Chapter 1: 09er Veronica

Background story:

Veronica Mars, to anyone else this girl appeared to fit perfectly into the wealthy, popular 09er stereotype. Although the reality of Veronica Mars was much different. Veronica and her father have been living in the 02 apartments for 5 years now, this included the time when her father was sheriff. They never had much money but had made it into the 04-area code with the other middle class. Except over the years the money seemed to disappear quickly leaving them barely enough to buy food. This was when they made the move to the 02. Shortly after this her mother, long time alcoholic began disappearing for days only to return worse than when she left each time. When Veronica met Lily in middle school money and area codes didn't matter but, the summer before high school Celest Kane gave the girls a talking to about how a true 09er should act.

"09ers are the top of the food chain. Nobody is better than an 09er, you will have teachers do what you want as well as other students. But, for you to be an acceptable looking 09er you must ALWAYS look and behave like one. This means no more, best friends like Veronica. It also means no more nice girl Lily, if you want to be the top of the food chain Lily, you're going to have to improve your reputation" Celest said with too much enthusiasm for the girls to be comfortable with, she just looked at the two of them expectantly and stalked off.

However, the girls could not accept this and decided to teach each other how to act. Lily was sometimes shy, but usually a quiet girl and Veronica was a curious, loud and outspoken girl. The girls spent the rest of the holiday break perfecting their roles.

- Present Day – 2nd year of high school

"Hey lil, whatcha doin?" Veronica says coming up quietly behind her best friend Lily who was studying something on her phone a slight frown appearing on her face as she is interrupted from her thoughts.

"Oh… V, you know just Logan stuff" she says with a huff after watching Veronica attempt to hide her eye roll.

"Yeah figured. Anyway… I was just coming to let you know that I won't be able to make it tonight. Anddd… I was kinda wondering…" she says putting on her best innocent little girl face that nobody seems to be able to say no to. "if you would let Duncan know I won't be coming over?" "please" Veronica added pouting.

"He isn't going to like it V. You know Duncan hates that you always ditch him the day before school starts"

"yeah, yeah. I know he hasn't stopped bringing it up all year. But last year I had so much fun and I want to do the same this year." Veronica says further set on ditching Duncan for his 09er movie night.

"So, if I tell him are you going to let me in on this fun you seem to be planning?" now smirking lily looks over to Veronica knowing whatever it is was probably something that wouldn't fit her 09er façade.

As if Veronica knew what Lily was thinking she said with a mischievous smile "Don't you worry. 09er Veronica will be back by 10am tomorrow morning" then nonchalantly walked off already planning tomorrows fun. Climbing into her car, Veronica headed straight to the store to pick out the water balloons for her 'first-day-back-09er-torture-fun'.

After picking the cheapest packet of water balloons, heading for the counter she ran straight into Felix. Knocking a bottle of soda, he was carrying right out of his hands along with her water balloons. Before she had a chance, he had bent down picking both items up, handing the balloons back to her with a curious look on his face.

"Uh.. thanks! Felix right? I'm Veronica" holding out her hand for him to shake.

He looked at her in awe, someone considered to be an 09er and as popular as she was, was actually looking him in the eye, speaking to him not speaking down to him like most 09ers and she knew his name. Whatever Felix had expected her reaction to be, this was not it.

After waiting a couple seconds she removed her hand thinking for whatever reason he wasn't gonna shake it. However not knowing her gesture has triggered a confused reaction from him until he said "yeah I know who you are. An 09er like you wouldn't want to be seen shaking a 02ers hand, now would ya" he said rather matter-of-factly.

Veronica let out a sigh and rolled her eyes as she replied "whatever, will I do if one of my fellow 09ers sees my shaking hands with someone from the 02 area" sarcasm dripping from each word as she moves to walk past him.

"Wait, what's a girl like you doing in the 02 anyway?" his curiosity and disbelief obvious in his tone. The question caught Veronica off guard, shrugging and continuing to walk she thought about the real reason she was here. Somehow in the past year of high school, she managed never to run into of the other 02 area kids while shopping. The truth was that this shop was the closest to the small, crappy apartment she shared with her dad on the border of the 02 area.

As they reached the check out counter he added realising she was deep in thought and still wanting some kind of explanation or hint as to why someone like her would be in his local store. "okay… so can I ask what the water balloons are for?"

She quickly replied with a large knowing smirk on her face "You may not. But f you promise you can keep a secret I may be inclined to let you help me"

Uncertain he asked turning to face her with a questioning look "I can keep a secret. But what exactly would I be helping you do? I'm not really looking to take the fall for an 09er girl doing something she isn't supposed to be doing"

"Good. You can give me a ride back to the school after I but these and we can get started"