Resilience | Sweet Pea.

77 - Thinking and fears.

When I open my eyes, I'm met with bright lights and the white walls of a hospital room. I lift my arm to my face, an oxygen tube up my nose. My head stings and aches, and it hurts to breathe, but somehow, I'm alive, I think? The last thing I can remember is fighting with Hal and losing, and Reggie and Sweet pea finding me. And now I lay in a hospital bed after being so convinced I was going to die.

I look around and see Fred and Mary asleep in the awful hospital chairs, Fred's hand still in my own. His tearstained face Mary's mascara smudges under her eyes. Guilt hits me a little. Yes, I saved Betty but I could've ran, but I didn't. They almost lost me, again. I feel anxious at Sweet pea's absence but know he won't be far.

I rub my thumb over Fred's hand, in an attempt to wake him. He stirs and looks up, relief quickly washing over his face.

"Oh Nova, thank god." He hums.

"Hi Fred." I say softly.

"Mary, wake up, she's awake." Fred says, shaking Mary, careful not to let go of my hand. Her eyes open and she looks at me in relief

"Oh my god, Nova. We were so worried." Mary sighs.

"Sorry I got used as a human pin cushion again." I apologize.

"Betty has spoken to us... But do you remember what happened?" Mary asks.

"Mary-"

"No, it's okay." I tell them.

"Okay, sweetheart." Fred sighs

"I was at prom. I was in the locker room; I had a fight with Fangs, so I ran in there to cry." I tell them, not wanting to inform them that Fangs outted my pregnancy to the school. "Betty came running in because the black hood attacked her. I got him away from her and told her to run but I couldn't get him away from me."

"Do you remember getting here?" Mary asks, I shake my head.

"The last thing I remember is Sweet pea." I say. "Where is he?"

"I made Archie and Jughead take him to get changed and showered." Fred admits. "He hasn't left since we got here, and he was beside himself."

"How long was I out?" I ask.

"A few days." Fred tells me.

"Days?!" I gasp.

"They had to induce a coma to slow down your body so they could save you, Nova." Mary says. "Honey, you're lucky to be alive."

"So I almost died... Again?" I ask.

"Yes, Nova. You did." Fred says. "Now, I promised I'd call Sweet pea the moment you woke, he'll be here soon, excuse me."

Fred gets up and leaves the room, leaving Mary and I alone.

"I can't believe the man that has lived next door to my family for the past 18 years... Tried to kill my daughter." She hums.

"Don't forget he shot Fred too." I say.

"Not a great reminder, honey." Mary sighs.

"Sorry." I say.

"You're lucky to be alive, Nova. What were you thinking?" Mary says.

"It's not like Betty and I ran away from prom and ran into him." I say. "Had Betty not warned me, I probably would've been brought face to face with him unarmed and caught off guard."

"Why were you even in the locker room?" Mary asks.

"Doesn't matter. What matters is I did what I had to, Mary. If I hadn't both Betty and I would be dead." I tell her directly. "I won't apologize for saving Betty."