Chapter 21: Breaking Lies
Logan
I couldn't believe Veronica would stand me up, but then again I knew she wasn't a person who took school lightly. It would need to be something very important for her to skip a day just to hang out. I drank a little more of the crisp champagne I had taken from my dad's stash. I picked up my phone as I saw an alert from Veronica.
-Couldn't make it, something came up—Veronica
I laughed lightly knowing that nothing came up other than her freaking out. I thought I had made myself clear on how I felt about her, but I guess she was still struggling with it. I hated to admit there were things that I wasn't proud of, but I truly cared for her. I wasn't playing any kind of game. It seemed different for me unlike when I dated Lilly. Veronica was more than Lilly was. She needed her space and I would try to give it to her, even if I didn't understand. I hope she understood I knew more about her than she thought I did.
***LoVe***
Veronica
I drove to the marina and sat in my car as I watched Logan on the yacht, but I couldn't bring myself to get out of my car. I hated that Tad ruined the moment for me. I really felt safe with Logan, but now knowing that he could have had something to do with the incident that happened at Shelly's party was something that killed something inside of me. I really needed to be sure there wasn't anything he was hiding other than me.
***LoVe***
Logan
"Randy just finished shaping it for me. Double concave bottom with the sweetest little rocker through the tail," Dick was commenting to me as I was scanning the parking lot for a certain blonde rogue. Normally I would enjoy hearing all about a cool board, but I was concerned for my missing blonde.
"Wow, I can't believe you already dinged it your first time out?" I muttered half listening to his drivel as he just about jumped out of his body.
"What? Dude, so not laughing. This is currently by baby," he muttered looking more intently at his board checking it all over.
"Ugh! That just isn't funny. The actual thought of you breeding is difficult for me to understand," I asserted as I spotted Veronica just a little from me. "Mazel tov, enjoy the board though," I jested hitting it as I moved away from him. I half ran toward Veronica, but she seemed to be ignore me as she quickly moved away from me.
"Vee, hey, will you stop for two seconds?" I yelled toward her as Weevil had the nerve to step in front of me blocking my path to her. I was beyond pissed off with him butting in with yet another girlfriend of mine.
"You see when they flee from you it usually means they don't want to see you. Why don't you leave Vee alone and take a hint?" he snaps at me as I shove him away from me.
"I don't know what twisted crap you had with Lilly, but you do not want to start with me today, paco," I sneered at him as I "
"You don't even deserve to say her name," he leered at me as he pushed back, "Are you sure because I could have sworn it was in my day planner under goals," he snapped back.
"I don't think anything that is about me or her involves you one bit, back the hell out of it," I seethed at him. It bothered me that this crapfest was involved with yet another one of my girlfriends. I was just about ready to punch him for what he was saying when Coach stepped in between us. He sent the two of us on our ways. I decided to take the day off and headed to the beach. I needed time to cool off. I really needed to figure out how to talk with Veronica without being to overbearing.
Once I felt like I had my issues in control I headed to her apartment. I could hear her dog inside, but wasn't sure if she had left her car and wandered off. It wasn't until I saw movement that I knew she was inside.
"What is it, buddy? Is there someone out there?" she questions as I see her look through the blind near the door and quickly pull back.
"I'm not leaving, Veronica," I say softly as I could hear her breathing heavy behind the door.
"Right now is sort of a bad time," she replies as the door opens slowly. I could see she didn't look too good. My heart was breaking just seeing her so broken. All I wanted to do was protect her, but she was making it difficult for me to do so.
"So I should come back when, never? Does that work for you?" chided a little harsher than I meant as I took in her bags under her eyes and the way she kept trying to pull her robe tighter around her body. She seemed to be staring at me blankly as if she really wasn't looking at me. "Veronica, what did I do? Can you just tell me so that I can a-a-apologize or explain?" I begged trying to provoke some form of emotion from her.
"Explain. Alright, explain to me why you were the one with GHB the night of Shelly Pomeroy's party when someone drugged and raped me," she seethed toward as I felt the insides of my stomach heave. I was lost in thought as she continued, "Explanation? Apology?"
"You were raped?" I tersely whispered finding it hard not to lean forward toward her for some form of comfort.
"Seriously! Don't think about touching me," she growled as I hold back as tough as it was.
"Do you know what happened? I questioned as I kept myself from hurling at her.
"You tell me," she countered as I couldn't think what she meant.
"Wait. Wait a second, Veronica you think-" I muttered not even knowing how she could think I would do something like this to her. Did she not know how much I cared for her?
"I don't know what to think. I was told you were the one with the drugs," she remarked as I moved slightly from one foot to the other.
"Right, yes. I got some Liquid X when I was in Tijuana with Luke and Sean. We were just gonna have some fun with it," I admitted hating myself for the turn of events.
"Like sex with unconscious people fun?" she chided.
"No, fun like go to a rave fun. God, you should know me better than that. I wouldn't hurt someone in that way," I muttered trying to get her to see reason.
"You've convinced me. Bygones, right Logan, but I can't be sure about anything because look at how you treated me this past year," she retorted. I couldn't fault her in that thought because I had treated her very horrible, but she should know I would never hurt her like that.
"What can I do? What can I do to make it better?" I asked softly trying my hardest not to break down as I knew she was just barely holding it together.
