AN: Well, this is it folks. I just returned from Barcelona/Madrid/Paris now, so Iapologize for the lack of updates during the month of July. I'm back for August though. Anyway, don't forget to leave me reviews, as I really love getting feedback on my writing. Even if you didn't like it (though, of course, I hope you have enjoyed this story), just tell me what you think.

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"Is that what you think I am, Ronnie?" he asked quietly. "A monster?" All traces of emotion disappeared from his face as he stared at the motionless girl before him. Veronica knew he was hurt but she couldn't help him. Not this time. After a pause, his eyes flashed, then he turned and stalked out. She flinched as the door slammed shut behind him.

That went well.

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For once, Veronica had no idea what to do. She couldn't face Logan until she had her emotions in check, but she couldn't let him go, either. After a long moment of hesitation and internal debate, she resolutely pushed passed the bathroom door and strode in to the hall. She searched for some sign of him, but she already knew she was too late.

Now she had to decide what she was supposed to do. She knew that she didn't want to go back to class anymore. She had suffered through enough of her classmates' looks and comments. She could leave, but she knew that then she would find it impossible to escape from the thoughts she had tried so hard to ignore. I'd have to deal with them sometime, she reminded herself, though she knew that despite her inquisitive nature, in this case she much preferred her innocence.

Footsteps startled her out of her musings. Someone was coming. The boy, a freshman, she guessed, made a beeline toward the boys' restroom, trying to ignore her disconcerting stare. Veronica couldn't help wondering if this seemingly harmless stranger was a lethal killing machine. She had never trusted anyone in the first place, at least since Lilly, but now she felt physically threatened as well. Aaron had once more destroyed her blissful ignorance. Now she really understood that she couldn't talk her way out of everything.

She hated that feeling of helplessness. She couldn't compete against the strength and supernatural powers of vampires and other creatures of the night. The worst part was that she couldn't even tell who was dangerous anymore. A hand on her shoulder made her jump, and she spun around quickly. A slightly uncomfortable Duncan looked at her imploringly.

"What do you want, Duncan?" she asked, trying to sound normal while resisting the powerful urge to run away.

"We need to talk. Have you seen Logan?"

"He just left. Actually, I was just leaving as well," she informed him, turning away with a sigh of relief.

"Wait." Veronica paused but didn't look at him. "Why are you acting like this? Nothing has changed."

Now she faced him. He was a bit disconcerted to see an ironic smile on her face. She shook her head. "Everything has changed, Duncan. Everything."

"We're the same people. This hasn't changed who we are."

"Now I'm not sure I knew you to begin with," she admitted sadly.

She turned away again, and this time he let her go.

TBC