"See you at training, Andrews", he said goodbye to "us".

"So what happened?"

"I wanted to meet Jason at Pops but my dad watched me sneaking out of the windows so they wanted to know who I wanted to meet."

"And you told them it's me?"

"I thought that would calm them down. I mean we are friends and I don't know Jason that long. Are helping me? Please, Archie. I owe you!"

"And suddenly you persuaded me. So you are coming to dinner tonight?"

"Yeah, sorry by the way. When they heard that it's about you they were so happy."

"So I'm their favorite son in law, huh?", he smiled charmingly and put his arm around my shoulder while we left, "I'm picking the name for our kids."

"Slow down, Andrews", I laughed being thankful for his consent.

"I'm glad you're here", Archies dad welcomed us friendly.

Him, mom and dad knew each other from their school time and I knew him since Archie, Jug, Betty and I are good friends.

"Thank you for the invitation, Fred", I said when he asked us to come in.

"We've brought you a little thank you", my mom started when she reached for her bag, "I hope you still like that."

"You remember that?", he questioned surprised.

"Sure, you never stopped talking about it. Maybe that's why you had no girlfriend for so long."

"That's incredible. Archie, come here. Those are tickets for the Jets! That's how we spent our time besides school", he told him being happy about the gift.

"We thought that that could be our next meeting with the kids. Luckily, we've got the opportunity to get those tickets now. Where's Mary? We haven't seen each other in ages."

"Mary and I don't live together any more", Fred said a bit sadly but didn't show us, "Enough about us, our kids are really a couple."

"Luckily", Archie smiled and kissed me suddenly, just a second but long enough to let our parents know.

They didn't notice that even I hadn't thought that that would happen. Damn, Betty liked him. I didn't expect that to turn out so fast!

Redhead #2

I thought about it

sorry for today

I should have listened to you

It's okay

I'm sorry I let you down yesterday

And about Archie, my parents wanted to know who I might meet

So you wouldn't just say it's me?

They love Archie and Alice is not quite a fan of you

Can we just talk tommorow?

I want to explain it

If you got a good explanation

don't be mad please

I try to better

okay then tomorrow before the lesson starts

thank you :)

"I ruined it", I moaned annoyed when I read the conversation loudly in front of Betty.

"No, you just need to talk to him tomorrow. It'll work out, don't worry."

So it was the next day's morning, when I waited for Jason in front of the school because I wanted to explain everything to him. I still had no idea how to tell Betty that Archie and I kissed, I felt so horrible about that. She has helped me a lot and has always been there for me. The least I can do is being honest. Should I tell Jason as well or is this none of his business? We're not dating, I haven't cheated on him. While I was thinking about it intensely, Archie went into my direction. Instead of a hug, which I thought we would give each other, he put his arm around my waist and kissed me passionately. Being surprised I kissed him back but stopped when I realized what happened.

"Archie, not in school", I stuttered shocked.

"Sorry but my Dad is waiting in the car as you see. We want him so think it's real."

"Oh right, I'm just not used to is. I'll see you inside, okay?"

"Sure, I'll see you later", he told me chilled and kissed me again happily.

Over the street I saw Fred who waved his hand in my direction which I returned. When he drove away, I turned around, just to make sure nobody has seen us.

"Betty!", I screamed but she has already ran away.

Kevin looked at me angrily and when I looked into the other direction there was Reggie who told Jason something. Jason ignored me and went away.

"Can we please talk?", I asked the red-haired boy when I found him at his locker during lunch break.

"No, you can't, slut", Cheryl talked in her bitchy way, joined us.

"I wouldn't say I'm a slut but I'm glad you know that many words. Jason, please."

"Cheryl is right so just get out of my way."

"But-"

They went off.

"Fuck", I whispered more than angry about myself.

Hopefully I had more luck talking to my friends. Betty and Kevin sat on the a bench on the outside.

"Guys, can you just listen to me for a moment?", I asked them regretful but no one even looked at me.

