Valentina

I'm still recovering from yesterday's hangover when I wake up the next morning, but a smile quickly finds its way to my face as I remember the moment Reggie and I shared outside my door.

Reggie is my boyfriend.

A part of me is happy this happened, Reggie is a great guy and I'm so comfortable around him that I want to hug him every time I see his smiley face.

On the other hand, my heart still beats for that asshole, who's now all cuddly with Betty and glances at me from the corner of his eyes to gloat and witness my reaction. Good thing I've perfected my poker face a long time ago. I can pretend none of this is affecting me, like I'm this perfect girl with a perfect life and no worries in her future.

I'm walking past the front of the school where I see Jughead being dragged away by the Sheriff. When his shaking frame is tucked inside the police car, I snap. Why is he being taken away? What did he do?

"Call my dad." He yells at Betty before the door is closed and no sound is heard in the parking lot.

"Yeah." Betty has her hands covering her mouth, and I make my way towards her. "Of course."

"You know he can't hear you, right?" I roll my eyes at Betty, even though she still has her back to me and can't really see me.

"I know, it just felt right to say it." I hum as an answer to her words, slowly crossing my arms in front of my chest and standing by her side.

"Go after him." I whisper, my eyes fixated on the retreating car with Jughead inside. "I'll get his dad, you can go to the station."

"What do you-"

"Jughead needs someone by his side, and I'm sure you're the only one he wants to see right now, not me, not Archie. You, Betty Cooper." She nods and starts walking away from me. "Treat him right, Betty."

She stops and faces me, a determined look on her face. I have seen her like this before, when her sister's name was mentioned after Jason's death. I bet Elizabeth Cooper is going to lash out at me, but I'm ready to retaliate and argue back.

"What was that supposed to mean, Valentina?" She inspects me, from my head to my toes, and I raise my eyebrows at her antics. Betty seems surprised and tense at the same time. "I'll let you know Jughead and I are very happy, and I don't need your advice. I can take care of the both of us just right."

"Why are you being a little bitch right now?" I ask, meeting her cold glare with my equally chilly eyes. "You know I only want to see him happy."

"I didn't ask for your help."

"Yeah, because I'm a decent human being and being kind to others without second intentions is one of my many qualities." I spit out with hurt laced in every word.

"Guess what?" She leans forward, her nose almost touching mine in an intimidating action. I don't stand back, I only glare back at her. "We don't need you. Jughead and I are fine just the two of us, you're just a third wheel. Neither of us needs your pathetic help."

I nod my head and bite my lip. Betty seems to "wake up" from her aggressive trance and stutters, trying to take back her words.

No, girl. No.

"Next time you need my help, remember the words you just threw at me." I hit my finger on her forehead to make her take a step back, I need my personal space back. "And then you'll understand why I'll say no."

She huffs and stalks away, swinging her hips as if trying to provoke me. Oh, darling, you're the one who should be worried about your little boyfriend, not me. Yet, here I am, missing school so I can get Jughead's father.

Good thing I know where he lives.

Grabbing my car keys from my jeans' pocket, I unlock it and look back at the school. Classes start in less then ten minutes. I do not have time to get to Jughead's house, get his father to the station and come back to school. The Principal will call my parents later today to inform them of my absence.

Pfft, like they care.

My car purrs to life and a smile finds its way to my face. I love this baby with all my heart, as it was a present from Jason himself. When we became old enough to drive- last year to be precise- Jason bought me and Cheryl two beautiful matching cars. He said it was his way of telling us how much he loved us. I still think he only gave us the cars because he wanted to remind us of how alike we were: both rich girls, with everything we ever wanted and more. Apart from that, I don't see a lot of similarities between Cheryl and I, at least not anymore. 

My mind takes me elsewhere as I drive. The once familiar streets are no longer familiar. They used to bring me joy and warmth, as if becoming the home I never had. This is where I used to play with my friends, my brother and every single kid that has crossed Riverdale while I was younger. We were all friends back then, too innocent and young to detect any sign of wickedness.

Kids are such mesmerizing beings. They have no worries in their lives, yet their biggest dream is to grow up and be like their mommy or daddy. If only they knew what growing up means, the burden of carrying secrets on your back with every step you take, the weight of other people's problems and anxieties that constantly keeps you awake at night. How I miss those years of healthy and joyful unawareness.

