//

"People like to say that the death of Jason Blossom changed everything at Riverdale High. But certain things, certain traditions, never change. Take homecoming, for instance. Though Jason's jersey had been retired, the Riverdale Bulldogs would still be playing their archrivals, the Baxter High Ravens, with the River Vixens cheering them on. As in previous years, graduates from days of Riverdale past will come to town to relive their more youthful, more carefree days. Or...to make up for lost time."

Both Andrews siblings sat at the dining room table eating breakfast while their mother, Mary Andrews, sat in between them.

Mary spoke first, "Boys, the reason why I came-"

"You came because of the divorce," Ricky finished with a sad tone.

"Because I called Dad," Archie added.

"You know, I thought that Riverdale would be better for you both than Chicago. It would be safer-" Mary continued.

"It's okay, Mom," Archie told her. "Really, we're okay."

Ricky nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it has its moments, sure, but it hasn't all been bad."

"Our friends are amazing. Dad, Ricky, and I are closer than ever right now,
and also-"

"You've been singing with your brother," Mary added.

"Songwriting, yeah, and singing," Ricky spoke proudly. "He's awesome at it, Mom."

Mary smiled. "Your dad tells me two were great. I hope you'll play me some songs before I go."

"Yeah, for sure," Archie said. "We're both playing at the dance. If you wanna see us play live..."

Ricky looked at Archie. Ricky himself was performing at the dance because he got approval from the dance committee but his brother...not so much.

***

At school, McKenzie got a text from Betty to come into the Blue and Gold.

She stepped into the room with Veronica when Alice pointed at her, "Oh, finally. Close that door," she told her.

McKenzie closed the door as she spoke, "Mrs. Cooper, what's this and why and am I here?"

"Ladies, I need you to look around the room," Alice explained. "Whoever is not in this room is on the table as a possible murder suspect. Including those Pussycats."

Betty rolled her eyes. "Oh, my God, Mom."

Alice looked at Veronica. "Now, let's talk about your father."

Veronica nodded. "He has an epic grudge against the Blossoms, so...yes," she looked to McKenzie cautiously. "It's totally within the realm of possibility that he hired someone from jail to kill Jason, maybe Jughead's dad."

McKenzie frowned. "You really believe that?"

"My dad paid Jughead's dad to trash the drive-in. Maybe he paid him to-"

"Commit murder," Alice finished. "And for all we know, that gay greaser Serpent is an accomplice."

McKenzie frowned. "What? Joaquin? He wouldn't-"

"What are you basing that off of?" Betty questioned, coming to McKenzie's defense. "That you saw FP and Joaquin talking?"

"It didn't look like they were talking," Alice stated. "It looked like they were conspiring."

"Conspiring about what, Karen?" McKenzie snapped.

Alice ignored the insult and told her, "That's what I need you to find out, either through Jughead or FP directly. Without raising suspicion, of course. Which is why I have prepared a seemingly innocuous list of questions."

McKenzie stepped up to the desk with Alice. "I already asked Jughead point-blank if he thought FP had anything to do with Jason's death, and he said no. And I believed him, and I still believe him."

"McKenzie, you're too close to this," Alice told her with a strict motherly tone that anyone back down from.

But she didn't, if anything, she got closer to Alice. "Listen, I barely even know you so I'm not going to insult my boyfriend or betray him by entertaining this." Betty smiled with pride behind her. McKenzie turned to her. "Betty, you need some help planning the homecoming dance?"

The blond nodded. "Yeah, I could use some extra help."

"Good," she replied, taking Betty's hand, pulling her out of the office. "Let's get to work."

"Let's go, V," Betty called before the two left the office with Veronica slowly leaving.

***

Around lunchtime, Ricky was walking to the table with his tray in his hands when Kevin walked beside him.

"So Ricky, you're LGBT too?" Kevin asked.

Ricky sighed. "Why does everyone keep fixating on that?"

"Because it's a big deal," Kevin replied. "Bi, right?"

"Yeah," he answered.

Kevin smiled. "I knew it. It was either you or Archie that wasn't possibly straight."

