Flatline ((Jughead Jones)) 3

20

When Cheryl and I were younger, we thrived off musicals. It was why we could both sing, dance and act pretty well. Although I'd struggle dancing now, I used to love ballet, and Cheryl and I didn't see the point in heels if you couldn't do absolutely everything in them. So every year we would be in the school play or a musical, or a concert.

The moment we were in high school, I lost that desire, and after last year, I had definitely lost that passion. But, when my sister announced which musical she would be demanding the school put on this year, I couldn't say no. She had called me saying that she had spoken to Kevin and that I was the first one to know, and that I had to be a part of it. I didn't want a part, I wanted to help with costuming, and vocals and choreography, something that would get me involved without getting too involved. I hadn't been in the auditorium since last year. Riverdale was putting on Heathers.

As two young teenage girls, we idolised Heathers. She was always Heather Chandler and I was Heather Duke usually, or Veronica Sawyer. We both sang every song, and we would recreate every single moment of the musical and the film. For a time, we dressed very similar to the Heathers in terms of colour, Cheryl always in red, and me in blue, yellow or green. It was like our little inside joke.

In light of what happened the previous year, I volunteered myself to Kevin after getting off the phone with Cheryl, to help him with the production, him as a director and me as a sort of producer. I told him that I would help each person capture the essence of character, and I could then be an understudy for them all, with no intent on actually performing because there would be no psychotic death threats. This was agreed, and I was happy. I was. Maybe this would help me get over last year, doing one of my favourite musicals.

"I had a dream I was searching for a needle in a haystack." Jughead told me, sitting in the garden out the back of my dad's house. His family had officially moved in next door and he hated staying there. Jellybean had been given Polly's room and he had been staying in the spare bedroom, yet he preferred my room and Wyrms watchful gaze. "Care to interpret Dr. Freud?"
"Your plan is a good one, Jug." I told him, referring to his plan of searching for the drug lab. His theory being if he could stop supply then the whole operation collapses. "Your mom can't deal if she doesn't have a lab to make drugs in. So find the lab, shut it down and stop her before she gets a toehold." Jughead brushed his hand through my hair.
"That's the goal for the week. Are you going to be okay doing the musical?" I nodded to him. Then smirking as I pulled myself closer, jumping into one of the choruses from the opening number, knowing Jughead loves to hear me sing and was meant to be helping somewhat with the musical.
"And I know, life can be beautiful. I pray, I pray, for a better way. We were kind before, we can be kind once more, we can be beautiful..." He had stood up, pulled me from the grass and took my hips in his hands, tapping my nose when he spoke.
"Just not today." He didn't sing often, but I couldn't help but melt at his voice.

Cheryl, Betty and Veronica made up the three Heathers. I, being his producer, had them in perfect outfits. Betty in green, Veronica in yellow and Cheryl in signature Chandler red. I couldn't help but admire them in the corridor as I moved past them, pulling Cheryl's hair from behind her so it framed her face more while she sang before going back to join Kevin as he admired his leading ladies.

The cast made their way to the theatre, everyone joining in on the chorus to the song. Kevin had decided that the opening and closing numbers would include everyone, and so had given everyone a line or two.

I was one of the last to enter, Sweet Pea and Fangs holding each hand of mine so that I could make my way into the room. It was just an empty room, and the attack hadn't even happened here. My two serpents looked to me, sending me love and reassurance. This time was different. This time, I had people looking out for me.

We ascended the stairs, standing in a circle. When it came to Cheryl's solo part, she moved across the circle, taking my hands and pulling me into the middle with her, encouraging me to sing with her, saying she was with me. Nothing would hurt me this time, so I bit back my panic and took a deep breath.
"Ask me how it feels, looking like hell on wheels." We sang together, smiling widely at each other. I could tell she was proud of me. Then she stopped and let mesing a line on my own, twirling me around. "My God, it's beautiful."
"I might be beautiful." Kevin sang, coming between us both and hugging us to him. I knew he was proud of me for returning, for taking charge of my healing. I hoped this was finally going to be my closure, having a musical where no one is killed.
"And when you're beautiful." Cheryl sang, and I returned to my place in the circle, joining in with the choreography of everyone else.