"Hey, got a minute?" Jane had poked her head in Wind's room where Daria would be sleeping. Daria was sitting up in bed.
"Sure."
"Didn't know if you'd be here or…"
"We haven't even come to any kind of conclusion about whether or not we're an us yet."
"Things looked pretty cozy in the kitchen before."
"We were getting some things out in the open… our feelings and stuff."
"So, Tom was right?"
"It wasn't planned. It just…happened. Trent, nor I even realized it until Tom confronted me, then I went to Trent." Daria looked away. "I really suck at relationships."
"Well," Jane sat at the foot of the bed and faced her friend, "you're not the best at them, but hell who is?"
"You're not too shabby."
Jane chuckled slightly and gave a shake of her head.
"My track record's not so great." She ran a hand through her hair. "Tom came by when you were camping."
Daria looked at Jane. There was something about her tone.
"He voiced concerns about you and Trent. I told him to talk to you."
There's obviously something that I'm missing…
"Okay…."
"We talked for a long while, all afternoon actually." Jane watched her friend carefully. "We had a nice time…too nice."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"Are you saying you have feelings for him again?"
I never said they went away; I didn't want to play second fiddle to you.
"I'm saying…I remembered why I liked the guy in the first place, but since said guy has feelings for my best friend it felt wrong. That's why I'm telling you about it."
"I'm not sure what to say."
"Me either."
The duo smiled at each other.
"He was saying what a good girlfriend you are."
"He's drunk."
"A drunk man speaks his true feelings."
Okay, Mr. Miyagi
"…..Mmmm….."
"Did my mom give you a hard time?"
"No, but I wouldn't be surprised if she popped by super early in the morning, so I suggest that we have young Thomas off of the couch and out of the way by then."
Daria nodded. This was getting so messy. She was really trying to do the right things, but everything seemed like it kept getting out of her control.
"You're not responsible for Tom getting wasted. That was his choice, you know."
"Yeah…I guess."
"We all make choices that affect the people in our lives. We can only control our own life and the choices that we make."
Daria looked at Jane.
"I'm glad we're friends."
"Me too Kemosabe."
"What happened to amiga?"
"You've been upgraded."
The duo smiled at each other.
Trent waited until Jane had made it to her room before giving the room a soft knock. Daria sat up straighter in the bed when Trent entered. He stayed in the frame of the doorway.
"I was checking to see if you needed anything." Trent spoke softly.
"I'm- no, I think I have everything I need." She did a quick visual survey of the blanket and basics that she had.
"I wanted you to know- to understand something." He entered the room slightly as he spoke. She looked to his eyes fearing the worst. "No matter what happens in your life or anything… I'm here for you. You never have to feel beholden to me or aryone for anything. We're friends first…you know?"
She nodded. She did know it. Somewhere in her core she knew that right or wrong, he would always look out for her. It was why she trusted him so easily. It was why their rapport was so spot on.
"Thanks Trent."
He rubbed at his chin slightly.
"There's no law saying that just because someone is interested in you, you have to have a boyfriend either." He tried to gauge what she was thinking but couldn't quite put his finger on it. "I realize that I'm shooting myself in the foot, but you should know that you have your whole life to pick and choose from any guy that you want. You'll be off to college and meet people that will appreciate you for all that you are." He looked to the lamp at the bedside table finding it suddenly hard to look her directly in the eyes. "I- Lawndale will be small comparatively."
Surely, he isn't worried about measuring up? He's TRENT!
"Trent…" she waited for his eyes to look at her again, "you're not small and I don't compare you to anyone." It was her turn to look away. "If anything, it's everything- everyone else that could never measure up to you." She didn't know how to fully explain what she meant, but she was compelled to try. "I know you have flaws, but they are a part of what I find so great about you. You give so much to those around you and I've never seen you get anything in return."
He shook his head.
"I know, you're no saint. Don't you get it? You're not suppose to be. You're you and that's…well, that's just fine."
"You should get some rest."
"You too and thanks."
He left the room after being rewarded with a small smile from her. He went to check on Tom and found him still passed out on the couch. Jane's door was soundly shut insuring that she was probably out like a light already, so he headed to his room wishing that he had kissed her and ultimately glad that he hadn't. He soon lay back in his bed and tried to allow sleep to take him. Thoughts of her, her lips plagued him.
Not yet…not until we're official…not until she knows for sure that she wants this.
