Opening Montage

Theme Song: "I'd Do Anything" by A Simple Plan

We see Quinn in class being asked out by a guy with dark hair and a handsome face. Next, we see her and the guy having a night on the town when they kiss. Next, we see them arguing and she kicks him out of her place. Then, we see her asking out another guy, this guy has brown hair and seems nice. Next, we see them being happy together. We next see Stacy and Upchuck holding hands and looking into each others eyes. This is followed by a shot of Daria and Jane odserving the two couples and looking unimpressed. Final shot is Quinn and her new boyfriend, Stacy and Chuck, Daria and Jane hanging out and looking happy. After that, we see Quinn's smiling face against a pink background. Below that:

Quinn

in

"Old Friends"

story by

WildDogJJ

Lawndale, NJ, June 2001:

It's Quinn's high school graduation. Quinn is at the podium with the award she's just recieved.

She said "Thanks, everyone. I've learned so much in the last four years. When I first started I didn't take my future seriously. In fact, I was a self-absorbed brat who only cared about being attractive and popular. I even publicly shunned my own sister because I was so stuck up. Since then, I've grown and matured. I now not only take my future seriously but encourage others to do the same. I've had help along the way. I've had my family..." cut to the Morgendorffers, "...my friends both old..."cut to the Former Fashion Club, "...and new..." cut to Jane and Lindy, "...and many others."

Cut back to the stage, we see Quinn with a huge smile on her face.

"Finally, I'd like to thank one person in particular. The very person who I owe so much too. The person I've known my whole life. My sister: Daria Morgendorffer."

Cut to a visibly stunned Daria. Cut back to Quinn.

"Come on up, sis."

As the crowd applauds Daria makes her way up to the stage. Once there, Quinn hugs her.

"Long overdue, Daria."

Now both Quinn and Daria stand at the podium. Daria takes the microphone.

"Education doesn't stop at high school but continues all through life. I'm still learning, we all are. What I said at my own graduation still holds true so I'll say it again. Stand firm for what you believe in. That is unless and until logic and experience prove you wrong. If the Emporer looks naked, the Emperor is naked. The truth and a lie are not sort of the same thing. And there is no facet of life that cannot be made better with pizza. Thank you."

She passes the microphone back to Quinn, who beams proudly.

"Let's hear it for my sister, everyone!"

The whole crowd erupts into thunderous applause.

New York City, four years later:

Panoramic shot of the New York skyline. Camera zooms in toward an apartment building. Inside the building there is a closed door at the end of a poorly maintained hallway. A close up of the label next to the door. It reads:

Apt. 227 Residents:

Q. Morgendorffer

D. Morgendorffer

J. Lane

Inside, the apartment is a two bedroom. The two bedrooms have a bathroom between them. The only other room is a combination kitchen and living room. There is a bed in front of the TV instead of a couch. Seated on the bed are Daria and Jane. Jane looks the same as she did in high school. Daria, on the other hand, has traded the bulky jacket for a blue sweater that doesn't hide her curves. The coke-bottle "Manstopper Glasses" have been replaced by stylish wire frames. She still wears a wrap skirt and Doc Martin boots, though. Cut to tv and we see Sean Hannity screaming his head off at Alan Combs.

"If the invasion of Iraq was justified, then where are the weapons of mass destruction?"

"Only a freedom hating wuss who hates America would ask that question."

"I'm just saying..."

"I know what you were thinking, that we deserved to be attacked on 9/11."

"No, I'm just..."

"Admit it, you hate America and love Bin Laden. YOU'RE AN UNPATRIOTIC SUBVERSIVE, AREN'T YOU!?"

We can't understand anymore of what's being said as the two pundits try to talk over each other. Cut back to an unimpressed Daria and Jane.

Daria said "I guess by "Fair and Balanced" they mean "Right-Wing Propaganda Machine". Why are we watching this again?"

Jane said "Because they cancelled "Sick, Sad World" for being indecent. And "Fox News" is somewhat comical."

"Damn FCC."

Just then, the door opens. It's Quinn. She looks different, too. Her hair has been shortened from waist length to shoulder length. Instead of bangs she now has a part. She has traded the pink butterfly T-shirt for a pink T-shirt with shadows in a floral pattern.

"God, Fox News again. Why can't you two ever watch anything decent?"

Daria said "There would actually have to be something decent on for us to do that. How was the date?"

"Not so much fun."

Jane asked "You and Trevor having problems?"

