Stardust // Reggie Mantle (3)

Chapter Fourty-Four

Later that day, Caia plus all the other Serpents and pretty poisons were corraled into the classroom in which their meetings usually took place. Betty and Jughead stood together at the front of the room. "Serpents, poisons, we have a proposition for you," Jughead began.

Peaches, who was slouched in her chair, immediately responded. "The Pretty Poisons don't take orders from you," she reminded.

"Please, Peaches," Betty pleaded. "We're talking about a prom night truce. So that we can all work together to catch the Gargoyle King." Peaches leaned back in her seat and glanced around to her fellow Poisons. "How does that sound?"

All of the Serpents stared over at the Poisons. "The Poisons can get behind that," Peaches finally responded.

"During prom, groups of you will be stationed at each entranced," Jughead explained. "Once the announcement for prom queen begins, you guys are gonna bar anyone from exiting the gym. Whoever's cosplaying as the Gargoyle King is going to be there, and this is going to be our one shot at nabbing him."

"Will he be in costume?" Peaches questioned.

Jughead shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. At the minimum, he's gonna have some sort of kingly signifier, like a crown or antlers and the like. And he's going to make his move after Betty is crowned prom queen."

From her seat, Caia raised her hand. Jughead nodded at her, giving her permission to speak. "What about those of us who already have plans for prom?" She questioned, referring to her date. "Not that I don't wanna help, it's just-" She trailed off.

Jughead nodded. "That's fine. You can stay with your date most of the night, and you really only need to help to block the doors after the coronation. Even then, there might be enough people that we don't need you," Jughead explained

Caia nodded. From across the room, she saw Sweet Pea sit up. "Wait, are you going with Reggie?" He hissed at her. Caia glanced over at him, giving him a confused look. Why was he so angry?

Betty interrupted the interaction. "Let's end this nightmare," she stated. "Once and for all."

Betty held out her hand and everyone circled around, all adding their hands to the pile.

After leaving the room, Caia was immediately stopped in the hallway by Sweet Pea. "Are you seriously going to prom with Reggie?" He demanded.

Caia nodded. "Yeah," She replied, furrowing her eyebrows at the boy. "What's your problem with it, anyway?"

Sweet Pea sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "May I remind you that he cheated on you? Twice?"

Caia rolled her eyes. "What, you think I just forgot? Of course I know that."

Sweet Pea narrowed his eyes at her. "Then why are you still going with him?" He demanded. "He's just gonna break your heart again."

Caia shook her head. "You don't know him like I do," She excused."

"I don't have to," Sweet Pea shot back.

Caia looked away and crossed her arms. "Whatever, Sweet Pea."

*

Caia had been a little dissapointed when the prom theme had changed to Renassiance instead of Fire and Ice, but she understood it from Jughead and Betty's standpoint. Besides, after looking through many inspiration pics online, she had realized her dress could still work. Maybe it wasn't the fancy queen look everyone else would be going for, but more of a storybook 'fair maiden' type of deal. Besides, adorned with a flower crown and a cute hairstyle, the look really came together.