Story [Daria] Choice of the Cheerleader

Choice of the Cheerleader
01 – Illness of the Cynic Chick Part 1
It may be said that a massive change of events may start by something which would otherwise be insignificant changing. For instance; Brittany Taylor upon being invited to the Zon, Zone or Zen Nightclub by a boy named Terry, or Jerry, deciding to ask her stepmother for help dying her hair instead of doing it herself.

“So, why do you want to do it, honey?” Ashley Amber Taylor asked her stepdaughter after she had asked.

“It would be something different,” Brittany answered. “I would do it myself, but I thought you would do it better.”

“Just because it’s something different?” Ashley Amber asked. She knew Brittany was hiding something.

“Yes!” Brittany said.

“Ok, We will run out and get the dye.”

“Sure!”


Half an hour later, they were ready with the dye Ashley Amber had helped Brittany choose. A dye that was an appropriately dark colour, and which wouldn’t leak out all over the place.


However, seeing the state of the nightclub and Terry or Jerry having abandoned her after one dance, Brittany was miffed. The music was totally assaulting her ears and Andrea was also there (of course she was) giving her a raised eyebrow. She retreated into a restroom. “I can’t stand this! What was I thinking?”

“Brittany?” came a voice to her left.

Was that Daria? “All right, so Kevin is a stupid, selfish, conceited jerk. He's still better than Terry or Jerry or whatever his name is and this stupid club.” She had had enough.

“Who's Terry or Jerry?” Daria Morgendorffer asked.

‘Oops!’ She didn’t want anyone to know. “Oh, no! I've said too much!” She saw that something was up with Daria. “Eww. What happened to your neck?”

It was kinda, red. “Huh?”

“Your neck. It's all, like, blotchy.”

Daria looked closely at her reflection. “Ugh. I don't know.”

That was something else wrong. “I'm not surprised you could catch something in a horrible place like this.”

“Uh, Brittany, could you do me a favour?”

She wasn’t sure. “Um... yes?”

“Find Jane and tell her I had to leave?”

She could do that, but… “Sure, but... will you promise not to tell Kevin about Terry or Jerry or whoever?”

“In the unlikely event that, through some bizarre set of circumstances, I actually end up conversing with Kevin, I won't tell him about Terry or Jerry,” Daria responded.

“Thanks.”

“Daria? You’re in there?” an older guy asked at the door.

“Don’t worry.” Brittany went to the door and found that it was one of the singers of that terrible band that had been playing. “Have some consideration for female modesty, please!”

“Oh, sure, sorry,” the guy said.

She went back to where Daria had entered a stall as four others exited another one. “I’ll tell Jane.”

“I won’t tell Kevin.”


“Brittany?” Jane Lane asked when another girl came up to her and Trent. She wasn’t sure why the usually blonde cheerleader had dyed her hair a dark colour, but it looked good on her. The loose waves also looked better than the pigtails. ‘Why am I appraising her hair?’ She supposed it would make for a good portrait.

“Daria asked me to tell you that she had to leave.”

“Really?”

“Yes!” Brittany said.

“But why would she tell you instead of coming to me.”

“She had her reasons.” Brittany turned her head to the side with her arms crossed.

“Right…”

 

The artist's eye is always alert ... good portrayal of confidences and the yuck that is teenage angst.

 

Part 2
After Jane and her brother (as she had realised) had left looking for Daria, Brittany also left. It had been an exhausting night, but when she looked in her bedroom mirror before changing she found that she quite liked what she saw there. She wasn’t sure what to make of that.


The next morning Daria told Jane what happened as they walked to school. “Look, I’m sorry about last night,” she said after concluding.

“Aw, forget it. It was a rare opportunity, getting to hang out with Brittany in a grunge club. Although her hair did look good.”

“Really?” Daria asked.

“I thought it would make for a great portrait,” Jane said with a shrug. “Any idea what caused this so-called rash?”

“I wish I knew.”

“Anyway, the important thing is that instead of going to your friends for help, you ran screaming into the night.”

“Basically,” Daria said.

“Perfectly logical response.”

“I thought so.”


For Brittany, not much happened. Other students did give her strange looks as they noticed that her hair was a different color, but that was to be expected. However, she also noticed that Daria wasn’t in class in the later periods after she had run out in Language Arts. Was it that blotchiness she saw in the club, causing her to want to go home?

The next day, she caught up with Jane between classes. “Jane?”

“Brittany? I see your hair is still dark.”

