𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐒𝐈𝐗
SOMETHING FAR WORSE
; ♡⋆.ೃ࿔*

"This isn't anything new to you, Chris. It's like the last homecoming, but less breaking hands." Chris muttered to himself. "Stop getting nervous for no damn reason, man. Come on." He told himself, tapping his face as he stared at himself in the mirror.

His face scrunching up with a groan as he bowed his head and braced himself against the sink. "What the hell has gotten into you, man?" He whispered aloud, closing his eyes staring down at the drain.

This entire day had just gone downhill for him and he couldn't find the reason for it. Out of nowhere, boom, it's there and ruined his entire upbeat mood.

He guessed it was from him dwelling too much in the past, but how could he not. A lot of his life had been spent with Jason and so were the memories. Looking back at all the time he'd spent with Jason was just natural to him and it just happens. But this anxiety and nervousness weren't from that and neither was it from going to Homecoming. There was something else, but he couldn't figure it out and it pissed him off quite a bit.

It just felt like he going in circles within his mind, searching for the answer. Knowing damn well he wasn't going to find the answer, but he still continued. Hopeful and desperate to find it so he didn't have to feel like this any longer. He loved being in control of how he felt, but this anxiety and this weird build-up of suspicion didn't put him in control. Instead, it just shoved him into the back seat and made him sit there for the ride.

"God, you look pathetic right now, man."

A sigh escaped Chris' lips as he shook his head. "You can't be showing up like this, Jace."

Lifting his gaze to the doorway, he made eye contact with the familiar ghost of his best friend. Finding him smirking in amusement at Chris' state of frustration. Motioning with his hands, Jason said, "Well, how else am I going to make my entrance? Send you a text?"

"No need to be a smartass like always, Jason." Chris huffed, standing up and scanning his tuxedo in the mirror. Fixing the bow around his collar and doing his cuffs. Hating that Olivia had made him wear something no one had really ever spotted him in.

It was a completely different look from what he was used to. The restriction it had on his breathing and movement didn't help either. What was to happen if he got into a fight? He was fucked, man. "Well, colour me fucking surprised. Who knew Chris Jones could dress formally?" Jason chuckled.

Ignoring the voice the best he could, Chris moved away and brushed past Jason, their shoulders bumping together. A soft grunt escaping Jason who stared at the boy grab a cigarette and light it. "What did I tell you the last time we talked? Those things are going to kill you." Jason berated.

"Yeah, and the last time I checked, you were dead," Chris replied, putting on a plastic smile that had Jason chuckling. "Oh, no. Look, everyone, Chris Jones is annoyed." The ghost mocked as the other boy grumbled in annoyance as he shoved the pack of cigarettes and lighter in his pocket.

The banter they shared was the exact same as it used to be. It almost felt like Jason was still here with him. But as painful as it was to admit, the Blossom boy was gone. In either heaven or hell, Chris didn't care to know the answer. Better to not dwell on something that would consume his mind for longer than he needed.

Walking to the living room, Chris sat on his couch where his phone sat. Feeling the couch dip with his late best friend sitting beside him. "So, homecoming, huh? Never thought you would go again." Jason mused, reaching for the boy's phone. Chris was quick to lurch his phone away and from a safe distance. "Mainly after everything that happened," Jason added with a smirk.

"You won't let that down, will you?" Chris questioned as he took a mother puff off his cigarette. From beside him, Jason chuckled as he leaned back and sprawled his hands across the top of the couch. "What do you think, man? I saw a different side of you no one else has."

It was a truthful statement since, in no other situation like that, Chris had never acted the same. Sure, he was aggressive still and easily scared people, but he learned how to control most of it. But there was also a hint of the reasoning being Veronica and Olivia. They had gotten him pretty tame and grounded from doing anything stupid. Olivia did well with comforting her the ways she knew how and Veronica had been able to just keep him out of bullshit. Either that be distracting him with sex or convincing him to just stay with her.

