Underneath ¤ Jughead Jones [2]

nine

CHAPTER NINE, TRIAL AND ERROR

"It's not exactly downsizing, is it?" Jughead mumbled.

Lauren hummed in agreement, briefly looking around, hand intertwined with the beanie boy's, Betty seemed like she was third wheeling, however she had accepted the relationship the two had a long time ago, she had moved on as well so she didn't feel awkward or hurt. She nodded in agreement to the couple, the trio making their way to the steps of the entrance.

Betty rang the doorbell, wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans. Cheryl opened the door, her red lipstick on as she smiled at Lauren, glancing at Jughead for a greeting. "Hobo, Bride of hobo slash bestie, ex of hobo."

Lauren cringed as Cheryl introduced her boyfriend and his ex, she gave the two of them a sheepish look. Cheryl continued, "Welcome to Thistlehouse. Mother's in the conservatory. Follow me."

Lauren stepped in first, followed by Jughead's who's nervous grasp was tightening, Betty walking behind the two. Cheryl led the three to the Dining Room where Penelope Blossom was seated, her bandages from the burns were still on just like Lauren's sling. Lauren being awkward, stayed silent when Betty and Jughead spoke.

"Thank you for sitting with us." Betty spoke up with a tight smile.

"Of course, Betty, you're family after all. And Lauren is my guardian angel, anything for you guys." Cheryl smiled, pouring tea from the kettle.

"Okay," Jughead started, glancing at Lauren who tried to nod encouragingly. "The reason we're here..."

Betty continued for him, realizing that Jughead couldn't. "F.P's lawyer that if the victim's family show mercy..."

"Mercy." Penelope stiffly stated, her dead eyes looking straight at Lauren who wasn't even speaking, then shifting her gaze to Jughead. "That's why you're here?"

"Well, it's an appeal for leniency from you... to reduce my dad's sentence." Jughead slowly added.

"Where was your father's mercy when I spent those nights walking Thornhill in agony, obsessing over what happened to J.J, imagining the worst? Where was it when I slept under the same roof as a killer night after night?" Cheryl angrily questioned.

Lauren finally decided to speak up, connecting with Cheryl's words. "And Cheryl, Jughead helped find out who the killer is, of it weren't for us, you and your mother would still be living with a monstrous murderer who was the reason Jason left you. I know what it's like, trust me, I do, when I found my father's body, but you can help so that he doesn't need to feel like he's losing his father when he's alive."

For a minute everyone noticed Cheryl feel the empathy, her eyes drooped and her anger came down, she glanced her mother who was glaring at Lauren. "What would you know? You don't know our pain. If it were up to me I'd watch FP fry in an electric chair."

Jughead was fuming, not only was he mad about the insult to his girlfriend but his father as well, he desperately wanted to explode on them, kill them with words but he refrained. Cheryl, got angry again, letting the empathy she felt was away. "We need this sordid chapter closed forever and FP is the last loose end to tie up. I will not have a living, breathing reminder of the darkest chapter of my life walking the streets of Riverdale."

The boy stormed out, not knowing how to react to the news. Betty and Lauren had followed him out, catching up and walking beside him. Jughead sighed, his pace not slowing down. "What do we do now that Cheryl has gone full poison ivy? Blackmail, extortion, I would if they weren't an orphan and a widow."

"You're better than that, okay?" Lauren added, giving him a sad smile.

****

It was a miracle that suddenly Cheryl had agreed to publicly forgive FP for his crimes, Lauren wasn't as oblivious as the others who either were dumb and didn't realize someone had bribed her or were ignoring it. She knew it was Betty who blackmailed Cheryl and though she knew the blonde was over her boyfriend, was aware the girl only did it because of how close herself and Jughead are, which Lauren understood fully. It did shock her however that Betty could go so dark since she always seemed to be the nice, good girl.

So while Veronica, Kevin and other volunteers worked on the Chock'lit shoppe for retro night, something the girls had planned together while Betty, Jughead, Lauren and Maya were at the court. Lauren and Jughead were sitting behind FP and the lawyer while Cheryl stood at the stand, looking sightly tense under Betty's intense gaze.

"Your Honor, I speak for myself and my mother when I say we forgive FP Jones for the part he played in covering up my brother's murder. And we humbly ask the court for leniency. FP's guilt has been blown out of proportion to satiate what my father's suicide denied us. Closure." Cheryl spoke clearly and suddenly Lauren felt bad for her, she knew how hard it would be to forgive someone who played a part in her father's murder.

The Judge sat up straight, his ears perking up in interest. "As much as I sympathize, I can't ignore the quality of Mr.Jones' crimes. There were no extenuating circumstances."

Cheryl, baffled, glanced at Betty who gave her a harsh stare, the girl, thinking quickly spoke up again. "My father threatened him. I overheard them talking in Daddy's study. Daddy said he'd hurt Jughead if FP didn't comply. Is that extenuating enough?"

Everyone in the courtroom perked up, whispering among each other. Jughead, sat up, grabbing a hold of Lauren's arm in hope and eagerness. FP didn't want to smile yet, confused he looked at his lawyer as the Judge looked at the people. "In light of these revelations, I suggest that we take a step back and reevaluate certain aspects of the case. At which time, we will revisit sentencing. Adjourned."

Everyone stood up in confusion, more so gossiping about the revelation than the happiness the group was feeling. Betty and Lauren embraced, hugging each other tightly, Lauren whispering in Betty's ear. "Thank you."

For a minute Betty was confused, until she saw Lauren's knowing smile.

FP and Jughead embraced, the latter was then taken away quickly. Jughead engulfs his girlfriend just as tight, the boy closed his eyes, breathing in deeply, like a weight had been llifted off his shoulders.

****

This is the first chapter in this book that has continuously followed the show and I know this is really short but I wanted to update a little something since Idk when I will next, I have my first term exams starting on Monday and I'm just preparing for them.

I'll try to update something soon but if I don't, above is the reason lol. Anyway hope you guys liked this chapter, let me know what you think by commenting :)

Also, Hailee Steinfeld slays my existence, like wow, she exists and she's beautiful.