That's right. I wish those days could come back, days where I could breathe and be normal like other people. I can't, at least not now.

I yell on top of my lungs as I realize what I'm about to do. As I was daydreaming and worrying about my life, I didn't notice a fallen tree on my lane. Swerving to the left to avoid a collision, I sigh, tears threatening to escape my eyes. No, I shall not cry. I don't even want to imagine what could have happened.

Sighing as I stop my car outside the trailer park, I start to regret my decision. I could have let Betty do this- I bet she wouldn't come here, she would just call Mr. Jones and play nice- but no, I had to be stupid and volunteer to do this myself.

I'm an idiot sometimes. This man's son doesn't give a damn about me, yet here I am, trying to help him. I promised myself I wouldn't go back to being the sick puppy, always after him. I'm Valentina Adams, for heaven's sake. I should start acting like a mature young woman, not a school girl who just found out what having a crush feels like.

Moving on, I let my legs take me up the small stairs, my hands now ready to knock on the door to greet Jughead's dad.

I don't think he'll remember me. It has been almost seven years since the last time I saw him. Since the last time Jughead and I acted like real friends and not total strangers.

"Mr. Jones?" I knock on the door of his trailer, unsure of what I'll find inside.

After years of playing with Jughead near this exact same house, I remember every detail: the slightly washed out paint, the little windows that Jughead's mom used to keep an eye on us.

I hear a groan coming from the inside of the trailer, close enough for me to know someone is inside and probably sitting on the couch. I still remember the afternoons I spent here with my old friends, sipping on orange juice and eating storage-bought cookies.

"Mr. Jones, it's pretty urgent. Can you please open the door?"

Another groan followed by a loud crash are my cue to enter the house without the owner's permission. As I've experienced over the years, the spare key is hidden on one of the flower pots, and smile at the memories this insignificant object brings me. The smiles and the tears, the jokes and fights... Most of my afternoons were spent here in this exact spot, playing and being a child.

"Mr. Jones!" I yell as I unlock the door and kneel by his side on the worn-out couch. I take in the mess he created: his passed-out figure on the couch, the fallen lamp shattered against the wall and the disgusting smell of alcohol. "Oh no."

I gently pat his face to bring him back to consciousness, but he doesn't wake up. I check his pulse and let out the breath I didn't notice I was holding. At least he's alive. Looking around at his disheveled house, I underhand why Jughead did not want to come back here after his mother left with his little sister.

"Please, wake up! Your son needs you!" I shake his shoulders in a failed attempt to wake him up.

When an ideia pops in my mind, I smirk at my own brilliant mind. I walk to the kitchen and find a glass on one of the cabinets. Filling it with water and bringing it back to the fallen man on the couch.

"I'm sorry." I apologize, not even an ounce of guilt in my words.

Throwing the water at his face, I simply watch as he gurgles and sits up with his back against the messy pillows.

"What happened to you, Mr Jones?"

"Who are you? What are you doing here, this is my house!" He yells and coughs, water falling down his face as he looks at me with anger and distrust. "How did you get in?"

"Calm down, Mr. Jones." I shake my head and take a seat by his side. "My name is Valentina, Valentina Adams."

"Oh, you're one of the Adams kids." He sneers visibly. "What is an Adams doing in my house?"

"I came here to tell you Jughead was arrested a few minutes ago." I look down at my lap and play with my fingers. "Sheriff Keller took him before school stared, I just wanted to let you know. You shouldn't waste your life with alcohol, you have a family. You have to be there for them, otherwise, how are they supposed to feel at home with you?"

He stares at the wall for a few minutes, neither or us muttering a word. I examine his face, the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth validade my initial thought. FP Jones doesn't smile a lot.

"He's waiting for you, sir."

"I remember you." He starts, ignoring my previous words. "You were that happy kid that was always around my boy and his friends."

I nod, memories of my old group of friends invading my mind. A soft pain in my chest brings small tears to my eyes. I ignore them and listen to his words.

