THIRTY THREE.
❛ PARTY GIRLS, PART I. ❜

Cheryl was in a bad mood the day of Jughead's surprise birthday extravaganza. Veronica had challenged her to a freaking dance off which she lost when her own squad refused to vote for her — including Lexi who was absent from practice for some reason Cheryl was looking forward to hearing.

However, her bad mood and anger directed at Veronica Lodge had drawn her to Chuck Clayton's vicious little company. She was in the mood for chaos and her usual dose, aka Lexi Hale, was too busy helping Betty plan a small surprise party for Jughead. Whereas she needed someone willing to sabotage the party. Unfortunately, the quickest and easiest person to persuade to rain hell down on "B and V" was her girlfriend's ex and it just so happened, he came looking her to help him throw around a little mischief.

"Greetings Mongrel."

She glared at the guy that had cheated on Lexi. Despite being more than reluctant to team up with the cheater for hurting the girl she was practically in love with, she still found herself bitterly accepting his offer of teaming up with him. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and these desperate measures involved leaving Lexi out of the loop about her devious little plan to sabotage Jughead's party. She would never agree to it anyway, not when she was determined to get Jughead drunk and enjoy their 'small' party.

"Hey, Lexi." Kevin called as he came into the kitchen with his boyfriend following closely behind to see her settling up the punch bowl. "This is Joaquin. Joaquin, this is Lexi Hale. She used to be a complete bitch but she'd pretty decent now."

Lexi placed a very fake grin on her face at the Sherrif's son and the Serpent face she knew well from being on the Southside. "Kevin, lovely to see you again, geek squeak. Joaquin, nice to meet you."

"You too." Joaquin shook her hand, nodding in greeting and internally hoping they were pointing on a believable first meeting.

Lexi quickly filled two cups and handed them to the two boys. "Here, try this."

Both took a cautious sip. Joaquin pulled a face at how strong the alcohol content was whereas Kevin coughed and choked on the hard liquor soaked drink. "What the hell did you put in this?"

Lexi glanced over at the empty juice cartons and empty fizzy juice bottles to help her remember everything she had emptied into the bowl. "Orange juice, tropical juice, a little fizz and apple juice — and vodka, lot's of it."

"You like it?" Kevin gasped at Joaquin taking another sip, this time holding back a wince at the strong drink.

The Serpent shrugged. "It's nice."

Archie came in before Kevin could further complain about the amount of alcohol Lexi put in the punch and grinned wildly at his friends. "Lexi, another round please."

"Yes, sir." Lexi grinned back, pouring him another cup and spilling a little on the counter which she promptly covered with a hand towel.

"Man, I love you guys. This party is gonna be epic, I just know it!" Archie exclaimed loudly gaining odd looks from Kevin and Joaquin.

"He's been drinking it since I made the first batch." She explained, smirking as she shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a bad influence."

"First batch?" Kevin chorused. "How many have you made?"

Lexi didn't bother to answer but Archie held up his hand and hid his thumb, indicating four. Kevin gaped, concluding both Archie and Lexi were already hammered.

The couple made their way back to Ethel in the living room. "If it's a double feature, do I have time to go to the bathroom?" She asked them as soon as they joined her.

"I'd hold it, Ethel." Kevin advised in case she missed Jughead coming in.

Archie and Lexi came back from the kitchen, the former wrapping his arms around Kevin and Joaquin whereas the later simply stood by the Serpent's side. They all quietened as a figure came through the door and they all welcomed them with a pathetic excuse for a, "Surprise!"

"Do I look like Jughead to you?" Veronica snapped.

"Oh, Betty texted me." Kevin said after checking his phone. "They're almost here. You've met Joaquin, right?"

"I haven't had the pleasure." Veronica smiled at him before turning back to Kevin. "Also I thought it was inner circle only tonight?"

"Joaquin is my boyfriend. That makes him inner circle." Kevin frowned at her a little as they went aside to talk privately.

Joaquin glanced back to Lexi who only smirked at Veronica's unconsciously rude action. "Welcome to the Northside."

Both their heads turned to watch the two speak in hushed voices but it was Veronica's casual mention of "—involvement in Jason's murder..." that caught their attention.

But before the Lodge girl could confess anything useful, Ethel was calling back to them, "Guys, they're really coming this time. Everybody hide."

Everyone quickly moved to hide, all with the exception of Veronica who headed straight for the liquor cabinet. As Jughead entered the living room, the lights switched on and they jumped up to yell, "Surprise!"

Jughead took a deep breath and looked back to Betty. "This is why we left the double feature."

"Happy birthday bro." Archie stumbled forward to hug him.

"Hey, you really shouldn't have." Jughead whispered into the hug before frowning. "God, you reek. Are you drunk?"

"No." Archie weakly denied.

Veronica stepped forward next and said a few words in Spanish which Jughead tried to be grateful for. "Thanks, Veronica. Thanks, everyone."

"Oh, it's Kevin." Jughead breathed as the boy embraced him with another birthday wish before introducing him to Joaquin.

"Happy birthday, Prince Jughead." Lexi grinned, giving him a nod, knowing he wasn't much of a hugger.

The boy looked a little confused at her choice of nickname before she pointed to his crown beanie. Plus there was always the matter his dad was King of the Serpents, it was only fitting Jughead was named a Prince. "Thanks, Lexi... Um, has anyone seen Betty?"

The blonde chose that exact moment to reenter the living room with a lit birthday cake in her arms, slowly inching forward while she sung happy birthday to him in the creepiest way possible.

"That was haunting, Betty." Jughead mumbled as he accepted the cake off her.

"Tell me about it," Lexi mumbled from his side, thankful no one heard her.

The blonde placed a chaste kiss on her boyfriend's cheek before leaning her head on his shoulder. "Blow out the candles, make a wish."

"I wish it were just the two of us right now." Jug whispered to her before blowing the candles out.

Lexi watched the core four go have a private chat in the kitchen before she heard the sound of cars pull up outside. She took a sip of her drink as she walked closer to the curtains and pulled them back slightly, just enough to see Cheryl get out of her car with Chuck. Though, she had kind of forgiven him earlier that day, she couldn't help the pang of hurt at seeing Cheryl with him.

The doorbell ran soon after she'd watched the rest of the party climb the steps to the front porch and the four of Riverdale's finest clique moved forward from the kitchen to answer it.

Cheryl was the first inside with Cole and Chuck behind her, glancing at Lexi who stood by the doorway into the living room. "Did you really think you could have a party without inviting moi?"

"Or me?" Chuck spoke up from beside her.

"Archie, where do you want the kegs?" Cole asked, carrying one over his shoulder.

"Screw it. One in the kitchen, one in the backyard!" He answered grinning as wildly as Cole causing the crowd outside to cheer in anticipation.

Jughead's eyes filtered close before he turned his back to leave out the back, hating the fact his girlfriend threw him a birthday party without even thinking of consulting him about it first.