CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
VARIETY SHOW
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Chris sat in of the auditorium in his all-black suit he wore back at Jason's memorial at Thorn Hill. Sitting at the back of the auditorium watching Veronica perform with the Pussycats. He hadn't talked to her for two days since he was still angry. And as much as he didn't like admitting it, he was wrong in this situation and shouldn't hold her against her will when she wanted to do something. She was just helping Archie out and he needed to stop acting childish. It wasn't appropriate, and it sure as hell wasn't attractive.

So, as he sat at the back of the room, he watched his girlfriend closely. His adoring eyes never flickering away from anything. She had his full attention and she seemed to notice it. And when she smiled, it washed all the anger he had inside him in a flicker of a second. Chris was just hoping that she was happy he was here despite everything. It was the least he could do after being an asshole and since he got laid off, he had time to clear his mind and see the girl of his dreams.

And even with everyone in the room from students at his school to the parents of said students, his eyes stayed on his girl. Looking her up and down and keeping a mental photograph of her outfit and how nice it was on her. Also reminding himself to let her know that she should surprise him with it one time. But his mind continued to filter in her voice as she sang beautifully and how it seemed to put him at ease.

The song he had composed was ready and the same with the props and video. He had forced Principle Weatherbee to allow him to have a large projector set up for the performance. Somehow, the Principle caved in and allowed it which was a relief to the Jones. Even after leaving many burn marks along the walls of the school, he didn't actually expect Weatherbee to allow him to do something like this.

Everything was with Kevin and the technicians backstage just waiting for Archie to end before Chris would be on. Which was happening soon as the Pussycats came to a close and the crowd clapped enthusiastically at the performance. Kevin stepping out on stage with a large smile. "That was Josie and the Pussycats! Longtails and ears for hats! They are amazing!" He told the crowd as they cheered.

"You going to go talk to her?" Chris turned his head to see a dressed up Riley Mantle who had a smile on his lips. "Yeah, just kinda nervous. You know?" Chris turned his attention to the stage as they were taking a tiny break to pull out all his props. "Yeah, I get it. I feel the exact same right now." Riley sighed and Riley looked at his friend with a frown.

He never expected his two best friends to have problems. He always saw them as a couple to not fight, but he must've been wrong. "Why, what's going on?" Chris asked, turning toward his friend as he stuffed his hand in his pockets. "She's out with Jughead and Betty looking for car dealing with Jason. I told her not to go because it wouldn't be safe, but she didn't listen. Long story short, we fought and she ran off with the pair." Riley sighed and Chris pursed his lips as he turned his head to the stage. "Jesus, man," Chris muttered before looking back at his friend.

"Listen, man. If I've learned anything from any of my past relationships. It's to see both sides of the coin and understand where they're coming from. I guess Kaitlyn just went because Betty probably asked for her help, but still. Just talk to her and discuss it." Chris counselled as the older Mantle gave a nod with a tiny smile. "You know, you could really use your own advice. Shit's inspiring." The two boys laughed as Chris crossed his arms over his chest and turned to the stage. "Yeah, I probably could."

Riley was right and Chris hated it. It confused him as to how he was able to dish out advice and never use it for himself. Perhaps he hated the fact of consoling himself to help fix his problems. Or it was the fact that he preferred getting advice from others. He didn't really know and wasn't sure he ever would.

Chris kept his eyes glued to the backstage to hopefully spot Veronica step out from behind the curtains. So, he sat there for a few moments, eyes glued to the edge of the curtain leading to the backstage. Riley sighed and slung his arm over his friend's shoulder and lowered his voice. "I know shit is tough right now, ok? But I'm telling you, man. Veronica isn't worth losing." Chris's gaze on the stage faltered as he lowered his head to listen intently to his friend's words. "If you love her, if she cares for you, and if you're happy. Then she means a lot more to you than you'd expect." Riley finished, patting his friend on the shoulder with a smile. "So, grow a pair and talk to her, pussy." He quipped before disappearing. Chris looked in the direction of where the Mantle boy went before chuckling and shaking his head.

Stuffing his hands in his pockets with a sigh as he stared at the stairs leading backstage. Allowing himself to build himself up with mental encouragement as he waited to see the girl of his dreams. When he began to get impatient, he huffed and began making his way over. Moving through the crowds of people skillfully and giving tiny smiles.

Arriving in the back where the Pussycats were doing their makeup and such. He gave Josie a smile as she smiled back as he moved through cooly. Ignoring the daggers he was receiving from Josie as he simply adjusted his suit. Pushing the curtains back as Kevin announced Archie's name. Finding Veronica encouraging Archie to go on and do what he's been struggling to do for months.

"Here's Archie Andrews!"

The ginger walked out with a slight push from Veronica while Chris stood back. His hand in his slacks with his eyes glued to Veronica with slight hesitation before walking forward. Standing beside Veronica who finally noticed him and smiled. "Hey." She said softly as she grabbed his forearm gently and gave it a tiny squeeze. Chris gave a tight lip smile as he grabbed her hand and gave it a tiny smile. Turning towards her and lowering his head slightly.

"Listen, I'm sorry about what happened two days ago." He apologized as Archie began performing. "I should've talked to you about what was going on and what is going on with me," Chris admitted as Veronica reached up and touched his cheek. Smiling at the fact that Chris leaned into her touch with a content sigh.

