Daria: College Pains The Sophomore Year

Episode 10: Celebrate It

Trent sits on the airplane next to Lindy as they fly over the Pacific Ocean. "This is a really long flight." He looks out the window and sees perfect blue waters for miles.

"It is." Lindy rubs her temples. She was surrounded by people who were drinking. She had sipped at her sodas but it wasn't enough. "I'm going to lose it."

Trent takes her hand in his. "It's ok Lindy. We'll be there soon."

She squeezes his hand for comfort. "White beach, blue water, soaking up the Sun." Surrounded by those drinking while my boyfriend and his band play at a bunch of bars. "Lock up the mini fridge, or throw it out a window, when we get to the hotel."

Trent laughs and doesn't cough. Quitting smoking had done him wonders. "I don't think they would appreciate that. We can't be smashing the walls. Yet."

She leans over and kisses him. "You would never do that. No matter how big and famous you get." I just have to hope I can survive tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday...

Conner is reading a Melody Powers story.

Melody smirks as a person stands in her way. "You better get out of my way. A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died." Melody has her gun drawn on the other person.

"Then I guess I should point out I'm not a man." They smile as they keep their pistol aimed at Melody.

"Why are you even coming after me? I have no idea who you are."

"You killed my father, bitch!"

Melody rolls her eyes. "Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down for me?"

Daria sees Conner smile. "What part are you at?"

"Her exchange with the mystery woman. Who is she?"

"You'll have to wait to find out."

"Why? I know the author and I'm sure she knows." Daria doesn't respond. "She doesn't?"

"Melody killed a lot of communists in her time. I'm thinking maybe Tonio from my first story. Tie it all together."

"Tie it all together?" Daria nods. "Like..."

"Like this is the last Melody Powers story." He looks back at the screen. "If I can finish it." She rubs her left arm nervously. "I've had her since I was fifteen but I need to move on. None of her stories have gotten past the rejection letter phase. If I finish her story maybe I can write some thing else."

He turns to her as he gets out of the chair. "I liked them. I got to read them back to back in a marathon of spy thriller awesomeness." He hugs her and she hugs him back.

"You're just saying that because you want to..." Daria blushes slightly. "Get, um,"

"I said it because it is true." He leans down and kisses her. "And I don't need to lie to get that." He pinches her.

She pulls away from him. "No, I guess you don't." She feels her face cool. "Um, if you still want to, stay the night before, this weekend is the celebration party for my dad."

"Meeting your father in a large crowd might be the safest way. I told you already that I'll go with you."

She can hear the nervousness in his voice. "I know but, um, you might change your mind."

"This is important to your family. Your dad is a freaking Senator." He smiles as she looks down at her boots. "I bet the food will be killer."

"Yes, the food. Focus on the food." She looks back up at him and smiles slightly. "And meeting my family."

"You met mine so it is time I met yours." He leans down and kisses her again as the front door slams shut. "Sounds like one of your roommates is home."

They both hear foot steps stomping up the stairs. "Or it is a really loud burglar."

Stacy meets up with Quinn who has Coral, Sammie, and Ashtin with her. "This is my best friend since a long time ago, Stacy!" Quinn hugs her. "This is so cool!"

"Thanks Quinn!" Stacy looks around. "So this is what college looks like?"

"Kind of." Quinn is so excited to see Stacy again she is almost bouncing. "Stacy, this is Ashtin, Coral, and Sammie!"

"Nice to meet you!" Stacy looks the other three girls over. Right away she notices they are nothing like Sandi or Tiffany. "What are you all doing tonight?"

"Anything we want! I got all my work done so we could hang out."

Coral, Sammie, and Ashtin all chime in at the same time. "As did we."

Stacy smiles and laughs a little. "Wow, I feel like a real celebrity."

"To Quinn you are a real one." Coral sticks her tongue out as she makes a face at Quinn.

"She's my best friend from Lawndale. She's the best." Quinn claps as she does bounce a little. "The shopping is nothing compared to the food! We can do one than the other, what ever you want."

"I didn't eat on the way down so I could get some thing." The group of girls leave the campus together.

"I just can't stay out too late. I have to leave for my dad's party and stuff tomorrow."

"That is so cool! I drove with your father's sponsorship! Now he's a Senator!"

