Logan did not actually speak to Lilly. In point of fact, he refused to speak to either of us. We'd approach and he'd quickly leave. I'd open my mouth in class to say something and he got up and changed seats.
Things were becoming quite strained and Lilly hounded me constantly. She wanted to know exactly what had happened on our 'date'. There was absolutely no way I could tell her the truth.
That I had gone out with Logan Echolls and actually enjoyed myself. I was sure she'd hit the roof, or go through it.
"Lilly just leave it alone. We walked, we talked, and he took me home. End of story! Stop pestering me. Nothing happened!" I was getting really annoyed at Lilly's unending questions. There was no way I'd be able to avoid the details forever.
"C'mon Veronica Mars. Best Friends Forever! You're supposed to share the juicy details! Did you kiss! Did it go further! Did you… OH MY GOD! You slept together!" Lilly bounced excitedly by my side as my face turned crimson. I could feel the heat spreading down my neck.
"LILLY! We did NOT sleep together on our date!" I couldn't bring myself to outright lie to Lilly. Better to be clear on when Logan and I had slept together. I slammed my locker closed and headed for the front doors. I'd brought my car today just so I wouldn't have to sit around and wait for Lilly.
Actually I'd brought my car today so I could make a quick escape. Lilly could be absolutely relentless.
She grabbed my arm and spun me around to face her. "Veronica. You're not being honest. I can tell by the way you won't meet my eyes. Dish girlfriend before I lock you in the girls' bathroom until you fess up." She narrowed her eyes at me.
I knew I'd have to tell her something. Anything to get her to stop.
"Fine. Meet me at my house in half an hour. I'll tell you everything." Half an hour was enough time to come up with a decent plan.
I was panicked. I picked the first excuse to get her off my back I could think of. I admit now I had absolutely no idea what to tell Lilly. There was no way I could tell her the truth.
I also should never have thought half an hour was enough time. I couldn't come up with a plan in half an hour, at least not one that would convince Lilly.
I pulled up in front of my house and saw Lilly pacing back and forth in front of the steps. I was only ten minutes late but it figures she couldn't sit still and wait patiently. I climbed out of the car and slowly made my way towards her.
"Mom and Dad are out tonight. We've got the house to ourselves." Poor evasion tactics, which I should have known wouldn't work.
"Great! Then we can talk and squeal without anyone overhearing." Lilly linked her arm through mine as I unlocked the door and practically shoved me inside the house. "Now spill Veronica. I want details! All of them!" She was bouncing with excitement as I put my book-bag down.
"Want a soda?" I made my way towards the kitchen with Lilly dogging my every step.
"No. What I want is the story. Spill or I'll…" She trailed off threateningly before smiling. It was scary Lilly smile number thirty seven. I cringed inwards and took a deep breath.
"Fine. He showed up an hour early. He somehow knew, or remembered, or something that we ate dinner at seven. He showed up early and asked my Mom and Dad if he could take me to dinner." I paused as I opened my soda, taking a long swallow to stall my confessions. I never could keep a secret from Lilly for long.
"And? Just dinner? Where'd he take you! Did he bring flowers! C'mon Veronica!" Lilly was practically whining by now, it was time to give the details.
I sighed and continued, "We went to the Village. We walked, talked, just like I said we did. We had ice-cream for dinner, I replaced his puka shell necklace I broke. We ran into Duncan. He held my hand and then he took me home." My voice was monotone as I recited the facts. There was absolutely no need to let Lilly know exactly how much I'd enjoyed myself.
"Okay first. What necklace of his did you break? And second! Duncan saw you! There was hand holding!" Lilly was hopping around like mad. You'd almost think I'd poured Mexican jumping beans down her pants.
"Yes, Duncan saw us! He didn't even say a word. Just turned around and walked away. Logan wouldn't let me go after him." I sighed mentally, the last thing I wanted was to cause friction between Duncan and Lilly. This whole thing was a huge mess. "You have to remember the necklace? The one that broke and had Duncan wearing an eye-patch?" I giggled slightly, trying to lighten the mood and avoid the topic of hand holding.
