A few days later, Mariah found herself running errands. Although, it was just an excuse to drive her new car. She couldn't get over the fact that she actually had one.

She was carrying grocery bags into her house. As she was putting the groceries away, the doorbell rang. When Mariah answered the door, Betty Cooper stood in the doorway. "Hey, Betty. What're you doing here?" She asked, voice laced with confusion. "I need to talk to you about something," Betty replied.

"How did you know where I lived?" Was Mariah's next question. "Kevin told me," Betty answered. Mariah narrowed her eyes. "Well, how did Kevin know?" She asked Betty.

Betty sighed, "I don't know. But we really need to talk. Can I come in?" Mariah nodded her head and let Betty inside the house. Betty looked around and took everything in. "I thought you would have had a bigger house," Betty admitted, sitting down on the living room couch. "Why would you think that?" Mariah asked sitting next to her.

Betty shrugged, "I don't know. I thought all rich people had big houses," she said. "I'm not that rich," Mariah replied. "Well, according to Veronica you are," Betty retorted. Mariah decided to change the subject.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" She asked Betty. Betty sighed quietly. "Right, well, it's about Archie," she said calmly. "What about him?" Mariah asked, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Well, I recently discovered that he and Ms. Grundy are together. I mean, I think they are," Betty told the other blonde. Mariah narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by 'together'?" She questioned.

Betty sighed again. "I mean, that they're together. Like dating or something like that," she answered. Mariah stayed quiet for a moment. Her mind was reeling. Archie and Ms. Grundy? Her Archie?

She didn't mean he was hers, exactly, but he was her friend. Betty watched the girl sitting next to her intently. She wondered what was going through her mind.

"How do you know?" Mariah finally asked. Betty looked down at her hands, which sat folded in her lap. "I figured it out," Betty answered. Mariah's mind was swimming with questions. "I know it sounds impossible. I mean Archie and a teacher. But I'm telling the truth. I'm almost positive that they're together," Betty added.

"I believe you," Mariah said after a minute of silence. She then laughed humorlessly. "I believe you. That's sad, isn't it? I believe that Archie is sleeping with a teacher. And I shouldn't. I shouldn't believe that. I should be in denial about this whole thing. Shouldn't I? But I'm not denying it because I believe it. Oh my-- this is insane. Archie and Ms. Grundy. I mean, I always thought she was creepy and suspicious but, this is shocking. Then again--" Mariah ranted before Betty cut her off.

"Okay, I get it. You believe me," Betty said with a slight laugh. Mariah released a breath. "Why are you telling me this?" Mariah asked. "I just, thought you should know. I mean, you obviously have feelings for him again--" Betty started and Mariah cut her off.

"Whoa whoa whoa. Feelings for Archie? I don't have feelings for Archie. Why would you even think that?" Mariah asked. Betty gave her a skeptical look. "Because you do. I mean, I didn't realize it until Veronica brought it up but yeah, I can tell. I see the way you look at him and the way he looks at you. That's why I was surprised about, you know. And why I'm not one hundred percent sure."

"If Archie wants to be with some old cougar, then he can. That's not my problem. And it's definitely not yours," Mariah said. "Archie's my best friend, so it is my problem," Betty defended, causing Mariah to scoff. "Trust me Betty, you don't want to get involved," Mariah said.

Betty huffed, "Alright fine. I won't get involved." Mariah smiled in victory. "Good."

····

Within the next few hours, Mariah found herself sitting next to Cheryl at Pop's Chocklit Shoppe. Across from them sat Ginger and Tina or as she liked to call them: dumb and dumber. Words could not describe how much she disliked the two.

"If I would have known Mama Lodge was working as a waitress at Pop's, I never would have given Veronica a spot on the Vixens," Cheryl said. Mariah rolled her eyes. "And why is that, Cheryl?" She asked in annoyance. "Because, Mariah, it's off-brand and sends a false message about acceptance," Cheryl answered.

