THE SUNRAY SHINED on Athena's face as she woke up. Muttering to herself she got up from the bed and stretched.

betty - we need to talk thea, can we meet up?

Frowning Athena grabbed her phone to reply. It was too early for her to confront Betty, she didn't have the energy to talk to her.

athena - sorry i can't today i'm busy

betty - okay, well text me when you get free

After leaving Betty on read Athena got up looking through her clothes to change. 'Today's going to be a good day Thea' she muttered to herself.

She spotted Nathan in the living changing channels on the TV. Once he saw Athena Nathan got up from the couch.

"Hey little sister want to go to pops? I invite" She released a breath wanting to say no but said yes when he gave her his puppy eyes.

"Alright let's go" Athena replied getting up grabbing her bag. "Come on Anthony we're leaving" Nathan yelled up the stairs.

"She said yes?! Okay!" Athena smiled at her little brother's excited voice.

- ♚ -

ATHENA SHIFTED NERVOUSLY in her seat. As soon as they got to pops Athena noticed that Archie and Jughead were there as well.

She had awkwardly said hi before rushing to the opposite side of the building, but of course her brothers would choose the booth one away from Jughead.

She was sitting so she could see Jughead's face. 'Great' she muttered to herself.

"So Thea are you still planning to move to LA when you graduate?" Nathan broke the silence which Athena was thankful for.

"Um yeah my career would not succeed here in Riverdale. No one needs an interior designer here."

Anthony frowned "I still don't see why you have to live so far away. Growing up you always said you would stay in Riverdale because its were family is. You loved this town. "

Nathan nudged Anthony meaning to drop the subject.

"No! I want to know why out of the sudden you want to leave. Entering high school completely changed you Athena. You're not the same person anymore. You shut us out saying you're okay when you're clearly not. "

A sting hit her heart hearing her full name come from her brother. "Seriously why are you leaving? Dad left us and now you want to too. Riverdale is our home."

Anger stabbed her heart as she glared at her brother. "Riverdale is my home?" She let out a laugh. "Riverdale is not my home. A home is somewhere where you feel safe and comfy. For the pass two years I haven't felt safe or comfortable. "

Shaking her voice got louder. "This home of ours took away someone I loved. It holds a murderer who I can't seem to find. I got betrayed by people who I thought cared for me. So excuse me for wanting to get out of this place."

"Running away won't solve your problems Thea!"

Tears hovered her eyes but she quickly blinked them away. "But at least the pain would go away." She whispered but they all heard.

"Thea.." Nathan began to say but Athena had already gotten up. "I'm sorry I'll see you guys later."

She ignored Jughead who was staring at her. "Nia..." He started to say but Archie was quicker. "Thea you okay? Want me to go with you?"

Standing still she shook her head. "It's okay you're with someone already. I'm okay just family problems."

Archie shook his head. "It's obviously you need a friend so I'm going with you." Jughead got up as well. "No I'll go with her"

Her heart started beating faster. "No its fine. Truly I want to be alone anyways." The two boys ignore her pulling her outside pop's doors.

"Guys stop. The last thing I need right now is this. Just stop" Athena jogged off ignoring Archie's calls for her.

Back home Athena's phone lit up with a ring.

Veronica - Going to a club tonight, you in?

Athena sighed thinking it before agreeing, she needed a distraction anyways.

Athena - of course !

- ♚ -

THE LOUD MUSIC blasted in her ear as Athena walked through the room smiling when she spotted Veronica and Kevin.

"Hey!"

Kevin smirked pulling her into a hug. "Well you look hot"

Rolling her eyes Athena looked down to look at her outfit. It seemed plain to her. It was a black skirt with a white lace shirt. She had a leather jacket on as well.

"Come on let's dance!" Athena was pulled with Veronica onto the dance floor with a giggle. Only then she noticed that Reggie was also there.

"Thea?! I never expected you to be here." Reggie smirked at her eyeing her up and down. Shrugging Athena began dancing with the beat.

Veronica came behind her and started dancing on her making her laugh. Soon Josie joined so Athena moved with a laugh only to have Reggie twerk on her.

"Reggie!" She giggled pushing him making him laugh. Kevin grabbed Athena and spun her before bowing her. "Kev"

Josie,Veronica, and Reggie soon join in and link arms as they all jumped throwing their heads back laughing.

Time flew by fast as they continued on dancing. Having enough Athena spoke up laughing. "Okay guys time out"

They all head to the VIP section with cups in their hands.

"You practically left your body on the dance floor." Josie teased as they sat down.

"I wish, Josie." Veronica sighed.

"I wish I could leave my body sometimes. Leave Riverdale, leave everything." She continued with heavy breathing.

"Is any of this helping? Going out, going Black Swan, any of it?" Kevin asked at Veronica but also looking at Athena who got the hint but didn't say anything.

"When my dad got arrested, the police, the lawyers, the judge, the courts, they took everything from us. Our houses, our cars, our club memberships, our yacht, even, I'm not kidding, the clothes off our backs." Veronica sadly said.

"Anyway, my mom sat me down on the edge of my canopy bed and she told me not to cry. Because there was one thing in this world that no one could ever take from me. Not ever."

