"Do your parents fight?" JD asked the following day, sitting on the patio furniture in Veronicas backyard.

She shrugged, "Once in a while yeah. Why?"

"I was just wondering if it was normal." He adjusted himself in the chair.

"Is this about your mom and dad last night? Because I really didn't mind. I understand and all." She too sat up.

He looked down, a sour taste filling his mouth, "It's not necessarily that. They do it all the time."

Suddenly she noticed his mood change, "Your dad isn't abusive or anything right? He was so nice yesterday. I can kick his ass for you no problem."

The boy shook his head, "No. It's two sided really, my dad's just an alcoholic asshole and my mom's a bipolar mess. Just name a disorder and she has it."

"I'm sorry JD," She felt insanely bad, and awkward, "That sounds so awful."

Gesturing twords the air, he shook his head, "The world's just really messed up. Sorry I just kinda laid it out there. Sorry if I made you feel weird."

Veronica shook her head, "No no! I love learning about people. Adds to their character value you know? Do tell me more Mr. Dean, anything is probably facinating."

He let out a lopsided grin watching her place her elbows on the table, and her chin in her hands, "Well, I've been around the United States a bazillion times."

"What was your favorite place?" She asked.

For a moment he thought, "I really liked Oregon. The ocean there just seemed so different. And I loved the forests."

"That sounds glorious. I've only been to Michigan, and Illinois. Nothing special like that. Your dad must make lots to vacation like that constantly huh?" She questioned, stirring her lemonade with a straw.

JD deflated. Forgetting to tell the girl that he moved around like a nomad never came up. He wondered if she'd not hang with him if she would find out he was leaving in two months. Thoughts clashing on if he should tell or not. Her brow raised as she studied him, awaiting an answer.

He shrugged, "Yeah. Blowing things up and winning lawsuits really does add up. That man gets sued for walking I'll tell ya."

She grimaced, "Man I wish my dads job was cool. He's a college professor. My mom is pharmacist. They work like, 24/7. You're lucky they don't demolish at night."

"Your parents have good jobs. They're nice." He thought about the one time his mom was a grocery bagger.

"Let's get off this topic while we're deep in. I'll go on a rant that nobody wants to hear Jason Dean." She crossed her arms and looked at her reflection in the french doors.

Face twisting into slight annoyance, he furrowed his eyebrows and tried not to be rude, "I'd prefer JD."

Nodding, she smacked her forehead and sighed, "Oh jeez that's right, sorry."

To himself, he thought he'd come off as the rudest person in the world. But to Veronica, he was so much more than Jason. If she were to ever say his name, it would have to be JD, or Jason Dean. His personality not permitting anything else.

"What do people call you?" He asked to try and derail another touchy conversation about himself.

She smiled, and as did he when he saw the dazzling grin, "Terrible ones really. Not mysterious like JD. Ronnie. People call me Ronnie. Mostly my friends though."

Hiding his stupid expression, he leaned forward, "What about Ron?"

"Oh god don't get me started. Jerks call me Ron. Back in third grade, when I cut my hair super short. I was called that god awful name until middle school by anyone in a higher social class than me." She turned red in the face.

This seemed to happen a lot between the two, and like he'd done before, he shoved it off and tried to make her feel better, "Don't sweat those assholes. You totally rock the namd Ron. The only reason I don't like Jason is because it's bland."

"What about Jay?" She quizzed, feeling airy suddenly, her mood switching rather quickly.

He shook his head and faked gagging, "Do I look like I wear an ascot and have bad hair? Because that's what happens when your name is Jay."

Snorting with her obnoxious laugh, she huddled over in her chair, "You're too confident about your hair."

Rolling his eyes, he sat back, "Rude Veronica. My hair is absolutely astonishing."

Sucking in her lips she looked away to hide her giggles, "Sure.."