Valentina

"Sweetie..."

"What, mom?"

I look up from my textbook, noticing the way both my parents stand by the door of my bedroom, staring at my figure on the bed, books everywhere around me.

"What are you doing, Val?"

"I'm studying." I answer, adverting my eyes back to my notes. "And I really need to finish this."

"We're worried about you." My parents slowly get closer to my bed and both sit by the end of it. "You've been so distant since-"

As they seem to be hesitant to speak those words, I intervene and say them myself, not a hint of emotion in my voice.

"Since I found Jason's body."

"You shouldn't do this to yourself. We get you're mourning your best friend's death but this isn't right, darling." My dad places his soft hand on my shoulder and I don't look up.

I tried ignoring them as they spoke but I can see it's not working. And I'm not even studying, I have been trying to come up with a plausible reason for Jason's horrible death. Who would want him dead?

"I'm fine, I just needed some time to think." I stand from my bed and grab a random book from my messy desk. "I promise nothing is wrong with me."

"We don't want you to do something crazy."

"You think I'm going to kill myself?" I blink a few times, their images becoming blurry with the unshed tears behind my eyes ruining my vision.

"That's not what your mother said." My dad raises his voice at me and stands as well. "We are worried, Valentina, this is not your usual behavior."

"Guess what?" I start yelling. I'm sure the Blossoms can hear me from the house next to ours, even if separated by the immense trees and protective stone walls. "I'm not fine, I am not alright! I haven't been alright since Viktor-"

I break down before finishing the sentence. Just by mentioning his name, my entire body trembles and I can't focus. I fall most of the times, I cry and cry until I can no longer produce tears.

That's not what I do this time. I gulp and erase any trace of tears from both my eyes and cheeks. Looking back to my parents, I can see the sadness and pain behind their eyes. This situation is affecting them as well, yet I couldn't see it before. I was too absorbed in my own sorrow that I didn't take the time to understand the rest of the people around me.

"Sorry." I whisper and lower my head. I can't ignore the tears anymore as they start freely falling down my cheeks.

They come to my side, their arms wrapped around my trembling body. And the three of us cry as a family.

Although our family hasn't been complete since Viktor left.

ΨΨΨ

I think many of us, maybe the entire town, had been hoping against hope that somehow Jason Blossom hadn't drowned on July 4th. That we'd come to school Monday morning, and there Jason would be. Or that we'd see him and Cheryl in a booth at Pop's. But that was before the undeniable, irrevocable fact of his bloated, water-logged body, a corpse with a bullet hole in its forehead, and terrible secrets that could only be revealed by the cold, steel blade of a coroner's autopsy scalpel, or the telltale beating of a guilty heart.

ΨΨΨ

I look up from the steering wheel after parking my car near the school entrance. I can't face everyone today. It was a Friday when Jason was found, and today being Monday, the students are eager to catch every bit on information they can. And guess who is going to be the main target- right after Cheryl. You got it right, me.

As I make my way down the hall towards by locker, I feel dozens of eyes glued to my back. I know what they're thinking, or at least I can imagine the filthy thoughts going around in their heads. I bet at least one of those students is wondering when I'll break down, this not being my first time losing someone so important to me.

There's someone standing right next to my locker, and this person is looking at me with sad eyes, something I don't particularly enjoy. I hate it when people pity me.

"Andrews." I greet and unlock the door, grabbing the book for my first class of the day.

"Adams." He greets me back in his deep tone, using my surname just as I used his.

We never really talked outside the "students' room" as we call it. He is there with Betty or the football team and we sometimes talk whenever Cheryl doesn't need me and I can take a break. We have had a few long conversations about our favorite bands and writers, one thing let to the other and before I knew it I was asking how Jughead was doing. Archie didn't know either.

"How are you today?" His small talk isn't good, it has never been. Not even when we were kids.

"Why do you ask?" I continue rummaging through my locker, although I already have everything I need with me.

"You know." He starts, already out of words. "Since you were the one to find- well, you know what I mean."

"I know what you mean and-"

"Hi." I'm interrupted by beanie boy as he greets his old best friend. "Do you think I can use Jason Blossom's death as an excuse to get out of PE?"

He is either ignoring me or really hasn't noticed my presence. I'll choose to believe the latter.

"Sorry, Coach, I'm just too depressed and freaked-out right now to do pull-ups." Jughead manages to smile, delighted by his own distorted joke.

"Don't joke about Jason Blossom." I whisper and close my locker a little harder than I intended.

"What?" Jughead has the audacity to look at me from the corner of his eye, taunting me. "Sardonic humor is just my way of relating to the world."