"After her TMZ-style take-down of Chuck, all the Vixens kind of like Veronica now," Ginger said with a smile. "Do they?" Cheryl asked. Hermione Lodge came over to them and reached for the money on their table. Cheryl slammed her hand down on the money.

"Be sure to put all that cash in the register. You are a Lodge, after all, and Lodges are known to have sticky fingers," Cheryl said causing Mariah to scoff. Veronica walked over to them then. "Cheryl," Veronica said. Hermione held up a finger to her daughter. "Honey, I got this. Cheryl, I went to school with your mother. She didn't know the difference between having money and having class, either," Hermione said and then walked away. Veronica smiled and walked back to her booth and Mariah laughed. Cheryl took in a breath and rolled her eyes, giving Mariah an annoyed look. "What? Your mom's a bitch. And so are you. This isn't news," Mariah said defensively and Cheryl glared at her.

"You're my best friend. You're supposed to be on my side," Cheryl exclaimed. "Not if you're in the wrong," Mariah answered with a shrug. "Whatever," Cheryl said, taking a sip of her drink. The bell to the diner jingled, indicating that someone had entered.

Mariah turned around in her seat and saw Geraldine Grundy along with Fred and Archie Andrews. Her eyes met Betty's and Mariah shook her head at the blonde. Betty stood from the booth she was currently residing in and walked over to the trio. She and Archie then walked out of the diner.

Shortly after, Veronica made her way outside. Mariah sighed exasperatedly. "I'll be right back," she said to Cheryl and the other two girls. Mariah made her way outside and spotted Archie and Veronica, Betty was gone. Archie looked up at her and sighed. "I take it you know too," he said. "I'm just gonna go," Veronica muttered.

"So it is true? You and Ms. Grundy?" Mariah asked him. Archie looked away and nodded. "Okay, that's just disgusting and wrong on so many levels," Mariah said. "No it's not," Archie defended causing Mariah to scoff. "Look, I like her," Archie said.

Mariah looked at him, slightly hurt by his words, though she quickly covered it. "You like her? Archie she's manipulating you. She's using you," Mariah said. "No she isn't. She cares about me Mariah. Why can't you get that?" He said. "Wow Archie, you really are an idiot. The only person that woman cares about is herself," Mariah said in frustration.

"You're just jealous," Archie said. Mariah laughed humorlessly. "Jealous? I'm jealous? Of you, and Ms. Grundy? Really?" Mariah asked incredulously. "Yeah, you are. You're jealous of the fact that I'm happy. That I have someone and you don't," Archie said. Mariah shook her head and scoffed again. "Wow, Archie. You sure figured it out," she said sarcastically.

She ran a hand through her hair and looked back at the diner before turning her attention back to the boy in front of her. She scoffed again, "I can't believe that I actually wanted to be your friend again." Her words caused Archie's face to fall. She turned and made her way back to the diner. "Mariah!" Archie called out to her, but she ignored him and continued walking.

She went to where Cheryl sat and grabbed her things. "I'm gonna go. It's getting late," Mariah said. "It's not even that late," Tina said causing Mariah to glare at her. "Did I ask you for your opinion?" Mariah asked. "Because I don't think I did," she continued. Tina looked away from her. "I'll see you later," Mariah said to Cheryl before walking to the door.

"Mariah?" A voice called. "Mariah Coleman?" The voice asked again. Mariah turned around to the source of the voice and saw Fred Andrews. "I thought that was you," Fred said from beside Archie, who re-entered the diner shortly after Mariah. The redhead looked away from her. "Mr. Andrews, hi. How are you?" She asked. "I'm great and you?" He asked.

"I'm fine," she replied. "Were you just leaving? It would be great if you could join us," he said and Mariah shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea dad," Archie said and Mariah nodded in agreement. "That sounds great but I should really get home," Mariah declined. "All right, maybe another time then?" Fred asked a hint of hope in his tone. "Yeah, maybe," Mariah confirmed. She gave him a smile and a wave before exiting the diner and driving home.

