Chapter 5
Veronica had gone to her room and was contemplating things. Wallace never wanted to talk about her past when her father was in the room and she didn't really understand why. Didn't he want his only daughter to remember what her life was like? If she was such an extraordinary person didn't she deserve to remember what she did that was so wonderful?
She had only been home for 3 weeks and she was quickly falling into a routine. From what she was told she was behaving just like the old Veronica; only without making references to the past. She was happy to know that her personality hadn't changed but not knowing about her past was really bugging her. Didn't your past shape the person you were today? Things that happened to you were what shaped your character and made you stronger, weaker, give you fears, give you strengths. She had nothing to go on in that respect. She didn't know what her favorite band was, what her favorite classes were, what her favorite colour was, if she normally preferred her hair up or down. She didn't know if she was afraid of bugs or heights, if she liked chocolate or not. Everything was a trial. She'd have to try everything to see if she liked it or not and that was just annoying.
Upon inspecting her room she quickly found out that she loved indie music and was a big fan of reading. She had a ton of clothes in her closet and in her drawers. Apparently Veronica favored the casual comfortable look as opposed to the glam Barbie doll look and that pleased her immensely. She had quickly gotten the impression that she wasn't little Miss Vanity. However, her mind changed when she found a cheerleading uniform. She undressed and quickly redressed in the uniform (that amazingly enough still fit) and read the logo on the front. NHS. High school. Clue number one about her past, she was a cheerleader. She searched in the closet and found some pompoms and walked out of her bedroom and into the main living quarters of their house.
"GO NEPTUNE GO!" She cheered loudly remembering Wallace tell her about his days as a star point guard at Neptune High School. She was apparently there cheering him on at every game! "PIRATES PIRATES PIRATES! ARRRRGH!" She continued and couldn't suppress her laughter when Keith, Alicia, and Wallace were staring at her in amazement. "P-I-R-A," she stopped cheering and put her arms at her sides with the pompoms dangling there.
"What, you look surprised to see me this this," she said looking at her father. Looking at Veronica you'd think that she was a high school cheerleader with her beautiful blonde hair in a high pony tail with a few loose strands escaping the elastic and gently framing her face. Her eyes were a beautiful bright blue colour. So much brighter than when she first woke up from her coma. "Isn't this like my thing," she asked moving around again in a very cheerleadersque way.
"Honey, I haven't seen you in that thing in so many years its unbelievable," Keith said as he continued to chop onions for some chili that he was making.
"Hell you never put it on for me at the games. You were always like 'oh no Wallace, my days as pep squad girl are totally over,'" he imitated her.
"And here I thought I was an every day cheerleader," she said the sound of disappointment creeping into her voice.
"I don't mind, really, you can keep that on for dinner if you wish," a familiar voice said the family heard the front door close, "I hope you don't mind but it was unlocked," Piz said as he walked in grinning from ear to ear at the sight of Veronica in a mid-drift baring top and super short skirt. He had always wanted to see her in that outfit. One time while they were making out she had pretended to be on pep squad still and … well that some how ended up with his face and Logan's fist being acquainted.
"Yeah, I'm gonna go change," Veronica said as she backed into the hall way with Backup and Alicia following her.
"Ignore his comeons, it really does suit you," Alicia said as they reached Veronica's bedroom
"Thanks Mom," she replied while smiling at her step mom.
"Veronica I told you that you don't have to call me mom, you didn't before your accident and you don't have to now."
Veronica looked at Alicia with a big smile on her face. Veronica was making the effort to be all cool with the insta-family, including a little brother who was shipped off to granny's house until Veronica was more or less stable. She liked Alicia, she really did. Wallace loved her and by the looks that Keith gave her, he was head over heels in love with the beautiful woman standing at Veronica's door way.
"But I want to call you mom. It kind of makes me feel more normal, but if it bothers you I'll stop," she said forcing a smile now.
"No, actually, I think its really nice. I just don't want you to feel forced or anything."
"Never. It's nice having a family and although I don't remember a lot, I can sense the love in this house. Even this guy is a central part of the family," Veronica said as she bent down to pet Backup on the head. The enormous pit bull just tilted his head to take the love and affection. When they walked into the house the first day Veronica was released from the hospital she was immediately intimidated by the dog but she quickly found out that he was nothing more than a sap when it came to her and if all dogs only had one boss, Veronica was his.
"That means a lot to me Veronica. You and I haven't always seen eye to eye on everything in the past but I'm glad we were able to put our differences aside. It worked out well in the end don't you think? You and your best friend are brother and sister." Alicia had continued but Veronica was still clinging to the part about them not always seeing eye to eye. She'd have to question Wallace about that later on. "So why don't you change and then join us in the living room, one of your gentleman callers awaits," she said.
