Deadly || Sweet Pea [2]

6

Chapter 6 || La Bonne Nuit

Three weeks. That's how long it'd been since I'd seen anyone. I was running on autopilot; I would wake up, go to school, come home, do my homework, try and see Munroe or Archie, come back home, sleep, and repeat. Everyone knew something was wrong, but nobody knew how to approach me. My dad and I spent more time together, although most of it was spent trying to get me to actually talk to him.

I missed him, Sweet Pea. Over the summer, he found comfort in the arms of Josie McCoy. They'd had a thing all summer, mostly in the camp seeing as Mr. Keller didn't particularly like Sweet Pea to begin with. I saw them together frequently, and it irked me that he could've moved on so quickly.

My dad was right, I had been avoiding using his name. Saying it and hearing it sent an unpleasant, lingering pain right to my heart, and I didn't want to feel it.

I wasn't over him, I'd learned that in the last three weeks. I spent most days reminiscing about the times we spent together, when we were happy. It made me happy for a minute, and then sad all over again. Maybe that's how grief works, but I hated the feeling.

On the first day of the fourth week, I woke up extra early and made breakfast for my dad, Jughead, Hot Dog, and I. I brewed coffee and made french toast, knowing Jughead liked it. I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and start living my life again. I would never be over Sweet Pea, but I could sure as hell try to be.

"Morning..." Dad's voice trailed off, watching me carefully as I maneuvered around the small kitchen.

"Morning daddy." I smiled, kissing his cheek and handing him a coffee mug.

"You're uncharacteristically happy today." Jughead yawned, taking the coffee mug I offered him.

"I'm done being sad. For real this time." I stated, plating some french toast and giving it to the boys. "I'm never going to be over Sweet Pea, but I'd like to try to move on from the whole ordeal."

"You said his name." Dad uttered, sipping his coffee.

"It's just a name, daddy." I smiled, sitting between both men as they picked at their breakfast. "The faster we understand that, the easier it will be for me to hear it."

"Thank you for breakfast." Jughead smiled, effectively changing the subject.

"You're welcome." I nodded. "I'm going to talk with Veronica today, get out of the trailer for a while."

"That's good, babygirl." Dad smiled genuinely. "I'm glad you're back to your old self."

"Me too." I said. "It's long overdue."

--------

"We're finally opening the place up?" I asked, sitting atop the bar in Veronica's speakeasy.

"It's time." Veronica nodded. "Archie wouldn't want me to wait."

"This is going to be great, Ronnie." I smiled, swinging my legs.

"Happiness looks good on you, Kitty." She said, walking over to me. "I'm glad that you're out and about."

"Me too." I sighed happily. "I'm done being sad, I'm done feeling low. I'm here to live my life in the now and take care of my family."

"Speaking of which, where are your shadows?" Reggie asked from behind the bar.

"I'm starting a new chapter, Reg." I smirked. "No more being afraid of dying, no more protection detail. If I die, I die. If I live, even better. Point is, I'm free as can be, and I'm working my cute little ass off on getting little Red free too."