Dreamers

3

B POV
I was at the boxing gym. It's one of my safe places. I took off my crop top and put some wrap around my hands. I got to a punching bag and let my anger and frustration out on it. "Betty?" I hear someone say. I keep punching the bag until I feel someone touch my shoulder. "Did Toni tell you where I went?" I ask. "No. I know this is one of your safe places, plus I followed you." Fp says. "I know you're not my real father, but why do you act like it?" I ask. "Because, to me, it doesn't matter if we're not related by blood, you're still my daughter." he says. "Why did you make a deal with jughead, giving him the title of king?" I ask. "I did it a long time ago. He is 24. I knew he would be a good addition to the leaders. He was in the military. He led troops to war." he says. "Ok. I'll try to adjust to the idea. I mean, he did stand up to me, which not many people will do." I say, laughing a bit. "No. I think every serpent is afraid of you." he chuckles. "That's a good thing." I say resting my head on his shoulder. "Let's go back to the trailer." he says. I nod and take the wraps off my hands before putting my crop top back on.

We make it back to the trailer and I plop down on the couch. I see jughead sitting in the chair. "Why are you here?" I ask. "You're father told me to come here." he replies. "Well have fun chatting. I'm going to bed. Don't get to loud. I would actually like to sleep so I can go to class tomorrow." I say as I stand. "Why didn't you go to college today?" Fp asks. "Why don't you ask jughead here." I say walking to the spare bedroom. I lay on the bed and fall asleep.

FP POV
I love Betty as my own daughter, but I wish she wouldn't act all tough. She is a sweet girl, but she has a temper of a grown man. "Care to explain what she means?" I ask. "We got into an argument, which led to me to telling her about the deal. Then she ran out, without shoes, by the way." he says. I chuckle a bit. "That sounds like her. Usually when she loses her temper, she runs off before she can think. She hops on her bike and rides to one of her safe places." I say. "Where is that?" he asks. "Not my place to tell. Sometimes it's here in Riverdale, or greendale. Most of the time she just rides so far and starts to head back at dark. She worries me sometimes even though she isn't my daughter. She ran away from her home at age 13. She's originally from New York. I know her folks. I tried to take her home, but she refused to go, so I took care of her." I say. "What happened with her parents?" he asks. "They used to abuse me. It's why I am the way I am." she says from behind him. "Who are your real parents?" he asks. He looks at me and I shake my head. "It's fine dad. Alice smith is my biological mothers name. Hal smith is my biological fathers name, but Fp is the only one who has been an actual father to me. I haven't seen them since I left and I don't plan on seeing them ever again, unless it's their funerals. After everything they put me through," she laughs, "I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of telling them why I am this way, that it's their fault." she says. She walks to the kitchen and comes back with a glass. "I told you no drinking in this trailer." I say. "Then don't bring booze home or don't let me live in a bar. That's your choice." she says. "Hand it over." I say. She drinks all of it and hands me the glass. "Quit acting up." I say. "Whatever. It was just for my nerves. You know, I might as well quit college. They are just teaching me everything I already know about journalism. It's just a waste of money and my time." she says. "If you want to. I'll call tomorrow and drop you from the classes." I say. She smiles and runs to me. She hugs me tightly and kisses my cheek. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she squeals. "Alright. Alright. Now you're acting like when I found you." I chuckle. "Yea. Yea. Whatever. Good night dad. I love you." she says. "Good night Betts. Love you too." I say as she heads to the spare room. "Betts?" Jughead says. "It's a nickname she only lets her loved ones call her. There's really only me, Toni, fangs, and sweet pea who call her that. Anyone else calls her that, they're lucky she didn't break their nose." I laugh. "Yea. That sounds like Betty. Good night, mr. Cooper." he says. "It's Fp." I say. "Ok." he says and leaves.

B POV
I woke up in the spare room in fp's trailer. "Dad?" I say. "Yea Betts?" he asks. "Just wondering if you were still here." I say. I walk into the kitchen and start breakfast. "Good morning." he says. "Good morning!" I say with a smile. "You're in a good mood today." he says caustically. "That's because I don't have anymore classes. Thank god!" I say. "I still have to make the call, but you are free from school." he says. "I'm gonna go to the boxing gym today." I say. "Do you want someone to go with you?" he asks. "No. I'll be fine on my own. I'll go by the bar just to check in then head to the gym." I say. We eat and I go change into some shorts and a sports bra. "I'll see you later." I say, kissing his cheek. "Are you gonna crash here tonight?" he asks. "I'm gonna stay at my place." I say and he nods.

I check on the bar and talk to Toni. "Hey. I'm not gonna be here today." I say. "Where are you going?" she asks. "I'm going to one of my safe places. Just to work some things out. I told someone about my past and it brought up some bad memories, but I am free of school, so I'm gonna celebrate by going to my place." I say. "Be careful. Please." she says. "Ok. By the way, do you know when JB is coming back?" I ask. "I heard my name." I hear and turn to see her. "JB!" I yell. We hug tightly. "Hey. I heard you became queen and came to congratulate you. Hey sis." she says. "Hey. Have you talked to Jug? He's worried about you." Toni says. "How about us three go to my safe place? Yes I know, I'm compromising my safe place, but I want both of you to go." I say. We hop on the bikes and head to the boxing gym