Like it was meant to be |Completed|

chapter 8

"hey lodge, what are you doing here? You don't belong here, u should just leave" a voice called out from the crowd of students present in cafeteria.

Veronica had learned to ignore all these comments. But today, it was different , she had stood up to Jughead, to her mom and now? She must defend her honour in front if everyone. She got up and climbed the table and shouted "to all the people who dont want me here, its too bad, coz I'm not leaving anytime soon. I will not apologize for my father's wrongs. I have done everything in my power, that i could have done to stop him, and what did all of you do huh? You just grumbled and complained. But we here? We took action, risked our lives and sent him to jail. So no, i haven't done anything wrong to deserve all your hatred. I had made a mistake of trusting my father initially, but i corrected it as soon as i was able to. You all just need someone to bully, and since my father just went to jail, you thought i would easily break. Too bad. Coz Veronica Lodge doesn't fall apart, she knows how to tackle people"
She climbed back down and sat next to Jughead. All three of them were looking at her.
The whole cafeteria was silent.  No one had expected for Veronica to stand up for herself the way she did.

Another voice shouted"boo hoo. The apple does not fall further from the tree. Because of you-"

He was cut off by betty " enough already! Why is it so hard for all you to understand that whatever happened is hiram lodge's fault, not anyone else! You all so easily judge a person on what their father did. First Jughead, then me and now Veronica. To all those people who know V, you know what an amazing person she is!  And you also know what all she did to help us out! She gave up her legacy. She gave us back pops! And more to the point risked her life for us. What all do you need more? She never said anything! She took all your hate, but never once did anything, doesn't that prove her being different than Hiram?" She said standing up for her friend.

"B. Thank you. You're the best" Veronica grinned at her. She was feeling grateful, happy that her friends were with her. She didn't need anything else.

Betty just looked at Veronica and smiled "its about time everyone started minding their own business"

Jughead smiled and said" those people with their opinions, they don't even matter. Coz they're all talk. They are too scared to do anything, so they think they can just bully anyone. Good job, both of you"

Archie added" and those people will face our fury if they do anything Ronnie."

Veronica looked at her friends, feeling blessed to have them in her life, she never thought she would have real friends.

The bell soon rang and as they headed to class they were stopped by josie and Kevin.

"That was a nice speech" they said.

"Thanks, it was about time i stood up for myself"

"You go girl" Kevin said as he moved forward to hug one of his best friends.

"You should have done this a long time aga girl." Josie said

"Yeah, well i thought they would get over it" Veronica said while hugging kevin.

"So how was your trip?" She asked both of them

"Oh god, do you know how weird it is to see your parents so ... So....lovey dovey?" She shuddered

Kevin added"it was like they couldn't keep their hands off each other!"

They all laughed when betty concluded " well, it was their honeymoon"

"Can't believe i have a sister now" Kevin said lightly shoving josie who smiled back at him
"And i have a brother, who i have to protect!"

"Isn't it the brother's job to protect the sister?" Kevin said as he raised one eyebrow

"But you're so delicate and nice! I have to protect your innocence from this tainted world" josie replied swaying around

Kevin dramatically sighed "do you realise what i have to go through everyday from now on? As he raised his hands

"Oh come on Kevin! You've got a sibling!!!! You're so lucky!" Veronica said.

Kevin and josie smiled at each other" thats true"

"It gets lonely, being an only child. Trust me." Veronica said

"Now thats not true, im an only child but i wasn't lonely ever. I had my father, my friends." Archie said

"It was different for me. Ever since i was a kid, i never really had any friends and my parents were always busy.... Well doing something illegal probably, so i was alone. And to be honest? I kind of enjoyed the loneliness sometimes, i used to spend time reading books and watching classics" she said as she shrugged

Veronica had read books well beyond her age  ever since she was a child. Novels like gone with the wind by Margaret Mitchell, catcher in the rye by J.D Salinger and books by Orwell. 1984 was one of her favorites. And many others.

She knew she was well read. And she was proud.
She looked around the group who stood and watched her, inly Jughead had a look of appreciation.

"What?" She questioned

"Veronica how come you were lonely? Where were ur friends?" Josie asked finally

"I guess they were all intimidated by my father, so everyone avoided me. But no worries. My days were spent reading writers like Orwell, Margaret Mitchell etc. Trust me. Those were the best times" Veronica smiled.

Jughead smiled " i love orwell. Have you read 1984?"

Betty and Archie rolled their eyes "oh god, of course he would like to read these books too" archie teasingly said

Jughead just glared at them. Veronica smiled "its my favourite! Do you agree with the message that it portrayed that totalitarian government were bad?"

"Well, i read somewhere that george orwell while writing 1984, believed this totalitarian of government were going to take away people's rights and freedom.  It doesn't matter what i think, its what he was thinking while writing this book is what matters"
Jughead ponders

Veronica listened quietly. She was completely engrossed in his explanation whereas the others just rolled their eyes as if saying not again.

"Exactly! I completely agree. Wow. Jughead, i never knew we would agree on something"

He smiled at Veronica and was about to question her on her views on 1984 when Archie blurted "okay guys, calm down. Veronica do not encourage him, because of you we would have to listen to Jughead ranting for hours!!"

Veronica laughed while Jughead scowled at his friend "some friend you are" Jughead complained.

Betty came to Jughead and kissed his cheek "its alright juggie" she smiled at him and he put his arm around her.

"Okay guys we're late, we need to head to class" Kevin butted in.

They all dispersed unwillingly. Jughead and Veronica had chemistry together so they went together.

Usually Jughead always took a seat in the back, but for once he pulled up a chair beside Veronica and sat beside her.

"Okay so where were we?"