././ 𝓢𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓗𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓻 /./.

It was the ultimate cliff-hanger. Clifford Blossom had killed himself. But why? Life's not an Agatha Christie novel. It's a lot messier. Turn out, maple syrup was a front for his true business, transporting heroin from Montreal on his trucks.

A narrative quickly emerged, 'that Jason Blossom had learned about dear old dad's drug running, and threatened to expose the truth, which led to Jason's abduction at the hands of a Southside Serpent named Mustang.' And then to Jason's murder at the hands of his father. 'Clifford killed Mustang to cover his tracks, making it look like he overdosed, and tried to replicate a rival businessman, Hiram Lodge, as having masterminded the whole thing.'

And, oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Mr. Blossom threatened my, and my loves, life so that my dad would confess to pulling the trigger, even though all he did was clean up the mess. He would've gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for a group of pesky kids who uncovered the truth.

Jason's murder had revealed some dark truths none of us were too eager to face. Especially mayor McCoy, who wanted every last vestige of corruption crushed like a snake under a boot heel.

I stood in a pitch-black dress, watching as they lowered my father's coffin in the ground. In Blossom style, he was buried on the grounds of the manor. That way, he would never leave his roots.

The same roots he tried to end.

Jughead had promised to come, but I told him to visit his dad. I knew he had al lot on his plate, and the last thing he needed was to go to my dad's funeral. Especially since he is the one who is the cause of most of Juggie's problems.

The ceremony was incredibly short as it consisted of just Mrs. Blossom, Cheryl, and I. Nana Rose refused to come and so did the rest of the family.

"It was to have been the grandest funeral in Riverdale history. Instead, he was buried like a pauper," Mrs. Blossom wrinkled her nose as she spat hateful words about the family. Cheryl simply shed small tears, foo her father. I couldn't bring myself to do the same, as I chose to cry for the man he could have been. Not the man he was.

"Why are you crying? You both hated him."

"Don't say that, mommy," sobbed Cheryl, moving to pull me in a hug as I hug her back.

I didn't always hate my dad. In fact, I would say that before all this happened, I wouldn't even say I disliked him. I thought my father was a very successful man who was too busy to care for his daughter but still loved her deeply. I am just beginning to see my perfect idea of my dad was all a facade.

So no, I didn't hate him. I loved him.

"We've been cursed. Ever since the original murder when brother killed brother. Who will the Grim Reaper take next? You? Me?" Mrs. Blossom venomously said, looking towards Cheryl and I. Cheryl moved away, grabbing my arm as she stumbled back.

"Maybe your father had the right idea. Just end it. Better the sweet hereafter, then this awful limbo."

I looked up at the noose which was still hanging from the barn. Although the marks on my neck were gone, they still haunted me, as did the thoughts and the nightmares leading up to where I stood today.

Something was wrong with me and I can't ignore it any longer. This demon inside of me is clawing at my insides begging to unleash itself as I try to hold it in.

But maybe I am wrong.

Maybe this terrible thing that keeps me up at night isn't separate from who I am. Like Nana Rose said, "It is in your blood."

Maybe Mrs. Blossom is right, and the only true escape is the sweet hereafter.

~❃~

"Archie, Betty, Adelaide, I'd like to feature you both at the Jubilee. As you know, it's our 75th anniversary of our town's founding, and also a kickoff for the next seventy-five years. And who better represent the future of Riverdale than the young people, who better represent the future of Riverdale than the young people who, working with Sheriff Keller and my office, helped bring peace and justice to our streets once more?" Mayor McCoy explained.

I frown, "That is not exactly what happened..."

"Let the Mayor finish, Ms. Cooper." Principal Weatherbee warned, causing me to quietly nod my head. I pretend to ignore the fact he didn't say Blossom after Cooper. I guess I should become to pretending

"Archie, the Pussycats will be performing at the Jubilee, and I would love for you to join them. Same for you, Adelaide. Betty, you're part of the Blue & Gold. Not to mention that you're currently one of the brightest students of this school, with an equally great reputation. So, what do you say, both of you?"

Archie was the first one to speak, "What about Jughead?"

Mayor McCoy lightly laughed. "I, uh, I like Jughead. And he's welcome to attend Jubilee, of course. But his father is in jail, and think it might be confusing to have him up the Jubilee stage."

"That is so unfair," Betty scoffed.

"Adelaide, Betty, Archie, you're heroes. The one that Riverdale needs. There isn't anyone better for the part than the both of you."

