Disclaimer: Daria and associated characters are owned by
MTV. This is fan fiction written for
entertainment only. No money or other
negotiable currency or goods have been exchanged.
Original characters and plot
copyright Richard J. Lobinske. 2005.
This is the twenty-second
story in the Falling into College series.
Richard Lobinske
Fashionable Graduation
Claire Defoe sipped from her
morning carrot juice and rubbed her temples.
Looking around the office, she thought in disbelief. My
office. That still sounds so
strange. A month ago, this was Ms. Li’s
office.
Claire looked back down at
her desk to finish reading a letter before signing it. Li
arrested, Coach Gibson fired, Coach Morris turning state’s evidence against
Li. Disciplinary actions against several
of the faculty. Claire neatly folded
the letter and put it in an envelope. And I get stuck as principal because I’ve
behaved myself over the years. No good
deed goes unpunished. She sealed the
envelope and dropped it in a basket on her desk. They
better find a replacement over the summer.
She read through another
sheet of paper before moving a microphone in front of her. “Good morning. I only have a couple of announcements on this
last day of class. Seniors who’ve not
picked up their caps and gowns should do so before leaving campus today. All textbooks must be returned to the issuing
faculty or your grades or diplomas will be withheld until the book is turned in
or paid for. All students are asked to
empty their lockers and leave the doors open when they leave. Good luck on your remaining finals and have a
happy summer.”
Setting the announcements
aside, she picked up a calligraphy pen and set four certificates in front of
her. As she signed the first two in a
beautiful, flowing script, she said, “Things like this make the job almost
worth keeping.” She smiled as she signed
the third. “It’ll be good to see Jane
again when she hands this one out.”
Reading the final one, Claire giggled like a small child.
“Okay, Amiga, call it.”
With a sigh, Daria said,
“Heads.”
Jane caught the coin and slapped
it onto the back of her hand.
“Tails. We take my car.”
“Are you happy now?”
“Yes, I get to show off the
new paint job.”
“All you had to do was ask.”
“But, the coin toss was more
fun.”
“Drama Queen.”
“You’re the one taking
theater this semester.”
Daria shook her head. “It was the only humanities elective I could
get in an afternoon time slot.”
“But you’re still in the
play.”
“Just because there are only
four women in the class, and I’m one of the only two that can speak French.”
Jane mischievously raised one
eyebrow. “It’s fun imagining you as
Katherine in Henry V.”
“I can barely imagine it
myself. Let alone actually doing
it. At least Dr. Paine is doing a
traditional production. I couldn’t
handle one of those oddball settings.”
“I’m still offering to help
play techie.”
“We might take you up on
that, though you’ll probably have too much fun.”
“That’s the idea.”
“And then I’ll have to take
you to the cast party.”
“I can only hope.”
“We better get going, with
that six hour drive ahead of us.”
Jane shook her head and
looked at Daria more seriously. “Are we
really going to do this?”
“We don’t have a choice. We might have made up the Lawndale High
School Student Leaders Honor Society to rescue Jodie from being overworked by
her parents, but part of the deal to get Ms. Murphey as sponsor was to pass it
on as a real entity. We have to put that
into action tomorrow.”
“But, I barely sat through
our graduation. Now I have to sit
through another?”
“Yep, and we get to sit up
front as honored guests.”
“Ergh.”
“And, we get to make
speeches.”
“Argh.”
“Too bad we won’t get to see
Ms. Li squirm at our repeat appearance.”
“I suppose giving Claire a
little moral support would be worth the effort.”
“Softy.”
“Hey, would you like to have
tried to pick up the mess Li left behind?”
“Ouch. That was low.
Okay, my minimal conscience says we should be nice to her.”
“But at least we won’t be
alone; Jodie and Mack get to share the misery.”
Daria grinned. “It’ll be nice to see them again, too.”
Jane picked up a round
suitcase with a skull on one face.
“Don’t forget, we’re also going to hit Lindy’s graduation tonight.”
“I’m not forgetting.”
“Okay, pack it up and move it
out.”
Daria grabbed a black travel
bag and followed Jane. “Yah.”
After locking up, both young
women went down the external stairs to where two almost identical black sedans
were parked. They tossed their luggage
into one decorated with a phoenix rising in multicolored glory on the
hood. Each feather was carefully
detailed, and the flames slipped over the edge of the hood and flowed back
along the sides. Jane moved to the
driver’s side as Daria got in the passenger door. Jane said over the roof. “The offer’s still open to do a mural on
yours.”
Daria looked over the
hood. “Maybe…if I can decide on
something. I never have been one for
showing off.”
“You won’t be showing off,
the car will. Let it have a little
attention.”
Daria shook her head as she
got in and closed the door. “I’m going to
hear this all the way to
Jodie Landon took a deep
breath as she opened the front door to her parents’ home. “Mom, Dad?
I’m home.”
Michelle and Andrew Landon
rushed to the door to greet their daughter.
Andrew said, “Welcome home,” and hugged Jodie before he retreated to the
den. Michelle kissed Jodie on the cheek
and hugged her, also. “It’s good to have
you back. After you say hello to your
brother and sister, meet us in the den.”
Michelle nodded to her younger children as she also walked away.
Jodie’s little sister,
Rachael, waved and smiled. Her brother,
Evan, toddled toward her with arms outstretched and said, “’Odie!” Jodie squatted down and hugged the small boy. “You have grown since Christmas.” After releasing him, she went over to her
sister. “Ready to start high school next
year?”
