James The Lesser Presents Vinny Lane
Ms. Li was back from her suspension. She was ready to get back to doing what she did best.
When Vinny heard of the field trip to go mountain climbing he knew he wasn't going. It was considered voluntary. At least one thing has changed. Before the whole school would have been forced to go. He would sit out.
Daria had the same idea to sit it out.
They relax on her couch while Sick Sad World plays. "Great. Tom said one of those black and white subtitles films was playing that night. Maybe we could all go see it together."
"It's a film by the Russian director..." Daria continues detailing the movie, the director, producer, and all the other things Vinny didn't care about.
"So, are you coming with us?"
"I guess. I did want to see it."
"Cool. You two can watch and explain the symbology to me."
"Symbolism. The word you're looking for is symbolism."
"Sorry Mr. O'Neil." Daria grabs the remote and holds it up in a threatening manner. "I went a little overboard with that one. I take it back."
Vinny goes home and calls Tom telling him about the plans for the weekend. "I thought we were going alone."
"Tom, Daria will enjoy it more than I would."
"It wasn't about the movie it was about hanging out together. Alone."
"Don't be jealous. Daria is my friend, my best friend. I can be friends with her and you at the same time."
Tom grumbles for a minute before agreeing to the movie with Vinny, and Daria.Why is he jealous? Daria I understand but Tom?
The next morning, Daria surprises Vinny, with an offer. "My parents roped me in to going on the field trip."
Tom will get what he wants. "That sucks."
"You're coming with me."
"Voluntary. I don't volunteer. I already have a, plan, with Tom."
"I'll pay you."
Oh? "How much?"
"Twenty."
"Fifty."
"Twenty five."
"Forty."
"Thirty."
"Deal." The two shake hands. Now I just have to tell Tom. Damn. There is no way to get him on this trip.
After school and going to Daria's to hang out, Vinny gets home and calls Tom. "Hello, Sloane residence."
"Hello?" Vinny doesn't recognize the voice. "Is Tom there?"
"Yes, just a moment."
A few seconds later, Tom picks up his phone. "Hey, Vinny?"
"Yep."
"You want to go out tonight?"
"Uh, yes. Have to make up for the movie."
"What? The movie? This weekend?"
"Yes. Uh, I got roped in to the field trip I told you about."
"Daria."
The one word dripped with envy. "Not Daria. Jackson and Hamilton." Vinny waits for a response and when the silence is all he gets he explains. "She's paying me thirty to go since she's being forced to go."
"I'll introduce you to my friend Grant."
Whoa, fifty? He is a Sloan. "I'm not d, doing this, because of your money. I told Daria I'd go and already struck a deal."
"You know, that actually makes me feel better. I'm still mad you're breaking,"
Vinny cuts him off. "I'm sorry. I had no plans for going on this stupid trip but Daria is stuck going and she offered me thirty. Who knows, there might be some interesting pictures to take."
"You have fun on your trip."
"You're just mad your school doesn't do stuff like this."
"Didn't the last trip end in the Coast Guard rescuing you off of a ship?"
"There may have been complications." Nothing could go wrong on this trip besides getting lost in the woods and being eaten by a bear. "I'll call you when we get back and tell you all of the boring details."
"I'm hoping it stays boring. No Coast Guard to save you on a mountain."
"Thanks for your concern but I'm sure we'll be fine. It will be boring."
The trip started well enough. It was almost enjoyable.
Vinny tried to use the video camera Ms. Li brought but she gave it to Mr. O'Neil.
It was boring even. Like he told Tom it would be.
Until Mr. O'Neil's asthma started acting up. And then it started to snow.
As they sat in the cabin Vinny speaks up. "Well, it can't get any worse."
When it turned out all the supplies had been left at the buses so the pack mules, Joey, Jeffey, and Jaime, could carry Quinn's bags, it got worse.
Now there was a call for two groups to go out. One for supplies and one for Mr. O'Neil and Ms. Li.
Vinny and Daria offer to join Mr. DeMartino on the group to get supplies.
It didn't take long for the blinding wind and snow to separate the two from Mr. DeMartino.
As they trudge through the snow, the cold starts to eat away at them.
Going downhill they were making better time than going up but the snow was still slowing them down.
As they reach what Vinny thinks is the halfway point he talks through his shivering teeth. "What if the buses are locked?"
"We'll die."
"Ha." Daria doesn't laugh back. "We'll make it. Or find Mr. DeMartino. Or the other party. Someone."
"Someone will find our frozen bodies."
"No they won't." Vinny gets closer to Daria and puts an arm around her. "We aren't freezing out here."
"We might." Daria leans closer to him. "My parents are to blame for this. I didn't even want to come on this trip."
"Neither did I."
They keep walking as the snow falls harder. Vinny feels the coldness go away. He knew it wasn't a good thing. "Daria, I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too."
"So much we should have said or done, isn't there?" I should tell her the truth. "Daria, I, I know I should have told you before."
"I should have too." Daria shivers so hard even Vinny can feel it. "But we aren't going to freeze on this mountain."
As the snow starts to let up they see a cabin.
They run as best as they can towards the cabin.
When the door opens they see... "Mom? Dad? Mr. DeMartino?"
They let the two teens in to warm up and dry off.
Vinny didn't want to know what happened in the student cabin. He didn't care. I came so close to telling Daria. I should tell her. Why am I worried? She's my best friend. She wouldn't...
Her parents were giving them, and Quinn, a ride back home. He was right next to his best friend. He would just have to whisper a few words to Daria.
Instead...
He calls Tom when he gets home and tells him the none boring details. "Aren't you glad now your school doesn't do stuff like this?"
"Kind of. I'm just glad you're ok."
"I'm fine. Who needs all ten toes anyways?" They share a laugh and continue talking.
A/N Forgot to mention last time I had two MAJOR ideas. Can't do both in one storyline so am doing a World A and World B. When World A is done I will go back to the last episode and start World B with my other major idea.