Ricky only hummed as they kept walking and sat at the table where Betty, Veronica, Archie, and Jughead were sitting.

Cheryl walked over. "Sorry to interrupt but I have an announcement to make. One that tangentially involves you, Betty." Betty turned to look at her. "I'm bringing Polly to the dance as my date and we're campaigning as co-queens of Homecoming Court."

"Because why?" Betty questioned.

"Because, Nightmare Smurfette, by all rights, it should've been Polly and Jason on that stage. This is the next best thing. So don't forget to vote, and I'll see everyone at my coronation."

Once Cheryl walked away, Ricky turned to his girlfriend. "Betts, Archie, and I need to ask a favor. Since I'm playing at the dance..."

"Can I play a couple songs?" Archie asked. "I told my mom that-" He stopped speaking when he saw her make a face. "Whoa. You don't want me to?"

'No, it's not that, Arch," Betty stated. "It's just, um...this dance needs to be...fun. And your songs, as amazing as they are-"

"They make you wanna slit your wrists," Jughead stated, earning a nudge from Ricky because of how brutal his statement was. "In a good way..." he added, looking at Ricky.

"In an amazing way," Veronica added.

Archie looked at Ricky. "What? Did you think so too?"

"I mean, kind of yeah but that doesn't mean your songs aren't good..." Ricky trailed off as he stuffed his mouth with his french fries.

"But no need to fret," Veronica spoke up, "'Cause Archie asked me to sing with him and we're thinking about doing upbeat covers."

"We are?" Archie questioned.

"Aren't we?" she replied. "Plus, you have Ricardo performing a song too? With McKenzie, right?"

Ricky nodded. "Yeah, I wrote the song and she's my duet partner."

***

Ricky walked into the gym, holding a box of decorations as Betty stepped down a ten-foot ladder.

"Hey, you," Ricky greeted with a smile. "Why didn't you tell me about dinner?"

Betty was confused. "What?" she asked.

"Your mom tackled me and Jughead in the hall to invite us over before dance."

"Uh, I didn't know Jughead was-"

"Aren't you and Mack having a sleepover before the dance?" Ricky asked her.

"Oh," was all she said.

"Did you not know?" he questioned.

"No, no, of course," she replied. "I've, just, you know, got so many...plates are spinning."

"Betts, I'm not gonna lie, I'm still terrified of your mom but I think this is good. She might actually be more open to accepting us a couple," he replied. "But I think this is a good thing that I'm coming over to hopefully get your mom to like me, right?"

Betty smiled. "Yeah. And don't worry, she does like you but she still needs to adjust to this."

Ricky smiled brightly. "Great," he said, "Gotta go rehearse." He kissed her cheek before leaving but McKenzie saw him leave and walked over to Betty.

"What was that about?" she asked.

"Apparently, we're having a sleepover the night of the dance so that way Jughead, as well as FP and Ricky, could come over," Betty explained.

McKenzie sighed. "Works of your mom, I'm assuming."

"Yeah, I mean FP was one thing but now Jughead and my boyfriend are being dragged into this."

"I'm not letting your mom bring my father-figure and Jug into this bullshit. FP's innocent."

"I know," Betty replied. "I'll talk to her, okay?" she said. "I'll try to get FP and Jughead out of this for you."

McKenzie paused before nodding. "Okay, that's-that's fine, I guess. But if you can't get through to your mom...sleepover time."

Betty smiled. "I mean, I wouldn't mind a sleepover regardless."

***

As the Andrews siblings came home from school, getting close to they're house, Archie held Ricky's notecards in hand as Ricky kept trying to study for his upcoming biology test.

"What is homeostasis?" Archie asked him.

"The ability of a living organism to keep conditions inside its body constant," Ricky answered simply.

"Good," Archie told him before moving to the next card. He used to wonder how Ricky crammed these facts into his brain while Archie could barely remember how to define an atom, no many how many times his little brother tutored him. "What's the difference between population and a community?"

"Population is groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area. A community is a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other," Ricky answered. "Give me something difficult, Arch."

"These are difficult," Archie replied, flipping through the cards. "I can't even remember what..." He looked at a card. "The 1st law of Thermodynamics is..."

Ricky sighed. "The law that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. That has to be the easiest one we learned, Arch."

"You think everything is easy," Archie stated.

"Not everything," Ricky replied. "The night of the dance...I have to have dinner with Alice."

"You're scared of her?" Archie asked as he handed the notecards back to Ricky who nodded slightly. "So cancel."

"No," Ricky told him. "This means a lot to Betty and I want her mom to like me."

"Dude, she likes you, better than me at least," Archie said as they walked in through the Andrews kitchen back door.

"Oh, there they are," Fred spoke. "Boys, your mom and I are trying to decide between, uh, pizza and Chinese food. What do you think?"

"Uh, we always do pizza," Ricky spoke as him and Archie were still watching the scene in front of them.

"Let me guess, pepperoni and red pepper?" Mary asked.

"All right, so, uh, Moon Palace, they still deliver," Fred stated. "We could get..."

"General Tso's chicken, scallion pancakes, vegetable dumplings, family-style," Mary listed off.

Archie and Ricky still wore the same expressions, happiness yet it was confusion at the familiar feeling.

Fred noticed. "Boys, what's wrong?"

"Huh? Nothing," Archie answered. "I'm just-I'm not used to coming home and seeing you guys together. It's nice, but..."

Jughead came downstairs. "Hello?" he called out.

Ricky's head snapped to his best friend, smiling. "Jughead. Hey."

Jughead stopped in his tracks when he saw the whole Andrews family in the kitchen. "Am I interrupting a family meeting? 'Cause I can come back."

"No," Ricky answered.

"Absolutely not," Mary added before turning to her sons. "So, who's going to the dance? Besides your dad and me. Oh, and Hermione, whom I invited."

Fred looked at her in surprise. "You did?"

"We'll talk about it," Mary replied quietly.

"You guys are going to the dance? Together?" Archie asked.

"We were talking about it," Fred began.

"We both wanna hear you two play,
if that's still happening," Mary added.

"If you're good with it."

Archie and Ricky share a smile before Ricky looked to Jughead who gave him a 'duh' look before nodding.

Both siblings turned to their parents. "Yeah, totally," Archie stated.

"I'm-I'm great with it," Ricky added. "Mack and I performing an original song I hope you might like, Mom."

"Good," Mary said. "And I think I will love any song you write, Ricky."

***

That night, Jughead moved the air mattress to Ricky's room like he's been doing. The air mattress was beside Ricky's bed who was typing away on his phone.

"So, the worm turns," Jughead spoke up, getting Ricky to look away from his phone. "Mary and Fred. Possible rekindling?"

"I wish, man," Ricky spoke. "That would've been Little Archie and Ricky's pipe dream. But..."

"Stranger things have happened, man," Jughead told him. "Like, for instance..." He moved to sit up and look at Ricky. "My dad shaved."

Ricky raised his eyebrows. "What? Seriously?"

Jughead nodded. "Which is the equivalent of tectonic plates shifting. I was thinking...maybe it's time
I go back and live with him again."

Ricky also sat up on his bed. "Based on the fact that he shaved?"

"Well, he also hasn't missed a day of work, and he quit drinking."

Ricky nodded with a smile. "That's-That's great, Jug but maybe you should wait longer to make sure it sticks. Because if you move back in and..."

"No, dude, I'm telling you," Jughead continued. "Something has shifted. I mean, he even asked to read my work. The essays, the articles I wrote about Jason."

"FP did?" Ricky asked.

"Yeah. And he read them. Even more surprisingly, he engaged with them. He asked me questions about them."

"What kind of questions?" Ricky questioned.

"Who I thought did it."

"Your dad asked who you thought killed Jason?"

Jughead chuckled. "You repeating everything I'm saying is getting really annoying."

"Sorry," Ricky replied with a chuckle of his own, lying back in his bed as did Jughead. "If you wanna move back in Jug, go ahead. I mean," Ricky frowned sadly, turning his head at Jughead. "I'll be heartbroken but..."

Ricky heard Archie's door close quietly across the hall and footsteps go down the stairs.

