//

"I think many of us, maybe the entire town, had been hoping against hope that somehow Jason Blossom hadn't drowned on July 4th. That we'd come to school Monday morning, and there Jason would be. Or that we'd see him and Cheryl in a booth at Pop's. But that was before the undeniable, irrevocable fact of his bloated, water-logged body, a corpse with a bullet hole in its forehead, and terrible secrets that could only be revealed by the cold, steel blade of a coroner's autopsy scalpel, or the telltale beating of a guilty heart."

Days have passed since the day that Jason Blossom's body was found and some things were still tense.

Betty has kept her distance from Archie and Veronica since the whole closet mishap occurred. She mostly went to Ricky or Kevin when she needed to talk or get something off her chest.

Ricky has also been trying to avoid Archie since that day. While he understood that Archie didn't feel Betty felt about him, Ricky didn't understand after Betty was hurt enough by rejecting her, why did he have to kiss another girl and that girl being Veronica Lodge of all people.

Ricky fed Vegas his bowl of dog food, scratching behind his ears as Fred made breakfast.

"Morning, Dad," Archie greeted, entering the kitchen.

"Hey, bud," Fred began. "Where'd you sneak off to last night?"

"You, uh, you heard that?" Archie asked.

"Son, I've been hearing you sneak out since you were eight years old going to Jughead's treehouse with Ricky."

Ricky chuckled. "Wow, that was so long ago. You heard that too?" Ricky asked.

"You mean you knocking down some pictures when you try to walk in the dark? Yes," Fred answered.

"I couldn't sleep," Archie answered. "Went for a jog to tire myself out."

'Yeah? Got something on your mind?" Fred asked.

"Just all this stuff with Jason," Archie half-lied.

Fred hummed. "No more midnight runs until the police catch whoever it was that shot that poor kid. I swear to God, this town."

"It's something, Dad," Ricky agreed as he stood up and got plates for the table.

***

At school Ricky passed by Jason's locker, I noticed a small memorial that was pictures, flowers, stuffed animals and even candles.

Archie was there, staring down at the area with sadness in his eyes. Jason was the golden boy so of course, everyone was going to be sad.

Jughead approached Archie and Ricky. "Hi," Jughead greeted. "Do you think I can use Jason Blossom's death as an excuse to get out of PE? 'Sorry, Coach, I'm just too depressed and freaked-out right now to do pull-ups'."

Ricky didn't day anything as Archie said, "Don't joke about Jason Blossom."

"What? Sardonic humor is just my way of relating to the world."

"Guess that's what makes you Jughead," Ricky replied to which Jughead nodded in agreement.

Jughead scoffed, looking down the hall. "Look, it's the rich kids from The Goonies."

Ricky looked down the hall to see Reggie and most of the football team.

"Is this you're cue?" Ricky asked him, for they had a habit of picking on Jughead.

He nodded. "All right, I'm out."

Once he walked down the hall, Reggie noticed him, nudging him harshly, making Jug rub his shoulder in pain. "Watch it, Wednesday Addams."

Ricky rolled his eyes. "Can't believe I put up with him," he says, referring to Reggie.

"He's..." Archie trailed off. "A friend."

Ricky scoffed. "Whatever, don't think I'm still not mad at you for hurting Betty."

Ricky walks away to a different hallway and sees Kevin walking with Betty. Seeing her in front of Ricky, made his heart speed up when he remembered his feelings for her.

"Now that romance is off the table, I'll just say it. Are we 100% sure that Archie's straight? Because no straight man has that body," Kevin said, getting Ricky to snicker.

"Speaking of bodies...Have you recovered from finding Jason's?" Betty asked him.

"It was more traumatizing having to explain to my dad what I was doing with Moose at the river. Yet another perk of being the sheriff's son." 

"Jesus," Ricky said. "Sorry, Kev."