“Never mind that now! Have you seen…” she paused and dropped her voice to a whisper, “Daria?”

“Why would you want… Daria?”

Jane had jumped to a conclusion. “What makes you think I want her? I don't want her.”

“You asked me if I’d seen her.”

“She hasn't told you anything... interesting about me, has she?”

“No one's ever told me anything interesting about you,” Jane answered.

‘Really?’ Brittany asked herself. “That's a relief.”

“Anyway, she'll be back in a day or two. She's in the hospital while they check out that ra... rare condition.”

Brittany knew Jane was going to say ‘rash’. “Condition?”

“Yeah, she's come down with a slight case of, um, brain fever,” Jane answered. “It’s a thing that brains get.”
‘Really?’ Brittany thought. “Wow, that sounds serious!” she said.

“No, no, usually if you just read a best-seller it'll go away. So, um, no need to mention it to anyone. I'll tell her you asked about her.”

“Just ask her if she remembers our deal.”

“What deal?” Jane asked.

“What deal?”

“The deal you just mentioned.”

It was a bad idea, Brittany decided. “I didn't say anything about a deal. Forget I said anything about a deal.”

“Forget I said anything about a hospital.”

“OK.”

“Hey! Now we have a deal.”

“What deal?” Brittany asked, confused.

“Later,” Jane said before leaving.

“Brain fever,” Brittany considered as she twirled her hair. She knew what to tell Kevin at least.


She met with Kevin, Mack and Jodie at the Pizza place after school. “Babe, why is your hair still dark?” Kevin asked with his usual confusion.

That wasn’t what she wanted to talk about! “Never mind that now. Did you know that Daria has brain fever?” Given that she had made a deal with Jane she didn’t want to say anything about a rash. But she was still concerned for Daria!

“Brain fever?” Jodie asked incredulously.

“Yeah. Doesn't that sound serious?” Brittany answered.

“You get the scalpel. We can use my dad's barn as an operating room,” Mack joked.

“We could use your basement,” Kevin said. Brittany wasn’t sure he got the joke.

“Brittany, I’m sure if it was serious, Daria would be in the hospital,” Jodie said.

Oops! “Um…” She didn’t want to break her deal with Jane!

“What?” Jodie asked. “She is in the hospital?”

“Eep!” Brittany let out.

“She’s not in the hospital?” Jodie asked again.

Brittany squealed with frustration. “I promised I wouldn't say anything about the hospital because I made a deal with Daria and she kept her part and I kept my part but then I made another deal with Jane and I didn't even know I was making it and now I didn't keep my part because I told about the hospital so now Jane's going to tell about the deal and I didn't mean anything by it I just wanted to see what other kids do at night who don't do sports and he didn't mean anything to me, Kevvy, I swear it!”

Kevin made some connections. “So… she is in the hospital!”

Brittany nodded.

Jodie and Mack exchanged a look.


Kevin arrived at Mack’s house and rang the doorbell. His sister came to the door. “Robbie? Is Mack Daddy home?”

“You know he hates that, right?” Robbie asked. “I haven’t seen him.”

“Oh! Can I check?”

“Sure,” Robbie said.


The basement was empty. Mack wasn’t there. Nor was Daria. ‘Of course. She’s still in the hospital.’

“He wasn’t here?” Robbie asked.

“No,” Kevin said. “See you later.”

As he drove away, his concern for Daria grew, although he was also wondering why Brittany had dyed her hair. Again.

 

Charming dialogue throughout.

 

Part 3
Brittany approached Daria’s hospital room. (She wasn’t sure what to make of the orderly’s references to ‘Mrs. Sullivan’.) She heard Jane speaking. “…They probably haven't even noticed you’re gone.”

She entered the room. “Daria?”

Daria was surprised. “Brittany? What are you doing here?”

She twirled a few strands of her loose hair. “Um, I just wanted to thank you for not going back on our deal, and I thought I might find Jane here and tell her I did kind of go back on our deal, but I also kind of went back on your part of our deal so there's no use in you doing that.”

“We had a deal?” Jane asked.

“And to see how you were,” Brittany added, ignoring Jane’s question. “Um, you're kind of red.” The lighting in the night club was a lot dimmer than in that hospital room.

“Yes, but I’m probably okay,” Daria said.

“Great!” Brittany said.

“What was our deal?” Jane asked.

Brittany was about to answer when Mack and Jodie entered. They must have arrived at the hospital straight after her.

“Daria?” Jodie asked.

“What are you doing here?” Daria asked as Jodie and Mack went over to her.

