bitter heart - a jeronica fanfic

part six

I parked my motorcycle swiftly, used to the motion by now. I rode it all the time, and was fairly certain I could maneuver through Riverdale on it with my eyes closed. I clipped off my helmet, hanging it on the handlebar, before making my way down to the dock by sweet water river.

I saw the group almost instantly, and raised my hand to wave, to get their attention. I didn't need to, apparently, because Betty instantly saw me and called out my name.

"Juggie!" she exclaimed, and I cringed at the old nickname.

I reached the group fairly quickly- they weren't that far away from the road. Everyone was already in their bathing suits, except for Cheryl, who's arms were crossed and lips were formed into a pout. Toni was standing next to her, seemingly coaxing her to go into the water, or at least take off her shirt so she was in her bathing suit.

I rolled my eyes. Typical Cheryl. Always needing attention to do absolutely anything.

"Hey Jug!" Archie said, giving me a bro hug as I approached the group. I saw Toni glance at me out of the corner of my eye, but she quickly looked away. Cheryl didn't even bother turning in my direction.

"Hey Arch. Ready to go swimming?" I ask, playfully punching his arm. He grinned and shoved me back, making me lose my balance, and fall into the river.

I only had time for a short gasp of surprise before I plunged under the surface of the murky water, and I quickly came up for air, coughing and laughing.

When I came up everyone was laughing hysterically, even Cheryl couldn't suppress a giggle.

"I'll get you for that, Andrews!" I yelled, grabbing Archie's foot and dragging him into the water with me. He let out a yelp of surprise, and I laughed, trying and failing to turn my head away from the splash he created as his body hit the water.

He came up laughing, wiping water out of his eyes, and as he came up three more splashes erupted from the water. I glanced over and as people resurfaced, I saw the splashes were made by Reggie, Betty, and Toni. They were all grinning wildly as if they were children, and we all turned to the last dry member of the group.

"C'mon Cheryl! It'll be fun!" Toni encourages, and Cheryl tilted her head, as if she was deciding. She was in her bathing suit now, but her arms were still crossed, and she was cringing away from the water.

Suddenly her pout formed into a grin, and she screamed "CANNONBALL!" as she leaped into the water, her arms wrapped around her knees, pulling them close to her chest.

She created the biggest splash of all, and I laughed as I tried desperately to swim away from the waves she had created.

When she came up for air she was smiling like I'd never seen before, and Toni swam over to her, wrapping her arms around her neck, mirroring her smile.

They kissed and I was instantly reminded of Veronica, about the summer days we had spent at sweet water river, swimming the days away one by one.

*flashback*

"Come on, Jug! It's not that cold!" Veronica called to me from the water, and I shook my head, remaining on the dock. I was sitting down and my toes were in the water, but that's about as close to swimming I was willing to get today.

"No thanks, I'm good. I'll just watch you," I say weakly, and she rolls her eyes.

"Come on, don't be a baby!" she teases, and I grin at her attempt to embarrass me into the water.

"The only baby I am is your baby, V," I say, and she scoffs as I continue to grin.

"That is WAY too cheesy for you, you should come in just to make up for that!" she giggles, and I smile at her.

"I'm good!" I say matter-of-factly, in the exact tone I know bothers her so much.

"Hey! You know I hate that cocky ass tone," she exclaims, climbing out of the water and sitting next to me on the dock, punching me playfully as soon as she finds a good spot to sit.

I shrug casually, my face completely relaxed, and she shakes her head at me laughing.

"You asked for it Jones," she says, and I tilt my head at her, confused.

"Asked for wha-" and then I'm tumbling into the water, crying out as the cold liquid hits my back. I hear Veronica's laugh even under the water, but it's muffled, and when I come up for air I can hear it crystal clear, echoing into the sky.

"You little-" I begin to say, but she leaps into the water, landing a mere three inches away from me. I cover my face with my hand to block the spraying water from going into my eyes, but the attempt fails miserably.

I hear Veronica's laugh again, and I smile when I see her, water dripping down her face when she resurfaces.

She swims towards me, wrapping her arms around my neck, smiling softly at me. In this moment she looks like an absolute angel, with the sun behind her like a spotlight and her eyes sparkling like diamonds.

I pull her lips against mine, wrapping my arms around her waist, bringing her closer to me. She smiles as she pulls away, and waits a moment, before splashing me quickly with water.

"Catch me if you can!" she squeals, swimming away from me as fast as she can, while keeping eye contact with me.

I shake my head and grin as I begin to chase after her, taking in the sound of her laughter and the smell of the forest surrounding us with a broad smile remaining on my face

*flashback over*

I shook my head, trying to get the memory to stop replaying in my head, but it was no use. There was no use trying to forget everything Veronica had done for me, no way to forget how she made me feel.

The only thing I could do for her now was to finally discover what really happened to her that night in the woods- I owed it to her to bring her killer to justice.

No more distractions.

No more fun and games.

—
Sorry for the wait guys, I was really uninspired for a bit but I'm back!!