This wasn't a typical case for us. No murder weapon and the body of one of our own. A list of people with motives longer than the list of evidence. No blood. No trace. We have nothing. 

And I have nothing. No fiance. This is so hard. I feel like I can't even function. And it doesn't help that everyone has something to say to me. 

"I'm so sorry," Ethel says as she stops me in the hall, "I know Jughead was your person- I just wanna make sure you're okay."

"I'm existing," I say softly, "it's hard but I'm trying." She pats my arm before as she moves off. I sigh softly as the yank Jug's jean jacket up my shoulders. 

"They are annoying aren't they," Cheryl says as she marches towards me, "all trying to force their sympathy."

"He's another town tragedy," I say softly, "no one seemed cared til he died." She moves wrapping me into a tight hug. 

"I'm so so sorry," She says as she holds onto me, "the world never seems to leave you alone." As she pulls back she looks over me. "You'll always be my rival as teen queen of tragedy." I crack a soft smile.

"If I excell at one thing its at living in pain," I say softly. My voice is so strained. Sobbing through the night has caused me to almost loose it all together. Her amusement in my response drops. Now only concern covers her face.

"Promise me you won't do it," She tells me.

"What?" I ask her, "do what?"

"Take your own life," She says softly. I tense up. "We all know you and Jughead were riverdale's Hamlet and Ophelia. And I personally know what it's like to lose your other half. The despairing thoughts can flood without warning don't let them drown you."

"I won't," I say softly.

"I know because I'm putting you under sucide watch," She tells me.

"Already am," I tell her, "Lily and Mary's orders."

"Well I'm watching you myself," She tells me, "so where are we going?"

"Uhh well I got called to Honey's office," I tell her knowing its better to not fight it, "he said someone was waiting for me."

"I'll go with," She tells me, "you could use some support." I nod lightly. She links her arm with mine and leads me to the office. Once inside she speaks first. "Honey as you must know Y/n here is going through a terrible time so if you're here to harass her I beg you just let it be for now."

"Actually this is about that," Honey says. Beside Honey sits Mrs. Burble who smiles at me and two cops. Neither are FP. Maybe they though sending him would be too personal.

"We need to talk," She says softly, "I think you know why."

"Oh alright," I say as I sit down. 

"Mrs. Blossom can you wait outside?" Honey asks.

"Oh hell no I'm staying with her-"

"Cheryl its fine," I tell her, "I have to talk to them." She hesitates for a moment and then leaves. Assuring me she'll just be outside. So I'm left with the Burble, the cops, and Honey. "Let me guess you guys need a suspect so it's all falling on the girlfriend."

"You haven't given a statement yet," One of the cops says.

"I also haven't let my bed until today," I tell them, "what do you wanna know?"

"Can you tell me what you know?" One of the cops asks, "What you remember?"

"This isn't a interrogation just a interview so to speak. We want to understand what happened," The other cop says. 

"Yeah okay, I was with him the day of the party," I explain, "most of the day at least. The day before he stayed we me and we met back up at stonewall before the trial. I tried to help him calm his nerves. It didn't really work. He was really mad I didn't know why." I hesitate slightly.

"Did you figure out why?" The second cop asks me.

"We need to know," The first cop says, "to figure out what happened."

"Be honest with us," Burble tells me. I nod.

"He couldn't say anything at the hearing because Bret threatened him," I explain.

"With what?"

"You've got to be honest with us," Honey says, "it could mean solving the case."

"Apparently Bret recorded Jughead and I having sex in their dorm," I explain, "he threatened Jug saying if he spoke during the hearing he'd release the video."

Honey sighs loudly. Burble keeps her eyes on me.

"We didn't want the video to get out so he didn't speak. It caused him to get expelled," I tell them."

"And after that?"

"After the hearing he and I went back to his dorm to get his things," I explain, "Bret and Donna came back to the room and invited us to  the party. I told jug I wasn't comfortable going but he pushed the matter. He was extremely adamant on the fact that we go. So I went home to get ready while he stayed at Stonewall and then came back with Betty and Sweet Pea. Archie and Veronica drove separately. Something about not wanting to pack together."

"What happened at the party?"

"Not much," I say honestly, "I mean Sweet Pea and I were there by ourselves for a while. When we got there Betty went off to find Jughead and Veronica and Archie ran off to do it in the woods. Sweet Pea and I stayed for a bit but we realized that we were ditched and decided to go home."

"Did you see Jughead again?"

"I did he and I ran into each other. I stopped him he seemed distracted assured me everything would be fine," I explain, "them he left."

