A New Direction Part 11
(I'm switching focus away from Daria and Jane for this update so there is a time shift as well. The following takes place on Monday morning, Daria and Quinn's first day in Lawndale High at about the time Jane is drinking coffee in Daria's minibus.)
Stacy Rowe was tired. No, I mean really tired. She'd been up all night. She wasn't supposed to be, Sandi had ordered that they all have a good night's sleep so they'd look their best this morning. Stacy hadn't slept, oh no. Outfit selection alone had taken much longer than it should and eventually her mother had come in and roared at her to turn the light out and stop making noise.
She'd lain there for half an hour then crept back to her closet for one more round of mix n' match and finally she'd settled on the perfect outfit… except no it wasn't what was she thinking? That top would never go with those pants! Aaaaaargh! 'EEEEP! Sorry Mom!'
Then she'd had to get up early to wash and work on her make up to try and make it look as if she hadn't been up all night and then head over to Sandi's for the strategy meeting. How could Sandi and Tiffany look so fresh? Did nothing affect them? Don't yawn DON'T YAWN!
'I hope you aren't going to shame us all by yawning in her face Stacy.' Sandi had remarked with her usual withering scorn. Sandi could be such a b…. nonononono, you mustn't.
The three of them had been the first ones at the school. Sandi wanted to stake out the perfect spot just near the door where SHE must pass right by them and they could speak to HER. Sandi had given them detailed instructions about what they were to say and in what order and what they mustn't say and Stacy had written it all down and memorized it then Tiffany just said 'Whaaaat?' in that slow voice of hers and Stacy felt like just…
It was almost time. Several reporters and a news crew had asked them to move but Sandi had just glared at them until they went away. Stacy would never have been able to do that, she'd have moved, and moved and moved again and they'd be at the back of the crowd but Sandi made sure they were right at the front. Sandi was…
'What was that?' Stacy asked. 'Is she coming?'
'Quiet Stacy, I'm trying to concentrate. What is that? Is that a limo?'
Stacy stood on tiptoe and shielded her eyes from the morning sun. Over the heads of the crowd she could see a flash of metallic pink approaching, something long and low. It must be HER car, it must be IT MUST BE!
'Now.' Sandi looked at the other two. 'Are we all ready? Are we calm? Stacy, I'm asking you?'
'What? Yes, yes, yes Sandi I'm calm it's fine in fact it's great I can hardly wait…'
'Well in that case could you stop like hyperventilating and act like a proper member of the Fashion Club or would you like me to put you on a fashion sabbatical and send you over to stand with the geeks from the chess club?' Sandi asked acidly.
Stacy looked stricken for a moment then made some effort to comply but it was just so exciting! It's her it's really her that has to be her car OHMIGOD it's beautiful it's a PORSCHE! A PORSCHE LIMO! That is so cool!
Stacy reached into her back pack and took out the well thumbed copy of "Waif" magazine with HER picture on the cover. She held it clutched in her arms so the masthead and HER gorgeous red hair were on top.
The stretched limousine pulled into the drop off circle and the driver, a handsome Italian looking guy in a black uniform got out and opened the rear door, standing to attention and holding it open. Stacy watched as SHE made her first appearance, looking a little shy and nervous but with a winsome little smile on HER face.
OMIGOD! SHE'S REALLY HERE!
Several people shouted greetings and flashes flashed all around her as the TV lights came on. Quinn stepped out of the limo and stood for a moment looking up at the school wide-eyed as she nervously bit her lower lip. She smiled shyly at the crowd gathered around blinking at all the flashes. The crowd spontaneously went quiet and Quinn gave a little wave and said 'Hi!' Everyone cheered.
Suddenly everyone was shouting at once and the crowd of students surged forward but Sandi held them firm in their place, no rushing about, let her come to us.
'Will you sign my…?'
'Will you go out with me?'
'Would you like to…?'
'Ms. Morgendorffer I'm from the Lawndale Sun Herald would you…?'
'Over here, smile please!'
'Would…?'
'Could…?'
'Can I…?'
'QUINN! QUINN! Over here!'
Quinn was smiling and waving. She selected a crew from one of the major networks and addressed the reporter by name. 'Lydia! Hi, nice to see you again. What brings you to Maryland as if I didn't know.'
The other crews gathered around as Quinn gave a brief interview. Yes, she was looking forward to her new school. No she wasn't nervous… okay maybe just a bit. Yes this bag is Gucci to match the shoes. She was sure everyone would be really nice. Yes. Thanks. Love you all. Bye.
She was coming this way. Stacy couldn't remember what she was supposed to say… or her own name. She was coming! She's looking at US! Looking at ME! OMIGOD!
The excess of oxygen finally got to Stacy's brain and her eyes rolled up in her head and she very slowly fell over backwards.