Strawberry. [J.J]

17.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"Over my dead body."

Marley spotted Betty and Archie talking in the hallway and quickly walked up to them.

"Betts, you didn't answer my calls, you okay? Did he call you again?" Marley asked her, and Betty shook her head.

"No, he didn't." Betty lied, and Marley looked at Archie who just shrugged. Seconds later Veronica approached them with a tall boy with curly hair dressed in a cashmere jumper and Marley raised an eyebrow at him.

"Aren't you a little overdressed?" Marley asked him, and the boy and Veronica laughed before standing in between Betty and Marley.

"This is Nick. He's having a little soirée tonight at his hotel room," Veronica said and Marley at Archie who was glaring at him before looking at Nick.

"Ah, so you're the infamous Nick St. Claire," Marley said and Nick smiled and her before nodding.

"In the flesh," He said, and Veronica smiled before linking arms with Betty and Marley.

"Betty and Marley are my bestie's. They are the best. You guys are coming to Nick's party, right?" Veronica said, and Marley looked at Betty before looking back at Nick St. Claire

"I won't take no for an answer," Nick said with a smile and Marley tilted her head to the side.

"Well, you don't look like a guy who will take no for an answer," Marley said and Nick smiled at her. Veronica looked at them waiting for an answer and Betty shrugged.

"I wouldn't miss it," Betty said and Marley nodded in agreement.

"I guess I'll be there too," Marley said and Veronica squealed, and Nick smiled at the both of them.

"Great. I look forward to it," Nick said and Veronica nodded before linking arms with him.

"Come, come, Nick. Let me show you the tragic cafeteria," Veronica said while walking off with him. Marley looked at Archie, who was frowning, before lifting his chin up.

"Chin up, Kiddo. I'll see you guys later," Marley said while walking away.

----

Marley and Betty were sitting next to each other in the hotel room while the others laughed and joked. Cheryl, the pussycats, Veronica, Archie and Reggie and Kevin were all here.

"You okay, Betts?" Marley asked her, and Betty nodded at her.

"Would you stop asking me? I'm fine, Marley," Betty said and Marley popped her gum before nodding. Marley zoned out as Nick talked about some gala he went to.

"Let's move on to something with a little more kick," Nick said while opening his blazer to reveal Jingle Jangle straws.

"Is that-" Cheryl began to ask and Nick interrupted her.

"Jingle Jangle? Yes, it is," Nick said and Marley raised an eyebrow before glaring at Reggie.

"I hooked him up," Reggie said proudly pointing a finger at him and Marley rolled her eyes.

"Surprise, Surprise," Marley muttered before sipping from her drink.

"Tasters? Who's up first?" Nick asked while holding up the straws and Archie shook his head.

"Dude, we already told you-" Archie began but Nick interrupted him.

"Archie, don't take this the wrong way but you're an epic buzzkill," Nick said with a chuckle and Marley rolled her eyes.