Holding On // Sequel to Lucky

Chapter 9

   Polly Cooper was that girl growing up who was always perfect. Like offensively perfect. Then she got pregnant with her cousins baby at 17, and then her baby daddy was murdered by his father. Even though all that when she made her welcomed and triumphant return to Riverdale she was still seen as this perfect amazing person. Even earning a joke from Reggie about how if he didn't already have mom issues he would. And here that same girl is. Running away from a man killing sinners. Leaving under the safety of night. As she and Betty stood by the door I sat on the steps waiting.

"Polly, are you sure this is how you wanna leave? Without even telling them goodbye?" I ask,

"-I know Mom's sorry," Betty says.

"She's always sorry," Polly says, "Until she does the next thing. I'll be fine. I'll call you. I promise."

"Okay," Betty says hugging her. I walk towards.

"Bye Polly," I say hugging her too.

"Bye," she says. She pulls back and walks out. And with that the Polly, the perfect was gone. 

*****  

    "Jughead," I say as he sits down at the counter. "Hey, whats up?"

   "I just wanted to come see you," He says.

  "Well you came just in time because I'm on my break in like 2 minutes," I say, "then we can hang out."

 "Great," He says.

"While I'm up here A burger and coffee good for you?" I ask him.

"Why of course," He says. I turn to the kitchen and tell the chef the order for the burger. Then I make two coffees. Jughead moves to our booth and I carry our things to the table. I slid into the seat across from him.

  "Please tell me you wore a helmet on your way here," I say.

  "I did," He says.

  "Good," I say, "if you don't wear it again I will end you."

"I get it," He says, "so how do you like working here?"

"Its good I guess," I say, "pays surprisingly well."

"At least now you can run me food," he says.

"Anytime," I say, "gives us time to hang out."

"I've only been gone for a couple days," he says.

"And that's like a lifetime for me," I whine as the guy sits down the food.

"Thanks," Jug says, "a lifetime isn't 2 days."

"Yes, it is," I whine, "I'm needy."

"Jeez," he says. 

"Hey you choose to date me," I say, "you choose to deal with me."

"I did," He says, "and I don't regret it." We sit and chat as we eat up until my shift ends. He kisses me goodnight and we part ways. 

*******

"Betty whats up?" I ask her as we walk into the building. She sighs. 

"I told Kev's dad about him cruising," She says.

"Holy shit Betty," I say, "why?"

"I went to his house to talk to him and he was out and his dad was there," she says.

"Are you trying to make all your friends hate you?" I ask.

"I didn't mean to say anything to his dad," she says.

"It just slipped," I suggest.

"Kinda," She says.

"Then what?" I ask her. 

"I knew he would listen to his dad," She says, "he won't listen to anyone but him. Because it doesn't matter about anyone but him."

"I know," I say, "but its still not cool."

"I just wanted him to be okay," she says.

"At least now he will be safe," I say to her.

*******

    I click play on the video. Archie was standing in front of a group of guys in red hoods. "Oh no, no Archie no," I mumble.

  "Is it recording?" Archie asks. Whoever was filming must have answered because Archie started talking. "This is a message for the coward calling himself the Black Hood."

  "What are you watching?" Betty asks walking into her room. I pause the video and wave her over.

  "A video from our own Archie Andrews," I say. She sits beside me.

 "Doing what?" She asks.

"Threating the black hood," I say pressing play.

"You think you can attack us from the shadows," Archie says, "But Riverdale is a lot stronger than you. And we're not afraid. See, there's only one of you. But we are legion. We're called the Red Circle. And we're coming for you." He gets up and walks towards the camera, "We will find you. We will hunt you. And we will end you."

"Oh my god," Betty says.

"I can't believe this," I say to her.