Burned: Mocked Sequel

"here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost" -Greenday


Chapter Fourteen


I can't stop thinking about what Rick told me. Veronica is a prostitute? What makes someone choose to do that with their life? Why a prostitute? Does she not have any self respect at all?

All these questions pile down on me as I walk through the halls of school. The same routine is done at this place. I show up to class and I focus, or well try to focus, on the subject at hand. I talk to Rick about random guy stuff or rumors that he has heard about. And I try my hardest to actually seem like I don't give a shit about other people around. Even though in reality, I'm silently wondering what goes through every person's mind that I pass.

I sigh at my locker knowing that there's a note inside of it. I tried to avoid it all day, even having to borrow someone else's book because I didn't want to take it out of my locker that morning. But now when it's time to go home and my homework is inside of my locker, I can't help but be forced to open it.

At the bottom of my locker, in the same place it lays every day, is a small white note. It's neatly folded into a small square. Inside I know will be neat handwriting.

There's just something inside of me screaming to pick it up and read it. She can't possibly know that I know about her secret, right? Rick said that he didn't want me to tell anyone, therefor, he didn't tell either. The only way she could possibly know I know is if she overheard us talking. Which is impossible since she wasn't at my house.

God. Stop being so pathetic, Harry. It's just a damn note. Pick it up and get it over with.

I bend down and pick it up, feeling the heat within my hand spread upward. It's a strange feeling that I get every time Veronica is involved.

Unfolding it makes my hands shake.

How to make you understand?
For once in my life I feel
Different.
You.
-V

I stare down at the note, wondering just what drove her to write those simple words on the paper. There has to be a reason right?

I shake my head and groan, shutting my locker after taking out the items I need. Avoiding Veronica at school is like trying not to pick the random dollar off the floor. You know it's there but you don't want to give into temptation. And goddamn, Veronica is one of my biggest temptations.

The entire hallway is clear as I had stayed after just to go to my locker. I glance down both ways and decide that it is indeed empty, and then lower myself down to the floor.

"What are you doing, Harry?" I mutter to myself, shutting my eyes as I rest my head against the cool locker door.

What am I doing? Why am I driving myself away from Veronica? Maybe Rick is wrong. Maybe he misheard Aiden on the phone. Hell, maybe Rick lied just to get me to stop focusing on Veronica.

But that doesn't feel right. I don't think Rick would go through the trouble of making up some story in order to drive me away from her.

A soft cough has me jumping in shock, banging my head against the locker in the process. I open my eyes and stare up at Veronica, her brown eyes set on me.

"What are you doing?" Veronica asks casually, her tone not giving any sign as to how she's feeling. It worries me.

I shrug. "Trying to...relax a bit," I lie. I can't tell her that I was thinking about her being a prostitute.

"On the floor?"

"Why not?"

Veronica shrugs this time, walking backwards until she leans against the opposite wall of lockers. "Why do we always meet in places like this?" She asks quietly, her eyes set on mine.

"I've been asking myself that same question. Maybe you're stalking me," I tease her lightly.

A corner of her mouth tilts upwards. "Maybe I am," she says. "So, Harry, what's the plan today? Is your Tuesday already fully booked?"

"Are you asking for a date?" I ask sarcastically, laughing at the mere thought of her asking for a date. I have got to get my head back on straight. I spent all day avoiding her and now she shows up, making me cave into her every word spoken.

Veronica props her foot up behind her. I try not to notice the way her legs curve so beautifully. It's really nice to know she's got curves and isn't all skin and bone like most girls.

"Harry, did you hear me?"

"Sorry what?!" I exclaim, forcing myself to focus on her words and not her legs. I can't believe I just lost myself in thought.

"I asked whether you wanted to hang out or not," she says, her voice somewhat strained.

"It's a Tuesday," I state.

"I know that, but I don't want to be at Aiden's tonight," she shrugs casually, even rolling her eyes as if to add effect.

"Why don't you want to be there? Isn't he your boyfriend?" I ask her. I hate the way my voice seems to come off a little rude, even in my own ears.

Veronica makes a noise under her breath. "Look, I just need an escape, okay? Do you want to hang out or not?" Veronica snaps at me.

