"Archie." My dad starts. His voice laced with concern and disappointment.
"I'm not going to stop seeing Veronica dad. Especially not after last night."
"You could've been killed. Then who would have rescued her. She wouldn't have made it through the night if she didn't get medical assistance when she did, not with all the crap he had her take. Please at least stop spending so much time with her family. Things are going to get bad and I don't want you in the crossfire again. Her dad clearly doesn't care if you're collateral damage."
"She had a seizure dad." I just remember her eye's start twitching with her whole body and becoming even more unresponsive. I think I am going to have nightmares about it. I just felt so useless from the moment the ambulance arrived. I couldn't comfort her and she was so sick. I hated seeing her like that and though I know she'll be out of the hospital in a few day's, I don't know what all the ordeal has done to her. Because even completely out of it, I could tell it shook her up, and will never be the same. Who would be after being forced to take a near lethal amount of drugs before being assalted?
"She had an overdose and I know it had to be scary for you both, but at least you are okay and she will be okay. Come on son, go get a shower and we can pick up some flowers for her tomorrow" He was right I did stink to high heaven even with fresh clothes. I don't think I'm going to make it to school tomorrow or any of us. I plug in my phone and have a few texts from Jughead and Betty asking about Ronnie. And one from Hiram 'I won't be needing your assistance anymore. Don't get in my way and Don't do anything else stupid.' I knew what he meant and I wouldn't unless push came to shove. Veronica and the black hood were my concerns. It was the start of something though; there was a reason Hermione didn't want me to come around when Hiram was there.
B: You're home. Is V doing any better.
A: They made me go home, and I really needed a shower. She woke up and her vitals are better but not great. She still not talking. Are you okay?
B: I think my dad might be the black hood. I'm going to talk to Cheryl about it tomorrow or later today. What about you, Are you okay?
A: Not really. I'm worried about Ronnie, her dad doesn't' want me around, and my dad wants me to distance myself because of everything.
B: That sucks.
A: Yeah, Thankfully her mom doesn't mind and told me when her dad was going to be for sure out 2-5.
B: You better get some sleep before sun comes up then. Keep me posted
A: You too Betts and be careful. If the Black Hood is your father things could get messy.
I set an alarm for noon and put my phone away. I start to think of Veronica's favorite flowers. I can't order her cupcakes she likes so much as the delivery cost from New York is more than I make in a month working with my dad. I didn't sleep very well of course; I kept thinking if I was any later. If I wasn't as fit as I was, what would have happened. I keep thinking about how scared she was and his hands on her. I think about the black hood lurking about and the possibility he has lived next door. I think about the debate later this week and how the Lodges are going to try to smear my father. I think about Ronnie laying in that hospital bed reliving what happened to her in that hotel room. All I want to do is hold her and protect her like I should have done in the first place. Soon enough exhaustion takes over and I have a fitful sleep.
I decided on a multi colored bouquet as they looked the healthiest with a pink vase that was a little too pricey for my budget and the best chocolates I could afford. When I got to her room Andre was standing outside with another man I've seen around but never really met. They examined the gifts before nodding. I found it weird. When they gave them back, the other man gave me a nod with a small smile. Andre looked conflicted but thanfully let me in. Veronica smiles brightly at me and Hermonie left to give us some time alone. "Hey handsome." She smiles. The bruise on her face had darkened but her voice was a lot more clearer. Her eyes weren't glaced over anymore, and the the color had returned to her cheeks. I lean over and peck her on the lips.
"How you feeling." I ask taking the chair at her bedside. Her face falters.
"Honestly, I'm terrified of what my father is planning to do not just to Nick but his family and well you. They're going to let me go home later today or tomorrow morning. I never got to properly thank you for saving me. " I lean in and kiss her again, she kisses me back hungerly but I broke it off after all her mother was still near by and she was in a hospital bed; this wasn't the time to get carried away which we tended to do, a lot. We didn't talk much more she just held my hand. It wasn't until she started to cry that I sat on the bed and held her. We didn't talk about it. I didn't want to bombard her with questions; I know she was getting that enough from her parents and doctors.
But there was one thing I needed to know so I wouldn't go crazy, "Ronnie, Did he?"
