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CHAPTER II
A TOUCH OF EVIL

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𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐋𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 on the cold, linoleum floor of Riverdale High's hallway, her fingers delicately placing a singular red rose amidst the sea of floral tributes adorning the bottom of Jason's locker. The soft glow of candles flickered, casting dancing shadows against Jason's framed picture. Lost in the moment, she barely noticed the echo of Principal Weatherbee's voice reverberating through the speakers above.

"Good morning, students. This is your principal speaking. There have been many inquiries about the upvoming 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."

"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."

"And may I interject, neither I, my brother, 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. Hashtag Riverdale strong." Cheryl interrupted, her voice ringing through the speaker.

Sheriff Keller's authoritative voice followed, "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."

Florence was silent, her gaze fixed on Jason's picture. As the echoes of the speakers faded into the background, and she rose to her feet, though her eyes remained on Jason's picture. Suddenly, Florence's reverie was shattered as she collided with someone behind her, jolting her back to reality. Startled, she spun around only to be met with all too familiar green eyes.

"Shit!" Florence whisper-yelled, her heart racing as she tried to catch her breath. "You scared me, James."

"Sorry about that. You have biology now, right?" James asked, his voice tinged with concern. Florence nodded in response. "I do too. Can I walk you to class?"

The two of them fell into step together, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. For a while, there was only silence between them.

But Florence couldn't bear the weight of the quiet any longer. Breaking the silence, she looked up at James and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I mean, considering that all hope that my brother might be alive just shattered," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, "I'm doing okay." He cast his gaze downward, his eyes fixed on the cold linoleum floor beneath their feet.

"I know, I get it," Florence murmured softly. "I just wanted to say, if you want to talk to someone, I'm always here." She reached out, placing a comforting hand on James's shoulder.

"I know, Flo," James replied, offering her a grateful nod before they stepped into the classroom together. As they passed by Jughead, Florence gave him a small wave, before they made their way to their seats at the back of the classroom, just as the bell rang, signaling the start of the lesson.

"Seats, everyone. Pair off, gloves on, scalpels up," the teacher announced briskly, bustling into the classroom. As the rest of the class began to pair off, Florence and James remained together.

Their eyes fell upon the lifeless frog lying motionless on the table. With scalpels in hand, Florence and James hesitated, their gaze lingering on the creature before them.

"I understand if it's weird for you. I'll do it-" Florence stuttered.

But James shook his head, cutting her off gently. "No, no. It's okay. I'm okay," he assured her, though his expression betrayed a hint of discomfort. With a deep breath, he steadied himself, his hand trembling slightly as he guided the blade, wincing as it pierced the frog's delicate skin.

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Passing by in the empty hallway, Florence couldn't help but notice her brother, who was standing by the door of the music room, his attention fixed on something beyond the glass. Florence furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"Hey Jug, what are you doing?" He silenced her with a hushed gesture, his eyes never leaving the window. With a pointed finger, he directed her attention to what was going on inside. As she leaned in, her breath hitcged as her gaze landed on Archie Andrews, who was kissing the music teacher. A gasp escaped Florence's lips as she stumbled backwards.

"What the fuck?"

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Florence reclined against the railing of the Andrews' front steps, her brother sitting beside her. Absently, she twirled the rings adorning her fingers, lost in thought until a familiar voice sliced through the silence.

"Jug. Flo. What's up?" Archie asked, pulling her attention.

"What's up is we saw you, Archie. In the music room. With Ms. Grundy." Jughead spoke up. The twins descended the stairs, their gazes piercing as they confronted Archie.

Archie's eyes darted around nervously. "Keep your voice down. My dad's inside."

"We're trying to help you, dude." Florence interjected, her voice filled with concern.

"I'm trying to be your friend here. Even though we're not anymore." Jughead continued. "How long? You and Grundy?"

"Since the summer." Archie hesitated, his gaze dropping for a moment before meeting theirs again. "I like her."

Jughead scoffed. "I'm guessing she's the reason you've been acting weird since summer?"

"One of them." Arcie admitted.

"One of them? There's more than one?" Florence's voice wavered with disbelief.

A heavy silence settled over the trio before Archie spoke again. "We were at Sweetwater River on July 4th. We heard a gunshot. The gunshot."

Florence's eyes widened in shock as the gravity of the situation sank in. "Archie, we have to tell somebody!"

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

"A kid is dead, Archie!" Jughead yelled, his voice filled with frustration. "And you're worried about some... some cougar?"

"Don't call her that," he retorted, his voice strained. "Okay. She's not like that, she cares about me."

Florence scoffed. "She's a thirty-something-year-old woman, Archie, and you're her student. She clearly only cares about herself."

