Stardust // Reggie Mantle (3)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Caia had done it. She had officially ruined one of the last remaining relationships she had in tact. She was miserable at what she had done, but she couldn't have kept stringing Archie on the way she was. Maybe she would find a constructive way to take care of her feelings, but as of right now, she didn't have one.

Caia tried to avoid Archie's piercing gaze as she sat on a chair in the student lounge the next morning. He looked very concerned, but Caia tried to ignore it. Furthermore, although Caia had seen him with Josie that morning, she honestly couldn't blame him.

She was glad when Veronica began speaking as it allowed Archie's attention to be focused elsewhere. "What's the update on the homefront, B?" Veronica questioned.

Betty sat next to Veronica on the couch, her head resting on a propped up shoulder. "My mom's still trying to sell the house," Betty divulged. "I'm still trying to sabotage her, but it's only a matter of time before she finds some ghoul who wants to live in a death house."

Betty turned when Kevin walked into the lounge and waved at him. Kevin didn't return the gesture. In fact, he didn't even smile. Something was off about him, and even Caia could tell that.

"What's with Kev?" Caia questioned.

Betty sighed. "The farm, C," She breathed. "They got him, too. And up next, my house." The clear sarcastic annoyance dripped in Betty's voice.

"Well, my offer still stands. I know that my trailer is cramped, but you're more than welcome to stay with me," Jughead reminded.

"Or me," Caia offered brightly. "I have plenty of extra space at my house."

Veronica nodded. "And you're always welcome at the Pembrook, B," she added. Betty smiled at Caia and Veronica before patting Veronica's shoulder.

"You can always crash at my place, too," Archie followed. "I mean, I've already got a homeless kid sleeping in my garage." Caia raised her eyebrows at the statement. That was a bit of a change from the last time she had been there. Everyone else reciprocated her expression. "Yeah, his name's Ricky. He ran away from a group home and was squatting at the gym and that's how I found him."

"Sounds like me sophomore year," Jughead connected.

"Guys, he has a branding on his arm," Archie stated. "The same one the Warden gave me when I was in juvie. It says he's a sacrifice."

Veronica seemed shocked. "Oh my god," She breethed.

"Is he playing G and G?" Betty questioned worriedly.

"I don't know," came Archie's quick reply. "I left him at Pop's for the day."

"Arch, maybe you should call Ms. Weiss," Betty suggested. "We know her. We know she'd find him a good family." Betty did make a pretty good case.

Archie seemed to agree. "Yeah," He agreed. "Yeah. Would you mind sending me her number?"

*

Later that day, Caia sat on top of a desk in a classroom for the Swords and Serpents meeting. She was, noticeably, the only girl left. Cheryl and Toni has drafted the rest.

"All right, Serpents, let's get right to it," Jughead began from his spot at the front of the room. "Any of you guys know about the break-in to the Chemistry lab?" No one responded. "Kurtz?" Jughead accused pointedly. "What are you smiling about?"

The Gargoyle-Serpents were seated in a seperate group across the room by the windows. Their leader slowly turned his gaze towards Jughead. "Just thinking how looting the alchemist's lair was one of our more rewarding quests." Caia dipped her head into her hands and punched the bridge of her nose. Of course. The Gargoyles however seemed to think it was very funny.