Thanks doll

{word count: 1269}

Veronica sat in a lawn chair, beer in hand, watching the rest of her graduates drink and dance. She wasn't normally into these types of settings but she would need it for the summer ahead of her. A part of her wanted to play and win panic but the other part wanted to leave and never think of this little town ever again. However to leave she needed the money, so it wasn't a very good situation to be in.

Panic was something all graduating seniors had to debate, either staying in carp for the rest of their lives or competing and possibly winning the game. Some wanted the money, but some needed it. Like Veronica, she needed it for her family. Her mom had been working 6 days a week for almost a year, and somehow they were still broke.

"A refill, your majesty?" Carrington asked from his chair beside her. He was her best friend, had been since the first grade. " yes my servant." She chuckled handing him her cup. He left with their empty cups but not before giving a bow. The two had been inseparable since the moment they met, they spent every waking moment together. They had bonded over only having one parent. Unlike Veronica, Carrington had lost his mom in a car accident.

" Final collection." Ray Hall, the town's biggest douche. Veronica tried to be his friend Junior year but he turned around and told everyone she was sleeping with Carrington and she was pregnant thats why she stopped coming to school for a few months. Everyone found out later that her dad got sick, then eventually died. Although it didn't seem that big of a deal, it hurt Veronica because she was nothing but nice to Ray.

She pulled the ten dollar bill out of her jeans pocket and quietly put it in the bucket, not even sparing one glance at the boy. Veronica nodded, wishing Carrington would hurry with her drink. Although she payed her dues Ray did not leave. His eyes roamed her face, a smirk plastered on his lips.

" What?" She said finally looking up at the boy. The truth was, she did find him attractive but after what he did she just couldn't defend his attitude anymore. "That's it?" Veronica rolled her eyes. " I need the rest for gas." He shook the can, the change rattling inside. They made eye contact, her breathing quickened as they continued for a good 5 minutes. Before she finally gave in, she groaned, dropping the other 10 inside. "thanks doll." His smirk grew and he stood slowly tracing his finger up her arm and shoulder as he walked away.

She shivered as she watched him walk away, Ray had always found a way to make her squirm. He had that effect on many people really, but with others it was fear, but for her it was excitement. Finally Carrington began walking towards her, two beers in hand.

" Dude finally, what took so long?" She said grabbing her drink. She sighed in content when she took a sip, the cold but bitter taste soothed her tongue.

He huffed, sitting back in his chair. " I ran into Hannah." She cackled, covering her mouth with her hand dramatically. " oh." She cringed. Hannah has had a crush on him since the eighth grade, she was a really pretty girl but she was just weird. She'd throw her self at his feet, no like literally she's done that before. When she'd catch him she'd blabber on about anything and everything, and Carrington didn't wanna be rude so he'd sit there nodding along. " never thought I'd say this but thank God for Ray Hall."

Veronica gasped as her favorite song came across the speaker. " Your majesty, may I have this dance." Carrington laughed sticking out his hand, which she quickly grabbed dragging him to the makeshift dance floor.

<{*•*}>

Veronica drummed her fingers against the counter as she waited for the coffee to brew. She had started this job her sophomore year, after she got her drivers permit so she could save up for a car. It was a good job, didn't pay much but it was enough for her. She had tried to give her mother some of her paycheck for groceries or toiletries since she paid the big bills on her own but Katherine refused.

The coffee machine beeped, Veronica pulled a coffee mug off the shelf above her and poured the coffee in and added a spoonful of sugar and creamer. Turning around she handed the mug to the sheriff, before grabbing a plate and adding a blueberry muffin. " Thank you, sweetheart." Veronica nodded, she loved her little job and the people. She had the same customers every morning, most of them being deputies.

At the beginning of the year Veronica asked her boss if she could work day shifts, because the panic challenges were almost always past midnight. but Mrs. Wilson had said those spots were taken up so she had to stick with early mornings, and now that she graduated she could work throughout the week.

The bell on top of the door rung, Veronica lifted her head to see Heather. She smiled at the girl, and motioned to the table next to the door. Veronica had not really talked to Heather much, other than if they got paired to do a project together. She didn't really know much about her other than where she lived, but in Carp everyone knows where everyone lives.

" what can I get you." She said pulling out her notepad, she normally didn't need it but Mrs. Wilson told all her employees to use it just in case. " A job." Heather chuckled, Veronica joined in.

" I think we have some morning shifts open." Veronica said, walking to the cork board on the other side of the shop grabbing an interview sheet. She quickly walked back handing it back to the girl. " Fill this out and I'll give it to Mrs. Wilson." The girl nodded and smiled at Veronica.

" thank you." Veronica nodded walking back behind the counter and watched as Heather sat at the table, her eyes scanning the application. The girl looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes and her blonde hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. She must have been job hunting all morning, Veronica felt a pang of sympathy for the girl knowing all to well the struggle of having no money.

As she went back to cleaning the counter, her thoughts drifted to Panic. The game was brutal, making some face their biggest fears, sometimes injuring some. It was the only way out of Carp for most people, a town of little opportunity and a lot of desperation. The prize money was enough to change anyone's life, but the risks were high.

It was even more dangerous now, with two teens dying last year and the cops knowing about the game. Veronica's heart raced anytime she thought about it but she knew she had to do it. Her mother couldn't keep working the way she was, and putting that much pressure on herself. She'll end up getting sick, or even going insane.

Heather appeared in front of her. " It says here to put a personal reference, who do I put." Veronica thought for a moment. " Mrs.Wilson knows everyone in town, you can put anyone from school or someone from town, or you can even put me. It's just there so she can make sure your work ethics good." She offered a comforting smile to the girl. " okay thanks."