Dare [unfinished.]

04 | EXPOSED

"Goddamn right, you should be scared of me
Who is in control?"

- Control, Halsey

— — — — — — — —

CHAPTER FOUR
EXPOSED

     HALF an hour had passed like clockwork. It felt like mere seconds than minutes. Maybe it was because there was another person here with her. Or maybe she was just too happy to see what was right in front of her.

Students started shuffling in around eight, the only time most of them were on schedule for an event. By that time Veronica had gone to the bathroom, it would be the only time it was empty, and well, clean. Which also meant "dramatic entrance" like she was filming some sort of tv show.

She stopped walked in, the loud music drowning out every other sound, the blue lights softly dancing from above, this was like a well organized wedding reception if she thought about it.

Veronica's insignificant brown eyes searched the crowd for the redheaded boy. This was not going to be easy seeing as the room was now packed and full of teens trying to spike the punch bowl.

"Who're you looking for?" A cool voice said by her ear, and Veronica smiled.

She turned her head up and looked up at the dark-haired boy. "Hey Nick."

"Veronica," he acknowledged. "Can you tell me why you're dressed like it's a night out in New York?"

"First Katy and now you." She sighed. "Can I not dress like a normal teenage girl?"

"You could, if you weren't the 'resident nerd.'" He turned away from her, scouring the crowd, looking like he was scanning for his date like she had been instead of talking to her. "Besides you haven't answered my question."

"I have a date."

Silence, and then an, "Oh."

It was the tone that made Veronica snap her head up. "Oh?"

There was a long agonizing silence before he responded. "Nothing, I just didn't believe Katy. Archie Andrews huh?"

"Word travels fast doesn't it?"

"Way faster than the gossip circles in New York."

Veronica laughed. "Those were the days—I should go."

She didn't wait around for an answer, she didn't have to. Veronica plunged deep into the crowd, making her way back to the table.

•

"WHO is that?" Reggie's slurred speech said in his ear. Typical. Of course he was already tipsy within the first five minutes.

"That's Veronica Lodge," said Ginger, coming from absolutely nowhere.

"She looks hot, wouldn't mind—" Archie smacked his intoxicated friend over the head.

"She's my date you dumbass. Keep it in your pants."

Reggie's brows rose to his hairline. "Your date? You ought to be joking. Remember the dare Andrews, this isn't going to end pretty."

"I know about the dare, you're the one who gave me it remember?"

Reggie laughed bitterly. "It was only fitting. You did the same thing which is why I'm like this. I already did it Andrews, now it's your turn."

"The consequences are the same if you don't go through."