Braking Hard (Riverdale-Jughead Jones)

16

I wandered through the halls of Riverdale High and found the perfect staircase to eat my lunch.

It was small and unoccupied. Out of the view of the other students, so I sat on the third step up and placed my lunch next to me, before picking up and chewing on a carrot stick.

I flinched as I heard someone walk past the corridor, still not exactly acting like myself.

"Hello?" I jumped at the voice and turned to see a confused face staring at me.

"Hi." I spoke quietly. "Sorry am I in your way?"

"No of course not, I just wondered if you are ok. Are you new?" The brunette boy asked, stepping towards me and sitting just above my lunch.

"No. I've been here since you've been here Kevin. I'm just not exactly popular." I replied, trying to avoid eye contact.

"Oh right. So you know me?" He asked, leaning over towards me.

I shuffled away slightly. "Yes. I do. Kevin Keller. You're the sheriff's son and you're friends with Betty Cooper." I rethought my words and spoke again. "I'm not a stalker, just, observant."

"It's ok. Why are you alone?" He asked, tilting his head.

"I said before. I'm not the most popular, I don't really have friends. Besides I'm just spending a bit of time away from everyone at the minute." I sighed, fiddling with a piece of bread on my plate.

We both went silent as we watched the janitor pass us with his mop and bucket, most likely heading back to his closet.

"Why? You can tell me anything you know, I can keep a secret. It's not like I'll go and tell everyone about a conversation I had with a random girl on the back hallway staircase." I sighed at his words and turned to face him.

"I'm not exactly having the best week. I kind of, well I had an abortion a few days ago and I guess its kind of hitting me slowly." I love admitted, fiddling with my nails.

"Wow, that's a bit deal... Does anyone in your family know?" He asked and I chuckled in reply.

"I don't have any family. Literally, my dad died a few years ago and my mom's not around really. I live alone, the court emancipated me." I told him.

"Why did you? Did you just not want a kid?" He asked, wondering my reasons.

"I'm not really ready. It was a one night stand, and I happened to be stupid that particular night. I am not ready to be a mom, no way." I replied, swiping my arm in the air to exaggerate how un-ready I was.

He gave my shoulders a tight squeeze as I did, and I smiled slightly.

"Your secret is safe with me."