*Disclaimer: The only Daria thing I own is the complete series. I own no rights. *
Something was wrong and it was killing him. Here she was, in his kitchen, almost crying, and he couldn't do anything. She looked so sad. That was the worst part. Trent knew he had to do something, anything, but his options were minimal.
"Is Jane here," Daria asks quietly with her head down, hiding her eyes.
Trent was reluctant to answer. "Janey went for a run about twenty minutes ago." He just looks at her and melts. "You know Daria, if you need to talk or anything… I'm here. I could be your shoulder to cry on." Daria looks at Trent before she starts sobbing quietly. Trent wraps his arms around her and holds her. With every tear Daria felt better. Trent did too. He was glad Daria was letting him hold her. He's dreamed of this moment. Of course, in his dreams she wasn't crying, but this is a start.
Daria took her time to stop. Even afterward she just stayed there, in Trent's warm embrace. This was the moment she thought so much about…and it was better than she ever imagined. Although, she never imagined it quite like this, with her crying and everything, but it was still amazing. She moved first, so she could look into his eyes, but she remained in his arms. He was giving her a burning look and she was certain she was giving him the same look in return. Shoving everything else out of her mind, Daria kissed Trent. It was the best kiss of Trent's life.
Jane got home just in time to see nothing out of the ordinary… just her brother eating left over pizza and Daria reading a book. Wait. Was Daria here before she left? "Hola, amiga," Jane said as she went to the fridge for the rest of the pizza. "What's up?"
Trent was watching Daria again. She looked so… afraid and helpless. The sight was heartbreaking to him. In that moment he knew something really was happening.
Daria didn't know exactly how to say what she was thinking without expressing what she was feeling. The problem wasn't the words but rather the feelings themselves. She was afraid and sad. She was also tired. Had she always been this tired? "Earth to Daria," Jane said in her ear. "Why are you acting so weird? Did the aliens abduct Quinn and make her worse than usual?"
"Jane," Daria said slowly as she was looking at her best friend, "my test results came back positive for Leukemia."
Jane went into shock. "Daria, I had no idea, I am so sorry". She blinked a few times in an attempt to help clear her head. It didn't work.
"Don't, Jane," Daria said. "I'm fine, really. Nothing to worry about." Her eyes flashed to Trent who was suddenly still. "I told you because you are my friends. I don't want anyone else to know, at least not yet." Jane nods. "I mean it. No one can know."
"I get it Daria," Jane replied. And she really did understand. She just needed some time to deal with things herself before others got the chance. "You know, there is a Sick Sad World marathon on. I can hear it calling our names. We can watch it in my room."
It was just like Jane to think of a distraction. Not that it would actually distract anyone. "I hope they play the one about the polar bear, the baby and the unicycle."
"Ooh, I do too. That one was so bloody."