I'm sorry it's been a while. Between spending a week following my fave on his concert tour and coming home with a wicked flu, I haven't been up to writing. But we're back and ready to have a little fun.

Bughead have finally kissed (my heart!) - but we have some unfinished business. Chuck haters, it's time to take out the trash.

Jen2000: I hope you didn't catch flack for ignoring your homework to marathon this story! But thank you for enjoying it so much.
TennisManiac19: Ronnie is so ready for this chapter and will be key to a subplot that begins here.

Song: Control - Poe (which is such a great "GTFO loser" jam, I highly recommend it)

Disclaimer: I have fun with the toys in the Riverdale sandbox, but I'm only borrowing them.

Thirteen: Control


"While you were looking the other way
While you had your eyes closed
While you were licking your lips 'cause I was miserable
While you were selling your soul
While you were tearing a hole in me
I was taking control..."
Control - Poe

Power. It corrupts, absolutely. Don't even fool yourself that you could escape its allure. The ability to bend the world to your every whim is a fantasy everyone has, at one time or another. With power comes control: when your will influences that of your inner circle, they will act as you wish, perhaps without recognizing that their actions are no longer their own.

For seven long months, Betty Cooper, the kind-hearted Girl Next Door has felt the suffocating grip of power, has danced to its melody almost despite herself. It's the world she's always known: someone else has always held power. There's always someone pulling the strings, tugging her limbs until she collapses in a heap.

Power is influence, but it can be denied. We can ignore it for the voice within, whispering the truth beneath the weight of a terrible lie. The denial of power is to reclaim control, to own it and ultimately, ourselves. Jason Blossom pushed aside the inherent power of being the heir to a business dynasty, choosing to forge his own path. His desperate need for control may have ultimately led to the brutal ending of his life.

For Betty, taking back control may be the only thing that will save hers.

Jughead stepped out of his father's truck Monday morning with a knot in his gut, unsure of what to expect inside the broad doors of Riverdale High School.

He'd slipped out of Betty's room at ten-thirty the night before, leaving a half-asleep and thoroughly kissed blonde beauty behind. She'd texted him goodnight shortly afterwards, reminding him that she had an early morning Vixens practice, but would try and see him before first period. The heart emoji she'd signed off with had given his own heart palpitations. He'd read and re-read the text in his father's truck, distrusting his own memories. Jughead Jones, the bold suitor? Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper, a tangle of limbs and locked lips in the soft glow of candlelight? Betty Cooper—brave, brilliant beauty—confessing a buried crush on him spanning years?

If he hadn't been the ones whose lips were pressed against hers, he wouldn't believe the story himself.

True to his word, he intended to play things cool, preparing himself for Chuck engaging in his usual territorial aggression. Betty had assured him she would find a way to break it off—her epiphany and the worsening bruises on her left wrist had brought his true nature into sharp relief—but she wanted to be strategic about it. He would honour that request for her sake, as long as Chuck posed no further threat to her safety. But one hand raised, one more bruise, and all bets were off.

Drawing a steadying breath, he pushed his way inside.

Archie was the first person he spotted, the athletic ginger chatting with Valerie Brown and Josie McCoy. Noticing Jughead, he hurriedly excused himself and approached. Jughead steeled himself for Archie's inevitable questions—and lingering anger with his teammate. As much as he personally favoured Archie's make him pay mentality, he would have to be the voice of reason.

"Dude, what happened last night? Is Betty okay?"

"She's going to be," Jughead replied quietly. "But if you see Chuck around, resist the urge to say or do anything, alright? Betty's planning things out."

Archie grimaced, his fingers flexing at his sides. "Yeah, that's not going to be easy."

"Tell me about it. But you and I both know how smart Betty is. Let her map out her strategy. Trust her, Archie."

It was as much for his benefit as Archie's. Trust her. She wants to be with you.