When they noticed that I wouldn't leave, Polly spoke up to me: "You should see that we don't want to see you. You can't think you can simply come here and steal our friends only because you're our cousin."

"But Polly-"

"Just leave us alone."

It seemed like I should really leave as she told me to do so I went to the only place which I thought would be good right now.

"Liz, milkshake and burger as always?", Pop asked me with a big smile on his face.

"Just a milkshake today, please. Thank you, Pops."

"What happened, kid?"

"Don't worry, just usual teenage drama. Archie and I kissed and Betty saw us. I wanted to apologize but she probably won't forgive me that."

"I'll give you a doubled milkshake first and everything else will be okay soon. You are like sisters. She knows, you didn't mean to hurt her."

"Thank you, Pops."

"He said that friendly", Malachai smiled at me suddenly.

He sat at my usual table. I ignored him instead and sat down at a table a few meters away. He was the last person I wanted to see right now.

"You don't need to ignore me, love."

I wanted to change the table again when he came to me but he stopped me holding my wrist, looking at me clearly. I should stay here.

"Good girl. If you just stayed with me that well-behaved."

"I don't love you any more. Just get it. Can you leave me alone now?"

"What's going on between you and that boy?"

"Nothing. Now leave me alone."

"Don't be so prickly. A few months ago you would have asked me to stay with you."

"What do you want to leave me alone?"

"I want you. Nothing more or less."

"I don't want to be with you any more. You should have understood that by now."

"I have a meeting soon but I'll be back, love."

"You could try to overdose, Goulie."

"Are you really that mean?"

"You threatened my friends and me. The one thing that I really want is to be far away from you."

"Until next time", Malachai still smiled but finally disappeared.

"What I mean is you could just enjoy one night with the new girl, write her name down in our book, note down how good she was and you won, bro", I heard Reggie talk when he and Jason entered the diner.

Really? That's how he talked about me? You can't really expect a lot from Reggie.

"Not a bad idea. She'll be good enough for an hour."

"Bud, no. Invite her over and let her stay the night. She's too hot for one time."

"If she can even let go of little boy Archie for a moment."

"He's just a toyboy for her. Girls like her don't want a relationship.

"You know, Reggie, only because the average of your IQ is not more than the average of a baseball, you don't need to talk about me that way. Especially without a reason. But thank you for the information. Now I can be happy that I wasn't allowed to go to the date. Sometimes parents are right when it comes to fuckboys like you", I intervened confidently although it hurt deep down.

"Hey, at least I said you're hot", Reggie winked at me without a regret.

"Wow, you're really dumb. Congratulations", I muttered rolling my eyes and left.

I decided to go home because Betty and Polly were still in school and Alice and Hal were working. I could pack some things into my bag without a problem. I felt like I shouldn't stay here right now.

"Liz", FP welcomed me surprised when I stood in front of his trailer, "Shouldn't you be at school?"

"Is Jug here? Can I spend the night here?", I replied instead because he knew that I ran away.

"Jughead, he doesn't live with me any more", he told me ashamed.

I looked at him sympathetically.

"What's wrong with you? Why don't you stay with Alice?", he asked confused.

"I can't stand there right now. Betty likes Archie but we kissed and she saw that and seems to hate me now. Just one night, please."

"Liz", he sighed thoughtfully, "I would like to help you but I know that your dad would want you to be home and talk to Betty."

"FP, please! You should have seen her. I can't just buy her cupcakes and tell her that I'm sorry. She needs time."

"Cupcakes would be a good start."

"Are you going to tell dad what happened?"

"I need to, I'm sorry. He needs to know were you are. You can't just run away."

"As if you never did that when you were young. Besides, you don't know where Jug is, right?"

"You know that this is something completely different. You both shouldn't make the same mistakes as we did", he said trying to be mature.

"Oh great. And I thought you were the cool dad", I responded disappointed and as fast as he was calling my dad I went off.

"Fuck", I hissed annoyed about myself when I sat at Sweetwater River and placed my cold hands on my body.

