It only took one week for Veronica to climb the ranks of popularity at Forks High School. After two days, she had already made it onto the cheerleading squad. By Friday, everyone wanted to either be her or date her. It was just like she had always seen in the movies. Veronica had become the popular girl who walked down the halls in her uniform on game days.

And she loved every minute of it.

It didn't matter how many jokes Dean popped out while on the phone or that Castiel didn't even understand what the point of cheerleading was. It made her feel so normal, something she didn't get a lot of. Every day of makeup and gossip and making movie night plans was normal compared to monster hunting, just like she wanted. Except, she supposed, for the coven of vampires that always seemed to be around.

"Emmett Cullen is staring at you again," Lauren Mallory said at lunch on the next Wednesday.

Lauren wasn't a girl that Veronica particularly liked, but somehow the younger girl was constantly around. She wasn't a fan of how Veronica just showed up and seemed to be the talk of the school. Angela said that Lauren was just scared because everyone liked Veronica more and she wasn't the most popular person in school anymore.

One thing that Veronica had learned about Lauren was that she loved to gossip even more than Jessica, which was saying something.

"What's the big deal? He always stares at her," Eric said, putting a disgusting amount of mayo on his hamburger. "She never gives him the time of day."

"How can he not when she's in that cute little uniform," Tyler said, winking at Veronica who rolled her eyes. Lauren, who had a borderline obsessive crush on Tyler, clenched her fist.

"I guess I get why he's so interested. Orphans are attracted to other orphans after all," Lauren said in a snarky tone.

All chatter at the table ceased as they focused on Veronica's reaction.

Veronica had been seven when John Winchester died and she had never known her mother — or more accurately, the vessel that her real mother had been inhabiting. Veronica wasn't necessarily sensitive about the topic of her dead parents, but that didn't give someone like Lauren Mallory permission to try and make her upset over it. Lauren was fishing for a reaction, but the bitch wouldn't be getting one. At least, not the kind she was hoping for.

Veronica had learned something about herself in her short time at Forks. She was a Heather Chandler, a Jennifer Check, a Chris Hargensen. Sure, she wasn't about to dump a bucket of blood on anyone but she certainly wouldn't let the likes of Lauren get the better of her.

"Not cool, Laur," Tyler muttered. The surrounding tables, which included a group of band kids, a few freshmen, and the Cullens, silenced themselves and watched on.

"No, it's okay," Veronica said, folding her arms and smirking. "Lauren's just jealous that no boys are staring at her. But who can blame them? You're about as sexy as a Cabbage Patch Kid."

Lauren's face flushed and she slammed her fist in the table. "How dare—"

"Don't dish it out if you can't take it," Veronica said, standing from the table and grabbing her tray to leave. "I'll see you at practice. You know, where I'm at the top of the pyramid and you're all the way at the bottom, holding me up with those broad helicopter pads you call shoulder."

Jessica gasped and looked between the two girls with wide eyes. No doubt the rest of the school would know about this by sixth period. Just like Veronica wanted it to.

The Cullen family watched the whole showdown, each surprised by how quick Veronica was to defend herself. Their eyes, like everyone else's, followed her as she confidently strutted out of the cafeteria, her cheer skirt fluttering around her.

"This is just like an episode of Glee," Nicholas whispered, enthralled with the drama of it all. "She wasn't even phased. Just like in the parking lot."

"It was exactly like the parking lot. Her feelings weren't even hurt over bringing up her parents," Jasper said, frowning. "She just felt smug at being able to embarrass Lauren."

"Emmett, you should ask her out," Nicholas said. Rosalie glared at her husband and was about to object, but he kept talking. "It'd be really funny to watch her turn you down and ruin your self-esteem in one go."

Emmett scoffed and shoved untouched food around on his tray. "You really think she'd turn me down?"

Rosalie studied her best friend and frowned. "Why are you so hung up on her? You haven't even had a conversation with her since you made that sexist comment about her car."

"I just want to get to know her," he said, looking at the door she had stormed out of. "I don't know why, but I do. But I get why I should stay away, and I will, Rose. Sorry."

Jasper smirked as he looked at Rose. He could feel the guilt and sympathy coming off her. She had always had a soft spot for Emmett and didn't like seeing him upset. He used his ability to enhance those a little bit to see what would happen. Edward smirked at him from across the table, amused by his meddling.

After a moment, Rose sighed and leaned into Nicholas. "Maybe you could at least apologize for the car comment."

Emmett perked up and smiled. "Are you sure?"

Nicholas rubbed Rosalie's shoulder as she tensed up. "I suppose... it wouldn't hurt."

"Yes!" Emmett said, punching the air excitedly. "I'll do it after class."

After the bell rang for seventh period, while everyone else was packing up, Veronica turned to Jasper, who she hadn't spoken to directly since the first day.

"Ok, so the project is due Tuesday, so do you want to meet up Friday after school and put everything together?"

"Sure," Jasper said, grabbing his bag. Rosalie and Emmett waited for their sibling. "Where would you like to meet?"

"Well, I thought the Library, but it'll be closed because they're having the carpet cleaned, which is a must with how much old gum is stuck to it. How about Carver's diner? I love their food and the Sherriff always buys me an order of cheese sticks when I'm there. I'll have cheer practice after class, so how about 5? Or if that's in the way of your guy's dinner plans, then maybe sometime Saturday?"

"Friday is good with me. I'll see you then."

"Cool," she said, tearing off a slip of paper from a notebook and scribbling something down. "This is my number. If you need to reschedule or anything. See you Friday."

