Dynasty || Betty Cooper [1] [COMPLETED]

||TWELVE - AFFAIR||

Tatum's POV

Betty invited me over for breakfast, and part of the reason was so I could distract her mom while she looks through their payment records.

I could feel Alice's eyes on me the entire time, and then she decides to speak up.

"So, Tatum..." She emphasises on my name, it is pretty unusual to be honest. "I suppose we have you to thank for Betty's ongoing obsession with this Jason Blossom ghoulishness."

"Actually, Mom, I was the one who asked Tatum to help me write it for the Blue and Gold." Betty points out. Alice lets out a laugh.

"Relax, Betty, I'm just making conversation." Alice says. Betty and I look at each other, and she sends me the signal.

"Um, do you guys have a bathroom I could use?" I ask.

"Sure, I'll show you." Betty answers, standing up.

"No, no, I'll show her." Alice insists. She stands up, so I do to. "Follow me. Tatum." I follow her, and send a look back to Betty before going around the corner.

-----

"The Sisters Of Quiet Mercy." Betty reads out from the picture on her phone. We are sitting in the Blue and Gold room at school. "What is that? Like a church? Or a charity?"

I search it up onto my laptop and click on the link.

"No, it's a 'home for troubled youths'." I read from the webpage. "'Where disenfranchised teens will learn such virtues as discipline and respect, enjoying lives of quiet reflection and servitude.'"

"Poor Polly." Betty says.

At lunch, later that day, Betty and I talk quietly, trying not to grab the attention of the others on the table.

"It's been months, there's got to be a reason my mom and dad don't want me to see Polly. But, I don't care anymore." Betty tells me. She seems a lot happier than he funeral day.

"What are you guys talking about?" Archie asks us. "Anything I can help with?"

"What we're attempting is a stealth operation, Archie." I explain. "If we go in there with the entire Scooby Gang, forget it, we're compromised."

"Well, don't you have to practice for the variety show, anyway?" Betty asks him. Archie and Valerie exchange a look.

"Uh, no, I don't." Archie replies.

"Except, that yes you do. Thanks to a certain Veronica-Ex-Machina. Excuse me." Veronica says. Kevin takes the seat next to me and on his other side is Jughead. And, he doesn't look entirely happy.

"What do you mean?" Valerie asks. Valerie moves up so Veronica can sit next to Archie.

"Oh, nothing, just that I had a few words with our director-slash-host, and reminded him that he's heard you sing on numerous occasions." Veronica answers.

"Even though to compromises my artistic integrity." Kevin comments.

"Cutting to the chase, you have a spot, if you want it." Veronica continues.

"Veronica, thank you, but you saw what happened." Archie argues.

"We all did." Kevin adds.

"Playing my songs in front of you guys is one thing, but getting back up on that stage by myself? I'm not sure if I'm ready for that." Archie explains.

"If it's a partner you're looking for, Tatum can sing with you." Veronica suggests. I look up at the mention of my name.

"Sorry, Arch, but I can't, I've got plans with Betty." I tell him.

"Plans to stick their tongues down each others throats, no doubt." Kevin mutters. I punch him in the arm.

"Kevin." Betty hisses.

"What is it?" Archie asks.

"Nothing." I reply, and send a final glare at Kevin.

"Anyway, Veronica Lodge is more than willing, and able to sing with you." Veronica states, bringing the conversation back to the subject.

"Veronica, I didn't know you could sing. Or you, T, either." Betty says.

"Like a nightingale." Veronica boasts. I scoff.

"I think you're pushing it a bit too far." I say. She rolls her eyes at me.

"What do you say, Archiekins? Be the Jay to my Bey?" Veronica asks.

"Sure, why not." Archie agrees. Then, Veronica turns to me.

"Are we still going to see Mom at work?" She asks.

"Sure." I nod. I climb out of the chair, and put my backpack on the back. "We'll catch you guys later."

-----

We picked up some flowers for Mom on the way there, and walked over to the trailer where she was working. Suddenly, Veronica stops in her tracks.

"What is it?" I ask. Then I see, my mom and my dad, making out against the window. "Oh, shit. Looks like your the only one in our family not getting any action." She turns to me.

"What?" She asks.

"What?" I mimic. "I didn't say anything."

"You've you been making out with?" Veronica asks me. I'm such an idiot sometimes.

"No one. Drop it, Veronica. Gees." I say, as cool as I can manage. I turn around and start walking away.

When Mom gets home, we are waiting for her on the couch. She sighs, and dumps her keys on the side after a long day of working.

Veronica stands up, and doesn't even bother explaining what we saw.

"Are you gonna leave Dad when he gets out of jail?" Veronica asks Mom.

"Ronnie, why would you ask such a thing?" Mom counters.

"We saw you, Mom." Veronica answers. "With Fred Andrews, in the trailer." Mom sends a glance to me.

"Oh, Veronica. Honey, I am so sorry that you did." Mom tells her. "But, I--I want you to know that we've-- We've never even kissed before. Until today." Well, that's a lie. I'm living proof.

"What about Dad?" Veronica asks. "What happens when he comes home?" Mom doesn't say anything. She takes Veronica's hands, and sits with her on the couch.

"I'm not sure." Mom replies. "I'm so sorry, baby. It just happened, Veronica. And, I know that this must be confusing."

"Yeah, it is." Veronica confirms.

"So, what can I do to help?" Mom asks. Veronica shakes her head.

"You know what, Mom? There's actually nothing." Veronica responds. There is an awkwardness in the air for a few moments.

Then, my phone buzzes with a message.

From: Betty 😘

We're going to the Sisters Of Quiet Mercy tomorrow. Be ready.