~ Miss Mystic Falls ~ Part One ~
Ronnie's POV
An incessant ringing is what woke me up this morning, disrupting my wonderful dream. I was dreaming about young Leonardo Dicaprio on the Titanic, imagining myself as Kate Winslet. Only in my dream, I made room for Jack on the door, unlike selfish Rose.
Caroline smacked the back of my head, urging me to turn off my phone. As I picked up the phone that was on the bedside table, I gave Caroline a glare, but she didn't notice. She had her eyes closed, some of her blonde hair covering her face.
I didn't bother looking at the caller ID as I pressed the answer button. "Ronnie's Sperm Bank. You jack it, we pack it. How may I help you?" I grumbled into the phone, keeping my eyes closed. I heard Caroline snort out a small chuckle from beside me, making me smile a bit.
The person over the phone scoffed in disgust. "Honestly, Veronica. What if it had been a stranger that answered the phone?"
I rolled my eyes at the voice that has been judging me my entire life. "I'm sure me answering the phone that way would be the highlight of their boring day." I grunted as I lifted myself from the comfortable mattress, squinting at the sunlight pouring through the window. "What do you want, woman?"
"Where are you?" My mother asked.
"Caroline's. Tradition, remember?" I asked, making my way out of Caroline's room and into the bathroom.
"Oh, is Bonnie there too?"
Closing the bathroom door behind me and locking it, I scrunched up my face. "No, you witch. Bonnie isn't back in town."
"Well, when is she coming back? I feel like I haven't seen her in forever."
"I wouldn't know. She hasn't talked to me since Shelia's funeral." I mumbled as I walked over to the toilet. I pulled down my pants and sat down.
"How tragic. Anyway, I was wondering when you were going to be home--" Molly stopped talking for a moment before continuing. "What is the sound? What are you doing? Are-- Are you peeing, Veronica? While on the phone with me?"
I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I wiped then stood up. I was getting even more aggravated when I saw I had started my period. "Oh, please, mother. You used to change my diapers. Don't act so disgusted." I said as I grabbed a tampon from underneath the sink
"Well, for your information, I never changed your diapers. That was your father's job."
"Aw, it's comforting to know how much you loved me as a child." I fake cooed, discarding the plastic the tampon came in. I held the phone between my cheek and shoulder as I started washing my hands. "Now, did you just call for chit-chat or do you want something?"
"Do you not even remember what happens after the Kick-Off?" She asked in annoyance.
"I dunno, mother. I'm usually suffering from a massive hangover the next day." I replied, walking out of the bathroom and going back to Caroline's room. She was still laying in the exact same position as when I left.
"Founder's Court, you heathen. This is your year, darling. You are part of a founding family, after all. It's a tradition for Tate women to participate, says your father."
Ah, the Founder's Court. How revolting. I don't even remember signing up, but I'm sure Molly did it behind my back. "Well, consider this Tate woman breaking tradition. Besides, don't you think it's a little pretentious?"
"Imagine if Nana Nat were here. She'd have a heart attack hearing you talk about the Founder's Court this way." Molly spat. "You're participating and that's that. Think of it as carrying your Nana's memory on."
I slumped back onto the bed, bringing the covers up to my face. "Whatever, Molly. It'll give me an opportunity to embarrass you, anyway." I smirked slightly. That actually sounds fun.
"Veronica Marie Tate--"
"Sorry, mom, gotta get ready for school now. Bye!" I sang the last word before I hung up, letting the phone drop to the carpeted floor. I let out a long sigh before burying my face in the pillow. "Care, get your ass up." My voice came out muffled as I slapped her back.
She let out a loud whine, "Let's just skip today."
"As much as I'd love to, I have an English paper to turn in and you know how Mr. Wilkes is. He takes away ten points each day it's late. You could be sick with the flu and he'd still take off points." I explained in annoyance for the teacher. Mystic Falls High has the most terrible staff ever, except for Mr. Saltzman.
"Oh, boo." Caroline sighed.
Reluctantly raising up from the bed, I got up and started getting dressed. "Get your skinny ass up. We're gonna be late if you don't hurry."
