AN: This is a sequel to Promises, Escapes & LoVe. I am just toying with the concept. I hope you all like it.
Shattered, Forgotten & Treasured
Chapter 1: Senior Year
Veronica
"I was hoping it would be you," the person on the other side says half drunk as they fall forward. Logan helps steady them as Leo makes an appearance. This hasn't turned out to be the best night or should I say morning.
"I'll call the Sheriff," Leo says as I walk behind Logan and him.
"What the hell happened?" Logan asks as I grab a bottle of water for Duncan.
"I was driving toward the Sheriff's station and I was stopped by the PCH bikers," Duncan says as I see Leo coming back with the first aid kit.
"Why did they stop you?" I ask as I pull out some wipes to clean his face.
"They just started yelling about how I murdered Lilly and I was going to pay for it. One of them said he heard it was the brother on the radio that killed Lilly," Duncan cries as I look toward Logan.
"Duncan," I was about to reassure him when there was another knock on the door.
"You can't just barge in here," Leo was saying as Lamb and Sacks both walked into our home like they owned the place.
"We are here for Duncan Kane," Lamb snaps as he shoves a sheet of paper into Logan's face.
"Are you serious?" I half snap and question at the same time.
"Not that it's any of your business, but Duncan is wanted in connection with the murder of Felix Toombs," Lamb sneers at me as I watch helplessly as he cuffs Duncan and walks him toward the door, but not before shoving him roughly into the railing of the stairs making him wince.
"Don't say a word Duncan. I'll call your mom," Logan says as I reach for him. He pulls me to his side as we watch Duncan being lead away.
It seemed like things just got worse from there. Duncan was charged with Felix's murder, and both his parents went to Napa to get away from the media. When Duncan was released from jail he moved into the Grand. The media that surrounded him was hard to stand, but Logan and I wanted t be there for our friend.
Duncan though broke up with Meg out of the blue, and wanted nothing to do with Logan. I tried to be there for him even though he was turning on all of his friends, but had to draw the line one night when he scared me.
**Flashback**
Logan had gone out to the beach behind our home with dick to surf and I was left alone with Duncan. We were sitting on the couch talking when things changed.
"I kept thinking that if we just stuck by you, that you'd get past this-this phase and you'd be you again," I say as he looks hard at me with an expression I couldn't quite depict.
"What are you talking about?" he half snaps at me getting agitated with the situation.
"I can't stand by you. Not with you and those kids who are refusing to let everything get back to normal. Someone's gonna get killed, Duncan. You won't talk to Logan or Dick anymore. Logan tries hard to get you to hang out with us, but you refuse," I say emotionally as I look toward the beach.
"If you haven't forgotten Veronica someone already has, did you forget that already? And most of the people in this town think I did it," he says louder as he shifts to sit on the arm of the couch instead of being seated next to me. He is becoming increasingly more agitated and emotional.
"The people you are talking about are my friends; they've got my back," he yells at me.
"It's not about protection, Duncan. It's about pride. Duncan you have more friends than you think, but you are pushing the people who really care about away," I say urgently as I try to calm him down. Duncan puts his hand up to his forehead, as if the words I am saying are lies.
"And, the thing that I can't stand or get over is that…I'm pretty sure there's a part of you that's having fun with all of this," I stutter slightly as I say the words out loud.
"Fun? Fun?" he snaps at me totally standing as he begins to pace like what I am saying is lies. He stops walking and turns around angrily, as he grabs a lamp that was beside the couch tossing it across the room as it slammed into the wall shattering. I jump frightened as he hovers above me.
"My parents have abandoned me, my friends aren't my friends, my best friends' dad murdered my sister and the one person I love with all my heart is shattering me with her words. You think I am having fun?" he shouts angrily at me. Logan storms in, while Duncan doesn't notice, "Answer me, okay? Just tell me the-," he is still yelling as Logan grabs him from behind. Logan locks his arm above his head as he pushes him into the wall holding him there. I am having a hard time catching my breath, as I watch unhappy as the scene unfolds before me.
"You don't talk to Veronica that way. You're leaving now and you're never coming back," he says as Leo moves closer to the guys. I turn my head and take a deep breath as I drop my head in frustration. I had really hoped to get through to him.
***End***
I haven't been alone with Duncan since then. I actually haven't really seen much of him. Dick told Logan that Duncan had been spending a little more time over at his house with his younger brother. It bothered me that Duncan closed us out, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from having a life.
"I can't believe school starts tomorrow," Dick mutters as he splashes water at Mac who falls backwards in the pool.
"I don't want summer to end," Meg says as she rubs her back. Meg had confided in me that she was pregnant, but wasn't sure what to do just yet. She knew it was Duncan's but when he broke up with her; she began staying over more.
"I know the feeling. Our dad says we have to attend classes," Logan says as he looks over at me. I had to laugh at his words because the moment his dad was arraigned and arrested for Lilly's murder my dad officially adopted him. I know that sounded strange seeing that we were married, but Logan wanted that.
"Papa Mars is a tough cookie to crack," Wallace chimes in as my dad pokes his head out the back door.
