Chapter Text
“Veronica! It’s time to wake up!”
Veronica groaned, pulling the covers up to her chin and tucking her face further into the pillow, groaning louder at the creaking of the door hinges as her mother came in.
“Come on, now, Veronica,” her mother chided, “It’s the first day of school.”
Veronica said nothing, giving a tired huff as she pulled the comforter over her head.
A moment later, she let out a disgruntled squawk as the covers were torn away.
“Up,” her mother ordered, dumping the covers on the mattress in a heap, “Breakfast is ready. Finish getting ready soon so you still have time to eat. Don’t make me ask you again.”
Veronica grumbled unintelligibly as she sat up, hand reaching towards her nightstand and feeling around for her glasses, her fingers wrapping loosely around the thin wire frames and slipping them on her face a moment later. She sighed in relief as the world around her came into focus, before sliding out of bed and shuffling over to her dresser, picking out a dark blue band t-shirt and some jeans.
“No real point in trying too hard,” she snorted, “Not like there’s anyone to impress.”
As she tugged on her jeans, an insistent knock at the door met her ears, causing her to fall over with a surprised yelp, landing on her ass with her legs tangled in her jeans.
“I’m up!” she called, silently mortified.
“Don’t take too long!” her mother said, “You don’t want to miss breakfast, do you?”
“I can eat at school.”
“Not if you’re late!”
Veronica huffed in exasperation, quietly relieved when she heard the sound of her mother’s retreating footsteps. Pulling herself up off of the floor, she pulled her jeans on the rest of the way and went to the bathroom, washing her face and putting on deodorant before tugging her t-shirt over her head and brushing her hair.
Satisfied with her appearance, she went back to her room and stepped into a pair of black boots, lacing them up and grabbing her favorite jacket off of the hook on the back of her closet door.
It had been a gift from Martha. A denim jacket with a hand embroidered swan on the back, spreading its wings proudly as though daring anyone to challenge it.
Veronica loved it with all her heart.
After checking over her reflection one last time and adding a few finishing touches to her look, she gave herself an approving nod, unplugged her phone from its charger, grabbed her bag, and hurried downstairs.
“Oh good,” her mother said, “For a moment I was worried I’d have to go back up there.”
Veronica bit the inside of her cheek as she fought back a smile at her mother’s teasing. “I’m not that bad at getting up in the mornings.”
Her dad laughed from his seat at the dining table, smiling teasingly at her over the rim of his coffee mug. “With how late you stay up most nights, I’m surprised you can get up in the mornings.”
Veronica stuck her tongue out at him as she poured herself a cup of coffee, grabbing a serving of breakfast before sitting down at the table with her parents.
“So, any first day jitters?” her dad asked the moment her mouth was full.
Veronica glared at him, deflating when he laughed at her.
“Sorry, kiddo,” he chuckled, “But it’s a little hard to take you seriously when you look like an angry chipmunk.”
Veronica rolled her eyes as she shoveled another bite of food into her mouth.
“Small bites, Veronica,” her mother chided, “You might choke.”
Veronica paused, a forkful of eggs inches from her lips, contemplating whether or not to be a smartass and take the smallest bites possible. In the end, she decided against it. It would just be petty and waste her and her mother’s time.
The rest of breakfast passed uneventfully, and Veronica filled a thermos with coffee before hugging her parents and riding away on her motorcycle.
Betty’s truck was already in the student parking lot when Veronica arrived, stopping in the empty spot next to it and knocking on the window.
“You ready for another shitty year?” Betty asked, grinning sarcastically at her.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Veronica snorted. “Wonder what kind of shitshow we’re in for this time.”
“More of the same, probably,” Betty sighed, “Hope you woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. First day’s always the worst.”
“The right side of the bed stopped existing as soon as the school year started,” Veronica grumbled, taking a swig of coffee from her thermos and wincing when she burned her tongue.
“We waiting for Martha?” Betty asked.
“‘Course.”
Betty nodded, and Veronica looked at the swarm of people at the doors, nearly nostalgic of how school used to be.
“Ugh,” Betty rolled her eyes, gaze focused on something behind Veronica, “Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber are here.”
Kurt and Ram pushed themselves through the crowd, knocking into innocent freshman and laughing amongst themselves. Veronica scowled.
“Hi, guys!” Martha shouted, causing Betty to shout in shock. “Are you guys excited, or what? We’re finally seniors !”
