Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, don't make money off 'em, just write about 'em
2. All Hail Pizza King
Trent was tempted to slide into the seat next to Daria at Pizza King, but chose to drop down next to Janey at the last minute. While they waited for their pie the two girls told him all about their adventures at college, from Daria starting an underground newspaper at Raft to counter the censorship of the school-directed publication, to Jane being offered a wall of space at a small art gallery just off campus. He was surprised to hear that Jane had entertained quite a personal life as well at art school, leaving six boyfriends behind in the dust over the course of the entire school term. Trent expressed this extreme surprise with a lazy rise of two eyebrows.
When elbowed about her own personal life by her best friend, Daria merely shrugged, saying no one at Raft had caught her interest. Trent gave his signature cough, hiding a slight smile. If the rich intelligent boys at Raft didn't measure up, what kind of chance did he think he had? The pie came to their table, and he declined to dwell on the subject any longer.
While masticating a delicious slice of pepperoni pizza, Daria nearly spit it out again at seeing the new arrival through the parlor door. He immediately walked over to their table, hands in his khaki pants pockets. "Hey Daria. Jane. Trent."
Daria swallowed her pizza, but she couldn't help but feel it was sticking in the back of her throat. "Hi Tom."
"Hey Tom," was the unenthusiastic reply from both Lanes. That is to say, enthusiasm was sparsely found on that side of their gene pool, but even for them the greeting seemed on the colder side.
"Did you just get back from college?"
"Just today, actually." Daria determined that she would be the one conducting most of the conversation, judging by the bored expressions of the Lanes.
"That's cool. I got back a couple weeks ago. We get out early, so it's been boring waiting for my friends come back to Lawndale." Daria nodded. Oh, you poor lonely soul, she thought to herself, positive he'd found plenty amusement in video games and books at home. "I called your house, and your Mom said you'd probably be here."
"I'll have sue my PR agent for letting vital details slip now," quipped Daria, picking up another slice. She made a gesture, offering Tom a piece, but her declined.
Tom laughed, albeit a little nervously. He knew the first year of college had changed them all, and wasn't sure what kind of greeting he would receive from his two ex-girlfriends. Of course they would be together, joined at the hip wherever they went around Lawndale.
"So I was wondering, do you want to get together sometime soon to compare notes, like we talked about last year?"
Daria could hear the nervousness in her ex's voice. It made her feel better about her own butterflies wreaking havoc in her stomach. "Sure," she agreed, in her characteristic near-monotone. "That would be good."
A slow breath of relief escaped Tom. "Great. The movie theater's having a late night double feature tomorrow, two foreign vampire films. Want to go?"
Daria smiled slightly. Foreign vampire films. It was right up her alley. Jane's too, but she didn't think Tom would want her tagging along. "Alright. It sounds like fun."
Tom nodded, smiling down at her. "Ok. I'll call you tomorrow with details." Daria nodded as well, hoping she hadn't gotten herself into a mess. Tom found himself fighting a sudden compulsion to lean down and kiss Daria, but it came as no surprise. The entire second semester at Bromwell he found he couldn't stop thinking about his ex. Their parting hadn't exactly been closed ended. It was only after being with the sorority flakes and party oafs weekend after weekend did he remember and finally truly appreciate her sharp mind. At that point he couldn't be exactly sure, but he had suspicions that he was still in love with her. This time, he didn't want to screw it up.
He waved goodbye to the trio, and headed for the door. Daria watched him go, thinking an old thought. Coming or going, Tom was a cute boy. She then mentally cursed herself. Mess indeed, Morgandorfer.
Trent felt his eyes narrowing as he watched Tom Sloane depart from their table. He'd noticed the surprise in Daria's eyes, and even if for a split second, the uncharacteristic moment of softness in her expression when he'd asked her to go to the double feature tomorrow night. It had been a while since Trent last felt that slow simmering heat curl in the pit of his stomach. He recognized the feeling as jealousy.
After the drama between she, Daria, and Tom, and all the pain caused to all parties, Jane didn't exactly understand why their paths still remained intertwined. She didn't hate Tom, but at that point, she didn't exactly like him either. Sighing to herself, she reached for another slice. Only time would tell if this summer would turn into another dramatic fiasco, or be a quiet, much desired period of downtime to watch Sick, Sad World.