"Nothing, you can't do anything. This has happened and I can't just let it go. I'm going to find out who did this to me, and I'm going to make them pay. Even if it was you," she replied as she turned to close the door. I couldn't help the hurt flash across my face as she whispered the last part. I couldn't believe someone would hurt her in a way that would be so degrading to her. I stare at the door for a moment longer wishing it to open.
I wasn't sure what I was suppose to say to her to make things better because there weren't words that could help her right now. I knew Veronica well enough to know she needed to find out what happened to her, and I would help her any way she would allow me to. I decided to take things into my own hands and look into events from that night. I would start with Dick since he was around her the most.
***LoVe***
Veronica
A part of me hurt when I told Logan just how I felt, but it was the truth. I needed to figure out who hurt me and if it was him he would pay for it. I couldn't believe he would do something such as create a situation for the rape of a classmate, but after he treated me like crap I wasn't sure he wasn't capable of doing it. I was numb as I walked through the halls of my high school wondering if the person I was passing had been the one to hurt me or not. As a rule, people that hate you aren't that helpful. There were about a hundred people at Shelly's party. Ninety-eight of them would walk over my corpse for free gum. My 09er resources are limited but I do have a few people I can count on. I decided to go to someone I knew was sort of friendly with me.
"Um, can we skip English today? I have some sort of Hemingway related narcolepsy. You start talking about "The Sun Also Rises" and I start falling asleep," Meg jokes as I approach her.
"Well don't blame Papa, blame Mrs. Murphy's monotone," I replied knowing that I dreaded the class today as well. "Hey, you were at Shelly Pomroy's end of the year party, right?" I continued as I watch her eyes open wide and look away from me. She knew something alright.
"I was there for a short period of time," she said looking anywhere but at me.
"Did you see me there at all?" I countered as I stopped to see if she would continue or not.
"Yes, I saw you but we didn't talk. Why?" she questioned.
"I can't remember that night. My memories are pretty fuzzy. I remember going to the party, and I woke up in a spare bedroom, but don't recall what happened during the night," I muttered as I saw concern flash across her face before it vanished.
"Maybe it's a good thing you don't remember what went on," she countered which made me really question what had happened even more.
"I take it then you saw me," I snapped a little harsher than I wanted to.
"Cole and I were leaving and I saw you briefly. It wasn't like we talked or anything," she said. She went on to explain she had seen me and I seemed to be very drunk. She wanted to step in, but someone else had come to my rescue, but she wasn't sure who it was.
"You don't honestly know who helped me?" I questioned vaguely trying to think of who might have helped me.
"No, I know Logan seemed miffed that the person who helped you was someone he knew. If that's your big high school related embarrassing moment. Everyone's got one, right? You got to let it go. You'll make yourself crazy," she says wandering off from me. She left me with more questions than answers. Logan saw me during the night, but it wasn't him who was with me. I would have to find someone else who saw me then.
I decided to check in with Luke since Logan said that he was with him when he got the GHB from Mexico. I saw him during lunch at one of the tables.
"Luke, remember when I saved you from drug dealers and I said I may call upon you for a favor someday," I asked him as I sat down. He looked like he was ready to piss his pants.
"Well you really didn't say I owed you a favor," he countered as he began to sweat.
"Well let's just say it was implied," I replied.
"Right, what can I do for you Veronica," he questions looking directly at me.
"Tell me about your trip to TJ with Sean and Logan when you guys scored some GHB," I snapped as I could tell that was the last thing he was expecting me to ask him.
"I'm not sure if I can help you with any now I don't have any. We got some about a year ago, but I gave mine away," he replied as he looked past me.
"Darn it I was gonna spike your juice box and have my way with you," I sneered as he became antsy and forcing himself to laugh.
"Who'd you give it to?" I questioned getting right to the point.
"Dick Casablancas asked for it to get together with Madison. I wasn't going to use it so I gave it to him," he says.
"Are you telling me that Dick drugged Madison?" I questioned not really feeling sad for her.
"Well, he-he asked for two doses and I, so I just, I figured he was gonna take one and ask her to take the other one but, um, I'm pretty sure she didn't though," he said as his voice faltered a little.
"I don't understand, how could you tell she wasn't drugged," I countered.
"Veronica, I don't think you're going to like what you hear," he replied honestly probably hoping I'd leave it alone, but that wasn't who I was. I needed to know what she did to me. It pissed me off to hear she had been the one who wrote the nasty comments on my car. It even bothered me that Dick was trying to drug her, but somehow she wasn't the one who got drugged I was.
"I really don't understand why she would do that to me," I commented as I saw Luke look away from me.
"Uh, I don't know. 'Cause she's a horrible human being?" he retorts as I get up and look for my next victim. I was walking down the hallway when I saw Madison go into the girl's bathroom.
"You can keep asking, but you're not the fairest, trust me," I snapped as I watched Madison looking at herself in the mirror.
"What's the deal, can't buy any good makeup to cover up your ugliness with food stamps?" she retorts as I just chuckle.
"Why the hell did you write slut on my car last year at Shelly's party. Why?" I sneered at her doing my best to keep myself from slamming her into the wall and punching her.
"Because I believe the word whore had too many letters. Anyway you should be thankful that's all I wrote," she replied as she turned to me.
"Seriously what have I ever done to you? I haven't done anything yet," I snapped as I saw her smirk grow wider.
