././𝓣𝓸 𝓡𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓭𝓪𝓵𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓑𝓪𝓬𝓴/./.

People like to say that the death of Jason Blossom changed everything at Riverdale High. But certain things, certain traditions, never change. Take homecoming, for instance. Though Jason's jersey had been retired, the Riverdale Bulldogs would still be playing their arch-rivals, the Baxter High Ravens, with the River Vixens cheering them on. As in previous years, graduates from days of Riverdale past will come to town to relive their more youthful, more carefree days. Or...make up for lost time.

Betty and I were in the B&G with mom trying to think of a way to narrow the list of suspects for Jason's murder, but we couldn't seem to make it smaller.

"Oh, finally. Close that door," mom said as Veronica walked in.

I look at V confused about why she is here, but she shrugs at me.

"Ladies, I need you to look around the room. Whoever is not in this room is on the table as a possible murder suspect. Including those Pussycats," mom said.

"Oh, my god, Mom," Betty groans at our crazy mom.

"Now... let's talk about your father," she looked at Veronica.

"He has an epic grudge against the Blossoms, s," Ronnie sighs, "yes, it's totally within the realm of possibility that he hired someone from jail to kill Jason, maybe Jughead's dad."

"You really believe that?" I asked her, knowing how much she looked up to him.

"My dad paid Jughead's dad to trash the drive-in. Maybe he paid him to..."

"Commit murder," mom snapped her fingers, "And for all we know, that gay greaser Serpent is an accomplice."

"And what are you basing that off of? That you saw FP and Joaquin talking?" I ask her.

"It didn't look like they were talking. It looked like they were conspiring," mom said with crazed eyes.

Betty sighs, "Conspiring about what?"

"That's what I need you to find out, either through Jughead or FP directly. Without raising suspicion, of course. Which is why I have prepared a seemingly innocuous list of questions," mom smiled taking out a piece of paper.

"I know his dad didn't kill Jason, mom," I raise my voice a bit before sighing, "Look, I don't know how to explain it, but I have this feeling where I just know some things. And this is one of them."

"Adelaide, you're too close to this," Mom lowers her voice.

"I'm not going to do this for you," I walk out of the room.

~❃~

Cheryl and I were leaving from p.e. together when she stopped me in front of the gang's table.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I have an announcement to make. One that tangentially involves you, Betty," Cheryl looks at my sister annoyed by her presence, "I'm bringing Polly to the dance, and we're campaigning as co-queens of the Homecoming Court."

"Because, why?" Betty questions.

"Because, Nightmare Smurfette, by all rights it should've been Polly and Jason on that stage being crowned. This is the next best thing. So, don't forget to vote, and I'll see everyone at my coronation," Cheryl smiles at the group before hopping away/ I sigh watching my crazy sister before sitting next to Juggie.

"AJ, about the homecoming dance, can I play a couple songs? I told my mom that..." Archie stops noticing the hesitation on my face. "Whoa, you don't want me to?"

"No, no, it's not that Arch, it's just, um... this dance needs to be," I trail of trying to find the right words, "fun. And your songs, as amazing as they are, I mean I love them. If I could, I would-" I begin gibbering.

"They make you wanna slit your wrists," Jughead speaks up. My face contorts into a painful sadness as I watch Archie.

"In a good way," I smile at him.

"In an amazing way," Veronica rolls her eyes.

"But no need to fret, Adelaide, cause Archie asked me to sing with him and we're thinking about doing some upbeat covers," Veronica smiles at Archie, who didn't seem aware of these plans.

"We are?"

"Aren't we?" She tries to help him along. I raised my eyebrows at Archie before taking a bite of Betty's macaroni and cheese from her tray. This was going to be interesting.

~❃~

Betty is standing on the ladder, talking to Polly on the phone, while I handed her streamers to hang on the ceiling for the party tonight. Betty was the party planner for the Homecoming dance and I was helping her. Cheryl was supposed to help us, but she is still upset about River Vixen showdown.

Once Betty hung up, she turned to me with a sigh, "Polly is getting in more and more trouble every day. She just got caught trying to sneak in the east wing?"

