Flatline ((Jughead Jones)) 3

18

Jughead had taken to talking to his dad, getting his advice on the situation. Meanwhile, I simply sat on a bench in town, observing the movement, the flow, the energy. Soon enough, this year would be over, and I'd be faced with senior year. I'd be applying for colleges and trying to find some direction to my meaningless life. I didn't have a lot I was good at. Jughead was the writer. Betty the investigative journalist. Josie the singer. Veronica the entrepreneur. Archie would be good at anything. They were the talented ones. Yes, I had my dance training, but after being out of it for years, I couldn't count on that. Then there was Wyrm, wherever I went, I'd have to make sure I could bring him or else he wouldn't be fed.

It seemed that life was sweeping me away, much like the Sweetwater river had when I fell through the ice. In fact, I felt like I was still submerged, banging on the ice to get out while slowly drowning. Back then, there had been a moment of calm before I passed out, and I felt like this right now was the moment of calm before the panic; the panic of breathing again, of adjusting to having air in your lungs and not water and suddenly realising that things weren't going to be the same.

What was I going to do?

A text from Veronica rang through, and I looked down, questioning why she was messaging me. Usually Veronica drew Betty into her schemes.
"Come to La Bonne Nuit. I have a dress and a favour to ask"

By the time I reached the speakeasy, Reggie was holding the door, practically pulling me down the stairs to meet Veronica. The speakeasy was already filling up with customers and the usually calm owner was anything but. She pulled me into a small office and I saw a dress hanging up, resembling one from the 1920's era, stunning and flashy. The black dress seemed to be figure hugging, with fringing around the bottom, silver beading and sparkled making patterns.
"What's this about?" I asked her, turning to her as she instructed me to change into the dress.
"Gladys Jones is performing tonight, I need to one up whatever performance she's planning and Josie wasn't available tonight." She explained. At the mention of Veronica wanting to one up Gladys, I raised my eyebrow. I had no idea she even knew Jughead's mom.
"What's she doing here?"
"Let's just say I don't think she's come back to be the housewife mother, I'm sure she is showing Jughead." Veronica spoke, her voice lowering as if she were scared of being overheard. It was then that I was certain Gladys' scheme had been set in place, and that Veronica had somehow become wrapped up in the mess.
"Well I don't think she likes me, so I don't mind pissing off my mother in law." I stated, quickly pulling on the dress while Veronica tried to pull my hair into some fancy updo.

I was told to sit in the office until I was announced. I heard Gladys' song, dark and commanding power. It suited her. I had found the song that I would be singing, prepared it in the time that I had been given before listening to the older woman sing. There was no way I would be letting Gladys ruin everything for her family, and there was no way I, as a Blossom, would be allowing her to come in and destroy my life, and play my friends, and break my boyfriend's heart.

Suddenly the music stopped, and I knew that things were kicking off. Just then, a new voice was heard meaning Veronica took the stage once more.
"Now, let me introduce someone you all know. She will stun you all with her grace and her voice. Miss Cynthia Blossom!" Cheering sounded as I made the stage. Taking a deep breath, I held the microphone, the music surrounding me. At first I closed my eyes, getting lost in the music before beginning the song.

The song I had chosen was Gansta's Paradise, but with a very vintage twist, perfect for the setting and just with enough seduction to entice the entire bar. I knew it would be filmed and sent straight to Jughead, and I couldn't wait to see his reaction.
To me, the song was apt. Riverdale was overrun with gangs and mobsters and secret warlords.

(If you want the song x)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?edufilter=NULL&v=Rve03u7oEvI

I could feel Gladys' stare as everyone around the room seemed to compliment the singer, tapping their foot to the beat of the song. Hushed whispers filled the floor. 'That's the one the Black Hood attacked'. 'That's the queen of the Serpents'. 'I can't believe she's a Blossom, she definitely has the looks'. Everyone loved it, and everyone seemed hungry for more. By the end of the song, Gladys stalked out, throwing a glare to the girl on stage, while the room cheered louder than they had since opening night.