“Well, Brittany said you had some brain fever or something, but you weren't in the hospital. So, I kept asking Jane, who finally admitted you had a rash and you were in the hospital.”

‘Oops!’ Brittany thought.

“So, we just figured we'd come down here and see for ourselves how you were,” Mack added.

“I’m probably OK,” Daria admitted.

“So, that’s cool,” Mack said.

“For a human lobster,” Daria added.

“Oh, so you're a little red. It could happen to anybody,” Jodie said.

Mack gave her a look, looking at her and himself.

‘Of course, it wouldn’t be as obvious on them,’ Brittany thought.

“Well, it could happen to lots of people,” Jodie added.


Quinn entered Daria’s hospital room. She hoped to see Doctor Phillips. She saw that Jane, Jodie Mack and Brittany were already there. ‘A bit busy,’ she thought. She wasn’t sure why Brittany was changing her look. But this wasn’t the time to ask her why. “Daria?” she asked.

“Quinn?” Daria asked.

“How are you?” Quinn asked.

“Oh, I’m…” Daria began.

But Quinn interrupted. “Is that Dr. Phillips coming by today? I've got, um, a twinge.”


Kevin then entered the room. “Daria?” he asked.

‘Is everyone coming here?’ Quinn wondered.

“Kevin?” Daria asked.

“What are you doing here?” Brittany asked.

Kevin gave her a strange look before saying. “I went over to Mack's house and, like, the basement was empty. Daria, am I glad to see you!”

‘What’s he talking about?’ Quinn thought.

“Um, thanks Kevin.”

“I was afraid they’d start the operation without me,” Kevin added.

Daria gave Mack and Jodie a look.

“It’s a long story,” Mack explained.

“Maybe later, when you have your strength back,” Jodie added.

Then another, older person entered. “Daria?” she asked uncertainly.

“Who are you?” Daria asked.

“I’m Mrs. Sullivan. Did I leave an enema bag here?”

‘Ew!’ Quinn thought.


“I don’t think so,” Daria responded to Mrs. Sullivan. She could see Quinn and Brittany both looking uncomfortable as a result of her question.

“Sorry, I just wanted to check,” Mrs. Sullivan said.

“That’s OK,” Daria said.


No one else arrived after Mrs. Sullivan left. They chatted for a while before leaving. Jane watched Quinn go last. “Did she really come here because of Dr. Phillips?” she asked. “And what’s up with Brittany and her hair?”

“Somewhere deep down, Quinn does care. But I’m sure she won’t admit it,” Daria said. “As far as Brittany goes. I’m not sure.”


The next Monday, Brittany thought things over as she got ready for school. It turned out that Daria’s rash was caused by anxiety. She wasn’t sure what Daria had to be anxious about. She supposed that it was something she wouldn’t know about.
She twirled a strand of hair as she thought about this. She had already decided to keep her hair dark, still liking the difference. She tied it into her customary pigtails, ready for the new school week.

But she didn’t know that difficult times were ahead.

 

Quite the comic scene with the crowd populating the room - LOL at Mrs. Sullivan's embarrassing question. *looks forward to more*

 

02 – A Fair of Change Part 1
Brittany heard cracking above her. She broke off from Kevin.

“What is it, Babe?” he asked.

“I think the roof is falling in!”

“That’s silly, Babe. Roofs don’t fall in!” Kevin objected.

But that was what happened next. But as it was only a partial collapse, the shelves protected them. ‘How are we going to get out of here?’ Brittany wondered. But she saw that only one of the shelves had fallen over and that there was an open window nearby. “This way!” she said to Kevin.

“Are you sure?” Kevin asked.

“Yes!” Brittany took his hand and lead him toward the window,


“But, Babe! It’s raining!” Kevin complained. He wasn’t sure why Brittany wanted to jump out of the library window into the rain. But then there were many things he was confused about, including why Brittany had dyed her hair black. He was still trying to take in what had just happened.

“It’s better than staying in the library where the roof has just fallen in!” Brittany explained.
“Besides, more of it might fall.” She started climbing through the window.

Kevin sighed as he heard more of the strange sound from earlier, and quickly followed his girlfriend through the window.


Brittany ran into the school’s main building, with Kevin close behind her. They were both soaked. ‘Uh!’

“What is the meaning of this!” It was Ms. Li.

“The library roof has fallen in,” Brittany answered.

“No, it hasn’t!” Kevin said.

Brittany elbowed him.

“Ow!”

“Don’t mind him.”


