Golden

•Who's The New Girl?•

She turned heads as she walked by in full Heather's regalia. Deep blue skinny jeans with black see-through long sleeve shirts. Only a black bra managed to cover her assets as Veronica walked into Northbrook High. Tall black heels made up for her short height. Veronica's eyes were accented with dramatic eyeliner and vibrant blue eyeshadow. The more observant students noticed the golden rings on her left ring finger.

"Who's the babe?"

"Not sure, but I'd totally bang her."

"I wonder if she's nice."

"Probably not."

Veronica sighed as she reached her locker. She'd normally never dress like this, but maybe, just maybe, it would keep her from meeting guys like JD. If she changed everything...

She glanced at her rings. If she pretended she was still desperately in love with someone.

Veronica nodded in contempt. "This will do."

"Who the hell are you talking to?"

Veronica whipped around. "Myself."

"Oh, so you're insane?"

Veronica's eyes narrowed and she looked the girl up and down. She was dressed up all nice and preppy, sort of like Heather McNamara.

"Uh, no."

The girl placed a hand on her hip. "Are you sure?" She pressed.

Veronica paused for a moment. "Well, What do you consider insane?"

The other girl made a noise of approval. "What's your name?"

"Veronica Sawyer."

"Vanessa Carter."

Veronica looked down at the girl's out stretched hand, it was tanned with several rings decorating her fingers.

After brief pause Veronica accepted the hand shake, glossy lips curving into a small smile.

"Where you from?" Vanessa leaned against a locker, crossing her arms.

"Ohio."

"Huh."

•••

Vanessa had walked Veronica around the school. Northbrook was small, she decided, with only 400 students.

After the tour Veronica found herself sitting in an English class, listening to a teacher drone on about poetry.

The classes were all a big blur. She remembered nothing. It was...odd. That was until lunch came around. She ended up sitting with Vanessa and her other friends, Victoria, Valerie, and Vivian.

Four V's. Veronica ran a hand through her dark brown hair. Maybe she'd fit in now?

"So, Uh." Veronica pushed her mystery meat around. "S'there a reason why all you names start with V?"

"It was sorta a big coincidence." Victoria laughed.

Valarie nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we just met and uh...this is how it played out."

"It's pretty weird." Vivian commented.

Veronica snorted and put her plastic fork down. "In my old school we had three girls named Heather." She smiled bitterly. "Total bitches, all of 'em. They ruled the school like a bunch of dictators."

"You said you were from Ohio." Valarie cut in quickly. "Did you...know anyone in the Sherwood Suicide?"

Vivian hit Valarie upside her head before Veronica could answer. "You don't just ask someone if their friends are dead you dunce!"

"No-no." Veronica's voice cracked. "It's alright."

The other girls looked at Veronica, tilting their heads to the side.

"I actually...attended Sherwood."

The four girls gasped in time, which was immensely creepy Veronica noted.

Valarie started yelling apologies, Victoria tried reaching over for a hug but fell out of her seat, Vivian looked like she was trying to catch flies, and Vanessa looked like she was having war flashbacks.

Slowly, Vanessa placed her hand on Veronica's shoulder and patted it. "I...I'm,"

Veronica shook her head. "Don't. I'm fine."

"How...how did you survive?" Vivian almost immediately slapped her hand over her mouth.

"Don't freak." Veronica said quickly. Her eyes flickered to her rings, she reached over and twisted them off.

The girls looked at the small golden objects curiously.

"I survived because..." Veronica paused, adding to the dramatic effect she was going for. "I survived because I decided it would be a great time to run off with my boyfriend."

"I survived because I was being immoral and skipped that damn pep rally because I wanted to get laid. I deserve to be dead more than anyone."

The fabricated story did the trick and the four girls were upon her in a heartbeat.

"No, don't say that."

"I'm not normally religious but...you survived for a reason."

Veronica stared at her tray, her breathing quickened she clutched her arms.

The girls' comforting words turned into screams. Her heart beat pounded in her ears and clutched her skull, chewing on her lip till it busted.

Valarie grasped Veronica and pulled her to her chest. "Veronica? Veronica?"

"I need a slushee."

Hope you enjoyed!

~T