Take Me to The Races

Prologue

Beginning of summer 2017 (Pre-Season 1)

I let out a bored sigh, as I refill the salt and pepper shakers. I took a summer job to make some money, but I couldn't make a decent amount without tips. Seeing the empty restaurant, I was starting to wonder if this job was even going to be worth it.

"Don't worry, the day shift will be different." Pops seems to read my thoughts as he cleans the grill.

"I hope so." I went around the counter to put the shakers back on the tables. I was wiping down a table when I was blinded by the headlights of a car that was shining through the window. I shut my eyes and only open them when the headlights turn off. A group of boys all clad in black jackets that had silver spikes and studs all over them came out of a red old fashion car.

"Damn Ghoulies." Pop groans from behind the counter.

"Are they going to be a problem? Should I call Archie?" My brother who was older than me by a year told me multiple times to call if I needed help when he found out I was going to work nights at Pops. I reach into my back pocket for my phone.

"No, there are no Serpents in here, so there shouldn't be any problems." He shook his head. The bell rang above the door as they came in and sat down in a booth.

I finish cleaning up the table before walking over to them. "What can I get you?" I kept my sight on my notepad. I want to get them out as fast as possible.

"No hello, I thought you Northsider were supposed to be raised right with manners and all that shit." A fit of mischief-filled giggles echoes around the restaurant. I snap my head up ready to throw a nasty comment his way, but my breath got caught in my throat as I was taken aback by the sight of the handsome man. He had thick black curls, a thin mustache, high cheekbones, and a smirk that made shivers run down my spine. His light brown skin seems to glow under the dim lights of Pops.

I let out the breath I was holding as I gathered myself. "Hello, what the fuck can I get you?" I snarl out. Pops let out a frustrated sigh from behind me.

The man surprises me again, by throwing his head back laughing. His friends look at him for a second before following his actions. They were quick to stop laughing when he did. "What do you normally get, Riverdale Vixen?" He licks his lips as he looks me up and down.

I scrunch up my nose at the thought of being one of Cheryl Blossom's mindless followers. "I'm no vixen and I normally get a bacon cheeseburger with fries and a cookie n cream milkshake." I narrow my eyes to let him know to never call me that again.

He looks over at his friends who nod their heads before looking back at me. "We'll get five of those orders." I raise my eyebrows seeing as there were only four of them but decide not to question it. I went to give Pops the order.

"You should be careful over there. He finds you cute now, but who knows how much more lip he'll take from you." Pops warn me, before going back into the kitchen to make their order.

A wolf whistle was thrown across the room causing me to turn around. He was now sitting by himself in the next booth over. He waved me over. I walk to stand in front of the table. "Do you need anything else?"

"I need for you to sit right there." He points to the seat across from him.

"Can't, I'm working," I whine as if it pains me to turn him down. It kind of did, it wasn't often I got a good-looking male's attention. We were a small town, but it seems like we had more than our fair share of beautiful people. It was easy to fade into the background. Which I didn't mind, I like being a wallflower. It wasn't until this moment under his passionate stare that I realized what I was missing. The excitement that fills me from the butterflies in my lower stomach, the tightness in my chest, and the blush in my cheeks. It made sense now why girls turn into drooling messes that could only bat their eyes and twirl their hair in the presence of a handsome man. At this moment there wasn't anything I wanted more than to do just that. Well, there were a few more things, but nothing appropriate or legal to do in a public place.

"It's only us in here and as one of your only customers I would say it's your responsibility to keep me company." He gave me the push I needed to slide into the seat opposite from him.

"I want you to know that I'm only sitting here because I'm a good waitress. But, if anyone else comes in I have to go help them." I told him in a manner of fact way.

"Let's get to know each other, are you single?" He chuckles as he leans back into his seat. He stretched out his legs so that his feet were on either side of mine.

"You don't even know my name." I roll my eyes.

"Yes I do, it's Abigail." He points to my name tag.

"What's your name?" I didn't think it was possible, but his smile grew larger as if he was happy that I was as curious about him as he was about me.

"My name is Malachai. Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?" He wiggles his eyebrows.

"I don't have a boyfriend or a girlfriend." I shook my head, being vague on purpose.

"And you're into?" He taps his fingers repeatedly on top of the table, waiting impatiently for my answer.

"As far as I know males," I look up at the ceiling as if I had to wonder about the answer. He let out a loud laugh.

"How old are you?" He tilts his head to the side as if he was trying to guess the answer.

"I just turned 15 and I'm going to start my freshmen year." I hoped he was around my age.

"I'm 18. Now that we got over the boring details, tell me about yourself." He leaned forward, excited to get more interesting information. The bell dings letting me know that their order is ready.

"I'll be back." I got up to grab the big tray. Pops gave me a warning look that I ignored. I gave his three friends their food. "Where is the extra burger going?" I ask.

"Over there," A guy pointed over to Malachai.

"So two meals, you must be really hungry." I put both of the plates and milkshakes in front of him.

"I'm beginning to think you're a little dense." He pushes a burger and shakes over to where I was sitting.

"You're offering me food so I'm going to ignore the insult." I slide back into the booth. We talk for the rest of my shift. I told him about how my mom left us two years ago and how it annoys me that my brother caters to her when she makes one of her rare visits. My dad has to work all the time now to support us. He told me that his dad left before he was born and his mom was an alcoholic. The Ghoulies are all he has, and how proud he is to lead them.

He was waiting outside for me as I helped close up the place. "You sure about what you're doing? I'll give you a ride home." Pops offers for the third time.

"I'll be fine." I gave him a smile of reassurance.

"Alright, goodnight," He nods grimly.

I wave to him, as I walk out the door. "Your chariot awaits, my lady." Malachai got up from leaning against the hood of the truck and opened the passenger's door. I got into the car and noticed that his friends weren't there.

"Where are your friends?" I asked as he got into the driver's seat.

"They found another way home." He starts up the car and pulls out of the parking space. The drive was filled with heavy metal and me giving directions.

He turned towards me after he parked in front of my house. "When can I see you again?" His eyes had such hot intensity, that I knew even if I didn't want to see him again he would find a way back into my life.