The Story of Emma Andrews

Heartbreaker

An hour into Polly's baby shower, Emma had already wanted to leave. 

Standing in the bathroom to kill some time, she soon exited the bathroom, noting her seat was stolen. Which forced her to stand in the back, with none other than Jughead. 

Emma hadn't made an effort to speak to him, and always ran before he had the chance to. Six days and counting, they lived in the same house as strangers. She was happy that he was out often as she didn't want to even have the possibility of seeing him.

She had assumed Archie knew what had happened due awkwardness between the two. She was unsure what he knew but he seemed to have the same unsettling facial expression whenever someone brought up Jughead and Betty or if they did any actions that showed their friendly side around Emma.

"No dress, I still see." He had spoken first. 

Emma trained her eyes on Polly as she thanked her friend for the knitted baby blankets and hats. This was the moment she didn't want to happen, especially not here, not with Betty in her line of sight.

She looked down at her gray pants and black turtleneck, fashioned with red gloves. "Yeah, well old habits die hard."

"Ours next dear?" Penelope requested as Betty handed her the Blossom's gift.

Before Jughead could formulate a response, Archie had walked in looking like a man with a mission. Emma's eyebrows furrowed as Archie came up to Jughead, standing next to him, she heard as he accused Jughead of protecting the Serpents. 

"You were protecting him. That's why you didn't tell me."

"Relax. What happened?" Jughead spoke softly, hoping to diffuse the situation.

Betty had joined the group with Veronica hot on her heels. Turning his head, Archie looked at Betty. "Did you know that Jughead's father is a Serpent?"

"No." She was breathless.

"Archie, stop. What are you doing?" Emma whispered harshly to her brother who didn't even acknowledge her.

Shaking his head, his eyes screamed of betrayal. "That's why he tried to stop me from going to the bar, so I wouldn't find out. After everything my dad has done for you..."

"Archie. I can explain, okay?" Jughead pleaded.

Stepping slightly in between the two, Emma looked at her brother with intensity.

"You are acting ridiculous right now. The Serpents aren't just 'common thugs and criminals', its a community. Don't amount the few to the masses. Piss off, Arch. If you don't know understand them, then don't lecture on it or assume."

Archie's eyes trained on sister, "You knew. Didn't you? That's why you snapped earlier at Betty. And you didn't tell-"

"I don't have to. It's not like you haven't done it to me plenty of times." She retorted.

Veronica shook her head and whispered harshly. "This is Polly's day, so you need to check yourselves. I mean it."

"Archie..." Jughead trailed.

The redhead shook his head, "No, save it." Emma placed her hand on his shoulder as they watched Archie walk away with Veronica. 

"I'll talk to him, Forsythe." Nodded at him as she left after her brother. Leaving Betty to question Jughead's actions about his dad, why Emma knew, and the context of their relations.

***

Later that evening, Emma walked towards the stairs, when she heard Jughead and Archie's voice.