Daria in: The Lawndale Reunion
By: Claudette Helstrom
Part Five: That Was Then, This Is Dumb
Summary: Daria attends her high school reunion and gets a few surprises.
Lawndale, Connecticut
Daria couldn't believe it was Saturday already. Mercedes had made her mom go shopping earlier that day so she'd have a "knock-em dead" dress--presentation was everything, Mercedes said. Which was why Daria was supposed to not freak out when Mercedes had pierced her belly button. Not that Daria was too upset…she had done the same thing once upon a time. But the difference was if Mercedes had asked, Daria would have actually said yes.
Mercedes was busy getting ready for her Mystik Spiral concert. She had asked her mom if she thought Trent would sign her guitar, and her mom reminded her to get autographs for the girls back home. Mercedes decided to get Trent and Jesse to sign her CD and Max and Nick to sign her poster.
"Mercedes, hurry up! We'll be late!" Daria demanded. Daria couldn't help but wonder why the girls in her family seemed to take after their aunts. Before deciding that they were really clones of said aunts, Mercedes finally appeared, ready to go. Daria smiled as she thought that she looked like a punk rock Quinn…and that was scary on so many levels.
"I'm ready, Mom. Can I drive?"
Daria almost considered it, but then remembered that there were such things as child endangerment laws. "Do I look like I've suffered a massive head injury?"
Mercedes rolled her eyes, and the two left Chez Morgendorffer, on their ways to an unforgettable night…no matter how many years of therapy, in Daria's case.
"So you really did come," Jodie greeted Daria as she looked for her name tag. "I thought that maybe you were pulling my leg."
"I came so I could drag Mercedes along to punish her, but she's having the time of her life. Stupid backfiring schemes," Daria responded as she took her nametag and put it on.
Jodie rolled her eyes. "Well, I hope you have fun anyway."
Daria entered the Lawndale gymnasium. Bad memories flooded her right away. She made a mental note to stay far away from the thirtieth reunion…but she was going to make sure Mercedes went to at least one high school reunion.
Daria climbed up into the bleachers like she had the last time she went to a Lawndale dance…forever ago. Nothing like a high school reunion to remind someone how old they were, Daria thought.
Daria looked out at the "happy" former students and faculty. Miss Li and Mr. Di Martino were fighting, like always. Mr. O'Neill and Miss Barch were dancing. Sure enough, Brittany Ruttheimer was there with Upchuck. And of course, Jodie was with Mack. It made her stomach hurt.
"Is this a private party?" a voice asked from next to her.
"Eep!" Daria had been so caught up in her own thoughts, she hadn't noticed anyone else climb onto the bleachers. She turned around to see…
"Jane?"
"So, I joined the proud tradition of the travelling Lanes. Mom happened to be home when the invitations came out and she told me, and I decided the fallout might be great for my muse. Why are you here, though? You're the last person I'd expect to see here," Jane said after the two rejoined the reunion.
"It's what I get for mixing with Sloanes. My daughter Mercedes RSVPed for me, and Jodie called to check it out. I decided to punish her by making her come to Lawndale with me. Damn Mystik Spiral being in town the same weekend I'm being tortured."
"Your daughter's at Trent's concert?"
"She's a big Mystik Spiral fan. She practically worships the ground Trent walks on," Daria answered.
"Must run in the family," Jane joked.
Daria gave her a glare. "Mercedes is in a band called The Gypsy Vixens. You've never heard 'Freakin Friends' at it's worst until you hear The Gypsy Vixens cover it. But, they do have regular gigs like Spiral."
"And she's a Sloane?"
Before Daria answered that in her classic style, Upchuck approached her. "Why, if it isn't the fair lady Morgendorffer! A dance to catch up?"
Daria rolled her eyes. "Being married has made you smoother Upchuck. And I don't dance. But, alright, I guess."
Daria followed Upchuck out onto the dance floor and they started dancing to the song. "Brittany tells me she saw you yesterday."
"Yes, at Fishy Joe's," Daria replied. "She told me about your kids and your Internet company. But she didn't tell me about what she does."
"She's a model slash housewife," Upchuck said. "She models the merchandise for my site, and when she's not doing that, she's watching the kids."
"I'm afraid to ask what company…"
"Then go with that feeling."
After the dance, they said their see you laters, and Daria walked back over to Jane.
"You know, life after high school isn't as much like high school as I thought…"
"You know, Daria, you and Trent are both in town for a limited time. You two should catch up," Jane suggested. "And that's not the Yenta act talking."
"But Mercedes and I have to leave tomorrow night. There wouldn't be enough time."
"So stay until Monday! I'm sure Mercedes won't mind missing an extra day of school, and it's not like you have to teach. What do you say, amiga? I'll stay as long as you do so you won't be completely bored out of your mind. But I really think you and Trent should catch up, especially if your daughter is such a Spiral fan."
Daria thought about it. Should she?
By: Claudette Helstrom
Part Five: That Was Then, This Is Dumb
Summary: Daria attends her high school reunion and gets a few surprises.
Lawndale, Connecticut
