Chapter 4

A/N: Hello and Happy Holidays everyone~! I apologize for taking 8 months to update this story, I've been busy but since I'm on Christmas vacation now and I've got a lot of free time plus I've been bed-ridden the past few days because of fever, I decided to finally update all my stories before my break ends. So here's chapter 4...


The soft tapping of fingers pushing buttons swiftly on the computer keyboard and the soft humming of a computer modem were the only noise in the room. To anyone else, Daria would have looked too serious and focused; determined on whatever it was she was typing. That was on the outside though, inside Daria's mind was peaceful yet remained sharp, feeling pent up emotions fading away as she conveyed them to words on the computer screen. She blinked and pushed back her glasses on her small nose, appearing mouse-like. Her glasses glowed from the light emitting from the computer monitor. She got up from her seat and stretched her arms, glancing at the clock on her desk.

Hm. 5:17 am. Guess it isn't too early for breakfast now.

She walked slowly towards the stairs and down the stairs, her hair ruffled and bags under her eyes. She had spent the past couple hours typing away so engrossed in her work; she had forgotten the concept of time. Upon realizing it was well over 3 am, Daria knew there was no chance of sleep again and opted instead for some coffee and toast. She picked up yesterday's copy of Lawndale's newspaper and tread towards the politics section though her mind was too tired to fully comprehend the small words on the paper.

It had been two months since the Morgendorffer's moved into the quiet suburban life Lawndale offered. And life went on despite her silent protests. Life in the house was at its usual- Helen, Jake and Quinn steadily adjusted to their new home and their work environment, although a little too quick for Daria's taste. Even though she wasn't doing so bad herself, there were days she woke up and expected to be back in her bed in their old home and longed for the gloomy, varied weather she grew up in and had come to enjoy.

Daria flicked a newspaper page, her eyes setting on a different article. It had been two months. Two months since she first moved her personal belongings in her new padded room, two months since the first walked down the street to an awaiting Jane and two months since she first awkwardly rode in her older brother's beaten up car. Aside from embarrassingly lame small talk when they passed by the hallways in school or in Casa Lane, there had not been much interaction between Daria and Trent to formulate ground for a friendship. But Daria had a feeling that was about to change and once again, due to Jane's meddling.

Daria's gaze set upon the colorful Alternapalooza poster between the many other miniscule ads in the newspaper. A week ago, she had promised Jane she would go with her to the extravagant music festival over lunch at the school cafeteria. And when Daria had casually asked what they were going to ride all the way there on a Wednesday afternoon watching Sick Sad World, Jane merely shrugged and said she had it all figured out. Daria had her suspicions then but decided to let it go. Of course, it was only yesterday that Jane informed her it would be with Trent, Jesse and the rest of Mystik Spiral. And perhaps that thought was once of the reasons why Daria kept tossing and turning in bed.

She had fallen asleep early at 8 when after 6 hours of uninterrupted slumber; she woke up, remembered that the festival would be this morning, and then never blinked another second of slumber again. She put down the newspaper and gathered her now empty mug of coffee and plate to wash in the kitchen sink, the first rays of sunshine casting light upon the backyard and trees.

I honestly don't know why going with the band is bothering me so much, it's just the boys. They'll probably be busy observing the local bands playing. Yeah… that's right. Jane and I will probably be alone doing… whatever it was people did at music festivals.

Daria's naïveté on music festivals caused her unease to grow but she pushed aside those thoughts and put away the dish cloth. Just then, Helen walked in looking professional and busy, with her organizer in one hand, phone in the other; despite wearing a faded purple robe and fuzzy house slippers. Daria raised a brow.

"Don't you ever get a day off at the office?"

Daria meant for it be a question out of curiosity, her tone losing some if its monotone a bit. Helen looked belligerent for a moment before sighing and plopping down on the dining table. She gestured to Daria for some hot water still left over from her coffee earlier and she carefully made some coffee and handed it to her mother.

The two had been on speaking terms after the Quinn incident, although Daria made it a point to avoid the topic. She didn't want to hear about it again. Even Quinn seemed to feel a little guilty and was silent the next night at supper.

"You're up early, dear."

"I couldn't really sleep and with the festival in a few hours I decided to have breakfast early instead."

"Oh, that's right! The festival is today!"

As if on cue, a smiling and enthusiastic Jake walked in. Seemingly unfazed by the early hour, he quickly made some coffee and grabbed the newspaper. He took one look at Helen and Daria's faces, as if only just realizing they were there.

