The Misadventures of Daria Pigwidgeon

by Amy Lunderman

  I scoff, as if I weren’t worried about that very same thing.

  “So, what do you want?” I say not at all nervous, yeah right.

  The smile slips from her face, and she goes about wrapping her arms over her chest. And here I thought I was the uncomfortable one. Turns out, she looks as much as or maybe more than me. I did just walk in on her making-out with someone. I’d imagine that scenario is even awkward to the other person’s point of view.

  Sighing, Ashley looks me right in the eye as she says, “Can I tell you something in complete confidence? As in, whatever I say to you never leaves this room?”

  Seeing the seriousness in her face, I nod. In this moment, I’m Vegas. What happens here, stays here. That has to be the motto of the storage room anyways. I can only imagine the number of people sneaking kisses or more in here. The scratches on my hands burn at that thought. Where is disinfectant when you need it?

  “Good. If my parents ever found out, I’d be shipped off to the farthest all girls catholic school.”

  “Got it, I’m Vegas, shoot.” I tell her.

  She nods at me, even though I can tell she wants to mock my statement.

  Instead, she says, “Yeah, well. You wouldn’t know this at first glance, but my family is catholic. And that means, all inter-relations of the unmarried sort is kind of frowned upon. You know what I mean?”

  I nod my head yes, “No, I’m sorry what?”

  She laughs bitterly.

  “What I’m saying is, the reason Jesse and I were hiding out in here, is because we’re kind of dating in secret. My dad would flip if he knew about him. I’m lucky he hasn’t branded a purity ring on my finger yet.”

  Jesse must be the surfer boy, and the name oddly fits. What doesn’t fit is the fact that the Harris’s are catholic. Didn’t I witness them saying a football prayer? Do Catholic’s even joke about that kind of thing? Clearly, they do. What’s even more surprising is the fact that I (a demon since birth) hasn’t caught on to this little tidbit until now. I really need to be more observant.

  I mime zipping my lips and throwing away the key and say, “These lips are sealed. No worries.”

  She sighs in relief. I suddenly have the urge to memory block her, like that would help relieve her stress for some reason. I know I’m not the cause, but I did add to it. As helpful as it would probably be, I just can’t do it. Not after what I did to get the money that got me my ticket here. That’s one convenience store worker that has an hour or so missing from their life. I won’t do that to Ashley too.

  Not when she is just starting to trust me.

  Then of course, she gets a guilty look in her eyes, and I can only wonder. Whatever she says next, I brace myself, it’s sure to be a doozy.

  “That means you can’t say anything to Chance about Jesse either. They’re friends. So it’s way worse than just my dad finding out. Can you keep that from him?”

  I look at her like she’s lost her mind. Why would I not be able to keep this from him? We’re not exactly bosom buddies at the moment, or that we were ever.

  “I don’t think that’ll be a problem Ash. We’re not exactly talking as it would seem.”

  She nods, looks away, and then looks back.

  “So, what was that about this morning? Are you guys hooking up or something and have a fight?” She asks a little too bluntly for my tastes.

  I jump back with my hands warding her off, a wild look in my eyes.

  “No. I mean, I don’t know what’s going on with him, and no, there is nothing going on in the hooking up department.” I say in a fast squeaky voice.

  “Oh. Well if you were, just give him time. He’s like a girl, with the emotionally equivalent time of the month syndrome. He’ll deal.”

  I nod.

  Boys get emotional too? That is so weird on so many levels.

  But that would explain him acting strange, I guess. It definitely makes me feel better to be let off the hook though. With a few more promises to remain like Vegas, I finally get to retrieve my history book and she lets me leave the room. With the knowledge that I’m never stepping foot in that room again, I hastily make my way back to class.

  For the rest of the day I wonder if space will cure Chance of his problem.

  I hope so, but the way my life is going, I wouldn’t count on it.

