Lost Souls (Archie Andrews)

Chapter Eight- Helping Hand

Cally's POV

I was at home when I got a call from Archie to meet him in Pops.

I arrived and he was sat down, he had a root beer float and he had ordered me a vanilla milkshake.

"Hey, sorry for calling you so late"

It was only 9 so I wasn't too bothered.

"Don't worry about it. Is everything okay?" I asked.

"I just came from the hospital" he said.

"The hospital? Why, what's happened?"

"Veronica's dad has been shot. And we broke up" he said.

"Oh Arch, was it your decision or hers?" I asked.

"Hers, but we both knew the relationship wasn't working. She thinks I shot her dad"

"You couldn't hurt a fly, you're too kind, unlike Hiram Lodge. But don't you think this break with Veronica is what you need? It seems like it's all moving too fast, before you had even seen your friends you were getting back together with her. You've had a rough time these past few months thanks to her father" I said.

"I know. I felt awful but every time I was with her I saw him. And it took me back. Back to working for him, back to prison, back to him hunting me down on the run, living in a log cabin, being attacked by a bear. I don't want to keep re-living that, I want to move on" he said.

We chatted for hours, just random stuff. I was telling him all about my mom and the farm and he was telling me about being on the run.

We only eventually left Pops when it closed at 12.

-

Betty was off investigating all the suspicious suicides in the town, she told me she didn't need any help, but I did text her a few times to check she was okay.

Her investigation took her to a prostitution club that Penelope Blossom manages. Jughead went with her to investigate.

I headed to the speakeasy to catch up with Veronica.

We sat down and were chatting about everything going on.

"Okay, I have something to admit, I haven't told anyone this, not even Betty. But you know, we've really gotten close the last few months and I feel like I can trust you" she began.

I smiled.

"Of course you can trust me. Same here. So what is it?" I asked.

"Me and Reggie, well I guess we've been having a little fling"

"Really?! Oh my god V that's so exciting! Since when?"

"Well, he's been helping me with the speakeasy and we have really been forming a good connection. A few days before Archie came home we kissed. When Archie got back I was just worried about him, and I had missed him so much. I guess I was naive trying to fix the relationship. But now things are done with Archie and I, I guess I wouldn't mind getting to know Reggie a little bit better" she said.

"That's great V, it's nice you're moving on. And I'm happy for you and Reggie" I told her.

"Well I've gotta run, I'm gonna visit my dad"

"Oh yeah, how's he doing?" I asked.

"Better. It'll still be a few days until he's back home" she said.

We hugged and she headed out to the hospital.

I stayed in the speakeasy chatting to Josie for a little while before her performance. Before she went on I noticed Archie come in and order a few drinks.