Sorry for the delay. Here's a new chapter for those that have been patiently waiting...

Chapter 28: More Today than Yesterday

Ronnie pulled the scarf off her face; letting the warmth of the school's heaters warm her cold extremities. She brushed off the last of the snow on her shoulders and smiled. She had a great weekend and ended up with a boyfriend in the process. Sunday was spent with her family; having a great time. She woke up to colder temperatures and snow on the ground. It wasn't deep, but she thought of other ways to survive the winter months. Being up in the Great White North wasn't one of them.

At least she didn't have to get up early to help shovel the walkway and drive. Her father and brother did that.

Although things had really turned out great this weekend; she had been dreading this particular morning. She knew that she would have to confront her "best friend" about what was going on between the two of them. The underlying problem for Ronnie was how to go about things. She knew that there were some issues with Nikki, but was she really the one that set up the attack?

"You okay sis?"

Ronnie turned to her brother and his girlfriend. They loved her for her and were truly concerned for her. She smiled at them and initiated a hug on her brother; turning and giving a hug to Alyson afterwards.

"You know what?" Ronnie took a deep breath. "I'm good."

Gabe smiled. "You need me; come get me."

"Same goes for me Ronnie." Alyson nodded. "We love you kiddo."

Ronnie blushed and nodded at the two of them. She turned on her heel and headed to her locker. Alyson leaned into Gabe; to which he pulled her closer to him. Alyson; being a few inches shorter than Gabe, looked up to him.

"You think she'll be okay?"

Gabe didn't answer her. He hugged her and placed a kiss on her forehead. He gently led her to their lockers on the other side of the hallway.

Meanwhile…

Ronnie stopped in front of her locker and opened up the combination. She had taken off her backpack and coat and was ready to put them in the locker. She looked and what she saw almost took her breath away. Inside her locker were a dozen roses in a small vase. She took a step back and gasped; dropping her bag and coat on the floor.

"Surprised?"

She turned to the male voice right next to her. Shane had a huge grin on his face. She leapt up and hugged her boyfriend tightly. Shane took a deep laugh at her actions. She let go of him and kissed him on the lips. He returned the favor. It was the clearing of a voice that made the two stop.

"Let's keep the PDAs to a minimum, okay you two?" Mr. Del Rossi said to them.

"Sorry sir." Shane smirked to him. Ronnie smiled as well but blushed from the attention.

"Good." He replied to them, smiling as well. "Trust me; I know what it's like to see someone that you care about back to school." He turned to Ronnie. "Welcome back Veronica; it's been not as exciting since you've been gone. Don't be late." With that, Mr. Del Rossi turned and headed to his classroom.

"Busted." Ronnie started to laugh as Shane's commentary. "What did Mr. Del Rossi mean that it's been less exciting in his class since you were gone?"

Ronnie picked up her belongings off the floor. She rearranged her things so that the flowers would be the main thing that she would see. She took her morning books from Shane and placed them in her bag. She zipped up the bag and closed her locker. She took a look at her watch.

"Walk me to class?"

Shane nodded. "Already have my stuff in my class. Just need to head back there when I'm sure that you're safe."

Ronnie nodded as they walked. "Okay." They headed towards English and Ronnie continued. "So y'know how we have open discussion in English about what we're reading?"

"Yeah. It makes the stories more interesting." Shane acknowledged. "What about it?"

"I've read most of; if not all of the books that we're covering. I read them multiple times." Ronnie blushed. "I know most of the material back and forth. So, I like to have a little bit of fun in class and question some points in the stories. The smarter classmates either jump in or stay out of the way. The classroom becomes a debate hall. It's actually quite fun." Shane could only smile and shake his head at his brilliant girlfriend.

Shane stopped just outside the door. Ronnie smiled at him. "Thanks for making sure I made it safely. You didn't have to do that though."

"Yes, I did." Shane nodded. Ronnie watched as her classmates passed by her. Most of them smiled and nodded at her; welcoming her back. Rosalyn had brought Ronnie her favorite chocolate bar while Edgar and J.J. handed her a card. Emily came up to her and hugged her; apologizing about what happened in the hospital. Ronnie accepted the apology and told Emily that all was well. Emily nodded and headed into class.

"What was that all about?" Shane asked. Ronnie turned on him.

"Did you know that Nikki tried to make moves on my brother?"

Shane's eyes grew big. He had forgotten about that whole story. "I forgot all about that."

"Forgot?" Ronnie had a questioning look on her face.

"Gabe mentioned it the afternoon when you were attacked." He cleared his throat. "Once everything happened; my priorities changed."

Ronnie blushed and smiled. "It's good to know where your priorities lie." She leaned into Shane and gave him a kiss. "See you later?"

"You know it babe." Shane nodded back to her as he headed off to his class. Ronnie sighed and entered the classroom.

She walked over to her usual spot in the class. There sitting in the spot next to her was the blue eyed, raven haired beauty that was supposed to be her best friend. Ronnie took the seat next to her. Nikki stopped what she was doing as her friend sat down next to her. Nikki sighed and continued to work on something.

Ronnie sighed as well. She turned her attention to her backpack. She took out her books and placed them on the desk. She took her work out of her folder. She got up and handed it to Mr. Del Rossi. He smiled as he took the work. Ronnie turned back to her seat. When she sat down; Ronnie noticed a paper in front of her. Ronnie looked it over.

I've been a shitty best friend…

Ronnie picked up her pen and replied back to her friend.

I'm not disagreeing with you. Nikki; what happened with us being able to talk about things? Why didn't you at least call or text if you didn't want to visit me? What is going on?

Ronnie passed the paper back to her friend. She looked forward at the whiteboard as announcements were being read. She felt the paper get pushed back to her.

I guess that I deserve that…I don't know what happened. I guess that I freaked out. Knowing that you were in that place…it really brought up a lot of real issues that I haven't dealt with. I know that it's not the answer that you want to hear…

Ronnie sighed. She wrote a quick response.

Look at me. Did you have anything to do with that attack?

Ronnie turned to her friend. Nikki looked at her with a surprised look on her face. The expression was a mix of surprise and deep hurt. Ronnie nodded at Nikki and took her hand.

"I believe you Nikki."

Nikki wiped a tear from her eye and tightened the grip on her friend's hand.

"Can we talk more at lunch?"

Ronnie nodded, turning her attention back to the front of the room. She held onto her best friends' hand and listened to morning announcements. She knew that she would get her answers soon and find out what was going on with her friend. Hopefully the healing process between the two was beginning for them.

So what do you think will happen next between the two? Be patient and you will find out...