Autumn // Jughead Jones

Chapter 13

I wake up to talking in the room. I slightly open my eyes to see Jughead and a doctor talking. I relax my eyes while they chat, trying not to get into their conversation. 

"We are going to keep you here for another day to make sure there is no internal bleeding, but it seemed the it passed all the major arteries." The doctor speaks.

"Thanks doc, Honestly...I'm just glad to be alive." I smile.

"Well you're a fighter, and I can see why." I feel a hand wrap around mine, signaling for me to open my eyes. I see them both looking at me.

"Hi," I say awkwardly with a hint of a laugh.

"Yeah I can't leave her," He replies to the doctor as he walks out.

"Are you ok?" I look at the boy in front of me.

"I'm doing good, but I don't think I want to get shot anymore," I shake my head at the dry humor.

"You're crazy, you jumped in front of the bullet. Jug you could have died."

"But I didn't, and that bullet was heading for you and I sure as hell wasn't going to let you get shot."

"I'm sorry for this Jug I should have stayed away," I tilt my head down.

"Hey it's alright, I know there was a lot going on in that head of yours," He jokes again.

" Oh shush," I slightly nudge his shoulder. He grabs my hand and does his best to pull me into the hospital bed with him. I laugh and lay beside him trying not to hurt him.

"Listen once we get out of here we are going to try and clear your dads name," I look up at him.

"Thank you Autumn," He kisses my forehead. I see Veronica, Betty and Archie come in. 

"Hey Jug, you doing ok?" Archie worries.

"I'm doing better," He nods.

"Listen we went to Keller and showed him the tape, but he won't let your dad out because he still did some illegal things," Betty replies.

"That's bull, he was the freaking clean up job for Clifford," Jug gets angry.

"Hey it's going to be alright we will figure something out," I try to calm him.

"I hope so," His voice falls. I look at the other with sad eyes. 

///

Once Jug gets released from the hospital we head over the the jail for him to talk to his dad. I stand while Jughead starts to walk to the cells.

"Autumn, Can you come with?"

"Are you sure?" I look at his concerned.

"Yes," He holds out his hand waiting for me to take it. I intertwine our hands and follow him to F.P..

"F.P. you're looking at 20 years of jail time with helping with the cover up of the Jason Blossom murder," We hear Sheriff Keller speak.

"Wait what?" I ask leaning against the bars.

"Hey guys, Keller here was just telling me he wants me to feed names of the serpents for a lesser sentence." My eyes widen.

"I'll leave you guys alone, Jughead maybe you could talk him into it," And Keller leaves.

"I won't do it Jug, they have had my back for a while now and I can't do that," Jug and I look at each other and nod.

"I understand dad," He mumbles.

"I heard you got shot, you doing ok? what happened?" His voice fills with worry.

"I'm hurting but i'm doing better. Clifford decided to shoot Autumn so I kinda took the bullet," He mumbles again.

"Jeez, That's how you know he loves you," F.P. looks at me. My face reddens and I look down.

"Dad," Jug whines. "Well we should go to school, I'll see you later dad," Jug begins to walk and I follow.

///

I eat a couple of chips and put my food to the side while Betty starts talking about the Jubilee for Riverdale. " They want us to go up there and talk and sing But I'm not without you guys," Betty looks at us.

"I appreciate the righteous indignation, Betty, I do, but Jubilees aren't my thing," Jug laughs. I just nod in agreement.

They all go in on talking about the serpents and how they aren't dealing drugs like Keller thinks they are.

"This is outrageous i'm writing an article about this, and not just for the Blue and Gold but for the Register. This is a town story," Betty rants.

"Okay, as long as the article doesn't involve my dad," Jug mutters.

"No, it is going to be about your dad Jug," She fights back. "It doesn't matter on how many Jubilees Mayor McCoy throws. This town's changed. That needs to be acknowledged. Why are so many people afraid of the truth," She eats a strawberry.

"Speaking of the truth, " Veronica gets our attention. "Archie and I wanted to tell you...."

"We've kissed a couple of times," Archie helps Veronica out, but looks at me. Betty's face doesn't drop like I thought it would.

"It's ok, Vee. It's fine. I've moved on now," Her eyes avert to Jughead making me give her a "WTF" face. "If you guys want to be together I'm happy for you," They all smile, still leaving me the only one confused.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom," I pick up my tray full of food and dump it in the trash. I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to see the ginger.

"Hey Arch?"

"So Veronica and me?" He says in a questionable tone.

"Yeah?"

"I always thought maybe we would be able to try at it," He mumbles.

"Archie this has to stop," I say in a calm tone. "I love Jughead, and that's not going to change Vee is good for you keep her and treat her right."

"You are so different Autumn, and I know I have to let you go. I hope you and Jug are happy," He gives me a hug before walking off.

"Me too," I whisper.

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This is not edited v well and I apologize but I've been working. Hope you guys like it though.