Holding On // Sequel to Lucky

Chapter 41

  I circle around the shop with Veronica. It was actually really weird. Her not being mad at what I said to her. "Listen," She tells me, "I have to meet Archie at the Soup Kitchen in an hour. So lets cut to the chase... Whatever theories you have about me, forget them. If not to keep our friendship then to keep you and our friends safe."

  "Fine," I mumble, "so is it true?" She looks around then nods.

"Please don't tell Archie," Veronica pleads. I nod.

 "He can't take anymore heart break," I tell her, "fine. I'll keep it to myself..."

"Great," She announces as I pull a dress off the rack and show it to her. "Not that one...Can we agree to be civil at the least?" 

"Sure," I mumble. I show her another one.

"Perfect," She says, "you'll fit right in... So you're southside arm candy?"

"Sweet Pea?" I ask her.

"Are you bringing him?" Veronica asks.

"Well I didn't want to impose," I admit, "but if there is room."

"Of course there is," She says, "bring him. But remember he has to dress nice. And no jackets. Only so my dad doesn't go all god father."

"Got it," I say.

*****

 My job at Pops had become a magical thing of me eavesdropping on my customers. Okay I'm a bad person I know. But in such a small town and slow days I couldn't help it. Thank you for meeting with me. So when Betty and Jughead came in and sat at our booth. I had to.

"You're the only person in this town that I can talk to about something like this," Jug says to her. I scoff quietly as I wipe down the table.

"Before you do, can I just point out one thing?" Betty asks.

"I know what you're going to say. And I'd tell Y/n but, well the bitch moved on pretty damn fast to have actually cared," He spits out. I feel a knife go through my heart. Fast! I spent weeks in my room crying. Weeks flirting and talking to Sweet Pea after the crying and him and I are still just flirting. Dick. 

"What do you need, Jug?" She asks.

"Mayor McCoy thinks the Serpents were the ones who vandalized the statue of General Pickens. And now, suddenly, we have 14 days to vacate Sunnyside Trailer Park," Jughead admits.

"What That's illegal," She says.

"Technically, the trailer park's on town property," Jug explains, "And not everyone has paid their rent."

"Well, so, let's go talk to Mayor McCoy," Betty suggests.

"I did. She's making this all about the beheaded statue and really it's just a pretense to shut us up and get us out," Jug says.

"If the statue's what's fueling her fire, then let's take away the gas," Betty says, 'The Case of the Decapitated Statue.' Let's treat it like a missing persons case. Someone, somewhere, must've seen something. So, we'll canvas the town with reward flyers for anyone who has information."

"Finding that head and who did it would really take the wind out of Mayor McCoy's sails," Jug says.

"So.." Betty says.

"Find the head, save the trailer park," Jug says. I plaster a fake smile and approach the table. 

"Hello," I say, "here are your menus. Unless you already know your order."

"You seem tense," Betty says. Yeah of fucking course I am, Betty Mc Cunt Muffin, my best friend was shit talking me to you. Saying I moved on. Maybe I fucking should. Sweet Pea is a good guy and I fucking like him. What more do I need.