“I gotta say, I’m not feeling too optimistic,” Veronica said, watching Kurt and Ram swagger towards them.
“Hi, Ram!” Martha said, seemingly oblivious to the imminent danger.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Martha Dumptruck, Betty, uh… Dyke, and Veronica Nobody ,” Kurt said, snickering.
“Nice one,” Ram guffawed, holding a fist between them, “Punch it in!”
The idiots fist bumped, giggling like dumbasses at their perceived victory. Of course, anything’s a victory if you’re too stupid to know when you’ve lost.
Veronica forced a laugh, sauntering towards them with her hands on her hips. “Nice one, Kurt. Really witty. I like your hair, too, did your mommy do it for you?”
Martha gasped. “ Veronica! ”
“He started it. I’m just finishing it,” Veronica glared down at him, “Who the fuck do you think you are, anyway? You’re the quarterback now, but that’s not gonna mean shit after we graduate. You’re a high school has-been waiting to happen. A future gas station attendant.”
Kurt looked at her, blinking slowly, eyes vacant. Veronica could practically see the rusty gears trying to turn in his head. He turned his gaze towards his hands, staring searchingly into his own palms.
He looked ridiculous.
Finally, he locked eyes with her again, face scrunched up in concentration as he held tightly to whatever rebuttal he was about to send her way. He opened his mouth, likely to deliver what, to him, would be groundbreaking information.
“You have a zit right there,” he said, jabbing one of his fat fingers into her cheek.
“And you’re about to have a broken hand if you keep touching me,” Veronica growled.
“Veronica?” Betty’s voice called uncertainly from behind her.
Veronica spun around, glaring when she saw Ram getting up in Martha’s space. “Hey asshole! Back the fuck off!”
“Relax,” Ram said, offering a sickeningly sweet smile, plucking Martha’s glasses off her face and holding them over her head teasingly, letting her reach for them for a few moments before dropping them to the asphalt.
He lifted his foot to stomp on them, but before he could, Veronica reared back and punched him in the face.
Ram squealed like a pussy bitch, bringing a hand up to cradle his bruising jaw.
Kurt shouted in alarm, running to tackle Veronica like a feral little man, tripping over his own feet as she sidestepped, sending him sprawling on his ass against the pavement. The other, marginally more stupid man rushed to help his fallen brother in dickishness as Veronica triumphantly picked Martha’s glasses up off the ground and handed them back to her.
Betty and Martha cheered as Kurt and Ram glared at them.
“We’re gonna get you back for this,” Kurt said
“Yeah!” Ram called.
Veronica snickered. “Really? And how are you gonna do that? Tell a teacher? Rally the football team? Are you really gonna tell them what happened and let everyone know you got your asses handed to you by a girl?”
The two jocks shared a look, before scowling at her.
“This isn’t over,” Kurt promised.
“That’s nice,” Veronica said dismissively, “Why don’t you two get going before you’re late to class?”
“Yeah, run and hide, you, uh... stupid... wait no- naked mole rats!” Martha yelled.
“That’s too mean,” Betty reprimanded, “Naked mole rats don’t deserve to be compared to these two.”
“It was a good try,” Veronica said, grinning in satisfaction as Kurt and Ram scurried away.
“Definitely not a bad attempt,” Betty agreed.
“Do you guys need hall passes?” Veronica asked.
“No, that’s okay, I’m right down the hall. See you guys in homeroom?” Martha said.
“Absolutely. Be safe!” Veronica replied, hugging her.
“Can I get a hall pass? I don’t really feel like going to gym right away.”
Veronica nodded, and forged the pass quickly. “I’m gonna head to the bathroom before going to English. See you in homeroom.”
“See ya!” Betty called, hopping back into her truck.
Veronica waved, jogging towards the school building, forging a pass of her own as she made her way to the bathroom.
She’d already opened the door and slipped inside before she realized that there were other people in the bathroom. Two of the Heathers stood in front of the mirrors, fixing their makeup and chatting idly with the third, who was apparently in one of the stalls.
“Grow up, Heather,” Chandler groaned, “Bulimia is so ‘87.”
“Maybe you should go to a hospital, Heather,” Mac said.
“Yeah, Heather,” Duke said, voice dripping with sarcasm, “Maybe I should.”
