"It comes and goes in waves
It always does, it always does
We watch as our young hearts fade
Into the flood, into the flood"

Principal Weatherbee walked into Athena and Archie's English class with a solemn look over his face. "May I have everyone's attention?" The class chatter fell silent before focusing their attention on the front of the class. If the Principal was there, Athena would bet it would be one of two things. One: Someone had been selling drugs or Two: Someone had been murdered. She really wanted it to be the former rather than the latter.

"I have some tragic news to share. Ms. Grundy who was a teacher here last semester was found murdered in her Greendale home last night." Whispers started as the students discussed the matter between themselves. Athena turned her eyes to stare at her boyfriend, unaware of how the news would hit him. She sat behind him and struggled to prevent herself from reaching out.

"I know some of you were students of hers and that this news will be difficult to process." As Weatherbee finished his sentence, Archie started picking up his books and standing before rushing out of the room. "Archie." Athena went to stand up before hearing discouragement. "Ms. Blossom, please go back to your seat." Athena sighed before sitting in Archie's seat next to Reggie.

"Athena, he'll be okay. Just leave him to process." Despite Reggie's comforting words, Athena knew that Archie shouldn't be alone. Throughout the whole lesson, Athena's attention was focused on Archie to the point where anything the teacher said or did was drowned out.

+ + +

After the long day, Athena had heard no word from any of her friends. Archie wasn't responding to any of her texts and she wondered if her phone was broken. After hearing three swift knocks at the front door of their new home, Athena and Cheryl opened it to find Betty and Jughead. "Betty, Jug. What are you doing here?" Athena beamed at her best friends.

"Hobo. Bride of hobo. Welcome to the Thistle house. Mother's in the conservatory. Follow me." Cheryl smiled before leading the group to the conservatory. Athena had no clue why Jughead and Betty were there but just decided to go with the flow as no one told her anything anymore. "Thank you for sitting down with us," Betty spoke quietly as she sat opposite Athena at the dining table.

"Of course, Betty. You're family." Athena cringed at the true fact that the Coopers were indeed their family. "Okay. The reason we're here..." Jughead trailed off before Betty decided to jump in. "FP's lawyer thinks that if the family of the victim shows mercy--" Betty was cut off by the badly burned Penelope Blossom, swirling a cup of the with her spoon.

"Mercy. That's why you're here?" She spoke sternly and even though she was weak, her tone was as malicious as always. "Well, it's an appeal for leniency from you to reduce my dad's sentence." Athena knew that this was not going to go well, but before she could speak, Cheryl beat her to the punch.

"Where was your father's mercy when I spent those countless nights walking in the hall of Thornhill in agony, obsessing over what was happening to J.J, imagining the worst? Where was your father's mercy when I slept under the same roof as a cold-blooded killer night after night?" Cheryl's smile no longer on her face instead she looked like she did when she first found out about Jason.

"Cheryl. FP didn't kill Jason. Okay? That was your dad. You saw the video." Athena then, about to speak was cut off by her mother once again. "If it were up to me, I'd watch FP fry in the electric chair." Athena expected no less of her mother, but yet her words shocked Athena. Betty was right, FP didn't kill Jason. It was her father. FP didn't commit murder yet they acted as if he did.

"Jug, I will give your father my mercy." The couple smiled at their best friend before sadly shaking their head. "We need the majority of family members to appeal." Betty smiled at her friend's efforts that were well-intentioned but would ultimately result in nothing. "We need this sordid chapter closed forever and FP is the last loose end to tie up. I will not have a living, breathing reminder of the darkest chapter of my life walking the streets of Riverdale." Cheryl shouted causing Athena to stand up and gesture Betty and Jughead out of the room.

As they headed to the front door, Athena felt guilt in the pit of her stomach. Guilt that she couldn't help but feel like it was her fault. "I'm so sorry you guys. I will still go for the appeal, it just probably won't be that strong." Betty gave one of her best friends a hug before leaving with Jug. "You guys couldn't be good people just for once," Athena shouted to her family from the door.

"No." She heard Cheryl shout back. Athena groaned before retreating to her room and giving her boyfriend a call. "Hello." Athena heard his voice for the first time in a little while. "Archie, where have you been? Are you okay?" Athena asked, quickly as she sat down on her bed. "I... I've just been seeing how Grundy died and I think that they may have been connected....and I think I'm going crazy. I tackled Reggie the other night." Athena could hear his shaky voice on the other side of the line.

"Arch, you're not going crazy. If anything, Reggie always deserves to be tackled." They chuckled as Athena felt tears gathering in her eyes. "Do you want me to come over?" She asked quietly, listening to his soft breathing in the background. "No, I think I better be alone. I'll see you tomorrow." Archie spoke softly before leaving the two in silence.

"Okay, bye." Athena knew he would, but there was always something in her that thought he wouldn't say it back. "Bye." The call ended, leaving Athena lying on her bed, restless. Too concerned with her boyfriend to even consider sleep. The day after was nearly as awful as the last as she sat on the stand next to her sister which shocked her to her very core.

"Ms. Blossom, you may proceed with your statement." The judge sat high up and looked down at the two redheaded women.

"Your honor, I speak for myself, my sister and my mother when I say that we forgive FP Jones for the part he played in covering up my brother's murder," Cheryl spoke with a clear voice and her head held up high. "We humbly ask the court for leniency. FP's guilt has been blown out of proportion to satiate what my father's suicide denied us. Closure." Athena gave a small smile to Betty and Jughead who sat on the edge of their seats, waiting for the judge to supply the group with an answer.

