././𝓕𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻, 𝓟𝓾𝓼𝓼𝔂𝓬𝓪𝓽𝓼! 𝓚𝓲𝓵𝓵! 𝓚𝓲𝓵𝓵!/./.

Fear. It's the most basic, most human emotion. As kids, we're afraid of everything. The dark, the bogeyman under the bed, and we pray for morning. For those monsters to go away. Though they never do. Not really. Just ask Jason Blossom.

Another fun fact about fear, sometimes it grows up with you. Or it curls up inside of you, tightens around your guts. Each fall Riverdale High hosts a variety show, but this event is no mere student frolic.

I was sitting in my room, thinking about when Polly would sneak up to my room in the attic and sleep in my bed with me because I was so scared to sleep in the dark. It wasn't the dark that scared me or even the scary noises that would come from the creaking wood of the attic. It was the real voices I swore that I heard when I closed my eyes and the even more frightening dead bodies that would greet me when I was brave enough to open my eyes.

I always thought that they were figments of my imagination, but, now, I wasn't so sure. I was terrified that I was losing my mind.

Mom walked into my room with a basket of my laundry. I looked up from the book I was reading, "Thanks, mom."

She smiled, setting it down on the floor before walking up to the foot of my bed. I looked up at her before lowering the volume on my turntable next to my bed, "What's wrong?"

My mom smiled, shaking her head, "Nothing, I just heard Betty speaking to Kevin about you and some boy, Jughead."

I internally groaned, knowing that mom was not happy with Juggie and me. "I really like him, mom," I sit him, moving away from my headboard, "I actually invited him over for breakfast, this morning if that's okay."

Mom simply hummed before looking through my records that were alphabetically organized in a crate, "Of course, dear...but he is FP's son, correct?"

I nod my head, watching as she pulls out a record from my crate and begins reading the songs. I take a deep breath, secretly wanting my mother's approval of Jughead, "Yeah, he is." She nods in silence before putting in the record she chose and leaving the room. I hear the voice of Laura Branigan fill the room as Gloria begins to play.

I bite my lip thinking about what Jughead and I are. I don't want to call our relationship just friends, but I would imagine he'd ask to be official by now if he wanted us to be exclusive.

I decide to ask the only girl I know will have the best advice. I dial Veronica's number before waiting for her to answer.

"This is Veronica Lodge."

"Hey, Veronica, can I ask you a question," I speak softly into the phone.

I hear Veronica respond, "Of course, A."

Running my hand through my hair I begin, "Jughead and I kissed at the Drive-in a few nights ago," I hear Veronica squeal over the phone while I continue, "And he told me that he liked me and I did the same."

"I ship it Jugalaide. That is so cute," I try not to laugh at the horrible name, "So what's the problem then?"

I continue, "That is the problem. He hasn't mentioned the night since then. I mean he has been closer than usual, and there have definitely been a few quick kisses on the cheek and stuff, but he has made to move to officialize our relationship."

I bite my lip, "I really like him, Ronnie," I smile thinking of Jughead, "But I don't know what he sees us as. I mean Jughead has never been one for labels, but that's not me. Am I crazy for feeling this way, V?"

I moved off my bed, knowing that Jughead would be here soon for breakfast. Veronica takes a second before replying, "I think he really likes you. I mean you would have to be blind if you didn't see how he acts around you. He is like this completely different person who actually has feelings...If it were me, I would talk to him about it."

I frown hearing the one thing I didn't want to hear, "You're right. I know."

I open my door and begin walking down the stairs listening as Veronica says, "Look, I have to go, but keep me posted. Bye, girl."

I smile before saying goodbye and hanging up the phone. I walked into the kitchen and saw that Jughead, Betty, and my mother were already sitting at the table. My mom smiled up at me, "I was just about to get you."

"Hey," I awkwardly tell them before sitting across from Jughead and piling pancakes on my plate.

Breakfast was awkward, to say the least. Mom was beyond annoyed with Jughead's every move, and it felt like the only sound was coming from Jughead as he cut into his sausage links.

"So, Jughead. I suppose we have you to thank for Betty's ongoing obsession with this Jason Blossom ghoulishness and Adelaide's involvement." My mom smiled politely at him before looking down at his plate.

