𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄
REJUVENATION WON'T LAST
; ♡⋆.ೃ࿔*

Getting back to school had been much easier than Chris had expected. Walking through the halls, easier and having no eyes focused on him was a plus. After the party, he'd been expecting some form of alienating from other students, but he was surprised it was the complete opposite. And truthfully, he felt like a brand new person coming back. Having gotten patched up at the hospital the day after his stay at Archie's and in the process of getting his shit together.

Chris was unsure why he felt so rejuvenated after the party. It may have been the fact that he wasn't in a stumbling drunk state. Or just the fact that his suspicions about Archie were the truth. Everything had changed at that moment, but it didn't fix the wounds that still needed healing. That kinda pissed him off since now he was faced with a decision he wasn't ready to face.

But thankfully, he'd been able to push that to the back of his mind throughout most of the day and weekend. Only being left with himself and his plans for getting back on track. Which was something he should've done weeks about, but here he was. It was the thought that counted, right?

Pushing that to the back of his mind, he made his way down the hall. Surprisingly smiling, which felt quite awkward since it was rather weird for him to be walking around with one. The only thing that felt natural was the cigarette dangling between his index and middle finger. Practically being a part of his outfit for years now and he was sure it wouldn't ever change.

So, as he strolled down the hall towards the student lounge, he was quickly ambushed. By not one person, but by two. More specifically, Olivia and Cheryl Blossom both wearing smiles. "I guess I'm not the only one feeling a bit more upbeat today." He chuckled as he took a puff off his cigarette.

"Well, we have a good reason," Olivia replied. "We need you to vote for both me and Polly this homecoming. We're going to be co-queens since Jason should've been up there with me." Cheryl added with a grin that caused Chris to chuckle. "You have it? I don't know what you guys expected me to answer with."

If there was anything he could do to support the pair, he would. After the little moment he had with Cheryl at the party, he realized how much she cared about him. Even if it may not be that much, there was still something there. The Blossoms had treated him like their own, Clifford bought his sadly passed away Mustang and his apartment. And Penelope got him furniture, so he kinda owed them his life after all.

Exhaling the cloud above them, Chris looked down at both of them. Both still holding smiles that spoke more than the words on the tip of their tongues. And it didn't take much for Chris to piece two and two together and look between them. "There's more to this, isn't there?" He questioned suspiciously with a perfectly arched eyebrow.

"We need someone to drive us and Polly to Homecoming," Olivia stated as Chris nodded, urging her to continue and not just leave him hanging. A scoff came from Cheryl who rolled her eyes at her sister's large beaming smile that was one of excitement. "Oh, come here you big oaf." She grumbled, grabbing the boy's hand and pulling him down the hall.

Passing by the science lab and only getting a small glimpse. But it was Archie and Veronica talking to one another, but Chris couldn't make out what was being said or what their expressions could tell him. Raising a layer of suspicion on his mind, it was suddenly brushed away upon stepping outside.

The blistering winter weather hitting his cheeks and causing them to flush. A cloud of smoke abandoning his lips as he adjusted his jacket for some extra warmth. "That is what my sister was trying to tell you." Cheryl scoffed, motioning her hand out across the parking lot.

Following her hand, out of the white and dark-coloured vehicles sat a gloss grey Buick Grand National. A frown appearing on his face as he looked down at the two sisters. Silently asking the question that he was too afraid of asking. When they both gave him a nod, his eyes widened and he immediately walked towards the vehicle. Placing the cigarette between his lips as the two girls followed closely behind him.

Pulling the driver-side door open, it was unlocked and he was quick to hop inside. Scanning the clean and sleek interior that nearly had him drooling. "Holy shit." He mused, running his hand across the leather steering wheel.

"I want us to show up in style. Olivia helped weigh in on your favourite style of cars." Cheryl explained as she and Olivia stood by the open door. Smiling at the boy as he stood out of the vehicle. "I love you two."

Bringing them into a big hug, he chuckled when Cheryl was quick to push away. "You smell of cigarette and I don't need that mixing with the strawberry perfume. And I don't need my makeup and hair messed up." She chastised as he chuckled and blew her a kiss. "Thank you, Cherry. It means a lot." He told her as she handed him the keys. "Yeah, just don't crash this or do anything dumb with it."

Those were Cheryl's last words before she walked inside, leaving Olivia and Chris in a tight embrace. "It was her idea. She didn't need my help." Olivia muttered into his chest, just barely above a whisper. "She knew how much Jason loved you and knew how much something like Homecoming could bring back horrible shit. So, she wanted to make it a bit better for you."

Her explanation had Chris sigh softly. Not uttering a word as his arms tightened around the smaller girl as he kept her close. It felt nice but also hurt that the two sisters were willing to go this length to make him feel comfortable for the event. Because the truth was that he wasn't exactly prepared for the occasion. The last time he went was one of the best nights he ever had, but also the worst.

That night highlighted great moments between him and Jason, but also the worst. A whole combination of things had happened that neither boy expected to find themselves in. It'd been a situation that tested their friendship that ended up with Chris being sent to juvey for it. In a short explanation, the night had been a nightmare.

Pressing his face in the girl's hair, he pressed a gentle kiss to her crown. Still not finding any words to speak as he was so caught up in the memory to even care.

"This motherfucker!" Chris exclaimed, looking through the rearview mirror at the blinding lights. Seconds ago, the person behind them had smashed into the back of their car. More specifically, Chris' car.

Reaching across the dash, he popped open the glove compartment and grabbed a socket wrench. "I'm seeing he has a friend," Jason announced, looking through the side mirror. The sound of the car doors behind them slamming shut with the muffled sound of yells. "You get one, I got the other."

"I'm not excited to get blood on my tux, man," Jason grumbled as he got out of the vehicle. Chris quickly following after and walking towards the man approaching him. "The fuck is your problem, man?"

Chris didn't reply as he was quick to hit the man in the head with a wrench. Glancing over at Jason who easily knocked the other guy out with one punch. This was supposed to be a fun night, but there was always something searching to ruin that. At this point, Chris was sure he was just cursed.

Turning back to the man holding head, shakily getting to his feet. Without a second of hesitation, Chris grabbed the man's hand and planted it on the other car's hood. Thankful that this incident was happening on the outside of town and not in the centre. With the addition of it being nearly midnight.

"My problem is the fact your dumbass can't drive," Chris growled, smashing the man's hand with the socket wrench. Savouring the cry of pain coming from the man who crumbled to the ground. Not able to free his hand from Chris' grip.

From the other side of the vehicle, Jason watched, not showing how shocked or slightly disturbed he was. This hadn't been the first time they had something like this happen. It'd been school fights, but not something this brutal. But he should've known Chris would go the extra step since it was his car that had been involved. You never mess with someone's car.

That was what Chris was hoping this hopeless man would learn. If it didn't, then he was sure someone else would teach the man a better lesson. "If you can't drive, maybe then you'll learn some shit." He growled one last time before hitting the man's hand again before hitting him in the side of the head. Knocking the man out.

"Chris!" Jason yelled, getting the Jones' attention. "Are you trying to kill him?" He question sharply as Chris scoffed and made his way to the car. Ignoring his friend's clear anxiety and words of what the boy had just done.

When Jason got into the vehicle, he turned to Chris with a serious look in his eyes. "If this blows up in our faces, we're fucked, man."

Little did Chris know, it was really him who was fucked in the end.