Forever Boy- SP 4 ✔️

Chapter 60- Dog Day Afternoon

Things between Pea and I have been tense something is going on with him and I need to know
"How are you and Pea?" Toni asks sitting in the student lounge with Cheryl cuddled up
"Not great. I don't know what's going on with him. I just wish he would talk to me"
"He will when he's ready"
"Hmm" I hum when the others, bar, all trail in. Mad Dog sits down next to me and gives me a small smile "hey. Thanks again for the other night"
"Honestly don't worry about it"
"What was the other night?" Pea asks crossing his arms
"Monroe gave Rory a lift home after you abandoned her at Cheryl's"
"So did you" I look at Archie "anyway come sit" I pat the space next to me but Pea just walks out instead
"What was that?" Reggie asks
"He's been off with me since I've been sticking up for with your dad"
"Rory I don't want to be the reason you guys break up. Your good together"
"Yeah well not right now. Anyway what were you on about earlier Arch. Something about money?"
"I'm looking at around 40 grand to pay for the renovations that the gym needs"
"Oh shit"
"I hate to say it again, but I could just lend you the money" Veronica says
"No, Ronnie, I don't wanna take any more handouts. I wanna work for it. I just need to figure out what that work can be"
"Your just like dad" I give Archie a little nudge
"We could host a charity concert" Kevin suggest
"Bake sale?" Betty also suggests
"You're gonna have to sell a lot of cupcakes" Mad Dog says
"Now, hold on. I think B's on to something. Not a bake sale, per say but..looking at you four strapping young men, there's another classic way
to raise money"
"A strip show?" I raise an eyebrow at Veronica
"Get your mind out of the gutter Rory. A car wash"
"Ohhh"
"Do you think Sweet Pea would also join?" I shrug at Veronica
"Maybe but I'm not sure. Something is up with him and I need to figure it out before our relationship suffers, which I think it may be already. Speaking of I'm going to see if I can find him" I get up from the couch and leave the student lounge. I end up finding him putting away some books in his locker "hey can we talk?"
"You sure you don't want to go talk to Monroe or Reggie"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think we need to take a break"
"What!?" I shout "why?"
"I think we both need some time apart for a while. Things have been crazy the last few months and I think we need to focus on ourselves for a while" tears prick my eyes. Not wanting to cry in the hallway I hold them back
"Fuck you Sweet Pea" I turn around a run out of school.
I end up crying at dad grave spilling my guts out to the headstone before going home, knowing mom will still be out. I continue to let the tears out while Vegas and Hot Dog lick them from my face.

The door opens and in walks my mom
"Why have I had a phone call from the principal telling me one of my kids left school earlier?" Mom walks into the living room and the tears start all over again "what happened?"
"He broke up with me"
"What? Why?"
"I don't know mom" mom is quick by my side "I thought you were both good?"
"So did I, I mean he's been acting off recently like not wanting to spend as much time together but then today he said something about Monroe and Reggie"
"Ah so he jealous"
"But he has no reason to be mom"
"Does he know that?"
"Yes, well I think so. Anyway I guess it doesn't matter now" more tears start to fall down my face
"You'll be ok. You both will. And if you are meant to still be together you'll find your way back to each other"

The following weekend Archie has his car wash for the gym and raises $400. He still needs a hell of a lot more. Pea hasn't spoken to me since we broke up and I haven't seen him at school at all. If I'm being honest everyone seems to be dealing with something, Betty is still trying to fight the farm, Arch is fighting for his gym, Veronica is fighting her dad, Cheryl and Toni are... well Cheryl's acting a little odd while Toni is just all loved up. Archie and I are doing our homework when mom comes over to us
"Hey, can we talk?"
"Sure?" I frown looking at our mom who looks nervous
"I want you to come back to Chicago with me"
"Mom" Archie sighs
"You can finish your senior year there. You can both start again"
"I don't wanna start again. My best bet at going to college is on football scholarship. Otherwise, how would I even be able to afford college?"
"Rory?"
"I don't know mom. Riverdales our home" I give her a shrug
"Your father and I started a fund for each of you
when you were born"
"Wait what?"
"I was reluctant to tell you because I thought you'd wanna use it on the community centre and we all know your sister wouldn't be able to that a secret from you"
"Of course I would"
"Archie, as noble an idea as that may be, do you really think that it's gonna make a difference here in Riverdale?"
"Mom" I scold her knowing it has made a huge difference already
"I mean, all the crime here, your friend Munroe's little brother beaten up by a bunch of thugs? Is that really the town that you wanna invest in? No one is safe here" Archie stands up from his seat
"Look, I'm not gonna give up on Riverdale the same way you did"
"I moved to Chicago because I couldn't find a job here. And don't blame me if I'm trying to stop one of my children from putting his money into a losing proposition"
"Well, I guess that's the difference between you and me, Mom. I don't think Riverdale is a losing proposition. The same as dad. I'm not moving. Neither is Rory. And I will make a difference here" Archie storms upstairs and mom goes to the kitchen leaving me alone with my homework. What's going on these days?