𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍
HELLO OLD FRIEND
; ♡⋆.ೃ࿔*

"It's a surprise seeing your face again, Jones."

The voice took Chris from his thoughts as he looked up from the ground. Headlights slightly blinding his vision slightly as a silhouette could be seen blocking out some of the light. They were the only ones in the construction yard of the drive-in. Well, that's what Chris expected considering this had been their usual routine. But there were clear problematic issues between the pair that had yet to be fixed or discussed.

Drawing the cigarette from his lips, the Jones boy didn't answer. Eyes focused on the toothy grin Malachi's lips had formed. "I mean, especially after I nearly got you locked up. You need to tell me how you got out of that one, could help me in the future."

"Ah, Malachi, you will never change, will you?" Chris replied, pushing off the side of his car and facing the Ghoulie.

No direct answer was given as Malachi clasped his hands in front of him. Keeping an unwavering gaze with Chris that stared at him intently. Still casually smoking his cigarette without a care in the world. His night was already fucked up, what else could make it worse?

Pursing his lips, Chris waved his hand as he said, "And as far as I'm concerned, I could've had you locked up weeks ago. I think you should be on your knees thanking me." A scoff came from Malachi as his smile slowly dropped with his features turned to annoyed in a matter of seconds.

Chris knew how to push Malachi's buttons, get him to do something stupid, slip up. It's one of those things that Chris liked to use to his advantage whenever it came to the Ghoulie. Knowing damn well that it would either lead to a fight or Malachi giving him what he wanted and fucking off.

But it can also be reversed since Malachi knew just exactly how to piss off the Jones boy. Even if it possibly ended in him getting his head kicked in. "So, your dad got arrested. He murdered, Jason Blossom, huh?" Malachi said aloud, humming with a nod to himself. "Should've expected as much."

The locking of Chris' jaw naturally occurred. Tilting his neck and hearing it crack before he brought his cigarette towards his lips. Never breaking that gaze with Malachi and not letting him have the satisfaction of knowing his comment hurt Chris. Because truthfully it did and he hated it quite a bit.

Throughout the years, he'd endured pain from his father's anger. And turned him into the person he was today. Someday's he wasn't sure where he would be without his father's harsh teachings and others he hated the person he currently was. But Chris knew FP and knew that all those years ago, he was going through shit, the same for Jughead and Chris. So, he didn't blame the man for doing what he'd done.

"I guess it runs in the Jones blood, right?" Chris inquired with a raised brow as he pulled the cigarette from his lips. Inhaling softly and exhaling with the cloud slithering through the air and upwards. "Who knows who may be next." He added with a smirk tugging at the end of his lips.

There was a brief moment of silence as the two boys stared one another down. A gentle breeze blowing through the air like they were out of some kind of movie. But Chris was growing impatient and he didn't want to be out here too long. Needing to just be inside the small confinement of his apartment with his four-bedroom walls surrounding him.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his wallet. Taking out a hundred-dollar bill and holding it tight in his grasp. "Let me see if you got the stuff."

Malachi smiled shook his head as he backed up towards the passenger door. Reaching through the cracked window and pulling out a small packet filled with white powder. Walking forward and coming to a stop in front of Chris with a smirk. Pressing the small baggy to his chest with unwavering eye contact.

The main key for Chris' vice would let him relax for a while. Deep down, he knows he shouldn't be doing this, but there isn't anything else he can do. Going another day with that same guilty and regretful feeling in his stomach wasn't going to work for him. Not when it came at him constantly.

Taking the baggy in his bandaged hand, he sighed with Malachi still grinning. "Don't get yourself in another car accident, Chris. It might be me dumping your body in Sweetwater River." He mocked as Chris nodded.

Holding out the money, the Ghoulie grabbed it. Expecting Chris to give it, but when he looked up at the boy, pain splattered across his face abruptly. Falling back and into the dirt as he held his bleeding nose. Groaning as he looked up at Chris who stuffed the drugs in his pocket with the money. "I'm going to fucking kill you, Chris. I'm going to kill you, you fucker."

Stifling a laugh, Chris walked towards the boy, reaching into the back of his pants and pulling out a tire iron. "You hear me? I'm going to kill you, Chris. There's nowhere you can hide from me." Malachi threatened, eyes going from the tire iron and Chris.

Pressing his lips together, a smile slowly grew on Chris' face as he shrugged. "Don't worry," He assured as he stared down at the injured Malachi. "I believe you. I just don't give a shit."