Rachael produced a weak
smile. “Mainly because it’ll be a year
closer to escaping this place. Thank God
you’re home for the summer.”
“I wouldn’t completely abandon
my little sister.”
“It’s been nuts around
here. Mom’s trying to work from the home
office; Dad still doesn’t want to put Evan into daycare. Half the time, I get stuck watching him.”
Jodie placed a hand on her
sister’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’ll do what I can to get you time off for
good behavior.”
Rachael gave a grim
laugh. “Like you’re going to have any
time. They have just as much crap
planned for you this summer as last.”
Jodie grinned. “But this year, I’m prepared and I have a
plan.”
Rachael grinned at her
sister. “Go on.”
Jodie grinned wider. “Listen.”
Jodie walked toward the Den, motioning Rachael to follow and stay out of
sight near the door. When she entered
the den, she said, “You two wanted to see me?”
Andrew turned his attention
away from his computer. “I have some
incredible opportunities set up for you this summer. Besides interning with my firm, the
congressman wants you to help with his Senate campaign…”
Jodie raised her hand. “Mom, Dad.
I can’t.”
Michelle rose from her
chair. “What! This little rebelliousness of yours is
getting to be enough.”
Andrew’s eyes flashed. “We are not going to have our star daughter
miss out on making the most of her time.”
Jodie allowed a brief,
predatory smile. “It’s nothing like
that. I’ve accepted a summer internship
at a consulting firm. I’m committed to
that full-time. Since I want to eventually
run a consulting business geared toward minority startups, this will be
valuable experience.”
Andrew stopped short. “That’s more like my go-getter. You’re no longer relying on the old man and
setting things up on your own. Great!”
Michelle relaxed. “That’s good news. After some of the things you’ve done this
last year at college, we’ve been worried.
So, where will you be working?”
“Morgendorffer Consulting.”
Releasing a surprised sigh,
Quinn Morgendorffer set her pencil down and eased back in her desk. It
really is over. My last high school test
is complete. She looked around at
her closest friends, all busy with their tests.
Stacy Rowe chewed on her pencil and had the nervous expression she
always wore during exams. Tiffany
Blum-Deckler’s almost unblinking, blank gaze never left the exam page; the mix
of apparent emptiness and concentration was unsettling. At intervals, she would slowly move the
pencil to mark the page. Sandi Griffin
scowled at the page and made abrupt marks with frustrated intensity. Quinn turned her test over and closed her
eyes to await the final bell.
Anthony Demartino picked up
the exams just before the end of class.
“For those of you on the…borderline…you may wish to stay around for a
few minutes while I grade your exams.
That way…you will know whether or not to bother showing up for
tomorrow’s ceremony.” His voice was cut
off by the bell and a roar from the departing seniors.
As the four young women left
the classroom, Quinn told the rest, “I’ll catch up with you later. There’s something I need to check up on.”
Sandi nodded and said, “Okay,
but don’t be late. This is our last
chance to get our student discounts at Cashman’s.”
Quinn waved. “I’ll be there.”
Quinn went to Mr. O’Neill’s
classroom and waited outside for a few minutes.
She was startled to hear former QB, Kevin Thompson’s voice echo out of
the room, “Aw right!”
Quinn smiled to herself. “He did it.”
Kevin rushed out of the
room. Quinn called, “Kevin! Over here.”
He ran over, grabbed her in a
hug, and spun her around. “I did
it! I’m going to graduate!”
Quinn tapped both his
shoulders with her hands. “That’s
wonderful. Now put me down, please.”
“Oh, yeah.” He set her down with a little
clumsiness. “Quinn. Thanks.
I wouldn’t have made it without your help.”
“You’re welcome.”
He jumped up and down
again. “Yeah! I’m graduating.”
Quinn shook her head. “I heard.”
Mr. O’Neill exited his
room. “Quinn, I’ve been very impressed
with the work you’ve done helping Kevin and Tiffany. Have you ever considered a career in
teaching?”
Quinn turned in shock. “What?
Um…” She looked at her
watch. “That late already? Gotta
go. Bye.” She sprinted down the hall toward the parking
lot.
Theresa completed the
transaction with Tiffany. “There you
go. Your last student discount at Cashman’s. How does
it feel to be going out into the world?”
Tiffany looked at her. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m modeling for a local agency.”
Stacy smiled at her
friend. “Actually, I’m going to be
staying nearby, too. I’m going to
Sandi straightened her
back. “I’ll be going to
Theresa looked at Quinn. “I remember when you got into Pepperhill. Have you
decided on a major?”
“Marketing. Why follow trends when I can make them?”
Sandi looked at her. “But, isn’t your dad a marketing consultant?”
Quinn grinned. “He is.
If nothing else is available, it’ll be nice to have a ready-made
position when I graduate.”
Stacy asked, “Your father’s
cool with it?”
“He doesn’t know, yet. But, I’m sure I can convince him.”
It was early evening, but
still light, when Jane and Daria parked near the
Recovering, Daria said,
“Great, and we’re still in one piece.”
Jane tugged on Daria to pull
her a little faster toward the building.
“Okay, so I was a little rushed.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“Lindy’s been real good for
“I understand. We should have left
“Hey, we made it.”
“Barely. I think my
fingerprints are permanently impressed into the armrest.”
People of all ages were
seated in the auditorium. Jane and Daria
managed to find a seat near the back of the room. They could faintly see
Daria shaded her eyes and saw
them. “We’ll have to track them down
afterward. Though in this crowd, it’s
going to be a pain.”