"No, thank god, but he got close. If you had shown up just minutes later he would have." she grips my arm tighter and continues to cry even harder into my shoulder. I should have killed him. "Baby." I say and just stroke her hair that felt much cleaner than last night, so she must have gotten a shower too. I don't know how long I held her but after awhile her sobs turned to sniffles and finally stopped all together. She was still being ultra cuddly. I look up to see her mom give me a small nervous smile, before walking out of eye shot. "Don't worry she likes you more than my dad does right now. Actually she likes you more than she did before. Even going against Daddy's wishes to let you see me; Which doesn't happen often." though her tone was joking, I could tell she was actually worried about it. A few days ago I never would have thought Hiram Lodge was the kind of man who'll threaten his own family but just looking at Ronnie and her mom's body language, I could tell they were at least a little scared of him. There was probably a reason she was so quick to jump into an affair with my father, other than dating in high school and their spouses being away.
We were quiet for a while and I look to see that she had fallen asleep already drooling on my shoulder a little. She denies it but Ronnie is very much a drooler when she sleeps. I find it adorable especially when she falls asleep on my chest leaving a wet patch. I just slowly pry her from my arms and lay her down. She murmurs complaints a bit before going back to sleep. "Thank you for always being so good to her." Hermione said. I hadn't notice her come in. "You're a good man Archie, but you need to leave." I nod and press my lips to Veronica's head before leaving.
"See, what you do to me Ronnie." He guides my hand and presses it firmly to his tenting trousers. I try to resist but his grip is strong and I'm too far gone to be coordinated enough to yank it away. "And you're going to do something about it." Bruising kissing followed as one hand is shoved up my dress and the other guides the zipper down. I'm shaking not just from the drugs. This was it; I couldn't stall anymore. I was going to be raped by an old family friend, no one was coming. I feel his slimy fingers hook in the band of my panties. Bang.
Another nightmare jerks me awake with the lingering feel of his hands gripping my hips, leaving finger sized brusies. I look around to see my father sitting by my side. He just put down a coffee cup on the table. I don't know how I feel. He looks like the loving Daddy I have always known but something was different; I saw him differently. I see Archie's flowers and another small vase of about six yellow roses, even without reading the card I knew who they're from. Yellow is for friendship after all. "How are you feeling Mija? . I brought you one of your favorite books." He said sitting the first Pretty Little Liers book on the rolling table. "I see your friends have sent you some flowers." I smile and he handed me the cards that went to them. Sure enough the yellow roses were from Betty (Jughead and Alice also sign their names) and I managed to gush like I saw Archie's card for the first time.
"Daddy, when can I see Archie?" I asked trying to put on my best poker face. I wanted to hear it from him. I wanted to know why he'd turned on him.
"Archie's a nice guy and all but I think we as a family need to focus on getting you better and the election, Archie's not part of that plan. Not with him taking his father's side in this election." Lies and more lies. I wonder if he ever has told me the truth. Did he really have nothing to do with Papa Poutine's death, I'm not sure if anything he's told me has any truth too it.
"You can't blame him for that Daddy. It's his dad. "
"There is no room for frayed loyalties in this family Veronica, that includes you as well." I wanted to scream at him I wanted to throw a full blown tantrum, like I did when I was little. I was so angry with him when he said this. Frayed loyalties. Archie nearly destroyed a life long friendship for him, yet when he was in trouble nothing, not a damn thing, and then the thinnly veiled threat towards me. "Archie's just a boy. There will be more"
" But Daddy, I love him."
"You're sixteen, mija. Besides he was never good enough for you" I don't argue more especially if he's going to be that damn condocending; It would just make things worse. He was right I was only sixteen and if he wanted I could be shipped off to a bording school in Europe the moment I get out of here, in the name of my 'safty'. "Have you eaten anything today. You want me to have someone go pick somethng up at Pop's?"
"I'm not hungry." I say and roll over to face the other way. I fight my eyes tearing up and try to sleep some more so I'll have an excuse to ingnore my father. I can't believe I once thought he was a decent man. That I could keep him honest and my mother out of trouble, but even with me being in
"Okay, get some sleep then. They're releasing you in the morning. Things are going to be different until everything settles." I bite my lip. What did he mean different. I hear the door open and close before I roll over. I see him talking to the body gurads outside. They both nod. before blocking the door again.