They walked to the office to see a bouquet of flowers. "Oh, my God, those are gorgeous. Are those for Betty, Mrs.Philips?" Kevin asked the woman. 

She sighed. "That's why I called her."

Kev grabbed a card. "'Dear Betty, please forgive me, XOXO, V,'" he read off. "Who the hell is 'V'?"

"Veronica," Betty says with another voice.

Veronica came around the corner with a small box in her hands. "The yellow is for friendship. I also had Magnolia cupcakes flown in from New York. Because, as my mom likes to say, 'There's no wrong the right cupcake can't fix'. Also, I've booked us for hers-and-hers mani-pedis at Chez Salon. Blowouts, too. I am so, so sorry, Betty. I don't know what happened to me that night. It was such a basic bitch move. It was like I was Possessed by-" 

"Madame Satan?" Kevin cuts her off, getting Ricky to chuckle. 

"The old Veronica," she stated. "And I will never, ever do anything like that to you again. I swear on my mother's pearls. Just, can you please give me one more chance?"

"Okay," Betty agreed.

"What?" Ricky and Kevin questioned.

But it was Betty, she could be so forgiving very quickly.

"Really? Awesome. I'll take it and you won't regret it. Okay. And I'll bring these to lunch so we can celebrate!" Veronica cheered before walking away.

Ricky looks to Betty with slight disbelief. "It's the path of least resistance, Ricky," she answered. "A week ago, Veronica and I weren't friends. Next week, we'll nod to each other as we pass in the hall, but that's it. You know, in two weeks, she won't even remember my name. And in three, she'll have latched onto some other girl to destroy."

The announcements came on. "Good morning, students. This is your principal speaking. There have been many inquiries about the upcoming pep rally. So let me state clearly, it is happening, as scheduled. Now, on a less felicitous note, if you could give your attention to Sheriff Keller." 

Kevin's dad's voice came on the intercom. "Most of you already know the details, but your classmate Jason Blossom's body was found late Saturday night. So as of the weekend, Jason's death is now being treated as a homicide. It is an open and ongoing investigation."

Cheryl's voice. "And may I interject, neither I nor my parents will rest until Jason's death is avenged, and his cold-hearted killer is walking the green mile to sit in Old Sparky and fry. I, for one, have my suspicions.#RiverdaleStrong."

"If you know anything that could help us find and apprehend Jason's killer, or anything about what happened to him on July 4th, I strongly urge you to come forward immediately. You can speak with me or Principal Weatherbee. A death like this wounds us all. Let's not let Jason down."

***

Biology class was next and usually, Ricky would be glad since he has that class with all his friends and Archie but since things were odd between everyone, Ricky could tell this would probably be a very long class.

The teacher came in. "Seats, everyone. Pair off, gloves on, scalpels up."

"Can I be with Cheryl?" Archie asked. 

"And I wanna be with Betty," Veronica stated.

Betty looked to Kevin right next to her. "Oh, uh, I was thinking I'd partner with Kevin."

Moose walked by. "Actually, uh, Keller's with me. We, like, talked."

Kev said, "Oh, God." Before getting up.

"Then Ricky, do you wanna partner up?" Betty asked with a pleading smile that Ricky couldn't say no to.

But clearly, someone else could-

Jughead came over. "Uh, sorry, Betty. I need to talk to Ricky, alone," Jug said before walking to a table by himself.

Ricky looked at Betty. "Sorry," he tells her before walking to Jughead's table, taking a seat beside him. "Okay, you wanted to talk."

"Remember that trip we were supposed to in July?" Jughead asked.

"Don't think I can forget, Jug."

"Well, he suspiciously canceled last minute on."

Ricky pulled on his gloves. "Tell me something I don't know but how is that suspicious?"

"Jason Blossom died on July 4th."

Ricky put the pieces together, glancing behind them to see Archie conversing with Cheryl. "Come on, man. That makes him sound guilty."

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Ricky and Jughead turn around to see Cheryl stab the frog with her scalpel. "In fact, I'm amazing."

