I'm Here For You

Plans

Veronica's POV

I got around for the day in more comfortable clothes. I left everything and climbed out my window. I had to be careful just in case my parents were leaving aswell. It wouldn't take me very long to get there she didn't leave that far away. Although it's now eight in the morning. She's probably already left for school. I guess I could just wait for her.

When I got there I saw an unfamiliar car pulling out of the driveway. I was far enough away they didn't see me. And if they did I hope they would just think I'm a student walking to school. The moment I got to the door I looked for the key that we always hid. Betty had hidden a spare key just in case she never got back in time for curfew and the door was locked. But eventually started using it whenever we would get distracted and lose track of time. I finally found it and unlocked the door. Nobody was home. I walked up to her room and as I did I noticed that the guest bedroom door was opened and it looked like someone is now living in there. Was that person who was leaving? I just went to Betty's room and sat there until she would be getting home. But I guess it takes longer when you don't go to school and you're waiting for someone to come home from school.

The entire day I was bored. I don't know why I didn't just go to school but I guessed she wouldn't talk to me there. Also, this would be kind of surprising. I stayed in her room the whole time, too. I didn't want somebody to come home and see a random girl in the house. I walked over to her bookshelf that was filled with books. This was one of the many things I liked about her. She's such a reader just like me. There is just something about reading books and escaping the bullshit that is reality. She had books sitting around on the floor because she didn't have enough room on the shelf. I noticed a book that looked like it had been read repeatedly. Clearly, she likes this one. I picked it up and looked at it. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera. I turned it and read the back. I sighed, walked to her bed, and sat down. I opened the book and started reading it. I wonder what's so good about this book.

Betty's POV

"Someone remind me why we're trying to help Veronica. Wasn't she lying to us?" Archie asked.

"No, you dipshit!" Cheryl yelled. Jughead looked at me and I nodded. He then hit Archie in the back of the head.

"Ah!" I smiled. 

"Alright, what are we here for?" Toni asked.

"I think Veronica's parents are abusing her," I said just to get that out of the way.

"That honestly doesn't surprise me," Jughead said. "I mean, she never talks about them. It seems like she avoids the topic at all costs."

"Well, I found her lying in her kitchen with a knife on her shoulder. I took her to the hospital and she admitted to all the things she endured back in New York. That got me thinking. Ever since her parents got here she's been extremely distant. I know I'm not the only one who noticed that,"

"I thought I was the only one," Cheryl said sadly. I knew she wished she would've said something sooner. 

"Right. My dad's back in town. He said he would help us get her out of that place. I don't know how much longer I can take knowing what's happening there and not going anything."

"Okay, are we only here to talk about Veronica?" Archie asked.

"Will you just leave?" Toni asked.

"Fine," he said and walked out. 

"Don't say anything to anybody other than me or my dad. I just thought you guys should know what I'm thinking is happening." I told them. Cheryl and Toni left but Jughead stayed. I looked at him. "What?"

"I know you hope you're wrong about this. I know it's not helping to have all of us noticing the same thing," I sighed and I almost broke.

"I don't know what to do. She's my best friend. She has been for almost a year. Just thinking about these things happening to her hurts me. I want to help her. I want to get her out of there now."

"You know that would be irrational," I glared at him and he smiled. "Hey, you'll be able to be with her eventually. Let's just focus on getting her safe first." I nodded and he left the room. 

I've told Jughead everything that has ever happened in my life. He knew exactly how I felt after my parent's divorce, how on certain nights how upset I would be because my dad was so far away when Veronica and I became best friends. He knew about all the arguments we had. He knew how to get us talking again. He also was the first who confronted me about my feelings for her. I was in so much denial about it that I stopped talking to him for almost a month. Veronica then convinced me to talk to him even though she had no idea why I was ignoring him. I did admit he was right... eventually. 

I made my way home and nobody was home. I knew my dad would be at work but I have no idea where my mom is. She leaves at random but she always comes back in one piece so I guess it's whatever. I walked up to my room to get ready for the night. When I opened my door I saw Veronica laying on my bed reading a book. I just stood there kind of confused. When she noticed me standing here she put the book down and got up.

"Hey,"

"Hi? What are you doing here?" I asked her.

"I couldn't sleep last night. I was awake thinking about what you had told me about our friendship potentially saving me,"

"Are you admitting you need help?" 

She sighed and hesitated. 

"I'm not sure yet," she said quietly. 

"How long have you been here?"

"Since eight-thirty this morning," I nodded and shut my door.

"Will your parents come looking for you?"

"Probably not, they'll wait until they actually need me," need her? 

"Okay, so are you staying here tonight?"

"If that's okay,"

"Yeah, it's fine. It's just that the guest bedroom is occupied,"

"I noticed. who is that?"

"That would be my dad," she nodded. "Listen, I need to get in the shower and get ready for tonight." 

"You're fine to go ahead,"

"Thanks,"

When I got out of the shower she was laying on my bed and ready again. This time I got a good look at what she was reading. I smiled and sat next to her.

"Is it good?" She looked at me.

"What?"

"The book. Is it good?" I asked again. She smiled and looked away.

"It looked like you've read it repeatedly. I wanted to know what was so good about it," she admitted.

"You're almost done with it," I said. She hid her smile with the book. 

"I couldn't put it down," 

"Well, you're gonna have to because we still have school in the morning," she sighed and closed it.

"Alright," 

"Thank you," I said and turned the light off. 

I couldn't sleep well. All I could do was think about the girl who was sleeping next to me. I turned and wrapped my arms around her. She stirred up didn't wake up. She cuddled closer to me and smiled a little. I smiled myself. This is how I want it to be. I want her safe in my arms. Apparently, that's too much to ask.