Author's Note: Riverdale, it's plot, cast and characters do not belong to me. Only Diana and Daniel Kennedy do. Everyone is 16 and starting their Junior year in this story.
PS. Please fave and/or review each chapter. Positive feedback and suggestions and ideas are always welcome
People like to say that the death of Jason Blossom changed everything at Riverdale High. But certain things, certain traditions never change.
Take Homecoming, for instance. Though Jason's jersey had been retired, the Riverdale Bulldogs would still be playing their arch-rivals, the Baxter High Ravens, with the River Vixens cheering them on.
As in previous years, graduates from days of Riverdale Past will come to town to relive their more youthful, more carefree days. Or to make up for lost time.
- (RIVERDALE HIGH) -
Diana was walking with Daniel along the school's busy hallways when Archie caught up with them.
"Di, wait up. Hey, I just wanted to explain why I didn't call after the party. My mom showed up out of nowhere." He told her.
"Aunt Mary's back? That's great, Arch. How has she been doing?" Diana asked him.
"Wait, are we seriously not gonna talk about what happened between us?" Archie asked her, forgetting that Daniel was there.
"Wait, what?" Danny backtracked and Diana stopped walking and turned to him.
"Leave, Danny. I'll see you later." She said with a laugh as she kissed his cheek and continued walking, Archie following her.
When the crowd thinned in the hallways, she pulled him to the side.
"Arch, we had a moment. A beautiful moment that went farther than any of our moments before. And I'm sorry to say but, don't get used to it yet, Arch. As much as I adore you, I still have a lot of issues I need to work on. Issues regarding-" Diana explained and Archie cut her off.
"Regarding Jason, I know. I'm not trying to talk to you about it because I wanted to know when we'd be doing it again, I wanted to talk about it, because I wanted to be sure you didn't regret anything that we said or did." Archie told her.
"I don't. I promise you, I don't. Just be a little more patient with me, please. Until I find out who killed Jason, I don't think I'll ever have the closure I need. But you, Archibald Andrews, are an amazing boyfriend. And you make me so, so, happy." She said with a sweet smile as she stepped forward into his arms which wrapped around her waist and hers around his shoulders.
She rubbed their noses together before leaning up to kiss the tip of his nose.
"Let's prove that statement at the Homecoming Dance. And maybe finally sing that duet together?" He asked her as he kissed her forehead.
"Hmmm… Fine then. But you better not replace me this time around." Diana teased him.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Archie told her before he kissed her.
- TIMESKIP (LUNCH PERIOD|| OUTSIDE TABLES) -
Ronnie, Daniel, Diana, Archie, Betty, Jughead and Kevin were all seated in a table outside when Cheryl approached the group.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I have an announcement to make. One that tangentially involves Polly." She said and everyone turned to look at her.
"I'm bringing Polly to the dance as my date, and Diana and I are campaigning as co-queens of Homecoming Court." Cheryl informed them.
"Say what, now?" Diana double checked, praying that her ears had just deceived her.
"Because why?" Betty asked Cheryl.
"Because, Nightmare Smurfette, Polly deserves the right to attend Homecoming as a student of the school, new or old. And by all rights, it should've been Diana and Jason on that stage being crowned. This is the next best thing. So… don't forget to vote, and I'll see everyone at my coronation!" Cheryl happily said as she walked off.
"Why me? I hate the attention. Veronica, you do it." Diana groaned as she leaned against Archie and they just laughed at her.
"Betty, about the Homecoming Dance, can I play a couple of songs? I kind of told my mom that… Whoa, you don't want me to?" Archie asked as he saw the expression on Betty's face.
"No, no it's not that, Archie, it's just, um… This dance needs to be fun. And your songs, as amazing as they are…" Betty trailed off.
"They make you wanna slit your wrists." Jughead continued for her.
"Woah! Too extreme. Maybe just tear up and eat ice cream or something." Daniel said.
"In a good way!" Jughead saved himself.
"In an amazing way." Diana defended Archie before she continued.
"But, no need to fret, Betty. 'Cause Archie asked me to sing with him, and we're thinking about doing some upbeat covers." Diana told Betty, cheerfully.
"We are?" Archie asked her, totally confused.
"Yes, we are." Diana said as she stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
"Well, count Daniel and I in, too. We're gonna rock that place come Homecoming." Ronnie volunteered.
"What?" Danny asked, just as confused as Archie was.
"I thought we talked about this?" Ronnie asked him.
"When?" Danny asked her and Ronnie pinched his side.
"I mean, yes, absolutely. I can't wait!" He backtracked and saved himself from his girlfriend's wrath.
- TIMESKIP (AFTER LUNCH || EMPTY CLASSROOM) -
Not that I'm complaining, babe. Because I'd do anything for you. But why are we suddenly singing at the Homecoming Dance?" Daniel asked Ronnie as she dragged him inside the classroom.
"Because, I wanted people to hear your talent for singing. And, I have a favor to ask you." Ronnie told him.
