Chapter I
Here's the thing – when it came to underground fighting rings worth thousands of dollars in bets and wagers, Betty Coopers knowledge went about as far as the information provided in Fight Club.
And here's the other thing – Betty may have insinuated to her editor that she could write a front page story on the topic, 1800 words with hard-hitting facts and information, due Monday.
"Betty, why on earth would you agree to write this story? It's social suicide. Literal, figurative, and metaphorical."
The condemnation came from her roommate and best friend, Veronica Lodge. Not for the first time, she fixed the blonde with a piercing glare, crossing her legs and folding her perfectly manicured hands over her keyboard. The dark-haired girl shook her head, looking back down at her screen and continuing to scroll until she heard a sigh. She glanced up from her laptop, to where Betty Cooper was currently lying in hopelessness for the fourth hour in a row.
"Figurative and metaphorical are essentially the same in this case. Using both is redundant," came a detached reply.
Veronica quirked an eyebrow, thankful she finally drew more than three words from the despondent sophomore journalism major.
"Regardless," she said, tapping at her laptop, eyes glued to the screen, "you know how difficult it is to get invited to these events. You know they're kept secret for a reason. If the boys were discovered, they'd be kicked out of Riverdale faster than you could say, 'but my daddy built the library.' It's just not worth the risk, B. For you or for them."
Betty shot up like a cork, her bright eyes fixed on her best friend.
"Are you saying," the blonde said slowly, locking eyes with a startled Veronica, "that the boys who participate in this… this barbaric, caveman style club aren't doing it out of financial need? They do it for fun?"
"I'm not saying anything," Veronica said calmly. "In fact, I'm saying that even that much information is closely guarded and impossible to obtain. You're fighting a losing battle here."
Betty deflated, scrubbing her eyes with her palms and pulling her fingers through her hair. She had to have been crazy to accept this assignment in the first place.
But she needed to prove herself at the Blue and Gold – even after being there for a full year, she was still considered too green to be put on anything front page worthy. It was really only through dumb luck that she had overheard her editor speaking to another reporter about the alleged fight happening tonight.
Betty knew it was a mistake from the beginning. These organized, underground fights were a well-guarded, but widely known feature of Riverdale College. She had been generally dismissive, assuming that the fights drew a small crowd and enough monetary reward to cover a textbook or two for the winner.
It was only after she accepted the piece and informed Veronica of her good fortune when she got the full story.
"Betty…" Veronica sighed, snapping the blonde out of her reverie. She softly closed her laptop, leaning forward to her friend and reaching out to grasp her hand. "I'm sorry. I know you thought I would be able to get you in. But sometimes I don't even know where the fights are held. Archie doesn't always want me there. And it's just not a good idea to do a story on this right now. Please B… just don't."
This was the cherry on top of the proverbial cake that was this piece – Veronica's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Archie Andrews was one of the select few fighters. Betty had thought that this closely guarded secret would give her easy access, but it was proving to be more of a hindrance than a blessing.
"If you're really telling me," Betty started slowly, locking eyes with her best friend since childhood, "that someone might suffer because of my story, then of course I won't write it."
Veronica had barely exhaled a sigh of relief before Betty continued. "But I don't think that's the case, V. Of course I would redact the names and identities of the fighters. This is about the student bodies right to know what's happening right under their noses. I would never put Archie, or anyone, in harms way."
"But you don't get it, B!" Veronica exclaimed, throwing up her hands and rising from her seat. "It's not just about anyone being hurt or exposed. It's about something much bigger than that."
Veronica stopped the pacing she had begun, and turned to look at a baffled Betty.
"What could be worse than exposure?" Betty asked in confusion.
Veronica sighed. "I didn't really get it before I went either. I think…" she continued slowly, biting her thumbnail, "I think you just need to see it." Her eyes snapped up to lock with Betty's, serious and dark all of a sudden.
"Betty. If I bring you tonight… If I show you everything… yes, everything," she reiterated at Betty's gasp, "can you promise to push the story back? Or even cancel it, once you see all that happens?"
Betty bit her lip, considering her best friend. She had rarely ever seen the dark haired girl so serious.
