//

"It was the ultimate cliffhanger. Clifford Blossom had killed himself. But why? Life's not an Agatha Christie novel. It's a lot messier. Turns out, maple syrup was a front for his true business. Transporting heroin from Montreal on his trucks. A narrative quickly emerged. That Jason Blossom 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'd overdosed, and tried to implicate a rival businessman, Hiram Lodge, as having masterminded the whole thing. And, oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Mr. Blossom threatened my life, so that my dad would confess to pulling the trigger, even though all he did was clean up the mess. And he would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for a group of pesky kids who uncovered the truth. Even as Clifford Blossom, consumed by guilt and shame, took the coward's way out. Jason's murder had revealed some dark truths none of us were too eager to face. Especially not Mayor McCoy, who wanted every last vestige of corruption crushed like a snake under a boot heel."

One morning, Ricky exited his room with his backpack on his shoulders.

He tried to keep up his usual, positive attitude but something weighed him down. He was glad Jason's killer was discovered but FP was still in jail for covering up for a crime.

Ricky went downstairs along with Archie on his tail, entering the kitchen but stopped when they saw Fred standing in the kitchen, facing away from them and towards the small window.

"Dad?" Ricky spoke. "You okay?"

"I thought I knew this town," Fred stated, turning towards him. "I bet everything on it." He sighed. "If I could cut bait..." His gaze moved to his two children. "How are you guys holding up?"

"I mean, I'm...I'm dealing," Archie spoke.

"But for Jughead, Betty, McKenzie and Veronica, Dad, it's not over. They're still in it," Ricky added.

"Big time."

Fred could only say, "We're all still in it. Up to our necks."

Ricky nodded in response, no words at that moment.

***

As Archie, Betty and Ricky walked together in the snowy weather, Betty explained, "They're acting like the last week and the last few months didn't even happen. Polly's back home, my dad's back home, my mom's back at The Register. They all just keep smiling and talking about the Jubilee."

"That's good, right?" Archie asked.

"Actually, no. That's bad," Ricky stated.

Betty nodded in agreement. "It's exactly the way things were before, pretending to be normal and perfect when really, we're like Like a Greek suburban tragedy." Archie chuckled but stopped when Betty gave him a look. "My family imploded, and we barely survived. If we don't start dealing with our crap, it's all gonna happen again."

Ricky took Betty's hand, making her stop. "Hey," he spoke softly. "Things are different now, whether you see it or not. Polly wouldn't be around if it wasn't. If things aren't okay now, then I'm sure they will be in the future. Okay?"

Betty gave him a small smile. "Okay, but-"

"No buts this time," Ricky told her. "All you can do now and stay positive and hope for the best. You've done your part trying to bring your family back together, now it's their turn."

Betty nodded. "Okay."

Ricky admired Betty in the snow, the small snowflakes falling into her beautiful blond hair and the way her cheeks tinted pink due to the cold.

Ricky pressed a small kiss to her forehead before looking down at her hands to see the crescent moon scars were now much more fresh, hourly fresh.

He pressed kisses to the scars on her hands before giving her a small smile to reassure her everything is going to be okay to which she returned it.

***

Later, Ricky, Archie, and Betty were called to the Principal's office where Mayor McCoy was waiting for them.

"Archie. Ricky. Betty," she began with a smile. "I'd like to feature you three at the Jubilee. As you know, it's our 75th anniversary of our town's founding, and also a kickoff for the next 75 years. And who better represents 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?"

"But, that's not exactly what happened..." Betty began.

"Let the Mayor finish, Ms. Cooper," Principal Weatherbee told her.

Mayor McCoy looked to the Andrews siblings. "Archie, Ricky, the Pussycats will be performing at the Jubilee, and I would love for you boys to join them." Now to the blond beauty. "Betty, I think it's important that we hear from Riverdale's best and brightest. What do you say, all of you?"

Ricky raised his hand. "Excuse me, Mayor." What about Jughead and McKenzie? McKenzie and I have always been a team when it comes to performing."

Mayor McCoy hesitate. "I, uh I like Jughead. And McKenzie. And they're welcome to attend the Jubilee, of course. But his father is in jail, and McKenzie's relative was involved in Jason's murder. I think it might be confusing to have them up on the Jubilee stage."

"That's so unfair, Mayor McCoy," Betty stated.

