The Youngest Barksdale - Part 9

 

It was disappointing that there wasn’t anything she could use against Ms. Li in what Quinn had told her, Daria considered as she entered her room. But she was sure that there was something else she could use. ‘Just not right now.’ She had to settle into Lawndale first.

 

 

“Daria?” Helen asked. “You talked to Quinn?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And?”

 

“Nothing I can use against the principal, just the modelling agency,” Daria explained.

 

“I expected that,” Helen said.

 

“It’s going to take a while,” Daria said. “Probably longer than with the previous schools.”

 

Helen wondered what those other schools were like.

 

 

The next day, Daria met Scarlett and Andrea before school.

 

“So, what did you find out?” Scarlett asked.

 

Daria then told them of what her sister and niece had said.

 

 

“Nothing new then,” Scarlett said when Daria had finished.

 

“That’s right,” Andrea said.

 

“And so, we’ll need to find out other stuff,” Daria said.

 

“I agree,” Andrea said.

 

“Same,” Scarlett added.

 

 

The day was as usual, although rumors about what had happened to Val spread. Daria did her best to ignore them. However, Quinn and her friends came up to her as school let out.

 

“Quinn?” Daria asked.

 

“I should let you know, um, Daria,” Stacy said.

 

“Let Quinn say!” Sandi interjected.

 

“Sorry!” Stacy said.

 

“What?” Daria asked with a glare at Sandi.

 

“Rumors about what happened to Val,” Quinn answered.

 

“I see, although I should say that it was Andrea and Ms. Li who were actually there,” Daria said.

 

“I know that,” Quinn said.

 

“So, what are these rumors?” Daria asked.

 

“That you had sabotaged Andrea’s chances,” Sandi said.

 

“And how would I have done that?” Daria asked.

 

Sandi shrugged and looked at her pedicured nails.

 

“Well?” Daria asked.

 

“Like, I’m not sure how, but that’s what I heard,” Sandi answered.

 

“Or are you spreading them yourself?” Daria asked.

 

“Dar-i-a!” Quinn exclaimed.

 

Sandi was aghast. “Of course not!”

 

Daria could see that she was telling the truth. “Then it was someone else who started it.”

 

“I have some idea,” Sandi said.

 

“Which is?”

 

“Tori Jericho, or someone she’s friends with,” Sandi answered.

 

“Tori is well known for repeating anything she hears,” Stacy said.

 

“Then let’s find her,” Daria suggested.

 

“OK,” Quinn said.

 

“But we have to be quick. She leaves rather quickly when school lets out,” Sandi said.

 

“Got it.”

 

 

They quickly walked out of the school to the front entrance.

 

They looked around, but they didn’t see Tori. “So, she’s blonde, right?” Daria asked.

 

“Yes,” Quinn answered.

 

“To her shoulders, usually worn loose,” Stacy added.

 

“Got it,” Daria said. “But I have noticed that there are many blondes at the school.”

 

“Like, we’ll see her,” Sandi said.

 

“Got it.”