"Ah! The curse of the peg leg! I remember now." Lilly giggled with me for a moment before turning very serious. "Now as for the hand holding. Did he hold your hand first, or did you grab his hand? Was there end of the night kisses? He's such a great kisser." Lilly sighed dramatically while placing a hand to her forehead and pretending to swoon. Always the Drama Queen.
I hesitated for a moment to long causing Lilly to poke me sharply in the ribs. "He grabbed my hand. There was no end of the date kisses, so obviously no tongue. I have no idea if he's a great kisser. I swear." I rushed out with the last, one giant gasping breath.
Lilly stared at me strangely for a moment before bursting out laughing. "Dude! Veronica Mars! You really think I care? Logan's a great kisser, but we're so last week. Last month even! We're done for good this time. I've found me a new playmate and Logan would just screw with that dynamic." Lilly laughed outright at the shock on my face. I must have looked completely shell shocked, which in actual fact I was.
"Veronica Mars! Is that why you've been avoiding him? Because you thought I'd get mad? Go for it girl! If anyone can bring you out of your shell enough to be as fabulous as me, it's Logan. Remember. You are not a yellow cotton sundress. You're red satin. You just haven't realised it yet." Lilly smirked and I couldn't help myself. I banged my head repeatedly on the kitchen island.
Lilly was practically howling now, tears streaming down her face as she laughed at me. "He's never," each word punctuated with a bang of my forehead on the tiles, "going to," another slam, "talk to," my head was starting to hurt, "me again." I rested my throbbing head on the counter and just moaned piteously.
Lilly stopped laughing long enough to pat my back soothingly. "Sure he will. You'll just have to throw yourself at him." I glanced up at Lilly as she took to laughing again, giggles spilling from her lips and coating me in horror.
"I told him to stop. Told him to ask you for forgiveness, that you'd take him back." I was gaping like a fish now, my mouth open in a little silent o. Even throwing myself at him wasn't going to work.
"Oh that was brilliant Veronica!" Lilly shook her head before getting that look in her eye. The one that told me she was… thinking. Oh dear god Lilly was thinking again.
"So don't throw yourself at him. Do it the easy way. Wear your new clothes tomorrow, prance around in front of him. Make sure he sees someone hitting on you, preferably Casey Gant, or Caz Truman, but Dick would drive Logan bonkers." Lilly nodded her head as she plotted out loud. "We need to make him think you're not interested. He'll want you more then." She tapped a finger on her chin.
"Look. Lilly! Stop for a minute. The whole reason I told him to get back together with you? I think he, well I don't think he really likes me! He just wants Lilly 2.0." I hung my head, things just couldn't get much worse.
"Veronica Mars you are an idiot. A grade A class idiot." Lilly rolled her eyes before huffily continuing, "When do you think I found out Logan had a crush on you? It was before Shelly's party! Before you bought the new clothes. Before you finally gave in and did the remodel! Get over it Veronica! Logan likes YOU, you big dumbass." She flounced, there was no other word for it, she flounced away and sat with a thud on the couch.
"Wear the clothes, Mars. Refine the attitude. Give as good as you get, and maybe, just maybe you'll be able to salvage the situation. If not. Well I can always hook you up with the Beav." Lilly laughed at the look of horror on my face.
"I can't be you Lilly." I smiled tremulously while shaking my head.
"Of course not Veronica Mars! No one's as fabulous as me. But maybe, just maybe, if you get over yourself you might just come close." Lilly smiled.
Might come close. That was a laugh and a half. No one ever could be as fabulous as the great Lilly Kane. I shouldn't have tried. Logan was right when he'd asked if I was playing dress up in Lilly's clothes.
I should have stuck with being myself. Things might have turned out better.