daria's parents were also excited to see her. even quinn seemed to have missed her a little, but she would never admit it.
"ace all your exams, kiddo?" jake gave her the third or fourth hug since she got there. he seemed the most thrilled.
"probably."
"that's great, hon. have you made any new friends at raft?" that's helen, ever so out of touch.
"no."
"daria, college isn't just about passing classes, you have to do a little networking if you expect to get the most out of your education."
"you know, that's why there's so many malpractice suits, because doctors spend more energy networking than learning how to treat patients. but hey, it's not like anyone ever died from an incorrect diagnosis, have they?"
"daria..."
"still wearing those same boots, ick!" thank god quinn interrupted before things got ugly. "daria, i expected even you would've updated your wardrobe for college. i mean, come on!"
"nice to see you, too. you know, the trip here was pretty grueling. i need to rest before i can continue to socialize, lest i might harm someone. i'll be in my room for a while."
"wow, that didn't take long at all. college must be really hard. well, my date's here. gotta go."
jake and helen looked at each other in concern as quinn headed toward the door and daria slumped up the stairs.
she arrived at her old, familiar door and felt a calm sweep over her as she gently pushed it open. she just stood there for a moment, taking it all in before entering. she promptly closed the door behind her and dropped her things where she stood. the digital display on her old alarm clock said 7pm. she didn't care. she laid on her bed and made a cocoon of her covers before she was out hard.
