I managed to leave my house with about thirty minutes early. I wanted to make sure that I had enough time to get to school, even if I got lost. But then again it's not a matter of it; but when. You see I'm not like those girls that just wake up on their first day of school and brush off the pivotal point like it's nothing.

Oh no. My anxiety won't let me do that.

If I have something big that I have to accomplish; my brain will go into overdrive and force me awake until it's done. Or if I don't get it done, then I'm just going to be up for the rest of the night worrying about it.

Hense what happened last night.

Luckily though I had Ashlyn to talk to and the sudden reveal of a mystery in Riverdale to keep me from having an anxiety attack from not being able to sleep. With how the people were acting here, something was up. And it wasn't just me who was curious about this town. Ashlyn was just as antsy about it as me. She kept urging me repeatedly to open the document and read it for myself. I think she just wanted to know my opinion about the whole matter, which isn't common for someone like her. If she's interested in something, Ashlyn will look up everything about it and then pester me by asking about a million questions before she's satisfied.

This time I don't blame her though.

This mystery has me tangled in its web. And I'm glad that Ashlyn is in this too. If there is anyone who has good research skills and a knack for solving mysteries; it's Ashlyn.

So after the billionth time of her asking me if I read it; I finally open the document.

I pretended that I was reading it as I skimmed through each sentence like it was a period. Words like "Jason Blossom", "Golden boy", "Football", and "Murder" stuck out to me. It was almost like they were urging me on. There was also a statement at the end of the article about how an investigation was still going underway.

So the murderer hadn't been found yet then.

Part of me was intrigued by this new piece of information. I wanted to dive into the scene and figure out who the murderer is. Maybe a new perspective could shed a light on who it could be. Someone who doesn't have any ties with anyone here could figure it out faster than someone who does. It would work.

But the other part of me is completely against it. This whole situation has nothing to do with me. Why fiddle in matters that don't apply to me?

I'm not going to be like those basic characters that suddenly want to know everything and get to the bottom of something that has nothing to do with them.

I might not even be here for long anyway.

People were hustling into the school like they didn't care if they were late or not. They all wore fancy, top of the line clothes that I couldn't afford, even with my college savings. And I'm pretty sure that one piece of clothing from anyone here is literally worth my entire wardrobe, plus everything in my room.

Talk about intimidating.

I took a quick glance down at my clothes. A dark burgundy sweater hung loosely around my body, the sleeves coming down to my elbows. Dark, tight-fitting skinny jeans made my legs appear smaller than they actually were. I topped off the look with a pair of black combat boots that were worn at the toes; along with my hair braided to the side.

My clothes weren't nearly as expensive as everyone else, but I at least didn't look like I came from the streets. Although I could have looked better if I wore a dress or something. But I wasn't feeling up to it and it was supposed to be cold today.

I stopped right in front of the school and looked up at its structure. Dread coursed through my body as the bold blue and chipped white paint coated the structure. I wish that I could have had another day to figure out this town before going into this prison. But beggars can't be choosers. I just hope that I can find Veronica right away so I don't look like the new girl.

Too late for that.

Taking a deep breath I made my way inside, a couple people behind me following my lead. The doors felt like lead the more I pushed them open. What the hell are these doors even made of? There's no way they should be so heavy. I managed to finally open the doors by prying them open.

A fresh wave of body odor and intense perfume filled my nostrils that made me want to gag. It nearly knocked the breath out of me. I don't think I'll ever get used to this kind of smell, no matter how many times I transfer schools.

"There you are Gwen." My gaze jerked up to meet with Veronica's dark ones as she approached me fearlessly. A blonde girl with a really tight ponytail and pink cardigan followed her close behind. She looked warily at me as if anything I did would disturb an invisible order. A pair of boys pushed me aside like they actually had somewhere to go. This gesture pushed me forward, closing the distance between me and Veronica.

"Uh...hey." I stood straight up while trying to regain my composure from being pushed. Warily I looked between the two of them.

"I didn't expect you to be here for another ten minutes." I instinctively at the space of my pants that enveloped my phone.

"Yeah, I...didn't want to be late." My words earned a look from the two of them.

"Well, before we start this tour of books, boredom, and cliches," Veronica gestured over to the girl in the ponytail. "This is my friend Betty. She'll be helping me with the tour since I know nothing about the history."

"It's good to meet you," Betty stated awkwardly.

"Likewise."

Not much was said after that as the three of us made out way along the halls. Betty talked about the history of Riverdale High throwing in facts here and there. Veronica would occasionally throw in comments that had to do with fitting in. I would sometimes throw in a snarky comment that got the two of them to laugh. A moment passed when all of us were silent.

"What made you decide to come to a small town like this one?" Betty questioned, walking in line with Betty. All three of their gazes were on me.

Oh god.

I knew this question would rise up sooner or later. Do I give them the answer that I've rehearsed a million times or do I actually tell these people? I mean they don't appear to be like the others. I swallowed a lump in my throat and spoke the words very carefully.

"My mom thought it would be...better if I finished off high school in a small school." I noticed the fault in my words, but the three of them didn't seem to notice. "I, however, was opposed to it." I quickly added.

"Well don't worry. There's plenty of us that want to get out of here as much as you do." Veronica responded.

"I think you'll fit in just fine here." I heard Betty speak over the chatter of the halls. She had a smile on her face, and not a plastered one, but a real one. It was like she finally accepted me into her little group.

Cool.

Maybe things won't be so bad here. Maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to stay here longer than any of the other schools.

I eyes scanned the area, sliding over everyone's faces until they suddenly stopped on a boy. He was on the other side of the hallway, his back leaning against the wall. Black hair was partially covered by a strange crown shaped beanie. His gaze appeared to be on the ground, his eyebrows furrowed in a way that looked like he was pouting about something. My eyes stayed on this figure for what seemed like forever before his gaze suddenly shifted. One minute his eyes were on the ground, the next they were directly daggered to mine.

I jumped back a few steps, startled by his sudden movement. My eyes darted away to the direction of Veronica, and Betty.

"Gwen, are you okay?" Betty asked, her tone slightly faltering. I responded quickly by nodding my head like a bobblehead.

"Yeah, I just scared myself for a second that's all." I attempted to shrug the shock out of my bloodstream. Okay, I did not expect that guy to suddenly look back at me. I'm used to just observing from afar and not having anyone return the gesture.

Veronica followed my line of sight across the hallway. A smirk rose to her lips.

"I have an idea. Let's go to Pop's later, just the three of us." Betty and I appeared taken aback by her sudden invitation.

To Pops? That was the place that I went to last night. What possessed her to suddenly invite the two of us so quickly? What exactly is she planning? But if I say no, then I would lose my chance at making friends here. And by the looks of where this town is going, I'm going to need some friends.

"O-Okay, sure. What time do I need to be there?" I ask, lacking the peppiness and excitement that I should be feeling.

"Six o'clock. We'll have a booth reserved for when you come."

With that, we continued on with the tour. But I didn't hear any of it. My mind was more focused on the time I was going to waste waiting to go to Pop's that night.

Unaware of the tragedy that would occur later that night.