"He left?" The first cop asks me.

"He disappeared I don't know where and I didn't follow. I didn't even think too," I say softly, "when we got back Lily sent me to bed and Sweet Pea took my car."

"Thanks if we need to know anything else we'll let you know," The second cop says.

"Before you go back to class you and I need to talk in my office," Burble tells me. She moved leading me over to her office. As I sit down she watches me carefully. "I know you were close with Jughead."

"He was the love of my life," I tell her, "we were going to get married."

"Most do think they'll marry their first love," She says calmly.

"No we were engaged," I tell her, "secretly and it was really new. He proposed the day before the party. We were gonna get married and it was all going to be okay." I feel the tears start to collect in my eyes again. "He was the one that was supposed to be there for me. Everyone else could leave but he was there." I stop knowing it'll get too personal.

"You loved him."

"More than anyone else," I tell her, "He's my soulmate."

"Losing him must be hard on you."

"I feel like I lost myself," I admit, "like I'm drowning. And I can't do anything about it. He was supposed to be there." I feel my tears escape my eyes. I move to wipe them. She moves handing me a tissue box. "I don't want this to be real."

"I know," She says softly, "I'm sorry. It's never easy to loose someone you care about. And it's even harder when you both are so young and have been through so much. Just remember people care about you." I nod. "If you want to go back to class you can. Or I can excuse you."

"I need to keep some sense of routine," I tell her, "I'll be in for my normal meetings." I grab my bag and move to the hallway. Where Cheryl seems distracted.

"You're pretty bad at this whole suicide watch thing-" 

Suddenly I get why she's so distracted. Just ahead of us Betty, Archie, and Veronica are getting marched out of the school in handcuffs. 

"Why are they getting arrested?" I ask softly. Knowing i don't want the answer.

"They murdered Jughead," Cheryl answers.

"Theres no way-"

But it fits. They all disappeared and Jug didn't come back, they avoided me. But they'd never do that- would they?

I mean they've done a lot. We've covered up murders.. But we're supposed to be the good guys the ones who take the bad guys down.

"I can't I can't do this," I whimper. I move towards the bathroom once inside I start to lose it. Cheryl moves to my side trying to comfort me as I sob. "He's dead and they- their supposed to be his friends our friends and they killed him? I don't understand."

"Hey hey breath," Cheryl says softly, "you'll get through this. You always pull through."

"I wanna go home," I say softly.

"I'll take you home," She tells me, "Toni will give Sweet Pea your keys and he'll take your truck home. In the mean time Pops and whatever terrible movies you like." I nod. 

And she takes me home. We get down to my bedroom and she tosses in one of my movies but I'm not paying attention. Instead I'm spamming FP's phone asking about Betty and the others.

"Come on you can't do this," Cheryl says as she takes my phone, "you have to let him work on the case."

"I just don't get it," I tell her, "why would they kill Jughead?"

"You know Betty has that whole Dark Betty thing," Cheryl tells me.

"But killing Jughead? I just don't see even her going that far," I say softly.

"Hey," Archie says as he ducks in, "just checking on you."

"Speak of the murderer," Cheryl says.

"I didn't kill him and you know that- I'm not here to prove myself to you Cheryl- Y/n I wanted to pass something along from Betty and Fp," Archie says looking over to me, "Jug's funeral is gonna be tomorrow. If you want FP said he'd love for you to speak."

"Yeah okay," I say to him. 

He left and Cheryl went into a movie binge. She left late and I went straight to bed. I skipped school. Deciding to stay home and prepare for the funeral. 

Finally it was time.

As I look around the room I see faces of many of Riverdales residents, more than that the serpents were here in full support. I sniffle lightly as Lily keeps a arm around me. My eyes plastered to the picture of Jughead by the casket. Closed casket they wouldn't even show him to the room.

"I don't know if I can do this," I whimper slightly.

"We're here for you," Lily says rubbing my back, "but you need to be strong for JB. She needs you." I nod. Moving deeper into her arms.

"Yeah I know," I say softly. 

"You got a lot of nerve coming here," I hear Sweet Pea say harshly. I look over to see him by the door with Donna, Joan and Bret. The three Stonewall kids stand smugly. I start to move but Lily catches me.

"Sweet Pea, it's okay," Betty says stepping towards the scene, "Mr. Jones said that they could come in."

"Closed casket," Donna says as she steps towards us, "Call me a doubting Thomas, but that seems like a suspect choicewith such a handsome cadaver."

