The Serpent Queen

1.3

"It's game time at Chez Blossom's, kiddies. We're going old-school tonight. Seven Minutes in Heaven." Cheryl announced.

Betty and Cali shared knowing looks

"Ready for a bit of teenage drama?" Veronica asked.

Cheryl's confident voice cuts through the chatter, "Who wants to tryst in the Closet of Love first? My vote is "A" for Archie. Anyone care to second it?"

Archie, standing on the sidelines, appears less than enthusiastic.

"Uh, actually --" Archie butted in.

Reggie, in his drunken stat jumps at the chance. "Yes -- Andrews -- YES."

Cali, leaning against the wall, observes the unfolding spectacle with an amused smirk. Secretly hoping her best friend would have to go in the closet with Archie.

Cheryl's flair for drama continues as she spins the bottle, the suspense hanging in the room like a thick fog.

The bottle comes to rest between Veronica and Betty, their gaze shifting between each other.

"Ohh, no! No way!" Reggie yelled drunkly.

Veronica and Betty share a knowing look, acknowledging the potential awkwardness.

"It's clearly pointing to the new girl. This should be fun." Cheryl smirked.

Veronica hesitates, her internal struggle evident. "I'm not doing this."

Cali raises an eyebrow, captivated by the unfolding dilemma.

"That's up to you. But, if you don't, House Rules decree the Host gets to take your turn." Cheryl said smugly.

Betty glanced at Archie, silently seeking his support in this unanticipated predicament.

" A little assistance would be appreciated," Betty muttered as Veronica and Archie walked into a closet.

"You're more of a snake than I am Cheryl," Cali said angrily.

"Cal, can you take me home? I don't feel well." Betty said, with tears in her eyes.

"Of course, Bet," Callista said, wrapping an arm around Betty's shoulders, and leading her to her car.

"I can't believe her. Y'know what. I'm sending the Serpents out for her, that preppy ginger bitch." Cali said, hopping into the driver's seat of her car.

"Don't worry about it. Maybe Archie and I just aren't meant to be." Betty mumbled.

"Betty, look at me." Callista turned Betty's head to face her. "If he doesn't see how pretty, smart, and kind you are... then screw him."

Betty smiled, as Callista started to drive away from The Blossom house.

***

Callista walked into her dimly lit room, her heart still echoing with the beats of the school dance. She slipped off her shoes and sank into her bed, a mix of emotions swirling within her. After a deep sigh, she picked up her phone and sent a message to Betty.

Callista:

"Hey, Bets. Just got back from the dance. How are you feeling?"

As she hit send, Callista started at the screen, her mind drifting back to the moment she saw Betty's face after she danced with Archie. She hated to see her best friend heartbroken.

Betty:

"I'm fine Cal, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Xx."

Callista shut her phone off and ran her fingers through her hair before she got a call.

"Archie? Please tell me you and Veronica didn't-" She asked.

"We didn't. Cali, where is she?" He asked.

"I took her home. She's not in good shape. Personally, I don't know if you're the face she wants to be seeing right now. Where's Ver—" Before Cali could finish the sentence, Archie abruptly hung up on her.

"What the hell?" Cali muttered. "Hey, Dad?" Callista called out from the hallway. "Dad? Simon?" She called again. No answer.

She assumed that the pair was at the Whyte Worm.

Her mind traveled back to when Cali, her mom, her dad, and Simon would all go to the Whyte Worm every Saturday night. They would play games and eat and interact with their beloved Serpents. The memory made her smile.

She snapped back into reality and stared off into her vacant house. She wished her mom was here. Oh, how she missed her. Cali thought back to how nobody wanted to help her find her mom, and how she gave up. Before she knew it, Cali was speed-walking into her parent's room and digging through her mom's belongings. She searched high and low for something that might help her know for sure where her mom could have possibly gone. After minutes that felt like hours of searching, Cali found a journal.

She flipped through the pages, but everything seemed to be written in a secret language. Or a code? 

Cali flipped back to the first page and there were two words that were written in English.

Freya Everhart.

***