CARMEN, riverdale.

' ephemeral '

🐍

   SHE FIGURED as much that she'd have to bear the tremendous amount of pain that blossomed along her back whenever she moved so that no one would suspect. She broke a goddamn promise to herself. Last night was the second time she'd killed, and Carmen spent hours in the shower after that, unable to stop imagining the blood still coating on her hands.

Easily, she smiled from her place in the Andrews' household, after fixing up the food to her liking and having them delivered fresh to the highest quality. If there was one thing she'd guarantee, it was that she'd want for her friend only the best.

But then everyone was hurrying to their places, Veronica entered just as everyone yelled "Surprise!"

The raven shot them annoyed looks. "Do I looked like Jughead to you?"

"Betty just texted me, they're almost here." Kevin told them as he looked down at his phone.

She came to stand beside Carmen, who began to apologize profusely. "Listen, Ronnie, I'm really sorry that I never got to call you last night. My dumbass fell down the stairs and popped my stitches, again, and I—"

"Carmen, if it involves your health, my forgiveness is out of the question. It's alright," Veronica smiled, kissing Carmen's lips briefly.

"Woah, since when did you guys ended up together?" Kevin gasps.

"Shut up, Keller," Carmen's cheeks were red again.

"You've met Joaquin, right?" He diverted to another subject, bringing the serpent boy beside him forward with a grin.

"We haven't had the pleasure," Veronica answered for her and Carmen. "Also, I thought it was only inner-circle tonight?"

"Joaquin's my boyfriend, that makes him inner-circle."

"Uh-huh. And I just came from the most insane meeting with my father's lawyer. Between his upcoming hearing and his potential involvement in Jason's murder, not to mention my mom's, I'm in a foul mood." Veronica told her two friends.

"Carmen, you don't want a drink? There's plenty." Archie offered to the brunette.

The young Murdock rolled her eyes. "Can't really drink alcohol while I'm taking painkillers, can I?"

"No, you're not drinking anything tonight." Kevin and Veronica chorused.

"Wow, thanks, mom and dad." Carmen rolled her eyes with a chuckle as she looked at her two close friends.

"Guys, they're really coming this time. Everybody hide," Ethel alerted them.

"Ugh, I'm so over this." Veronica muttered.

The front door opens, as Betty flicks the lights on and all of them jumped out with large smiles on their faces. "Surprise!"

"This is why we left the double feature," Jughead said as he wrapped his arm around Betty to kiss her head. She left his side, heading to the kitchen as Carmen grinned.

"Happy birthday, bro," Archie hugged the crown beany-clad boy.

"You really shouldn't have," Jughead whispered, before pushing Archie away. "Ugh, you reek. Are you drunk?"