The Only Beanie - Book 4 (Riverdale Season 4/5)

To Die For - Part 1

The breakfast table was quiet, no one speaking as they ate. The phone suddenly rang, making everyone jump.

"I'll get it," Betty said, standing and picking up the phone. "Hello. ... This is she. ... I understand," she nodded, her voice breaking as tears came to her eyes. Alice stood and started to walk over. "Thank you," she got out before hanging up.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Alice asked, but Betty only wrapped her arms around her mother, crying into her shoulder.

***

"Hey, Sweet Pea," FP sighed as he opened the front door.

"Hi, Mr. Jones."

"Come on in," he said, closing the door behind Sweet Pea and heading back into the kitchen.

"How are you?" he asked as he watched FP drink his coffee.

"I'm... getting by."

Sweet Pea ran his tongue over his lips. "How's Aminity?" He shook his head. "That bad?"

"She's barely come out of her room, only to get something to eat or use the bathroom. She hasn't talked other than to say she doesn't want to talk."

"She hadn't been returning my calls or answering my texts, so I thought I should come by."

"You're a good man, Sweet Pea," FP nodded. "She's in her room."

"Thanks, Mr. Jones." He gave the man one last look before heading up the stairs, finding Hot Dog looking at the closed door to Aminity's room and whining. Sweet Pea leant down, petting the dog before knocking on the door. "Aminity?" The room was quiet. "Listen, I'm not leaving. You can yell at me or stay quiet, but either way, I'm staying right here." He sat down, leaning his back against the door. Annabelle stared at the door from where she was laying on her bed on her side. She didn't move for a long time and neither did Sweet Pea. Finally, he heard shuffling in the room and the bed squeaked as she got up. She sat down, their backs separated by a plank of wood. They sat like that for a couple minutes before she took a breath and slid her fingers under the bottom of the door. She swallowed as his hand laid on top of hers. "I know there must be a lot going through your head and I know you're probably drowning, but I'm right here. I'm here for you and whatever you need." He looked down as her hand slipped away before looking back up as the door unlocked and opened. They stared at each other for a moment before she walked back over to her bed and laid down again. He watched her before getting up and doing the same. He slipped off his shoes and jacket before climbing in behind her and wrapping his arms around her balled up form. "Whatever you need," he whispered, kissing the top of her head.

"I just need you," she finally spoke, turning and burying closer to him as he held her tighter.

***

"I'm glad you agreed to come out," Sweet Pea said as he brought their milkshakes to the back booth in Pop's.

"Me too," she forced a smile before taking a sip of hers.

"I'll be right back," Sweet Pea told her and she nodded before he headed to the restroom.

"Aminity," Cheryl said as he walked into Pop's, spying her at the corner table. She ignored her order waiting on the counter and came over to her instead, wrapping her arms around the younger girl. "I am so, so sorry."

"Um... Thanks, Cheryl," she said quietly.

Cheryl pulled away, but took her hands into hers. "Promise me you won't do it. Or try."

"What-"

"You saw what I did after Jason's death. What I tried to do. I don't want you to do the same."

"Cheryl," Sweet Pea greeted as he came back to the booth. "Everything okay?" he asked as he glanced at his girlfriend. She nodded before looking back at Cheryl.

"Promise me," Cheryl said again, looking into Aminity's eyes. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out, so she nodded. Cheryl forced her smile, giving her another hug before grabbing her order and leaving.

"What did she want?" he asked gently as he sat back down across from her.

"Condolences."

He nodded and watched her as she went back to sipping on her milkshake. She missed the way his heart ached as he looked at her, clearly seen through his eyes. He knew she was moving in the right direction, but he also knew she was in so much pain that she wasn't letting anyone see. "How's the shake?" he asked after a while of sitting in silence.

"Good. Thanks."

"Of course, Princess," he smiled at her, widening as she gave a small smile at the nickname.

***

"You're up early," FP said, unsure of himself as Aminity came downstairs.

"Not really. On time for school."

"School?" he let out, the surprise clear in his voice, but he didn't mention the missing item on her head.

"Yeah. I've got a biology test," she forced a smile.

***

They sat in the student lounge silently, everyone working on their assignments silently until the door burst open, FP and two other deputies behind him.

"Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, and Veronica Lodge, you're under arrest for the cold blooded murder of my son, Jughead Jones." They all stood as Aminity looked up with wide eyes as she stared at her friends being put in handcuffs and escorted out of the lounge.

I think this episode is going to be in three or four parts just because I really wanted to make it right. Thanks for sticking with me through the weeks of not posting! Hope you enjoyed!