Chapter One:

A/N: This is my first FF ever so keep that in mind while reading! This is an AU story taking place after Not Pictured but before Veronica and Keith leave for New York. I have two different ways this story can go based on how long I am going to make the story. I guess it will depend on how much time I have and whether or not people are reading this. So here is chapter one, enjoy!

Veronica

I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about all of this. Cassidy was a good kid. At least I thought he was. I hate him; for what he did to me, to the kids on the bus, to Mac. But on the other hand he was also a victim. Fucking Woody Goodman. I'm happy Cassidy is gone, so no more harm can be done to anyone else but it didn't have to end this way.

I look down at my black dress. That's such a cliché; wearing black to a funeral but I know that at this funeral, if anyone shows up at all, no one is going to be celebrating Cassidy's life. All they will be thinking about are the fucked up things that he did. I am included in that group of people. So I think black is an appropriate color for today's events. All of this makes me think of the person Cassidy could have been. So today I will mourn for that boy, the boy that he could have been. The boy that Mac thought she saw. Oh, Mac. I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for Mac. I know she needs me.

I see out of the corner of my eye my dad putting down a plate of toast on the table. I just stare at it. Yeah, like I am in the mood to eat anything right now. Doesn't Dad understand that he could have died? I get it he wants to move on with his life. He wants me to move on with mine too and I know I should, it's just hard.

I hear Dad say, "You should really eat something."

So, to humor Dad I pick up a piece of toast and I hold it with no intention of actually taking a bite. I am saved by another comment from Dad when there is a knock on the door. My dad goes to answer it and I see my boyfriend. I know now I have to put on a brave face, he doesn't need to worry about me anymore than he already is.

I run over to Logan and hug him. He wraps his arms around me and I know there is no other place in the world where I would feel safer. He is dressed in a suit and despite the fact that I know this isn't the time or place; I can't get the thought of how sexy he looks, out of my mind. Logan kisses the top of my head and he drags me back to the kitchen table. He grabs a piece of toast and starts eating it. I give him a lot of credit for being able to eat right now because I know he must be feeling the same as I do.

I decide right now that I have to stop only thinking of my own feelings. They aren't what are important today. My best friend just lost her boyfriend and Logan's best friend just lost his brother. Despite my hatred for Dick, I know that's unimportant now. I cannot even begin to imagine what Dick is feeling.

Ever since the events of graduation day, Logan has been visiting Dick at his house and from what Logan told me, Dick's a mess. I mean, the kid could drink before but nothing like this. Logan checks up on him every so often but doesn't stay too long. Being the guy that saw Cassidy jump off the Neptune Grand, makes Dick sick to see the sight of his best friend. When Dick sees Logan over there, he screams at him, that he could have saved him. So, now Logan tries to stop by after Dick has drank himself to sleep. The kid is like clockwork; Wake up, drink, nap, wake up drink some more, maybe puke, and definitely cry everywhere in between.

This makes me think of Mac and I wonder for the thousandth time that summer how she is. I have stopped by numerous times but every time I do her mother tells me the same thing, "Cindy hasn't come out of her room. I'm sorry Veronica. I'll let her know you stopped by."

I voice my concerns to Logan, "I'm worried about her."

"Who Mac? Yeah, I'm pretty worried too." I'm not sure if Logan and Mac had ever spoken two words to each other before this whole mess but after finding Mac alone in that hotel room, I have a feeling Logan is going to make an effort to be Mac's friend. There is no unseeing that sight; Mac wrapped in a shower curtain just broken.

"I just feel so helpless you know? I want to help her but I don't know how. I want to help Dick too. I can't even imagine."

Logan raises his eyebrows. "Dick? You feel bad for Dick? That's a first."

I laugh, maybe the first real laugh since graduation night. "Logan! He may not be my favorite person sometimes but he's your best friend. That makes him my friend. I want to be there for him too."

"I don't think there is anything we can really do for them except be there for them, for whatever they need. I think I'm going to go to Dick's. Make sure he is dressed and now suffocating in a pool of his own vomit."

"Maybe, I'll head over to the Mackenzie's. Take Mac to the funeral. Knowing her, she would just stay in bed and skip it but I know once she gets out of this funk she won't forgive herself for missing it."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you at the cemetery?" I nod and he kisses the top of my head. I wish we could just stay here forever.

"Give Dick a hug for me." Logan laughs. "What?" I question. I'm not understanding what's so funny about that.

"I doubt that Dick is going to let me come near him with a ten foot pole let alone let me hug him. Bye, Mr. Mars. Thanks for the toast."

Dad waves to Logan, "Bye Logan. Good luck with Dick."

"Thanks, I'm going to need all the luck I can get." On that note, Logan walks out of the apartment.

My dad asks me if I want him to drop me off at the Mackenzie's on his way to the office. I tell him that I'm going to drive myself. He heads towards the door ready to leave for the day, when I run up and hug him. "I love you so much, Dad. You know that right?"

"Of course, Honey. The feeling is mutual. Be safe."

I am now alone in the apartment. Before I leave to go to the Mackenzie's I take a deep breath, now ready to face the day.