I sighed, nodding my head, knowing that I didn't have a choice in the matter. I never did.

~❃~

"I told her I wouldn't do it. Not unless you're up there with us, Jug," Betty told him during lunch. I silently looked down at my lunch, not hungry.

Betty was braver than I was. And I knew that somewhere deep down she liked Jughead a bit. I always thought it was because of jealousy since Archie didn't return her feelings. Betty figured she could still have Juggie.

But maybe I was wrong. Betty would be a good girlfriend for Juggie anyway...They would look better together. She would help him understand how much he was loved, better than I ever could.

"I appreciate the righteous indignation, Betty, I do. But Jubilees aren't my thing." Jughead confesses, turning to look at me with a smile, "But I will gladly go to see Juliette perform," Jughead grabbed my hand under the table.

Looking up from my salad, I force a smile onto my lips. I didn't want to worry Juggie, "Great!"

"Jug, how's your dad? Did you get in to see him?" Archie changes the subject, allowing my smile to fall as everyone turned to look at Archie.

"Here's the latest. Mayor McCoy wants my dad to name names in exchange for a lesser sentence," Jughead sighs. I kick myself for not thinking to ask what happened this morning.

"What? Whose name?" Betty asks.

"The Serpents," Jughead sighs, "Sheriff Keller thinks they're the ones dealing the drugs that Clifford Blossom brought into town."

"My dad says more and more drugs are hitting the streets," Kevin supplements.

"Kevin, relax. This isn't The Wire. My dad says they're not the ones dealing."

"Meanwhile, Mayor McCoy hasn't even said the words, Clifford or Blossom, in public. It's all about how the Serpents are the problem, the villains. This is outrageous. Something needs to be said," Betty goes on.

"I could write an article about it that won't be just for the Blue and Gold but for the Register as well. This should be a town story. That is if you don't mind Addy?"

I look up, trying to snap out of whatever dreary state I am in, "Yeah."

Jughead gives me a wary look but doesn't say anything, to my relief.

"As long as the article doesn't include my Dad," Jughead looks at Betty.

"No, it is gonna be about your dad, Jug. It doesn't matter how many Jubilees Mayor McCoy throws. This town has changed. That needs to be acknowledged. Why are people so afraid of the truth?" Betty declares.

"Speaking of the truth," Veronica says, standing up to make an announcement. "Archie and I wanted to tell you..." Veronica began.

"We've kissed a couple times," Archie looks at Betty, who doesn't seem fazed as she smiles.

"It's okay, V. I appreciate you being honest with me. But it doesn't bother me. if you guys wanna be together, I'm happy for you," Betty admits seeming genuinely happy, "Plus, I am with Adam now."

"Thanks, B," Veronica smiles, moving to sit down.

"Thanks, Betty," Archie smiles.

~❃~

I was walking outside, trying to clear all my thoughts that would not stop running through my head. I thought the movement would help the numbness but it only makes it worse.

I was about to walk back inside to try and take a nap, when I heard someone call my name, "AJ!"

I turned around and noticed Jughead and Archie walking up to their house. Smiling, I walked up to meet them at the porch as Archie pulled out his keys to open the door.

"Hey, where were you after school. I thought we were going to hang out," Jughead smiled at me, leaning down to place a small peck on my lips.

I shake my head, "Sorry. I had a lot of homework and decided to go straight home."

Jughead furrowed his eyebrows taking in my stretch pants and sports jacket, "You had time to run?"

Trying to change the subject, I ask, "What did you and Archie do?"

We all began to walk inside, as Archie held the door open. Jughead grinned as he looked over at the ginger, "I don't know. I would ask Arch about that one. This hottie could not keep his eyes off of him the entire time we were at Pop's."

I raise my eyebrows at the word 'hottie'. I hated to sound jealous and whiny but I never thought about how Jughead viewed other girls. I guess I should have known that he would leave me for someone prettier eventually, I feel myself slip back into my old thoughts.

I cooly look up at Jughead, "You thought she was hot?"

Jughead stopped as he looked down at me with a confused expression, "I mean sure she was pretty, I guess...Wait, why would you even ask that question," Jughead said, noticing my expression.

Gently, pulling me into the staircase as Archie continued into the kitchen, Jughead whispered, "Julliette, what is wrong?" Jughead looked concerned as he stroked my cheek.

I held back the tears in my eyes as I looked at him, knowing he didn't care about me. I bet he was sick of me and all of my breakdowns. Just using me until someone prettier and smarter comes around.

"You shouldn't be with me," I mumble.

