sleuth ≀ jughead jones

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The smell of grease crisping, burning on the edge of stove tops and the loud chatter of the diner rush filled the senses of the young girl. Her nose so stuffed up with the mixed smells of fries, bacon, eggs, burgers, and chili that it's become normal to her. As if thats how fresh air smelled. Tired of rushing back and forth from the kitchen to tables filled with disrespectful peers. Her freckles almost looking smeared from the dark snuff she got on it from cleaning the fryer, mascara running down her cheekbones, and not from crying.

Her yellow 50's era uniform clung to her in the places she wished they wouldn't, but continued on anyway. She didn't need to, nor did she want to, impress anyone in Riverdale. She'd work long hours at Pop's diner now that her dad would refuse to provide for her.

The divorce split her parents, but her parents didn't split everything. The little light brunette, worked and went to school in Riverdale in the weekdays, where she would stay with her dad in a tiny 2 bedroom condo. Where he had held a few businesses here and there: Carson's Car Shop and the Twilight Drive-In.

She used to work there on the weekends, when she could have nights to just relax with her old friends and watch beautiful movies. Its where she first fell in love with photography. But when her dad started to need to make cut backs on employees, he cut her. His own daughter. Now only one person works there, and it's amazing the thing is still standing today.

To tell the truth, the guy that still works there she'd had a crush on for ages. When they worked together she was always to scared to talk to him. At the time she cared a lot more about what people thought, it held her back every day until she started dating someone else. She knew who the kid was, she always thought he was funny and smart, and mysterious above all. She never talked to the cute guy in the beanie, still wondering if she ever will. Sometimes the fantasy is better than the reality.

She had her first day of school in the morning, finally she would be a sophomore. She was a little older than other kids in her grade. Not because of being held back or anything like that, it just happened that way. She wanted nothing more than to be out of high school. She hated high school.

Not even that she really enjoyed her Sunday's with mom either. But sometimes it was better than being here. She was so in focus on her job she barely noticed when a dark haired girl in a black cloak looking jacket approached her in the diner. She had never seen her before, she always would've seen everyone in Riverdale.

"Hi, I called in an order for Lodge." The dark haired girl told her, the waitress slipped right by her, 3 checks and 2 milkshakes in her hand.

"Yeah, two burgers?" She remembered, the girl nodded, "Yeah, almost ready. But you gotta wait."

She slipped by and made her deliveries to tables of people and faces she used to know, or faces she recognized. Then slipped back into the kitchen to see Pop's. She was lucky to be working here at all, Pop was her mothers sisters husband, her uncle with no blood relation. Just doing a favor for her family at first but it's been a good bonding experience.

"Pop, you got the order for Lodge, yet?" She came in, moving fast. She liked it that way, fast gave her no time to think.

"I'm wrapping it now, how's it goin' out there?" He asked.

"Good, good. You ever think about getting any extra hands in here though?" She asked him fixing her name tag so it wasn't crooked.

"Extra hands means less extra cash for you." He said, plopping the bag into her hands, "But I guess you got school comin' up anyway right?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I won't still have time for you. Don't worry." She smiled, about to head out the door but he continued talking.

"Well don't you have friends, pep rallies you gotta go to?" He lead in, reminding her of last year.

"I, uh, I don't think I'll be going to many of those this year." She said flashing hurt in her eyes, she stopped and thought. That was her mistake.

"Noah, honey, I'm glad you're working with me. You've been one of my best waitress' by far. But I miss seeing you come in here with friends. You made enough money this summer to last you the year, right?" He lead on.

"Are you firing me?" Noah couldn't help but be concerned. This was the most productive way to pass her time.

"No! No, of course not. But I think it may be a good idea to ask me to cut back your hours." He said. She only nodded and left with the order for Lodge.

Noah approached the table. The girl she had never seen before had been talking to Betty and Archie, who she recognized from school. She always wanted to be their friend secretly, who didn't? But friends weren't exactly on Noah's to-do list anymore.

"Lodge, right?" Noah butted in, and the girl looked at her and smiled.

"Veronica Lodge." Veronica introduced herself, looking Noah up and down, sizing her up almost. "Do you go to Riverdale High, too?"

"Yeah." Noah said briskly, but still smiling politely, "You're new, right? I haven't seen you before."

"As fresh as I can be. I just flew in a few hours ago." Veronica told, Noah genuinely smiled that a peer was actually talking to her. Maybe Veronica was who she needed, a new face would help her. But also maybe she would find out who Noah was and wouldn't associate with her anymore, just like everyone else.

"Well, Welcome to Riverdale. Hope you enjoy Pop's, there's hardly anyone who doesn't." Noah started to leave, and Veronica walked behind her, following her toward the door.

"I'll see you at school then?" Veronica propositioned. Noah was hesitant, but hopeful. It was a new year.

"Sure."