"Betty, Ricky, Archie," Mayor McCoy continued, "You're heroes. The kind of heroes that Riverdale desperately needs right about now."

Ricky spoke without hesitation. "Mayor McCoy, thank you for the offer but I'm good. I'm sorry, I don't go on stage without McKenzie or Jughead now. They're our friends and they deserve to be on stage just as much as we do."

Ricky stopped to let someone else speak.

"I agree with Ricky," Betty stated. "Thank you, Mayor McCoy but I can't do it without McKenzie or Jughead on the stage with us."

Ricky looked at Betty with pride to which she gave him a small smile that could make Ricky's heart swell up five times its size as she interlocked their joined hands together.

***

At lunch, both Andrews boys, Betty, Veronica, McKenzie, Jughead, and Kevin all sat a table in the cafeteria.

"...We told her we wouldn't do it," Ricky told the group.

Betty nodded, turning to her new-found friend. "Not unless you and Jughead were both up there with us."

McKenzie smiled. "Wow. You too? Ricky, I expected but-"

"You're my friend now, Mack. Why wouldn't I oppose to that? It's either both of you or Ricky and I don't go."

McKenzie chuckled. "Thanks. And a true power couple you guys are."

"I appreciate the righteous indignation, guys, I do, but Jubilees aren't my thing," Jughead stated.

"Jug, how's your dad? Did you get in to see him?" Archie asked.

"Here's the latest," Jughead began. "Mayor McCoy wants my dad to name names in exchange for a lesser sentence."

"What? Whose names?" Betty questioned.

McKenzie sighed knowingly as both Jughead and she simultaneously answered, "The Serpents."

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

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

Ricky chuckled, chewing on his french fries. "Kev, calm down, this isn't The Wire," he stated.

"My dad says they're not the ones dealing," Jughead continued.

"And meanwhile, Mayor McCoy hasn't even said the words 'Clifford' or 'Blossom' in public," Betty added. "It's all about how the Serpents are the problem, the villains. This is outrageous."

"It's bullshit," McKenzie agreed. "Sure, they deal pot every now and then but that's it and Keller knows this. Nothing hardcore."

"I'm writing an article about this, and not just for The Blue and Gold, for The Register," Betty added. "This is a town story."

Ricky smiled. "I already like it, Nancy Drew."

"Okay, as long as the article doesn't include my dad," Jughead told Betty. "No, it is going to be about your dad and Mustang."

McKenzie shrugged. "I hated him anyway. Go ahead."

"It doesn't matter how many Jubilees Mayor McCoy throws. This town's changed. That needs to be acknowledged. Why are people so afraid of the truth?"

"Speaking of the truth," Veronica spoke, slowly standing up while Archie mouthed objections that weren't getting through the Lodge girl. "Archie and I wanted to tell you..."

"We've kissed a couple of times," Archie finished nervously.

Ricky gave a fake gasp to make McKenzie and Jughead snicker.

Betty smiled. "It's okay, Vee," she reassured them. "I appreciate you being honest with me, but I'm with Ricky now." At that, Ricky sent Betty a smile full of love. "If you guys want to be together, I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Bee," Veronica told her.

"Thanks, Betty," Archie added.

"But," Ricky spoke up. "I have a few words for you guys," motioning to Archie and Veronica. "See this handsome, redhead dope?" Archie chuckled at his little brother while Veronica nodded in response. "He's been my best friend since I was born. Don't hurt him, Ronnie. Please."

"I promise, Ricky," she replied with a giggle.

Ricky looked to Archie. "Same goes for you. If you hurt Veronica, I'll kick your ass."

Archie chuckled at his little brother. "Like you even could."

"I could try," he replied. "And I hope I have no reason to."

"I got it, I promise I won't hurt Veronica in any way," Archie stated.

"Thank you, Ricardo," Veronica told him to which he nodded in response.

***

After school and on the way home, Archie and Jughead looked over Ricky's completed song.

"Wow, it's good," Jughead told him. "Really good."

"Yoy performed half of it at the talent show auditions, right?" Archie asked to which Ricky nodded. "Who wrote the rest of the song?"

"McKenzie did," Ricky answered. "I've had my part of the song written for years."

"Years?" Jughead questioned, a smirk in his tone. "Would that mean the song is about me?"

Ricky rolled his eyes. "Don't flatter yourself, Jug. It's about Betty. Well, my stuff is all about Betty now."