"Whatever, Veronica," she snapped.
"Oh, what have I done to you then," I said.
"You've done plenty to me over the year Veronica Mars. But let's start with how 'bout making out with my boyfriend in front of an entire party," she said to me as I couldn't believe what she was even saying. There was no way in hell I would be making out with Dick Casablancas. "I guess I shouldn't take that personally, though, huh? You pretty much made out with everyone," she continued as I almost threw up what little food I had eaten this morning.
"Are you serious? I don't believe you," I snapped as she chuckled slightly and went into detail of how I was kissing on Dick and Casey. I wasn't only kissing them but I was dancing with them as well and not in a pretty way. I couldn't believe what she was telling me because that surely didn't seem like me.
I totally disliked the way that Madison felt like she was better than me. If she only knew the truth about herself; she wouldn't be too keen on rubbing money into people's faces. I wanted to punch her but refrained from doing so to think about what she had told me. I wasn't drunk but drugged.
After school I wanted to do anything but go home, but knew I had homework to do. I arrived at our apartment only to hear my dad and Wallace's mom arguing about me.
"Keith, she could have gotten me fired. How is that not a big deal to you?" I heard her raised voice. Darn it she must have been called on when Wallace delivered the plant.
"Alicia, I didn't say what she did wasn't a big deal," my dad tired reasoning.
"Are you serious she put a listening device in a plant, had my son deliver it to my place of business!" she replied.
"I'm sure she has her reasons," my dad said as I could see him leaning against the island in the kitchen.
"What sort of reasons could she have; she's seventeen?" Alicia snapped.
"You've seen her Veronica isn't your normal seventeen year-old," he countered as I gave a small smile.
"Of course she isn't your normal teen because you treat her like she forty," she snaps back at my dad as I decide this had gone on long enough so I enter the apartment.
"Mrs. Fennel. I-I'm so sorry but Clarence Weidman knew that I would-," I was saying as my dad stopped me.
"Veronica," he chided as I looked toward him for a second before going back to explain.
"Let me explain," I began again only to be stopped once again by my dad. "Dad, really I can explain," I say as I look back at him.
"Veronica, not right now go to your room," he yells at me as I just stare at him in surprise. I head toward my room.
"Ugh! He bugged me first. It's not like he didn't have it coming," I snapped as I went into my room dropping my bag on the floor and diving into my bed yelling into the pillow as I landed. I could vaguely hear them still talking as I pulled my earphones out and put them in to drown out the noise. I heard my dad knock on the door.
"I brought Duncan back; he's with his parents right now," he says as he sits down on the bed.
"Dad," I murmured as he pulls me into a hug.
"Stop, its okay," he replied as I sat back up.
"I'm the one who gave Wallace a bugged plant," I said as he chuckled softly before giving me a serious look.
"Honey, did you make some kind of deal with Celeste Kane that I don't know about?" he questioned as I couldn't understand what it had to do with the plant and Wallace.
"Not that I know of! I told her I'd look for Duncan if she released Weevil," I said trying to understand what the two had in common.
"I see. She said she wouldn't pay the reward. She said that we're even now. It's ridiculous of course, they'll pay. She's just enjoying the moment," he replied as I saw a smile creep on his face slightly. We talked a little bit more before he decided that I needed to look for another job. He wanted me to have a more normal life after this year. I didn't want to do that, but I would do anything to keep him from being mad at me.
It broke my heart when he began to question whether he was doing a good job as my dad. I couldn't believe he would even think for a moment that I didn't appreciate everything he did for me. I knew we didn't have a perfect family but he was the best father any child could ask for. I drop my foot to the floor and turn to look directly at him.
"Dad, I can honestly say I never would have gotten through this past year if it wasn't for you," I remarked as he looked up toward me.
"I hate to break it to you kid, but if it wasn't for me you wouldn't have to," he replied as I just shook my head as he leaned in and kissed my forehead before walking out of the room. I leaned back against my head broad and thought of what I was going to do next with Shelly's party. I needed more information, but was at a loss to who I should talk to next. I ended up focusing on my homework before heading to bed.
I got up with no real plan, but once I was getting out of my car and saw Casey walking by I knew I needed to speak with him. At first he tried blowing me off, but then I asked how he was really doing. Then he began talking to me so I asked him about Shelly's party. I asked him if I had hit one him, but he said I hadn't. He got quiet when I asked if things got ugly at the party.
He did tell me how Dick was interested in me since I was out of it. I felt nauseous thinking of touching Dick's chest and making out with him. Casey told me how when Dick tried to pass me off to him, he told him he liked his dates to have more free will. He then went on to tell me how later at the party Dick and Sean were feeding me shots to keep me drunk because they thought I might have been sobering up. What made me sicker than anything else was knowing I had made out with Shelly at the party. I was so out of it that I was doing unfathomable things that now I was embarrassed about. Casey left me with more questions than answers.
I decided there was only one thing I could do to keep myself from murdering someone. I went to my locker and began deep cleaning it. I took everything out and piled it on the floor to look through and wipe down once I cleaned the inside.
"Whatcha doing?" Wallace asks as he passes me to get to his locker.
"Ugh. This is why I need to keep my walkie-talkies in my car. Muck," I answered as he raised his eyebrows at me.
