𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖

12: Memories

Chapter 12: Memories

Suddenly out of the blue Alice's phone rang. She reached over the kitchen counter top island and answered it. She didn't even bother checking the caller ID name. She already knew and hoped her plan worked out.

"Pop, how did it go?" She heard him sigh sadly on the other side of the phone.

"I tried, Alice, he just won't budge." Her lips curl into a sad frown.

"Thanks for trying..." She said into the phone. "I really appreciate it."

Pop sadly chuckled." It was no problem, you and FP can come to me for everything you may need. He just took off and Toni, Veronica and Toni came back asking where he went. I wish I had better news."

"Me too." She murmurs before she hangs up.

She placed the phone back on the countertop and buried her head into her hands in exhaustion. She tried seeing if Mary would check up on him, but Mary gently declined saying she wasn't comfortable with getting into it with Jughead. She completely understood but found it quite frustrating. She could really use one of her friends right now. Hermione told her that Veronica isn't staying with her either. Veronica Lodge has own place in Riverdale and it made Alice really want to go check up on him, but she knew better. It would only make matters worse.

"Was that Jug?" She heard a voice behind her, turning slowly and saw FP's worrisome eyes staring at her.

Inhaling a deep breath and then exhaling, Alice shook her head, not missing the pain in FP's gaze. "No, honey it wasn't, that was Pop."

"What did he say?"

She sighed again." He tried speaking to Jughead but well..." FP already knew.

"Jughead ran off didn't he?" She nodded and FP exhaled. "I had a feeling it would make things worse..." He turned away from her and headed to the fridge.

"I have to get up early..." He added before walking away and turned the corner. She caught his hand before he could leave. Her soft eyes fell upon him. "Baby...I'm not kidding, I do have to get up early for work tomorrow."

—xxx—

Once he took off from the diner away from everyone Jughead finally stopped running when he found himself In Fox Forrest. By the time he got there It was down pouring hard and the trails were mud. But he didn't give a fuck. He welcomed the cold and wet as he sat In the mud; soaking his jeans. It was sleeting out which made it slippery. He fell down and his face hit the mud where the ice and snow used to be before it melted away last week.

While Reggie Mantle was going to the Riverdale college the old Svenson house was fixed up and back on the market. Reggie decided to buy It. Since then he used most of his free time walking around Fox Forrest; thinking about everything that happened since he trashed his dad's car. Soon he saw a body lying on the muddy ground soaking wet and covered In mud. As soon as he got a good look his heart jumped.

Reggie called. "Jones?!" As soon as he noticed who the person was.

As he forced Jughead to stand Jughead tried to push him away. "Leave me alone!" But Reggie wasn't having any of this. He would never admit It to anyone, but he had come to care for it as he called him "The Rat Boy Serpent".

Reggie questioned, examining." What the hell are you trying to do Jones?! Are you trying to give yourself Pneumonia?! God, you're freezing Jones!" Jughead's body responded by shivering.

"I don't--" Jughead was cut off.

Reggie growled out to shut the man up."Shut the fuck up Jones! I'm taking you back to my place! End of story! Now walk!" He forcefully dragged Jughead along until they were In Reggie's house."I want you to go straight upstairs and hop In the shower. When you're done choose whatever clothes you want from my room. They should fit."