OLD FRIENDS - Jeronica

*Part 17*

Jughead
As another day passes I can't help but feel nervous. Tomorrow Veronica is gonna give me back my book meaning she's read it all. I sigh. This gives me just another reason to dread monday. The clock reads 6am but I know there is no way I'm going back to sleep with these nerves.

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Veronica
As I reach my apartment from my morning jog I receive a call from Cheryl.

"Hey girl" I say as soon as I pick up the phone.
"Ronnie" she screams back "haven't talked to you in ages"
"Too long" I say back
"However Toni And I Are coming over next week and you totally have to show us around."
"That's in two days"
"Is that a problem?"
"I have work Cheryl"
"Take a week off because you are doing this"
"Fine"
"Also I have some news. We didn't tell you this but jugheads been living in New York for the past month."
"Really" I say, sarcasm dripping from my words
"Yeah I- wait you already know"
"He might be living in the apartment next to mine"
"Sounds like fate to me. Anyway I have to go tt is calling also Betty and Archie are coming, bye"
And with that she hangs up before I can even get another word in.

                                 From jug
Jug
Did you hear about everyone
visiting New York

Ronnie
Yep

Jug
Have fun showing them around

Ronnie
Nice try. You know I won't be able to survive Cheryl's hbic attitude without you.

Jug
Just go back to old bitchy
Veronica. Then you'll survive.

Ronnie
Maybe I will without you to  keep me sane.

Jug
Whatever. I'm coming

Ronnie
Thankyou <3

As i turn off my phone a pleasant thought runs through my head. If I take next week off I won't have to read any of jugs book next week. That doesn't sound like procrastination, I think it sounds like a well deserved break after a months work.

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2 days later

Jughead
I sink into Ronnie's couch chair as she paces around the living room.
"Calm down they're your friends" I say slowly but she doesn't stay still
"I can't stay calm, it's been years since I saw them"
"But you still talk all the time" I say logically
"I guess" she says as she listens to my reasoning
"Look at me" I say, standing up as she turns around.
"It's gonna be alright" i say as she stares up at me and she nods pulling me into a hug. It doesn't last long however as a knock on her door soon rings out.

As Ronnie opens the door the room immediately fills with people. Toni, Cheryl, Betty and Archie, all carrying large suitcases.
"Omg look at the baby bump" Ronnie says as she runs up to touch bettys belly. Betty smiles back as all the other girls huddle around Veronica to catch up. Archie however moves towards me.
"How have you been" he says as he pulls me into a side hug.
"Good, you?"
"Good. Fancy running into Ronnie in this big city" he says
"Yep, she's actually my publisher" I chuckle out nervously and Archie gives me a shocked and sympathetic look. "Has she read the.."
"Not those parts" I say before following it up saying "yet."

Veronica
We spent the first day catching up before they all moved off to their rooms in the same apartment building as jug and I. However, we spent the next two days doing all the sightseeing and tourist activities. With three days down we lounged around by the apartments pool for the fourth.
"Remember when ronnie dated Reggie for a bit" Betty laughs out. We had all been laughing about old memories for the past hour when suddenly I felt like getting a drink. "Who's up for mimosas" I say causing a cheer to come from my friends.
"Jug care to help me" I say as I lift him up by the arm
"No way I'm useless in the kitchen" he argues back jokingly
"Well then I'll have to carry you there" I say as I tug at his arm before he swoops me into his arms bridal style.
"Not if I carry you first"
He twirls me around for a while as I playfully hit his back before he finally let's go of me. We laugh as we look at each other completely forgetting about our audience.
"You guys are like an old married couple" Cheryl says, clearly in the mood for chaos.
"We're gonna get the drinks" I say as Jug and I walk off, completely ignoring Cheryl's comment.

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In a matter of minutes we stroll back to the poolside with a tray of alcoholic drinks and one non-alcoholic for betty. "Time to get wasted" I call out jokingly as I pass out the drinks.