"I see the dirt, but why do you have a need for walkie-talkies at school at all," he countered.
"Wallace. I'm so sorry I had you bug Kane Software. I honestly thought no one would find out and if I knew that your mom was gonna get in trouble-" I began but Wallace stopped me letting me know he knew exactly what he was doing. It kind of hurt me to hear him though admit that I keep secrets from him. I mean it was the truth, but I didn't like it. Wallace had been someone I could count on, and I felt like I had failed him. Yet, I just didn't know how I could tell him some of the things that were bothering me. When he questioned me about Logan using the absent slip I could tell I was treading lightly. I lied to him, but it was better than making him mad. I was currently so mixed up about Logan that I just wasn't sure what to say. In the pit of my stomach I knew he didn't buy all of it as he slammed his locker shut.
Although I wanted to run after him and explain things, I currently had bigger fish to deal with. I went in search of Sean. I needed some answers and he currently had them. I saw him in one of the classrooms as I entered and scared the boy who was talking to him away, I could tell he wasn't too thrilled about seeing me, but at this moment I could care less.
"What can I do for you Veronica Mars?" he questioned voice filled with distaste.
"Well currently I'm just thinking of all the ways I can destroy you," I replied as the smirk he had on his face dropped slightly.
"Really, you sitting in front of me is enough torture. I don't know how people stand being near you," he sneered at me as I gave him a tight lipped grin. I would have Mac work her magic later.
"I have some questions about Shelly Promory. I thought you might like to join us for a little action later, since you liked it all too well the last time," I snapped as he face lost some color. His facial expression told me volumes. He knew exactly what I was referring to. "Don't stress yourself too much, you might crap yourself. It's nice that you fear me still because that small twitch in your eye tells me you know what I am talking about," I explained as he looked at me.
"Actually, I'm not sure what you are talking about," he states looking away from me. He was deflecting.
"Of course you do. I think it's also in your best interest if you tell me what I want to know or our favorite local lawman will get a call from me letting him know you were the one with GHB the night of Shelly's party, I know you were feeding me drinks," I sneered at him as I saw his face flushing.
My mind was really twisting and turning with all the information overload that I had been receiving. I felt sick just knowing what the 09ers had done to me at Shelly's party. I couldn't believe that they were so deplorable. It didn't make me feel any better to hear how Dick was feeding me shot after shot because he thought I might be sobering up. The fact that Sean was there allowing him to do it didn't help my mood at all. Yet, the only thing that was sticking to me right now was how Sean walked away after Dick gave his brother permission to rape me. I didn't care how he worded it or thought about it. Sean was there and could have been a better person and stopped me from being hurt.
"As you can see your issues are with Dick and Beaver, not me. They were horrible to you," he retorted to me as he leaned back into his chair. I was livid with him.
"Are you seriously going to sit there and tell me you were innocent in all of it? God you are even more pathetic than I thought. You were there in that room, when Dick told his brother what to do. I am holding you at fault as well. Don't worry though I will figure out sooner or later how I will deal with you," I growled as I got up and left the room before I kicked his butt.
I had heard people talking about Dick's new surfboard and decided how I would get him to talk to me. I waited until everyone had dispersed from the parking lot before I made my way to it. I saw Logan sitting in his SUV watching me, but the look I gave him stopped him from getting out and coming toward me. I hated the sad look he gave me, but currently I had bigger fish to slay.
"Hiya, Dick. How's it hanging?" I inquired as he took notice of his board under my tire.
"Veronica, what the hell do you think you are you doing?" he questions as I rev my engine making my car move slightly as I watch his eyes bug out a little as his board moves under my tire.
"I'm trying to get your attention," I muttered giving him a smile as I saw his confusion. He moved toward my car as if he was going to try to pull his board out, but I revved my engine again which made him jerk back.
"You're frickin' nuts, you know that?" he sneered at me as I could see the small crowd gathering around us. I decided to just get to the point and began asking him what happened the night of Shelly's party. He told me he didn't give me anything other than several shots. I didn't doubt him in that area, but it still bothered me he fed me shots. I could see him get antsy when I questioned him about his brother.
"We actually found you in the guest bedroom," he snipped at me. I tried to think back to that night but I was still fuzzy with the details. "I was walking by the room and Beaver was in there with you. It seemed like you two were talking, but I didn't stick around long to see what went down" he continued.
"Are you freaking kidding me? How 'bout reality, Dick?" I snapped pissed off if he thought I was willingly engaging in any way with Beaver.
"Ronnie, I'm just telling you what I saw. I didn't drug you. Don't go blaming me because you got all wasted and slutty," he says as I just smirk because he just sealed his fate.
"Don't ever call me Ronnie again," I muttered as I placed both my hands on the steering wheel and released my foot on the brake as I pushed harder on the gas. I surged forward sending the smashed surfboard everywhere. The look on Dick's face was priceless and made me feel slightly better.
It wasn't hard to find Beaver. All I had to do was figure out where he might be. I knew he was more into school than Dick so he would either be in class or the hallway. I found him luckily at his locker. I could easily tell he wasn't happy to see me when I moved closer to him.
"Damn lover, you don't look happy to see me," I growled as he looked past me trying to find an escape route.
"Veronica, what can I do for you?" he questioned.
"I just found out you and I were in a bedroom all alone. So tell me lover what did we do," I snapped as I could see the sweat forming on his brow.