"Didn't get enough sleep, huh kiddo? Excited about the festival, am I right?"

Jake smiled, sipping more coffee. Quinn walked in, clad in her pink pajamas. She sat down the table after retrieving some toast.

"You know, your father and I went to our share of music festivals back in the day. Right, Jake?"

"Right! Those were the days. I remember…"

Daria let her father continue in recounting his golden days and left the kitchen and walked up the second floor to the bathroom.

Better to beat Quinn to the bathroom than wait two hours for her to get finished.

After a long warm shower, Daria opened her nearly empty closet and picked out the only garments she had besides her oversized pajama shirt and green jacket ensemble- a black t-shirt and faded blue jeans. She shrugged them on, laced up her boots and looked in the mirror.

Not bad, I guess.


Jane and Daria stood outside Casa Lane, waiting for their ride. Jane quirked an eyebrow in irritation at her friend's silence.

"What's the matter, amiga? You look as nervous as Trent looks when a police officer is around."

"Uhh… it's nothing really. Just didn't get enough sleep, that's all."

"Right."

"It's nothing ok. I just had too much coffee this morning."

"Whoa, ease up on the defensiveness there partner! An officer might hear us."

Daria glared at the short-haired girl warily. Jane noticed Daria's voice lost some of its monotone and that's when she knew something was up. She racked her brain for what could possibly be bothering her friend, when a thought popped into her head.

"Listen Daria, there's nothing to be nervous about. We'll be on the road for a few hours, maybe stop at a gas station once or twice and we'll be there in no time. There's nothing to be worried about, well unless you easily get car sick or have low tolerance for guys who rarely shower."

Daria sighed. Just then, a white, dirty van pulled up the driveway. It looks even more beaten up than Trent's car.

"Yeah, you're right. I'm putting too much thought into this. So how many hours does it take before we get there?"

"Not that long… Just say about an hour, or four."

Before Daria could murder Jane right then and there, the van's door slid open, revealing a sleeping Trent, a smiling Jesse and a short-haired version of Jesse. In front sat a bald guy with a nose piercing behind the driver's wheel and a red-haired guy sitting shotgun.

"Hey Jane. Daria."

Jesse greeted them and scooted over to give them some space. Jane and Daria sat beside each other on top of a huge trunk while Trent lay behind them, snoring.

"Even on the road, the boy can't shake of the temptation of sleeping."

"Yeah, he's been asleep since our gig ended late last night. He wouldn't wake up so we decided to leave him like that."

Jesse explained. The boy next to him turned around and grinned at Daria. Jane continued trying to wake up her brother.

"Hey, we have math together right? I'm Danny Moreno, Jesse's brother."

He grinned and stretched out his hand to her. Daria shook it.

"Daria Morgendorffer."

"Hey guys turn around so I can introduce you to Jane's friend."

Jesse declared and the two older guys in front turned around to face the bespectacled girl.

"This is Nicholas, he's our bass guitarist."

The red-haired guy shrugged and waved his hand hello.

"Call me, Nick."

"And this is Max Tyler. Our drummer and owner of the indestructible Tank!"

Max adjusted the rearview mirror in the van to look at Daria and smiled before stepping on the gas. The drive was mostly quiet, with a few off-handed comments here and there. Conversation was held up mostly by Nick and Max in front with Jesse butting in once in a while to point something out. Aside from that, the only other noise was Trent's steady snoring at the back. The tank passed by a huge billboard which had an image of a mansion surrounded by trees and bushes.

"Hmm.. Pickfair Commons. If you lived here, you would be home by now." Max read out loud as they drove past.

"And bored out of your mind." Daria's monotone sounded from the back and everyone in the van laughed at her dry humor.

"Good one, Daria."

Danny commented, turning around to grin at her. Daria gave a small grin back before the van swerved, turning sharply to the other lane before returning to the right one causing Trent to bump his head and wake up from his deep slumber.

"Ouch, that hurt. What the hell, Max."

Trent's voice came out rough and an octave lower than usual- a result from his sleep. He slowly sat up while rubbing his head before finally looking over everyone in the van and realizing they were on the road- going who knows where? Trent squinted, his eyes adjusting to what little light filtered in the back, where the windows were shut. His eyes focused on someone's black t-shirt and it took him a while to realize it was Daria, and his sister was beside her seemingly having fallen asleep and resting her head on her friend's shoulder. His eyes then settled on the back of Jesse's messy brown hair and his brother's shorter, neater cut. It was then that he remembered where they were going and why he was stuck in the crowded van with everyone. Memories from the previous night's gig flashed in his head and he suddenly remembered why he refused to wake up- he was afraid of some stupid hangover; something which he didn't completely skip since his head was pounding.