The other three girls share looks with each other. Stacy and Quinn were from a whole different world. One a race car driver going to the big leagues and the other was now the daughter of a Senator. None of them could relate. But it didn't matter. Quinn's bubbly personality attracted people and now that she was screening for those she would like back she was friends with three people who would still like her.

Daria feels herself nodding off as she drives for Maryland. "Hey, Daria, we can switch seats if you want." Daria yawns in response. "Pull over, we're switching."

"Ok, thanks. I didn't expect to be up as late as I was..." She blushes as he laughs.

"You should have shaken me. I didn't know I snored that loudly."

"Normally you don't. Maybe it is a change of the weather." Daria pulls off the highway at the first exit she finds and they switch.

As Conner pulls back on to the highway he hears Daria breathing lightly as she leans against the side of the car fast asleep. "At least you don't snore." He focuses on the road as he continues south.

Trent leaves the beach with Lindy after spending the morning relaxing. "Last night was good. We're selling more CD's and even some of the shirts you brought."

Lindy grips his hand tightly in hers. "It was worth the extra baggage fees." She had struggled not to drink for the whole trip. Just two more nights and they'd be on a plane. For a very long stressful trip. Surrounded by those who were drinking.

"I better go and wake the others up."

"How can they sleep this late? Time zone difference makes it at least five or six back home."

Trent simply shrugs his shoulders as the two go through the entrance of their hotel and walk over to the elevator.

Conner pulls off to the side of the road and wakes Daria up. "Hey Sleeping Beauty."

"Huh?" She looks around. "Where are we?"

"Maryland."

"Why are we stopped?"

"I don't know where to go from here. I've never been to Odenton."

Daria's sleep fogged mind starts to clear. She looks at the time. "Did you stop and get gas?"

"Yes, and other things." He wouldn't admit he got lost.

"Oh, uh, how much was it?"

Conner shakes his head and puts a hand on the arm that was reaching for her pocket. "I got it. You don't need to pay me back."

"Ok, thanks." She yawns and stretches. "Want to keep driving and let me give you directions or want to switch seats?"

"Either or, doesn't matter to me."

"You're already in the driver seat." Daria leans back in the seat. "I like having a chauffeur. See about getting me one."

"Might be able to get one on the country's dime."

Daria looks out the passenger window. Ever since she graduated from Lawndale so much had changed.

Her sister not only made it in to college but a good one. Her mother became a Partner at the Law Firm. Her father was now a Senator.

She... Had dated and gotten serious with some one. She made new friends who were different from any one she knew back home. Jane... Became something Daria didn't really recognize. Something that made her uncomfortable at times. Jane was still her friend though no matter what. She just had to ignore the parts that made her feel weird.

And now she was not even going home. She was going to her parent's home. She had no attachment to this house. It meant nothing to her. The house in Lawndale would at least hold memories even if it wasn't truly her home any more. The house in Odenton held none of that.

She hoped the dress she had would be appropriate for the party. She hated dressing up but this was important for her father. She just hoped there wouldn't be too many people expecting her to be social and polite.

"Daria?" She shakes her head as she snaps out of it. "Left or right?"

"Oh, uh," She looks. "Left."

As he turns left he gives her a look. "Brain overthinking again?"

"A little." She tries and focus on giving him directions to keep her mind from wandering.

Quinn is driving up from Miami while talking on her cell phone. "I know! No, I'm good Stacy. I'm fine! It isn't that bad. I can focus." She continues to drive and talk not noticing her speed climb higher and higher until it was too late.

"No!" She sees the flashing lights and looks down at the dashboard. "Oh no! Stacy, I have to go." She hangs up and throws the cell phone behind her.

The officer walks up to her window and taps on it. She lowers it and batters her eyelashes at him. "Hello." She smiles nervously trying to hide her fear.

"Hello." He gives her a stern look. "Do you have any idea how fast you were going?"

"I know! I'm so sorry. I'm in a hurry to get to my dad's party for becoming Senator and I got stuck in traffic earlier and I can't be late! I need to get there and change and do my hair and make up and make sure my sister is ready since she always wears some thing horrible but we're going to be on T.V. And stuff and I want her to look good too but not as good as me and,"

The officer clears his throat cutting her off. "You were going thirty two over. That's an automatic reckless op charge. No matter who your father is."

"Ok! So write me the ticket. I'm guilty. I just need to get to Maryland for my daddy's party. He's going to need me too! I'm sure what ever Washington D.C. Dresser people they hire are good but they may not be as up to date as me."

