A.N: I am so sorry for how long it's taking me to get these chapters out! I keep forgetting and life keeps getting in the way, and blah blah blah. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter, and hopefully I'll get the next chapter out within the next week or so. Crossing my fingers. Let me know what you think!
Chapter Eight
VERONICA:
Still fuming after Logan left, I went downstairs, ready to lash out at Rebecca for letting him in the house. What was she thinking? They could have just as easily have done it over at his mansion. And they probably would have been more comfortable, what with all the maids and cooks and servants she was sure the Echolls had.
"Becky, what could ever possess you to let Logan Echolls into our home!" I cried as I rumbled into the room, the anger from before coming back to me, "he was going through my room! My personal belongings!"
Rebecca just sighed and said meekly, "I'm sorry, I didn't think he was going upstairs to search through your stuff, really, he said he needed to go to the washroom."
Opening my mouth to continue my rant, I stopped. There was a desolate expression on her face. Rebecca was always a ball of sunshine or denial, so to see such a face on her threw me for a moment.
But only for a moment.
"Are you okay?" I asked, taking a seat next to her, "I'm sorry you didn't get to finish," I glanced down at the table, at the mostly blank pieces of paper, "um, start your project."
Becky just shrugged, "I'll do it later, it's not that."
"Then what?" I couldn't think of anything I had done to embarrass or get her in trouble lately, "is it because I haven't been around lately? Because I've been really busy trying to convince dad that I'm mature enough to start doing some work at Mar Investigations to help out more since he still hasn't found a day assistant and-" I stopped again when I saw Rebecca shaking her head, "then what is it, Becks? Help me out here, we're twins, but I'm not a psychic," I snapped frustrated with my sister.
She bit her lip, than shook her head, "It's nothing, never mind."
"Did Logan say something to upset you? Because I swear, I'll kick his ass twice over if he did-"
"No, Logan was fine, really. It's nothing, just something that happened yesterday," Rebecca replied quietly. I searched my mind, trying to figure out what happened. Nothing popped up.
"If you're still bothered by it, then it's definitely something, Becky," I told her just as quietly. I tilted my head, and looked at her inquiringly. Sometimes she was an open book, her emotions and what she was thinking so obvious, her heart on her sleeve. But other times, like now, is when I really noticed that she came from the same parents, shared my genetics. Sometimes it just seemed like we were so different, those same differences more pronounced these last couple of months than ever, that is felt like we couldn't be sisters, much less twins.
She looked down at her hand before giving in. Holding things in wasn't ever really one of her talents.
"Just," Becky sighed, "Duncan's girlfriend, Shelly, She screamed at me in the hall yesterday, calling me a slut and saying I was after Duncan, which you know isn't true!" She exclaimed. I raised my eyebrow at her, "you know what I mean, I would never do anything about my little crush if he had a girlfriend. I'm not a homewrecker!"
"Rebecca, I think you're exaggerating it a bit-"
"I'm not the type of person to come between people, and if Shelly is what Duncan wants, then fine! He can have that washed out blonde, with no personality!" She paused for a moment, her rare outburst over. In a quieter voice, " but then she started calling me white trash and that I better stay away from him, and-" Rebecca sniffled, a couple of tears falling down her face, "and-and that I was a charity case, and Veronica! What if she's right?"
My eyes narrowed.
"She said that to you?" I balled my fists, my nails digging into the skin, and looked at my sister, "she talked to you like that?" Becky could only nod.
I let out a breathe to calm myself, "Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it," I promised.
Rebecca's eyes widened comically, and I would've laughed if I wasn't so pissed off.
"Veronica, no, just leave it alone!"
"She told you to stay away from him? Did she threaten you?"
"Um, well...but Veronica, not really-"
"Rebecca, you can't just let these people walk all over you! And since I know you won't do it yourself, trust me, I would be happy to take some of these self-obsessed 09ers off their pedestals."
"No, Veronica, listen-" Becky insisted.
I put my identical hand over hers, the only contrast between them being her perfectly round pink nails and my black bitten off ones. Polar opposites now, but it didn't seem so long ago that my own nails were just a different shade of pink. "Becky, I promise you I won't in any way embarrass you, but I refuse to let these assholes treat you like this, okay?" Seeing my determination, she only nodded.
