Stardust // Reggie Mantle (3)

Chapter Twenty-Five

When Caia had helped Veronica and Reggie burn the drugs, she hadn't realized it would lead to her getting pulled into the Lodge schemes once again. Apparently, Veronica had made a big mistake in choosing to burn the merchandise. A mistake she would now have to pay back, in full.

"Since you three vigilantes took it upon yourselves to burn all the Fizzle Rocks that I had already sold, you are gonna come up with the money to pay back what's owed," Hermione explained, setting down a paper and taking off her glasses.

All three looked at Hermione with surprise and confusion. Veronica's mouth dropped open as she and Caia made eye contact. "How are we supposed to do that?" Reggie questioned.

"I'd start with the speakeasy' s coffers," Hermione suggested.

Veronica shook her head. "We don't make nearly enough to pay off whatever kingpin you're working with, mom," She exclaimed.

Hermione shrugged. It didn't seem to bother her. "Well, then I suggest you get creative, mija," she commanded. "And quickly. The buyer, who has a reputation for being dangerously unhinged, is on their way to Riverdale. And they're looking to get paid back in full for the drugs they are not getting."

Veronica glanced over at Reggie and Caia before turning back to her mother. "Who is this buyer?"

"You don't need to know. They're sending an intermediary."

Caia leaned forward, setting her clasped hands on the desk. "How much money are we talking about, Mrs. Lodge?" She questioned.

Hermione picked up a folded piece of paper and held it out to Caia. Caia leaned forward and extracted it. Upon opening and reading it, she felt like throwing up.

Veronica, who was reading over Caia's shoulder, apparently felt the same. "And suddenly, I'm in an episode of Ozark," Veronica mused.

"No," Hermione refuted. "But you are in the big leagues now. And it is time to sink or swim."

*

"Attention, students, it's time for the daily announcements." Cheryl's voice floated over the speakers during Caia's first period class. She set down her pencil and began to listen. "As Riverdale High's first openly lesbian student body president, I'm announcing the launch of a new club. An LGBTQIA alliance, with the mission to find and support our fellow queer and questioning students. In that spirit, this week's blind item will be on theme. A certain oh so hunky, all American, RROTC cadet is afraid to come out of the closet."

Caia furrowed her eyebrows. Her eyes flirted over to where Moose was sitting. She knew that he and Kevin had had some kind of a fling going on since the previous year, but this seemed like a cruel move on Cheryl's part. No one deserved to be outed like this.

"Well, let's show this cadet that Riverdale High is welcoming, so he and his Broadway loving boyfriend can finally PDA like the other sex crazed couples dwelling amoung us," Cheryl finished. "Also, for lunch today we're having Shepard's Pie. Thank you."

Caia glanced once more at Moose, who looked like he was about to cry. Behind him, Kevin looked just as distressed.

Oh, Cheryl. Always stirring the pot.

*

Later, Caia sat in the deserted music room staring at her computer screen. The open tab showed her email. The newest email had a subject line reading NYU Admissions. Hesitantly, Caia moved the pointer so that it hovered over the email and clicked. The email opened, and Caia's eyes scanned over the paragraph.

Her heart immediately dropped to the floor. Not because she hadn't gotten in, no. She had an interview. That day.

When Caia had sent in the application to her dream school, she hadn't really been expecting anything. It was a long shot to get into NYU at all, not to mention for their journalism program.