"Okay…" Betty said slowly, "I can probably push the story a week. But I don't know if I can promise to cancel it, V."
"Trust me," Veronica said with a grim smile, "you won't want to write about what you see tonight."
Betty wore her hair down, assuming that it would be dark and chilly in the basement where the fight was set to take place. She had thought that her hair would keep her neck warm.
But stepping down the last step of the off campus house, she knew this was an unnecessary precaution.
There were bodies everywhere – by the walls, on the risers built like a stage near the back offices, even on the stairwell she had just climbed down. The blonde immediately pulled her hair back into a makeshift ponytail, taking in the dimly lit faces of everyone she could see.
She recognized a few students she shared classes with, even her Accounting partner from freshman year was giggling over a red solo cup. But there seemed to be older, more serious men in the crowd as well, some well dressed and others in leather jackets. All had the air of anxiousness surrounding them, as if betting on this fight would make or break their finances for the week.
Betty glanced around for Veronica, realizing she had lost her friend in the crowd. It didn't take long to find her waving to Betty from the wall closest to the large, chalk circle drawn on the linoleum.
"Betty," Veronica, said, pulling her the last few feet, "You remember Kevin, right? He's a political science major with me."
Kevin was dark haired and handsome, but the shrewd, up-and-down look he threw Betty before smiling and shaking her hand was enough to let her know that Veronica was not just protecting Archie.
"Of course, how are you?" Betty replied sweetly, smiling her pageant girl smile and drawing closer to the group. "Midterms were hell this year, I don't know how we got through them."
Kevin stared at her for a moment, quickly relaxing and breaking into a smile. "I know," he responded, glancing at Veronica, "I thought Fallon was going to kill us with that 15 page case study. Like hello! Not every political science major wants to go to law school!"
Betty and Veronica laughed, the tension easing. They lapsed in to causal conversation about classes and clubs before Betty felt it was safe to circle back around to the matter at hand.
"So Kevin," Betty smiled, ignoring Veronica's immediate hand on her wrist, "what is your role in… all of this?" She waved her hand around, indicating the ever-filling basement and din of excited voices.
Kevin's smile faltered, but didn't disappear. A good sign. "Oh, a little of this, a little of that. Mostly I go wherever Jughead needs me."
"Jughead? I've never heard –"
"Yes, well," Veronica interrupted, "Kevin is like me. Army wives together."
Kevin rolled his eyes, exasperatedly explaining to a confused Betty, "My boyfriend Joaquin fights occasionally. Not tonight, and not nearly as mush as Archie. But sometimes."
Betty nodded, sensing she was overstepping her boundaries. Veronica's grip was like a steel trap around her wrist, keeping her in place. As if she'd want to go anywhere, Betty thought, glancing around the room.
She noticed a dark haired, beanie-wearing figure slouched on the risers opposite her, across the circle. The boy seemed to be paying very little attention to the people milling around him, standing stock-still and staring at his watch.
As Betty watched, the creases in his forehead smoothed and he glanced up. Immediately, she felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her.
His eyes were a deep, dark blue. He had an air of seriousness surrounding him that no one else in the room had managed to achieve – even the suit wearing men had some anxiousness about them. But this boy… he seemed to be all business.
But just as quickly as he had disjointed her senses, he was gone. His eyes were sweeping over the crowd and his hands were reaching for a previously unseen bullhorn at his feet, just as Kevin was saying. "…taking so long? Usually Jughead starts promptly at 11."
"Welcome to the Riverdale Rages," the dark-haired boy's bored, amplified voice stated. He seemed to be avoiding looking in Betty's direction. "As always, there are only two rules – Don't disrupt the fighters, and place your bets before the fights begin."
Jughead paused; masterfully creating suspense, as every eye in the room was on him. Betty got the feeling that he had done this many times before.
"Now, for our fighters." The crowd cheered and jeered, breaking into a previously unreached level of sound. "From Riverdale College, at 165 pounds, we have Archie Andrews!"
From the door to his left, a shirtless, muscular redhead appeared. Betty had met him on many occasions, even joked and smiled with him. But now, his jaw was tense as he stiffly walked to the center of the circle, waiting for Jughead to announce his opponent.
