Hello, hello! Welcome to Down We Go! I'm starting at the very beginning of course, and I hope you guys like my story. Now it is a Jughead/OC story with platonic Bughead because they are great together but I both think they could be stronger as friends instead. This will be kinda slow burn but Jughead and Evelyn will happen around cannon Bughead time.
Well, that being said, let's get this show on the road!
"There is an idea of Riverdale of what kind of town it is, what sort of families live there, a notion that it exists unchanged and unchanging, as if frozen in a time-capsule, that it must be exactly how it presents itself to the outside world. Safe. Decent. Innocent. So that if you were looking at it from the window of a train, rushing by, you might wish you lived there but that's only one aspect of it, and only on the surface. The truth is, if you really want to understand Riverdale, and what kind of place it is, I have to tell you about its shadows, the town beneath the town, starting, I guess with what the Blossom twins did this summer."
Two gorgeous teens got out of their blood red convertible which was parked near the river's edge. Their red hair stood out against the pure white clothing which adorned their bodies. Their names are Jason and Cheryl Blossom, and they are royalty in Riverdale. They entered a rowboat, to take the annual trip down the river before they return to school for the coming year. They continuously drift down the river and finally fade from sight.
"The next thing we know happened for sure is that Dilton Doiley, who was leading Riverdale's Boy Scouts Troop on a bird-watching expedition, came upon Cheryl, who was drenched and shivering from the cold. The rowboat was smashed upon the riverbank, with Jason nowhere in sight. Riverdale Police, led by Detective Sam Hill, dragged the river for Jason's body, but hours later, still nothing."
Now this is where I come in. With my father being the sheriff, and Jason being our classmate, my brother and I went down the river to watch. I look around to see the entire town is out here, to see the show. As I gaze at the crowd, I see the Coopers looking grim and yet, slightly pleased. I happen to overhear Alice say,
"If he is dead Hal, I hope in those last moments he suffered. May Jason Blossom burn in hell." I never particularly hated Alice Cooper, but I have to admit that she is a cold-hearted bitch. But...this death was painful for me, in fact, it was if my very life was being torn in two. My best friend, my closest confidant, my brother in all but blood, was dead. I stand on the bank, staring into the water, thinking that he's not gone, that he couldn't be gone. I vaguely recognize the symptoms of shock that I'm experiencing right now, because I'm not crying my eyes out. I feel...numb. Like I'm disconnected from the world. My actual brother, Kevin, puts a hand on my shoulder for comfort but it doesn't help.
Days passed, but still, no body. So a week later, the Blossoms buried an empty casket. Cheryl, knowing that Jason was my closest friend, came to tell me personally what happened. While they were rowing, Cheryl had dropped one of her gloves in the water and that Jason had leaned over to pick it out. But in doing so, he tipped the boat, panicked, and drowned. I broke down then and there, sobbing uncontrollably for the fact that he died scared. Cheryl, in her own grief, started to cry too. But she said through her tears,
"I know that we don't know each other well. You know me as your best friend's sister, and I know you as my brother's best friend. We both lost someone dear to us, so I want you to have my number, and text me anytime you want to talk. I'll be there for you if you'll be there for me." As I nod slowly, we spend some time in each others arms, mourning Jason. Later on that night, I had woken screaming like someone was tearing my skin off. I had a twisted nightmare of Jason. My dad and brother stormed in my room, shaking my shoulders and shouting my name. But I couldn't stop. He was dead, and it changed everything.
Weeks passed as school crept closer, and, in an effort to get me out of the house and out of my grief, Kevin dragged me along to Betty Cooper's house to talk. Now Betty was nicer than most girls, but she still has an air of innocence even if Jason died. As my brother and I lay on her bed, I start to compare Betty and myself. We were about the same height, but while she had a tan to her skin I was, well, let's say fair on the edge of pale. She has gorgeous blonde hair that she always has in her ponytail. She really need to let her hair down more, figuratively and literally. Meanwhile I have lengthy chocolate waves that fell down to mid-back. Betty is an overall good person, but she and I never connected like her and Kevin did. She sits at her bureau, putting on makeup for some odd reason, I don't know Kevin never told me what we were doing here.