"There's nothing to tell," he muttered as he tried to move past me, only for me to stop him.
"I don't remember much of that night, but something defiantly happened. I could feel it the next morning," I snapped as he drew in a breath. Beaver told me how he was trying to get with this girl who only had eyes for Logan. He said he was in a room with me, but he didn't touch me. I really wanted to believe him, but there was just something vexing about his story. He told me how Dick was egging him on about sleeping with me, but he couldn't find get himself to do the deed. He told me he left me in the room alone and threw up on Carrie's shoes. I was ticked off he left me there at the mercy of the people who could care less to help me.
"Thanks for leaving me there," I muttered as I punch him in the arm before walking away. An hour later found me at the office with everything from my desk on the ground as I was cleaning the inside of the drawers. I could see the strange look my dad gave me when he approached my space.
"Hello daughter mine. Did you find a bug somewhere," he questioned smiling down at me.
"Dust is everywhere, it's just plain disgusting," I replied as I pulled another cleaning cloth out.
"Honey, do I have any messages, or did you boil them?" he questioned trying to lighten the mood. He was excited when he read over the fax. He was headed to Vegas and wondered if I would be alright by myself. I wanted nothing more than for him to stay, but I knew he had to work. In the end I slapped on a happy face and sent him on his way.
***LoVe***
Logan
I couldn't figure out what was going on with Veronica for the life of me. I knew things might be rocky with us for everything I had done to her, but it killed me not knowing what was wrong. I walked into the kitchen area to find Aaron in his apron getting ready to cook.
"Ah! Especially for you tonight, I am making what will be known from now on as 'Aaron's Extra Special Crab Cakes.'" he said in a very poor French accent. I wasn't sure how I felt about him not knowing about my allergy to shellfish.
"Right, I'm sure I'll thoroughly enjoy them. Right up until my esophagus closes up, cuts off my air supply, and I shuffle off this mortal coil," I muttered as I waved my hand in front of me. I could tell he had no clue by the confused expression on his face. Yep, I was correct in thinking he knew nothing about my allergy. "Perhaps my last words will be 'Great crab, Papa.' I'm allergic to shellfish," I continued as he just shook his head.
Right, I forgot about it," he said moving the meat around.
"Just admit it you never knew," I snapped losing my patience after my crapping day.
"I did, I-I-I just got you confused with Trina, that's all," he stumbled over his words unsure about what to say.
"Nice one, you don't know much about your kids. I'll tell you this though I'm the one allergic to shellfish. Trina's the one allergic to work," I sneered at him as he rounded the counter grabbing my arm.
"You know what, somehow you got it in your head that I don't know a thing about you. Well, I got news for you: I'm your father. I raised you. I know plenty," he retorted putting more pressure on my arm.
"Okay round one of 'How well do you know your son?' When is my birthday?" I replied trying to pull my arm out of his grasp, but he held on tighter twisting it slightly as he huffed.
"February," he said almost proud of himself.
"Well, you got a vowel right," I muttered as I jerked my arm away from him. I was disappointed that he really had no clue. I could tell from his stance he was getting angry with me. I was already in for a pound, so why not go all in. I needed the recourse from the pain with Veronica turning away from. His beating would help me sink into oblivion.
"I have been pretty tolerant of your wiseass remarks but you are pushing it," he snarled at me reaching for me once again as he gripped my arm. The pain was slightly numbing as I looked down at his hand. He pulled away and placed it on my shoulder pushing down slightly holding me still. "Logan, does it matter to you that I'm trying at all? I mean does that count for anything?" he questioned pushing a little more down.
"Sure, dad you're accumulating points. Let's see you've almost won the wet vac," I muttered
"I'm committed to this family, Logan. I'm committed to you. You'll see that," he says as he releases me.
"Well, you've got limited time 'cause let's face it, my eighteenth birthday, whenever that is, Mom's inheritance comes through and it's bon voyage," I say as I turn around and leave him standing in the kitchen with an expression that unnerved me.
***LoVe***
Veronica
I had to get out of the office so that I could think clearly. I headed to Java the Hut. I was lucky to find Carrie working. I knew she might not give me any info, but was hoping she would. As I walked to the counter she went to turn away from me, but noticed she was the only one there. She had to turn around and help me.
"What can I get for you?" she snapped wiping at the counter avoiding eye contact.
"I'll have a hot chocolate, crème brulee and some answers if you can give me about two minutes," I asked softly trying to be as friendly as I could.
"I'm kind of busy," she muttered finally looking up at me.
"Do you remember Shelly's party last year?" I asked as she nodded her head. "Well I don't. At least, not between passing out in the back yard and waking up the next morning in the guest room. I think you probably saw me at some point according to the people I talked to," I muttered as I saw a flicker of realization flash across her face.
"Yes, I saw you," she replied. I couldn't believe it; no she had to be wrong. I mean could he really do something like that to me. I left the coffee shop sick to my stomach. I felt dirty, no I felt worse than dirty. Before I knew it I found myself at the Kane front door ringing the doorbell. I needed answers and the only person who could give them to me was on the other side.
"Welcome back. So Carrie Bishop said that you and I were in bed together the night of Shelly Pomroy's party last year. Care to elaborate lover?" I tersely said as my voice faltered over the words. I could see he wasn't sure what to do.