"But please, nothing too horrible, please Veronica," Rebecca begged.
I only sighed disappointingly, "Fine." Getting up out of my chair, I walked over to her, "you know you don't have to prove anything to them, right?"
"Yeah, I know," she replied, and hugged me. As distant and unaffectionate as I had grown in the last few months, I couldn't help but return the hug. She was my sister, after all.
After a minute, I pulled away, and quirked my eyebrow, "You sure you don't want me to pull out that long wig that's identical to your hair and verbally beat Shelly's ass while pretending to be you? 'Cause I will, you know."
"I know you would, but no thanks," Becky replied, smiling a bit, then after thinking a moment, "maybe next time."
I grinned back at her.
When Becky had gone over the the Echoll's yesterday, I had demanded that she get back the piece of clothing that Logan has stolen, but when she got home, she was empty-handed. I had started in on my usual rants, but I could tell she wasn't in the mood. Apparently the move and new friends weren't going as well as it had been for the last couple of weeks because of Duncan's girlfriend.
Secretly, I was glad. I knew I would do about just anything to get my sister away from the vultures Becky hung out with, so like the people I myself used to surround myself with, only with bigger bank accounts and better contacts to do even more damage.
But I knew my sister was just as stubborn as I was, and there was nothing to do. Thinking about it would only bring about bad memories from Seattle, and the hell that was, leading to even more worrying about Rebecca, and I knew I would go insane of that continued.
Last night at dinner though, I had gotten Dad to really consider letting me work there as an after school job. After the summer ended, he had been adamant that I get back into the swing of things, join pep squad or join the debate team, do something. But the only thing that really captured my interest was detective work. It gave me a thrill knowing I was doing something dangerous and a little reckless. Even the parts that were boring, like filing or waiting out a stake-out, were either good for giving her a break from life or a chance to study and do homework.
And during the whole rest of the weekend, I made sure I wouldn't think about the coming Monday. I could already see the looks and glares, the slutty comments about me whispered just loudly enough for me to hear. I also could see the exact punishment I would hit back with. It was so easy that I was already yawning.
I especially made sure I didn't think about Logan Echolls. Or his immature act. Or his brown brown eyes... or the psychotic asshole I could sense a mile away. I heard the stories. I remembered the smirk that first day in class. Even now, just thinking about that smug smile made me want to prove something.
And I, Veronica Mars, definitely had nothing to prove, least of all to Logan Echolls, a rich spoiled schoolboy with no handle on the real world and real pain.
I had gotten to my locker, and I think I was more shocked that there were no words or pictures of graffiti on it. It was the lack of looks, and disgusted and cruel comments that had me confused. I hated being confused more than anything.
They were probably waiting until the hierarchy of Neptune arrived, so the blows would hurt more since they weren't just reused comments of the same thing. The words circled my head, but these words were said in voices I knew, from my supposed friends...slut... easy...bitch...hussy...ho... loose...whore...
I slammed my locker shut after getting my books with more force than necessary and turned to head to class, but was stopped by a large chest. A muscular chest, where his green t-shirt obviously showed off his very defined abs. When I finally got around to looking at the face, my stomach dropped, my lips tightened, and I slapped myself mentally. I prepared myself for what I was sure were going to be some slutty barbs about me so all his friends could laugh and make equally stupid jokes.
I looked behind him, expecting to see that Dick guy, and maybe Dick's lackey, JP or the younger one that I couldn't quite remember, with a couple of other 09er's, maybe even Lilly. Instead, I saw a pimply freshman, two punk rocker girls with horrible haircuts, a plain jane, and an overweight boy stuffing his mouth with a Twix. And none of these looked slightly like an upper class, spoiled 09er.
I returned my gaze back to Logan, and snapped, "What?"
"Hey!" Logan replied, smiling down at me.
I let out a gust of air, and walked around him, heading down the hall. I had some unfinished business I needed to get done, and since I had to do it Rebecca's way, it would take more patience than I would normally care about.
If I thought ignoring him and walking away would work, I was wrong. It took only two steps to catch up with me, and we were walking down the hall together.
