Two Evils // Sweet Pea

Chapter One

          "The Red Circle," Katherine Lodge scoffs, smirking, "Very creative Arch, where did you come up with that?" The raven-haired girl rolls her eyes as she begrudgingly flicks through her algebra book. Was she really surprised that Archie wanted to play hero, yet again? Not at all.
"Hush," Veronica waves her hand dismissively, turning her attention back to her red-head boy, "I think it's very valiant — if somewhat naive. At least someone is taking this Black Hood threat has seriously."
Kat, now facing the loved up couple, slams her book shut; "It's not some vigilante, superhero group, Veronica. It's a bunch of boys acting tough; thinking they know better than the authorities. The police are doing all they can," she sighs, "I know you're struggling, Arch, but I really don't think your dad would appreciate you putting yourself in danger."
Veronica narrows her eyes at her twin. Still feeling the bitterness from their argument the previous night. They'd argued into the early hours of the morning over this dumb-ass 'vigilante' group.
"Look," Kat says as she jumps up from her seat, "You do you, but when it backfires — and it will backfire — just know that I warned you."
Veronica Lodge scoffs, her sister pulling at her last nerve, "Where do you think you're going?"
"Oh Chiquita, I'm not the one in daddy's bad books," Kat smiles, resting a hand on her hip, "I'm going out... and if I were you, I'd change out of that stupid shirt before mom sees."

*

          Kat sighs, trying to ignore Reggie Mantle's reasoning for appearing in the Red Circle video. Despite arguing against it, Kat knew indefinitely that Reg took part to take his shirt off. Reggie was possibly the most narcissistic person Kat knew, but he irritated Veronica, and that made him bearable. Once she got over that narcissism, Reg was a cool guy. He was interesting, witty and pretty darn funny. Furthermore, he liked Kat for Kat, not for her family name — which was more than refreshing after her previous 'friends'.
The two lean against his car, discussing the ridiculousness of the Red Circle and the ongoing threat of the 'Black Hood'.
"So," Reggie sings, his eyes darting across the parking lot, "I was thinking..." his voice trails off as Kat raises her eyebrows at him.
"What now, Reg?" She smiles at him and his ever-scheming brain.
"Well, I've got a contact in the southside..."
"The Southside?" Kat chuckles, folding her arms.
"Yeah," Reggie looks nervous, "Jingle Jangle-"
"Jingle Jangle?" Kat quizzes him again.
"Would you let me finish my sentence?" He laughs, a tinge of nervousness present in his voice, "I know how to get some JJ, people are going crazy for it."
"And we have to go Southside?"
Reggie nods.
Although Katherine loved Reggie for his recklessness, sometimes, she felt it got too much. He was an adrenaline junky. He always had to have something going on, the more dangerous the better. Normally, Kat would say no to something so reckless, but V had irritated her so much that she wanted to do anything to take her mind off of it.
"Fine," Kat laughs, "Whatever."

*

          One thing Kat wished she'd known about Reggie was that he panicked easy. Despite being an adrenaline junky, and despite being a Riverdale Bulldog, Reggie was a puppy. When the time came to meet the Southsider, Reggie freaked, begging Kat to meet the dealer instead. Which she did, of course. She did anything for Reg.
Katherine stood in the corner store, pacing the aisles as she waited for Reggie to text her back. She didn't want to be here any longer than she had to, especially with a handbag full of Jingle Jangle. Kat stuck out like a sore thumb, her New York street style not exactly fitting in with the Southside. She tugs at her wool cape coat, uncomfortably. Reg had told her to wait at the store while he drove to pick her back up, but failed to tell her how long exactly he would be.
Katherine scans the shelves looking for Hershey's Kisses, if she had to wait here, she may as well enjoy it.