"Actually mom, I was the one who asked Jughead to help me write it for the Blue and Gold," I speak up, putting my juice down.

"Relax honey, I'm just making conversation," Mom assures me before smiling back at Jughead who is awkwardly setting down his utensils.

"Do you guys have a bathroom I could use," Jughead stood up, wiping his hands on his jeans. I turn to my mom already expecting the look of disgust on her face.

"Sure, I'll show you," Betty says going to stand up but is stopped by mom. Just as planned mom doesn't trust us to leave with Jug, "No, no, I'll show him. Follow me, Jughead."

Once they left Betty and I immediately set into action pulling out our phones and taking photos of mom's checkbook. We take a few pictures before rushing to our seats just as mom returns.

~❃~

Betty and I pulled up the pictures we got this morning and pulled it up for Jughead.

Betty read our mother's sloppy handwriting, "The Sisters of Quiet Mercy."

"What is that? Like a church? Or a charity?" I ask reading the paper closer, trying to find any more details.

"No," Jughead says, pulling up a picture on his computer, "It's a 'home for troubled youths. Where disenfranchised teens will learn such virtues as discipline and respect, enjoying lives of quiet reflection and servitude.'"

I feel my chest pang looking at the horrible place that my sister is trapped in, "Poor Polly." I feel Jughead, lightly kiss my cheek, "I'm so sorry."

"It's been months. There's got to be a reason my mom and dad don't want me to see Polly. But I don't care anymore." Betty whispered to Jug and me as we both snacked on a bag of chips. I nod my head in agreement, I missed my oldest sister.

"What are you guys talking about? Anything I can help with?" Archie asks, finally coming out of his daydream.

"What we're attempting is a stealth operation, Archie. If we go in there with the entire Scooby Gang, forget it, we're compromised." Jughead jokes.

"Well, don't you have to practice for the Variety Show anyways?" I tell him, looking at the lyrics in his hand.

"Uh, no, I don't," Archie quietly answers, holding the papers tightly.

"Except, you do, thanks to a certain Veronica-ex-machina. Excuse me." Veronica walks up before moving Jughead and me apart. I give her a strange look, but she just winks at me. I look back at Jughead and notice his annoyance, he is literally glaring at Ronnie.

I turn my head to her in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing. Just that I had a few words with our director slash host and reminded him that he's heard you sing on numerous occasions."

"Even though it compromises my artistic integrity," Kevin complains.

"Cutting to the chase. You have a slot if you want it."

"Veronica, thank you, but you saw what happened," Archie said, causing me to look at him confused.

"We all did," Kevin responds, wincing at Archie.

"Playing my songs in front of you guys is one thing, but getting back up on that stage by myself. I'm not sure if I'm ready for that."

"If it's a partner you're looking for, Veronica Lodge is more than willing and able," Veronica smiled proudly.

"Veronica, I didn't know you could sing," Betty said, surprised.

"Like a nightingale. What do you say, Archiekins? Be the Jay to my Bey?" Veronica jokes although I could swear she was being flirty.

~❃~

Betty, Jughead, and I were all dropped off at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy a few hours later by a bus. We had skipped school so our parents wouldn't wonder where we were going.

We looked up at the home, and I shivered trying to imagine Polly staying here. The place looked run down and was definitely breaking multiple safety violations. It was definitely not a nice place to stay.

"Hey," Jughead said, noticing my tense state, "Don't judge a home for troubled youths by its facade, right?"

Betty tightened her ponytail and walked forward. I grabbed Jughead's hand and pulled him with me as we followed her. I tried to ignore the creepy appearance of the building as I walked in.

"Hi, my name is Elizabeth Cooper," Betty smiled, approaching one of the nuns, "I'm here to see my sister, Polly with my other sister Adelaide Cooper-Blossom."

The old lady behind the desk stared at me oddly before pointedly saying, "May I see some identification?" Betty and I handed over our driver's license. "Sign in here, please. Those two will have to wait." She looked at Juggie and me.

I shake my head, "Why can't I see my sister."

"Polly is only allowed one visitor at a time." The lady motioned at the chairs behind me while Betty signed her name. Betty was escorted out while I grumpily sat down in the plastic seats with Jughead.

"Awesome," I roll my eyes, glowering at the old hag sitting in the reception area. I felt Jughead move to kiss my forehead, but I step back, not in the mood to deal with Jughead's on and off again relationship.