Angela took the information the Cheerleader had just given her. The Library roof? Falling in? That definitely wasn’t good. “Was anyone else there?”

“I don’t think so,” Brittany answered, as she twirled a pigtail. That was an annoying habit.

“I’ll find someone to check,” Angela said.


It was the next day that Brittany found that the library roof falling in had more consequences than the library being closed for repairs. Her Language Arts class was interrupted…

“Now, why do you think it is that Tolstoy felt he had to make War and Peace so darned... unpleasant? Daria?” Mr. O’Neill asked.

“So, no one would pester him to do a sequel?” Daria asked.

“Hmm,” the teacher began.

But then the interruption happened, as Ms. Li entered the room. “Good morning, young people. I have a very sad announcement. The library will be closed until further notice.”

“Great. There goes the only place I can go to be alone,” Daria commented.

“Oh, you know that’s not true,” Jane responded.

“To raise money for repairs, the school will be presenting a medieval fair, simulating life in the Middle Ages,” the Principal continued.

‘That’s a great idea!’ Brittany thought.

“Yeah!” Kevin commented.

“Volunteers are desperately needed. Those who refuse to volunteer must voluntarily purchase a ticket for ten dollars or voluntarily face suspension. Have a nice day,” Ms Li said before leaving.

“That may be the stupidest thing I've ever heard of,” Daria commented.


After class, Brittany turned to Kevin. “Babe, this is very important to me. The Cadbury Tales are, like, classic, and I think I'd be great in the play. Just do the audition with me,” she said. She hoped that he had learned his lesson from the Coffee House back in the Fall.

“Oh, Babe…” Kevin let out.

She knew he was trying to get out of it.

“Because nobody plays a love scene like you, Kevvy.”

“Oh…” Kevin responded as he tried to think.

“Now, go practice.”

“Yes, ma’am. Break!” He ran off.

‘Oops!’ He had misinterpreted her yet again.

“Your lines!” she called out.

“Wow, where’s he going?” It was Quinn.

“We're going to be in a play together at the medieval fair.”

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“We’ll be the most popular ones there,” Brittany said.


Quinn looked as Brittany walked away. “Oh no you won’t!” she murmured.


“And so, Kevvie and I will be auditioning for the Cadbury Tales,” Brittany explained.

“That is great, Sweeite,” her father said.

“You’ll have a great time,” Ashley-Amber added.

“Thanks.”

“But what if Kevin doesn’t get the role?” her father asked.

“Then I’ll be annoyed at him!” Brittany said vehemently.


Ashley Amber knocked on Brittany’s door. There was something she wanted to ask.
“Yes, Ashley-Amber?” Brittany asked after she opened the door.

“Sweetie? Would you like me to help you practice for your audition?”

Her stepdaughter twirled a lock of hair. “Um, sure.”

“I also did the Canterbury Tales when I was at school.”

“Great! It will be a great help.”


The auditions were well underway.

“I will make a dainty garland for my head and sing,” Brittany read.

“Very good, Brittany,” O’Neill praised. “Now, the wedding scene.”


“I do, Palamon,” Brittany said.

“Yeah, me too.” He began kissing Brittany but she backed off after one kiss.

“I pronounce you, husband and wife.”

Brittany slapped Kevin. “Making out isn’t in the script!”

“Oh!”

“Let’s give someone else a chance to audition. Brittany, you can stay. Kevin, I’m afraid that while you bring something special to Palamon, the performance doesn’t quite, measure up.”

“Oh!”

“Corey Bateman, you can come up.”

 

Oh boy! *dives in*

Such a frequent author lament.

The plot thickens ...

 

A Fair of Change - Part 2
Quinn was annoyed. Brittany’s audition, while rather good, wasn’t an excuse for Mr. O’Neill to not consider anyone else. She wondered what to do about it. Then it hit her. Sabotage! “She won’t know what’s coming!” she said darkly.


The fair was already underway when the Morgendorffers arrived. Both Quinn and Daria took leave of their parents. “Daria! Quinn!” Helen called.

“That’s funny, they were here a minute ago.”

Helen saw Linda Griffin approaching, along with her husband and children. “Linda. Tom!”

“Helen, Jake,” Tom greeted.

“Have you met, Sam and Chris?” Linda asked. “Kids, say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Morgendorffer.”

The two boys ran off. Sandi rolled her eyes.

“Too bad Quinn lost out to the Taylor girl,” Linda said.

“There will be other opportunities,” Helen said in a neutral tone. “The competition was fairly stiff.”