Jughead didn't seem to understand as he shook his head, "What is wrong, Juliette? You have been upset ever since you ran out of the garage a few days ago."

I look down at my fingers, trying to determine what to respond. How to explain to the boy you love that you are going crazy. That everything is crumbling to pieces and you can't handle it anymore.

I feel Jughead's hands move under my chin, making me look up at him, "You can tell me anything, Julliette. You now that."

And at that moment, looking into the endless green eyes of Jughead Jones, I was ready to confess everything.

"Jughead! Adelaide," I hear Mr. Andrews yell just as I open my mouth, "Come in the kitchen."

Closing my eyes, I move towards the kitchen as Jughead, pulls me closer to him, wrapping his arm around my waist so he can whisper, "We will talk about this later."

I discreetly nod my head, as we enter the kitchen and see a woman standing near Archie, "Um This is Ms. Weiss from Social Services. She's, uh She's Jughead's caseworker."

I feel Jughead tense, causing me to rub my hand down his back, trying to soothe him. It worked as Jughead nodded his head at the women, "Hey."

"Jughead, I know how terrible and emotional the last few days have been for you. Your father's facing serious jail time. Your mom's over-extended and out of state," She says, "We just want to make sure that you're taken care of."

"Well, he can keep staying with us, right, Dad?" Archie turns to looks at Mr. Andrews.

"I offered already, Arch," Mr. Andrews frowned.

"Great, so what's the problem?" Archie asked slightly upset by the entire situation.

"It was a DUI. After your mom left," Fred says, a bit embarrassed, "Look, we can talk about this later but between that and my cash flow problem, it knocks me out."

"There is a family on the Southside that's offered to foster you. They're good people, they've worked with us before," She says.

"That doesn't sound completely horrible," Jug mumbles as I lean my head on his chest, wrapping my arms around him.

"It does mean you'll be in a different school district, Jughead, and you'll have to transfer schools," Ms. Weiss answered, looking at Archie and me, but more specifically me.

This time when Jughead was tense, there was nothing I could do to calm him down. I just tightened my grip on him as I buried my face in his chest, not caring how childish I looked. The last thing I needed was for someone else to leave. And that is what this woman just told me.

"What the hell? When is all this supposed to happen?" Archie demands.

"The paperwork's been processed. Unless there is a radical change in your father's case, you'll be on the Southside by the end of the week."

I clench my eyes, feeling a single tear, out of the millions I held back, fall down my cheek. Jughead's arms tightened around me causing a false sense of security. A lie that he wouldn't leave.

~❃~

Jughead didn't talk about what happened the previous night. Any time I brought it up he seemed to shut me down, causing me to do the same for him. I had decided there was no way I could tell him what was going on with me, not while his dad was at jail.

"Betty's babysitting Polly, mind if I join you guys?" I look up to see Veronica holding a tray of food.

Jughead swallowed a huge bite of his hamburger as he smirked, "Are you sure you want to sit at the Social Pariah table?"

Ronnie laughed, "I've been sitting at it for months, why should today be any different? Anyway, Jughead, you and I have a lot in common."

"Oh," Jug scoffed, "Because my dad's going to prison and your dad is getting out?"

"Not exactly. I was going to say we are dating each other's best friends" I could tell she was talking about me, but couldn't care to acknowledge her as I kept my eyes closed, leaning on Jughead's shoulder. "But yes, the prison thing, too."

"Jughead." I heard Cheryl lightly say, which was unlike her. Slightly moving my head to look up at her, I watched as she spoke, "I'm sorry. I had no right to pummel you the way I did that day. As recompense, I'd like to give you this."

Cheryl smiled before tossing something towards Jughead, which he caught with ease, "My iconic spider brooch. It'll catch a pretty penny at the local pawn shop. Enough to keep you in burgers and 'S' t-shirts for years, if not decades," Cheryl smiled, "Not to mention, you would be able to take care of Addy the way she deserves."

Jughead looked at the brooch confused as I sat up from his shoulder.

Ronnie seemed more concerned about Cheryl, "Cheryl, what is going on?"

Cheryl opened her mouth to respond but Kevin cut her off, "Guys, it's Adelaide's locker. Come on, it's bad. Come on, come on."

Before I could hear what my sister had to say I was yanked out of my seat and pulled over to my locker. All I could hear was Cheryl mumble, "Tomorrow Sweetwater River."

I knew what it meant.

I stumble over my feet as I rush to keep up with Kevin. I begin to slow down as I recognize a crowd forming around my locker. I begin to run forward, leaving the others, as I push through the crowd.

