Always and Forever

Chapter 6: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!

I sat in the auditorium to watch my brother for the variety show. I sat next to Veronica, while Josh sat with Reggie and the rest of the football squad in the back.

"What will you be auditioning for?" Kevin asked Archie through the microphone.

"Uh, an original song that I wrote called I'll try," Archie answered.

"Try harder!" Josh shouted over the feedback.

"Maybe try not sucking so much!" Reggie shouted. I turned my head to glare at the two boys, they put their hands up.

"He's freezing," Veronica whispered. I looked up to see Archie's hands shaking.

"Take your time, Archie," Kevin said. "Though we do have people waiting."

Oh my god, what's happening?" Veronica asked.

"He's choking," Josie said from behind us.

"Archie? Clock's ticking," Kevin insisted.

"Excuse me. Sorry, I gotta go," Archie said in a trembling voice. The crowd laughed and people cheered. I got up and went after him.

"Archie," I said. He stopped and looked at me. "What happened?"

"I froze, I looked into the crowd," Archie answered. "And every single one of them wore that werewolf mask we have in the basement."

"I'll take it from here," Valerie said as we turned to look at her.

"Thanks, Val," I said before going back into the auditorium.

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Later I was walking over to a table where Archie and Veronica were at.

"I don't know if he will be happy about this," I said. "Kevin is already furious with us."

"I think it will be better in the long run," Veronica stated. "And Kevin will just have to lighten up."

"Uh, no, I don't," Archie answered Betty's question about the variety show.

"Except that, yes you do," Veronica spoke up as the other two sat at the table. "Thanks to a certain Veronica and Dani-ex-machinas." She took a seat between Valerie and Archie. "Excuse me."

"What do you mean?" Valerie asked, I looked over and saw Kevin sitting down looking angry.

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

"Even though it compromises my artistic integrity," Kevin began

"Cutting to the chase," Veronica cut him off. "You have a slot if you want it."

"Veronica and Dani, thank you," Archie thanked us. "But you saw what happened."

"We all did," I spoke up.

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

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

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

"Like a nightingale," Veronica admitted. "What do you say Archiekins?"Betty put her hand over my mouth to prevent me from laughing. "Be the Jay to my Bey?" The two looked at each other and started laughing. "Are you busy after school, Dani?"

"No, why?" I asked.

"We're going to your dad's construction place, he hired my mom and it's her first day on the job," Veronica explained.