"I've never seen such a radiant child. You were always smiling, laughing and jumping around with your brother. I heard what happened to him." He sighs. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Mr Jones-"

"I think I should shower before I get there." He suggests, sniffing his shirt and grimacing. "Will you be there?"

"Yes." I'm glad he changed subjects. The pain I feel in my heart is unbearable.

"Take care of my boy when I can't, alright?" He says and I can't help but advert my eyes from his and feel slightly uncomfortable. He doesn't sound drunk, at least he won't make a fool of himself in front of his son.

I'm not going to tell him his son wants nothing to do with me. I'll let Jughead tell his dad how worthless I am to all of them.

I should have listened to Cheryl.

"I'll head down to the station." I stand and my heels almost get stuck on the floor as I walk towards the door. "Don't take too long, Jughead needs you."

I let every bit of pain and love slip from my tight hold on my emotions, showing Mr. Jones how much I care for his son's safety. If it weren't for him, I would have cussed and yelled at this man with all my strength.

Let's hope he fulfills his promises. Jughead deserves it.

ΨΨΨ

As I'm waiting outside for Mr. Jones to get here and for the trio to leave the station, I think about what to say. What am I going to tell Jughead when I see him? Just a simple hello or a more intricate sentence?

Maybe I'll ask about the weather.

The door of the station opens and closes and I control myself not to turn around and wrap my arms around Jughead. It would give Betty a heart attack.

I hear the sound of tires scratching the asphalt and the four of us turn to watch an old pick-up truck parking right in front of the station. I sigh and shake my head. It took him longer than I though to come here.

Mr. Jones gets out of the car with a little limp to his step, looking down at his son with a tiny smile on his face.

"Jughead! I'm sorry. I came as soon as I got your messages." He scratches the back of his neck and doesn't even spare me a glance. "My phone, the friggin' battery. I forgot to plug it in last night."

He doesn't tell them I went to visit him to let him know about Jughead's situation. What kind of father is he? Does he expect Jughead to go back home while he can't even tell him the truth? That he was too drunk to even get up from that filthy couch and help his son? I cough and Jughead's attention falls on me. He opens his mouth like he wants to say something but quickly shuts it and lets Betty wrap her arms around him.

"What the hell happened?" Mr. Jones asks his son, and Jughead shakes his head.

"Nothing. It's fine now." He points back at Archie's father. "Mr. Andrews took care of it."

"What jacked-up crap did they accuse you of in there, huh? Those bastards trying to throw you in jail like they did your old man?" Mr. Jones is getting angrier by the second, and starts walking to the station's front door. "Well, screw that. I will rip Keller a new one for trying to pull that-"

"FP, settle down." Archie's dad tries to stop him and calm him down, grabbing his arms.

"Hey! Hey! This is my son, he is my son, Fred! You'd do the same for your boy."

Jughead decides to interrupt this madness and calmly speaks to his father, looking down at his feet like he's embarrassed to be here.

"Dad. Don't make things worse. Please."

"Yeah." Mr. Jones slowly nods his head, staring at his son with tearful eyes. "Yeah, all right, then. You, uh, coming home with me?"

"He can stay with us, Mr. Jones. We already offered." Archie nods and crosses his hands behind his back.

I'm still standing by them, not saying a word, only witnessing their displays of affection towards each other. It's clear Archie and his dad care for Jughead and FP, like the Jones also care for the Andrews.

"Is that what you want? Maybe that's for the best. If you don't mind, Fred."

"Whatever you want, FP. It's between the two of you."

"I'll go with you, Dad." Jughead sniffles and looks up at his dad.

"Son, listen to me." Mr. Jones reaches for his face and whispers to his son. I'm close enough to the two and hear the sweet words this father has for his son. "I'm gonna do what you want, get my act together. I'm gonna get your mom and Jellybean home so we're all under the same roof. I promise. But I-I just need a little time to do that. Not a lot, not long, a month, two at the most." Jughead looks down and FP grabs his son's face, tilting it up and looking at his eyes. "Hey. And then we'll be back on track, all right? You-you believe that, don't you?"

"Yeah, I believe you, Dad." Jughead sighs and receives a pat on the back from his dad.

"All right."

