Truth [Riverdale Season 1]

A Weirdo's Birthday

** POV Third Person**

Sitting in jail was hard on Yasmine. Her hair frizzed and was unruly by how many times her shaking hands raked through it. Her eyes were always sore and bloodshot, if it be from crying or not sleeping it was unsure. Julio came to see his little sister once, told her that it was all going to be okay and she would be back home soon. He told her about his job working with Fred Andrews and how three Northsiders tried to enter the Wyrm. I didn't speak much to my brother, I didn't trust my own voice.

Seeing his little sister in jail was hard on the older DeSantos. Plus with Fred Andrews in need of a crew he did what he could to keep his job and help the boss. The young man gathered up a few Serpents that needed a job and got FP himself to join the team. After all Julio needed this job to get a lawyer for his sister, especially to go against the Blossoms.

The Southside Serpent guys arrived at the construction site and Julio stood at FP's side as the new crew waited for Fred Andrews to arrive. With a crew that can handle when things get a little tough it was a good help for Fred who was struggling with his business and really needed this project to help stay afloat. Things were working out but isn't that how it always looked on the outside, perfect?

**

Outside of the terror that Yasmine was sitting in, life was still moving. Her friends were still going to school. Yas was even going to be missing Jughead's birthday, which she was upset with since she wished she could see him, even if the kid hated his birthday. Despite the known knowledge that Jughead didn't like his birthday Betty was still planning a party for him. Something the close knit crew didn't expect was how fast the party was going to get out of hand. Cheryl Blossom found out and from there it changed into a usual party. Especially when Archie himself hit up his fathers liquor cabinet.

The party started with a small circle, which included Yasmine's cousin Joaquin DeSantos who was Kevin Keller's boyfriend. Betty brought Jughead to the surprise party at the Andrews' residence after a movie. Golden boy Archie Andrews had already been drinking and it was enough that even Jughead noticed when the two shared a bro hug upon arrival. While everyone gave their best wishes to Jug, Betty disappeared to the kitchen to get the birthday cake candles lit for her to carry out to her boyfriend. Her lower voice easily made the normal cheery birthday song sound a bit creepy but all of that was quickly going to end. Minutes after the candles were blown out a knock sounded at the door confusing most people within the home.

Before anyone could actually answer the door Cheryl let herself, and what could have been their whole school, into the Andrews' home. Moose behind her with a keg propped up on his shoulder. Archie, probably because of his already slightly intoxicated state, invited them all in. One keg was put in the living room and the other was placed in the backyard. From then the party was in full swing with underaged drinking, loud music, and teenagers having unsupervised fun. Jughead who didn't even want a birthday to begin with quickly escaped to the garage with the Andrews' pet dog, Vegas, where it was significantly more quiet. It was at this time that FP Jones took Betty Cooper's invite and showed up at the house. Being the only adult in the place was either a blessing or a curse but FP stayed. Veronica Lodge, who had seen FP do a deal with her mom, a Serpent deal, was now aware that Jughead's dad was in fact a Serpent. Betty and Jughead had a little bit of a lovers quarrel in the garage.

"You do know my dad has a drinking problem, right?" Jughead asked, looking at Betty with slight irritation clear in his voice. "Of course I do. I didn't think people would be drinking tonight." She started to explain as Jug turned away from her, his arms wrapped around himself. "I didn't plan on Chuck and Cheryl and the rest of the school crashing, okay? This was supposed to be just your friends." Jughead turned his peripheral towards his girlfriend, waving a hand to emphasize his words as he replied, "You and Archie are my friends here, okay? Everyone else including Kevin, including Veronica, are people that two months ago I would've actively shunned." Jughead finally turned towards Betty and she was clearly confused by what he was saying. "Why?" His eyebrows furrowed slightly and his lips pressed into a straight line. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm weird. I'm a weirdo. I don't fit in, and I don't want to fit in. Have you ever seen me without this stupid hat on? I don't think anyone but Yasmine ever has. That alone is weird."