They settled into their preferred sofa in the student lounge, distracting themselves with talk of football and the upcoming Homecoming Dance. Archie was struggling with asking someone to the dance—someone he refused to name, although Jughead had an idea—and mulling asking a so-called "safer choice" instead. After ten minutes of Archie's hedging and Jughead telling him to just go for it, their casual chatter was broken up by a commotion in the halls. Kevin Keller rushed inside the lounge, waving at the two friends.

"Get out here, now!"

Betty.

Archie and Jughead rose quickly, the latter using his smaller stature to his advantage as he darted and wove around the gawking teens crowding the halls. As he edged closer to the eye of the proverbial storm, he spotted a clearly furious Chuck Clayton, whose fiery focus was fixed upon Veronica Lodge. Veronica, arms akimbo, was overdressed for school: her sleeveless black mini-dress and spike heels screamed cutthroat executive more than high school student.

"She's been avoiding me all weekend, and I think you're the reason why," Chuck snapped angrily. "I've told you before, Veronica: I'm not interested in you, so knock the meddling off and get over it!"

Veronica yawned, patting her hand daintily against her crimson lips. "Oh, this song and dance is so old, Chuckie. I would rather extricate my own eyeball with a spoon than entertain the notion of dating an insecure behemoth like you. As for Betty, why don't we let her speak for herself? I know, that's a foreign concept to you, but let's give it a go, shall we?"

Chuck edged forward and Jughead immediately reacted, moving to her side. Veronica smirked, patting his arm and pointing behind him.

"Good puppy," she whispered coyly. "I think she's got this, though."

Spinning around, Jughead's jaw fell open. Strolling down the hall in a royal blue blouse and a black mini-skirt was none other than Betty Cooper. More shocking to him was the fact her hair was down, the honeyed locks curled loosely to frame her face. Noticing Jughead, she nodded firmly, as if to reassure him that she was in control.

A very good thing, since he was struggling to control his urge to pin her against a locker and never come up for air.

Betty stepped in front of Veronica, Jughead and now Archie, who'd flanked Veronica on her right. She surveyed Chuck from head to toe, shaking her head.

"Chuck, you really need to stop projecting. That's what Freud calls it, right Veronica? When a boy who has been dumped by his girlfriend four days prior insists someone else is pursuing him hopelessly?"

"Whatever it is, Freud would have a field day with this one's daddy issues," Veronica sneered.

Chuck's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, intentionally looming over Betty. Betty, to Jughead's proud delight, took a step forward to match him. She wasn't backing down, although Jughead noticed the faint curling of her left fist.

"Betty, you're being ridiculous. We haven't broken up. And if anyone was going to do the leaving, it would be the football star, not a lowly, mousy girl who had to bribe her way onto the cheerleading squad."

A low blow, one Veronica was unimpressed with in particular. But Betty held her head higher, chuckling softly.

"You really don't remember it?" Betty asked, feigning concern. "It happened right outside the locker room. You refused to apologize for assaulting my friends, and I told you it was over. But that's you, right Chuck? You can't seem to keep anything straight, these days. Mixing up times, taking my textbooks home… Why, you're a complete mess! You should feel lucky I ever wanted to date you."

Her words were calculated, but controlled. To the many onlookers, this was a nasty break-up; to her closest friends and Chuck, this was a declaration of war. I know what you did, she was saying. And you're not getting away with it anymore.

Turning around, Betty smiled sweetly at Veronica. "Veronica, did I not break up with him Thursday afternoon?"

"I witnessed it myself. You missed practice, trying to manage him. He was a distraught mess. Couldn't believe you'd dump him. I had to let you stay at my house because he wouldn't leave you alone. All of the calls and text messages?"

The two women regarded Chuck with pity, Veronica clucking her tongue for good measure. Jughead shot a glance at Archie, who was as dumbfounded as he was. Betty had not only found a way to break-up with Chuck, she'd turned his abusive tactics back on him to strategically discredit him.

"You think you're so clever, Betty. You and your dark twin, here," he added, leaning closer. "Should I tell our audience how dark you can be?"

And there it was: the threat she'd both expected and dreaded. Jughead edged closer, uncomfortable with Chuck's proximity to her. If the bastard dared to make a move to harm her… well, he'd be back in cuffs. There would be no restraint, no matter how badly Jughead wanted to prove himself a better man.

