𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑
THE EFFECTS OF AFTER LIFE
; ♡⋆.ೃ࿔*

Hitching a ride to the party by cab was rather tedious for Chris. It only made him miss his Mustang more and more every second that he sat talking to a man he didn't give two shit's about. He didn't like having to put himself in awkward situations like he just had. No matter what they could've talked about, the awkwardness wouldn't be able to go away. Just the horrible effects of Chris whenever he was put in a position he didn't like being in.

The sound of the cab pulling away from the curb didn't bother him. It was the house in front of him that did. He didn't expect to go to Archie's place so soon. They could've just held the birthday at Chris's place and he would've been fine with it. Hell, he would've left the hospital early just so he could help set up. But no, this was a place he had no control in and that didn't settle well in his bones.

The only control he had was to distance himself from Archie and Veronica for the time being. This night wasn't about him either way; it was about Jughead. So, despite being in a place that he had no control in, Chris was willing to power through it for his little brother. And the only source of that sanity was from the cigarette hung lazily between his lips.

Making his way up the steps of the house, Chris glanced at the front window. Seeing Archie peek his head out before the sound of footsteps could be heard steadily approaching the door. Right when Chris was going to knock, the door swung open. His wrist was grasped and pulled into the house suddenly.

"Calm it down, Arch." Chris huffed as the door shut behind him. Inside the living room stood Kevin, Joaquin, Betty and Ethel. They were all either staring at him or trying to act like they weren't.

Chris frowned at the sight of Joaquin; a serpent being at the birthday party. Taking his cigarette between his index and middle finger with an exhale. "Um, may I ask why the hell you have a serpent in your house, Archie?" He questioned, shamelessly pointing at the man as he plastered a fake smile. "He's Kevin's boyfriend," Archie explained simply as the Jones boy nodded before brushing past the football player.

Not making it far to hear the front door open. "Surprise!" They all exclaimed, finding it to only be Veronica who shut the door and stared at them weirdly. "Do I look like Jughead to you?" She inquired as Chris rolled his eyes and made his way to the kitchen. Grabbing a Cheeto from the multiple snack bowls that were placed on a table full of pop, fruit, gifts, and vegetables.

Blocking out whatever everyone else was talking about as he searched for the liquor cabinet. Stopping when he found a wooden box in the corner of the kitchen. Placing his cigarette between his lips, he crouched down. Groaning in pain as he let his right knee support him whilst he opened the box to watch the tray slid out with liquor.

Quickly grabbing a bottle of vodka and shutting the cabinet with his foot. Taking a seat at the island in the kitchen with a groan as he popped the lid off the bottle. "Guys, they're coming this time. Everyone hide." Ethel announced as the lights shut off with everyone quickly going to their spots.

"Chris, hide!" Archie whisper shouted as Chris waved him off and took a deep swig of the drink. By the time Archie went to grab Chris, it was too late because the front door swung open. Both Betty and Jughead entering the house talking about something that Chris paid no mind to.

"Surprise!"

Although Jughead should have a smile and be happy for something like this to be pulled, there really wasn't one there. If anything it was forced as he turned to Betty. "This is why he left the double feature." He acknowledged as Betty nodded and shrugged her jacket off. Placing it on the chair beside Chris, but stopping when seeing the older Jones sibling sat with a bottle of vodka in his hand and a cigarette hanging from his lips.

"Did the doctor say you could drink or smoke?" She asked as Chris lifted his eyes up at her lazily. "Am I suppose to care about what the doctor cares about?" He questioned as the blonde glanced at Jughead who frowned at the sight of his brother.

"Chris, why are you here? You should be at home resting." Jughead advised as the older brother sighed with the cloud of smoke escaping his lips. "Stop worrying about me, alright? I'm fine, man." He assured as he stood from the chair. "And I can tell you don't like how the night has turned out," Chris whispered as Jughead sighed.

