Veronica's Path

by 3Past8

Veronica Sawyer is finally at university, finally ready to move on and live her life. Everything's off to a good start, but how long will it last? (Screenplay format, please read at 1/2 width, as it is easier that way) WARNING: SPOILERS IN THE REVIEWS

2. Part 2

Veronica's Path 2

FADE IN:

INT. DORM ROOM – DAY

Veronica and Heather return to their dorm room. Veronica PLOPS herself on her bed, Heather stands, watching, arms folded.

VERONICA

What? Am I still red?

H. McNAMARA

(smirking) You like him.

VERONICA

(defensive) What? No I don't.

Jonathan's nice and all, but I'm

not interested.

Heather sits herself in Veronica's chair, feet crossed on the desk.

H. McNAMARA

Well, he certainly likes you.

It's cute. He's cute. And he's

mature. Not bad, huh?

VERONICA

C'mon, Heather. Can we not do this?

H. McNAMARA

(proudly) Ok, but if he makes a

move, don't act like you didn't

see this coming.

Heather opens Veronica's desk drawer. Inside are Veronica's monocle, old pens and pencils, cigarettes, bobby pins and… Heather Chandler's red scrunchie. Heather pulls out the scrunchie.

H. McNAMARA (CONT'D)

You still have this?

Veronica sees the scrunchie is Heather's hand, it's slightly raggedy, yet still a vibrant red.

VERONICA

Uh, yeah. I didn't know what

to do with it. I couldn't just

throw it out.

H. McNAMARA

Can I keep it, Ronnie?

Veronica hesitates and then smiles.

VERONICA

Sure.

Heather goes to tie her hair up with the red scrunchie, but decides against and readjusts it around her wrist.

VERONICA (CONT'D)

You know who used to call me

"Ronnie"? Betty Finn.

H. McNAMARA

(admiring the scrunchie) Hmm?

You still talk to her and Martha

Dumptruck?

VERONICA

Dunstock.

H. McNAMARA

(noticing her mistake) Whoops.

Looks like old habits die hard.

VERONICA

Clearly. And as it turns out,

not that many people wanna keep in

touch once they find out you're

pretty much a murderer.

Heather sits down on her bed.

H. McNAMARA

Well, you can't have it all.

VERONICA

No shit.

INT. LECTURE HALL – DAY

Veronica sits in her lecture hall, surrounded by other English students – there are all sorts of kids here. Nerds, carrying around the course pack for the whole year; scruffy poet types with alternative punk lyrics tattooed on their arms, students with eyes as wide as owls: they're either scared or really excited to be here. Veronica is scribbling into her diary, the professor speaks in a droning voice.

VERONICA (V/O)

Frist day of classes and I'm writing

in my diary in the middle of my

lecture. That's got to be good sign. I

can't concentrate. It feels like everyone's

staring at me. I came here for a fresh start,

but all I'm getting is leftovers.

Veronica's looks behind her, a group of preppy students whispering comes to a halt as she makes eye contact with them. She bites the inside of her cheek and turns back to face the front.

PROFESSOR

Miss Sawyer. Any thoughts?

VERONICA (V/O)

Oh shit.

VERONICA

On what?

PROFESSOR

(sighing) On the extract.

VERONICA

Oh. It's very… inspiring and uses a lot

of, um, hyperbole?

PROFESSOR

That's what you got from the

article on San Quentin prison inmates

on death row?

Veronica's body slumps down in her seat.

PROFESSOR (CONT'D)

You'll be seeing me after the

lecture, Miss Sawyer.

Veronica lowers her head into her diary as the students behind her let out spiteful snickers and giggles.

INT. HALLWAY – DAY

Veronica, carrying her textbooks and diary in her arms, leaves her professor's office. Before she can even take her second step, she collides with a figure and drops her books. Both her and the figure kneel on the floor to pick up her things.

VERONICA

God! Watch where you're going

moron! Who do you th-

Veronica looks up, only to lock eyes with Jonathan. He's holding her diary. They both stand up.

