Always and Forever

Chapter 8: The Outsiders

I was in my room doing my biology homework, I was trying to block the noise from the video games down the hall in Archie's room. I was happy that Jughead agreed to stay with us. The door opened and I looked up to see my dad, Vegas trotted into the room and jumped on my bed.

"Your room smells a lot better than those two delinquents," Dad jokes.

"I would hope so," I laughed.

"They referred to me as their third roommate," Dad laughed. I smiled more. "You should get some sleep, it's late."

"I will after a couple of more problems," I said. "Good luck tomorrow."

"Thanks, sweetheart," Dad said before leaving my room and closing the door.

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The next day, I sat in the student lounge with the group, including Chery.

"Polly's convinced herself that no one wants her baby," Betty stated.

"Besides, of course, the child-snatching Blossom monsters," Kevin pointed out.

"No offense Cheryl," I said.

"None taken," Cheryl replied.

"So your mom and dad want Polly but not the baby," Jughead started off, referring to Betty. "And the Blossoms want to baby and not Polly. That's a true Gordian knot."

"It's an impossible situation," Betty admitted.

"Betty, come on, " veronica started. "An impossible situation is being invited to both Vanity Fair Oscar party and Elton John's Oscar party on the same night." Kevin put a hand on Veronica's shoulder, she looked back at Betty. "This is merely an annoying situation. But luckily, I've been percolating on an idea, hellishly simple in its conception. What if my mom and I were to host a baby shower?"

"Count me in," Cheryl and I said at the same time before smiling at each other. "You want Polly to feel loved and supported, right?"

"Yeah, but ideally by her own parents," Betty responded.

"Baby steps," I said. "Get Polly and your parents in the same room in a public setting where they can't fight and, voila, let the healing begin." Veronica turned and looked at me.

"You read my mind," Veronica pointed out.

"She does that a lot," Cheryl and Archie stated together.

"Am I supposed to come to this thing?" Jughead asked.

"Of course!" Veronica responded. "You're Betty's boyfriend..so..." Betty and Jughead both looked at each other.

"Oh, my God, you guys, relax," I laughed. "It's just a word that starts with the letter B." Betty blushed while looking at Jughead.

"Betty, what do you say?" Veronica asked. At the moment Mrs. Cooper marched into the room.

"Elizabeth Cooper," Mrs. Cooper stated.

"Mom?" Betty asked, looking confused.

"I need you and you," Mrs. Cooper demanded, pointing to Betty and Veronica. "Right now.'

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I was not at home, I sat on the last step of the stairs, listening to my dad as he talked on the phone.

"Don, I just need a few guys from your crew," Dad pleaded. "A couple to get started." The moment Archie came in, he made eye contact with me. "I did check." I got up and followed Archie to the kitchen. Dad looked at us. "I'll get back to you, Don." He hung up the phone and scribbled on his notepad.