I caved and wrote another chapter! I guess this means this is a multi chapter fic... I couldn't resist! This is the absolute worst time to be writing since the semester just barely started, but how could I say no to writing a young Victoria fic? Hang tight and enjoy the ride, these next few months will definitly be interesting! And to all those history nerds out there, don't kill me if everything isn't completely historically accurate in this chapter... I really tried to keep up with the time period (mid 60's) and I think I did okay but I'm only human.
The streets were just about empty. Everyone was still asleep- it was barely ten in the morning. Victoria liked walking back and forth alongside the shops that lined the narrow two lane road when things were quiet and peaceful. Not only was it a chance to get out of the house, but it was an opportunity to catch up on all the changes going on in the world. Although the quaint little town of Milbridge New Jersey hardly ever changed, the world around her was evolving on a daily basis. She remembered when her teachers made everyone in the class practice putting their hands over their heads and crouch under their desks, saying that Russia was planning on blowing the entire country to smithereens. And she believed it, too. Now, all anyone could talk about was the war over in Vietnam. It was the only topic circulating between the eight channels that existed on the tv in the soda shop. She usually watched the footage when she was bored, only to give her something to do. Witnessing soldiers exhaust everything they had for a seemingly lost cause always made her spirits low and heavy with sadness. Was the rest of the world just as hopeless?
As Victoria slipped through the wooden doors of the soda shop, she instantly glanced up at the black and white TV to see what was on. It was a clip she had already seen before, one of the generals was hastily giving updates on the troops.
"Hey kid, what's new with you?" A man with a white apron asked from behind the counter as she set her bag full of groceries next to one of the barstools before climbing up, sending him a broad smile.
"Nothing much. I finished shopping earlier than I thought I would... Mom makes the list smaller every now and then."
"Who would've thought," the man replied with a chuckle, beginning to scoop ice cream into a tall glass. "It gets lonely when you don't come in. How's school going?"
She shrugged, leaning forward on her elbows. "Okay I guess. Sometimes it's really boring."
Things got quiet between them for a moment; she watched him mix the ice cream in the glass.
"How can you watch the same stuff on the tv all day?" She asked, "it's depressing to watch people die all the time."
Her comment brought his attention back to the tv screen. "It is depressing isn't it. But what can we do? They're doing a brave thing going out there and fighting for our country."
It was hard to think something so violent was all for a good cause. "Guess so. Still sad."
Topping off the glass with whipped cream, he slid it across the counter and straight into her hands. "This should cheer you up. A classic vanilla float for the one and only Vicky Harper."
Handing him a dime, she gladly accepted the skinny metal spoon and took a scoop. "One of these days, she's gonna find out that I don't give her all the change," she said with a slight smile, before sticking the spoon in her mouth.
"You deserve it after all the stuff you do for her!" The man said, wiping the counters down with a white cloth. "I should have a talk with her one of these days."
"I wouldn't bother trying," she told him, poking the spoon around inside the glass. The topic of her mother never brought a good feeling. However, a thought entered her mind from out of the blue, and she couldn't help but put it into action.
"Hey Gus, can I ask you a question?"
A couple more people had drifted into the shop by that point, making it harder for her to keep his attention.
"Sure thing kid, ask away." He replied, starting on another float.
Victoria drew in a breath. "You knew my mom before she was my mom, right?"
Gus nodded. "Sure did. Marian and I went to the same school down in Woodbury."
She took another bite. "Did... Did you know who my dad was?"
He gave her a surprised look. "Why the sudden interest in him?"
"I don't know, I just wonder who he is sometimes. My mom has men over all the time, and I ask every one of them if they're my dad and they all say no. I guess he really doesn't want to see me."
Walking over to her, he wiped his hands and set all his tools to the side, giving her his full attention.
"I remember your mom always having a boyfriend with her. She had so many of them. Any one of them could be your dad. He could be dead for all you know. Or worse," he pointed towards the tv screen, "your dad could be any one of those soldiers. You don't have any way of knowing."
Victoria sighed. "She would've told me if he were dead or halfway around the world. The other day though, something weird happened. One of her boyfriends came outside and talked to me. None of them ever talk to me unless they have to. He asked me questions about myself and sounded like he really wanted to know. And then, he randomly gets all paranoid and leaves. Mom tried to make him stay, but he wouldn't listen to a word she said. It looked like they knew each other pretty well from the past or something. His name was Maxwell. Do you know anyone named Maxwell?"
He gave her a look. "Thad a pretty common name, kid. I don't think I'm gonna be much help here."
She sent him a disappointed pout. "I know... I just have a good feeling about this guy. He was really nice."
"Maybe you should try asking your mom," he offered, "she might end up telling you something you want to hear. I don't want to see you get hurt, though. You're a good kid, Vicky. Whatever reasons your dad had for leaving, it doesn't change the fact that he left. You'd probably be better off not knowing who he is."
Cleaning off the bottom of her glass, she slid it to the side and reached down for her bag. "I gotta get going. Thanks for the ice cream."
Gus smiled towards her. "Anytime. You think about what I said, okay?"
She jumped off of the barstool and slung the bag over her back. "Okay. I'll keep you updated."
As she began the wall towards the door, she couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty for the lie she just told.
There was no stop to the plan she was about to put in motion.
What do you guys think, will Victoria find Max again? I decided to make this fic an official AU, so some of the events may change things in the long run.
-I'm starting my freshman year at college this Monday, so I can't say yet how often I'll be able to update. I'm still fairly new to the Revenge fandom, but Vicky G is literally one of my favorite human beings ever. My main fandom is Once Upon a Time- I've written a few fics there if anyone is interested. Regina Mills is so freakin amazing and I can honestly say her character (and Outlaw Queen) has completely ruined my life. I've noticed sooo many similarities between Regina and Victoria... hopefully that gives y'all a clue on how sad my life is, haha. If any of you guys have a burning desire to rant about Revenge and/or Once, my inbox is always open!