But Chris wanted to get far away from the way he once was. Just to be a better version of himself and to do right by the ones around him. He'd done some and felt some pretty horrible things in his life that would haunt him for the rest of his life. That's the one thing about mental scars, they never really went away when they disappeared for a while. They would always be there until the day you died, whether you liked it or not.

Pursing his lips, Jason sighed and adjusted in his spot. Kicking his feet up onto the coffee table. Rattling it slightly and shaking the knife that Chris had left. His eyes flickering to it as its tapping on the glass echoed in his ears. "Well, besides when-"

Before Jason could even say another word, Chris grabbed the knife the swung it at the ghost. Stabbing into his couch as Jason had suddenly disappeared out of thin air. Like he wasn't there.

A sigh abandoned Chris' lips as he let go of the knife and placed the palm of his hands over his eyes. Rubbing them harshly as pulled them away and took a deep inhale off his cigarette, holding it in.

𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴

Hearing that repeat in his mind only caused the Jones boy to exhale the smoke. "That motherfucker." He muttered, pressing his tongue to the inside of his cheek before standing up abruptly. Flipping the table and sending it flying into the wall. Thankfully it didn't crack the wall or scratch it, surprisingly, but shattered with the glasses' impact.

But after a few seconds, pain shut up his hand that was wrapped in a tensor bandage. Dropping to one knee as he stared down at his trembling hand as he growled.

"Leave me the fuck alone, Jason!"

His voice tore a little at the end, clenching his jaw and not allowing himself to break. He couldn't let this get to him, not when he started himself down a road of redemption. This wasn't the time for him to allow the darkness of his past to come back and ruin it. Especially on a night when he wanted to forget all problems and be with the ones he cared about.

So, with a huff, Chris grabbed his keys and phone before exiting the apartment. Quickly rushing outside before driving all the way to Thorn Hill. Sending a quick text with Cheryl and Olivia that he was outside. Lighting his next cigarette and waiting patiently as he turned up the heat in the vehicle and leaving the window a crack open.

He already wanted this night to be over before it even started. All because his mind wanted to fuck with him and torture him. It was unfair, to say the least. Especially when he'd had a fantastic day until he thought back to the last homecoming and then Jason. Every bit of it was piling onto his mind and he just wanted to be over with the night.

The sound of the Blossom's front door shutting got his attention. Turning down his music as he glanced to see the two girls making their way down the steps towards the car. Taking one last puff off his cigarette, he flicked it out the window when they got in. Cheryl taking the passenger seat and Olivia shuffling into the back seat.

Exhaling the cloud and rolling up the window, Chris turned to the two girls. Quickly taking note of Polly's sudden absence. "Where's Pol?" He mused, looking between the two sisters.

"Sugar crash," Cheryl answered abruptly, gaining Chris' attention. "She cancelled on us last minute. I'm never doing anything for anyone ever again." She added, the last person directed towards herself like a reminder.

Pursing his lips and deciding not to reply and just drive. Just the annoyed expression on Cheryl's face deviated him from saying anything more. Not needing to piss her off any further than she may already be.

But he was still suspicious of the sudden absence of Polly that came without warning. Chris knew how much Polly wanted to honour Jason's memory, so why would she skip out on something like that? None of it made any sense. And he was right to think so because as he drove, he glanced in the rearview mirror. Eyes connecting with Olivia's as she subtly shook her head.

A deep sigh coming from Chris who turned his gaze back to the road ahead. Hands slightly tightening around the steering wheel in an attempt to keep himself cooled off. The last thing he should do was piss the girl who got him a car off. Then he might as well just never have a car since the Blossom's had helped him financially with everything.

The rest of the drive was quiet, a void of what Chris had expected or wanted. A little bit of conversation would've sufficed, but there was nothing. Just utter and bleak silence that left Chris turning up his music. Sending Cheryl a warning look when she opened her mouth to protest because of his taste. If neither girl were going to talk or have a simple conversation, he would fill the silence with music.

