Scars

Touch of Evil

I could tell no one was expecting Jason Blossom's body to turn up. But at least now there was an actual body to put in that casket. In other news, Veronica and Betty had a falling out, considering my cousin kissed Betty's boy Archie in the closet at Cheryl's after party the night of the dance. I was just hoping that their problems wouldn't spill into my relationship with either of them. I didn't like kinda being in the middle of their fight considering I wasn't even there. 

Veronica wanted to make amends, so she asked me to order cupcakes from that bakery we love back in New York. So I bought a small box for Veronica to give to Betty and a small box for myself. Meanwhile she was ordering some yellow flowers to give to Betty. Helping my cousin made things right made us both late for school. I let her apologize while I went to my locker to get my books for class.

As I went down the hall I saw that familiar beanie talking to Archie so I walked over, pulling on my sleeves.

"Think I could use Jason Blossom's death as an excuse to get out of PE?" I heard Jughead as I joined them, " Sorry Coach, I'm just too depressed and freaked-out right now to do pull-ups," he pretended.

I frowned, "That's not funny Jughead."

Archie looked at him, "Don't joke about Jason Blossom."

Jughead looked between the two of us, "What? Sardonic humor is just my way of relating to the world," looking behind us and scoffed, "Look, it's the rich kids from The Goonies," looking over we saw Archie's football friends walking in our direction. I didn't like the way the guy -I think his name was Chuck- looked at me as they approached, "All right, I'm out." 

Jughead started walking away, and I didn't want to be there when the guys passed so I joined him, walking on Jughead's side next to the wall. Only to then be pushed against the wall when Reggie shoulder-checked Jug, causing me to bump into the wall.

"Watch it Wednesday Addams!" Reggie yelled as Jug nursed his shoulder and helped me steady myself so we could get away.

"You okay?" He asked me worried and I nodded.

"I'm fine."

~

Jug and I walked the halls when we heard the announcement, "There have been many inquiries about the upcoming pep rally. So let me state clearly, it is happening, as scheduled. Now on a less felicitous note, if you could give your attention to Sheriff Keller," Principal Weatherbee concluded.

"Most of you already know the details, but your classmate Jason Blossom's body was found late Saturday night. So as of the weekend, Jason's death is now being treated as a homicide. It is an open and ongoing investigation-" He explained as there was a shuffle and a third voice interrupted.

"And may I interject!" Cheryl snapped over the loudspeaker, "Neither I nor my parents will rest until Jason's death is avenged, and his cold-hearted killer is walking the green mile to sit in Old Sparky and fry. I, for one, have my suspicions. Hashtag Riverdale strong," she finished.

Sheriff Keller continued, "If you know anything that could help us find and apprehend Jason's killer, or anything about what happened to him on July 4th, I strongly urge you to come forward immediately. You can speak with me or Principal Weatherbee. A death like this wounds us all. Let's not let Jason down."

Jug and I just so happened to be walking past the trophy case when he finished his announcement, we saw the picture of Jason and the cards and papers some of the students taped up. Looking down the hall Jughead tapped me urgently.

"What?" I asked.

"Follow me," he started walking and I noticed Archie at a water fountain cleaning his face, he looked....I don't know guilty about something? I stood behind Jughead while he spoke, "Hey Archie, weirdest thing. This summer, we were supposed to go on a road trip over July 4th weekend...Which you bailed on at the last minute. Is there something you wanna tell me pal?" He prompted leaving both me and Archie speechless.