CHAPTER SEVEN
DIRTY SECRET
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Lunch had come quicker than Chris had suspected and was currently walking with Betty, Kevin, and Veronica. Making sure to walk by Veronica to lightly brush his hand with hers. It was clearly working because occasionally Veronica had given him a smile.

If Chris was being honest, the small amount of time he had been spending with Veronica was all worth it. Usually, that didn't happen, but right now he felt like whatever was happening between the two was worth it.

At the moment, the group was listening to Kevin talk about Moose still trying to discover his sexuality. Chris had no problem with it and actually had a friend on the Southside, Toni that was gay. They were best friends for a certain time until their friendship fell apart. Kinda funny thinking that Chris was still in contact with Malachai, the enemy of the Serpents but not one of his childhood friends.

"So, what did Moose want?" Veronica's voice brought Chris back to reality as he inhaled some of his smoke before tilting his head up and exhaling. Not wanting the three to have smoke in their faces, which Veronica was thankful for.

"Oh, my god. I don't even think he knows." Kevin guessed earning laughs from the girls. "I mean, I am devastatingly handsome in that classic pre-accident Montgomery Clift kind of way. And sexuality is fluid but can someone named "Moose" actually be that fluid?" He joked and Chris chuckled as he kept walking with his head down.

"Okay, well, I ship it," Veronica said truthfully. "Well, of course you would. You're a big-city girl with loose morals."

His words caught Chris's attention as he sent the boy a glare. One that made Kevin swallow the lump in his throat. "I just meant that Moose has an official girlfriend, Midge." He explained and Chris raised a brow. "Wait, Midge is his girlfriend. I thought she was single." Chris said and Betty smirked. "Did you sleep with her?"

The question had all eyes on him, especially Veronica's. "I mean...yeah. Wasn't me who wanted it, she did. Not my idea." He told them truthfully and he wasn't lying about it.

It was at Pop's and the two ran into each other. Chris had an interest in going out with her, but never really found himself deciding to. Mainly because she was too...giddy and he needed someone to understand him. So, when he tried to leave Pop's she followed and ended with her forcing herself onto him.

An hour later, he dropped her off and watched her walk to her house barely able to stand. It might've felt good for her, but not for him at all. Even hurt more knowing that she cheated on Moose when Moose is really just a good guy. Never did anything to Chris so he had no problems with him.

Veronica felt a bit of jealousy and frowned at the feeling. Shaking it off when Kevin continued talking. "Anyways, sad to say but part of me wished he would stay in the darn closet." That had everyone grow silent as they had arrived at the table being occupied by Archie with his guitar and Kaitlyn. "Obviously, I didn't mean literal closet." He reiterated as the group sat down.

"Archie." Veronica greeted as she took a seat. Chris taking a seat by her and extinguishing his cigarette under his shoe. "Any new material you wanna try out on a very forgiving audience?" She said glancing back at Kevin and Betty who were still standing. "I..." Archie wasn't sure what to say and Chris chuckled. "Oh, shut the fuck up, Andrews."

A giggle could be heard from Kaitlyn earning a wink from Chris. "Please?" Veronica added sending a scolding look to Chris but nonetheless smiled at his upfront attitude. "Would you? I'd love to hear it." Betty urged as she sat down.

Archie reluctantly caved in with a sigh. "I'm still working on the lyrics, so..." He explained and the group waited patiently for him to play. When he did, Chris was slightly surprised by the ginger's skills. Never would he'd chalked Archie to be able to sing, or even play the guitar.

In a way, Chris was impressed and proud of Archie, but that washed away when he glanced at Betty. The complete heartbroken look in her eyes as tears welled caused Chris to clench his fist. Soon the others noticing including Archie who instantly stopped playing. "Betty? You okay?" Archie asked as the blonde kept her head down.