"Yikes," Ricky mumbled before he looked back to Jug. "So are you going to see why he canceled? Maybe he had something to do...that I don't know about? You don't think-"

Jug scoffed. "Come on, this is Archie Andrews, Ricky."

I sigh. "You're right, Jug. Just...it felt wrong."

***

Lunchtime rolled around, Ricky held his tray tightly as he walked beside Betty, Veronica, and Kevin.

"So, what did Moose want?" Ricky asked.

"Oh, my God, I don't even think he knows, Rick," Kevin gasped. "I mean, I am devastatingly handsome in that classic, pre-accident Montgomery Clift kind of way, and sexuality is fluid, but can someone named Moose actually be that fluid?"

Ricky snickered as Veronica said, "Okay, well, I ship it."

"Well, of course, you would. You're a big city girl with loose morals." Kevin noticed the sad look on Veronica's face. "I just meant that Moose has an official girlfriend, Midge."

"Yeah, I know Midge. She's nice," Ricky added.

Kevin sighed. "Anyway, it's terrible to say, but part of me wishes he would just stay in the darn closet." Archie looked up in question. "Obviously, I didn't mean literal closet."

"Archie!" Veronica exclaimed as she sat down. "Any new material you wanna try out on a very forgiving audience?"

He paused. "I-"

"Please? Would you? I'd love to hear it."

"I'm still working on the lyrics, so okay."

He started singing and strumming his guitar, Ricky would be focused on Archie, but Betty's sad expression made his heart hurt. He hated seeing her sad, no matter what.

Kevin and Veronica clapped, but Archie noticed her sad look. "Betty? You okay?" he asked.

Betty sadly chuckled. "I'm supposed to say, 'Yes'," her voice cracked. "That's what the nice girl always says, but-" She stood up from the table. "No, I'm not. I want to be. I thought I could be. But it's too much, too fast."

"Betty," Ricky mumbled as she stood up.

Archie got up, following after her. It was hurting Ricky to see Betty still hung up on Archie, but sometimes you can't help who you like...

Like the way, Ricky Andrews liked Betty Cooper.

***

During free period as Ricky walked through the halls, looking for Josie and the Pussycats walked down the hall, his earbuds playing loud music that was Indie rock.

Ricky jumped as someone grabbed his arm. He pulled his earbuds out as he sees its Jughead. "Juggy, what is it?" Ricky asked.

"It's something. You're going to want to see this," he told him.

Ricky let him pull him to the music room door, Ricky glanced inside to through the small window to see-

Archie and Grundy. They were standing too close to one another to be just asking for help.

Ricky and Jughead share a silent look before looking back to the window.

"Are you doing anything tonight?" Jug asked.

"No, why?" Ricky questioned.

"We need to have a talk with Archie."

***

Ricky didn't focus on anything else after school, he just kept thinking about...his older brother with the music teacher.

His fifteen-year-old brother with the somewhat 30-year-old teacher.

At home, Ricky shortly got a text from Jughead, saying that he was outside.

Ricky came outside. "Jug, you grew up here with Archie and I. You can come in. We have Pop's take-out."

"More of a reason for me to not come in," Jughead stated as Ricky plopped beside him on the porch. "I think I'll just keep eating and forget what I was there for in the first place."

Ricky chuckled. "You're right. You're not allowed in."

Jughead smiled. "Then again, I wouldn't mind forgetting what I saw today."

"Right," Ricky agreed.

Just as Jughead was going to say something else, Archie rounded the corner with Pop's take-out and he noticed Ricky and Jughead on the porch steps.

"Jug. Ricky. What's up?" Archie asked.

"What's up is we saw you, Archie," Ricky spoke up, standing up with Jughead. "Um..."

When Ricky didn't speak up, Jughead did. "In the music room. With Ms. Grundy."

Archie stepped forward. "Keep your voice down, my dad's inside."