"Why didn't you stop her?" Jughead inquired quietly as his older brother pursed his lips. "I think you forget I was in the hospital. Text messages and phone calls only can stop someone so much before they don't." He explained simply to his brother who pursed his lips and nodded stiffly.

After a brief moment, the sound of Betty singing got the group's attention. Chris turned his gaze back to the bottle in his grasp. Sighing deeply as he used his wrist to rub at his eyes with the cloud of cigarette smoke danced around him. Sniffling slightly as he felt a cold sensation wash down his warm skin.

"Fuck," He muttered as he wiped away the tear and walked into the kitchen. Not liking the sound of the silence of the room and the haunting tune of Betty's voice as she sang happy birthday to Jughead. If she stared in a horror, she would be the perfect serial killer.

Taking a seat at one of the stools and sipping from the bottle of vodka. Groaning at the burning in the back of his throat. But he stopped when Veronica entered the room and stood in front of the window by the sink. Bracing herself against it as tears fell from the corner of her eyes. Sitting up, Chris frowned. "V?"

A shaky sigh escaped her lips just as Archie entered the room, the same type of worry in his eyes as Chris. "Veronica?" He mused.

At this point, Chris knew there was no way he could just avoid both teens. He would need to get used to being in the same room as them. But god did he just feel an awkwardness wash over him whenever he saw one of them.

He cared, truly, he did. But goddamn did he sometimes just wish he could disappear. Go anywhere besides stay here, and be happy. Perhaps staying home would have been a good choice if he took this into consideration. There was so much going on that he personally didn't feel comfortable being anywhere near people. It also didn't help that the two people he was with were people that either liked him or hated him at the moment.

So, when he glanced at Archie, he sighed and rose from his spot. "I'll let you guys talk." He smiled forcefully, shoulders slouching slightly as he took a puff off his cigarette. There was a clear resentment, but not towards anyone besides himself.

"Chris, can we talk later?" Veronica asked as the boy stopped with a soft sigh. "Just figure things out and catch you up on stuff?"

Using the back of his hand to wipe his nose he nodded. "Yeah, sure. We can, Ronnie." He assured her before entering the living room.

Finding himself quite bored already and would've had more fun back at home. Hell, if his brother told him to go to Pop's with him instead of her, he would've taken it. This was just a snooze fest that Chris was ready to leave already. Especially since there were three people in the house that he didn't talk to while the other four were doing their own thing. And at the moment, he was wishing Betty had invited Olivia.

He wondered what she was up to and what she thought about the crash. The number of people that knew he was on coke during the crash was still unknown to him. What he hoped was that he didn't come back to school and have to deal with all the bullshit from people.

But his attention shifted to the front door when the doorbell rang. Blinking a few times and pushing himself off the wall before walking over. Pulling the door open and feeling a large grin form on his lips. Glancing over his shoulder to see the people inside the house waiting to see who it was. So, backing up, a clear view of Cheryl with a white fur coat and sleek silk dress hugging her body nicely came into view.

That same cocky and prideful cherry-coloured grin on her lips as she stepped into the house. "Did you really think you could have a party without inviting moi?" Cheryl questioned. "Or me?" Chuck Clayton added as the group of four stared at them in utter shock.

"Archie, where do you want the kegs?" Moose asked as he stepped inside with the large steel barrel full of alcohol. And despite his knowledge of the fact that Jughead hated parties and it originally only being an inner circle gettogether, Archie smiled. "Screw it. One in the kitchen, one in the backyard."

The cheering of kids filled the air as they all filtered into the house. Chris leaning against the wall by the stairs as he shook his head. "Chris Jones. Still alive and kicking." Cheryl's smooth voice filled his ears as he looked down at the redhead.

"Nothing can kill me, cherry." He smiled as the ginger tilted her head and stepped dangerously close. Not that he was threatened, but he could feel the hot gaze belonging to Veronica on him. Cheryl seemed to also noticed as she looked over her shoulder to meet the Lodge's gaze. Allowing her hands to grasp the hem of his jeans and tug suddenly. His jaw clenching as Cheryl looked up at him with a large grin.

