CHAPTER TWENTY
DISTRAUGHT
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After the whole performance, Chris had Veronica right on his arm everywhere he went. Not like he was complaining since it had been something he had wanted for a while. The pair getting compliments and congratulations with them getting together.

Honestly, Chris found it funny how people were acting as if they got married and had a kid. It was high school and they're together, nothing more than that and Chris didn't understand why people had to act like they were royalty. Sure, it was understandable for Veronica, but not Chris. He was just another kid with a girl to tame him from being a complete asshole.

Currently, Chris sat beside his brother outside for lunch. Betty, Archie, and Valerie with them as well. Since Chris was in a good mood, he skipped the dishes for Pops and got everyone at the table food.

Chris just sat with a cigarette between his index and middle finger as he scrolled through his phone. Occasionally glancing up to try and spot his angel of death of a girlfriend. Never having enough of her and just wanting her kisses every second of the day.

"It's been months, there's got to be a reason my mom and dad don't want me to see Polly...but I don't care anymore," Betty murmured to Jughead and Chirs tensed. Glancing at the blonde who noticed and didn't ask when he took a puff off his cigarette and looked away. "What are you guys talking about?" Archie butted in as they both turned to him. "Anything I can help with?"

Betty and Jughead glanced at each other as Jughead pushed his bag of chips away. Chris noticed this and scoffed. "Buy you food and don't even eat it, asshole." He mumbled earning an elbow from Jughead.

Chris glaring at the boy before pulling out a notepad and writing lyrics. Kevin had gone out of his way to talk to Chris privately about performing after Archie. Requesting the same type of song, but Chris had something else in mind. Specifically having a song where he and Veronica could sing on.

"We're attempting a stealth operation, Archie. "Jughead started, dusting off his chip dusted hands. "If we go in there with the entire Scooby gang, forget it, we're compromised." He said simply as Archie nodded with purse lips.

"Has anyone told you to let people down softly, Jug?" Chris quipped, earning a confused look from Jughead. "I did." He protested befor backtracking. "Okay, maybe a bit too upfront, but still." He defended and Chris chuckled before taking a puff off his cigarette and continuing to write.

"Well, don't you have to practice for the variety show anyway?" Betty asked and Archie glanced at Valerie as he bit his lip. "Uh, no, I don't." He said with a shake of his head. Suddenly, Veronica walking over with Olivia by her side. "Except that yes, you do. Thank's to a certain Veronica-Ex-Machina." Veronica told him.

Chris clenched his fist as he started feeling the jealousy in his gut appearing. Feeling his girlfriend lean into his side, but instantly nudged off by the boy. Scribbling out the lyrics he was writing and ripping the page out and crumpling it.

Veronica frowned as Chris took another puff of his cigarette. Moving the tray of food to her without looking at her. Exhaling heavily, Chris focused on his phone and went through his audio files and tried to find the one he would use for the performance.

"What do you mean?' Betty asked, looking at Veronica who smiled. "Oh, nothing, just that I had a few words with our director-slash-host and reminded him that he's heard you sing on multiple occasions," Veronica explained, meaning Kevin as he took the unopened box of fries and burgers that Chris had pushed towards him. "Though it compromises my artist integrity," Kevin muttered as Veronica rolled her eyes.

"Cutting to the chase, you have a slot, if you want it," Veronica told him before taking Chris's cup of coffee and having a sip. Earning an unimpressed look from the boy as he placed the speaker up to his ear to hear if the audiotape was the right one. "Veronica, thank you, but you saw what happened." Archie reminded and glanced at Olivia who gave him a smile that was mirrored.

"We all did," Kevin said, not a humorous tone in his voice which made Chris chuckle. "Playing my songs in front of you guys is one thing but getting back up on that stage by myself? I'm not sure if I'm ready for that." Archie told them and Kevin chuckled. "Well, you should have listened to Chris. He performed like a rockstar up on stage." He complimented and Chris looked at the boy and smiled. "Thank's Kev."

Archie wasn't able to question what happened after he left because Veronica was quick to speak. "If it's a partner you're looking for, Veronica Lodge is more than willing and able." That was enough for Chris to growl in annoyance and protectiveness. "Or is that a problem, CJ?" Veronica asked, a raised brow showing that if they were going to have a fight, she wasn't going to back down.

Chris plastered a fake smile. "Yeah, sure, babe. Not like I already had plans for me and you, but do what your heart desires." He said before standing up seeing the confused looks from everyone at the table. "Enjoy your food," Chris grumbled before making his way back to the school with his mind solely focused on lyrics for the variety show.

