After meeting Veronica, J.D. almost felt like he had a reason to go to school, other than being orphaned once his father couldn't take any more of his shit. Before he knew it, a few weeks had gone by and he was still a student at Westerburg. He started seeing more and more posters around the school about Homecoming. Being trapped in a room with the peers he wanted nothing to do with and most of them more than likely feeling the same.. The idea made him cringe. No matter. The bell rang for class but the voices in his head were far too loud to be able to sit in a classroom and not have a whole ass panic attack from sensory overload. No, he'd much rather acquaint himself with the books in the library. They don't speak, don't hide things, don't mock him, don't spit in his eye. No, he could sit with them in silence for hours, no obligations or anything. J.D. glanced at the school directory and traipsed down to the library. He opened one of the double doors and was relieved to see no other students there. Unfortunately, he realized he had to interact with one of the librarians there. "Greetings and salutations. Could you point me to the sci-fi section?" J.D. asked, making eye contact with the desk then looked up. The librarian with half-closed eyes and chewing gum despite the 'rule' of no food nor drink in the library being posted on every possible surface points to the far left. "Mm." He muttered then turned around and headed for the shelves.

J.D. started looking through the books, taking his time in this escapade. After all, he had all day. He picked up an interesting looking book every once in a while, skimming the spines with his fingertips. He'd read the backs and either be completely deterred or even more intrigued and hold the book. Out of the corner of his eye he sees the girl that Veronica called Martha in the fantasy section. He didnt take her as the type to skip class.

"Ditching class, are we?"

The girl startled. "Ah, well… not exactly?"

J.D. smirked. "A library is a sanctuary for you as well? Any fan of books is… Well, tolerable at least. I wouldnt dare squeal."

Martha smiled a little bit, fiddling with her ponytail. "I wasnt super worried about that. You dont come to class a lot."

"As long as I'm here.." J.D. lifted his arms and did a slow spin, gesturing to Westerburg. "Nothing to worry about. Ive had my fair share of the high school curriculum."

"Then why not just get your GED? Why waste your time being around the Heathers? I wouldnt if I could."

"Isnt your best friend one of them?"

Martha's smile falters. "Well… I'm gonna go to class."

"Mm. Good luck with that mess."

Martha politely waves to him and walked away. J.D. knew full well that Martha did not actually leave the library, she simply wanted to stop talking to him but left in a polite manner. He clicks his tongue then continues to search through the books.

Eventually, with a couple books in hand J.D. walked over to the librarian. Not completely sure of the school's policy in taking out books he grabbed only two. He placed them down on the desk and the librarian looked him up and down.

"Shouldn't you be in class, hon?"

"I suppose. But I enjoy the company of books more."

"Fair enough. Checkin out?"

"Yup."

"ID?"

J.D. takes his bag off of his back then drops to his knees on the floor to search through his bag. He could feel her staring at him. Calm down. He finally took it out and handed it to the lady. She wrote down the number onto a form and took out a stamp.

"Just so ya know, you can only check out one book at a time."

"Ah. Apologies. I'll-"

"No worries. Take 'em both. Consider it a warm welcome from me. I appreciate you talkin to Martha. She's been awful lonely lately."

"Eh, its nothin'. I know the feeling. She has Veronica though.." Hmm…

J.D. walked away, shaking a little bit. Social interaction? Not his favorite! Books however…

He flumped down into one of the comfortable looking chairs and cracked open one of the books.

Around eight hours later, J.D. shut the book he was half way through and stretched. Luckily the same woman that was there this morning is still there so he would still feel at least a little comfortable talking to her.

"I meant to ask earlier, what is the policy here?"

"Longest you can keep a book is a month but I take it you'll be here much sooner than that."

"Yeah, most likely. Thanks."

"Have a good weekend, kid."

Rrghhhh pleasantries.. "You too, thank you ma'am."

J.D. picked up his books and slid them in the bag. Oh right, he'd forgotten to eat again. He checked his wallet, surveying how much money he had. Despite the many hours he'd spent distracting his brain, he still felt heavy. Well, time for the normal place. The only thing remarkable he noticed in this town was the 7/11. He slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way out of the school and to his sanctuary.

The familiar chime rang and though it's in a far different state, this store was always J.D.'s safe haven. For most, he was sure that his peers' safe haven would be their homes. Having Big Bud Dean as his father ensured no sense of safety whatsoever. If he could, he would stay as far away from his house as frequently as possible. But after his mother's death his father makes sure he stays home or else get the cops on his ass. In fact, he was almost 100% sure he already had window locks and alarms installed throughout the house. What a fucking drag.

J.D. ran his hands through his hair and let out a long exhale. He made to grab a large cup for a slurpee then heard the pleasant little chime again. He turned to face the sound and saw Veronica, feeling a smile grow on his face. She knelt down on the floor, looking through the snacks. She slowly stood, probably feeling him looking at her. Shit. Look away. He locked eyes with her and she smiled, blushed- Fuck, she's smiling at me.. And it doesn't feel awful?

Veronica tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and walked over to him.

"Well! Fancy seeing you here, J.D. Thought you were too cool for school today."

He twiddled the cup in his fingers. "Not exactly. Come here often?"

"Is that some sort of pickup line?"

"It was simply an honest question. Unless.. It picked you up?"

"Hmmm… perhaps. But, no, not really. Do you?"

"Is that so? Cherry or Blue Raspberry?"

"Big gulp."

"I believe the options are red or blue?"

"And I believe you didnt answer my question."

J.D. pursed his lips. "I think blue. Blue seems to be your color."

Veronica puts her hand on her hip when he took a long sip. Brain Freeze sets in again and he winced, moving his hand to his temple and closed his eyes, awaiting relief. J.D. heard shuffling and opened one eye, seeing Veronica looking concerned.

"And the burdens are gone." He muttered to himself.

"Burdens..?"

"Tell ya the truth Veronica, I am almost positive I constantly have slurpee running through my veins rather than blood. Ironic that the only drug that helps is not even a drug at all. It's a feeling… Brain Freeze."

"So pure high fructose corn syrup helps how? Does your mom know you probably have diabetes?"

"My mom.." J.D. took another drawn out sip and grit his teeth. He hopped up onto a counter and pat the spot next to him. Veronica looked at him for a second then hopped up as well then fixed her skirt. "I wouldn't know that one."

Veronica looked at him, perplexed. J.D. had planned on leaving the conversation at that but looking in her eyes, he felt a chill down his spine. Curiosity.. Concern? No, Veronica, don't do this..

"I dont remember much before she died but this place soon became my home away from home. Living with a man who blows up buildings for a living isn't the ideal environment."

"Blows up buildings?"

"Yup. You know the name Big Bud Dean? 'Got somethin' in your way? Ill make your day!'" He did the best obnoxious impression he could of his father without throwing up.

Veronica's eyes lit up, recognizing the tag line. "And then he blows up the text on the screen while some crazy rock solo plays?" She laughs for a second and it is incredibly cute. Once she collects herself she clears her throat. "That's your dad?"

"Unfortunately. Believe it or not, he has quite the temper. His demolition aspirations often got us in trouble so we ended up moving, a lot. I was always the kid that never fit in. So, I think I can understand your position here quite well. In fact, I can tell you're like me. You ache for change. You wish something to be different, yes?"

"Well, yeah! But doesnt everyone?"

"Not the ones with the power. They dont care for the weak. They prey on them. Feed on them. They feel… No regret."

J.D. clenched his fists, looking down at the floor and feeling himself start to shake again.

Oh God, J.D. can feel the darkness fading in from the corners of the room, smoke threatening to consume him, drown him, suffocate him. He sees himself crying, kneeling in the embers. The flames engulf him and he feels the fresh burns on his skin, fresh guilt, fresh anger, fresh… tears.

Veronica hugged him tightly. His eyes widened and he lifted a shaking hand.

"I'm sorry… I dont know what your mind is saying but.. Youre safe here.. You can trust me!"

At her soothing kindness, the voices began to fade. The hallucinations stayed but… He didnt mind them. She's right… He can trust her. He realized his head was on her shoulder. He looked up at her and they locked eyes again and he found he could barely breathe seeing she was doing so through parted lips. Her face was flushed and he felt magnetized to her… attracted to her. Before he can try to think rationally, distance himself and forget this ever happened, he kissed her.

They kissed for a few wonderful moments, he felt tingly, like he was maybe going to throw up but not really? He tasted cherry. He pulls away and sees her pupils dilated. He smiles at her and blushes.

"Wanna try?" He shakes the slurpee tantalizingly in her direction. Veronica rolls her eyes playfully and takes it from his hand.

She takes a long, drawn out sip like J.D. and swallows, seemingly unaffected.

"I don't really feel- OH SON OF A BITCH!" For the first time in a long time, J.D. laughs.

J.D. startled heavily when a car horn beeps and Heather Chandler yelled Veronica's name out the window. Veronica panicked, shoving the slurpee back into his hands and moved away but her eyes still sparkled from the moment.

"Your friends are here."

"I dont like my friends, hehe.. The parties are pretty cool though."

"I take it you're going to one now?"

The chime rings again and Heather Chandler walks in and looked J.D. up and down, purses her black painted lips then chooses to ignore him, which he considered a favorable circumstance. "Veronica. Corn nuts?"

"Oh, yeah, um.." Veronica jumps down and grabs a few bags of barbeque corn nuts and pays for them. Heather immediately snatched them off the counter.

"Good. Let's fucking motor." And Heather struts out of the 7/11, freeing him from the toxic perfume fumes and presence.

Veronica looks back at J.D. and he sighs, closing his eyes. "Go on, we'll see each other again." Veronica smiles bashfully and leaves the store.

J.D. looked outside and noticed the setting sun. Anxiety welling up, he finished up the slurpee, threw it away then paid for it. He slowly made his way home, thinking about Veronica all the while. His first kiss, huh...?

J.D. walked in the house and was immediately met by his father yanking him off the ground in the doorway.

"Where were you? Teachers said you weren't in class today."

"I was there."

"Listen, punk, I don't need you drawing attention to the Dean family."

"And yet you have a whole deconstruction company? Pretty sure that's enough attention for the three of us. Mom's probably getting a lot of shit upstairs."

"You shut your fucking mouth." His father slapped him across and the face. When J.D. didn't respond, he let go of his collar and J.D. brushed himself off.

"I'm going to my room." J.D. muttered and walked past his father, up the stairs. He threw his bag on the floor and sat on his bed. His chest felt tight. He took off his shirt and relieved himself of his makeshift binder. He got a few moments of peace until he heard obnoxiously loud bass from the distance. He looked out his window and figured that was the homecoming party Veronica was at. He sighed. The voices were coming back. She was awfully nice, hm? Strange for someone to be kind to someone like you.

J.D. rolled onto his side. Doesn't it feel dangerous to be liking someone? Aren't you worried? Aren't you scared? Terrified?

He tried to ignore them but instead they just grew louder in retaliation. He had to admit he was terrified. This was all too new for him and he didn't know if he could handle it. He might just have to avoid her until she forgets he exists and then find someone else to like. To look at with those adorable, sparkling blue eyes… But why does it hurt to think about her liking someone else? It could be nice, maybe. Being her friend, even her partner? The word echoed in his head. He ached for someone to be close to… He ached for her presence, her comfort… His home, if home were good. He covered his face with his hands. Home…

"Mom, what should I do?"

He didn't recall drifting off but he realized when he awoke with a start he had, indeed, fallen asleep. He looked at his clock and it was around 11:00. He sat up, wondering why he woke up. Then he heard a click behind him… His… window lock? He turned around just in time to see Veronica clambering in through the window and he was impressed?

He jumped out of his bed. "Veronica.. What're you… How?"

"I came t' see you." She's slurring her words and her face is flushed. Oh God, she's drunk. And she's in his house. His room. Is he still fucking dreaming?

"You came to… Me, uh. Okay, uh... "

Veronica approached him and backed him into the wall, pushing her breasts on him. He turned his head away anxiously. He could practically see his father when he smelled the booze. He tried desperately to remind himself that Veronica's just an innocent girl… Or, not as innocent as he thought. They just kissed a few hours ago and now…

Veronica pressed her pelvis against his, shushing him even though he hadn't said anything. He feels the hairs on his neck stand up.

"Uhh… Veronica, I don't think I can provide you with what you… want."

"Whaddyu mean, Jason? You're right here.." She moved her hand down to his- JESUS CHRIST.

J.D. pushed her away probably harder than he meant to. "Veronica, I'm not…" She looked at him, confused and maybe a little offended. "I'm not a guy, okay? I can't, um.." As much as he hated himself for it, he started tearing up. He covered his mouth, trying to hide his shaking breaths.

Veronica almost seemed to sober up in that moment, seeing him start to cry. She looked at him, knitting her eyebrows. "Hey, hey.. It's okay! I came here cuz.. I want you. I don't care if you don't have the equipment or whatever! I still like you! I always have!"

A tear fell down J.D.'s cheek and he watched her. Her genuineness was almost unnerving. "You do?" Veronica nodded vehemently. J.D. couldn't help his eyes moving down to her lips again. "W-Well, um.. I like you too, Ronnie." Shit, did he just say Ronnie?

Veronica blushed. "Did you call me Ronnie?"

"Mmm… Haha, maybe."

"That is… so unbelievably cute."

"Course. You're cute."

Veronica got very flustered at that and J.D. squealed internally.

"So… If you're still.." J.D. gestured to quite literally all of her and she smiled, biting her lip. She practically pounced onto him and they both fell onto the bed and Veronica took absolute control, which was, incredibly hot. She straddled him and made out with him, a bit sloppily but it was still nice.

"Now… How 'bout I take care of you?"

"Ronnie, you don't-"

"Shush! I wanna."

"O-okay then." He smiled nervously and felt every part of his body tingling, including his groin.

"Just so you know, I have NO experience whatsoever." Veronica said as a sidenote while migrating her lipstick'd kisses down his body and started taking off his pants.

J.D. laid his head down on his bed, allowing himself to relax. "That works for me. Neither've I." He is so dead.