"Veronica and I spent the weekend documenting what happens when you hang on too tightly to a woman who clearly wants nothing to do with you. Would you like me to publish the photos so our classmates can see how dark my bruises are? I bet they'd look great on the front cover of the Register," Betty hissed.

Archie visibly tensed, clearly furious at this revelation. He turned to Jughead, immediately recognizing his previous knowledge of the extent of the abuse. The look of betrayal on his best friend's face stung Jughead. You did what you did for Betty, he reminded himself. Hopefully, Archie could understand that.

Chuck took a half-step backwards, his gaze darting to her left arm. "You wouldn't draw attention to yourself like that. And even if you did, photos prove nothing."

Betty edged closer, her voice scarcely audible. "Now Chuck, you do know that I'm friends with the Sheriff's son, right? I hear forensics makes rapid advances all the time—including matching a hand to a mark on skin."

There it was: fear. Chuck was afraid of Betty, and the sight made Jughead want to organize a parade in celebration. Backing away with calm, deliberate steps. Betty folded her arms over her chest.

"Show's over. Spread the word: Chuck Clayton is single, whether he likes it or not," Betty announced loudly.

Veronica hooked her arm through Betty's, nudging her gently. "And now, we exit in grand fashion. Jughead, Archiekins, Kevin?"

Kevin quickly caught up with the group as they departed. As Jughead had reassured Betty, her friends had her back. They would surround her and shield her. They would bear witness. She would never be alone again.

The group spilled into the office of the Blue and Gold, their small sanctuary. The moods were mixed: Veronica and Kevin were thrilled; Archie was hesitantly pleased, standing off to the side; and Jughead was both proud and uncertain of his standing with either of his best friends. But none of that mattered, really.

Betty's hands fidgeted at her sides, but her smile was genuine and wide.

"That was fabulous, B!" Veronica gushed, clapping her hands. "Just as we rehearsed it. Better, even."

"I can't believe I did it," Betty murmured.

Jughead nudged her shoulder with a warm smile. "I can. I've told you before: you can do anything."

Betty's cheeks flushed a deep shade of scarlet. "Oh, Juggie, stop!"

"Hello, can we talk about the shedding of the iconic ponytail for this momentous occasion?" Kevin circled Betty, admiring her outfit. "It's like you dressed for a party."

"Um, it is a party. It's Betty's 'Freedom from Assholes' party and I'm hosting it at the Pembrooke tonight. You are all invited, of course." Veronica pulled Betty into a tight embrace. "I am so, so proud of you right now. You are a Goddess. You are mighty."

"I couldn't have done it without you at my side, V."

Misty-eyed, Betty took a step backwards, eyeing each of them in turn. As she locked eyes with Jughead, she unconsciously licked her lips, which only reminded him of his newfound appreciation for cherry-flavoured lipgloss.

You're killing me, Betts.

"I need to thank all of you. You've stood by me, even though you probably realized long ago that Chuck was… He doesn't deserve words. And I know it must have tried your patience with me, telling me what you saw. Telling me I'd changed." Her hands trembled at her sides as she paused for a deep breath. "Telling me you were scared for me. Begging me to see that I could do so much better."

At this, she looked to Jughead, clearly pained by their argument. He shook his head slightly, patting his right shoulder. I get it. I know this world. You needed time.

"Anyway, I, um… I don't want any secrets about this. I know you're upset, Archie," she added softly. "I'm sorry I hid this from you. From all of you, until today."

Pushing up her sleeve, Betty revealed her bruises. In sunlight, they were even more horrifying. The finger-like marks were blurring into a mass of purple-black, the edges yellowing now as it began to heal. Veronica dabbed at her eyes, shaking her head in sorrow. Archie was seething with rage.

"Archie, don't," she pleaded, pulling her sleeve down. "I know what you're thinking. But this is my life, and I don't want any more violence in it."