“Nah, we’ll just wait for the
crowd to clear. I bet you
“He made it through ours.”
“That was because I slipped a
little extra caffeine into his coffee before we drove over.”
“A little?”
“Okay, a lot.”
“I’m sure Lindy thought of
something similar.”
“Hmm. Maybe.”
“Or, she uses other
motivations not available to you.”
“Other…um…yeah. Let’s not go there.”
Daria smirked.
Lindy and
Lindy turned and smiled. “Jane, Daria.
Thanks for coming.”
Jane leaned over and hugged
Lindy. “Congratulations.”
Daria squeezed past Jane to
hug
“Pretty good, I think. Now that Lindy’s graduated, she can take a
little time off to relax.”
Lindy said, “Relax? I need to find a real job, now.”
Jane said past her smirk,
“Thus, the master slacker speaks.”
Daria patted
Jane squinted at Daria. “Did you just say that?”
“Yes. I know how tired I am after one year of
college; four must be even worse. I’m
not the best example of following such advice, but take a little time off.”
Lindy nodded her head. “Maybe, I will.”
Daria added, “It might be the
last chance you get.”
Approaching eleven o’clock,
Jane pulled into the Morgendorffer driveway.
She yawned and said, “As much as I’d like to say hi to your parents, I’m
really tired. I’ll see them tomorrow.”
Daria covered her mouth as
she also yawned. “You’re being
contagious. I’ll let them know.” She reached over the seat and pulled her bag
forward. It caught on the edge and
tipped.
A flat container fell out of
a side pocket and landed on the seat next to Jane. She picked it up and flipped the lid
open. “Hmm. Twenty-eight little pills.” With a wicked grin and raised eyebrows, she
said, “Has there been some important news you’ve been holding out on telling
me?”
Daria flushed a bright
red. “No!”
Jane closed the lid and waved
the container. “Okay…so there’s no
particular reason for these, then?”
With more blushing, Daria
said, “When Michael and I were here alone last month…things got
very…um…tempting. I figured I’d better get
started as a precaution, in case.”
Jane grinned and slipped the
container back into the pocket and pulled the zipper tight. “Showing more signs of being human all the
time. So, you do more than chaste kisses
and hand holding?”
“You’re not going to let me
get away until I answer, are you?”
“You know I can outrun you.”
Sighing, Daria
acquiesced. “Yes, we do more.”
“Come on girl, at least a
couple details. How am I going to live
vicariously if you won’t give me anything to go on?”
Folding in shyness with hands
clasped in her lap, Daria said, “Nothing more than touching, and…um…I can’t
believe I’m saying this…some…passionate kissing. We haven’t removed any clothes. But…”
Daria blushed again. “…he found
some unexpected places that…I enjoy being touched.”
“And that ever-present
Morgendorffer pragmatism said to get started well before you get close.”
Daria nodded.
“So, you haven’t been on them
for long.”
“That’s the first pack.”
“Why try to hide it?”
“Because I knew you’d give me
a hard time about them.”
Jane giggled, “Now I get to
try to imagine where…”
Daria shook her head and left
the car. “Argh!”
Jane called after her, “I’ll
try to keep it clean. I’ll pick you up
tomorrow to go over to the Landons.” She
backed the car out the driveway and thought.
That dream I overheard a couple
weeks ago…
Daria didn’t bother to knock
and entered her old home. Quinn’s voice
traveled from the living room, “Sandi…Yes, I knew she was going to be giving a
speech….They only announced it during that school assembly at the beginning of
the year…No, Sandi…They’re brains; they like getting recognized for stuff like
that…It’s not like she’s the only one, Jodie, Mack and Ms. Lane will also be
there.”
Daria noticed the living room
was otherwise empty. I’m not up to that. She went upstairs to her room and dropped the
bag on the floor as she sat on the bed for a few moments to calm down. Feeling more secure, she said, “I better go
check-in with the parental units.”
She went down the hall to her
parents’ room. After a knock, Helen’s
voice said, “Yes?”
Daria opened the door. “Hi, Mom.
I made it.”
Helen carefully got out of
bed to avoid waking Jake and hugged Daria.
“Welcome home. We were getting
worried.”
Daria smirked at her sleeping
father. “I can tell. We ended up talking with
“That’s nice. How are they doing?”
“Okay. We convinced Lindy to take a little time off
before job hunting. With more reliable
transportation,
“And, how’re you doing?”
“Work’s good, school’s good.”
“And other things?”
Daria was saddened. “I miss Michael. Besides bailing him out in
“Only a couple weeks in
December of that same year. He went to
“So, no great motherly advice
on how to get through the summer?”
Helen hugged her
daughter. “I’m sorry, but that’s
something I never experienced. But,
you’ll do fine.”
Daria stared at Helen. “How can you be so sure?”
Helen smiled. “I might know you a little better than you
think.”
Confused by the light under
the door of her sister’s old room, Quinn hesitantly knocked. “Daria, are you in there?”
“Yeah, Quinn. You were on the phone with Sandi and I didn’t
want to interrupt.” Daria finished
pulling a blue t-shirt on and opened the door.
“I talked with Mom a bit and was waiting for you to pull yourself free.”
Quinn smirked a little. “I wish you’d said something. I could have escaped quicker.”
“Did I just hear right? Escape from one of the fashion foursome?”
Quinn avoided Daria’s
eyes. “She was complaining about you
giving that presentation at graduation tomorrow.”
“Big deal, I say a few words
and hand out a certificate. I’m being
punished for doing a good job in high school by having to participate in a second
graduation ceremony.”