I stop once I am able to see what it is. Why my locker once was, there stood a pile of articles of different forms, mostly Betty's, mixed with vandalized photos of both sides of my family. I could barely see the headlines but I knew what it was about: me finding my dad's body and me defending FP. In bold red the words screamed out at me, taunting me.

FREAK      

                                     FAKE                    

                       SLUT RICH LOSER

DUMB BITCH SERPENT HORE                     

                                                                                              LIAR

Every word seemed to be a new stab in my already wounded ego. To set it all off was the doll with a noose around her neck. Tears lined my eyes as I watched Jughead stand in front of me, trying to hide the slanderous words.

I glower at him, trying to move around him to rip everything down, but Jughead pulls me away. I try to move out of his grip, "it's nothing Jug. It is just some kids with spray paint."

Jughead grabs my head, forcing me to look at him, "I don't think it is to spray paint," Jughead said, as my mouth fell in awe. I tried to look over at it once again, but before I could manage to look at the substance, Jughead had pulled my head into his chest.

~❃~

I didn't expect Jughead to be so upset about the whole thing with my locker. I didn't think it was anything to be upset about. There had to be some truth in it for someone to put it up.

I was just glad to know how people really saw me. It makes my resolve that much easier.

Jughead was only upset because he thought this was his fault. I knew he wouldn't care otherwise.

"As long as you're involved with me and my dad, trouble's just gonna keep coming at you from all sides," Jughead grumbled, squeezing my hand tighter than normal, as he continues his rant.

"It was just one jerk," I shrug, interrupting him halfway through his monologue.

Jughead's eyes widen, "It's not just one jerk," Jughead stopped to look at me, "It's Mayor McCoy. It's Sheriff Keller. It's Weatherbee, it's Social Services, it's the entire multiverse telling me that I don't belong here, - so why don't I just do everyone a favor–"

I swear my heart skipped a beat as I stood in front of him, rubbing his cheeks, "Hey, hey," I frown, unable to listen to him. "You belong here just as much as everyone else. This is your home. You know that, right?" I ask him, desperately needing to hear him validate my question. I couldn't face Jughead not feeling like he belonged.

Not now. Not when I was preparing to...

Jughead just has to know that he is loved.

"Yeah. Yes," Jughead nodded his head, turning to walk again as I watched him. He stopped turning around to look at me before he held out his hand with a smile, "Come here."

I smiled, walking over to Jughead, who wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pressing a kiss on my forehead, "I love you, Juliette."

"I love you too."

~❃~

The cold air cut at my milky skin, which was exposed due to the dip in my white dress. The air was chillier now than when it was at the start of the school year. It was rough and moved my hair all around as it tangled itself in the wind. I didn't mind though, because it would all be over in a few minutes.

"I am so sorry" Cheryl cried, looking at me as I sat on my legs, watching her beat against the ice. It felt like only yesterday that we were laughing and singing along to Cyndi Lauper in our pajamas, with Jason making fun of us. I smiled remembering that day perfectly. That was the first time Jughead snuck into my room at the Blossoms. We played board games all night. It wasn't anything grand, but it was happy.

I watched as Cheryl used all her might to break the ice. I wanted to help, but it took everything in me not to scream as I felt the miserable choking feeling of death rise in my throat.

It was amazing when you thought about it. The knowledge of what was to come, the ability to feel it in your bones. Poetic almost.

"Cheryl!"

"Adelaide!"

"Stop! What are you doing!"

"Juliette."

The last voice made me look up, behind Cheryl as I saw all my friends standing at the river's edge, watching us with wide eyes and sad expressions. They looked like an amazing group together. Moving away from them, I could see that now.

"Cheryl, AJ, please!" Veronica called.

Cheryl moved away as I watched the cracks branch out. They looked hideously terrifying.

I smiled allowing her to help me to my feet before looking up at Jughead. My love.

"Come to the shore and we'll figure this out together okay?" Veronica called again, but I wasn't looking at her anymore.

I watched as Jughead pleadingly looked at me, tears rolling down his face, "Juliette! I can't- I love you..."

The black-haired boy cried out in a broken voice. I watched him fall to his knees before he shouted in a voice so weak I could hardly hear it, "please come here."

I smiled. They didn't understand.

This wasn't for the escape but the relief that comes from it. No more pain. No more death. No more nightmares.

As I watched my friends, my family, and everyone I have ever loved I finally felt at peace. All the shadows that burdened my spirit went away. At that moment, I felt like myself. Or at least the myself I could have been.

