After a bit of time, Verona found the home, or mansion could describe it better. Her jaw hung in the air as she stood on the porch. Her estate was big, but not this big...

When a maid opened the door, Verona smiled sweetly.
"Yes, I am looking to see Ezekiel, if he's awake?"

The maid only nodded while letting her in, and pointed towards the stairs.
The house on the inside, was only more extravagant.

"Second door on the left," the women muttered as she disappeared into another room.

Following her directions, Verona was at the door in a matter of seconds.
Knocking on it softly, she smiled.
"Ezekiel," she chimed as she cracked the door, and poked her head in.
"Hi sleepyhead!"

Ezekiel heard someone at the door but just turned over in bed, ignoring the sound. When he heard someone at his door he looked extremely confused.

"What did I do last night," he asked himself.

His hair was messy at the present moment and he just buried his face in the pillow. He made the decision that he would never drink that much again, if he could prevent it.

When the door opened he bolted upright in bed. He looked stunned and utterly confused at the same time. He shook his head to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Apparently he'd taken the girl home, but that wasn't possible since he'd just heard the door.

"Oh bloody hell," he said through his teeth. "What did I do?"

Smiling even wider at Ezekiel's sudden activity, Verona skipped over to the bed, and plopped down on the edge,"Hi," she said again.

"Does your head feel bed? I brought you some medicine just in case," she chimed.

He looked like he had the night before, only messier, and a little bloodshot, but that was only to be expected of course.

"I thought you might like some company in you time of hangover, so here I am!"

Tossing him the medicine, she smiled, as if waiting for him to take everything in, considering he looked quite shocked. Of course, again, that was to be expected.

Ezekiel still looked confused but took the pain killers. He opened it and put two in his hand a popped the into his mouth quickly and swallowed.

He didn't usually need water and it was one of those days where he did so he made a face before grabbing the glass of water next to his bed and drinking some.
When he was done he looked back at the girl that was sitting on his bed.

"Who are you and what are you doing on my satin sheets?" he asked. "You might get mud on them."

He drank more water, eying her from where he was. He was trying so hard not to get excited about someone visiting him because they wanted to keep him company while he had a hang over but it was starting to get hard.

"Silly," she said, ignoring his remarks about mud.
"You don't remember me? I met you last night, before you got smashed. My name's Verona Byers, do you really not remember?"

Verona could feel a frown emerging upon her face. Even though he was quite rude when he was perfectly sober, she still felt a bit disappointed.

"Well, if you really want proof, you could ask your sister Maria, she met me too. She had to drag you out of the bar, she seemed nice enough."

Kicking off her shoes, Verona folded her legs Indian-style as she watched him drink his water.

"I even know your name if that helps Ezekiel."

Ezekiel was still stunned and he was starting to feel excited. He frowned slightly, muttering something to himself about how she could easily be lying and just be another maid girl tricking him.

"So you met my sister who dragged me out of a bar after getting smashed after I was already pretty smashed," he said bluntly.

He looked nervous again and he shifted slightly so that he wouldn't have to look at her. He knew where the bathroom was if he needed it to hide from her and it had a pretty good lock on it.

"Anyways everyone knows my name," he said with a slight confidence. "But why are you here anyways? I mean its just a hangover, not like I need some bloody cure for it."

"You called me pretty when you were drunk, and also something about a Veronica? She had to study or something... That's what you said."

Smiling, she began again.

"Also, I just thought you might want some company. I heard you really don't have any friends, so I thought I'd drop by."

Sprawling out on the end of the bed, Verona lay across the bottom, her bare feet hanging off the end.
Her legs were crossed, and she wore another dress.
This one was white, and came down to her knees, that was trimmed with a delicate looking lace.
Her small black jacket set contrast to her tied up blond hair. Her delicate little fingers smoothed out out his spread; her nails were cut short, and light pink.

"I just thought you'd like to have a friend."

Ezekiel was starting to notice something change as his excitement grew and he was starting to get anxious. This was exactly why he didn't have any friends.

"I don't need friends," he snapped harshly.

He had gotten off the bed and was walking to the bathroom to hide the fact he was beginning to morph. He was cursing as he went and was starting to cool down a bit.

He stopped when he reached the door to leave his room and rested his head against it. He had a dizzy spell from trying to get away from there so fast and he looked about ready to collapse at any moment.

"A-are you okay?"

Sitting up, Verona had yet again ignored one of Ezekiel's rude comebacks. But by now, she seemed pretty immune to them considering just about everything he ever said was negative. You could say they didn't bother her like they had before.

She slowly slid off the bed, stepping towards him slowly, careful not to make much noise.
Placing her hand on his shoulder, she peered over to him, "Do you want me to go get someone or something?"