“Sandi…kind of blames you for
her losing her job.”
“How could I do that?”
Way to put your foot in it, Quinn. “Um…you
remember that award dinner Mom made us go to last summer?”
“Yes.”
“Sandi’s mom works at that TV
station and brought a tape home of it to ask Sandi who you were. Mrs. Griffin hadn’t recognized you.”
Daria briefly laughed at
Linda Griffin not recognizing her in a formal gown, and then she mentally added
things up. In a barely controlled voice,
she barked, “Then how in the hell did Upchuck get a copy?”
Quinn stepped back in
surprise. “Uh…Sandi’s little brother
gave it to Upchuck to copy some…uh…movies onto.
When your picture from the tape showed up on one of Upchuck’s websites,
the network got mad and Mrs. Griffin made sure Sandi got the blame. Wait, how did you know Upchuck had gotten
it?”
Daria’s temper dropped off
and she quietly said, “Damn. I did cost
Sandi her job.”
In confusion, Quinn asked,
“You did?”
“I discovered Upchuck’s
website. It wasn’t just one
picture. It had a bunch of different
pictures of me through high school, which was very unsettling. I arranged for an anonymous tip to go to the
network. I just wanted to get Upchuck’s
website taken down. It was, within a day
of having that tip sent in. I must be
responsible.”
“Oh.”
“Mrs. Griffin really dropped
the blame on Sandi even though she took the tape home?”
“I couldn’t believe it, but
she did.”
“I suspected she was
ruthless…but…”
“It was either blame Sandi or
take the blame herself.”
“Damn.”
Jane yawned and scratched her
ribs as she entered the kitchen of
Amanda got up and held both
Jane’s hands. “It’s good to see you
home. How’s college been?”
“Well, I pulled a 2.7 GPA my
first term, so I guess I’m doing okay. I
didn’t know you were going to be home this weekend.”
“I got in this morning. I was hoping to see Lindy’s graduation. Since it seemed so important to you, I
thought I would try with hers. But, my
flight was delayed.”
Feeling a little jealousy,
Jane said, “Too bad you were held up.
I’m sure Lindy appreciates the gesture.”
“Considering my mom wasn’t
there, I did. Amanda’s plane was
grounded by fog. My mom was probably
just drunk. At least you and Daria showed
up.”
After Jane prepared her
coffee, Amanda motioned her to sit at the table. “I’m still sorry about your graduation. If I had known…”
“It’s okay, Mom.”
Lindy asked, “Are you and
Daria doing okay as roommates?”
“We had a few rough spots to
start with, but I think we got them worked out.”
“Do you like your new job?”
“The kids so far have been
real sweet. They have so much on their
minds for being children, and get so into creating, just as a release.”
Lindy smirked a little. “I guess since I took over looking after
Jane grinned at Lindy. “I think I got the better end of the deal.”
Lindy smiled back, “All
depends on your perspective.”
“Daria! You have got to be kidding!” Quinn wailed as
Daria left her room, tucking a white dress shirt into a black skirt.
Daria stopped in the hall and
look into Quinn’s room. “What is your
problem?”
“God, Daria. If you’re not going to wear a tie or a scarf,
ditch the white shirt. With your pale
skin, you just wash out into it, plus that necklace just doesn’t show up well enough. Do you have a dark dress shirt with?”
“Um…yeah. I brought one as a spare.”
“Go get it. You’re not going up on stage at my graduation
looking that geeky.”
“Quinn, I…” Daria stopped and thought for a moment. “Oh, hell.
I’ll go change. This is your
graduation. I’ll try not to embarrass
you, too much.” She went back into her
room, removing the white shirt.
Quinn shook her head as she
looked at her blue graduation gown on a hanger.
“I should be talking; we have to wear these hideous sacks?” She held the cap. “And what is with the flat-top look?”
Daria came back out of her
room buttoning a dark blue dress shirt.
Quinn rolled her eyes again.
“God, you’re still wearing those horrible sports bras?”
“Quinn, they’re comfortable, which
is a trait I much prefer to have in that particular garment.”
Quinn held up her hands. “Okay, I’ll back off.”
“Good.”
Daria finished buttoning the
shirt and pulled a gold necklace with a green stone out from under it. Quinn went back into her room and returned
with a hand mirror, which she held up in front of Daria. “See?
The necklace shows up better, and your face doesn’t get washed out.”
Daria looked at the mirror
and sighed. “Okay, you’re right. Happy?”
Quinn put the mirror back and
said, “Very. I don’t often get to hear
that from you.”
Daria mumbled as she walked
toward the stairs.
Quinn finished adjusting the
sleek cut mid-length dress she wore.
“Those robes may be geeky, but you can still look good under them.”
Helen opened the door to find
Jane in a black slacks and red dress shirt combination. “Jane, please come in. It’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Mrs. Morgendorffer,”
Jane said as she came in. “You and Mr.
Morgendorffer doing well?”
“About the usual.”
“Working too hard?”
Helen let out a slight moan.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Quinn and her friends were
gathered in the living room, comparing their clothes and making final
preparations. Tiffany looked over at the
front door and said, “It’s that teacher we had for study hall before
Christmas.”
Stacy smiled. “Hi,
Jane chuckled. “My days as LHS faculty are over. You can call me Jane.”
“Oh, okay.”
Sandi asked, “Um…Ms.
L…Jane. Are you, like, going to be
giving a speech, too?”
“As short of one as
possible.”
“Oh…well…break an arm or leg,
or whatever it is.”