Because at the end of the day, it is all a dream. A story we chose to accept rather than see the truth. I see the truth. Now.

Veronica is not as strong as everyone thinks.

Archie is not as noble as everyone thinks.

Betty is not as perfect as everyone thinks.

Jughead is not as tough as everyone thinks.

And I Adelaide Juliet Cooper-Blossom, am not as innocent as everyone thinks, because I can predict horrible things. Things that cause nothing but devastation that is beyond my control. And the scary part is, I feel it growing inside of me, becoming a part of me.

So that is it.

▾▴▾

"Juliette!" I screamed, running to her. The second I saw her fall in, I was done for. My legs worked on its own as I ran towards her pushing past everyone to find her.

I would not let her die. I swore to myself I would keep her safe.

It felt like I was running forver as I worked against the snow trying to hold me back. Tears were streaming down my face as I looked for her, knowing that the current would have taken her by now.

"The current has them," I shout noticing Archie looking for at the original hole they made with ice.

The entire time I was looking for her, I couldn't help but feel sick to my stomach just thinking about what she did. Why she would do it.

I loved her unconditionally. everyone did yet, these past few days, she hasn't seemed to think so. I blamed myself. Maybe I couldn't be what she needed.

I was the reason all this terrible stuff began happening to her anyway. And then to top it all off, I fucking left her. I thought changing schools wouldn't affect our relationship, but I may be wrong. I never knew how fragile Juliette truly was.

"Cheryl's here!" Archie shouted as he began to punch the ice. I ran towards him and saw that Juliette wasn't with her. Looking around I realized that Juliette was smaller, so she probably went further.

Running past Archie, I begin digging at the Snow as I watched her pass me. I was frozen for a second watching her lifeless figure appear through the ice. She was so pale, yet still beautiful, as her strawberry-blonde hair flowed in the water. Her eyes were closed, however, causing me to worry about her heart rate.

Rushing over a few meters ahead, I began to slam my fists against the ice. Ignoring Betty's cries, I began to bang harder, noticing a wisp of red hair signaling Juliette's approach.

"I am going to get you," I mutter, beating relentlessly at the ice, watching as my blood begins to melt against the snow. I tried to ignore the throbbing sting as I beat harder on the ice, wildly trying to create more cracks.

My hands began to go numb, just as the ice began to give way. Watching Juliette's face pass me encouraged me to keep going. Blindly beating against the ice, hoping I was still making progress, I watched as the ice cracked.

I quickly reached into the river, grabbing her leg as I pulled her out with Betty's help. Gently laying her against the snow, I checked for her heartrate. I felt my body begin to shake, as I began to perform CPR. Betty was crying with Veronica as they watched me try to keep Juliette alive.

Archie moved to sit next to me as he placed a hand on my shoulder. I shook his hand off, as I continued with chest compressions.

I didn't need his pity. She was alive. She had to be.

"Stay with me," I begged, as I went to perform mouth to mouth. I knew by now I should have given up, but I couldn't.

I felt Archie pull me back, causing me to trash against his grip spewing curse words. I wanted to hit him, but I couldn't fight anymore as I watched Juliette's cold body.

I felt myself slump into Archie's arms, giving up. I was about to tell him we could leave, but a coughing noise cut me off.

Snapping my head to Juliette, I watched as her small body began to cough up water. I grin fell on my lips as I ran to pull her in my arms, not caring if she got water on me, quickly placing my beanie on her head to warm her up a bit.

She was alive and that is all that mattered.

~❃~

"What were you thinking? Why would you," Jughead trailed off, looking at me with a heartbroken expression. My eyes met his as he broke the silence.

After Cheryl and I had finally emptied our lungs of all the river water, Jughead and Archie brought us back to town. Cheryl went with Veronica while Jughead took me to the trailer, helping me change out of my wet dress into one of his warmest flannels.

We both had spoken a word as Jughead piled every blanket he owned on top of me, the second we got back. I took that time to look around at the trailer, noticing how Jughead had cleaned up since the last time he was here. The broken furniture was taken out or at least fixed a bit and the trash was thrown away. It looked really good.

Now, as I looked up at Jughead running his fingers through his hair, I realized the monstrosity of my actions. The potential collateral damage from what I may have done.

Tears lines streaked down his face and his eyes were swollen from crying out before. He looked devastated as he repeated, "What were you thinking, Juliette?"

I felt myself tear up as I look down, noticing the bloodied bandages around Jughead's hands.