I laugh, in disbelief, "I haven't been in the east wing since I was four and got lost."

Betty laughs along with me before we are interrupted by someone calling out Betty's name. A boy with light brown hair and puppy brown eyes walked up to us with a dashing smile, "Hey, Betty, can't wait to see you tonight." I swear I almost melted hearing his southern accent. He sent her a final wink before walking away.

I raise my eyebrows at the retreating figure, before looking at Betty with a smile, "Who was that?"

She blushes, "His name is Adam Chisholm," she gushes, "And he just moved here from Georgia," she blushed, "I met him during our tour."

"He is so dreamy," I smile at Betts, "Nice catch. I am happy that I missed that tour to hang out with Cheryl."

Betty looks around for whispering, "He asked me to the dance. And I said yes."

I am practically bouncing on my heels, "This is going to be so much fun."

"Hey, you," I hear Juggie's voice call from behind me. I turn around to see him practically beaming, as he carried the box of decorations I asked for, "Why didn't you tell me about dinner?"

"What?" I tilt my head, in confusion.

"Your mom basically tackled me in the hall to invite my dad and me over before the dance. Did you not know?"

I turn to Betty to see she was just in the dark as I was. We both smile, hiding our surprise, that our mother schemed behind our backs. We both began to object, "No, no, of course. I've, just, you know, got so many, ahem."

Betty finishes for me, "Plates that are spinning."

"I'm a little terrified by the social experiment of it all, but I think it is good, our families get to know each other. It is important for us. Ya know?" I can tell that he is genuinely happy about this and I knew that I couldn't ruin this by telling him it was a setup.

"Yeah."

~❃~

"I know what you're doing, mom," I walk into the kitchen with Betty by my side.

Mom looked up at us innocently opening a can of peaches, "Whatever do you mean? I'm making a peach pie for our guests. I know it is your favorite, Adelaide," She smiles at me, "Would you like to help me?"

My eyes move from mom to the pie, as I try to focus on the problem at hand and not be distracted by the sweet gooey filling. I grumble before grabbing my apron and tying it around my waist and standing next to her to help make the deliciously annoying pie.

"Don't think that because you wave some delicious pie in front of my face that I am going to forget about this trap you set up for my boyfriend," I grumble, carefully laying the delicate fruit slices in the pie container.

"I simply took what you said earlier to heart," mom smiled as she went to wash her hands, now that I was obviously going to finish making the pie.

Betty continued, "So you are not going to question Jughead and his dad about the murder then?"

"I mean, only if it happens to come up as casual dinner conversation," mom smiled, taking off her apron before handing me the tray with the strips of crust to put on top.

"We're not playing this game with you, mom and neither is Jughead, not after I tell him what you're planning here," I growl, carefully braiding the top of the crust into the pie.

"Are you sure that's a good idea. When I invited Jughead, he seemed so excited. Like it really meant a lot to him that our families were going to get to know each other. That's all I'm after, girls," mom looked at us feigning concern. I saw Betty roll her eyes. I sprinkle the sugar and flour on top of the pie before picking it up to place it in the oven.

"FP is innocent, mom. Jughead said so, and I trust him. I said so! Do you trust me?" I ask her, looking straight into her eyes. I could see her falter for a second before returning back to her 50s housewife facade.

"I'm sure the question of FP's guilt or innocence won't even come up at dinner," Mom smiled, taking the pie from me and placing it in the oven.

~❃~

"Super delicious, Mrs. C," Jughead compliments, taking another bite of the roast that Mom had prepared for us. I sat next to Betty, in front of Jug, as I just smiled, not wanting to say anything that Mom could work with for one of her dumb questions.

"Sure is, Alice. Been a long time since I ate something that didn't come in a combo meal or a snack pack," FP jokes, causing Jughead to give him an upset look while I just laughed.

"So, FP..." Mom began, looking up from her plate.

"Mm," he looked up after shoving a spoonful of mashed potatoes in his mouth.

"Betty tells me you're working for Fred Andrews now. How do you balance that with all your other responsibilities?" Mom smiled, placing a jug of water on the table.

"You mean being a father?"

