Chapter 1 ~ The River's Edge

The River's Edge

Our story is about a town. A small town. And the people who live in the town. From a distance, it presents itself like so many other small towns all over the world. Safe. Decent. Innocent. Get closer, though, and you start seeing the shadows inderneath. The name of our town is Riverdale. And our story begins, i guess.. with what the Blossom twins did this summer. On the 4th of July, just after dawn Jason and Cheryl Blossom drove out to Sweetwater River for an early morning boat ride. " Are you scared, Jason?", Cheryl asks. Jason nods his head "no"and looks away. When Cheryl and Jason get on the boat, they paddle away into the river. Thunder starts crashing, the next thing we know happened for sure, is that Dilton Doiley who was leading Riverdale's Boy Scout Troop on a bird-watching expedition, came upon Cheryl by the river's edge. Dilton looks over with a shocked look in his eyes and sees Cheryl crying, Cheryl turns around and looks at Dilton, she screamed, screamed that something might have happened to Jason. Dilton calls for help, the police looked everywhere for Jason but like every other slasher movie, the body wasn't found. "If he is dead, Hal, I hope in those last moments he suffered. May Jason Blossom burn in hell." Alice says to Hal. So a week later the Blossom family buried an empty casket and Jason's death was ruled an accident as the story that Cheryl told made the rounds. That Cheryl dropped a glove in the water, and Jason reached down to get it. And accidentally tipped the boat. Panicked and drowned. As for us, we were still talking about the July 4th tragedy on the last day of summer vacation, when a new mystery rolled into town. Veronica walks out the car while her mother, Hermione Lodge was saying that Veronica should brace herself because the apartment's small. They both, on the same time told each other that "quality is always the key to everything". "Plus, it's the only piece of property in my name and not your father's", Hermione says. Hermione and Veronica walk into their apartment. They see Smithers standing there waiting for them to arrive. "Hello, Smithers", Hermione says. "Good evening Mrs. Hermione. Did you two have a great trip?" Smithers said. "Yes, but we are so jet lagged. will you mind bringing our bags to our apartment, Smithers?" Hermione says with a tired look on her face. "I'll bring the bags to your apartment in a few minutes." " Thank you, Smithers." Hermione says with a tired look on her face.  "Mom?" Veronica says kind of confused. "Yes, mija". *Music starts playing in Betty's room* She puts on her new favorite lipstick* Kevin says "Are you excited? Nervous?" "Both, i haven't seen him all summer." Betty says. "Which is why nerves are acceptable but we agreed, Betty. It's time." You like him, he likes you" Kevin says confidently. Betty says "Well, then why, Kevin, hasn't he ever said or done anything." "Because Archie is swell. But like most millennial straight guy, he needs to be told what he wants, so tell him. Finally." Betty says "Well, we'll see. I mean, it depends." * *Kevin looks out the window* "Oh, my god!" "What?" Betty says slightly worried. "Game-changer. Archie got hot. He's got abs now. Six mire reasons for you to take that ginger bull by the horns tonight." *Archie and Betty are talking at the Pop's chock'lit shoppe* So, what was the highlight?" Archie says. Of my internship. The Toni Morrison book release party i organized, by far. At the end of the night, Toni Morrison, who is, as you know, my literary hero......" "Yes, yes" Archie says. "......says to me, "Don't rush this time, Betty. It goes by so fast at your age. One summer can change everything." Archie says "Wow. That's so true." How was working for your dad?" Betty says. "Well, it was pouring concrete. Every day. All day long. To pass time i would start composing these poems in my head and i'd go home, write them down." You don't like reading poetry." "Oh, they weren't poems. They were song lyrics. And working on them made me feel like....." What, Archie?" Betty says. "...it made me feel like i've finally broken through to something real. About my life, and what i should be trying to do with it. Music. Starting this year. Tomorrow." "Amazing, will you ask Ms. Grundy to tutor you?" "I'm not sure. Maybe." Archie says. "What about foutball? Can you do both?" Betty says. "I'll try out." Well, have you told your dad?" Betty says kind of concerned. "No, until i've got things more figured out, you're the only person i'm telling, okay?" Archie says. *Betty nods her head* "Well, i'd love to hear them some time. Your songs." Betty says. "I'm finishing a couple of demos tonight." "Great." Betty says "Also i've been thinking about us, Archie. And our friendship. And how it's time that we take it to the next level....." (41:17)