Angel / Reggie Mantle

Chapter Twelve; Part Two

AJ was leaning against the counter at Archie's house. They were all sitting around, waiting for Betty to return with Jughead. AJ was still very much against the idea of this party, and she only went to watch it crash and burn. The door opened, startling everyone because they thought Jughead and Betty were early, but much to AJ's surprise, it was her father. "Dad?" AJ asked, going to stand by him. "What are you doing here?"

"What you thought I'd miss my kids' birthday?" FP asked AJ, a small smile on his face. He ruffled her hair, handing her a $10 bill. "Happy birthday, AJ."

AJ grinned at her father, happy he seemed sober enough to attend the party. She took the money and shoved it in her pocket. It wasn't much, but she was happy with it anyways. "Thanks, dad. I just hope Jug doesn't freak out too much."

"Hey, man. Hey, AJ," a familiar voice called from behind the two. AJ turned around to see Joaquin. She was surprised to see the other serpent there but remembered he was seeing Kevin Keller. "Joaquin," AJ nodded in greet, glad to have another familiar face around. "How's it been going?"

"Oh, yeah know, the same," Joaquin answered with a shrug. AJ and Joaquin weren't close, but they respected each other. She knew her father pulled him in for a lot of different side jobs, so he was deemed trustworthy in her books.

"Everyone! Sh, be quiet, they're coming!" Archie yelled, running through the house with a bar can in his hands. AJ could tell he was already slightly drunk. The boy was definitely a lightweight. She moved forward, plucked the drink from his hands, and downed it. She would need it to get through the night.

Everyone, aside from AJ, hid. When the door opened, the hider's jumped out, yelling surprise.

"Do I look like Jughead to you?" Veronica asked, a disgusted look on her face. AJ just rolled her eyes at the dark-haired beauty.

"Definitely prettier, huh?" Joaquin asked AJ with a smirk, nudging her in the side.

"That was one time," AJ snapped, but she couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"He's coming for real this time!" Ethel said, making everyone hide once again.

This time, when the door opened, it was Jughead. Everyone yelled surprise, huge smiles on their faces. Jughead, however, was not smiling. He looked confused, and a little mad. He instantly sent a glare in AJ's directly. She just held her hands up defensively, making her way to her twin. "Oh, don't give me that look, Forsythe. I tried to stop them, but you know what they say. If you can't beat them, join them, right?" AJ asked, laughing at her brother's misery.

The conversation was interrupted by Betty singing. She walked out of the kitchen, holding a small birthday cake with candles. The candles illuminated her face as she says, it was fairly creepy in AJ's opinion.

"Oh, thank you, Betty. That was haunting," Jughead joked, forcing a smile in Betty's direction. If Betty noticed Jughead's false joy, she ignored it.