When You See Me By Queen Jossie 4/28/00 A continuation of "The Real Story." I hope you like it. -------------------When You See Me---------------------- Tom woke up the next morning with a killer stomach ache. Too much lasagne, no doubt. He made for the bathroom with a mad dash and slammed the door behind him. A few minutes later, he returned to his room and searched his dresser drawers for some clothes. He was lucky. His prep school celebrated Easter Monday, so he had the day off. Lawndale High, on the other hand, didn't. So it would be another day glued to the computer until Jane was released. Tom showered and dressed in a pair of khakis and his usual blue sweater. After grabbing a few cookies from downstairs, he booted up his computer and began looking over his notes again. He was writing a paper on psychological comparisons of people he knew and got as far as the first paragraph, but couldn't decide who to compare. There were obvious ones, Daria to Kafka, James to Patton, but one in particular stuck out. Jane and Lorelei. He hated to even think about it, but knew that it had to be done sooner or later. He slowly tabbed up to his thesis and added Jane and Lorelei's names. Taking a cookie and a pen, he jotted down comparable characteristics betweent them. Both were female, of course. Both had a brother in the family, and both felt detached from their fathers. Tom looked hard at what he wrote down. He was inevitably going to bare his soul to the world with this, and wanted to make sure everything would be perfect. Slowly, he wrote down the most noticable characteristic: Both are artistically inclined. He dropped the pencil and rode his chair back to his bed again. This time, instead of reaching for the box, he reached for an envelope. Enclosed was a letter from Lorelei, postmarked Good Friday. --------------------------------------------- Hey kiddo. I hope school is treating you well. I hated writing that damn psych paper. It made my head hurt to think of all the things to say. But you oughta handle it pretty well. You've always had a thing for writing. I'm gonna drop you a line pretty soon, of when we can see each other again. It's been way too long, and I thing the blond is actually starting to grow back from my last coloring. Get out the ole camera. As a matter of fact, I'll just tell you now. I'm coming in Easter Monday, since it's your day off. Don't tell Dad, lord knows what he'd do if he found out. So if you don't tell Dad, you better not tell mom, either. She's not very good at holding back stuff like that. You'll know when I arrive. I always have my own special way of finding you. Just wear the bulletproof vest this time! Hope to see you soon. I love you, Thomas. L. ----------------------------------------------- Well, today was the day. He'd gotten no unexpected surprises yet, but it was only ten. He rode his chair back to the desk and formed paragraphs about the notes he'd taken. Then saved the document and shut down the computer. Cookies are not sustenance enough for growing teenage boys. Pizza at ten in the morning, well, there you go. The delivery boy was a little too weird for his liking, probably one of those kind who'd end up on Sick Sad World. After eating a sufficient amount of pizza with a large milk (does a body good), Tom put on his shoes and went for a walk. No where in particular, just out. It really was a nice day. Yesterday's rain had dissapeared leaving a scent of spring heavy in the air. But such thinking was not normal for Tom. He immediately turned down the street heading for Lawndale High. Tom: (thinking) Knowing their luck, Jane and Daria will have P.E. outside. Maybe I could just sneak around the fencing and see them. Tom walked around the surrounding trees and came across the track from behind. Of course, the girls class was running. Tom smiled at the sight of Jane keeping a steady, almost easy pace, while Daria huffed along a few feet behind, barely able to keep up. Daria: (huffing) You'll....pay...for...this.... Jane: It's not my fault you lungs aren't meant for such a large amount of air. Maybe you should come out with me and Tom and his friends and... Daria: (huffing) Shut...up...and run. Tom could barely make out what Daria said, but could easily decipher Jane's "mouthing." When around friends, the two would talk that way so they wouldn't disturb, or gross out, the rest of the group. After a seeming eternity, Ms. Morris blew her whistle and the class walked. Daria finally completely caught up with Jane as the girls made their turn around the track. Eyeing the rubbish behind the fence, something caught Daria's eye. Daria: Since when did khakis and a blue sweater grow in the bushes? Jane: Have you been seeing aliens again? Daria: No, look. But after Daria uttered those words, she automatically regretted them. Daria: Damn it. Jane: Oh, come on. You're on good terms now. Think Morris can see us? Daria: I don't think it would matter now. Jane: Why? Daria: Because some strange looking woman with red hair pulled a gun on him and dragged him away. Jane: WHAT????!!!!!! The entire class turned to look at Jane, and Ms. Morris, taking this last outburst as a sign, blew her whistle. The girls ran again, only Jane eyed the bushes each time she passed. Tom lay on the ground gagged an with blindfolded eyes. What had happened was a mystery to him, but he had ideas. Woman: Say a word and you die. Tom: (muffled) Uh ohay. Woman: What did I just say? Tom: (muffled) Waf id I uf ay? Woman: (taking off blindfold and gag) You'd never make it if I were a real kidnapper. Tom: (looking at her for the first time) Lorelei, I knew it was you. Tom inspected her very carefully. Her green eyes shone from behind a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, inspecting Tom as well. Her hair was just past her shoulders, and was in two braids, just like in the picture Tom