"Ever since he wasn't drafted by any team he's been really down on himself. I tried to cheer him up and he started talking about trying his hand at arena football. I tried to tell him that he might need to accept that he's not going pro and he told me that he wants us to have a future where he can provide me. I told him I don't care whether he makes big money or not since I'm going to be promoted to manager at the boutique once I graduate and he took it as a blow to his pride. It just went south from there."

Daria deadpanned "And they say love conquers all."

Quinn said "Way to make me feel better. Why do I room with you two, again?"

Jane quipped "Because you can't afford your own apartment, I want to break into the New York art scene and Daria is a grad student at ECU."

Daria added "Which proves I'm a glutton for punishment."

Quinn giggles. Over the past year she's developed a new appreciation for her sister's unique sense of humor.

Music: "1985" by Bowling for Soup

The ECU campus is in Lower Manhattan. It is NYU with a football stadium. We see Quinn exit one of the buildings.

Next week is finals. Then it's goodbye college, hello real world.

"Hey, Quinn."

The voice belongs to Quinn's boyfriend, Trevor Anderson. He is tall and muscular with a perfectly chiseled face and short, frosted black hair. His shirt is an "East Coast Eagles" jersey with his name and number, 29, on it. He walks up to Quinn.

"Hey, Trev. What's up?"

Trevor looks sorry.

"I wanna apologize for last night. I was a selfish jerk, I'm sorry."

Quinn smiles. Unlike Kevin, this QB knows when he does something stupid.

"That's okay, I understand that you're disappointed about not getting to play for the NFL."

"I haven't given up on that dream. I'm still an undrafted free agent. I just need to keep reaching out to talent scouts."

Quinn rolls her eyes.

"Trevor, honey, don't take this the wrong way, but what if it never happens? Do you at least have some idea what you'll do then?"

Trevor looks like he wants to tell Quinn off, but thinks better of it.

"What are you getting at?"

Quinn said "Trevor, I know you don't like to hear it, but look at the facts. You've been a second string player all four years here. The only time you play is during practice. You spend the actual games on the sidelines."

Irritated, Trevor said "It's not my fault our starter never seems to get hurt. I know I have the talent to make it. Why can't you be supportive, like you used to be?"

Quinn rubs her temples and groans.

"I am supportive. I just wish you'd look at this more realistically. Your football days are over. It doesn't matter how talented you are if no one's ever seen it. You need a backup plan."

"What? Be a faceless nobody working a lame 9 to 5 and wind up like Kevin Spacey in American Beauty."

"Trevor, that's not going to happen to you. You're always a winner in my eyes. But is being average really so bad?"

Angry, Trevor said "Easy for you to say, miss boutique manager. Your dream is coming true while mine's turning to shit. Without football, what have I got to offer?"

Quinn looks hurt, which Trevor notices. He immediately calms down.

He said "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap. It's just so frustrating. I feel like a loser."

Quinn reassured him "Oh, Trevor, you're no loser. So you won't become the next Tom Brady, so what? You're still a great guy and I'm still your girlfriend."

Trevor visibly cheers up.

"Thanks, Quinn."

He kisse her on the cheek.

"I love you." said Trevor.

"I love you, too."

I think.

Later, Quinn is at her job. She works at a fancy mid-town clothing store called "Le Chic Boutique". Inside, Quinn is behind the checkout counter and looks lost. On of her co-workers, a spray tanned blonde named Beth, notices.

"Hey, Quinn, you awake?"

This shakes Quinn out of her thought process.

"Yeah, just thinking."

"About?"

"Trevor, we've been having a lot of problems lately."

Beth asked "What kind of problems?"

Quinn answered "He keeps obsessing about not going pro. I try to encourage him to try something else and he gets mad. We fight, we make up, then we fight again. Today, we had another argument and made up immediately afterward. We exchanged "I love you's"."

"At least you make up each time. You do love him, right?"

Quinn sighs.

"If you'd asked me that a year ago, I would've said yes. Back then, I was convinced I'd wind up marrying him and eventually having his kids. Now, I'm not so sure. I know I like him as a friend, but it feels like the love isn't there anymore. All we ever seem to do now is fight."

"Considering how long you two have been together, it's normal to hit a rough patch. Just keep trying to work things out. You'll figure it out soon enough."

Quinn looks thoughtful.

That evening at their apartment, Quinn, Jane and Daria are at the small kitchen table having dinner. Quinn looks a little distraught.

Daria said "I haven't seen you that miserable since before Lindy quit drinking."

Jane added "Yeah, what gives?"

Quinn sighs.

"The problems I've been having with Trevor lately. Today, we said "I love you" to each other and I'm not sure I even meant it."

Jane said "Sounds familiar."

