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

Chapter 11

*Your POV*
I'm sitting with Kevin in the student lounge the next day. "Hey question," I start.

"Yeah?" He asks, reading his book.

"How come you weren't at Veronica's last night?"

"Oh, I had to do something."

"Oh, okay." I smile and look back down.

Betty walks in, "Hey," she says, getting both of our attention. "What happened to you last night? I thought you were coming to Veronica's." She sits down. I chuckle because I just asked him that.

"Yeah, something came up." He says. He looks up at her, and then down back at his homework.

"Something in the woods?" Betty asks. I look at her, surprised.

"Betty, don't take this the wrong way, but how many years did I listen to you go on and on about Archie? And did you ask me permission to date him? No. Because you didn't need it. And I don't need yours," He says.

I give a questioning look, "Wait, you dated Archie?" I ask.

"Dating is one thing, this is..." she says, ignoring me.

"It's none of your business," he starts packing up his things, "I'll catch you later," he stands up and walks out.

"So, button-down Kevin Keller has a sex-drive," Cheryl says, coming out of nowhere. And by nowhere I mean from behind a chair. She sits down where he was, "So what?"

"'So what?' So, it's putting him in danger. Why won't he just stop?" Betty says.

"Oh, Betty. Kevin used to be a lonely, awkward, fat boy with acne." Cheryl says, sitting up straight. I tilt my head, "Now he's a smoke show."

"And?" Betty shrugs.

"In his mind, he's still that unattractive pugsley. Kevin wants validation, connection, even if it's out in the woods." damn. "Even if it's with a killer on the loose." damn again. "Even if you don't approve." Okay, Betty just got slayed. Cheryl stands up and walks out. Betty puts her face in her hands.

"It'll be okay." I pat her twice on the back and then stand up. I grab my bag and walk to first period. I see Kevin, but someone took the spot next to him, so I just sit in the back.

~

I'm driving home from school, and I drive past a flyer on a tree. I don't get a good look at it, but all I see is a big red circle and some text. I let it slip my mind. I keep driving, but I see the same flyer on multiple trees. I sigh, "Must be important." I say to myself. I park my car and go up to one.

"Feeling Scared? Want Protection? CALL THE RED CIRCLE" is printed inside of the circle on the flyer. I look below it, "Text or call 555-0145." I wonder if I know that number...I pull out my phone and open my contacts. I go to the search bar and type it in. "Archie😹" appears...

"Oh, Archie what have you done..." I mutter. I take the flyer off and go back to my car. I call him. It rings a couple times, and I start driving. He picks up.

"Hey," he says.

"What the hell is the 'Red Circle?'" I ask.

I hear him sigh, "It's just this watch that the Bulldogs are forming."

"You know that you're in like, really big danger because of this right?"

"I don't care, look we need to find out who this is."

"Archie."

"Please, don't be against this."

I don't say anything for a second. "Fine. Okay, but if anything happens," I sigh, "that's on you, okay? But I'll still be there to help."

"Thanks, [Y/N]."

"No problem." I hang up and put my phone down. I keep driving. I kind of want to visit Jughead at his school, just for a surprise. I haven't seen it before. I drive to Pop's and go inside. I get some food take-out and get back into my car and drive to Southside High. The only time I've been there is the day of Cheryl's predicament. After about 15 minutes, I arrive. I walk around, and there's someone at their locker. They have a black leather jacket on. I go up to them.

"Excuse me," I say, to get their attention. "Do you know where the Red and Black office is?"

"That way, down the hall, and it's room 153," he says, pointing past me. Honestly, I thought he was going to yell at me or something.

"Thanks." I turn around and walk to where he says. I attempt to open the door, but it's locked. I thought he said that he would be here today. I pull out my phone to text him, but someone opens the door. I look up, and it's him.

"[Y/N]," he says.

"Hey," I say, walking in.

"You, cannot be here unless you are armed," he says, closing the door. I guess it must be one of those doors that locks on the outside.

"Don't worry, I know you'll protect me," I say, laughing. He laughs, too.

"Okay so, I hit pay dirt. Do you remember how no one could explain the component of Clifford Blossom's drug line? The 'Jingle-Jangle,' that stuff that Moose and Midge were on?" He asks, as I take my coat off.

"Yes?" I tilt my head.

"It's coming from here."

"Here." I repeat, raising my eyebrow.

"Yeah. I know that my dad said that the Serpents never deal in hard drugs, but the Ghoulies do." he points, referring to them.

"Okay, is it wise to be writing about gangs and drugs while you're going to school here?"

"Are you worried about me?" he walks closer to me.

I shrug, "Well yeah, of course, I am."

"I thought you liked me reckless." he puts his hand on my hip, pulling me closer. He sighs, "I've missed you. I miss Riverdale High."

I look at him, sympathetically, "I miss you, too." He puts his hand on my cheek. We stare into each other's eyes, totally lost in the moment. Soon he kisses me, and I kiss back. His other hand moves to my other cheek. I smile in the kiss and he leans me against the desk. We're interrupted by someone trying to open the door.

He pulls away, and we both look over. I chuckle, "Interrupted again," I say, and he leans his forehead against mine. "I'll get it." I say, smiling.

"Okay." He whispers.

I open the door, and there's a girl standing outside with a box. "Hi," I say, opening the door more so she can come in.

"Hey," she walks in.

"Toni, hi." Jug says. I close the door. "[Y/N], this is Toni. She's the photographer for the Red and Black," he says.

"You like photography?" I ask.

"I'm a fan, yeah," she nods and shrugs.

"That's awesome," I say. "I'm [Y/N]."

"Is this your girlfriend that you talk about?" She asks, looking at Jug. I raise my eyebrow and chuckle.

His face turns the lightest shade of red. "Yes," he rubs his neck.

"Well, it's nice to meet you," she puts the box down. "You are not at all what I pictured," she says.

"What'd you picture?" I ask, lightly laughing.

She shrugs, "Emily the Strange, Winona Ryder from Beetlejuice?" We both laugh. I walk back over to Jughead.

"I brought Pop's," I say, taking the bag out of the box.

"Oh, I was wondering what was in that box," he says, smiling.

I smile, too, and then look over at Toni, realizing something. "Oh, I didn't know that you were going to come so, I didn't bring enough." I laugh, "You can have part of mine if you want."

"Nah, it's okay. I just came by to drop something off, and then I'll be out of your way," she says.

"Okay." I nod. I sit on the desk and take a bite of my cheeseburger.