I'm Not Daria
Caught?

At about ten p.m., there was a light knock on the door of my hotel room, I frowned, thinking about who might be there at the moment.

I got off the bed that was previously curled up under a warm blanket and watched a movie out of boredom and yet wanted to sleep.

I opened the door and found Luna on the other side. She was wearing shorts and a dark brown sweater.

"Can I come in?" He asked and I opened the door wider.

"Of course"

He came in and sat down on my bed. "So I've thought of something. Honestly, that thought never crossed my mind until now, not knowing whether you would agree or not and you didn't need to, just know that it would be better if you agreed."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I sat next to him.

Luna crossed her legs. "I think you should reveal yourself to the world as David and Daralyn's daughter".

For a minute I just stared at him. Surely I didn't hear wrong?

"You mean go there? Tell the media about the story I made? Tell them that I'm Daria?" ask me while sitting next to him.

"That's what you need to do, I just passed Daria's parents' room and heard voices and they were talking about you. They're getting suspicious, Darla".

"What did they say?" I asked, furrowing my brows in worry.

"Well, Daralyn just told David that she felt strange because it had been a month and a half and Daria still refused to formalize her return. David was just trying to find an excuse for that, telling her that maybe it was because you were afraid of the attention you would get and let me tell you it wasn't like Daria."

"What do you mean?"

"Daria is a person who likes to get attention, to be honest. She loves media attention and never misses an opportunity to pose in front of the paparazzi and answer any questions they ask"

"Why does Daria have to be like that?" grumbling

"He doesn't seem to mind the reporters who follow him as much as we do. he likes him." Luna added. "My friend is a unique person. It was strange for his family to accept that he was afraid of it because he was used to such attention".

"Do I really have to do that?"

Luna shrugged her shoulders. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice".

"But no, there may be a way. If Daralyn asks me, I'm just saying that I'm still not used to it and they'll understand, won't they?"

"That doesn't sound too convincing Listen, Daralyn and David are trying so hard to keep you out of the media, but it won't last long. Everyone became very curious as to why the family was acting strange and secretive. Soon, someone will find out about you and it won't even take a day for the whole world to figure it out. Birthday parties don't help either. The party was very lavish and heavily guarded and on Daria's birthday, there was already news circulating that the runaway daughter had been found. So, it doesn't matter if you show up or not. There were also some people at the party who couldn't be trusted completely. I knew I should have seen the guest list, damn it. But all those things aside, if one of them intentionally or accidentally reveals the news, then you don't have much choice."

"I'm tired of how often I'm reminded of not having a choice."

"I'm sorry. I know you must be feeling very lost, but I want you to know that there are people ready to support and help you. There's Bella, Anna and me too. We will always guide you. You're not alone." He reached out his hand and placed it on my shoulder awkwardly to give me comfort

My shoulders slackened in defeat. "Thank you"

Silence enveloped us, we needed time to process everything. Finally, I decided to break it. "What if the world doesn't believe my lies."

Luna glanced at me. "The world already believes Darla's many lies, this one won't make much of a difference".

"And what about Daria? I'm sure he'll know about me, too."

"That's what I've been thinking about all along. Never thought of me until now. How could it be so stupid? I'm his best friend."

"What?"

"Daria paid no attention to the news. He never read newspapers or any articles. He doesn't watch the news on TV. I'm pretty sure he's not starting to watch right now. There's no way she knows about you."

Luna looked at me sharply. "He had no friends there. He has none" .

"Where is he now? What's he doing alone?"

"He lived in a small beach house in the countryside and worked on a farm nearby."

"Seriously?"

"Yes"

"Wow, I could never imagine him doing that. Doesn't he miss his old life?"

"Of course, especially his parents."

"Why didn't he come back?"

"I assigned her to do the same one day and she said that she was glad she ran away because she found things about herself that she had never expected before," Luna was smiling. "He found himself, who he really is"

"That's great. And I'm stuck here being someone I'm not."

Luna laughed lightly "you sound as if you are complaining Come on, you must be enjoying your stay with the family:"

"That's right. It's a lot better than my old life, but there are still times that make me miss my old life so much."

"I don't see how a lonely life in college and a small job at a local cafe are something worth missing"

I shook my head. "really. This cafe is not like any other cafe for me. This is the second house. Madame Angel is my second home after my uncle and aunt - wait, how do you know about my part-time job?"

"i did your background check."

"Oh, like Pritta did"

"He did it too?"

"Yes, he told me. That's to make sure that I'm really not Daria".

"Yes, Bella told me. I didn't think she was in your college."

"So was the party yesterday. I almost peed on myself when I found out she was coming, too."

Luna laughed and I joined her.

"I have to go. It's late and I have to sleep well."

"Okay, see you. Good night."

"Good night"

Luna stood up and looked at me, "You don't have to worry. You don't have to go there now. We'll talk about it later when we get home. But I must tell you that it is important for you to formalize your presence. It will happen in the end, just not anytime soon. So, enjoy your time until that time comes."

I'm nodding. Thank you." Thank you." I followed Luna to close the door after she left.

Luna turned the knob and opened the door, revealing a figure right in front of me. We were both frozen in our place as our eyes were fixed on the person in front of us who had been at my doorstep for some time somehow long.

What if that person had heard it all and now knew who I really was?

I took a deep breath as the person stepped into the room, followed by Luna who took a step back in response.