Stardust // Reggie Mantle (3)

Chapter Three

Caia walked into her home and let out a sigh, leaning back to push the door closed behind her. Her head was still spinning after what had just happened at the courthouse. Archie hadn't killed Cassidy, so why had he taken the deal?

As always, Caia's living room was clouded in smoke. She closed her eyes and shook her head. She waved her hand to try to get rid of some of the smoke, but it was to no avail. She began to mount the stairs to her bedroom when a voice cut through the air.

"Hey, girl," Caia's mother's voice purred through the air. "C'mere."

Caia rolled her eyes but complied, turning and making her way back down the stairs. "Yes?" She questioned as she made her way to the middle of the living room. She crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for her mother to reply.

Anna took the cigarette from her lips and blew out a stream of smoke. "You ever smoke, Caia?"

"If you're gonna lecture me on the dangers of smoking, save your breath," Caia shot. "I've never done it."

Anna smirked. "Nah. You really think I would be the one to lecture you about the dangers of smoking? Hell, I'm not perfect, but I'm no hypocrite either." She motioned the cigarette towards Caia. "Go on, try it. I heard about that Andrews boy's trial. This'll calm your nerves."

Caia stared at the cigarette in Anna's hand. What kind of mother pressured her daughter to smoke? Besides, there was really no telling what was in that cigarette other than nicotine.

Regardless, Caia found herself reaching for the outstretched cigarette. Bringing it to her lips, she sucked in a breath. When she breathed out, the smoke got stuck in her throat and she started coughing.

Anna started cackling from her chair. "It's alright. Always happens on the first try. Go on, try again."

Caia hesitated before bringing the cigarette to her lips once again. This time, the smoke went down smoothly. Remarkably, it did seem to calm Caia down. Still, she felt kind of dirty standing in her living room, smoking a cigarette.

"I know I wasn't the best mother," Anna admitted. "But I still know a few remedies for when something's bothering you. I won't ask what, but just know, a cigarette is only the start."

*

It was the first day of school, and Caia couldn't seem to find any of her friends. She had been searching the halls for a good five minutes, but no one had shown up. Finally, Caia caught sight of Betty and Jughead as she passed by the Blue and Gold office. She stopped and backtracked, stepping into the threshold and leaning against the door frame.

"Hey guys, were have you been? I've been looking for you all morning," Caia explained.

Betty and Jughead turned toward Caia. Betty began gathering up some belongings as she talked. "Sorry, Caia, but we had some important things to discuss. If you haven't heard, Jughead found Ben and Dilton in the woods last night, maimed." Caia's mouth dropped open.

"Dilton's dead, and Ben is in the hospital, but luckily, he's alive," Jughead explained.

Caia shook her head. "That's horrible!" She exclaimed. "I thought we were done with all this killing stuff."

Betty finished gathering her things and stood up straight, walking towards Caia. "I did too, Caia, trust me. And sorry we couldn't stay longer but we have to go examine a corpse," she explained, a tight lipped expression on her face.

"Fun," Caia, replied, standing up off of the doorframe to let Betty and Jughead pass. Once gone, Caia sighed. It seemed that she would have to go back into the search for friends.