"Try not to offend anyone with your words next time." I walk closer to him until we're face to face, so close I can feel him breathing against my forehead. "Jason may have been just another popular kid for you, but he was my best friend. And I miss him, so please, watch your tongue around me."

I hug my books tightly to my chest and sprint away from the pair, a feeling of dread overcoming me. I take every step carefully, eyeing the door to my first class like my life depends on it.

I open the door, get inside and greet the teacher- who's always early to the morning classes- before taking a seat at the back of the classroom, right next to the window.

As students start filling the other empty spots, I find myself looking for someone, and that someone is not Cheryl or any of my friends. At least I can say he was once my friend, not a long time ago. And I messed up, like I always do.

When he enters the room, I lower my eyes to the table and I inspect my nails. The desk behind mine is free, and I see a shadow walking past me towards that same desk. And that's him.

No one sits by me. I want to be alone for now, alone with my thoughts. This peaceful silence doesn't last long.

When Principal Weatherbee taps on the speaker to send us a message, I lay my head on my arms and close my eyes, still listening to whatever he has to say. 

"Good morning, students. This is your principal speaking. There have been many inquiries about the upcoming pep rally. So let me state clearly, it is happening, as scheduled. Now, on a less felicitous note, if you could give your attention to Sheriff Keller."

"Most of you already know the details, but your classmate Jason Blossom's body was found late Saturday night. So as of the weekend, Jason's death is now being treated as a homicide. It is an open and ongoing investigation."

Sheriff Keller, Kevin's father, is interrupted by a familiar cough, as Cheryl takes control of the transmission and speaks in a loud, determined voice.

"And may I interject, neither I nor my parents will rest until Jason's death is avenged, and his cold-hearted killer is walking the green mile to sit in Old Sparky and fry. I, for one, have my suspicions." She finishes with her usual- and annoying- use of hashtags. "#RiverdaleStrong."

"If you know anything that could help us find and apprehend Jason's killer, or anything about what happened to him on July 4th, I strongly urge you to come forward immediately." Sheriff wants us to help, bus his words sound more like a threat. I gulp. "You can speak with me or Principal Weatherbee. A death like this wounds us all. Let's not let Jason down."

The bell rings right after. Students crawl out of the classroom, leaving me to my own thoughts. No one tries to talk to me, no one approaches me with fake smiles and apologies. And that's fine, that's perfect.

I make my way out the door, no one bothering to check on me, not even my best friends. Those I once called my brothers and sisters. Cheryl just came out of the principal's office sporting a proud smile.

I sigh. This is going to be a long day.

I predict the next class is going to be equally as boring as the first one. I take my usual sit next to Cheryl, but notice two of our friends interrogating her like she's some kind of criminal.

"We were wondering, Cheryl. Back in July, you told the po-po that Jason drowned. Yet, we come to find out that Jason didn't drown. He was shot. That's slightly suspicious, no?"

"Are you living mannequins suggesting I had something to do with my brother's death?" Cheryl's indignation is palpable. 

"We're just curious. What do the police think happened?"

"I'll tell you what I told them, which is that Jason did fall into the water. We both did. I made it to the shore. He didn't. Maybe he made it to the other side of the river and someone shot him there. Who knows?"

"Are you done, girls?" I look at them and smile sweetly, fake Valentina surfacing with each passing second. "-Are you always this stupid or are you making a special effort today? She saw her twin's cold, dead body, do you think she is in the mood to answer your nagging questions?"

The two girls share a look and Cheryl grabs my hand, giving it a light squeeze. That's her way of thanking me for having her back. They leave us after glaring at me, and I'm tempted to send them an equally cold glance. They're not worth my time.

"Seats, everyone. Pair off, gloves on, scalpels up." The teacher claps his hands and speaks as soon as he enters the room.

"Can I be with Cheryl?"

"And I wanna be with Betty." Veronica says at the same time as I ask to be paired up with Cheryl. Archie sounds confused and looks at me with pleasing eyes.

Sorry, hot stuff, she's mine for now.

I let my bag fall on the ground and my best friend flashes me the brightest smile she can muster.

"Cheryl, you don't have to pretend everything is fine, you know?" I put my hands on her shoulders. "It's me, your best friend. We used to talk about everything and now we don't. What's happening?"

"Jason is dead, he was murdered. How do you expect me to be alright?"

"I don't expect you to be alright, that's why I'm here. You can tell me what's bothering you." She doesn't even blink at my words. It's like they mean nothing to her.

"Cheryl, we haven't talked since the summer. I just want to say, I'm really sorry about your brother. Jason was the best. If I can do anything to help." Archie manages to whisper from his desk behind us, where his partner- Jughead- stares at me like an hawk.