"Off to a late-night rendezvous
with a certain raven-haired princess, you think?" Jughead asked, also hearing Archie leave.

"I wouldn't bet against it," Ricky replied.

Jughead then noticed Ricky's checkered notebook on the desk. "You're never going to let me read that, will you?"

"Sure, one day when I'm dead or on the verge of death," Ricky replied.

"I'll be dead before you," Jughead scoffed as he was older than Ricky obviously.

"You don't know that," Ricky replied. "If I ever get shot one day and I'm dead or on the verge of death, you can read it then."

***

On the day of the dance, Ricky sat at the table with Jughead, FP, and Alice with McKenzie and Betty who Ricky couldn't take his eyes off her.

She was wearing an ice blue shoulderless dress with her hair parted to the side.

"Super delicious, Mrs. Cooper," Ricky spoke as they ate the dinner Alice made.

"Sure is, Alice. Been a long time since I ate something that didn't come in a combo meal or a snack pack," FP added.

"So FP," Alice spoke up. "Betty tells me you're working for Fred Andrews now. How do you balance that with all your other responsibilities?"

"You mean being a father?" FP asked.

"And a part of the Southside community."

McKenzie turned to Alice as did Betty who both said, "Alice" and "Mom."

"Mack, it's fine. You can say Southside Serpent, Alice," FP replied. "I'm not ashamed. It's not just me. There's a bunch of us working on Fred's site."

"My dad's been saying FP's doing great at the site," Ricky added, earning a wink from FP at the compliment.

"And if you don't mind me asking...I'm just curious, how did you make your living before that?" Alice asked.

"I scraped by. Odd jobs," FP answered.

"I know that you worked for the drive-in, Jughead before it was closed. Did you find work there, too, FP?" Alice asked.

"Dad," Jughead called.

"Well, I hung out a bit," FP answered. "What can I say? I'm a movie buff."

"So, tell me..." Alice continued. "Were you upset when Hiram Lodge bought the drive-in land?"

FP shrugged. "Stuff happens."

"Let me rephrase that question. Were you surprised?"

Betty stood up once the doorbell rang. "I'll get it."

Ricky watched his girlfriend answer the door, smiling instantly as her dad walked in. "Hi."

"Hey," Hal greeted back, entering the home.

Ricky stood up immediately as Hal approached. "Mr. Cooper, good to see you again," he greeted, sticking his hand out.

Being friends with Betty for years didn't matter, he still wanted to be respectful towards Betty's parents.

Hal shook his hand. "Good to see you too, Richard," he replied before glancing at Alice who rolled her eyes.
"You said she wanted me to be here," he said to Betty.

"Oh, she does," Betty replied. "It's homecoming, after all, and our families should be...coming together." She looked at Alice. "Right, Mom?"

Alice only plastered a fake smile before motioning for Hal to sit down.

"I'm hoping maybe you have some vacancies down at Sunnyside," Hal spoke once he sat down. "See, I've been sleeping at my office down at the paper and it's getting a little chilly
at night."

"Bet your office beats the trailer park," FP joked.

Hal dryly laughed. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure. You see, Alice here, she's been redecorating the Register. Yeah, the other day she threw a brick through the window."

FP laughed as McKenzie choked back a laugh. "Is that so?"

"Keep talking, Hal and the next brick I throw may not be at a window," Alice remarked.

"You remember our homecoming, Alice? Hal? Back in the day? Castles in the Clouds?" FP asked them before looking at Betty. "Your mom ever tell you about that night?"

Betty smiled. "Just that she and Dad were king and queen."

"Yeah, they were. Of hell."

Ricky had wide eyes as Jughead looked to FP. "Dad, please."

"No, it's a fun story, I promise," FP remarked before looking at Ricky. "Your dad and me, we were all set to play at the dance. I was backstage dropping off our gear when I heard these voices yelling. It was your mom and dad. They were fighting about...I don't know what, but it sounded like life-or-death."

"Shut up, FP," Alice remarked.

"Happy to oblige if you are," FP replied. "I don't care what you think of me, Alice but don't jerk me around. Not in front of my family."