And then she was gone, once again not giving the Cullen family the time of day. It was refreshing, but also strange. And it had Emmett chasing her down the halls.

"Hey, Veronica!" he called, coming to a stop at her locker, where she was pulling out her cheer bag. "Can we talk for a second."

Veronica sighed but nodded her head. Several students stopped in the hall to try and hear what the two would talk about.

"Look, I just wanted to apologize for what I said in the parking lot that first day of school. It wasn't cool and I'm sorry about your parents."

"It's alright," Veronica said. "You didn't know. And besides, I don't get too worked up about it. It was a really long time ago."

"I'm glad. I just didn't want to get off on the wrong foot with you," he said, leaning against the lockers. "Wouldn't want to end up like that Lauren girl."

Veronica snickered before shutting her locker. "You're not on the wrong foot. In fact, you're barely on the other one."

"And what would one have to do to get on your good side?"

"Maybe try having a real conversation with me instead of staring at me all the time?" she suggested, leaning against the lockers. The bright smile that covered Emmett's face was contagious. "You're not very subtle."

"I guess I wasn't trying to be," he admitted sheepishly. "Would you want to sit with me at lunch tomorrow?"

"With just you or your whole family?"

"I was thinking just me. It'd be easier to get to know you without my annoying siblings getting in the way."

"Well, I can definitely relate to the annoying siblings part," she mumbled, thinking of her brothers. "That reminds me to call said annoying siblings."

"So, is that a yes to lunch?"

"Ask me again later tonight," she said, smiling.

Emmett tilted his head in confusion. "How am I supposed to ask you tonight? There's not a game for you to cheer at."

Veronica laughed and pulled a pen out of her bag. She grabbed his cold arm and began to scribble her cell phone number on his forearm. Sure, she could've said to just ask his brother for her number, but where was the fun in that? If she was gonna flirt with a vampire, might as well go all in.

"I can't believe after everything we've been through, you're doing a report on that damned gun," Dean muttered. Veronica was in her kitchen, putting all of her research into a PowerPoint while talking to Dean on the phone.

"Well, I did leave out all the stuff about killing demons and whatnot," she said, chuckling. "Thought Mr. Hummel might count off for that."

"Do ya think he me might give you extra credit if you bring it in? I could get Cas to come over there with it," he offered.

"I can't bring a gun to school, Dean!" Veronica exclaimed.

"Uh, the number of weapons in your trunk says otherwise. But you wouldn't want to tarnish your precious high school cheerleader reputation," Dean teased. "It's not even been a full two weeks and you're the typical top bitch in every teen movie. I can't believe you called that girl a Cabbage Patch Doll."

"I know," she chuckled. "It's great."

Dean paused for a minute. "So, you're happy there?"

"I am," she said honestly. "I know you didn't want me doing this, but I'm glad I did. I need a slice of normal before I sign up for this for the rest of my life."

"I know, but you'd be doing a lot of good—"

"Just a sec. I got a text."

The ding from her phone couldn't have come at a better time. She didn't want to hear the speech about how she should be out there hunting and helping people. Veronica put Dean on speaker and then opened the text from the unknown number which made her smile.

So, lunch?

Oh, this is Emmett

Should have said that !

A small laugh left her lips as she replied.

Lunch sounds great

"Why are you laughing?" Dean asked. "Who texted you? Did Cas send you a meme? We've been trying to teach him."

"No," Veronica said, shaking her head. "Though I can't wait to see how that turns out for him. It was just some guy from school."

"A boy? What boy?"

She could hear the protective tone in his voice and immediately wondered why she didn't lie and say it was Jessica. "He just wants to know if I'll eat lunch with him tomorrow."

"And you said no, right?"

"Need I remind you of all the nasty stories I've heard about you when you were younger?" she asked, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Those are warning stories, Veronica! Men are bad. They only want one thing, and I forbid you from giving the thing."

"Oh bud, you missed out on losing the thing like three years ago—"

"What! Who?"

Veronica laughed so hard she almost fell off of her chair. "Samandriel. And you can't go kill him cause Cas already beat you to it."

Veronica made the most jokes about Castiel's darker period, and they often weren't appreciated. Given that Dean was too mad to catch it, she figured it'd be okay to slip it in.

"Now you definitely can't eat lunch with this boy."

"Sure, Dean," she said, snickering. "I won't eat lunch with him. Scout's honor."

"I don't appreciate the sarcasm, Veronica."

"Chill out, Dean."

Dean scoffed. "I'm chill. Is he at least ugly?"

Veronica thought about telling the truth — that Emmett was the most attractive man she had ever seen — but held back. "He's alright looking. Not the cutest boy in school, but he'll do for now. So, where are you guys headed now?"

"Sam thinks there's a case in Oregon. He's in the lobby on his laptop looking for more info. Not sure what it is yet."

"Well, be careful, and call me if you need me—"

"But don't need you," Dean finished, grumbling the order out. "We're always careful."

"I have an entire book series on my shelf to prove you wrong," she said.

"You kept those?"

"Even had Chuck sign them. Bet they're worth a lot."

"You're unbelievable."

"Maybe I'll get my new friends hooked on the books," she joked.

"You'd better not. You're in the newer ones," Dean reminded her. "From what you told me, your friends sound pretty smart and your cover would be blown."

"I was just joking, Dean," she mumbled. "I'm not about to go around town talking about skin changers and werewolves."

"Alright. Just want you to be cautious."

"Well that's not true," he said, laughing.

Veronica's phone beeped and she saw that Jessica was calling her. "Hey, Jess is calling. I've gotta run."

"Okay. Love you, bitch."

"Love you, dumbass."