Redemption [Sweet Pea x OC]

Chapter 27

Jughead sighed. "Abigail, why didn't you just tell me that's what you were doing?"

"Because you weren't meant to know," I replied.

"No one besides the three of us and Tall Boy know this," FP said. "And it's going to stay that way, understand?"

"Okay, I won't tell anyone, I swear," Jughead said, looking between the two of us.

"Good, now I have to get to work," FP said, standing. "I'll see you two later."

"I, uh, I was actually gonna go down the Wyrm," Jughead said. "You want to come?"

"Why not?" I shrugged. Following him out the door. "So, Betty gave you some fancy typewriter," I said after a few minutes of walking in silence.

Jughead grinned. "Yeah, it's a vintage Underwood. It's the typewriter of champions."

I laughed. "Don't let it go to your head, it's already big enough as it is," I teased.

"Abigail, how could you think that of me?" he said dramatically, pretending to be hurt. "You know that I'll only let my head get as big as my beanie can stretch."

"Let me see that thing," I said, pulling it off his head.

"Hey, give it back," Jughead whined, grabbing for his hat.

I spun away from him, examining it. "This thing's about to fall apart as it is. Let your head get any bigger and you'll be walking around with a pile of yarn on your head."

"Come on, it's not that bad," he protested.

"When's the last time you even washed this thing? It stinks," I said, tossing it back to Jughead before entering the bar.

"Yeah, it is about time for that," Jughead admitted. "But if it falls apart on me, I'm blaming you."

"Nope, not happening. That'll be on you for not doing it right."

"The answer's no," Toni said, coming over.

"I didn't even ask for anything," I said, looking at her.

"FP said not to serve you," she said. "And I'm not going to pretend to give you something else this time either."

"Fine. I'm going to wash my hands anyways, get this smell off my hands."

"My beanie does not smell that bad," Jughead protested. "Does it?"

I left the two behind and made my way to the restroom, washing the smell of wool off. Don't ask why, there's just something about that material that smells weird to me.

I walked out and stopped to watch Fangs beat Sweet Pea in another round of pool. "Abigail, you think you can beat the new champion?" Fangs asked,setting up for another game.

"You?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I know I can."

"I'm going home," Sweet Pea muttered, laying his stick on the table. I watched him walk out the door, not even glancing in my direction. It hurt, but he didn't want to be with me.

"You should talk to him," Toni said, coming over with Jughead.

"There's nothing to talk about," I replied. I wanted to talk to him, but I couldn't do it. I didn't need to make things worse. "The only thing I need to do right now is knock Fangs off his throne," I said, preparing to take the opening shot.

I had to admit, Fangs's game had improved since I'd last played against him. "There's no way you can win now, that's an impossible shot," Jughead said as we neared the end of the game.

I studied the table carefully. "Not if I can pull off this trick shot," I said, lining everything up in my head. I took the shot, and we all watched the balls roll and bounce across the table, dropping into the pockets one by one.

"No way," Fangs whispered. We all held our breath, watching the 8-ball slow as it got closer to the corner before finally dropping. "Okay, you're gonna have to teach me that," Fangs said with a smile.

"You're gonna have to show all of us," Jughead said, Toni nodding beside him.

"Sorry, not happening," I said. "How am I supposed to be the new reigning champion if everyone knows my tricks?" The four of us played a few more games before leaving for the night,all of us going our own ways.

The rest of Winter Break passed slowly, the days dragging by. The night before school started again, I was surprised when someone knocked on my door. I opened it cautiously, I hadn't told anyone else where I was living.

"Sweet Pea?" I opened the door wider, letting him in.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

"Aren't we talking right now?" I joked. A small smile flashed on his face, disappearing too quickly. "Sorry, what about?" I sat on the bed, gesturing for him to sit as well.

"Us. I miss you, Abigail," he said.

I sighed, picking at a loose thread on the comforter. "I miss you too, Sweet Pea, but there is no us anymore. It's over." I couldn't look at him. I wanted there to be something again, back to what we were before, but I couldn't do it.

"Please, I know I screwed up that night. I was trying to protect you. I got caught up in the moment, thinking about how much better everything would be with Penny's debts hanging over all of us. And I'm so, so sorry for what I said, I didn't mean it," he said, taking hold of my hand.

"No, you were right," I said. "You deserve someone better than me. Someone who doesn't have secrets, who you can really, truly know everything about. I can't be that person."

"I don't want anyone else, Abigail. I told you that I loved you and whatever secrets you have, and that's still true."

I shook my head, eyes burning as I tried not to cry. "You shouldn't," I said, pulling my hand away from his. "You're going to hate me when you find out about those secrets, you and everyone else. Why make it worse by letting you think I'm someone you can love?"

"Look at me. Please?" he tilted my chin up, brushing the tears from my cheeks. "Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me. Do that and I'll leave."

"Sweet Pea," I whispered, meeting his eyes. I couldn't say it, I couldn't lie to him. Not about this.

He leaned forward, pressing his lips against mine gently. I kissed him back, my hand rising to the back of his neck, rising to tangle in his hair. I couldn't resist him. I needed this.

"Fuck," I whispered, pulling away. I squeezed my eyes shut, turning my head away.

"Abigail, please," Sweet Pea pleaded.

"I can't do this. You deserve better than this." I shook my head, unable to stop the tears from spilling down my cheeks. "Go, Sweet Pea. Just go." I felt his eyes on me, his hand grasping mine tightly.

"If that's what you want, then I'll go. But I'm not giving up on us." I didn't turn around as I felt the weight on the mattress shift as he stood up and let himself out of the room.

I waited after hearing the door click shut before turning around to be sure he was gone before letting myself fall apart.