JONATHAN

Greetings, Veronica.

VERONICA

Oh! Hi, Jonathan.

He presents her diary.

JONATHAN

(raising an eyebrow) What's this?

Is it private?

Veronica snatches her diary from his grip.

VERONICA

Just a diary! It's good for

writing down feelings and

keeping dates. Not a big deal.

JONATHAN

Speaking of dates, do you wanna

go out some time?

Veronica laughs, impressed by his confidence. She sweeps a stray hair behind her ear and straightens her stance.

VERONICA

Smooth. But, I'm not looking

for a relationship. As you can

see, I'm not off to the best start

with my college career.

JONATHAN

Who said anything about

relationships? It's just a date,

Veronica. I'm not asking you to be

mine yet.

Veronica blushes – what is she doing?!

VERONICA

Uh, all right. A date sounds good.

JONATHAN

Perfecto! I'll meet you for lunch at

the Main Quad at 12. See ya.

Jonathan winks and is on his way, walking down the hallway, not looking back. Veronica watches him get further and further away, his exclamation of "Perfecto!" ringing in her ears. She watches, in awe and discomfort.

EXT. MAIN QUAD – DAY

Veronica arrives at the Main Quad, she checks her watch: 11:52am. No sign of Jonathan. She strolls down the quad, other students ambling about, sitting in study groups, eating lunch. Getting on with their lives.

Something touches Veronica's hips, gently – but the sensation stings – Veronica jumps and swings 'round defensively. It's him.

VERONICA

J-Jonathan. You scared me.

JONATHAN

(licks his lips) Sorry. I wanted to

surprise you.

VERONICA

Well, don't. I'm not a surprises

kinda girl.

JONATHAN

What kind of girl are you?

VERONICA

Let's not get cheesy, buddy.

JONATHAN

(laughs) Let's sit down.

Jonathan reaches for Veronica's hand – but she shakes her head. He shrugs his shoulders and he leads her to an empty patch on the grass.

VERONICA

Can I be honest with you?

They sit down.

JONATHAN

I wouldn't want it any other way.

VERONICA

Heh. I don't think this date was

such a good idea.

Jonathan leans forward.

JONATHAN

Do you not like me, Veronica?

VERONICA

I barely know you!

Jonathan recoils at this show of sudden fury.

VERONICA (CONT'D)

Sorry. The last guy I barely knew

fucked up my life. I just want to

study, do well and live my life.

JONATHAN

Well, he's not here anymore.

Veronica's hand is ripping the grass from the ground. Jonathan puts his hand on top of hers. This time, she lets him take it.

JONATHAN (CONT'D)

And the best way to get to know

someone, is to spend time with them.

I don't want to be a stranger, Veronica.

Veronica looks up from his hand holding hers, to meet his eyes. His eyes reflect sincerity. Veronica sighs and smiles.

VERONICA

Wow. You're a real romantic, aren't

you? Come on, Romeo.

To Jonathan's surprise, Veronica keeps hold of his hand and forces him up. They walk along the edge of the quad.

JONATHAN

What's this?

Still holding his hand, they stroll – they look like a couple.

VERONICA

Look. You don't wanna be strangers?

All you have to do is look me up.

Read a newspaper. Watch the news.

Ask anyone on campus if they've

heard my name before. If they've seen my

face before. I'm not a stranger. I don't

have that fucking luxury.

Veronica lets go of Jonathan's hand and stands still. Her hands form fists – her thumb nails pushing into her skin again. Jonathan, confused, stands back.

JONATHAN

I'm sorry that that had to

happen to you. But that doesn't

stop me from wanting to get to know

you, Veronica. J.D. isn't here and he

can't hurt you anymore. Yeah, he did a

pretty shitty job of being your

boyfriend. But he's not you and he

didn't decide your life for you. I'm

not him. I'm not J.D.

Tears fall from Veronica's eyes. Her fists unclench and her knees begin to buckle, her legs wobbling. Jonathan holds her from behind, she doesn't jump this time. She lets him hold her.

FADE OUT: