𝕮𝖎𝖌𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖊 𝕯𝖆𝖞𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒 - Teen timeline

𝕿𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞 𝕿𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊

Veronica lays down with Natalie in their makeshift bed, holding Natalie close to her chest. 
The two had been trying to soak up as much of the peace and quiet as they possibly could. 
Natalie drew shapes on Veronica's arm that was wrapped around her, letting out soft, even breaths. 
"I wish we could spend everyday like this," Natalie sighs, Veronica gives her a small kiss on the top of the head, "Me too, Nat." 
"I just feel like everything has been so...I don't know. I just feel like being with you is what keeps me grounded."
Veronica lets out a small hum, "Softie Scatorccio."
Natalie lifts her head up, "You're an asshole," she tries to keep a serious look on her face but she can't help but crack a small smile. 

"Me?" Veronica tilts her head, "Never." 
Natalie scoffs, "Right." 
"Maybe that will be my new nickname for you." 
"Don't you dare." 
Veronica gives a small smirk, "Softie Scatorccio? I think it's pretty great." 
Natalie glares, "I will kill you if you say that in front of anyone." 
"No you wouldn't. You love me too much." 
"You wish." 
"Aww," Veronica fake pouts, "What happened to Softie Scatorccio?" 
"Shut up." Natalie laughs. 
Veronica suddenly lets out a small gasp, "Oh my gosh! I can call you Softtorccio!" 

Natalie groans, shoving Veronica away from her, "I hate you."
Veronica snickers, sitting up, "No, you love me." 
Natalie rolls her eyes, a grin plastered on her face as she stares at Veronica. 
"Please, don't act like you haven't gone soft too, Howard." 
Veronica rolls her eyes, "What? Have not." 
"Mhm. Have too." 
Veronica narrows her eyes, "You're a child. You know that?" 
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Howard." 
Veronica smiles, "I love you, Nat." 
"I love you too, Ronnie." 

The two go to lean in for a kiss, but the sudden sound of shrieking brings them out of their huts, scrambling to see what is going on. 
"Mari! Guys it's Mari!" Misty shrieks. 
Veronica is quick to spot Mari who is covered in dirt with red eyes being led to sit down by Misty, the rest of the girls quickly begin to flow in.
Veronica is quick to grab a blanket, carefully draping it over Mari's shoulders.
"Thank God you're okay!" Misty grins, "Or, I mean, thank the dirt or whatever. I'm so glad you're not dead," Misty and Mari share a laugh. 
Veronica tilts her head at Mari's red eyes, "You look high as fuck right now, Mar." 
Mari snickers, "Nice to see you too, Veronica." 

Shauna storms over to the group, Melissa following closely behind her.
"Where were you?" Shauna's voice is rough and firm.
"I walked back to civilization so I could fuck your dad," Mari grins, earning a small laugh from Veronica.
"She fell into a hole and fucked up her knee," Taissa responds.
"What the fuck do you mean you fell into a hole?" Veronica raises a brow. 
Mari nods, "Yeah, well, I dislocated my knee. Like that girl we played from Manasquan last year. The kneecap was all the way back here and I had to push it back in," Mari explains, undoing the fabric that covers her bruised, swollen wound.
The group lets out collective groans of disgust, Veronica feels her stomach churn. Her stomach twists and turns even more as she sees the distressed, guilt-ridden look on Natalie's face. 
Natalie stares beams into Veronica, it makes her shudder from where she is sitting beside Mari.
"It fucking killed and the hole was like 20 feet deep. I-I thought I was going to die in there. Like Baby Jessica."
Veronica furrows her brows, "Mari, Baby Jessica didn't die,"
"And that was in a well," Taissa responds.
"A wells a hole," Mari snarls.
Shauna steps forward, "If your knees so fucked, how did you get out?"
Mari's eyes widen before she looks down, the bitter feeling in Veronica's stomach only increases. Mari continues to stare at them for a few seconds, the tension rises with each look.
"Coach Scott found me."

Veronica's stomach fucking drops.

She feels an icy cold chill rush all throughout her spine, her eyes widen as she looks at Natalie.
"Fuck," Natalie whispers amongst the chaos.
"What happened then?"
Mari hesitates, shaking her head, "After he helped me out of the hole, he tied me up, and took me to this cave he's been living in,"
Veronica's jaw clenches so tightly her teeth clash harshly together. She tries to contain the glare she desperately wants to give Natalie right now. That voice in her head is blaring the 'I told you so' alarm. She stops herself however, not wanting to give anything away to the group. 
"A cave?" Van asks.
"He took you prisoner?"
"That's so scary,"
"I mean, yeah, kinda. But-"

"Holy shit! I knew it!" Van snaps "I fucking knew it! He has totally lost it!"
"We don't know that," Misty defends.
"He tied her up and took him to his lair!"
Veronica has to plant her shaky hands on her knees to avoid herself from lurching over and throwing up during this very moment. Her entire stomach feels like it's being flipped inside out. 
Natalie is refusing to look at her, it only adds to the anxious vile climbing up her throat.
"Do you know how to find your way back?" Shauna asks.
"Okay Wyatt Earp, what do you want to do, go capture him?" Taissa tilts her head.
"Yeah. That's exactly what I want to do," Shauna redirects her attention from Tai, giving it to the rest of the group, "You guys, he tried to burn us alive. You really just want to leave him out there?"
"Come on guys, this is crazy," Natalie shakes her head.
"Funny, Nat, it almost sounds like you don't want to find him."
Natalie doesn't have a comeback, she bites the inside of her cheek, looking down to the ground.
"Back off, Shauna." Veronica snaps. 
Shauna tilts her head, "What are you? Her protector? Can our leader not speak for herself?" 
Veronica glares, "Oh go fuck yourself, Shipman." 
"Can you find your way back or not?" Shauna shakes her head. 
"I think so," Mari nods.
"Then I'm going to look for him before he finds a new place to hide. Anyone who wants to come with me, great." 

Veronica stands, her and Natalie lock eyes. 
Natalie's hazel eyes are pleading at her, but Veronica can't help but feel anger course through her veins. She shakes her head, marching off to her hut where Natalie is quick to follow. 
"Ronnie! Ronnie, wait-" Natalie says as soon as they are away from the group. 
"I fucking told you so," Veronica hisses, watching as Natalie closes their makeshift door. 
Natalie opens her mouth to argue, but Veronica beats her to the punch. 
"I fucking told you so!" 
"Thanks. That is super helpful right now," Natalie runs a hand through her hair, shifting anxiously on her feet. 
"I don't really care whether its helpful or not," Veronica glares, "Was this or was this not exactly what I said I was scared of happening?" 
Natalie's eyes don't meet Veronica's, she keeps her eyes glued to the ground. 
Veronica shakes her head, "Jesus. I knew we should have told the others." 

Natalie scoffs, "Yeah, well we didn't. So this is helpful how right now?" 
Veronica glares again, "We could have prevented this, Natalie. Both of us are going to go down for this," Veronica begins, "We could have made it so this wasn't the outcome. Because you know what's about to happen? Fucking Shauna is now going to be out there hunting Ben and when she finds him she's going to put his head on a fucking platter!"
"Mari might not know the way back-"
"It's fucking Mari. When has she ever not been a pain in our ass? When has she ever helped the good scenario's, Natalie?" 
Natalie takes a deep inhale, "He might have moved after she fled." 

Veronica plops down on the two's bed, running her hands through her hair, "Jesus, fuck, Nat." 
Natalie cautiously sits down beside Veronica, watching as Veronica's hands shake. Natalie squeezes her eyes shut, almost holding her breath.
"You do know what's going to happen if they find him, don't you?" Veronica tilts her head, her voice is softer now. Natalie opens her eyes, they narrow ever so slightly.
"They are going to fucking kill him, Natalie." she states bluntly, Natalie almost winces.
"I'm not going to let that happen," Natalie is quick to defend, keeping her voice as firm as she can as she looks at her girlfriend. 
Veronica tilts her head, "And what do you think you're going to propose? Are you going to put him on trial like this is Alice in fucking Wonderland?"
Natalie bites her lip, looking down. Veronica can't help but let out a laugh of disbelief. 
"Jesus Christ. Of course that's what your plan is."

Veronica feels her anger melt slightly as Natalie is refusing to look at her. Guilt tingles all throughout her chest. 
"Do you think it's going to work?" Veronica softly asks, trying to help ease Natalie's nerves. 
Natalie's lip shakes, "I fucking hope so," her voice is raspy, it only adds to Veronica's guilt. 
"I don't know what the fuck to do," Natalie confesses, finally looking at Veronica with glassy eyes, "I don't know what I'm doing, Ronnie. I'm sorry, okay? I'm fucking sorry." 
Veronica doesn't hesitate to wrap her arms around Natalie, "You're doing just fine, Nat. It's going to be okay." 
Natalie lets out something that Veronica can't tell if it's a cry or a laugh as she nestles her face in Veronica's shoulder, "It's me. Shit never goes in the right direction." 
The brunette holds her girlfriend tighter, "That's not true, Nat. Okay? I will help make sure this doesn't fall on you. I'm sorry for blowing up on you." 

Natalie lets out a small laugh, "Don't be. I would have done the same thing." 
"I know, but still." Veronica rolls her tongue over her teeth, "Just know I'll be here for you through the whole thing, okay? I'm not going anywhere." 
Natalie moves her head from Veronica's shoulder, giving a sad smile, "I love you Ronnie." 
"I love you too, Nat."