"And being a part of the Southside community," My head snapped to mom, giving her a look to try and stop her.

"Mom," Betty warns.

"You can say Southside Serpent, Alice. I'm not ashamed. And it's not just me. There's a bunch of us working on Fred's site."

I try to change the conversation, "I think it is so great what you are doing for Mr. Andrews." FP gives me a warm smile.

"So, if you don't mind me asking," Mom began, "I'm just curious how did you make your living before that?"

"I scraped by. Odd jobs," FP tells her, not bothered by her rude behavior.

"I know that you worked for the drive-in, Jughead before it was closed. Did you find work there, too, FP?"

"Dad..."

"Well, I hung out a bit. What can I say? I'm a movie buff," FP jokes causing Betty and me to lightly laugh, not wanting them to know how selfish my mother's intentions were for inviting them to dinner.

"So, tell me were you upset when Hiram Lodge bought the drive-in land?" I lightly nudge her leg with my foot, telling her to stop. She doesn't listen and looks at FP, waiting for an answer.

"Stuff happens," FP shrugs.

"Let me rephrase that question. Were you surprised?"

Everyone was silently looking at my mom, knowing that she had gone too far with her questions. She was not being inconspicuous, she was full out accusing him on murder.

The only noise is the sound of our doorbell ringing. Betty smiles, standing up, "I'll get it."

Once she reappears, I see Hal by her side.

"You said she wanted me to be here," Hal muttered, looking at mom's glare.

"Oh, she does. It's homecoming after all, and our families should be... coming together. Right, mom?" Betty turned to mom with a bright smile.

I knew that she did this on purpose to hurt mom, but she selfishly forgot about me. I uncomfortable watched as he sat at the head of the table.

"I'm hoping maybe you have some vacancies down at Sunnyside," Hal looked at FP once he scooped some food on his plate, "See, I've been sleeping at my office down at the paper, and it's getting a little chilly at night," Hal complains, glaring at mom. I couldn't help but be happy, hearing that he was not comfortable with his new living arrangements.

"Bet your office beats the trailer park," FP jokes, causing Hal to shake his head, with a dark chuckle.

He looked at FP with a forced smile that we all knew was not real, "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure. You see, Alice here, she's been redecorating the Register," I tried to hide my smile by wiping my face with the napkin, "Yeah, the other day she threw a brick through the window," Hal, pointed at Mom with a smile, while I couldn't contain my laughter. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy, but it serves him right.

"Is that so?" FP gave my mother an impressed look, which only annoyed Hal more.

"Keep talking, Hal," I said once my laughter settled down, "and the next brick that is thrown won't be at a window." My smile falls as I glare at him while my mother simply raises her glass in cheers. Hal gives me a strange look while Juggie and FP try to hide their laughs.

"You remember our homecoming, Alice? Hal? Back in the day? Castles in the Clouds? Your mom ever tell you about that night?" FP said, changing the subject.

"Just that she and my dad were king and queen," Betty admits.

"Yeah, they were. Of hell," FP smirked, causing me to look at him confused.

"Dad, please," Jughead begs.

"No, it's a fun story, I promise. Fred and me, we were all set to play at the dance. I was backstage dropping off our gear when I heard these voices yelling. It was your mom and dad. They were fighting about...about I don't know what, but it sounded like life or death," FP sighs, looking at mom, asking her to test him, again.

"Shut up, FP," Mom snaps.

"Happy to oblige if you are. I don't care what you think of me, Alice, but don't jerk me around. Not in front of my son," FP put his arm behind Jughead's chair, glaring at my mother.

"This was such a nice idea, but I think it's time that we get to the dance. So is it okay if we skip the peach pie?" Betty smiled, getting up from her seat, and grabbing her shawl, looking at Jughead and me.

I don't move from my seat, as I frown before saying in an upset tone, "But, I made the peach pie," I frown, "Can't we have a slice?"

Betty rolled her eyes before yanking me out of the seat and pulling me out the house, with Jughead and his dad, hot on our trails.

~❃~

Jughead held his hand out as he helped me out the car.

"You be a gentleman tonight, okay?" FP told Juggie, with a stern look.