McKenzie smiled at being called family by FP but Ricky and Betty shared a look to which she stood up, "This was such a nice idea, but I think it's time that we get to the dance. So, is it okay if we skip the peach pie?"

Betty took Ricky's hand as they began to walk out. "Are you sure this is okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, can your dad still give us a ride?" Betty asked.

"Yeah, my mom's got her rental and my dad has the truck, let's go," he answered.

***

Later, McKenzie and Jughead walked into the dance, arm in arm.

"Wow, a date in public," Jughead spoke. "You're not gonna try and run away from me, will you?"

"No, stupid," McKenzie remarked. "I like you. I'm not gonna bail on you just because we're going out together where everyone can see us."

"After the dance, I'd like to talk to you about something. It has to do with my dad," Jughead spoke in a serious tone.

"Is everything okay?" McKenzie asked sensing his tone.

"Yeah. Actually, things are great. Better than they've been in a while. I just wanna figure something out together," he replied.

McKenzie nodded as she spotted Ricky grabbing his guitar from the side of the stage. "Would you excuse me? Time for our slow dance, debut."

"Good luck," Jughead told her before she approached Ricky.

"Hey," she greeted. "Ready?"

"Yeah, you?" Ricky asked.

McKenzie nodded before they walked on stage with Mayor McCoy in front of them.

Mayor McCoy tapped the mic. "Friends, students, and alumni. Please join me in welcoming to the stage Riverdale High's very own Ricky Andrews and McKenzie Parker."

Ricky approached the microphone on the stage with a guitar as McKenzie approached the second microphone that was in front of a keyboard.

He smiled at his dad and mom who were watching him.

This was an original song he wrote many years ago but of course, he changed some of the lyrics, and McKenzie barely edited the song tonight.

Ricky began to strum his guitar as his gaze moved to Betty before singing,
"I fell in love with the only girl who knows what I'm about..."

McKenzie sang, "I fell in love....with a boy and I can't tell if I fell out. After all is said and done I can't just pretend I'm movin' on."

"Is it just a part we're playing?
'Cause it don't feel like we're faking," Ricky sang.

Then they sang together, "When we're underneath the lights, my heart's no longer broken for a moment...Just for a moment. When we're singing side by side There's so much left unspoken for a moment. Just for a moment...A moment in love."

Everyone in the crowd began to cheer, clap to the song or snap.

"But is a moment enough?" McKenzie sang.

Ricky's gaze moved to Jughead in the crowd. "Way, way back then always dreamed it's you and me 'til the end..."

"Now, we can't play pretend and I'm scared to talk to my best friend," McKenzie sang. "Should I stay or let you go? Will ya love me when the curtains close?"

"Is it just a part we're playing cause it don't feel like we're faking," Ricky sang.

They sang together, sharing a glance before high-fiving. "When we're underneath the lights, my heart's no longer broken for a moment. Just for a moment...When we're singing side by side there's so much left unspoken for a moment. Just for a moment. A moment in love...But is a moment enough?"

The song slowed down once more as McKenzie sang to which Ricky moved his gaze back to Jughead who was still watching him. "Maybe, your heart still stops when you see me. Maybe it's worth another try better place, better time..."

The chorus began causing Ricky to move his gaze to Betty who smiled proudly. "When we're underneath the lights, my heart's no longer broken for a moment...Just for a moment. When we're singing side by side there's so much left unspoken for a moment. Just for a moment A moment in love...But is a moment enough?"

The song slowed down as they sang the outro, "When we're underneath the lights, my heart's no longer broken for a moment. Just for a moment..."

The song ended causing everyone to cheer as they walked off stage.

Mayor McCoy walked back on stage. "Thank you, Ricky and McKenzie for that wonderful performance. Let's give them a round of applause." Everyone cheered once more. "I hope you brought your dancing shoes for this one. Please join me in welcoming to the stage Riverdale High's very own Archie Andrews and Veronica Lodge."

As Ricky made his way back to Betty, Archie and Veronica got on stage.

