A/N: Thanks for the follows and reviews already, I really appreciate it! A quick note, though: I don't condone smoking at all! However, it was very popular in the 1960's...and just about every decade before that. But yeah, smoking is a really bad habit—don't smoke. :P

After almost a week, Daria was settled and was starting to get used to her new apartment. She got to know Jane and Trent more after having dinner with them. She learned their mother and father often left them alone to go off on their own journeys. Trent practically raised his little sister. Jane had always liked to paint, and she also loved to run. "It clears my mind," she said. Trent formed his rock band, The Spirals, when he first moved to New York. They played frequently at a little club in the city.

Trent and Jane learned Daria was always an outcast in high school, especially compared to her younger sister Cecily, who now went by her middle name Quinn. She was in her first year of college. "Why didn't you go?" Jane asked.

"I went for about a year, at a community college, but I didn't really get a lot out of it," Daria confessed.

"I didn't go at all, so don't feel bad," Jane replied. "Where does your sister go to college?"

"Pepperhill. Still in California."

"That's a party school," Trent said.

"I know," Daria sighed. "But all her little friends went there, too, so she just had to. The thing is, Quinn is smart! She's very smart and could totally get a great education and go onto great things, but she chooses to go to a party school. And when I tell her that it's a bad decision, she tells me, "Well it's better than going to no college at all,"." She shook her head. "Sorry, I rambled."

"No problem," Trent assured her. "We like listening to you." The damn blush flooded her cheeks again. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jane smirk at her. "Speaking of listening," Trent began, "The Spirals have a gig tomorrow. Why don't you come? I'll get you guys in free."

"Oh, that would be great, but I can pay-" Daria began.

"No, really. I've always gotten Janey in free, I can definitely let you in. Besides, you're her friend, and she's always had a good taste in friends."

"I've barely had any friends," Jane scoffed.

"Well, I like Daria." Trent concluded. "Will you come?"

"Sure," Daria agreed.

He asked me to come to his band's performance with Jane tomorrow night, which sounds wonderful, I'm just nervous. I've already been a blushing idiot around him, he must know how I feel. But there really isn't any harm in going. Maybe his band is good.

To Daria surprise, the band was...mediocre. She had heard worse. But she had definitely heard better. Trent had a very nice voice, however. She had never had any musical talent, but she could tell he was good, but the band was...decent.

After a few songs, Trent joined her and Jane in a booth in the corner of the club. "Hey, guys," he said. "Lookin' good, Daria," he commented. Daria had tried to look nice by wearing a casual green dress and flat black shoes.

"Thanks," she replied.

"Trent!" a voice called from across the room. A girl with long, red hair and big brown eyes crossed over to them. Trent got up from his seat and kissed her cheek.

"Didn't know you were coming tonight," he said. "It's nice to see you."

"I come to all your gigs," she said, laughing as they embraced. "Hey, Jane."

"Hey Robin."

"Daria, this is my girlfriend Robin." Trent introduced her. Girlfriend? "We met here when I was just starting out. Robin, this is Daria. She just moved in, from California."

"Nice to meet ya," They shook hands awkwardly. Daria felt overdressed after seeing Robin in a cleavage-showing t-shirt and beige pants. She had a smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. It reminded Daria of her sister.

"Daria's pretty groovy, if I do say so myself." Trent said.

"I guess," the two slid back into the booth next to Jane.

"Want a drink?" Robin asked.

"Sure," Trent agreed. "Beer for me. Janey?"

"Just a coke,"

"I'll have the same," Daria added.

"Gotcha. Back in flash," Robin left to order their drinks.

"I didn't know you had a girlfriend," Daria said. We've talked so much in the past week I think you should've mentioned it at least once. She thought of adding, but that was a little too snappy. I shouldn't even be mad—it's not like he liked me or anything...

"Yeah, I probably should've mentioned that. But she's really great, you two will get along."

Robin soon game back with their drinks. "So, Daria, what do you do?"

"I write."

"Ah...a novelist."

"Journalist," Jane corrected.

"Ah." Robin repeated uneasily. "How are you, Janey?"

"Good, for the most part." A slow song that Daria had heard over the radio (and hated), began to play.

"Ooh, this is a good song." Trent said. "Dance with me, Robin?"

"Always," Robin smiled and they made their way to the dancefloor. Daria was silent, brow furrowed as she sipped her coke.

"Something's wrong." Jane noticed.

"No," she replied.

Her friend sighed. "I may not have known you for very long, Daria, but I know when you're lying to me. This is about Trent, isn't it?"

"I don't care about Trent."

"I know how much you like my brother."

"Can we please...not talk about this?"

"Daria," Jane began.

"No more, please."

"Well...okay."

"Look..." Daria sighed. Her head was pounding. It smelled too much like smoke, which didn't usually bother her, but now it was irritating her and gave her a headache. Everything was too loud and too confusing. "I need to go home. I'm tired and I have a lot on my mind. I'll take a cab home." she began to gather up her belongings.

"No, Daria!" Jane exclaimed.

"Really, Jane. I'm tired. See ya tomorrow." Realizing it was a lost cause to convince her to stay, Jane simply sighed and let her go. "Tell Trent I said bye."

As soon as she got home, she sat down at her typewriter.

Thoughts From A Young Woman Who is Mad at Herself

I've never been good with titles—I just need to let off some steam.

I shouldn't really be so mad at him, because he doesn't know how I feel. Well, I think he doesn't. I wouldn't be surprised if he did, considering that I'm a total fool around him. And his girlfriend is so pretty, redhead and skinny and tall. I was the mousy one in high school, I always will be, I suppose. My only friends have been words, and when I met Jane and Trent I was glad to have someone. They're still my friends, I'm just being stupid because I'm head over heels for Trent. I sound so dumb. I need to sleep. I need to stop thinking.

-DM

A/N: Thanks again for the reviews and follows, I'm glad I'm getting support so early in this story!

-Lulamae