| ENIGMA, 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞

CHAPTER ONE

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I. ONE

THE CHOCK' LIT
SHOPPE MEETING

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DEATH LOOMED over the town of Riverdale. The town of Pep soon was led down a path of depression after the July Fourth tragedy. After the death of Jason Blossom. The story had spread fast within Riverdale. On the Fourth of July, just after dawn struck, Jason and Cheryl Blossom drove out to Sweetwater River for an early morning boat ride. But soon the storm started to brew.

The next thing that we know for sure had happened is that Dillon Doiley, the leader of the Riverdale Boy Scout Troop on a Bird watching Expedition had found Cheryl by the river's edge.

To Gabby, the entire story was bullshit. It was told that Cheryl had dropped a glove in the water and Jason, as the kind brother he was, reached down to get it, only for the boat to tip over. It didn't make sense to her. Her mother had told her to drop it. That what had happened to Jason Blossom was a tragedy, and that she should let the Blossom family grieve in peace.

But Maya Cortez knew, her daughter was too smart for her own good.

☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎

Summer was close to an end, as the sun finally set bringing the last day of the school break to its final hours. The bright neon sign that read "Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe" could be seen from Gabby's view, as the group finally had arrived. The small jingle of the front door bell rang as people went in and out of the local diner. Emma was the first to speak up.

"We are officially freshmen. By this time tomorrow, we will have finally left our mark at Riverdale High," she squealed.

"It's not all that, Emma. Trust me," the boy next door Noah Andrews said, dipping his fry into his milkshake. "What do you know about high school?" Miguel questioned. The group was seated in a booth, 3 on one side, 2 on the other reminiscing on their final summer nights and their goals for their freshmen year.

"Duh, my brother." He simply answered.

"Duh, stupid answers," MJ Cooper cut in with a dumb tone, smacking Noah in the head. Noah elbowed him in his side, causing a small fight to break out. The front bell rang, signaling someone entering the diner."You guys are imbeciles," Gabby groaned out, throwing an onion ring their way. The duo ducked, causing the onion ring to hit the unknown figure that walked in.

"Guys!" Betty Cooper, who sat in a booth behind the group, scowled at them.

Gabby's eyes widen. The raven-haired girl walked in slow motion, or it looked like slow motion. "Woah," MJ and Noah gasped, their mouths open agape at the sight of the girl who just walked in. "Mouth closed dimwits," Emma whisper yelled, slapping both of their shoulders. The raven-haired girl smiled at the group of freshmen.

"I called in an order, for Lodge?" The raven-haired girl spoke up, looking towards Pop Tate himself.

"Two burgers, yeah, almost ready but you gotta wait." Pope Tate nodded his head towards the girl, before walking back to the counter. It was like deer in headlights. All eyes were on the new girl, and Gabby could tell this person was new. Everyone in Riverdale knew each other, and they didn't this new mystery.

The new girl turned her head, noticing the group. "Hi." She greeted the group with a kind smile. They sent a small awkward wave her way. "Stupid..." MJ muttered to himself, hoping he acted a bit cooler in front of the new beauty. "Hey," Archie replied, mesmerized by her.

"How are the onion rings here?" The raven-haired girl turned her head, now speaking to Gabby who had thrown the onion ring not too long ago. "So good," Archie answered for his neighbor. "What he said," MJ said. "Can we get some onion rings, too, please?" The new girl requested to the owner.

"Yeah."

"Thanks."

"My mom and I just moved here, so...." She explained. "From where?" Archie questioned. His eyes never left the figure in front of him, as Betty's wavered between the redhead and the raven-haired girl. The looks didn't go unnoticed by Gabby and the rest of the mystery gang. "Awkward..." Emma mouthed.

"New York." "Wow."

"Do you guys go to Riverdale?" She asked.

"We do." "We're sophomores." "Both of us. Together." "We're freshmen." "First year." "We're just as new as you are." "You're really prett- ow."

Veronica smiles at them. "Me too. I'm filled with dread," she explained.

"Why is that?"

"Are you familiar with the works of Truman Capote?" The raven-haired girl questioned. "Totally," MJ said. Gabby and Miguel look at him with confused looks. "I'm Breakfast at Tiffany's but this place is strictly in Cold Blood." The new girl, Archie, MJ, and Noah laughed, causing the rest to look at them strangely.

"Veronica Lodge." She introduced herself once the laughter died down.

"Archie Andrews." The redhead jock connected his hand with hers, shaking it gently. "Uh, this is Betty Cooper." He introduced his childhood best friend. "And those hooligans over there are Emma Campbell, my younger brother Noah, Betty's younger brother MJ, and the twins." Veronica scanned over the group of freshmen. "Miguel and Gabby."

"Wait," Veronica said, noticing a familiar name. "Are you..." "Supposed to give you your tour tomorrow? Yes." Betty finally spoke up, her kind demeanor shining through the awkwardness that she had just witnessed. "I'm your peer mentor."

"Do you want to join us?" Archie asked. "Hey, maybe we can un-fill you with dread."

"My mom's waiting for me. But, to be continued." Veronica started to walk off as she eyed the table of newcomers. "Sorry about the onion ring," Gabby finally spoke out, as she had been holding in the apology as if she was holding in the air. "Apology accepted," Veronica said with a kind smile. "See you around, hooligans."

Veronica exited the diner.

"What were you saying?" Archie questioned, as he snapped out of his daze.

Betty sighed. This didn't go past the booth behind them. "Awkward," Noah whispered. "Just bombed it," MJ whispered. Gabby kicked him from under the table.

"Shut up."

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A/N

hi! i hope you all liked the first chapter! please vote, comment, and follow for more! please check out my other fanfics as well, if you have any suggestions, please comment below! stay safe🤍

-author