She had no time to say or do anything it seemed as whatever had transpired between both guys in her absence overflowed into Mask feeling he had to leave them be. Watching him walk away she turned on Rivers immediately.<br/><strong>"Are you happy now?</strong>" she asked pushing her glass back onto the table,<strong>"I like him, okay. I just do and ... if you're not happy about that, then tough Rivers. I know ...okay, I know how long we've waited for today but ... this just happened and I can't explain it. I really like him."</strong><br/><br/>Rivers frowned instantly as Mask went away, that had not been his intention at all. He was seriously getting everything wrong here and he knew exactly why. Daria's declaration of her feelings towards the guy were made clear and he felt more uncomfortable than ever.<br/>"It's not that ... I am .. sort of happy for you" he hung his head in mortified silence for a moment, "I think I'm jealous is all. Not of him with you but ... of you with him. He's lovely."<br/>Shrugging his own shoulders as he pushed his hands into his pockets he waited for her to explode on him but it never happened. Instead she flung her arms about him and chuckled lightly.<br/><br/><strong>"We always did have similar taste"</strong>she winked releasing him and standing back a little,<strong>"So what happens ... I don't want to leave him. I want to be with him, Rivers... but our friendship means the world to me, you know that. If you tell me to back off of Mask then I will."</strong>She waited for his verdict knowing in her heart exactly what he was going to say before he even said it. She watched him shake his head and give a little sigh. His right hand coming up to brush some of her hair back from her face.<br/><br/>"Go get him... I'll be fine" he glanced about the room, "seriously I will, look at all the hot guys in here."<br/><br/>Daria grinned but knew she couldn't leave him just like that, she grabbed his hand and attempted a gentle tug.<br/><strong>"You don't have to be on your own, come with me. He'll understand. I'll explain everything"</strong>she smiled though the widening of Rivers eyes told her he was not happy with that scenario at all. He shook his head vigorously.<br/><br/>"No Daria, that would be seriously awkward. Just go ... I mean it, go before I change my mind" he turned her around and pushed her towards the exit, watching as she turned to face him, gave him a small wave before disappearing into the throng of people listening to the supporting act.<br/><br/>Jostled and pushed this way and that she felt as if it was forever before she finally saw him. An elbow into her shoulder and a tug of her hair as she continued to make her way forward, casting disparaging looks at the offenders before at last she was beside him again.<br/><strong>"Mask"</strong>she was breathing heavily from her exertion through the crowd. She couldn't believe the rush of emotion that overcame her on seeing him again and sliding her hands about his neck pressed herself closer to him as she hugged him.