Witch | Veronica Lodge

15 | sorry isn't good enough

fifteen
sorry isn't good enough.

"ARCHIE, WHAT THE hell?" Josie exclaims angrily a few days later in the school library. Polly had ended up moving in with the Blossom's, and they have basically been brainwashing her since. And just as Josie thought things couldn't get any worse, Cheryl bragged to her about how Archie went to the Blossom's first maple tree tapping of the year as her date. Archie is dating Valerie, so it surprised Josie when Cheryl told her this. Betty had then told her that Cheryl has been getting him all kinds of extravagant gifts and that Penelope is trying to get Archie into a music program. The Blossom's have also talked about investing in Fred's construction company. "I've heard all about what's been going on with you Cheryl. She bought you a new suit and a new guitar. It sounds like they're trying to bribe you."

"For one night," Archie clarifies, only making Josie roll her eyes. "If it helps my dad and gets me into that music program-"

"What happened to working hard to get what you want?" Josie questions, knowing exactly how the Blossom's can be. They spoil you until they tire of you. And then you're left to pick your life back up.

"All the Blossoms are doing is opening a door for me," Archie defends them, completely shocking Josie. He sounds delusional right now. The boy she knows would never allow himself to be bought, but that's exactly what's happening right now. "What would you do if you were in my shoes?"

Josie heaves a sigh, unable to tell him that she'd been in his shoes once. She had once been Cheryl's toy, but the only people that know about that are her, Cheryl, and Penelope. And she knows she can't tell him about her and Cheryl's past, so she simply shakes her head at him. "I would tell the Blossom's to shove it. Look, Archie, my mom knows all kinds of people. She could help you get into another music program with no strings attached. So come find me when you get your head out of your ass."

"Josi-" Archie begins, but Josie turns on her heel and marches away from him. All she wants to do is protect her friends, but sometimes they make it ridiculously hard.

"I don't wanna be around you right now, Archie," Josie calls over her shoulder, not even bothering to look back at him. She storms out of the library without another word, and when she does so, she sees Veronica, looking as though she's about to burst into tears. "Ronnie-"

She trails off as Veronica rushes past her, hurrying to the bathroom where she can cry by herself. But Josie follows her, and watches as Veronica begins crying. The Lodge girl then tugs at her pearl necklace harshly, letting the tiny beads fall to the ground as she collapses onto the bench. Josie heaves a sigh, not wanting to push Veronica, so she silently wraps her arms around the girl, rubbing soothing circles on Veronica's back.

Once Veronica gathers her bearings, she explains everything to Josie-how she had befriended Ethel Muggs the other day, later figuring out how her parents stole money from the Muggs family and it led Ethel's father to trying to commit suicide. Josie listens to Veronica explain everything quietly, and once Veronica finishes, Josie points out the fact that it's not her fault that her parents are bad people.

Afterwards, the duo head to the hospital to comfort Ethel. They buy a bouquet a flowers in the lobby before heading up to find Ethel and her mother looking fearful.

"Josie. Veronica, hey," Ethel greets, holding tightly onto her mother's hand. "Mom, these are my friends. This is Josie and this is Veronica."

"Mrs.Muggs, Ethel, we heard what happened, and we wanted to leave these flowers with you," Veronica explains, holding out the bouquet. Josie had never seen Veronica like this, so vulnerable. And she doesn't like it. She wants to make Veronica feel better, to fix all of her problems.

"That's very kind," Mrs.Muggs whispers, her voice barely audible. "Thank you."

"Please don't thank me," Veronica insists, confusing both of them. Josie's eyes widen, knowing exactly what Veronica's about to do. She squeezes Veronica's hand comfortingly, but she stays silent. "There's something I need to tell you both... My name is Veronica Lodge. My father is-"

"Hiram Lodge," Mrs.Muggs cuts Veronica off, realization crossing her face. She grits her teeth, and Josie knows it's taking everything in her to hold it together. "And you're showing your face here?"

"Mom, she's my friend," Ethel states, confused by her mother's reaction. Josie takes a deep breath, knowing she might have to intervene.

"She's not your friend, honey," Mrs.Muggs counters, anger boiling in her veins. "Her father is a criminal. He's the reason Dad did this to himself."

"Ronnie?" Ethel whispers, disbelief crossing her face. "Is that true?"

"Yes," Veronica whispers, feeling tears well in her eyes. Josie bites her tongue to keep from defending Veronica, knowing she can't control what her parents do. "And I am so sorry. I wish I could do something."

"'Sorry' isn't good enough," Mrs.Muggs huffs, narrowing her eyes at the younger girl. "You want to do something? Tell the truth. Your father is ruining lives. He deserves to sit behind bars for the rest of his miserable life."

She then walks away from them, her daughter trailing behind her somberly. Josie hugs Veronica tightly before handing her the keys to her car. "I'll be there in a second. I just have to use to the bathroom."

The lie escapes her lips so easily, because she's been used to lying for a long time now. She hates that she's gotten so skilled at it, but in this case, this particular skill is a good thing. Veronica nods silently, not questioning it as she heads to Josie's car. Josie bites her lip as she turns on her heel and heads in the direction of the hospital's communal bathrooms. But she doesn't go in, she rounds a corner and heads to Mr.Muggs' room.

Upon seeing that there isn't anybody in sight, Josie slips into the room stealthily, closing the door shut quietly behind her. She stares at Mr.Muggs sadly, finding that he looks like an older male version of his daughter. He has the same curly red hair and light blue eyes. The same freckles that cover Ethel's nose also cover his. Their resemblance is uncanny.

He's asleep, but he looks like hell. He has dark circles under his eyes, and he looks as pale as a ghost.

She slips her power dampening bracelet off, but the Scratch girl's eyes widen once she sees a knife next to a nearly empty plate of mac and cheese. She picks it up, walks over to the bed, and drags the blade across her wrist harshly. She lets out a shaky breath, used to the pain from slicing herself to do a spell.

She then takes the older man's hand gently, hoping he won't wake up. And to her luck, he doesn't move an inch as she begins the healing spell. "My Dark Lord, we are one now, cease the pain and make there none. My Dark Lord, we are one now, cease the pain and make there none. My Dark Lord, we are one now, cease the pain and make there none."

Once she's done, she's glad to see some of the color return to his face. She then takes a wet wipe and runs it across the man's hand, covering any trace of her blood. She tucks her hand into her jacket to hide the mark before she hurries out of the room, knowing it'll just be a matter of time before Mr.Muggs is better.

UNEDITED