In mild surprise, Jane said,
“Thanks.”
Quinn pointed. “Daria’s in the kitchen.”
Jane made a quick move in
that direction. “Later, everyone.”
Rounding the corner, she
found Daria at the table, nursing a cup of coffee. Jane said, “Hey, ready for the big show?”
Daria stood up. “Raring.”
As she reached the living room, Daria hesitated as she looked at the
four, and then stopped. “Sandi…I’m sorry
about you losing your job at the TV station.”
“Um…thanks. My Mom can be such a…”
Daria held up hand to
interrupt. “I arranged for the network
to get the tip.”
“Huh?”
“I caused you to lose your
job.”
“You!?”
“I wanted to get rid of Upchuck’s
creepy website and didn’t consider what kind of other repercussions it could
have.”
“Was he, like, stalking you
or something?”
Daria shuffled
uncomfortably. “In a way, I think so.”
Tiffany and Stacy chorused,
“Eww.”
Sandi shivered. “Okay, that would be too gross to deal
with. Your actions were justified.”
Daria sighed. “If there’s anything I can do...”
Sandi’s eye glinted with cold
calculation. “I might take you up on
that…later this summer.”
Daria looked on in
concern. What did I get myself into?
Jane pulled her car into the
Landons’ driveway and parked behind a rich blue four-door luxury sedan with a
Turner College parking decal on the rear bumper. As they exited the car, Daria remarked, “Must
be Jodie’s”
Jane smirked. “Must be nice.”
A subtle rumble could be
heard approaching. It grew as a
motorcycle turned into the driveway. The
street racer was mostly silver, with alternating red and yellow bands around the
headlight, and a red slash covering the tail fairing and extending along the
side covers to just under the middle of the seat. It rolled to a stop and the black
leather-clad rider removed a red helmet.
Michael Mackenzie, better known as Mack, smiled at the surprised
expressions on Daria and Jane’s faces.
“Good to see you, too.”
Daria recovered first. “That…is a different look for you.”
Jane shook her head. “Whoa.
Talk about shaking up your image.”
“Jodie and I had to be so
straight-laced when we lived here. I had
to do something to unwind. It’s fun to ride,
gets great gas mileage, and it’s a lot easier to park on campus.”
Jane smiled more. “Still…wow.”
Mack gazed at the phoenix
painted on the car hood. “Jane, that
looks like your handiwork.”
She brushed her knuckles on
her shirt. “Yep.”
Daria said, “No ego problem
there.”
Jane grinned back. “None at all.”
Mack chuckled and leaned his
head toward the house door. “We should
probably head inside,” he said as he started walking over.
Daria looked toward the
approaching door. “What kind of reaction
did you get out of Jodie’s parents with that?”
Mack rang the doorbell. “We’re about to find out.”
Andrew opened the door and
looked in surprise at the riding gear and motorcycle parked behind. “Mack?
What happened to you?”
Mack looked around. “Nothing, at least that I’m aware of.”
“You’re wearing…you have
a…you parked a…”
“Oh, the motorcycle. It’s cost efficient and reliable
transportation, Mr. Landon.”
“You’re not going to drive
Jodie to the ceremony on that thing?”
Daria waved. “Hi, Mr. Landon. Jane and I are going with. I think the four of us would get a little
crowded on that small seat.”
Jane piped in, “Not to
mention how nasty the fight would get about who rides on the handlebars.”
Andrew glared at Daria. “Ah, more of your influences. I should’ve known.”
Jodie tapped on her father’s
shoulder. “We’re planning on going in my
car. It has the most room for
everyone. The honor society includes all
four of us, and Daria is the president.”
Andrew turned to Jodie. “Very well, everyone’s going in your
car. Did you know about that thing Mack
has out there?”
She shrugged. “Sure.
He’s had it for a couple of months and rode it to Turner when he would
visit.”
“You haven’t been riding on
that?”
“Sometimes.”
“I don’t…you could get killed
on that thing.”
Jodie looked up at her father
in mild annoyance. “I could get killed
driving my own car. Mack is a very safe
driver, and we both wear proper gear.
Why do you think I came home with a leather jacket?”
Jane raised an eyebrow and
looked at Mack. He leaned over and
whispered, “She also looks damn good in it.”
Andrew was sputtering, “But,
they are…”
Jodie calmly said, “Perfectly
acceptable vehicles in all manner of good society. Dad, we are old enough to make informed decisions. It’s about time you started to accept that.”
Andrew reared his head back
and inflated his chest. “You’ve passed
up more opportunities this year than I can count. You connived with your friend Daria to avoid
what I had for you this summer, and now this.
You may…” It suddenly struck him
that he was in front of four intelligent, confident and well-dressed young
adults who were standing up for each other.
Furthermore, they were calm and he was throwing a tantrum like a spoiled
teenager. Andrew deflated. “…be right,” he finished saying, and stepped
back inside the house with a hand motion for all to follow. “Where are my manners? Please, come in. All of you are welcome.”
Daria and Jane shared the
back seat of Jodie’s car on the way to Lawndale High while Mack sat up front as
Jodie drove. Jodie was saying, “Thanks
for putting in a word with your father about doing an internship with him.”
“You’re going to be unpaid
labor for the summer; it wasn’t that hard to talk him into it. I just hope you’re ready to deal with him.”
“Daria, I’d rather hear one
of your father’s rants about military school then hear mine talk about that
freakin’ big bell. And if I had to work
for that congressman again…” She shook
her head. “I really hope he doesn’t make
it into the Senate.”