  Chapter Ten

  It’s pretty obvious that Ashley didn’t really believe my denial that there wasn’t anything going on with Chance and I. That’s mostly due to the fact that the following morning, she is suspiciously absent from the garage when I go down for the ride to school. If I’d known it would just be me alone with Chance for an entire car ride, or that I’d see him looing so glum by his car, I would have added a little spice to my wardrobe.

  Since it’s colder today than it has been, I’m wearing layers that consist on a long sleeve shirt and that huge pink hoody that goes to mid-thigh on me. Not sultry in the least. But like I said, that’s hardly the point, especially since Chance is leaning against his car looking so down and out. His expression gets darker when he glances up at me when I reach the bottom of the stairs.

  For the life of me, I so want to bolt in the opposite direction.

  All my confidence since I moved here, gone.

  Poof.

  Even looking not like himself, he still has that pretty boy look going for him, a look that I can’t help but to admire. Especially his eyes, they pull at something inside me. Something I never thought another person could make me feel. Too bad this feeling isn’t reciprocated.

  I stand as still as a statue at the base of the stairs, almost like I’m afraid to get any closer to him. Oh who am I kidding? I am scared to get closer to him. Just yesterday, he coldly took back a jacket he gave me at a moment of sweetness. I’m not likely to forget something like that. It’s almost crueler than some of the things my family has put me through. And that’s saying something.

  Clutching the straps to my backpack, I avert my eyes, looking everywhere but at him.

  He looks at nothing but me. I can feel it like a heat pressing down on me.

  It’s not a nice feeling.

  I hear him shift away from the car. He’s closer to me now. So are his lingering eyes.

  Keeping my voice cold, I say “Where’s Ashley?”

  “She’s sick.”

  Yeah right, I want to yell. I really doubt she is so sick she can’t come to school. Wasn’t she making-out with surfer boy yesterday and demanding my silence? I so have the feeling she’s forcing the space issue with her brother and I. She is such a sneak. I could learn a thing or two from her. So could my family.

  I nod at him.

  No other words come to mind. Or, I guess, I just don’t have anything else to say.

  “Rabbit.” He says softly, suspiciously closer than the last time.

  Glancing back to him, sure enough, he’s standing right in front of me now.

  Startled, I jump back. And as luck would have it, my ankles slam into the base of the stairs. This of course throws off my balance. So naturally, like a clumsy damsel, I start to fall ass over teakettle. I can almost feel the bruises forming before I land. Except, I don’t. Land that is.

  Strong hands stop my collision course.

  I find myself staring in the crystal clear blue of Chance’s eyes, which are oh so close to my own. My breath hitches in my throat. Neither of us moves, as if I’d want to or could at the moment. His hands on my upper arms keep me in place. That is if you don’t count the way I shiver at his contact. Just his hands, sends a flurry of goosebumps up my arms, I can’t imagine what would happen if something else were touching me.

  Like his lip perhaps?

  Speaking of those, they are even closer than his eyes. Up this close, they are even fuller than they looked from afar. As the phrase goes, he definitely has kissable lips. I just wish he would move the fraction of an inch closer, and then I’d find out if that phrase is true or not. That doesn’t happen though.

  In the nex
t instant, Chance is pulling back and with me in tow. Once I’m back in a standing position and no longer falling to my death, he releases his hold on me. It doesn’t take him long to make sure he’s a safe distance from me again. I feel cold where his hands were. The shivering doesn’t subside.

  I watch as he turns away from me and runs his hands through his hair, making it get all ruffled like a peacock’s feathers. It makes him look even more irritable if that’s possible. But I don’t watch him the way someone would if they found him irresistible. No. I’m pretty sure confusion, hurt, and some more confusion radiates off of me. He is one hard boy to figure out. The urge to slap him silly comes to mind.

  Then he’s facing me again.

  Looking guilty he says, “Sorry rabbit.”

  Is he apologizing for spooking me again or the other handful of things? He is very hard to read. It’s a little annoying. Okay, a lot, annoying.

  I nod. Not sure how to respond.

  He looks away groaning.

