Chapter 1 - "Ready and Packed...Now Lets Get The Hell Out of Here"

Daria could still taste the cheesy delight on her tongue as she lazily heaved her suitcase onto the bed. Her black, circular glasses falling to the edge of her nose, the usual sigh ensued. This was it. Daria was going to college, it was a chance to make new friends, stop being anti-social, have a real go at life. Daria's lip twitched at the thought that even she knew this wouldn't happen. Daria did small circuits around her room, once belonging to a mental patient, the walls were still padded and gave Daria a sense of fasle security. If she went insane, at least she was in the right place. Picking up a tattered, dog-earred copy of "Jane Eyre" and a demo tape made by Mystik Spiral, Daria wondered what would her new accommodation would be like, she imagined four walls, a perky blonde roommate, various undergarments strewn about the room, in her imagination she added some rough furniture and a computer. A drab visage. Daria liked the thought of a nice, normal, quiet dorm. Minus the blonde. Some more clothes got thrown into the suitcase along with another novel to keep her company when the perky blonde had nothing to do but talk about boys and make-up. Daria thought that she would introduce the blonde to Quinn. "They could be bossom buddies" Daria said to herself as she cracked a tiny smile.

Daria lent down to retrieve what was under her bed, not much, a discarded salami slice from pizzas past, a screwed up piece of paper, and a pencil that had snapped. Daria got up and sat down on the edge of her bed, the matress screeched as it always did. The phone rang. It would be Jane, or possibley Tom. No it wouldn't be Tom, he would be to busy.

"Hello?" Daria answered in her flat, unsuprised tone. "Yo' Daria, I have to give you my email address" Jane sang back.
"Huh?" Daria said dazed. "So i can send you my wonderful gems of wit across thousands of miles and you can read them in whatever deep, dark, dungeon you have locked yourself in amigo" Jane replied sarcastically. Deep down inside, Daria would miss Jane deeply, she had been a good companion over the years she had resided in Lawndale, Daria was still internally thanking whatever non-hienous god gave her one chance to get out. "Oh yeah, what is it" Daria managed to gather a pen and paper.

Jane told Daria her email address, and Daria told Jane hers. They exchanged small talk and talked about Jane's upcoming trip to New York to try to make it as a painter. Trent and the band were packing up and moving with Jane to the big apple to set up and try to get a record deal there. Trent had gotten tired of playing house parties and gloomy bars doing sloppy covers of Nirvana songs. Daria was going to college in Boston. It wasn't too far away from New York, they could reach each other if need be.

Daria sat on her bed and crossed her legs, she pushed the suitcase to one side, and thought that she would finish it later. Throwing aside the pencil, Daria un-scrunched the piece of paper. It was a note to Tom, it dated back to when they had first started dating. It read:

Tom - I know we have only been dating for...the sentence stopped there and was scribbled out.

Tom - This is hard for me, we both know that. Jane is my best friend and i don't want to throw a really great...again this sentence was unfinished and scribbled out.

Tom -

I can't say this, so i will write it. This is hard, but i am willing to give this a try. Please don't hate me for being silent, but i am trying...the sentence stopped there.

Daria couldn't remember why she had never finished the note, she can't even remember why she wrote it. Daria again scrunched up the yellowish paper and cast it aside. Daria had doubts. She knew Tom still lingered in her heart. Daria wondered if breaking up with Tom was the right thing to do. Tom was going to stay on and work in his fathers firm, and once day become a partner. Daria had accepted a place in Boston College. Daria decided several days ago to study Sociology and minor in post-modern American sub cultures. Daria thought she would add a sense of irony to her life.

Jane would be busy with her art. Trent, with his band. Tom with his new job. Even Quinn has that new job as a hostess in that poor excuse for a french resturant. Quinn thought it was very, in her words "duh Daria, it's very French and very fancy, that's what makes it fantastic". Daria was suprised Quinn could say so many F words in one sentence. Daria could think of many F words to describe Quinn. It was dubious that Quinn knew of them. Daria put her head on her soft, lilac smelling pillow. Her mother had been in here. It would soon be turned into a Den or some other form of hedonistic, parental pleasure when Daria left.