“I guess it’s all a matter of
perspective. It sounds like your father
originally wasn’t too happy about the internship.”
“You think that was bad, you
should’ve heard my mother. The roofers
should be in next week to fix the ceiling from her bouncing off it. At least he apologized for today’s outburst.”
Daria smiled at the
image. “Dad’s actually excited about
your idea. He’s wanted to try to get
into some different business markets.”
“I figured it would be great
for both of us: he gets new clients, I get some great experience separate from
my Dad and unwind some over the summer.
Although, part of the time will be spent giving Rachael a break from
babysitting Evan.”
“And I thought my family was
dysfunctional.”
“If I were you, I’d still try
to avoid Mom. You saw that Dad’s been
more accepting, but she still wants your head on a pike for corrupting me last
summer. I think she also suspects your mother’s
involved.”
Jane leaned over the
seat. “Sometimes, I guess absentee parents
are a good thing. But now let’s change
the subject. Mack, what’re your plans
for the summer?”
“Working for that ice cream
company again, only this year, I’ll be in charge of stock and inventory on the
trucks instead of driving them.”
Jane smirked. “Going to hire Kevin as a driver?”
“Are you kidding? I’m free of him and never want to hear ‘Mack
Daddy’ again. Besides, he’s a legend
around there. He and Brittany cost the
company over four hundred dollars in one day because they couldn’t count change
properly.”
Jane laughed. “They were that bad?”
Mack nodded. “No kidding.
I’m glad they forgot I told Kevin and Brittany about the opening.”
Daria said, “Didn’t anyone
tell you? Kevin’s graduating today.”
Mack buried his face in his
hands.
Jodie looked in the mirror
toward Jane. “I want pictures of Daria
in that play next month. After you two
avoided dressing up for that medieval fair, I want to see it catch up with
her.”
Daria lightly growled. “I hate you.”
Daria and company worked
their way toward the stage set up on the football field. Jodie had a dark grey suit dress on, while
Mack combined a white dress shirt and tie with the black leather jacket for an
effectively formal and slightly rebellious combination.
Families and friends were
filtering into the stadium seats. The
students were milling around in their caps and gowns, awaiting the final call
to line up for their entrance. Standing
alone, Kevin Thompson waited along with the others. He was excited about finally graduating, and
worried about what was to come next. He
turned in response to a tap on his arm to face a well endowed young woman
twirling a lock of blond hair around a finger.
“Kevie. It is you.”
Surprised at the sudden
appearance of his old girlfriend, Brittany Taylor, he could only utter,
“Britt?”
“I’m back home from Great
Prairie State for the summer and thought it would be fun to get together with
you again.”
Kevin remembered his confusion
early last summer, when she stopped returning his calls and started avoiding
him. Finally, she told him “It’s over Kevie. You’re going to stay here and I’m going to a
big football school where the quarterbacks are real manly.”
Kevin stared at Brittany. He also remembered how she felt in his arms.
Brittany planted her feet and
put hands on hips. “Well, are you going
to answer?”
“Um…Hi…How have you been?”
“I’ve been good. How about we go to your jeep when this is
over?”
The temptation was strong. His mind also went back a month to his prom
date with Quinn. She had been tough in
getting him ready, but nothing like what Coach Gibson used to do to get the
team ready. But, he had one of the most
enjoyable evenings of his life, and she was right: they didn’t need to make out
to have a good time.
“I’m…I don’t think that’s a
good idea.”
“What? Are you seeing somebody? I was told you haven’t been dating anyone.”
“No…I’m not dating anyone.”
“Then, we can go out.” She twirled her hair again and batted her
eyes.
He remembered one of his
first tutoring sessions with Quinn. They
had read The Glass Menagerie and he’d
escaped to the back yard after one of his father’s tantrums and thought, I can’t
go back to the way I was.
“Britt, you dumped me.”
“Kevie, that was only because
I was going away. But, I’m back now.”
“What…what are you going to
do at the end of this summer?”
More hair twirling. “Uh…I don’t know.”
Kevin looked at the ground
sadly. “You’ll dump me again.”
“Kevie.”
Kevin looked up with a
determination he hadn’t felt since he last played football. “No.
We broke up.”
“You’re turning me down?”
Kevin scratched his
neck. “Yeah. You dumped me. You said it was over.”
“But…”
“Brittany…It’s over.”
Furious, Brittany strode away
with a murderous glare. “Oooooh.”
Kevin turned away in
frustration to see four more familiar faces walking near. He hurried over to them. “Hey!
Jodie, Daria, Jane, Mack Da….Mack.”
Mack stopped. “He didn’t say it.” With two steps, he went to Kevin and extended
his hand. “Kevin. Congratulations.”
“Yeah, man. Fourteen years of school is finally over.”
Daria looked over. “Hi, Kevin.”
“Whoa, Daria. You look, kind of like…pretty…now.”
Daria said, “You still know
exactly what to say.”
Jane nodded at Kevin. “Howdy.”
Jodie approached. “Nice to see you again, Kevin.”
“Hey Jodie, Jane. What brings you here? I thought you guys graduated last year.”
Daria said, “We’re giving out
some awards. Punishment for being
brains.”
“Aww, man. That was mean of them to do that.”
“We’ll live.” Daria closed her eyes in disbelief.
“You know, your sister is
pretty smart. Do you think it runs in
the family?”
“It might, but I’ll have to
get back to you on that.”
“Cool.”
Mr. Demartino’s voiced carried
over the background noise. “Okay,
students. Time for you to at least try
to behave one more time before you leave here.
