Braking Hard (Riverdale-Jughead Jones)

2

After first period ended I slipped into the toilets to check my appearance. I didn't get a chance to before I left the yard.

I looked in the mirror and sighed. I already knew I was wearing loose sweatpants, and a paint splattered plaid shirt, but I had smudges of bike oil all over my arms and face, and God knows how difficult it is to get bike oil off your skin.

I looked at my hair. It was piled on top of my head in a messy, sloppy bun. And not those ones where a beautiful Instagram girl says it's a messy bun but it looks perfectly arranged anyway, but a proper, didn't bother to brush it when I woke up, messy, tangled, greasy bun.

And greasy in more than one way, both greasy with natural oils, and bike oil. I groaned and fingered the stands of hair with oil on gently.

I tried to tuck them into the rest of the bun to not be noticeable, but of course they were the stubborn strands that insisted on dangling down by my ears.

I looked at the time and picked up my backpack again, running through the halls to second period. I slipped in, once again late, and once again unnoticed by the teacher.

I pulled myself forwards to lie on the desk with my upper body, and started to looks at the backs of peoples heads. I looked over and counted out who was missing from class.

Biology was often the lesson people skipped.

I looked over to the window again and sighed, wanting the day to pass quickly so I could get back to what I was good at.

Once it got to lunch I wandered about slightly aimlessly with my tray. I only had a juice and an apple, I could eat more later, after getting that bike sorted at the shop.

I crunched into it but spat it out quickly and stared over at a table I could see Cheryl Blossom terrorising.

At least Cheryl acknowledged their existence. I sighed and looked down at my oily hands.

The bell rang and I started heading towards class. Just 3 more hours to go, and if I take away the hour that I'm about to go through, then I've only got 2 hours.

Then that splits into two periods. Which splits into 4 half periods. So I only have to get through 30 minutes, just 4 times. After my next period.

God sometimes I think that helps and others it just makes it worse.

I put my head down on my desk ready to sleep through this period, but a loud crash came from outside the room and my head shot up.

"Don't worry people, it's just the janitor!" The teacher explained to half of the alarmed class. I rolled my eyes and my head went straight back down.

After school had ended I walked back to the garage slowly. Despite being a bike nut, I didn't ride one to school.

Mostly because despite my steady income I couldn't afford one, but also because I knew it would get scratched by the stupid football team and I couldn't bear that.

I kept my earnings from work strictly monitored. 40% went back to the business, to buy tools, or get old cars that I thought could be salvaged. 10% went to me, to pay bills and buy groceries, things like that, and the remaining 50% went to paying wages to my workers.

But that's only out of what's left after paying the taxes.

Once I reached the garage I stepped in through the gate and looked around at the bustle that was my auto repair shop.

Gina was stood talking to what looked to be a customer and I waved at her briefly as I walked over to the office.

"Hey Mare, what's going on? I thought everyone was ill?" I asked as I stuck my head round the door.

"They were, heck, Louis still is, but Louie is here to do the paperwork," she said nodding at Louie who's desk was opposite her. "And Janis and Gina managed to get themselves here anyway. Before you say anything else, we want you to go home."

"Mary I can't, I really need to finish the bi-" She cut me off.

"Enough Alison. You work hard enough as it is and you never seem to have a day off. Go home and rest today, go out with friends or something?" She finished, throwing me the keys to my home.

"But-"

"I'll lock everything up, and send Garret to drop the keys round at your place. Now go!" She stood up and shoved me out of the office and I stood there in surprise for a second.

I walked over to the garage where Janis was now fixing up a range rover and grabbed my overalls.

"Did Mare send you home then?" Janis asked with a smirk on her face.

"You know, I could fire her. I'm the boss, not her." I replied back snootily.

"But you won't. You love Mary. Everyone knows it. Shes like the mother hen." Janis chuckled as she picked up a wrench. I crackled a smile and whacked her playfully in the head.

"Well see ya then Janis. I'll see you tomorrow, oh and get well soon, ok?" I pointed at her as I left and she thew me a thumbs up in reply as I turned to leave.

As I reached the gate I turned and yelled back to everyone, "See you tomorrow slackers!"

After walking for a while I turned into Sunnyside Trailer Park and weaved between the trailers until I reached La Bella Vita.

Home, sweet home.

***

Hey guys, hope you enjoyed this chapter, once again, if you enjoyed feel free to drop a vote or comment, and all feedback is welcome!

-Brendan C.