"What? What are you talking about?" he asked as if he had no clue.
"I wanna know what happened," I snapped as I could see him looking around before turning back to me.
"Come Veronica, do you know how wasted I was at that party? I-I barely even remember it. The whole night's kind of a blur to me," he muttered avoiding looking me in the eye.
"Is that the best you can do? I mean tell me, do you have any memories or have you forgotten everything. Carrie said she walked into the guest bedroom and you were naked and on top of me," I asserted knowing he was going to fight me on this.
"Seriously, I can't believe this," he muttered rubbing his hands over his face.
"I have been going crazy out of my mind for the past year over what happened to me. And here you had the answer to that question, but refused to tell me. You raped me, and left me there," I yelled at him as I held back from hitting him.
"What, I raped you!" he asked as if he was trying to question me. I couldn't hold back the tears any longer as I began to cry.
"So let me get this straight according to you I'm a murderer and a rapist now," he growled at me. I couldn't help the sobs now. It was painful to think about what should have been something note worthy being so horrible for me. He moves out of the house onto the porch. I backed away from him.
"What are you doing? Why are you acting like this? Why are you acting like you weren't there?" he questioned harsher than he should have trying to twist this situation onto me.
"What the hell?" I chided turning my body to face him head on. I couldn't believe he was trying to pin this all on me.
"Come on, Veronica you were there as well. I-I thought we had some unspoken rule, like we're never gonna talk about it but now I raped you," he muttered looking at me like I was some disgusting thing. "You honestly don't remember, huh not a good feeling is it. I bet that unnerves you," he continued almost disrespectfully.
"If what you are saying was all tender love making then why did I wake up the next morning searching for my underwear. Why didn't you stay there with me," I impatiently and distraughtly demanded.
"I had to get out of the room," he yelled turning around.
"Why did you have to leave? Why would you sleep with me and then just vanish?" I viciously said.
"I realized what I did..." he started but stopped looking back at me.
"What did you realize you raped me? Did you think about that?' I snapped.
"No, I realized I slept with you!" he muttered.
"Yet, according to you it was consensual, right?" I countered as he moved in front of me an arm length away from me.
"Yes, of course it was," he stated.
"Tell me what was so damn important that you left me. Why would you do that," I retorted growing impatient with his dull answers.
"Damn it Veronica, you're my sister, and I knew it! E-even after my mother told me, I tried to just cut you out of my life. I loved you! I tried not to, I tried not to, but it won't go away!" he screams at me as I feel like the wind had been knocked out of me. Duncan had known he was related to me and still allowed himself to sleep with me. I quickly turned around and rushed to the nearest bush throwing up in it.
"Don't touch me!" I snapped as I felt someone next to me. I couldn't help the tears now as I turned back around noticing Celeste standing near us with a smirk on her face. I turned to look at Duncan as he fell to his knees. I took off. I was almost to Logan's house when I decided I probably would do better at Wallace's instead.
"Not that I don't like ya, but I was about to call the police on you, stalker," he joked as I wiped at my eyes. I couldn't hold back the new onslaught of tears as he grabbed my things and took me inside. I barely noticed his mom as he guided me into his room. I leaned back on his pillows as he told me about his day. After a little while I felt slightly better.
"This is so not an "I told you so," but do you see why I kinda keep things to myself? I think I can go home now," I say after he finishes.
"I don't know, maybe you would be better here than home alone," he says as I see him look out of his bedroom door to where his mom was standing.
"I couldn't do that. I feel better but then again of course, you feel worse, now," I joked trying to lighten the mood.
"I don't care about me. I just wish I could do something. Or say something. This is all new for me having a friend like you," he says smiling as I laugh.
"You don't really need to say anything. That's what's so good about you. I feel alright around you," I admit as he nods his head in understanding. "I know you have told me I never tell you anything when I ask for favors?" I started as I pulled my laptop out of my bag and clicked it on.
"Don't worry about that right now," he muttered looking guilty.
"I'm not worried. Here's everything there is to know about one of my best friends. This is why I am the way I am," I replied as I set the laptop on his lap. He looked at the topic I opened up to him and began explaining to him the facts of the "Lilly Kane Murder Investigation". Once I had told him everything he gave me a hug and I packed my laptop away moving out of his room as I he went to start his homework.
"Don't tell me Wallace still has you cutting his crusts off?" I say softly trying to lighten up the moment.
"How are you, Veronica" Alicia questions in a very concerned voice.
"Better, thanks for allowing Wallace to help me. I hope you don't hold my issues against my dad. He really likes you," I say quietly as he stops cutting and turns to me.
"Yes, I know he's a great guy," she replies.
"I'll deny this if you tell anyone, but you make him so happy. I haven't seen him this happy in some time," I say honestly.
"Thank you, but I think things might have changed. I think I have ruined things between us. He seemed mad at me when he left for Vegas," she murmured hanging her head a little.
"Please trust me on this; I know how he feels about you. He's not going anywhere," I say as I move to the front door leaving the house to head back to the apartment. I called Logan to come over because we needed to talk.
***LoVe***
Logan
My heart was pounding all the way to Veronica's apartment. I knew that she was going to break up with me. It was like Lilly all over again. I felt so stupid thinking that Veronica was different. I mean I knew that I had helped to inflict the torment she endured at school from the 09er crowd, but I thought we had worked past that.
"Hey come in," Veronica said as I reached the top step near her door. She must have just gotten in because she was letting her dog off of his leash.
"Let's just get this over with," I muttered heartbrokenly under my breath as I followed her in and sat down in front of her on the couch.
"I'm so sorry. I know now it wasn't you, and I'm sorry I accused you," she said breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"You don't have to apologize. It's fine. Are you alright?" I question trying to keep my voice steady.
"Logan, it's not fine. I accused you of raping me. That wasn't right of me. I'm really sorry," she asserted as I felt worse yet knowing what I had done to her.
"God, Veronica all I care about is you. Okay? Did you learn anything about what happened to you," I countered as I watched her tense up a little. The news must not be good.
"Yeah, I did," she mumbled as I reached for her hand to show her some support.
"Would you like to talk about it? You don't have to, but I want you to know I am here for you no matter what you tell me or don't tell me," I sincerely replied as I watched her debate internally.
"Promise me you'll hear everything out before you do anything," she asks softly as I struggle to just demand her to tell me.
"Alright, I will hear you out before I go and beat anyone up," I joked trying to get the mood better.
"I was drugged at the party. I don't know by whom, but I wasn't…" she started as I could tell how hard this was for her.
"It's alright," I say softly moving a little closer.
"I was with Duncan," she began and looked away from me as I tried to keep my body from tensing up. I needed to be strong for her. She was the one hurt not me. Yet, the thought of her with Duncan made my insides churn with disgust.
"Apparently I was in the guest room, and he was wasted and I was…out of it…and I guess our feelings and nature…" she stumbled over her words.
"I'm sorry about it," I whispered pulling her closer to me knowing that this must have been hard for her.
"I am too, but I'm just glad you're here," she admitted as she snuggled into my shirt pulling me closer. I knew this was just the beginning, but it was a good start. Once she got her emotions under control we decided to head to my house since my dad texted me telling me he wanted me home for dinner. I decided to bring Veronica so that she wouldn't be all alone after her rough afternoon.
"God, my dad thinks he's a gourmet chef. Humor him please for me he's been taking lessons," I say laughing as she held her hand out for me as we walked toward the front door of the house. "Ah, so now he's going to make us eat to candlelight tonight," I tersely replied as I noticed how dark it was inside. It sort of reminded me of the night he kicked Trina's boyfriend's butt.
"I'll try," she whispers as we pause at the door.
"Okay, I'll take that. Let's do this its show time," I say as we begin to kiss as I push open the door as the light comes on.
"Surprise," Aaron yells joyously as we both break apart looking around the room. The room was full of my stunned friends looking like someone had been shot right in front of them. Then I noticed the hideous decorations Aaron had put up or paid someone to put up. I watched Dick and Beaver whispering to each other but looked right to Duncan. He was leaning up against a pillar next to Meg. Aaron decides to break the tension.
"Is this party nine months early or three months late?" I snapped as he gave me a pointed look.
"Don't get me wrong, but I got a lot of lost years I gotta make up for. This is my way of getting started," he says smiling at me.
"Great, next time tell me. It's a good start," I muttered turning toward where Veronica was still standing like a deer caught in the headlights. I decide it was now or never as I hold my hand out for her. She takes it as I turn around to see a hard look from Duncan which surprised me since he was dating Meg.
"Dude, what the hell are you doing?" Dick mutters as he moves to stand in front of me. "Please tell me this is all a joke or prank like, some new reality show called "My Skank"," he comments as I pull away from him as Veronica begins to pull back from me. I hold firmly to her hand.
"Goodbye, Dick," I reply as I pull Veronica closer showing that this was all real and not a game. I wanted people to know she was here with me.
"What?" Dicks stutters as I move around him.
"You can leave anytime you want. As a matter of fact get out of my house. Hear me now if you have a problem with Veronica, you leave. Actually, you have a problem with Veronica, you're pretty much dead to me, so just, like, evaporate or something, I dunno," I remarked as I waved my free hand toward the front door. I must have surprised Dick because he just moved back into the crowd.
"It's for anyone general invitation. If you don't like my girlfriend then…" I began as I felt Veronica shake and gasp at the choice of words I used. Yet, they felt right because that was what she was. Veronica was my girlfriend. I watch Duncan as he takes a deep breath and moves to the door as I try to talk to him he walks out.
***LoVe***
Veronica
"Are you like dating Logan now?" Madison questions me as I just couldn't believe her. Did she not just hear Logan say just as much a few moments ago?
"Yes, Madison," I replied as I moved to go around her.
"You want one. They said it was sugar-free but, I don't know," she wickedly says holding out a drink in my direction. I take it from her cautiously, moving toward Meg.
"You don't want to drink that," she says as I am about ready to take a sip. I couldn't believe it when she tells me that Madison likes to sp[t in people's drinks she doesn't like and gives it to them.
"Ow," Madison snaps as I twist her arm slightly as I grab it.
"Did you give me a trip to the dentist the night of Shelly's party?" I questioned as I felt anger flaring up in me.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, let me go," she snaps trying to free her arm.
"Just tell me this did you spit in your drink, and give it to me at Shelly's?" I seethed.
"My god, like I was the only person's spit you had in your mouth that night," she smirks at me as it all begins to dawn on me.