"You can start your break, CJ!" James nodded over the loud sound of construction. "Alright!" Chris called out as he took off his hard hat and made his way to his car. Taking out his pack of smokes and his light.

Placing his cigarette between his lips and lighting it. Exhaling the smoke, Chris continued trying to compose the lyrics in his head. So far, he had everything set but had an idea for stage designs for his performance. Like props, or something that could go with it.

So he had begun sketching down ideas and had thankfully had gotten the okay by Fred to take some materials and start making these props. He even went as far as making a whole fucking aesthetic video and it slightly amazed him.

At this point, all he needed to worry about was the lyrics and he would be okay. That was easy for him so he had nothing to worry about.

He was taken out of his thoughts when Fred stood in front of him. His hard hat in both his hands as he had a sad look on his face. "Chris, can I talk to you?" He asked and Chris frowned but nonetheless nodded. "Yeah, of course. Everything alright, Mr. Andrews?" He asked, his worry evident in his tone. Fred nodded before motioning to the trailer. "Yeah, let's go talk inside."

They made their way to the trailer and entered. Taking Chris by surprise seeing Hermione Lodge working. "Mrs. Lodge." He greeted with a smile as the woman smiled. "Hey, CJ." She greeted getting up to hug only to be stopped by the boy. "I would love to, but I'm kinda dirty and I don't want to get that dress dirty." He told her and she smiled thankfully.

His attention being shifted to Fred as he was motioned to a chair. Taking a seat, Chirs leaned back as Fred sighed, trying to find the words to speak. "Listen, Chris..." Fred began as he rubbed his hands together.

Just that seemed to worry Chris as he started growing anxious. Sitting up straighter as he could already feel the sweat building in his hairline. Hearing the sound of sadness in Fred's tone made Chris adjust his form in his seat.

"I'm gonna have to let you go."

Those seven words destroyed Chris as he glanced back at the two adults. Not knowing what to do with his hands, as he covered his mouth, then held his head, then ran his hand through his hair. Distraught. That was how he would describe how he was feeling at this moment.

Stumbling over his words, Chris leaned forward clasping his hands. "Mr. Andrews, can you tell me why I'm getting laid off?" Chris asked as Fred sighed scratching his stubble chin. "We just don't have the money to be able to pay so many people," Fred explained as Chris stood up and began pacing back forth as Fred stood up. Worried written all over his face as he stuffed his hands in his pocket.

"CJ, please understand that you have been a great worker at the site," Fred told the boy who nodded silently with his back turned. "Everyone has said you pull your weight, but I just don't have the budget to pay so many people."

Chris nodded, sniffling as he let out a shaky sigh. "Can I just...like, maybe work here for free until you have the budget? Like, I could help around like I always do. Just please, Mr. Andrews. I can't stay in that apartment and wait for me to be evicted. I can't live with my dad again." Chris pleaded and Fred ran a hand through his hair.

Glancing at Hermione, she didn't say anything. Fred looked back up at the boy who had a pleading look in his eyes. Knawing over Chris's words, Fred found himself shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Chris. I just can't."

Silence filled the entire trailer as Chris stood there. Helpless and unsure of what to do anymore. Simply taking his hardhat off and placing it on the table. Even if it was his first job, it still was something he liked doing. It was something to take his mind off stuff that annoyed him at school. Working at the construction site was his escape besides drawing.

So, seeing it being taken right in front of his eyes, it hurt. It was something he didn't picture being taken from him but should've expected much. He wasn't blaming Fred or anyone for that matter, just the town of Riverdale in general.

The town was so fucked, it could barely stay on its own legs. Not to mention Mayor McCoy being a cold-hearted woman towards Chris for most of his life. Maybe, this was something Chris had to go through to learn from.

Chris rubbed his chin as he nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Andrews. For everything." Chris mumbled before exiting the trailer without a word.

Making a beeline straight to his Mustang. Getting inside, Chris stared ahead, nothing specific, but just stared. Swinging the door open, Chris slid inside of the vehicle with his breathing uneven and rigid. His hand clenching around the steering wheel before he punched it. "FUCK!" He cursed as he clamped his eyes shut.

It felt like everything around him was just slowly crumbling to the ground. First Veronica partnering up with Archie for singing, then him losing his job. What more could be thrown at him?

Keeping his anger at a minimum, Chris started his car and drove out of the construction site. Deciding to put all his focus on the variety show as tonight would be the night he performed.