I try to find my phone but see that they never brought it up The hospital phone was also missing. I feel the isolation start settling in. I was feeling well enough to sneak out but the gurads outside my door and being on the fifth floor, It wasn't an option. I didn't want to sleep everytime I close my eyes I'm back at the Five Seasons with his hands on me and Archie tied to a chair in some warehouse. I could sleep it he was here. It's not that I fear for my safty, I mean I have two bulky body gurads watching everyone who comes in the door. Checking the nurses badges and everything. It not like Nick can come after me. It's I feel alone, deserted, and haunted by what happened. I'm embarassed that I thought I could do everything myself that I didn't enlist help from someone other than my parents, but everyone was going with their own issues. Betty had Chic and her mother to worry about. Jughead was helping her and trying to save what remained of the southside. Cheryl had her mother and uncle trying to kill her Nana and send her away. Josie and I were still at odds. I didn't want to burden them and explain why I couldn't go to the cops, amit to everyone they were right about Daddy.
I was so lost in my mind that I jump a near foot when the door opens. My mom came in sat down next to me with a small travel pillow and a blanket. "Mija, are you alright." her voiced laced with concern and guilt. I shake my head and she sits next to me and holds me as I cry. After a few minutes, "Do you want to call Archie?" I smile as she hands me her phone. "I'm going down to the vending machine. Do you want a sandwich or something?"
"Sure thanks mom." She nods as she leaves the room. The gurads peak in and I go back to pretending to read the paper back book my dad left. Before dialing Archie's number.
"Mrs. Lodge? Is Veronica alright." His voice is paniced and I honestly I'm a little flattered.
"I'm fine, Archiekins. My mom's letting me use hers since my dad is trying to cut you out of my life. I might not have my phone for awhile or be aloud to go anywhere without body gurads.
" I know, Betty said when she came by they made her leave saying you weren't allowed visitors. Then looked over her flowers like they did mine, like they were laced with exploses or poison."
"That's more understandable since he's just making sure with our enemies are coming out of the woodwork with this election and whatever he's planning to do with the St. Claires, but I don't see how cutting out my friends will help me any. If anything it'll make me rebel more. I just hope they don't set guards outside my bedroom door when I get to go home, but I have a feeling that's exactly what's going to happen. Or worse he sends me to one of our many safe houses, not the Lodge Lodge. I don't know how many we have but we did go to a vaction in one in France. I only suspect it's a safe house because of my parents acting weird and us haveing more sercurity then usual. I was only seven at the time." My mind wonders off again to that 'vacation' back then. I remember us spending a weekend at this large cabin where my dad paid someone to play all my favorite movies in the built in theater and bought me serveral dresses to play dress up with my mom and my nanny. When the weekend was over we went back to New York and I quickly forgot about how weird everything actually was. How we didn't leave the cabin at all and how my dad didn't stay with us. The way my mom was on edge though she was trying to hide it. Looking back everything seemed off.
My nanny following us on vacation wasn't weird however, I often wondered if she found another family to serve that paid her as well after she was let go when I turned ten. She never lived with us but would watch me when mom was working with my dad three days a week and when they were out where a child would be inopropreate. She was probably the most normal thing about my childhood. We'd play barbies and tea party. She'd braid my hair and tell me stories about princesses and hansome princes. I loved Latasha; She made me feel safe when my parents were out doing stuff for the buisness.
"They can't do that. What about school." Archie's voice jolts me back to the present, and I can't help but smile at his slowness sometimes. Of course he can do that I'm still a minor.
"At best I'll be driven to and from by Andre. Though after the election I wouldn't rule out a European boarding school. He is furious with the both of us and mom is too far under his thumb to wiggle loose, even though she is being more defiant than ever. I don't know how far she's willing to go before my dad takes her phone away too." I make a joke till I realize how likely it was to happen if she were to get caught or at the very least make is so any calls to my friends won't go through. "I love you Archie but I need to get off the phone before I get my mom caught by the guards." I hang up. Archie isn't the only one with Fraying loyalties. Mom was starting to fray too.