"Are you excited? Nervous?" Kevin asked Betty. I look up to see Betty with a beaming smile,
"Both. I haven't seen him all summer." she tells Kevin with a shaky breath.
"Which is why nerves are acceptable, but we agreed, Betty,...it's time. You like him, he likes you." Kevin tells her as he shakes his head in disbelief.
"Well, then why, Kevin, hasn't he ever said or done anything?" She asks with a bit of a reporter power behind the question.
"Because Archie's swell, but like most millennial straight guys, he needs to be told what he wants. So tell him, finally." As Kevin moves to get up and stand by the window, Betty picks up where he left off with,
"Well, we'll see. I mean, it depends-" Kevin interrupts with a loud,
"Oh my god!" He's staring out the window, while Betty and I join him to see what's up. We had managed to catch Archie in the middle of getting dressed, abs in full view. Both Kevin and Betty's mouths were open in amazement.
"Okay, what's so great about that?" I ask as speak for the first time since stepping into the room.
"Uh, because he has never been this ripped Evie! Another reason for you to take this ginger bull by the horns tonight Betty!" Kevin tells us enthusiastically, with, I suspect, lust in his voice.
"Bro, I love you, but I don't wanna hear about Archie Andrews in that way." I say with disgust in my voice. Now don't get me wrong, Archie's a nice guy but to think about a guy who looks eerily like Jason like that? Nah, no way.
"Yeah, well, that's because you are kind of a bitch Evie." My brother says to me.
"Yes, I know this, and I accept full responsibility for it. I am aware of my actions Kevin Keller." I say like a boss ass bitch that I am.
"Oooh, full name Kevin, better watch out. But if when I tell him, he rejects me?" Betty asks with fear in her voice. Kevin goes to reassure her, but I beat him to it.
"Then fuck him. If he can't realize what a great woman you are then he doesn't deserve you." I tell her, because she doesn't need a guy to be happy but oh well.
"But I don't want to lose his friendship." Indiscion fills her eyes as she says this.
"Then give him, and yourself, space. Distance yourself so you won't get hurt. But as my sister said, fuck him if he doesn't like you." Kevin tells her, and we both watch as she lights up when the doorbell rings. She puts on the rest of her clothes, and rushes down the stairs, yelling back us her goodbyes.
"God, she is hopeless." I say to Kev as we walk downstairs to go home.
"Yeah, but at least she likes someone, meanwhile I'm an open gay teenager when the rest are in the closet, and you haven't liked someone since you thought you have a crush on your best friend as well." I make a face embarrassment, thinking of years ago.
"Yeah, I guess we're both unlucky in love." I say into the cool night air, Kev and I making the trek back home.
The next day, Kev and I walk down the hall, heading for class when we both spot Betty and a dark haired girl walking together. As we walk towards them, I hear the girl ask,
"...here? Any night clubs?" Kev swoops behind her to say,
"A strip club called the Ho Zone and a tragic gay bar called Innuendo. Friday nights, football games and then tailgate parties at the Mallmart parking lot. Saturday night is movie night, regardless of what's playing at the Bijou, and you better get there early, because we don't have reserved seating in Riverdale. And Sunday nights...thank god for HBO." I smile and whisper,
"Valar Morghulis." Betty smiles and says,
"Veronica Lodge, Kevin and Evie Keller. Veronica's new here, Kevin is-"
"Gay, and mysterious, respectively, thank god. Let's be best friends." Veronica shakes our hands.
"Is it true what they say about your Dad?" Kevin asks, his gossiping curiosity overtaking him.
"Kevin! Tact! Please! Ignore him, he gossips, a lot. Evelyn Keller, but you can call me Evie." I say to try and welcome her.