That was it, that was the entire ride to the school. A rather boring and mind-numbing experience Chris never wanted to go through again. And he was happy to see Cheryl get out of the vehicle and slam the door shut. Making her way up the front steps of the school and heading inside. Leaving him and Olivia just like earlier today.

And with that, Chris unbuckled his seatbelt and looked in the rearview mirror and staring at Olivia. "What happened?" He questioned. Olivia sighed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Penelope and Clifford drugged Polly. Nothing to harm the twins but just enough to keep her home."

Chris shook his head as he scoffed, pushing the door open and opening the back door for Olivia. "I don't even know what's going on with your family anymore." He sighed as Olivia stepped out. "Me and you both." She chuckled, interlocking her arm with his as they made their way towards the school.

Entering the gym, the booming music shook the floor and pierced Chris' ears. Kids and older folks dancing to the music or talking to others. It felt the exact same as the last time he attended a homecoming. A space he didn't want to be any part of but found himself right in the middle of it all.

"I need a drink." He muttered, eyes carefully scanning his surroundings. "Me too," Olivia replied with a huff.

Before either of them could head towards the drink table, a blonde blur blocked them off. Chris' eyes widening at the sight as his lips parted. "Betty...you..." Truthfully, words couldn't describe how beautiful the girl looked. It made him question why he hadn't even considered dating her in the past or present. But his heart was still in a tug of war between two people he had yet to notice.

"A bit too much?" Betty gushed, looking down at her blue dress with a pink tint on her cheeks. Chris shook his head, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "No." He assured as she looked up at him. "You look beautiful." He admitted with his lips curling into a larger grin.

In an attempt to brush off the heartwarming compliment, Betty let out a deep exhale. "Have you guys seen Archie and Veronica? They haven't shown up yet." Both teens shook their heads as they scanned around them.

Near a door at the back of the gym opened with two teens in question appearing. "There they are," Olivia announced, pointing in the direction of the pair.

But as Betty was about to speak, all three of them watched Alice walk towards the pair. Of course, because of the music, none of them could hear what was being said. A frown appearing on Chris' features as he watched. "What the hell?" Betty muttered.

Noticing the tenseness of Chris' body, Olivia forced a fake smile. "We're going to grab drinks. We'll see you soon, B." The blonde nodded in response as Olivia practically dragged Chris away.

"What the hell is Alice talking to Archie and Veronica for?" He questioned, finally removing his eyes from the pair and turning to the redhead who grabbed them both a cup. "I don't know, Chris. But let's not let it get in the way of tonight." She smiled, pouring him some fruit punch and handing him his cup.

Still, Chris found himself glancing in the direction towards Archie and Veronica. Anxiety stirring in the pit of his stomach and causing it to churn and clench occasionally. It unsettled him to a point where he felt the need to escape. Just get anywhere besides being in the same room and search for something to escape it. No matter how hard he tried, he continued to stare.

"Chris, Jesus. Just chill out." Olivia scolded, slapping the boy's shoulder and freeing him from his thoughts. Turning and being pulled towards Jughead who smiled at their arrival.

Yet, again, none of them could get a word out since both Archie and Veronica came over. Both sparing smiles to the three. A perfectly arched brow from Chris towards the pair made them glance at one another. "Where were you guys?" Betty questioned, suddenly appearing.

"We stopped at Pop's." Archie made up, glancing at Chris who slowly sipped his fruit punch. "What were you talking to my mom about?" Betty interrogated. "Better yet, why the hell have the both of you been so secretive lately? Saw you two talking in the science lab, alone." Chris butted in.

"Guys-" Veronica attempted to explain, but Archie cut her off. "Guys, can we table this?" He exclaimed, the others turning to him. "We gotta get ready. Come on." Archie told Veronica as Chris frowned. "Wait, what the fuck are you two talking about?" He questioned, watching the pair join hands and walk away.

