CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
LISTEN TO ME
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Night had settled in and Chris was sitting on the edge of his bed with a cigarette in between his lips. Glancing to his side to see... Jenny? He couldn't exactly remember if that was her name, but she was getting dressed.

He was a bit drunk and had some weed in his system, so he was feeling pretty amazing. Apart from how much a sloppy kisser Jenny was and not soft and gentle as Veronica. Of course, it was expected since Chris was only looking for sex and nothing more and Jenny felt the same way. But that didn't stop Chris from finding himself picturing Jenny as Veronica. There was no way that if he ever had sex again he could go without wishing the other person was Veronica. Chris didn't even say a word when Jenny said goodbye. Only sparing a nod before she left the apartment.

Leaving Chris in his head and broken heart as he wandered around the apartment. Not even sure of what to do anymore at this point. After Jughead getting arrested, Chris had needed a lot more to occupy his mind.

The only person who'd been able to do that was Veronica, but the simple thought of her hurt his heart immensely. Just wishing to feel her touch and kiss once more. Hell, she was more of a drug then cocaine or weed would ever be. Everything about her was just so addicting to Chris.

Maybe he was just obsessed and never had a girl love him as she did, but he knew it was more than that. He'd never loved a girl like he loved Veronica. Every second of every day was spent thinking about her or being with her.

Now, sitting in this quiet apartment. The stench of weed and alcohol burning the noses of anyone who came in or passed, it left him alone. A state he didn't like being in but knew that in the end, he would feel this way.

Chris chuckled at a memory of his revolving around him and his dad. Many times growing up, Chris remembered being told that he looked like his dad and acted like him. Now, that he was older, he could tell that maybe it was true. Not looks but actions. His dad was a drunk and now look at Chris. He's doing what his dad does.

At this point, Chris wasn't even sure of who he was becoming. He hadn't contacted any of his friends to let them know he was okay, and he never got anything in return. For all they knew, he could be dead and they wouldn't know until someone found their body.

Being in this apartment was driving him crazy and every time he walked around the apartment, all the memories of Veronica and him flashed in his eyes. Everything hurt and he just wanted the pain to stop as quickly as possible.

Not even realizing, tears brimmed in his eyes. Staring out the window of his apartment, Chris leaned against the wall and just stared out at nothing. Finding it a lot more interesting than staring at the bed that he and Veronica laid in many nights on end.

Letting out a grunt, Chris pushed off the wall and went to the fridge while wiping his eyes. Grabbing himself a beer and opening it before taking a sip. Placing the drink on the counter before holding the edge. Leaning forward his body bent forward. Closing his eyes as he muttered quietly to himself.

"Stop thinking about her." He muttered, slapping his face. Her smile appeared in his mind. "Stop." Slap again. Her laugh echoed in his ear. "Stop!" His tone raised louder over the slap. All he could feel was her touch. On his neck, arm, stomach, chest, back, everywhere. "Stop! Stop! STOP! STOP!" He yelled, slapping himself repeatably before slapping the beer off the counter.

The glass bottle shattering on the ground with a loud shriek. Chris collapsing onto the ground and leaning against the counter as he cried. "Fuck!" He screamed his arms resting on the top of his knees. Not able to control the sob that racked through his body like a wave.

Resting his head against the counter, Chris stared at the wall opposite him and bit his bottom lip. Veronica appearing as something like a ghost as she stared at him. A gentle smile on her lips that he had missed so much. One that he wished he could see every day in the morning like he used to.

A knock at the front door got his attention. Looking back at where he saw Veronica, she was gone. Leaving him rubbing his eyes before sitting up.

Walking to the door, Chris grabbed the doorknob. Letting out a heavy sigh as he wiped his tears away. Trying to hide the emotion that wanted to appear for the world to see.

Once he had gotten his barring, Chris opened the door to see Olivia waiting for him patiently. A worried look on her face, but it only worsened when she saw the state of Chris. "Jesus, Chris." She sighed as Chris lowered his head. "Are you okay?" She asked, and Chris wanted to lie and laugh it off, but he couldn't. He was hurting more than he ever had and it was showing.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Chris shook his head. "No. I'm not." He answered simply as Olivia stared at him with sympathetic eyes. "Let's get something to eat, alright? Just me and you and no one else. Let's be heartbroken single kids together."

Her joke made a tiny smile appear on Chris' lips as he looked down at her. "So, Archie broke up with you?" He asked and Olivia nodded, her bright blue eyes growing dark from sadness. "Yeah, wanted to keep things as friends even when we were lowkey. Guess it wasn't enough."

