The Story of Emma Andrews

Who Killed Jason Blossom?

Emma ran down the steps as quickly as she could, "FP is the killer. Case closed. We're leaving." Hermione grabbed Veronica's arm.

Archie frustrated at repeating himself, stated once more. "There was no gun!"

Everyone looked to see Emma at the bottom of the stairs with her blazer on and scarf around her neck. "And why isn't she in this conversation? Mary, Fred?" Alice pointed.

"Because I didn't follow your cracked out conspiracy theory, Mrs. Cooper."

"Emma!" Her parents yelled in shock at her answer.

"What? I'm sorry, but it's what we are all thinking."

Fred shook his head, "Where you going?"

"To see Jughead." The teens clamored her with questions of his whereabout and why he contacted her. Not look at them she waited for her dad or mom to say something.

"We're going with you." Archie decreed as he was accompanied with nods from Betty and Veronica.

"Enough," Fred yelled. "You three are staying here until we sort this. Emma you can go, make sure he's alright. Update me, please." She nodded at her dad before opening the door.

She walked quickly, almost jogging towards Pop's. She saw the neon lights and desolate parking lot. Running in, she looked and spotted Jughead in their usual booth. Taking a deep breath, she walked towards him as his back was turned.

"Forsythe." She breathed out at the sight of the raven-haired boy.

He looked up at her, showing his reddened eyes.

Her face fell as she saw him.

Sitting down next to him, she hugged him, kissing his temple. They stayed like that for a while until he released her and looked into her eyes. "I-I went to his trailer... I don't know what to say, Emma."

"You don't have to say anything." She sat close to him and ordered a coffee and tea. He grabbed her hand, rubbing circles with his thumbs.

For the next hour they sat in silence.

***

"You bought a bus ticket to Toledo?" She sat against him as his arm was wrapped around her. He rested his head on hers as he looked ahead. "Yeah, but my mom said there wasn't space for me. So I hung up and got a ticket to Florida at 6 A.M. tomorrow."

Lifting her head from his shoulder, she looked at him and placed her hand on his face. "You're not really leaving, Jug, are you?"

"No... I just wanted to get away. From here. From him."

She looked in his eyes with yearning. She knew his father had let him down, and his worst fear slowly began to come true. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, "I'm not leaving."

"Jug-" Emma heard Archie's voice as he still remained close to her face. Moving back he leaned his head back against the booth, refusing to meet there eyes.

Betty came up, slowly. The three stood around the booth, "Jug, we're so sorry..." Emma looked down and exhaled. "I'll give you guys a minute, I'm gonna pay." She unclasped her hand from Jughead's and slid out the booth, placing a hand on Betty's shoulder. Betty smiled meekly at her as Emma nodded, "Go on."

She went up to the counter handing Pop's money. She looked back to see Jughead whip his head around to look at Veronica with shock.

"Uh, keep the change Pop." He nodded at her as the group stood up and walked towards her. She looked at Jughead and then her brother.