"But this song seems like a duet," Archie stated. "And you said you were going probably going to sing this at the Jubilee?"

"Yes," Ricky answered with confidence. "I don't care what the Mayor says, McKenzie and I are performing there. Whether she likes it or not."

Jughead chuckled as the three approached the Andrews home. "Rebelling against the mayor, who are you, and what have you done with Richard Andrews?"

"Shut up," Ricky replied with a laugh as he, Archie and Jughead entered the Andrews home to see Fred in the kitchen, talking to a woman.

"Hey, guys," Fred greeted. "Um...This is Ms. Weiss from Social Services. She's, uh...She's Jughead's caseworker."

At this, the three teenagers' expression fell.

Ms. Weiss smiled kindly at the Jones boy. "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. We just want to make sure that you're taken care of."

"Well, he can keep staying with us, right, Dad?" Ricky spoke up.

"I offered already, Ricky," Fred replied.

"Great, so what's the problem?" Archie asked.

Fred sighed. "...It was a DUI. After your mom left." Ricky and Archie had a look of shock as Fred said, "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," Ms. Weiss told Jughead.

"That doesn't sound completely horrible," Jughead stated.

"It does mean you'll be in a different school district, Jughead, and you'll have to transfer schools."

"Wait" what?" Ricky spoke quickly. "I'm sorry for but the actual hell?"

"Yeah. When is all this supposed to happen?" Archie asked.

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

***

Before school, Ricky and Archie went to the station, sitting outside of FP's cell.

"...They're saying he has to live on the Southside, with a foster family, and then transfer to Southside High," Ricky continued.

"That place is no joke," FP stated.

"McKenzie said he'd have some allies but still, it's just not worth it."

"If there's a deal on the table, Mr. Jones, you've gotta take it," Archie spoke.

"It tears me up, Red, but the Serpents are my tribe," FP stated. "They're also innocent, not that anyone in this town cares."

"We care," Ricky stated.

"But nobody wants you to go to jail for 20 years, especially not Jughead," Archie added.

"That kid knows what's what," FP said. "He knows you can't betray the folks that stand by you. Who got your back."

"And that's the Serpents?" Archie questioned.

"When the time comes, they'll step up. Hey, Jughead's a tough kid. Scrappy. A survivor." FP stood up. "He'll make it. Especially if you and Richie are looking after him."

Ricky nodded in understanding. "And he'll try to pull away from you," he spoke from experience. "He'll try to disappear into himself."

FP smiled. "There you go, Rich. He needs his friends. That's why you and your brother, you gotta stick with him. No matter what. He's got some darkness in him."

"I believe it," Ricky spoke. "We got Jughead. Just like I promised from the start."

"It means a lot, Richie."

***

At school, Ricky sat in the music room on a stool, strumming his guitar while McKenzie sat beside him.

"Ricky, you're fully aware that we're rebelling against the mayor, right?" McKenzie stated.

"Yes, you and Jughead like to remind me," Ricky replied.

"And your conscience isn't yipping at you for not listening?" McKenzie replied.

"Not this time," Ricky answered. "...Actually, yeah. A little bit but this feels right. It's not an actual performance unless you're not up on the stage with me."

"But you were okay with not letting Jughead on stage with us," McKenzie stated.

"Believe me, I want him on stage with us," Ricky stated, standing up to put his guitar back in its case. "But he keeps reminding me that if I have a scheme to get him on stage, he doesn't want any part of it."

McKenzie chuckled. "What if I don't want to be on stage?" she asked.

"You have no choice," Ricky replied. "My conscience is mostly calm with you on stage with me. It took a while to do that and we've been working on this song for a while. It's ready."

Kevin pushed the door open, almost out of breath. "Guys, hurry. It's Betty's locker."

"Betty's locker?" Ricky questioned.

Kevin pointed McKenzie. "And yours. Come on, it's bad."

Ricky and McKenzie share a look before hurrying out into the hallway with Kevin who went right towards a small crowd who were taking pictures around Betty's and McKenzie's lockers.

Once the two have pushed past students, Ricky stood beside Archie who was looking at locker too.

In blood-red, were the words written: GO TO HELL SERPENT SLUT! over Betty's printed Blue & Gold articles.

Now moving to McKenzie's locker to which showed printed mugshots of Mustang's face and just like Betty's locker, words were also written: BE WITH YOUR OWN KIND FILTHY SNAKE!