"Wait, your father is an actual Senator?"

"Yes! Of Maryland. He just won like, a week ago. His party is throwing a party and I'm late. I'll pay what ever fine and stuff. I know I shouldn't have been going so fast but I have to get there." She starts tearing up. "The other guys made such a mean commercial about me and my sister and I want to show them I'm stronger than they are! I am going to be on camera looking my best."

The officer taps a ticket pad with his pen. "I saw about that on the news. Horrible what they did to that man's daughters. If any one did the same to my precious angel..." He looks at her. "License, registration, and insurance. If you have every thing up to date and in order I'll give you a warning."

"Ok!" She digs through her glove box finding the paper work and hands it to the officer.

He spends a few minutes looking it over. Quinn crosses her fingers and prays.

When he hands her the paperwork back she sighs with relief. "Ok Ms. Morgendorffer. Get going. But not too fast. Understand?"

"Yes officer! Thank you!" She puts the paperwork back in the glove box and continues for Maryland.

Jake coos over his son as Helen readies for the party. "You'll be a good boy for the nanny."

Helen cringes a little. She didn't like thinking about a nanny looking after her son. But it was needed. For tonight at least.

Daria pulls at the dress a little. "It fit better before."She grumbles some more.

Quinn looks her over. "Daria, I've never seen that dress before. When did you get it?"

"Last year."Daria tugs a little more at the dress.

"It looks good on you. It fits a little snug in a couple places but your body carries it well. Not as well as I would but that cut wouldn't go well with my body."

Daria looks at the mirror. Since she had been driving part of the way she had been wearing her contacts. She didn't want to deal with taking them out and putting the glasses back on just to do the reverse when it was time to leave.

"But, it doesn't matter what I think. You picked that dress out yourself?"

"Yes." Daria gives Quinn a look. "I can't believe you aren't harping on me more."

Quinn shrugs her shoulders. "I know you Sis. You will do the least but still make sure you look good. At least for Dad." Quinn smirks. "And for Conner."

"I see you didn't bring a date."

"I didn't think it would be ok to bring any of my friends. After all the stupid stuff they said about them." Quinn rubs her arm nervously. "And I didn't want any of the accusations you're dealing with. Gah, it is the 2000's. If you want to,"

Daria cuts her off. "Shut up. We were just studying. Like what happened with Tom."Helen might know, Jake might know, but Quinn didn't have to know.

"Oh. Sorry. I guess I assumed like they did."

"It's ok. We're college kids. It's expected. Just like drinking and partying."

"Oh my god! I know! It was two drinks! I'm not gonna be all drunk and passing out like some idiots. I'm sure being like you is weird but I have to focus on school. So much work."

"Quinn, you're probably doing better than I did my freshman year. It will sound weird to you but I, uh, partied. A lot."

"Why?"

"I tried to be some one I wasn't. I wanted to be different. Thankfully I learned better pretty quickly."

"Really? You?"

"Yes, as much as I hate to admit it. But I learned from my mistakes. Maybe you can learn from my example and not go through it."

"Thanks Daria!" Quinn gives herself another look over in a full length mirror. "You know, I'll never admit it to any one outside of this room, but I was trying to be more like you."

"College changes you."

"Maybe a little bit before. Senior year was ok but after tutoring and watching Stacy change I looked at myself and didn't like the monster I saw." Daria only smiles to herself as she thinks of the one video project she did with Jane and the original title of the project. "But I've changed! I started reading Women's Fashion instead of Waif or Val. I actually study and stuff too. It is so hard but I have like, real friends now, who help!"

"That's good Quinn. Come to the Brain Side. It has cookies."

"As long as they're fat free!"

At least some things don't change. "I guess it is time we go out and face the masses."

Quinn turns her head a couple times checking on her hair. "I hope they got a stretch limo. A regular limo would be so embarrassing."

Nope, some things never change.

Daria is slow dancing with Conner at the party. "Big fancy shindig they threw for your father."

She looks up at his smiling face. "Focus on the food."

"And you." She rests her head against his chest as they dance. "I'm lucky your father didn't have one of those black suits shoot me on sight."

"I told you he's not a violent person. I was more worried about my mother. She sounded reasonable over the phone but in person..."

Helen shakes Conner's hand. "Hello young man. It is so nice to finally meet you."