~~~~~
"Good timing, Ronnie. You were almost late." Mr. Saltzman said as stood at his classroom's door, letting me walk through. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the free seat beside Stefan.
I sat my bag on the floor and slumped into the chair. I looked to my left when I felt someone staring at me, furrowing my brows when I saw it was Stefan-- a weird look on his face. "What are you looking at, creep?" I snapped as Mr. Saltzman closed the classroom door.
"Are you on your period?" He asked, making my eyes blink before narrowing.
"What? Do I smell or something?" I asked defensively. I've always had a terrifying fear of smelling, whether it be breath, body odor, or my vagina while on my period. I'm always scared that I smell, something I've yet to talk about with my nonexistent therapist.
Stefan's eyes widened a fraction. "Oh, no. At least, not to anyone else. It's just-- I have heightened senses so I can smell it."
"Well, turn that off, freak." I snapped, crossing my legs uncomfortably before turning my attention to Mr. S.
"This week, we're gonna set aside our regular curriculum for a lesson in local history as we approach Founder's Day." He said, walking over to his desk and leaning against the front. "Apparently the community leaders feel that's more important than World War II, but, hey, what do I know?"
Everyone's attention turned away from the teacher and towards the opening door, seeing a familiar face walk in. I perked up as I watched Bonnie walk into the classroom, books in her hand as she gave Mr. S an apologetic look for interrupting. "Sorry I'm late."
"Looks like we'll be at full occupancy today. Welcome home, Bonnie." Mr. Saltzman said, everyone's eyes following her as she walked to the empty seat next to Elena. "Right, Founder's Day." He continued on, but I tuned him out, my eyes focused on Bonnie.
As she sat down, she gave a small smile to Elena, before her eyes drifted towards Stefan. There was no more smile on her face, only a cold look. While Elena looked at her boyfriend, noticing the look her best friend was giving him, Bonnie's eyes moved past the vampire and towards me.
I gave her a soft smile, trying to tell her through my eyes that I had missed her. She gave me a warmer smile than she did to Elena before turning her attention towards the front of the room.
Sighing sadly, I looked away and sat my chin on the palm of my hand. Today is going to be a long day.
"Bonnie's back." I told Caroline as we walked outside of the school, the warm air hitting our skin. The entire class period, Bonnie ignored me, not that her talking to me would've been easy, considering she was three seats away, but anytime I tried to catch her eye, she would just look away. I guess I couldn't blame her. I would blame me too if I was her.
"Really? That's great!" Caroline exclaimed happily.
"I think she's still mad at me." I said absentmindedly, forgetting that the girl next to be had no idea why Bonnie and I were on the outs.
"When are you going to tell me what went down between you two?"
"When hell freezes over." I replied right before she let out a gasp. She grabbed my hand and started dragging me across the grass.
"Bonnie! Thank god you're home!" Caroline let go of my hand and wrapped Bonnie in a hug, not caring that she was interrupting Bonnie and Elena's conversation. "I know we talked every day, but I missed you!" She said, letting go of the girl. I raised a brow, sharing an offended look with Elena. "How are you doing?"
"Better. Just better, you know." I could tell Bonnie was lying, but I didn't call her out on it. "Just glad to be back, and try to keep myself busy."
"Well, I can help with that." Caroline grinned. "Major wardrobe confab needed ASAP. You need to help me pick the perfect dress for the Founder's Court. Ronnie has her mom to help her with that, and I have you." I scrunched up my nose at the thought of the conversation with my mother this morning.
"Founder's Court?" Elena asked in confusion. "Did I miss something?"
"The Founder's Court. You know, Miss Mystic Falls." Caroline elaborated as we all looked at Elena-- Bonnie and I in sympathy, knowing what this pageant meant for Elena. "They announced it today, and, um, you, Ronnie, and I are all on it."
"Oh, my god, we signed up for that so long ago. I completely forgot. Didn't know that you signed up, though, Ronnie." Elena said, looking over at me.
"Me either, doll."
"So are you dropping out then?" Caroline asked, making me shake my head. Bonnie and I shared a look, knowing it was Caroline's jealousy that was asking.
Elena looked like she was considering it before she shook her head. "I can't."
"No?"