"That's sweet, Archie, but unless you were at Sweetwater River and know who shot Jason..." Cheryl's words hit my chest like a bullet. Archie and I share a look.

"Do, uh, do you know if the police have any leads?" I ask.

"What? No. But it's only a matter of time. And my twintuition is telling me it's someone we all know."

"Right. Well, it was nice talking to you, Archie." I send him a meaningful glare- that he understood- and then turn back around to face Cheryl. "You know I'm not great at science, but I can take point on this if it's too weird for you."

"Weird, why? Oh, you mean because my brother is being dissected with a blade, just like this one, possibly at this very moment?" She eyes me with her clear eyes, but she's not really seeing me. "Don't worry, I'm fine. In fact, I'm amazing."

"Okay... If you say so." I manage to let out a small whisper after Cheryl's display of madness right here.

The two girls who were talking to Cheryl before I came in are now staring at my best friend, just like I was before. Like she just lost her mind.

She probably did.

ΨΨΨ

My feet take me to the other side of the school, mainly because I left my cheerleading bag inside my locker and now I have to go back to retrieve it. After taking all the stuff I need, I almost spring down the halls towards the gym.

I walk past dozens of empty classrooms, until I look to the side and almost fall on my face. Every door has a small window on the left side of it, and whoever walks by can look inside and see what's happening.

And this is what I see.

There stand Archie Andrews and Ms. Grundy, but they're not playing the violin, piano or even guitar. No, they're engaged in a very strong eye game, both with a look of pure adoration on their faces.

"Holy shit." I whisper and cover my mouth with my hand.

"Indeed. I would use a different set of words, more like 'they're about to be caught in the middle of a steamy makeout session. Let's go before someone sees us."

Jughead Jones grabs my hand and drags me down the hall, only stoping when we're both hiding inside one of the empty classrooms. He takes his sweet time turning around from the door to meet my gaze.

"What the heck is happening between those two?" I ask, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"I have no idea." He starts pacing the front of the room. "Doesn't he know they can get punished if someone finds out? Imagine it wasn't us who found them. Imagine it was Weatherbee."

"They'd be screwed."

"They'd be dead, that's for sure."

As he paces the small area in front of me, I shake my head. We're talking to each other once again, even after my promise to not do it again at Pop's. There goes my promise, it's like I can't control myself when he's involved.

"We have to talk to him." I suggest. "We could meet outside his later tonight, maybe around 8pm."

"That's actually a good idea." Jughead stops in front of me and smirks. "Your brain is still useful when you try to actually use it."

"Okay, that was offensive." I hug my arms around my torso and look at him with a glare. "I'm waiting for an apology, mister."

"Sorry, m'lady, it was not my intention to hurt your precious feelings." He leans forward, getting as close to my face as possible. "Is that a good apology or do I have to start over?l

"Try again, that was so shallow and heartless. Give me some power, some passion."

His nose touches mine, I look up to his eyes at the same time he leans forward, his lips inches from mine. A small gasp escapes my lips when I realize what we're doing. And most importantly, what I'm feeling. This isn't normal. This isn't right.

I put my hands on his chest to push him away from me. We should not be doing this, something both of us would regret later.

"I have to go to practice."

I don't wait for his answer as I sprint away from that damned classroom as fast as I can, not looking back one time.

ΨΨΨ

"L-E-T-S G-O L-E-T-S G-O." The girls chant as they dance in the middle of the gym, Cheryl examining their every move. "Let's go, let's go. Go and get it, get it. Let's go, let's go. Go and get it, get it."

The music stops and everyone turns to Cheryl, the captain of the River Vixens. 

"Stand down, Vixens. And listen up. First, where's Valentina?" I wave from the benches, taking out my bottle of water and towel. "Thank you for being here, Val. We needed you and you left. Where were you?"

"I forgot my bag on my locker and had to go back to get it." I gulp and clutch the bottle with my sweaty palms.

"You're going to practice harder tomorrow." Cheryl points her long nail at me and I nod like an obedient dog. "Good girl."

Every girl giggles at Cheryl's words and I feel my cheeks turning bright red. Finding my spot for the performance- which is next to Veronica and Betty- we all listen to the small pep talk Cheryl has for us.

Unfortunately, her pep talks are never nice, and all they do is ruin put already low self esteem. 

"The weather's predicting a downpour the night of the rally, but already, you're raining on my parade." Her eyes fall on me and I lower my head in embarrassment. "With Jason so present in our collective consciousness, all eyes will be on me. Will this beautiful, exotic, hothouse flower drown under the town's scrutiny, or be swamped by her emotions?"