"Hey. What's wrong?" He said, moving to grab my hand, but I pull it away before turning to look at Juggie.

I try to hide the frustrating expression on my face, not wanting to make a scene, "What are we, Juggie?"

Jughead didn't seem to understand what I meant, so I continued. "What am I to you, am I your girlfriend or just some girl you sometimes kiss? Because I know you aren't into the whole labeling of things but-"

"Whoa-whoa." Jughead raised his hands up defensively before bringing them to my face, moving my head to look at him, "I didn't think we needed to..."

I nod my head, "I do, Juggie. I need to know where I stand with you."

Jughead sighs, rubbing my cheeks, trying to calm me, "Juliette. Will you be my girlfriend?"

I scoff at him before pulling away from his grip, "Are you just asking me because I told you?" I didn't want to be with him just because he felt like he had to.

Jughead seemed to think about my words before hesitantly answering, "I think so?"

I glare at him before moving to sit further away from him. Jughead moved towards me but froze, looking up.

"Adelaide Juliette Cooper-Blossom!" I hear my mother's voice. I looked up to see my mother standing with her arms crossed shooting daggers at Jughead.

I shook my head as I stood up, "Mom, we didn't-"

My mom cut me off, "What? Didn't expect to see me? Well, here I am, and as you already know, you and your sister are grounded. Speaking of..."

Mom turned around before quickly speaking to the rude nun who wouldn't let me see Polly, she turned to me, "Let me get Betty so we can go."

I followed mom as she pulled Betty out of a room in the hall. Jughead tried to grab my hands as we exited the building, but I swatted it away.

I suddenly saw Polly being escorted somewhere by two male nurses. I walked in front of my mother before running to Polly, "Polly!"

I quickly grab her into a huge hug, I forgot how much I missed her. I moved away, noticing Polly's protruding stomach. I gently place my hands on her belly, "Jason's?"

Polly smiled before nodding, "Yeah. Please be happy for me."

I laugh a little shocked nodding my head, my sister is pregnant. I am going to be an aunt. I saw Polly look behind me, "Mom?" I could hear her whisper.

"Polly..." Mrs. Cooper trailed off.

Polly stepped closer to her mother, her face screaming anger and pain, "Jason's dead? And you didn't tell me? And you kept me in here?"

Two male nurses grabbed her arms as she walked closer to mom, "Baby, It's for your own good."

"Ugh! You always say that!" Polly screamed thrashing, as the two men gripped her by the arms, "And it's not true!"

I sobbed watching as my sister was being ripped away from our family. She screams Betty and I's name, and we both run to hug her, ignoring the guards trying to pull us away.

We wrapped our arms around her while I whispered, "We are going to get you out of here. I promise."

Polly was then, pulled away from us, and I cried watching my sister be pulled away. I walked back, trying to control my sobs. I felt Jughead move to grab me in his arms to console me, but I shake my head before walking past both my mother and Jughead, walking to the parking lot.

~❃~

Mom quickly dropped Jughead off at Pop's before dragging Betty and me into the living room. The entire time I couldn't think of anything but Polly's hurt eyes when she looked at mom.

"Polly needed to hear the truth. And so did we." Betty said the minute Hal and mom walked in.

"So?" Hal looked at us furiously. I think this was the only time I have ever seen him mad, "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"No, we didn't. You hate the Blossoms. You hated Jason, and now Polly is pregnant with his baby. That gives you a motive." Betty looked up at her dad, eyeing him suspiciously. So much for secrecy.

Hal turned to me, confused, "A motive for what?"

I sigh, not wanting to accuse the man who took me in as his own for murder. I bite my lip before carefully saying, "The night of the Drive-In, did you break into Sheriff Keller's house and steal his case files?"

"What?" Hal bellowed in disbelief.

"You weren't there," I added, trying to give him an explanation for my assumption.

Betty glared at him, "You weren't with us either. So where were you, Dad? And, for once in the history of this crazy family, say the truth."

"What do you girls think I did?" He stepped closer to us, and although the gesture was threatening his face and attitude wasn't.

"Did you kill Jason Blossom?" Betty dared look at him straight in his eyes.

