Chapter 5: What to do?
*Aria's POV*
I woke up and looked around my new room. It had plain white walls, a window, a decent sized closet, and wood floors. The blankets were a floral print. * I wonder if Aunt Mary and Uncle Fred will let me paint and decorate the room? Probably not. I'm only here for a year.* I thought as I got up and stretched. After hearing my bones and joints pop I decided to grab one of my new outfits and head to the bathroom to shower. My outfit was a pair of jeans and my boots that I first arrived in along with a 'Little Monster' black shirt with the words in silver along with my purple earrings I first wore and 12 bangles, 6 silver and 6 purple, for my wrists instead of my gloves. I started the shower and stripped off my dirty clothes, putting them in the hamper, as the water warmed up. Once the water was warm enough to my liking I slipped in and began bathing. I was putting conditioner in my hair when I, unintentionally, started singing 'The Longest Time' by Billy Joel. I finished showering and started singing a new song, once I finished the other one, as I got ready for the day. As I was putting on eye liner my voice was still quiet but strong and confident by now.
"Ooohhh~ we gotta hooold on. Ready or not. You live for the fight when that's ALL THAT YOU'VE GOT WOOOAAAHHHH we're half way theeere WOOOAAAHHH! Living on a praaayer! Take my hand and we'll make it I sweeear! WOOOAAAHHH! Living on a praayer! WOOOAAAHHHH we're half way theeere WOOOAAAHHH! Living on a praaayer! Take my hand and we'll make it I sweeear! WOOOAAAHHH! Living on a praayer! Woooaaahhh we're half way theeere wooaahhh! Living on a praaayer! Take my hand and we'll make it I sweeear! Wooaahhh! Living on a praayer!" I finished singing 'Living on a Prayer' by Bon Jovi as I walked out of the bathroom and went down stairs. I saw no sign of Archie as I looked at the time. 7 AM! * Whyyyyy!* I wined in my head as I decided to grab a bag of pop tarts and go outside as I put my new attachable roller skates on and put my headphones on with music blasting as I was soon out the door.
Riverdale was a small town when driving but when walking it was big. * Good thing I have skates.* I thought as 'Eye of the Tiger' by Survivor was blaring in my ears. I was skating around town just to see if I could remember certain land marks. That was a bit hard since I got lost a couple times. I wasn't sure what time it was as I soon found a park. * Perfect!* I thought as I went in the park and started to skate along the trails while avoiding people. * I wonder if there is a roller place around here.* I wondered as I did a quick spin and then continued forward. I made my way out the other end of the park and started skate dancing to 'Ray of Light' by Madonna. For some reason when I'm in Riverdale I feel like I could relax and forget myself. It was a nice change of pace actually. I felt. Free! I started skating sideways, backwards, in circles, and forward as I soon rounded a corner and slammed right into someone. "Woah!" I yelped out as I started to loose balance and fall. Before I hit the ground I felt a hand grab my wrist and I got pulled up by the person. My headphones fell to my neck as I regained balance. "I'm sorry." I quickly spurted out. "Aw it's alright." I heard a familiar voice.
I looked up and saw Jughead standing there with a smile on his face and still holding my wrist. "Oh!" I said and then smiled. "Hi Jughead." I said as we both looked at my wrist. He quickly let go and I blushed and looked away from him. "Thanks." I mumbled. "Anytime." He replied. "Hey! Is Arch with you?" He suddenly asked after an awkward 20 seconds of silence. "Hm? He's not with you?" I asked as he shook his head. "Last I checked he was home. Wait? What time is it?" I asked as I looked at him. "Its almost 1 o'clock. Why?" He asked as my eyes went wide. "I left at 7. Oh man! Archie's gonna be mad!" I exclaimed as Jughead calmed me down. "It's ok. He'll find you. Hey I know. I was heading to Pop's to get something to eat. How bout we go there together? Arch is bound to look for you there." He said. "Great idea." I told him as we started heading that way together. "Oh." I chimed right when we got there and I stopped. "What's wrong?" He asked. "I….Uh….I don't have any money. I used it all to get some new clothes and school supplies." I told him in disappointment. "Don't worry bout it. We'll share a plate and Arch can pay me back another time." He said as I looked at him. "I couldn't ask you to-" I started saying before my stomach growled loudly. "Well it's settled then. Your stomach agrees with me." He said as he took my hand and as he dragged/rolled me in continued "Besides. What kind of friend would I be if I ate in front of you when you had nothing and were hungry?" He asked as we soon took a seat at a booth. "I guess so." I said as I felt guilty but happy as well.
* He's so nice.* I thought as Pop's came up to us. "Hey Jughead. Oh. Hi Aria. Where's Archie?" He asked. "Last I saw he was home. He might look for me so Jughead said to wait here for him." I explained. "Oh. Makes sense. The usual Jughead?" He asked. "Make it more Pop's. I'm treating Aria till Arch gets here." He said. Pop nearly dropped his pencil. "Your paying? AND your paying for someone else? Now I've seen it all." Pop's said as he left to get the burgers. "What does he mean by that?" I asked. "Well...Usually I pay for myself when I have money or put it on a tab that I later pay off, like I'm doing now, or Arch usually pays for some of my burgers." He confessed. "No WONDER Archie was okay with paying for my food yesterday." I stated. "Naw. Not just that. He's been looking forward to you coming down here ALL summer. Hasn't stopped talking about it really." He said as I looked at him right in his eyes. "R-really?" I hesitantly asked. "Yeah. Your his favorite cousin after all. He mentioned to me, and me alone, how you were having problems at home and your school. He wants to try and make you happy. Every time he hears about how you got in trouble for something or when you were upset and needed to talk to him he'd feel horrible. He's not doing this out of pity or anything. Arch has a HUGE heart and loves to help people out. He cares for you more than anyone. Even more than Betty and Veronica. Even more than ME! His BEST friend in the WHOLE WORLD! He doesn't want this year to be rough on you, and frankly, neither do I. I know you've gotten into fights but I can tell you're a kind person like Archie is and most likely fought to defend yourself. I can tell." He said in a serious yet lax tone.