McKenzie wasn't bothered by this because she, truthfully has been called worst but that didn't stop her from fuming with anger. And now the whole school knows she affiliated with the Serpents.

Ricky saw Betty though. She stood with her arms crossed and a tough stance but her green eyes were swimming with emotions.

Ricky stepped in front of Betty's locker, blocking off anyone else from looking.

"Betty," Ricky spoke softly until she tried to reach past him, trying to pull it off until he grabbed her wrist gently. "Betty, no..."

"It's nothing, Ricky, it's just a jerk with a can of spray paint," Betty spoke with a tone of sadness as her voice slightly cracked.

Ricky could almost feel his heart ache at that as he grabbed both of her wrists, stilling her movements. "Listen to me. I don't think that's spray paint, okay? Don't give them what they want."

And with that, Ricky and Betty walked out of school, still holding onto one another, trying to move past the swarm of students.

Jughead saw everything. This was his fault. It wasn't but it felt like his fault. Now, this had hurt one of his best friends and his girlfriend.

He felt like the world-the Northside community would be better without him.

His gaze moved back to McKenzie who opened her covered locker, regardless of what was on it, grabbed her backpack, pulling it on her shoulder before slamming the locker door as hard as she could, the noise echoing through the hall, everyone now watching her as she speed-walked towards the school's exit.

Jughead followed her, hoping he could talk to her and apologize for the exposure.

***

At home, Ricky sat at the kitchen counter with Archie and Fred.

"It was pig's blood, Dad," Ricky continued. "I mean, pig's blood. Of all things."

"Where do you even get pig's blood?" Archie asked. "I wanna slam whoever did that through a wall. Betty's getting threats. Jughead is being thrown into a snake pit."

"And there's nothing we can do to help them," Ricky added.

"Sometimes you help them just by showing up," Fred answered.

"We've been showing up all year, Dad. And it hasn't made one bit of difference. We're getting our asses kicked."

"And we've been trying all year," Ricky said, rubbing his temples.

***

The next day, Ricky, Archie, Veronica, McKenzie, and Betty all sat in the student lounge.

"The craziest thing is, I have a secret brother out there in the world," Betty explained.

"It's positively Dickensian. I love a long-lost brother," Veronica stated.

"How old would he be?" Ricky asked.

"Mid-twenties," Betty answered.

"Oh, my God. A blond Adonis, no doubt," Veronica stated, making McKenzie chuckle.

Ricky's phone rang to which he looked at to see it was Jughead. He answered, "Hey Jug, where are you? Have you been getting my messages?"

"Not really," Jughead answered on the other line. "I'm kind of...at Southside High."

Ricky's eyes widened. "Say what now?"

"This is where I belong, okay?" Jughead replied. "Let's talk about this after school. Please don't worry about me."

"Jughead-" He had already hung up causing Ricky to lower his phone. "Dammit."

"Where is he?" Veronica asked.

"Southside High," Ricky answered. "He said it's where he belongs and that no one wants him here."

"Look, the Serpents at the school are one thing since he pretty much has guaranteed protection but there are other bad people. People we don't mess with," McKenzie stated. "They'll swallow him whole."

Archie sighed. "FP warned us Jughead would cut himself off, go to the dark side."

"Archie, we can't let him do that," Ricky stated. "We promised."

***

At Southside High, the group rushed through the halls with McKenzie leading ahead since she knew this school.

"Where would he be?" Veronica asked.

"Cafeteria," the Andrews siblings answered.

"This way," McKenzie directed, still leading into the cafeteria where a gray, crowned beanie was spotted from afar. "Jug," McKenzie spoke up.

Jughead along with the other Serpents glanced at the girl, the Jones boy's smile faded once he saw his group of friends. "What are you guys doing here?" he asked.

"We need to talk," Ricky spoke. "Outside."

Jughead stood up, following the group out of the cafeteria until a hand grabbed McKenzie's arm.

"Mack, why the hell are you leading Northsiders in here?" a tall boy with raven black hair, dark brown eyes, and a snake tattoo on his neck spoke in a low tone. "This is our turf."

"Not only that, are you trying to get them killed?" the boy sitting beside him on the table spoke, "With the Ghoulies here..."

Ricky glanced back to see McKenzie talking to the Serpents.

"Pea, Fangs, relax," McKenzie told them. "We just came here to get Jughead, okay? He just can't be here because of all of...this. He's not like us, this school would chew him up and spit him out like nothing."

