A couple days after Chuck's suspension CJ wakes up screaming, after another nightmare about Chuck. "CJ? CJ!" Jughead calls out as he walks through the doorway and out the bathroom. Once he sees the state she's in he rushes over to her and holds her close as she cries. "I got you sis. I got you, you're okay. You're safe." he tells her gently rocking back and forth. Slowly she calms down and looks at her phone. "J-jug." she says showing him the notification that had popped up.
CJ and Jughead sit in Pop's with Veronica, Betty and Kevin. "The drive-in closing, it's just one more nail in the coffin that is Riverdale. No. Forget Riverdale. In the coffin of the American dream. As the godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino, likes to say--" Jughead starts. "Please, God, no more Quentin Tarantino references." Kevin butts in. "What? I'm pissed. And not just about losing my job. The Twilight Drive-In should mean something to us. People should be trying to save it." Jughead continues with CJ nodding while drawing a design in her book.
"In this age of Netflix and VOD, do people really want to watch a movie in a car? I mean, who even goes there?" Veronica asks. "People who want to buy crack." Kevin tells her making CJ glare at him. "And cinephiles and car enthusiasts, right, Betts?" CJ says. "Totally." Betty smiles. "Anyway, it's closing because the town owns it but didn't invest in it. So when an anonymous buyer made Mayor McCoy an offer she couldn't refuse--" Jughead continues.
"Anonymous buyer? What do they have to hide? No one cares." Kevin asks. "I do." CJ says. "You guys should come to closing night. I'm thinking American Graffiti. Or is that too obvious?" Jughead asks the group. "I vote for anything starring Audrey Hepburn. Or Cate Blanchett." Veronica says. "Or the talented Mr Ripley." Kevin adds. "Marilyn Monroe." CJ blurts out smiling. Jughead laughs "You and Miss Monroe." CJ giggles. "I'll be right back." she tells them getting up and going over to Pop.
"Have you got any jobs going Pop?" she asks the older man. "Yeah of course CJ. I'll give you a rota when you pop in tonight." he tells her with a smile. "Thanks Pop." she smiles before spotting Mrs Lodge struggling with a tray. "Here Mrs Lodge, I'll give you a hand." she says taking a couple of the things off the tray. "Oh Thank You..." "CJ. I might as well get use to it. I'm joining the staff." "Well then. Call me Hermione dear." she tells the teen as they get to CJ's table. "Here you go kids." Hermione says putting down the tray and handing them their stuff.
"Thanks Mom." Veronica smiles. "I'll see you tonight CJ." Hermione says with a smile as CJ sits back in her seat. Hermione turns away as they all hear Cheryl talking to Tanya and Ginger. "If I would have known Mama Lodge was working at Pop's, I never would've given Veronica a spot on the Vixens. It's off-brand, a false message about acceptance. After her TMZ-style take down of Chuck, all the Vixens like Veronica now." Cheryl tells them. "Do they?" "Be sure to put all that cash in the register. You are a Lodge, after all. And Lodges are known to have sticky fingers." Cheryl says as Hermione takes the money for their stuff. "Cheryl." Veronica starts. "Honey, I got this." Hermione tells her. "I went to school with your mother. She didn't know the difference between having money and having class either." she tells Cheryl before walking off.
CJ looks at Veronica "Ronnie, I love your Mum." she tells her as the door opens to reveal Archie, Ms Grundy and Fred. "Now, that's an odd combo of people." Veronica says. "I'll be right back." Betty tells them. "Betty, no. Don't." Jug tells her as she walks over to them. "Wait, what's happening?" Veronica asks. CJ looks at Jughead who sighs and looks down. Veronica looks at CJ's drawing "That's cool and pretty." she tells her. "Glad you like it, I'm thinking about getting it as a tattoo. Now you've said you like it, I'll get it for your representation." CJ says smiling as she finishes the last detail. "Really?" "Well yeah. I have one which represents each of my friends. I also have one for my little sister and one for Jug." Veronica smiles before looking out the window. "I'll be right back." she says walking out after Betty and Archie.
