Autumn // Jughead Jones

Chapter 14

I sit in my room with my nose in my book when I see an angry Jughead walk in. "Hey what's up?" I put the book aside. 

"They want me to move to the South Side," He starts to stress.

"They who?"

"Social services, they won't let me stay with Archie because his dad had a DWI," He leans his head down.

"What about here?" 

"Autumn, you're my girlfriend and I don't want things to get complicated," He makes a point. "The South side might not be that bad, maybe I belong there," I move closer to him.

"Everything will work out Jug. You belong to be with your friends and family." I take his hand.

"I'm glad we have each other Autumn."

I lay my head on his shoulder and smile. I see a flash from his phone, catching my eyes. I look at it as it reads,

Betty:

I want to talk about us

I look up to Jughead with a concerned look. "Us?" I question.

"I don't know what she wants honestly. I do know what I want and that's you not her." He brushes back my hair.

"Why don't we get some rest we have school tomorrow," He kisses my forehead and leaves, most likely to go sleep at Archie's.

///

I sit in the lounge listening to Betty talk about her long lost brother she just learned about. I try to ignore her still mad about the text she sent to Jughead. I get pulled out of my thoughts by my phone ringing.

"Hey Jug, Where are you?" I ask in a questioning tone.

"I'm at South Side High," He mumbles.

"Oh my god what?"

"This is where I belong Autumn. Talk about this after school," And he hangs up the phone.

I look up to the others. "Where's he?" Ronnie asks.

"South Side High," I reply. "He said it's where he belongs and no one wants him here," I finish.

"F.P. warned me Jughead would cut himself off and go to the dark side." Archie speaks up

"We can't let him do that," Betty says making all of us get up and start running to South side high.

We enter the High school filled with graffiti and security. We all wonder to the cafeteria trying to find Jug. 

"Jug?" I ask once we found him. His smile fades.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Can I talk to you?" I tilt my head as he stands up and we make our way out of the school.

"I knew you'd try to stop me," He states.

"Damn straight and I'm still gonna try Jug," I reach for his hand.

"Autumn this is where everyone wants me, maybe I wanna be here as well. I may blend in better here. And It would keep you safe," He takes my hand.

"Says the person who got shot," I laugh. "I'm not letting anyone split us apart Jug," I hug him laying my head on his shoulder slightly glancing up to see Betty and Archie looking at us with sad looks.

"Guys we have to go!" Ronnie yells. Jug and I run with them trying to figure out whats going on.

"I think Cheryl is trying to kill herself at Sweet Water River,"Ronnie says while running.

We run through the snow trying to find Cheryl. We call out her name, but get no reply. We see her in a white dress trying to break the ice. Running, we try to get to her but Archie and Jug holds us back because the Ice may fall with us all.

"Cheryl please" Ronnie yells. Cheryl turns around and falls in, signaling us to run after her. We all spread out to find her since the current started to carry her under the ice. Archie starts to break the ice above her. I watch as the blood from his knuckles combine with the water. He finally pulls her out and does CPR on her, finally getting her to breath.

///

I sit with Cheryl in Veronica's house. We try to make her feel better but Ronnie and I just give each other knowing looks of sadness. 

I feel my phone vibrate telling me I have a text. I open the message and see Jughead's name.

Jughead: 

Hey I'm at the police station can you meet me here?

Me:

Be there in 10

I close my phone and stand up moving towards Veronica. "Hey I'm gonna go I'll see you at the Jubilee. 

I leave the penthouse to go to the station.

/// 

I walk through the familiar place back to the cells where I see F.P. and Jughead talking.

"Hey boys," I smile and make my way towards Juggie. 

"Sheriff Keller tells me that you still haven't given any names," Jug leans against the bars. "He's hoping I can convince you otherwise."

"I've been sweating it out Jug, and, uh the only conclusion I'v e come to is that both options suck." F.P. replies.

"Hey I wanted to let you know that I..." I lay a hand on his shoulder and smile at Jug. "I'm gonna be okay. I met the foster family that's taking me in. They're nice," He rolls his eyes making us all laugh.

"What about South Side High?" F.P. asks making me frown.

"It's a High school," He states. "It's got the jocks, and the burnouts, and the nerds. But I'll survive."

"You just might," F.P. chuckles. "Jughead listen to me, I'm more innocent than I am guilty, But I've done some... Some stupid things, some bad things, and come what may I have to answer for my part of it, you understand? I don't know whats going to happen when this goes to trial, but you need to be there, for your mom, for Jellybean," I see Jughead start to get upset. "They might not need you right this second bu-"

"I'll do my best," Jug replies.

"Not a doubt in my mind," F.P. smiles. "You take care of him now," He looks at me.

"I will sir, we have each other," I intertwine our hands and Jug shoots me a smile.

"And treat her right, she's like another daughter," He speaks to Jug.

"I will dad."

"Now go on," F.P. smiles.

We both walk out of the station to the Jubilee, us both waiting in the back while Betty finishes her speech. 

We both start to clap when she finishes, getting everyone else to join.

Betty, Archie and Ronnie all walk over to us. "Pop's tonight, for a celebration?" Ronnie speaks.

"Always," I smile.

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The last chapter is coming.