I've forgotten to take a sweater or a jacket with me because it was warm enough to wear a shirt in the afternoon. I have tried to be as fast as I could.

"You're cold. You can warm yourself up at my place", Malachai smiled at me happily about the fact that I needed help.

"What do you want now? Threaten me again?"

"I just offer you to spend the night at my place. It's warmer than wearing a shirt at five degrees in the night", he spoke calmly.

"And what do you get? Do you want to blackmail me so I stay or sleep with you? Then I'd prefer the death from a cold", I answered harshly.

"I just don't like to watch you doing that so come with me without a reward in return. I just want to help you."

Since the cold weather really bothered me, I overthought his offer.

"You promise me?"

"Promise."

"Good. But don't dare to break it", I followed him to his car, "Thank you."

"I'm not a monster."

Malachai really kept his word. Without trying to come near to me, he let me take a shower quietly. He gave a soft sweater with the compatible trousers. I even got a cup of tea.

"In all this time, have I never noticed that yo can be a Gentleman?", I wondered while he let me choose a series.

"Maybe you need to rethink your decision."

"Don't break your promise, we've got a deal."

"Sure, boss", he chuckled lightly when the episode started.

I took a look at my phone because it blinked all the time.

Juggy

where are you?

Archie asked me,

you're not at Betty's

we're worried

Lizzy

I'm safe, don't worry

I could answer Jug fast. He was my best friend and shouldn't worry about me. Luckily nobody could locate my phone because one of Malchais minions installed a program once.

FP

where the hell are you?

didn't I tell you to go back?

Harvey and Dana are worried sick!

I didn't answer FP. I didn't want to lie to him but couldn't tell him the truth either.

Archiekins

why aren't you at home?

Betty called me, you're missing

where did you go?

I'm worried

Please text me

Liz

I'm safe, don't worry please

we'll meet tomorrow in school

Alice

The school called me you weren't there today

Elizabeth?

Why aren't you answering me?

Why aren't you at home?

You have to come home now!

I'm calling your dad if you don't come immediately

Elizabeth

I'm safe, Alice

Sorry for the trouble

Betty

I'm sorry I didn't listen to you

Polly didn't mean what she said

You need to come home

we're all worried about you

Liz

I'll stay somewhere else for tonight

But tank you for texting me

and don't worry

we can talk tomorrow in school if you'd like

"This movie is real bullshit", Malachai groaned bored while Stefan and Damon from Vampire Diaries were fighting over Elena.

"Psst. It's a series and not a movie. It's so romantic and funny and the boys look so hot."

"That's not romantic, that's idiotic."

"Like you know a lot about that."

"Please, I am a lot more romantic than this", he acted like he was shocked that I said that and pointed to the scene.

"Not a bit", I laughed and took the popcorn.

"Oh really?"

"If you start with that, I remind you of our deal", I smirked.

"I helped a little, desperate girl from the death of a cold and that's how she thanks me", he played being sad.

"You get a lot more points on the Scala of your karma. That's it."

"Generous as always."

"Well, the episode is over. I'm sleeping on the couch."

"We're already talking about me not being romantic so I let you sleep in my bed. I'll take the couch", he offered me.

"Good, you know what? That's how we do it."

I laid down in his pillows and blankets while I watched him how he tried to make it comfortable. I almost felt guilty. Tonight, he gave me the opportunity to see him being a loving guy, the way he were most of the times.

"Mal?"

"Hm? I was almost dreaming of hot vampire ladies who fight about me."

"You idiot!", I laughed, "Do you want to lay down next to me? I'm not used to laying alone."

"Now you're the one who breaks the deal", he stopped for a moment.

"I'm not flirting with you. That's a peace offer for a friendship if you want that. But the offer doesn't last very long."

"You're driving me insane", he whispered and came to me in the dark.

"Is that okay for you, ma'am?", he joked about my rules when he laid next to me in a way that we didn't touch each other.

"Cuddling is okay. That's what friends do", I muttered sleepy and put his arm around my waist.

"Good night, Liz", he breathed quietly before we fell asleep.