Love is Forever [Jughead Jones] [2]

There Will Be Blood

I was running out of time. And maybe... so was Riverdale. Hiram Lodge had been making moves. Big moves but with no proof of criminal behaviour, all I could do was speculate. What was Hiram's master plan for Riverdale? Why did it suddenly feel so close to fruition?

............

I stayed at home when Archie and Dad went to the Lodge's for dinner. I bought all my friends and family tickets for the concert that's on in a few nights but nobody knows that I am singing as an opening act. I am planning on telling the gang tomorrow because I want to involve them.

I had just bought the tickets when there was a knock on the door. I rushed down the stairs and when I opened the door I saw Richard on the other side. Richard is another one of my brothers and he goes in and out of the bad side. "Richard...." "Sarah." "It's Skylar now." "Fine but I wanted to tell you that I'm on the good side. For good this time." "If this is a trick-"

"It's not. I swear." "Ok. I need to tell you though that I did get a note from Dad saying that I am going to get killed because I revealed my true identity to my boyfriend." "You knew that was dangerous Sky. Why did you do it?" "Because he was getting closer and closer to the truth because Hiram Lodge is here and a lot of his board of trustees. Uncle Arthur was here and Dad and the horrid twins."

"Are you ok?" "I'm fine. I'm in two gangs, leader of one and heir to leader in the other. I am a famous singer and dancer." "Cool." "Actually can you go online and buy a ticket to the Ed Sheeran concert, please? I want you to meet my friends." "Fine. I better go." "Bye." "Bye."

............

I will with Jug working to put Hiram Lodge in jail when Archie came in. I kept my head down while Jug talked to Archie because he knew how uncomfortable I was with talking to him. "Are you still going after Hiram?" "That depends. Who's asking? You? Veronica? The arch-fiend himself?" "Jug.... there's gonna be a special election to replace Josie's mom. Hiram Lodge wants my dad to run." I lift my head and look at Archie.

"What? Why?" "Who knows? I'm with Veronica. That means I'm with the Lodges." I continued for Archie. "We can't let Dad any deeper with them. Did you tell him not to run?" "Veronica would kill me if I did, ditto the Lodges. Maybe I could give you both something, maybe you could write about it and that might make my dad hit pause." Jug looks at me before saying "Okay."

"Jug, you remember when Mr. Lodge gave Pop Tate that charitable donation to keep the diner open?" "Yeah, we were all there." "Except Hiram Lodge didn't give Pop's a donation. He bought the diner." "What?" "And for some reason he doesn't want anyone to know about it. Can you do something with that fact? At least enough to make our dad think twice about this mayor idea?" "He bought the diner?" "Yes."

Jug jumped up and laid out his map and put a red circle around Pop's. Archie was confused at what was doing first but then he got the idea of it. Jug then kept looking at it while saying "My God. Hiram is like Dracula. He's snapping up properties from all over Riverdale to expand his empire and feed. If what you're telling me is true..." Jug looked at Archie. "Everyone is in danger."

............

I was with Dad when he was setting out stuff for his debate when he came across something. "Hey kids, check this out." Archie and I put our attention to the poster Dad had out. "When I applied to college to be an urban planner- This was before Grandpa Artie got sick- this was the presentation I made for some program I never got into."Riverdale 2020: Small Town with a Big Future." Sounds corny, huh?" Archie chuckled while I said "No, Dad, this is awesome."

Then there was a knock on the door. We heard the door open. "Hello?" It was Veronica's voice. "Archie? Sky? Mr. Andrews?" She came towards us and when she saw the three of us together she got excited for some reason. "Oh, goody, the three of you are here. So, I fully realise I'm putting the cart before the horse, but I was spitballing some design ideas and I think I may have come up with a few potential campaign logos."

Dad looked at them and he was amazed. "I— Veronica, those are terrific. I gotta day, but — Oh. Now, that one, that's my favourite." It was one with "Vote Fred Andrews" on it and top half is red and bottom half is blue. Veronica looked at him and said "Mine too." She looked at Archie and I. "Great. So, I'll have some buttons and t-shirts printed ASAP." Veronica and Archie went upstairs but before they did I gave them their tickets that I bought them and I gave dad his before I went to practice my singing in my room.

............

I was at school when I gave Betty and Kevin their tickets and then gave Jug his and begged him to come which he agreed. I then went to the gym where I called an emergency meeting to tell the gang. They got here a few minutes and I started to speak. "Look, I get it that you're all confused but my prize from the competition that we did was to sing at a concert as the opening act. It's Ed Sheeran's concert. I don't want to sing without you guys but would you be mad if I did?"

"No, of course not." They said in unison. "Also, Mia and Jenny, can you look at the gym door." They looked and saw Richard. Jenny looked at me angry and shocked. "What is he doing here?!" "He's on the good side. For good this time." They ran and hug him. I interrupted it by looking at Richard and saying "Can you sing or dance?" "Sing." "Then grab a jacket. You're one of us now." They all cheered and I smiled.

............

The following day Betty and I were reading what Jug and FP got from Warbaby and Jug's article. When we finished Betty was the first to speak. "Hiram Lodge is diabolically insane." Jughead looks at me while I say "Agreed." Jug then speaks. "We need to show Riverdale just how insane he is." I got up and so did Betty. I faced Jug with his notes. "This is the best thing you've ever written, Jug. Principal Weatherbee needs to publish this right the hell now." Betty starts to walk and says "Let's go."

We were in Weatherbee's office. "This is quite a story, Mr. Jones." "Thank you, Principal Weatherbee." "Unfortunately, it's not one that the Blue and Gold can print." Betty got angry. "Why the heck not?" "A malicious take-down of one of our student's parents is not appropriate subject matter for a school paper. Now, if you three will excuse me." Jug took and we went out of the office.

We went back to the Blue and Gold offices and Betty and Jug waited patiently while I rang Dad. "Dad. Are you still running?" "No. Not after Hiram's plan. I left once I heard it but Archie didn't." "You mean he chose-" "Hiram Lodge. I am sorry Sky." "Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything. I will see you at home." I hung us and looked at the two. "Archie chose Hiram but dad's not running anymore." "I'm sorry babe." I smiled.

............

I was hugging the side of Jug and he had his arm around me when Veronica was making her announcement. "Thank you all for coming. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you you're next mayor of Riverdale my mother, Hermione Lodge." Everyone started to clap when Hermione went up. I looked over and saw Richard but behind him was none other than Paul Adams. Richard must have saw where I was looking because he turned to Paul and went over to him and was quietly yelling at him.

Hermione started to speak. "Thank you, Veronica and thank you all very much. Like many of you, I grew up in this town dreaming of a better tomorrow. For myself, my family and for my friends. Now, for the future that you all so deserve. Riverdale is one of the most dynamic, resilient communities...." I tuned out of the rest of it because I couldn't believe what was happening.

............

And there it was. The Lodges had won. Time had run out for Riverdale.

Hope you have enjoyed this chapter because I might be updating as much because not this week but next week I was Christmas exams in school so I won't be updating as much because some classes I have half the test this week. 😅❤️