Daria curled up into a ball and closed her eyes. She could hear the soft, tapping of Helen's red heels on the linoneum floor. She could hear Quinn talking on the phone. She would be transfering to a different school for the senior year, trying to avoid the fashion club, even though Sandi was secretly thrilled at the prospect. She still got a hasty goodbye. It seemed as if Quinn was growing up, according to her parents at least. Daria knew it was just another sporadic spasm in Quinns brain that although could simulate intelligence, among other things, would one day consume and destroy what was left of her tiny brain.

Daria considered calling Tom. There were still flickering thoughts of doubt and she thought that maybe she could salvage what she had left. Daria wanted to slam her head against the wall but then she remembered they were padded and would be a fruitless effort. Daria just let her eyes droop and drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

Daria woke up still in her clothes from last night, that would translate into her outfit for today. She brushed her hair with her hands and went downstairs. The familiar squeak of the stairs sent shocks through Daria, the idea that she was leaving again sent her into internal euphoria. Jake and Helen where sitting at the family table eating a half-fast attempt at breakfast. Jake was reading the morning newspaper. Jake had put aside Daria's copy of "Sick, Sad World" for Daria. Daria had an internet subscription,
so she would still be able to read it at college. Daria viewed the title, it seemed to be a run of the mill article "Are Aliens Stealing Our Television Concepts?" and a subtitle reading "and do they respect copyright laws? find out in Sick, Sad World".

Daria sat down at the table and skimmed over the article.

"Dammit!" Jake exclaimed. Daria waited for this issue to surface but Jake went back to his paper. He was just cursing at the newspaper in General. Quinn scooted out the door, a few fleeting words about a date, hanging out with her friend from work, Lindy. Quinn sped off in her new pale green, hatchback. Daria had her flight to Boston at Eleven. It was now nine. Helen had taken a day off work to see Daria off, however, Helen was arguing on the phone.

"Of course i knew she had an expired visa, that's why i told her to go back to Spain first" Helen said fervently. "No, i knew that you knew, i wasn't..." Helen added. "Yes, ice tea" Helen finished. "No! i wasn't implying that you were cold Eric". Helen spurted out again.
"Oh, okay, goodbye." Helen ground to a halt. "Good morning Daria, would you like some eggs?" Helen said soothingly. "No thank you" Daria replied mildly.
"But you need a good breakfast to start the day" Helen said grabbing a plate.
"Then in an effort to skip the many days ahead, why don't i just eat a series of dinners"
Daria retorted. "Daria, you are going to college, and studying sociology of all things, you need to open up, i think you are making some sort of progress and i am proud but..." Helen ranted.
Helen's phone rang and she marched off to debate something new with Eric.

Jake looked over his Paper at Daria.
"Hey kiddo, looking foward to the big bad world, gonna fight the establishment like your old man!" jake said enthusiastically. "Why would i rebel against the establishment when i am paying to be there?" Daria questioned. "I am paying kiddo" Jake smiled.
"That means i am paying the establishment i hate soooo much...DAMMIT!" Jake errupted.

Daria finished packing her things and put her computer into a box and loaded it into the car. Daria had been sending various emails to Aunt Amy. She would be staying with her and her pitbull Molly. Amy gladly welcomed Daria into her home, as Amy confessed she would like some company, other the the howl of her dog and the constant wine her old plumbing. Amy had moved to Boston only last month, so they could get used to it together.
Amy had moved for a new job oppurtunity, Amy had taken a new job as a Nutritionist.

The drive to the airport was a silent one. Daria dove deep into her mind. The screwed up piece of paper was still on her mind, Tom. Tom was all she could think about. Daria had taken a whole three hours to explain to herself why breaking up with Tom, why Jane had told her it was a good idea and why Amy had told her a good idea, even Link, who she met at the "OK to cry corral" told her it was a good idea, despite his clouded judgement and cynical approach.

The airport layout replicated a huge football field. Daria once again inwardly smiled at the fact she was leaving.

Helen and Jake cried and hugged Daria as she boarded the plane to Boston. As the plane zoomed out the city, she said goodbye to Lawndale, goodbye to a personal hell, and hello to a new hell that seemed like it was going to be a bit more public than previous hells before.

To be continued...