"You too Mrs. Morgendorffer."

"Oh, go ahead and call me Helen. Mrs. Morgendorffer is my husband's mother. The old bat."

"Uh, ok, Helen." Conner rubs the back of his neck with his right hand nervously. "So, uh, I heard you're a lawyer. Or partner, is there a difference?"

"A little." She is looking him over making him even more nervous. "So, Daria said you were going to school for a journalism degree."

"I am."

Helen swirls the wine in her glass a little. "You must have a great influence on my daughter. She changed her major from education to journalism. I do hope it was a smart move on her part."

"I, I don't think I really made her change her mind. She talked to me before she changed her major but she seemed like she was already going to do it."

"Well, Conner, you still seem to have her attention. Just be careful. She's a smart and wonderful young woman but hasn't had the same kind of experience with dating as others her age."

"I know. I'm the second guy she's gotten serious with and the first..." He stops and wants to drown himself in the nearest punch bowl.

"I know dear. I just hope you aren't a stunt car driver and more like Jake." He doesn't understand the stunt car driver part but gets the other part.

"I do too. I mean, be like your husband. Rich, successful, married to a very lovely and understanding woman."

Helen smiles in response. "He's worked very hard to get where he is today. Some of it fell in to his lap but even then he had to work harder than most." She smiles a little more. "And I see you know how to flatter an older woman as much as you do a younger one."

As the song ends the two break apart. "I'm glad I came."

Daria gets up on her toes and kisses him lightly on the lips. "So am I."

Quinn is turning down a dance when her mother catches up with her. "He seemed cute. He's the kind of guy you normally would have jumped for the chance to dance with."

"I only slow dance on the fifth date." Quinn sees the look on Helen's face. "Mom, I don't want to dance."

"Why? Honey, you're an adult and I don't have a problem with you dancing with a nice young man."

"It isn't that." Quinn had made sure to get her own drinks, and snacks, and any thing else she wanted. "Mom, you probably noticed my dating slowed down my senior year."

"Yes, but you were focusing on studying and getting ready for college."

"God, Mo-om! College is even harder. I have to like, focus all the time."

Helen nods. "You still found time to be with your friends."

"Well, duh. Friends are way more important than boys. I'm glad you're not mad about the beer."

"Quinn, I was honest with you. College was filled with partying and drinking and smoking. I'm just glad you limit yourself to two beers. You're doing far better than Daria," Helen sees the look on Quinn's face. "But I'm sure that has some thing to do with all of the partying you got away with in high school."

"Yeah, I did, a lot. But I never drank or any thing. I was just a good host."

"And you paid for the shoes your one friend ruined."

Quinn smiles slightly. "I made sure Ashtin doesn't get any where near my closet."

"Just make sure you stay in control. It can be a lot of pressure for a young girl to be with friends who drink. Or smoke. Or do other things."

"Gah, Mo-om! I don't do any of that and neither do my friends. As far as I know. I mean, Ashtin doesn't and I don't think Coral or Sammie do. I would never touch it."

"Did you tell that to yourself about beer? Or chicken wings?" Quinn thinks for a second before nodding. "Just be careful. Daria made a few missteps but she picked herself up and found her way. I'm a little concerned about her friends. I don't know them and Jane appears to have gone about as wild as one would expect from a Lane."

"Huh?"

Helen shakes her head. "Don't worry about it Quinn. Enjoy the party." Helen sips at her champagne. "And the great food."

"I already had more than I should have."

"Then dance with some one." Helen looks over and sees Daria and Conner talking with Jake. "You could be doing a lot worse. My sister Rita,"

"Oh, I'm gone!" Quinn turns and walks away.

As she walks past her sister, her father, and Conner, she hears a nervous laughter and stops.

"Yeah, uh, Jake, Senator Jake, it has been great to meet you. Daria and I need to be going though."

"Why? The night's still young my man! Drink up!"

"Dad, we're both underage."

"Oh, right. People might frown on that. Gah, Mad Dog had me drinking as soon as I could drive. Put's hair on a man's chest he said. Makes a man out of you if you can stomach the burn. Well guess what? I know what makes a man!" Daria and Quinn both start to worry as they wait for Jake's rant. "Finding a woman who loves you and raising two great daughters and a son! I did better than that old bastard ever did! You're in college at a great school in Boston and found this great guy and Quinn is off in Miami being who she is. You're not afraid of me. You don't hate me. I never sent you off to military school."

