Daria in the Background - Part 1

 Daria in the Background – Part 1

Daria Morgendorffer just wanted to be left alone. As she had grown up, she had found she was different to the other children, and to her sister Quinn. She was more intelligent and not as outgoing as others. Over the years she had found ways to blend into the background so others would not notice her. It didn’t always work. Teachers always noted how good her work was, even if her writing was unusual for a child her age. Then there was that dumb duo in Highland who hung around her sometimes.

Things were to change when the Morgendorffers moved to Lawndale, a middle-class small city in northern Maryland. The description of the town made it seem perfect for someone who wanted to complete their High School education without drawing too much attention, but she didn’t know that her efforts would be to no avail.

 

1111 Glen Oaks Lane, Lawndale; September 15, 1997 7:30 AM

Having finished cleaning her teeth, Daria looked over herself in the mirror. She wanted to be sure that her impression of an average teenager was infallible. That no one other than the people she wanted to notice her would look twice at her. Mousy auburn hair tied back in a high ponytail. ‘Check,’ she thought as she looked at herself sideways. Tied back so, the hair fell to just below her shoulder blades. There was some length to it, but it was still shorter than Quinn’s. She then looked lower. Face washed.

Check. Understated clear lip gloss. Check. Understated light green dress. Check. She was about as different from Quinn as she could be. And right on cue, there was knocking on the door. She then went to open it, allowing Quinn in. “There you go.”

 

“Gosh, Daria, you’re going like that?” Quinn asked.

 

“At least I’m not dressed in pink,” Daria shot back as she left the bathroom.

 

“Ha!” Quinn said as she slammed the door.

 

 

Lawndale High; 8:30 AM

Arriving at Lawndale High, Quinn drew all the attention, with a girl in pigtails asking her name.

 

“Quinn Morgendorffer,” she answered. She didn’t understand why Daria didn’t want any attention.

 

“Cool Name,” another girl with lustrous brown hair said. Quinn wondered what products she used to gain that effect.

 

She glanced at Daria walking slowly towards the school without drawing attention. ‘That’s what she does best,’ she thought. She then heard a boy ask her out. ‘A bit quick,’ she thought.

 

 

“…As you can see, our Lawndale High students take great pride in their school,” the Principal said as she finished the tour. “That’s why we’ll be taking a small psychological exam to stop any little clouds on the horizon as you sail the student seas of Lawndale High.”

 

‘SOS girl overboard,’ Daria thought. ‘Why does there need to be a psychological test! I just want to get to class!’

 

“Nobody told me about any test!” Quinn objected.

 

‘You’re automatically exempt!’ Daria thought. As much as she wanted to say it, she knew it would draw attention.

 

“That’s why it’s a surprise test,” the Principal said.

 

Quinn scowled.

 

 

“Now, Quinn,” the School counsellor, Mrs. Manson said. “What do you see here?”

 

It was obvious what it was. “It’s a picture of two people talking.”

 

“That’s right. Can you make up a little story about what it is they’re discussing?”

 

“Oh. Okay, then. Let's see... they've been going out for awhile, and he's upset because other people keep asking her out, and she saying she can't help it if she's attractive and popular, and besides, nobody ever said they were going steady, and if he does want to go steady he's got to do a lot better than movie, burger, back seat, movie, burger, back seat, because there are plenty of guys with bigger back seats waiting to take her someplace nice!”

 

“Very good, Quinn!” Mrs. Manson said. She then turned her attention to her sister. Quinn wasn’t sure why she was testing the two of them together. “Now, Dora, let’s see if you can tell a story as vivid as your sisters?”

 

“Do I have to?” Daria asked with annoyance.

 

“Yes!” Mrs. Manson said.

 

“Alright then. It’s a guy and a girl, and they are discussing how their daughter doesn’t seem to want to do anything other than study and that she needs friends. They disagree on what to do about it.”

 

“That’s interesting.” Manson said. “But good.”

 

 

The first lesson Daria went to was History. “Class, we have a new student joining us today. Please welcome Daria Morgendorffer,” Mr. Anthony DeMartino said. “Daria, raise your hand please.”

 

Daria raised her hand. Reluctantly, DeMartino noted. ‘Time to test her!’ he thought. “Well, Daria! As long as you have your hand raised…” he gave an evil chuckle. “Last week we began a unit on westward expansion. Perhaps you feel it’s unfair to be asked a question on your first day of class.”

 

Daria gave a sigh. Perhaps she just wanted to slip in amongst the existing students unnoticed. Other teachers would oblige her. But not Anthony DeMartino, who despite his better judgement tried to reach the unreachable. “Daria, can you concisely and unemotionally sum up for us the doctrine of Manifest Destiny.”

 

“A slogan used in the 1840s, to promote the ideal for the US to reach all the way to the Pacific Ocean,” Daria murmuired.

 

“Very good, Daria.” DeMartino then steeled himself for his usual battle against Kevin Thompson’s dim wits.

 

 

 

1111 Glen Oaks Lane; 7:34 PM

The Morgendorffers were having their dinner late, as Helen had stayed late at work, hoping to impress upon the Partners that she was a hard worker.

 

“…Then they asked me to join the pep squad. They said I didn't have to try out, but I said, "Look, I'm new here. Give me a chance to get used to things." So, for now, I'm vice president of the Fashion Club, and that's it,” Quinn said.

 

“Sounds like a like a well-thought-out decision, honey,” Jake said.

 

“As long as you can join pep squad later, if you want. Never know how much we can handle till we try, though,” Helen added.

 

“What about you, Daria? How was your first day?”

 

Daria sighed. “Well, my history teacher called on me as soon as I entered the class, but there are some interesting idiots in it.”

 

“That’s great!” Jake said.

 

‘What?’ Helen thought. ‘Jake!’

 

“I mean…” Jake began as he tried to correct what he just said.

 

Helen interrupted. “Daria, your father's trying to tell you not to judge people until you know them. You're in a brand-new school in a brand-new town. You don't want it to be Highland all over again.”

 

“Not much chance of that happening... unless there's uranium in the drinking water here, too.”

 

“I'm talking about you making a friend or two. Don't be so critical. Give people the benefit of the doubt.”

 

“You’re saying that It all boils down to trust?” Daria asked.

 

“Exactly. It all boils down to trust. Show a little trust.”

 

Daria looked thoughtful.

 

‘She needs to understand that being in that shell doesn’t help her,’ Helen thought. The dinner continued without incident.