Daria in: The Lawndale Reunion
By: Claudette Helstrom
Part Seven: Of Human Bonding
Summary: Because of more outside interference, Trent and Daria spend a day together.
Lawndale, Connecticut
Mercedes was awoken by her cell phone ringing. She looked at the clock in the room. It was four in the morning.
After deciding that even her Highland friends wouldn't call at two am, she decided to answer it. "Hello?" she answered groggily.
"Hey, Mercedes? Did I wake you?"
Mercedes woke up a bit more when she recognized the voice. "Oh, no, don't worry about it, Trent. I'll just take a nap later. What's up?"
"Well, I thought about what you said, Mercedes," Trent said. "And…I really would like to catch up with your mom."
Mercedes smiled. She was very proud of herself. "Don't worry, Trent. Just leave it to me."
Daria awoke the next morning still thinking about what Jane had said. But it had been…over fifteen years since she had last seen Trent. He wouldn't want to catch up with her.
She got dressed and ready for breakfast. On her way down the hallway, though, she nearly tripped over a sleeping Mercedes.
"Afraid the bed will eat you?" Daria asked as Mercedes woke up.
"No, I just didn't want to miss you before you went down to breakfast. Mom, why don't we wait until tomorrow night to go back to Highland? I mean, I so rarely get to see the grandparents, and it would be fun to spend today with them. And I'm sure there are some people you could spend this extra day with catching up?"
"Mercedes, you have school tomorrow," Daria reminded.
"And after I call Ashley, Alicia, and Meredith and tell them I'm not coming back until Tuesday, I'll be covered. Anyway, I already called the airport at four thirty this morning and told them that we'd be staying an extra day."
Daria made a mental note to kill Mercedes later. "Well, seeing as I have no choice but to stay in Lawndale an extra day, I guess there is somebody I kind of want to catch up with. Now hurry up and get downstairs for breakfast."
When Mercedes had called and said that she and Daria were staying an extra day, Trent was overjoyed. He immediately took the opportunity to call Daria, who said she'd be glad to spend the day with him. Trent told her he'd pick her up at one, and this was one thing he was hoping not to be late for.
Jane noticed Trent rushing to get ready. "Where's the fire?" she asked.
"I didn't start any fires," Trent answered.
Jane laughed. "What's the rush, Trent?"
"I'm spending the day with Daria," he told her.
"So my advice to Daria paid off," Jane said, proud.
"What advice?" Trent asked. "Daria's daughter Mercedes set it up. I told her I wanted to catch up with her mother, and she got Daria to stay an extra day so I could ask."
"Really?" There was some Quinn in that girl, Jane could see. "I've got an idea. Since you already got to know Mercedes, and I've already caught up with Daria, we'll switch. I've got to see this girl, especially if she's the spawn of Daria."
Daria thought that leaving Mercedes in the care of a "babysitter" was perfect payback, even if that babysitter was Jane. She wondered what fun things they were doing as she and Trent went down Degas Street.
They had had a fun day. They went to Pizza Prince and McGrundy's Pub and a few other places they used to go in the good old days. But as it was winding down, Daria had an idea. Why should Mercedes be the only one with a pierced navel?
Trent asked Daria if she was sure, and she said she was. Part of the reason she had wanted to do this again was just so she could have that moment with Trent.
After they left Axl's, Daria with a new belly button ring, they went to the park. They didn't do much there but just enjoy each other's company.
Daria didn't know what had possessed her, but something had. "Trent, you know that I used to have the biggest crush on you?"
Trent smiled. "Really?" Daria nodded. "Well, I used to have kind of a crush on you. Only, you know. You were Janey's friend."
"Oh." If Trent thought that…
"But, I guess you are my friend, too."
Daria started to blush, but Trent swooped down with a kiss. After they broke it, Trent broke the silence.
"Maybe I'll stop by when we tour Highland."
"I'd like that, Trent," Daria said. Then she kissed him back.
By: Claudette Helstrom
Part Seven: Of Human Bonding
Summary: Because of more outside interference, Trent and Daria spend a day together.
Lawndale, Connecticut
