Sorry To My (Almost Lover)

Chapter Four

A week later

Cheryl didn't show up to school for a week, she didn't go to the drive in to stay with Jughead. She didn't make plans to meet up with Archie or even Veronica. She was just gone.

Nobody had seen or heard from her at all. All anyone knew was that it wasn't like Cheryl to not post on social media or even show up for Vixens practice.

"Where could she be?" Betty said as they sat down for lunch.

Jughead was staring at his food, he didn't want to eat which was strange for him. "She's never missed a week of school before or even been silent on social media."

"Maybe we should go to her house." Betty said.

Veronica shifts in her seat. "Is that a good idea?"

Betty shrugged.

Jughead pulls out his phone and sends Cheryl a text. Something he's done all week.

Jughead: Cheryl? Are you okay? I'm really worried about you.

A few minutes pass and he receives no response.

Jughead sighed heavily. He pushed his fingers through his hair. "I have to go." he mumbles before getting up and leaving.

He got on his motorcycle, putting on his helmet before driving off toward Cheryl's house.

He stopped his motorcycle in the driveway leading up to her house and got off it, pulling off his helmet.

There were no cars in the driveway except for Cheryl's which meant she must be home alone.

Making his way up to the door, he knocks on it and waits.

A few minutes later, Cheryl opens the door. Her hair covering her face as she looks down. "Can I help you?" she asks, not knowing it's Jughead.

"Cheryl? Where have you been?" Jughead asked. "We are all worried about you."

The redhead looks up to reveal a black eye, bruised cheek, and busted lip. "Jug?"

"What happened?" Jughead asked softly.

Cheryl rushes forward and throws herself into his arms. "They took my phone, I couldn't leave the house." she sobs out.

"Who?" Jughead asked, wrapping his arms loosely around her.

"My parents. Jug my father killed JJ but I don't have proof." She barely gets out between her sobs.

"Oh god, we should get you out of here." Jughead said.

Cheryl pulls away and shakes her head. "I need proof."

"Cheryl, we can get it later. Right now we have to get you out of here." Jughead said.

The redhead shakes her head. "I'll be fine."

Jughead shook his head. "No. I'm not leaving you here."

"You have to. Just don't forget about me." Cheryl says before stepping back into the house and shutting the door.

"I could never forget about you." Jughead said, loud enough for her to hear through the closed door.

The redhead couldn't fight back her tears. She heard Jughead's footsteps walking away from the door and the sound of his motorbike's engine.

This wasn't what she wanted but she had to protect him. She leaned against the door and let her tears fall freely down her cheeks.

She couldn't let him get hurt, like Jason did.

The sound of Jughead's motorbike engine got further and further away as he left.

Taking a deep breath, Cheryl slowly makes her way up to her room. She curled up on her bed.

****

"Jug? You missed the rest of school." Betty says as she joins him in a booth at Pop's.

Jughead shrugged. "I'll catch up later."

"What happened?" The blonde asks, frowning slightly.

"I went to Cheryl's." Jughead said.

"And? Is she okay?" Betty asks, trying not to show her jealousy.

Jughead shook his head. "Her parents are abusing her." He whispered so only Betty could hear.

Betty's eyes widened. "What?"

"Shh." Jughead hissed. "Keep your voice down."

"I'm sorry, but are you serious?" Betty asks, looking at him.

"Yes I'm serious." Jughead said.

The blonde reaches up and tightens her ponytail nervously. "What are we going to do?"

"We should go to the cops. I tried to get her out of there but she wanted to stay to get proof." Jughead said.

"Proof of what?" Betty asks in confusion.

"Of her father killing Jason." Jughead said. "She doesn't think anyone will believe her without proof."

Betty frowns. "Really?"

"Really." Jughead said.

"Then we'll work hard to get proof." Betty says instantly, standing up.

Jughead nodded.

"Let's go." Betty says, moving toward the door.

Jughead got up and followed her.

"We can speak to my mom and see what she says. You know she's in good with Dr. Kurtle." Betty says softly.

Jughead nodded. "Let's do that."

Betty moves over to her car. "Meet you there?"

Jughead nodded. "Yup."