"Do I hear children who are not mine commenting on my parental practices?" he says as he walks out onto the deck.
"It was Wallace, Dad," Logan says as I laugh when Wallace splashes him.
"Have I not taught you kids not to turn on each other? I mustn't be doing a good job at that," he mutters as he looks toward me.
"I think you're doing a great job," I say as I give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks daughter of my loins," he says smiling at me. "How are you feeling today Meg," he asks as she gives him a thumbs up. We spend the rest of the day just hanging out in the back yard enjoying the sun.
I was approached the first thing by one of the basketball students Kelvin about helping him clear his name. It seems he didn't pass his drug test. I was going to pass up the case, until I learned that Wallace hadn't passed his either. I knew for a fact Wallace didn't do drugs so of course I took the case. Logan laughed as I dug up all the dirt I needed to throw the book at the real druggies.
I was excited as the first week flew by pretty fast. I solved my case, and made a few new enemies in the process. Logan and I both had Journalism again this year, and we were going to Shark Stadium for a field trip. I wasn't going to go, but then I thought about it. I would get out of school for the day. I was waiting in front of the school bus for Logan.
"Ah, young love," Duncan say as Logan takes my hand in his. I turn back to look at him. Duncan is leaning up against the bus, watching us. We walk toward him slowly.
"You're coming on the field trip? I figured you and the other Jets would be rumbling with the Sharks," Logan says as I move closer to him.
"Cool it, Action. I think I'm gonna pass on the field trip, but ah, call me when you get home, and tell me all about it," Duncan smirks at me as I turn back to Logan.
"Let's just get on the bus," I say as I pull him closer keeping him away from Duncan.
"Hey, wait. I'm gonna miss you.," Duncan says smirking evilly as Logan and I hurry past him. I look out the window as we find a seat and watch as Duncan drops his head as he walks away from the bus. He glances back toward us as my eyes lock onto his, he waves at me.
"Excuse me," the new girl Gia says as she tries to get past us.
"Sorry," I mutter softly as Logan and I walk further up the aisle to find seats. Logan sits down and pulls me in toward him as Dick sits behind us. Meg sits in the seat in front of us. Logan is holding my hand as we all are talking; he gives me an understanding look and kisses me on the forehead.
"Miss Dumbass," Dick calls out as she turns toward us.
"It's "Dumazz," Dick," she says with an all too happy voice. I knew Dick was just playing around with her, but sometimes he took things a little too far.
"Well, my name's pronounced "Re-shard" and it stinks back here. I think someone died," he mutters as I lean into Logan who shakes his head at his friend. Dick was more than that, but when he acted like a 'dick' that was what he was a friend. Yet, when he acted like the caring older bro he was that.
"You're free to sit closer to the front," she says waving her hand toward the front of the bus. He looks at the people sitting up there and just sits back down.
"That's okay. I don't think that's gonna help. Thanks anyway," he says as Logan gives him a smirk. Of course they were 09ers and the students in the front weren't. It wouldn't be correct to be seated with someone outside of your social class. I watch as Dick looks over at the other side of the bus where the girl who passed by us earlier was seated. She gave Dick a small wave and a smile.
"Hey, who's the lovely young flower blossoming into womanhood?" Dick asks Logan as I try to keep my laughter to myself as Meg looks back to see who he was talking about.
"Let me guess: you want to pluck her," he asks as Dick nods his head happily. I am amused by what those two can talk about as I shake my head. I move up a seat to sit with Meg as I play with my bag. She smiles at me as we watch the scenery past by.
Once we got to the stadium we were all escorted to a waiting area in the box seats where Mr. Goodman was waiting for us. I noticed that Beaver got real weird when he saw him, but didn't think anything of it. I pulled out my phone to see if my dad had called or texted me before sitting down beside of Logan.
Woody Goodman talked for a while about what his plans were, and he introduced his daughter to us. She seemed a little off to me, but Dick was just grinning widely as she sat back down next to him. I was amazed that Dick hadn't become a dad yet, with as much time he messed around. Once Woody was done talking we were free to mingle and eat. Logan and I were helping ourselves to food from a buffet.
"It's like, you know, what Willie Wonka would be like if he owned a professional baseball team," Logan says as Meg chuckles at his comment. I just look over at a display of Woody's Little League pictures and trophies. I see there is a signed bat at the centre of the display.
"You never played Little League?" I asked as Meg laughs even harder than Logan does when he chocks on his bite.
"Oh, well, no Mom was afraid a ball would hit me in the face. Aaron was afraid it would interfere with his interactions, and I was afraid I couldn't hit a curveball," he says as I shudder at the mention of Aaron. I knew the reality of it was Aaron didn't want anyone to know more they should have about Logan, especially when he beat him so much back then.
"I'm afraid you're gonna get love handles if you eat all that," I say as I pinch his side to check.
"I have an excellent metabolism. I would be more worried if it were you eating all of this," he jokes with me as Meg pulls a cheese stick off of his plate.
"Well then, it's official. I hate you," she mutters as I laugh. Meg was being very serious, more so since she was now eating for two. Logan laughs, as I spot movement out the window.
