(Epilogue version)
On the car ride back to the McPhee house, Andie brought up something she'd been thinking for a while.
"You know, I'm not surprised Jen attached herself to someone like you" Andie proclaimed
"What do you mean?" Daria was confused, but intrigued
"Well, like Jack, you're very insightful. Also, you didn't meet Abby but she was also brutally honest. But unlike you, she was mean"
"I've been known to be mean" Daria insisted "But only to people that deserve it"
"I suppose that's the difference between you and her" Andie suggested
Once they got home, it was Daria's turn to be nosy.
"So, I've heard a few different versions of what happened over the past few months, but I'm yet to hear yours" Daria said, with mild curiosity
"I thought you didn't care?" Andie said, remembering their conversation during Daria's last visit
"Normally I wouldn't, but now that I've finished high school, I'm trying something new" Daria said matter-of-factually
"Good, I'm glad" Andie said sincerely, and then explained her version of what had transpired since the last visit. How Joey had finally urged her to come clean with Pacey about her indiscretion. How after being angry, he forgave her, but then sort of started a thing with Joey behind her back, maybe kind of. How it had all blown up at the Junior Prom, and Dawson had attacked Pacey, but Andie quickly forgave them and encouraged them to be together, and then they sailed off into the sunset.
Daria took a moment to digest everything.
"Why?" she finally asked
"Which part"
"Why forgive them and encourage them. Didn't you want to hold onto your relationship?"
"Yeah, but I screwed up, so maybe I brought it on myself, karma and all that. Maybe this was my way of making it up to them. Besides, its like that saying 'if you love someone, set them free...'"
"I understand" Daria said, with no particular empathy, but it was obvious that her own experiences had some disturbing parallels.
"Your room looks different. Have you redecorated?" Daria asked, changing the subject
"Different room" Andie stated "This used to be my mom's room. Its bigger than mine and I don't think she'll be needing it anytime soon"
"How is your mom?" Daria asked, again without empathy, but more curiosity
"She's still in the home in Providence. I try to see her as often as I can. Which isn't nearly often enough. Her condition hasn't changed"
Daria decided to drop the subject and get ready for bed.
"How are you getting home?" Andie asked, changing the subject
"Catching a bus" Daria explained
"From the Bus station?"
"I'm assuming there's only the one"
"What time?"
"11am"
"In Capeside, yes. Can I give you a lift" Andie offered
"Sure thing" Daria replied, with as much sincerity as she could muster, and then the two went to sleep.
Daria and Andie woke up quite early, to make sure they wouldn't be late.
"Do you have any luggage?" Andie asked
"I didn't bring any" Daria replied
They stopped by the Ryan/Lindley household to pick up Mrs Lindley. Andie got out of the car, but Daria stayed inside. She watched knock on the front door, and Mrs Ryan answer. Mrs Lindley soon followed. Daria thought she sensed some tension, but figured it was none of her business. Soon, Andie returned to the car empty handed.
"It seems Mrs Lindley is staying an extra few days, to get to know her new daughter"
"And how's that going?" Daria asked, somewhat sarcastically, then chided herself for doing so
"Its a bit awkward, but apparently Jen and Eve are getting along famously"
Upon arriving at the bus station, Daria checked in at the service counter, then waited with Andie in the bus bay.
"Where are you going to college?" Daria asked, breaking the silence
"I've applied to Harvard, Stanford and Oxford, but my safeties are Cambridge and Dartmouth"
"Ambitious" Daria remarked, sounding slightly impressed.
"Maybe we'll end up going to college in the same city" Andie suggested
"Maybe" Daria offered awkwardly, when the bus pulled up. The bus said 'Washington DC, via Baltimore'
"Never repeat this, but I'm going to miss this town, and your friends, and you" Daria said, pausing dramatically between each item
"I'm going to miss you too, but we can always email, and call"
"Well, you have my details" Daria said somewhat standoffish
"Actually, I have an idea" Andie said
Andie explained her idea to Daria.
The song Say Goodnight by Beth Nielsen Chapman began to play
Daria considered the offer for a good ten seconds. The bus wasn't leaving for another several minutes, so it didn't matter.
Finally, Daria said "Look, I appreciate the suggestion, but I should probably spend the summer with my family. And Jane. And Trent. And my mom will probably make me get a summer job anyway"
This time she paused, more dramatically, between each item, than last time.
"But you can do this without me" She added, quite insistent.
And then she did something Andie never would have expected. She hugged Andie. The hug lasted a good few seconds. Andie was quite moved by the gesture. Then they waved goodbye, and Daria got on the bus. And just like that, she was gone.
Andie then drove off, and set about her plans for the summer.