"It's fine. That he's the devil incarnate? I stand by my father, Kevin. Does everyone here know? Wonderful. Ten minutes in and I'm already the Blue Jasmine of Riverdale High." Veronica says as she cooly walks away. Betty and I both look at Kevin with disbelief as we try to catch up. We show Veronica around with Betty explaining as we go.
"Oh, and of course there's the Back-to-School semi formal dance this weekend." Veronica grabs her arm in excitement, as spots Archie down the hall.
"Oh! There's the hottie we were with last night. The red-headed Ansel Elgort. Is he your boyfriend?" Veronica asks.
"No, he's straight."
"No, we're just friends."
"I don't know him that well." Betty, Kevin, and I say at the same time. Veronica gently smiles,
"In that case, mind putting in a word? I've tried every flavor of boy but orange." Veronica says in a pleased whisper.
"Actually, to clarify Betty and Archie aren't dating, but they are endgame." Kevin informs Veronica.
"You should ask him to the semi formal then." Veronica encourages Betty.
"She would but she's too much of a wimp." I say, teasing Betty lightly.
"She should, but I heard it might be getting canceled. Because of what happened to Jason. They're gonna tell us at the assembly." Kevin says with a sad air. At my visible deflation, Veronica asks,
"Who's Jason, what happened to him and why is Evie so sad now?" Veronica asks with a nonchalance. As we head into the assembly, Betty and Kevin quietly inform Veronica of the details. I stay silent, reflecting on my late friend. As we take our seats, Principal Weatherbee asks for a moment of silence. After it ended, Cheryl took the podium.
"Thank you for that moment of silence. Many of you were lucky enough to have known my brother personally. Each and everyone of you mean the world to Jason. I loved my brother. He was and always will be my soulmate. So I speak with confidence only a twin could have...Jason wouldn't want us to spend the year mourning. Jason would want us to move on with our lives. Which is why I've asked the School Board not to cancel the Back-to-School semi formal. But rather, to let us use it as a way to heal, collectively, and celebrate my brother's too, too short life on this mortal coil. Thank you all." The assembly ends with little fanfare, the periods pass, and before i knew it, it was lunch. We sit at a table, and listen to Archie's song. We were so enraptured by Archie's voice, we didn't notice Veronica striding up to our table.
"Can I join?"
"Yeah." Betty says as Kev and I shift to make room.
"What are we doing?" Veronica asks with a nervous air.
"Listening to one of Archie's songs." Betty teases Archie in a small voice.
"I thought we were gonna have to pretend to like it, but it's actually really good." Kevin says with a shocked tone.
"Probably better than your shower singing bro." I tease Kevin, laughing when he makes a face at me.
"Wait, that was you singing? Something you wrote?" Veronica asks for confirmation.
"It's rough." Archie shakes his head, not impressed with his work.
"Maybe a little, but it's still really good Archie, be proud of yourself." I admonish Archie, if he works at it he will be spectacular.
"It's incredible, actually, the little snippet I heard. Is that your thing? Music? Are you doing something with that?" Veronica leans in, perhaps flirtatiously, if Betty and Kevin's glances indicate.
"Yeah, that's the plan. So how's your first day going? Good?" Archie asks her, looking concerned.
"Not to be a complete narcissist, but I thought people would be more…"
"Obsessed with you? Any other year, you'd be trending number one, for sure. This year, though, is all about Cheryl trying to win the Best Supporting Psycho Oscar for her role as Riverdale High's bereaved Red Widow." Kevin mockingly says, when I quickly interject,
"Kevin, she just lost her brother, don't forget that." Archie packs up his things, saying how he has an appointment with Ms. Grundy. As kevin continues to tease Betty about not asking Archie to the dance, Cheryl appears at our table,
"Veronica Lodge, I'd heard whisperings. I'm Cheryl Blossom, may I sit? Betty, would you mind? So, what are you four hens gossiping about? Archie's Efron-esque emergence from the chrysalis of puberty? Or Evie's still questionable fashion choices?" Cheryl says with a quick grin.