"Classy as ever, Donna," Betty says, "The funeral home didn't even want usto have the casket here, but it's Serpent tradition."

"Please don't make this any harder than it is," I say to them, "for his family and people who actually lost someone."

"If you make this any harder for her,I will throw your ass out," Betty says harshly.

"I wanna thank you for coming today," FP says signaling everyone to move to their seats. I move to sit beside Sweet Pea and Lily. Both trying to comfort me. "I know you all... loved my son.  Things weren't always easy for us. But my boy was... always resilient...  and loyal...2 and loving.  And..." He's struggling to get out words. He stops and moves off towards the kitchen. Oh FP. This is so hard on him. Loosing a son, he's going through a worst nightmare for most parents. Betty leans over to me.

" I'll go," She whispers. I nod. I was supposed to go After FP but seeing as he had to cut his speech short and tears were streaming down my face again I knew this was the better option.

"Thanks," I mouth. She nods. As she gets to the podium she scans over the room. 

"As many of you know,Jughead was a fan of crime fiction," She says to the room, " Detective stories. So, to honor him,I'd like to read a passage from one of his favoriteSherlock Holmes short stories: 'The Final Problem.'... 'An examination by expertsleaves little doubt that a personal contest between Holmesand Moriarty ended in their reeling over,  locked in each other's arms.  Any attempt at recoveringthe bodies was absolutely hopeless, and there, deep down, in that dreadful cauldronof swirling water and seething foam,  will lie... Will lie for all timethe most dangerous criminal and the foremost champion of the lawof their generation.'" She wipes her eyes quickly. "Thank you."

I move grabbing my note cards from my pocket then move up to the podium.

"You all know me, I'm- was Jughead's girlfriend," I say softly, "I knew Jughead for all of my life. Our parents were close so we met young. We've always been so close. I remember one day when we were about 4 we told my mom we were ready to get married. She played into it and got me a little white dress and they found him one of the kids suits and we dressed up for a handful of local kids and our parents to witness us getting 'married'. He vowed to share half of his sour patch kids with me - they were my favorite candy, and I vowed to give him any food I didn't want. You know the stomach on him." The room chuckles lightly. I feel my throat get tight. "Jughead was the type of guy you don't see often. Sure he was the loser kid born on the wrong side of the tracks. But god he was so much more. He was sweet and wanted to do what was right at any cost- even if it meant his life. He was so brave. He saved this town more than any one would ever give him credit for. I'm here today because he saved me more times then I can count- Sorry give me a sec." I move wiping my eyes. Then look back to the cards. "You all knew him. We all thought he'd change the world- and he did. He change my world. He gave me hope and purpose. He taught me how to love someone." A sob escapes my chest. "So Jug I hope you rest easy. We love you."

I move away as Alice transitions the service. Lily pulls me in her arms as I start to sob.

"I'm sorry I didn't want to cry anymore," I whimper, "i just- it's all real? He's really gone? He's leaving me."

"Shush sweetheart."

She pulls me into the kitchen where Archie pulls me into a tight hug.

"You okay?" He asks me.

"I'm surviving," I tell him. He pats my shoulder.

"Want a shot?" Veronica says offering me her flask.

"Please," I say holding out my hand. As I tip it back I hear Donna behind me. I hand Veronica the flask and turn to look. Donna is a step away from JB.

"You must really miss your brother," Donna says, "When was the last time you saw him? He isn't really dead, is he?" I move towards them at once.

"You bitch," I say softly, "you came here to harass us?"

"Donna, are you serious?" Betty says from beside me, "This is Jughead's little sister.You're accosting her?"

"Oh, come on, Betty, Y/n, we knowthat this is all an act," Donna says. I look at her like she's crazy.

"You think we're faking his death? What kind of sick person does that?" I ask her, "you're disgusting. We are all dealing with this and you're being a monster."

"Oh I know those are fake tears you stupid little slut!" Donna says back at one.

"You're a psychopath," I say looking at her in disbelief. 

"Bitch, I'm done with you. Let's go," Betty says harshly starting to shove Donna out.

"Do it. Bret, do it!" Donna exclaims. Suddenly he shoves past me to the casket and knocks the flowers off.

"What do you think you're doing?" Sweet Pea asks harsly as he yanks Bret away from the casket. 

"She told me to do it. You heard her!" Bret says defensively.

"You preppies don't know when to quit," Archie says marching towards the scene. 

"Okay, calm down guys He's not worth it," Betty says trying to mediate, "He was leaving anyway. Donna, control your little pet, okay?He seems to have lost his cool."