Daria explained "Quinn, this thing with Trevor sounds a lot like what I was going through with Tom just before I broke up with him. Have you considered that maybe you and Trevor are drifting apart?"

Quinn said "This is different. Trevor still thinks he has a shot at the NFL."

"Just like Tom thought I still had a shot at Bromwell."

Jane said "Daria's right. It looks to me like you two have run your course. Maybe it is time to end things."

Quinn sighs.

"Easy for you to say, you were only with Tom for six months. Daria, you were only with him for a year. I've been with Trevor for almost four years. He was a lot of firsts: my first steady relationship, my first real love, my first sexual encounter, my..."

Daria said "Too much information, Quinn. We get the picture."

At this point, there's a knock on the door.

Quinn said "I'll get it."

She gets up and goes to the door. She looks through the peephole and gasps. Afterward, she opens the door. It's...Trent!

"Hey, Daria's sister. Is Jane here? I need a place to crash."

Music: "American Idiot" by Green Day

Trent walk inside Quinn's apartment. Quinn closes the door behind him. He makes his way to the kitchen table.

"Hey, take out Chinese. That's my favorite."

He sits down in Quinn's seat and helps himself to her shrimp fried rice. Once a mooch, always a mooch.

Jane said "Trent, what are you doing here? I thought you were out in California."

Trent explained "Nick married his girlfriend, Jessie ran off with a stripper, and Max just got pissed off and quit. Mystik Spiral is dead. I went back to Lawndale and was chased out of the house by a guy with a shotgun."

"Trent, mom and dad sold the house, remember?"

Trent scratches his chin in thought.

"Yeah, I kinda forgot about that. So I hitch hiked here. I need a place to crash."

Quinn sarcastically added "And take my seat and eat my dinner."

Trent said "Yeah, it's pretty good. Thanks."

Quinn looks pissed. Trent seems unaware of how rude he's being.

He said "Um, Janey, do you know any musicians in the area? I need to get a new band together."

Daria deadpanned "As opposed to getting an actual job."

Trent does his laugh/cough.

"Good one, Daria."

Now, Daria looks pissed.

The next evening at a restaurant in Little Italy, Quinn and Trevor are seated across from each other. Trevor looks like he's having fun, Quinn doesn't.

"Trevor?"

"Yes?"

Quinn asked "Are you happy? In this relationship, I mean?"

Trevor said "Of course. Our relationship's one of the bright spots in my life right now. Why?"

"Well, I've been thinking about us a lot, lately. I guess with the end of college looming I've been thinking about the future."

"I've been thinking about the future, too. In fact, I'd like to talk about that."

Quinn gets a sinking feeling.

Trevor said "What you said, about me not going pro, got me thinking. I do need a backup plan. I've decided to table the whole football thing and get a real job."

Quinn is now visibly releaved.

"That's great, Trev. So, what kind of job are you thinking of?"

"Well, I did major in political science. There has to be something there."

Now, Quinn grimmaces. Trevor doesn't seem to notice.

Trevor said "Quinn, I need to ask you something?"

"Okay."

He said "We've been together almost four years now. I know that we've hit a rough patch recently and I blame my own unwillingness to admit that my dream of playing in the NFL will never come true. You've been patient and supportive every step of the way. I know our love can survive anything so..."

He gets a brass ring with a fake diamond out of his pocket. Quinn looks very uncomfortable.

"Will you marry me?"

Quinn looks doubtful. She sees their relationship as living on borrowed time and he's just asked her to marry him. From her POV we see the hopeful look on his face. Cut back to Quinn looking VERY uncomfortable.

I'm not even sure we should be together anymore and he just asked me to marry him. Like I need this.

Cut back to Trevor. Quinn's hesitation has him feeling less hopeful by the second. Cut back to a very nervous Quinn.

She said "Trevor, this is kind of sudden. Don't take this the wrong way, but I need to think about this."

Hopeful, Trevor said "So, you might?"

"I...I just need to think it through before giving an answer."

Trevor hands Quinn the cheap ring.

"Well, hold on to the ring for now. If you decide you don't then you at least have a present."

Trevor puts the ring on Quinn's finger. Quinn looks like she's just recieved a death sentence. Trevor is clearly oblivious to how uncomfortable Quinn is.

Trevor said "No pressure. Just don't take too long. I can't wait to tell my parents that I'm engaged to the girl of my dreams."

Yeah, no pressure at all.

Back at the apartment, Trent is asleep on a blanket on the floor. The door opens and Jane comes in. She walks right up to Trent and shakes him.

"Trent."

No response

"Trent?"

Still no response.

"TRENT!"

Trent leaps up with a start.

