Always and Forever

Chapter 7: In a Lonely Place

Early in the morning, I stood at my locker gathering my books for my next class.

"Did you know Jughead wasn't living at home?" Archie asked me when he got to my locker.

"What?" I asked as I closed my locker.

"He's lived at the drive-in, now in the school's closet, he's having a rough time with his dad," Archie explained as they headed to class.

"You should offer him to stay with us," I advised.

"I did," Archie answered.

"What did he say?" I asked.

"He declined," Archie said. "You can not tell Betty any of this, and can you possibly talk him into staying with us."

"I will try my best," I assured my brother.

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Later I sat in the student lounge next to Veronica.

"My mom and dad don't want to get the police involved," Betty began to explain Polly's situation. "They don't want anyone to know that she ran away, or about her "shameful condition."

"Please, what decade is this?" Veronica asked in disgust.

"Also, since she knew where Jason's getaway car was, they're afraid people might think she burned it down if she did..." Betty continued to explain.

"She could be the murder, trying to cover her tracks," Jughead added.

"Who burned the car, then?" Archie asked.

"Sheriff Keller says it's possible someone was following us," Betty answered.

"Oh my god," I breathed.

"Honestly, guys, we should just move," Veronica suggested.

"Guys, what if Polly is really hurt?" Betty asked, she was obviously worried about her sister. "What if whoever killed Jason is coming after her next?" Jughead placed a comforting arm around Betty, everyone exchanging glances with each other.

"Betty, even though your parents don't want to, maybe you should go to the police," I advised.

"Second it. We can talk to my dad together," Kevin added. "About how he has to be discreet."

"No offense, Kevin but your dad answers to a higher authority than God: the Blossoms," Jughead pointed out the truth. "They're the first person that he would tell."

"And if there's anyone to keep this a secret from, it's the Blossoms. They'd twist it around and go after Polly out of spite," Betty added. I looked up and Ginger by the vending machine listening in, we made eye contact. I sent a text to Ginger, I watched Ginger read the text and not answer it.

"How can we help?" Veronica asked. "Tell us, B, and we'll do it." I got up and went over to Ginger.

"Don't send that text to Cheryl," I whispered.

"I am telling Cheryl," Ginger answered. "You are her best friend, maybe you should tell her yourself." Ginger snatched my phone and wrote the whole message, then hit send.

"This is why you will never become leaders of the vixens," I growled. "Not even in your daydreams." Then they left the room. I stayed with Veronica and Betty, we stopped at a window.

"Did I just notice Riverdale High's very own Holden Caulfield put his arm around you?" Veronica questioned Betty.

"Okay, so these past couple of days, I haven't been in a great place, emotionally," Betty explained. "And Jughead was really there for me."