Sniffling as she chuckled. "I'm supposed to say "yes." That's what the nice girl always says, but.. No, I'm not. I--I want to be. I thought I could be, but it's too much, too fast. Archie--" Her voice cracked at the end as she turned and ran towards the school tears in her eyes. "Betty." Kaitlyn tried to call out as Archie got to his feet. "Betty, wait." He called out quickly getting up, setting his guitar down.

Chris was quick to follow but stopped by Veronica who shook her head. Of course, the hard head Chris was, he didn't listen as he pulled away from the raven-haired girl and quickly made his way to the blonde and ginger.

"Betty, wait," Archie said as he grabbed the girl from her wrist. "Come on, listen to me." He pleaded and Betty shoved him away. "No." She forced out through tears. "No. When-- When I think, Archie, of where I feel the safest and most myself I think of us, in a booth, at Pop's." She cried and Chris hung back as he could only feel his anger rising more seeing his best friend cry in front of him like this.

For a while, Chris had known about Betty liking Archie and it hurt him knowing Archie put her in this mood. Knowing that his friend was hurting is something Chris couldn't stand by. "Me too," Archie exclaimed and Betty shook her head. "But that's not true anymore. I thought I could pretend like this weekend didn't happen, but...I can't give you the answer you want. That's what you said to me. And that's how I feel right now. I'm sorry." She finished and quickly turned on her heel and made a beeline to the school.

"Betty," Archie called out and Chris shoved him. The ginger spinning around to face the Jones to see the fury in his eyes. "What the hell is wrong with you, Andrews?" He questioned as Archie felt his hands clench. "You are a fucking dumb ass to think she would be fine after a few days. If you paid attention, feelings like that don't just go away." Chris yelled.

Veronica glanced at Kaitlyn. "Is he always like this? Just angry?" She asked and Kaitlyn shook her head. "He's a sweet guy. Besides when you hurt someone close to him." She stated with a sigh. "Then you have a bigger problem on your hands."

"What was I supposed to do? Lead her on?" Archie questioned and Chris shook his head as he got in the ginger's face. "No." He confirmed. "You see the signs and tell her you don't feel that way, dumbass." Chris barked as he shoved the football player. Earning a shove back which ignited the fuse.

Not able to stop himself from punching Archie in the face. The pair beginning to roll across the ground as either of them tried to get the upper hand. "You're a piece of shit, Andrews. Can't sing, can't play guitar. Your utter shit." Chris insulted and earned a punch to the eye in response.

His time to retaliate being snatched away when Archie was pulled away and him as well. "Cool your shit, Arch." Riley told him while Jughead was struggling to hold his brother back. "Hey, breath, man." Jughead said as Chris threw his arms from Jughead's grasp. "Let me at the fucker! He hurt Betty and he deserves the same type of hurt!" Chris yelled as he charged at Archie, but was stopped by a familiar redhead.

"CJ. Look at me." Olivia said smoothly as Chris kept his eyes on Archie who was being scolded by Riley. Feeling his face cupped by the small girl and his eyes directed towards her. "Look at me." She said lowly as their eyes connect. "Breath." She told him and he took a deep breath before removing her hands from his face.

Glancing back at the lunch table to see Veronica standing with worried eyes. Giving her a wink and a tiny smile before going straight to the school. Making sure to bump shoulder with Archie. "Eat shit, Arch." He seethed as he passed.

For minutes upon minutes, Chris search classrooms, change rooms, janitor closets to find Betty. Running a hand through his hair, Chris sighed as he looked around him. "Where are you, Betty?" He mumbled as he scratched his beard.

His eyes catching the sight of his brother staring through a window. Frowning as he made his way over and stood above his brother and looked through the window. Coming to find that Archie and Ms. Grundy being rather touchy with each other. "Holy fuck." He mumbled making his brother jump in shock. "What the hell, Chris?!" Jughead whisper yelled, but Chris didn't care as he stared at Archie and Grundy.

This would explain the reasoning for his sudden interest with music. That would also explain why Archie bailed on Jughead last minute when they were suppose to go on a road trip.

