Smokestacks - Jughead Jones [1] ✔

Chapter Six

SMOKESTACKS

CHAPTER | SIX

On the last night of summer vacation, Savannah found herself staring into Piper's closet, listening to said girl's attempting to convince her that she'd suit whatever she picked out.

"Do you have anything that isn't three sizes too big or has the potential for a nip-slip?"

"Nope." Piper responded brightly, "I dunno why you wanted to search my closet, you hate my clothes."

"You're just so extreme, there's no in-between. It's either all out or drowning yourself in baggy clothes."

"It's a fashion statement."

"Who are you kidding?"

Piper slid off her bed slowly, approaching the girl like a wounded animal. She didn't know what Savannah was thinking, but she was sure that the brunette was hiding how she really felt. Her face had always lit up at the sight of Jason, like she was excited.

"Savannah." Piper started, taking hold of the girl's hand and pulling her over to sit on the bed.

"Yeah?" Savannah frowned at her friend, beginning to feel worried at the sudden change in atmosphere. "Are you okay? Did something happen with Kyle?"

"No." The blonde shook her head, "I'm just worried about you. The whole Jason thing -"

"Piper, please." Savannah sighed deeply, "People keep telling me how I should feel and I just want to put it all behind me, okay? It happened, it's over."

"Okay... Okay, if that's what you want." Piper relented. Not quite believing her.

"Thank you."

*

Staring up at the school, Savannah was worried for the first time since her father's death about walking into that school. Surely everyone knew about her hidden romance with Jason and they would be glaring at her as she walked down the halls.

It was only when a cold hand slipped into her own that she took in a deep breath. Betty squeezed her hand and gently pulled her forward, edging the two into the school together.

"I know I made a mistake." Savannah breathed out, feeling the guilt start to drown her in some sort of sick irony. "I don't want them to stare."

"They won't." Betty said, "Everyone is focusing on Cheryl, who is as peppy as ever, as if her brother didn't die."

Savannah frowned at that.

The two took in the bare blue locker and the clear floor beneath it. It was as if Jason's death was a fleeting moment in everyone's lives and that they shed a tear, and moved on.

"Come on." Betty urged them toward the hall. "Cheryl's supposed to be making a speech."

"Thank you for that moment of silence." Cheryl's voice echoed loudly through the hall after they had taken their seats. She had placed a black fishnet veil over the top of her head as a sign of mourning. "Many of you were lucky enough to have known my brother personally."

They were sitting next to the new girl, Veronica Lodge, who Savannah could care less about. This girl carried herself like she was the best thing since sliced bread.

"Each and every one of you meant the world to Jason. I loved my brother." Cheryl continued, "He was, and always will be, my soul mate. So I speak with the confidence that only a twin could have. Jason wouldn't want us to spend the year mourning."

Savannah thought back to the times that she had spent with Jason. He was always kind to her, considerate. He wasn't a bad person, just a boy who made mistakes. He was human.