Between the show, school, homework, and avoiding Tom, Daria's writing had been suffering slightly. When Trent came back, which he promised would only be another week or so the last time he called, she at least wouldn't have to worry about Tom. On the other hand, she'd be spending time with Trent, which meant that time saved was still time spent.

She really wanted to work on that novel, but it looked like all she had time for these days was a quick short story between assignments, robbing her of a little bit of sleeping time. She needed the purely creative outlet though. The radio show was good, but it wasn't the same as writing.

That she was inexplicably blocked right now and couldn't get anything to come out wasn't helping.

A gentle knock on the door caused her to release her hold on her hair and lift her head from her hands.

"Daria, can I come in?"

"Hey Mom, sure. What's up?" Daria deliberately turned away from her computer screen and focused on Helen.

"I noticed you've been a bit stressed lately. Do you want to talk to me about it?" Helen offered, sitting on Daria's bed.

A small knot of tension loosened slightly at the base of her skull, and Daria recognised that as relief well enough to know that talking to Helen about this just might help.

---

The Fashion Club were assembled in Quinn's room to discuss the recent surge of out-of-season clothes worn by the Lawndale High population.

"It is simply unacceptable. I have seen girls wearing clothes from last year," Sandi stated, a frown slowly etching its way permanently onto her face.

"Burr," said Tiffany.

"Very bad," agreed Stacy.

"What I want to know is who started it? There must be some way of correcting this atrocity," Quinn demanded.

"Indeed," agreed Sandi. "However, I believe I know the source."

"What is it Sandi?" Stacy asked, bright-eyed and eager to know.

"I wrote a letter to that D person on the radio, asking her views on popularity and fashion, since she has such a following," Sandi said.

"Oh yeah, I heard the guys talking about her show the other week, so I tuned in as well to see what all the fuss was about. J is really funny, and D is so smart, but she makes all that stuff sound interesting," Stacy said, babbling slightly.

Quinn resisted the urge to cry. It seemed like the only person in the fashion club who didn't listen to Daria's show – apart from her – was Tiffany.

"Oh yeah, really interesting."

Scratch that. Quinn was the only one who didn't listen to Daria's dumb radio show.

"Stacy, Tiffany, as I was saying. I wrote in, and D said that she didn't care about being popular and bought her clothes from second hand shops or some small time boutique that sold hand-made clothes."

"Oh no!" Stacy said, one hand on her face and the other on her chest. She was a picture of disbelief. "D caused all the girls to forgo their fashion sense?"

"That's what it looks like," Sandi confirmed.

"Does that mean we should stop listening to the show?" Tiffany asked.

"I don't know, but something must be done."

---

"Maybe you shouldn't try reading every piece of fan mail that you get, sweetie. After all, that does take up a lot of time," suggested Helen sympathetically.

"Perhaps, but I do it because I know how I'd feel if I was passed over because the person I was writing to didn't have the time to read what I'd written," Daria objected weakly.

"Then why not publicly thank all your listeners for their support, and their letters, but admit that the task of reading all their mail has become something you just can't do any more, and suggest that they, what was it dear? Post on website, is that right?"

Daria could tell Helen was trying to be helpful, trying to find a way to cut down on Daria's load without cutting anybody off. She smiled slightly.

"Thanks Mom, that's a really good idea."

Helen's smile was less stifled. "Daria, supporting you and Quinn is my task as your mother. If I can't help you solve a problem now and then, I'm not doing it right."

---

Trent hadn't been able to get the phone since that one night he'd gotten it while Jesse was in the men's room. He knew it was important that Jess called Janey, but he was sure she'd understand that he had a need to call Daria now and then as well.

He was just about to break when Jesse tapped him on the shoulder and held out the phone for him.

"Jane said she wanted to talk to her big bro for a change," Jesse said with a smile.

"Thanks man," he said, accepting the receiver.

"Hey Trent," said the familiar voice of Jane.

"Hey Janey, how's it been?"

"Quiet, oddly enough. Guess I got used to the sound of your snoring, or your practising, or whatever. What about you?"

"Not too bad. The gigs are great, and I think we're getting a real good following, but I miss being home."

"You miss Lawndale? Trent, I may have to question your sanity, or at least ask if you've taken to smoking something."

"Naw, nothing like that. It's just that home is where you and Daria are. Kinda miss my own bed too, but mostly you and Daria."

"No love lost on Monique huh?"

"Uh-uh."

"I've got a share of fan mail to read from D for Detriment to get back to, I just wanted to say hi to ya before I got stuck into it. Don't hang up though, Daria wants a word."

Trent just about lit up. He could hear Jane tell Daria to just take the phone into his room, and Trent likewise moved into a room where the rest of the band weren't. The bathroom for choice, and since the phone was chordless, it wasn't a problem.

"Trent?" Daria's dulcet voice echoed through the line, and was it just him or did she sound like someone nervous and hopeful at the same time, like she wasn't sure he was really there, but it would be really, really good if he was.

"Daria. Dammit I've missed you so much," he said, closing his eyes to picture her in his mind while he listened to her talking to him. He wished desperately that he could hold her right now.

"I've missed you too."

"Is Tom still bugging you?"

"Not since Helen threatened him with a restraining order. Apparently such things look bad on college applications."

Trent laughed at that one. "You're mom's pretty cool Daria."

"Sometimes she can be, yes, but my Aunt Amy is still the most tolerable of Grandma's daughters."

"Hope I can meet her some time. Hey Daria -"

"I'm lying on your bed already, Trent. My boots are off, my eyes are closed, and I just want to listen to what you want to do to me for a while."

Trent moaned. Before he'd left on the tour, Daria wouldn't be comfortable even sitting on his bed while he finished practising in the basement. "Dammit Daria." At least the tour was nearly over. Just five more stops before they headed back to Lawndale.

---