"We can't say anything about this to anyone. Just keep it between us and we'll talk to Archie tonight." Jughead told his brother who nodded as he backed away from the door.

The sound of his phone ringing that got his attention as he fished for it through his denim jean pockets. Lifting it to see the caller was Malachai. "I gotta take this." He mumbled as he backed away down the hallway. "You need a ride after school?" Chris asked and his brother shook his head. "I'm gonna walk. Much better then being in a tight car with you."

"Haha, fuck you." Chris joked as he answered the phone and took the corner. "What's up, Malachai?" He asked and the sound of a sigh occurred through the other side of the phone. "I need help with a shipment."

That got Chris to run a hand through his hair. "You can't be serious, man? We just settled our deal. I helped you beat Sweet Pea to a pulp and you got rid of Tommy's body. Were even, brother." Chris told him and knew Malachai was nodding. "I know, bro. Just this last request and I'm out of your hair. You can come down to the Ho Zone and we can get some drinks." Malachai reassured and Chris sighed as he glanced around to see the hallway was silent and empty.

"What is the shipment?" Chris questioned. "New drug hitting the streets soon." Malachai told the Jones boy. "Getting it to our boys in Greendale to make some more and sell it. Around 10 is when I'm gonna need you." He explained. "That sound good?"

Chris sighed as he pulled out a cigarette and his lighter. Placing the cigarette between his lips as he inhaled while lighting the cigarette. Flipping the Zippo lighter shut and stuffing it into his pocket. Taking the cigarette between his index and middle finger and exhaling. "Yeah. That should work. Just tell me the location and who I'm dropping it off for." He told the Ghoulie who laughed. "That's my boy! I'll have the money transfer ready for you when I hear you got the shipment to the drop off." Malachai informed before hanging up.

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The warmth of the cigarette dangling between Chris's lips was enough for him to handle the night breeze. Sitting on the steps beside his brother as they awaited Archie to get home. Exhaling the smoke as he sighed. "I think his dumb ego doesn't see where he fucked up in this situation." He guessed as Jughead laughed. "I wouldn't doubt it."

Their eyes finding the gold and blue letterman jacket approaching and ginger haired boy. Archie noticing the two Jones' boys as Chris smiled taking a puff off his spoke. "Hey, Arch." He gave a plastic smile as Archie clenched his jaw. "CJ, Jug? What's up?"

Jughead sighed as he tossed the little branch he was fiddling with to the side as he got to his feet. "What's up is we saw you, Archie." He stated as Chris got to his feet as well. "With sweet mama Grundy." Chris chuckled as Archie took a step forward. "Keep your voice down. My dad is inside." Archie seethed as Chris snickered raising his hands up in mock surrender. "Calm down, cowboy. We're trying to help you."

"We're trying to be your friends here, even though were not anymore." Jughead told the ginger who didn't speak. "How long? You and Grundy?" He questioned. Archie clenched his jaw as he finally removed his eyes from the brothers. "Since the summer." He told them and Chris shook his head in disbelief. "Jesus, man." He muttered in shock.

"I like her." Archie told them and Chris chuckled as he took a puff off his cigarette. Jughead scoffing in disbelief as he shook his head before looking back at Archie. "So I'm guessing she's the reason you've been acting weird since summer?" Jughead guessed and Archie bit his lip. "One of them."

"One of them? Oh, come on, man. There's more?" Chris asked with a raised brow as Archie nodded. "We were there at Sweetwater River on July 4th. We heard a gunshot. The gunshot."

This info drop had Chris lose all the air in his lungs as he dropped his cigarette. His blood running cold as he felt his heart fall into his stomach. Not able to stop himself as he quickly went to his car. Jughead and Archie's voice coming out muffled as he walked away from them and got into his car.

Speeding away with his chest quickly rising and falling as he tried to breath. Finding himself texting Malachai to tell him where the shipment was. If there was anything to occupy Chris's time, he was going to use it.