Braking Hard (Riverdale-Jughead Jones)

17

I smiled as Jughead and Cheryl helped me pack the countless cards and boxes of chocolates and sweets I had been sent, despite only being in the hospital for a few days.

I threw my book and magazine to Jughead who stuffed them into my overnight bag with the PJ's I had just changed out of.

Cheryl picked up the bag and grabbed my arm to help me out of the door.

"Just be warned, this is the last time I carry any bags for you." She scoffed sarcastically. I chuckled as Jughead did the same to my other arm..

"Guys, I'm not an invalid. I can make it down some stairs by myself." I giggled to them.

"You doctor said to take it easy. This is called taking it easy." Jughead spoke slowly, very patronising.

I smacked his arm and he laughed at my anger, before pulling out several cards from his pocket.

"I don't even know any of these people!" I laughed. Cheryl looked away and I turned to see a guilty look on her face. "Cheryl, what did you do?"

"I may have made a scheme for you." She chuckled, and I looked to Jughead who also had slight guilt hiding on his face.

"#Aliislove is now all over Instagram and Twitter!" He said shyly. I growled and tried to kick him. "Hey it was her idea!" He protested, pointing to Cheryl with his free hand.

I rolled my eyes and began walking, despite protests from Cheryl that I should go slowly.

When we reached the car, I attempted to put my bags in but Cheryl pushed me into the backseat and chucked the bags she was holding at Jughead, who grumbled and opened the trunk.

As we were driving, it was silent, but once we reached home I tried to shoo Jug away.

"Jug, me and Ali are going to have some girl time, ok? Shove off will you?" Cheryl slammed the door in his face and turned to me sitting on the bed.

"What?" I asked, touching my face in case there was something on it.

"Tell me the truth, or I'll get everyone here to hear it." She demanded, throwing her bag down.

"Truth? The truth about what?" I asked in shock.

"About what happened the night you got pregnant." I paled at her words and began to stutter. "Look you didn't tell us everything. Did you know the guy, is that it?" She asked, hands on hips.

My hands shook and I slid the curtain to seperate us.

She sighed and I heard her pressing buttons on her phone, obviously texting or calling someone.

After she had finished I heard the bathroom door shut and I sighed as the shower turned on.

About half an hour later, Cheryl was sat on the sofa, a new outfit adorning her body and a hairdryer in one hand, when a knock sounded at the door.

"I'll get it." She chimed, placing the hairdryer down and flipping her hair back. My curtain was still pulled out and I turned over, trying to ignore her.

"Hey Cheryl, you wanted us to come?" I sat up in shock as I heard Archie's voice and I pulled the curtain back.

"What the hell are these doing here?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"I messaged them. Because I want you to trust us, and to be able to confide in us." She explained, showing Toni, Veronica, Betty and herself to the sofas, while Jughead, Sweetpea, Kevin and Archie stood, almost surrounding me..

"But why the Sheriff?" I asked in confusion, pointing to the officer who was stood in the doorway.

"Because you were attacked Ali! I'm not taking any chances." She retorted.

I turned and looked each one of them in the eye, listening to the sound of birds outside the trailer as I did.

"I don't even know what I'm supposed to confide in you about." I admitted, trying to get Cheryl off my case.

"Yes, you do. You know exactly what we want to know." She spoke.

"Actually, I don't know why we're here?" Veronica admitted, and the rest seemed to nod in agreement.

"We're here for the truth." Cheryl told her, looking towards me.

Betty turned to her and her face melted into a look of realisation.

"I get it. You haven't been honest with us about things. Why not?" She cut in, turning back to me.

"Look, you guys are the first friends I've ever had. I'm sorry if you feel I don't trust you, but I don't exactly trust anyone ok. Don't take it personal." I snapped, attempting to get them to leave.

"Then let us learn how to help you trust us." Jughead spoke quietly, but afterwards there was a silent agreement from everyone in the room.

I sighed and turned to Betty.

"What do you want to know? I can try, but I can't promise anything."

"Just the truth, that's all." Cheryl answered the question for Betty.