Stardust // Reggie Mantle (3)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Kurtz taking a suicidal seeming jump out of a window with Jughead wasn't the worst thing that happened the night of the apartment raid. Caia would come to that realization later, when she heard about Baby Teeth's murder in the style of the sacrificial rituals that had been happening recently.

However, Caia was trying not to think about this fact as she was slumped on a couch next to Betty Monday morning. It was nice to have the whole gang together again to just talk. It felt like they hadn't be able to do that in forever.

"How's your boxing career these days, Archie?" Veronica inquired offhandadly.

"Your pal Ellio is organizing a boxing event called the Gilded Gloves," Archie responded.

"Brawny young men, shirtless and in shorts, go on." At this exclamation, Caia shot a weirded out look to Veronica. That's all she got from that? Beside her, Betty stifled a giggle.

Archie ignored Veronica's musings and continued. "I was thinking, maybe you could help get the El Royale crew a spot in the tournament," Archie suggested. Veronica cocked her head and crossed her arms at this. "The guys could use a win, or at least a boost after what happened to Baby Teeth."

Veronica nodded. "Let me see what I can do."

Suddenly, the conversation was I terrupted by the crackling of static from the P.A. system. "Good morning my dear Riverdale High consituants and comrades," Cheryl began. "A lot of you have been asking about the Farm's Student Advocacy group. Well, here's the skinny." Caia kind of tuned out as Cheryl went on to explain the club. It wasn't her thing, at all. She tuned back in to hear the end, however. "Sign up sheets are posted throughout the school. The club is open to all students. Where the one become many and the many become one. So, uncap those pens, sharpen those pencils, and sign up. A little birdie told me it's what all the cool kids are doing."

Soon after the announcement was made, Caia noticed Betty staring at something through the student lounge door and into the hallway. Naturally, all five friends craned their necks to see Cheryl, Evelyn, Kevin, and Fangs strut by in all white outfits.

"Risky fashion choice, but okay," Caia mused.

Jughead snorted. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers continues," He added.

"So, let me get this straight," Veronica began, pushing herself to the front of the couch. "The reason Cheryl is all-in on the farm is that she gets to see and talk to Jason?" Veronica turned to Betty as a confused and shocked expression covered her face.

Betty nodded, her lips in a tight line. "Yeah. My mom's entirely convinced that she's seeing and talking to Charles, her long lost son." Veronica scoffed in disbelief as she sat back into the couch.

Jughead paused before sitting forward in his own seat. "What if you prove that Charles was dead?" He questioned. "I mean, your mom has lost touch with reality so maybe the best way to snap her out of her delusions is with a harsh dose of truth. Like, proof that Charles is dead. Or basically anything that will refute these fantasies that Edgar Evernever is spinning." Betty seemed to like this idea as she sat back and looked toward the ceiling, contemplating.

*

Caia was out on almost all counts that week. Betty was busy dealing with some farm BS with her mom. Caia could have helped her, maybe, but it seemed kind of personal and Caia didn't really want to get involved with the farm in any way. Jughead and his dad were on a massive hunt for Kurtz after Baby Teeth had been killed. Caia wasn't sure she'd be much help there either. That left Archie's boxing tournament. It was a little awkward around him and Veronica, so she kind of just observed from a distance.