you've suddenly lost your mind. If I were you, I might worry," Duncan said with a small smile.
Quinn glared at him and then smirked. "Maybe. But when you fail, Dunny. Don't worry, I'll come and visit you. Promise," she simpered.
Duncan rolled his eyes and sighed. "Just leave the lip gloss at home then," he said lightly amused.
Quinn smiled slightly.
