Ariana Andrews.

Chapter Eight: Nick St. Clair

It's funny when one text changes everything. 

I'm publishing that article. 

Ariana couldn't believe that she was going to go through with it. It could possibly ruin her mother's career, but at the same time, she understood why. It was an act of justice for the Southside. But Ariana couldn't help but think there was something else that pushed her over the edge.

***

Nick St. Clair was charming. Too charming. He reminded her of someone else, and Ariana didn't like him one bit. But she acted like she didn't mind him for Veronica's sake. She knew that he was Veronica's friend, but the way he flirted with every girl he came across was a huge red flag for Ariana. She could tell that Archie didn't like him either, expecially with the way he flirted with Veronica. 

Him, Veronica, Archie, Kevin, Ariana and the Pussy Cats were all in the music room. The Pussy Cats had played an impromptu concert for Nick, after he had found out that Veronica sang with them time to time. Nick stood up, clapping for the Pussy Cats once they had finished.

"You Pussy Cats are the pearls before the swine of Riverdale." He mused. Ariana resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the boy. "You have to come to the party I'm hosting tonight. In your honor. Let's say... Ten o'clock, my hotel room in the Five Seasons?" Archie and Ariana shared a look, as to say Can you believe this guy?  as the Pussy Cats giggled mindlessly at the guy.

As if the room couldn't be filled with more ego, Cheryl Blossom just had to walk in. Ariana swore that when anyone said the word "party" within a one mile radius of her, she would be next to them in 5 seconds flat.

"Did somebody say party?" She asked, stopping in the doorway for dramatic effect, before walking over to Nick. "Hi there. I'm Riverdale's resident 'It-Girl' Cheryl Blossom." She said, preceeding to give Nick a once over. Ariana could only assume he was doing the same thing. "You must be Veronica's old school chum I keep hearing about."

"Nick St. Clair." He said, sticking out his hand. Cheryl took it quickly, a large smile on her lips.

"Now that's a name I can get behind. Ten o'clock you said? I'll be there at eleven." She smirked before walking out of the room. Nick watched until she was out of sight, Ariana's guess was that he was staring at her ass. After Cheryl left, he turned back towards the group, smiling.

"So, I'll see you all there." He said cockily. Ariana scoffed.

"Not me." She said standing up, gathering her stuff.

"Come on Ari. Please for me?" Veronica begged. Ariana sighed, not wanting to let Veronica down. 

"I'll think about it." She said, before she walked out of the room. She was a good distance away before Nick had caught up with her. He grabbed onto her arm, holding her back. She turned around, quickly yanking it away. His smile dropped a little.

"Sorry about that. But don't you reconize me?" She stared at him, taking in his features, before shaking her head no.

"No, I don't sorry." She turned away and started walking again, this time faster.

***

The music was blaring so loudly, Ariana thought that the cops were going to be called. She was dressed in a simple black, long sleeved, off-the-shoulder cocktail dress, with her hair was pulled half-up, with some pieces of hair framing her face. She wasn't really sure what she was suposed to wear, but looking around the room, she seemed like she was in appropreate attire.

"And then we walk into the Guilded Lily, and there's Gal, again." Nick said, cauing Veronica to laugh. To be honest, Ariana had lost interest in Nick's story 10 minutes ago, and really wasn't sure what was going on anymore.