A/N: Veronica has returned home from her internship and had an awkward encounter with Logan on the beach near her home. She runs into more "friends" on her first day of sophomore year at Hearst.
Chapter 3: Getting Reacquainted
EXTERIOR COURTYARD HEARST COLLEGE
THE FIRST DAY OF SOPHOMORE YEAR
"Veronica!" a cheerful voice called to her across the quad. She looked up to see Mac and Max hand in hand approaching her from the student union.
A full smile brightened Veronica's face. She hasn't seen her friend all summer. A few phone calls, a couple of video chats on Skype and lots of e-mail were pale substitutes for the real thing. She opened her arms as Mac released her boyfriend's hand to envelope Veronica in a quick hug. "Hey stranger!" Mac squealed.
"Hi Veronica," Max nodded awkwardly at his girlfriend's BFF. He never quite knew whether Veronica cared that he had been in love with a prostitute before he started dating Mac.
"So what's your schedule look like this semester?" Mac asked bubbling with excitement for the first day of school.
Pulling a piece of paper out of her messenger bag, Veronica ran down her classes: "Spanish 3, Introduction to Fossils, Psych 2, Criminal Forensics and Introduction to Computer Programming."
"Computer Programming? You?" Mac didn't believe her ears.
Veronica shrugged. "The F.B.I. told me to polish up my computer skills. Otherwise I'm going to have to either join the military, master Farsi, or go to law school to get a job with them."
"Counselor Mars," teased Max shaking his head incredulously. "I just don't see you chasing ambulances or getting off criminals."
Weevil had joined them on his way across the quad with his tools. "I don't know. V's gotten off a few criminals as far as I know," he joked with a smile. The sexually charged alternate meaning to his otherwise innocuous crack was only lost on Max.
They all laughed, but Veronica playfully punched Weevil in the arm. "Very funny."
Holding up his tool box, Weevil headed off. "Duty calls. Have a nice first day of school, niños." The sarcasm dripping off his voice was thicker than honey.
"Who is that guy?" Max wondered why the campus maintenance man seemed to know Veronica. She was an odd one.
Making it clear that she wasn't going to elaborate Veronica simply responded, "An old friend." Even though he may have been a bit naive, Max was smart enough to let it drop.
"Well, I'm here to help with your computer class if you need me," Mac offered.
"I was counting on that," chirped Veronica. "What about you guys; what are you taking this semester?"
"I have Advanced Web design, Computer Assisted Graphic Design, Calculus III, Computers in Modern Society, Intermediate Programming, and Poetry of the Renaissance," Mac shared. In response to Veronica's raised eyebrow, Mac retorted "What? I like to read."
"I dropped out to focus on my business," said Max. "I just came to walk Mac to class and solicit some new customers."
With that, Mac pulled out her cell phone to check the time. "Oooh. I'm gonna be late." As she and Max headed off, Mac gestured with her hand to her ear. "Call me. I miss you. Let's get together soon. I actually really need to talk to you. There's this guy on my floor. He's got this act in a drag show. He's a really great singer. You have to come see him with me but he's getting these threatening letters and phone calls. I told him that you might be able to help him out."
"A drag queen, really? What were you two doing this summer?" Veronica asked, rolling her eyes. She didn't really want to know.
Mac dropped her voice. "Seriously, he's in trouble. You have to help him, ObiOne; you're his only hope." She did her best impersonation of Princess Leia.
Ever the capitalist, Max reminded her, "He'll probably pay . . . good money. It's a pretty popular show."
Shouting at a departing Mac over her shoulder, Veronica promised "Okay, okay. I'll call you and I'll see if I can help this cross-dressing friend of yours." With that Veronica set off for the parking lot.
Veronica had arrived at school later than she wanted that morning to find the main student parking lot filled to capacity. She had to park in the overflow lot far away from the main campus. At this point in the late afternoon that lot was almost deserted, which made her a bit uneasy. She opened her bag to reach for her taser when her cell phone rang. Looking down at the caller ID, her mouth fell open in shock: Duncan. She froze. Another ring jolted her back to reality.
"Hello," she began awkwardly.
"It's me," Duncan replied.
"Yeah I kinda figured that when it said Duncan on my caller ID. Where are you? I thought you destroyed this cell. What's going on? Are you alright?" The first few of the million questions she had came tumbling out.
"We have to talk," Duncan said simply.
"Okay, so talk. Believe me. You've got my full attention."
"No, in person."
"What? You're on the other side of the planet." Veronica recalled an unsigned post card she received a little over a year ago from Australia, right after Aaron Echolls had been shot to death in his hotel room. It had been a picture of a Koala bear holding a lily. In neat untraceable block print it said, "All's well that ends well," but nothing else. She understood the message.
During the brief conversation Veronica had been so taken aback by the call that she didn't notice the long white limousine that had stopped a few feet behind her. "Get in," Duncan instructed.
She started to back away slowly when Clarence Weidman emerged from the front passenger seat. "Don't make this any more difficult than it has to be," he warned as he opened the back door to the luxurious ride.
Warily she got in. Clarence slid in next to her and closed the door before the car drove off leaving Veronica's silver SUV marooned in the student lot.