"And from Midvale University at 180 pounds, we have Thomas Baker!"
From the door to his right, a cocky, muscular jock appeared. He waved to his admirers, the crowd roaring their approval. He sauntered to the middle of the ring, locking eyes with Archie and begrudgingly shaking his hand.
Betty hated him already.
"Bets?" She turned to Veronica, "So anyone can bet on the fights?"
"Yeah," Veronica said, her eyes locked on Archie, seemingly forgetting about Betty and her impending story. "Jughead places bookies around the area. They'll give you odds, and they keep 5%. But it's generally profitable for everyone."
"Everyone except the loser," Kevin interjected. "But at least they're always welcome back."
Jughead's whistle broke through the tense muttering. Both boys immediately started circling the perimeter of the circle, Betty just inches away, tucked behind Veronica.
"Oh!" The crowd gasped in unison as Thomas lunged, landing a sharp blow to Archie's shoulder. He grit his teeth, but stayed standing.
"So," Betty turned to Kevin, who seemed coolly detached from the fight, "can anyone sign up?"
"Oh, no," Kevin responded, wincing as Archie placed a sickening punch to his opponents cheek. "Jughead has to scout everyone. It's something he's very strict about. You know," in response to Betty's questioning look, "too make sure no one's crazy… or completely unqualified. Despite what it may seem, no one wants to seriously injure."
Suddenly, Thomas Baker was spread on his back at Betty's feet. She barely had time to step backwards before he leapt up, charging at Archie. Jughead watched with a detached, cool interest.
"Wow," Betty breathed, in awe. "So no safety regulations? No mouth-guards or helmets… or anything?"
"Are you kidding?" Kevin scoffed. "That would ruin everything. The whole point of this is the raw danger." Betty heard another sickening crunch, and looked up just in time to see Archie bent double, clutching his ribs.
"No time-outs either." Veronica added, her face pained.
Betty glanced at Jughead, who looked to any casual observer to be calmly watching the fight. But she could see the imperceptible tightening of his shoulders, the tension in his balled-up fists.
"I don't get how he does it," Kevin said, following Betty's line of sight. "I could never watch my best friend get the shit kicked out of him, and then make a profit on it."
Betty gaped. "Come on Kevin," Veronica scoffed. "You know the fighters get a cut. Archie wouldn't be here if he didn't want to be."
"Wait, Jughead and Archie are friends?" Betty asked, glancing back and forth between the ring and the risers. Archie had Thomas in a headlock. Jughead continued to observe.
"Since they were 7." Veronica replied, standing on her tiptoes to watch. "They started this together." She paused. "Well, sort of. They inherited it, I guess. Jughead used to fight too, but as far as I know, he's taken over the business side of things."
"It's just as well," Kevin interjected as Betty nodded, "They were losing business. No one would fight Jughead."
Betty was more confused than ever. This club seemed to extend way past the meters of what she expected, taking on a business-like aura. She could see why Veronica had been so keen to pull the plug on her story.
All of a sudden, the crowd erupted in cheers and groans. Betty looked down to see Thomas knocked out on the floor, Archie panting and sweaty above him. Jughead was off the risers in a flash, making his way over to his best friend.
"We have a winner!" Jughead yelled, raising Archie's exhausted arm. "Collect your winnings from the bookies. Next fight will be announced by the usual method. Now get out before the cops are called again."
It was a flurry of activity. People were pounding up the stairs, on the phone, running with wads of cash. Everywhere Betty looked seemed to be a flood of action.
All of a sudden, she was pushed toward the center of the circle. Nearly tripping, she grappled to gain purchase on the suddenly solid arm that appeared next to her. Steadying herself, she looked up to apologize.
"Are you okay?" someone asked. Betty felt as though her body were on fire. She was pushed up against the elusive Jughead, bodies pressing in on them from both sides.
Pausing for slightly to long to collect herself, Betty shook her head to clear the buzzing from her ears. "Um… I think I'm fine. Just lost my friends." Jughead raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing her. "Really, I'm fine," Betty repeated.
"You were with Veronica and Kevin, right?" He said after some hesitance, his eyes boring into hers.
