{B A D H A B I T S} riverdale au

{Chapter 6}

3rd person point of view
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   The weekend past and it was time to return to reality. Jughead's alarm went off at 5:45, just like it did every morning since the kids moved into the cramped closet. He shook his sisters curled up form and she sat up.
   "I'm awake." She murmured. She looked so tired. He was at a loss for what to do. Emma got up and grabbed her bag and walked to the girls locker room. She showered and got dressed for the day. She combed through her damp hair and went to do her makeup when a knock on the door startled her. She grabbed her bag and opened the door, looking between her brother and Archie.
   "He knows, Em." Jughead said. Emma visibly deflated and sighed. The twins showed Archie the closet they had been sleeping in.
   "How long?" Archie asked. Emma looked down at her feet and then up at her brother.
   "Since the drive-in closed. That's where we were staying before." Jughead said.
   "Why the hell aren't yous living at home?" Archie asked.
   "The truth is, things aren't good at home." Jughead said.
   "With your dad?" Archie asked.
   "Yeah." Emma said softly.
   "He kinda fell off the wagon. After your dad fired him, to tell you the truth. Hasn't had a job since. He keeps promising that he's gonna get his act together, but my mom couldn't take that rollercoaster anymore, so she grabbed Jellybean and went to live with our grandparents." Jughead said. The bell rang and Emma nudged her brother.
   "Come on." She said. Jughead switched the light off and locked the door.
   "God, why didn't you tell me? And where does your dad think you two are?" Archie asked.
   "He thinks we're couch-surfing." Jughead said.
   "Well, screw that. Live with me." Archie said.
   "This is just temporary. I'm going to figure something out." Jughead said.
   "He always does." Emma added.
   "Just don't tell anyone, especially not Betty." Jughead said. Emma's brows furrowed.
   "Betty? She's not gonna care. If anyone's gonna be a snob about it, maybe Veronica." Archie scoffed.
   "Right, well, exactly." Jughead said.
   "Don't tell her, either." Emma said, before walking to class.
 
   When Emma's free period rolled around, Emma met with Ella and the girls walked to the bleachers. Ella could sense that Emma was tense. And she was. She was scared about the fact that Archie found out.
   "Em, what's going on?" Ella asked. Emma shook her head and sighed.
   "I'm just having a hard day." Emma said softly.
   "Wanna talk about it?" Ella asked, gently touching Emma's arm. Emma's eyes watered and she whimpered softly.
   "You can't tell Kurtz." Emma said. Ella worried for her best friend.
   "Tell me what's wrong." Ella pleaded.
   "I've been lying. I-I don't have a place to stay, my brother and I have been living in the school. A-And one of my brothers f-found out." Emma said, barely keeping it together.
   "Emma. Why didn't you tell me?" Ella asked. Emma shrugged.
   "I didn't wanna shove my problems on everyone else." Emma said just before the bell rang.
   "I have to go." Emma murmured. Emma walked quickly through the halls, head down. This was going to be a long day.
   After cheer practice, Emma got a text from Kurtz. Telling her he was at the school to pick her up. She replied, letting him know she'd be out in a minute. She changed into her Pops uniform and ran out to his car.
   She glanced at him and instantly became worried. He looked angry.
   "Hey, are you okay?" She asked softly. He sighed and turned the car off.
   "Why didn't you tell me?" He asked. The color in her face drained away and her heart sank.
   "W-What do you mean?" She asked. He scoffed and looked at her.
   "That you've been lying. Where have I been dropping you off the past two weeks? Huh?" He asked. Her eyes filled with tears and she looked down at her lap.
   "I-I'm sorry." She whispered. Her hands shook as she wiped her eyes.
   "I-I didn't want you to worry a-and-
She cut herself off and cried softly.
   "I-It was under control." She cried softly. Kurtz got out of the car and walked over to Emma's side. He opened her door and pulled her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his shoulder.
   "Don't be mad at Ella for telling me, she's only worried. Just like I am." He whispered. She hummed softly and tightened her arms around him.
   "M'sorry." She whispered. He hushed her and kissed her temple.
   "It's okay, sunshine." He cooed. She whimpered and sighed as he slowly settled her back on her feet.
   "Let me drive you to work." He said. She nodded shyly and climbed back into his car.
   He drove her to Pops and walked her in. She clocked in and smiled at Pop.
   "Do you wanna stay? I can make you something." Emma said, wiping the counter down.
   "Just a coffee, sunshine." He said. She nodded and smiled softly. She brought him his coffee and he handed her a twenty dollar bill. She went to hand him his change but he shook his head.
   "Keep it." He said. Her eyes widened and she shook her head.
   "Kurtz, this is a lot." Emma said. He nodded and smiled.
   "Keep it." He whispered. She sighed and slid it into her pocket.
   "Thank you." She said softly. He only wanted to take care of her.
   He sat at Pops for almost two hours. He did some school work, scrolled through his phone. He watched Emma work. She seemed to light up the room.
   Around six, Kurtz got a call that Malachai had called a Ghoulie meeting. He caught Emma's arm and tugged her closer.
   "Hey, I've gotta go. But I'll come pick you up later. Eight thirty, right?" He asked. She nodded and smiled, standing on her toes and kissing his cheek softly.
   "See you later." She said softly. He left and drove off. During Emma's break she got a text from her brother. Saying that he went to see their dad. She also had a text from Ella, saying that she should stay with her for the night.
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