Disclaimer: Daria and all associated characters owned by MTV. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money or any other goods have been exchanged.

Contains lyrics from the song 'Shirt On' by Splendora and dialogue from 'Esteemsters' by Glenn Eichler

NORTHBANK DIARIES
By Ognawk

#1 - A Tale Of Three Suburbs
Part 1

Lawndale, Maryland

Somewhere in Lawndale, a radio alarm burst into life.

"...and you're listening to 'Mornings Rock' on AltLawndale FM, your local alternative music station. Coming up in the next hour, we've got some Splendora and Garbage for you, but up first it's Nirvana with.."

An arm came out from under the duvet and slapped the top of the radio a couple of times before it finally hit the snooze button. The peace didn't last long. About 10 minutes later, it started up again.

Now the money's gone
Mother went away...

The hand came out from under the duvet again, trying to hit the off switch but managing to knock the radio off the bedside table to the floor, the music still blaring. The inhabitant of the bed threw the duvet off and grabbed the radio.

"Shut up, you evil bastard." She said, finally turning the radio off and placing it back on the table. She looked around the room bleary eyed and sighed. "Well, may as well get up now."

Jane Lane was a student at Lawndale High School, and lived in the Lane family home with her older brother Trent. The other members of the Lane family, her two older sisters and older brother, as well as their parents, were scattered all over the world for various reasons. "The Wandering Lanes", as she liked to refer to them.

After getting a shower and dressing in her favourite outfit of black v-neck t-shirt, shorts, leggings and boots with a red jacket over the top, Jane went across the hall to check on Trent. Predictably, he was sprawled out across the bed, flat on his stomach and still dressed in his clothes from the previous day. She smiled and shook her head. Bet he'll still be like that when I get home, she thought to herself.

Jane slung her backpack over her shoulder and jogged down the stairs. Heading for the kitchen, she checked the cupboards for something for a quick breakfast, but there was nothing edible in them. She opened the fridge and took a swig from the pitcher of water inside before grabbing a tube of cookie dough, ripping the top off and closing the fridge. Well, time for another glorious day at Lawndale High, she thought as she headed out the door.

Coming out of her history class, Jane chuckled to herself. She wondered why her perpetually stressed History teacher, Mr DeMartino, even bothered to ask questions of Kevin, the school quarterback who was so stupid, he could probably freeze to death in an oven. His cheerleader girlfriend, Brittany, wasn't much better. She went through the halls of Lawndale High and made her way to her next destination for the day, self-esteem class.

Lawndale High's self-esteem class didn't purely consist of people who had low self-esteem, though. Jane was in there because she gave smart ass answers to the questions that school psychologist Mrs Manson gave to everyone when they started at the school. This was Janes fifth trip through the class, mainly because she felt special about being tagged with low self esteem.

"Esteem... a teen. They don't really rhyme, do they? The sounds don't quite mesh."

The class was taken by Mr O'Neill. He was an overly sensitive, 'new age' kind of man who was so soft, he made teddy bears sound threatening. He recited the same speech he'd memorized every time. Most of it made no sense, and Jane found herself mouthing the words to the speech along with him while hidden behind the book she'd decided to study during this go around of the class, 'Learning Calligraphy'.

He carried on "But we are here to begin realising your actuality, and when we do..."

Jane looked up from the paper she was writing on for the moment and smirked. I wonder if he even knows what this garbage actually means, she thought, as she went back to her writing.

After getting home from school, Jane got changed ready to go for a run. She liked to run, and had done it since she was a kid when she would go running with her sister Penny. The TV in her bedroom was tuned into one of her favourite programs.

"She found the gold necklace that he was going to give to his mistress, so she gave it to him... for dinner! 'All That Fritters' tonight on Sick, Sad World!"

She turned the TV off and headed out of the house, going for a long run around the area. As she made her way, she nodded to a few familiar faces while her music blared through her headphones.

As she got back home, she noticed one of the neighbours in their front yard. Mr Rivers was a portly man that Jane estimated was probably in his mid 50s. He was bald, save for a ring of white hair, and he'd just moved into the area recently with his wife. He flagged Jane down as she approached and she slowed down and took her headphones off.

"Hey, Mr Rivers." She said, panting slightly from the run.

"Good evening, Jane." He replied, "Good run?"

"Yeah, not bad. Did you need something from me?"

"I just wanted to know what your parents do. I don't recall seeing them around since we moved in."

"Well, let's see," Jane said as she tried to remember where they were this time, "They went to a job in Iceland a few weeks ago."

"I see," Mr Rivers said, "Any idea when they're back?"

"A couple of months, I guess," Jane responded, "Dad said it's paying quite well. All their international jobs pay better than the domestic ones."

"Oh, so this isn't the first time they've been away?" he enquired.

Jane stiffened at the tone of his voice, which seemed a little interrogative. Well, I've already mentioned their international jobs, guess I can't take it back now, she thought.

"They travel sometimes, yes." Jane said, guardedly. "Listen, I want to get inside and shower. See you later Mr Rivers."

"Bye, Jane!" he replied as she made her way into the house. She closed the door and leaned back against it. I wonder where he was going with that, she thought to herself as she noticed Trent sat in the kitchen drinking some coffee.

"Hey Janey," Trent said as he noticed his younger sister come in.

"Yo, Trent." Jane replied as she walked into the kitchen, "You ever talked to that Rivers guy next door?"

"Hmm," Trent said, scratching his chin thought fully, "Not really, but I heard about him through the neighbours. He's not too popular."

"Why would that be?" Jane asked, as she grabbed a bag of chips from one of the cupboards.

"They say he has a tendency to stick his nose in where it doesn't belong." Trent answered.

Jane paused and had a sudden look of worry on her face. "Damn. He was asking about where our parents were."

"I wouldn't worry about it, Janey," Trent replied, "It seems he's more nosey than anything else."

"I hope so." Jane said as she left the room and went to get her shower.