Archie hesitated, clearly torn between honouring his friendship and his desire to tear Chuck apart. Jughead clapped him on the shoulder lightly, nudging him towards the anxious blonde.

"Don't take her control away like he did," Jughead urged him.

With a heavy sigh, Archie held his arms open, closing them about Betty's frame as she rushed forward. Her soft whispers of gratitude eased the ginger's anger as he rubbed her back gently.

"He had no right to hurt you, Betty."

"I know." Conviction in her tone reassured her friends that she meant it. "And if he tries anything, Veronica took photos of my arm, just in case. It's going to be okay."

Archie pulled back to study her face. "But are you going to be okay?"

Betty forced a smile. "I will be. I'm not going to lie, I feel shaky. But, as I was reminded recently, I have really good friends who will be my personal army."

"Damn right you do!" Veronica exclaimed as the warning bell sounded. "We're walking you to and from class for the next while—don't argue, Betty Cooper," she warned at the blonde's raised eyebrows.

"We have first period together," Kevin reminded her. "Shall we?"

Betty nodded, holding up her hand to halt their exit. Her shy smile disarmed Jughead, distracting him from the arms being thrown around his neck. For a moment, he froze: was this a friend hug, a boyfriend hug, both? Reciprocating the embrace, he erred on the side of friendly, although he couldn't resist whispering in her ear.

"You should leave your hair down more often."

"For you? Maybe I will," she whispered back.

There was no doubt in his mind: last night had not been yet another in a series of recurring appearances by one Betty Cooper in his dreams. It was real.

"Thank you for everything, Juggie. I won't forget it."

He watched her leave, flanked by Kevin and Veronica for security. Archie lingered, and although they had five minutes to get to class, Jughead sensed he'd be running down the hall to make it in time. While Betty may have persuaded him to back off of Chuck for now, the redhead needed to let off some steam. It looked like he was the target.

"You knew about it, didn't you?"

Lying was futile. "I caught her covering it up on Thursday."

"And you didn't think to tell me?"

"Oh, I thought about it. I chose not to tell you. And your Hulk-smash anger is exactly why!" Jughead leaned back against a nearby desk. "Look, Arch: she wasn't listening to me. She was making excuses for him. We got into a fight over it. The last thing I wanted was for her to fight with all of us and end up alone with him."

Archie growled, clearly frustrated with Jughead's explanation. "Even still, we're best friends, Jug. I don't like being left out on something big like this."

Jughead bit his tongue, stewing in the uncomfortable silence between him. In his heart, he was confident he'd done the right thing. He'd done right by Betty and, in turn, she'd felt safe to reach out to Archie when Polly moved out. Having known Archie his entire life, he knew his friend would see it the same way—eventually. But his big heart often drowned out his better sense, and had Archie known of Chuck's aggression, he would have smothered her with concern, or worse, stirred up the proverbial hornet's nest by avenging Betty.

"Then again," Archie mused aloud, jarring Jughead from his thoughts, "you two are cutting me out on a lot of things."

"I don't understand-"

"Look, I saw you, alright?" Archie kicked the ground softly, suddenly fascinated by his sneakers. "I was cleaning my room up after you left and… You left the blinds open."

Oh. OH. Now Jughead suddenly had an urge to count floor tiles. The betrayal of concealing Chuck's assault on their friend had been the spark in a powder keg of questions Archie had been reluctant to ask.

"I'm not mad. I just… What's going on between you and Betty?"

Jughead tugged his beanie lower, skirting his eyes. "I don't know for sure. I mean, we had a moment. But I don't want to rush her, given everything that's happened."

Archie nodded thoughtfully, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, is this new? Liking Betty, I mean?"

Jughead hesitated, well aware of the question within the question: had he been pining for Betty as she pined for Archie? Lying wasn't an option, but the truth was a little embarrassing for him. Oh, I've been in love with her since I figured out she was the only girl I'd even consider taking to a movie. There was also the hint of upset in Archie's voice that troubled him. He can't be jealous… can he?

He ultimately settled for vagueness.

"I missed her a lot in Toledo," Jughead ceded.

