As the horror that was the Black Hood disappeared along with the Christmas spirit, Athena finally started to feel content with her break up and her life. No murder, no deceit. Just High School. The same could not be said for her family. The changes that had rippled through them were life-changing. Most recently, the fact that her mother had basically become a prostitute.

"Good news, Children. After last night, I've earned nearly enough to pay for that tree and those ludicrous presents you both bought for yourself." Penelope Blossom sauntered into the dining room where Athena and Cheryl ate breakfast. Cheryl sipped on a quaint cup of tea as Athena gulped huge amounts of coffee.

"Bravo." Cheryl sarcastically spoke causing Athena to add on afterward. "Mother, I have never been prouder." Penelope ignored the snide comment that came from her daughter and played with the money in her hands. "Never mind that the last two weeks I've been living in a bordello with, um, a woman of the night" Athena shuttered at Cheryl's comment before taking another sip of her tea.

"Oh, it's not that different from when I was younger, and I had my pick of gentlemen callers lining up every evening." It was odd to have your own mother talking about being a prostitute, Athena thought to herself. "Good God. You almost sound proud." Cheryl cringed. "You wanted me to get a job, and I did. Providing comfort and companionship to the lonely men of Riverdale."

"Well, you did certainly that Mother." Athena put down her teacup before making her way out of the house to the halls of Riverdale. Christmas had come and gone and Athena was almost glad that it had, praying that things would go back to normal soon enough. But as she strolled the halls and saw a non-existent gap between Archie and Veronica, Athena shook her head and headed in a different direction.

Athena made her way into the student lounge seconds before Archie and Veronica did. Betty sat on a chair next to Kevin and an awkward vibe flowed through the four of them before they all snapped out of it. Athena went and sat in a chair next to Betty as she tensed her jaw at the sight of Veronica and Archie giggling.

"Students of Riverdale High, this is your principal speaking. E-mails have been sent to your parents, but effective immediately, Southside High School is shut down. And its students will be transferred to other schools in the district, including this one. I believe the statement we're releasing will address your concerns and theirs. You should be receiving it shortly. I'm sure you have many questions. But it goes without saying, we are welcoming these students with open minds, hearts, and arms. This will not affect course schedules or locker assignments. Thank you. That is all." Gasps were heard throughout the school as the students tried to make sense of the situation that was happening. The Southside and the Northside were enemies and now the two worlds would collide. Athena did not think that this would be good. "Wait, what does that- What does that mean?"

"It means Jughead's coming back." Athena could hardly contain herself. It was hard to see the boy outside of school and now that he and Betty had broken up, it had become even harder. "Betty, are you ready for that?" Kevin asked, hesitantly as their break up was not the most pleasant thing in the world much like her and Archie's. "Of course. We're fine."

"But why is this happening now?" There was no reason other then Southside High being a shithole that the school would close down. "Who knows. It's probably some bizarre, Byzantine town ordinance we couldn't possibly understand. And in the meantime, let's receive these exiles as if they were our own flesh and blood. Who's in? Hmm?" Veronica made her speech and Athena stood alongside with her, knowing that no doubt would there be a backlash from the kids at the school and that they would need all the support they can get.

+ + +

Athena stood with the rest of her friends at the entrance of Riverdale High, acting as a welcome committee. The Southside High kids soon rolled in with Jughead leading the band of misfits. "On behalf of the students and faculty here at Riverdale High, welcome to your new school! To ease this transition, I've set up a registration desk where you can get your locker assignments, class schedules, and a list of sports and extracurriculars. We encourage each and every one of you to drink deeply from the cup that is fair Riverdale." Just as they all felt homely and were smiling at each other, the devil's wife came strolling down the stairs with Reggie by her side.

"Stand down, Eva Peron!" She marched down the stairs with a crowd following her as if she was the leader of their little gang, a thing that they criticized about the serpents. "There's the school spirit I so fondly remember," Jughead spoke sarcastically as he looked at the marching teenagers. "Nothing has changed around here. Not one bit." Athena spoke back to him causing him to let out a soft chuckle before Cheryl was face to face with Veronica.

"Cheryl. No one invited Fascist Barbie to the party." Athena's mind flashed back to Veronica's first clap back at Cheryl and admired how far the two had gotten. "Wrong, Veronica, no one invited Southside scum to our school. Listen up, Ragamuffins. I will not allow Riverdale High's above average GPA to suffer because of classrooms that are overcrowded with underachievers. So please, do us all a favor, and find some other school to debase with your hardscrabble ways."

"Wow, Cheryl. Because we all know you deeply care about GPA's." Athena spat at her sister who gave her a poisoned smile before turning to Toni who became angered. "Why don't you come over here and say that to my face?" Toni snapped at Cheryl. "Happily, Queen of the Buskers." The two women stepped forward, ready to fight one another.

"Okay Guys, everyone, can we just put our Northside-Southside differences apart and start over? A new slate?" Archie was the only one trying to keep people calm and have the situation under wraps which was not working. "Mmm. You don't speak for the Bulldogs, Andrews. And need I remind you, these greaser-snakes showed up at your place trying to kick your ass." Reggie spoke with his jaw tensed causing Athena to roll her eyes at him.

"It is obvious that you, Reggie, speak for the dumbass'," Athena said to the boy who she had had multiple ups and downs with. "Happy to finish what was started." Sweetpea began to step forward, ready for a fight to happen between him and Reggie. "God, I am so over the toxic masculinity in this hallway right now," Veronica shouted at the guys before they were all interrupted by Principal Weatherbee.

"All right. That's enough pomp and circumstance. Everyone, let's get to class. Now." The crowd dispersed and Athena walked away only to have Reggie run up beside her. "I've gotta tell you this, Athena. I think you might be on the wrong side." Athena chuckled at his comment before turning a corner, Reggie not leaving her side for a second. "Really now? And why is that?"

"Well, I know what happened between you and Andrews. I gotta say that he was getting pretty close to Veronica, but if you were to support us, I would treat you as a queen." Athena laughed at his words before turning to face him with her back against a wall next to her class. "As tempting as that is, Reggie, I think I may have to pass. I'll let you know if I change my mind." Athena swiped her hand across Reggie's chest before walking into her classroom, knowing that it would make the boy angry and frustrated.

OH MY GOD. AN UPDATE. I'm not really sure what made me want to update this but here you go. It's not great because it has been a while since I've written in this but hey it's something. I reckon Y'all know where this is going.

Thanks, Queenie.

(EDITED)