Stardust // Reggie Mantle (3)

Chapter Seventeen

Caia was with Veronica and Cheryl when Principal Weatherbee made the announcement that the student lounge was being shut down.

"Oh come on," Caia groaned, grabbing her bag and standing up. "Not again."

Veronica was just as annoyed. "First they cancel sports and extracurriculars, now they're shutting down the student lounge?" She complained. "What is going on?" Caia and Veronica both glanced and Cheryl, who just sighed. "As student body president, please tell me you've got some insider information to share," Veronica pleaded.

The small group stopped just outside of the doors to the lounge. "Though my powers as Dauphine of Riverdale High aren't absolute yet, I am CC'd on all school board emails," Cheryl explained. "And they're having a meeting tonight. I think to discuss shutting down the school. And, Veronica, I think your parents are leading the charge." Veronica sighed, making eye contact with Caia.

"Of course they are!" She exclaimed. "That is exactly what my dad did with Southside High," she paused, scrunching her eyebrows together. "And he definitely had ulterior motives then."

Suddenly, Cheryl spotted something behind Veronica's shoulder. "Oh my God," she breathed. Principal Weatherbee was charging down the hallway, a dozen men in blue hazmat suits following behind. They began rounding up cheerleaders as Weatherbee pointed them out. "And now Riverdale High is officially a hot zone?" Cheryl exclaimed.

Caia gulped. "I think we should go, Veronica," she suggested, just as Weatherbee spotted the two girls.

He pointed at them. "There's two of the infected!" He exclaimed.

"Go, guys, run!" Cheryl exclaimed, grabbing each of their arms and shoving them towards the exit. Caia and Veronica took off running, barely managing to escape being captured.

Veronica drove Caia to Pop's, where they stayed until later that night, when Reggie showed up.

They were seated at a table in the speakeasy, Caia's head resting on Reggie's shoulder.

"Drugs, gargoyles, mystery men in hazmat suits, and secret school board meetings?" Veronica crooned. "How does it all tie together?"

Caia shrugged. "Not sure," Reggie answered, speaking both their minds. "But I got some suss for you." Caia sat up, instantly intrigued. Veronica had filled her in on Reggie's Intel mission after school. "According to my sources," Reggie began, lowering his voice and leaning forward. "The Fizzle Rocks distributors, aka the Gargoyles, are giving their product out for free."

Caia sat back. "Woah," she exclaimed. "That's a major no-no." She paused, glancing at her two friend's expressions. "Not that I've sold drugs before," she added, quickly revising her statement.

Veronica turned her gaze from Caia, nodding as she thought. "I've seen enough episodes of Narcos to know this scheme," she began. "Hook them with the first taste, then they're customers for life. And Daddy's always playing the long game." Caia nodded, understanding. She hadn't thought of that before. Maybe she really hadn't ever sold drugs.

"For sure," Reggie agreed. "And here's the kicker. Fizzle Rocks are coming from the Southside, right out of the prison your dad's been building."

Caia merely blinked at the news. Not surprising. She glanced over at Veronica. "Hate to break it to you, Roni, but it's sounding more and more like your dad's being the villain again."

Veronica returned the glance. "Isn't he always?" She thought for a moment before something hit her. "That must be where he moved his candy factory to after Cheryl, Toni, and I busted his lab at the Whyte Wyrm," she concluded. Reggie hummed in agreement. "Speaking of Cheryl," Veronica started, picking up her phone and pressing a few buttons.