Archie reached for his backpack, slinging it onto his shoulder. "I just wish you'd told me sooner. You and me, we've been friends for our entire lives."

"I know that, Arch. It's not you. I don't exactly do vulnerable."

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess you don't."

Archie yanked the office door roughly, the two of them stepping into the bustling hallway and veering in opposite directions. Jughead feared it was a metaphor for their friendship.

Jughead was on escort Betty to lunch duty, as per a series of group texts organized by Veronica. He had absolutely no complaints, of course, although he wondered how much Betty had revealed to her friend while strategizing their Clayton takedown. Betty was the last to emerge from her classroom, her loose curls bouncing with every hurried stride.

"Juggie, there you are! Come on, we have to go."

"I've never seen you this excited about cafeteria food."

Betty rolled her eyes, tugging on his sleeve. "Not lunch. We have to make a quick detour to the Blue and Gold."

The newspaper officer was en route to the cafeteria, just a short distance around the corner. Usually the one in a hurry, he found himself struggling to keep up with Betty's frenetic pace. As she reached for the doorknob, he threw out his arm, blocking her path.

"What's going on? What's the rush?" Lowering his voice, he added, "If this is some plot to get me alone, I appreciate your ingenuity, but I'm very willing."

"As much as I look forward to picking up where we left off, this is business," Betty replied. "Besides, for your sake, I think we should nix PDA until we see if Chuck will behave himself."

"Star-crossed," Jughead deadpanned. "And this business inside?"

"You'll see," she evaded, nudging his arm out of her way.

Jughead was both surprised and somewhat pleased to find a pacing Ethel Muggs awaited them inside their office. The redhead visibly startled as the door shut behind them, but soon settled as she spun around and found the source of the noise. Her hands fidgeted in front of her as she forced a smile.

"Betty, you came. Thank you."

Betty smiled warmly, gesturing to a chair. "Of course, Ethel. You said it was important. I hope you don't mind that I brought Jughead. I trust him completely, and hope you will, too."

Ethel settled into her seat, giving a small nod. "No, it's okay. I know he can be trusted with this."

Ah, so this is about Chuck, Jughead surmised. His last conversation with Ethel had revealed a pattern of mistreating women, but Ethel had only been willing to share minimal details of her own experience. Had Betty's overt rejection of Chuck emboldened Ethel to reveal more?

Jughead leaned against the far desk and observed quietly as Betty took a seat opposite Ethel. Betty pulled a folded slip of paper from her backpack and softly requested an explanation.

Ethel began by recounting what she had already confided in Jughead before the talent show: that Chuck had started a cruel rumour the previous year that Ethel had performed oral sex on him in the library during a spare period. Dabbing away tears, she also recounted what she'd heard about Veronica and the "sticky maple" lie.

"That date between them was a month before he and I went to the dance," Betty seethed. "I know that nothing happened between them, because Veronica called me that night and told me how they'd had zero chemistry."

"He doesn't need chemistry. He just needs his disgusting imagination," Ethel muttered. "He has to keep up appearances for his buddies on the team."

"The team? Archie is on the team and he's never said anything about this to me. Jug?"

Jughead shook his head. "Not a thing, and given his vocal disdain for Clayton, I doubt he would keep a secret for the guy."

"Archie's new to varsity," Ethel explained. "They're not stupid. I only know what I know because of Trev."

"Valerie's brother?" At Ethel's nod, Betty continued. "So Chuck and his friends are making up stories to brag in the locker room?"

"It's more than that." Ethel hesitated, glancing nervously between them. "They keep track of it… Like, keeping score."

Betty leaned back in her chair, clearly aghast. "Please tell me I'm not hearing this right. I feel sick."

Jughead moved to his friend's side, squeezing her shoulder to reassure her. "How does Trev know about all this?"

"Trev used to be on the team. He and Jason were close friends, once." Ethel's head bowed, her hands in her lap. "Not to speak poorly of the dead, but Jason was in on it. Trev wanted no part of it. It's why he dropped football."