  I look away too, but with tears in my eyes. I’m not really sure why exactly. But, this hot and cold business is so not for me. I had enough of that for a lifetime. I didn’t come here to make a fresh start, only to run head first into whatever this is between us. It’s only been what? Not even two weeks? Ugh, I need a vacation already.

  “We should get going if we want to make it to school on time.” Chance says softly.

  He’s right, but for the life of me, I so don’t want to get into the car with him. It just doesn’t feel right to me. Not like this. I just can’t do it. So I decide that I won’t. I’m a big girl (a demon girl) and can take care of myself. I don’t need anyone to help me when it’s very clear they don’t want to in the first place. Besides, he should have to anyway.

  He has no allegiances to uphold regarding me. I’m his parent’s tenant, not their ward.

  As he makes his way back to his car, I move from my frozen spot and head in that general direction. Assuming I’m heading to get inside the car, he opens his door and starts to climb in. Only I bypass the passenger door. I’m not even through the entrance of the garage before his voice stops me.

  “Rabbit, where are you going?”

  In a voice stronger than I feel, I say “To school. Don’t want to be late right?”

  He sighs.

  “Come on, it’s getting cold. Please get in the car.”

  Now I sigh. Really? Just like that? He just expects me to take whatever he dishes out, like it’s nothing? Why on earth would I get in a car with someone that can’t stand me?

  “I don’t need any favors Chance. I appreciate the gesture, I do. But you don’t have to be polite. I’m capable on my own.” I tell him in a less then stronger voice.

  “I’m sorry, I am. Will you just get in the car please?”

  Shaking my head, I glance at him over my shoulder, not willing to move any closer.

  “Chance, I-” I start, but he cuts me off.

  “Please, rabbit?”

  There is a pleading in his voice. It tugs at my heart. It makes me nod my head and silently walk over to the passenger side door and climb in. I so have the will of a dandelion standing during a summer storm. Climbing in just as silent as me, Chance starts the car and is pealing out of the driveway, before I realize this isn’t going to go well. Not the drive, oh no, that’ll be fine I’m sure. I mean this thing between us. I don’t know what it is, but I see it being destructive.

  We’re halfway to school when he breaks the silence first.

  “So, are you going to the Homecoming game on Friday?”

  I look at him like he’s gone completely bipolar and say, “I wasn’t really planning on it. I’m new, so my school spirit is still simmering.”

  He laughs. I blush. He’s not about to ask me to the dance is he? If he does, I swear I’ll be going into heart failure.

  “Well, even so, you should check it out. I have to go, the team demands their quarterback be present, the bastards.” He says with another laugh.

  Who is this Chance? He’s not the same sullen boy back in the garage. Did I fall and hit my head and am dreaming? That has to be it. This Jekyll and Hyde thing is really getting on my nerves.

  I remain silent, so he says “You know, my parents wanted to know if you wanted to ride with them. I understand the need to be independent, but if you want, you can go with them. I’m sure Ashley will be there, so it won’t be completely awkward.”

  You mean awkward like this little ditty? I don’t even know what is going on. This is the most he’s ever talked to me. I just wish I was of half a mind to listen better. Participate even.

  After a brief pause, he continues “I’d like to have you there rabbit. Would you come?”

  My pulse speeds up then, and I can feel him watching me. Stupid, he should be watching the road. But I don’t say this. I don’t say anything. I just stare out the window, wondering how I could have gotten myself in such a mess.

  He sighs.

  “Please, I’m begging here. I could use the luck.”

  I scoff at this. Since when am I anyone’s good luck charm? If anything, I’m more bad more bad luck than anything. But his words pull at me, and I know I shouldn’t even bother putting up so much of a fight. I’ll just give in at the end. I know. He must know it too. Or he wouldn’t be trying so hard. So I ease the tension out of my body. Look away from the window and towards the stupid boy watching me.

  “Fine. I’ll go.” I tell him.

  He smiles.

  “Good. That’s good. I’ll let my mom know she can expect another passenger on Friday.”

  I nod.