"I'm sorry, is there something you wanted?" I stopped, glaring at him.
"I'm guessing all this hostility is because you're not a morning person, huh?" Logan asked, smirking.
I leaned in, and his head came lower so our faces were closer, almost like we were going to kiss, and I said, "Maybe it's because somebody stole my underwear over the weekend?"
Logan leaned back up, and his hand landed over his mouth which was making an "O" of mock surprise, "Really?" My eyes narrowed at his tone. I turned around and started walking again, as fast as I could without looking like I was running away from him. Which is exactly what I wanted to do.
"Hey, Veronica, do you mean these panties?" Logan said, putting his hand down his front pocket and pulling out, to my horror, my black panties. In the middle of the hall.
Without thinking, I instantly grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him into the girl's bathroom, leaning against it in case somebody tried to come in.
"WHAT are you thinking talking about that out there in the hall!?" I yelled at him. Seeing that he still had hold of my underwear, I dashed forward and took advantage of his shock of being in the girl's washroom to grab back my panties, shoving them down my messenger bag.
"Well, I thought you might want them back," he grinned cheekily at me. I, predictably, frowned back.
"Why in the world would you even take them, you perverted little skeeze?"
"I figured it would be a good way to have a conversation with you, and a funny story to tell the kids," Logan said, backing up, and jumping up to sit on the counter.
I roll my eyes, and ignore the kids remark, "And you never thought of, oh, I don't know, coming up to me and saying "Hi?""
"Well, you always seem to disappear when I tried that, so...yeah," Logan confessed, then ran his tongue over his teeth and said, "plus, I wanted to see if you were a thong or boyshorts kind of gal."
"I'm going to make this very clear, okay?" I said, going to stand in front of him, my arms crossing automatically. "Leave. Me. Alone."
"Now, come on, you don't really mean that."
"Logan, I really do."
"Really."
He looked at me for a second, than announced, "I don't know how you see us getting together if you're always going to be like this."
Grinding my teeth slowly, I stated, "Probably because I don't see us getting together."
"Lie."
"No, Logan, not a lie," I told him, like speaking to a five year old, "not every girl wants to be with you."
He fixed a mock hurt face on, "No, really?"
Sighing loudly, I said, "I'm going to go. And I mean it Logan, stop bothering me."
Then I turned around and pulled out of the bathroom, but not before Logan said, "I'll catch you yet, Veronica Mars." He said it in such a joking manner that I took no notice of it.
I walked down the hall, and searched for the person I needed to have a little chat with. My eyes finally found my mark, and I walked slowly towards them, trying my hardest not to glare. Becky's wishes, of course. Although if she knew who I was going to bitch out, she probably would have demanded I just leave everything alone.
Not who I am though. At least, not anymore.
I slammed the locker shut, and met the eyes of Duncan Kane.
I put on a great big, obviously fake smile, and gritted out, "Hey!" I slapped my hand on his shoulder.
He had a confused puppy dog look, and replied, "Um, hey, Veronica right?"
"Right!" I chirped back, "so DK, I need to have a short chat with you, if that's alright?" I didn't wait for his answer, "it's come to my attention that your bitch of a girlfriend of yours has been threatening my sister."
A look of confusion and shock flitted over his features, quickly replaced with a pinched look.
"What are you talking about?" Duncan asked me in a quieter voice, looking around us, probably to make sure nobody was listening.
I continued, my own voice rising a little, "Oh, only that Shelly what's-her-name has been saying things about Rebecca that's not exactly nice," I paused, glaring at him, "and I would have already taken her down, but Becky doesn't really like confrontations."
"Look, I don't know anything about that-"
"Don't care," I cut in sharply, "What I do care about though, is that you either warn off Miss Pom Pom, or I'm going to take things into my own hands," I shoved my finger into his chest, "this is a warning, and the only one you're getting, so I insist you do something about this, okay?" My smile was back on my face, and I patted his shoulder again for good measure.
With his jaw clenched, Duncan nodded his head, and looked around, mumbling, "Don't worry, I'll take care of this."