Betty rose slowly, crossing the room to the window. The window with a view of the football field. Her fingers drummed softly against the sill as she surveyed the students milling about.

"So, Trev overheard a conversation where Chuck, Jason and other members of the team were comparing potentially made-up sexual conquests with a scoring system?" Betty probed.

"Yes. But there's more than that," Ethel replied. "Trev says they write it down in a book."

Betty spun around, her attention focused on Jughead. He was right there with her. Written proof of a slut-shaming scoring system born in some frat movie-infused hell? They could use it to take down players involved—including Chuck.

"Do you know where the book is?" Jughead queried.

Ethel shook her head. "Trev has never told me. I'm not sure he ever will. I'm honestly surprised he told me as much as he has. We don't exactly run in the same social circles."

Betty tucked her hair behind her left ear as she reached for a nearby notepad. "I'm so glad you trusted us with this, Ethel. This sort of behaviour is not okay. Objectifying women, shaming them, making up stories…" She shivered slightly as she jotted down a few lines on the page. "We need to put an end to this."

"Archie's friends with Valerie," Jughead mused. "Maybe he can engage Trev through her?"

"If he even knows for sure where the book is," Betty lamented. "I really want something concrete. Not just for the story, but for Weatherbee."

A soft whisper caught them both off-guard: "I'll go on record."

Jughead studied the shy student seated before him. While she was still slumped down, her chin jutted out just a little bit. There was a glimmer of defiance in Ethel's eyes.

Betty crouched down beside her chair, visibly concerned. "Are you sure, Ethel? I don't mind keeping you anonymous."

"I'm sure," she replied, a little louder now. "The way you stood up for yourself today, I just… I have to do that. I have to stand up with you. He has to be stopped. But you're going to need more for Weatherbee. I already tried talking to him, and he said he found nothing."

Betty embraced Ethel warmly and Jughead crooked a half-smile. He was so proud of Betty for finding the strength to take Chuck on—in grand, public fashion. She had helped Ethel find the strength to do the same. The cocky jock had no idea what he'd unleashed.

"We'll get him," Betty assured her. "All of the players involved will face consequences when I'm done. First things first, I'm looping in Veronica. Ethel, do you think you can ask Trev if he'll talk to me?"

Ethel's curls bounced lightly as she assented. "I have Calc with him last period. I'll ask then."

"Great. Thank you, so much. Juggie, let's go find Veronica."

Ethel rose to her feet, gathering her things. "Thank you for listening. Both of you. For seeing me," she added pointedly, glancing at Jughead.

"No one should feel invisible," Jughead replied vaguely.

The trio dispersed: Ethel, to their right; Jughead and Betty to the left, headed for the cafeteria. As they walked through the now quiet halls, Betty's shoulder nudged his.

"What happened between you and Ethel?"

Jughead smirked as he adjusted his backpack higher upon his shoulder. "You don't miss much, do you, Betty Cooper?"

"That could be debateable, in light of recent events."

Jughead moved ahead of Betty, halting her in her tracks. "Hey, we talked about blaming yourself. As for Ethel, I noticed she wasn't comfortable around Chuck when I first got back. I asked her about it."

It scarcely took a moment for Betty to connect the dots. "You already knew about Ethel, and the scores? Why didn't you tell me?"

Jughead sighed, his past decisions weighing heavily upon him. "Would you have believed me, even if I did tell you? I wasn't sure if it had stopped once you two began dating. I knew he would say that, even if it was a lie. We were just reconnecting and I didn't want to push you away."

Her green eyes darkened as she mulled his words. "I would have listened. But I probably would have believed whatever stupid excuse Chuck gave me. Or put up with it because I was too scared of the power he held over me."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Betts."

"You did what you thought was best for me. Like always." She tugged playfully on the hem of his beanie with a smirk. "Let's go get lunch."

The cafeteria was buzzing upon their arrival, but the intensity swelled at the sight of Betty. Those not privy to the show in the hallways that morning had been filled in by friends and, as Veronica showed them, video captured by several phones. Veronica was particularly fond of one video, which clearly showed Chuck's face as he realized that Betty had her own leverage.

