Redefining Friendship
AU:Lilly died and Veronica is still hated at Neptune High. Everything is the same at school except Veronica is dating Troy and Logan is still dating Caitlin Ford- she didn't cheat on him. Takes place the week after Weapons of Mass Destruction's bomb threat/framing. Veronica and Logan have not kissed, but she did help him with his Mom's suicide- they're sort-of friends; but they both snark to keep up appearances, plus its better that way. Classes may have different characters in them than originally. Don't laugh about the 'Life Skills' title- my high school actually renamed Home Ec. The mysteries are going to come in whatever order I feel like making them.
Chapter 1:Skills of Life
Veronica walks into the Journalism room She is a little out of breath, as she is late. Everyone is just sitting in the room, talking to one another.
"Sorry I'm late, I… Wallace, where's Ms Stafford?" Veronica asks, looking around confused.
Wallace shrugs "Don't know V, she's not here. Where have you been Superfly?"
"I had to wrap up things with Mandy- she says thanks by the way for finding her precious Chester," she answers taking a breath to tell him more about the shelter.
Van Clemmons walks into the classroom. It is the day after Veronica's article showing Ben's frame-up of Norris was printed, and Veronica had already been told that Norris was released.
"Students, in light of the most recent… article in the Navigator, Ms Stafford has decided that her services would be better appreciated at Pan High." Van Clemmons says while glancing at Veronica. She smirks at the 'article,' but sits up straight when she hears that her teacher is gone.
"While we in the administration are finding a new Journalism teacher, you all will be taking Life Skills with Ms. Vankley. Please head to her room after I leave. You will treat her with the same respect that you do to any other teacher… I mean it Mr. Casablancas." He continued, looking pointedly at Dick on the other side of the room.
"Why are you telling me… dude, 'Life Skills'? Isn't that just a new name for Home Ec? I don't need to know how to cook- delivery, hello?" Dick responds.
"Hey V, think you and I could just get an A for your snickerdoodles? Those things would make Jon Stewart love Crossfire." Wallace whispers to Veronica, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"I'm not sure Wallace; do I want to show everyone my recipe for the crackdoodles? If they all know my secret, will you still be my friend?" she replied, as she glanced to the corner. Logan's head was on the desk next to a computer where Caitlin was seen IMing furiously.
The view pans back to Van Clemmons, who turns his back on Dick and speaks to the class again.
"You all will follow me to the Life Skills rooms now. Will you wake up Mr. Echolls Ms. Mars? Thank you and bring your things everyone."
The rest of the class gets up and follows Clemmons out. Veronica sighs and walks over to Logan and shakes his shoulder with a roll of her eyes. Caitlin sits next to him and glares.
"Get your hands off my boyfriend Veronica Mars, he doesn't need herpes."
"Well Caitlin, I'm sure he's built up some sort of immunity to most STDs or he'd have dropped dead while dating you for a month." Veronica snaps, she's never been a fan of Caitlin but since she and Logan started dating the girl had acted even more like a princess. "You should get to class, cooking is kind of a requirement for a trophy wife."
Caitlin stomps off after blinking at Veronica while trying to think of a comeback.
"Was there a reason you came over here, other than to molest me Mars?" Logan asks, smirking.
"Yeah, originally it was to tell you Mr. C wants us to go learn how to be good housewives- but getting into a snit with your girlfriend was an added bonus." Veronica states, shifting her weight to one leg and tapping a foot "Come on, I've already been late once today."
"Well if you stopped sleeping around, you wouldn't need to worry about being late." Logan says while gathering his things.
"Oh, pregnancy jokes! How far you've come from the backstabbing whore rumors of yore." Veronica says wistfully.
"Never think you're not worth my creative time Ronnie, I always make sure something new comes to mind." Logan chuckles while slinging his backpack over a shoulder and motioning towards the door.
Veronica laughs, "I have to admit, creativity is never something you've lacked. Nice job with the car-through-the-flagpole job, by the way…"
The two walk out of the room joking with each other. Next they enter the Life Skills classroom, which has four separate kitchenette stations set up. Most of the other students have gotten their groups already. Dick, Caitlin and Casey in one kitchen and look bored. The teacher, a brunette woman wearing an apron looked at the two and sighed.
"Mr. Echolls, I have been told expressly that you are not allowed to be in a group with Mr. Casablancas. Mr. Fennel, would you mind if he joined you and Ms. Mars in your group?"
"Doesn't look like I have a choice Mrs. Vankley. It's cool, as long as he doesn't talk or whip out a tire iron." Wallace says, looking meaningfully at Logan; who hold his hands up and smirks.
