He walked along the hallway scanning the crowds as he went, always looking for 'her'. Their time was always much to brief online and she flat out refused to be seen with him until he learned to drop the smarmy act in public. He tried, he honestly did, but it was just too hard to put yourself out there and be sincere. He always panicked and slunk back to that hideous persona that kept people away, including her. At least when he was 'Upchuck' he knew there was no way to get hurt cause no one in their right mind would fall for those creepy lines. If only he could get over his fears. He knew she liked who he was inside, but dammit look at how beautiful and smart she was. What she saw in him, he hadn't a clue, and he couldn't trust that she wouldn't wake up and realize just what a loser he really was.

There she was! He watched as she stood at her locker so close, but he didn't dare talk to her in public. Jane might see, and Jane's opinion was the only one that could sway her away from him forever. She had wanted to tell Jane. Apparently she was convinced that Daria and her brother were meant for each other and Daria wanted to tell her to stop Jane from teasing her. He had begged her not to tell, and she had agreed, reluctantly.

At first she seemed to think he was ashamed of her. She didn't know just how wrong she was, or how beautiful. That stuck up sister of hers had made her so damn self-conscious. He tried to explain how he felt, how afraid the thought of letting his guard down made him. Miracle of miracles she seemed to understand. God he loved her! Now if only he could overcome his damn fear for her. If only.

She shut her locker and turned to walk down the hall. He caught her eye, her face lit up in that secret little smile she had only for him, and then she walked away. He watched her move away and wished again he could let his damn guard down. He sighed and turned, heading for his next class on the other side of the school. Her name and face were running through his head as he moved through the crowd; Daria.