Behind Mansion Walls

8: Once A Lover

Chapter Eight: Once A Lover

A ding broke her heavy concentration with the coffee marker. Hermione started brewing her coffee ten minutes ago. She was still in shock from the news. She couldn't believe Jughead was okay... it just felt so surreal. She also still couldn't wrap her mind around Hiram's death.

Although, she was very grateful... it shocks her system. After years of abuse... all she can think was about him. On how he ruined her, made her life hell.

Now it was all over. She couldn't believe it... Hiram Lodge is DEAD.

The coffee marker beeped, breaking her from her deeply concentrated stare. She clicked the button, turning off the machine and, grabbed the coffee pot. She tilted it, pouring herself a cup. She brought it to her lips and inhaled the stream into her nostrils.

"Mom?" She heard a voice come down the foyer.

She set the cup down and sighs quietly underneath her breath. Veronica came in the room, wearing a facade on her face. Hermione sees the facade on her daughter and instantly comes to her rescue.

"Yes, Mjia?" Veronica wipes her tear away.

"I had a nightmare.... and you were gone... he killed you." Hermione wrapped her arms around her daughter and pulled her close.

"I'm okay, it was just a nightmare, okay?" She could feel her daughter's tense grip loosen a bit.

"Okay..." Veronica mumbled back.

—-xx—-

A few months had passed since Hiram's death was written in black ink and Gladys's arrest locked her behind bars. Every Friday Hermione and FP gathered for breakfast; it became a causal affair. Alice and FP still haven't professed their feelings for each other. Hermione and Fred kept dotting around the line.

She wasn't ready to confess her longing looks to an old lover. Who is the old lover you'll ask? Ah, good question.... you will soon to find out.

Her words still felt forged - even in her own ears. It had taken Hermione and Veronica quite awhile to recover from Hiram's vile words.

A few months back

Hermione looked at her coffee cup, sitting at Pop's diner. A chime awoke her thoughts and unwrapped her eyes from the coffee stirring under her fingers.

"Hermione?" The pain dazed voice broke her eyes and she looked up.

"F-Fred..." She stammers nervously at the sudden meet up.

"Are you okay? I heard about him..." He refused to say that vile name.

Fred always had Hiram. One: She left him. And two: He was no good.

Hermione visibly stiffened," Yeah, I'm glad he's gone."

Fred did something that surprised her. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly," I'm glad he's gone too, Mione."

Hermione smiled, feeling completely safe in this man's arms. She knew she always loved him and never was able to stop.

Yes, It has always been Fred Andrews. The only man who ever loved her for whom she is.

A couple weeks later, Hermione walked through the door, singing a soft tune. Alice and her were shopping at the local mall for the first in months. They had spoken about Alice's avoidance.

FP had been flirting with her for weeks and she still hasn't given yet. Hermione isn't sure if she can handle the eye-fucking those two had given over the past couple months.

"Alice, come on, just talk to him already. He's given you his sex-eyes and it's driving me crazy. I might as well take him for myself if you don't talk to him." Alice sent her a heavy glare.

"Absolutely not, Maybe I'll kiss Fred. Again, but it doesn't matter." Hermione halted in her steps.

She turned toward her with a gaped mouth," Excuse me, repeat?"

Alice's cheeks suddenly turned bright pink. She located her mistake. She hasn't ever told Hermione that Fred and her shared a kiss during detention junior year.

"I was upset during our first detention... Uh, Fred and I were alone in the blue & Gold. And, we just kissed. Really short and I didn't mean a thing, Mione." She used her nickname hoping it would soften the blow.

Hermione took in all the info, collecting her next words in her brain. She couldn't believe Alice kissed Fred! Her best friend knew that she liked him.

"Well, FP tried kissing me that day too." She sassily threw back at her.

She caught Alice's eyes start to lower," He what?" She whispers in shock.

Hermione starts to feel bad for saying that. She reached for Alice's hand," He did.... Alice. I didn't kiss him. I stopped him. I made him realize that You and him were meant for one another."

Alice shook her rage off her body, sighing at the thought," Thank you, Mione. It wasn't for you, I don't think Him and I would've gotten together in the first place."

After that awkward conversation, the two decided to talk about something other than relationships.