Daria was at the book store looking at the journal shelf. She shook her head and looked at the poor selection.
“You know there are others in the back. I’ll get them for you,” A voice came from behind.
Daria whirled around straight into a shoulder.
“Ahh!”
“Whoa! Sorry about that. Did I scare you?”
“Yeah, umm.”
“Do you want to see the other books?”
“Yeah, these are…” she said, trying to place a finger on what to call the rest.
“Too much. I know. I can’t stand them,” he said, looking at the pink feathery notebook. The guy walked back to storage area and came out with a black leather book.
“Here, this looks more like you,” he said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?"
Daria had gone to the bookstore trying to get away from the Fashion Club's meeting; they had taken to trying to “figure” her out: "Why WOULD she wear that outside?" She had left in a hurry. The last thing she wanted was for someone to “figure her out” here.
“Well,” he said, “given your maturity," pointing to the books in her hand, "and practicality,” pointing to her boots, “I just guessed that the black leather and the thickness would hold all those thoughts in your head. Thoueao? That’s my favorite author.”
“Umm” Daria smiled quickly and looked at him.
“Oh! name's Nate, and yours?”
“Daria,” she said.
“Let me get those for you.”
Nate took the books from her hand and brought them from her to the counter.
“So,” Nate said, trying to make conversation, “ I would’ve thought that you already had this book.”
“I do. Mine's falling apart.”
“Well don’t get rid of it; books like that are priceless, they have a lot of character.”
“Who said I was?”
Daria was on edge, Nate wasn’t helping, and she needed a break. She looked away.
“Boy, you really have it in for me today.”
He looked at her, his eyebrows slightly raised. Nate caught her eyes and held them for a moment. His eyes were hazel with flecks of green, and he wore thin metal frames. Nate rang her up without saying anything else. Daria felt bad and continued the conversation.
"You know a lot about this?" she said as she held up the book.
“Yeah, I really need it to get a transfer from Middleton.” Nate perked up a bit.
“Middleton?”
“Yeah. 1st year, just started. This job gives me time to study and get paid.”
“Nice.”
Daria looked around and it seemed quiet.
“Unfortunately it gets really lonely after awhile, it’s great for studying, but still.”
“I can see that.”
In the time they were there, two people walked in.
“Well, I’m off." He picked up his bag from behind the counter and walked around it.
“Here.” He gave her the bag of books. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Thanks,” Daria said. “Nice meeting you.”
“Nice meeting you too, Daria.”

Daria sat in the booth and waited for Jane. It was very likely that she would be late, as the storm was picking up. The sleet didn’t look like it would stop anytime soon. The door opened and Daria saw familiar face. Nate shook the rain off his coat and hair. He ordered and looked around. Daria! He was immediately drawn to her and felt compelled to see her.
'He saw me. Okay.’ Daria pulled herself together. This week had been especially hard. Holiday vacation was almost over and her week had gone straight too hell. Her mom insisted on spending “quality” time as a family this year. She hadn’t see Jane all week and when she stopped by earlier a tall brunette opened the door donning a familiar green tee, only. Daria watched Nate walk over to her. Maybe this would be a nice change.
“Hey.” He smiled. “Are you dining alone?”
“I’m meeting a friend here, but that was 20 minutes ago. Sit down.” She motioned at the seat.
Nate looked surprised he almost knew he would have a struggle getting her to comply to a little company. Daria blushed slightly, ‘Did I just say that?!?!’ she thought. Nat took off his coat and sat.
“Thanks. So how goes the literary novelist?”
This awkward situation soon turned pleasant.
Daria and Nate talked for about 20 minutes before Jane came in. She was rushed and anxious. Jane hadn’t seen Daria all week; she promised herself that she would spend more time with her friend but this week she was off with Tom. Then she soon found out what happened when Daria came over and “found” Dette. Jane kicked herself because she meant to warn her about THAT sudden development, but simply forgot. Jane looked around. No Daria. She almost walked out when she saw her, then saw him. ‘Daria with a guy! Wait till Trent hears about this!’ He had found Dette, a nice girl who almost had a brain. They had immediately bonded and Trent had been spending a lot of time with her. Even though Dette had his attention for the moment, he asked how Daria was every day. Jane was sure that he liked her.
Daria saw Jane and Nate caught the smirk that Jane gave her.
“Hey, I have to get back.” Nate knew when it was time to go.
“Don’t worry, that’s Jane. I had a great time,” Daria said.
“Me too.” Nate stood and turned in just enough time to see Jane cross her arms and give him the once over.
“Hi, Jane Lane. Out on parole.” She smiled, as to say ‘and you are?’
“Nate, doing life. It’s the system's fault.”
As he said this, he slit his eyes and made a fist, then gave her a humorous smile.
Jane was surprised that he kept up with the punches.
“It’s really bad out there. How did you guys get here?” Nate looked at the sleet. It was worse now than before.
“I actually got here before it started,” Daria said. “Trent dropped me off”
“Well I’m not going to leave you here. Come on. I’ll give you a ride home.”
Nate put on his coat, the asked, “Where to?”
“We can go to my house,” Jane said.
“Which is…” Nate looked around, he barely found his way here.
“Oh, don’t worry. Not too far from here.”

