Hell's Only Angel

Twenty Seven

Adeline's P.O.V

Jughead and Betty came over to help Archie out as well. I sat on Archie's bed with Betty as we all were mainly helping Archie with the SAT studying. Beckham was sitting on a chair near me as he studied as well.

"Iconoclast," Jughead said.

"Iconoclast..." Archie said. He took in a deep breath before exhaling.

"Okay, iconoclast... That is..."

"A person who attacks another's cherished beliefs," I said not looking as I continued to grade Archie's practice test.

"I'm in high school, how am I supposed to know that?" Archie asked.

"That's the point. You're in high school. You need to know this stuff," I tell him.

"Why don't we start thinking about the SATs in terms of strategy? When in doubt, why don't you just... fill in all the bubbles marked D?" Jughead said.

"Or fill them like a diagonal. That'll improve your chances," Beckham said.

"Betty. Adeline, how did I do on the practice test? I tanked it, didn't I?" Archie asked us. Betty and I looked at each other worried. We both looked up at Archie.

"Um.." Betty said, unsure of what to say to him. Archie took the practice test.

"I got a 600 on this part," Archie said proudly.

"That's your combined score, Arch," Betty said.

"It's in the bottom 10th percentile. You need at least a 1120 to do average," I tell him.

"What did you get in the SAT's, Adeline?" Beckham asked me.

"1360," I said quietly.

"You got 1360 on your SAT's?" Beckham asked me.

"Yeah."

Jughead's phone buzzed making us look over at him.

"All right, gotta go, guys. It's Fangs," Jughead told us.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Archie asked him,

"No. I'd stay and get a couple extra hours cramming in. If anyone's gonna get you up to speed, it's gonna be Betty. Bye," Jughead said before kisisng Betty's forehead.

"Bye," Betty said to him.

"Good luck," Jughead said to Archie.

"What's the point? It's hopeless, right?" Archie said.

"That's what you said when you were in second grade and couldn't read, remember? And we got you caught up," Betty said.

"You did, you mean. Maybe Weatherbee's right, maybe I'm... I've just missed too much or I've changed too much," Archie said.

"What did Weatherbee say, Archie?" I asked.

"Weatherbee said I should repeat junior year," Archie said.

"So you will be in my class next year?" I asked.

"Yeah. It's hopeless. I can't do this," Archie said.

"Well, in one respect, maybe you have. Do you trust me?" Betty asked Archie.

"If you need my help more, Beckham and I will be at the library studying," I tell Betty and Archie. Beckham and I grabbed our things before I hugged Archie and Betty.

"See you guys soon," I smiled.

Beckham and I walked outside before getting inside his car. I buckled up and looked over at him.

"Ready to go to Veronica's little welcome home party for Archie?" I asked him.

"Yup."

"And don't worry about the SAT's. I know you'll do great," I tell him.

"Thank you," Beckham smiled before kissing my hand.

We went to the La Bonne Nuit where Veronica was holding Archie's welcome home party. Betty was to bring Archie back here soon. Since this was suppose to be the SAT's study session, some guests brought their books with them.

"I'm going to get some water. I'll be back," Beckham tells me.

"Okay," I nodded. I looked around until I saw Reggie looking sad. I walked over to Reggie before sitting down in front of him.

"Why so glum?" I asked.

"Hey, Addy," Reggie said.

"Addy? Haven't called me that in a long time. What's on your mind?" I asked.

"Promise you won't be mad at me?" Reggie asked.

"Why should I be mad at you?" I asked. Reggie sighed a little.

"Well, Veronica and I hooked up when Archie was away and now since he's back-"

"Veronica wants him back," I finished.

"What do I do, Addy?" Reggie asked me.

"I don't know. What I do know is that you are a handsome guy and some girl would be lucky to have you as a boyfriend," I assure you him.

"Really?" Reggie asked.

"Really," I said.

"Hey guys. What did I miss?" Beckham asked us as he sat down.

"Reggie just needed some love advice," I tell Beckham.

"Ah I see," Beckham said.

"Hey, Betty is on her way with Archie right now," Veronica said, coming over to us.

"Okay. Thanks, Veronica," I smiled.

We all started to get into places before turning off the lights. I saw Betty and Archie come downstairs from their silhouettes making us turn on the lights.

"Surprise," We all said together.

"What is... what is all this?" Archie asked us.

"Well, it was going to be a study party, but that was before you came back home to us. So now it's a Study/Welcome Home party, Archie, complete with a musical amuse bouche provided by moi. So take a seat, lover, and let me entertain you," Veronica tells Archie.

Archie sat down as the music started. Veronica started to sing a song in Spanish which was pretty good. I sat with Beckham until I noticed Archie was acting nervous. The next thing I knew, Archie left.

"I'll be back," I tell Beckham. I rushed over to follow Archie.

"Archie! You okay?" I called out.

"No," Archie said, stopping.

"Hey. What's the matter?" I asked, holding his arm.

"I think I had an anxiety attack," Archie tells me.

"You're okay. You're back home and everything is going to be okay," I said before hugging my older brother. Archie hugged me back before pulling away for a bit.

"Do you want to go on a walk with me?" Archie asked.

"Of course. Let me text Beckham that you're okay and that we're going on a long walk home," I tell him.

"Okay."