The Investigation - Jeronica

Afterparty

I know I said it. I wasn't going to the dance. They're stupid and boring and I'm always left at the punch bowl alone, my date off making out with someone else in the bathroom. But every year Archie tells me "it'll be fun, just go" and I wind up making the same mistake. I just don't know how to tell him, high schools not as fun when you're not the star football player.

This year the school dance slowly creeps up on me and I'm forced to go alone, not that I'm upset about that. I enter the dance slowly, wishing I was home, and soon enough find Archie with two girls hanging from his arms. I walk towards them just as soon as Veronica seems to be leaving. Maybe this will be a good night.
"I'm gonna go to the drink section, cya archiekins." Her shrill voice sends a shiver down my spine. She turns around and sees me quickly. Her immediate reaction is disgust; I get it but she could at least try to hide it. She quickly grabs me by the arm and pulls me away.
"Veronica let go" I say, completely in shock
"You can't interrupt Betty and Archiekins, they're dancing"
"Archiekins?" I scoff
"Watch out or I'll be calling you juggiekins" she says sarcastically. I chuckle slightly at her response but stop myself quickly. That didn't happen.

I waste the night away with her and Kevin and apart from the occasional ignorant comment from Veronica I don't mind her presence. That doesn't change the happiness I still feel, however, once the night ends and I can go home.

"I'm gonna head home" I say to Veronica as we stand alone on the steps outside the dance. The music from inside creates a low humming noise. The only noise in the lonely streets surrounding us.
"You sound just like Steph" she mutters under her breath
"What?" I say, hardly able to make out her words. Her phone lights up with the sound of a message. She smirks.
"The night's just beginning, c'mon" She says, beaming.
"Nope, I'm heading home." She sighs slightly but I can't quite wipe off that smirk plastered on her face.
"Fine" She says suspiciously, "but you have to give me a ride to Cheryl's after party."
"Deal" I say as we hop down the steps "but I'm warning you, I ride a motorcycle."
She seems unfazed by my words, which confuses me slightly. I'm not a part of any gang like my father but a motorcycle tends to ward off most, even Betty.

I go to hand her my helmet but she shakes her head.
"I'm not about to show up with messy hair"
I scoff.
"Fine then I'll have it"
I hop on the motorbike first, offering Veronica a hand that she smacks away.
"Hold on tight" I say, zooming off, Veronica clutching onto my back.

I saw most of our friends leave the school dance earlier but it seems that half of the school's students have left as well, judging by the amount of people filling up Cheryl's house and front yard.
"This is where I leave you." I say to Veronica as she hops off my bike.
"Please come in with me" she says, attempting to drag me by the arm. I've already spent the last few hours with Veronica so the idea of spending more doesn't seem ideal but for some reason I let her pull me into the party.

I regret my decision as soon as I enter the house to hear loud, ridiculous music and see drunk students wandering around aimlessly. Veronica looks as though she knows these halls like the back of her hand by the way she's navigating us around. I almost feel like she's been here before, but it suddenly all makes sense as she walks into the private part of the party. The exclusive group with Cheryl, her possy and the select few she chooses as prey for her games. I'd never been invited to these things, I was never one to be noticed. But obviously Veronica was invited and no doubt didn't want to come alone. If she had even thought about it for one second she would've known I would hate this. She could have at least told me this was where she was taking me. But what can you expect from someone as selfish as her.

Betty and Archie are sitting on the couch and by their petrified looks I can tell they are regretting this too. As for Veronica, she strolls in like she owns the place and sits down next to her very own arm candy, reggie mantle.

"Veronica, just in time." Cheryl says as she glances at her and then at me with a disgusted face. "We are about to see which lucky girl will be riding the ginger stallion tonight."
And with that, she spins the bottle. With each turn I seem to be put in a trance but it is quickly broken by the inevitable slow stop of the bottle, pointing towards none-other than Veronica. I quickly glance at Betty who looks on the verge of tears. I would be scared if I was her too. Veronica looks like she plays dirty and Archies has been drooling over her since she arrived.

They slowly walk into the closest, an awkward look on both their faces. After 1 minute I see Betty stand up and without making eye contact with me she walks out. I want to follow and check on her but I have to be sure, for her sake, what happens in that closet. I bite my nails nervously - an old habit I picked up as a child - as I await for the two to walk out. As they finally do I can tell by their faces they kissed. Shock washes over me as Veronica looks at me with guilt. I don't know why but part of me wanted to believe that maybe Veronica did want to change, that maybe she could. I quickly replace my shocked face with disappointment as I turn on my heel and walk through the maze that is Cheryl's house until I'm outside.

I manage to make it back to my bike without bumping into Veronica or Archie but I know any further would be pushing my luck and of course I'm right.
"Jughead wait" Veronica calls out to me. She's slightly puffed out from running after me but she quickly recollects herself.
"Where's archie?" I ask sternly
"He went to Betty's house"
"Good to know" I say as I hop on my bike
"Jughead don't leave" she says, still managing to keep calm and confident.
"You know, what you did is gonna break Betty"
"Oh c'mon it was just a stupid kiss" she moans out
"Not to betty and not to me" I say. "You knew this would hurt her and you did it anyway"
"I wasn't thinking abou-"
"Yeah, you weren't thinking. You were in your own little world not giving a damn about anyone other than you."
"Look, I'm sorry" she says, clearly trying to block out my words.
"Are you? Or are you just upset that there are consequences to your actions."
She doesn't respond so I start my engine up and place my helmet on my head.
"Why don't you just go hang out with Cheryl, she could do with another bitch in her group."
And before she can say anything back I drive off