Mrs. Vankley looks confused for a second, but moves past the odd comment. "Thank you, I guess. Veronica, nice to see you again. Let's get started." The teacher smiled and moves to the center of the room.
"Welcome to your interim class, Life Skills. We will only be cooking in here, as I agree with most of you that sewing is simply a waste of time, given that none of us make our own clothes. Hopefully I'll get rid of all of you before a fire starts," the class looked stunned while Veronica twists her mouth into a wry smile. "today we're simply going to go over the standard kitchen safety facts, as some of you have never cooked your own meal. Depending on how long it takes to find a new journalism teacher, I think our goal will be to make a meal together and take it over to the homeless shelter for the holidays."
"Mrs. Vankley, I can't participate in class, I have a very strict diet--" Caitlin starts, before getting interrupted.
"--I don't think you heard me Ms. Ford, we will be donating the food we make- if it's edible…"
She trails off talking to the class more. Veronica, Wallace and Logan look at each other for a while before she begins to talk.
"Listen you two; I am not going to do all the grunt work simply because I'm a girl."
"Yeah Ronnie I know, besides- what if we get points taken off for everything leaning to the left?" Logan asks as Wallace laughs.
"What? Stop glaring at me V, you know all your cakes do that- how did you know that?" he asked, turning to Logan.
"We used to be friends Wallace, I told you that. Both of you can shut up, as each of you knows how much my cookies rock. Logan may not have gotten any recently, but being a raging jackass will do that. Should we be worried about Dick being near heating implements and sharp objects?" Veronica responds, turning to Logan.
"Yeah probably. Hey, how do you know Mrs. Vankley? She said it was nice to see you again." Logan asks.
"Oh, my dad and I helped her get her car back after it was stolen a few months ago. She's pretty cool, and won't let your bulimic skank of a girlfriend get away with much, so prepare to be bitched at after this class is over. What do you see in her anyway?" Veronica says, while looking through the drawers checking to see if they had everything.
Logan chuckled and looked towards his girlfriend, "Probably what you see in Vandergraff- a reflection; as both are so shallow. Never figured you to go out with a guy like him."
"What kind of guy did you 'figure' I'd be dating Logan? And think about your answer carefully, as I just looked though and now know where all the knives are." Veronica asks exasperated, not bothering to turn around.
"I don't know Ronnie, aren't you still pining after DK? I always—"
She slams the drawer closed and turns around. "No Logan, I am not still hung up on Duncan. It was a year ago. Why do you all think that? He's part of a different me. One who didn't know how awful you could be as a friend." Veronica interrupts, and then turns to Wallace.
"V, you know I'm taking your side- but I've got a basketball game, and the bus leaves in ten minutes. I gotta go grab my stuff. I'll call you later, sorry. Man, I'm telling you- watch what you say to her." Wallace picks up his bag, and Mrs. Vankley nods at him as he leaves the room.
"Well, he was protective. Maybe I was wrong Ronnie. You and Walter seem to be quite close. Do I need to speak to Vandergraff about your relationship with him?" Logan asked turning to Veronica again.
"Logan, my 'relationship' with Wallace is more platonic than the one between you and Dick. He's waving at you by the way." Veronica snarked, motioning to Dick who is indeed waving to Logan from across the room.
The camera views Mrs. Vankley who is finishing her talk to the class. Veronica and Logan can still be seen talking to each other in a harsh manner. Caitlin is looking at her fingernails, while Dick and Casey are poking each other with egg beaters.
"OK, homework. Each of you will come next time with five recipes that you as groups feel you could create. Work together, and write up which person will do what in the kitchen. I will look through and decide which you will make for the class after next."
"Look, why don't I just choose a few things I know I can make and write up the tasks? See you later Logan." Veronica says, turning to walk out of the room with the rest of the class.
"Why Ronnie- are you asking me to lie about my involvement in a group project? Because that would be wrong. No no, I think we need to meet and discuss this as a group. How about tonight?" Logan asks, grabbing her arm. "We'll have to meet at your place, because the value of my home would go down if you came on the property."
Veronica glowers at Logan and responds, "No can do Logan, I'm working at tonight and we should involve Wallace if you're going to be all 'we need to work as a group.'"
"Call him later. Come by your office after, or I'll have to spend the time talking to your father." Logan smiles, ignoring Caitlin who is waiting impatiently nearby.
"You wouldn't." Veronica stated, then realizing that he would indeed bother her dad, and possibly with stories about her goings-on at school replied "Fine. I'll try to be back by seven. But if I miss getting a photo of the cheating wife with the pool boy, you're buying my new boots. Now go away, Super-Tan Barbie looks like she's going to eat something if you don't stop her."
"Yes, what would the world be coming to if I dated a fattie? Catch you later Mars."