The Festival - A Bughead Story

Part Four - The Office

The ballroom was actually in an old hotel reinvented into business offices. Reggie's dad worked there and his son had stolen his key, so the gang ended up in his office. It was a big and cozy place, with a mix of old wooden floor, golden tapestry, modern kitchen appliances and a big and dark desk.

It had a bathroom, a small kitchen corner, a few sofas and big glass doors that led to a balcony overlooking the city.

"Welcome to the ultimate bachelor lair." Reggie jumped the small step that got him to the kitchen, where he immediately pulled a bag of popcorn from a cabinet and put it in the microwave. "Please make yourself at home. Moose, give me the booze."

As the two guys set up a small bar with the spirits, Veronica walked off to the windows to look at the view while Dilton excused himself to use the bathroom. Betty was left with her old crush and her new crush: Archie Andrews and Jughead Jones.

"Hey, Bets, what do you think we should do tonight?" Archie asked, looking over to Reggie, behind the counter.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, even if you're not drinking, we need to play some sort of game, or it will be extremely lame. Especially if you're not drinking."

Betty frowned. "Why would I know what kind of game we should play? I never go to these sort of things."

"True. I'll go and ask Ronnie."

"Good idea."

And she was left with the raven-haired boy, who was currently frowning at Moose and Reggie. Betty chuckled and pushed him gently on the elbow, making him look at her with those big azure eyes that opened the butterfly cage in her stomach.

"What's the matter?" she asked, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"Nothing." He smiled at her, sparkles in his eyes.

Okay, well, maybe she was imagining the sparkles. But it was a nice thought.

"Okay then."

As they continued to stare at each other, the moment gradually became awkward. Fortunately, Reggie declared he was done with the 'bar' and Archie and Veronica walked back to pour themselves a drink. Dilton was also there, looking curiously at the different bottles filled with colorful liquors.

As Veronica mixed various fruit juices with rum, Archie filled a few shot glasses with tequila and Reggie poured himself a small glass of a very dark whiskey. Moose opened a beer and offered one to Dilton, who took it with a sceptic look.

"It doesn't taste as bad as it smells." he said.

"If you say so."

"What about the two of you?" asked Reggie, accepting a tequila shot from Archie, who also distributed it to the other three with drinks. "Betty and Jughead? What do you want?"

"Nothing for me, thanks." Betty refused, putting a hand in front of her.

"Yeah, me too." Jughead shook his head.

"Well, it's your decision. Archie? What are we doing?"

"Do you have a deck of cards?" The redhead mentioned to Veronica. "She proposed a card drinking games."

"What's that?" asked Dilton, still looking suspiciously to his beer and the tequila shot.

"Dilt, first, the alcohol is not going to kill you." The dark-haired girl mentioned to his drinks.

"Well, actually, alcohol, as you all know, can kill..." Dilton started, pushing back his glasses.

"And I don't care." Veronica sighed. "I'm just saying, tonight, it won't hurt you. Anyway, a card drinking game is very simple. We have a deck of cards, and we pick one each while taking turns. Depending on what you drew, you drink, tell others to drink, or you do others things."

"Sounds perfect to start off the night." Reggie clapped once. "But first, on three, we down this shot. One, two... THREE!"

Betty watched the five teens cough as the first of the night's alcohol burned their throats.