She pulled into the familiar driveway feeling something that she thought that she never would- nostalgic for times gone by. Not in a million years did she ever think that she would be happy to be back in Lawndale.
Technically I am happy to see my old home and please God let dad have kept mother from getting too happy with my old room. Okay, drop off the bags, speak to the parental units, and go surprise Trent.
Stepping over the threshold of the door was so familiar, that she half expected to see the varying members of the Fashion Club discussing blushes, while dad read his paper in the kitchen, and her mother rushing in from work to make sure that the lasagna was heated properly, but a much more shocking sight greeted her. Her parents were in a position that she couldn't recall seeing them in before. They were seated side by side, her mother's head on her father's shoulder, on the couch facing what appeared to be a new television and no one was yelling or talking about work. Everything was…..quiet. She hated to ruin what she felt was some much needed alone time together, but of course it was too late, her mother had spotted her and nudged her father.
"Daria!" her mother exclaimed. "We thought that you wouldn't be home for another week."
"Well-" she was immediately engulfed in her mother's hugs and of course the standard look-over to make sure that everything was in order. She pulled away slightly for air and gave a curt nod to her father that stood beside her mother, before speaking. "I managed to finish up all of my assignments and I have already submitted my article for work."
"Now Daria, an 'I miss you too' would have sufficed as well. Jake, take her things up to her room while I make her something a sandwich. You must be famished honey," she directed the last to Daria.
"Actually, mom I was going to grab a shower and go see the Lanes."
"Oh? Jane's home too?"
"Honey, let the girl go see her friends. We weren't expecting her anyway and I'm sure that she'll make some time for us tomorrow to fill us in on her life," Jake interjected.
"Well…..okay, but tomorrow we have girl talk and a family dinner. Maybe Quinn could join us for-" Helen spoke quickly.
"Mom, I promise that we will do something while I'm here," Daria promised while trying to escape.
"Okay….." Helen reluctantly watched as her daughter escaped up the stairs with Jake following, bags in tow.
He put her bags on the floor of her room.
"It's good to have you home Daria," her dad said as he turned to leave the room.
She watched her dad leave before making a dash to the shower.
The sun hadn't set yet, but the colors in the sky reminded her of sunset as she pulled to a stop in front of the Lane residence.
Maybe it's the way the sun is hanging in the sky. Or maybe your hormones are in overdrive and you need to just wipe that grin off of your face.
She tried, unsuccessfully, to compose herself for a few moments more before getting out of the car. She had to mentally force herself to not run up the driveway. It had felt like so long since she'd seen him last. She was about halfway up the drive when the door opened and out he stepped. They both stopped startled at the sight of one another. They both took the few steps to close the distance between them. They stood there, his head bent and hers tilt up so that they could look into each other's eyes.
"I finished early….." she said watching as he took her hands in his and kissed the palm of each one with an intensity that made her feel as though they were performing the most intimate of acts. He was looking at her hands, studying each one in turn before raising his eyes back to hers again. "You headed out?"
He did a slow nod.
"I could come back if you're busy," she suggested not sure why he was being so quiet.
He pulled her to him in an abrupt manner, causing her to gasp. He gave a moment more to allow the pad of his thumb to graze her bottom lip before leaning in to kiss her. It was supposed to be a sweet 'I'm glad to see you' kiss and it was, or at least it started out that way, but the more they kissed, the more that he remembered how very much he had been missing her and of course the images of the private show that she'd given him seemed to burst forth from where he kept them tucked away for his own daydreams and private late night viewings. A part of him still remembered how shy she'd been and he didn't want to frighten her, but judging from her kisses and the way she was pressing her body against his, she was feeling the same way.
"Damn…..I promised to help get the place ready to open for tonight; you know 'cause of the revamping that we've been working on." His voice was thick and his forehead was against hers so that their eyes could stay connected as he spoke.
"Oh," she was disappointed, but she understood.
"Come by later for my set?"
"Sure."
He kissed her again for good measure before watching her get into her car and pulling off. That soft green sweater and those jeans were really complementing to her.
Damn she's lookin' good.
The Zon
The stage was jet black. The unseen announcer graced the mike.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back 'The Spiral'….."
The air felt charged with an excitement that felt as though something monumental was on the precipice. The crowd felt it, Daria felt it as she found herself practically holding her breath with anticipation, and the band felt it. As Nicholas, Max, and Jesse began the intro three lights pooled around them, then the moment Trent began to sing, the light hit him. His voice was low and raspy and carried the spellbinding atmosphere that held the audience.
I forgive you,
For knowing what you do
I forgive you,
For acting like you do
Keepin' me at arm's length
When you know you want me too
Baby I forgive you
Cause without you, just won't do.
Chorus:
Forgive you…..
Forgive you…..
Forgive you….
I forgive you,
For staying on my mind,
Thinking 'bout you night and day,
Everything else…..just a waste of time
Baby please forgive me,
For not knowing what to do
Just know that you are my home
And I'll never stop lovin' you…..
The crowd roared and the band launched into their latest rendition of Icebox Woman to keep the excitement going. Tonight was a good night for 'The Spiral'.