"We're trying to help you, dude. I'm trying to be your friend here. Even though we're not anymore," Jughead stated which Ricky sighed sadly, squeezing Jughead's arm in reassurance.

"How long? You and the...teacher?" Ricky asked, getting a bad taste in his mouth at the fact that his idol since he was little was hooking-up with a 30-somewhat-old teacher.

"Since the summer," Archie answered. Ricky's jaw dropped. "I like her."

Ricky sighed. "So I'm guessing she's the reason you've been acting weird since summer?" he asked.

"One of them."

"'One of them'," Jug repeated. "There's more?"

"We were at Sweetwater River on July 4th. We heard a gunshot." Ricky's eyes doubled in size at the statement. "The gunshot."

"Dude, you have to tell somebody," Jug told him.

"I can't. Neither can either of you. If people find out about Grundy-"

Ricky snapped. "In case you've forgotten, a kid is dead, Archie!"

"And you're worried about some-Some cougar?!" Jug said just as outraged.

"Don't call her that," Archie told him. "Okay, she's not like that, she cares about me."

"Stab in the dark. I'm guessing she cares more about herself. She's the one who's telling you not to say anything, right? Look, we saw you guys."

"Jug's right," Ricky spoke up. "I saw you too. She's messing with you. And she's messing with your mind too-"

"What the hell do you guys know about it? Or about me, even?" Archie snapped at Ricky.

Ricky was pissed.

He's known Archie since the day he was born so he knew him pretty damn well.

Jug turned away sadly. "Nothing," he replied. "But I used to know this guy once. Archie Andrews. He wasn't perfect but-" he looked to Ricky, ready to walk away with Ricky following. "He always tried to do the right thing, at least."

As Ricky followed Jug, Archie grabbed his brother's arm. "Ricky, Jug. If either of you tells anyone about this..."

Ricky looked at Archie. Did he even recognize who Archie was anymore? Grundy was doing this.

Ricky's overprotective brother figure glared at Archie. "What? What are you gonna do?" Jughead asked.

They all stood in silence until Fred came out, noticing them causing Archie to let go of Ricky. "Hey, Jug. Coming in? We got take-out from Pop's."

"He was just leaving," Archie told his dad.

Ricky broke eye contact away from Archie. "Dad, I'm walking Jughead home. I'll be back in time for dinner," he spoke.

"Okay, son," Fred stated.

With one last eye roll, Ricky walked beside Jughead.

"This explains a lot," Ricky stated. "Why he canceled the trip, why he's been lying to my dad and I..."

"This is going to end badly," Jughead added. "With Grundy in jail or Archie getting expelled-"

"Or both," Ricky says before changing the topic. "Do you have anywhere else to stay other than the drive-in?"

Jughead looked to Ricky in surprise but didn't try to lie. "How'd you-"

"I stopped by once. You weren't there," he explained. "But I saw the mattress and your bag full clothes. Why haven't you said anything?"

Jughead just shrugged. "I've been staying there for almost a year and it didn't seem like your problem."

"Dude..."

***

The next morning, Ricky woke up early so he can walk Betty to school since he knew Betty was still pretty sore about the situation with Archie and Ricky wanted to avoid Archie as well.

Once they made it to school, walking past the rows of locker, Betty spoke up again, "So tonight is the football game which means-"

Ricky finished with, "I know. You'll be doing your cute cheerleading thing."

She smiled at his words. "By the way, you're saying that I hope that means you'll be coming."

"Of course, Betty," Ricky tells her. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." She grinned bigger, but it faded when she saw Veronica at her locker. Veronica glanced at the pair but returned to pulling her books out. "Are you okay?" he asked Betty as she went up to her locker, taking her stuff out as well.

She shared a look with him before looking back at Veronica. "You were right. And what you said about Archie. Sometimes it's hard to admit things to yourself. My mother is crazy. I'm afraid I'll never see my sister again." Ricky rubs Betty's shoulder in sympathy. "The boy I like doesn't like me back."

