Archie's Sister

xv

I sat by the island table at the kitchen, munching on some eggs and toast Archie had made.

"Here Vegas. Sit." I whispered crouching down and feeding the dog some burnt bacon.

"Uhh, do we need a fire extinguisher?" Dad coughed at the kitchen filled with smoke from the burnt food. Somehow Archie managed to burn the toast as well. Dad waddled over.

"What are you doing up? I was going to bring you breakfast?" Archie said dropping the burn toast onto a plate.

"I appreciate it son." Dad said and pinching my shoulder and came and sat to my right. "But I have to move around some time." Dad took a quick look at Archie as he downed a energy drink.

"A little early for that isn't it?"

"Ah nah. I'm good." You roll your eyes at Archie's response. "Dad the only think you need to worry about, is getting better." Dad sat down at Archie's phone rang. "Crap I've gotta get this."

Dad softly chuckled. "I can stay home-"

"No, it's fine. You're mothers here. You're both safer at school than you are here." Dad spoke and I passed him the butter for his toast.

Later that night, Archie sat in the lounge room, baseball bat between his legs.
"It's only me." I announced, wearing my silk pyjama shorts and tank top Veronica got me, walking into the room before he had a go at me with the bat.

"Shouldn't you be, I don't know, asleep, studying?"

"I could say the same to you." You smirk grabbing a cup from the cupboard and filling it with water. The floor boards creaked.

"Whoa whoa."

"Jughead! Are you insane?" Archie whispered as Jughead opened the door from the back to enter the kitchen.

"You're the one who looks like a dream warrior from the Night on Elm Street three."

"What did the lawyers say?" Archie said giving up defeat and leaned against the table.

"It's been barking around all night trying to wrap about head around how bad it is." Jughead said and I placed a hand on his shoulder as he sat down. How bad could it be? His voice cracked with a whimper. "It's bad." He paused and I rubbed his back encouragingly. "He's facing up to twenty years."

"Crap Jughead. I'm so sorry. That's sucks."

"A lawyer thinks he should take the deal, and if he doesn't, and the case goes to trial, he could be facing forty years."

"Jug." My lips parted. I gave him my glass of water for him to sip on. I felt so bad for him. I wrapped my arm around him trying to give him some comfort. "I'm just, really really scared." I know how you feel.

"Yeah me too." Archie spoke looking out the window.

"About what?" Jughead asked and Archie's facial expression switched. He didn't say a word. I obviously knew what he meant.

The next day you sat down on the couches in the common room. Working on some last minute homework due third period. You sipped on your hot drink as Midge walked over to you.