Always and Forever

Chapter 25: The Wicked and the Divine

Dad was getting ready for work as Jughead and I worked on a project when there was a knock at the door. 

"Sheriff Keller," Jughead greeted as he opened the door. "What a surprise." 

"Jughead, Fp, Dani," Sheriff greeted as he walked in. "Sorry to bother you. It's..."

"We do not have General Picken's head," I stated, cutting him off. "And we do not know who stole it." 

"Same as the four last times you came by to ask us and our neighbors," Dad added. 

"You know, Sheriff these visits are starting to feel a lot like harassment," Jughead began. "There's absolutely no evidence. Zero proof whatsoever pointing to any particular group of suspects." 

"Well, you did write a rather scathing article about the General's legacy, which prompted the Southside Serpents to stop by at Pickens Day with an ax to grind," Sheriff Keller pointed out. 

"He's actually writing a new article," I said.

"About how you seem to care more about catching a vandal than the Black Hood," Jughead added. In the words of the Black Hood, I paused on the project and my mind went back to the night. Something has been telling me that maybe that we did not get the right guy. "Can I get a quote?" Dad started to laugh. After Sheriff Keller left, Jughead and I made our way to school. We now sat in the student lounge as Veronica was telling us about her confirmation. 

"I already invited Archie, but I want you guys to be there as well," Veronica insisted. "Usually these kinds of events, baptisms, confirmation are family-only, but since it's all about me and you guys are my chosen family, I pulled a few strings and reserved you a pew." 

"What is the dress code?" Kevin asked.

"Catholic chic. So, dresses for girls, veils optional. And coats and ties for the boys," Veronica answered as she rubbed Archie's shoulders. 

"Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper, please report to the Principal's office," Principal Weatherbee instructed over the PA.

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After Vixen's practice was over, I was walking out of the school all by myself. 

"Are you coming to the Whyte Wyrm today?" Fangs asked as he walked up to me. 

"Maybe, I don't know," I answered. "Jughead and I still need to work on our project, but we can do it later. 

"You always swing by afterward," Fangs suggested. "Sweet Pea would be delighted to see you, so would Toni."

"I will try to come, if not then this week," I assured him. "I gotta work on the project and then some other things." 

"Don't work too hard," Fangs advised before walking away. 

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Later that night Fangs, Toni, Sweet Pea, and I were walking back to the trailer park from the Wyrm. Toni and I were talking as Fangs and Sweet Pea were messing around. Then they ran off somewhere. 

"So what have you been doing about the Sweet Pea problem?" Toni asked. 

"Nothing really," I said. "I want to kinda go on a date with him, but I don't know how he feels about me. It would be weird if I asked him on a date and he didn't like me like that." 

"Yeah, I know girl, that would be awkward," Toni admitted. "I just have a few hints that he likes you. It could work." 

"I don't know Toni," I said. "With us hanging out a lot more my feeling have become bigger, I think. I just don't know how to tell Swe-"