Just the softness of her hand cupping his cheek was enough for him to feel at peace. Staring into her brown orbs, completely at a loss of words from her utter beauty. Looking her up and down, Chris smiled. "Also, you look fucking sexy tonight." He complimented as the girl giggled and ignoring the blush that warmed her cheeks. Her smile softening with a sigh as she stared up at him. "I forgive you." She said softly. "Just talk to me. I'm here if you need me." Veronica comforted him as she stood on her tippy toes and gave him a kiss.

Chris moaning into the kiss before passionately kissing back. Their lips moving like a painter's hand across a canvas. It was quite beautiful actually. Just the softness of Veronica's lips was enough to put Chris in a trance as he savoured every taste of his girlfriend's lips. He was questioning himself why the hell he even won her over when he was just an asshole.

And it seemed as the kiss was longer than either of them thought as the crowd cheered and clapped. Alerting the pair that Chris would be up next as they pulled away. Both panting lightly as they rested their foreheads against one another. "Wow! What a performance from Archie Andrews!" Kevin said into the mic as Archie walked over to Chris and Veronica who turned to greet the boy.

"Good job, man. I knew you could do it." Chris congratulated, bringing the boy into a tight hug that surprised not only Archie but Veronica as well. "Thank you, Chris. Means a lot from you. And thank you, Veronica." Archie said with a smile towards the pair before bidding them goodbye and walking away.

"Next up is, Chris Jones!" Kevin announced as the lights started to dim. Telling him they were finished with setting up everything and it was his time to perform. "Guess your up, cowboy." Veronica quipped as Chris smiled. "My place tonight?" He asked and Veronica raised a brow. "We'll see how you do. Then I'll let you know." She teased which made Chris lean down and kiss her gently.

"Care to join me?" He asked when they pulled away and Veronica smiled as she tilted her head. "How would I perform if I don't know the lyrics?" She questioned and Chris smiled as he grabbed her hand. "You don't need to. Just sit and continue looking gorgeous as always." He told her before kissing her forehead and letting go of her hand.

Turning to the stage, Chris stepped out and took a seat on the stool in the centre of the stage. Glancing at Kevin and gave a thumbs up and just like that, everything began. Veronica taking a seat across from him as they faced each other. An intimate look in both their eyes as Veronica couldn't wash away the smile on her lips. Thankful that the lights were dimmed so it could hide the blush of embarrassment on her cheeks.

The psychedelic video playing behind Chris and Veronica and the projector displaying it above. The screen around 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Taking up the entire stage and blocking out the instruments from the Pussycat's performance. Distorted keys playing through the speakers as everyone stared up at the pair with their full attention.

"Skies of blue and birds of yellow, Flowers growing just to bloom, A million chances of our glances, Catching eyes across the room," Chris sang as he kept eye contact with Veronica that was intense and lustful. "If time stands still, Move I will to you," He sang to her as he leaned forward. "This was filmed, Somehow I see you, Move I will to you,"

From the centre of the crowd, Hermione frowned at the sight. Not having been told about this relationship between the teens, but didn't go against it. Finding it quite a romantic moment for the pair which made her smile. She had seen the kind and charming side of Chris that she was sure not many people got to see.

"Break a ball upon your fence now, Yet your beauty would still shine, I would live a thousand lifetimes, If it's you I'm sent to find," Chris stood up as he and Veronica kept eye contact. His hand finding her hand and gently pulling her to her feet. Their faces becoming inches apart as he glanced down at her lips teasingly as he smiled. "If time stands still, Move I will to you, This was filmed, Somehow I see you, Move I will to you,"

The gentle beat shook Chris's body as held Veronica by her hip. Knowing just by the simplest of touch would affect her greatly. "Move I don't want it babe, Left the ranks of targets stuck, Nothing can stop us, Move I don't want it babe, Left the ranks of targets stuck, Nothing gets stuck,"

Even if no one wanted to admit the truth, right in front of the crowd, was a dangerous pairing. For good or for bad, no one knew exactly. Only knowing that with a Jones and a Lodge together would be deadly. Both known for their family's past and have been subjected to criticism for it. It might've been the exact reason why they mixed so well, but it was deeper than that. They shared deep feelings for one another and nothing would ever change that despite what ever happened to them.

They understood each other more than most people and that was what mattered for them. No one would be able to stop them and no one could ever stop them. Mess with one of them, the other was going to come running in and ready to fight for their significant other. They were the next Blossom's, but much deadlier and evil if you stepped on their toes.

As Chris's hand cupped Veronica's cheek, his face and body got closer to her. Feeling her heavy breathing fanning his face gently. "If time stands still, Move I will to you, This was filmed, Somehow I see you, If time stands still, Move I will to you, This was filmed, Somehow I see you, Move I will to you," He finished, closing the distance between their lips and kissing Veronica softly.

The lights above them shutting off and cheers and clapping erupted throughout the room. That was enough for Chris to smile into the kiss as he placed the mic down and backed Veronica up, keeping their lips connected. Hearing the giggles from the girl in his arms as he pulled away when out of sight.

Panting lightly, Chris smiled as he looked Veronica up and down at her cat outfit. "Let's get this off of you." He muttered as he grabbed the back of her thighs and lifted her up and walked to the change room. Hearing her giggle when he squeezed her ass firmly.

For the next hour, the room was filled with moans of pleasure. And most importantly, a night to remember.