"So any interesting stuff happening in New York" Toni asks
"Are you kidding I want to hear about Riverdale" I respond
"No way, we did not come all the way here to talk about boring riverdale" Cheryl says.
"Well Ronnies been taking me on lots of dates recently" Jug says earning weird looks from everyone. Jug quickly realises what they're thinking and adds on. "Dates with her friends"
"Are you insane ronnie" Cheryl says, a smirk playing on her lips "How could you let this hottie get away willingly and an ex too."
"Hot?" Toni questions causing everyone to laugh
"Not nearly as hot as you though babe" Cheryl replies as she lands a kiss on Tonis lips.
"I would hardly call them exs" Betty buts in to save me, "just a small kiss, extremely innocent, means nothing" she says which is a bit over the top. "We should play spin the bottle" she adds quickly which is definitely not like her.
"Hormones" Archie sighs out gaining a huge laugh from the group.

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As the fourth day came to an end I was left in my lounge talking to cheryl.
"So you are totally over jughead" she asks out of nowhere
"Way to be subtle" I say
"Who cares, answer the question" she says sternly
"Yes" I say unsure
"Really?"
"Ugh" I sigh "There was a point where I loved him and I never stopped necessarily but that doesn't mean I am gonna be with him it just means.... we care for each other and want what's best and I know he needs someone who loves him.... in a way I never will be able to so I'm helping him find that person. Is that good enough for your inquiring mind" I ask and Cheryl just nods her face now serious.
"I have to go get dressed, I'm going to the bar sneakers"
"Can I come?" she asks and I didn't really think she would wanna.
"Sure but jugs coming too"
"Why?" she asks
"His date" I say as I stroll off into my bedroom.
As I look through my closet I pull out a black velvet mini dress. I can't have cheryl looking hotter than me now can I.

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Jughead
"Wow" I say as I look at Cheryl and Ronnie step out their uber into the cold night.
"Why aren't you inside" Ronnie says as she runs up to me in her heels
"Why aren't you wearing a jacket?" I ask because there is literal snow outside.
"Boys" cheryl sighs at Veronica  as she strolls into the bar us following behind.
"There's Stacy over there, go"
Ronnie practically pushes me in her direction.

"Hey" I say casually as I take the seat next to the girl. I don't want to impress her I'm just here for Ronnie.
"Hi"she says with a peppy smile.

An hour goes by and I haven't said a word, thank god this girl is chatty. She seems unfazed by my attitude which is also a relief. Another couple minutes go by when I tune into the conversation to here this.
"You love her" she sighs
"Who?" I say, genuinely confused
"Ronnie" she says obviously
"You know your the second person who's said that" I say as I lean in, a smirk playing on my face.
"Cos it's obvious" she states
"Well I don't love her. I mean I do but not in that way" I say leaning back
"I don't know, You sound unsure" she says skeptically
"Well I mean I did, a couple years ago, but she left and I only ran into her a month ago"
"Feelings don't fade that easy" she says accusingly
"Feelings are stupid" I sigh out
"You sound like someone who's running away from them" she says as she tilts her head at me.
"Running away from my feelings? For who? Veronica?" I ask
"For sure" she says
"Look I always told myself if I saw her again I wouldn't let her get away again but things have changed. I've changed. She's changed" I say in an attempt to get this girl off my back.
"Your scared" she says
"I am not" I say as I playfully hit her shoulder

Veronica 
I look behind Cheryl as she talks about her summer with Toni to  see Jug hitting it off with his date, laughing and flirtatiously punching her arm. My chest suddenly feels tight which makes no sense. This is what I wanted. My breathing quickens and all of sudden this room is very cramped. "Um sorry to interrupt, but I'm gonna head home" I say to cheryl quickly, panic clearly in my voice.
"But you said you always wait for jugheads dates to end" she says confused.
"Well um I have work to do" I lied.
"Okay?" Cheryl says as I push past her and through crowds of people. As I'm about to make it out the door I lock eyes with Jughead but I quickly advert my eyes and rush out to find an uber.

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A/N
Finally got out of my writers block and am excited for the upcoming chapters.