{UNFINISHED}We Won't Give Up//J.J.||Riverdale[sequel to The Diner]

Chapter 4

*Your POV*

I wake up to my alarm, blaring at me. I groan and try to find my phone, with my face in my pillow. Eventually, I find it and turn it off. I slowly sit up and stretch. I get out of bed and change into my every-day clothes. I'm too lazy to eat breakfast, so I just drink some water and then drive to school. I see Archie and I go up to him. "Hey."

"[Y/N], hey," he says. We walk into the building.

"How's your dad?"

"He's good, he's up and moving, even though I told him not to." he chuckles.

I smile, "Well, that's good." We stop at his locker and he opens it. "So, I take it you didn't find who you were looking for when Keller called you in?"

He sighs, "Nope."

The bell rings. "Well, I'll see you at lunch?"

"Yep, see you then." he nods and I walk to history.

~

I find Jughead and we both walk over to a table for lunch. "How are you doing?" He asks.

"I'm good. And you?" Before he could answer, Betty, Veronica and Archie come walking over to us.

"Hey, guys," Veronica says and they all sit down across from us.

"Hey," I say.

"A win for the bad guys," Jug says. I look over at him. "No one was there, at Pop's when we went to go find Fred's wallet. His entire staff quit. He says he's not sure how long he'll be able to keep the doors open. Maybe not even a week."

"It's because of what happened to my dad.." Archie says, "People are all freaking out." Veronica looks over at him. "And honestly, guys I don't see myself going back anytime soon either."

"Wait, I'm sorry. Am I hearing acceptance? I'm not letting one psychopath with a gun," Betty starts. Vee puts her hand on Archie's shoulder. "Dictate what happens to our place." I slightly nod and no one says anything for a second, "Jug, you went crazy trying to save the drive-in."

"I can't...take on any more social issues right now. My hands are full," he says.

"With your dad, of course. And he should be your priority. I'll take point, on helping Pop Tate."

"I'll help too, Betty," Veronica says.

"Yeah, same here," I say. Jughead takes my hand under the table. I look over and slightly smile, then look back at everyone.

"Hey, anything to get me away from my parents, I'm in," she chuckles.

"Another team up between you three. Well, I gotta go. I'm off to meet my dad's court-appointment joke of a lawyer at the sheriff's station," he grabs his bag and stands up.

"I'm gonna come with you. I gotta drop some flyers off for Sheriff Keller," Archie says and gathers his things, too.

"Bye." Veronica says, quietly.

"What's going on with your parents, Vee?" I ask.

"It's just that, my dad's back in town and now I don't think that he's as good as I said he was going to be."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

She nods, "It's okay."

"So, we should talk about what we can do for Pop's," Betty says.

"Yeah, what are your ideas?" I ask.

"I think that we should go and talk to the Mayor so they don't shut it down."

"Okay, good idea," Veronica says.

"Yeah, could we go tomorrow, maybe?" I ask.

"That sounds good to me and we should bring Jug," Betty adds.

I look up at her, then over at Veronica and then back at her. "Yeah, sure. I'll ask him." I say.

"Okay."

~

School's finally over and I drive back home. I open the door and put all of my stuff on my bed. I stretch and go into the kitchen to get some food. I go back into the living room and sit down on the couch. I turn on the TV and then hear a knock at my door. I get up and walk over. I open it and Jughead's standing there.

"Jug, hey," I say.

"Hey," he says and walks in. I close the door.

"How'd things go with your dad?"

He sighs and we both sit down on the couch. "I've been walking around all night trying to wrap my head around how bad it is." He pauses, "It's bad.." He whispers. I sympathetically look at him. He leans forward on his knees. "My dad's facing 20 years..."

I sigh, "Jughead I'm so sorry. That sucks."

"The lawyer thinks...that he should take the deal. If he doesn't, then the case goes to trial and he could face 40 years instead." His breathes start shaking. I circle his back. "I'm just really, really scared..."

"Yeah..." I whisper. "Betty and I are going to talk to Mayor McCoy about it tomorrow. Come with us."

He looks up at me, "Okay.."

~

Betty, Jughead and I are all sitting in the town hall, waiting for McCoy. She comes out of a room and we all stand up. "Mayor McCoy," Betty says.

"Betty, [Y/N], Jughead, what can I help you with?" She asks.

"So, the Chock'lit Shoppe is on the verge of closing.." I start. McCoy starts to walk away, but we all follow.

"And we all want Pop Tate to know that the entire town is rallying behind him," Betty finishes.

"We were thinking that maybe you could...make the building a landmark?" Jug asks.

"Or maybe declare a 'Pop's Day' for support," I add.

The Mayor stops in her tracks and turns around. "What if I endorse Pop's and then next week someone else is shot there? My priority as a mayor and as a mother is to keep this town safe. If we have to close Pop's, I'm all for it." She turns back around and walks up the stairs.

"Okay, are you also 'all for' shipping my dad off to a state prison for a murder that he didn't commit?" Jughead asks.

She turns back around, "What is this an ambush?"

"I know that you have an in with the State Attorney and if you could just call him and try to get my dad a better lawyer, anything?"

"Your father has made some mistakes. I'm sure he'll get a fair warning."

"Mayor McCoy, you will remember this moment. 'Cause this is the moment where you turned your back both on Pop Tate and my father." And with that, he walks away. Betty and I just stay there, kind of shocked. I snap out of it and follow him.

I catch up to him outside, "Hey, you okay?" I ask.

He stops walking and turns to me. He sighs, "I shouldn't have snapped at her." he rubs his head and looks down.

I sigh, "It's okay, you were mad. I'm sure she'll let it go," I say.

"Maybe...I think I'm just gonna take the day off today. Could you just drop me back at the trailer?" He asks.

"Yeah, of course," I say.