././𝓘𝓷 𝓪 𝓛𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓟𝓵𝓪𝓬𝓮/./.

What makes a place feel like home? Is it warmth and familiarity? Some idealized, make-believe version of the America dream? Is it love and acceptance? Or is it simply safety? Or it's none of those things. and it's a place where the captain of the football team is murdered. Or maybe it's just a forgotten closet under a well-trod staircase... where it's just you and the mice and the spiders like an extra in a Wes Craven movie.

The fourth period hadn't begun yet, and the gang was relaxing in the rec room, listening to Betty tell the others about the entire Polly debacle we faced last night. Neither Jughead nor Betty asked me about what had happened or how I knew about Polly. I was glad because I honestly didn't have an answer for them. I wanted to know the same thing.

Jughead had his arm around my shoulder while I rested my head in his chest. He had been playing with my hair the entire free period, and I couldn't ignore the suggestive looks Kevin and Veronica have been giving me.

"My mom and dad don't want to get the police involved. They don't want anyone to know that she ran away, or about her' shameful condition'." Betty rolled her eyes.

Veronica took a sip of her coffee before scoffing, "Please. What decade is this?"

"Also," I added, "Since she knew where Jason's getaway car was, they're afraid people might think that she burned it and that if she did..."

"She could be the murderer, trying to cover her tracks," Juggie finished for me, kissing me on the forehead, knowing that I had been worried about where Polly had been.

"Who did burn the car, then?" Archie asked us.

I shrugged my shoulders, "Sheriff Keller says it's possible someone was following us, but, I swear I didn't see anyone."

"Oh, my God," Veronica said before looking at us, so done with the Riverdale drama, "Honestly, guys, we-we should just move."

"Guys, what if Polly's really hurt? What if whoever killed Jason is coming after her next?" Betty said, sounding terrified.

Archie looked at us hesitantly, "Even though your parents don't want to, maybe you two should go to the police."

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

"No offense, Kev, but your dad answers to a higher authority than God: the Blossoms," Jughead groaned, although he was speaking the truth, "They're the first people that he would tell."

"And if there's anyone to keep this a secret from, it's the Blossoms," I added, "They'd twist it around and go after Polly out of spite."

Veronica grabbed Betty's hand, "How can we help? Tell us, and we'll do it."

Betty sighed, shaking her head. Not knowing what to say.

The bell rang, and the boys all had to leave for their next class while I had to go to Advanced French. Jughead groaned before pulling me into a short kiss that still left me breathless before walking out with Archie.

I touched my lips, the feeling of Jughead's lips on mone still lingering in my mind. I grabbed my purse and got off the couch. As I turned to exit the rec room, I felt Veronica pull me to the side along with Betty, she let go of my wrist, "A. Did we just see Riverdale High's very own Holden Caulfield kiss you?"

I felt my cheeks flush as my sister and best friend waited for me to respond, "Okay, so these past few couple of weeks, Jughead and I have grown closer, and I remembered how close we were. We kissed at the drive-in-" I saw Veronica nod, already knowing the details about that while Betty seemed a bit unsettled, "And yesterday he asked me to be his girlfriend." I smile, unable to contain my happiness.

Veronica excitedly pulled me into a hug, jumping up and down before moving away for Betty to give me a quick hug as well, "Oh, my God. Swoon! Okay, in that case, Veronica Lodge approves."

Veronica locked her arms with Betty and me, "Now, come on, let's go find Betty's sister."

~❃~

"You guys, oh my god," Kevin walked up to us after we left our last class. "Cheryl just tweeted, #PollyCooperKilledMyBrother, #NowhereToHide, #SharpenYourPitchforks." He reads off his phone and hands it to me.

"I can't believe this," I almost growl reading as my sister practically blasted propaganda against my sister.

"We need to find Polly before the Blossoms do."

~❃~

Much to my dismay, daddy practically forced me into my hunting clothes and made me join the Blossom family hunting party. He said we needed a united front and since he technically has custody of me on Wednesdays, I have to be with him. He usually doesn't care whether I come or not, but this time, I couldn't fight him. I will not, however, help them in any way.

I was walking through the woods in burgundy jeans, a white corset long-sleeved top, and a black fur vest. Cheryl had forced me to wear a black beret and matching gloves.

We walked into the woods, making the usual Blossom scene before Mrs. Blossom walked up to my mother, "Alice Cooper, where is she? Where's Polly?"

Mom walked closer before glaring at daddy, "You think if I knew that, I'd be out here with the mosquitoes?", Preach mom, "And what is this Clifford? You trying to pit my daughter against me by forcing her to stay with you."

"Face facts, Mommy Dearest, Polly killed Jason," Cheryl smirked causing me to quickly and effectively slap her arm earning an 'ow' from my sister, and I glare from my dad. I innocently smile at him.

Daddy then made another jab, "She escaped from the asylum once, who's to say she didn't before...say, the day Jason got murdered?"

Mrs. Blossom smiled, "The noose is tightening around your murdering daughter's neck. I know it, Sheriff Keller knows it-"

"Hold on now-" Sheriff Keller interrupted but was stopped by Mrs. Blossom. "And I promise you," Penelope continued, "When we find her, and we will find her, the entire town of Riverdale will know, too."

"Adelaide is coming with me," I saw mom pull Betty and Hal behind her and continue looking for Polly while I turned to look at my dad one more time before following her. My mom wrapped her arm around my shoulder before pulling me with her to look for Polly.

After we spent what felt like hours of searching for Polly, I felt exhausted and was grateful when mom called off the search for today. Jughead volunteered to walk me home, so I wouldn't have to go alone.

"You really didn't have to walk me home, Juggie," I tell him as we walk hand in hand on my sidewalk. It was lightly raining but, I enjoyed the sound of the soft patter on the concrete.

"Uh, there's a killer on the loose, remember?" He reminds me, giving my hand a tight squeeze, "Besides, isn't this what...you know... what people like us do?" He says awkwardly. I lean my head on his shoulder, Jughead turns to me, "What's wrong?"

I shake my head, "Why did I run to her room last night? How did I know that it was even hers?" I scoff.

Jughead stops us before grabbing my other hand and pulling us closer, "Hey. Don't stress. I'm sure it was just...luck." Jughead said, not having a good word to describe what went on either. I felt Jughead lean his forehead on mine, "Look, I honestly have no idea, but didn't you say Nana Rose mentioned something about it?"

I look down at Jughead jacket playing with the ends, "Yeah but, it was nonsense, something about premonitions."

Jughead jokes, "Maybe your psychic?"

He is so adorable, sometimes. I bring my arms to pull him down to my lips before raising on my tippy toes and touching our lips together.

I feel Jughead's hand move up through my hair to hold my head while his other arm helps pull me up higher towards him. I smile against his lips as I move my hand down to caress his cheeks in my hand.

We pull away a few seconds later but stay in the same position, just looking into each other's eyes. I feel the rain get heavier and I move my hands to cover my face, giggling at the calming feeling on the water on my skin, while Jughead grabs his hand in my own and pulls me towards my house.

Once we made it to my house, Jughead kissed me goodbye at the door before heading home. I walked into the house and had a feeling that I needed something from the basement. I went to check, but someone walked into the house right when I was about to walk down.

I turned around to the door and saw my mom standing in front of me with a smile on her face, "Go get changed back in your normal clothes, honey, and put on some makeup. We have a press conference in a few minutes. Let's see your father try to smear us then."

I stood behind mother minutes later, along with Betty with a smile plastered on my face. I tried to ignore the buzzing from the bugs as my mom began her speech, "There's been a swirl of rumors today about our daughter, Polly. And we're standing here to tell you that they're all false. Yes, Polly was seeking treatment in a private care facility, and she was under strict observation even at the time of Jason Blossom's death. When she found out about the murder, she was beside herself with grief. You see, my daughter, Polly, is pregnant with Jason Blossom's baby."

~❃~

"Hello?" I called in the basement. I had heard someone curse from downstairs while I was in the kitchen and went to check. Betty came with me as well, although she said she didn't hear anything.

"Is someone here?" Betty called out.

No one answered, so Betty and I continued looking around.

This time Betty and I both heard feet pattering on the floor and quickly turned around. I didn't see anything but couldn't contain the scream that emitted from my lips when someone wrapped their arm around my mouth, to silence me.