"He always is, Mr. Jones," I smile at Juggie who opens an umbrella for me, so I don't get wet.

"You mind giving us just a minute?" Jughead asked while I nodded before turning towards Betty, who just came with Mom.

I wave at FP, before walking to my sister, "No, of course. Take your time."

"Why would you invite Hal, when you knew I was mad at him," I glare at Betty, as we both stand at the top of the school steps, trying to use the little covering to escape the rain.

Betty sighed before frowning, "I don't know, I was mad at Mom," she turned to me with a frown, "I am sorry, it was selfish and dumb."

"It was," I reply watching Jughead walk up to us, with a smile on his face. He kindly grabbed my hand in his before opening the door for Betty and me to enter the dance.

As we entered the dance, and I finally got to appreciate all my hard work, Juggie whispered in my ear, "Juliette, tonight after the dance I'd like to talk to you about something. It has to do with my dad."

"Is everything okay?" I notice his heavy voice.

"Yeah. Actually, things are great. Better than they've been in a while. I just wanna figure something out together," I nodded, distracted by my sister looking sullen as she pours herself a cup of punch, alone.

"Will you be okay alone here for a second?" I ask already walking towards my sister.

"I think I should be fine," I hear him say as I stand near Cheryl.

"Where's Polly?"

"She's fine. She sugar-crashed and canceled at the last minute, leaving me high and dry. Which is why I'm never doing anything nice for anyone ever again," She complains before shoving me out of her way.

I grab her arm, "Hey, you can hang out with Jug and me," I try to give her a helpful smile, but she just yanks her arm away and walks out.

I notice Juggie leaning on the wall of the gymnasium, actively avoiding human contact. I smile, walking up to my boyfriend with my hand held out to him, "Dance with me?"

"You are so lucky that I love you," He looked at the dancing students with disgust before grabbing my hand and pulling me to the center and placing my hands behind his neck and putting his on my waist.

I knew that I loved Juggie. Last night when we were together, I realized that I could never bear to be without him. And I knew I was going to tell him after the dance.

Just as we began to sway to the slow song, the beat quickens to a pop song as Veronica and Archie walk up. "Friends, students, and alumni, I hope you brought your dancing shoes. Please join me in welcoming to the stage Riverdale High's very own Archie Andrews and Veronica Lodge."

We both laugh breaking apart before we stand in the back to watch our friends sing.

We all began clapping to the beat but, Betty stopped me as she pulled me away from Juggie muttering something about 'being right back.'

Betty pulled me out the hallway before I pulled my hand from her tight grip, "What the-"

"Veronica and Archie snuck into FP's trailer while we were at dinner with the Jone's," Betty blurted out just as the two walked into the hall.

"Before you both get mad let me explain," Veronica rushed.

"Explain what? That you're working with our mom behind our backs?" I asked, pointing at ourselves.

"I'm sorry, I, but you both know FP had some kind of arrangement with my dad. I had to make sure it wasn't about Jason," Veronica selfishly defended. I could tell this wasn't the first time she had used some sad excuse to get away with something, but I was not having it.

"And what's your excuse?" Betty looked at Archie.

"I was looking out for Jughead, in case FP was doing shady stuff to protect him," Archie said, although I knew his real reason was just as selfish.

"Blame me, I asked Archie to help me," Veronica grabbed Archie's arm. I rolled my eyes, realizing what was going on. Archie had grown a crush on Veronica, meaning he would do anything for her like some puppy-like he did his other crushes.

"Help you do what?" I point out before walking closer to them, fuming, "What did you two do?"

"Guys? Juliette," I look at Juggie, knowing he is not going to react well to this news, "What's going on? Why do I feel like I'm suddenly left out?"

"Do you wanna tell him, or should I?" Betty asks the two while I just look at Juggie with tears in my eyes.

"Tell me what?" Jughead frowns, looking at my teary eyes.

Archie walked in front of us, standing directly in front of Jug, "We went to your dad's trailer to..."

"To search it, Jughead," Veronica finishes.

"Why would you guys do that?" Jughead seemed genuinely confused, making me feel even more guilty. He had just begun to trust us, and we hurt him all over again.