As the music began, Ricky noticed Betty's now disgruntled expression as she talked to McKenzie. "What's wrong?" he asked her.

"I'll tell you later," Betty answered.

Once the song was over, Ricky lost Betty, McKenzie in the crowd as Archie and Veronica got off stage.

He finally found McKenzie and Betty dragging Archie and Veronica into the hall.

He followed, when He reached the door he heard Veronica say, "Before you get mad, let me explain."

"Explain what?" McKenzie snapped, sounding furious.

"You're working with my mom behind my back?" Betty asked.

"I'm sorry, B, but you know FP had some kind of arrangement with my dad. I had to make sure it wasn't about Jason," Veronica answered.

McKenzie looked to Archie. "And what's your excuse, Red?"

"I was looking out for Jughead, in case FP was doing shady stuff, to protect him," Archie answered.

McKenzie narrowed her eyes at him. "FP, wouldn't-"

"Blame me, McKenzie," Veronica defended. "I asked Archie to help me."

Ricky spoke up, making himself known, "Help you do what?" Everyone turned to look at him. "What did you two do?"

"Guys," Jughead called, every turning their attention to him as he entered the hall. "Mack, Ricky. What's going on? Why do I feel like I'm suddenly left out?"

Betty looked to McKenzie before Archie and Veronica. "Do you wanna tell him or should I?"

"Tell me what?" Jughead asked.

Archie walked up to Jughead. "We went to your dad's trailer to..."

"To search it, Jughead," Veronica answered.

Ricky looked at them. "Wait, what? You guys-"

"Why would you guys do that?" Jughead asked.

"My mom...put them up to it," Betty answered.

McKenzie sighed. "She was convinced he was hiding something about Jason."

"We were wrong, all of us. We didn't find anything," Veronica told him.

"We were only doing it to prove that..." Archie trailed off.

"That my dad wasn't a murderer?" Jughead finished.

"You went behind my back, Archie?" Ricky asked in anger. "To check if the guy we've known pretty much our whole lives wasn't a killer?"

Archie looked at his little brother. "Ricky..."

"How did you-? When did you guys know to go to my dad's trailer?" Jughead asked.

"We knew he'd be at dinner with..." Veronica glanced back at Betty.

Ricky turned his gaze to Betty and McKenzie with a look of betrayal. "That's why your mom invited Jug and FP? So these two could break in while she interrogated him?"

"No. I didn't know what they were doing," Betty replied.

"And I didn't either," McKenzie added.

"But, yes, that is why she invited them."

"But why invite me?" Ricky asked.

"My mom thought she could get both Mack and I to cooperate if I brought you into this too," Betty answered shamefully.

"She wanted you to be in on this too?" Jughead asked McKenzie before sighing sadly, "To think I was gonna pass on moving to Toledo with my family for you."

McKenzie's eyes widened. "Wait, what? With your mom and sister?"

"When we went to my dad's trailer, you asked me if I believed him. I said I did," Jughead continued. "Wasn't that good enough for you?"

McKenzie's eyes welled with tears and this was the first time anyone that wasn't part of her Southside family has seen her on the verge of tears. "It was," she pleaded. "It was good enough. I didn't-" She grasped his hand but Jughead pulled away from her. "I tried to stop her. Betty and I both did."

Ricky looked at Betty. "You could've told us. Or warned me that I was just being used."

Betty frowned her, lip trembling. "You were so excited to get in my mom's good graces, Ricky. I didn't wanna disappoint you."

"So, instead you lied?" Jughead asked. "You all lied to me?"

"Jughead, I didn't know anything," Ricky told him to which Jughead shortly nodded as if to say, 'I know'.

"There they are," Kevin spoke, walking forward with Fred, Mary, Alice, and Hermione.

"Betty. Thank God," Alice said in relief.

"Mom, don't-" Betty began.

"No, you have to listen, all of you," Hermione said.

"My dad just told Mayor McCoy about your dad, Jughead," Kevin spoke.

"What about my dad?" Jughead asked.

"He was just arrested," Fred spoke. "For the murder of Jason Blossom."

Immediately, Jughead ran out of the school.