"What is it?"
"Remember when you hear Clifford Blossom say he put my father in jail? Well, I think my dad may have gone after Jason as payback. He's very eye-for-an-eye, and I have a strong suspicion he hired Jughead's dad to do his dirty work. Also, FP's done my dad's bidding before. He trashed the drive-in."
"It's a big leap to go from vandalism to murder, babe."
"I talked it over with Mrs. Cooper. And…"
"She's part of this? Are you nuts?"
"She's gonna keep FP busy while we search his trailer to find anything that links FP to Jason. Or, more importantly, FP to my dad."
"We should just talk to Jughead."
"No, what if he's protecting FP or tries to warn him?"
"He's our friend, Ronnie. And I've known the guy since second grade even though I didn't get closer to him until the third."
"My dad is this close to being released, and my mom's in denial and she's ready to welcome him back with open arms. Me, I'd like to know exactly who we're inviting back into our lives."
"Look, babe, I really wanna help you, I do, and I definitely don't want Jughead to get hurt, but from what he's been telling me, FP's cleaned up his act. You can even ask Archie."
"I hope you're right about that, Danny, because if not, Jughead could get dragged into something very messy and very dangerous." Ronnie stated.
- TIMESKIP (SCHOOL GYM) -
Betty was busy facilitating the decorating in the gym when Jughead walked in carrying a box of colored lights.
"Hey, you. Why didn't you tell me about the dinner?" He asked her.
"What?" Betty asked, lost.
"Your mom basically tackled me in the hall to invite my dad and I over before the dance. Did you not know?" Jughead told her.
"No, no, of course, I've just, you know, got so many… Plates are spinning…" Betty explained.
"I'm a little terrified about the social experiment of it all, but I think it's good for our families to get to know each other. I think it's important for us. You know?" Jughead stated with a shy smile.
"Yeah." Betty agreed.
- TIMESKIP (THAT NIGHT || KENNEDY RESIDENCE) -
Jughead, Archie and Daniel were having a sleepover in Daniel's room at the Kennedy's house while Betty, Diana and Veronica were in Diana's room with Nate.
"So, the worm turns. Mary and Fred. A possible rekindling?" Jughead asked Archie.
"That would've been a Li'l Archie's pipe dream." Archie admitted.
"Stranger things have happened, man. Like for instance, my dad shaved. Which is the equivalent of tectonic plates shifting. I was thinking, maybe it's time I go back and live with him again." Jughead told the both of them.
"Based on the fact that he shaved?" Daniel asked him.
"Well, he also hasn't missed a day of work, and he quit drinking." Jughead replied.
"That's… That's great, Jughead. But maybe you should wait a little but longer just to make sure it sticks." Danny said.
"No, dude, I'm telling you, something has shifted. I mean, he even asked to read my work. The essays, the articles I wrote about Jason." Jughead recalled.
"Your dad did?" Danny asked him.
"Yeah. And he read them. Even more surprisingly, he engaged with them. He asked me questions about them." Jughead replied.
"What kind of questions?" Archie asked.
"Like who I thought who did it."
"Your dad asked you who you thought killed Jason Blossom?" Archie asked again.
"You guys repeating everything I'm saying is getting really annoying." Jughead told the both of them.
Daniel suddenly got out of bed and started getting dressed.
"I forgot to put something in the refrigerator and it might melt, so…" Danny trailed off and Jughead cut him off.
"You're a terrible liar, Daniel. Off to a late-night rendezvous with a certain raven-haired princess?" Jughead teased and Archie laughed when Daniel blushed.
"Relax, man. Jug's just giving you a hard time." Archie reassured him.
Not long after Daniel left, a knock on the door cut off Archie and Jughead's conversation. Diana and Betty's heads popped in.
"Hey. Ronnie made some lame excuse and ditched us so I thought you guys could use the company." Betty told them.
"Nate's sleeping in the nursey now. And I brought the baby monitor." Diana stated as she walked in and jumped on Archie's bed, landing on top of him and laughing as Archie caught her and kissed her on the nose and she scrunched her face.
Betty just shook her head as she positioned herself beside Jughead shyly. The four of them talked and minutes later, Veronica and Daniel walked in.
"How was it? Better have used protection, I don't think Nate's ready to have a cousin just yet." Diana teased her brother and friend as they both blushed.
"Shut up. Nothing like that happened, we just talked." Daniel told her and Diana stuck her tongue out at him.
The six friends joked and laughed through the night before finally falling asleep one by one.
- TIMESKIP (DAY OF THE DANCE || THORNHILL MANSION) -
Polly was at Thornhill, getting ready to be Cheryl's date to the Homecoming Dance.
"Oh, Pollikins, it's much more fun being friends than mortal enemies. And I'm glad you decided to say yes to my proposal and show Chuck Clayton that you can live alright without him. This color totally pops on you." Cheryl said as she did Polly's make up.