Chris could hear the pain in her voice and it hurt hearing her feel that way. Even if Olivia and he weren't exactly on good terms, he still cared for her. So, he grabbed her by the shoulders softly and pulled her into a hug. Soon, her quiet sobs could be heard as Chris rubbed her back soothingly. Kissing the girl on the top of her head to try and calm her down.

Soon after, Olivia had calmed down and they decided on going to Pops. Small talk the most of the ride besides Chris listening to Olivia sing Keep The Family Close by Drake. It was a rather funny experience watching as she often nudged him into joining but he didn't find the energy to do so. Only to smile and laugh when she decided on being extra, which she was doing to clear his and her mind from their heartbreaks.

Although the song was rather depressing as Chris listened to it intently. Finding himself relating with the lyrics more then he could admit. Rather than ruining Olivia's little performance, Chris fought through the pain of the song and let her have fun. If at least one of them was feeling better at the end of the day, Chris was happy.

This was what Chris needed. Just someone to be with and hang out with to clear his dark and clouded mind. To numb the pain that had been stabbing into his body for the past couple of days.

They soon pulled into the parking lot of the diner and parked their car. Getting out and laughing at something Olivia had said as they entered the diner. Chris' smile staying on for a couple of seconds until he saw who was at the counter.

His chest tightening at the sight of Veronica. The pair holding eye contact as they took in their appearances. Of course, Veronica was just as beautiful as she always has been, while Chris was a complete mess. He didn't even try on looking good since it was Pops, but now he really wished he did.

Maybe, he could've tried hiding that his last couple of days had been absolute shit. On the other hand, he didn't exactly care about anything anymore. He was just seeing how long he could go until this pain became unimaginable to live with before he most likely skipped town.

He probably could go live with his mom and Jellybean. All it would take was getting the info from his brother and he would be gone by the morning. The only thing keeping him here was Veronica and he hated it.

The touch of his arm was enough to knock him from intense gaze to look to Olivia. "Can we go?" She asked and Chris glanced back at Veronica to see Archie beside her. "Yeah." He muttered before following the girl and ignoring the yells from Veronica.

Quickly walking across the parking lot, Chris made sure Olivia was walking ahead of him when the sound of shoes could be heard. "CJ!" Veronica yelled out and Chris clenched his jaw as he continued walking. "Get in the car, Olivia." He told the girl who quickly did so.

Moving around the driver side door, Chris was opening it before it was slammed shut by Veronica. Not able to get a word out as his face was cupped by the rich girl. "Chris, can we please talk?" She pleaded tears in her eyes.

Chirs tried to resist the urge to pull her into a hug as he savoured her touch. Comparing it to something like a drug at this point, but snapped out of the trance. Removing her hands from his face. "Stop, Veronica." He whispered, attempting to open the door, but again was stopped by the girl. "Please, just let me talk," Veronica said again, her voice cracking as the tears finally started falling.

It hurt Chris a lot more then Veronica would understand seeing her like this. Never had he wanted to be the one to cause her such pain, but she wanted this as well. She said she didn't want to be with a monster and Chris was just that.

He could accept that and he was slowly embracing it over time. He's hurt more people then comforted and that said something. Chris was a broken soul before he met Veronica. He thought hopefully the girl would fix him and she did, but when they broke up he was back at square one.

"Ronnie-" He sighed, but was cut off by the girl grabbing his face again. Chris was quick to stop that and remove her hand from him. "Why won't you let me touch you?" She exclaimed and Chris grabbed her by the arms and moved her back gently.

"You wanted this, V. You literally told me that you didn't want to be with someone that was a monster, and I'm just that," Chris told her and she shook her head. "No, I didn't mean it. I- I was just angry." She stuttered and Chris shook his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "If you've been wanting to talk to me then why didn't you show up at my place? Why didn't you call or text me? Hm?" He interrogated and Veronica fell ill of words.

Nothing was going anywhere with this conversation, they both needed to accept that. If anything was going to get anywhere, they needed to be in private. They were attracting the attention of other bystanders and the others from inside like, Betty, Jughead, Archie, and surprisingly Polly Cooper. They were slowly coming outside to see what was going on and Chris didn't need to deal with all the attention.

"I-" Veronica started, but couldn't find the words. Opening her mouth to speak, but nothing coming out to explain.

Chris knew that just by how her hands kept attempting to touch Chris was enough to tell him how much she was missing it. He just missed everything about her and he didn't want to let her go, but then there was the thing about her basically going on a date with Reggie at the club. Yeah, sure there was Kevin and Josie, but Veronica knew how Chris usually reacted with that type of stuff.

Rubbing his stubble chin, Chris shook his head. "Just- Chris for christ sakes, let me explain." She exclaimed, slamming the door shut the third time. "What the hell is going on with you?" Veronica cried out and Chris' fuse was at it's end.