I want to yawn at this, she is using the pain of losing her own twin brother as an excuse to be the main attraction once again.

"The answer, ladies, is "no" and "no. " That said, I need star power. I need the Pussycats. Stay loose and limber, ladies, while I make a call."

She leaves us to fend for ourselves and I take my time warming up. A few specific exercises here and there and two laps around the gym are enough to take my breath away. Just slightly.

I'm on the floor stretching, my body bending over my right leg as my hands touch the tip of my foot. I can't help but overhear the conversation Veronica and Betty are having, they're standing right next to me.

"After this practice, I'll totally need a pedicure. You?" Veronica asks the blonde, receiving a harsh answer from the latter.

"I'll have homework."

"I know everyone grieves differently, but Cheryl's hosting a pep rally to cope with her loss. That's either brilliant, or psychotic, or both." I want to scream at Veronica for saying it. It's not like I haven't thought that before, but it's different and less aggressive than saying it out loud.

"Yeah, well, at least Cheryl's not putting on an act. Pretending she's a butterfly when really she's a wasp."

"For the record, the only reason I went into that closet with Archie was so that Cheryl wouldn't."

Wow, wait. Pause. Closet? What happened? What closet? Are they talking about Cheryl's party after the dance? She always does this and their favorite game is sending random people inside her entrance closet and then laughing at the poor girl/boy who's left heartbroken on the outside.

I bet the heartbroken one is Betty. And Veronica and Archie went into the closet.

"Oh, so you did it to protect me?"

"Damn straight." I have to admit it sounds like Veronica is telling the truth. She may be the new girl but I can tell she doesn't want to hurt anyone.

Like she wants a fresh start, different from her old life in New York.

"Okay, so nothing happened between you and Archie in the closet, then?" Betty asks and almost snaps at Veronica's guilty face. "Yeah, that's what I thought. You know, Archie and I were fine before you got here."

"If by fine you mean he was oblivious and you were pining after him in quiet desperation." The brunette looks at her friend with sad eyes.

"We were friends, at least."

"You were walking on emotional eggshells around him, scared to tell him the truth."

"Okay, you don't know me, Veronica."

"It is not my fault he doesn't like you." Veronica speaks in a louder tone and sighs after being shushed by Betty. "If that's what you're thinking. It's not anyone's fault. It's not even stupid Archie's. It's just how it is. Most of the time the people we like don't like us back. Romeo and Juliet are the exception, not the rule. Look... Never speak to me again. If that's what you want, I'll accept that. But what, exactly, did Archie do wrong?"

"Are you seriously taking his side?"

"No, I'm not taking any-"

"And this is your way of trying to be friends with me again?" Betty rudely interrupts Veronica.

Okay, I know I have no say in this but the new girl is being honest and Betty is making a fuss because the guy she thinks she's in love with doesn't love her back. She's not the only one going through that.

"The Pussycats are in. Oh, sorry, ladies, am I interrupting?" Cheryl arrives and interrupts their tantrum on purpose. I can see it in her eyes.

"As a matter of fact-" Veronica starts but is once again interrupted by Betty.

And if looks could kill, Veronica would be dead right now.

"No, you're not. Actually, I was about to come and find you, Cheryl. I have a gift certificate for hers-and-hers mani-pedis and blowouts at Chez Salon. Do you want to come with me?"

"Don't do this." Both Veronica and I warn her.

I know too well what Cheryl's answer is going to be, and the reason behind her accepting the offer. She wants to get closer to Betty and find out everything she can about her sister, Polly.

"Butt out, closet monster. You have forfeited your right to take the high and mighty road. As pour moi, Betty, but of course. I never say no to a pedi. And I was just about to suggest the same thing. Can I steal her for a second?" Cheryl then notices me on the ground, still in a stretching position and smiles sweetly. "Val, you should come with us."

"No, I can't. I have something to do." Cheryl pouts and I shake my head. She's not going to convince me with her puppy eyes. "I'm sorry."

For the second time today, I mute their voices to a minimum and finish my warming up exercises before practicing the routine with the rest of the girls.

And I run to my car as soon as Cheryl blows the whistle- a sign practice is over- so I can go to Archie's house with Jughead. Even in these conditions- with Archie in a messy situation with a teacher- I'm still eager to see Jughead.

What is wrong with me?

ΨΨΨ

"You're here." I say as I roll down the windows of my car to talk to Jughead, who's leaning on the low fence outside Archie's house. "How did you get here so fast? Cheerleading practice ended a few minutes ago."

