Strawberry. [J.J]

32.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
"Get your head out of your arse,"

It had been a week since that day in the hospital and Marley had slept a total of four hours in that time, the thought of the Black Hood keeping her awake.

Flo has stayed in her room facing the wall not saying anything to anyone or eating anything the entire time, mourning the death of her unborn baby. FP comes to visit her, much to Gina's dismay, and he just sits with Flo until Gina kicks him out. Rhea had got a full time job at Pop's and Marley hasn't spoken to Jughead since that night at the bar.

"How's the job hunting?" Marley asked her as Gina sat down on the sofa next to her in the living room. Marley was watching Gattaca and eating strawberries.

"It's getting there. Word on the street is that Riverdale High is struggling to find someone to replace me so I might just get my job back," Gina said while taking a strawberry from Marley and she just hummed.

"Jude law looks like a prettier version of Liam," Marley said her eyes not leaving the TV screen and Gina rolled her eyes before turning the TV off.

"I need you to go to Pops and get Flo something to eat. Maybe she'll actually eat something this time. Take a Twenty from my purse," Gina said and Marley stood up before shaking her head. She didn't want to use Gina's money, she had a slight fear that the Davis' will soon run out of money.

"Don't worry, I've got some cash. I'll be twenty minutes," Marley said while shrugging on her jacket and grabbing her skateboard.

————

When Marley arrived at Pops she picked up her skateboard and pulled out her phone. She was reading her texts when she bumped into someone on the way into Pops.

"Jesus Christ-" Marley said trailing off when she saw who she bumped into. Jughead awkwardly scratched the back of his head as he looked at her and Marley's eyebrows furrowed at the sight of bruises on her face.

"What happened?" Marley asked as she reached up to touch his eye but before her finger made contact with his skin she stopped herself.

"A week ago, Nick threw a few punches. It's healing now though," Jughead explained and Marley's eyes widened.

"Nick Akiyama?" Marley asked in shock and Jughead awkwardly chuckled.

"Yeah, It kinda sucked," Jughead said with a chuckle and Marley frowned while looking at the bruises.

"Well, did you deserve it?" Marley asked and Jughead looked at her before nodding.

"I, uh, kinda did." Jughead said and Marley hummed before looking down at her shoes awkwardly.

"Uh, you haven't slept..." Jughead observed the bags under her eyes and Marley scoffed before looking up at him.

"Anything else you want to point out, Captain Obvious?" Marley asked and Jughead sighed before looking at her.

"The bags..." Jughead said referring to the bags under Marley's eyes and she just rolled her eyes at him.

"I don't remember a time when I didn't have bags under my eyes," Marley said and there was a short silence before Jughead spoke again.

"You're, um, you're not sleeping because of me. That's not the reason is it?" Jughead asked and Marley looked at him in disbelief.

"Get your head out of your ass. I have a thousand things going on right now," Marley said and Jughead nodded before sticking his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket.