Chapter 22: Double Trouble, Part 2

Archie suspected something was up with FP's attitude. He wasn't sure what was bothering the latter, but he hoped he would find out. Whatever it was, it couldn't be that bad, right?

Meanwhile…

Ever since the Drive-In theater had been permanently shut down, Jughead Jones had found refuge inside Riverdale High School. The conditions were far from sanitary, but it wasn't that bad. Jughead didn't want to risk going back home, where FP had multiple discarded liquor bottles and was a drunk mess. No way could Jughead feel anything other than precarious for staying with his father. Unless his father changed his ways and attitude, Jughead couldn't imagine himself going back to Sunnyside Trailer Park.

Jughead sat in the locker room and continued typing. Both he and Betty were clearly in love and had a beneficial partnership on the Riverdale High newspaper. Jughead had worked on the Jason Blossom murder case, but had no leads on who could have murdered Jason. It seemed like anyone could be a potential suspect. Hardly anyone could be trusted.

Jughead knew Archie was determined to find out who the killer was for some reason. Jughead wasn't sure why. Archie and Jason were teammates and on the same football team, but there seemed to be no real motivation for Archie to start looking for the killer. Was there? Jughead had a feeling something was suspicious.

Jughead also wondered about Betty's sister, Polly. Jughead didn't expect to find out that Polly was pregnant. He wasn't sure how Polly would react when she found out about Jason's death. It would be unpleasant, that was for sure.

Jughead was absorbed in his thoughts when all of a sudden, someone pushed open the door. It was Archie.

For a couple of minutes, they stared at each other, neither of them saying anything. Finally, Archie asked, "Jughead, what are you doing here?"

Jughead sighed. He really couldn't come up with a good excuse.

"I've been living here."

"In the school?", Archie asked. "What about your trailer park?"

"My dad's been drinking", Jughead said. "Now that Fred's re-hired him, he might stop drinking and take things seriously. But there's no guarantee."

"I think you should give your father another chance", Archie said. "You can't live like this, man. Your father's made mistakes, but none of us are perfect by a long shot. You should reconcile with him. Now that your dad's back in Andrews Construction, maybe he'll put an end to the drinking."

"I think I'll do that", Jughead said. "How's your music?"

"It's going good", Archie said. "I've been practicing in my garage. My dad was very helpful."

Archie wanted to say that Cheryl had helped him, too, but he couldn't. Archie knew that eventually he had to stop acting like a coward, but he didn't feel ready yet. He wanted to wait for the right moment, then proclaim his love for her. He had to wait for the right moment.

"So, I've wanted to ask you something", Archie said. "It's about you and Betty. How long have the two of you…been together?"

Jughead took a deep breath, then grinned.

"It was around the time the drive-in was about to shut down", Jughead said. "Betty and I shared our first kiss at the drive-in theater. We offered each other comfort. She had her own troubles to share. She told me about her sister that day, about how she was hiding in their attic."

"Well, at least Polly is doing fine with the Lodges", Archie said. "Any place has to be better than hiding in some rusty, old attic."

"I can concur with that."

Archie then said, "Well, I have to get going. See you, Jughead."

Archie headed to his next class, winking at Cheryl on the way.

Later…

Archie had convinced the other players on the Riverdale High School bowling team to help out with Andrews Construction. The team felt good after defeating Baxter High's bowling team in their first match. Archie could only hope the boys he recruited were willing to contribute to their cause.

Kevin would be out of the hospital within a few days. Tom Keller had strongly suggested and insisted that Kevin attended group therapy sessions to cope with his suicidal thoughts.

Archie met up with Reggie.

"Reggie? I need a favor."

"Sure, Archie. What is it?"

"You wouldn't mind helping out with my father's construction company for a few weeks? My father needs some hands on the job, things have been tight. If you can, see if you can convince the other players on the Riverdale bowling team. You'll all get paid."

Reggie pursed his lips, then nodded. "Okay. I'll see what I can do."

Archie later headed to the library, where Cheryl was waiting for him.

"Let's get studying", Cheryl said, smiling at Archie.

Archie glanced at his English notes first, trying to understand the definitions to certain vocabulary words. There were fifteen words on the list, and Archie dearly hoped that he had memorized those definitions. He didn't want to look stupid in front of Cheryl.

"So, Archie, have you memorized those words?", Cheryl asked.

"Yes."

"Demonstrate it then."

Archie took a deep breath. "Iconoclastic is defined as 'characterized by attack on cherished beliefs or institutions.' Adulation means excessive flattery, admiration, or praise. Squander means to spend or use wastefully. Animosity means a feeling of strong dislike. Coherent means logically connected or consistent. Consise means expressing much in a few words. Atypical means not typical, not conforming to type. Camaraderie means a spirit of friendliness or good-fellowship. Belie means to show to be false. Calculated means carefully thought out or planned. Collaboration is defined as the 'act of working together'. Cavalier means showing arrogant disregard. Chronicle means a record or history. Alacrity means cheerful willingness. Advocate means to speak or write in favor of."

Archie took a deep breath.

"Did I get them all correct?"

"Yes, you did, Archie. Well done.", Cheryl said.

Archie felt so pleased.

"Now we'll move on to math", Cheryl said. "I understand that you've been having trouble in Algebra. Well, I can certainly help you in that area."

An hour later, Archie felt like had a bigger grasp on Algebra.

"Thanks, Cheryl."

"Not a problem, Archie."

Archie walked through the hallways. He observed Dilton Doiley talking with Ben Button and Midge Klump. Archie saw Reggie and Veronica next to their lockers, talking.

After school, Archie and most of the other players from the Riverdale Bowling team headed to Andrews Construction to help out Fred's business. Fred and Hermione seemed ecstatic by this.

FP Jones then approached Fred and Hermione.

"I'd be careful if I were you", FP said. "Hiram knows about your affair."

Fred looked at the ground, not feeling like there was anything to say.

"The only question is, who ratted you out?", FP asked.

This caused Hermione to think.

Later…

Jughead decided that Archie was right. He simply couldn't keep living like this. He decided to hash it out with his father. Bury the hatchet, as others would say.

It took a while for Jughead to get all of his things from Riverdale High and bring them to the trailer.

Jughead knocked on the trailer door.

"Who is it?", FP called.

Jughead walked inside. FP seemed surprised to see him there.

"Jughead? What are you doing here?", FP asked, seeming surprised.

Jughead took a deep breath, then explained.

"I want to come back home", Jughead said. "I've been trying to find places to stay, but I want to come back. I think it's time for me to stay here again."

FP nodded. "Okay, then. As long as you don't try to stop me from drinking, I think it's all right. You know where your room is."

Meanwhile…

Veronica and Reggie had decided to go on a "date" and went clubbing. Veronica knew that her mom would be pissed and alarmed when she found out how much money from the latter's credit card she was using. Maybe this would garner her attention.

Veronica and Reggie were about to drink when all of a sudden, the bartender stopped them.

"You kids look too young to drink", he said suspiciously. "Let me see your identification."

"Oh, we'll be glad to tell you how old we are", Reggie said sarcastically.

Just then the bartended frowned. "Show me your credit card."

Veronica handed him the credit card. She frowned when a beep emitted from the card.

"Looks like your card declined. In fact, it's been reported as stolen.", the bartender said.

Veronica and Reggie looked at each other.

"It's my mom", Veronica said. "She's figured it out."

Later…

Betty decided to visit Veronica and Polly at the Pembrooke. Betty wanted to check up on her sister and get an update on her pregnancy.

Betty was talking with Polly when all of a sudden Hermione burst through the front door.

"Veronica, why have you been clubbing on a school night?", she asked. "Money doesn't grow on trees, you know."

"And did you really think I wouldn't find out you forged my signature?", Veronica asked.

Hermione sighed, then explained. "I have feelings for Fred Andrews. I can't say what it means yet, as I don't know myself yet. Hiram has made his own decisions, which distances him from me and I now have to make my own decisions about moving forward with my life. Veronica, I'm only asking you to please accept and approve of our affair until we get more information. I believe partnering with Andrews Construction was the right thing to do as Lodge Industries needs to work with legitimate business going forward."

Veronica guessed that seemed reasonable. "Fine. But there are conditions. Whatever is happening between you and Mister Andrews can't happen at the Pembrooke. Also, I'll have to tell my father the truth about the contract with Andrews Construction, as well as about you forging my signature."

Later…

Veronica was with Betty, Polly, and Hermione at breakfast when all of a sudden, Veronica had an idea.

"Let's throw Polly a baby shower", Veronica said.

"That's a good idea", Betty said. "It might get my parents talking with Polly again."

Hermione smiled at this news.

"I want both my parents and the Blossoms to attend", Polly said.

The smile on Hermione's face disappeared.

"Veronica, can I talk with you?", Hermione asked.

Hermione pulled Veronica aside when Betty and Polly were talking in the dining room.

"Veronica, you should know that the rivalry between the Blossoms and the Coopers is deep. If they are forced to interact, it would be a full-scale bloodbath. Not to mention, I'm trying to avoid the Blossoms as Clifford has made a play for the drive-in's land, and if he finds out Hiram was the buyer, it would be open war. It won't look good. Fred still doesn't know that Hiram is the owner, even though I'm trying to keep things on track."

"You can't hide the truth from him, forever", Veronica said. "He's bound to find out sooner or later."

"We'll see", Hermione said.

"I was hoping maybe you could help me convince Alice Cooper to attend the shower. Have a mother-to-mother conversation. Try to convince her to come."

Hermione pursed her lips. "I'll talk to her."

Later…

Archie felt pleased that things seemed to be working out. His father's construction business was slightly improving. Cheryl was giving excellent tutelage during their sessions. Kevin had recovered and had been discharged from the hospital.

Archie wished he could have more time to spend with Cheryl. Unfortunately, Cheryl would be preoccupied with some baby shower Veronica was hosting, and Archie would be busy with football practice. Outside of their involvement with the Riverdale bowling team, Archie and Cheryl weren't able to spend as much time together as they used to. Their schedules were filled and there wasn't much either of them could do about it.

Archie also knew he had to be careful around the Blossoms. He knew if either Clifford or Penelope found out about this relationship, things could turn deadly. Archie didn't want to do anything stupid and risk endangering himself or Cheryl.

Archie and the other boys that he had invited to help out with Andrews Construction were busy at work, trying to help Fred's business. They had spent a majority of the day digging and building.

Finally, a lunch break occurred. The boys apart from Kevin and Moose headed to the trailers to eat. Moose went to retrieve his phone. Kevin and Moose were talking amongst themselves, when all of a sudden, they both were slammed by someone and fell backwards.

Meanwhile…

Archie and Reggie heard screaming coming from outside. They both rushed outside and found both Kevin and Moose writhing on the ground. They had clearly both been attacked and were clearly in pain. Archie could see they were bleeding. Archie also saw two thugs damaging Andrews Construction equipment. The two masked men saw the rest of the crew and took off.

"Stop there, pricks!", Archie shouted. But the two scumbags were both clearly gone.

Kevin said. "They beat us both bloody. To a pulp. They warned us that if we continue working on the SoDale project, they'll come back for more."

"I'm going to call Sheriff Keller", Fred said.

Archie couldn't believe it. Kevin had just gotten out of the hospital and gotten injured again.

He can't catch a break, Archie thought. This is becoming ridiculous. My friends are getting attacked, one by one.