Chris was completely clueless as to what was going on. There was a clear inkling that Betty knew what was going on and that annoyed him. At least he thought he should be included in this type of shit. He didn't even know if Jughead or Olivia knew either. "What is going on, Betty?" He questioned, turning to the blonde.

As her lips parted to give an answer or excuse, she was cut off. "Friends, students and alumni, I hope you brought your dancing shoes." Mayor Mccoy announced from the mic on stage. "Please join me in welcoming to the stage Riverdale High's very own Archie Andrews and Veronica Lodge."

The crowd cheered and clapped in excitement. A deeper frown etched itself onto Chris' face as he saw the pair go up on stage. Performing together. It felt like a sick joke, but there they were. On stage together and performing together. A piercing pain stabbed in Chris as he watched with parted lips, eyes slightly widened.

He wasn't even paying attention as to what song they were performing. All he knew is that there was some sort of jealousy brewing in the pit of his stomach. Giving him trouble with even bottling anything down. And it only got worse when Olivia left his side suddenly for whatever reason. There was no attempt to stop her or call out to her, only watch as she exited the gym abruptly and look back up at the stage.

Wincing at the sight of the pair being so damn touchy with one another. It physically hurt him seeing it and stewed up so many questions in his mind. Too many that most were flying right over his head for him to catch and try to soak in.

When the music stopped and they were done performing, Chris had downed his drink and turned to his brother. "I've gotta get a drink." He whispered, earning a nod from Jughead.

Walking over to the table, he poured himself a cup before walking a bit further away. Eyes brushing over the crowd of people that were smiling as a slow song came on. The best word to describe it was blissful. For them, but not for Chris who's gaze stopped on someone. His body freezing up in slight fear.

Between the bodies of people, Jason stood in his letterman jacket. A shit-eating grin on his face as he pulled a cup away from his lips. Chris' eyes widening as he watched blood slip down the centre of Jason's forehead. Right where a bullet hole was seen with the addition of blood slipping out the corner of the boy's mouth.

The sight made Chris clamp his eyes shut and shake his head. "You're just seeing shit, Chris. It's not real." He whispered to himself. Noting how his heart thundered against his chest. Reopening his eyes, Chris found Jason gone, a relief to him. Looking down at his drink, he grimaced and tossed it in the garbage.

Running his hands down his pants as his eyes quickly searched for someone he recognized. Letting out a breath when his brother approached him. "Jughead, where's the others?" He questioned, stopping his brother. "Kevin said they're in the hall. Come on." Jughead told his older brother who nodded.

With that, the two brothers made their way out of the gym. The music being muffled further and further as they ventured down the halls in search of their friends. Chris just being happy to be out of there and far enough where he felt a bit safer. That sinking and churning feeling returning as they moved down the halls. Their dress shoes clicking and echoing down the lonely halls of Riverdale High.

Turning down a corner, Chris frowned at the sight of the three they were looking for quietly whispering. A frown appearing on his features as his footing slightly faltered. "Guys," Chris called out, with Jughead smiling. "Betty. Heh."

"What's going on? Why do I feel like I'm suddenly left out?" Jughead questioned as a frown appeared on his face.

No one replied as Betty pursed her lips and turned to the other two. "Do you wanna tell them or should I?" Betty questioned as Chris frowned. "Guys, what the hell is going on?" He quizzed. "Tell us what?" Jughead added.

Both Archie and Veronica moved past Betty and stopped in front of the two brothers. "We went to your dad's trailer to..." Archie stopped. "To search it, guys." Veronica finished with Chris looking between the two with knitted eyebrows.

"Why would you guys do that?" Jughead questioned with the same look as Chris. Only a bit less anger was hidden under the orbs of his eyes. "My mom put them up to it. She was convinced he was hiding something about Jason."

The explanation had Chris back away, closing his eyes as he leaned against the lockers. His eyebrows still knitted together as he placed his hands over his face. There it was. The answer to the feeling he'd been experiencing that entire day. But at this point, Chris wished he never knew in the first place.

