Ariana Andrews.

Chapter Twelve: The Test (Part One)

Ariana Slipped off of the side of Sweet Pea's bike from it's spot infront of her house. She gave him a small smile in thanks. She avoided eye contact with him and turned to face her house.

"Hey, wait." Ariana stopped to face Sweet Pea. His eyes squinted in concern as he looked at her. She tugged at her sleeve as she looked down at the ground.

"What?" She asked softly.

"There's something wrong. Do you need to talk about it?" His voice was soft and caring, something that surprised Ariana. She took a deep breath and looked up at him.

"Yeah. I- I'm fine." He gave her a disbelieveing look, causing Ariana to give out a small giggle. He stood up, towering over her. Her eyes followed him as he stood up, before stopping as they made eye contact. They stood there looking at eachother for a few moments before Sweet Pea pulled her into a hug. She stiffened for a second before loosening and wrapping her arms around him, taking in his musky smell. She closed her eyes, thinking about how she could stay like this forever.

***

"People of Riverdale, I have rid this town of the drug-dealing child-killer, and others like him. Now, you must choose your fate. The next 48 hours will be a test. And I will be watching you very closely. Show me you are pure of heart, and my work ends. Continue to sin, and I will take up the sword again." Archie lowered the newspaper as Veronica and Ariana shared a look of horror.

"What the Hell?" Veronica said in disbelief, grabbing the paper from Archie. "A test?" 

"I don't know Ronnie. How can he possibly be watching all of us?" Ariana looked at her brother and saw the fear in his eyes. 

"If we fail it, he could come back for dad." She said softly, tossing the apple she had just picked up aside, her appetite gone.

"No," Veronica stood up and tossed the newspaper onto the counter, startling the twins. "It won't come to that. I, Veronica Lodge, swear that I will do what ever it takes to stop this, this muderous snake, to protect your father." Ariana gave her a thankful smile as Veronica rubbed Archies back. 

"Thanks Ronnie. Now we should probably go or we'll be late for school." Archie stood up and headed towards the hall. Veronica and Ariana shared a look of concern before following him out, and towards the school.

***

"You guys, I'm worried about my dad." Betty, Veronica and Ariana were walking down the hall with Kevin on their way to class, listening to Kevin talk about his dad. "The town is turning on him. He's trying his best under thes crazy circumstances, but this Black Hood stuff is really getting to him."

"How is he dealing with it?" Veronica asked as they stopped.

"Yeah, what's he been doing?" Betty added.

"He's not sleeping, he's not eating. I hear him rummaging around the house at odd hourse, talking to himself, just heading out in the middle of the night." 

"Where do you think he's going?" 

"Where is he going?"

"Do you know where he's going?" The three girls asked in unison, before all sharing a look. 

"I don't know, but whereever it is, it's... It's like he's a different person." Once again, the three girls shared a look, before heading over to the Blue and Gold office.

***

Once inside, Ariana took a seat next to Betty with Veronica in front of them. Ariana let out a small sigh as she thought about Kevin and his dad about how suspisous that sounded.