Life Beyond Highland (Part 14)
Daria heard the sound of a text message being left on her cell phone. It was from Steven - wishing her good luck and that he loved her. A small smile came over her face as her fingers scrolled across the buttons. A quick shower and small breakfast later, she waited for Jane to arrive. She could hear Quinn in her bedroom fretting over what outfit she was going to wear. A few minutes later, she heard a car honk as it pulled into her driveway. Daria yelled upstairs to let Quinn know that she was leaving. Jane handed her a cup of coffee as she opened the passenger door.
"So are you ready to face the joys of college at Laaaaaawwwwnnndale State?" Jane asked her quiet passenger.
Daria raised an eyebrow and stared at the driver. "I'm as ready as I'm going to be. Laaaaaawwwwnnndale State?"
"Yeah - that's how Dean Li says Lawndale State. She has a little too much of that ye ole college spirit."
Daria just nodded as she looked out the car window. The beginning of every school year made Daria tense up. She spent the rest of the drive in silence. Jane pulled into the parking lot and found a decent spot. Upon exiting the car, Jane told Daria to have fun. They would be seeing each other again in a couple of hours. They had History with Professor DeMartino at 11:30. Daria headed to the Science building for her first class of the day - Chemistry, with Professor Barch.
Lawndale State had twice the number of students of Kilgore. The size of the science class reminded her of her days at Highland High. As she was getting situated at one of the lab tables, a girl with a familiar face and blonde hair approached her. It took her a moment to realize that it was the girl she met at the Zon.
"Hi, Daria. How are you liking Lawndale?" Brittany asked as she set up at the lab table besides Daria.
"It's not to bad - at least there is no Uranium in the drinking water here."
"No, just your everyday run of the mill amounts of Mercury," the comment came from a girl who was walking up to the lab table behind Brittany and made Daria give a slight chuckle. She stopped in between the blonde and Daria. Sticking out her hand, she turned to Daria. "Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Jodie Landon."