Use Somebody You Used to Know

I froze, unable to believe those words had passed my lips. Sure I'd thought it, especially after observing his interactions with girls and Lilly, but I can't believe I actually said it to him. I usually had better control of the brain to mouth filter.

"Screw you," he spat, yanking away from me despite the agony the movement must've caused, shoving his clothes back into place.

I reached out to halt him, but Logan avoided my touch, his face flushed with more than pain. I knew my words had burrowed beneath the highly buffed armor most people never saw past; I'm not sure why I was able to see beneath it to the vulnerable heart of him. His quips and boasts, the lethal way he used his beauty, were the smoke and mirrors to screen how tightly he held onto his friends - Dick being the perfect example of loyalty despite common sense dictating he should ditch such a knucklehead - and how he could only see himself through Lilly's eyes.

Lilly should never be anyone's reflection as that girl's head was screwed on backwards. Too much money instead of parental authority combined to make her another cliche, a poor little rich girl whose self-worth was bound up in male admiration. I'm no one's idea of a perfect teenager, but at least I understand exactly who I am and what I'm capable of; neither of them can handle self-truths and seek to bury themselves in distractions to face themselves. It's probably why Lilly looks past her face in the mirror, focusing on makeup, whilst Logan sees himself in the eyes of girls wriggling beneath him, their legs and arms open even as their hearts remain closed. The few girls I've seen hanging off his arm are the type more interested in his pocket worth instead of what makes him tick.

"Be pissed at me for saying the truth -"

"This coming from a gold-digger."

His bitter interruption caught me unawares, despite me knowing he wouldn't hesitate to retaliate. The burning truth of his accusation leached the warmth from my skin as a cold weight settled in my stomach. I could rightly be accused of being a gold-digger, even if my connection to Lilly was platonic only, and it galled me he could call me on it. I have accepted clothing from Lilly in the past month, occasionally protesting, though not as much as I should. What can I say? I'm a teenage girl who loves pretty things that are out of her price range. Besides, we're shopping in Lilly's closet because that girl buys things on a near daily basis and her already huge walk in closet is nearly bursting at the seams.

"At least I know what I am. Do you?"

Our eyes clashed, blue to dark brown, and something dark and hot quivered in the air between us. I held my breath, suddenly too aware of the burnished gold of his skin close to me and almost yearned to place my hand on him again, though this time without causing pain.

He bared his teeth in aggravation, though I'm sure it was supposed to be a carefree smile because he always smiled through the pain. It was startling to actually see him when most people were ciphers.

"Not a what like you."

I blinked.

He blinked.

The intensity was broken by the sheer absurdity of his response, more so because his intent was to wound me, as I somehow unknowingly did him, and yet.

And yet.

I would have to think about this, though not right now because I could hear the clack clack of heels on the uneven pavement, the sinuous beat a warning of Lilly's approach.

"What're you two doing over here?"

The sickly sweet tone was the rattle of an irritated snake.

Neither of us spoke for a moment, though my reluctance stemmed from it not being my secret to tell.

"Making out, obviously."

Logan tugged me into his arms, my back to his impressively broad chest, and hands perilously low on my hips. I froze, my body rigid with indignation and surprise. His head dropped to my shoulder as his lips brushed against my ear.

"She's shy."

"That won't last long being with you."

"Lilly, you know he's just bull-shitting you, right?"

I'm not afraid of Lilly, not like the others, but Mama didn't raise a fool and I knew better than to get on her bad side. Logan was Lilly's was Logan's and I needed to stay away from the middle.

And right now it was a little difficult getting away from the middle with Logan latched onto me like a damn octopus. I could've sworn he only had two hands five minutes ago.

Lilly's lips curved slightly as fierce blue eyes swept over us.

"You're cute together and both of you need a date for the dance. I will allow Logan to take you."

"I'm not going."

"It would be rude to stand up your date."

"He's not my date, Lilly!"

Logan's arms contracted around me, squeezing me until I could barely breath. "Don't front, Veronica. You were begging me just a minute ago." I couldn't see his face, but I could feel the smirk. "Or was that just for a little alone time with Junior."

"Really? That's the most creative name you came up with your dick?"

"I could call it a stiffie, Mr. Mortis, Rigor Mortis, Flesh Rocket, Jack's Magic Beanstalk, Tall Tommy, Mushroom on a stick, Purple-headed Yogurt Slinger, or most ladies' favorite, Pedro."

"Pedro?"

"Hmm-mm."

"You do realize how juvenile you sound, right?

"Hey, if the name fits..." he writhed suggestively against my backside and I turned slightly so I could hip check him. I grinned triumphantly when he yelped and backed up with a wince; then I remembered about his wound and realized the pain might be more for his shoulder than for his balls.

I took a half-step towards him when Lilly's pointed throat-clearing reminded us both she was still standing there watching us. I whirled around and tried not to blush.

I wondered if my smile looked as fake as it felt, but it didn't matter since her gaze had shifted to Logan.

"You'll wear the black suit with the silver tie. It'll go best with the theme I have planned."

"Lilly - " his voice was serious now. I discreetly breathed a sigh of relief because he didn't want to be stuck with me any more than I wanted to be stuck with him. No matter the odd moments of awareness that cropped up, ultimately Logan Echolls was Bad News Bears for me. "I'm more worried about what she's going to wear. It better not be rags from the bottom of a bargain bin."

Apparently I breathed too soon.

"Um, you do realize I'm still here, right?"

Lilly appraised me with a militant eye.

"I know the perfect dress for her to wear. Red okay with you?"

"Vermillion? Candy Apple? Maroon?"

"More Burgundy."

"White or cream roses?"

"With her size and skin tone, better to skip roses and go for a more delicate flower."

Logan looked at me in much the same manner. Maybe I should stamp both feet and open my mouth so they can judge my gait and teeth while they're at it.

"Orchid. And probably around her wrist because it would ruin the bodice."

"Someone's been taking notes when I speak," Lilly purred happily. Logan beamed back and the sun broke through the clouds and shone upon the Golden Children while birds flew from the trees to circle their heads in halos and cheerfully chirped.

Or maybe I had a brain aneurysm because these two were getting along while dressing me for a dance I wasn't going to.

"So I'm just gonna go..."

"You do that, 'Ronica. Don't worry, I'll call you later with all the details." Lilly hooked her elbow through Logan's arm – the uninjured one I was relieved to see – and pulled him away.

Dick intercepted me half-way across the quad, his normally placid face screwed up in a frown.

"What the hell was that all about?"

"Um, would you believe Homecoming dresses and corsages?"

He gaped at me.

"Yeah, I didn't think so. They're plotting to take over the world, Pinky."

"Don't they do that every night, Brain?"

I burst into laughter and clapped him companionably on the bicep. "This could be the start of a beautiful friendship."

His sputtering and red-face was enough to soothe my jangled nerves and I didn't look back as I walked away.

A/N: I had a lot of fun using quotes and references to certain songs, movies and tv shows - kudos to anyone who knows which ones.