Consequences

Chapter 33

The next morning, everything was back to normal. Veronica resumed her position at the White Wyrm and Jughead continued to do whatever he did on his scouting missions.

Veronica held back a smile as she went through yesterday's date in her mind. He was so sweet and thoughtful and ...cute. Who knew the Serpent King had such a soft side!

"Earth to Veronica," A voice snapped her out of her thoughts abruptly.

"Daydreaming about a certain dark haired prince?" Toni smirked, placing her elbows on the counter.

"In your dreams, Toni," Veronica scoffed, continuing the work she had abandoned during her reminiscence.

"How was the date? I want every detail!"

"What? How did you know?" Veronica was taken aback.

"Why else would I have substituted you yesterday?" Toni rolled her eyes. "Come on, spill, you owe me!"

"I owe you my gratitude. Gracias, Antoinette Topaz!" She said in an over-exaggerated tone.

"V LODGE! You can't leave me hanging!" Toni yelled as Veronica left to the back of the bar.

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"Our economy is starting to take off, but we need it to be thriving," Jughead stated to FP.

After the war, there was no longer any division between Southside and Northside. It was a united Riverdale, where the Serpents ruled. Some Serpents acted as staff to Sheriff Keller, who often lacked hands on his searches. FP was voted mayor after both Fred Andrews and Hermione Lodge had left Riverdale. FP Jones was a great mayor. He cared about the welfare of Riverdale residents, he provided them with different jobs to establish a diverse economy, he made Riverdale a safe place for everyone.

"I'm thinking now that Riverdale is politically stable with the Ghoulies locked up in jail, we should start focusing on tourism," FP stroked his chin, deep in thought.

"That would be a good idea," Jughead agreed with his dad. "We should create tourist areas and build more recreational facilities."

"What does Riverdale have that the other places don't have?"

"I'll let the young Serpents decide after I draw up an area for tourism."

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The teens gathered around in the spacious Thornhill living room. After a whole day of working, they sat together and chatted to unwind. Today, the main topic of discussion was the newest arrival: Jason Blossom.

"I think we need to compensate for the fact that as teens, we live amazingly complicated and effed up lives. Therefore, I propose we play truth and dare, a typical teen game," Cheryl invited them to play.

There were no objections as the teens settled comfortably on the red carpet, bracing themselves for whatever Cheryl had in mind for them.

"JJ! You're up first!" the bottle spun and pointed to Jason Blossom. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare," Jason chose. There was no safe option with Cheryl Blossom. He knew how wild his sister could be with the truths and the dares.

"I dare you to kiss Veronica," Cheryl pursed her lips, satisfied with her dare.

Jughead scowled as the redhead willingly walked over to Veronica. He tilted her head, then went in for the kiss. Jughead didn't miss how Jason's eyes lingered on her lips even after she broke away.

"That was quite a show, you guys," Toni commented. "Did sparks fly?"

"Technically if sparks did fly, the room would be up in flames," Veronica feigned sarcastic confidence to cover up her slight uncomfiness.

"Veronica, you're up next," Cheryl, the host of the game, continued.

"Truth," she chose quickly.

"If you could date anyone in this room, who would you date?"

Veronica was caught right on the spot. Her answer had to be either Jason or Jughead, but either answer would cause problems.

"Myself," Veronica answered coolly.

"Invalid answer, Veronica," Cheryl overthrew her answer mercilessly. "Choose again."

'Jughead', her mind said, but what came out of her mouth was "Jason."

Crap. Veronica knew she had screwed up once she saw everyone's displeased looks except for Jason's pleasant expression.

"The kiss must have worked wonders," Jason laughed, pleased with her choice.

Jughead felt his heart drop in his chest in disappointment. What's wrong with you Jughead Jones? As if she would date someone like you. How could he compare to Jason Blossom? The insecure side of Jughead started to announce its presence in his mind.

"Veronica, honey, you do realise this is truth or dare, right?" Toni put her two cents in. "You chose truth, not lie."

"Ooh, burn," Jason laughed, clutching a hand to his heart. "That hurt, Antoinette!"

Jughead wrinkled his nose distastefully at the handsome redhead. For some unknown reason that was obvious to everyone but himself, he did not like the popular Jason Blossom.

"One last chance, Lodge," Cheryl encouraged her tense friend.

"It's getting late," Veronica sighed. "I think I'm going to bed. You guys continue without me."

Jughead's hopes faded along with the disappearing Veronica.

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Veronica was conflicted. Until she was clear about her feelings for Jughead, she did not want to rush things. Jughead was not a guy who dated often and casually. He was the kind of guy who took it slow and loved hard. She was not opposed to dating Jughead, but there was something holding her back. Veronica was almost certain that he would not like her back. They had always been frenemies and never in a million years would Jughead and her be together.

Therefore, when Jughead stepped into the room wearily, Veronica did not know whether it was her pounding heart or the shooting star that she had just seen outside her window that provided her courage.

"Jughead, I'm using my last chance. It's you."

Right away, Veronica hid under the comfort of her covers and turned off the lamp on her nightstand.

Jughead found it hard to suppress the butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He could never stay mad at Veronica Lodge.