Stepping back a bit, she stepped towards the door, ready to retrieve someone for help.

"Ezekiel," she asked.

Ezekiel couldn't take it much longer, how nice she was being to him that is. It made him happy and he couldn't think of anything to change that.

He squeezed his eyes shut trying to imagine the most gruesome thing but he'd only hear her voice as she tried to reach him.

"Get away from me," he pleaded in a pained tone before going into the bathroom.

He was sure to lock the door and once he'd done that he let it happen. He watched his hands as they slowly turned into paws and he felt the tail slowly extend.

When fully changed his nose twitched slightly and then he began to claw the cabinets out of anger. He'd let himself change again.

A hurt expression on Verona's face.
She nodded and left his room.
She understood now, that he didn't want any friends, and that he most certainly didn't want her.

Running outside of the mansion, almost to tears, Verona decided leaving him alone was probably best at this point, and if he wanted, she would never so much as even think the name Ezekiel ever again.

After returning to town, she wiped at her face, realizing she was indeed barefoot, and walked over to a small bench, plopping down with a small thud.

"I guess he's better off without anyone," she told herself. "I will not ever talk to him anymore.."
She shifted. "I won't, I promise..."

A maid had been confused when Verona had run out of the mansion crying. It was a maid that had been there a while so caught on quite easily.

Ezekiel was having one of those days. She would have to report this to their father immediately because Ezekiel would be in need of a new carpet and possibly a new bed since this is what always happened when he got too excited.

Ezekiel was crouched in the bath tub though, almost refusing to go anywhere with the wide eyed cat expression that always accompanied him when he transformed.

He let a low growl when someone knocked. Maria entered anyways and shook her head slightly. She shut the shower curtain and turned the water on before walking out again.

((aww the poor kitty gets wet!))

(awwwww!! nyoo, poor kitty.)

Verona felt bad for crying the way she was, about something as silly as this, but she had never really been treated like this before, so it hurt and stung to her.

Several people couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves as the poor girl sobbed in the middle of town. But no one cared enough to stop, except that one guy... The guy from the night before, who had a reputation for walking around town, no matter how bad the hangover.

Mayhen sat down next to Verona slowly, and wrapped his arms around her as her crying deepened.

"I know," he told her. "He is a bastard.."

She suddenly stared up at Mayhen in shock; how did he know she had gone to see him.

"Aldous," he explained.

Crying more, Verona found herself hysterical over someone that she really didn't know, how odd...

As soon as the water turned on he grew frightened, more out of his catlike instincts and automatically turned back into a human. When he came out in fresh clothes a few minutes later he looked frustrated.

There was a note on his desk and he read it. It was from Maria, scolding him for being so rude to the girl that just ran out of the house crying.

"Verona," he said to himself. "Verona Byres."

He sat down at that point and began writing a note. It was expected of him to explain why he'd told her so sharply to get away. He appeased his excitement with repeating things to himself that usually made him depressed.

A bit of time later, Verona had decided to help Aldous around his store to pass time.
Time was something that she had a bit too much of.

Aldous kept up a decent conversation with her about the Singstons of course, but most of everything he said went in one ear, and out the other.
She didn't want to talk about him, even though that seemed like everything Aldous wanted to talk about.

"-so then I asked his father what he meant by that-"

She couldn't help but tune out the old man as she helped him as best she could.
In the end, he really was quite nerve-racking.[/i]

The letter said this:

Verona Byers,
I do not remember a single thing from last night so I do not know if I need to apologize for anything. As for this morning though I must sincerely apologize for rudely telling you leave. I had a terribly stomach ache and no girl should have to hear a grown man relieving himself in the bathroom.

signed,
Ezekiel Singston

His name was signed in an elegant scrawl that he'd gotten used to. Essentially his father had trained him to write in a certain fashion and that is how he ended up writing.

"Well I'm being partially honest when I said relieving myself," he stated with a smug attitude.

He quickly inserted the letter in the envelope and went downstairs. As he expected, there was a driver with a car waiting for him. He would be stopping by Aldous' place to have him deliver the letter in person since he didn't entirely trust the mail.

"-and then he said-"
"Aldous!"

Looking up from the bench suddenly Aldous had a surprised look on his face.

"Please," Verona continued. "I would really appreciate it if you would just stop talking about them for a bit, if that's okay?"

Blinking, Aldous appeared shocked by Verona's sudden burst of distaste. She had not been mean or rude, she had just stated that would have liked him not to talk about the Singston family; it was obvious that they dominated his thoughts, like candy to a young child.

Starting to sweep off the sidewalk again, the silence was now pure and sweet as the sun drifted over Verona's now jacket less, and shoe less body as she hummed.
"I'm sorry, I just... Don't care for them much."