"I swear, I didn't know she was your wife."

He sees where he is and calms down.

"Oh, Janey, what do you want?"

Jane asked "Have you put out flyers for a band?"

"No."

"Have you auditioned for any gigs?"

"No."

"Have you even tried to find a job?"

"Ew."

"I'll take that as a no. So, what have you done today?"

Trent said "Caught up on my sleep. I need to find my muse before I put a band together. Where were you all day?"

Jane said "At work. Unlike some people, I actually need gainful employment. I work 40 to 50 hours a week at a local art gallery."

"Where's Daria?"

"At the library doing research. She's a grad student pursuing a PhD in literature."

"Where's Daria's sister?"

"You mean Quinn. She's on a date with her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend."

Trent shakes his head in disbelief.

Jane said "Look, Trent, you're my brother and always welcome here, but we can't afford to support ourselves and you. You need to make some kind of contribution."

Trent said "I could help with the rent. What is it? $200 a month?"

"More like $1,500.00 a month."

Trent's eyes go wide.

"Whoa, that's kinda pricey."

"Actually, in New York that kind of rent is dirt cheap."

Trent looks thoughtful. Just then, the door opens and Quinn comes in. She walks up to Jane and Trent. Jane sees the ring and is shocked.

"Quinn, what is that?"

Quinn said "A cheap engagement ring. What are you guys talking about?"

Jane said "Economics, and don't try to change the subject. I thought you weren't sure you wanted to be with Trevor anymore."

"I KNOW! I know, but he asked me to marry him. I told him I needed to think about it and he insisted I wear the ring anyway."

"Sounds to me like he's trying to pressure you into saying yes. Do you want to marry him?"

"No, I'm not even sure I want to be more than just friends with him at this point."

At this point, Daria comes in. Jane grabs Quinn and shows Daria the ring.

"Hey, Daria, how would you feel if you had Trevor as a brother in law?"

Quinn looks like she's in chains.

Music: "SOS" by Rihanna

At the apartment Quinn, Daria and Jane are discussing Quinn's relationship quandry while Trent sits in the background looking disinterested.

Daria said "The other day you weren't sure you even wanted to be with Trevor, and now your ready to walk down the aisle. What gives?"

Quinn said "It's more complicated than that. He asked me to marry him and I said I needed to think about it."

"And yet you wear an engagement ring. Last time I checked that means you said yes."

Jane said "Actually, he insisted she wear the ring anyway. I say he's trying to pressure her into saying yes."

Daria looks thoughtful.

"That's odd, since he never struck me as the controlling type."

Quinn said "He's not, and that makes this even more confusing. I don't know what to make of this. Our relationship's been going downhill for close to a year now and he wants me to marry him. I don't get that."

At this point, Trent joins the conversation.

"He's having trouble dealing with failure."

Everyone stares at him with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

Trent said "His dream of becoming a pro football player is over. His dream apparently included being with Quinn through it all. He wants to keep what's left of his dream."

They're all visibly impressed by Trent's insight.

Quinn asked "So, what should I do?"

Daria said "The same thing I did when I got jealous of Trent and Monique back in high school. I got over my crush on Trent by just imagining what it would, realistically, be like if we did get together."

"It's worth a shot."

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

Begin Fantasy

We see a future version of Quinn and Trevor in a run down apartment. Trevor now has a beer gut while Quinn is morbidly obese and looks like her spirit has been broken. Trevor is on a couch surrounded by empty beer cans, watching TV.

Quinn said "Trevor, honey, do you think I'm fat?"

Trevor said "I don't think you're fat, I know you're fat."

He holds up an empty beer can.

"Get me another beer."

"Get your own beer, asshole!"

"Don't talk to me like that, woman. It's your own damn fault we're losers. I never went pro. You turned into a frigid ice queen after that."

Quinn said "Hey, that's not my fault. I always encouraged you. You're the one who never follows through on anything. I can't believe I gave up my dream just to make you happy and all you did was become a bitter drunk."

"So why'd you marry me, then?"

"Because you pressured me too. I wanted to break up."

"So go ahead. You wanna leave me, go ahead."

"Fine, I will."

Trevor smirks.

"Like anyone would want a heffer like you now."

Quinn looks resigned. Trevor grins in triumph as we hear the sound of children crying in the background.

Trevor said "That's what I thought. Now, get me that beer. And tell the kids to shut the f- up, I'm trying to watch the game."

End Fantasy

Quinn opens her eyes and looks relieved.

"This decision just got a lot easier to make."

At the ECU campus the next day Quinn is sitting on a park bench when Trevor approaches.

