Back In Black

Chapter Seventeen: In the Thick of Things.

//Kathleen POV//

Fred has done his best, but to no avail. It was early in the morning and I knew the tree tapping ceremony that the Blossoms have annually will be happening soon, and with Jason gone the entirety of the Blossom clan would be making their way to Riverdale. Betty was going through some horrible thoughts of her own seeing how her own sister decided that the Blossoms were a better fit than her own family.

I was walking to school with Jughead, Fred began to insist that I stayed with him until I found somewhere more permanent so getting to school was a lot easier. I walk hand and hand with Jughead who seems lost in thought.
"Whats up with you this morning?" I look at the Raven haired boy who looked at me confused.
"What do you mean?"
"You haven't said a single word to me all morning. I usually like seeing you lost in your own little world but you seem... distracted." I sigh he stops walking and looks slightly down at me.
"I'm just worried"
"About?"
"You mostly." I nod slowly
"He wont find me Jug. I've blocked the number, turned off GPS location on my phone, and I'm not in the trailer park. Besides we have months till he gets out." Jughead nods slowly. He doesn't like the answer but he understands it.
"Okay, you are right." I kiss him on the cheek and continue walking to school. Once we get there I see Cheryl walking through the hallway. 

"Jug I'll be back." He nods. I take off down the Hall "Cheryl!" the red haired girl turns to me on her heel. I could tell she hadn't forgiven me for the whole forest conversation I had with her mother.
"What do you want?" I grab her arm and pull her into an empty classroom.
"I want to clear the air. I know what is happening in a few days and I also know that the entire clan has come to Riverdale." She sighs knowingly.
"What is it to you?"
"I'll willing to help in anyway I can. I know that you and your parents just took Polly in but I hate that the fight between me and your mom hurt us." it was Cheryl's turn to sigh.
"I've realized just how disconnected Polly is from everything. She doesn't even know about Perry..."
"I know, that was Betty's choice... Just know if you need, I'm here."
"Thanks Kat, it means a lot" I give her a hug before we both leave the room.

Its later in the day and I'm walking through the hallway to try and find Jughead, I glance down the way to see Archie talking with Penelope Blossom. I continue walking until I reach them, I pretend to be close to Archie so that Penelope doesn't send me away.
"At Jason's memorial you brought me his football jersey. That was an act of kindness on a day of despair. You're good and decent, Archibald, unlike most people in this town." Penelope glares over to me and I give her a smirk.
"Mrs. Blossom, I don't know what to say." I roll my eyes, I wasn't sure what she was promising him but I knew it couldn't be good. I look up to Archie and just quietly say
"Say thank you and walk away" Then I gave the two the sweetest smile I could and walked away.

I find Jughead with Betty in Blue and Gold.
"There you are I was looking for you." I laugh as I walk over to Jug.
"Kat, Jughead was just telling me that you are staying with him at Archie's?" Betty looks at me with sad eyes. I sigh looking at Jughead who doesn't meet my gaze.
"Yeah, some things came up with Des and I can't stay with her for the time being." She nods slowly.
"Well, I know that we haven't always seen eye-to-eye but I could ask my mom if you could crash with us for awhile. After the whole sisters thing she might be more willing, especially since its just her and I." I am genuinely shocked.
"That would be amazing Betty, Thank you."
"Not a problem." She gives me a light hug. Jughead takes my hand and we all make our way to the student lounge. Kevin, Veronica, and Archie are all sitting on the couch.
"Just in time we're celebrating." Veronica starts
"Archie was just telling us how he's going to some super-exclusive music program this summer." Kevin looks to Archie with a proud smile.
"Maybe. If it happens, though, it would be huge for me." I roll my eyes looking at the naive red-head.
"Does this have something to do with what Penelope Blossom was talking to you about in the hallway earlier." The entire room looks at me silently, as I drop my bag to the floor.
"So do you have to audition?" Jughead looks away from me,
"Well, not exactly. As Kat said, Mrs. Blossom came by earlier and said she'd put in a good word for me." I laugh a little until Jughead elbows me in the side.
"No, I'm sorry. Its just, I know the way the Blossoms play. If they are putting in a good word for you anywhere it doesn't come free." Jughead looks at me nodding.
"Yeah, what is she getting out of it?"
"Its nothing bad guys." I scoff "I told her that I'd take Cheryl to their family's tree-tapping thing."
"Wait are you serious?" The entire room looks at me confused.
"Yeah, whats so bad about that?" I rub the bridge of my nose.
"Archibald, first off that is bad for you and Val... Cheryl has you in her sights now she wont take no for an answer, but that ceremony is Blossoms only. No one, and I mean NO ONE from outside of the Blossom bloodline has been allowed in, unless of course they were married in."
"What are you saying Kat?" Betty leans over Jughead to ask me.
"I'm saying that if you are allowed to this ceremony..." I look around the group feeling like the outsider "They want you to be a Blossom..." The room sits in silence for a second before Kevin starts to chuckle lightly.
"I really don't think that's what is happening here Kat..." Veronica looks at me as if I told her something so stupid that even a kindergartner would know wasn't true.
"Yeah, laugh at the crazy girl. I'm telling you Andrews you should have just walked away" I pick up my bag and storm out of the student lounge. I can feel the tears pricking at my eyes and I march through the hall. I feel a hand wrap around my arm and stop me.