Sweet Pea noticed Ricky lingering behind but he wasn't scared, just out of place. "Well, you need to get your preppy friend out of here," Sweet Pea stated.

"Oh, shut up," McKenzie told him. "He's fine. He's cool with the Serpents. He's the one I work with."

Fangs eyed him from head-to-toe. "That's your music partner?" he asked.

"Yeah, we'll discuss it later, I gotta go," she stated before following Ricky out.

"Friends of yours?" Ricky asked.

McKenzie nodded. "My best friends or Serpent friends, if you will."

Ricky nodded before saying, "Can you talk to Jughead? I really don't think Archie and I reaching to him about needing him at Riverdale High."

"Of course I will, I might have friends here but this school is rough all over," she answered as they reached where the group was waiting.

McKenzie approached Jughead as Ricky stood by Betty. "Are you okay?" she asked him.

"Yeah," Ricky answered. "I just thought about it. It's not the same if Jughead goes to a different school. Since we were little kids, Archie and I always went to the same school as Jughead. He leaves now, everything changes."

Betty paused as she watched Ricky watch McKenzie and Jughead interact. "He's really your best friend, huh?" she asked.

Ricky chuckled. "When we were kids, I saw someone do this weird handshake on TV. Jughead hated handshakes because he thought a simple greeting was enough. He was 9, I was 8. But all I had to do was ask once and we made up our own. We haven't done it in a while but he still remembers."

Betty knew she was going to regret asking but she asked, "Do you still have feelings for Jughead?"

Ricky's head snapped back to look at her. "What? No. Betty, that's in the past. The only person I like anymore or have feelings for you. No one else."

Betty's phone dinged to which she looked at her phone. "'Thanks for trying. I'm going to be with Jason now'," she read off. "Oh, my God."

"What?" Ricky asked, glancing at her phone to see it was a text from Cheryl. "To be with Jason..."

It clicked for both of them.

"Sweetwater River," they simultaneously answered.

Ricky's eyes went wide. "Crap. We have to go."

***

The group walked down the path that leads to the Sweetwater River, all calling out for Cheryl Blossom.

As they made it to the edge of the river, Betty pointed out, "Over there! Oh, my God. She's over there!"

There was Cheryl, in the middle of the frozen Sweetwater River, banging a large rock against the icy top.

Everyone rushed forward, yelling objections. Ricky raced forward, trying to reach her until Archie pulled him back. "Wait, wait! Wait, Jug! The ice."

"He's right. Too much weight, and we'll all go under," Jughead stated.

"Cheryl will go under if we don't reach her," Ricky replied.

Everyone resorted to calling out to the redhead who stopped hitting the ice to slowly turn and face the group.

"Just come to the shore and we'll figure this out together, okay?" Veronica pleaded.

Cheryl didn't have time to respond or act because the ice under her crack and broke, taking her under into the frozen lake.

Everyone yelled in worry.

"Everyone spread out!" Ricky yelled, rushing forward. "It won't break if we're spread out!"

Everyone listened to what he said, all searching for Cheryl.

Ricky reached the broken opening first as he stared into the dark water where she disappeared.

"The current has her," McKenzie stated.

"Spread out, spread out!" Jughead told them all to which everyone pushed through the snow to look for Cheryl. 

"She's here! She's here!" Archie called out to which everyone rushed over.

Archie began to punch through the ice. Once. Twice. Three times...until his fist began to bleed. Heavily. But that didn't stop him.

Ricky pulled Archie back once the ice slowly began to crack, and began to bang the heel of his shoe, into the ice, water leaking through, and the ice cracking away.

Once he broke the ice enough, he reached into the icy water, grabbing Cheryl from under her arms, pulling her out with all his strength, not caring his clothes were getting him wet.

He gently lied an unconscious Cheryl flat down onto the floor to which Archie began to do chest compressions and breathes of air.

After five breaths of air, Cheryl suddenly spat up a mouthful of water, coughing harshly.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay," Ricky told Cheryl softly. "You're gonna be okay."

Ricky picked Cheryl up, bridal style in his arms as he rushed to shore with the group.

***

Cheryl was taken to Veronica's to warm-up as Archie had to go to the hospital for his hand. Even though his arm was in a cast, it didn't stop him from wanting to play at the Jubilee.