"Her mom is the one who wanted her to enter." Bonnie told Caroline.
I decided to break the sad atmosphere by saying, "Well, I don't know about you two beauty queens, but I'm absolutely fucked. I need to find a date, like, yesterday."
"Ask Sebastian." Caroline said.
"Why would she ask Sebastian?" Bonnie asked in confusion, making me remember she left before Bash and I got closer.
"They went on a date." Caroline told her quickly, a smirk on her face.
"Uh, hardly. It was forced triple date with You, Elena, and your guys' boy toys." I said, before looking to Bonnie. "I don't like Bash like that. Plus, he's dating that Lindsay girl."
"Actually, I was talking to Lindsay this morning and she said they're taking a break. She said Bash said he needed some time before getting into a relationship." Caroline gossiped.
"Really? They were together just last night. Guess my talk worked."
"Ronnie! What did you do?" Elena accused.
I gasped, putting a hand over my chest. "I just told him if he didn't want to be with her, to quit leading her on. Honestly, I did the little freak a favor. If she had fallen love with Bash, she would've been crushed when he broke up with her." I defended myself, not seeing what I did wrong.
"Hey, look, there's Mr. Gorgeous now." Caroline said, nodding to where Sebastian was standing. "Go ask him or I will." She pushed me forward a bit, making me glare at her.
"I'll see you guys later." I said before taking a deep breath and walking over to Bash and his friends. "Hey, Bash?" I awkwardly interrupted them.
"Catch you guys later." Bash said to his friends, who immediately walked away, no questions asked. Of course, he's the leader. How unsurprising.
"So this is gonna sound weird and feel free to say no, but my mom signed me up for this thing called the Founder's Court and I didn't find out until today and I really need a date. And considering you're the only guy at this school that I like, I was wondering if you wanted to maybe be my date." I rushed out, silently cursing my mother for putting me through this. A heads up would've been nice.
Bash laughed, his dimples appearing. "Ronnie, you can calm down. I'll go with you."
"Really?"
"Of course. It's no problem." He immediately said, adjusting his backpack strap. "So when is this thing?"
I opened my mouth, then closed it. "I'll have to get back to you on that."
He laughed and nodded, slowly backing away. "Well, I have to go. Physics awaits me."
"Of course." I said, watching him walk away before I called out his name. He turned around, a confused look on his face. "Thank you."
~~~~~
"This year's Queen will have the special honor of taking center stage at the 150th Founder's Day Gala. Before we crown our winner, we'd like to get to know a bit more about each of you." Carol Lockwood explained with a fake smile on her face as she sat at a table with two other women-- whose names I did not know, nor bother to learn.
I plastered a fake smile on my face, adjusting the hem of my dress as I crossed my legs. My mother told me exactly what to say before I entered the room, made me memorize all the things she put on my application. Her doing this brought light to the fact that Tate women had been doing this for 150 years-- lying about the good deeds they have done. They would bribe the people where they "volunteered" to say they did work there when they actually didn't. It made me realize that people actually did care about superficial bullshit like this. It also made me realize how desperate the women on my father's side of the family were.
"I do a lot of volunteer work. I've volunteered at the Mystic Hospital, going to the children's unit and reading to the sick kids." I actually felt kind of guilty for saying this. Maybe after this, I should go do that to soothe my conscious. "Every Saturday, I volunteer at the Rec Center Soup Kitchen. Over the summer, I went to the Nursing Home in town and helped the elderly." I listed off, thinking of how ridiculous this sounded. Come on, Molly. You couldn't have come up with anything better. "I also help coach my brother's little league occasionally."
While Carol did have a surprised and impressed look in her eyes, she squinted them at me and tilted her head. "Veronica, how much of that was true?"
I feigned surprise. "Why, all of it, Mrs. Lockwood."
"I've known you your whole life, Veronica, and not once have you willingly done volunteer work." Carol said, making my sigh, trying not to roll my eyes.
"Fine, you've caught me smack dab in the middle of the biggest lie of the century." I sighed, ignoring the judging looks from the two other women. I didn't see the point in trying to keep the lie going.
"Why are you doing this if you don't even want to, Veronica?"