“That’s not the way I heard it,” Linda shot back.

‘Of course, Sandi would misrepresent it,’ Helen thought with a glance at the girl in question as she too, wandered off.


Brittany arrived at the fair. It was well underway. She turned to Kevin. “Now, Kevie, I want you on your best behaviour!”

“I always behave, Babe,” Kevin responded.

Brittany knew that was a lie. “I mean, don’t cause trouble at the theatre! Especially if you see me with someone else on stage.”

“You mean, Corey?”

“Exactly!”


Sandi found the rest of her club looking at a pie stand. She noticed Stacy sobbing over some boy or other. “… Stacy, what’s wrong? You look awful.”

“Yeah, really, really bad,” Tiffany added.

“Was it Bret Strand?” Quinn asked.

“Yes!” Stacy paused to let out a sob. “He said he'd call me after our first date but he never did, and I just saw him and I said hi and he pretended like he didn't even see me.”

“Bummer,” Sandi said.

Quinn glared at Sandi.

Sandi glared back. ‘Now’s not the time, Quinn.’

“I have an idea,” Quinn said, with an edge to her voice.

“What is it?” Sandi asked with annoyance.

“Sabotage!” Quinn said.

“Quinn, are you suggesting that we sabotage the production of The Canterbury Tales” Sandi asked.

“Exactly, Brittany got the part instead of me.”

‘Oh, revenge is it?’ Sandi asked herself. She could work with that, and figure out a way to make it backfire on Quinn. “Sure, let’s do it!

“Um, count me out,” Stacy said with more nervous fidgeting than usual.

“Stacy!” Sandi said.

“Eep! I’ll help, Sandi.”

“What are we doing at the theatre?” Tiffany asked.

“Wrecking Things,” Quinn declared.

“Um, sure,” Tiffany said, although there was tinge of uncertainty in her usual slow tone. “I can’t believe Brittany got the part over you. That’s so wrong.”

“She won’t do a good job if I have anything to say about it!” Quinn said vehemently.

“But what about Bret?!” Stacy asked.

“Sta-cy, we’re going to be making sure that airheaded cheerleader, like, won’t become any more popular!” Sandi shot back.

“Um, sure,” Stacy said. “But I can’t get it out of my mind!”

Sandi sighed. “Let’s get to the theatre.”

The Fashion Club then started moving.


Daria and Jane saw a girl run from the Fortune Teller’s booth, sobbing. Ms. Barch had struck again.

‘Much, much better off,” Jane commented.

“And she’s the living proof,” Daria added.

“Should we get our fortunes read?”

“I’ll pass. Knowing the present is bad enough.”

“Then how about a Ferris wheel ride?” Jane asked.

‘Are you kidding?’ Daria thought to herself. “Do I look desperate to you?”

Sam and Chris appeared. “Crusades! Crusades!”

Upchuck appeared in the opposite direction. “Ladies... wait till you hear the Ballad of the Misunderstood Minstrel.”

“Do I look desperate to you now?” Daria asked.

“Yep,” Jane said.

“Let’s go.”


They came up to the ferris wheel.
“You’re in luck. One basket left.”

Upchuck had followed them. “Hey, come on. Listen to my song. It's only got 12 verses.”

Sam and Chris had followed them, but they turned their attention to Upchuck as they boarded the basket.



At the theatre, they were almost ready to start the play. “Now, I want everyone to take a minute and visualize the audience,” Mr. O’Neill said. “As we finish our wonderful play, they finish their delicious dinner and leap up as one in a standing ovation. Brava! Brava! Everyone.”

“Brava, Brava!” the cast repeated.

“Yum, yum!” O’Neill said.

“Yum, yum!”

“Now, let's bow our heads for a moment and remember poor James Dean.”

‘Hopefully just James Dean,’ Brittany thought.


The Fashion Club entered the auditorium. “Um, Quinn?” Stacy asked, more nervously than usual. “How are we going to sabotage this?”

Quinn had been thinking about it. She grabbed a copy of The Canterbury Tales. She saw Kevin looking annoyed on the side of the stage. “Kevin can help.”

“Huh?” Sandi asked. “How?”

“By taking his stupidity into account. Duh!” Quinn responded. She went over.

“I’m taking your propensity to make things up as you go along into account,” Sandi murmured.

“What?” Tiffany asked.

“Never mind.”


“Quinn?” Mr. O’Neill asked.

“I just wanted to say something to Brittany,” Quinn said innocently.

“Something encouraging?” the teacher asked.

