Sneaking around the school held advantages for Echo Jones. The fourteen year old had decided to argue with Ms. Grundy in order to get her help on harmonizing her vocals. She was interested in writing, baking, photography, and a good scandal. She was even planning to try out for cheerleading to piss of the most popular girl at Riverdale High School.
With an old timey camera hanging about her neck- Echo came to a stop outside the empty corridors. Her long flowing chocolate curls were highlighted with strips of royal blue ever since the start of school. She even bore a deep blue beanie with a crown etched into the front. She wore a plain royal blue tee shirt which fit snugly with her black pants and combat boots. Her style barely changed even with her boyfriend missing in action.
She chalked it up to nerves. She knew JD to be the type to skip school especially since his parents were abusive sick fucks. Peering into the music room had her teal eyes widening as a slight gasp came from her pale pink lips.
Archie Andrews was entangled with the tiny woman known as Ms. Grundy whose brown hair was always pinned to the back in a bun. His fiery hair stood up on all ends as he dawned the signature blue-gold lettermen jacket which proved said girl was not mistaken.
Echo lifter her camera up, zooming in as she quietly snapped a few shots. Should she go running her mouth to the teachers in order for it to end? She inhaled deeply- aware of the backlash this could cause if she were to spill what she saw. She was partially fond of Archie Andrews with hazel eyes, broad shoulders, tan abs, and the times he chose to lend a sympathetic ear. Of course, she was best friends with his adopted brother who didn't seem to be around like he promised to be on the first day of school.
Choosing to keep the scene before her to herself, Echo started to walk off just as the bell rang. She wasted no time so Archie wouldn't find out that she knew what he was doing with the music teacher.
"Echo, over here!" A bubbly female voice shouts, causing the dark haired girl with blue highlights to jump. The teal blue eyes of Betty Cooper were ecstatic. Her blonde hair was in it's trademark signature ponytail with her baby blue knit sweater to match.
Echo rolled her eyes, striding over where the blonde was chilling with a boy she recognized and a new girl. She quickly noted the Latina features of a raven haired girl in a yellow sundress. Her first thought was about the skincare the new girl used since her brown complexion was glowing in the daylight.
"I'm Echo Jones, I've never seen you here before." Echo extends an eager arm to the girl whose eyes were charcoal black.
"Veronica Lodge, I'm new here." She said, briefly shaking hands with the tomboy.
"Oh, where are you moving from?" Echo asks, briefly making eye contact with the silent form of Kevin Keller. She didn't get along with the brunette boy for he thought she was a weirdo which she didn't mind. She liked keeping herself company.
"New York City." Veronica is a little surprised the tomboy doesn't know who she is. Everyone else at the school seemed to have gotten word of who she is.
"The big apple. Ironically enough, it is not an apple." Echo sighs, daydreaming of fruit while praying for lunch to come quickly. She didn't eat a whole lot, but when she did- she had to stick to healthier foods that were gluten free.
Veronica chuckles, pointing at the camera, "You're into photography?"
"Oh, Echo is what you call a triple threat. She sings, writers, bakes, takes photographs. Honestly, it's stressful to contemplate." Betty Cooper gingerly informs, leaving Echo to wonder how the blonde girl had gotten her information.
Echo did respect the intelligence of people who cared enough to pay attention.
"You're fashion sense is a bit off." Veronica comments, curious as to whether the girl knew how to dress.
At those words, Echo shot her a bird. "Girl, I do me. Not you. A'ight?"
Betty heard the venom laced into Echo's tone. She shook her head, deciding to change topics before Echo did something unspeakable.
"Shouldn't you be off to class or something, Echo?" Betty softly chuckles, showcasing her discomfort.
"Oh, I have cheerleading practice. I'm going to kill it." Echo perks up at the memory of what she kept playing over in her head. She would have justice for all of the times Cheryl Blossom ridiculed her in front of the entire school body.
"Why? You don't seem the type to be cheery?" Veronica poses the question with a quirked eyebrow.
"Oy vey! Once you meet the lovely Cheryl Blossom than you'll understand my conundrum, darling. See you!" Echo sarcastically scoffs, waving at the trio as she bounds off.
"I've never seen her so chipper aside from when she's with JD." Kevin Keller muses to Betty and Veronica in a low whisper after Echo is gone.
"Who's JD?" Veronica returns in a whisper.
"Her boyfriend of three years." Betty informs as them as they continue with giving the new girl the tour.
"You'll meet him soon enough." Kevin concludes, recalling the said boy whom he also didn't like.
...
Jughead Jones sat in a booth at Pop's Diner. He was typing away with a milkshake while waiting on the rest of his order.
"Jug!" Echo partially shouts, having strode into the diner. The girl plopped down across from her half sibling. An everpresent frown mirrored his own as he rose an eyebrow at said girl.
"Echo, why do you look like you lost your best friend?" Jughead questions, saving the novel he was writing before closing his laptop. His ocean blue eyes were worried for his baby sister. He was older by six months since they had different moms.
Echo nor Jughead knew who her mother was.
"Well, I can't seem to locate Izzy nor JD. I have news." Echo said, gnawing on her bottom lip in worry.
"Icky, they're probably skipping. You know how they do on first days. Don't worry." Jughead's deep voice softened as he reached across to squeeze one of her hands. He offered his sister a half smile who felt a bit relieved by the comfort he chose to lend her.
"Yeah, you're probably right." Echo said, drinking in the tan features of her brother.
They could have been twins except for his tall, slender height.
Jughead had dark raven waves which he hid beneath a dark grey, crown shaped beanie. He wore dark clothing much like his sister which is another thing the Jones siblings had in common.
"What's this news?" Jughead solemnly asked, growing serious as she squeezed his hand in reassurance.
Echo decided to show Jughead the photograph of Archie Andrews and Ms. Grundy. She didn't want to carry such a secret by herself. Her second, main best friend is her older brother who did his best to look out for her.
Their living situation was tough since their father hardly chose to be their for them.
Echo took off her camera, motioning for Jughead to come sit by her. She flipped to the image of the two kissing once her brother was sitting by her.
Jughead's mouth fell agape at the sight as he creased his forehead with worry.
"You are the only one who knows so far. I couldn't rat your former best friend out for both of our benefit. I thought you should know since I couldn't handle carrying this on my own." Echo said with a crack in her voice.
Jughead sighed, lifting up his beanie to rake a hand through his raven waves. He was stunned by the sight.
"Echo, I...I'm not sure what to say. Did you confront them?" Jughead inquires as she clicks off her camera, returning it to hanging around her neck.
Echo shook her head at such an absurd question, "I'm not stupid, Jughead. Why would I confront them?"
"Right." Jughead said, nodding as he returned to where he had previously been seated. He mulled over the photograph in which his half sibling had revealed to him. He tapped his fingers on one of his legs as he came to a conclusion. He swore to tell no one of what he saw which swirled some relief in Echo.
"I have less absurd news." Echo stated, gaining furrowed eyebrows from her brother.
"Which would be, what?" Jughead is suspicious of what else she might have to tell him.
"I made the cheer squad. I'm officially part of the Vixens." Echo slowly spoke, cringing as she shivered at the words escaping her lips. She only tried out for cheerleading to piss off Cheryl Blossom who seemed to like what she was seeing from the girl. She earned a congratulations with no smart remarks from the cheer captain.
"You hate cheerleading. How is that not absurd news?" Jughead voiced, gaining a shrug from Echo.
"You ask a good question." Echo said, pursing her lips as the remainder of their night proved peaceful.