Everybody, line up like we went over during practice.”
Kevin grinned. “Gotta go.
Been great seeing everybody.”
He jogged back to the rest of
the graduates lining up. Daria
shrugged. “I guess we better go get
seated.” They walked toward the stage
and found four seats prepared for them on it.
Jane eyed the stage with
suspicion. “I thought we were getting
seats on the ground with our backs to the audience.”
Jodie smiled. “Jane, it is customary for the ‘honored’
guests to be on stage for everyone to see.”
Mack lightly chuckled as he
started up the steps. “Oh, well. Jodie and I are used to being on
display. Now you get to feel a little of
what we had to put up with.”
Daria gave him a grim
smile. “If you two survived four years
without killing someone, I suppose we can last an hour.”
Ms. Defoe greeted each of
them warmly as they approached their seats.
“Welcome back. Thank you so much
for being here.”
Daria, Jodie and Mack greeted
her in return. Jane stayed a little
extra after the others sat. “Claire, I
hope you’re still holding up through this.”
“I’m really glad to see you
again. Congratulations on the new position.”
“Thanks.”
“Now that we’ve found most of
the little surprises that Angela had left, the last week has gone much
smoother.”
“Good to hear.”
“The faculty and students
have been very supportive.”
“That could be relief that
Ms. Li is gone.”
“Could be. But…I think they also like the way I’ve been
handling things.”
“You mean treating everyone
like a person instead of an inmate?”
“I’m starting to think about
applying to stay principal.”
Shocked, Jane asked, “Have
you gone mad?”
“I’ve been able to do a lot
of good this last month. It hasn’t been
easy, but it was rewarding.”
“I’m having a hard time
picturing you outside a classroom.”
“I know.” After a quick look around, she said, “Better
take your seat, we’re about to start.”
Ms. Defoe walked over and
stood at the podium. “Welcome, family
and friends to the graduation of the Lawndale High School class of 2000.”
Quinn and her friends sat
together in the middle of the student seating.
Stacy leaned over toward Quinn and whispered, “Wow, your sister and her
friends get to sit up on stage. That
must be so exciting.”
Quinn could see Daria’s stiff
pose. I don’t think exciting is the word she would use. She turned to Stacy, “I know I’d be nervous.”
“Yeah, me too. But, it’s still also exciting.”
Tiffany stared at Daria and
Jane and said, “Hey, this reminds me of that assembly right after you got
here. Did your sister and that teacher
go through the esteem class again?”
Sandi shook her head. “Tiffany, they’re here to give out awards.”
Tiffany’s eyes
brightened. “Awards…Do you think we will
get one for how good we look?”
Putting a hand on Tiffany’s
shoulder, Sandi said, “Dear, they’re not that kind of award.”
Ms. Defoe waved her hand
toward the seated college students. “Our
final awards tonight will be for the Lawndale High School Student Leaders Honor
Society. The inaugural president and
Academic Achievement recipient, Ms. Daria Morgendorffer.”
Daria inhaled deeply to
steady her nerves and went to the podium.
She looked out over a graduating class that was little larger than the
85 in hers. “Thank you, Ms. Defoe. From every graduating class, four students
are chosen by the faculty who best represent Student Leadership, Artistic
Achievement, Athletic Leadership, and Academic Achievement. To use the words of our charter: This society
will provide a venue to recognize a high school career of hard work, and to
provide an atmosphere for these student leaders to network together in
preparation for their future.” She turned
slightly toward her friends. “Please let
me introduce Ms. Jodie Landon for Student Leadership, Ms. Jane Lane for
Artistic Achievement, and Mr. Michael MacKenzie for Athletic Leadership.”
Jodie approached the podium
and opened the envelope she held. “I’m
pleased to announce the Student Leadership nomination goes to…Ms. Rhiannon
Jenkins.” Jodie smiled as the young
woman with long, flowing blond hair approached from her seat behind the
podium. Jodie stepped aside and
smiled. “Valedictorian, Diane Fossy
Award and now this. Well deserved honors
for a talented and dedicated young woman.”
Sandi looked up with some
jealousy. “God, what doesn’t that girl
get? I would’ve thought Prom Queen was
enough.”
Quinn eyed Sandi. “Sandi, she did do a lot of stuff. Nobody noticed much while Jodie was here.”
“Still, I would think that
they’d spread these things around a bit more.”
“I know she didn’t do any art
or music, so she can’t get that one.”
Stacy added, “She was on the
girl’s volleyball team, but didn’t do that much. I don’t think that she’ll get the athletic
award.”
Sandi shrugged. “I guess, but I bet she gets the academic
award, just like all the others.”
Jane approached the
podium. “I’m sure some of you never
thought you’d see me again. Don’t worry,
study hall is finally over.” A few
laughs rose from the students. “This
year, the Artistic Achievement goes to a gifted musician and singer, Ms. Kathy
Sullivan.” The brunette girl quickly
accepted the certificate and gave a brief thank you.
Stacy asked, “Wasn’t that the
girl they always got to sing at the football games?”
Tiffany said, “Yeah, she does
have a pretty voice.”
Mack walked to the podium
with a practiced formality. “The
Athletic Leadership award goes to the captain of the track team, Mr. Benjamin
Needham.” The muscled young man sprinted
up the stage and simply said, “Cool, thanks everyone,” before sprinting back
down.
Sandi said, “I remember going
out with him. All he could talk about
was running.”
Tiffany observed, “He does
have cute legs.”
Sandi turned her head. “Tiffany, you can’t see his legs.”
