No one ever told me that love would hurt so much

Chapter 18

♾ Jughead ♾

*27th December*

Going over to Alice's was actually okay. Myles and Emilia got some presents. They got some play-kitchen, 'with real cutlery, plates and all that. That way, they learn from early on what's important in life' — only the best from dear old Alice Cooper for her grandchildren. So glad that she's not infiltrating their minds before they can even talk (note the sarcasm, please).

After that, Alice served some delicious food for us. I forced down a portion of mashed potatoes and some buttered vegetables before I turned to help the twins eat their dinner, which was awfully similar to mine, just smaller.

I did spend most of the time at the Andrews' though. I just needed some space between me and psycho Alice. Fred and Archie were always my save heaven — apart from Betty, of course. We talked a bit and caught up.

So all in all, the usual.

Two hours with Alice was enough though, with those breaks at the Andrews house.

Next day was a bit harder. I tried to dodge the whole 'meeting dad' thing by playing sick but Betty saw right through me — sadly. Not even the thermometer in tea trick worked. She simply kissed my forehead and shook her head, getting me out of bed again.

Now we were on our way to Sunny Side Trailer Park.

"It won't be too bad, Jug" She comforted.

"Yeah, because he isn't your father"

"Because mine is in jail, right?" She asked, squeezing my hand softly. I froze, biting my bottom lip while nodding.

"Right..." She just shrugged before saying that it would be fine. We sadly arrived at 3.15pm already, so I only caused 15 minutes delay.

Dammit.

Dad opened the door.

"Hey, you four"

"Hello, Mr. Jones" Betty greeted, smiling.

"FP, please" She nodded. I only nodded, though dad nevertheless pulled me in a hug, where I pulled away, freezing on the spot. I shook my head, walking in beside him.

We got inside.

It didn't look too bad, seemed like he cleaned everything. It didn't even smell like alcohol, which I kind of associated with home my whole life ... which felt weird. He looked okay too, healthy, washed. He was probably healthier then I was.

It all felt so weird.

Home wasn't clean. Our home wasn't clean. The ceiling in our bathroom was always wet from the last rain, there was mold in my room, parts of the shelves in our kitchen are black from when I cooked and I couldn't walk without shoes because I might step in glass shards.

None of that was here though. The whole kitchen was replaced. None of that old shelves existed. The disgusting fridge was gone too. And the broken chair was replaced with a new one.

"I wanted to bake a cake" Dad said, helping Betty to take off her jacket. He hung it up on a new hanger that I've never seen before. I kept my jacket on "Emphasis on wanted. It burned in the oven, so I bought one instead. I hope that's okay too"