"Maybe in a few we can escape for a bit. I've always wanted to have sex in someone else's bed." She stated as Chris chuckled lowly as he leaned down. "Then maybe we can change that tonight." He whispered as Cheryl bit her bottom lip before shoved his head away.

Not saying another word and going into the living room that was beginning to fill with teen bodies. Leaving a rather sexually frustrated Chris to just picture what he would do to the girl. Tempted to just follow after her and convince her to make her idea come faster.

But it was only because as he ignored the insulted and hurt look in Veronica's eyes, he needed her and Archie out of his mind. If he created that distance from the pair, things would be much easier for him. Not only to recover from his crash but also to just figure his shit out. Because if they pulled some crazy shit on him again, he might just lose it.

So, with a smile, he glanced at Veronica before walking through the bodies of the kids. Fully intending to party his heart out and possibly to the point where he splits open his stitches. At least then he can forget about the two teens seeking out his emotions and love. Truthfully, with where he was mentally, he didn't want to place that on either of them. No matter how good the sex may feel.

Alcohol didn't take long to take control of the steering wheel that was Chris's body. As he stumbled through the crowd of kids and was screaming lyrics from the music blasting through the speakers. And it took less for him to hop back down the road as he chopped up a line. In a spare bedroom upstairs, he and a few drunk kids all surrounded a small table. Spilled beer and white power littered the wood surface.

Laughing at something someone said as he placed down the credit card and retrieving a dollar bill. Beginning to roll it up with so much eagerness that his hands trembled. But before he could even get close to sniffing it all up, the door swung open. A furious-looking Olivia standing at the doorway with an even more furious FP.

But something about the looks on their faces didn't disturb Chris from letting out a laugh. "What do you two fuckers want?" He chortled as FP sighed. "Get your ass over here."

Chris could barely grab his beer since FP grabbed his arm roughly and hoisted him to his feet and yanked him out of the room. The pull was hard and sudden that it had him Stumbling into Olivia who grimaced at the smell radiating off of him. "Why the hell are you here, Chris? You should be back at home." She hissed to the boy.

"Yeah, but then I would miss out on my brother's birthday!" He exclaimed with a large grin and wave of his arms. "I need this shit, Olivia. I can't stand being locked in a room another minute or I might kill someone." Chris slurred with a wave of his hand as he brought his bottle of beer to his lips.

The beer was snatched from his grasp and he let out a growl and turned to his father. "Get your ass downstairs and chill," FP ordered in a low tone as the two stared daggers at one another. "If not for me, then for Olivia at least."

With a glance at the girl beside him, he sighed. Rubbing his eyes that had grown heavier than before and leaving him to grab a cigarette from his pack. "Okay, fine. Let's go." He sighed, waving his hand for them to lead.

Soon, they all stood in the kitchen, with the new addition of Joaquin and letting the party ensue around them. It was the type of party you would see in a movie and usually Chris would be for it, but he was tired. Resulting in him leaning against Olivia who had an arm wrapped around his waist. Doing her absolute best to keep the boy standing and not tumbling to the ground in a deep slumber.

It took everything in her body and mind to not just let him fall. If anything, he deserved it in her rightful opinion. Considering the fact that he decided to act like nothing had happened in the past week with him being in the hospital or crash. Hell, she caught him about to get back on the drugs. There were so many things she wanted to do to him, like, beat him to a pulp for being an asshole and scaring her. But here she was, holding him up and being there for him. Even when the guy didn't deserve it a single bit.

Jughead suddenly entered the kitchen, drawing the small group's attention. "Hey, Jughead." Ethel greeted. "Hey, Ethel." The beanie-wearing boy sighed as he brushed past her. "Oh, you didn't have a piece of cake. It's bad luck."

"No, this whole night is bad luck." He corrected as he glanced at his brother and father. Both wearing frowns and looks of worry. "I'm ghosting. I'll see you at school." Jughead told them before leaving the kitchen and going towards the front door.