"Okay, so I was thinking. The theme for the dance is Blast from the Past, right? So, I say, we go retro and borrow some of your mom's vintage bling for the night." Polly told her.
"Ooh, you're naughty, Polly." Cheryl said with a devious smile.
They went into Mr. and Mrs. Blossom's closet.
"My mom and dad would freak if they knew we were in here. So, let's take our sweet time." Cheryl spoke.
"How many wigs does your father have?"
"One for every mood. Legend has it that Clifford's hair turned white overnight. Supposedly, he saw the ghost of Grandpappy Blossom with his throat slit. Now me, I love a silver fox but we Blossoms live and die by our red curls. My father tried dying it once, but…" Suddenly, Cheryl stopped talking.
"But what? What is that? What did you find?" Polly asked her.
"My nana's ring…"
"Which she gave to Jason. I know because I saw him holding that once. He said he would ask Diana if she wanted to have it. So how does your mother have it?" Polly said as she tried to reach for the ring.
"Hands off, Golum." Cheryl warned her.
"The only way your mom could have that ring is if she or your dad got it from Jason, and he wouldn't have given it up. Not over his dead body." Polly ranted as she tried to grab it from Cheryl again but she gripped her wrist.
"Polly… You are carrying precious cargo, and I'm being nice to you because of Diana, but if you think for one second that those babies guarantee your safety, you're in for a rude awakening." Cheryl threatened as she let go of Polly's wrist and Polly walked out.
- TIMESKIP (THAT NIGHT || THORNHILL) -
Polly was talking to Penelope.
"You wanted an explanation. The last time Clifford saw Jason was the day my son washed his hands of our family. Jason wanted nothing more to do with the Blossom name, nor our lineage. Including the ring, which he threw in Clifford's face as his final rebuke. Clifford then gave the ring to me for safekeeping." Penelope told her.
"I… I thought the ring had been lost…" Polly told her.
"Nothing's lost forever. Everything comes back." Penelope tearfully said as she sighed.
"Now. Unless you have any more questions, I'll leave you to finish getting ready for the dance. And drink up, dear. Before it melts." Penelope told Polly as she handed her a strawberry smoothie.
A few minutes after finishing the smoothie, she passed out.
"What did you give her?" Cheryl asked when she saw Polly passed out in bed.
"Polly was so agitated, I gave her an all-natural relaxer. Nothing to hurt the babies, but she will sleep like a lamb till morning. When she's scheduled to go back to Evergreen Manor." Penelope said as she tucked Polly in bed.
"Was that story true? About how you got the ring back?" Cheryl continued.
"Every word of it. You know your brother rejected us, our way of life, our business, everything. And after I had groomed him to take over the empire. When I really should have been nurturing you. Jason never had the stomach for any of it. But you… You're a Blossom, through and through." Clifford told her.
"One more thing before you go to the dance. Nana Blossom's ring… It's not in my jewelry box, it's not with Polly. Where is it?" Penelope asked her.
"It wasn't my fault, it was Polly's. She lunged at me, trying to get it. I didn't know what to do. I panicked. I thought it would be better for everyone if the ring were just gone. Down the drain. That way, if Polly ever said anything to anyone, there'd be no proof. Just her word against ours. Did I do something wrong?" Cheryl told them.
"No. It's quite right what you did." Clifford acknowledged and Cheryl nodded before she walked out of the room.
(WITH RONNIE AND DANIEL)
They were searching FP's trailer for anything that could link him to Jason Blossom's murder or Hiram Lodge.
"Look, I checked everywhere. Twice. But there's nothing weird or dangerous-looking." Daniel told Ronnie.
"Same out here, just tumbleweeds and dust bunnies, that's it. We need to keep looking." Ronnie replied.
"Babe." Daniel said, approaching him.
"Somewhere, there's something that proves it." Ronnie stated.
"What? What are we even looking for, Veronica? A signed contract between Jughead's dad and yours? I doubt they're that stupid…" Daniel told her.
"We'll switch… I'll take the bedroom this time."
"You wanted to see if we would find anything incriminating, and we didn't."
"Then we'll look somewhere else. Outside or under the trailer."
"Babe, what do you want? Do you want your dad to be guilty?"
"I want to know, Danny. One way or the other, I need to be sure."
"We can keep looking forever, and never find anything."
"Then what about when he comes home?"
"I'm not sure. But I'll be right there, next to you, doing what I can to help. If you'll let me. And maybe I'm wrong, but not finding anything tonight feels like a win. A major win for the home team." Danny said pulling her close and Ronnie smiled.
"What?" Danny asked her with a chuckle.
"Just… Yea, though I walk through the Valley of Darkness, and Daniel Kennedy is there with a smile and a sports metaphor." She said as she pulled him closer and kissed him hard.
They started making out when Ronnie's phone vibrated with a message. They broke apart and she read the text.
"It's Mrs. Cooper. We need to go, right now. FP could be on his way home, let's go." Ronnie said as she dragged Danny out and they left the trailer.