"He may not be crushing on you, but he does love you," Veronica told her while Ricky nods his head in agreement.

"She's not wrong," Ricky adds. "He does love you."

"And he's legit miserable without you if it's any consolation. My mom says sometimes a friend is better than a boyfriend. Maybe this is one of those times."

Ricky began to think.

Maybe that's all Betty will ever see Ricky as.

A friend.

***

Later in the student lounge, a lot of sophomores and juniors were in the student lounge, even Jughead was there. Even Reggie.

"And Sheriff Keller's grilling me, Mantle the Magnificent," Reggie ranted to the others. "'Cause I'd want Blossom dead.When he was, like, the only good quarterback we had. And speaking of offensive tight-ends, I should've sent the cops to you, Moose. Because here's another unsolved mystery. What exactly were you and Kevin doing at the river, huh? Or does being with the sheriff's son give you a free pass? Keller?"

"Ignore him, Kev," Ricky told his friend.

"Reggie's just being a blowhard," Betty added.

"I don't care what he says," Kevin told them.

"I mean, let's think about it," Reggie continued. "If a kid at Riverdale killed Jason, it's not gonna be a jock, right? Now let's be honest. Isn't it always some spooky, scrawny, pathetic Internet troll, too busy writing his manifestos to get laid?" Ricky stood up at that, knowing where Reggie was going with that. "Some smug, moody, serial killer fanboy freak," Reggie looked to the beanie-wearing boy. "Like Jughead?"

Ricky scoffed before walking over by the vending machine to stand close to Jughead who slowly looked at Reggie.

"What was it like, Suicide Squad?" Reggie laughed. "When you shot Jason? You didn't do stuff to the body, did you? Like after?"

"It's called necrophilia, Reggie, can you spell it?" Jughead insulted.

Any other time, Ricky would've laughed at Jughead's sense of humor, but considering that Reggie jumped up to attack him, Ricky stood in front of Jughead.

"Reggie, step back," Ricky warned.

"Oh, I need to step back, Andrews?" he teased. "Look at him. How do you know your freakazoid of a friend didn't kill Jason?"

"Because I know Jughead," Ricky defended.

He scoffed. "How well do you know him? Or maybe you're just covering up Jason's murder with him because in reality, you're probably boning the creep."

Here comes Archie being an overprotective brother, stepping in front of Ricky, shoving the jock. "Hey, shut the hell up, Reggie."

"Boys," Veronica called though she was ignored.

"What do you care, Andrews?" Reggie asked him.

"Nothing, just leave them alone."

"Holy crap," Reggie laughed. "Did you, baby Andrews and Donnie Darko kill him together?" He stepped closer to Archie, pointing to Jughead. "Was it some sort of pervy, blood brother threesome thing?"

Archie shoved Reggie, but Reggie retaliated, shoving Archie back into the vending machine before onto the floor.

Ricky tried to break them as Reggie had Archie pinned to the floor, towering over him but Ricky got pulled away by Jughead so he wouldn't get hurt.

Reggie landed a harsh punch on Archie as teachers came in and pulled Reggie off of him.

***

At the Andrews home, Archie sat at the counter, nursing his black eye while Ricky dug through the freezer for an ice pack or-

A bag of frozen peas.

He closed the freezer, wrapping a napkin around it.

Even if Ricky and Archie were disagreeing about the Grundy situation, Ricky would still help his brother if needed, just as Archie would do the same for Ricky.

"All right, hold still," Ricky told him before lightly placing the ice pack over Archie's eye which made the redhead flinch at the sudden coldness but grabbed it. "Keep that there for an hour."

"Thanks," Archie told him.

Ricky nodded. "I just don't get it. I thought you were good at fighting."

Archie spoke, "You've only seen me fight someone twice."