Betty nodded, and Jughead pulled her gently by the wrist to the risers he had been standing on.
"She and Archie usually go to the office to collect after fights. I'll take you there." Jughead said gruffly, turning back to her. He nudged her up the stairs, following gracefully after.
Opening the door on the far left, the noise was muffled almost immediately. The office was mercifully well lit and empty. For the first time in what felt like hours, Betty's shoulders sagged and she took a deep breath. She heard a deep chuckle behind her.
"First time?"
"Is it that obvious?" Betty replied, turning around to face Jughead. He was even more handsome in the light. His features were striking, and he seemed to be more relaxed too.
"Not really, actually." Jughead had just fixed her with an inquisitive stare when the door burst open, and Veronica barreled in, followed closely by Kevin and Archie.
"Oh thank god!" she said, enveloping Betty in a hug. "I can't believe we lost you! I'm sorry, B. You were right there and then you weren't."
"It's okay," she said, extracting herself from Veronica's arms, and glancing at Jughead, who was now looking determinedly away from her. "Jughead found me."
"Great fight, Archie." Jughead said, just as Veronica opened her mouth to quiz Betty more. She couldn't help but be grateful. "According to my estimates, we stand to make twelve to fifteen."
Archie grimaced, holding an icepack to his shoulder. Veronica left Betty's side in an instant, squeezing Archie's free hand and letting Kevin fill her space next to Betty.
"Better be worth it, Jug. That guy was a hell of a fighter." Archie grimaced as Veronica gingerly pressed another ice pack to his forehead. "We have got to stop letting Midvale steroid jocks in."
As everyone in the room laughed, Betty turned to Kevin. "Twelve to fifteen what? Dollars? Is that all?"
Kevin laughed, and Jughead shot her a wry smile. "Try thousand."
"Fifteen thousand dollars?" Betty squeaked, feeling faint. That was almost half of her tuition. "For just one fight?"
"Easy for you to say," Archie grumbled, pulling a t-shirt on.
"Well, bookies get 5%, and then there's rent for this place. And we need to pay the winning fighter, so it's not quite as glamorous as it sounds." Jughead explained, not unkindly.
Betty nodded, mind still buzzing will all of this new information. What Twilight zone had she just stepped in to?
She glanced at Jughead, her heart sinking with remembrance of situations all too familiar, and consequences similarly dire.
So why did she feel her heart skip a beat when Jughead smiled at her?
Later that night, when they were both in bed with the light off, Betty asked the question she had been wondering ever since they left the fight.
"Veronica?"
"Hm? Veronica replied sleepily.
"What did Kevin mean when he said no one would fight Jughead?" Betty rolled over to face her friend. In the darkness, she could barely see her outline.
"Just that." Veronica replied. Betty sighed huffily. Why could no one give her a straight answer when it came to this?
"Okay, but why?"
Veronica sighed heavily, and Betty started to feel bad for pressing so hard. "As far as I know, Jughead was merciless. He would fight anyone, no matter what. But somehow… he always won." She paused, gathering her thoughts and letting Betty absorb the information. "Something happened a couple years ago. Archie won't tell me what, and no one is close enough to Jughead to figure it out. But all of a sudden, Jughead just stopped fighting. He said he wanted to focus on school and making money, but we all know he's covering up something."
Betty was surprised. While Jughead looked admittedly muscular, he seemed far too slight to ever hold his own in a fight to the caliber she had witnessed that night. Was it possible that there was a side to him she hadn't seen yet?
Of course, Betty decided, rolling over and closing her eyes. She barely knew the boy.
Betty had just about drifted off when Veronica softly said her name.
"Yeah, V?"
"You're not going to write the article, right?"
Betty paused, suddenly wide-awake. She hadn't thought about her story since 11pm, when the fight had started. However, she couldn't fathom putting what she had witnessed that night into words.
Remembering Jughead, Betty said slowly, "No V… I'm not."
Drifting off to sleep, Betty couldn't help but think of blue eyes and a far off memory of other, more illicit fighting.
Author's Note: I would really appreciate some feedback! Let me know what ya'll think!
