Chapter Text
Veronica has always heard stories about soulmates.
Her parents had always told her,
“One day, your wrist will glow your soulmate’s color. Then it’s up to you to figure out who it is.”
Veronica found it stupid. Seriously, you’re bound to one person for life and it’s determined by a dumb color? It made no sense! To think, the glow doesn’t even tell you who your soulmate is. It could be anyone and you have to figure it out all by yourself.
She never got how it was up to you to figure out who your soulmate was either. There were never any hints, any clues or anything leading to your soulmate, you were just supposed to find them. What if you didn’t find them? Were you just supposed to be alone forever? People were already forced to play part in this stupid system, but just leaving them in the dark with nothing but a color was nothing short of cruel.
Her parents always told her it was a phase. That it would pass. They constantly reminded her that she just hasn’t “found the right person” and that when she did she’ll “regret” all her words.
“Regret” wasn’t her style though.
Veronica swore to herself that she would never succumb to the soulmate system. She would always stand by her word.
Soulmates are stupid.
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“Veronica! Veronica! My wrist is glowing!”
Great. Veronica was 16, going on 17 tomorrow. It was the end of her junior year and she still hasn't found her soulmate. It wasn’t like she cared, totally. She just hates that everyone she knows already got their glow. Before it was just Martha and her who were longing for their glow, but now that Martha just got hers, she’s alone.
“Hey, that’s great Marth! Do you have any idea who it could be?” Veronica asks, behind a fake smile.
“W-well no, not yet- but! I have a strong suspicion that it’s Ram!” Martha squeals, blushing.
“Ram? Wait- isn’t he like fucking Kurt?” Veronica questions.
“That‘s just a rumor! There’s no way that’s true, that kiss meant something!” Martha denies.
“It was kindergarten, Marth. We were just figuring out what dating was, cut the man some slack.” Veronica says.
“You can continue to be a Debby Downer, but I think that you’re just sad that you haven’t gotten your glow.” Martha retorts, matter-of-factly.
Veronica scoffs.
“Why would I be sad? I stand by what I said, soulmates are stupid.”
“Let’s see how you feel after you find your soulmate!” Martha yells, walking away.
“Let’s see how you feel after you find your soulmate,” Veronica mocks. “Let’s see how you feel when you find out that Ram isn’t your soulmate.”
‘Soulmates are stupid, it’s always going to be that way.’ Veronica thinks.
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September 1st 1989
First day of senior year! Wooooooo! God knows how I made it this far. Apparently there’s this new girl, feel sorry for her (Seriously who comes to Sherwood Ohio, more namely WESTERBURG, out of choice?). I think her name was something like Heather Chandler? Great, another Heather! Whatever. I’m not sure of her name, all I know is that the girl is lucky. She literally got adopted by Heather Duke and McNamara, the most popular girls in our whole school. Rumor has it that she’s also leading them! She’s spent less than 4 hours in this school, and she’s already on top of the social hierarchy? What a lucky bitch.
On a completely unrelated note I haven’t found my soulmate yet and I’m getting a TON of shit for it. Apparently, Chandler doesn’t have a soulmate either. Do you think that she could be my soulmate? Hah! As if. She’s friends with Duke and Mac, there is no way she’s my type. Nada, Zilch, Zero, NO CHANCE.
I don’t even know what she looks like either! Apparently she has blonde hair? That’s about all I’ve picked up. JD says that she’s a “familiar face” which is so obviously not true. JD knows no one other than Martha, Betty and I. I know I shouldn’t be talking about my best friend like that but c’mon have you seen the man? He’s a pyromaniac with mommy and daddy issues (as he would put it), that wears a trenchcoat indoors and has a kink for slushies! He couldn’t possibly know her, right?
Anyway I gotta head out, I would like to get to the bathroom before fifth hour. I have Mr. Silkonson. He’s such a buzzkill and I can NOT go a whole hour listening to drone on about the “American Revolution” or whatever the fuck we’re doing in history.
-VS
Veronica shoved her diary into her backpack and made her way to the washroom. She opened the door to see none other than the most popular clique getting chewed out by Ms. Fleming of all the teachers.
She finally got a good look at the Heathers. Veronica had seen Mac and Duke around before, she shared a math class with Mac and science with Duke. That wasn’t anything new though. Though standing in front of Duke was what stood out more than the other two.
Heather Chandler.
Words could not describe how perfect Heather Chandler looked. Just as she heard, Heather had strawberry blonde hair. She had pale green eyes that Veronica could stare at for hours on end and never get bored of. She was dressed in a gray blazer over a tie-neck blouse matched with a pleated red skirt. Her makeup was pristine. Heather had an empowering shade of red lipstick, similar to the shade of her skirt.