Veronica’s eyes widened in surprise as the door opened next to her, and she scrambled to find a hiding spot before she was noticed.
“Ah, Heather and Heather,” Ms. Fleming said, sounding smug. The sound of retching rang out from one of the stalls. “And Heather. Perhaps you didn’t hear over all the vomiting; you’re late for class.”
“Heather’s not feeling well, we’re helping her,” Chandler said.
Veronica started writing furiously the moment she realized what was about to happen.
“Not without a hall pass you’re not,” Ms. Fleming sang. “Weeks’ detention.”
“Actually! Ms Fleming! All four of us are out on a hall pass,” she said, handing over the slip of paper, “Yearbook committee.”
Ms. Fleming examined the pass carefully, before handing it back with a huff. “I see you’re all listed. Go on and get where you’re going.”
With that, she took her leave. The moment the door shut, Chandler snatched the pass from her hand.
“This is an excellent forgery,” she remarked, “Who are you?”
“Veronica Sawyer,” she said simply, “I’ve got a favor to ask.”
Chandler’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What kind of favor?”
Veronica was unimpressed.
“I want to sit at your table during lunch,” she said, “Just once, to make people leave me alone.”
Chandler looked her up and down skeptically.
“I also do report cards, permission slips, and absence notes,” Veronica said in an attempt to sweeten the pot.
“How about prescriptions?” Duke asked.
“Shut up, Heather.”
“Sorry, Heather.”
Chandler took Veronica’s chin between her thumb and forefinger, turning her head to study her face.
“You know,” Chandler mused, “For a greasy little nobody, you do have good bone structure.”
“Gee, thanks,” Veronica deadpanned, “I’m assuming that’s meant as a compliment.”
“And a symmetrical face,” Mac interjected, “If I took a meat cleaver down the center of your skull, I’d have matching halves. That’s very important.”
“Okay, what the fuck.”
“Of course, you could stand to lose a few pounds,” Duke sneered.
Veronica scoffed. “Wow, fuck you too, I guess.”
Duke snorted. “Okay, I kinda like her, but we don’t need another mythic bitch in the group.”
“Shut up, Heather,” Chandler snapped. “She has potential. Except that fucking jacket. What the fuck are you, a lesbian?”
“Depends.”
Chandler raised a brow, curious. “Depends on what, exactly?”
Veronica smirked. “You interested?”
Duke cackled as Chandler reared back in shock.
“Absolutely not!” Chandler sputtered. “I’m not a fucking lesbo.”
Veronica snickered at the way Chandler blushed, before holding out a hand, “C’mon, I don’t have all day, and neither do you. Do we have a deal or what?”
Chandler eyed her suspiciously for a moment, before shaking her hand. “Fine. But you’re not going to be seen with us dressed like that.”
“The outfit stays,” Veronica insisted, “I don’t care about being your friend. All I care about is keeping people the fuck away from me.”
“You’re not in a position to demand much,” Heather sneered.
“Maybe not,” Veronica conceded, “But I don’t have to help you out of trouble like that again, either. You don’t really have much leverage here, yourself.”
Chandler huffed, then turned to face Duke and Mac. They whispered among themselves for a few moments, before turning back to her once they had come to a decision.
“We get to modify the outfit, but the general… feel of it stays. And you get us out of classes every other Thursday or Friday for shopping.”
“No skirts or heels, I keep the jacket, and I don’t remove any of the piercings. Other than that, you can modify my outfit.”
Chandler stuck out her hand. “Deal.”
Veronica shot her a teasing grin. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
Mac squealed and ran to hug her. “Yay!”
Veronica stiffened, remaining motionless until Mac disengaged.
“Oh my god, Mac, you can’t just hug people out of the blue like that,” Duke said, trying not to laugh.
Chandler, on the other hand, seemed to have no reservations about laughing at Veronica’s expense.
Veronica rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Just don’t fucking do that again. I’m providing a service, not throwing a slumber party.”
“She can’t really promise anything,” Duke said, gesturing toward Mac, “She gets excited pretty easily, and she likes to latch on to whoever’s closest.”
“I was literally the farthest from her, but okay.” Veronica frowned as she turned her gaze to Chandler, who was still laughing. “Are you done? We need to get to class.”
Chandler continued to giggle for a few moments, before finally calming herself down. “Okay, fine, let’s go.”
“Finally.”