Keep It

One

Riverdale was a good place. It has always been, but at the same time it is a darkness that we cannot escape. Since Jason's unexplained death, we haven't been the same. Cheryl seems crazier some how. Betty and I have been spending a lot of time with Juggie and Derek. Derek is a serpent, but goes to Riverdale High. We have been trying hard to find out what happened the day he was murdered.

"Balmor... You there?" Betty asks, snapping we out of my trance. I look away from the window in the writer's room and back to my best friend. I look directly into her eyes and begin to dissolve back into reality.

"Sorry... I was just... thinking." I murmur. She smiles and finishes up her organizing before tightening her ponytail and grabbing her coffee.

"That's okay, but I was asking you... Jug and Derek want to go to Pop's after school. To look over the evidence we found yesterday... Are you gonna come too?" She asks while checking her messages. I laugh at her and nod my head.

"Yeah, B, I'll make an appearance." I giggle. She looks up briefly to show me that she heard me before going back into her phone.

"Okay. I'll see you later." She walks out and leaves me alone with my thoughts. It's crazy how much has changed around here since the murder. People are treading lightly and quietly, especially around Cheryl. I fear that one wrong move could send her into a downward spiral.

We got a new student this year as well. Veronica Lodge. She is tall, tan-ish, black hair and pearls. She looks like the perfect lawyer. I know about her family. Our parents went to high school together back in the day. We never got the chance to grow up with her, but I have heard from some people that she can be a bitch.

I was deep in thought about the new changes to our school when I was interrupted by two people jumping out in front of me. I let out a loud shrill before hopping out the seat and onto the desk. I turn to see who the culprits were only to find my two other besties...

"Oh... My god, you asses." I laugh, turning pink from embarrassment. Jughead is rolling on the ground below my feet laughing and Derek is leaning against the chair with a smug grin on his face. I put my face in my hands and allow my breathing to slow.

"Oh come on... It was a perfect opportunity." Derek jokes while stepping closer to me. I put my hand on his chest and push him backwards.

"Yeah, well it wasn't that funny... And I'll be getting payback... On BOTH of you." I glare and move my fingers between Jug and Derek.

"OOOKAAAAYYYY." Derek says dramatically. I roll my eyes and turn towards Jug.

"Are you okay?" He nods and begins to stand up. I laugh at his attempt to get to his feet, while he stumbles and trips over the chair legs.

"So, are you coming with us to Pop's? We need to discuss some things." Jughead asks, a look of desperation emits from his eyes. I nod and start to pick up my things.

"Yeah, Juggie, I just need to stop home after school first." I say while throwing my bag around my arm. "Anything else you guys needed or was the heart attack enough?" I joke. They both chuckle and shake their heads no.

"Did you see Betty today?" Jughead asks with no subtlety at all. Derek and I smile at each other. Jughead has always had a secret little crush on Betty, but I don't know if she knows about it. I don't even know if she feels the same...

"Yeah, she just left. I think she may be in the library." I tell him and begin to walk out of the room. Derek follows me, as per usual, and we make our way to first period.

"Did you look over the notes I got from Betty?" He asks me. I nod my head and continue to walk. We walked in silence for a bit after. We had almost made it to the room before I slammed into a large body.

"Reg... Jesus." I breathe, holding my hand across my heart. Derek chuckles as he looks towards my goof of an older brother. "What are you doing here? Mom said you had a college fair.... thing?" I question.

"Yeah, I did. It just got over." He replies while reaching into his bag and pulling out his phone. I began to walk away when he grabs my arm and pulls me back.

"What?" I hiss, rubbing my arm from his strong grip. I look toward Derek whose jaw is very tightened.

"Why didn't you come home last night?" Reggie questions me while shoving his phone in his pocket. My face drops and I feel Derek tense next to me. I quickly look down and attempt to thing of a good excuse.

Last night, Derek and I went to the south side. Derek had some business to tend to seeing as he is a serpent and we ended up staying at his house last night. I told my mom I was with Betty and she was more than willing to cover for me.

"I-I was with B-betty. We had a sleep over..." I stutter, hoping he doesn't notice. He eyes me before turning his stare to Derek, who looks ready to run away from my 6'6" brother. Reggie takes a step towards him just as Derek takes one backwards. I straighten up and prepare to step between them if it gets to intense.

Derek and Reggie have never got along. Whenever Derek was over with Jughead and Betty, Reggie would always keep eyes on Jughead and Derek. Since they were serpents, Reggie didn't approve of my relationship with either of them.

"Do you have something to do with my sisters 'disappearance' last night?" Reggie asks while pointing a judgmental finger towards his chest. Derek takes a bold step towards my brother. My heart starts to beat out of my chest.

"What does it matter? She's old enough to make her own decisions. What she does... Who she does it with..." Derek snarls. I know he is saying the wrongs things to Reggie. He is trying to get under his skin. It worked too because I notice Reggie step up and get in his face. I rush to Derek and step between them before he gets a fist to the face. I look towards my big brother.

"Okay... How about we compare gun calibers later, yeah?" I saw before pushing Derek away from Reggie. I turn to face Reggie completely before speaking again. "I was with Betty last night, Reg. I was fine. Mom knew about it..." I explain stressing that I was completely safe.

After the whole Jason situation, my brother has become very protective. He is scared that I may be his killer's next victim.

Reggie glares at Derek before turning backwards and walking away. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and began to walk away from Derek. He could tell I was angry.

He grabs my arm, in the same place Reggie did, and pulled me back to him. He put a little too much force into it and I slammed into his chest. He grabbed onto my waist to steady me. I balanced myself out before pushing away from him.

"Hey... Hey I'm sorry." He says, treading lightly. I roll my eyes and glare at him.

"Are you? We both know you love to get a rise out of him..." I bluntly state. He lets go of arm and straightens his posture. "What did you get out of it? Other than pure joy of watching him squirm..." I glare. He looks down at his feet. I nod my head, knowing I won't be getting an answer from him.

"I'm sorry..." He whispers.

"Yeah... Me too." I say before walking away.

Derek has always been this way. The pushy, angry, always looking for a fight, kinda guy... I'm just terrified that one day.... It'll get him killed.