····

A few days later, Mariah found herself walking into Pop's where Betty asked her to meet. She was late, as usual, and spotted Betty sitting next to Veronica and Archie sitting across from them. "Okay, I'm here. Now why am I here?" Mariah asked as she approached the three. "Maybe if you came on time then you would know," Veronica said.

"I was busy. Believe it or not I actually have a life"" Mariah defended. Archie looked at her and then scooted over so that she could sit. Mariah sighed and reluctantly sat next to him. "I was just informing Archie that Ms. Grundy, isn't who she says she is. She's lying about something and keeping secrets," Betty said.

"Why are you doing this, Betty? I'm not in any danger," Archie said. "You don't know that," both Betty and Mariah said. Archie looked at Mariah as he spoke, "Yeah, I do, I'm with her." He then looked at Betty. "I know what we have, and you don't," he added. "She taught Jason Blossom. Did you know that?" Betty said causing Mariah's eyes to widen. "She taught Jason?" Mariah asked.

"She taught a lot of people, Betty. What's your point?" Archie said. "My point is, you don't know anything about her, Archie. Doesn't that worry you?" Betty said. "Betty, let this go," Archie said. "Archie please--" Betty began but Archie cut her off. "If you're really my friend, you'll let this go," he said.

Mariah looked at him incredulously. "Okay. I'm sorry. I'm done. I'll stop digging," Betty said quietly. "Seriously, Archie? The only reason Betty is doing this is because she's worried about you. She cares about you. Not Ms. Grundy. And the fact that you're actually defending that manipulative cougar bitch, is disgusting. Are you really gonna risk losing your friends for that woman? Because if you are, I can't be friends with you," Mariah said. She could see the pain in his eyes at her words but at this point, she didn't care.

He needed to realize who is really going to be there for him. Archie covered his hurt with a glare. "My relationship is none of your business, Mariah. I want be with her," Archie said. "If it came down to it and you had to pick between me and her, who would you choose?" Mariah asked. Veronica's eyes widened and she looked between Archie and Mariah. Betty was shocked by the question also.

Archie hesitated. He didn't know how to answer. He didn't have an answer for her. Mariah stood from the booth. "I can't be here right now. So I'm gonna go," she said. "Mariah, wait! Don't go," Archie said.

"No, Archie. I'm not just gonna sit here and play your games. I'm done. You've obviously made your decision," Mariah said, turning away and walking out of the door.

····

A few hours later, Veronica rang the doorbell. "I guess everyone knows where I live now," Mariah said as she let the dark haired girl in. Veronica smiled and looked around. "You, me, and Kevin are going to the Twilight Drive In," Veronica said. Mariah squinted, "And when did I agree to that?"

"You didn't. But we're going," Veronica said. "No we're not," Mariah replied. "Oh come on. It'll be fun," the brunette pleaded. Mariah scoffed, "I can think of more fun things that I could be doing," she said. "You suck. You know that?" Veronica said.

Mariah laughed, "Sorry Ronnie, but I'm not really in the drive in mood," she said. Veronica sighed, "Because of Archie," she said. "This has nothing to do with Archie," Mariah said. This time, Veronica scoffed. "This has everything to do with Archie," she said. "I don't want to talk about this," Mariah said.

"We should. Your feelings for him are obvious now. Even if you don't realize that you have them," Veronica said. "I don't know what you're talking about," Mariah denied. Veronica laughed. "Of course you don't," she said. "You're coming to the drive in with us," she added, standing up, and heading to the door. "Fine," Mariah sighed causing Veronica to smirk. "See you later," Veronica said before leaving. Mariah sighed, she was not looking forward to going.

°°°°

Chapter eleven for you babes. There's a lot of drama, I feel. But the next chapter will be better (maybe; I hope). I hope you all enjoyed this. And can we talk about Jason's murderer? I am so disappointed by who it turned out to be. Anyway, vote and comment if you haven't already. Also, check out my Bellamy Blake fanfic titled Midnight Decisions and be sure to vote and comment on there as well. And, vote for Capsize for Best Archie Andrews Fanfiction and vote for me for Best Overall Author on RiverdaleSociety's Riverdale Awards book. Until the next chapter.