"My mom... put them up to it. She was convinced he was hiding something about Jason," Betty said, looking at the floor.

"We were wrong, all of us. We didn't find anything," Veronica continues.

"We were only doing it to prove that..."

"That my dad wasn't a murderer? You went behind my back, Archie?"

"Jug..."

"How did you...? When did you guys know to go to my dad's trailer?"

"We knew he'd be at dinner with..." Archie trailed looking at Betty and me.

My head quickly snaps to Juggie, horrified, walking up to him, "It wasn't like that."

Jughead backed away, looking at me with a sense of betrayal, "That's why your mom invited my dad and me to dinner? So these two could break into his trailer while she interrogated him?" Jughead demands.

"No. I didn't know what they were doing," I tell him, trying to stop my tears from falling, "But yes, that is why you and your dad were invited to dinner."

"To think I was gonna pass on moving to Toledo with my family for you," Jughead looked at me with disgust.

"What?" I gasp. He was going to give up his dream of being a part of his perfect family for me. I never realized how much he cared about me until that moment.

"When we went to my dad's trailer, you said you believed him. I said I did. Why would you do this?"

"Juggie, I know he didn't do it," I place my hands on his chest, trying to gain his attention, although he was trying to ignore me, "I tried to stop it."

"You could've told me. You could've warned me about this," Jughead told me what I knew.

"You were so excited, Juggie. I didn't wanna disappoint you," I sob, placing my hand on his cheek.

"So, instead, you lied?" He shouts, moving my hand away from his face. "You all lied to me?"

"No." I cry, gripping onto his blazer, trying to stop him from running away from me.

"Betty. Adelaide. Thank god," My eyes shot across the room to find my mother, and out other parents walking in the room.

"Mom, don't..." Betty rolls her eyes.

"No, you have to listen, all of you," Mom states, staring at Jughead.

"My dad just told Mayor McCoy about your dad, Jughead."

"What about my dad?"

"He was just arrested. For the murder of Jason Blossom," Mr. Andrews frowns.

My reflex was to turn to Jughead, placing my hand on his face, stroking his cheeks. He moves my hands off before running out the building, I try to catch him with the others as we all watch him sprint down the steps and across the sidewalk, before disappearing in the foliage.

I don't even think about what I am doing when I take off my heels and run after him, not thinking about the ice on the pavement or the other things that I could step on. I just run and pray that Juggie is going to the trailer like I think he is.

By the time I reach the door, Jughead had already made it in. I jumped at the noise of crashing and the breaking of glass.

"Juggie," the noise halts for a second, "Please let me in."

I heard a thud coming from the door and move away thinking that he is going to open it, but all I hear is a low sobbing. I kneel down, and the noise gets louder, making me realize that he is leaned against the door, crying.

Water begins flowing down my face as I furiously begin knocking on the door, "Let me in, Juggie."

After a few minutes, I heard the creaking of the door and sat up from the stairs, turning around to see his face. I walk into the trailer and see almost everything in it, completely destroyed, including the television.

Once I finally turned to Juggie, I watched as he crumbled in front of me. His eyes bore raw pain, and he fell on his knees before crying. I quickly move to hug his head to my stomach as he clutched on to me in tears. I swallowed back my own stroking his soft raven hair, trying to console him.

I knew FP didn't kill my brother, but I couldn't prove it. How could I make my boyfriend believe that his dad didn't kill my brother when I have no proof.

Once Jughead collected himself, He pulled me into a fervent kiss, which was short but passionate. I greedily invite his heated kisses as I try to kiss him back with just as much passion.

I loved Juggie. I loved him with all my heart and soul and couldn't live without him. I loved how he softly stroked my cheek, never letting his dark green eyes leave my own baby blue ones.

Hesitantly, I pull away from Jughead to look at his tear-stained face, "Juggie," running my fingers through his curly hair while he tries to move his face away from my own. I breathlessly watch him with wide eyes as he presses a chaste kiss to my cheek before whispering, "I love you, Juliette but don't follow me this time," then he ran out of the trailer, slamming the door shut. Leaving me alone once again.

And this time, I didn't follow him.