The Story of Emma Andrews

Swallowed By a Beast

Jughead narration: Fear. It's the most basic, the most human emotion. As kids, we are afraid of everything. The dark... The boogeyman under the bed. And we pray for the morning. For the monsters to go away. 

Though they never do, not really. Just ask Jason Blossom. 

Or it curls up inside you, tightens around your guts.

"Archie?" The strawberry blonde watched her brother began to choke on stage. 

Kevin looked at her before he returned his attention back towards the redhead with a panicked look on his face. Her eyes focused on her twin as Kevin tried to give him time to collect himself. 

But there was Archie, succumbing to the horrors of stage fright as he blew his audition for the Variety Show.

She watched as he ran off stage, the bulldogs heckled at his departure. 

Emma hated the fact that her brother's own teammates managed to strip him of any confidence he once had as stepped on to the stage. 

She stood up quickly and spun around to see the ringleader, Reggie Mantle, laughing. 

"Hey, asshole, why don't I call Melinda and Marty and tell them about the little joy rides you take with you and your goons? Bet daddy wouldn't like hearing his son had been breaking into the dealership." 

Reggie's laughter ceased at the mention of his parents. 

Emma had heard him gloating about taking his dad's new car shipments out for a spin earlier in the week. She knew Reggie long enough to know he feared his dad, but even more so, feared disappointing his mom. 

Like most boy on the team, Reggie compensated having an asshole dad by being an asshole. Something Emma could hardly tolerate. 

She rushed out of the auditorium in hopes to find Archie, however, as she looked around she felt her body collided with another. 

"Cool it, Sonic." Jughead smiled down at her as she backed up from his frame.

"Oh, sorry." She said sheepishly.

"Where are you running off to anyways, you just got here."

She rolled her eyes, "Still the town comedian, Mr. Jones." 

The strawberry-blonde gestured towards the locker where Archie and Val sat. "I was on the hunt for my brother but, it seems you interfered with my cockblocking skills." She looked back at him and smiled.

"Last time I checked you were the one running into me, Thea." He retorted.

She chuckled at him. 

"Anyways," He continued, "I was wondering if you would be interested in going to Pop's later. Maybe keep me company and catch up?"

Emma nodded and attempted to suppress her growing smile that failed evidently so. "Pick me up at 8?"

He smiled at her response. 

"Until then, my lady." He bowed in a grandeur fashion as she mimicked then, "I bid you a farewell, my good sir."

***

Jughead sat in his usual booth, typing away as the bell to Pop's rang causing him to look up. 

Emma had pushed back their dinner to nine, so that she could grill her brother about Val and their relationship. With each passing moment, Jughead became antsy. He was unsure if it was the coffee or seeing Emma in general, either way his leg shook fiercely.