With that, the cries of pain from Malachi filled the night air. The sound of metal meeting flesh and bones only eliciting more yells of pain and agony. And it was a few short minutes later when Chris panted with him backing away. Wiping the sweat away from his forehead with the hand holding the tire iron.

Staring down at the broken and injured Malachi who whimpered in pain. A wicked grin tugging at the Jones boy's lips as he laughed in amusement. Motioning to the crying boy with the tire iron with a sigh. "You're such a pussy." He laughed before walking towards his car.

Getting in with a deep sigh and placing the packet of cocaine in the passenger seat with the tire iron. Turning up his blaring music before driving away and leaving a greatly injured Ghoulie. Not caring about the consequences that would come with his actions. Sometimes, he needed to release some anger and who better than the guy who nearly got him locked up. After all, this entire night should've never turned out the way it did. Why not just be a bit spontaneous about his actions?

During the ride, his phone had buzzed a few times with phone calls and text messages. Either from his friends or other people, but Chris didn't have the strength or confidence to face them. The shit he pulled tonight was unforgivable and he didn't need or yearn to set it right. It was too late for that at this point.

He'd dug himself a hole that others may believe he could climb out of, but Chris wouldn't. Either by the inability of his mind restricting him from doing so. Or out of fear because that's all that he could feel. Just this overwhelming fear that if he lets himself close again, there could be the chance he does it again. Where he hurts again.

But at the same time, there was a pool of anger and carelessness in his stomach. Constantly ready to take control of the steering wheel and direct him to do countless more stupid shit. A recklessness that led him all the way to a corner store a few blocks from his apartment. Walking inside and grabbing a bottle of Rum. Adjusting his pants as he walked down the aisle with a sniffle.

The peaceful music playing softly through the speakers behind the desk. Where an old man sat tiredly looking through a newspaper. Tossing a bill, unknown to the amount, Chris walked out of the store. Popping off the cap for the bottle and taking a large sip.

An abrupt buzzing in his pocket gaining his attention as he lowered the bottle. Pulling his phone free from his pocket and seeing it was Betty calling him. Clenching his jaw, Chris answered and pressed the phone to his ear. "Stop calling me, Betty!"

"CJ, where are you?" The blonde asked as the boy shook his head, walking around his vehicle. Just the softness and slight hesitance of her tone told him that she was scared. Scared of what he could do or might do.

"I think you need to stop calling me, Betty," Chris replied, slamming the door shut and hanging up. Sighing with a shake of his head as he took another sip of his Rum.

Barely even able to take a full sip before the sound of his phone began ringing again. Rolling his eyes as he swallowed the liquid and answered the phone. "Betty, I'm serious. Please, don't call me." He muttered as he leaned his head back.

Already he was regretting answering in the first place. But then again, he wanted to at least let them know he wasn't dead. But then again, he could've just sent a damn text. "Chris, please don't hang up! Just... Just listen, okay?"

There was a vulnerability there, just a hint, but Chris could hear it in Betty's voice. A sense of pain and hope in her words when she spoke. Hope that maybe, Chris might just give her this chance to talk and for him to just listen. Be the little sister she always saw herself as when it came to the boy on the other end of the phone.

Maybe it'd just been his sense of guilt for making the blonde feel this way. Or it might have been because he needed a friend, someone to talk to. But he gripped the steering wheel with his right hand tightly. Left hand holding his phone against his ear as he stared out the side window. Cars driving past with the lights reflecting off the puddles of slush from the cold winter settling in.

Bowing his head, Chris let out a sigh. "Okay..." He replied in a tiny whisper. A quiet sigh of relief could be heard on the other end belonging to Betty. "CJ, what happened, it wasn't your fault."

Hearing that caused the boy to frown, head lifting as he shook his head with his lips parted. "Don't give me that, Betty. I did that, I grabbed Veronica by the throat and I choked her." He reminded. "I did that!" Chris yelled, hearing the quiet hushed "okay's" coming from the girl.

"But you need to hear me out, Chris. You didn't know what you were doing." Betty tried to reason, give the boy something so he could maybe see the light. But each word that came out of her mouth made him shake his head.

