Chapter 36 ~ Fusion Of Colors

It was Tuesday, yesterday was Monday. Fp hated Mondays. It always seemed like it was a doomed day. Out of the other days of the week, Monday was always a rough start for Fp. Fp laid in his hospital bed staring at the blank tv on the wall. His mind was clouded by the thoughts that consumed his brain. He knew he was going to be a father again. But finding out you lost a chance to be a father digs deep in your heart. Hearing the words triplets being flipped to twins. Fp still had no idea how he was going to afford them. He was going to prove to Alice and himself that he can be a better father. He was ashamed of his choices he made in his life. Instead of being there for his kids, he chose to drink.

As he flips the tv on power, he shuffles through the tv channels. His doctor signed his discharge papers. Fp was unbelievably happy that he would finally be in his own bed. In his own place and not being stuck in one room. Jughead walks into his father's hospital room with a wheelchair in his hands. He wheeled the wheelchair to his father. Fp looked up to see his son wheeling the wheelchair to him. His son was extremely tired. He had bags underneath his eyes. He could see dark circles starting to form.

"Hey, Jug." He greeted his son. Jughead look up to his father and sent a smile. It had hint of exhaustion.

"Hey, Dad. Ready to go?" Jughead asked as he gently rubbed his eyes. Fp felt bad for his son being so exhausted. He didn't mean to worry the poor boy. Fp loved his son more than his words and actions explained.

Fp nodded his head, stretched his arms out. He carefully crawled out of the now made hospital bed. His stomach was still sore from the sutures that we stitched into him. As he sat down on the wheelchair, a unfondly memory edged its way into his mind. It wasn't the typical memory he wanted to remember. This memory caused pain, heartbreak, anger to all burn into him. This was a time Fp was so lost. Everything was being put into its place.

Tained Pain- 1991

It was March 23rd, Fp and Alice have been going strong for three years now. It was almost the end of junior year. Prom was coming up, Fp wasn't looking forward to having to dress up. But he would do it for his Allie. He had a hard time saying no to her. It was like her puppy dog eyes were so controlling, she could get anything she possibly wanted.

Fp climbed out of bed, smiling as he went to his small closet and picked something to wear. This was the day, Fp thought as he got ready for school. He already knew the matching coloring for the prom. How his tux had to match the same color as she was wearing. Fp to be honest; didn't have any clue or a care about this stuff. He was more like the go with flow guy. He got on his motorcycle and drove to us. As he drove, he felt the wind blowing across his face as he pulled into the school parking lot.

Fp walked down the hall to his locker, to only find someone who looked like a Northsider talking to his girlfriend. Fp tried to not let it bother him. He knew every guy at their school wanted her. And we're beyond jealous that Fp had his hold on her. He knew how hot, gorgeous Alice was. Alice Smith was his world. If he hadn't opened his mouth at that diner, he wouldn't have her. Fp didn't know his name, but he already didn't like the guy. Northsiders don't get alone with Southsiders. Fp closed his locker and went up to the pair.

"Hey babe." Fp said sweetly as he leaned in to give her a peck on the lips. Alice smiled and returned a peck. Then he cracked his neck. "Who are you talking to?" Fp questioned suspiciously as he pulled her close to him. Alice opened her mouth to respond.

"Oh, Fp this is Hal cooper. He is in the school newspaper. I think the Blue and Gold, right?" Alice asked Hal as she introduced them. Hal put out his hand and Fp put out his. Hal and Fp shook each other's hands politely. Fp felt this feeling in his gut, that this guy was no good.

"Yes, Alice it's the blue and gold." He said and then turned toward her again. Getting a little too close for Fp's comfort. "You should join." Hal offered planting a friendly smile on his smug face. Fp already didn't like the guy. It was only been two minutes since they encountered each other. Alice's face lit up in surprise.

"Really? You really think so?" Alice asked as she pulled sightly away from Fp. Fp felt her hands pull away. Something within him. Just felt this instant gnawing feeling, like something was going to go wrong or happen.

"Yeah why not. I have seen your writing in English and debate. Your an excellent writer." Hal commented as he watched fp's face turn into an uncomfortable expression. Hal liked watching Fp get fired up. He was flirting with his girlfriend. Fp wanted to smack the shit out of Hal's shit face.

"Yeah that sounds like a lot of fun." She stated as she turned to Fp. Who was glaring at Hal. "Don't you think this a good opportunity?" She asked in excitement. Fp loved to see her happy. He didn't want to say no. But he didn't want to give Hal Cooper the satisfaction.

