Two Evils // Sweet Pea

Chapter Three

Katherine Sofía Lodge plasters a fake smile as the St. Clairs entered their hotel. They weren't a family she'd missed whilst living in Riverdale. Their son, Nick, has always been a bad influence on the sisters - they'd hop from club to club, stay out till morning, high most nights.
"Mr and Mrs St. Clair," Veronica's infamous Lodge tone in her voice, she glides across the foyer extending a hand.
"Nicholas," Kat puts on a smile, copying her sister as she extends her hand to him. Ignoring her, he pulls her into an embrace, kissing her cheek.
"On behalf of our mother and father, we'd like to welcome you to Riverdale." Veronica smiles sweetly, "While you're in town, think of us as you corporate concierges. Anything you need, ask away."
"How about a better hotel, to start?" Nick St. Clair jokes.
"Now, now, Nicholas," Veronica continues, Kat trying her hardest not to roll her eyes at him, "This may not be the Waldorf, nor the Plaza, but the Five Seasons — like all of Riverdale — has its charms."
"Two charms," The arrogant boy's focus shifts between the two sister, "Veronica and Katherine Lodge — lovely as ever."
The boy smiles from cheek to cheek, placing his hand on the small of Katherine's back and leading them away from his parents.

"So, what is there to do in this shitty town?" Nick attempts to make small talk as he judges his temporary room.
"Not much," Kat smiles, a fake smile, "Catch fireflies in mason jars, the usual."
Though she didn't particularly enjoy Nick's company, it was nice to see a familiar face, especially after the drama. The two lay on Nick's bed, joking about the past.
Katherine, though she hated to admit it, missed her life in NYC. It was fast paced and exciting, everyday there was something new; an art exhibit, a fashion show, an elite party. The most exciting thing in Riverdale was the constant murder; that said a lot about the small town.
"What this?" Nick grabs what looks like paper straws from Kat's purse, "Well well, Kitty Kat."
She cringes at the pet name, one she hadn't heard in so long. Nick, still fiddling with the straws, looks at her questioningly.
Why did she still have it in her bag, of all places?
"Feel free," Kat put on a stone face, "Jingle is far too primitive for me."
Nick laughs, grinning like a child.
"How would you feel about a party?" He sings, "You wanted to show me what you got up to in this truck-stop town. Invite your friends over."
Kat sighs to herself. Was it really a good idea to introduce her friends to Nick? She had grown used to his arrogance and jabs, where her friends hadn't. In all honesty, Nick was an ass.
She twists a strand of hair, "I don't know."
He gave a slightly bitter laugh, "Scared I'll corrupt your little country mice, Kitty Kat?"

*

Katherine Lodge sits awkwardly next to Reggie, still pissed off at him for leaving her stranded. After hours of convincing, she had finally submitted to Nick's request, begging Veronica to deal with it whilst she kept the St. Clair boy occupied.

She drums her fingers on the arm of the chair, exhaling as she crosses her ankles in front of her. Kat didn't want to be annoyed at Reggie, but he hadn't even bothered to explain why he'd left her stay. She sighs, looking over at her sister. Veronica, now rather drunk, cuddles up to Archie. Evidently, she'd forgiven him for being a jackass; Kat couldn't say the same.
On the sofa beside them, Cheryl Blossom chats to Kevin Keller, not exactly a sight Kat was used to, but she'd rather Keller was dealing with Cheryl Bombshell instead of 'night jogging'; especially with the Black Hood around. Behind them, Josie and the Pussycats gossip, occasionally Josie would make passing comments but that was nothing out of the ordinary.
Now slightly drunk, Nick St. Clair stands, clasping his hands in front of him, "Forget the teetotaling, let's move to something with more kick." He carefully opens his blazer to reveal a stash of Jingle Jangle.
"Is that?" Kat furrows her brows.
"Why, yes, it is, Kitty Kat," He purrs, winking at her, "Who's up first?"
"We're not-" Archie attempts.
"Don't take this the wrong way, Archie, but you're kind of a buzzkill," Nick saunters his way over to his old friend; "Come on, V. Aren't you supposed to be showing me a good time, per Daddy's orders?"
Archie and Betty stare at Ronnie. They'd never seen this side of her, but Kat knew it all too well.
"Sure, why not." Veronica takes a stick from the overly arrogant boy, a smile creeping on her face.
A chorus of me toos and I'm ins sound around the room.
"Betty?" Veronica pushes, offering the oddly quiet girl a straw.
"No, thanks." Betty bites back, a slight attitude in her voice.
"Betty," Veronica ignores, "Come on, it'll be fun."
"She said no, Ronnie." Kat snaps, already irritated by her sisters actions.
"Okay, relax." Veronica rolls her eyes, a tone of arrogance appearing in her voice. As it always did whilst Nick was around.
"Perhaps we should head to the bedroom, to not corrupt the country mice." Nick sighs, encouraging the others to follow his lead. He offers a hand to Kat, but she politely refuses, choosing to stay in the lounge.
"Are you okay, B?" She sits down by Betty as the others hightail into the bedroom.
"Sure, I'm fine." Kat furrows her brows, clearly something was wrong.
"Is it the black hood?" Kat pries, "Jug told me about the syphon."
"Kat, I'm fine." She clearly wasn't.