"Wait, Jug-" Chris was cut off by a sharp pain in his side. Causing him to stumble forward and use the island to catch himself. "Chris, are you okay?" Olivia mused as the boy nodded, blinking a few times as he blew out a raspberry.

"We should get you home, son," FP stated as he grasped his son's arm. But Chris was quick to shove the man's hand off of him. "I'm fine. Just give me a sec."

But apparently, Chris would never get that moment to rest and chill out because there was always something to interrupt him. Such as Cheryl and Chuck blocking Jughead from leaving. A dangerous duo that was only set out to cause chaos. Chris would know since that was once his only mission a few months ago. "Listen up party people!"

Everyone in the living room, stairway, and hall turned towards the queen bee of Riverdale. More than willing to give her their undivided attention. "Everyone has their secrets. And we've all done our share of sinning. That's one thing my dear old brother's death has revealed." Cheryl stated with a smirk. "So, let's play a little game to get those secrets out in the open."

Hearing that and the addition of Cheryl locking the front door, just screamed the calm before the storm. It only got worse as everyone was quick to gather in the living room and getting for the "game". Chris found herself standing at the doorway dividing the living room and dining room. Leaning against the frame of the doorway with Olivia stood by his side, carefully leaning into his side.

All alcohol had been sucked clean from his system the moment he saw everyone gather in the living room. Already knowing with the mixture of Cheryl and Chuck's wickedness that it would create problems. "What the hell is 'Secret and Sins?'" Jughead questioned sharply. "It's a variation on 'Truth or Dare'. In which we own our truths by telling it like it is." Cheryl explained.

Plastering a sickenly fake smile, she turned to Veronica. "I'll start the game with Veronica Lodge," Cheryl announced. "Naturally," Veronica replied, causing Chris to smirk in amusement. If he ever got to see the day the pair have a catfight, he would pay to see that shit.

"Let's begin with the day you and your mod wife of a mother came to town for a so-called fresh start." Cheryl started. "Tell us, Veronica, what's so fresh about defiling Archie Andrews in a closet?"

Letting out a low whistle, Chris lifted his finger grabbing Cheryl's attention. "To be fair, I'm sure it was consensual." He pointed out as the Blossom girl pushed her lips out and tilted her head. "I thought you would be angry about it, Chris. Did she change your mind with the sway of her hips?" Cheryl mocked as Veronica glared at the girl. "That was your doing." She countered, bringing the subject back to Cheryl's first stupid question.

"Moving on to dear Daddy Lodge. Isn't it true that your father, from prison, illegally purchased the drive-in land?" The question had Chris' and Jughead's gaze switch to Veronica. Searching for some sort of incredulous look and hope that Cheryl's claim wasn't the truth. "Which makes me wonder, what else is he doing from behind bars?"

Inhaling deeply Chris crossed his arms over his chest in an attempt to shield his frustration. From Veronica or Cheryl; he wasn't entirely sure. "Well, I can't speak for my father but I can think of someone with a very dirty secret. Specifically, Cheryl killing her very own brother."

Noticeably, Chris' body tensed up at the outrageous claim. Olivia was quick to grab ahold of his arm, jacket, something to keep him grounded. Chris was convinced at this point, no one would ever get over the death of Jason. They were blowing it out of proposition and it was pissing him off. Jason was killed, the cops were still looking for the killer, leave it at that. That's what Chris wanted to say but knew that people wouldn't stop. No matter how many heads he had to smash together, they'd still use Jason's death in an argument.

At the claim, Cheryl stared at Veronica incredulously. "Everyone knows how much I loved my brother." She defended.

"Exactly," Veronica said. "But did you love him in ways that a sister shouldn't love a brother? And as you got older, Jason started to think it was strange, unnatural." Veronica suggested.

It was now Chris' turn to grab ahold of Olivia and stop her from doing something she might regret. Although she didn't have the same connection with Jason as Cheryl did, she still cared about Jason. Probably a lot more than people ever got to see or hear.