"Three times actually," Ricky corrected. "You fought Elias Hunter for me when I was four and you were five."

Archie smiled at the memory. "He was a tall six-year-old who was pushing my four-year-old brother around who was still in preschool. I had to do something."

"Best fight I ever saw," Ricky stated.

Fred came into the house and saw Archie's black eye. "Ooh." He approached his sons. "I hate to ask this, but did you get that in a fight with Jughead?"

"Nah," Archie answered. "No, it was with Reggie. It's a long story. Jughead, Ricky and I, we were disagreeing about a girl."

"Because there's this girl..." Ricky added, not mentioning who it was.

"There usually is," Fred stated.

"But it's not about me and Jughead or me and Ricky, it's about me and this girl," Archie stated. "I think we should do something. And it's the right thing, Dad. But the girl says that if we do or if I do this thing, it'll ruin what we have." Archie paused. "That doesn't make any sense, does it?"

"You know, this is the most honest talk we've had in a while," Fred admits. "And I'm glad that you want to do the right thing. I can see that. Even under the shiner. Archie, if you know it's the right thing to do, even though it's tough, even though it might cost you. You gotta do it."

Archie looked at Ricky for a moment who just stared at his shirt sleeve.

He really hoped that sunk in for Archie. The best person to get advice from was Fred so he hoped Archie would do the right thing.

***

The football game rolled around and Ricky sat on the ground near the stands, since he didn't anyone near him, screaming in his ear.

Last time he went to a football game, a very supportive fan kept screaming loudly beside his ear. After the game was over, all Ricky heard was 'Go Bulldogs!'.

"Ricky," someone spoke. He turned to see Jughead leaning against the stands. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't a fan of football games."

"Jug," Ricky greeted. "I could ask you the same thing." He raised an eyebrow at Ricky's response. "I'm just here to support Betty now that she is a River Vixen. You?"

"I needed to talk to you about something important."

"About?"

"I-" He stopped himself when he looked near the football field. Ricky looked in his line of sight to see Archie and Mrs. Grundy conversing. "What do you think they're talking about?"

"Probably hooking up in the music room later," Ricky answered, honestly. Jughead gave him a disgusted look. "Or...God, I hope not."

Archie then came jogging over where the boys were. "Girl trouble? You?" Jughead teased.

"Grundy and me," Archie started. "We're telling Weatherbee. At least, I am."

"You are?" Ricky questioned, standing up.

Archie nodded. "And also, I didn't mean all that crap I said to you guys." Ricky met his brother's gaze. "I'm sorry."

Both boys answered with similar answers.

"You're forgiven."

"It's cool." After a moment of just standing there, Jughead states, "We're not gonna hug in front of this whole town." Ricky and Archie started laughing. "So why don't we both just do that bro thing where we nod like douches and mutually suppress our emotions?" 

"Yeah, but as friends, right?" Archie questioned. 

"To be discussed, over many burgers, and many days."

"Later, Arch," Ricky says. "Good luck!" he adds as Archie sent them one last smile before walking back towards the football field. Ricky looked to Jughead. "So we're all friends again?"

"I guess so," he answered.

"Just the way I want it..." Ricky trailed off as he spotted Betty reaching out to Archie's black eye and he felt a sadness bubble in him with the way she looked at Archie.

"Hey, losers," someone spoke. It was McKenzie walking to sit on the stand close to where Jughead and Ricky were.

"Coming to homecoming game now?" Ricky asked, knowing she hated football games.

"Sure," she answered.

"Who are you and what the hell have you done with McKenzie Parker?"

McKenzie rolled her eyes. "Shut up. I come to games."

"Hardly if ever," Jughead adds.

"You don't know, Jones because you don't go to any games either."

Ricky's eyes move to principal Weatherbee who went up to the mic. "Now to kickoff this pep rally, I'd like to hand it over to our very own Mayor McCoy."