I heard a painful groan as the arm moved away from me and saw both Betty and Polly hunched over in pain. Polly was clutching her arm close to her body while Betty was covering her ears. Betty looked up at me, "Adelaide, you are loud."

Polly looked back at me, "I think you bit my arm, it hurts like crazy."

"Sorry," I wince. Betty gave me a strange look, and I know she was thinking about the other night.

Polly seemed to ignore the pain from the bite I gave her, "I need your help."

I noticed the cut on her leg and Betty and I both went to get her a medical kit and something warm for her to have. Once we returned, I began bandaging her arm while Betty handed her the soup we made.

"How did you get up here without anyone seeing you?" I asked.

"I wrote the book on getting in and out of this house," Polly smiled at me, "And Dad still hasn't fixed the cellar door."

"Polly we were worried sick. Everyone is," Betty said, leaning on the window, sill, "You could have gotten really hurt."

"I couldn't just stay there, waiting for someone who was never gonna show. Jason and I, we had a plan to go to this farm, upstate, and raise the baby. It's where I still want to go, but I don't have any money, I don't have anything."

"Why don't you just stay here?" Betty asked her.

"Mom and Dad want me to give the baby up for adoption, they made that very clear." Polly said before taking a sip of her soup, "And that's not what I want."

"It's their grandchild. Everyone knows about the baby." I try to soothe her.

"You don't know what they'll do. And I won't have my baby raised in a home that doesn't want it." She shook her head, pulling the hot soup closer to her body to warm herself, "I won't."

"Polly..." I try before I heard mom and Hal's voice coming from upstairs. I saw Polly flinch and I reached my hand out to stop her, "I promise we're gonna find a way, okay? I will try to see if I can tap into some of the Blossom's funds, but it won't be enough if you want to be inconspicuous."

"Give us a few days." Betty pleaded.

"We can't lose you. Not again." I tell her honestly before Betty, and I run upstairs to meet mom and Hal for dinner. Hal sat on the chair reading The Register while mom tied an apron around her waist.

Betty and I sat on a barstool in front of mom and Hal. She poured us some juice while I decided to ask her, "Mom. Hal. When we find Polly, she's going to live with us, right?"

Mom smiled, "Of course, honey. She's welcome back."

I sigh in relief, "Where will the baby sleep?"

"Sweetie, um, we've talked to your sister about this," mom began, "and she's agreed to put the baby up for adoption."

Even if Polly hadn't just told me that she wanted to keep the baby, I still would have known that Polly would never put the baby up for adoption, "Polly?"

"This is a very difficult decision for a young mother to make, but given the circumstances, it's the best," Alice told me as if I was some child who didn't understand things.

"The only –," Hal muttered in his coffee mug.

"The only option," Mom nodded along in agreement.

~❃~

Veronica, Betty, and I were doing homework together for Advanced Biology, the only course we shared. We had spent an hour doing the work and most of the time has been used talking about the entire Polly situation.

"I don't want Polly to run away," Betty said, "But if she can't live at home, then I don't know, I can rent her an apartment."

I nod, "The problem is, we have no way to get the money yet. All my accounts are suspended because I ditched daddy on his hunt for Polly."

"Let me talk to my mom," Veronica offers.

I shake my head, "No, you have your own stuff you're dealing with right now, V."

Veronica shakes her head, "Polly needs doctors, she needs prenatal vitamins-"

I hear Cheryl's voice enter the room, "She needs her family."

Cheryl quickly dragged Betty and me into the nearest empty classroom. As much as I knew that Cheryl was doing this out of the kindness of her heart, only wanting to protect her niece/nephew, I didn't trust the Blossoms.

I remembered the mess that mom had gotten in when she was pregnant with me. The Blossoms had tried to gain full custody of me, but thankfully, mom was friends with the judge and managed to get 6-day custody.

I was just a trophy to them, to parade around. The 'perfect daughter.'

"I want the baby to be safe." Cheryl told us, "How can I help?"

Betty looked at Cheryl in disgust, "You can't I don't trust you, Cheryl."

"So don't trust me. Watch me like a hawk. Tell me the barest minimum. But let me help Polly," she pleaded.

"You think Polly's crazy," Betty added.