"Well, I'm not enrolled in any extracurricular activity like you and Archie. Neither football nor cheerleading are my thing, so I had some extra time to get here."

"Nice." I roll my eyes at his mocking tone.

"We should get inside- well, not really inside just next to the door so-"

"I get it Jughead." I lock the car behind my back and shoulder my bag. "Don't be so nervous around me, it's like you're hiding something."

What was meant to be a simple joke is taken too seriously by the dork next to me, who starts to stutter and move his hands around as he explains why he is not nervous.

Once we're near the stairs leading the Archie's front door, I stop in front of him and smile at his involuntary cuteness.

"Calm down, dude." I put my hands on his shoulders and shake him a little but.

Before any of us can say anything else, a voice coming from the small gate, startling me to the point I step on Jughead's feet and trip over him, landing on my butt.

"Thanks a lot." I rub my behind as I get up with Archie's help, Jughead standing and watching.

"Jug, Valentina." Archie takes a step back stops in front of us. "What's up?"

"What's up is we saw you, Archie. In the music room. With Ms. Grundy." Jughead behinds.

Archie's facial expressions aren't hard to read. He is clearly upset that we found, but he's mostly surprised.

"Keep your voice down, my dad's inside."

"I'm trying to help you, dude. I'm trying to be your friend here. Even though we're not anymore. How long? You and Grundy?" Jughead crosses his arms in front of his chest and stares at Archie with cold but caring eyes.

"Since the summer. I like her."

I scoff. How can she like her? She's probably using him for her despicable reasons. She's a cougar.

"So I'm guessing she's the reason you've been acting weird since summer?"

"One of them."

"One of them?" I ask at the same time Jughead questions.

"There's more?"

"We were at Sweetwater River on July 4th. We heard a gunshot. The gunshot." Archie looks at me and I shake my head.

He can't say it. No, he has to keep quiet.

"Dude, you have to tell somebody." I insist, at least he has to tell what he heard.

"I can't. Neither can you. If people find out about Grundy-"

"A kid is dead, Archie! And you're worried about some- some cougar?" Jughead starts raising his voice and I put my hand on his arm. He seems to visibly calm down.

"Don't call her that. Okay, she's not like that, she cares about me."

"Stab in the dark. I'm guessing she cares more about herself. She's the one who's telling you not to say anything, right? Look, I saw you guys. She's messing with you, man. And she's messing with your mind."

I let the two have this conversation, as I'm only here to support Jughead and deliver my own little speech once Archie and I get a minute alone.

"What the hell do you know about it, Jughead? Or about me, even?"

"Nothing. But I used to know this guy once. Archie Andrews. He wasn't perfect but..." Jughead sighs. "He always tried to do the right thing, at least."

"Jug." It's Archie's turn to sigh. "If you tell anyone about this-"

"What? What are you gonna do?" I turn to Archie and raise my eyebrows at him. Is he really trying to threaten us?

The front door of the house opens and a middle-aged man steps outside, shutting the door behind his back and looking at the three of us.

"Hey, Jug. Coming in? We got take-out from Pop's." His eyes land on me next and he blinks. "Valentina Adams, what a nice surprise."

"Hello, Mr. Andrews." I greet and give him a little wave.

Yes, I'm rich and my family is known for its snobbiness. But that doesn't mean I forgot my manners.

"He was just leaving." Archie pushes Jughead away and grabs my arm. "May I have a little chat with you?"

I deny and carefully unwrap his hand from my arm. He wasn't applying any unnecessary strength, but his muscles- visible under his shirt- are enough to make any girl swoon just by looking at them.

And I can't do that because his father is standing right there next to us.

"Sorry, I have to take Jughead home." I grab said boy's hand and drag him to my blue car. "Get in."

I don't wait for his answer, and he understands that I'm not in the mood to talk so he just gets in and doesn't look back to Archie's house as I drive us away from his driveway.

"Where should I take you to?" I ask after minutes of silence.

"Twilight drive-in, please."

We don't speak again. Once the drive-in is close enough for me to stop and let Jughead go, I touch his arm before he has a chance to leave without saying anything.

"I'll see you tomorrow at school." I smile sadly at him. "Don't worry about Archie, he'll be fine."

He nods and leaves me in the car by myself. It's time to go back home. Or as I call it, hell.

Because I don't have him with me anymore.

ΨΨΨ

Another chapter, another secret, right? I really hope you liked this! If you did, don't forget to comment and vote to show your support. I think you're going to love the next chapter. I have something up my sleeve and I want you to read it so I'll update soon.
This chapter is dedicated to voidambrose.
All the love,

Rita