Jughead's brows furrowed deeper as he stepped closer to Archie. "She's the one who's telling you not to say anything, right?" Without waiting for confirmation, he pressed on, his words heavy with conviction. "Look, I saw you guys. She's messing with you, man. And she's messing with your mind."

"What the hell do you know about it, Jughead? Or about me, even?" Archie's voice cut through the tension like a knife.

"Nothing. But I used to know this guy once. Archie Andrews. He wasn't perfect but he alway's tried to do the good thing at least." Before they could leave, Archie stopped him with a harsh grip on Jughead's arm.

"Guys. If you tell anyone about this."

"What? What are you gonna do?" Jughead shot back. Silence enveloped them, broken only by Fred Andrews' opening the door suddenly.

"Hey, Jug, Flo. Coming in? We got take-out fron Pop's." He said, oblivious.

"They were just leaving." Archie said, not breaking eye contact with Jughead. With a final glance at Archie, the twins nodded, their footsteps on the pathway as they disappeared into the night.

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They found themselves in a dimly lit passage next to the stands, a brief respite from the overwhelming noise of the pep rally. Florence's gaze flickered across the faces of the crowd, feeling a sense of unease settle in the pit of her stomach. She hated crowds. The feeling of being watched couldn't leave her head, and she drowned out James' voice as she searched for a familiar face.

Her eyes landed on Archie, the person who was watching her. He stood next to Jughead, bht when he noticed her reciprocating the look, he waved. "Hey Florence! Come here!"

She tugged on James' hand, guiding him towards her brother and Archie. "Come on," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the noise.

"I just wanted to apologise to you, too. For what I said last night." Archie looked up at James for a second, before going back to Florence. "I'm going to do the right thing tomorrow, I promise."

Florence's smile softened at Archie's words, a flicker of relief crossing her features. "Thank you, Archie," she murmured.

"The game's starting. See you later, guys."

After he left, James spoke up. "What's he talking about?"

Before Florence could answer, Jughead interjected. "Archie and I got into a fight last night, Florence was kind of in the middle of it."

When she saw James' face, Florence continued. "But we're okay now. He's doing the right thing." Jughead nodded.

"Whatever that means," James muttered, his tone laced with resignation.

After Mayor McCoy's speech and the River Vixens performance the game started. Florence watched in concern as Cheryl dashed across the field behind the stage, clearly upset.

They all stared at her in confusion and silence, before James spoke up. "I think I should go look for her." He said, removing his arm from around Florence's shoulder. "I'll see you later, Flo. Bye, Jughead." He said, before running off.

"Bye." The twins said in unison before sharing a look of confusion.

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The familiar chime of the bell above the door heralded the arrival of Florence, Jughead, and Archie into Pop's diner. The cozy ambiance enveloped them like a warm embrace as they scanned the room, their eyes landing on Betty and Veronica seated at one of the tables, engrossed in conversation.

A welcoming smile graced Betty's lips as she caught sight of her friends. "Do you guys want to join us?" she called out.

"Yes, but only if you're treating," Jughead joked, earning a playful punch from Florence to his arm.

"Veronica Lodge," she introduced herself with a warm smile as Jughead and Florence approached the table.

Jughead nodded in acknowledgment. "Jughead Jones, the third. And this is—"

"Florence Jones," Florence interjected, her own smile mirroring Veronica's.

"The third?" Veronica's curiosity piqued.

Florence couldn't help but giggle at Veronica's question. "The first," she replied with a playfully.

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The monotony of the biology class the next morning was shattered by the unexpected appearance of Sheriff Keller and Principal Weatherbee. A hush fell over the room as all eyes turned towards them, anticipation thick in the air.

Without uttering a word, Cheryl rose from her seat, her movements tinged with a quiet resignation. "You're here for me, aren't you? Because of the autopsy?" Her voice was steady, betraying none of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.

The stunned silence that followed was deafening, every gaze fixed on Cheryl in disbelief. Principal Weatherbee attempted to diffuse the tension, his voice laced with concern. "We don't need to do this in front of your classmates, Cheryl."

"It's all right, Principal Weatherbee. They'll find out soon enough." With a calm demeanor, she extended her hands, a silent invitation for them to handcuff her. But to her surprise, they refused.

"Wait, Cheryl, find out what?" James' voice cut through the silence, his confusion palpable as he spoke from his seat next to Florence.

Cheryl's gaze shifted to James, her expression unreadable. "That I'm guilty," she confessed.

Sheriff Keller's voice broke through the stillness. "You should come with us too, James."

Florence watched in stunned silence as James rose from his seat, a look of disbelief flickering across his features before he followed Cheryl and the authorities out of the classroom.

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