"I do, okay, I think she's crazier than a serial killer on bath-salts, but so what?" Cheyrl almost rolled her eyes but stopped, "She's carrying Jason's baby. That trumps everything. Do you know where she is?"

I sigh, "We won't tell you. And yes, you can help her."

Betty was about to object, but I stopped her, "She's my sister, Betts, and I know that she means what she says."

Cheryl smirked, "Spare me the details. Just tell me how I can be of assistance to my darling nephew or niece."

"Okay," Betty glanced at me hesitantly, already threatening that this will all be my fault if it fails "Polly needs money."

"For a safe place to live, medical stuff," I explain to her.

"Cash?" Cheryl raised her eyebrows, "Is that all? I can talk to my Mom and Dad."

"What? No, Cheryl!" I jump in. "We can't trust your parents. I would know, I am just like those twins and I know that they don't care about Polly."

"Jason's baby is a game-changer," Cheryl shook her head, "We're all on the same team now."

Betty looks at me, trying to convince me, "Adelaide, we need this for Polly."

I sigh before shaking my head, "Fine."

~❃~

My dad, Mrs. Blossom, Cheryl, Betty, and I all sat in a booth at Pop's. I never thought I would ever be here, but now that I am I wish that I had volunteered to stay with Polly. The Blossoms and the Coopers have always been civil when it came to me, choosing just not to speak to each other, but lately, they have been using me as a means to prove who is right.

Mrs. Blossom smiled with an unusual amount of kindness, "Clifford and I were so relieved when Cheryl told us that Polly and the baby are safe and sound."

Daddy smiled at Betty, while I looked at him cautiously, "And money won't be a problem, Betty. Not now, not ever. Not with us."

"But, of course, we don't want to just offer financial support, we want to give Polly all the emotional support that a young mother-to-be needs," Mrs. Blossom smiled although it didn't meet her eyes, "Where is Polly staying now?"

I smile at her, kindly saying, "We'd rather not say yet."

Betty looks at her, hopefully, "You understand." I couldn't ignore the fact that this felt more like a binding contract rather than a kind favor.

"Of course, but you and Polly are part of the Blossom family now, and we will protect you ferociously," Mrs. Blossom added, "All you have to do is trust."

~❃~

Jughead and I were in the B&G talking about a meeting he and his dad had last night.

"He really seems to be trying, Juliette, but at the same time, it felt like before when I would have to help him because he was drunk," Jughead sighed rubbing his hand on my thigh since I was sitting on his lap.

I don't question the fact that if Juggie hasn't moved back with his dad and is obviously not couch surfing, that means he is staying somewhere else that I am sure he isn't supposed to. I didn't want to trouble him any more, and I knew that last time I asked he was really upset.

I began to wonder how long FP had been drinking, I knew that his mom left ten years ago, so it had to be around that time. I never thought that Jug was ever going through all this. It made me wonder why he left. What Fp may have done to Jughead to make him leave. He never mentioned it before, and I know that if all this hadn't been happening, he probably never would have.

I frown, putting my hand on his chest, "Juggie...Did you dad ever..."

I felt my heart break as I watched Jughead look down, not answering my question. He began to play with my hair as he just shut down in front of me.

The tears falling from my face onto my lap, made Jughead look up at me. He quickly began wiping them away, "Shhh. Hey, please don't cry," Jughead said as he wiped away my tears, moving his head to look directly in my eyes. I watched as his dark green eyes that held up so many walls met my own, "Juliette, look at me. I am fine...yes, my dad sometimes hit me when he was drunk, but he never meant it. He doesn't even remember most of the times," I watched Jughead in disbelief as he spoke of them like it was nothing, "Please, don't freak out. It was so long ago."

"Promise me, Juggie, that if he ever hits you again, you will tell me," I tell him. Jughead looks at me doubtfully, not believing it was as big a problem as it was.

I raise my pinky in the air causing Jughead to sigh before wrapping his own around mine. I smile as Jughead pulls our pinkies to his lips before giving my finger a kiss, "I promise. Now come here." Jughead whispered before using the arm wrapped around my waist to pull me closer.

I leaned forward, pressing my lips against his as he kissed me back. I loved the feeling of Jug's lips against my own, it filled me with warmth and welcome. I was about to deepen the kiss, but someone clearing their throat made me move away.