Even when I try to avoid destruction, I cause it anyway.

I lightly bring up my hand to brush against his, as Jughead pulls them away to hold my face, "I am fine Julliette. Answer me."

I shake my head, "No your not," I tell him, my voice louder than I thought.

Jughead seemed taken aback by my outburst but I continued, "Nothing is fine about this Jughead," I feel myself getting angry. Angry at myself.

Jughead's cool attitude begins t waver as he raises his voice, "What could possibly make you feel like you could kill yourself? Do you have any idea what would have happened if I hadn't saved you. If you had died today?"

I open my mouth to say something but Jughead continues, "No, Juliette. You didn't think about that because there is no way in hell you thought we would be able to just go by our day in fucking Utopia," Jughead began to get louder, "That is the thing, Juliette, death doesn't affect you, it affects to everyone around you. The people who have to live their lives trying to figure out what the hell they are supposed to do when you are gone."

Jughead's voice became weaker as his eyes began to water, "Why couldn't you tell me? I thought that you felt comfortable enough to tell me if you were going to go full Woolf on me."

I felt my eyes water as I looked into Jughead's eyes. He looked so broken, almost as broken as he looked just before I fell in the river. The thought that I was the cause of his pain was devastating.

Slowly getting up to stand in front of him, I brought my hands up to cup his face, "I am so sorry, Juggie," I whisper, "I won't do it again," I swear, knowing that I had to confess to him what was happening.

"Good," Jughead smiled, pulling me closer to him, "We to be honest with each other, Julliette. If not then this won't work."

I nod my head, "I swear to you I will tell you everything that is going on," I tell him, standing on my tippy toes to look in his eyes, "I love you, Jughead Jones."

Just as I thought Jughead would say it back, he did something else. He pressed his lips onto mine bringing me into a passionate kiss. I smiled bringing my hands to his hair as I brought myself closer to him in every possible way of the word.

"If we are being honest," I smirk, pulling away for a second, "The only thing I can think about is your lips on me."

Jughead raises his eyebrows, as his head ducks down so that he can press wet kisses along my neck, "And where exactly are you imagining them."

I giggle," pulling his head up, as I lean closer to his lips, "Everywhere," I murmur before pressing my lips on his.

I gasp, feeling Jughead lift me up by my thighs as he backs us into the wall. I feel my eyes flutter shut as his lips move down to my collarbone, lightly nipping at the delicate skin. Rolling my head back, I move to take off my shirt, but Jughead has already ripped it off of me as he makes his way down the valley between my breasts.

"Juggie," I feel myself moan unable to comprehend the feeling of his hands on my body.

As I feel Jughead's lips move lower down my body, I pull him back up to press my lips on his, pulling his shirt over his head as I take the time to explore every inch of his body. Lightly trailing my finger down the slightly defined abs, I take note of every aspect of Juggie, hoping to record every feature to memory.

I giggle as Jughead's hands begin to move and grip my thighs moving me over to the countertop of the kitchen, allowing me to move to unbuckle his pants.

Just as I managed to undo the belt, a banging on the door, caused us both to pull away. I felt myself jump as Jughead, immediately moved in front of me to look at the banging door.

"Is that your sister?" Jughead looked back at me, quickly reaching to hand me my shirt as he grabbed his own.

"I can't think of who else," I mutter, upset that we were interrupted. Putting my top back on, I move towards Jughead to see what he was doing.

I heard a dog barking and some people talking to Jughead, causing me to peek my head through the door and see an entire gang of Serpents. That wasn't what made me falter, however, but the fact that my boyfriend was wearing the leather jacket that held the Southside Serpent logo on the back.

I watched in awe as he proudly put it on, "Juggie," I ask, my voice sounding weaker than I wanted. I couldn't think of anything else to say.

For the longest that I could remember, the Serpents were always bad news and anyone who joined them were not to be messed with. What was he thinking?

I watched as Jughead looked at me with a scared expression. Probably knowing exactly what I was thinking, yet the only thing I could do was watch him in horror.

At the time, I foolishly thought that was the worst thing that could possibly happen. That my teenage life would be filled with the problems of trying to grapple with my boyfriend's sudden change in schools and friend groups.

What I didn't expect was to wake up the next morning, in Jughead's bed, screaming my lungs out. But I guess that is the thing, you never know what to expect.

Imagine this instant, frozen in time. People will look back at this exact moment that last bit of Riverdale's innocence finally died. When darkness won. Marked by an act of violence, that was anything but random.