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

Wicked Little Town - Part 3

**Talk of abuse and drugs

Aminity sat on her bed, head in her hands as she thought about earlier that night, the way he had stormed out and the how she had shouted. She looked up as there was a light knock on her bedroom door.

"Hey," he said quietly.

"Hi."

"Can I..." She nodded and he came inside, sitting at her desk. "Um, I'm sorry for running out earlier. I shouldn't have left after the fight."

"I'm sorry I yelled at you to go away."

He nodded and swallowed. "I shouldn't have gotten mad at you when I overheard you and your dad. I'm sorry. I was just scared," he admitted. "When I heard that I could've lost you," his brows furrowed, "I freaked. And when I freak out or I'm scared... I show it through anger. I've been trying to work on it, but... I have issues, Aminity."

"Well, you got to see mine on display, so..." She looked down and it was quiet.

"Do you want to tell me?" he asked after a few minutes. "About the river or anything else." She looked up at him and could see the pleading in his eyes for her to let him in.

"Um, after Jughead's funeral," she spoke slowly and quietly, "I ended up at Sweetwater River. I thought I was just going to get some peace of mind. Looking at it always used to calm me. And then I started thinking about everything that had been going on and before I realized it, I was in the middle of the river." She bit her lip as she thought. "I don't remember walking in, just all the thoughts in my head while I did. And when I realized where I was... I panicked. I didn't want to be there. I didn't want to do it. And then Betty showed up and helped me out and took me to Jughead." She sniffed, playing with her fingers. "Betty helped me tell my dad and... he's been pushing to put me in therapy."

"Why don't you want to go? They can help you."

"Because I'm fine. I mean, not fine, but I'm okay. It was one moment, one slip-up that scares me everyday. I'm scared of what could've happened if I didn't wake up from my thoughts and if Betty wasn't there. I don't want to die," she looked at him. "And the thoughts that led me there are gone. Most of them, at least." He was quiet as she stared at him.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there," he finally said.

"Don't. Please don't. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault but mine. And you were there for me. Every moment I needed you, even if I thought I didn't want you there. I can't thank you enough for that." She reached out and grabbed his hand and he looked down at it before intertwining their fingers.

"I'm sorry I yelled. And I'm sorry I got mad," he said as he looked at their hands.

"It's okay to be scared, Pea," she said and he finally looked up. "You're allowed to be and let others know you're scared."

"I'm trying."

"I know," she squeezed his hand lightly.

"I thought I lost you. Not at the river," he stopped her before she could speak, "but after I left. I thought that there was no way that you would let me back into your life."

"Couples fight," she shrugged. "I'm not leaving you for something that was my fault. I should've told you about the river and about my dad."

"No," he shook his head. "You don't have to tell me anything you don't feel ready to. I'm willing to wait as long as you need me to." She smiled at him, getting up and walking forwards. She sat down in his lap and his arms wrapped around her as her legs and arms went around him. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be here to listen. But you don't have to tell me things you're not ready to."