Braking Hard (Riverdale-Jughead Jones)

10

A knock sounded at my trailer door and I smiled as I opened it to see Jughead stood waiting with a bike helmet slung on one arm.

I raised an eyebrow at him as his smirk dropped, and his eyes looked at my outfit.

I had taken the liberty of washing as much bike oil as I could, off of my body, and brushing my hair, pushing it into a loose ponytail atop my head.

Whilst he had been gone I had also changed into a pair of skinny jeans and a loose tunic top, however, my shoes stayed the normal filthy sneakers I usually wore.

"You look really nice Al. I've never seen you in- in-" he paused and I chuckled.

"Something not plaid?" I asked. "Come on."

I grabbed his arm and hopped into the back of his bike, clipped my helmet on and waited for him patiently. As he hopped on he turned to me and I noticed he looked as though he wanted to ask me a question so I sighed and tilted my head.

"What happened with Archie's dad?" I laughed.

"His digger was done for. It would have cost more to get it fixed than to get a new one, so I recommended him to scrap it. It really wasn't worth it. I could have done it, but the parts needed..." I trailed off.

"Too much?" He asked. I nodded and he turned to start up the bike. As he did I grabbed hold of him and we drove towards the race.

As we reached it, I hopped off the bike and waved to Betty, who was showing Archie the car, and turned to see Reggie leaning against another car, watching them.

I walked over.

"Hey Reggie. Just letting you know that if your car is damaged, I'll fix it, free of charge." He smiled and thanked me, probably still worried and I walked back to Jughead.

"We have everyone here," he started, pointing towards the group of serpents. "And Toni normally starts races apparently." I nodded and turned to see Cheryl, stood not far away.

"How are you?" I asked Betty, her eyes searching for something in the distance.

"I'm fine, just worried. Jughead and Archie, they're my best friends. I don't want anything to happen to them." I placed my hand on her shoulder.

"It'll be fine Bet. Honestly. Listen, do you want to come round sometime?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Are you sure, I don't want to interrupt anything." I chuckled and patted her shoulder.

"It's fine. I don't have anything interesting for you to interrupt!" I joked, looking towards where Cheryl was arguing with Toni about starting the race.

As they got ready Jughead gave me a hug as goodbye, clambered into the car and Betty leant down to speak with him.

I walked over to Kevin and Josie McCoy who were sat together on top of a car hood and joined them, waiting for Cheryl to begin the race.

"You know Cheryl's sat with us if you want to avoid her?" Kevin pointed out as Cheryl raised the red flag.

I shrugged as I spoke. "I don't mind. I'm just here to show my support for-"

"Jughead?" Cheryl's flag came zooming down just as I turned in annoyance and I managed to miss the cars speed off.

"The serpents, you dick." I shoved him lightly.

"That, was incredible." I heard Cheryl's voice coming up next to us. "You know, you really do have the legs for a Vixen."

"Cheryl, please stop asking me. I'm clumsy. Ok? I can't be a Vixen because I will literally just fall over first try." I retorted.

"Sorry for giving you the offer of a lifetime." She spat back, leaning on the opposite side of the car I was on.

"Look Cheryl, I don't want to keep acting as though I hate you, ok, I don't. I'm just really not Vixen material. That doesn't mean I don't want to be one." I said, by way of an apology. As I did she turned slightly and sniffed.

"Whatever. Look, it's a nice chance from the awful shirts, but the tunic top is not much better. You need a nice top. Shopping after this?"

I chuckled at this and held out my hand for her to shake.

"Go on." Kevin and Josie laughed with us and we began chatting about how school was going when a kid came running up.

"Cops are rounding up Ghoulies!" I looked up in surprise.

"Listen, I've got to get a lift back with Jughead, did you all come together?" I asked the trio and they all stayed silent, but nodded. "Will you guys meet me at Sunnyside Trailer Park for 5 o'clock? I'm in the trailer with the name. La Bella Vita. You'll see it when you arrive." I told them.

"Of course, we'll be there." Kevin spoke, climbing into the car after the two girls.

I watched as the car drove away and turned back just in time to see Jug and Archie arrive back and get into some sort of arguement with Tall Boy.

I was about to walk over when Jughead climbed into Reggies car, Betty in the passengers side, and drove off in anger. I threw my hands up.

"Did you see that?" I scoffed to Archie. "He just left me here! Alone! With his bike!" I shrugged again and walked over to Reggie who was watching his car drove away in dismay and tapped him on the shoulder.

"I'll give you a lift back to Cogs and Gears. And I'll get Jughead to deliver your car back as soon as he's calmed down. Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't damage it."

As he thanked me, I headed over to Jughead's bike and held out a helmet to him, before starting it up and driving towards my shop.