Josie had heard that Archie and Ricky saved Cheryl and discussed with her mom to let Ricky and McKenzie perform together as well as to perform Archie's song with the Pussycats.

He made a reminder to thank Josie later.

"Hey," Archie spoke as Ricky kept looking around backstage for his guitar. "Looking for this?" he asked as he raised his good hand up to show Ricky's guitar.

"Thanks," Ricky told him, grabbing the guitar and putting the guitar strap around him.

"Looks like your rebellion was useless," Archie stated.

"Yeah, I put a lot of work into it," Ricky half-joked making Archie chuckle. "I had to knock out the security guards, lock the place up, and finally play with Mack."

"How does your conscience feel?" Archie asked.

Ricky rolled his eyes. "Why does everyone ask that?"

"Because you're the polite, good guy who has a conscience that yells at you for small things like when don't say excuse me," Archie answered.

"I feel bad about it the moment I forget," Ricky mumbled. "How's your hand?"

"I can still play, that's all that matters tonight," Archie replied.

"After this, you got to take it easy," Ricky told him. "Nothing too major for your hand."

Archie nodded. "Sir, yes, sir," he stated.

Ricky chuckled. "Shut up."

"Welcome, one and all, to Riverdale's 75th anniversary Jubilee celebration!" Mayor McCoy spoke on stage making the audience cheer. "For our first wonderful performance tonight, I give you our local heroes, Ricky Andrews, and McKenzie Parker!"

Applause rang out. "Good luck," Archie told Ricky as he and McKenzie walked on stage to which Ricky gave his big brother a thumbs up in response before turning to the mic.

"Hi, everyone," Ricky spoke. "Tonight, we're going to dedicated this song for the special someone's in our lives..." Ricky stated, his eyes moving to the side where Betty gave him a smile. "This one's for you."

Ricky began to strum his guitar rhythmically as McKenzie sang,
"So much has happened, think of what we've done in the time that the Earth has traveled 'round the sun. Winter, spring, summer an' we're back to fall. We've been together hand-in-hand through it all from the minute we kissed and my heart skipped a beat to the night that we danced, I was swept off my feet. Sure as every year has to come to an end. I'd go spinnin' 'round the sun with you again and again and again and again..."

Ricky leaned into the mic as he and McKenzie sang together, "I think I kinda, you know...I think I kinda, you know...Like the way that we flow, like the way that we go. And I love...I think I kinda, you know...I think I kinda, you know...I think I kinda, you know, you know, you know..."

McKenzie fell silent as Ricky strummed his guitar and sang, "Sometimes you know exactly what to say, then you open your mouth and the words go away. Don't want you to wonder or to doubt or guess. So let me tell you clearly what I'm trying to express. It's just three little words, yeah, it's not a big deal. It's not like I can help feelin' all that I feel. And by now, I'm sure ya think it's so obvious. But just in case it's not, what I'm sayin' is this, what I'm sayin' is this..."

They sang together, "I think I kinda, you know...I think I kinda, you know...
Like the way that we flow, like the way that we go and I love...I think I kinda, you know...I think I kinda, you know...I think I kinda, you know, you know..."

Ricky's gaze flickered to Betty as he sang, "You know how we can talk all night and not run outta things to talk about..."

"It's rare that somethin' feels this right
It feels so right," they sang. "I think I kinda, you know...I think I kinda, you know, you know, you know...I think I kinda, you know...Oh, I think I kinda, you know...I think I kinda, you know, you know, you know..."

"I can't help dreamin' of you," Ricky sang directly at the girl he loved.

"Guess I'm sayin' I don't not love you," McKenzie concluded.

"You know, you know, you know," they finished.

The audience cheered for them, even as they walked backstage to which Mayor McCoy said, "Thank you, Ricky and McKenzie, for that wonderful performance. Let's give them a big round of applause one last time." The audience cheered again as McKenzie and Ricky hugged, congratulating each other on their singing. "Now, I couldn't be any more thrilled to introduce my daughter, Josie, and her Pussycats, as they perform alongside our local hero, Archie Andrews!"

Ricky cheered with the audience as the Pussycats and his brother walked on stage.

"Hi, hi, everyone," Josie greeted. "We're switching things up tonight. We are singing a song that my boy, Archie Andrews, wrote. So..."

They began the song with Archie at the mic.

Once the performance was over, applause rang out as the Pussycats and Archie walked off stage.