"Hey Max, do you think we could stop by a diner or something? I'm starved."

"Yeah sure, man. I see one just around the corner."

The tank parked in front of a generic Mom's Diner and occupied a booth. A few minutes passed before everyone's orders came. Trent sighed contently, sipping his coffee and munching on his toast. He set down his mug on the plastic table and glanced up at Daria who sat across from him. He gave her a half-hearted, lazy smile.

"Hey Daria."

"Hey Trent."

"Didn't get a chance to say hello to you since I just woke up. I like your outfit."

"Thanks."
Daria cheeks flushed with the color pink and she was glad Jane reached out in front of her to grab some tissues so no one would see her obvious blush. After everyone settled back in the Tank, they continued the drive to the festival. Trent squeezed himself in between Jane and Daria this time, not wanting to sit on the floor.

"Does anybody else here feel like we're a bunch of sardines packed together in a tiny can?"

Jane quipped, trying to stay attached to the trunk they were sitting on as Max turned a sharp corner. She noticed how Daria appeared uncomfortable beside her brother and tried to lighten up the mood. He turned around to face Jane, his eyes narrowed.

"Hey! Are you saying my Tank is some kind of tin metal can? Is that it?"

Nick snorted, toying with the radio trying to look for a decent station.

"And what are you snorting at? Don't tell me you agree with her!"

"What? I didn't say anything, Max."

"Psh, well you didn't have to! Your subtle snorts are enough evidence!"

"What the hell are you going about now?"

And just like that, the two were in another of their Max-Nick arguments which usually lasted a few minutes before one of them, usually Max would blow a fuse and they would stop talking for a few hours. Something which Jane pointed out to Daria- was completely pointless since they forgot about it a few hours later, as if nothing had happened. Beside her, Trent sighed in exasperation at his friend's antics but said nothing, knowing it was never good to be part of an argument between those two. Eventually, the group reached their destination. Max parked his van near the borders of the music festival, along with other cars. Daria sighed in relief. Finally. I'll never be more thankful for fresh air and space than this moment.

The boys started walking towards the entrance, Jane and Daria lagging behind.

"Whew! Glad we finally made it. Remind me to buy some air freshener when we pass by a convenience store, I don't think I can handle guy stench for the drive home."

"Gladly."

They had reached the entrance and were waiting in line to hand out their tickets. The entrance being on the top of a small hill, with a huge banner that said Alternapalooza along with the band line-up in bold print. Daria pushed back her glasses up her nose and tugged at her shirt, feeling anxious. When it finally got to her and Jane, she finally had a clear view of the music festival and she couldn't help a small gasp from escaping her mouth.

All around the fenced area of the park, crowds of people were gathered. Some sat on the grass in what appeared to be a makeshift picnic, others were crowding at the stalls buying souvenirs or something to drink and most of the crowd was gathered around the huge stage set in the middle of the whole area. On both sides of the stage, two large screens were mounted where people at the very back could see and numerous, bulky speakers were set around the stage, as well as around the whole area. Posters, flyers, beer and food wrappers were strewn around the ground and suspended in the air were small lights and lanterns which Daria assumed they would turn on at night. All around were different colored tents where they were even more people. Everywhere she looked was like eye candy to her- everything was colorful and seemed alive. And although all this was quite a lot to take in, what tugged at Daria's interest the most were the people that attended the festival. All around her she witnessed different kinds of people, some wearing the most extreme fashion sense with their hair dyed in radical colors. Others were simply dressed yet garnered elaborate, full body tattoos and some she realized were in costume, as she eyed a teen that looked to be her age with his face and hair styled to look just like Robert Smith's. She felt out of place in the whole event but saw people who looked as ordinary as her enjoying themselves. She felt oddly amused and curious as Jane tugged at her shirt.

"Come on, Daria. I wanna get some cool glow bracelets before they run out."

Daria let herself be dragged by her best friend, for once thankful that she did not choose to sit at home reading the day away.


A/N: I decided to cut the story there since it was getting pretty long. This chapter's pretty boring but is needed to get the story going. Also I realize Danny Moreno wasn't really in the cartoon and only mentioned by the band as someone who set up the band's website but I decided to include him in the story and make him the same age as Daria and Jane. Also, Robert Smith is the vocalist of the band The Cure, which I am a fan of.

Anyways, let me know what you think of this chapter!