The Serpent Queen

5.1

Dear Dairy, 

Every town has one. The spooky house that all the kids avoid. Ours was Thornhill, the Blossom family's mansion, with its very own graveyard. And, trapped within its walls like some gothic heroine, was Cheryl Blossom. Still grieving for her beloved brother, Jason. Linked in death even as they were in life. 

***

Kevin led the way into a dimly lit room, where the remnants of a meticulously arranged murder board came into view. The space was awash with haphazardly pinned photographs, news clippings, and tangled strings connecting various pieces of evidence. It was the same murder board that Kevin's father had used to investigate the Jason Blossom case before it had been vandalized and left in disarray.

Jughead's eyes scanned the room, taking in the chaotic scene. "Any leads on who did that?" he inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity. "Or what they were looking for?"

Kevin shook his head, disappointment evident in his expression. "Nope. No fingerprints," he explained, "But they stole a bunch of files, background checks, and all the video and audiotapes of police interviews."

Cali chimed in with a thoughtful observation. "Y'know... it could be Jason's murderer," she suggested. "I mean if you really think about it, they could be trying to cover their tracks..."

As the group continued to ponder the mysterious break-in, another voice intruded upon their conversation. "Hey, Betty..."

Betty turned to see Trev approaching, her face breaking into a warm smile. "Trev, hi!" she greeted him.

Trev seemed apologetic for interrupting, but Betty assured him it was no trouble. "Oh, no... Uh, it's okay. We're just, uh, working on..." Jughead interjected, "Our murder board."

Trev acknowledged their project with a nod. "Well, I just wanted to make sure we're still on for tomorrow?"

Betty's smile widened, and she replied with enthusiasm, "Absolutely, it's a date."

Cali couldn't help but notice Jughead's reaction; jealousy flickered across his face. He had been watching Betty and Trev's interaction closely.

Trev bid his farewell, and Betty echoed it with a casual "So, I'll see you. Bye."

Kevin seized the opportunity to tease Betty, his voice carrying a playful tone. "Going on a date with Trev? Does Mama Cooper know about that?"

Betty, her patience evidently tested, defended herself. "Kev, I'm not on house arrest," she retorted, "Okay, she's out of town at a Women in Journalism spa retreat. Anyway, it's not a 'date' date."

Jughead couldn't resist pointing out the obvious. "You just called it a date," he quipped. "You literally said, 'It's a date.'"

Cali, always quick to support her friend, jumped in. "Whatever. Give my girl a break. She deserves it after all that Archie nonsense."

Betty was grateful for Cali's support, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you, Cali," she said. "And that's just my cover. Really, it's an intelligence gathering mission. We should focus on the one thing we have access to that your dad doesn't. The kids at Riverdale High. You know, maybe Trev knows something about Jason he didn't think was important."

***

The group strolled over to the bleachers, finding a comfortable spot to sit. Veronica, always one to dig for the latest gossip, turned her attention to Betty.

"Betty, you're positively radiating Nicholas Sparks. Tell me everything about this Trev."

Kevin chimed in, "Oh, there's nothing to tell. Just one of Betty's sources, there's nothing romantic in the offing."

Veronica shook her head in frustration. "Why is everything weird here? Why can't a date just be a date? How about you, Cali? Any Serpents catching your eye?"

Cali hesitated, pondering the question. "Eh, I dunno. They're like my family."

Veronica shifted her focus to Archie, attempting to pry into his life. "What about you, Archie? How's life in a PG world? PG. Post-Grundy. What, too soon?" She shoved a fry into her mouth.

Archie, always focused on his football dreams, replied, "Coach Clayton says I have a shot at being varsity captain. So I'm not thinking about anything else right now."

Veronica teased him, "And you're back to being boring."

But Betty couldn't let the topic slide. "Are you, maybe, throwing yourself into football as a way to avoid your feelings?"

Archie defended himself, "I'm not avoiding anything, Betty, I'm trying to get my life back on track."

Valerie joined the group on the bleachers, and the conversation shifted. She offered Archie a potential lifeline.

"I can help with that. I know Ms. Grundy was tutoring you."

Veronica couldn't resist chiming in, "Understatement of the year."

Valerie continued, "But there's this amazing songwriter from New York, who's an adjunct at Carson College? Incredible mentor. He does some coaching on the side, and I told him about you. You wanna meet him?"

Archie showed interest, but he hesitated, citing his football commitments. Betty, however, encouraged him.

"No, Archie can. And he will."

Valerie provided him with a contact, saying, "Call him if you want, but do it soon. His spots fill up fast."

Archie, appreciative of the offer, expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Val."

As the group continued their conversation, Cheryl interrupted with a solemn invitation.

"Sorry to interrupt Sad Breakfast Club, but I'm here to formally invite you to Jason's memorial at Thornhill this weekend." Cheryl handed out invitations to the group. "To my surprise and chagrin, mother added Veronica and Cali to the guest list. Simon practically invited himself to the funeral, so my mother insisted you come too." Cali exchanged a strange glance with Cheryl. "In case you're tempted to steal our silver candlesticks, don't. We'll be searching bags."

Betty tried to remind them, "Hey, try to remember, she is burying her brother."

***

Cali's room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the morning sun seeping through her half-drawn curtains. She stood at her dresser, contemplating the somber task ahead. Her fingers danced hesitantly over her clothes, searching for the right attire. She didn't want to go, not to a funeral for Jason Blossom, whom she had harbored deep resentment for. But her sense of duty and respect compelled her to attend.

Reluctantly, Cali selected a long sleeve black dress from her closet. It was a garment that had remained untouched for years, reserved for moments like these. She paired the dress with black tights and black thigh-high boots. As she slipped into the dress, she couldn't help but feel the fabric clinging to her, a stark reminder of the weight of the day.

Her blonde hair, usually wild and free, hung loosely around her shoulders. She considered pulling it up into a ponytail, but ultimately decided to put it half up. Today was not about appearances or pretense; it was about paying respects to a boy she had known, despite their tumultuous history.

Cali's makeup routine was minimal. She applied a subtle touch of mascara to her lashes, aiming to emphasize her eyes without detracting from the gravity of the occasion. She didn't seek glamour; her focus was on the act of bidding farewell to someone she had once crossed paths with.

As she stood before the mirror, Cali's thoughts drifted to Simon, her big brother. She thought of how he really wanted to go to the funeral. Why she questioned. She had never seen them cross paths even once.

Cali gazed at her reflection one last time, her eyes meeting those of the girl in the mirror. There was a tumult of emotions within her—resentment, reluctance, but also a sense of duty. She understood that she had to attend, not for Jason Blossom, but for the people who still sought closure. It was a duty she couldn't evade, even though her heart brimmed with conflicting feelings.