I forced myself to apologize to Veronica and agreed I was being dramatic and promised I'd pick myself up and improve my school life. I was staying in her hotel room on the couch, I hadn't met her brother Malcolm yet cause he was on a date with his wife but apparently Veronica hasn't told him about me yet which is fine because it's not like it matters to her.

I told Veronica about Jake and even she was shocked,

"I'm guessing since we got back?" I replied as her mouth gaped open, "that's gross, if I were you I'd dump him" she said but I couldn't.

"He's been there for me through my darkest hours and I can't dump him over this, I've given him a chance, if he doesn't apologize in the next few days I'll send the text" I sighed, rubbing my forehead in frustration.

"It's gonna take him more than a few days, trust me, Malcolm did a bit when he lived with us, he rarely did it but when it came to the point where he'd have to stop is where it went down hill, it took him weeks just to dump the bag" she whispered in case he was back inside his room.

"I guess" I trailed off into thought. "But it's something that can't be forgotten in our relationship, how could we? I swear he's probably been high ever since Florida"

Malcolm finally returned with his wife and made their way into their room, Veronica texted him, asking if they could meet up for coffee before we'd have to leave early in the morning.

"Malcolm said to meet at costa in 10" Veronica said, making her way into the bathroom to get ready.

All I wanted to do was text Jake but he was being a dick, I will not date a junky.

I threw on my Cal hoodie that I stole from Jake and rolled it up, Veronica was wearing jeans and a grey jumper so I knew I didn't have to dress nice to meet her brother. We left the hotel and made our way down to the lobby, "shi.... shoot I left my purse upstairs" I said quickly correcting myself, she smiled, proud that I was making an effort.

"be quick"

I took the elevator up to our floor and grabbed my purse, I saw what looked like Malcolm from Veronica's description come out of the room next door and say goodbye to his wife. I didn't wanna interrupt so I quickly ducked past but he called out Veronica's name which forced me to stop in my tracks, "Hey Roni!" He called, "I'll go down with you"

He began asking questions in the elevator and I kept telling him I wasn't 'Roni'

We finally made it to the ground floor where I ran over to Veronica, "your brother thinks I'm crazy" I whispered as we watched his jaw drop open.

"Malcolm this is my sister, Vanessa" she smiled, showing me off as if I were part of an auction, "what the fuck" he managed to splur,

"Hey!" Veronica corrected him, "not now Roni" he replied.

He stuck out his hand for me to shake, "sisters?"

"Twins" I spoke up,

"Yeah no joke" he laughed,

"So coffee?" Veronica said, breaking the awkwardness.

We made our way across the street to Costa and ordered our drinks, we sat down and began talking.

"So are you Mildred's real son?" I asked,

"Yeah, sadly, she went crazy when my dad left and basically threw herself down a flight of stairs thinking it would help" he explained, drinking his coffee. "That's why she's so loco" he rolled his eyes, twirling his finger around his temple.

"So, Vanessa, tell me about yourself"

"Well I was adopted when I was about 1, still live with the same family except with extras"

"That's it? Wow, you had it easy" he laughed as he flipped his blonde medium length hair out of his eyes, "Are you growing out your hair?" I asked changing the conversation, "Yeah, I'm trying out the ponytail style, you dig it?"

"Sure" I lied, in reality he looked like Jake would if he stayed on drugs, his eyes were sunken and heavy black bags draped beneath his eyes, it looked like he hadn't washed his hair in weeks but all I could do was smile and nod.

"Ew Malcolm! Don't that's gonna be gross" Veronica laughed,

"really?" He asked looking for reassurance, "that look is really early 2000's" I agreed, "but Lily likes it" he pouted.

"Lily's is as thick as a board, honestly, she doesn't even know how to tie her laces" Veronica laughed,

"Hey, now" he tried eazing the joke, "Sorry" Veronica giggled.

"What about the beard?" He asked,

"Okay just don't grow it longer than your chin" Veronica smiled.

Veronica was happy, truly happy, Malcolm was what she needed to break out of her shell. "Hey Malcolm, you and your wife are welcome to stay at ours whenever you need" I smiled, interrupting their conversation, "thanks Vanessa but Lily and us are going back to Ohio"

"Us?" Veronica asked confused either from his poor use of grammar or genuinely concerned on her behalf but aware about what was about to happen, I watched as her hands gripped onto the arms of the chair and her bitten nails digging into the cushion,

"Veronica you don't think I'm leaving you here, do you? I left you once before, I'm not doing it again" he tried saying sympathetically, he put his hand on Veronica's but she pulled it away almost immediately.

"You left me eight years ago, eight years you could have come to pick me up but no, if you think for a second that I will come to Ohio out of anywhere then you're crazy!" She shouted as her face turned red, "Veronica I'm sorry but you're coming with me!"

"Can everyone just stop for one minute!" She yelled and stood up as people began staring. Tears were rapidly pouring down her cheeks and she was taking deep heavy breaths every few second, "I was trapped with Mildred for 8 flipping years and now you want me? I prayed every single night that you were okay and that I would get fed properly at least once and now you want me?" She put her hands on her head in frustration and began pacing the floor.

I stood up to help Veronica, I pulled her in for a hug but she was shaking with anger, she pulled away, her breathing grew heavier and her face reder, "You left out of left out of scaredness! You're a coward just like your father!" She shouted making everyone go quite,

"Vero-" I began but she stormed out before I could finish her name. I glared at Malcolm who was Red with anger as well, "that was way uncalled for" I spat as I ran after Veronica.

She ran and ran as fast as she could, I tried to keep up with her but I was shit at running. I got a stitch which nearly dragged me down but I continued to jog out of breath behind Veronica's shadow. She was and me skipping out on P.E every week was not helping, "those laps would really gone in handy right about now" I planted.

"Slow down, please!" I shouted out of breath but it was no use.

I put all my strength and energy into my body and ran as fast as I could up to Veronica, I caught up and pulled her to stop. "Let me go!" She cried, as I dragged her to a complete halt. "Come here" I whispered as she basically collapsed into my arms.

She sobbed into my shoulder as I hugged her tiny waist.

"Don't worry, I won't ever leave you" I whispered as her sobs grew louder, her arms made their way around my shoulders as she hugged me back.

"I have it shit and I always had!" She cried,

"Now now, don't catch on to saying that, very bad language" I laughed trying to brighten the mood but it was no use.

She slowly got up, I thought that she'd get up and walk home but I was wrong. She began running again. "Veronica stop!" I shouted, growing angry "You're not getting anywhere!"

I watched as her figure ran further into the distance, "Veronica come back!" I shouted as I watched her silhouette suddenly disappear, "Veronica!" I shouted in panic as I began to sprint after her but it was getting dark and it was harder to see.

I came to a stop as I saw a bridge in sight. "Shit!"

I ran over as fast as I could and looked over the edge but couldn't see anything, "Veronica!" I called, I heard a slight whimper from behind me, "Veronica!" I sighed relieved.

"Did you think I would jump?" She asked shocked as I pulled her in for a hug and ignored her question.

(Drama🙃😏)