"Oh, check it out," I say as we look through the balcony and see Woody and another man argue. I looked closer at the man noticing it was Terrence Cook. I didn't know he played for this team.
"You did this to me," he yells at Woody.
"What?" Woody says a little taken back by what was being said. I watch as Logan recognizes the man as well.
"Wow. Terrence Cook in the flesh," he says looking from me to the legend.
"It's alright. Come on, I'll introduce you," he says happily as if it was the most natural thing pulling the man into the room.
"Hey, gang, special guest. The greatest Shark that ever played the game, back when we had pitching to go with our hitting, future hall-of-famer, Terrence Cook," he says shoving Mr. Cook into the room. We all begin to clap.
"They love you, man," he snaps before walking off leaving him in our midst. I see Dick coming over to us.
"Hey, we're not taking that stank-ass bus back to Neptune. My dad's sending a limo. Would you and your girlfriend, whose quick wit I find enchanting, like to take the trip back in style? Miss Dumbass said it was cool," Dick says looking over at me.
"Hell, yeah," Logan says quickly until he looks toward me. He is pleading with me using everything he had down to his big brown eyes.
"Fine," I say reluctantly as I turn to Meg.
"Cool," Dick says hitting Logan in the shoulder.
"I feel used and dirty," I finally say as Logan wraps an arm around me.
"Dirty, one R or two Rs?" he asks with a huge grin.
"Mmm," I say thinking of an answer to give him. He leans in and kisses me on the forehead ending my thoughts as he begins to eat from his plate. I watch as Dick approaches Meg on the balcony. It is obvious that he is asking Meg to come in the limo as well, but Meg, declines. Meg looks over at me and I give her a small smile.
"Logan I'm going to ride the bus with Meg, you know she doesn't feel right hanging out in a small space with, you know," I say as he gives me a look before laughing.
"Okay, but I will not sleep with you until you shower after being on that stinky bus," he says mockingly as I notice Terrence approach the buffet table. I turn to him with a huge grin.
"Excuse me, Mr. Cook?" I say as Logan nudges me.
"Yes ma'am," Terrence says as he puts some food on the plate.
"I just wanted to say…you are my dad's favorite baseball player ever. He keeps your rookie card vacuum-sealed inside a safe," I say as Logan laughs behind me. He knew full well that I was telling the truth my dad showed him the card.
"Well, that is an honor. You tell him "thanks" for me," he says as he shakes my hand. I stand shocked as I look back to Logan who now has an amused look on his face and his phone in his hand.
"When my dad finds out about this, he's not gonna let me wash this hand," I say as Logan takes a picture laughing as Meg comes up to us.
"So, who's your favorite player?" he asks as my mind goes blank for a moment.
"Ummm..." I stutter trying to think again. Meg is laughing at me as Logan smirks.
"Tell him and be honest Sugerpuss," Logan says smiling at me.
"It's Johnny Damon, isn't it?" he asks not shocked at all.
"He's so pretty," I say as Logan snorts out in laughter behind me holding onto his side as Meg elbows him.
"I got your back," she says giving me a grin. We both start laughing at Logan's expression. An hour or two later I watch as Logan and his pals all get into the limo while Meg and I get on the bus.
"I hear you can go back to cheerleading," I say laughing as Meg smiles. I knew why she failed her drug test, but the school didn't know the real reason.
"I know, but I think it would be hard to do a somersault trying to keep your balance with a huge tummy," she says smiling.
"Well you have all of us," I say as she turns to look out the window.
"I know, but I really thought Duncan was the one," she mumbles as I nod. Meg took it hard when Duncan broke up with her. She was mad at me for a long week because she knew it was because of me, but in the end she also knew I was happily married.
"I hope Duncan gets his head out of his butt and realizes what he's missing," I say as the bus pulls into a gas station.
"Five minutes people," Ms. Dumazz says holding up her hand.
"Do you need anything?" I ask. Meg shakes her water bottle at me as I lean back into my seat. I didn't need anything either. Our instructor was true to her word as we left right at five minutes.
"Whatcha doing," Logan says as I answer my phone. The bus is going around a bend.
"Sitting on a bus," I say as Meg laughs at my response. I can hear Belinda playing a recording of Dick up in the front of the bus with some of the kids.
"Is that Dick's voice?" Logan asks surprised.
"Yeah it seems he has a fan club here," I mutter laughing as I hear the guys in the limo singing. "It sounds like you guys are having fun as well," I comment.
"I wish you and Meg had come with us," he says softly as his words pull at my heart strings. I should have gone with him, but I also wanted to be there for Meg. Meg has been going through so much and needed some support.
"I know," I say as I see a flash of bright light and hear a loud banging noise as I reach for Meg pulling her close to me as the bus lurches to one side before flying in the air.
"Veronica," Meg gasps out as we are slammed forward when the bus hits the side of the rocky cliffs and then water floods in all around us.
"Hold on to me," I yell as I pull her close right as the water pulls the bus all the way in. I try to move, but have a hard time catching my breath as the water floods my mouth suffocating me before I see darkness.