Veronica snaps back to reality as she feels a warmth creeping up to her face. She was about to leave before she hears what Ms. Fleming was yelling about.
“This is completely unacceptable, you three! Miss Chandler, I know you are new to this school and don’t know of our rules but we have made it very clear that no student should be out of class without a hall pass. As for you two,” Ms. Fleming points at Duke and McNamara. “You should know better! I mean seriously you should be guiding our new student to success! Not whatever level you’re on. C’mon dudes, let's make better choices from now on. I have no option but to give you guys a week's detention for this.”
“Oh there you guys are! I swear I’ve been looking all over for you three.”
Ms. Fleming turns her head towards Veronica, sporting a confused look.
“Sorry Ms. Fleming, Mr. Silkonson asked us four to organize and staple his printouts from the office. I guess Heather and Heather wanted to show Heather around, and we got separated. I have our hall pass with me actually. Um- yeah! Here it is.” Veronica lies, handing Ms. Fleming the forged hall pass.
Ms. Fleming looks at the note suspiciously, then back at Veronica. She scans it one last time before removing her glasses.
“I see you’re all listed. Hurry up and get where you’re going.” Ms. Fleming sighs, disappointingly exiting the bathroom.
“Hey! That's pretty neat!”
‘Wait. Shit! Is Heather Chandler talking to me right now? Act naturally, this is only one of the most popular girls in school.’ Veronica panics inside her head.
“O-oh! It was nothing, I was just making sure that our new student doesn’t get detention on her first day.” Veronica stutters, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks.
“Heather Chandler, pleased to meet you.” Heather grins, sticking out her hand.
“Sawyer, Veronica Sawyer.” Veronica accepts her hand and shakes it firmly.
“James Bond fan too, Sawyer?” Heather asks, smiling.
“Yes! You’re the only person that’s gotten that! You’d be surprised how many people don’t get James Bond references.” Veronica beams.
“You know, we should definitely see “License To Kill” sometime! I’ve heard only good things about it. Actually, how about you sit with us at lunch? I would like to get to know you.” Heather offers.
“I would love to, but unfortunately I promised JD and my other friends that I would sit with them-” Veronica tries to apologize before being cut off.
“Wait. JD as in Jason Dean? Like Jason Roman Dean?” Heather questions.
“Yeah? Do you know him?” Veronica replies, seeming confused.
“Of course I do! JD and I have been best friends since Pre-K! I haven’t seen him since like 8th grade when he moved.” Heather exclaims.
“Well then maybe you should sit with us! The other two Heathers are welcome to join you.” The brunette counter-offers.
“I will take you up on that offer, Miss Sawyer.” Heather smirks.
“Well I’d love to keep talking, but I unfortunately have a test for Mr. Silkonson’s class. I’ll hopefully see you at lunch, Miss Chandler .” Veronica says.
“See you later Ronnie.” Heather sighs dreamily, as Veronica exits the bathroom.
Veronica lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding when she hears the bathroom door shut behind her. She makes her way to Mr. Silkonson's class, feeling a warm sensation around her wrist.
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“I have never felt like such a third wheel in my life, and I used to hang out with Kurt and Ram!” Duke yells.
“Well excuse me, Duke! When I happen to see a pretty woman, I would prefer to not act like my normal awkward self.” The gray cladded girl retorts.
“C’mon, there are so many more pretty women out there, and you decide to get all giddy over Veronica “No-Glow” Sawyer?” Mac asks.
“Hey! Veronica seems like a good person, also don’t call her “No-Glow” in case you’ve forgotten I don't have a glow either.” Heather says, signaling to her wrist.
“Well that doesn’t matter, you’re hot. Hot people don’t need a glow.” Duke states, fixing her makeup.
“Well then why do you have a glow Duke, are you saying you’re not hot?” Heather smirks.
Duke responds by flipping her off.
“Ahem,” Mac clears her throat. “Your banter aside, are we seriously going to sit with the loser squad?”
“Hey! JD is my best friend, I do not appreciate this slander on him. Also, you don’t even know what their friend group is like. Don’t call them losers, that’s not nice.” Heather scolds.
“Uhm Heather?” Duke pipes up.
“Which one? There’s like two of us?” Mac asks, pointing between her and Chandler.
“New one!” Duke screams.
“What!” Heather screams back.
“Your wrist! It’s fucking glowing!”
Heather's eyes go wide in shock, before darting down to her wrist.
Blue.