"Ha ha, Cheryl, very funny." I say dryly, invested in my tater tots.
"Extracurriculars. Weatherbee wants me to sign up for a few." Veronica focuses back on the subject.
"Cheerleading. You must. I'm senior captain of the River Vixens." Cheryl proudly tosses her hair.
"Is cheerleading still a thing?" Kevin mocks. "Is being the Gay Best Friend still a thing?" Cheryl fires back at my brother.
"Yes, cuz he's mine and Betty's." I proclaim.
"Some people say it's retro, I say it's eternal and iconic." Cheryl sighs, pleased with her statement.
"At Spence I sat at the top of the Elites' pyramid. I'm in. Betty, Evie, you both are trying out with me." Veronica looks over to us.
"Of course, anyone's welcome to try out, but Betty's already got so much on her plate right now and Evie is no good with hand-eye coordination, and being a Vixen is kind of a full-time thing. But open to all! Follow me on Twitter and I'll do the same. My handle is cherylbombshell." She tells Veronica before she walks away. Veronica looks at us before saying,
"Okay. Go ahead and hate on cheerleading, but if Hipster Prince Harry…"
"I'd love to be a cheerleader. It would look great on my college applications. But, last year, when I tried out, Cheryl said I was too fat." Betty said with a patronizing tone.
"Too season 5 Betty Draper. It was a great line, but not at all true." Kevin quickly tries to save himself.
"Smooth, Kev, smooth. But Cheryl's right. My hand-eye coordination is terrible and I trip. A lot. It would be better if I wasn't a safety hazard for other people." I laugh slightly, well aware of my physical mishaps.
"Well, you're a total smoke show now. I mean it. As hot and as smart as you are, you should be the Queen Bey of this drab hive, and you, Evie, are her right hand Arianna. Look, if you want to be a River Vixen, I'll help you prep. I have moves." Veronica said, assuredly.
"Okay, you know what? Show me your moves." Betty said with confidence she didn't have before.
Later, at tryouts, Betty and Veronica were finishing up their routine while I was up in the stands. But Cheryl was not impressed.
"Ladies, where's the heat? Where's the sizzle?" Cheryl demands with a dead air.
"Well, you haven't seen our big finish yet." Veronica then pulls Betty into...a kiss?! Damn, well that's one way I guess.
"Yes, show up, B&V!" I scream my encouragement, hoping to bolster them.
"Check your sell-by date, ladies, faux lesbian kissing hasn't been taboo since 1994. So let's see if you do better with the interview portion of our audition. Betty, how's your sister doing?"
"Um, Polly's fine, thanks for asking."
"Veronica, has Betty told you about her sister yet?"
"Uh, no."
"Go ahead, Betty. Tell Veronica about your sister and my dear brother."
"Polly and Jason dated."
"I wouldn't say dated."
"It didn't end well."
"In fact, Jason's probably why you sister had a nervous breakdown and now lives in a group home, isn't it?"
"That's what my parents think."
"What do you have to say about that, Betty? Go ahead, the floor is yours. Whatever you've been dying to spew about Jason and how he treated Polly, unleash it. Destroy me. Tear me a new one. Rip me to shreds. Annihilate me."
"I just…"
"Finally."
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry about what happened to Jason. I can't even imagine what you and your family must be going through."
"Right. Veronica, welcome to the River Vixens. Betty, better luck next time." Cheryl said with a feel of finality in the air.
"Wait, what? Why? Because you couldn't bully Betty into being a bitch?"
"I need girls with fire on my squad."