Pressing the back of his right hand against his forehead as he shook his head. "No, no, no. No, no, no." He repeated. "I could see it in your eyes, Chris. You didn't mean to do what you did, it's not your fault." Betty told the boy.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Chris stayed silent. Clamping his eyes shut in an attempt to just stop and think. Allow himself to think of the right response that he needed to give Betty. Just something that could hold her off or something. As soon as he could just be done with this phone call, the sooner he could get home and do what he wanted.

But before he could speak, her soft cracking whisper shook him. "Just... Please, come home, alright?" The soft yet rigged tone of her voice caused Chris's face to scrunch up. Chest tightening as he used his hand to cover his mouth. Not allowing himself to let her hear how her words had an effect on him. "I don't want to see you in the hospital bed again. So, just, please get home, okay? Your dad and brother need you."

Shaking his head, swallowing the lump in his throat and sniffling, Chris pulled his hand away. "I- I need you to stop calling me, Betty." He told her as the girl whimpered. "CJ, please-" As she tried to speak, Chris was cutting her off, not wanting to hear the brokenness in her voice. Needing to block out the one voice of reason that always could get through to him. "Betty, I need to go. I'm- I'm sorry, B."

Hanging up, the boy dropped his phone to his feet and broke down. Holding his head in his hands as he sobbed. Choking on a breath as he leaned back into his seat. Grasping the steering wheel with two hands as he let out another cry. Bowing his head as he shook his head with sobs.

Chris wouldn't be able to tell you why he felt so broken. In the span of three hours, so many things had suddenly just piled onto him. All because of Jason having to fuck with his head and cause Chris to do something. He just felt like a shit friend to everyone who ever showed an ounce of good towards him. Now his dad was arrested for something he didn't do.

But what if he was? That question often flashed in the boy's mind as he drove around Riverdale, searching for his salvation. Maybe the Jones were destined for failure and made out to be bad people. Is that what he was, a bad person? Chris couldn't even answer that question that related to himself.

Sitting up, the boy turned the key and heard the engine turn over. Sniffling as he put the vehicle in drive and pulled away from the curb. Grabbing himself a cigarette and lighting it as he drove. Chris had no idea what he was supposed to do with himself. All he had was the road ahead of him and the bottle of rum in the vice grip of his right hand. Turning up the dial of volume to an extreme level, lazily holding the steering wheel.

No destination was in mind for the boy who drove aimlessly down the lonely streets. Taking him wherever it led him towards. Waiting for something to catch his eyes and take away the problems in his mind. Tears still streaming down his cheeks with the tiny pain behind his eyes that burned. Sniffling occasionally to try and compose himself.

This life that Chris had been forced to live has been miserable. His father's mistakes in the past had led him to be good at keeping a fake facade on. Able to hide that pain and just act as if everything was chill for him. But it surprised him that this year just continued to kick his ass again and again. He didn't deserve the bullshit Jason unleashed on the town after he died. No one deserved any of this shit.

But what brought him some form of comfort was the Southside. Cruising through the trailer park that had so many memories linked to his childhood. Every moment he had spent with Jughead, Sweet Pea, Fangs, even Toni. Their relationship has always been quite complicated with ups and downs. So, cruising through the neighbourhood brought him a weird sense of comfort. One that he couldn't exactly get on the Northside of down.

Driving to the far side of Southside, arriving at the small lake that he remembered being a spot for a lot of parties. Thankfully enough, there currently was a party happening. Southsiders drinking with the sound of loud rock music playing through a Jukebox. A few motorcycles around the small makeshift parking area that Chris pulled towards. Parking right at the edge of the ridge that went down towards the edge of the lake.

Something about the energy of the area and the warmth it brought him eased his mind. Getting out with his Rum, cigarette and climbing onto the hood of his Buick. Listening to the music that blasted from his car speakers, bowing his head as he took a puff off his cigarette.

"What the hell are you doing on this side of the tracks, Jones?" That vicious voice questioned, causing a sigh to come from Chris. Taking a small glance to see Sweet Pea and Fangs glaring at him. Clearly hating the fact that he had pulled up to a party that he wasn't invited to.

Blowing out the cloud of smoke with a plastic smile on his lips. "Hey, Sweets. Nice to see you, Fangs." He nodded, turning his attention down at the party happening below. Unbothered by the two serpents that glanced at one another with frowns. Both are confused by the boy's behaviour, used to his once rather impulsive and violent acts.

Before either could say anymore, the Queen of the Serpents appeared. "Head down to the party, boys," Toni announced, hands dug deep into her leather jacket pockets. The pair glanced at Chris who was smirking, pressing his tongue to the inside of his cheek.