kept hidden under his bed. She wore a pair of blue jean bibs with a white t-shirt underneath, and a pair of big black boots. Lorelei saw that her little brother had grown up quite a bit. His hair was long and shaggy, sometimes hiding his eyes, and his eyes still had that glisten of hope in them. Lorelei: (thinking) Good, he hasn't hit the big one yet. An instinctive hug was given and the two walked to a grey car parked across the street. Lorelei: You wanna go for some pizza? Tom: Sure. Yeah, he knew he just had some, but this was Lorelei, and anything Lorelei wanted to do was fine with him. They got in the car and drove to Pizza King. And an interesting subject came to mind. Lorelei: So who were those girls staring at you on the track. Tom: Oh, the tall one is my girlfriend Jane, and the short one is her friend Daria. Lorelei: Jane and Daria. Hmmm, the names fit together so well. Tom: Yeah, and it wasn't until just about a week ago that we actually got along. Lorelei: Who? Tom: Me and Daria. She thought I was trying to take Jane from her. But that was straightened out. Lorelei: That's good. So, what's Jane like? Tom knew it was coming. He knew what she'd say, and he knew that she was right. Tom: Jane's into running. She's really into art, and she usually hangs out with Daria or her bother's band, Mystik Spiral. She's a really dependable girl. (sighs) Lorelei: (giving a sidelong glance) Art, huh? Tom: Lori, I don't want to hear it. I go over this every day when I think of Jane, and I know what you're going to say... Lorelei: What am I going to say? Tom: That the reasong I like Jane is because YOU were an artist, and someone I really depended on. Lorelei: So? Tom: So? You're not going to go into this big psychological speech about how people usually search for friends with the same characteristics of family members? Lorelei: Why should I have to tell you something you already know? (beat) So what's Daria like? Tom: Umm, actually, she's a lot like me, only more reserved. Tom HAD to get off of this subject before he went crazy, so he was grateful when they arrived at Pizza King. They grabbed a cheese and sausage pie and sat down in the usual booth. A scene of Tom and Lorelei sitting back in their respective booths, obviously full from eating so much pizza. Lorelei: Remind me next time that greasy pizza like that should not be consumed while going on a water kick. Tom snickered a little and looked to the moving door. A surprised look crossed his face. Lorelei: What are they doing out of school? And why is Jane staring at you like that? Tom: I think she's thinking the wrong thing. Tom and Lorelei watched as Daria and Jane approached. Jane: (to Daria) Who do you think this is? Daria: (to Jane) A family member? The girls approached apprehensively. Jane: (restrained) Hey. Tom: Hey guys. I want you to meet my sister Lorelei. Lorelei: (putting hand to Jane) You must be Jane. I've heard a lot about you. Jane: Um, yeah. The two shook hands while Tom and Daria wore a look saying "Oh geez." Lorelei: (to Daria) And you must be Daria. I've heard about you as well. Daria: Well I'm sorry to tell you, but the reprogramming will have to begin immediately. Jane: Daria! Lorelei: I don't think it will work. We just split a whole pie. Daria: Damn pizza. Tom: Have a seat you guys. And tell me why you're out of school already. Jane: Ms. Li went nutty when she found out that I was going to enter another art show. Daria: She ordered everyone to go home, probably because she needed to destroy any art supplies before word got out. Jane: Too bad she doesn't know that I have a full set at home. Lorelei: Art shows, those were fun. Jane: You were an artist? A scene now appears of Daria, Tom, and Jane walking to their respective homes is shown. All three are barely fitting on the sidewalk. Jane: I didn't know that you sister and I had so much in common. (beat) Then again, I didn't know you had a sister. Tom: Yeah, that was the first time I saw her in 3 years. Daria: (abruptly) Um, I think I should be getting home. Jane: Why? Tom: Yeah, we were going to go to my house for a while. Jane: Yeah, we're here now. The three stopped in front of the sidewalk leading to a large house. Tom: You're welcome to come in. (looking at door) There's mom. Hey mom. Samantha: Hi honey. Hi girls. She stood looking at the three. There was Tom, Jane, and someone else. Most likely it was Daria, Jane's friend. Jane: You know, I think I should be getting home soon, too. I'm being taken over by my muse. Tom: You could use Lori's if you wanted. Jane: No can do. It wouldn't be right using someone elses, especially an artist like your sister, art tools. I'll walk Daria home. Tom: Okay. Well, I'll see you guys later. Bye. Daria: Bye, Tom. Jane: I'll call you. The two girls walked away from the sidewalk and headed to Jane's. Tom walked to the house and stopped when his mother approached. Samantha: So, was that Jane and Daria? Tom: Yeah. Samantha: You know, Daria looks a lot like Lorelei. Tom: Yeah, I know. The two looked at each other and walked in the house. A scene with Daria and Jane appears. They're approaching Jane's house. Daria: I liked Lorelei. She can handle cynisism well. Jane: Yeah. You two look alike, you know. Daria: Gee, I couldn't tell with Tom looking back and forth between us. Jane: An artists comparison. Must be hereditary. Daria: Must. The two approach the door and open the door, only to hear a loud chord shooting out of the door. Daria: Wonderful, a soundtrack to aide your muse. Jane: Que Bueno! The door closed as another chord rang out. ---------------------Fin----------------------------------- Yes, expect more to come in the future. I have a feeling this will take over my fan fic aspects for quite a while now. Or at least until Daria returns for the end of season 4. Later! Oh, and please give me some feedback here. I appreciate it!