"Welcome back," I mutter bitterly. "Fine, sure. What do you want to do?" I ask her at a volume I know she can hear.

"I just want to be with you," Veronica says, her gaze on the floor.

My heart practically caves into the bottom of my stomach. I have missed her little cute sayings throughout the day. How could I possibly think I could avoid her for an entire day?

I get off the floor, leaving my stuff on the ground, and walk over to Veronica. She glances up at me and our eyes meet. I hold her hand, intwining our fingers and just holding her gently.

"I've wanted to be with you for the longest time," I tell her.

Veronica sighs and leans into me. When she speaks, she asks the one question I wished she never would.

"Then why did you leave me alone for all those months?"

I have no way of answering.



Veronica's POV


When someone you trust decides to just leave you and ignore you for months, you tend to feel the need to disappear into yourself, block out the world, and just weep about being alone. I, however, when I was left alone, did the only thing that made sense to me. I pushed myself to get closer with Aiden, keep him happy, and realize that only stupid people believe in this happily ever after concept.

Now that Harry seems to be talking to me again, I can't stop but be extra cautious. I don't think I can handle losing him again.

So when I tried to talk to him today and he completely ignored me, I felt dismissed from his life. How could we go from one amazing afternoon together, to a complete mess the next day? It just didn't make sense to me.

But standing in the hallway with his arms around my body, holding me against the world that involved everyone but us, I begin to feel the need to cry. Only this time it's not because I'm alone, but because there's someone with me.

And he just happens to be Harry.

Sweet, sweet Harry.

"Let's just go to your house. We can hang out there for a bit," he suggests and panic rises in my throat. I swallow it down before I look up at the curly haired boy, not wanting to seem scared.

"How about yours instead? I miss your mother," I lie tactically, silently hoping he doesn't catch on.

"Sure, why not," he answers and leaves me to pick up his belongings.

Of course he didn't catch on. Harry is too kind, too trusting. Too damn naive to realize when he's being lied to.

I put a smile on my face and wait for him to take my hand again so that we can walk to his car. I love the feeling of knowing there is no one around at school. Mostly, I like the knowledge of knowing Aiden is at his house preparing another party yet again.

I try to make my mind think about anything and everything other than Aiden and his parties as Harry drives us to his house. I stare out the window the entire time, watching houses pass by quickly.

"Why did you ignore me today?" I can't help but ask. I turn towards Harry. His knuckles look white around the wheel. He stares ahead, watching the road with steel green eyes.

What's going on?

"Harry?" I try to get his attention again.

"What?" He asks harshly, not even glancing over at me.

I bite the inside of my cheek. "Never mind," I mutter and turn back towards the window. I hate when Harry is angry. It reminds me of Aiden.

"Sorry, Veronica," Harry sighs and I feel his hand touch mine. "I got a little...distracted," he lies. I know he just lied, but don't have the heart to call him out on it right now.

I take his hand and he starts rubbing little circle against my skin. It soothes me and I just feel the urge to kiss him softly.

"Harry, can you pull over?" I ask him quietly.

He glances over at me confused. "Why? We're almost at my house."

I feel my cheeks heat. "Yes, but I don't think your mother would approve of me kissing you with her around," I say, trying to maintain a somewhat cocky attitude.

It works and Harry gapes at me. "You want to kiss me?"

I roll my eyes and bring his hand up to my lips, kissing the skin softly. "I've always wanted to," I murmur.

I swear, the speed at which Harry pulls over and parks his car makes me laugh louder than I ever have, making me feel better than I have in a while. He parks at the curb in front of a random house and immediately tugs my hand towards him.

I laugh and unbuckle my seatbelt as he does the same. I take his face in my hands and kiss him, giggling against his lips.

A loud tap at the window has us springing apart, but I keep giggling. I turn towards my window and freeze.

"Aiden," I whisper, his face angled towards me. "Fuck."



~~*~~*~~


Song: "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Greenday

Dedication: @onedirection5smile
LOLOL YOUR BUTT. :D

Thanks to everyone being patient (:

Comment and I'll try to update faster.

Shits about to go down ;)

-Kat