"We were wrong, all of us. We didn't find anything." Veronica defended with Archie nodding. "We were only doing it to prove that-" He couldn't finish as Jughead cut him off. "That our dad wasn't a murderer? You went behind our back, Archie?"

"Jug..." Archie trailed off with his gaze going to Chris who slid down the lockers. Crouching as he cupped his hands over his mouth and stared at the tiled floor. "Chris-"

"No!" Chris yelled suddenly, glaring at the boy. "You know what? Fuck you, Archie. Fuck. You." He barked harshly as he stood to his feet. "What else don't we know? What else don't I know?"

Turning his gaze to Veronica, her parted lips and zero attempts to conjure up a word- a sentence pissed him off. An unbridled rage that made him see red for only a brief moment. But in that brief moment, he lost himself in this pit of black. A darkness that took control of the steering wheel that was his body.

His hand grabbed Veronica by the throat and pinned her to the lockers. The yells of his friends being muted with the girl in front of him choking and grabbing his wrist. Her nail's piercing his skin and drawing blood.

Her lips parted and she attempted to speak but only continued to choke. "What? You now have something to say?" He questioned, feeling hands all over him trying to pull him back. A tremble of his lips as he shuttered out a breath. Tears brimming around his eyes as he drew his face closer to hers. "You fucked him, didn't you? You fucked, Arch?"

All he got in response was her gasps of air and harsh nails digging into his wrist. Shaking his head as he said, "Tell me." He whispered, voice tilting on the edge of a whimper. "Tell me!" He screamed with his fingers tightening around her throat.

But a moment passed as Chris watched Veronica open her mouth. Gasping as her lips were slowly turning to a blue and her face growing pale. Groaning under Chris' tight grip until she said two magical words that shook him free. That brought him to the ground and realized what he was doing and what he'd done.

"I'm sorry."

Something about those two words hit Chris deeper than he'd expected. So deep that his eyes widened as he came to and let go of her. His body being shoved back by Archie as he stared at Veronica who coughed hoarsely. Tears streaming down hers and his cheeks as he opened and closed his mouth. Finally, it is his turn to be speechless and not have an excuse for his actions.

It amazed him how easily the tables could suddenly turn. Leaving him, like always, getting the shit end of the stick. Eyes flickering to his brother, Archie, Betty and then Veronica. All staring at him horror from what had just happened. "I-" He breathed, but exhaled with his hands beginning to tremble. "I'm so sorry."

That was all he could form into a sentence before he took off walking down the hall. Not hearing Veronica's calls of his name or anything else. Only his panicking breaths and erratic heart thundered against his chest. Barely even able to formulate a thought or realize anything that he was doing. His body and mind on autopilot as he got into his car and panted.

Hands gripping the steering wheel to the point that he was sure he would be able to yank it off with one good pull. But he refrained, grounded himself by his trembling hands that grabbed ahold of his lighter, keys, and cigarettes. Placing them all on his lap and quickly lighting himself a cigarette. This feeling was something far worse than he'd ever experience.

Desperation to cure this feeling dug deep into his bones and veins. Even a puff off his cigarette didn't do what he needed it to do, which was calm him down. So, there was one last thing he knew would help and he needed it. Badly.

Dialling a phone number into his phone, he shoved the keys into the ignition and turned it. Too focused on the ringing of the phone to care about the beautiful sound of the car humming to life. Pulling out of the parking spot, he pressed his palm to the steering wheel and swung it as he floored it out of the parking lot. Uncaring about the tire marks he left behind because of it.

Finally, the ringing of the phone stopped. "What do you need, old friend?" A voice questioned, the tone telling Chris just enough that his "old friend" had a smirk on his face. He knew he shouldn't be doing this. He knew he needed to do better and just face these emotions head-on. Not run away from them as he'd always done.

"Malachi, I need something strong. Meet me at the usual."

But no matter how much he wanted to try and convince himself otherwise. He would always loop back to being a ruin of the self he wished to be.