Helpline ((Jughead Jones)) 2

22

Used to be, in ye olden days, every December, a lord of misrule presided over the winter holidays, called, back then, the Feast of Fools.

Jughead and I sat together in Pop's. We were both on laptops. Jug writing is novel, and I looking over the latest article of the Red and Black about difference in career prospects between the North and South. Purely from the knowledge that Jughead Jones wrote it,anyone would be able to tell that it was compelling and perspective.

Archie nodded at Jughead and I got up, taking my laptop with me under one arm and moved towards the tree. I didn't know if the Jones' got a tree, but at Thornhill, it was my highlight of the year. I didn't celebrate Christmas too much last year, simply staying in my room. When Jay-Jay had been alive, he would always let me put the star on the top. As young children, it was like a production. I was the director and then Cheryl and Jason were my actors. They did the hard work while I instructed how I wanted things to be. Finally, I would be able to put the finishing touch, and we would stand back and marvel at the finished creation.

Moving my hand over the branches, I could feel the scent of pine coating my fingertips. That was the true smell of Christmas. Many loved the presents. Some delusional ones preferred the office secret santa. That was the worse part for me. Cheryl demanded we do one three years ago, and I pulled out my mother's name. I opted for a velvet journal that cost far more than it was worth. It was still on the coffee table, never moved by Thanksgiving the following year. But maybe this year would be different.

So, Christmas was happening. Even though this years Lord of Misrule was none other than the Black Hood.

After a brief argument with his dad, Jughead grabbed my hand and went to school. Ever since his dad was roped in by Serpent bitch, their relationship had been anything but loving. It was obvious that it wouldn't be long until Jughead did something radical.

We arrived in the student lounge to see the Northsiders all sat around with presents on the table. Jughead and I stood brooding at the back, with our arms around each other. Kevin, of course, made us come to the present giving of the Secret Santa. The more time I spent in the Southside, I felt more and more that I didn't belong in the Northside. I never fit in with the Blossoms, but I did fit in with the Serpents.

The real surprise was when Moose came in with a walking stick, his arm around Midge. After what they went through, I expected 24 hour police protection, but this was Riverdale, and they probably had 'better things to do'.

When Jughead moved to talk to the two arrivals, I pulled out my phone.

'Now you're in the Northside, stay in the Northside! -BH'

My breathing started to increase. I couldn't tell Jughead. He'd tell me to stay here, and I couldn't do that. My family didn't want me, and I wasn't close enough with any of the others anymore to stay with them. All of my friends were on the Southside.

"Excuse me." I said, pushing past Jughead and the other students, running down the halls to Jughead calling my name behind me.

I stayed at Pop's all day. I didn't order anything, I didn't speak to anyone. I just sat. It wasn't until Toni texted me saying that the Serpents were meeting because Jughead called them, that I moved from my seat. I had been looking out of the window. Every sound of the bell pulled my gaze to see who was entering, to ensure it wasn't him.

When I arrived, I stood next to Toni, leaning against her bike.

"Penny Peabody has my dad dealing drugs. I know this, 'cause she had me doing it before him. Now, she's roped in Tall Boy and Sweet Pea." Jughead explained. Sweet Pea began to say something back, earning a 'shut it Pea' from myself.