Before I could say anything a large plate of, I don't know like 20 burgers or so, came out. "Holler if you two need more." Pop's said as he walked away. We both shouted 'Thanks' as we began to eat. "So? You know about everything I told Archie? The fights, detention, bullies, getting in trouble a lot over nothing, all that?" I asked. "Yup." He said as he continued eating two burgers at once. "And 'Munch munch' you STILL want to be my friend?" I asked as I continued eating. "What's hard to understand? 'Munch' I mean 'Munch' you and Archie are the same. 'Munch' And I can tell 'Munch' from the way he talks about you 'Much' that your really nice and 'Munch' nothing like the other people you were around. 'Munch' Besides. 'Munch' I've learned not to judge someone too quickly." He explained while eating. "Another round Pops." He called as Pops came back with a whole new plate and took the empty one away. I smiled at him and a light blush crept up on my cheeks. * He's not like other guys.* I thought before Archie ran inside. "JUGHEAD!" he shouted as he ran over. "Hey Arch." He said while munching on another burger. "Jughead. Have you seen-" He started before I interrupted. "Hey Arch." He look at me and then sighed in relief. "Aria. Please don't do that. I didn't know where you were. You could've left a note." He said as I smacked my head. "I KNEW I forgot something!" I exclaimed as Archie saw the burger in my hand. "Hold on. When did you leave? And how are you paying for those?" He asked.
"First one: 7 AM. Second one: Ask him." I answered as I pointed to Jughead. "Meh. No big deal. 'Munch' We, literally, bumped into each other 'Munch' and we decided to wait here for you. 'Munch Munch' She got hungry 'Munch' and I was too 'Munch Munch' so we're eating together on my tab." He stated simply. "Jughead." Archie said shocked. "You NEVER do that. You don't always do that for ME!" He exclaimed as I stared at Jughead completely shocked. "Well she's new. You said I'd like her and I do. We're friends now. Plus I knew she didn't have money and I know if your up for it you'll owe me one." He stated as I blushed. * We're...Friends? He likes me?* I thought. "W-we're f-f-frie-ends?" I asked completely shocked. "Well yeah. Your like Archie but not Archie at the same time. And I like that. So yeah. We're friends." He said as if it were the simplest thing to say. I didn't know what to say so I continued eating my food. Archie sat down and ordered a burger for himself as he smiled at me. "See? I told you you would have at least one other friend other than me." He told me. "I should be mad at you for telling him about those emails. But I know why you did. I'm not mad but I wish you would've told me. At least Jughead doesn't judge me quickly." I told Archie as I finished my fill of burgers. 9 in total. "He told you? Well...um...I'm glad your not mad and I'm glad your friends." He said as his food came and we ate.
"Well mom and dad aren't expecting us back till later on so what do you want to do?" Archie asked as I thought about it. "Any monster movies playing?" I asked. "Yeah. Actually if we go to my house now then we can watch 'Frankenstein' and then 'Bride of Frankenstein' Right after words." Jughead claimed as we got up and stretched. "Well if your parents are ok with it then off we go." I said as we headed to Archie's car in the parking lot. We soon got to Jughead's house, a nice white little house, and went inside. "Mom and Dad aren't home right now but its ok. I'll get snacks and drinks. Aria what would you like?" He asked as Archie grew shocked. "What is there? Soda?" I asked. "I have coke, ginger ale, grape for Arch, and, my favorite, Orange." He said. "Your favorite is orange?" I asked. "Yup." He replied as I smiled. "Mine too." And he chuckled. "Alright. Orange it is." He said as he went into the kitchen and Archie and I went and sat on the couch. Before we knew it the table was filled with popcorn, gummy snacks, and some chocolates along with a few cans of soda. "There we go." He said as he sat in between me and Archie. I very lightly blushed as Jughead turned the TV on to 'Frankenstein' and handed me a soda. "Thanks." I mumbled as I took opened the can of soda and was soon watching the movie. After both movies were over Archie said we had to go so we said by to Jughead and left. When we got back home I was immediately bombarded by hugs, upon walking inside, by my aunt and uncle. They were happy to see me and I was happy to see them. They treated me nicely and showed me love right away and that made me happy. They Gave me a laptop and I was happy. They said I could use it to type weird mysteries with Archie and use it for school and stuff. It was just like Archie's too except his was red and mine was purple. We had a nice home cooked meal and they said I could decorate the room to my liking when I had money for it. They also said I'd have an allowance just like Archie. I smiled when I got ready for bed. * Today was a good day.* I thought to myself before I frowned. * How long will it last though?* I thought as I shook my head to be rid of those thoughts and went to bed.