Resilience | Sweet Pea.

38 - Problems.

"Why are we even here?" Sweet pea grumbles as him, Fangs and I sit in the Auditorium for something to do with the student elections.

"To support Jug, babe." I sigh, taking his hand in my own. Since Archie's betrayal, and Veronica's too, Jughead has decided to run for student body president, with Betty as his running mate, and naturally, Archie had replaced Betty as Veronica's.

"Think about it, Pea. If Jones is student body president, no one will be allowed to treat us like scum with one of us in office." Fangs tells Sweet pea in an attempt to make him quit whining.

"You have a point." He shrugs. "But look at him up there, brown-nosing with the Northside!"

"Sweet pea don't be ridic-"

"Now!" Alice calls out, hoping to rein in the attention of the auditorium full of teenagers and townsfolk. "Just a quick reminder that this School Hall is a PTA-sponsored event."

"I'm gonna ask something." Sweet pea says.

"Babe don-"

Sweet pea ignores me, standing up from his seat.

"Oh! Looks like we have our first question." Alice smiles in the direction of my boyfriend.

"Yeah. No offense to the current administration, but it feels like no one's looking out for the students being bused in from the Southside. Is that gonna change?" Sweet pea asks.

"Absolutely, Sweet pea. That's our priority. No one should be marginalized or excluded here." Jughead says over the microphone.

"Jughead and I will be representing all students, North and Southside alike-"

"Next question. Yes, Midge." Alice says, cutting off Betty, which makes my grip on Sweet pea's hand tighten as he sits back down.

"My question is for Archie and Veronica." Midge says, getting out of her seat. "Rumour has it your parents will soon be on opposite sides of the mayoral election? Won't that negatively affect your working relationship?"

"Archie and I adhere to the old maxim: Politics are never discussed at the dinner or the cafeteria table." Veronica says, earning a chuckle from the crowd.

"Veronica and I are on the same page about everything, including her family's plans for a prison on the Southside." Archie adds.

I'd heard enough. As Veronica speaks again, I grab my bag and get out of my seat, abruptly leaving the Auditorium. I storm out into the hallway, planning to sit in the common room and cool off.

My heart feels heavy even with my boiling blood. Why can't Archie see it? That he's hurting Fred and Mary, and hurting me and my friends? He's so blinded by love, and a need for validation that he's hurting everyone around him.

"Baby?" Sweet pea calls out to me cautiously.

"I'm fine." I sigh.

"Why'd you run out?" He asks.

"Why can't he see it, Pea?" I say sadly, getting out of my seat to pace the room.

"See what?" He asks.

"That he's hurting us, all of us?" I ask.

"I don't know, Nova. I'm sorry." Sweet pea says softly.

"I can't be around him anymore, Sweet pea. Every time I look at him I just... want to cry." I sigh.

"Stay with me then." Sweet pea says.

"Your trailer is barely big enough for you. I can't do that, plus I can't just leave Fred." I tell him.