"Yeah that's a great opportunity, Allie." Fp said trying to control his rage. He wasn't angry with her. Not one bit. He was angry, furious with this northsider, Hal Cooper. He had no idea who he was adding fuel to the fire. Fp wasn't going to let that northsider Hal Cooper play tricks on him. He knew exactly what he was doing. Fp wasn't dumb. He knew Hal wanted Alice. And he was going to get her one way or another.

"Well we better get started, Alice." Hal stated as he shifted his books in his hands, sending Fp a mocking smirk that only Fp could see. Alice gave Fp a goodbye kiss.

"Yeah your right, Hal." She stated as she picked up her bookbag, her and Hal headed to the blue and gold room.

Fp watched as they turned the hall and disappeared from his sight. Fp had this feeling that he should of said no. But he didn't want to be the boyfriend who controls her and contradicts her every move or choice. Fp saw Fred, who was talking to Mary Drake on the left of him. He walked up to him. Fred could tell by the sigh and expression in his face. That Fp needed him. He told Mary he had to deal with a friend issue. She understood.

"Fp, what's the matter, man?" He asks concerned evident in his voice. Fp sighed and rubbed his hand over his face in frustration. Fred felt bad for him.

"There's this guy... I think Hal Cooper. He was darn right flirting with her in front of me." Fp explained the situation as the anger boiled his blood. Fred turned to face him with a look of shock.

"Did you say Hal Cooper? The high school bulldog?" Fred exasperated as he placed a hand on Fp's shoulder.

"Yes him." Fp grumbled as he slammed his hands on the locker in front. Causing a scene and people to turn their heads. He turned to face the crowd of people. "NOTHING HERE!" He yelled and the crowd of people scurried off. Fred sighed opening his mouth.

"Are you worried about him stealing Alice away from you? Fp, you shouldn't be worried. Alice loves you. You have been together for three years, man. I wish I had that type of commitment." Fred said confinement causing Fp to leaning his head against the lockers behind him.

"I guess your right." Fp let out a sigh. He looked up at the clock on the wall and realized that he was late for chemistry class. "Shit!" Fp swore as he quickly grabbed his chem book. Fred looked the clock and sighed.

"We better get to class." Fred started and then turned back to Fp. "Fp come on, hurry!" Fred snapped as he grabbed fp's arm and dragged him to class.

"Fine! Fine!" Fp grumbled as he ripped away from Fred's grasp and stormed down the hall. Fred trailed behind him. They were so late for class. Fred didn't want to be late. But he saw his friend needed him.

Fp snapped out of his thoughts, when he noticed his son staring at him. Jughead was concerned about his dad. His dad was out of it for like a straight 16 minutes. By the look on his father's face. He could tell it was a painful memory. Jughead didn't know what it was. But he could tell that his father didn't want to remember it. A knock on the door, caused the Jones boys to turn their heads. No other then Betty Smith was standing in the doorway.

"Juggie, would you mind bring me home after you help your dad get to the trailer. I ran out of clothes and I can't get hold of Archie or any of our friends. Would you mind?" Betty asked as she rested her head on the cold metal of the door frame. Jughead smiled and nods his head.

"Yeah, I can bring you." Jughead said affirmingly as he pushed his father in his wheelchair. Fp didn't mind doing favors for people. He was just happy that he was going home first. Hospital bed aren't really comfortable.

"Thanks Juggie And Fp." Betty smiled as she held the elevator door open for them.

"It's no problem, Betty." Fp said as he looked her in her eyes. Her eyes were just as tired as his son's. The poor girl hadn't been getting sleep either. Fp didn't blame her.

The car ride was painful for Fp. His son was driving. Not that Jughead wasn't a good driver. He is a very good driver. But all the potholes the truck went over. Weren't nice on his aching back. He couldn't wait to lay in his bed. As he stood up on his crutches. Fp felt his weight shift and one of his crutches slipped. Jughead was able to catch his dad from falling. Betty gasped as she watched Fp come crashing.

"Dad, are you okay?" Jughead asks his father as he helps his father get into his bed. Fp let out a pain filled moan.

"Ye-ah it just hurts." Fp says as he takes deep breaths through the pain. Jughead and Betty sighed in relief.

"Okay, Dad. I'm going to bring Betty home now." Jughead states as he closed the door. Fp smiles and shuts his eyes. His mind start to think about another unforgettable thought.