Twelve;
Can you tell I haven't slept well since the last time we spoke? (Stay-Mayday Parade)

As much as Veronica appreciated Jay's hospitality, she needed to go. And she didn't care how. She quickly scrambled to her feet, the golden rays of sunlight peeking through the broken blinds as her only light to find her things. She tried to ignore the pungent smell of last night's beer but the small wave of nausea made it difficult to completely ignore. Veronica managed to pull on last night's pair of shorts and tied the oversized night shirt to make it look more like hers. She quickly pulled her bedhead up into a quick ponytail and skimmed the room for her shirt. I'll just have to return it another time, she thought to herself as she crumpled up yesterday's tank top in her hands. She double checked for her house keys before making her great escape.

She slowly closed the thin bedroom door, hoping to muffle any evidence of her movements. Veronica glanced quickly around the small apartment; she spotted Spinner still splayed out on the couch. But no sign of Jay. This was her chance to be just a small memory for those two boys. She couldn't put her chance at starting over at risk. Not again.Veronica quickly twisted the deadbolt and pulled the door open. The cooler morning air felt like relief to her. Until she was face to chest with a slightly familiar grey shirt.

"Leaving so soon?" His voice gave away the smirk that displayed on his lips. He plucked the wooden toothpick from his mouth and tucked it gently between the bottom of his navy blue baseball cap and his right ear.

"Yeah, actually. Look, I really appreciate everything," Veronica tried to fake confidence. She kind of found Jay slightly more intimidating than Spinner. Or even Craig. "My dad will be expecting me…"

Jay raised his eyebrows and gave a small laugh, "I'm sure he isn't the only one. Can I give you a ride back, then? It's the least I can do."

"If that's the least you can do," She rolled her eyes dramatically followed by a laugh.

"I'm at least going to get my shirt back, right?" He pinched the hem of the sleeve of his worn out shirt.

"If you're lucky," Veronica joked on the way to Jay's car.

The car ride was more playful than the one from the night before. Somewhat more relaxed. She didn't mind the few empty Fanta bottles that jingled around her feet. Or that Jay's right arm so casually hung over the back of her seat, while the other sat at the very top of the steering wheel. He seemed oddly comfortable with her.

"You know," Jay said very pointedly as he put his car in park in front of her house, no other car but her own in sight, "if you ever need anything, Red, you know where to find me."

Veronica reached for the door handle and nodded, "I'll remember that. Thank you, Jay. I really do appreciate everything."

He winked dramatically, "All in a days work. Especially if that means rubbing it in certian people's face."

The words stung only slightly but Veronica refused to let it show, "I'll see you around?"

"You got it, Red."

She gave a small laugh before exiting the car. Veronica made her way quickly into the house watching the orange car peel off from the front door window. The way Craig talked of Jay made him out to be some sort of a monster. But Veronica didn't see that. Granted they only spent a short amount of time together. With a small sigh, she made her way upstairs to shower and actually get ready for the day.

——

Craig had spent most of his night not really asleep but also not awake. By the time he actually got any sort of rest, Joey was at his door for a brunch call. A weekly Sunday tradition. Craig mumbled a promise of his presence at the table after a quick shower. He had tossed and turned so much he eventually lost track of time. He left his computer on with instant messenger open and ready just in case. But nothing came of it. His breakfast was picked at and Joey definitely took notice.

"I'll be alright," Craig could feel the weight of Joey's concern bearing heavy on his back, "Maybe not right this second. But I have to be okay."

The crack in Craig's voice nearly broke Joey. But instead of vocalizing it, he cleared his throat and expressed his confidence in his step son.

"We can go school shopping after the check gets picked up in a couple hours. Get your mind off things and get ready for your first day back in a few days," Joey offered

"Sure," Craig shifted in his seat, knowing she would be here any time made him nauseous. A little uneasy. But he had to hold strong. For Joey. For Angie.

School was starting back in a few days. Which meant, Ashley would officially be back. He would have to face her and come clean about him and Veronica. Keep things under as much control as possible. But he felt he was ready to let go of that part of himself. He had already moved on from her, at this point all he wanted was Veronica. To go back to the way things were this Summer.

A sharp ring of the door bell immediately pulled Craig from his thoughts and his heart plummeted to his stomach.

Silence fell between Joey and Craig, neither jumped to answer. It seemed like they were both waiting for the other to answer it. But before either could move, Angie took it upon herself to peek out the window before even going for the door.

"It's Ronnie!!" She shrieked excitedly as she went for the door. She quickly yanked the door open and met the red head with a huge hug.

After their hug, Veronica knelt down to eye level, "Ang! You are still on your best behavior for your dad, right?"

Angie mischievously laughed, "Always!"

Veronica ruffled her hair before standing up, Angie darted back to the kitchen. She could see Joey rushing from the kitchen with her last check but her sight was on the boy in the red shirt in the kitchen.

Joey's greeting was more fatherly than she would get from her own. He started to extend the paycheck only to retract it as soon as she reached for it, "There's no way I can convince you to still babysit for a few hours after school? I could even up your pay. Angie, I mean, we all love you to death here."

"Craig! Craig!" Veronica could hear Angie's adamant plea for her step brother's attention. "Doesn't Ronnie look pretty in her yellow sundress?"

Craig quickly whipped around to get a look at the girl he sorely missed. His heart nearly jumped from his chest when they made eye contact. Her heart sank, Craig looked exhausted. And that's saying something considering the many sleepless summer nights they spent together.

Veronica brushed a strand of hair out of her face as she looked back to Joey, "I'll consider it."