"Poor baby!" Veronica mocked as she replayed the moment. "Not so tough when you're gonna be exposed for being an abusive scumbag, are you?"

"Speaking of exposure, we're working on a story," Betty informed Veronica and Archie. "V, do you remember that date you went on with Chuck?"

"Ugh, unfortunately." Veronica reached for her Diet Coke, taking a sip. "Obviously, given his treatment of you, the thought of it makes me crave a scalding shower."

"Do you remember anyone making unusual comments about it back then?" Betty probed.

Veronica leaned forward, her brow furrowing as she reflected on it. "There was one thing, from Reggie. Something about maple syrup that made no sense to me. Hmm… A few snickers, too, but I assumed it was because the worldly New Yorker hadn't even given up a kiss on the first date." The Latina's gaze narrowed as she glanced between Jughead and Betty. "I'm about to murder Chuck, aren't I?"

Betty recounted their discussion with Ethel, omitting her name and referring to her as a source. It was difficult to tell who was angrier at the revelations: Veronica, who was thoroughly disgusted by the slut shaming, or Archie, for reasons Jughead was certainly not going to call out after their tense chat that morning.

"Oh, I am so glad I helped you with that privileged, rich boy, waste of oxygen this morning!" Veronica seethed. "But this? Oh, we're going full dark, no stars."

Betty flinched slightly at this, although she maintained composure. Jughead made a mental note to ask her about it later as he noticed Cheryl Blossom approaching their table. Fantastic. The ice queen cometh.

"If it isn't Betty and Veronica, the dynamic duo who have singlehandedly made football season a spectacle—and not because your cheerleading moves are fire, because fixing that perpetual trainwreck requires a miracle."

"And here I thought you liked negative attention," Veronica retorted. "It's the only kind that your endlessly acerbic attitude attracts."

"Seriously Betty, couldn't you have played nice with the captain of the team until the season ends? How hard is it to drink milkshakes and do homework together for six more weeks?"

"If you like Chuck so much, why don't you date him?" Betty glared at the fiery redhead, flipping her hair back. "Isn't that how it goes in the cliché? Cheerleading captain and football captain? Perhaps you're angry that a lowly Cooper landed him before you."

Cheryl folded her arms across her chest, her stilettos clicking softly against the cafeteria tiles as she edged backwards. "You only had him because I didn't want him. Everyone knows that. But fine, you can cheer for your ex until the end of season, with gusto, or I'll cut you from the squad."

"If the goon doesn't get cut first," Veronica grumbled.

"Cheryl? How's Polly doing?"

Betty's question silenced her friends, each anxiously awaiting the answer of the aloof Queen Bee of Riverdale. Cheryl was poised, used to dealing with conflict, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in the twitch of her nose.

"Polly is keeping as well as can be expected, given her loss."

Betty's hands fidgeted with a napkin on the table. "I know we're not friends, but she's my sister. I just want her to be okay. She's dealing with so much loss and pain… Just look out for her, please? For Jason's sake, if not hers or mine."

The Blossom heiress' steely features softened, perhaps caught off-guard by the mention of her beloved twin. "Of course. Polly is the mother of JJ's babies. They have already lost him. Nothing will happen to her."

"Thank you." A beat. "About Jason… There's talk about a playbook that certain members of the football team use to track sexual conquests, not all of which are genuine. Did he ever mention it?"

"Oh, not this Burn Book bullshit again!" Cheryl huffed angrily, planting her hands on the table with a bang. "My brother was the co-captain of the Bulldogs, which means he knew everything about that team. He never would have participated in something so vile, nor would he have allowed it."

"Or maybe he wouldn't have told you, because there had to be at least a few Vixens on the scorecards," Jughead countered.

"Whatever my girls do in their spare time means less than nothing to me." Pivoting to her left, Cheryl placed her manicured hand upon Archie's shoulder. "A word, Archie Andrews?"