"It's this quintessential rite of passage. Making out with your boy- or girlfriend at the movies." Kevin says as he, Veronica and CJ sit together in the common room. "Why don't we go together? I can't promise you any action, but maybe I'll bring you good luck." Veronica says to them. "Sure. I'll probably see my friends there aswell. Speaking of I may have someone you'll like Kev." CJ says with a smile. "Great. Another night, another hag. Although CJ introduce me to him." Kevin jokes to Veronica and says to CJ. "Ha ha ha." Veronica laughs sarcastically.
"Speaking of hags." Cheryl says walking over to them. "Veronica, it's so devastating to me that your mother has to sink to such unspeakable Low's just to keep those knockoff Hermès bags on your arm. What's next, selling her hair extensions?" "My mom's a waitress, Cheryl, not Fantine. And your faux concern reeks of ulterior motive. What is it?" Veronica asks. "Only to remind you of your place in this school. Nay, the town's social hierarchy." "Threatened much?" "Don't worry. You may be a stock character from a '90s teen movie, but I'm not." "And what does this have to do with my mom being a waitress?" "I saw her talking to a Southside Serpent last night. In the alley behind Pop's. They were having an extremely heated, intimate discussion. See for yourself." Cheryl says showing a picture on her phone before walking off. Before she leaves CJ notices it's her dad Hermione is talking to.
"Who or what is a Southside Serpent?" Veronica asks. CJ opens her mouth but Kevin answers first. "They're this gang of bikers who stays on the south side of town. And thank God, because they're dangerous. Drug dealers and petty thieves." "Then what was my mom doing with one of them?" CJ glares at Kevin "What?" he asks puzzled. "One, Serpents aren't drug dealers, that's the Ghoulies. Two, they're a family, they look out for one another, Three, they are only dangerous if they are protecting themselves or others. Four, I am a serpent." she says angrily showing her tattoo on the rib cage." But obviously I'm a drug dealer, dangerous and a petty thief. "she finishes storming out.
When school ends CJ gets a message for Sweetpea.
Sweets🍬_ You want to come round for movie? X
Princess Snake 👸🐍_ Sure I just have to pick something up and I'll be at yours x
She smiles and goes to her bike before going to Pop's. CJ jumps off her bike and walks in spotting Pop and Hermione behind the counter. "Hey Pop, Hey Hermione." "Ah CJ come to pick up your rota I'm guessing." Pop smile. "Yep, also can I have my usual to go and also Sweets usual aswell please?" "Of Course CJ I'll bring it to you now." Pop tells her. When he walks away Hermione smiles at the girl. "How was school?" she asks the girl. "Boring mostly." CJ laughs as she puts her rota in her bag. "Oh before I forget, Cheryl saw you with my dad and took a picture. She showed Ronnie, so she might ask you some questions about it." CJ warns. "Thank you for letting me know CJ." Hermione smiles. "No problem." CJ smiles back. Just then pop walks over with her order "Here you go CJ." "Thanks Pop." she smiles and waves as she leaves the diner.
Once at Sweetpea's trailer she jumps off her bike and knock on the door. "Hey CJ." "Hey Sweets. I bought Pop's." she tells him smiling. Sweetpea laughs as he let's her in. "So I heard the drive in is closing. I thought we could watch something here before heading over to it." Sweetpea tells her. "Sure. I'll message Joaquin, Toni and Fangs to come aswell. My treat as I've got a job now." she says smiling. "Really? Where?" "Pop's" CJ pulls out her phone and messages the group chat.
Serpent Besties
Weirdo girl 🙄_ Meet at Sweetpea's later. I'm treating you all to the drive in x
Joaqween 🏳️🌈_ Okay.... X
TtOoNnIi💕_ Okay babes xxx
Bitey Boy 🥴_ Okay CJ x
Before they start the movie Sweetpea turns to CJ. "CJ can you explain why Toni kept giving you that look and then looking worried." "Uh y-yeah." she stutters fiddling with her sleeve. "Well I Um..." she trails off and pulls her sleeve up so Sweetpea can see the bandage on her arm. He gasps quietly and hugs CJ tightly "I'm always here Princess." he says as she hugs him back.
