Emily Keller-A Jughead love story (Book two) *Discontinued*

Eighteen

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.

Archie's POV
" What do you say, Pop? Is it okay?" I asked him holding a tree up for in his shop
" The best tree yet. Thanks, Archie, thanks, Fred." He responded
" Oh, no. Thank you, Pop, for letting us set up shop right in front of your diner." My dad said
" You guys gonna stay in town for break?" He asked
" Yeah. We were gonna visit my mom, but she booked a single's cruise so" I said and he nodded before walking off. I went back outside and Jughead came up to me
" Hey" I said
" Hey. How are you and Veronica?" He asked me
"We've been better." I said sadly
" If it's any consolation, Emily and I aren't in the greatest of places, either." He said
" Jughead, you want a Christmas tree, you and your dad? On the house." My dad said walking over to us
" It'll have to be a small one, Mr. A." Jug said and he smiled walking off
" So, I'll see you at Kevin's Secret Santa thing?" I asked him
" Yeah. Because that sounds like a great idea." He said before he left

So Christmas was happening, even though this year's Lord of Misrule was none other than the Black Hood.

Emily's POV
" Kevin's Secret Santa had a strict $20 limit, V." Betty said to her as she had all her presents laid out on the table
" Kevin needs to relax. Also, these aren't just for Secret Santa, obvi. I got an Hermes scarf for my mom, a leather passport case for my dad, now that he can travel again, and a little something for my best girls. And a bauble for Archie." She said
" Because you're getting back together?" I asked
" Because it was purchased pre-breakup. And haven't you heard? We're still friends." She said
" Oh, yeah. Isn't everyone?" I asked sarcastically

Jughead's POV
" I was thinking about our Penny problem." I said to my dad
" My problem, not ours." He cut me off
" Well, I am the one she has on camera delivering drugs." I said
" How I deal with Peabody is not your concern.
I'm handling it." He said sternly
" By pimping the Serpents out as drug runners?" I asked
" Boy! Toss them in the corner." He said to Tall boy who walked in with some large bags in his hands
" Hey, what's in the bags, Tall Boy?" I asked him
" Hey, what did I just say? Mind your damn business and get to school." My dad said ending the conversation

Emily's POV
" Veronica, it's your turn." Kevin said
" Hmm. Oh. A gift certificate for a couples' massage. Thanks, Josie." Veronica said awkwardly
" You can go with Betty, or Emily, or your mom" Josie said
" Or I can go with your mom, if you want." Reggie said and I hit the back of his head
" Oh, dear God, can we please get this torture over with?" Cheryl said
" Emily, you're next and mercifully last." Kevin said
" Well, I think I know who picked my name based on these wrapping skills. " I said looking over at Archie. I opened it to see an old book full of meaning " Archie..."
" My dad and I were cleaning out the garage and I found it." He said with a smile
" Swiss Family Robinson?" Veronica asked
" Yeah, It's this old read-a-long record we used to listen to when we were, like, five." I said with a smile " Oh, my God. I love it, Arch. Thank you." I said giving him a hug.
" Hey, Merry Christmas." I heard and looked towards the door to see Moose walk in on crutches
" Moose." Reggie said going and giving him a hug. I looked towards the door and saw Jughead leaving
" Why are you rushing off?" I asked Jughead catching up to him
" Look, Emily, I don't wanna be that guy, but I see Moose, all I think about is the Black Hood and the pain he's caused to the people I care about, including you." He said
" I know." I said
" And the fact that he's still out there is giving me anxiety nightmares, making me paranoid.
Like, everywhere I look, all I see is.." he started but stopped
" What? All you see is what?" I asked and he walked down the hallway towards a janitor
" Excuse me. Who are you?" He asked them
" You mean, my name?" They asked
" Uh, where's Mr. Svenson?" Jughead asked
" No idea. He's been out a few days, they just called me in." They answered and we walked back to Betty, Archie, and Veronica
" Arch, you and Veronica confronted Mr.
Svenson about his connection to the Black Hood. And now he's not here." Jughead said to them
" What if something happened to him?" Betty asked
" Betty, we found out Mr. Svenson's secret What if we led the Black Hood right to him? What if we got him killed?" Archie asked. Archie and I decided to got and talk to Mrs Doris in the office about it.
" Mr. Svenson? He's been out all week with a cold. Sounded terrible on the phone. So, I dropped off some chicken soup at his house a few days back." She said
" You saw him?" Archie asked
" I left it at his door. But between us, he often gets this way during the holidays. You know, depressed. No family." She said
" Thank you." I said and we left her office. Archie went to his next class and I went to the Blue and Gold office. I walked in and saw Jughead standing there
" Hey. I stayed behind because...Merry Christmas." He said handing me a small wrapped gift
" Thank you." I said taking in and setting it on the Em desk next to me
" I'm kinda sorry for how it all went down between us. The Serpents, my dad and I specifically are in a precarious place.
I just don't want you in those crosshairs." Jughead said
" That's not your decision to make, Jughead.
Even if you think it's to protect me, it's my choice, what I risk and for whom." I said upset " I know. I should go. Check on my dad." He said getting ready to leave
" Jug. I got you something, too." I said getting a big box out from under the desk and handing it to him. He smiled and left.