Ricky tried to follow him once Jughead exited and was running down the street.

"Jug! Jughead!" Ricky called and tried to go but Archie held him back.

"Let him go," Archie told him.

Ricky pulled back away from Archie. "Get off me..." he said before pulling off his suit jacket, holding it in his hands.

Looking in the direction Jughead went, Ricky ran as fast as he could.

He made a promise to FP. To look out for Jughead and now he needs to keep that promise more than ever.

He tried to control his breathing as his legs pumped as fast as he can to go after Jughead.

***

Ricky checked Sunnyside trailer park for Jughead, he wasn't there but the trailer door was open. He went home to change and look for Jughead's stuff.

By the time he realized Jughead's bag was gone, his family was already home.

"Jug, listen. It's Ricky, I know things are tough right now but I need to know you're okay. Just...call me," Ricky spoke on the phone before hanging up as he entered the kitchen to which Archie was sitting at the counter and Mary was standing in front of him.

"Ricky, where have you been?" Mary asked. "We've been worried about you."

"Looking for Jughead," Ricky answered. "He's not at the trailer park and his bag is gone."

"Ricky, sit down. It's too late to look for him now when you don't know where he is," Mary replied.

Ricky sighed. "Mom."

"Sit down, Ricky," she replied to which Ricky took the seat beside Archie. "Look there some things we need to talk about."

"What's to talk about?" Ricky asked, not wanting to sound rude but it was how he felt. "FP, the guy we've known for so long is in jail for murder."

"FP has always had his demons," Mary stated sadly.

"I really thought he'd changed, Mom. I..." Archie spoke.

"I don't know if I even blame you for..." Ricky trailed off.

"It's very hard for people to change," Mary told them. "You know, after I heard you two play and before everything happened...I was going to ask you to come to Chicago with me." Both siblings looked up at their mom in surprise. "To stay."

"Mom," Ricky began.

"You could study music," Mary told her youngest. "You both could."

"I'm not even thinking about that now," Archie said to which Ricky only nodded in agreement.

"No, I know. I know. It's just I want you with me. I don't think that this town is safe anymore. I feel like Riverdale is getting ready to slide off of a mountainside, and I don't want you anywhere around when that happens. Promise me you'll at least think about it."

Ricky didn't answer. He made up his mind the moment she asked.

"Yeah, I will," Archie answered.

Ricky loved his mom very much of course but he loved his dad and he didn't want to leave him alone, especially if Archie went with Mary to Chicago. And despite what happened with Betty lying to him, he cared about her...maybe even loved her plus he had his other friends he didn't want to leave behind: Jughead, Veronica, Cheryl, the Pussycats...

He didn't want to leave.

Archie's phone rang causing him to pick it up. "Veronica," he spoke as Mary went upstairs.

After a moment, Ricky looked at Archie. "What?" he asked.

Archie lowered his phone. "Ricky, Veronica just found out something. Something about FP."

***

McKenzie turned her motorcycle off, climbing off, helping Betty off it before entering Pop's with her new friend.

"Pop, Jughead hasn't been by, has he?" McKenzie asked the owner.

"No," Pop answered. "You're not the only ones who's come looking for him, though."

Both girls turned and saw the Andrews siblings. "McKenzie, Betty. Thank goodness," Veronica spoke in relief.

"We were gonna call you guys," Archie said.

"You know what? Screw you both," McKenzie told Veronica and Archie.

"I'm not talking to you. Either of you," Betty added. "Ever again."

"Fine, if you won't listen to them, then listen to me," Ricky spoke up, standing in front of Betty and McKenzie. "It's about Jughead. Kevin called Veronica, and he said his dad found a gun, the gun that killed Jason, in a lockbox in FP's closet."

"But McKenzie, we searched FP's trailer," Archie spoke.

"We looked through that closet."

"And there was no lockbox. Someone put it there after we left."

"So that means..." McKenzie trailed off.

"He's being framed," Ricky comfirmed.

***

Hi!

So I found this gem of a picture on Instagram and it fits Ricky and Jug's relationship in the book perfectly:

Credit goes to @ravencrossover on Instagram.