Think of something that can still save this horrendous mess, Ronnie. If you don't, Molly will kill you. "It's my grandmother. Natalie Tate. On her deathbed, we were talking and she told me how her time doing the Founder's Court was one of the happiest days in her life. She said that when she was crowned Queen, that was one of the proudest moments of her life. She begged me to continue the legacy. She never had a daughter to share the same experience she shared with her mother, so she said she would watch me from Heaven, that we could share this experience in spirit." I quickly came up with a bullshit lie, feeling slightly bad for drawing my Nana into this. "I know I'm not the best applicant for this, but all I want to do is honor my Nan."
Carol seemed to believe it, as she smiled sadly and nodded. "Thank you for coming in, Veronica."
I smiled and stood up from my chair and shaking each of their hands before walking out of the room. Once the door was closed, I fist pumped the air as my mom stood from the chair she was occupying, discarding the magazine she was reading. "Well?"
"Fucking aced it, bro. Didn't even have to use your bullshit." I gave her a smug smirk.
"What? What did you say, Veronica Tate?" Molly asked me angrily as we walked out of the large building.
"Some shit about Gran telling me to do this on her deathbed. Even faked a few tears to make it believable." I said proudly, both of us getting into her car.
Molly smirked as she started the car, "You really are my daughter."
~~~~~
It was now the next day and all the participants were standing in the cafeteria of Mystic High, practicing this stupid dance we had to perform. I hated formal dancing, I hated having to memorize the steps and having the fear of messing up in front of everyone.
"Honor your partner." Mrs. Lockwood told us. I stood across from Sebastian, giving him a smile as we both bowed while Carol started the music. "Let's focus. Right hand around." We both raised our right hand, keeping them three inches apart as we circled each other. "Flirt with your eyes." I wiggled my eyebrows at Sebastian, making him stifle a laugh. "Left hand around." We raised our left hands and circled each other once again. "Both hands." Raising both hands, we went around again.
I suddenly heard laughing from the end of the line, making everyone stop what they were doing. We all looked over to see Stefan lifting Elena up from a dip, while Carol basically had an aneurysm when she saw this. "Oh, no, no, no, no." She said, walking over to them. "There's no touching during this part. It's about the simple intimacy of the near-touch." She told them, backing away while complimenting the girl standing next to Elena.
Rolling my eyes, I gave Bash a look. "This is such a bore. I'm sorry, Bash." I whispered to him as we continued dancing.
He smiled, shrugging his shoulders. "Anything for you, Ronnie."
I hummed. "I like the sound of that. How about burgers at The Grill after school?" I lowered my voice when I got a look from Carol.
"Sounds like a deal, Hermosa."
"Okay, everyone. Five-minute break." Carol said, everyone dropping their hands and dispersing out of the orderly line that she had us in.
I looked towards the door and saw Caroline and Bonnie walking in. "Hey, Bash. I'm gonna go talk to Bon and Care for a minute. You okay on your own?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I've got some buddies in here anyway. I'll go talk to them."
I gave him a thankful smile walking over to the two, who were talking to Stefan and Elena. "I begged Bonnie to fill in for Matt. He had to work today." I heard Caroline say as I walked up to them.
"Nice, Bonnie. Embracing your masculinity." I teased, throwing an arm over Caroline's shoulder.
It was weirdly silent after that and I had a feeling it had to do with Stefan being there. "Bonnie, do you have a minute?" Elena asked.
Bonnie hesitated, clearly not wanting to talk to Elena. "We only have 30 minutes for rehearsal."
"It'll only take a minute. Please?" Elena said.
I pursed my lips, "Care, Steffie, let's go talk about... literally anything." I said, pulling the two away from my friends, watching as they walked out of the room.
"I'm gonna go talk to Mrs. Lockwood. See if I can get an inkling on who they want to win." Caroline told me, removing herself from under my arm and walking away, leaving me alone with the vampire.
I glanced at the two out in the hallway, "What are they talking about?"
"Bonnie thinks her grams died for nothing." Stefan said, looking at the ground. "She thinks it's my fault. And Damon's."
"Did she say why she's ignoring me?" I asked him, glancing between the girls and Stefan.
