lottie guo

Ookay, that's the Vero I know.

[She awkwardly hugs her back, patting the top of her head.]

I'm not upset with you. I'm upset with your shitty classmates, but...I think a club will fix that. You'll find nerds exactly like you. Well, you and Lucas.

We wanted you to just make friends outside of this damn building, not vanish out of our lives.

[She walks over and crouches down by the bed, putting her hand by the pillow.]

Nobody had any plans of abandoning you. I swear on that.

Tch...Yeah, and they said the same thing to me.

[She tries to compose herself, shoving her hands in her pockets.]

Sorry, just, don't want her eating herself alive over this bullshit.

Does it matter?

[She clicks her tongue.]

Why does it matter so much. Why do people care so much about blood?? Your mom decided she'd give up a good kid like you and she's paying the consequences! Why does everyone want to know their birth mother, their birth father!? Why does it matter so much!?

Oh, love of-

[She kicks at the doorframe multiple times. That struck a nerve.]

Gods forbid we end up like that bitch that left you to rot, okay!? The gods can kill me before I let that happen again! Before Dad lets that happen again! Before Simon lets that happen again! You hear me!?

What do you want me to do? I'm not babying her, she's in secondary school!

Look, Vero. We aren't saying you're banished from the apartment complex. You live here.

But you *need* kids your age to hang out around. It's good for you to be around people who experience the same things as you.

Yeah well it can happen at the flick of a wrist, Vero!! There's only so much bullshit a kid can take before-!!

...

[Another sigh.]

I'm sorry, not the time or the place. Look, we, just want you to have a social life, before it gets harder and harder to.

Because if you don't you end up getting suspended for beating people within an inch of their life in school.

[She leans against the doorframe and sighs.]

You need to make friends your age too. What's going to happen when we all die of old age and you're alone, eh?

...Well, then.

[She turns the handle and then pushes the door open with her foot, motioning for Simon to go inside.]

Floors yours.

[Leaning in, she whispers:]

*I'll stay here in case she tries to bolt out the door-*

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 what concerns you? ...Take a fucking guess, Uncle.

[She continues to walk through the apartment, opening doors slowly.

She comes to a stop outside of Vero's bedroom, hearing the slight sounds. Motioning to it, she mouths:]

"She's in there. You knock."

stole probably five years ago and unlocks the door, letting herself in and looking around.]

Vero? Very Merry? You in here?

Right, I have a hunch as to where she went, anyway...

[With that, she hurries off downstairs, and with a quick phone call to the front desk confirming no little girls had run out of the building, heads to the front door of Simon's apartment.

She feels in her pocket for the spare key she-

Wuh- Oh, come on, Vero!!

[She brushes the crumbs off her clothes and picks up the bag, sighing.]

Uncle, you *need* to sort this out. She can't end up like I was. Ugh...Want me to go after her?

[She looks to Simon.]

You have to put her in therapy.

[She turns her attention back to Vero.]

You do, need people your age, young lady. You can't hang out around a bunch of senile old men all day...No offense, Uncle. Mm, actually, maybe a little-?

> i dont wanna go outside its cold and im cold

I get that, but the school would probably be mad...

...

Listen, Vero. I know you don't like the idea of not being around all the time, but it's only for a few days a week, and you know you need friends your age, right?

It won't be too bad. There's always time to spend with us, too, yeah?

Oh, come on. There's gotta be *someone* who talks to you at school. And no, no you can't.

[She sighs.]

I'm sure he has some sorta summer programs you can join, but I don't think he'd be too happy with a teenager in class... He's a pushover, though. You'll always see us after the clubs end, Vero!

Nobody is going to ignore you, Vero, and if they do, they aren't worth your time! Like I said, we have to get you in some clubs or somethin'...

[She smiles a bit.]

I'm sure I can chat to Lucas about his time in astronomy club back in secondary. Or maybe see if he has any summer programs available.

Pshh, sure, sure. Uncle Simon will absolutely, *totally* allow that. Mm-Hm.

[She goes over to the cabinet again, pulling out a small tin of chocolate pretzels.

She hands them to Vero.]

Will this do?

A-Anyways, what about you talk to the school administrators about this and tell me if they're going to do anything about this whole bullying situation, yeah? Haha...

(*Please before Simon catches on I'm dogshit with children-*)

Oh! Vero! You, wanted another snack, right?

[She laughs nervously, ruffling Vero's hair.]

Hah you're sooooo funny Very Merry-

*Because he will also have my head if he hears how much I've taught you-*

I- No you don't. And don't, don't repeat any of those words.

...

[She leans closer.]

*At least don't repeat them in front of your dad-*

I think Dad will have my head if I beat up a kid...Eh, I mean...

...

[She shakes her head.]

Nahh, he absolutely would gut me.

...

Well, just learn good things from me, okay? I think Uncle Simon's already mad I taught you the word shit...

I'm far from perfect, I can admit that. Even Dad says I can be a bitch...sometimes. But we are family, you know that, right? We're basically cousins. This old man basically raised me.

[She nudges Simon, giving a weird half smile.]

I, don't think he would like if I came to school with you, though.

I'm, I'm not. I'm not upset, Vero, I've just seen what terrible people will do.

[She pats Vero's head, taking a deep breath.]

I'm sorry. I didn't need to lash out like that. Maybe *I* need to work on my manners.

...

I just don't like to see you get made fun of.

It's, it's not that! It's just....I don't want to see people step all over you, Vero!

[She huffs, crossing her arms.]

You have a good heart, but people take advantage of things like that... You have to learn when to say "this isn't okay."

That's, not...Okay.

[She claps her hands together, unsure how to elegantly put this...]

...That same mentality is why Lucas is so fucked up, Vero. That same mentality landed him in a hospital.

And what happens when you *do* get bothered by it? Are you going to just let it happen?

Come on, I *hope* Uncle Simon's raised you better than that.

I'd greatly appreciate that.

[She sighs in relief, giving Vero a quick hug back.]

Now, why don't we talk about setting some boundaries with your classmates?

...

[She pats Vero on the head.]

Don't worry about it, just...Be careful, okay? You don't want to end up looking like me. Or, or Lucas.

[She chuckles to herself.]

'm not upset at you, m'kay?