He didn't want to explode onto Veronica, but when he tried to walk away, she wouldn't let him. For all he knew, Olivia could be crying inside the car because of Archie. If she was, he needed to be there to comfort her because like he said before if she was feeling better at the end of the day, that was enough for him.

So, when he started yelling, he knew he couldn't stop. "How the fuck are you supposed to figure out what I'm feeling and going through when you can't get your shit straight?!" He yelled, making the rich girl flinch in shock but was replaced with an angry and confused look. "What the hell is that suppose to mean?!" She fired back and at this point, the whole town of Riverdale could most likely hear them.

They looked like an old couple fighting over what is the best decor to match the painted walls. It wasn't needed at all and they both couldn't realize that as they continue to scream at each other. "You going out with Reggie the night I get let go! Like, holy fuck, Veronica!"  Chris yelled as he could see their friend quickly walking over. Motioning to Archie who was making his way straight to the passenger side where Olivia was sat. "You probably fucked ginger fuck over here while I was gone as well!" Chris yelled and Veronica gasped at the guess.

"So, what? You think I'm some- some- some whore?" She replied and Chris rested his hands on his hips and shrugged. "You didn't deny it with Reggie, did you?" He fired back and left her, again, without words to protest.

His claims were heavy on Veronica and she would deny them any day of the week, but hearing them come from Chris hurt. Him thinking or suggesting such things hurt her emotionally and mentally. No way would she ever intent on cheating on Chris and he should know that.

"Olivia, open the door please." Archie pleaded, getting the attention of Chris who pointed at him threateningly. "Get the hell away from her, Archie!" He barked getting the football players' attention. "Guys, let's just calm down." Betty tried to defuse the situation, but through Chris's blinding anger and Archies' desperate heart, her words were ignored.

"Oh, and what the hell are you going to do, CJ?" Archie questioned as Chris moved around the car. "CJ. CJ!" Jughead exclaimed, attempting at holding his brother back, but nothing worked. "I'm going to beat your ass. So, back. The fuck. Away. From. The car." He emphasized in a dark tone that had the group silent.

Archie did so but didn't waste a second at throwing a punch. Hitting Chris in the jaw as he stumbled back having the group yelling for it to stop. If Chris was being honest, he never expected him and Archie to be at this point in their relationship. Arguing and fighting with one another when Chris had pent-up feelings towards the boy he'd never expressed quite enough. "Arch!" Veronica yelled as the others did the same. Chris stood up holding his jaw and turned his dark eyes onto Archie. "Oh, your fucking dead," Chris growled as he charged at the ginger, ignoring the emotions he had towards the boy and attacking him.

Hitting Archie in the stomach and cheek. Archie pulled Chris down to the ground where they struggled for a bit, both trying to gain dominance. Jughead attempting to rip Chris off of Archie, but being shoved back forcefully. Narrowly missing Chris's elbow that nearly hit his jaw.

Chris gripped Archie's collar and punched him. Lifting the boy, he punched him again and just as he about to him again, Chris stopped. Feeling genuinely disgusted with himself that he acted out on someone he definitely cherished as a friend. So, Chris let him go and stood up before rubbing his nose with the back of his hand. Backing away with heavy breaths as he was happy he could at least control his anger just that bit to let Archie live and see what he was doing was wrong.

Betty quickly went to Archie to see if he was okay while Jughead went to talk to Chris, but was brushed off. Veronica still stood with tears in her eyes by the driver's side door where Chris was making his way to. "No, please. Chris, please just stay." She cried out, but Chris simply opened the door, stopping himself halfway into the car.

Looking at Veronica to see a hopeful and pleading look in her eyes. Utter and helplessness could be found in Chris's as he stared back at her. Softly taking the girl's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze as he stared back at her. Letting his eyes flicker back to Archie who was watching him with pain yet angry eyes. Looking back at Veronica, Chris pursed his lips.

"If I loved you, I'll always love you, Ronnie. You just need to figure your shit out." He told her forcefully before letting go of her hand and getting into the car. Instantly yearning for the girl's touch as he started up the vehicle. His eyes shut tightly in an attempt to try and block out Veronica's cries.

Glancing at the redhead to find her in tears as Archie banged on the window calling out for her. If another fight started between them, shit wasn't going to end pretty. And at the very least, he didn't want Olivia or Veronica to see that.

So, starting up the vehicle, he backed up. The headlights shining on the four teens as they covered their eyes from the light before he raced out of the parking lot. Giving Olivia's hand a tiny squeeze of comfort as he decided they would drive for the night. Just calm down and drive and try and forget what just happened.