Betty finally walked up to the podium set up at the front, speaking, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to thank Mayor McCoy for inviting me to speak on this historic day. Seventy-five years of Riverdale..." Betty's eyes trailed to Ricky and McKenzie who both waved to Jughead from the side of the stage. That's when Betty continued, "But what is Riverdale? It's the people, right? You, me, our friends, our neighbors. Riverdale is Archie Andrews. Ricky Andrews is Riverdale. Kevin Keller is Riverdale. Veronica Lodge, she's Riverdale. McKenzie Parker...Riverdale. But you know who else is Riverdale? FP Jones, who we were so quick to blame for Jason's murder." She continued as the crowd muttered, "Jughead Jones is Riverdale, the very soul of Riverdale. Without him, we may not have ever found out what happened to Jason. And yet how do we thank him? By banishing him. Which is what we do when the truth gets too ugly in Riverdale. Truth being that Clifford Blossom was also Riverdale. Riverdale's at a crossroads." She glanced at Ricky was watching her the whole time with a small smile of pride. "If we don't face the reality of who and what we are, if we keep lying to ourselves and keeping secrets from each other, then what happened to Jason could happen again. Or, God forbid, something even worse. Riverdale must do better. We must do better."

The crowd was silent for a moment before one person began to applaud, stepping out on stage.

Ricky wore a grin, applauding to which McKenzie joined in, then shortly, Archie, Jughead, Kevin, and soon the whole town began to applaud.

Betty turned to Ricky with her own grin before wrapping her arms around him in a hug to which he could only hug her back.

"I'm so proud of you," Ricky whispered to her.

***

Later, the group of six sat in a booth at Pop's with milkshakes in hands.

"To Archie Andrews, who saved the cheerleader and saved the town," Veronica spoke.

"You know what, actually I think it was Betty's speech," Archie stated.

"Here, here to Betty Cooper," McKenzie stated.

"My girl, Betty Cooper," Ricky called out happily.

"Cheers," everyone said, clicking their milkshake glasses together.

"We had many milkshakes that night, and we all felt that as dangerous as the world around us had become, here, at least in this booth, we were safe."

***

Later, Betty entered the empty Andrews home, going upstairs in his room.

"I never got to say how great your song was," Betty told Ricky, eyeing the stuff on his desk to the pictures on his pinboard.

"You liked it?" Ricky asked.

Betty smiled. "I loved it. It was beautiful." Ricky chuckled nervously for a moment leaving an awkward pause in the room until Betty asked, "What did you want to talk about?"

"...I love you," Ricky spoke suddenly, making Betty slowly turn to look at him. "I love you, Betty Cooper. I’ve loved you since the first time you picked up your Nancy Drew books in third grade and ranted about how smart Nancy was and you compared yourself to her, but I always thought you were smarter than her. I love you. And that night at Pop's, when you told me you loved me, I meant to say it. I meant to say it and I’ve kicked myself every day since then because I didn’t say it. But I do. I love you. I’ve loved you since seventh grade when I made you ride in the front row of Demon’s Destiny at Six Flags, and you told me you sometimes get a little seasick on roller coasters and I said 'come on, live a little'. And then I puked all over your shoes and you didn’t even make me feel bad about it. No. You just said..."

"'No worries I’ve been wanting to get rid of these shoes for a while'," Betty quoted with a small laugh.

Ricky nodded. "Yeah, because you outgrew them. The thing is, I never outgrew you. I guess my crush on you never outgrew like I thought it did. And I don’t really know what happens tomorrow, or in two minutes right now. All I know is...I want this feeling to keep going, because this whole experience, I’m just not...I’m not ready for it to be over. And if that means going on murderous investigations or facing your mean mom, then fine. I just...I don’t want this to be just a small thing like you had with Archie, really. I want it to be the real thing, I mean, I think it is the real thing I just...I want a chance to prove it. I do."

Betty slowly walked up to Ricky and smiled as tears filled her eyes. "Richard Andrews. I love you," she told him.

Ricky nodded. "Yeah?"

"Yes," Betty answered.

Ricky smiled happily before cupping her face and kissing her, putting as much love as he could into the kiss.

Betty giggled when Ricky lifted her up and to which she wrapped her legs around his waist.

As they kept kissing, Ricky walked her towards his desk. Betty used her grip in his hair to tilt his head slightly to nip at his neck, his spot below his ear.

Betty's back hit the wall near the desk as her lips leave his neck to crash onto Ricky's.