I looked up to see Sheriff Keller and Principal Weatherbee standing at the door of the B&G with their arms crossed. Sherrif Keller was eyeing the murder board suspiciously before looking directly at Jughead.

I felt Jughead, tighten his grip on my waist while I tried to hide my blush, "Hello."

"What's up?" Jughead asked, while I moved off of Jughead's lap and stood up, Jughead doing the same.

"I need you to come down to the station with me." Sherrif Keller walked up to Jughead, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. I look at Jughead worriedly while he looks at me with an equally scared expression.

"On what grounds," I ask him, watching as he pulled Jughead away and put him in cuffs. I began to follow them as they pushed Jug out of the school. Sheriff Keller ignores me before saying, "That is confidential."

I knew it was Jason's murder, and I knew that Jughead was innocent.

I scoff in disbelief, stopping when I reach Archie and Betty. They looked at me confused while I gave them the same expression. Jughead looked at us before shouting, "Call my dad!"

~❃~

Betty, Archie, and I rushed to the Sheriff's station after Mr. Andrews picked us up in his car. FP hadn't answered any of our calls.

We had been sitting outside, waiting for Sheriff Keller to come out and speak to us for quite some time. We were all nervous as we watched the door. I couldn't help but feel guilty when I heard Keller mention something about playing with matches when he was younger.

Jughead and I were so young, and I thought it would be cool to take my mom's matches so we could have a bonfire during recess. Jughead tried to convince me it was a bad idea but, I told him it would be fun. I had never used matches before, and I was so scared when the small piece of wood lit on fire, so I dropped it on the floor. Jughead didn't want me to get in trouble with my mom, so he took to fall for the entire thing.

When Keller walked out, I was the first one to jump up and speak to him, "Can I speak with, Juggie?"

Keller immediately told me 'no' causing me to try and use my charm. I put on my puppy dog eyes and clueless face before saying, "Please, just for a few minutes. What's the harm done?"

Keller sighed before nodding his head, "Fine but, only seven minutes and I want you out after that. If it weren't for my relationship with Clifford and the fact that your record is spotless..."

I smiled, not allowing him to speak anymore and change his mind, "Thank you, Sheriff."

I walked into the room and saw Jughead hunched over the table with his eyes closed. "Juggie?"

He didn't look up, he just opened his eyes. "I didn't do it, Juliette, you have to believe me." He begs, still not looking up. I reach out and take his hand in mine.

"Of course, I know you would never hurt Jason."

"Well, those Paradise Lost kids went to death row because they wore black and listened to Metallica," Jughead said, finally looking up at me, "I don't wanna become a scapegoat."

"I'm not going to let that happen. All the evidence against you is circumstantial. We're gonna get you out of here," I tell him knowingly, trying to make him feel better.

Jughead finally looked up at me with a small smile, "Is my dad here yet?"

I smile at Juggie, not wanting to tell him his dad hasn't even answered the phone. Jughead gives me a knowing look, "Juliette?"

"Archie's here with his dad," I smile, "They're talking to the sheriff...No one knows where your dad is."

A door opens, and I frown knowing that it must be time for us to leave, but much to my surprise Keller said something else, "Your alibi is solid. You can leave."

Jughead was so fast, I almost didn't see him, as he got up from his seat, grabbed my hand in his own and twirled me around, so his arm was draped around my shoulders before leaving the room.

"Jughead!" I heard FP shout as we walked outside the building into the parking lot. I felt Juggie tense as he looked at his dad in disgust." Sorry, I came as soon as I got your messages."

I was about to move away with the others but, Jughead only pulled me tighter towards him. I knew that he was in a fragile state right now, so I didn't fight it as we walked to FP together. FP haphazardly stood in front of Juggie, "My phone, the friggin' battery. I forgot to plug it in last night," he looked at the Sheriff's office, "What the hell happened?"

I could tell from the redness around his eyes and his dazed state that the real reason he couldn't come to Jughead so early was that he was hungover from drinking too much.

"It's fine now," Jughead sighed, "Mr. Andrews took care of it."

"What jacked-up crap did they accuse you of in there, huh? Those bastards trying to throw you in jail like they did your old man? Well, screw that," FP growls, walking towards the police station. Mr. Andrews stops him before he can walk up the stairs.