"I know what you need, Cheryl, because I know who you are. You would rather people fear than like you, so you traffic in terror and intimidation. You're rich, so you've never been held accountable, but I'm living proof. That certainty, that entitlement you wear on your head like a crown? It won't last. Eventually, there will be a reckoning. Or...maybe that reckoning is now. And maybe, that reckoning is me. Betty and I come as a matching set. You want on, you take us both. You wanted fire? Sorry Cherylbombshell, my specialty's ice." Veronica froze Cheryl in her place with her cold words, and rightfully so, because this girl now had two true friends, and she's not giving them up. About twenty minutes later, after Betty and Veronica got their uniforms, I met them on the track. Veronica started to tell us about her experience in New York.
"When my father got arrested, it was the worst thing ever. All these trolls started writing horrible things about us. We'd get letters and emails saying that my dad was a thief, my mom was a clueless socialite, and that I was the spoiled rich-bitch ice princess. And what hurt the most about it was...the things the trolls were writing were true. I was like Cheryl. I was worse than Cheryl. So. when my mom said we were moving to Riverdale, I made a pact with myself to use this as an opportunity to become maybe, hopefully, a better version of myself." As her words sunk in, I couldn't help but understand, wanting to be better.
"That's a lot of pressure Vee, and you shouldn't have to carry it alone." I say to her, showing that I was there for her.
"When Polly and Jason got together...it meant everything to her and nothing to him, and...things got super intense and weird and toxic and my mom turned on Polly. Said Polly wasn't her daughter anymore, said all these awful things to her. Jason hurt Polly, but it's my mom who broke her." As Betty was telling her side of the story, I couldn't help but feel angry.
"Betty, you didn't know Jason, your mom didn't know Jason, and you sure as shit do not know how he felt. He loved you sister, but his parents dicks and are very controlling. But, we both only know one side, we don't have all the information. So, please, hold judgement on Jason until we both know everything." I finished, feeling lifted and Betty looking shocked and contrite. We all walked a few more paces until Veronica sees Archie passing by.
"Archie! You're so doing this. Slaying your dragons, Betty Cooper, one by one. Hi, Teen Outlander." Veronica smiles at Archie while fidgets with anxiety.
"Hey. Nice outfits." Archie smiles, looking over the girls.
"Betty here has something she wants to ask you about the Back-to-School dance. Go on, Betty, ask." I say, a mischievous smile on my face. Hopefully Betty finally asks him.
"I was wondering if you wanted to come with all three of us."
"Huh?"
"What?"
"No way Bee, two's a couple, three's a party, but four is overcrowded. I'll be going stag, or not going at all." I tell the group, I'd rather go alone or go to Pop's and see Beanie Boy. But Veronica still an apprehensive look so Betty reassures her,
"It's your first dance at Riverdale. You should have someone to go with, even if it's just a friend." Betty smiled, hoping to convince Vee to play along. Veronica acquiesces,
"I mean, I'd love to." Archie however, not so much.
"I'm not really in the headspace for a dance." Betty wilts, dismayed.
"Oh. That's okay." Oh, Veronica is not having that bullshit excuse.
"Totally unacceptable, Archiekins! We need an escort." I break in, saying,
"Yeah, take a break from the tortured musical genius you are and spend a blissful evening with not one, might I add, but two, newly-minted River Vixens." I start to smirk, seeing acceptance on his face.
"We'll text you time and place." Veronica firmly tells him, not taking no for an answer.
Hours later, I'm standing in the gym, it being decked out it lights and decorations. I decided on a royal navy high-low dress with jeweled pockets. My hair is lightly curled and i have small black pumps on. I look around with Kevin, finally spotting star threesome walk in. Vee separates herself from Betty and Archie, and makes her way over the punch table, where I am waiting.
"Well, well, and why exactly have you extricated yourself from the golden duo?" I ask with snark clearly present in my voice.
"Well, I had to let them talk, now didn't I? Though, Archie's not doing a good job is he?" She points over to the chaperone seats, to see Archie and Ms. Grundy in what appears to be a tense conversation.
"Well that's disappointing." I say frustrated, knowing how Betty was looking forward to this. Next thing I know, Kevin is rushing up to Vee and I, out of breath and very red.
