Disclaimer: I don't own anything :(
A/N: I really don't feel great about this chapter. It took me quite a bit longer to write than the first two chapters, 'cause those just seemed to flow. I rewrote this three times and I'm still not totally satisfied with the outcome. Feedback would be GREAT!
Oh and sorry this took longer than the second chapter did to post. Real life got in the way with the end of the term at school, and getting sick and stuff. Hopefully since I'm not a second semester senior I'll be able to write more, cause that basically means I'm done with school. The teachers don't even care at this point :)
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My first week at Neptune High went by pretty quickly; things with Veronica have been looking up. She's actually been talking to me, but she's still been guarded. My guess? It was totally that little slip about her mom. But hey, I'm Logan Echolls…I'm not gunna sweat the small stuff.
Today after school some of the guys I've been talking to told me about a party tonight. Apparently some girl named Shelly is throwing down, big time. Her parents are outta town or something like that. Dick keeps saying how I have to go and meet everyone. I'm not sure how I feel about going, but I overheard Lilly begging Veronica to go, so I think I'll check it out.
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I pull up outside Shelly's only to find the party is already full-blown. There are even some idiots passed out drunk on the lawn. Apparently I wasn't the only one who felt it would be a good idea to get a jump of the party before getting here, because there is no way those guys could be that drunk when the party only actually started like half an hour ago.
I walk past the captain of the football team who is heaving in Shelly's mom's flower pot. I'm sure her mom will be thrilled when she gets back to her home to find her flowers dead and the pot filled with puke. Though I'm sure Shelly's parents are nothing like my dad. Last time something like that happened at my house was when Trina threw a party and then Dad punished me. But hey, can't hit a girl right?
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The first hour of the party was a drag. Despite having arrived late it seemed most of the other '09ers had yet to show up. At first I swarmed around the bar, but it didn't take long for me to step away and now I'm just relaxing on the couch. I've decided it probably isn't best to be a blathering drunk when…or should I say if…Veronica ever shows up. I'd really like to talk to her tonight, get to know her…maybe dance a bit.
After glancing over at the "dance floor" full of gyrating teens I notice the front door open and two girls walk in. The first is Lilly; she looks like every guys wet dream…well every guy but this one. I mean yeah she's hot, but I like when a girl keeps a little bit of mystery. And trust me, there is nothing left to the imagination with her outfit. Veronica is standing behind her, a little more…withdrawn. That girl really needs to let loose a little. I walk over and notice a trace of a smile on her face when she sees me.
"Hey Veronica…what's up?" We begin to walk away from the front door, back towards the couch I was sitting on before, and Lilly goes off on her own, no doubt to find some random guy.
"I umm…things are good. Look I wanted to uhh…apologize. For the beginning of the week. My dad called me out today, saying I've been in a bad mood and I needed to make sure I wasn't taking it out on people…so sorry." She's refusing to look at me, which is a little frustrating. I mean don't get me wrong, I love that she's actually talking to me…but I don't really think she has anything to apologize for.
"I'll forgive you on one condition." She's given me an in…a way to work my magic.
"Oh…umm sure. What is it?" She's nervous, I can tell. Probably think I'm going to try and make a fool out of her or something. She seems to always think of the worst possible situation.
"Dance with me." I stand and take her hand before she can say no. Out on the dance floor she tenses as first, but as the music pulses around us she begins to fall into the rhythm, relaxes a bit. We dance for a few songs before I take her hand and lead her outside towards the lounge chairs.
"Logan…I thought you wanted to dance?" She sits, but it's obvious she isn't sure how she feels about stepping away from the party.
"Yea, and we did. But I thought maybe we could talk. Just you and me, out here, where it's a bit quieter. I mean the only time we talked all week we were surrounded by all of your friends"
"Logan they're your friends now too. Actually if you ask then I'm sure that 9 out of 10, or possibly even all of them will say that you belong there more than I do."
I've never seen a girl so confident on the outside, but so self-conscious on the inside. I mean most girls have cracks that show they aren't everything they seem to be. But Veronica's got this…mask. And she is good at hiding what's on the inside. So good that now that I know, I really want to break down that outer wall. Get inside and find out more. Maybe that's what causes my next move…the desire to get inside and learn. But I definitely surprise both of us by leaning forward and kissing her. At first she seems tense, then relaxes, and finally, as I run my hand through her hair she tenses again and pulls away. God the girl is beautiful, even with her hair slightly mussed, and the look of utter shock.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I just…I've been thinking about doing that for a few days now. And I just…" but she's running. Again! I stand and run after her. At first I can't find her anywhere. The crowds to big and she's so tiny that she probably squeezed through everyone. When I finally make my way out the front door I find her sitting on the stairs of the front porch, starring off into the night sky. She looks a little lost, so I sit but don't comment. It's probably best if I give her time, let her talk first.