Trent had taken too long. By the time he got home, Jane was in his face and pushing him and Dette out the door. After he dropped Jane off, he dropped Dette off and got home in just enough time to take off his coat and hear a car pull up. He opened the door and saw Jane walking up with a sarcastic grin. 'I wonder what that’s about?' Then he saw Daria stepping out of a silver Focus. She had evolved since the first time he met her into something different, but all in all with the same mind. She was taller and more shapely, and with it being so cold, she had taken to wearing and orange ribbed turtleneck /sweater and a dark green winter coat. Her low-rise jeans hugged her comfortably. Trent saw her put something in the coat pocket and smile and say something to the driver.
“That was quick,” Trent said sitting down on the couch.
“Well, its really bad out there, Trent,” Jane said, taking off her coat.
“So we decided to come back,” Daria added.
“So did you eat?” Trent asked.
“I didn’t, but DARIA had a nice time eating with a friend!"
Jane looked at Trent, who looked confused, but soon saw why Jane was so smug. He glanced at Daria, who was glaring at Jane.
“He seemed friendly,” she added.
“Yeah,” Daria said under her breath.
Trent wrinkled his eyebrows and looked put out for a moment. “Is that who dropped you off?"
“Umm.”
“So, Daria, that wasn’t the first time you saw him. How did you two meet?” Jane was thoroughly enjoying this, even if it was at the expense of her friend. 'Serves Trent right, she’s not going to be around forever.'
It was getting very hard for him to seem oblivious. Did Trent seem sad or was that sleep? Daria couldn't tell.
“At a store,” she said quickly and hurriedly walked up the stairs, dragging Jane behind her. In Jane’s room she sat.
"What?" Jane asked, laughing at her friend's face.
“Oh, you know what!” Daria steamed.
“So are you going to call him?” Jane changed the subject.
“No.”
She sat on the bed.
“What do you have to lose?”
“I’ll call later, not here.” Daria looked away.
“I know what you’re thinking about. Don’t.”
Jane flicked on the TV when the phone rang.
“H'Lo…yeah…Noproblemo…” she hung up and turned to her, “Your mom wants you home.”
“Fine, but I’m not going out in that.” She pointed to the window, still a little miffed.
“Hey, no problem. TRENT!!!!”

“So, Daria, where have you been lately?" Trent asked, looking at her sideways.
Daria sat slumped in her seat. The car looked like wreck, but really put out some heat. Daria moved her scarf.
“At home spending “quality time” with my family. Besides, Jane’s been busy. So I barricaded myself in my room, wrote a little.”
“Where did you find a decent book? I can’t find one anywhere.”
It was getting hot.
“Well, you would actually have to go into a bookstore,” she siad, remembering an earlier conversation.
“Nevermind.” he said, then, trying to keep up conversation, “How did you find that out? They only seem to be caring Pooh books now.”
“I met someone there who helped me out,” she replied, doing her best to avoid that part of the conversation.
“Okay.” He wanted to know more, but noticed how fast she said that and abandoned that.
“So, thanks for the ride.” She re-tied her scarf.
“Alright, I’ll see you later.”
Trent drove off and Daria walked in. Her dad was stationed on the couch like normal and her mom brushed pass her and out the door muttering something.
‘Didn’t she want me home? Where is she going?’
“Hey Kiddo! There was a message for you.” Jake broke eye contact from the TV for a second.
“From who?”
“Huh? Oh! Someone named “Nate” called and said to call him back.” He slammed down his beer and yelled at the TV, “Tackle! Tackle! GAHHHHH!”
“Okay.”
Daria walked upstairs and picked up the phone.