"Guess who just proposition me in the bathroom? Well, his name rhymes with Moose, and let me tell you, he has a very horse-like appendage." I immediately turn red, not needing to know that, while Vee just smirks. Veronica starts to drag Kevin onto the dance floor, with Kevin staring at Moose all the way, when Cheryl steps on stage.
"Good evening, friends. Are you all having a good time? As honorary chairperson and de facto queen of tonight's semi formal, it is my great pleasure to introduce this evening's main entertainment. To know them is to be obsessed with them. Though they usually perform their own material, tonight, they're making an exception and debuting a cover of the song my parents claim they were listening to the night Jason and I were conceived. This one's for you, JJ. I give you Josie and The Pussycats." While Kevin and Vee were dancing, so were Archie and Betty. I could see both of them mouthing to Betty to go for it, and when Betty looked to me, I gave her two thumbs up and big smile. She deserved to be happy. As we watched them dance, Betty and Archie stilled, and Betty's face fell. I knew something happened, but what exactly it was, I have no idea. After all, I left right after.
I left the school, told my dad where I was going, took off my shoes and started to walk to Pop's. I was in the mood for some milkshakes. As I walk the sidewalk, my mind drifts to Jason. How his death changed the town, how it changed me. I became more cynical, more sarcastic, and cautious. But with I finally felt that connection with Betty, and Veronica? I have a feeling she's gonna be a great friend. Lets just hope Archie doesn't fuck things up anymore. As I walk into Pop's, I look around the diner. Only one person is there…
And his name...Jughead Jones.
The mysterious boy at Riverdale High, with cold eyes that pierce your soul and hair the color of the night sky after a storm. He could tear apart with his eyes and words alone. He was...intriguing. So, I sat in his booth.
"Go away."
"No."
"Yes."
"Not happening."
"Please?"
"Sorry, but no."
"Fine. So, what is Evelyn Keller sitting with me for?"
"You're intriguing."
"Intriguing?"
"Mmhm."
"Hmm." Even with this little interaction, I could see he was curious. His eyes had a look about them, his fingers paused on his keyboard, then resumed to focus on his writing. Minutes pass, with the diner filling up with more people. I ordered fries and a chocolate milkshake, I was hungry. As I play on my phone, I notice Jughead steal one of my fries. I move the basket towards the middle of us and sip at my milkshake. His mouth twitches in thanks, silent as ever. The door opens, and in walks Archie Andrews, who stops to ask Pops a question, then move to our table.
"Uh, can I sit, Jughead?"
"If you want."
"What are you working on?"
"My novel. It's about this summer, and Jason Blossom."
"Seventeen years old and how will he be remembered? As captain of the water polo team?"
"The Aquaholics? Considering how he died, probably not."
"No, what I mean is...was he doing everything he was supposed to do, everything he wanted. I mean, did he even know what that was?"
"Coach Clayton was in here talking to Pop Tate. Varsity. Does that make you, what? Mr. Popular Football God now?"
"No. In fact, I'm kind of terrified I lost my best friend tonight."
"If you mean Betty, whatever happened, just talk to her. You know, it'd go a long way. Would've gone a long way with me." Jughead finished telling Archie. I turn to look at Archie, and I say to him, "You fuck with Betty again, Archie Andrews, your grandchildren will be screaming in your balls in pain. Got it?"
"G-got it, Evie."
"Now leave, and go apologize." He left, quickly, I suppose, in fear. I smirk, thinking of how boys always think they are so big and bad, when Jughead snaps me out of my musings.
"Wow. I've never seen him scared before."
"Yeah, well, he underestimated me. I recommended you don't underestimate me, Forsythe."
"I'll keep that in mind Eve."
By morning, everyone would be talking, texting, and posting about it. We'd all be feeling it. That the world around us had changed, maybe forever. That Riverdale wasn't the same town as before. That it was a town of shadows and secrets now. On Monday, the autopsy on Jason's body would take place. And on Tuesday, halfway through fifth period, the first arrest would be made.