"You have no idea what you did to me you selfish bitch," I growled as I jerked her arm more.
"Oh my god! I just spit in your drink," She ranted back as she jerked her arm out of my grasp as I let it all sink in. Dick had wanted to drug Madison, but she had decided to give her drink to me. That little bitch is the reason I had slept with Duncan. Ugh! I think as I watch her walk away. I didn't want to ruin this party for Logan as I saw him looking over at me. I quickly turned away to wipe the tears that wanted to fall.
"Come on," I heard Logan whisper in my ear as he pulled me away from Meg who laughed at us. We snuck out behind Aaron as he was showing people out. It felt good to skip along the back of the house with Logan as we headed for the pool house. We entered into the dark room as I felt his lips on my mouth kissing me and pushing me backwards at the same time.
"I don't understand why things can't be like this all the time. Why does there have to be other people in the world," he jokes as I smile at him.
"What are you doing?" I questioned as he sat down on the bed pulling me with him.
"You're too short," he mumbled into my lips as he kissed me. I decide to even things out as I moved to sit in his lap.
We need to have a leveled playing field," he joked as we continued to kiss and make out. It was strange as this all just felt so normal. I finally felt like things might be looking up.
"Is this where you take all your conquests or am I special?" I joked as he slipped my jacket off. He just groans laughing as he flops back onto the bed.
"Nope, no one just the really short ones," he teases as I lean over him kissing his mouth, but after a moment he pulls away.
"I need to tell you something, and I think you might not like it," he whispers as I try to keep him right where he was. I could care less right now about talking.
"Not interested. I think we have had enough confessional time. We are onto the in-depth make out time," I politely say as I feel him pushing his way up.
"Veronica, stop, you need to listen to what I have to say," he begrudgingly says. I stop as I look down at him. He looked like the whole world had been placed on his shoulders.
"Alright," I muttered hoping things weren't going to change.
"Please remember I was horrible last year. I have to tell you something about Shelly's party," he admits as he proceeds to tell me about the salt lick and how he started it.
"I knew about that, but don't want to think of it as one of those real things that only happens to some people," I reply.
"That's not all of it, there's more," he says softly as he then tell me about Duncan and how he gave him a small portion of GHB to help bring him out of his funk. "I didn't know what else to do. You know, he barely even smiled since Lilly…" he continued as I rubbed my hand up his arm.
"Logan, you didn't know what would happen. Duncan is his own person. He knew what he was doing. If he was impaired he wouldn't have thought about how wrong it was after he did the deed," I tersely replied thinking about how Duncan knew what he was doing.
"Ronnie you don't get it. It's my fault you were hurt. The misery you have endured this last year has been all because of me. It's killing me to know that you got hurt, and I can't take that I hurt you like that. I can't take that I hurt you when all I want to do is protect you," he lovingly said as I felt like a fire was lit in my heart. I didn't know what to say so I roughly kissed him as I got on top of him once more. After a long moment he pulls me away by my hips.
"Logan," I grumbled wanting to continue.
"Please, I want you to trust me," he says as I smile down at him.
"I do," I say softly as I move back to kissing him. I feel him struggling to stay calm under me as he turns me over and he leans down looking longingly at me.
"After all that has happened and been said today I believe we need a drink," he bravely replied as he gives me a kiss and moves off the bed as I twist around to look at him.
"You learned that from Lilly," I say shockingly as I watch him unscrewing the vent before reaching inside of it.
"Actually our dear Lilly learned it from me," he replied as he headed to the liquor cabinet. "I think its endearing to think I need a key to get in here," he continued as I just laughed as the key broke when he turned it.
"Nice job," I remarked as he chuckled before coming back over to me and giving me a kiss.
"I'll be right back. Two minutes?" he replied as he moved to the door. I nodded my head as I leaned back into the pillows looking up at the ceiling. I noticed something in the middle of the fan. I looked past the blades to see a line running from the fan fixture to the bookcase next to the cabinet. I get up to see what it was all about. I slide the bookcases apart to find a monitor system set up to record all activity from the bed. I was breathing hard as I realized someone liked to record their sessions. I called Weevil to come get me. I was halfway to the gate when I felt an arm pull me back.
"Veronica," Logan questioned as I jerked my arm out of his grasp. He looked like I had just punched him in the gut. It hurt to see him sad.
"Don't," I muttered as I heard the sound of a bike.
"Did I do something wrong?" he questioned. I looked up toward him as I saw the light of Weevil's bike. "Did you think I wouldn't find your recording device? I thought you were different," I cried out as I ran toward Weevil before he could answer me.
"Veronica," I heard the pained cry of Logan as I had to close my eyes to keep from looking back. It hurt to think I was hurting Logan, but I couldn't be some conquest of his.
"You okay," Weevil questions as he hands me a helmet.
"I will be," I muttered as I got on his bike and he took off. I cried as he drove me home because I really did care for Logan, but I couldn't be used by him. I wanted to trust him, but I could find it in me trust right now. Weevil dropped me off at my apartment as he took off. I walked up the stairs wiping at my eyes to keep my dad from noticing I had been crying. Logan didn't need the third degree from him.
"Honey, I'm home," I called out as I entered the apartment and saw both my parents sitting in the living room.
"So am I, honey, so am I," my mom said smiling at me as I saw a confused expression on my dad's face. Crap this wasn't going to end well.