Then he was down the hall, and grabbing some girl's arm, dragging her off. I guess that was Shelly Pomeroy.
I smirked and hurried off to my homeroom.
REBECCA:
I had just sat down when Lilly hopped into the seat next to me, and exclaimed, "I have some good, wonderful news for you, Rebecca Mars!"
Already used to Lilly's ever changing moods, one minute furious at Logan or somebody else who had crossed her, the next glowing with joy and happiness because she got a date with a college guy, I just looked at her, amused.
I liked Lilly. She reminded me of Cassie back in Seattle, back before everything happened, and my life, along with and because of Veronica, went down the toilet.
"Yes, Lilly?" I replied, smiling at her as I nibbled on my slice of pizza.
"Duncan finally got up the guts to dump Shelly's ass, can you believe it?" Lilly laughed, looking at me slyly, "and we both know he's been checking you out the minute you to have met."
I frantically looked around, then ducked my head, and said, "Do you have to be so loud about that?" Lilly just sipped her diet coke innocently, "plus, Duncan has not been checking me out!"
"Oh, he totally has!" Lilly said, "are you completely blind? You two would make the cutest couple!"
I was about to protest again, but curious, I asked, "You really think so?"
"Rebecca, he's my brother, not to mention totally obvious," Lilly answered, "yes, he's into you, now about this weekend, you busy?"
Still caught up imagining my and Duncan Kane out on a date, I snapped out of my daze, and said, "What?"
"This weekend, Rebecca," Lilly replied, rolling her eyes, "the 'rents are going to some banquet in like, San Francisco or something, and will be gone Friday and Saturday, and I was thinking, party!"
As she was finishing this, Logan and Duncan sat down across from us, both diving into the pizza, Logan joining in on some conversation with Dick, and Duncan, having heard Lilly's last sentence, asked, "Who's party are you going to this time, Lils?"
"Mine!" Lilly giggled back.
Duncan's face changed, and he looked stressed about something, "Lilly, no, dad and mom are already pissed from last weekend when you single handedly trashed Angie Dahl's parent's bedroom with your "extra-curricular activities" and her parents called ours up."
"Relax, Duncan," Lilly waved off, "Jake and Celeste will come home to a tidy white house, none the wiser." At Duncan's look, Lilly continued, "Come on, Donut, I'm a pro at manipulating the parents by now, plus, Rebecca's coming, right Beck?"
They both looked at me.
Stumbling over my words, I just said, "R-right."
"See, so chill out."
Duncan looked like he wanted to continue discussing the issue, but then look resigned. Suddenly, he looked at me, and smiled, "So, Rebecca, there's a homecoming meeting tomorrow after school, don't forget okay?"
I smiled back, "Don't worry, I won't."
Dick suddenly asked Duncan, "Hey dude, is it true that the Vandegraffs are moving here?"
Duncan nodded his head, "Yeah, they'll be here next week."
"Oh, Troy is so cute!" Madison added, "I remember making out with him last New Years when he visited!"
"Wait, what?" Dick asked, looking at his girlfriend, "we went to that party together!"
Madison rolled her eyes.
"Who are the Vandegraffs?" I asked.
"Oh, they used to live here when we were kids, like elementary school, then moved away before seventh grade," Lilly informed me, "Troy and Duncan were best friends back then, and his family always visits."
"Oh
"Personally, I think he's a sleaze, but that's just me," Logan chimed in, smiling cheerfully at me.
"Oh, is Logan jealous of Troy, afraid he's going to take Duncan away from you?" Lilly teased Logan.
Another thing I couldn't understand. They broke up a lot, apparently, fought a lot, but in between fighting and getting back together, they seemed to tolerate each other pretty well, even when they were dating others. Duncan said they just like torturing each other, that's why they kept getting together. I didn't understand why annoying the hell out of each other would be considered fun, but then again, I didn't like drinking booze and having sex like the rest of my classmates.
I continued to listen to everyone banter around me, and felt for the first time since we moved to Neptune, not like the new kid, not like a outsider, but like I belonged.
Smiling, I reached over and grabbed some fried off of Duncan's tray, and smiled over at him. He grinned back.
A/N: Now please review! Come on, click the button! Please!!
