Hello. I hope you're having a great day.

For a second, I felt normal. Everything seemed the same - a sheen of sunlight illuminated outside my window, the floorboards creaked, and my only company was the house plants.

Until I realized that I had let Veronica pick the wrong mug and now Heather Chandler was dead.

A fact that wouldn't go away - no matter how many times I tried to block those thoughts. They grew and grew like a oncoming storm, harassing and taunting my every action.

I rose out of bed, pushing back the thought. I watered the plants, put on new clothes and headed into the parlor.

Dad always had a million things I needed to take care of: picking up groceries, laundry, sweeping, cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, cooking, help to pay rent, vacuuming, tidying the rooms, making beds - you name it. As long as he was in charge, I had to take care of the household.

Today happened to be grocery day.

So, I drifted over to the kitchen, scrolling through cabinets and noting missing items. I was halfway through before the doorbell rang.

I glanced at the clock, noting that it wasn't even past ten. It wasn't Dad, that's for sure.

It rang a second time.

Creeping towards the door, I opened it and stared at the person, jaded.

Heather McNamara.

She was garbed in a stuffy overcoat and held a neatly tied, ribbon-topped box. She smiled, biting her lip.

"Is this your house?" she mumbled.

"Yeah," I confirmed, glancing behind her. Duke or Veronica wasn't anywhere to be seen. McNamara was never alone.

"Good," she replied, straightening. "I brought a Welcome-To-The-Neighborhood present. I live across from you, so..."

"'Mmm."

"Can I come in?" she asked, her words jumbled.

I thought back to the long list of chores.

If I slammed the door in her face, then she wouldn't bother me anymore and I could be alone.

Only if she didn't tell Veronica.

With scattered thoughts and unclear decisions, I nodded swiftly. "You can come in."

The blonde smiled a bit brighter, strolling inside. She peeked around as we ventured towards the kitchen. "Nice house," she commented. "Lots of house plants. Pretty big, too - you garden?"

I untied the box. "Depends on how you look at it. I mean, I, ah, take care of them, but, you know."

Behind a plastic sheen, a lukewarm dozen of pastries sweetened the air. Heather waited for my expression.

"Sorry for barging in, I didn't have any time to stop by. I've been doing a ton of favors for my friends."

"You make these?" I asked, noticing the little flowery designs of icing and powdered sugar.

McNamara leaned over the counter, tapping with her fingers. "Uh-huh. Heather thinks it's stupid, but I like baking these. Especially making them have their own unique designs," she explained, looking down. "Sorry, I'm talking too much."

"Not as much as Heather Chandler."

"Don't say that," she sighed. "She'd kill you if you said something like that - "

I cringed.

" - She's a nice person, even if she can be a pillowcase. I mean, why else would she let me hang out with her?"

"She's dead."

Her pleasant demeanor shattered as her brown eyes dilated to the size of the moon. "What?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"Veronica didn't tell you? She went over to Heather's house on Saturday and found her face down in glass and drainer cleaner. Apparently it was suicide."

"I," she trailed off. "She didn't seem depressed or anything! Are you sure?"

I shrugged, shaking my head. "Almost a hundred percent positive. Kids can hide shit like that from their friends and family pretty well." I explained, walking behind her. "I know I did."

Before I could say anything more, she raced towards the front door. "Thanks for letting me in, JD."

Heather was crying at this point - I could tell. She buried her face in her hands, tearing splattering the yellow sleeves.

She paused outside. "Can I come over later? Oh God, that sounds terrible - I mean, my mom wanted to meet your family, but she was working early today."

I followed her. With a brush of my hair, I nodded. "Why not? I could use some more free food."

Her anxious posture softened and she quietly laughed, sniffling. "Bye. I gotta go motor to Heather's house or else she'll have my head for not telling her sooner."

"Bye," I called, watching as she closed the door lightly and sprinted across the sidewalks.

Heather really thought that Moby Dick killed herself.

Thanks for reading. I decided to focus more on other relationships besides JD and Veronica, mostly because it might get old.

What do you think of McNamara? JD seems to tolerate her at least. What do you think will develop in their relationship? Hatred? Friendship?

Also - sorry that this chapter was so short. I have a lot of things planned, so I wanted to make this chapter a bit slow paced.

Responses to Reviews

SweetRiceball20: Can't say. Maybe I just saying that they are stuck together - maybe I was saying that one or both of them is going to die. It is still possible JD can switch to Veronica's ways or oppose them.

Have a wonderful day!