Trevor said "You wanted to talk to me."

He sits next to Quinn. Quinn takes off the ring and hands it to Trevor. He looks stunned.

"I'm sorry, but I don't wanna get married. In fact, I think we need to break up."

Trevor looks like he was just stabbed in the gut.

"But why? Don't you love me."

Quinn said "Look, our relationship has been going downhill for a while now. We can't postpone the inevitable. If we get married, if we even stay a couple, I know exactly what's going to happen. We gradually grow to resent each other. I don't want that and I know that you don't, either. It's better to just end things."

Trevor pleaded "But, I love you."

Quinn said "Do you really, or are you just telling yourself that because you fear being alone? I still want to be friends. I just feel like our lives are moving in two different directions."

Trevor says nothing.

Quinn asked "Did you ask me to marry you because you want to spend the rest of your life with me, or because you're afraid you won't find anyone else?"

Trevor sighs.

"I'm afraid I won't find anyone else."

"Then you asked for the wrong reason. Look, what we had was nice but it's run its course. We'd just make each other miserable if we stayed together."

"Can't we work it out?"

Quinn explained "We've been trying, but all we ever seem to do is fight. I think we should end things in order to spare ourselves more pain."

Quinn gets up to leave. She turns around and sees Trevor's hurt expression.

"I need some time to get over things right now. After that, though, I'd like to keep in touch. I still wanna be friends."

Trevor said "I'd like it if we were friends too. Tell you what, I need some time to get over this too but after that maybe we could get together and just hang out. With no romantic agenda."

"I'd like that."

She gives him a goodbye kiss and leaves.

Music: "Ocean Avenue" by Yellowcard

Later, at her apartment Quinn is seated at the table and looks miserable. There's a knock on the door. Quinn gets up to answer. It's a very happy looking Stacy.

"Quinn, I have to tell you something."

"Stacy, come on in."

Stacy comes in and joins Quinn at the kitchen table.

Quinn said "So, what did you want to tell me?"

Stacy said "Why don't I show you instead?"

With that, Stacy holds up her left hand. There's a huge diamond ring on it.

"Chuck and I are getting married."

Quinn looks miserable.

"That's nice."

Stacy looks very disappointed.

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy for me?"

Quinn said "I am. It's just..well..I just broke up with Trevor."

Stacy said "Oh, Quinn, I'm so sorry. I can't believe he dumped you."

"Actually, it was my idea to break up. I felt our relationship had run its course and it was time to move on."

"Then why are you so sad? You used to dump guys all the time in high school."

Quinn said "This is different. Those guys I was just stringing along for popularity points. Trevor was my first serious long term relationship. Even if breaking up was the right thing to do it still hurts like hell."

Stacy said "I'm sorry. Now I feel bad being so happy."

Quinn starts to cheer up a little.

"It's alright. I'm happy for you and Chuck. You have what I want, a guy who gets you and doesn't let himself get dragged down when life doesn't go as planned. I thought I'd found that with Trevor, but I was wrong."

Stacy reaches out and holds Quinn's hand.

Stacy said "Don't worry, you'll find him. You just have to keep looking."

Quinn visibly feels better after hearing that.

"Thanks, Stacy."

One morning at a Starbucks in mid-town Daria, Jane and Quinn are having their morning coffee at an outdoor table on the sidewalk. Jane is in her pajamas.

Jane asked "So, Quinn, how does it feel?"

Quinn asked "How does what feel?"

Daria said "Ending your first serious relationship?"

"It sucks, but I can deal."

Quinn now smiles.

"I can't believe I graduate college tomorrow."

Jane said "Welcome to adulthood. Now you really are one of us."

Quinn giggles. Trent walks up to them. He's wearing a business suit and his hair is combed.

"Hey, Jane, Daria, Daria's sister."

"You forgot my name again, didn't you?"

"Sorry, habit."

Daria asked "What's with the suit?"

"Job interview."

All three girls jaws drop.

Jane asked "Since when do you actively seek employment?"

Trent said "Since you pointed out to me that I need some money to survive in this city."

Quinn said "You know, you actually clean up really nice."

"Thanks, Quinn."

"Finally, he remembered my name."

Daria commented "Will wonders never cease?"

Quinn looks at her sister and friends and smiles warmly.

I may be hurting from the breakup, but I don't care. I have real friends who'll always have my back. People like Jane, Stacy, and even my sister. I really am lucky to have them in my life.

A/N: I think you know what inspired that last scene. Another piece by the great SC.

Next Time

The Morgendorffer sisters return to Lawndale when Jake has another heart attack. Will he survive?