Chapter Text
Chapter 1
It was Tuesday after 10:00 pm and Pop’s was almost empty except for the two young women sitting 3 hours ago working between papers, bills, calls looking for sponsors and coffee, a lot of coffee.
They were Cheryl and Veronica reviewing the movements of the finances with which they have supported Riverdale High in the last month, you can say that things have getting better but it is a lot of work to do.
During this time, Cheryl noticed about 10 calls coming from Veronica's phone who immediately rejects them or in the case of the last two, she just ignores them.
V changes the conversation when Cheryl tried to asked about the person who insists on talking to her, instead, she asks Cheryl about her life during the last years (which has been a mystery to tell the truth) and she agrees to share some non-relevant data such as the fact of she’s spending her time painting, the reconstruction of his home or the recent reconciliation with Toni; information that satisfy the raven hair girl and prevents her from searching into more details that she is not prepared to share; It has been strange to see her classmates again after so many years but at the same time there is a feeling of familiarity and comfort that she didn’t feel long ago (of course, because she practically was between walls and canvases).
When the next call comes in, Cheryl insists her to answer, justifying that it may be important and she was sincerely disturbed by so much insistence. V sighs knowing that she can’t avoid it forever and although doubtful, she slides her finger on the screen and hopes that it be as short as possible or that at least He’s is not so angry because she is ignoring him.
She has no idea how unexpected the content would end up being the call ...
Honestly , V's marriage seems to go into a tailspin after her first anniversary, yes her first anniversary! she can’t stop thinking about when she became a mini version of her parent’s marriage and the worst thing is that she doesn't know how she's going to fix it, how she's going to get out of all this mess.
-Chad, talk fast. I'm working and I'm not in the mood-
-I appreciate that you wanted to surprise me and you don't know how excited you have made me! I couldn't help it and I apologize for that, but I knew we would make it! It was exactly what we needed for our marriage! - Chad replied.
His words come out with such speed and it seems that he is about to cry, honestly it was a little known side of his husband, that enthusiasm in his voice hadn’t been heard in a long time, maybe since their first moths of relationship where the world looked brighter and full of happiness.
On the other hand, Veronica certainly didn't know What Chad was talking about? but she needs him to be clear.
-Please could you be more specific? - she is already beginning to worry
-I read the email you received today about the medical admission test for Riverdale High! ...Wait, Didn't you read it? -
She’d even forgotten that the medical tests would be sent to her these days so she replies -mmm I’ve had a really busy day, in fact it is not over ye... wait a minute, Are you reading my mails ?! What is wrong with you?! -
Chad wants to avoid an argument and immediately tries to calm her down and skip the fact that he has access to her mails.
-Sweetheart don’t be mad at me because the news I have for you is going to make your day. By the way, you should reduce your work time and now more than ever, the stress isn’t good for you.
You really can't guess What's going on? -
Veronica begins to connect the dots and slowly feels as if her body is paralyzed.
the absence of a reaction from her, he decides to share the news hoping that in that way she will react - you are pregnant! Isn't it amazing? -
Silence
At that moment everything stops, a cold air runs down her back and it seems that gradually her lungs run out of air. She immediately gets up from the table that she shared with Cheryl who was currently returning from the restroom as she thought about giving the raven hair girl some privacy while she was on the phone.
Soon a beeping invades her ears, she loosely hears Chad in the background but she doesn’t know for sure what he says, she knows is in the middle of a panic attack, it’s not the first time that it happens, she can say that it’s an aftermath of the accident Although it has been a long time without having one of them.
she runs out of air and doesn't even notice when her cell phone hits the floor, that hit is the one that alerts Cheryl who asks V (who is with her back to her) if she’s ok, but when she doesn't get an answer she comes closer and notices that something is wrong, her shortness of breath and she looks terrified, Cheryl is scared and she doesn’t know what to do so she runs for help finding Jughead and Tabitha who leave the kitchen having no idea what is going on.
At this point, Verónica is on her knees because her legs couldn’t support her weight, she begins to pant much faster and feels at any moment her body is going to collapse.
Jughead notices the situation and the first thing he wonders is: From when does Veronica have panic attacks? He has read about how to help in these cases but has never had to put it into practice and of course he doesn’t think there is anyone around that can try. So he kneels in front of her and takes her hands tightly, he asks her to look him in the eyes and she struggles to keep her gaze and focus on her voice.
-Hey , Listen to me, let's breathe together okay? Try to follow my breath and please just keep looking at me - Jughead says trying to seem calm, hoping it works and can help.
Tabitha goes to get some water and Cheryl can only wonder what was happening if 5 minutes ago everything was ok.
-I know I don't have red hair or a refined lastname like Gekko ... mmm seriously Veronica? Gekko? I think Logde sounds better, just saying -
Jug could not contain her laughter. He feels relieved because V had been breathing steadier for about a minute and to her surprise she also smiled at Jug's typical comment. Although when she notice the commotion she had created, she felt embarrassed and somewhat exposed.
She received the water and drank slowly trying to process the events of the last minutes. Then, Cheryl gave V her phone -Here, he has called a couple times but I told him you were busy, I don't think he bought it but at least he stopped calling-
She’s still kind of weak and receives it replying with a great sigh - ha! He must be driving from NY to here right now ...-
They look at each other trying to understand what she means but neither comment a word.
-Thank you Jug- she feels strange to be help by Jughead -I didn't know you were so good dealing with panic attacks- she says avoiding her eyes.
-what can I say, It’s the best part of reading Lodge. remember this: you owe me a good burger and I have witnesses- he answers, giving the girls a look.
She nods and gives him a small smile.
Cheryl is about to ask that just happened during the conversation with Chad that put her in that state but just then, Archie and Toni were leaving the bar while Jughead is helping her to stand up. Arch is confused by the scene so he just ask. -What's going on? - But nobody says anything, Verónica immediately excuses herself, clumsily picks up her things and leaves the restaurant claiming she is very tired and tomorrow they have a lot of work to be done (she certainly has a lot to think about, process and hardly she is going to be able to sleep tonight). She takes a quick look at Archie before heading out driving to the Pembroke.
After the awkward silence when the door was closed, Jones and Tabitha come back to the kitchen and Cheryl asks Toni for help to grab her things up and then be able to drive home. definitely she’ll try to call Veronica and try to find out What happened? .
Archie noticed the awkward moment and tried to act normal but he couldn't stop thinking about What happened there ? Does she need help? That quick look hurts and it was worse they didn't have the confidence of those high school years and she was trusting now Cheryl or even Jughead.
He knows with complete certainty that she has a shell that rarely someone can access.she usually she hides her problems and acts if nothing happens before opened her heart and tells to someone what’s going on .
Likewise, he knows that she is married and out of her reach but whenever he saw her he felt that something in her had been lost or changed and seemed to be linked to her new side as wife. He wants to give her space but even if it’s hard, it seems to be the only option right now.
Ready to go out of there, he went to her house expecting to see her the next day at school.