"Your trust fund?" Reggie asked but deep down Athena knew he just wanted to lighten up the mood.

"My name, Reggie." Veronica sighed. "Which, after telling me no one would ever take it, that is exactly what she did. Like it meant nothing. It was nothing." She lightly smiled.

"Like I was nothing." Veronica slowly said eyes filling with tears. Athena's heart stung as Veronica pushed her tears and grabbed a other cup.

Changing subject Athena clapped her hands playfully. "So guys it was fun tonight but we should call it a night."

Reggie groaned laying down of the couch. "Do we have to"

Laughing Veronica gave her card to the cashier who comes back a few minutes later with a frown.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Lodge, but your card's been declined."

"Really? And let me guess, it's been reported stolen."

"It has, in fact. We're supposed to call the cops."

"Yeah, sure. Call the cops. We'll be happy to tell them how old we are." Reggie said as Athena giggled but gasped when she hiccupped. She was a bit tipsy.

"Or I could call my mom, the mayor." Josie added.

"This should cover it." Veronica handed the man money then he walked away.

Laughing Joise asked "Veronica, did your mom cut you off?"

"She did."

"And that's a good thing?" Reggie asked also drunk.

"Oh, Reggie.This is how we Lodge women roll. We feint, we parry, we approach, we retreat. We're like a cobra and a mongoose dancing. She blinked, which means, I suspect, that Hermione Lodge is ready to negotiate."

Giggling Athena got up stumbling a bit. "Hey Kev..do me a favor, can you take me to Archie's house." She stuttered a bit.

"Sure come on." Kevin replied pulling her. "Wait why to Archie?" Veronica asked butting in.

"I can't go home drunk or my brothers will kill me. Can you over for me and say I am sleeping over your house please." Athena pouted.

"Why don't you just sleep over with me then?" Veronica questioned.

"You just said that you and your mom are going to finally talk things out so it would be awkward for me to be there."

Veronica frowned "True, what about Betty? I know she wouldn't mind."

Instantly Athena glared at the ground. "No." She stomped childish. "S-she kissed the boy I love and she knows it. She's a bad friend"

Veronica gasped not knowing about her and Jughead. "You mean you and jug..."

"Okay thats enough Thea here is completely wasted so I need to get her to Archie's safety.

Veronica said nothing but helped Kevin drag Athena to Archie's house.

- ♚ -

ONCE AT ARCHIE'S house Kevin rung the bell. To their surprise the door opened but instead of Archie Jughead was at the door.

"Oh no its the idiot." Athena muttered loudly causing Jughead to look at her with confusion.

"Nia what are you doing here?"

She purposely ignored him but didn't miss the way he checked her out. Looking at his eyes she was surprised to see lust and adoration.

"Where's Archie?" She stuttered out. It was obvious she was drunk. Cursing Jughead pulled her inside thanking Kevin. Athena glared at Jughead the whole time making him sigh.

He quickly took her to the kitchen making her coffee. "Here drink it all hurry."

"What no" She pouted.

Jughead groaned knowing how she gets when she's drunk. "Please I know you wouldn't want my dad and Fred to see you drunk."

Hearing that she quickly drank all the coffee. A few minutes passed and she felt more sober. At least enough so that no one could notice she was drunk.

"Oh Nia...." Jughead and Athena stared at each other. She felt tears begin to form in her eyes. It was only a matter of time before she cried again. Thankfully they were interrupted.

"Thea? What are you doing here?" Fred's voice broke their eyes from each other. "Fred!" She quickly got up and hugged him.

Fred was a taken back but hugged her back since he knew she always gave hugs. Squealing when she saw FP she hugged him tightly as well.

"Its nice to see you too kiddo." FP laughed.

Archie quickly noticed that she was drunk as he grabbed her arm pulling her out of the kitchen. "I have to talk to Athena now, it was nice seeing you Mr. Jones."

Saying goodbye to FP and Fred Athena walked along with Archie with Jughead following behind.

"Jug we're leaving now." FP stopped Jughead who started to complain but gave up when he saw his dad's face.

Turning to face Athena he scratched his head. "We can take her home if you want." Jughead offered along with FP but Archie shook his head.

"Its fine I'll take her home."

"Okay well bye then. Fred. It was nice seeing you two kids." FP said nodded at Fred and hugging Athena again.

Jughead followed behind his eyes never leaving Athena.

Once the door closed Archie pulled Athena to his room. "Athena you're drunk." He scowled at her.

Rolling her eyes Athena flopped herself of Archie's bed. "I'm sorry dad."

"Athena seriously you could've gotten taken advantage of."

Her eyes softening she sighed. "Kev and Ronnie were with me the whole time its okay."

Archie nodded helping her to lay down on the bed. "I'm guessing you're sleeping over tonight."

"Yep" Athena popped her 'p' snuggling into the pillow.

Archie chuckled softly making sure she was comfortable before making his bed on the ground.

"Archie?" He faintly heard his name.

"Yeah?" Facing her he noticed her eyes were closed.

"Am I really that unlovable?" She whispered.

Archie's heart twisted hearing her question. Athena was like a little sister to him so seeing her suffer caused him pain. Before he could answer her soft snores filled the dark room.

Outfit of the chapter