Quinn nodded.

“What is it?” Brittany asked.

“I just wanted to ask if you knew how to say the words,” Quinn stated.

“I know how to say them,” Brittany retorted. “Ashley Amber coached me. “

“Oh,” Quinn said. “Are you sure?”


Brittany knew what Quinn was doing. It would have worked on Kevin, but certainly not on her. “Of course I’m sure,” she shot back.
“Well, say a line, then,” Quinn said peevishly.

“No!” Brittany objected. “I know what you’re doing.”

 

Yes, yes it is. I'm enjoying vicariously revisiting the teen years in your story, fine characterization of "types."

 

Part 3
While Quinn was talking to Brittany, Stacy approached Kevin. “Kevin.”

“Yes?”

“I’m wondering if you can do something for me.”

“Like, what?”

Stacy handed a copy of the Canterbury Tales to Kevin. “I’d like you to read from this near the stage when Brittany is on.”

“Um, Sure,” Kevin said in an unsure tone.


‘That Quinn!’ Brittany thought. Was she jealous or something? She tried to consider this but Mr. O’Neill chose that moment to call her to the stage. She hoped that the play would go well.


The play did start off well, but that soon changed…

“I will make a dainty garland for my head and sing!” Brittany said.

Corey said his line, but quietly. Kevin took that as his que.

“Um… Mixed up something…” he said loudly.

People laughed.

Corey repeated his line louder.

There was more laughter.

Brittany was annoyed. She then spoke her next line as she had practiced.

Kevin then turned some pages and shouted out something else. The infamous ending of The Miller’s Tale…

“KEVIE!” Brittany shouted. “Stop!”


When Daria and Jane got off the ferris wheel, Upchuck and the Griffin boys were gone. Jane stated as such.

“Good. Let’s see what else there is,” Daria said.

“Sure,” Jane said.

Jodie ran up to Daria and Jane. “Guys, can you help me out? There’s some sort of riot in the auditorium. Just watch the information booth while I find Ms. Li.”

“Uh oh! Someone has given us responsibility,” Jane said.

“The day has suddenly turned sinister,” Daria added.


Brittany wasn’t sure what had gone wrong. The auditorium was a mess. People were still throwing food around. She wasn’t sure how to stop it. She ducked as a pie came her way. But she knew that Quinn had something to do with it. “Just wait until I get my hands on her!”

She looked around carefully and quickly found Quinn near one of the sides. ‘I have you now!’ She then crawled towards her.


Quinn saw Brittany coming. ‘Uh oh!’

“You!” Brittany said with hatred.

“You would have done the same!”

“I wouldn’t have!”

“I don’t believe that!” Quinn retorted.

“You! You!” Brittany then leapt at her.


The riot was still continuing, so no one paid attention to the two girls as they fought each other. Quinn quickly found herself losing, as Brittany was surprisingly skilled. ‘She must have taken lessons!’ she realised as she was pinned down, with her arms behind her back. She struggled, but the cheerleader was quite strong.

“Why?” Brittany asked.

“You know why!” Quinn said obstinately.

“That I said I would be the most popular?” Brittany asked.

Quinn nodded.

“That doesn’t mean that you should have done this!” Brittany exclaimed.

“Alright! I was wrong!” Quinn admitted.

Brittany let go. “Don’t think this is over!”

“It isn’t!” Quinn said petulantly.

Brittany was annoyed. She and Quinn didn’t have to be enemies. ‘I hope this is the last of it,’ she thought as Quinn walked away.


Overall, she thought that the Medieval fair was a good idea. But Quinn’s behaviour had put a bad taste in her mouth. She decided to go home.


Jodie came back to the information booth. “The riot is over now,” she said to Daria and Jane.

“What happened?” Jane asked.

“It seems that someone caused a misunderstanding on stage,” Jodie said. She turned to Daria. “I’m afraid I suspect that Quinn had something to do with it.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Daria responded. “I guess it’s time to go.”

“Yes, the fair is winding down,” Jodie said.


Brittany returned home.

“How did it go?” Ashley-Amber asked.

“The play was sabotaged!” Brittany answered.

“Sabotaged? How do you mean?”

“One of the other students was jealous.”

“Oh,” Ashley-Amber said.

“I think we’re now enemies,” Brittany said sadly.

“Isn’t that a bit dramatic?”

“It’s mostly on her part.”

“Mostly?” Ashley-Amber asked.

“I was angry at her! Still angry at her.”

Ashley-Amber hugged her step daughter.