As soon as they were gone, Toni Topaz made her way over with a smile. "What did us Southsiders do to get your humble appearance, Chris Jones?" The girl quipped in amusement, earning a laugh from Chris. "Oh, nothing, Toni. Just needed to get back to my roots." He sighed, taking a puff off his cigarette.

"Then I'm sure you have no problem having some company." She guessed, leaning against the side of the car. "Well, since you are in enemy territory."

The boy laughed, telling her it's fine but to grab his weed from the glove compartment. Settling on the hood of the vehicle beside Chris, Toni handed him the green herb. Taking the bottle of Rum and having a large greedy sip. Smacking her lips loudly as her face scrunched up at the bitter taste.

"So, honestly. Why are you here?" She inquired, bending into a tiny ball to keep herself warm. Chris exhaled, flicking the cigarette down the ridge. "Was my reply not convincing?" He asked the girl, grabbing his weed and wrapping paper. "Not even close."

Their laughs filled the night air, overlooked by the people below partying their hearts out. Despite it being winter, it surprised Chris that people could still find the energy to party outside. Granted, they had a source of heat, but it still wasn't enough.

After the laughter died down, Chris shrugged, pinching weed and spreading it across the curled paper. "Northside just got boring. Kinda just wanted to get away for a bit." He lied, flashing the girl a forced smile. Hoping that she didn't have the same ability as she had when they were kids to see through it.

"I believe half of that statement, but I'll let it slide." She smirked, earning a small thankful smile from Chris who rolled the joint. Not able to finish as the girl took it from him, saying, "Roll the next one for yourself." She ordered before dragging her tongue against the paper and rolled it.

Being here with Toni brought back so many great memories for the boy. Back to when they were just young getting around to doing dumb shit. Walking around Riverdale, laughing and talking about random stuff with Sweet Pea and Fangs. Partying until they couldn't remember the night the next day. Everything about it just felt familiar to him, and that brought him comfort. Even if the pair hadn't been on the best of terms after the little incident at Pop's and his sudden appearance at the Whyte Wyrm.

Back then, the group was close and didn't do anything without one another. Chris considered them his own little family away from his real family. It just showed how much things had changed between them after he got arrested because of Toni. He took it personally and didn't decide to listen to Toni's reasoning. Not able to see that he'd taken the role of the bad guy when he didn't need to. But now, he knew it was too late to change that, it was over because of him.

But it was over now, things have changed and Chris felt like shit for putting them through it. The least he could do is try and fix it with the time he had left on this earth. "Hey, can I tell you something?"

Toni hummed in response, urging him to continue. "I just want to say sorry, you know, for everything that happened." He explained, finishing with rolling the joint and grabbing his lighter.

Although he didn't dare meet Toni's eyes, not wanting to show his vulnerability to her, he could sense she was staring at him. That familiar smile on her lips that he undoubtedly missed after so long of avoiding one another. "After I got arrested and pushing you, Fangs and Sweet Pea away. And as it pains me to admit, I missed that big dumb lanky motherfucker."

A loud laugh carried through the air from Toni, loving the mention of Sweet Pea. "I knew you would." She quipped with a laugh as Chris chuckled, shaking his head as he lit the joint between his lips.

"I guess I'm sorry too. I should've reached out to you when I had the chance." Toni shrugged, taking the lighter held out for her. "Does that mean you regret snitching on me?"

"Oh, hell no! You deserved that." Toni replied instantly as Chris laughed, leaning back against the windshield of his car. "Remind me to never be nice to you again." He told the girl who chuckled, exhaling the cloud of smoke from her lips. "I'll keep that in mind." She said, lying beside him.

The carefree aura Toni gave off brought Chris back to the good old times they spent. Countless nights he stayed at her place, sleeping in the living room of her trailer watching movies. Drinking and laughing about stupid shit they saw in each movie. When they were younger, things just seemed simpler with Chris being out here on the Southside. Definitely being the highlight and darkest times he had here.

Staring up at the stares, Chris tilted his head towards the girl, eyes still fixated on the bright orbs in the sky above. "You remember our first and only date?" A smirk tugged his lips when he heard the groan and whine that came from the girl. Laughing at the fact that she covered her face with her hands. "You remember that?"

"Oh, yeah. How could I not? That was easily the best date I've ever had to experience." He laughed, remembering the night rather fondly. A prominent smile on his lips as he replayed the memory in his mind.

