Braking Hard (Riverdale-Jughead Jones)

6

As I left the school, chattering with Betty, Cheryl once again walked over to us. "So, your name is?" She asked, hand on her hip.

"Alison." I replied shortly, birthing my hair back behind my ear.

"You're friends with Betty?" She asked, turned to face her.

"Well, we only really met today, so more like acquaintances I would say." I told her, shooting a apologising look at Betty.

Cheryl sniffed slightly, and I was aware of Archie, Kevin and Veronica walking up to stand next to Betty and they watched me and Cheryl talking.

"So, are you going to take up my offer? Sort out your personal choices and join the Vixens?" She asked. I pulled a slight face and replied with a tone a sarcasm.

"Sorry Cheryl, I'm quite busy. And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want a lousy mechanic on your team." Her face fell at my words and a look of anger took it over.

I chuckled as she stormed away and I turned to Betty, my arms crossed and a smirk on my face as she giggled at me.

Just as I was about to say my goodbyes and walk home, helmet in hand, a Honda Cb550 pulled up in front of me, and Jughead grinned widely.

"Uh, no thanks." I rolled my eyes and went to walk away but he spoke so I stopped to listen.

"Why not? I gave you a lift this morning." He had a smirk on his face so I decided to try and wipe it straight off.

"I let you drop me off this morning because I was going to be late. And you know what? You did help me out, I was on time for once, but that doesn't mean it's going to be a regular thing." Jughead's group of friends were all watching this short conversation, because I could feel their stares on the back of my head.

"Well why not?"

"Because I don't know you! I fixed your bike, that's it. I don't get why you're trying to befriend me, you've never shown an interest in making friends with new people before." I retorted, scoffing at him.

"Maybe I'm intrigued by you." I laughed and folded my arms.

"Yeah, right. Nobody is intrigued by me, Jones. I'm just a girl. A boring girl in the back of the boring classroom. And yet you're intrigued by her super boring life? Bull, Jones. That's a lie and you know it." I turned to walk away and ignored his shout.

"Al!" This made me stop in my tracks.

"Did you just call me Al?" I asked, turning round in confusion.

"Well, yeah. Why, do you not like it?"

"I've never been called Al before. Just, Alison. It was strange enough being called Ali by Betty. It's just, strange. I don't know whether I like it or not." I explained, leaning my weight on one leg.

"I can, not call you it?" He said, concern in his eyes.

"I didn't say I didn't like it." I mocked. "Look, really thanks for the offer and all, but it's probably better I walk. I don't want to drag you guys away from your whole, mystery solving thing."

"You really are observant aren't you?" Veronica put in and I chuckled.

"Of course I am. Simple science. The person behind everyone else, always see's the most." I smirked, mock saluting them and heading off.

As I walked off I heard Jughead's voice calling out one last thing.

"You promised!"

By the time I reached my yard and threw the helmet back here it belonged, I had thought of about 3 reasons Jughead Jones had come up with the hang out with me.

Reason 1: He really was intrigued. Maybe at how I had gone unnoticed for so long.

Reason 2: He thought I was cute.

Reason 3: He had nothing else better to do.

I decided that reason 2 was the least likely, and reason 3 was the most likely. I shook myself away from my thoughts and walked over the the garage, my mind wandering between Jughead and Cheryl equally.

As I reached my garage I heard footsteps behind me, so I turned to see Janis and waited for her to speak.

"You had a package delivered not long ago. By that guy that gave you a lift this morning." She said. I groaned inwardly. "It's waiting in the office."

I sighed and turned away. "I'll get it when my shift is over." I let myself say, before setting myself on autopilot and heading straight to the Porsche I had abandoned in the morning.

By the time it got late I realised that I'd put off opening whatever Jughead had got me for long enough, and that I should at least open it to get it over with.

I sighed and hung my overalls up, wiping my hands with the rag one last time before throwing it away and ripping a new piece of fabric from the long sheet under the table, setting it on top ready for the next morning.

"Go on, pass me the damn package." I appeased Janis, who grinned the second I walked into the office and grabbed a small newspaper wrapped parcel.

As I unwrapped it, I noticed that the wrapping was made with an old edition of the Blue and Gold and I chuckled at the headline about the Book of Shame.

Of course Jughead would still have a copy. I tossed the thought aside and looked in confusion at the small box that had been wrapped.

I pulled off the small note from the top, and opened it up.

Just in case you don't let me give you a lift home. J.

I rolled my eyes. Of course he knew I wouldn't trust someone I met the day before. I flicked the box open and rolled my eyes.

Inside was a tiny screwdriver and I instantly groaned and picked it out of the box. Once again, there was another small note inside the box, so I read it.

For if you ever need to fix a problem on the go. J.

I dropped the tiny screwdriver onto the desk and threw the box into the bin, pocketing the notes.

For what reason, I had yet to figure out.