“But…I saw them before.”
Daria looked out over the
restless students. “Last one folks, and
then you can get your diplomas and escape.”
She opened the envelope and allowed a brief chuckle. Looking up with one of her small smiles, she
said, “The faculty has decided to do something a little different this
year. They wish to recognize the student
who has best shown that Academic Achievement is not only learning, but sharing
your knowledge with others. Ms. Quinn
Morgendorffer.”
Kevin yelled from his seat,
“All right!”
Quinn looked at Daria as if
she were seeing a giant cockroach. As
the silence continued, Daria said, “Come on up, Sis.”
Sandi looked at Quinn in
shock; Stacy clapped her hands and said, “Oh!
What a surprise.”
Quinn looked at her with eyes
still wide. “Yeah, surprise.”
Tiffany gave her a wide,
happy smile. “Way to go, Quinn.”
Drawn forward like an
automaton, Quinn walked up onto the stage.
Daria spoke as she approached.
“Ms. Morgendorffer has devoted many hours of her time this year tutoring
some at-risk seniors in all subjects, assuring their graduation.”
Daria handed over the
certificate to Quinn and whispered, “I honestly had nothing to do with it, but
I’m proud to pass this on to you.” Into
the microphone, she said, “Congratulations.”
Quinn held the certificate in
front of her. “I…what a surprise. Something like this doesn’t happen without
the support of friends….” She smiled a
Daria. “…and family. I really want to thank my sister, Daria. She’s forgotten more than I’ll ever know, and
leaves some big boots to fill. Thanks,
Sis.”
They shook hands and turned
to go to their seats. Daria briefly
turned with a proud smile at her sister.
From the back of the bleachers, a freckled, curly red haired young man
lowered a camera with a telephoto lens.
“Feisty.”
The ceremony proceeded as
expected, with the graduates and families dissolving into a chaotic mob on the
field. Jane moved next to Claire
again. “Thinking of staying on as
principal?”
Claire clasped her
hands. “I’m as surprised as you are.”
“You’re not the same person
who had her college roommates squatting in her apartment a couple years ago.”
Claire shrugged one shoulder
in a good imitation of Jane. “You may
have rubbed off.”
“You’re not trying to blame
me for this?”
“Not blame. Thank.”
Kevin approached Quinn, who
was surrounded by her family members.
“Hey, Quinn.”
She turned. “Hi, Kevin.”
Jake extended his hand. “Kev, my man.
Long time.”
He shook the offered
hand. “Hey, Mr. M.” Nodding toward Helen, he added, “Mrs. M,” and
finally, “Daria.” Releasing Jake’s hand,
he shook Quinn’s hand. “Thanks, Quinn.”
Quinn looked at the handshake
in surprise, and then blushed lightly.
“You’re welcome, Kevin.”
He suddenly waved his hand at
someone in the crowd. “Hi, Mom! Over here!”
Charlene Thompson approached
the group and extended her hand to Helen and Jake. “You have a wonderful daughter. I appreciate everything she’s done for my
son.”
Helen shook her hand. “We are proud of her. Charlene, how’re you holding up from the
divorce?”
“We finalized things a couple
weeks ago. I think the worst is
over. Now, I have to make a new life.”
Quinn asked Kevin, “What’re
your plans, now?”
He shrugged. “Find a job and help Mom.”
Charlene gently pulled on
Kevin’s arm. “We need to go now. Thanks again for everything.”
“Good luck, Kevin.” Quinn watched them leave with a smile on her
face.
Daria moved up next to
her. “You done good, kid.”
Quinn turned to her
sister. “Daria, I never would have
survived without your advice. I lost
track of how many times I called or emailed you.”
“I’m still impressed.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you realize that your
graduating class is going to remember you as a brain because of that award?”
Quinn’s eyes slowly opened
wide.
Two groups of friends
independently made their way to Pizza Prince.
Quinn, Sandi, Stacy and Tiffany split a cheeseless pizza while Daria,
Jane, Jodie and Mack split a Carnivore Special.
Quinn looked past Tiffany and
Sandi to watch the other four at their booth.
Daria had one of her minimalist smiles, Jane was grinning and
gesticulating with her hands, Jodie had her hand over her mouth in amused
shock, and Mack grinned as he shook his head in apparent disbelief.
Quinn pointed to the
booth. “Guys, we need to make sure we
can do that.”
Sandi looked over. “Do what?”
Stacy looked over, and back
at Quinn. “Quinn’s right. We need to be able to come back here a year
from now and still be friends.”
“Yeah, friends,” Tiffany
slowly added.
Sandi shrunk down in her
seat. Quinn really is the leader now.
But, they want to stay together, and include me…as friends. Mom was wrong. Friends are better than followers. “Um…yeah.
You’re right.”
Quinn put her hand out over
the table. “Why don’t we agree to it
right now?”
Stacy quickly grabbed Quinn’s
hand. “I’m in.”
Tiffany and Sandi’s hands
reached out at the same time. Tiffany
said, “Agreed,” and Sandi added, “Next year, still as friends.”
Thanks to the ever-present
denizens of PPMB for comments, Lawndale Stalker, Steven Galloway, Greystar, Decelaraptor,
Kristen Bealer, Mike
Nassour, Sleepless, Ranger
Thorne, Staren, Steven
Galloway, The Angst Guy, Mr Orange, ipswichfan,
and Isa Yo-Jo.
Thanks to Ipswichfan
and Kristen Bealer for beta reading.
November, 2004
Revised, January, 2005