CHAPTER 9
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EVERYONE IN RIVERDALE were on the hunt to find Polly.

Athena glanced over to Jughead as he grabbed Betty's hand trying to comfort her. A small sting hit her heart as she looked away from them.

A soft hand broke her thoughts, turning around she saw Kevin looking at her with a small smile. "Everything okay?"

Athena shrugged and looked over to Betty and Jughead again. This time Jughead was holding her hand pulling her as they walked.

"Screw him Thea, come on let's go" Kevin starts to pull her so that Athena wouldn't continue watching Betty and Jughead.

A few hours later the gang got together at school were they start to talk about Polly.

Athena was sitting in front of Betty and Jughead as she talked. "So any update Betty?"

She took a deep breath before speaking. "Sheriff Keller says it's possible someone was following us. Oh, my God. Honestly, guys, we should just move. Guys, what if Polly's really hurt? What if whoever killed Jason is coming after her next?"

Betty takes a deep sighs just as Jughead wrapped his arm around Betty. Athena's heart sunk a bit as she watched.

With her breath uneven Athena turned to Archie only to find him already looking at her with concern.

She gave him a weak smile before looking down as the conversation continued.

"Betty, even though your parents don't want to, maybe you should go to the police."

"Second it. We can talk to my dad together about how he has to be discreet." Kevin added.

"No offense, Kev, but your dad answers to a higher authority than God, the Blossoms." With heavy feet Athena got up shakily.

"Um I have to go guys, I'll see you in a bit" Grabbing her bag Athena walked away with a hurt heart ignore Archie's and Kevin's eyes of concern.

Rushing to the restroom Athena lended against the sink taking deep breaths. "Its okay Thea don't overthink this. They're just friends. Betty needs friends right now"

The door opened reliving Cheryl. "Ans what's wrong?"

She automatically hugged her once she saw Athena's face. "Nothing, just peachy"

Cheryl gave her a look that showed that she didn't believe her but didn't comment further. "Well let's go"

With a smile they exit the room but as soon as they exited they saw Betty and Veronica so Athena quickly grabbed Cheryl pushing her against the wall hiding from them.

"What.."

"Shh!" Athena turned her face to hear the conversation better.

"Did I just notice Riverdale High's very own Holden Caulfield put his arm around you?" Veronica teased towards Betty.

" Okay, so these past couple of days, I haven't been in a great place, emotionally. And Jughead was really there for me... " Athena's heart sank as they continued.

"Oh, my God. Swoon! Okay, in that case, if he helped my girl navigate some turbulent waters, well then, Veronica Lodge approves."

Their footsteps faded as Athena shrink into Cheryl with a small gasp.

Cheryl sighed following Athena when she turned and started walking the opposite way.

"Thea..." Cheryl was cut off when she stopped behind Athena who was watching Archie and Jughead talk.

From their distance they would hear everything they were saying.

"...where you were living? Is that because you and Betty..." Archie asked.

"We may have had a moment..." Jughead explained as Archie quickly added.

"It's totally cool, I get it. No worries, I'm just curious."

"Anyways I've been thinking about your situation, and I talked to my dad."

Athena shook her head turning once again this time tears lightly falling from her eyes.

"Oh Thea" Cheryl whispered hugging her tightly. "I always thought that you deserved better then Jughead anyways."

"But..I thought we were finally getting somewhere" Cheryl said nothing but held her in her arms.

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AS THE NIGHT DARKENED Kevin shoved Athena with a small laugh. "Whatever Thea"

"Come on Kev we're gonna he late for the movie"

A ring broke the conversation as Kevin checked his phone. "Dang it my dad wants me home."

A small smile appeared on Athena's face. She didn't want to be lonely right now.

"Well don't make the sheriff wait. Go" Athena teased shoving him lightly.

"I love you Thea, you're gonna be okay?"

"I'll survive besides we're just friends so whatever he does shouldn't concern me."

Kevin looked at her hesitation but shook his head. Pulling her into a hug he muttered. "I would talk you home but my dad says its urgent."

With one more glance Kevin turns and jogs away leaving Athena alone.

Athena's feet start leading her to Betty's house. She wanted to talk to her about Jughead. Just the other day she was confessing to Betty that she still liked Jughead and look at her now. She needed answers.

Not knowing everything put Athena under stress.

Sighing softly Athena looked up as soft raindrops started falling down.

Seeing movement from the corner of her eye Athena quickly hid behind a big tree. Betty and Jug? She squeezed her eyes watching them.

A sting pinched her when she saw Jughead and Betty holding hands.

She could tell they were having a tense conversation as Jughead touches Betty's shoulder turning her to face him.

Athena felt her heart break as she watched Betty pull Jughead's face into her. A tear fell from her eye as soon as their lips touched.

The dark street lights hovered her as she clutched her stomach.

Seeing enough Athena took a few small steps backwards before turning around and sprinting away. Her heart felt as if it was ripped from her and stomped on repeatedly.

Tears blinded her eyes as she ran. She ran and ran until she couldn't anymore. She stopped by a pole and lend against as soft sobs escaped her lips.

From the corner of her eye she saw someone walking pass her. She ignore the person wiping her tears but a loud sob made its way out.

The person walking by her stopped. "Athena?"

She looked up to see Archie starring at her with concern filled in his eyes. "Thea what's wrong?"

As Athena hiccupped Archie instantly pulled her into him as she sobbed. "S-she  kissed him Arch"

Archie was filled with confusion but didn't let Athena go. "Betty kissed Jughead and he kissed back"

His heart broke for Athena, growing up she was in love with Jughead. Everyone knew that. Hell Archie even thought Jughead loved her back.

"You want to come sleep over my house? I'll sleep on the ground" Archie knew she was in a bad place.

Shaking her head softly. "My brothers would kill me. Besides you have a big day tomorrow, its okay I'll be fine."

Archie smiled sadly and hugged her. "Okay but at least let me walk you home."

With a weak nod Archie led her home.

The walk home was silent but having Archie beside her comforted her. At her doorsteps Athena turned to Archie with a half smile.

"Thanks for walking me home Arch."

"Of course Thea, if you ever need anything I'm here. Anything."

Before she could respond the porch lights lit up as the door opened. Nathan stepped out with a scowl on his face. "I though you were going out with Kevin."

Rolling her eyes Athena pushed her brother inside the house. "Thanks again Arch goodnight."

As she was heading towards the stairs she was stopped by Nathan. "Hey Thea"

Turning slightly to look at him she replied. "Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

Those three simple words were enough to break her down. She had been telling herself all day that she was okay, but she wasn't. Everything around her was crashing down and she felt like she couldn't breathe anymore.

Tears filled her eyes as she started falling to the couch. "Oh Thea" Nathan quickly pulled her into his arms as they sank into the couch.

She cried silently into his shirt thinking about everything crushing her. A few seconds later she felt other arms wrap around her as well.

She knew it was her younger brother so she let herself be held by the two boys who would always be by her side. Who would never hurt her.

Tears fell from her eyes as she recalled the kiss. Since when did Jughead like Betty and vise versa? Betty literally just confessed to Archie she loved him.

Athena had told her days ago she still liked Jughead so why would she do that to her? Why?

There was one thing she knew for sure and that was she wouldn't let Jughead break her again. Not again.

All that mattered to Athena now was to find who killed Jason. She would cry and cry tonight so that tomorrow she wouldn't have any more tears left.

Athena vowed to herself she would find Jason's murder and make them pay. She vowed to push her feelings aside, the only thing that mattered now was getting Jason justice.

// hey so i hoped you enjoyed the chapter. <3 //