Helen comes over and puts a hand on Jake's arm. "Calm down dear, there are some donors and other people you need to keep happy around."

"Right, right. Senator Jake can't show his emotions. Senator Jake has to put on the public face." He starts to smile. "I did great! I'm older than he ever was and I'm Senator Jake with a great wife and three great kids who love me." He turns and kisses Helen romantically.

All three college students start to feel uncomfortable as the kiss lasts longer and longer.

When a man in a black suit clears his throat Jake breaks the kiss. "Sorry!"

Helen smiles as she watches him talk with the man. "Haven't lost our spark."

Daria and Quinn agree with each other as they both say "Ew."

Trent is leaving a bar after playing and sees Lindy waiting at a fence. "Hey, got tired of the beach?"

"Too many parties. Too much alcohol." Lindy had to run away after some one offered her a drink. "You've been drawing quite the crowds."

"Yeah. Guess the bar owner isn't the only one tired of hearing island music." He looks up at the moonlit sky. "Say, this is romantic, right?"

Lindy looks around the parking lot. They were the only two outside at the moment. "I guess, why?"

"I wanted to do this but wanted it to be romantic." He pulls some thing out of his back pocket. "The house gave off the wrong vibes so I waited til we were here."

Lindy sees the little black box. "Yes!"

"Hey, I didn't even ask," He is cut off when Lindy throws herself at him and kisses him hard.

After a minute or so she breaks the kiss. "Let me see, let me see." She grabs the box from him and opens it. "Wow."

"Hey, hope it fits. I took one of your other rings and had the rock attached to it."

She holds up the ring. It was an old fake gold ring she had had for years. The diamond was shaped like a guitar pick. "Wow. How much did it cost?"

"A few hundred."

"Really? That cheap?"

"Guy who did it uses the lab made ones. Says they're better. Real ones have imperfections but the lab ones are perfect. How you can tell a lab one from dug up from the ground kind. Still cuts glass but doesn't have the blood of kids on it or some thing." Trent looks at her reaction as she slips it on. "He was pretty long winded about the digging up of diamonds using kid labor and stuff. These kind are more humane he said."

"I don't care." She hugs him again. "It's beautiful." She continues hugging him under the moonlight ignoring the crowd of customers as they leave the bar.

When the other members of Mystic Spiral come out Trent and Lindy are at the rental van they hired. "About time!" Lindy was antsy. She had wanted to show Trent how, appreciative, she was of the ring but was waiting to get back to the hotel.

"Hey, we were celebrating with the locals." As Jesse gets closer Lindy sees a couple different shades of lipstick on him.

"You celebrate all you want I guess. This has been a great trip."

"Too bad tomorrow is our last day." Trent holds Lindy's hand. "Maybe we'll come back for another tour next year."

"I'd love it." She leans against him for a few seconds before letting go so he could help the band load up the van.

Conner pulls up to the house Daria was staying at. She was fast asleep next to him. "I got to stand around and eat good food. She had to deal with all the hand shaking and guests." He smiles to himself as he sees her chest rise and fall slowly. Her head leaning to the side and her hair coming down one shoulder. "Hey Sleeping Beauty."

As he shakes her lightly her eyes open. "Oh, hey," She yawns, stretches, and turns her head. "I'm home."

"You are." He watches her stretch a couple more times. "Shall I walk m'lady to the door?"

"Just because we are dressed fancy doesn't mean you have to talk fancy."

"What ever my maiden fair desires." He picks up her hand and kisses the knuckles.

She pulls her hand away. "You're just trying to get an invite inside." He only smiles and laughs in response. "After meeting my parents, and sister, and going through all of that with me, you deserve it."

"And after sleeping the past couple of hours I'm sure you'll need some thing to tire you out." He smiles brighter as he sees her cheeks flush with color. "Never lose that." He leans over and kisses her.

"Let's continue this, inside." Daria climbs out of the car and Conner follows her to the house.

A/N Conner meets her parents! Thankfully nothing bad happens to him. Love the moment with Jake and his rant about his father turning in to about his kids and how he was a real man for having two wonderful daughters who still love him.

And Trent proposes to Lindy in Hawaii! This was another scene I've had in my head/outlined since the beginning. I still have a lot of stuff outlined but... I have some thing else also planned.