"So he chose Polly over you. So you shot him between the eyes with one of your father's many hunting rifles." Veronica said in a low dark tone that easily got to Cheryl. But it also got to both Chris and Olivia. "V, that's enough!" He hissed sharply, causing the Lodge to look back at him with a frown.

"This game is sick. I wanna go next." Doiley announced from his position in a chair. "That's the spirit, Doiley. What secrets do you have to reveal to us?" Chuck said enthusiastically. "I saw Ms. Grundy's car by Sweetwater River the day Jason went missing."

"I told Betty and Jughead, and then Ms. Grundy quit her job and left Riverdale, like, two days later," Doiley explained. "And let's not forget that Archie was also at Sweetwater that morning." He added.

A groan escaped Chris who bowed his head and shook it. Why did he think that this would just go away easily? Nothing in Riverdale could stay buried nowadays, apparently. "Oh, my god, color me shocked. Archie Andrews, is that why you became a mediocre musician overnight? Because you and Ms. Four-Eyes were pulling a Mary Kay Letourneau?"

"Don't say anything. Don't get in the gutter with them." Veronica spoke up, stopping Archie immediately. "Wait, what? Archie was banging a teacher? Damn, I wish I would've known. I would've added you and Ms. Grundy to the book of conquests."

"Classy, Chuck, as always." Veronica snarked aggressively.

"Wait a second," Cheryl interjected. "That also explains why Archie can't keep a girlfriend to save his life. He's got serious mommy issues." She mocked. "Anything to say for yourself, Arch? Were you a victim or perpetrator?"

Before she could continue any further, Chris spoke up, pushing himself off the doorframe. "Cheryl, come on," Chris spoke up with a wave of his hands, gaining the redhead's attention. "Can we not do this, please?"

For a moment, there was a brief change in the girl's eyes. Like she was considering his words and debating on if continuing this was a good idea. But like every other time, Cheryl didn't listen and continued her tirade. Willing to attack anyone who opposed her. If that be her sister or Chris and her next target was Chris Jones. Whether he liked it or not.

Plastering a fake smile, the girl tilted her head. "I got a question for you, Chris. After leaving the tree tapping ceremony, what happened?" She questioned, causing the boy to inhale deeply and roll his shoulders back. "Why do you ask, Cherry?"

She shrugged innocently. "Well, I don't know. It's kind of suspicious hearing that the best driver I know gets into a car crash after running a red light. It's like, he may have been on something."

Most of that night before the crash Chris didn't remember. He couldn't remember correctly if he'd ran the red light or it was green. All he remembers is the icy road didn't stop him and he got hit. If he did run the speed light, then that was all his fault. When he was on Coke, he had decently good control over his actions. But maybe he didn't and he was just thinking too much about it.

Sighing, the boy licked his lips. "What would you like for me to say, Cheryl?" He questioned softly as the girl glared at him, a hidden emotion buried deep within her eyes. It's unfamiliarity causing Chris to frown slightly. "I want you to admit what happened when you crashed."

"I slid and crashed into a pole. Impaling me and nearly killing me." He replied sharply, dropping his arms to his side. "Is that what you want to hear?"

"No, more specifically that you were on drugs."

Chris inhaled sharply, hiding the shock pretty well as he tilted his head upwards. Clenching his jaw and hands as he refrained from losing his cool. He didn't dare look at anyone that had been involved with hiding the drugs or getting rid of them. No way would he throw someone he cared about under the bus because of his stupid ass mistake.

But as he stared at Cheryl, he could see the tiniest bit of sadness in her eyes. Trying to hide the fact that she cared about the boy and considered him something close to a brother or friend. All the hours he spent at the house holding her and taking care of her, feeling like it was nothing. It was widdled down to nothing if he was willing to do drugs that nearly got him killed.

And in a way, he understood where she coming from. Even if she wasn't willing to come out and say it directly. Chris knew she wasn't the type to do that. "I was on coke when I crashed." He confessed, keeping an unwavering gaze with Cheryl.