He paused, looking down at me. "She said that she doesn't want to make you choose between her and Damon... because she knows you'll pick him."
~~~~~
My nerves started kicking in as I sat in front of the mirror that was reserved just for me. The girls around me were getting ready, Caroline was putting on her makeup next to me and behind me, Jenna was doing Elena's hair. Meanwhile, I sat there, doing nothing, letting the nerves get to me. "Veronica Marie, why are you not getting ready?" I heard my mothers voice sound through the room. Few people paid attention to her loudness as she walked over to my makeup table, my dress in a black bag in hand. I still haven't seen that thing. Apparently, Molly got it on her last trip.
She hung up the dress on the rack before walking over to me. "At least you did some of the makeup. It's starting soon you know. Jesus, child." She said before she started fixing my hair. "Finish your makeup. No bright colors. Your dress is a pink color." Pink? How revolting.
"It would help if I could see the dress, so I know which colors to use." I reminded her as I picked up an eyeshadow pallet.
"Of course! You haven't seen the dress yet." She scolded herself as she went and got the dress. She stood next to the mirror so I didn't have to turn around, unzipping the black bag, revealing a pretty dress. It was a very simple dress, no decorations or anything, just pure silk. It was a pretty champagne color, a slit on the left side, that would most likely stop mid-thigh. "Well? Do you like it?" Her voice was weird, it was like she was actually seeking my approval.
I smiled softly. "It's perfect. Thanks, mom." She grinned, giving me a satisfied nod before zipping the dress back up and putting it on the rack again. "What do you want to do to my hair?" I asked her, looking at her through the mirror as I started putting on eyeshadow.
"I think I'll curl it a bit. Keep it down. Simple hair for a simple dress." She told me, picking up the curling iron that was already plugged up.
I put a little blush on before putting chapstick on. I rubbed my lips together, watching as Molly sat the curling iron down after touching up my hair. I put my hair in the usual part I had it in, but unlike every other day, it appeared more put together and pretty. I looked decent, for once in my life. "Okay, I'll go put the dress on. You have the shoes for me?"
Molly nodded, pointing to the floor, surprising me as I hadn't seen them before. They were a nude color, almost exactly like the dress, but not quite the same color. I picked them up, grabbing the dress and walking into the room where all the girls are supposed to change. I saw Elena comforting a girl that looked like she was having a panic attack, but before I could ask her if she was all right, she walked past me, closing the door on the way out.
"Yikes." I told Elena, who nodded, grabbing her dress that was hanging from a mirror. I sat the heels down on a chair, taking off my clothes and sitting them on the chair as well. I unzipped the dress, discarding the black bag on the floor. I looked at the dress, figuring the best way to put it on was to pull it over my head.
"Whoa, there, Sally. Didn't know I was walking into a strip show." I heard Damon's voice as I pulled the dress down over my body.
I pushed my embarrassment away, knowing my cheeks were as red as apples. "Ha-ha, so funny." I looked down at the dress and smoothed the wrinkles out of the dress before picking up the heels and putting them on, lifting me up 4 inches. I looked up at Damon, seeing him staring at me. "What? Do I look like a troll in this dress?"
A soft smirk appeared on his face. "A beautiful troll." He pointed out, making me chuckle. "You look--"
"Amazing, I know." I playfully flicked my hair over my shoulder.
"--Gorgeous." He told me. "So what's a gorgeous girl like you doing with a dimwit like Chamberlain?"
I clicked my tongue, rolling my eyes. "Sebastian is handsome and available."
"I'm handsome and available."
"So, what? I should've asked you?" I inquired, raising a brow as I crossed my arms.
Damon shrugged, putting his hands in his pants pockets as he walked towards me and Elena, who was now standing next to me. "I mean, I'm not saying you shouldn't have."
I patted his shoulder. "Maybe next time, Pet."
"You can't be back here." Elena said, giving him a glare.
He rolled his eyes, diverting his attention to her. "We need to talk. It's about Stefan."
I cringed, holding my hands up. "Ooh, yeah, that's none of my business." I said, earning a glare from Elena, who probably didn't want to be alone with Damon. "I'll let you two hash out this problem."