The Art Of Us

8 • Distant Memories

Alice had done some administration in the Wyrm that morning, until the alarm on her phone began to ring. It was lunch time. She was going to stop by the mayor's office, as she did usually. She locked the door of the Wyrm behind her and made her way towards the car, to have Pop's as her next stop. Just when she was about to turn on the engine, she saw something move in the rearview mirror.

On the Southside, an expensive suit was easy to spot, and when the face and the stubble came in sight she saw that it was FP walking down her fire escape. He was nervously looking around to see if nobody spotted him, not knowing that Alice had ducked a little in her car, while a sassy smirk tugged on her lips.

He was still in Riverdale. And he was in her bar.

As soon as she arrived at City Hall, Alice walked past Fred's assistent, who barely looked up, as Alice walking in wasn't considered anything special. She knew his schedule (it hangs on her fridge) and chose his lunch break to stop by, so they had some time to talk.

He perked up when he saw his best friend walking in. He put off his glasses and relaxed a little in his chair.

"You're my hero, I was craving Pop's." He grinned, as he noticed the paper take-out bag in her hand.

"How's Charles?" Fred asked, as soon as they had unpacked their lunch.

It hadn't been long ago since he had walked away, and truth to be told he was still worried about him.

"He's... okay. His comics are even more of an escape than they were before. I think he feels closer to FP when he reads them, for as long as he doesn't know." Alice said, before taking a fry into her mouth.

It made her relieved that he had something to hold onto, to give her some time to come to terms with the fact that she was about to uproot FP's life for good.

"Well, that always did it for you too, right?" Fred said, arching his brow.

"Didn't it make you feel closer to him?"

"It did." Alice said, smiling a little.

"He's been staying at the Wyrm." She added, and saw Fred's eyes grow wide.

"You offered him a room?" He asked confused.

"No, I think Charles did. Apparently Gladys has blocked his credits cards. I saw him sneaking out of the bedroom this morning, climbing down the fire escape." Alice cleared up, which made a lot more sense than her offering him a place to stay.

"Can't you just tell him that you know? Might save him from sneaking out very uncomfortably." Fred said.

"It's kind of nice watching him squirm. Just for a few days." Alice smiled wickedly.

She was okay with him using the bedroom in her bar, but that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy him sneaking around a little longer, trying not to get caught.

"Are you glad he's still here?" Fred asked softly, already knowing the answer.

Alice's face softened as well.

"Yeah, I think I am. Eventually I have to tell him, so maybe it's time to have a real talk." She gave a soft smile. This time, she was ready to get serious, to really open up to FP.

"Look at you all grown up. Who would have thought." Fred grinned.

"Be careful not to choke on your burger, Fred." Alice teased him back, making him laugh out loud.

**

Fred's words had lingered in her mind all day and though the idea of watching him sneak around trying not to get caught sounded amusing, she felt that it was time to show him that she was being genuine, when they had spoken about lowering their guards and putting their weapons down.