My mom's laugh caught my attention as I see her hunched over, trying to catch her breath. I look at her, worriedly, "Him? You think that he killed Jason? Hal?" She stood up before amusedly pointing at her husband, "Do you think that he has the stomach for that?" She walked up to us with a sour expression, "I wish he'd killed Jason. I wish I had, after what Jason did to Polly. I swear, you girls, are sounding crazy just like your sister."

I froze hearing the words I feared to come out of my mother's mouth. Was I becoming crazy? I know she didn't mean it in the ay that I had been thinking of, but her words brought me back to the troubling thoughts for what has been happening to me lately. The dreams. The strange awakenings in weird places.

"She's not crazy!" Betty shouted I could see the fear in her eyes as well, "Polly is not sick! She never was!"

"She is, Betty." Her dad told her as if she was mental, "She is depressed and delusional. Did you actually believe the story she told you? About running off to Never-Never Land and raising a family? That's a fantasy."

Betty and I both say in unison, "I don't believe you."

"You don't have to believe us," mom smiled evilly, "We're your parents. And because of your little field trip today, you are grounded. That means no Variety Show, straight home from school, and no late night visits to Pop's. Now you will go to your rooms." Mom looked at me before she and Hal walked out of the room.

~❃~

I feel tears streaming down my face as I sit in my room alone, thinking about what mom said to me, 'you're crazy, just like you sister.' As much as I was sure I was blowing things out of proportion, I couldn't ignore the strange blackouts I was having or the things that I have been hearing and the very detailed dreams.

I hear a knock on the attic window. I look up from the window seat I am sitting on and see Jughead, gripping on the branches of the old oak tree in front of my window.

I quickly wipe my tears before pulling up the window to let him in. Jughead looked up at me with a small frown, leaning on the sill, "Hey there, princess."

He climbed through the window sitting on the window seat next to me, "Nurse off duty? You haven't gone full Yellow Wallpaper on me yet, have you?"

I glare at him, standing up and moving away from the cushioned seat I was once at, that last thing I needed was someone telling me what I already know. I wipe away the remaining tear streaks on my face, "They're crazy. My parents are crazy."

"They're parents," Jughead jokes, standing up behind me, "They're all crazy."

"Yeah but they're not hearing things that aren't there or having nightmares that are scary realistic or waking up in places they never went to,? Not to mention finding dead bodies at night" I think about what Nana Rose told me, "Nana Rose noticed it before talking to me about some visions thing...And now, all I can think is, 'Maybe I'm crazy like she is' the entire town knows she's nuts." I scoff, thinking Nana Rose was right, it was in my blood.

"Hey," Jughead cupped my face with his hands. I tried to move away, but he only gripped me tighter, although not enough to hurt me, "We're all crazy. We're not our parents, Juliette. We're not our families. Also..." Jughead leans his head closer to mine.

It wasn't until then that I noticed how tall Jughead really was compared to my short stature. Jughead had to be more than a foot taller than me because even with heels on my eyes only reached his shoulder.

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion, looking up at him, "What?" Jughead still doesn't answer, he just continues to stare at me with the strange emotion swirling in his eyes. I thought I saw his eyes flicker down to my lips, but it was so fast, it may have been in my imagination.

I smile at him, not being able to remember why I was mad at him anymore, "What?"

Jughead took me by surprise as he quickly gripped the back of my neck, pulling my head towards him and pressing his soft pink lips on my own. His lips gently moved against mine, not forcing me to join in. A feeling of warmth surged through me as I moved my hands up to grab his jacket to pull him closer and kissed him back.

The kiss wasn't like the one we had at the Drive-in, my first kiss, which was short. This one was slow and filled with love and warmth. I felt myself relax into Juggie's arms as he pulled me closer. I swear if he hadn't been holding me in his arms, I would have melted.

At that moment, it was just Jughead and me, and no other problems seemed to matter. I pulled away, trying to catch my breath. My eyes twinkled with happiness as I smiled at Juggie. I looked down at my fingers and noticed that the suspenders that were hanging from Juggie's jeans had cars on them. I thought about what Betty had said about Polly running away with Jason, "The car!"

Jughead smiled at me in disbelief, laughing, "Wow," he feigned hurt, "That's what you're thinking about in the middle of our moment?"