Ignoring everyone else's looks of surprise, especially his fathers and brothers. "It was an escape." He admitted, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I lost my only friend and I needed something to deny the truth."

There was a slight widening of Cheryl's eyes that showed her true surprise by his words. But it didn't last long since Chuck was quick to speak up. "Well, I guess it's my turn now. Boy, do I have a twisted secret, starring Betty Cooper."

Any form of vulnerability had been washed away with an instant weight of protectiveness appearing. Now, it was one thing to make a slick comment about the golden girl he considered his sister. But it was a complete other to reveal something she clearly wanted secret. And just the way Chuck spoke when it came to Betty, it made Chris' blood boil.

"Leave her the hell alone, Chuck," Archie warned. "Shut up, Andrews!" Chuck snapped sharply, glaring at the boy. "Look, you may get a free peep show every night, but you do not know her." He explained before looking at the blonde pathetically. "Hell, Betty doesn't even know herself."

A frown appeared on Chris' face as he stepped forward. His curiosity peeking just a bit as to what Chuck had to say. "Everybody knows why I got suspended, but what you don't know she dressed up like a hooker, in a God-awful black wig, drugged me, handcuffed me in the Jacuzzi and, well, I almost drowned until she got me to say what she wanted to hear. And then she really lost it." He explained.

"She actually thought she was Polly. But, hey, you knew all about this, right, Jughead?" Chuck questioned turning around to the boy.

That was when all shit broke loose. Jughead abruptly pushed himself off the table and punched Chuck in the face. There was a brief wave of proudness in Chris, but it was only brief because when Jughead tried to swing again, Chuck blocked it and punched Jug.

So, as any older brother would, Chris pushed through the crowd and shoved Chuck to the ground. Quick to hop on top of the boy and start feeding him punches. Noticing a crack after the second punch he landed on Chuck's left cheek. The pinch of pain didn't bother him as he didn't know how many he got in before he felt a sharp agonizing pain in his side. A yell of pain ripping through his lungs as he looked down at Chuck.

Grabbing the boy by the collar of his shirt, Chris head-butted the boy in the nose. Landing one last punch before being pulled off. "Get off of me! Get the fuck off of me! Let me kill that son of a bitch!" He yelled as he struggled in the hold that belonged to Archie.

"Chris, calm down! Chris!" Archie exclaimed, pulling the boy back all the way to the kitchen. Comparing this to dealing with a toddler who didn't want to go to the doctor. But once outback, Archie shoved the boy. "Calm down."

Chris breathed heavily, like an animal inside of a cage. Wincing in pain as the adrenaline quickly wore off. Crouching down to one knee and holding his side. "What happened?" Archie questioned, quickly joining his side and noticing the boy's side bleeding and the trembling right hand.

"I think I broke my fucking hand," Chris muttered with a tiny chuckle before groaning. "Can I check?" Archie asked softly, looking up at the Jones for permission.

After a few moments, Chris gave him a nod and stood up. Carefully, Archie grabbed the hem of his shirt and lifted it up. Revealing the large bandage around the scar tinted bright pink. As high escaping the redhead's lips as he scanned the surrounding area.

"He hit your scar. I don't know if he split it open or not." Archie explained, standing up and looking at Chris. Gasping softly at the close proximity the pair were in. There were about 3 inches apart from their lips and just a tiny bit of movement could change that.

And Chris didn't know what came over him, but he abruptly moved forward and crashed his lips against Archie's. It was sudden and shook Archie, but he didn't waste a second to reciprocate. Cupping Chris' face and bringing him even closer, if even possible. It'd just been on impulse as Chris had been battling with himself the entire night. Unsure if he should try and confront the feelings or just leave them in the dust.

But he couldn't have helped himself. The feeling of Archie's lips melded with his had been on the back burner in his mind. He needed to just be sure of it what he was feeling was true. And they were. The bitter taste of alcohol on Archie's lips and tongue added more to the kiss and left Chris wanting more. These were just the effects of after hours.