Dark Hearts || Archie Andrews and Jughead Jones [1]

Be A Bitch

BE A BITCH

Eleanor finishes getting ready in front of her mirror, the beautiful blue a-line beading short dress gives her some doubts in the beginning but now she's more conviced. The worst part of the night, however, is way beyond a choice of a dress but yes of heart. 

"Super delicious, Mrs. C."

"Sure is, Alice." FP agrees. "Been a long time since I ate something that didn't come in a combo meal or a snack pack."

"So, FP..."

"Here it comes." Ellie mutters under her breath, but by the look Betty gives, she hears what she just said quite clear.

"My daughters told me that you're working for Fred Andrews now." Alice wonders. "How do you balance that with all your other responsabilities?"

"You mean like being a father?" He replies.

"And being a part of the South Side community."

"Mom." Betty warns.

"You can say South Side Serpent, Alice." FP tells her, his tone is provocative as well at this point. "I'm not ashamed. And it's not just me, there's a bunch of us working on Fred's site."

"So, if you don't mind me asking, I mean, I'm just curious, how did you make your living before that?" She asks.

"I scraped by. Odd jobs."

"I know that you worked for the drive-in, Jughead, before it was closed." Alice faces the dark-haired boy and then his father. "Did you find work there too, FP?"

"Dad."

"Well, hung out a bit. What can I say? I'm a movie buff."

Everyone laughs, but Betty and Ellie only smiled at the man, knowing full well what their mother is doing, or about to do anyway. It's always like this with Alice Cooper, you get one surprise after another, and they can only watch the ashes starting to build up around them from all the fires their mother starts. 

"So tell me, were you upset when Hiram Lodge bought the drive-in land?"

The tension increases by now, and everyone turns their eyes to Alice.

"Stuff happens." FP says.

"Let me rephrase that question. Were you surprised?" She accuses him.

Ellie's heart sinks when she gets a clear view of the man's reaction. It doesn't matter what his past is – or even his present – it doesn't matter what he did, FP is still Jughead's Dad which means he's family to her as well and Alice is crushing him.

The bell, however, saves them.

"I'll get it." Betty stands up right away.

Eleanor glances at her mother, that's leaning her head to see you is coming in. Noticing her daughter's look, Alice arches her brow suspicious and the blonde gives her a challenging smile. Another look at the entrance and her Mom knows – it's Hal.

"I thought you said she wanted me here."

The guests stand up at his entrance.

"She does." Betty smiles. "I mean, it's Homecoming after all and our families should be coming together."

"You're right." Ellie turns to the woman, a devious smile dancing on her face. It feels nice to win once in a while. "Isn't she, Mom?"

Alice swallows hard, her eyes fixed on her daughter's. She knows that's payback, and it is. Ellie, in that moment, realizes why Cheryl is addicted to it, it's satisfying.