“Hello?” a voice slurred back.
“Hi, I’m calling for Nate.”
“NATE!” the voice said, cutting her off.
*Click*
“Hello.”
“Hi.”
“Hey how are you?”
“Fine. Did you get home safe?”
“Yeah, thanks. So why…”
“I called to ask you what you were doing Friday night?”
“Why?” The greatest question ever asked is why. She used it frequently.
“There is a band playing that I wanted to go hear and would really enjoy your company. Will you come?”
“Sure, I’m not doing anything.” This was uncharacteristic, but she really been out for most of the week.
“When should I pick you up? Around 7?”

Daria zipped her coat up as the breeze picked up and swirled the snow around her. She was getting used to the cold. Quinn was home trying to get a whole “new look”, something about a big mistake in Val. She thought about tonight. This would be a nice end to the vacation from hell.
“Daria!” Jane called to her, “Where have you been? I’ve been calling your house all day.”
“Busy, I guess. The family is still home. You’re out for your walk kinda late.” Daria jogged to keep up with her.
“Yeah, well, I kinda slept late. Are you busy tonight? Mystic Spiral has their usual gig .” She didn’t think that Daria would go for it, mainly because of the stunt she pulled.
“Sorry I’m already taken, gig wise.”
“What?” Who else did Daria know? Jane looked confused.
“Yeah, I'm going to a gig,” Daira continued, saying this to be annoying, not really telling what was going on.
“You know Daria, if you don’t want to come just say so.” Jane seemed irked.
“But...” Daria looked after her friend, who quickly picked up speed.
“I’ll see ya later,” Jane called back.

Daria looked at her closet and picked out her black skirt. It fit close around her now, she wore a dark green v-neck shirt and her boots. She walked down the stairs and sat by Jake. Quinn ran to the window .
“A silver Focus just pulled up, but I don’t remember making a date for tonight, Oh NO!! There’s a meeting to night to go to Cashman’s for the Midnight Sale!!! Sandi’s going to kill me!!!” Quinn panicked.
“Don’t worry it’s for me,” Daria told her.
“What?” Quinn looked at Daria. "Ewwww, I thought mom made you get rid of that!"
“Did the door ring?” Jake looked at the door.
“I got it, Dad,” she said, and was out the door before anyone paid any mind.

"So," Nate said as he drove and looked over at her, "you look good."
"Thanks, you too." Daria looked over at him. He wore a dark coat and loose jeans, and lightly tented glasses.
"Nice car." Daria looked at the car, for someone just starting out it was costly.
"Yeah," he repiled, picking up on it. "Not the kind of car you get with a book store job huh?"
"Okay," she said, not stepping on any toes.
"Well," he continued, "my parents thought to make up for my "misspent" childhood a great car would surfice." He looked at her and raised his eyebrows, "Sure, why not?"
They drove for a while and pulled into a parking lot with a sign up.
"Go figure."
"What?"
"I know this band." She got out of the car and looked at him over the hood.
"Nice coincidence."

They stood for a moment.
"Still want to go?"
"Yeah, they're good."