"Wow, now I feel like a whore by having many gentlemen callers," she joked as she walked into her room and changed into something that was very 'Piz proof'. She decided to wear dark blue jeans that didn't cling to her body, in fact they kind hid her slim figure and paired it with a Hearst College sweatshirt. She would turn the AC up before dinner so she didn't boil herself to death in the warm California heat. Pulling the sweater over her head had messed up her ponytail even further and she didn't want to be bothered to fix it. She wanted Piz to forget he had ever seen her in her cheerleading uniform. She kind of just wanted Piz to forget he had ever met her but he seemed pretty intent on making her remember that they were dating. "Backup would this turn you on," she asked the dog as she modeled her frumpy clothes and disheveled hair for the dog.
The dog gave her no reaction whatsoever. "A lot of help you are," she said as she opened the door to her bedroom and made her way into the living room were her family plus Piz were sitting on the couches enjoying homemade sun tea.
Piz got off the couch and walked over to Veronica and kissed her softly on the lips. "How are you, how was your day?" he asked her as he tried to lead her to the loveseat. Instead she plopped down on the armchair that was usually reserved for her father but he was busy cooking and he wouldn't really mind if she didn't want to sit next to someone that would molest her if given the chance.
"Uh great. Let's see today I was home alone while Wallace was at school and mom and dad were at work. I had Backup here but he's just not as conversational as I'd like my 180 pound pit bull to be. He's working on it though," she said sarcastically as Piz decided the arm of her chair was the appropriate place for him to sit. She felt as if she was a newborn child with her doting mother above her ready to pounce anyone that came near her.
"I told you that you could call me if you got bored. My schedule is really light right now, especially with the semester coming to an end," he said hopeful that she just thought he was busy with school and that's why she didn't call.
"Now who said I was bored," she said as she stood up and started to walk towards the kitchen, "I have my Tivo and America's Next Top Model is so thrilling this season. I just can't decide if I want Fatima or Whitney to win," she slowly backed up towards the kitchen, "Give me a minute I need to see if Dad needs help," she said and she excused herself. She went into the kitchen and leaned against the wall and exhaled loudly.
"Dad, please don't ever do this to me again," she looked desperate at that very moment.
"Do what Veronica," he asked sounding concerned. He stepped away from the bubbling pot on the stove and made his way over to his daughter when he spotted a tear forming in the corner of her eye.
"Maybe he was my boyfriend and maybe I truly did love him at one point in time but right now he just really gives me the creeps. He like," she paused to wipe away the tear that had slipped from her eye. "Every time he sees me he thinks its okay to kiss me on the lips, he sticks to me like a freaking leech and I'm not comfortable with that Dad. I don't remember him and I certainly don't want his lips on mine until I can remember something about him. And seriously, who names their child Piz," she said throwing her hands up in exasperation.
"I'm sorry honey. I thought it might be good for you to spend some one on one time with some of your friends. When they are all over here I feel that they overwhelm you. Piz is a really nice boy and he really likes you. You liked him too. I think he's the first boyfriend you ever had that actually respected our house and wouldn't make out with you on our couch," he said remembering the nights he'd come home to find Logan and Veronica cuddling on the couch with their lips inseparable. The same thing had happened with Veronica and Duncan.
"Did you ever stop to think that maybe I didn't let him make out with me for a reason," she asked sounding a little snarky. She had a hard time imaging herself allowing Piz to actually slip his tongue into her mouth. The thought alone made her want to throw up.
Keith looked at his daughter and laughed at her. "Honey, I wouldn't bring someone around that I know you wouldn't want around but if you want I'll talk to Piz and tell him to ease up a bit. Maybe he needs you to make it clear that the two of you aren't dating anymore."
"What kind of moron wants to force a girl to date him when she can't remember a damn thing," Wallace's voice interrupted their conversation. "I'm sorry Dad but seriously, he just laid one on her in front of everyone."
"Yeah and what more can I do to spell out that I'm not interested, this outfit doesn't exactly scream 'hey I was expecting you over and want to impress you and can't wait for you to shove your tongue into my mouth'" Veronica said standing next to Wallace who was smart enough to defend her.
"Can we not talk about people shoving their tongue in your mouth Veronica? I'm still your father. I'll talk to Piz now you two go out there with these snacks so it doesn't look like we were in here gossip mongering." He said as he handed the kids trays of delicious looking appetizers. If Keith ever lost his job as sheriff again and was sick of solving crimes he could easily make it as a caterer.
"Soooo Dad made yummy snacks," Veronica said as she placed one of the trays on the coffee table in the living room and made her way back to the arm chair and she motioned to Backup to join her. Wallace entered the room with napkins and small plates so everyone could help themselves. Piz threw a few things on a plate and tried to sit on the arm of the chair again but Backup had something to say about that. He made a low growl and showed his teeth.
"Woah, can you call him off," Piz said afraid to sit down.
"I wish I could but I'm still trying to remember his commands. Sorry," she shrugged her shoulders innocently. It was going to be a very long night.