  After finally giving in and looking at him, I can’t find it in me to glance away. His eyes have that spark back in them. And he’s smiling. Not just any smile mind you. Oh no, it’s that sly one that has become my favorite thing in the world. That’s when I smile.

  I could get used to this, this moment, just as it is. I really could. I just hope it lasts.

  ***

  Come Friday, things have gotten into a steady pattern in my life. Or whatever that is anyways. At least there hasn’t been any drama, so that’s a plus. The downside, there hasn’t been much of anything to recount. I’ve been so busy with school and work, while Chance has been busy at practice for the big game. We haven’t been alone since we were set up by Ashley. And set up we were, by the way. She confessed.

  As it would happen, for a girl that was too ill to go to school, she showed up that night when I was working. She was far to chipper, and I knew right away when I saw her. Then of course she came clean about ditching school to force Chance and I to talk. Even though her plan worked, I made certain she felt guilty. That worked for about twenty minutes of me glaring at her over a counter.

  So naturally after I thanked her, she wanted all the details. There weren’t that many to give. I told her the basics though. That whatever it was that bugged him, he seemed to be working it out somehow. I’m glad for that at least. But I can’t say that I’m not curious, because I am. To know why he disliked me all of a sudden is something that has been nagging at me. Ashley didn’t know either and we filed it away as emotionally challenged.

  That sounds about right to me.

  And as luck would have it, after gossiping with Ashley at work, Toby seems to be backing off slightly. The only thing I can guess there is that he heard me talking about Chance. Just as well though. It saves me from having to turn him down, in a real way. Of course, none of the above stops him or us from being friendly at work. This is good. I don’t think I could handle anymore boy drama at the moment. And guess this? There are other workers at my home away from home. Crazy right?

  So that means I get the night off, to go to a football game.

  It sounds more exciting than it really is, especially since I’m not a huge fan of the sport. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching guys run around in tight pants just as much as the next girl. But ask me to explain more than the mechanics of the game? I couldn’t really tell you. This is
probably why I’m standing in front of my mirror, trying to decide what to wear.

  The problems I have. Who would have thought that my biggest problem would be clothes? Not I, says the grateful demon girl. I pretty much have my outfit narrowed down to two choices. The first is something pleasing to the eyes, and for Chance’s benefit. It’s an almost too short skirt and a jacket type blouse thing, which oddly has something going for it. The other, is less eye appealing and more weather based. Since it’s getting colder and colder out, I figured I’d need something warm to wear while sitting outside. So this one is just jeans and a tee under that warm pink hoody I love so much.

  This really shouldn’t be so hard. I’m sure Chance won’t even see me, so the eye candy outfit is probably moot. Yeah, that works for me. I could totally go for the warmth factor. Finally decided, I swap out my comfy pants for jeans and simply toss the hoody over my head. I’m just straightening my clothes in place, when a knock sounds at my door.

  Oh good, she’s just in time.

  Rushing over to the door, I twist up my hair into my favorite knot. It’s firmly in place by the time I reach it and yank it open mid-knock. A startled Ashley falls forward a little, with her arm raised in for another knock. I laugh as she stumbles inside, and give her an appraising glance. Apparently, she isn’t the type to go the warmth factor while selecting clothes for an outside game.

  “You ready chick-a-dee? The rents are heading for the car in twenty. Then we’re out of here.” Ashley says, as she gives me a disapproving look.

  No doubt she’s comparing our outfits.

  “I’m ready. And don’t look at me like that. I don’t want to be cold.”

  She snickers and points to my too large hoody (that used to be hers by the way).

  “You certainly won’t be cold dressed in that frock, so no worries there.” She tells me mockingly.

  Now I scoff at her.

  “This frock, as you call it, was yours you know. Besides, I’m not trying to impress anyone.”

  Her face softens. So does my glare.

  “Daria, you might not be aware of this, but you’re a girl. And being a girl, gives you these little attributes that are pleasing to boys. And since my brother is a boy, you might want to consider showing some of your goodies.”