Jane looked around at the room. There was a nice crowd. This was a different place, Jesse had found it. Tom came back with her drink.
Daria came in and looked around for Jane, but couldn't find her. Nate found a table and they sat.
Jane did a double take when she saw Daria. "She wasn't kidding."
"What?" Tom said.
"Hey Daria," Jane said as she and Tom walked up, "so you wern't kidding when you said you had plans."
"Yeah but I had no idea that it was this."
"Hi." Nate waved at Jane.
"Hey this is Tom, Tom this is Nate."
"Hi," Tom said.
"Hi, grab some chairs," Nate said. They chatted for a while until Trent got on stage.
"We're Mystic Spiral, were thinking of changing the name."
After the first set Nate went to look for drinks. Trent walked up and Dette followed close behind.
"How did you like it?"
Trent noticed Daria; she wore a black jacket instead of the green one.
"You made it. Janey said you had something else to do." he siad, talking to Daria.
Nate walked up and gave Daria a cup.
"Hi."
The group expanded and Nate wanted to know who was who.
Jane smiled. "Trent, this is Nate, he dropped me and Daria off." Trent nodded and looked at Dette and smiled.
Nate looked at Daria. "When you said you knew them, you actually know them. So you're changing the name?" Nate looked at Trent.
"Yeah, but we haven't decided to what yet." Trent wasn't much in the mood for talking to him.
"Why, you'll still, in affect, be the same band, with the same music, right?" Nate stated innocently. He knew he was getting bad vibes from him and there was a reason that Daria spent much time following the gigs. But there was also a reason she wasn't here with him. Daria surpressed a smile, Jane chuckled.
"So are you staying for the second set?" Dette piped up, sensing the uncomfortable situation.
"Actually I have to go." Nate turned to Daria. "Are you staying or do you need a ride home?"
Dette slipped her arm around Trent's waist, but he kept his eyes on Daria.
Daria glanced at them. "Sure, I'll call you later Jane," Daria said. "Bye."
"Sure," Jane replied.
They walked closely on the way out and Nate opened the door for her.
"So, do you go there often?" Nate glanced at Daria, keeping one eye on the road.
"They normally play somewhere else, but I go to the gigs often."
"Nice friends, but Dette doesn't speak very much, does she?" he asked, searching for something.
"Sure." Daria frowned and looked out the window, her house was coming up fast.
"I take it you don't care for her..." Nate felt the temperature in his car drop a few degrees, "Well, that was great, I hope to do it again sometime..." He watched her as he parked outside her house.
"Yeah... Oh, it was great, umm thanks." Daria was thinking about Dette. Where did she come from? It delayed her response time.
"Ya know, every time I'm talking, you don't seem to actually be talking to me. Where are you?" Nate looked at her. " What's going on?"
"Sorry, I guess I'm not in the mood for conversation, I had a great time. Bye."

Daria was walking. (I don't know where, don't ask me) and Trent pulled up.
"Hey, need a ride?"
"Yeah, where are you going?"
"Mall." Trent idled the car.
"Okay."
"Daria do you ever feel like the choices you made before aren't suited to your needs right now? Like you made them and then you changed, or the things around you changed."
"Sure, everything changes, I guess you see if you can live with that choice and go from there. If you don't like it, then change it to do what you want to do," Daria said.
"Making your own circumstances. That's a good idea."
"Even if it's something you can't change now, if you wait things will change and give you an opportunity to fix it the way you want it."
Trent pulled into a spot. "So all we have to do is wait for our circumstances to change?"
"Umm, yeah."
"Well, I've got some things to do."
That was close. He needed some air. "Do you need a ride home?"
"No, I'm set."
"Okay."

Nate saw Daria walking in and even then her mind was someplace else. "Hey, looking for something?"
"Or someone." She walked up to the counter.

Trent walked by the bookstore and saw Daria talking to Nate.
'Circumstances will change,' he muttered under his breath. He walked to the guitar shop and found Dette.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Nate said.
"Really, that's nice of you."
"Ya know, I had a feeling you really didn't want to be bothered. Besides, keeping up with you is hard work, intellectually speaking, of course," Nate said
"Friends?"
"How did you get here?" Nate looked around.
"I caught a ride," Daria said, "but I don't have one back."
"Come on. I'll give you one."
Nate and Daria walked towards the entrance of the mall. They passed a wrathful Dette as she approached the guitar shop. Trent could be seen sitting down starting to play.
Daria looked at him and looked at Nate.
"Go," Nate said, and kept walking.
Daria walked up to Trent who was strumming on a guitar. He stopped and looked up.
"Hey Daria."
"Hi, can I get that ride?" She smiled.

FIN