And they leave. Just like that. I move placing the flowers back on the casket.

After a while everyone seems to have left. All thats left is Me, Sweet Pea, Betty, Archie, Veronica, FP, and Charles. I stand in front of the casket. One thing bothering me.

"Can I please see him?" I ask the others as they sit in the kitchen. "Please? I need to see him." They all exchange a look.

"Okay," Betty says. She moves and takes the flowers off the casket. Then opens it. My eyes widen to see no one in the casket.

"What? I don't understand?" I ask looking over at them, "where's Jughead?"

"Let's go see him," Betty says. I look over to Sweet Pea and my eyes widen.

"What the hell does that mean?" Sweet Pea asks as he moves towards me.

"It's time you guys know," Charles says as he moves towards us. "it'll be easier to show you."

"FP?" I ask.

"Trust them," FP says. I sigh and look back to Betty.

"What more do I have to lose?"

"I'm only going cause she is," Sweet Pea says to them, "someone has to keep her alive."

And so we let them drag us off to the woods. All the way to the bunker. 

"If you're gonna kill us can I at least delete some stuff off my phone first?" I ask them.

"God we aren't gonna kill you," Archie says, "we're you're friends."

"Someone who was trying to kill us would tell us they aren't going to kill us," I add.

"Just go into the bunker- it'll all make sense," Betty tells me. I move gripping the ladder tightly.

"It's been a nice 18 years," I say softly, "you ready to die Pea?"

"Not exactly," He says tensely. When I reach the bottom of the later a soft voice rings out chilling me to my core.

"Hey N/n."

"Jug?" I ask with wide eyes. I turn to see him. Completely alive. I move running towards him tackling him in a tight hug. He holds onto me tightly. Littering soft kisses along my face. "You're alive?" I ask him as I pull away. Tears streaming down my face. "How are you alive? I saw you dead?"

"Jones?" Sweet Pea asks.

"We faked his death," Veronica says as she and Archie move to join us in the bunker. "Betty made us."

"I made Betty," Jug says softly.

"I don't understand?" I ask softly, "why?"

"The Skull and Quill society tried to kill me in the woods that night," Jug shares, "they smacked me over the head with a rock and left me to die. Then tried to pin it on Betty- who with Archie's help saved me. I told them I wanted to expose the Stonewall assholes."

"Why didn't you tell her?" Sweet Pea asks harshly, "Jones she's been losing her mind over her. And you all knew and didn't tell her?"

"We needed her to react like she did," Betty says.

"Thats sick," I say harshly, "I was mourning him. I was contemplating suicide and you just let me?"

"Charles said it was the best way to do this," Archie admits, "we only did it cause we had to."

"I-I don't have words for how fucked up this is," I say to them.

"We told you the second we could but we needed the Stonewall kids to believe us," Jug assures me, "we need to take them down."

"Why tell us now then?" Sweet Pea asks, "you need us to do something don't you?"

"Yeah we do," Betty says clearly guilty, "for this to work people need to think you moved on. No one will think you he's faking his death if Y/n moves on."

"What do you mean?" I ask not really wanting the answer.

"We want you guys to pretend to date," Veronica says. 

"Thats awful," I tell them, "you want us to help you in this scheme? I mean god how sick is this? You guys are terrible people."

"If we didn't need you to do this then we wouldn't ask-"

"You wouldn't of told us about all this either would you?" Sweet Pea asks harshly, "listen not telling me is one thing. But not telling your finance. Thats a whole other thing."

"Finance?" The group rings out.

"I wanted to tell you the second all this happened but Charles said it would expose the whole thing-"

"You cared more about this little social experiment more than me?" I ask softly.

"That's not it," Jug says.

"Then what is it?" I ask him, "what made you think that letting me sit there thinking you're dead was okay?"

"It was the only way the Stonewall guys would leave us alone- I didn't want them to come after you too," He says softly, "It was a terrible thing I know and you don't need to forgive me but I wanted to keep you safe."

"Okay I'll do it," I say softly.

"Y/n!" Sweet Pea exclaims.

"It's temporary," I tell him, "just until they figure this out. Then they'll make it up to us. Just this one thing Pea I promise."

"Fine," Sweet Pea says, "but you owe us so big Jones."

"Sorry to back track but-?" Veronica asks me, "you guys are engaged?"

"Yeah," Jughead says with a dopey smile, "she's gonna be my wife."

"Don't push you're luck," I say pulling him into a kiss. I pull back and smile at him, "pull a stunt like that again and I'll marry Reggie."

