Hell's Only Angel

Forty Four

Adeline's P.O.V

The next morning, I was eating breakfast with Archie and mom in the kitchen. I had just found out that a couple people were killed and Betty was almost next. 

"It's really horrible, what happened at the dance," mom sighed.

"I can't believe we were all in the gym while that was going on," Archie said.

"I can't believe non of us noticed it as much," I said before having another scoop of oatmeal.

"I'm gonna stay in Riverdale a little longer, kids. I don't want you two alone while your dad's away," mom told us.

"Okay. That's great, mom," Archie said.

"And it makes me feel a little safer. I don't know about you Archie," I said. Archie snickered at my joke. I smiled as I nudged him a little.

"I'm gonna go for a run, if that's cool," Archie tells mom as he got up.

"You're really committed to this, aren't you? To boxing?" Mom asked.

"Well, I tried music. I tried football."

"Well, the world is such a scary place. Maybe it's not the worst thing to know how to fight. To be able to defend yourself. And maybe teach Adeline here some pointers," mom said.

"Do you mean that?" Archie happily asked.

"If this is your path, I want to support it. And you. As long as you do it right."

"I promise, Mom. No more crash diets, double-bookings. Will you help me convince Dad?"  Archie asked her. Mom smiled and gave a nod before sipping her coffee. 

"I'll see you both later in a bit." 

The next day, Veronica came over with some papers for mom to look at. I guess Veronica didn't really own Pop's diner or the speakeasy which sucked for her. 

"The deed, the contract I signed, none of it matters. It was all fake. My dad still owns Pop's and the speakeasy and I'm a fool for ever trusting him. And on top of everything he's done to me, he's now planning on buying the entire town," Veronica ranted. I was sitting down, scrolling through Tumblr on my phone.

"Yeah, Ronnie, your dad sucks," Archie tells her.

"He really does," I agreed. Mom gave us both a look. I looked back down at my phone to avoid eye contact.

"Wait a minute. What about all the shady stuff that goes down at the speakeasy? If it's my dad's name on the deed, can't he be prosecuted for it?" Veronica asked my mom.

"Shady stuff as in..." 

"Drinking without carding, and/or illegal gambling, let's say?" Veronica tells her.

"Hiram did these things?"

"Well, technically no, not exactly."

"But if the property were under his name, doesn't that make him liable?" Veronica asked.

"I think I might know someone who might be able to help," mom tells her. 

Mom went to go call her friend while I texted Beckham to see if he wanted to hang out. After telling me that he was available, I went upstairs to charge my phone for a bit. I looked around until I saw something in my bookshelf. I took out the notebook that Archie gave that had dirt on Mr. Lodge. 

I took the book with me before walking over to Archie. 

"Archie," I said.

"Yeah?" 

"I have something for you to help Veronica," I tell him.

"What is it?"

I held out his book that he gave me. Archie looked down at the book before looking at me. 

"You kept it?" Archie asked me.

"Yes."

"What will we ever do without you, Adeline?"

"You guys would be screwed."

"Where are you going?" Archie asked me.

"I'm gonna go hang out with Beckham."

"Again?"

"Beckham and I agreed to break up when I move to Chicago with mom. So we're just trying to spend as much time together before I leave," I tell him.

"You should stay with him, Adeline. He makes you happy."

"I know but I don't want to hold him back from anything," my phone buzzed a little, letting me know I got a text. I looked at my phone to see a text from Beckham. 

"I gotta go. I'll see you later," I smiled at Archie.

"Okay."

I gave Archie a hug before walking out to leave.