Thinking 'Bout You- SP 3 ✔️

Chapter 45- The Stranger

"Dad can Pea and I have a cup please" I ask as dad pours himself a cup of coffee
"Yeah grab me a cup" Pea goes to one of the cupboards opening it up grabbing 2 cups when the front door opens and in runs Vegas
"Vegas?" I question the dog running to me that's when I see my brother stood at the front door
"Archie" dad sighs walking over to him and pulling him onto a hug
"Oh my god Archie"
"Hey dad, Rory" I run over to Archie and hug him tight making Archie groan
"What is it son?" dad asks
"Long story"
"Sweet Pea, Rory go and set the table for breakfast"

We all sit down and begin eating
"I don't even remember the rangers finding me, but they took me to hospital. When I woke up I knew that I could keep running. It was time to come home, back to normal life if that's possible"
"Nothings ever normal in Riverdale these days" i mutter taking a bite of toast
"What about Hiram?"
"I survived a bear attack dad. I can't live my life in fear of when he might come after me. To be honest I'm more worried about him gunning for you" Archie looks at dad
"What why?" I frown at my brother
"Don't worry. I survived the Black Hood, twice. Hiram doesn't scare me"
"What about the Serpents? he's always wanted to destroy them"
"He can try but he won't" Pea says shoving bacon in my mouth
"Pea we already lost Cher and Toni, nearly Fangs. Hiram will see that we're not as strong as we once were"
"What's happened?" Archie asks
"I wouldn't even know where to begin" I explain what happened the other night with Cheryl and Toni "so I've got a shift at Pops later, message V, Jug and Betty to stop by. I'll get Pops to make your favourite" I smile
"Uh yeah sure"

Sweet Pea drops me off at Pops before he goes to do a job
"Ok what are you all having?"
"I'll have a chocolate shake"
"Yeah me to" Jughead agrees with Veronica "and a burger"
"Of course. Betty?"
"Vanilla please, thanks Rory"
"Not a problem and Archie I'll get your usual.."
"Actually Rory can I have a root beer float?"
"Oh erm yeah. I'll be right back with your order" I frown feeling extremely confused before walking off to the kitchen to hand Pop the order. When I return I place down everyone's drinks, Betty tries to pay but I tell her it's on the house, my treat
"Since when do you drink root beer floats?" Betty asks looking at Archie
"I guess I'm just not in the mood for a milkshake"
"New drink, new hair, new haunted vacant look in your eyes"
"Wouldn't you change Jug if you were framed of murder, went to prison, then escaped after..."
"Ok Rory, he gets it" Archie interrupts me
"I'm just saying" I hold my hands up
"So what did I miss while I was gone?"
"Well Veronica has hired the Serpents for protection from her dear old dad"
"And that service extends to you Archie" Veronica tells Archie
"You don't have to worry about Hiram and his goons coming after you, your dad or Rory. We've got guys watching you. You won't see them but they're there" Jug says
"Well other than Sweet Pea" I say "anyway I've got to get back to work, I'll catch up with you all later"

Over the next couple of days, Ronnie, Jug, Betty and I try to help Archie to catch up for the SATs
"Iconoclast" Jug reads of a card while we're all sat in Archie's bedroom. Archie sighs combing his hand through his hair
"Ok, iconoclast that is..."
"Come on Arch, think"
"What do you think I'm doing Rory" Arch snaps at me. Jug sighs
"A person who attacks others beliefs"
"I'm in high school. How should I know"
"What about we think of the SATs in terms of strategy. When in doubt fill all the bubbles, marked D"
"Jug that's not really going to help. Betty how did he do on the practice test?"
"Erm.." Archie takes the paper from Betty
"I got a 600 on this part" Archie smiles
"That's your combined score Arch, it's in the  bottom 10th percentile" Jugs phone buzzes making as all look at him
"I gotta go guys, it's Fangs"
"You want me to come with you?" Archie asks
"No, you stay here and get a couple more hours crammed in. If anyone's going to catch you up to speed, it will be Betty. Rory are you coming?"
"The less people who see Fangs the safer it will be for all of us. I'll stay here and help, plus it's good revision for me"
"Ok, see you later" Jug places a kiss on Betty's head and we get back to revising and helping Archie.

We sort Archie's hair out then go to the speakeasy
"Surprise!" everyone yells
"What is all of this?"
"Well it was supposed to be a studdy party, but now it's a study slash welcome home party" Veronica says speaking through the microphone. I walk over the Pea who pulls me in to him for a hug. We go and sit next to Reggie who looks sad
"What's up?" I frown looking at him
"Josie and I haven't really been... well you know. I wanted a relationship, she didn't so I moved on or well tried to. Veronica and I had a little thing going on while Archie was away"
"Seriously Reggie?" I sigh
"It just happened. But now she's dropped me for him again"
"Ok first of all we're keeping this a secret from Archie, he doesn't need to know about you and Ronnie. Second of all, have you thought about staying single for a while? obviously dating isn't working out for you at the moment"
"You know, sometimes I'm jealous of you both, of what you have"
"You'll find the right person one day Reg" I squeeze his shoulder and listen to Veronica singing in Spanish to Archie, but then he runs out of the speak easy
"What just happened?" I ask getting up. Veronica runs after him while Reggie stays sitting and sighing
"Archie's so different now"
"Yeah of course he is Reg"
"What if it's permanent?"
"Then so be it. He's still my brother. Your just being bitter because you lost Veronica to him when we all know that for he it will always be Archie"
"Wow don't hold back Rory" Reggie gets up in a mood and walks off
"Reg I'm sorry" I call out to him
"Hey he's just upset, he'll cool off soon" Pea says hugging me from behind
"I hope so"