"Got it," He says softly.

"Have you guys told anyone yet?" Archie asks me.

"No because I thought he died," I say as I look across them, "not exactly the best time to announce a wedding."

"Still it's crazy," Betty says, "huh... I have a plan for tomorrow. I've got Cheryl making a big old memorial thing on Jug's old locker- you guys are gonna be caught in the art room. Ya know where you guys started your thing last year."

"No tongue," Jug says, "thats my fiance. Remeber that."

"I do what I want Jones," Pea says, "alright I'll see you in the art room. In the mean time I've gotta lay down and try to process this."

"I'm gonnaa stay here for a bit," I say to them. They move leaving me with Jug. I move hugging him again. "I've never been more scared in my life."

"I'm sorry."

"You should be," I say to him, "I'm traumatized to say the least. Who all knows?"

"Mary knows, You and Sweet Pea know now, JB, Betty, Archie, Veronica, Hermiosa,and my dad," Jug tells me, "oh Charles knows too."

"Wow," I say softly.

"JB found out herself, Archie caved and told his mom, and Hermiosa was a strategical play from Veronica," He explains.

"I know now- and you know to never do this to me again," I say to him, "Right?"

"Right." He moves pecking my jaw. 

I'm forced to leave shortly after. 

~~~~

The next day the plans in affect. I have to pretend to be dating Sweet Pea. Great.

"Look," Cheryl says pointing to the memorial, "we thought it would help." 

I look over it and smile at her.

"He'd hate this," I say softly, "it's nice. Thank you Cheryl." She smiles at me. "I have to go work on my project." I move off to the art room. Sweet Pea follows.

 "Hey you alright?" He asks me, "I know this is hard with everything going on."

I see a flash of red then move towards Sweet Pea.

"It's so hard, I just need something to keep me going," I say softly. I move my hand to his shirt. Slowly I guide him into a kiss. As we move in synch I hear a soft camera flash. Then quick footsteps. Sweet Pea keeps going a second too long. I pull back.

"Think it worked?" He asks me.

"I hope so," I say softly.

We knew pretty quickly. By lunch everyone was buzzing with the news I moved on from Jughead to Sweet Pea. How I'd never move on like this if he wasn't dead. It's annoying. But I guess it helps. Betty's playing the hurt card. She seems upset about the whole thing. Me taking her ex or whatever. 

After the school day Sweet Pea and I follow the plan. He slips off to the bunker to meet Jug first. Then I follow. Making sure Donna is following me. As I slip into the bunker we take our places. I Pea and I move making out. I feel gross about it seeing as my boyfriend is literally under the bed. Just like we thought the blankets are ripped off us by Donna. Who looks at us in utter confusion.

"Get out you creepy bitch!" I scream at her, "I'm kinda busy right now!"

"What why is he?"

"Get out!" I scream. She moves up the bunker ladder. I move up to shut it tightly. Locking it from the inside. I groan as I move back to the boys. Jug climbs out to join us digging into the food Sweet Pea brought. "I can't wait til this ends."

"It's almost over," Jug says as he wraps his arms around me, "you won't have to mess with him for much longer."

"Hey!"

I roll my eyes simple as I slump into Jug's chest. My eyes stay on Pea. Moving across his tan skin and dark hair. He looks back. It's way too long. We break the look and move back to the food.

"Well whats happening up there?" Jug asks us.

"The hottest gossip is Pea and I making out in the art room," I tell him, "oh and you have a memorial."

"Yeah?" He says slightly amused.

"Oh yeah the whole nine yards," Pea says, "candles, pictures, flowers. I hate it."

"Only cause you know I'm alive," Jug says, "listen none of us like this. I mean I just had to lay under the bed while you make out with my girlfriend. And I have to encourage it. But Veronica just gave us the tip we need for me to pull this all together. I'm taking them down."

Pea and I exchange a look.

"It better be worth all this," Pea says.

"Trust me it will be."

I don't know if I believe him. But I have to. He's the only one who knows where this is gonna go.

-----------------------------

Last chance to ask questions

Y/n

Jughead

Betty

Archie

Veronica

Sweet Pea

Toni

Cheryl

Kevin

Fangs

Frank

Lily

Alice

FP

Mary 

Jelly Bean

Oliva 

Caleb

And here you can ask any character not on the list because for some reason maybe I missed one.

Anyways once again I'm gonna tell you all to be safe and wash your hands during all this

If you need to talk my dms on all my social media accounts are open