FP shoves Mr. Andrews off of him, He continues pushing him back as Mr. Andrews tries to calm him down, "Hey! Hey! This is my son, he is my son, Fred! You'd do the same for your boy."

Jughead uses his free hand to stop his dad, roughly grabbing his plaid shirt, growling, "Don't make things worse. Please." I knew that he was embarrassed by his dad's behavior.

I think FP saw the hurt expression on Jughead's face, as he sobered up a bit, nodding his head at Juggie. Jughead let him go when I saw that his dad wasn't going to do anything reckless.

"You coming home with me?" FP turned to walk away, still staggering a bit. I felt Jughead look down at the pavement, obviously not wanting to go. I turn to look at him, bringing my body closer to his. Jugheads face is stone cold as he looks at his dad.

"He—He can stay with us, Mr. Jones. We already offered," Archie spoke up. Betty, who hasn't spoken since we got here, looked at Jughead concerned.

"Is that what you want? If that's okay with you Fred."

"Whatever you want FP."

"I'll – I'll go with you, dad," Jughead said, he hung his head low, pulling me towards him to give me a kiss on my forehead. He let his lips linger for a second before wiping his nose and walking towards his dad.

Jughead walks towards his dad before FP pulls Jughead's head into his shoulder. I hear them whispering something, but I don't know what. Jughead seems angry as he listens to his dad.

Betty had come to stand next to me at that time, and she had wrapped her arm around me. Grabbing her arm, I knew that her small action was her way of telling me that she was always there for me. The same way I swore to myself, I would always be there for Juggie.

Once their conversation ended, FP walked away from Jughead, while Jug just stood in his same spot. He hadn't moved, and I decided to walk up to him. When I made it to him, I put my hand on his cheek to turn his face towards me and saw tears wet my hands.

Jughead wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his head in my neck as he let out all the emotions that were swirling inside of him. I slowly bring my hand up to his beanie, rubbing his head. I feel Jughead's body begin to shake as he continues to sob into my neck.

I see Mr. Andrews put his hand on Archie's shoulder before they leave the parking lot with Betty.

~❃~

The entire gang, along with Polly, sat with Betty and me as we waited for the Blossom's to pick up Polly. Jughead sat on the counter in front of me, feeling better, although he refused to let go of my hand.

"The Blossom's should be here soon," I sigh, watching as Jughead play with my fingers. One ring on my pinky seems to catch his interest, as he keeps twisting it.

Betty looks at Polly, who is beaming in excitement, "Once we've talked things through with them, we'll call Mom and Dad. Are you nervous?"

"I'm thankful, "Polly pushes her milkshake away, "At the home, the Sisters said each of us had a guardian angel. You're mine, sisters."

Betty and I looked at each other before smiling at Polly. I grab her hand with my free one, "What are sisters for?"

Polly smiles at me before her eyes wander over to the entrance door to Pop's. I turn to see Cheryl looking at Polly nervously. Polly smiles, getting up from her barstool and walking over to my red-headed sister.

Cheryl looks at Polly's belly hesitantly before reaching out to touch it. Her hand flinches back before looking up at Polly, speechless.

"I'm so sorry about Jason, I know how much you loved him." Polly grabbed her hand, "And he always talked about how much he loved you."

"Cheryl, where is Mrs. Blossom and Dad?" I ask her, looking out of the window for their red hair.

"You have to leave. Now." Cheryl suddenly warned, looking up at Polly, "My parents, I don't think they want to help you."

"I knew it," I frowned, angry at myself for falling for their feign kindness.

"They want you out of the picture, Polly. It's not safe for you with them. It's not safe for JJ's baby."

Polly looked at us, terrified, "Where am I supposed to go? I can't go back to the attic." I move to walk over to her, and I can feel Jughead hesitantly let go of my hand.

"No. You don't have to, Polly." Veronica mediated, "And don't worry about my Mom, she'll want to help."

Hermione did help us, she welcomed Polly with open arms. We are forever in her debt for what she did for us.

Hope. A word so close to "home," and as tricky. As much as we wanted Jason's killer caught, and the town, our home, to feel safe again, with every day that passed, our hoped dimmed more and more. There's that old cliched saying: "It's darkest before the dawn." But sometimes, there's just darkness.