As usual Ezekiel had been asked to be dropped off around the corner so that it wouldn't be too obvious, for Aldous' sake as he'd always say. He got out of the car smoothly with the letter in his hand and carrying a bag that held the shoes and the jacket.

He hadn't touched them at all. His sister had actually put them in a bag and also in the car that he would take. She was usually more responsible than he was but that was what was expected of her.

When he reached the corner he heard voices and her froze. He recognized it and he was almost reluctant to turn the corner now. He looked presentable in a button down white shirt and jeans.

He forced himself to turn the corner and was taken back slightly when he saw Verona. He didn't say anything at first but rather just stiffly walked through the door.

Verona didn't look up; she knew who it was. Nor did she speak. She was a tiny bit spiteful, but she wouldn't let him ruin her day.
She tried to continue her work, but Aldous's voice was load as he greeted Ezekiel.

"Well boy," he said. "We were just talking about you, what can I help you with?"

"Some more than others," Verona whispered as she swept a small clump of dirt from the doorway.

She didn't like to think of herself as rude, arrogant, or mean. She didn't like it when anyone acted that way. And since she was so kind all the time, that was her permanent outlook upon things; she enjoyed it.

But then he came and stomped all over her feelings, when she was just trying to be nice. Who did he think he was to do that to anyone?

"Yeah, yeah," Ezekiel said in a lower voice. "Give this to her will you. I don't have the guts to. Besides I'm still recovering from... oh never mind."

He looked like he was a bit ill at the moment. It was a side effect to the transformation. It always made it want to drink and stretch the limits just to see if that would break the blasted curse, though he knew it wouldn't and would most likely lead to his death.

"I'm going to the bar down the street again tonight," he told Aldous. "I might need a place to stay depending on how wasted I get. Have to get something off my mind."

"Sure thing," Aldous said.

When Ezekiel passed her, Verona felt a small spur of anger surge through her.
"Go drown in the bottom of the bottle," she hissed at him. This made him pause.

Dropping the broom immediately, Verona began to walk away from Aldous's store as tears of anger slid down her cheeks.

"Verona," Aldous called after her, waving the letter in his hand.
"Whatever it is I'm sorry Aldous. You don't have to pay me for helping, I don't want your money.."

She trucked away as far as she could without totally leaving the area, however it was enough distance between herself and Ezekiel.

Ezekiel looked half perplexed when she'd made that comment. He didn't even drink out of bottles, he usually drank out of glasses. He realized what she meant and he felt a bitterness rise in him that he alone did not create.

He walked out onto the sidewalk and wasn't surprised when he was greeted by a few of his friends. They knew he was usually in a foul mood so the scowl on his face was nothing new to them.

When a car pulled up and his mother leaned out the window he was a bit surprised. She always read him better than anyone else and upon seeing him, a look of distress came over her.

"Come in the car son," she said shooing away his acquaintances.

"Miss Byers!"

Turning around slowly, she watched Ezekiel leave with his mother, and then, Verona made her way back to the store.

"Miss Verona, what has gotten into you?"
"I don't know Aldous, he just makes my blood boil, I am sorry.. What is it that you need?"

Handing Verona the letter, he smiled.

Sighing, Verona opened it, and read it carefully. It seemed automated, and very bland; not apologetic.

Why didn't he just have he guts to apologize to her in person for,'relieving himself'?

Fine. Suddenly scribbling down a letter of her own, she smiled.

Ezekiel.
I read your letter, and I do not accept your apology.
I think it is childish and rude for you to have to write me excuses, rather than talk to me face to face.
If you decide to grow up and apologize the right way, you know where to find me,

Verona Byers.

"Make sure he gets this Aldous," she said handing him the new letter.

"I'll try my best."

"Now tell me dear," his mother said after he got into the car. "What exactly is it that's bothering you. It's not like you to walk around looking so deathly pale this time of year."

Ezekiel looked reluctant at first and he let out sigh. he noticed that she'd gone back to the store and he crossed his arms defiantly.

"I changed again," he said. "Almost in front of someone too."

His mother seemed to gasp slightly before putting a hand on his shoulder. She knew the reason why he changed, unlike his father, and was more apologetic about this since she knew that someone was mostly likely a girl.

"Now tell me who this girl is," she said.

"Verona!"

Turning around suddenly, Verona spotted Mayhen again, smiling, and heading towards her.
"I saw you crying again, what is the deal with that Singston kid?"

"I dunno," she mused while pursing her lips.
"He has my shoes and jacket though, so that must have something to do with the hostilities I'm feeling towards him."

"It must," Mayhen mocked.

Taking her hand, Mayhen began to bump his body against Verona's.
"Mayhen..."
"I know."

Releasing her hand, he shoved his own into his pockets, as if trying to avoid temptation in some way,"I'm sorry."