One month later...

It was December 31, New Years Eve. Veronica entered the vast Pomroy estate wearing a white dress with black dots and her usual black choker and silver star necklaces. As she entered, people began to whisper...

"Didn't her dad solve the Kane case?"

"Yeah and he put Aaron Echolls in jail..."

Veronica ignored them and walked through the crowd. She stopped when she saw Logan, sitting in a corner, drinking his troubles away with a bottle of Jack Daniels.

"Logan? You're drunk again?" Veronica scowled. Ever since it came out that his dad killed Lilly, it wasn't unusual to find Logan drunk at an 09er party. And the night always ended with Veronica dragging his sorry butt home and him puking in her car.

"It seems to be that way...Ronnieeeeee" He slurred

Veronica shook her head and walked away. She walked past Duncan, who was dancing with some brunette. It had been two weeks since they had decided to break up.

Flashback

Veronica was leaning against his car while Duncan was talking with the guys from soccer. He was giving her a ride home because her Le Baron was broke and her dad was working and her mom... well her mom was probably at some bar, drinking. After Lilly's murder, it was all she seemed to do. As they climbed into his SUV, Veronica finally mustered up enough courage to tell him something that had been on her mind.

"Duncan? Before you start the car, I need to tell you something." Veronica finally said.

Duncan leaned back into his seat and looked at her. "This isn't good, is it?"

Veronica shook her head. "No." Pause "I think we should break up..." She said her voice fading into a whisper. Duncan just stared at her, his eyes filled with shock. "Why?" he asked her

"You've been...well...different and spaced since Lilly died. We haven't kissed in over a week and you hardly talk to me anymore. If you want, we can still be friends, but we need our space, it doesn't have to be permanent, just temporary."

Duncan's response was putting the keys into the ignition and taking her home.

End Flashback

'Guess hes taking the break-up well' Veronica said. She walked through another clump of 09ers and came out with a cup of rum and coke.

'To drink or not to drink' Veronica contemplated


A/N Ha! Will Veronica drink it? Thats the big question. I guess you have to wait. Thats the end of this chapter. Its short but necessary.