Before they leave, Betty grabs her boyfriend's hand to pull him back and hugs him tightly against her body. A nasty wave of jealousy runs through my body. I should not be feeling this kind of stuff, he has Betty and I have Reggie.

Then why does it hurt so much?

I think the real question right now is: why do I even care?

"Wait a second, who's this?" Mr. Jones asks, looking at Betty like he's a cop staring down at a suspect. Ah, what an amazing comparison. He then lets his eyes fall on me for the first time since he got here.

"Dad, this is Betty my..."

"Girlfriend." She replies when Jughead seems a bit lost, not knowing how to answer his father's question.

"Nice to meet you." They shake hands but Mr. Jones' eyes never leave me. "And you, sweetheart?"

When he directs his last question to me, I blink a couple of times before replying. I wasn't expecting such a question, not after our conversation a couple of hours ago.

"I'm Valentina."

"I know that already." He places his hand on Jughead's shoulder and turns his body around so they're both facing me.

That's when the similarities between father and son hit me like a train. They both have dark hair and shiny clear eyes, and I can't help but smile at that. At least they have each other. I can see- after this- how much Mr. Jones actually cares for his son.

"Who's this girl to you?" He asks Jughead, his eyes fixated on his son. "Because she did something amazing for you today."

Jughead meets my eyes for the first time before lowering his head and turning back to his father.

"What did she do?" He doesn't direct the question to me and my heart burns with fear and anticipation.

"She went to our house." Listening attentively to Mr. Jones' words, Jughead's eyes widen but he doesn't look my way. "And helped be get back to my feet. She- not her" He points at Betty. "-told me a thing or two about life. And she was right. I can't waste my life with insignificant things."

I nod and give him a soft smile. He continues talking to his son, who is now staring blankly at his boots scratching the ground.

"I didn't see you thanking her. You should."

Jughead does not follow his father's advice. Instead, he gives his back to me and his friends, marching towards his father's car. I frown at his actions but don't say a thing. Mr. Jones nods at me and pats my arm, thanking me once again.

"I wouldn't be here if you didn't come to wake me up, you know that right?" Sincerity marks his every word and I let him go back to his son with a nod and a smile.

I stand back, watching as Mr. Jones drives away and Betty walks away with Archie and his father. Before they enter his father's car, Archie runs back to my side and hugs me tightly against his body.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Doing what no one else did for Juggie. He'll come to his senses soon, don't worry."

I smile and pat his back. Archie looks back as he walks to the already running car, taking a seat next to Betty in the backseat. He waves his hand at me while his blonde friend glares a hole into my forehead.

How I wish you were right, Andrews.

ΨΨΨ

The town was once again shaken by an announcement, but this time it started far away from the epicenter of the catastrophe. While everyone slept- peacefully oblivious to the pain of others- a bomb was dropped on top of her shoulders, and she couldn't help but cry her eyes out.

The truth will only be revealed in the future, as the master behind the evil plan will receive a little surprise from Fate. And it may cost him more than he expected.

ΨΨΨ

Knocking on the heavy door, I wait for someone to open it, hoping for a miracle that only she comes to the door.

"Hello?" A soft voice comes from the other side and I sigh.

"Cheryl, it's me."

She quickly opens the door and crosses her arms in front of her chest, eyeing me with her cold eyes.

"What do you want, Valentina?"

"You were right." The first tear rolls down my cheek and I smile sadly. "They don't care."

She doesn't have to say a thing. With her perfectly ironed red dress hugging her curves, Cheryl guides me to her room and hugs me tightly.

"I'm sorry, baby." She caresses my hair like I used to do to her, whispering in my ear. "They don't deserve you."

"They don't." I close my eyes, my heart breaking with each breath I take. "I should have listened to you."

"I have a plan. No one hurts my best friend and gets away with it." An evil glint in her eyes tells me she's not joking.

"What do you have in mind?"

"You'll see."

ΨΨΨ

I still think Valentina is better off with Reggie but this is a Jughead Jones fanfic so I have to stick with my baby and make this ship work. Btw, am I the only one who doesn't really like Betty and Jughead's relationship?
Oohhh cliffhanger!!!! What do you think Cheryl is going to do?
(Omg we 1k reads this week! How crazy is that?!)
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Bye