I'm Not Daria
The plan was prepared by Mrs Daralyn

Anna and I celebrated the win with two buckets of delicious ice cream each and our favorite movie marathon until the early hours of the morning.

After that we rested in our rooms to sleep. At the breakfast table, the atmosphere became awkward. There were only the four of us Apparently, we all woke up rather late and had lunch instead

not breakfast.

I have a reason to get up late. Because I celebrated by watching movies and unhealthy food, so I slept late.

However, I wonder why the two businessmen woke up late. They don't have anything to celebrate, they wake up late for the first time since I've lived here.

From what I know about them, they are very strict with their schedules and will not 'waste time to sleep'.

Devan looks handsome and for this time he is not wearing his business suit at the dinner table. The dark circles he had a few days ago had disappeared and he almost looked happy. How could he be happy? If lose. I won't be able to look him in the eye for the rest of my life.

As the awkward silence between the four of us began to choke, I cleared my throat and glanced at Devan with a grin on the face.

"So how does it feel to lose, loser?"

Anna nudged my shoulder with her hand.

"Don't be mean to her. We meant it when we said that you two should behave like civilized people to each other.

" What happened yesterday wasn't childish enough for you?"

I rolled my eyeballs at him. "alright. You're not fun."

Devan looked up and gave me a charming smile. I'm appalled. It almost looks like a real smile.

"You'll know better because you've failed in your life. I have achieved so many things in my life. Not to brag, but if I start making a list of all the things, it might take a while. Losing in these children's games means nothing. This might seem like a big deal to people like you because this is probably the first thing you really achieve. So, sorry, I can't give you the satisfaction of seeing me disappointed, but I'm not disappointed." He said while standing up. "I'm sorry, but I have to go and work, not stay at home, like useless people".

Yeah, it must be his statement that he said every time he lost to me.

I glared at Anna. "You didn't say anything to him. He's mean to me".

"This is not what we have in mind."

Gio muttered. "You are impossible."

....

"What happened to you guys?" Mario asked while cutting vegetables for lunch. It had been four days since the desired incident occurred, Devan and I had ignored each other at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We rarely see each other anywhere else.

This did not go unnoticed by Gio and Anna and they both had forced me to befriend her. Such a thing would never happen.

The other cook was working on another dish and I sat down at the kitchen table, chewing on chips while watching Mario cook.

I decided not to cook today, so I could only watch him cook.

I shrugged my shoulders. "You noticed?"

"Yes, it's been pretty clear from day one that something big has happened."

"Yes, I mean we're forced to put aside our differences and start a new one. Getting to know each other and stuff like that". Obviously Anna and Gio don't seem to understand our disinterest.

"So you're ignoring each other?"

"Yes, I don't want to be friends with his stupid face."

Mario chuckled, "Don't say it out loud, if he hears you, you'll die."

"Do you really think he's scary?"

"If he's angry, he's scary"

"He's not at all scary to me. What did he do to you?". Much

"He never did anything. There are some people, you know, who do nothing but still look scary. She's like that to me." He chuckles.

....

Anna looked up to look me in the eye and Devan looked as if she had not heard him.

"Yes" I replied unclearly.

"We were very upset last year on your nineteenth birthday because you still haven't been back for an entire year and we missed your birthday. We've spent almost two years of your life, Daria. Don't think we've forgiven you for that. But I'm so happy to at least be able to celebrate your twentieth birthday together. It'll be your best birthday, I'll make sure of it." He said and I knew I wouldn't like that day.

Strange as it may seem, my actual birthday is only a few days away. All you need to know is when Daria's birthday is.

"Please don't make it fancy. I want something simple".

"You will love what you have planned" promised Ms. Daralyn, smiling at him reluctantly.

After dinner, I grabbed Anna and dragged her to the search room where she lived.

...

"I want you to find out exactly when Daria's birthday is. Just ask your mom casually. And also ask her what she's planning and if you can help her. Okay? Just try to prevent him from doing something that would involve me revealing myself to the world".

Anna nodded. "I want to talk about the same thing with you. Should I go and ask her now?"

"No, it's already night. He might be suspicious. Just ask him tomorrow".

"Okay," Anna nodded. I left her room to go to my room.

I hadn't checked my old phone in a long time, so I carefully pulled it out from under all the makeup products that were piled up in one of the drawers. I turned it on and saw there were more than three incoming calls from Mrs. Angelo.

I decided to call him for a minute. Checking to see if I had closed the door properly and walked out to the balcony just in case.

He picked it up after four rings

"Darla?" His fragile voice sounded from the other end of the phone and smiled

"Hi, Mrs Angel, how are you?".

"I'm fine, but where are you guys?"

"I can't tell you."

"All right, but I hope you both are safe. It's been too long since you two went nowhere".

"Have we lost our jobs?" I asked anxiously, not wanting to lose the job that has been living for me.

"No, baby never will. Actually for a while I've hired three workers to keep this cafe for a few days until you get back. I thought you'd be back before your college starts again after summer break. Aren't you going back then? Almost ten more days of your college gonna start".

Shit, I completely forgot about college. Summer vacation is less than ten days away and I can't be out for too long.

"I don't know yet. I'll tell you when we come".

"Okay, take care of yourself".

"You too, Mrs Angel. You don't sound too healthy."

"Nothing to worry about. I just feel a little weak lately and a little feverish."

"OKAY. Take your medicine on time and please say hello to Mr. Angel".

"All right, baby,"

I hung up the phone, my mind raging with many thoughts. On one hand I was worried that my true identity would be revealed and on the other hand I had to worry about my normal life.

What about college? What about the rent that should be given at the end of the month? What about my old and small apartment? What about my stuff over there?...

Thinking about my old life, I realized I wasn't so sure about coming back, feeling more comfortable here, which would make it even harder for me to adjust to the old life when I could finally get back. More than me, Anna will be the one who will find it most difficult when we suddenly return to our former selves.

what I'm gonna do next. There is no way out of this mess. The only thing you can do when there is no way out is sleep.