Applause rang out as Mayor McCoy got on stage and spoke, "Thank you, Principal Weatherbee. It is heartening to see so many of you here, even in weather like this. But a lack of heart and school spirit has never been the Riverdale way. Tonight's pep rally isn't like any other we've had in the past. And we shouldn't pretend that it is. Which is why I would like to dedicate this evening to the memory of one of our brightest. Jason Blossom. We're with him tonight. Now please, join me in welcoming to the field our very own River Vixens, and their special guest stars, my daughter, Josie, and her Pussycats!"

Ricky clapped though as the Pussycats, though he was mainly watching the Vixens (mainly Betty and Veronica), came on stage. The Pussycats did a cover of the song, Sugar Sugar.

Ricky smiled proudly as he watched Betty dance her heart out. This what she's wanted since last year and she finally got it. Ricky cheered when the routine was over and the music was over.

The coach came on stage, towards the mic. "All right, you all ready? Let's make some noise! Put your hands together for the Riverdale Bulldogs!"

The football team ran out, Ricky cheered again, this time for Archie who wore a smile as he ran out.

Suddenly, Ricky noticed Cheryl run away in tears with Veronica following and Betty close behind.

That can't be good. 

***

After the victorious football game, Betty and Veronica sat across one another in Pop's as a waitress placed down two milkshakes, "Here you go. One double chocolate and one old-fashioned vanilla."

"Thank you," they both said.

"Betty," Veronica spoke. "Can we make a vow?"

"Sure," Betty agreed. "That no matter what, no boy will ever come between us again. Deal?"

Betty smiled. "Deal," she agreed, clinking her milkshake glass with Veronica's.

The bell to Pop's door rang.

Veronica and Betty turned their heads to see Jughead Jones and siblings, Archie and Ricky Andrews come in.

Ricky made eye contact with Betty, sending her a small smile as his gaze was almost...

Love-struck.

"Do you guys want to join us?" Betty asked them.

Jughead smiled, walking towards them. "Yes, but only if you're treating."

Everyone laughed as Veronica introduced herself, "Veronica Lodge."

"Jughead Jones, the third," Jughead introduced himself, climbing over the booth to sit beside her as Betty scooted over for Archie and Ricky sat on the other side of Veronica.

"Jughead Jones, the third," Veronica repeated.

"Weird name but his personality and looks focus off that," Ricky tells Veronica which made Archie and Betty laugh but Jughead reached behind Veronica to lightly smack his head. "Ow."

"To someone on the outside, peering in, it would've looked like there were five people in that booth. But I was there, and I can tell you. Really, there were only four. A blonde girl, a raven-haired girl, a young brunette boy and the luckiest red-headed boy in the universe. For one shining moment, we were just kids. Those bright neon lights of Pop's keeping the darkness at bay. Giving way, as all nights must, to a morning of reckonings."

***

Ricky plopped in a chair at the station Betty was sitting at. "Howdy," he greeted her.

"Hey, partner," she greeted back with a smile.

Their teacher announced, "We're reviewing new systems of human biology starting with-" he began to write on the chalkboard but stopped when Sheriff Keller and Principal Weatherbee walked into the classroom.

Everyone went silent as all eyes turned to them.

Cheryl stood up from her stool. "You're here for me, aren't you? Because of the autopsy?" Cheryl asked.

"We don't need to do this in front of your classmates, Cheryl," Principal Weatherbee said.

"It's all right, Principal Weatherbee. They'll find out soon enough," she replied, calmly, sticking her arms out together as if waiting to be handcuffed.

"Now, that won't be necessary," Sheriff Keller stated.

"Wait, Cheryl, find out what?" Ricky asked her.

The redhead glanced back at him before turning to the front. "That I'm guilty," she answered.

Ricky gaped at that, sharing a look with Betty.

"As shocking as those three words were, they were nothing compared to the secrets that Jason's body had given up during its autopsy. That Jason didn't die on July 4th, as we believed, but over a week later."