Giggling, I move out of his arms, "No! Polly talked about a car Jason had stashed for them down Route 40 near some sign. If we can find it, we can confirm Polly's story."

Jughead turned to me, "One way or another."

"I need to know, Juggie," I look at him, eyes pleading for help. Juggie nodded before grabbing my hand, "Okay, but then I need to know something too."

I look down at our hands before stepping closer to him, "What?"

"Will you be my girlfriend? And not because you told me to ask you or because I want you as some fling but because I really like you," Jughead stroked my cheek, moving a piece of my hair behind my ear, "Juliette Cooper-Blossom, and I can't imagine a world without you in it. I can't even imagine one with you dating someone else."

I smile at him, feeling my heart flutter in my chest, "Of course, Juggie." He smiles at me before pulling me up to his lips once again.

~❃~

Jughead, Betty, and I all run to the car, Polly had told her about. I pull my coat closer to myself, shining the flashlight around the edge of the street trying to find the car. I try to ignore the pouring rain soaking us. I notice a huge Blossom Maple Farms sign that had fallen to one side.

I hear Betty call my name, "Over here!" She points at a blue car that was abandoned by a large oak tree. It was covered by a large grey tarp. Jughead and Betty run over to it while I check to make sure nobody is around before walking closer to them to give them some light. I notice a varsity jacket in the trunk and grab it, seeing Jason's number nine on the back, "It's Jason's."

I pull the jacket closer to me hugging to my body as I inhale the sweet scent of my once alive brother. I feel tears line my eyes as I imagine Jason happily packing the car planning a future for Polly and him, far away from this hell of a life he had.

"What are those?" Betty asked, pointing at a pile of packages. I shine my light over so we can see them better. Jughead picks them up before analyzing the box, "Drugs," he said with certainty, making me look at him interested in how he knew.

Betty slapped the object out of Jughead's hands, "Jughead put it down! That's evidence... all of this is evidence."

"Crap, this whole car is a crime scene," Jughead backs away from the car before taking out his camera and snapping some pictures of the entire scene.

"Okay, we need to get to Sheriff Keller and then we need to get Polly," I look at Betty who nods in agreement before we all run to Riverdale High, knowing he would still be at the school.

As we rushed through the halls of Riverdale High dripping with rainwater, we ran into Sherriff Keller. I almost slipped when I tried to stop, but Jughead wrapped his arms around my waist to stop me, pulling me close towards his warm body. I wrap my arms around him, trying to take in his warmth.

"Sheriff Keller," Betty sighs, before taking a second to catch her breath.

"I got your text. What is it?" Sheriff Keller asked me. Juggie showed Keller the phots he had taken.

He looks up at Jason's jacket that was still in my arms because I refused to part with it, "Is that Jason's?"

I nod, my teeth chattering as I spoke, "We found it in the car."

"Where did you get these?" Sheriff Keller asks Jughead, talking about the photos on his camera.

"In the trunk of a car with a bunch of his other stuff. Jason was running away with Polly," Betty explained.

"Where's the car?" Sheriff Keller asks, and we went to show him.

But much to my shock and annoyance, once we made it back to the scene, the car was lit by flames higher than the trees it sat near.

I couldn't stop myself or even think before I turned around and began full-on sprinting. I didn't know where I was running to or how far it was, but, I knew I couldn't stop. I heard Jughead and Betty calling my name as they ran after me. By the time I finally stopped, I had passed the guards of Sister's of Quiet Mercy and stood in front of an empty bedroom.

I walked in before sitting on the floor, not knowing what else to do.

I sat confused on why I ran here and who had jumped out of the window. I looked at the blood dripping on the shards on the floor of the bedroom, in fear. I couldn't help but feel like this room was connected to my sister, Polly.

I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Jughead and Betty looking at me like I was crazy. Which I apparently was. I felt tears streaming down my face as I looked up at them.

Betty confirmed my fears when she said, "Juliette, what...How did you know that this is Polly's room? And what happened?"

Here's the thing about fear. It's always there. Fear of the unknown, fear of facing it alone. Fear that those closest to you are the monsters. Fear that as soon as you slay one, there's another monster waiting to take its place. Fear that there's one more bogeyman waiting at the end of the dark hall. She was out there. Alone, bereft, unmoored Where was she going? And what would she do next?