She pulled away slightly to grab the hem of her shirt, removing it quickly, leaving her more exposed to Ricky than she ever was.

Betty grabbed at the hem of Ricky's shirt, pulling the fabric over his head and off his body.

He grabbed her waist, pulling her closer and let his lips latch onto her collarbone, gently nibbling and sucking at my skin while she lightly scratched at his bare back and breathed heavily in pleasure.

As her hands hovered above his pants button, a door opening and closing downstairs made the pair jump apart.

"Crap, your dad's home," Betty whispered.

Ricky covered his face in embarrassment. "God, I'm sorry," he told her.

Betty smiled at his cuteness. "I'm not," she answered. "Not at all." As they heard footsteps come upstairs and the door down the hall close, both let out a breath they didn't even know they were holding. "I should go before my mom freaks and wonders where I am."

Ricky helped Betty off the desk, grabbing her discarded shirt for her. "Wouldn't want that," he stated, pulling his shirt back on.

"How about we meet up for breakfast tomorrow?" Betty suggested as they headed for the bedroom door.

"After the show, Dad said Archie and I had to meet him at Pop's for breakfast," Ricky replied. "But how about lunch?"

"Does tomorrow, 2 P.M. work?" Betty suggested.

"2 P.M. tomorrow," he agreed before opening the door and then leaning down to kiss Betty again. "I love you," he told her.

Betty smiled bashfully. "I love you, Ricky. See you tomorrow."

Ricky watched her sneak downstairs and waited until he heard the front door closed to which he backed away back into his room, closing the bedroom door.

He leaned against his bedroom door with a goofy, happy grin on his face.

Finally, things were looking up.

***

The next morning, by 9 AM, Ricky walked to Pop's, not minding the cold weather this time.

Ricky walked into the diner and smiled once he saw his dad in one of the booths nearby.

"Hey, Dad," he greeted, sitting beside his Fred.

"Hey, son. I just ordered your usual," Fred stated.

"Thanks, Dad," Ricky told him as Archie also came into Pop's.

"Hey, Casanova. I ordered you the usual," Fred told him while Ricky just chuckled at the nickname.

"Thanks, Dad. I'm just gonna go wash my hands," Archie replied before walking into the bathroom.

Ricky tapped at the table. "So Dad, what did you want to talk about?" he asked.

Fred began as the bell to Pop's door jingled, "Archie needs to be here for this conversation too but we need to talk about..."

Fred went silent as a man in a mask came in through the diner and aimed a gun at Pop Tate across the counter. "Who's in charge here? Show me where the safe is!"

"There is no safe!" Pop exclaimed in fear.

Silently, Fred placed a hand on Ricky's shoulder as if to say stay quiet and don't move.

But Ricky couldn't move as he watched as the masked man stand up on the counter, aiming directly in Pop's face. "You've got a safe. Show me where it is! Where's the safe, old man?!"

"There ain't no safe!" Pop told him as Archie quietly emerged from the bathroom and Ricky's fear only increased as Archie glanced to the man and to his family.

Fred shook his head for Archie to not get involved. Making a silent motion, both Ricky and Fred slid quietly out of the booth.

Just then, the masked man turned his gun on Fred. "Give me your wallet!"

Archie ran forward to try and protect them but Ricky ran forward to try and grab the gun.

Two shots went off, shells clattering to the floor.

Fred Andrews fell to the ground, he was shot near his side.

"Dad!" Both Andrews boy exclaimed.

Archie looked towards his little brother. "Ricky..." he uttered in fear.

Ricky looked down to see blood was slowly leaking out of his abdomen.

He was also shot.

Ricky stumbled and fell back on the floor as his adrenaline wore off.

The masked man aimed a gun at Archie's head as he dropped on his knees to help his family.

The masked man was yelling but Archie paid no attention as fear took over and he shut his eyes tightly waiting for this moment to be over.

After hearing shuffled movements and the doorbell to Pop's door ring to signal that he left, Archie opened his eyes and saw the man was gone.

Archie quickly rushed to his dad and brother who were awake but bleeding to death on the floor. With both hands, he tried to apply pressure on both wounds, Ricky's blood quickly leaking onto his cast as Pop Tate called the cops over the phone.

"Imagine this instant, frozen in time. People will look back at this as the 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."

***

Hi...

So this ending kills me. I want nothing to happen to my sweet child Ricky...😭