An hour later there is a knock on the door and Sweetpea grabs it. "Hey guys you read to go?" Fangs asks poking his head in. "Yep let's go!" CJ says with a smile. She walks out the trailer and jumps on her bike. "You guys coming?" she asks making them laugh as they got on their bikes. "Oh yeah Joaquin I'm introducing you to my friend tonight. He's cute and avaliable." she tells him with a smile. CJ looks at them as they arrive at the drive in "I'm gonna get food." she says walking to the consession stand.
When at the consession stand she bumps into Chuck, who turns round to her. "Watch where you're going Serpent Slut." he growls. CJ's eyes widen and she turns and runs to the back of the projector room. She falls the ground and curls into a ball sobbing. Her phone buzzes in her pocket and she pulls it out.
T💎_ Where are you? Xxx
CJ 🐍_ Back of projector room. I'll be back in a few xxx
CJ puts her phone away and just lies there crying. She doesn't realise how long she has been lying there til Sweetpea, Fangs and Toni are in front of her. "Babe? What's happened?" Toni asks her with a worried frown. "I-I..." Sweetpea picks CJ up and realises how cold she is. "Guys she's freezing." he tells them with a worried look. "Let's get her back to the trailers. I'll message Jughead." Toni decides. "N-No. W-want Jug." CJ stutters pointing to the projector room.
Toni nods and goes into the projector room, before coming out a few minutes later followed by Jughead. "What happened?" he asks. "We don't know I messaged her just before the film asking where she'd gone. She messaged saying she was here and would be back soon. Then when she didn't come back I came here." Toni explains. Jughead nods and picks her up, out of Sweetpea's arms. "Toni can you get the door?" he asks her. She nods and opens the door for him to walk into the projector room.
Later Sweetpea, Toni and Fangs leave CJ with her Brother promising to message her. Jughead sits with CJ hugging her gently "I'm going to go get you some food. I'll use your bike and be back before you know it." he tells her. CJ nods and he kisses her on the forehead before leaving the room.
⚠️TRIGGER⚠️
When Jughead leaves she gets up and heads to the bathroom. She sobs and gets her blade out and starts cutting her arms repeatedly. After a while she stops and presses tissues to her arms. She sniffles and wraps her arms in bandages before throwing a baggy hoodie that belongs to Jughead on.
⚠️ OVER ⚠️
CJ walks out the bathroom and flops onto her bed, curling up and hugging a blanket close to her. A couple minutes later Jughead walks in and spots her curled up "CJ, I've got your favourite." he tells her with a small smile. She nods and sits up still wrapped in her blanket. "Jug. Where are we going to go?" she asks with tears in her eyes. "I'm not sure yet. I've got a couple ideas though. Right now let's get some food into you and go to bed." He says kissing her forehead and giving her a take out bag from Pop's.
That night, around 3 am, CJ wakes up screaming from another dream about Chuck. "CJ! CJ!" she hears someone call out to her. She doesn't realise who it is so keeps thrashing around. Arms go round her and hold her against a familiar chest. Slowly she calms and opens her eyes to see Jughead. "J-jug..." "It's okay CJ. I'm staying here. I've got you just go back to sleep." he tells her softly. CJ shifts slightly so Jughead can lie down next to her. Once he is lying down she snuggles into his chest and he pulls her close to him. CJ slowly drifts back off to sleep with Jughead playing with her hair.
The next morning the brunette twins wake up to CJ's alarm. Groaning they get up and CJ rubs her eyes before looking at Jughead. "Shotgun the bathroom first." she tells him with a smile before rushing in
CJ walks out the bathroom and throws all her stuff into her bags. A couple of minutes later Jughead walks out of the bathroom "Ready sis?" he asks causing CJ to nod tentively. Jughead grabs his sisters hand and together they walk out of the room. They each grab a can of spray paint and start spraying their names onto the side. "They'll tear that booth down too.Raze the whole place. Send it to the junkyard." FP says from behind them. "And us with it." Jughead adds. "Yeah." "Maybe they'll save it. All the pieces. Store it in the town hall attic and rebuild it in a hundred years. Wonder who the hell we were." "So where you gonna live now?" "We'll figure it out, Dad. We always do." Jughead grabs CJ's hand and they walk off together.