Lane residence…
"Hey Daria." Trent opened the door to the petite young woman that stood on the other side.
"Hey Trent."
She followed him into the home and further into the kitchen where she stood at the table watching him try to find coffee in one of the cabinets, as he had on so many occasions.
"What's going on?" Trent spoke without looking at her.
I need to know something. I want- I should tell you something…
"Ummm….."
"I buy coffee- well, sometimes, but I'm certain I bought some the other day- but it always seems to disappear." Trent was speaking somewhat to her, but still searching.
"Maybe Jane needed it for a project?"
"Maybe," he gave up and turned to her. "So, what's up?"
"I keep coming to you with my problems…is this getting old?" she tried to joke, but it held too much of the truth for her to pull it off effectively.
"We've had this conversation." He shrugged and took a seat; She did the same. "Come on, fess up."
"Tom…"
Maybe I shouldn't have encouraged this chat, but it is what it is…
She waited for so long Trent didn't think that she would continue.
"He asked me a question."
She stopped and looked off for a while.
"Is it something that I could help you with?"
Sort of, but now that I think about it, he asked about my feelings. Yet, I find myself wanting to know more about your feelings…
"We're friends?"
He blinked in surprise.
"I like to think so." He felt that his words were being scrutinized under her watchful gaze.
"Okay. Friends it is." Her words were more to herself and she stood abruptly startling Trent into standing as well.
"Wait a minute."
She looked at him expectantly. He studied her guarded expression carefully.
"What are you really asking me?"
She opened and closed her mouth twice before looking away, then back at him with wide unsure eyes.
"I wasn't sure if I was reading more into…us than I should. You've been kind of a knight in shining armor for me and maybe I allowed my imagination to take off or something. Don't worry, aside from embarrassing myself right now, there's been no real harm done." She took a breath after that rush of admittance. "We don't have to discuss it anymore, so..."
"Reading more into us how?"
"Trent really; there's no need for a long drawn out discussion. Your friendship is wonderful. I couldn't ask for anyone better."
"You didn't really ask me anything. You seemed to be wanting me to confirm that we are friends and I believe that we are, but I never said that was all we are- at least not to me."
I'm not sure if should have said anything, but I must be honest. That's something we should always have.
Their eyes held. Seconds that felt like hours ticked by.
"I care about you, probably more than I should." He ran a hand through his hair wishing he had some coffee, but still holding her gaze. "You're Janey's best friend, if I screw up us and it messes up you and Janey…. well, that wouldn't be good. She- you- neither of you need that on top of regular high school stuff."
"Okay, I get the cons, really I do but that's not what I wanted to know."
"Daria…"
"I'm not asking for declarations. I only wanted to know what you were feeling."
"Putting it out there- how I feel, how you feel- it'll change things." His statement was true, and both knew it. "I care for you as more than a friend. It's not something that I can help. Truth be told, I wouldn't really want to stop if I could. You make me feel like I could be a better person. You make me feel as though I've hope. When you came into this house, I was so glad that Janey had someone to turn to besides her older and not to wise brother." He held up her hand and shook his head, "I'm not downing myself; I was reflecting on when you came into our lives. Then you and I talked. Imagine my surprise when you spoke with knowledge of things well beyond your years and so honest and insightful. I was impressed."
She flushed crimson under his praise.
"It only grew from there. I wasn't really aware of it at first," he looked thoughtful remembering their conversations, "it was when we went to that art fair to sell those old records that I overheard Janey elude to you having some kind of crush on me….well, it made me smile and it got me to thinking about you." He looked at her sharply. "I got me to thinking really hard about you. I had to remind myself that you were way out of my league already." He sighed with resignation. "Knowing something doesn't stop a person though, but I did limit myself in interactions with you- as much as I could anyway. I had it pretty under control, then Tom came along…"
His eyes strayed away to hide the anger and hurt that flared.
Oh Trent… shit…
"I had thought that I was prepared for some guy coming into your life and doing what boyfriends do but seeing you two together and you didn't seem to notice how into you he was…it left you so open for someone like him."
Someone like him?
"Sorry, reflexive reaction, I guess." He explained seeing the look on her face. "It's like once Tom came into the picture, everything just went straight to hell and there was no place for me in your life. I know it's all so melodramatic. You would think that I could have gotten some good songs out of it, but not me. I sucked it up and tried to do right by you and Janey."
You distanced yourself… I thought that you were repulsed by my actions. I wouldn't have guessed that you were hurt.
"I wish you would have told me." Her voice was soft even in its flatness.
"Couldn't risk it. Could lost you completely- me and Janey."
"I'm sorry I hurt you too."
"You don't owe me anything." Trent wouldn't allow her to feel guilty for something she knew nothing about.
"Still-"
"No, I made my choices."
"No regrets?"
He gave a short laugh.
"Plenty," he shrugged, "but I did what I thought was right."
"Oh…"
So, what now? How do we proceed Trent?
"What now?" he asked. "We've laid everything out there all mature and adult like."
"Well, you're older."
Balls in your court.
"Somehow I always seem to forget about that part." He let his eyes fall to his finger and watched as it traced a pattern on the worn table.
"Trent?"
"I really am trying to do the right thing here." His eyes came back to her face. "As you pointed out, you are younger."
Damn!
"I wouldn't want to be a worse influence on you than I already am. I'm pretty sure your folks wouldn't pick me as a suitable boyfriend for you."
She gave a small smile.
"It's not about my folks or anyone else. This is about- well, us- if there is an us."
"What about Tom?"
"I don't want to hurt Tom…but I do have feelings for you. He picked up on it, even though I thought that I had put those feelings to rest."
She covered his hand that was on the table with hers. They looked at each other allowing the warmth of their touch to radiate from their hands and spread throughout their bodies. His hand touched the side of her face. She closed her eyes and leaned into the delightful feel of the calloused tips of his fingers grazing her cheek and chin. He allowed the pad of his thumb to slowly go across her bottom lip.
Sweet statutory, what the hell am I doing? Turn away and run Trent. You're not good enough for her. You'll hurt her and dear god it'll destroy you…
She kissed the tip of his thumb.
…too late…
"Trent, I need to talk to you." Jane's voice called from where she'd come in the front door.
Trent and Daria reluctantly drew apart and turned just as Jane entered the kitchen. Jane stopped short clearly surprised to see her friend. Jane looked from Trent to Daria, then back at Trent again.
"What is it Janey."
Are you kidding me?
"What's going on here?"
"We were talking." Daria answered.
Well, that explains it.
"Is this conversation," she gestured to Trent and Daria, "the reason why I had to deal with a drunk Tom this evening?"
Trent and Daria exchanged confused looks, then looked back at Jane.
"I was on Dega street looking at some supplies and letting this cute guy check me out."
"Janey-"
"Well, I was," she huffed before continuing, "anyway, I turn to give the guy a dazzling smile when who should stagger in the place?" She paused for effect then continued. "Tom and he was a mess. Correction, he's still a mess. I had to drive that crap car of his here because lord knows what would have happened if he would have driven it."
"Why didn't you take him home?"
"Didn't you hear me, he's messed up. He's drunk." She explained to Daria's confused look. "He's still in the car. I need help sobering him up."
"I got him," Trent went to get the young man out of the car leaving the two ladies in the kitchen alone.
"Care to tell me what the hell is going on with you, Trent and Tom?"