Archie hesitated, seeking silent permission from Betty. Given her ongoing feud with Cheryl—and Polly's new living situation—Jughead understood his friend's reluctance to seem friendly with the enemy. But Betty nodded slightly, reaching for her sandwich. Archie followed Cheryl to a quiet corner, where the Head Vixen spoke in hushed whispers to his ear. Archie's expression shifted from puzzled to bewildered to looking for an escape route.

"What does that witch want with him, anyway?" Veronica hissed.

"Mayhem," Jughead deadpanned.

Archie returned to their table slowly, shaking his head as if to clear it. He settled back into his seat and rammed a handful of fries into his mouth.

Betty crooked her eyebrow at him. "Well?"

Swallowing hard, Archie reached for his water. "Cheryl wants me to escort her to her family's annual tree-tapping ceremony."

"And you told her to build the biggest of kites and fly it?" Veronica scoffed.

Archie's guilty expression spoke volumes. Jughead whistled low, waiting for the girls to catch on.

"Archie Andrews, you didn't agree, did you?"

"Okay, I did, but Betty, listen. She offered me a contact for a music instructor, someone really talented who can help me grow."

"So you took a bribe?" Betty seethed.

"No! I mean, sort of, but it's not just about that." Lowering his voice, he leaned in, beckoning them all closer. "Look, she said she trusts me because I backed up her story with Keller. Polly will be there. I figured if nothing else, I can check on her for you, right?"

Betty wavered, although she remained wary. "You'll see Polly? Can you tell her I miss her and I'm worried about her?"

"Of course," Archie assured her. "Maybe I can find out how their search for the twins is going?"

"That would be great, Archie." The warning bell sounded overhead, evoking a chorus of groans from the table. "Fantastic. Time for Chemistry with Chuck."

Jughead grimaced at the thought of Betty having to face class with her abuser. "I'll walk you to class, Betts."

The blonde nodded thoughtfully, gathering her belongings. Veronica leaned over, whispering something in her ear. Whatever it was, it pulled a half-smile from Betty, one she carried through the cafeteria to the southern corridor, where Betty's next class was held. As they walked, Betty's body bent towards his, their connection magnetic: she, the positive; he, ever negative. Their agreement to keep their evolving relationship secret was unquestionably wise, but it pained him to second guess every moment of contact.

"We need to find that book." Her words was hushed, mindful of the busy hallway. "Not just because of my situation, but for Jason. If he wrote about someone in there, maybe that person found out. Maybe they didn't like the team keeping score."

"Agreed. But Betty, you need to be ready for it. Polly could be in there. You are probably in there."

"I know. But it has to end, even if it hurts at first." Betty paused outside her classroom. "You taught me that, Jug."

Jughead felt his cheeks flush and inwardly cursed. "You're going to have to stop that."

"Stop what?"

"Acting like I'm some… I don't know, hero, I guess." He glanced inside, relieved to see Betty's teacher writing on the chalkboard. "I'll be here after class. Stay in your seat until I come for you."

Betty smiled warmly, her lashes fluttering slowly as she studied him intently. "And he says he's not a white knight," she demurred, slipping into the classroom with a small wave.

Jughead stumbled down the hallway, shaking off the tingling warmth in his limbs. As surreal as it was to finally have the attention of Betty Cooper, he needed to keep his head clear. There was a murder to solve, and an angry, unpredictable ex-boyfriend to keep tabs on. For all of his fear that morning, Jughead knew that eventually, Chuck's need for control would consume him. He would hit the proverbial button and risk mutual destruction.

He only hoped Betty would be strong enough to face it.

You didn't think I'd forget about Chuck's show sins, did you? Oh no, he needs to pay for everyone he's hurt. Bughead is on the case.

Up next: a little celebration; a little awkwardness between friends; and a playbook haunts the minds of our core four. Oh, and did you know Jughead's birthday is coming up?

(SHOW SPOILER

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My personal theory is shady guy is the real Chic and how badly will that mess up Alice, hmm?)

Your reviews give me life and I haven't written in two weeks, so tell me: did Veronica and Betty's plan satisfy your cravings for public humiliation? Will Chuck keeps his mouth shut?