"As much as I sympathize, I can't ignore the quality of Mr. Jones' crimes. There were no extenuating circumstances." The courtroom was silent before her sister had an outburst which confused everyone in the room. "My father threatened him. I overheard them talking in Daddy's study. Daddy said he'd hurt Jughead if FP didn't comply." Athena's eyes were wide as she debated the truthfulness in Cheryl's statement. The judge looked around the room before returning his eyes to the girls.

"Is that extenuating enough?" Athena asked with an eyebrow raised, deciding to go along with the statement. "In light of these revelations, I suggest we take a step back and reevaluate certain aspects of the case. At which time, we will revisit sentencing. Adjourned." The judge brought down his gavel causing Athena to give a wide smile to the group. Athena rushed down and smiled as Jughead gave his father a hug with tears gathering in his eyes.

"Alright. We have to get to Pop's." Betty told Athena who nodded in reply. As the day dragged on, Athena skated around Pop's in rollerskates as no one came in. She stopped next to a sighing Betty and Jughead. "No one's here. No one's coming." Betty was in certain situations strangely optimistic and oddly pessimistic in others. "It's still early, okay?"

"This place will be packed soon." Betty nodded before walking over to her mother who'd walked in. "Hey, Jug. Do you think Archie will come?" Athena asked her boyfriend's best friend who shook his head softly. "Not likely. He seems pretty scared by this place." Athena nodded before continuing to aimlessly skate around. Once things started to pick up, Athena skated around with food on a tray, terrified to drop anything. She quickly skated back towards Betty when she hears someone clearing their throat behind her.

"Why the hell did you broadcast all over social media that the Pussycats would be doing a free concert here tonight?" Josie's eyes looked as if they were going to pop out of her head. "I knew if I asked, you would have said--" Betty explains before Josie finishes her sentence. "No. If my mom even hears that I set foot in this place--" Betty cuts off Josie by explaining her reasons. "Josie, you care about this place. I know you do. I see you here all the time." Betty laughs out causing Josie to wave her hands before clapping. "Betty, even if I wanted to help, I'm down a cat. Valerie has a norovirus."

"I don't mind stepping in. After all, if you can be a river vixen, Josie, I can be a Pussycat. As long as it's a cover, I'll know the lyrics." Cheryl stepped forward. "See problem solved." Athena piped in, watching with amusement in her eyes as Josie attempts to come up with an excuse. "I mean you do love your cheese fries, Josie." Melody laughs causing Josie to sigh and contemplate.

"Fine. Fine." Betty and Athena high five as the Pussycats soon after, start performing 'Milkshake' which was perfectly fitting and gained a crowd almost immediately. Athena took a break from skating and sat down before her eyes landed on Archie who stared at the ground where his father was shot. "Arch!" Athena jumped down causing her skates to slip. Archie quickly grabbed onto her so she didn't face plant.

"I didn't think you were coming." Athena beamed at her boyfriend who she had seen very little of the past few days. "I wasn't. But I'm glad I did because the image of you in these shorts and roller skates will never leave my mind ever." They chuckled before smiling at each other, Archie's arms still around her waist. "Are you okay?" She asked softly as she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. "Yeah. Just taking deep breaths."

"You, my man are one of the bravest people I have ever known." Archie chuckled before pressing his lips against hers and for a second, nothing else was around them. Just each other. They came back to reality once they pulled apart. "I'll sit you down in a booth and swiftly get you a shake." Athena skated over to the counter and shooting to Pop. "Hey Pop, can I get a shake for Archie with extra whipped cream?" Pop gave her a small smile before whipping it up in a few minutes and then gathering everyone around.

"I gotta put her on the spot. It's thanks to this young lady here that Pop's gets to stay open tonight, tomorrow, as long as you folks keep coming." Pop announced before everyone cheered and started clapping. Athena stood with her back against Archie's chest and his arm draped over her. "Thanks also to the Lodge family for a donation they just made that gives us a little cushion to weather any storm that might come up." Athena smiled at Veronica who beamed at her parents sitting in the booth. She seemed happy that her family was together and that made everyone else happy.

"Hey, should we formally introduce ourselves to your dad?" Athena asked as she looked at her parents eating their food a few booths down from them. "Next time, it has been a long day." The booth laughed before Betty smiled, sipping her strawberry shake. "So, I guess tonight is a win for the good guys." Athena gasped in faux shock as she smiled. "That is unheard of. It can't be."

"A rare win, but yes it is possible. Thanks to you, Betty." Jughead and Betty stared into each other's eyes, ignoring the rest who made a gagging motion. "You okay?" Veronica asks Archie who look around at the people in the booth. "I'm here with you guys. So, yeah, I think so." Athena smiled at her boyfriend before resting her head on his shoulder. Today was a rare day that they were all happy and content. That soon would be dashed as they all went their separate ways.

They all would wake to find that crime was more active than ever and much more terrifying.

This was a long chapter dear god, I probably should've split it but I can't be bothered anymore. Anyway... I would just like to say thank you soooooo very much for the people who have read this and the first book. Cigarette Daydreams has hit 12.7K which is INSANE and this has just hit 865 reads AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN UP FOR A WEEK. I am shook

Thanks, Queenielale.

(EDITED)