Safety Net- SP 2 ✔️

Chapter 22- Silent Night, Deadly Night Pt1

Christmas time has always been my favourite time of the year. The lights, the music and most importantly the food. I'm currently working my shift at Pops, Jughead is typing away on his laptop, dad and Archie have just arrive in the truck to deliver the Christmas tree
"What do you say Pop? is it ok?" Archie asks helping dad to carry it in
"The best tree yet. Thanks Archie and Fred. Rory you can start decorating when your ready"
"Ok I'll just finish up the tinsel up here" I say standing on a booth chair while putting tinsel across the windows
"Thank you Fred for letting us set up shop in front of the diner" dad says referring to all the Christmas tree's curtesy of Fred Andrews Construction
"No problem, all in the Christmas spirit" Pop says before he and dad have a conversation. Archie goes to sit with Jug. I know what their orders would be so I run and tell Pop before making a start on the Christmas tree. When their food is done I go and give it to them
"So you guys staying in town for Christmas break?"
"Yeah we were going to visit mom"
"But she booked a singles cruise" I finish off Archies sentence
"How are you and Veronica?" Jug asks looking at Archie
"We've been better"
"If it's any consolation, Betty and I haven't been in the greatest place"
"How is it that I am the only one who's relationship is good, me a Northsider who is dating a Serpent" I chuckle and shake my head
"Jughead, you want a Christmas tree? you and your dad, on the house" dad says moving our attention away from relationships
"It would have to be a small one Mr A" dad nods at Jughead and walks out
"So I'll see you at Kevins secret Santa thing?" Arch asks
"Yeah, 'cause that sounds like a great idea"
"At least you don't have the girl who your boyfriend cheated on you with as your secret Santa" we all chuckle "I gotta get back to work I'll see you at home Arch".

The next morning I finish wrapping Josie's present and dad is reading a letter. Archie walks in just as I finish
"Dad what is that? that a letter from the Black Hood?" Arch asks
"No it's worse" I put down the present and look up worried "Riverdale General. My hospital bill"
"Oh god, I'm guessing it's bad" I say
"How much is it?" Archie picks up his bag and puts it on
"$86,000"
"Holy shit" I sigh
"That can't be right can it? or doesn't your insurance..."
"They probably made a mistake. I'll call them tomorrow"
"How is this fair. You get shot and the shooter is running around god knows where and your the one who's continuing to suffer" I shake my head in disbelief
"Everything will be fine. Now get yourself to school, the both of you"
"Ok. See you later" I kiss dad on the cheek then pick up my bag and walk out the house with Archie
"Surly there's something we can do? $86,000 doesn't seem right"
"Don't keep worrying Rory, you'll make yourself ill"

"Oh wow, thanks Reg" I say looking at the neckless he's given me
"I know it's not much, but it's a start. Can we call truce?"
"Sure" I smile then look at Jughead who mumbles in my ear
"Well this is awkward, you had Josie, Josie had Reggie and Reggie had you"
"Just like old times" I sigh
"Veronica it's your turn" Kev says
"Hmm" Veronica opens up her present "oh a gift card for a couples massage"
"Well this is even more awkward now"
"Thanks Kev"
"You can go with Betty" I suggest "or your mom"
"Or I can go with your mom"
"Seriously Reggie? do you just speak without thinking? actually don't answer that I already know the answer" I roll my eyes
"Dear god can we please get this torture over with please?" Cheryl groans leaning on her hand with her elbow resting on the couch
"Betty your next and mercifully last" Kevin says
"Well I think I know who picked my name based on the wrapping skills" Betty chuckles looking at Archie "Archie" she smiles at him
"My dad and I were cleaning out the garage and I found it"
"Swiss Family Robinson?" Veronica asks confused
"Oh my god we used to love this" I think about all the memories of when we were younger
"Yeah we did" Betty looks up to see some confused faces "it's this old read along record we used to listen to when we were like 5. Oh my god, I love it Arch. Thank you"
"Hey, Merry Christmas" we all look over to the door and see Moose walking with a cane with his arm around Midge
"Moose" Reggie yells literally jumping out of his chair. The rest of us all say our hello's getting out of our own chairs
"How are you both?" I ask hugging Midge
"We're doing good" Midge says hugging me back
"Rory, have you got any classes left?" Jug asks as I pull away from Midge
"Yeah why?"
"Oh I was gonna see if you wanted to come with me to the Wyrm, don't worry" Jug goes to leave
"Wait, it's not like I haven't skipped before. Come on" I grab my bag and we head to the bar.

"What's all this?" Jughead says as we walk down the stairs into the bar
"Serpent tradition" Toni says walking up to us she hugs me then we walk over to the table thats full of toys "every year we give back to the Southside. Toys for tots meals on wheels kids and old folks living alone" she continues. I walk over to Sweet Pea, he wraps me up in his arms and kisses my forehead
"Hey" I quietly say
"The hells angels do it" Fangs smiles at Jughead and I
"Can I help?" I ask pulling away from Pea
"Can you wrap presents?" Fangs asks me
"Yeah?"
"Then hell yeah you can help"
"Well I'm always down for charitable works. Hey have you seen dad?" And as if on cue his dad walks down the stairs
"Why aren't you in school?"
"It's a half day before break" Jug says
"And what about you Rory? your dad called me to see if I had seen you because you didn't go to your last lesson"
"Busted" I sigh "I'll ring my dad up in a bit and let him know where I am"
"Good. Now Jug you can hold down the fort here" I begin to wrap some presents up while Jug and his dad move away to talk
"I have your Christmas present at my trailer"
"Oh do you now?" I raise a brow at Pea
"Uh hu" he smirks and nods his head then leans down to kiss me
"Ewww. I really didn't want to know any of that" Fangs fake gags while Toni laughs at him
"Sweet Pea your with us" FP calls. Pea sighs
"I'll be home later, wait at my trailer for me"
"Ok" I smile and give him one last kiss before he FP, Tall Boy and a duffle bag leave the Wyrm
"Hey Toni? what was in that bag?"
"You don't wanna know" she looks at me a little sad then gets back to wrapping presents. I follow suit but all I can think about is that bag.