Kill For A Drink

Chapter 1: An exclusive interview

Jughead tried hard not to blink when the camera flashed. He nodded at the man that handed him the award and hoped he didn't look too desperate as he shuffled away from the stage. He covered his face with his free hand as reporters surrounded him. With practiced politeness, he declined to answer any questions.

Thankfully the vultures lost interest in him when a Toni entered the room. Jughead smiled sympathetically at her. She gulped, backing from all the reporters attacking her like hungry leopards in the wild. Her kiss with Cheryl Blossom at the opera a week before had made the headlines.

Jughead of course had known of their relationship beforehand. But the rest of England did not. At least not until one of them said reporters that were covering the show managed to snap a picture of the two while they were sharing an intimate moment. It was moments like those that Jughead was glad he lived in London. Back in America Toni and Cheryl would have been chased away with torches and pitchforks.

He shook his head. With slow, measured steps he made his way to the table. He was careful to choose the direction that would lead him through less to no people, or at the very least, people that were so drawn to their conversations that they would barely bat an eye as he passed by. He was socially spent for the day.

On the table to the very back, Jellybean was waving at him. He sighed in relief. Ignoring the soreness of his legs, he fastened his past. Jellybean clapped slowly and Jughead fell on his chair, dramatically.

"Well, well, well. Here comes the man of the night"

Jughead huffed.

"This is all too much. I hate parties"

"It's your party" Jellybean pointed out fondly.

"I didn't plan it" Jughead retorted reaching into his pocket and taking out his cigarette case.

"Jughead" Jellybean warned. She felt her heart clench and took a sharp breath.

"What?" Jughead asked slightly annoyed. He lit the cigarette and laid his head on his hand. He blew the smoke out of his mouth and his nose, closing his eyes.

"Dad doesn't want you smoking, remember?" Jellybean covered the lower hand of her face, wrinkling her nose at the thick smoke.

"Where is dad anyway? He said he'd get some clear air half an hour ago" He let the cigarette fall on the ashtray and scanned the room.

Jellybean touched his shoulder squeezing it a bit. Jughead sat back down, looking back at her worriedly.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, Jug" Jellybean checked to make sure no one was lingering close enough to listen to their conversation. She leaned forward, her voice low and soft. "He really wanted to see you win Jughead but the smell of alcohol, it was too much for him. He was certain you'd win though and asked me to bring him tomorrow's newspaper so he can hang the article on the wall"

Jellybean took his hands in hers. They were so small, despite her being twenty now. Almost an adult. He runs a finger over the silk of her gloves. He recalls getting them for her. The first expensive gift he ever bought his little sister.

"I didn't mean to make him uncomfortable. It was selfish of me to ask him to come. I didn't want to be here anyway"

"He wanted to support you. He was so happy when you told him you were nominated. And I am glad you came. You should go out more. Dad thinks so as well"

Jughead pushed his chair back, taking the cigarette. Smoke followed him as he walked around the table.

"You forget sister. But that is not your fault. After all, I made sure you would forget, in time. But the same people that have gathered here today to celebrate me, treated dad like dirt under their shoes. Treated us like we were less than humans"