They were only 14 and Chris had stolen the keys to his dad's motorcycle. Picking up Toni, the day prior confessing they liked one another and deciding to go on a date down to Sweetwater River. They spent hours just staring up at the stars just talking about their lives. That was the night Chris told anyone about what happened at home. Knowing he could trust Toni with almost everything.

But the highlight of the night was when they both experienced their first kiss. It'd been awkward since they spent around 30 seconds trying to get the right angle. But with it being so weird and unique to any date Chris has ever had up till this point, it's been the one that stood out the most. Of course, nothing followed after that and they just decided to act as if it had never happened. Continuing to be friends even after Toni came out as gay.

"You were the one who wouldn't stop being so nervous!" Toni exclaimed dramatically as Chris scoffed. "No, no, no! You nearly gave me a bloody nose from headbutting me. That's worse." He countered, earning a groan from the girl who rolled over and tucked his face into his chest.

The action causing Chris to freeze at first, but quickly relax. Chuckling at the girl's distress as he wrapped an around her shoulders. Smiling as he pulled her closer, feeling the girl's arms lazily wrap around his waist.

A warming silence lying over the pair as they just relished in the comfort of the other. Staying like that for a while, staring up at the stars. Reliving memories they had shared with one another, good and bad. Their bodies were lost in the haze of alcohol and weed in their system.

So, when Chris noticed Toni looking up at him, he looked down at her, smiling. Staring directly in her eyes and eyes flickering down to her lips. It'd been only brief, but when he saw her do it as well, he didn't move. Allowing her to make the move and not him. Maybe it was just him wanting to see her get all flustered or what.

Still, it surprised him when Toni sat up, straddling him. Both her hands pressed against his chest with a dazed look in her eyes. Yet, Chris could still see the darkness of lust swimming in her eyes as well. "I could make up for it, you know?" Toni whispered, dragging her hands slowly down to the hem of his jeans.

Although Toni was hot and Chris always wondered what she was like in bed, he grabbed her hands. Stopping her from doing anything she might possibly regret. "Are you sure? You're drunk and high, Toni." He reasoned, tilting his head to try and get a better look at her expression.

"I know what I'm doing Chris. Either way, I've heard you're amazing in bed from a bunch of girls on the Southside and Northside." She explained, biting her bottom lip. "I wanna see if that's actually the case."

Something about that caused Chris to sit up, grabbing the back of the girl's neck and pulling her into a kiss. It not being anything close to soft, but instead, hungry and eager. She reciprocated and wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Bucking her hips against his dick that had hardened in seconds.

Swallowing her moan, Chris grabbed Toni's hips. and forced her to grind at a slow pace. Leaving a trail of kisses from her jaw down her neck with his lips turned into a smirk. Wanting to play this off as long as he could, still drunk with lust in his system.

But despite feeling such a way, he was cautious of what he was doing. Not wanting to do something that could set Toni off for whatever reason. Letting go of her hips and letting his hand fall to the button of her jeans. Undoing it before stopping himself suddenly.

Clenching his jaw as he shook his head and stopped her movements. A frown appeared on Toni's face as she brushed a few strands of her hair out of her face. "What's wrong?" She asked softly, reaching down to cup the boys face.

Biting down on his bottom lip, Chris shook his head and looked up at her. "I'm sorry, but I can't. You're drunk, Toni." He explained, softly yet demandingly forcing her off him and the car. Doing the button of her jeans for her before standing up and off the car. Screaming at himself for being such a damn idiot for only thinking about his own satisfaction.

"Did I do something wrong?" Toni asked, watching the boy urgently grab his bag of weed and lighters, stuffing them into his pockets. "No, you didn't do anything, Toni."

He assured, releasing a sigh with whilst combing his hand through his hair. Tugging harshly on the roots as he tried to find the right words for the girl. Waving a hand as he parted his lips to speak, taking another moment before letting out an aggravated sigh. "I don't want to put you through something you will regret. You like girls, Toni, not guys. This is just all types of wrong. We're better just being friends."

The response was rushed since the boy didn't want to do anything else that could ruin the recovery of their friendship. That mattered more then just another night of sex Chris could get from anyone else he wanted. Toni meant more to him then just that.

So, he quickly got into his car and pulled away. Leaving Toni to watch him peel away, knocking up dust and snow as his car sped away. His rear lights getting smaller and smaller until she couldn't see them any longer.