Prom night came sooner than any of us expected and between helping JB get ready and getting her own affairs in order it seemed like I hardly saw Betty anymore. Jellybean got a Katy Keene original that was so far from the designer's style that it almost didn't seem like it was one of hers. It was a strapless, navy, mid-thigh length, fitted dress with corset backing and black lining that peeked through the tule of the skirt, and though I didn't much like the length, I had to admit that she looked beautiful. She wore her hair back in a low side ponytail and her trademark headband with a bow which was black. Veronica had applied her makeup which was dramatic. After seeing her all dolled up, I had to admit that Jellybean was officially no longer a child.
Candi also cleaned up well. Her platinum hair was down and wavy and she wore a mint green floor-length, slinky satin number which she accessorized with a diamond bracelet. Both girls wore their Serpent Jackets over it. About an hour before they were scheduled to go to their dinner, Cheryl showed up with Toni. Cheryl donned a very tight, very short red number while Toni wore a more flowy magenta dress.
And then there was Betty who chose something simple, something pale pink and reminiscent of the first high school dance. It was high necked and fitted in all the right spots. I adjusted my tie in the mirror and I looked over at her. She had worn her hair down and wavy with small dangly diamond earrings. She also wore a garter that doubled as a holster where she secured her .22. We expected trouble, and this time we were going to be ready for it, unlike Junior year prom.
Veronica and Archie showed up next. Veronica stuck with her classic black dress the accentuated her bust but flowed out. Her baby bump had begun to show but she didn't want to announce it quite yet. She wore her hair back in stylish braid and Archie wore the red tux he had used for every dance. The students gathered for photos which I took, and then the couples posed for individual photos. Then, just for nostalgia's sake, we took some of our own together. Then while the students went out to dinner, the Serpents and I entered the dance early. Principal Donahue hadn't arrived yet, and even if she had, it probably wouldn't have made a difference. We set up cameras at the entrance points and in various spots. The Iowa chapter dressed up as well and acted as security. Sweetpea and Archie stayed in a classroom setting up the laptop for surveillance. Then we left and got some food for ourselves.
There's something about a burger and a tuxedo—two completely opposing things—yet perfect for our group. Pops had never let us down, and as we arrived, did a double take. He passed out menus.
"Wow, it seems like just yesterday that it was your real prom." He smiled. "You guys haven't aged at all."
"Oh we have, Pops," I stretched out my arm around Betty who looked up at him. "It's just 'cause we're here that we get into old juvenile habits. Speaking of, the usual?"
"How many baskets of fries?" He accepted the menus that we didn't even look at. "Uh…four."
"Oooh, and a double chocolate banana peanut butter milkshake with extra whipped cream and double cherries on top. With a burger with mustard and pickles and jalepeno and pepperjack cheese. And for the dipping sauce, give me southwestern. Oh. And Onion rings!" Veronica chimed in, looking sheepish. "Sorry, Baby wants…everything." She rubbed her stomach.
"Baby?" Pops grinned. "Veronica, are you pregnant?"
"Shhh!" We all said in unison. "We aren't telling everybody yet, but yes."
"Oh, Veronica. I'm so happy for you." Pops said. "You can have whatever you want. Any time. Day or night. Consider me your go-to place for cravings."
"Thanks Pop," Veronica smiled. "I'll keep that in mind. Until then, I'll just settle for what I just ordered."
A few minutes later, Pops came out with our food which we munched on. Veronica dipped her onion rings in her shake which sounded disgusting but I gave her the benefit of the doubt and tried it. It was. But I knew that pregnancy hormones made women crave all kinds of unexplainable things as I could see by the way that she was looking at Archie. I elbowed betty and whispered to her.
"Hey, how long do you think it'll take for them to sneak off to an empty classroom?"
Betty looked at them, listening and studied their body language.
"I don't even think they'll last through the first song."
After we ate, we stood up and headed towards the dance. When we arrived the music blared through the speakers. I fit a listening device in both mine and Betty's ears, and then helped her conceal her mic. We checked the perimeter twice then made our way onto the dance floor. I glanced over at JB and watched as she and Pyro did some kind of swing dance next to us—something that did not fit the current genre of music. But she looked happy so who was I to comment?
The first slow song of the night played—some Ed Sheeran hit and Betty wrapped her arms up around my neck. I pulled her close by the waist and we swayed. Suddenly she tensed up.
"What's wrong?" I mumbled into her ear.
"I thought I saw…Never mind." She relaxed again, but the look in her eyes told me she was thinking.
"No, what?" I asked.
"I thought I saw Polly."
"Well do you wanna go check it out?"
"No. I mean yes. But no." She shook her head. "We didn't have a good senior prom if you remember."
"Yeah, but look where we are now." I kissed her.
"Okay, you're right."
She led me out of the gym and any passerby may have suspected it was so we could hook up. I had to admit it was tempting. The way the dress fit her curves was tantalizing to say the least. But as soon as we were clear, Betty reached into her thigh holster and pulled out her gun. Finger off the trigger, she pointed it towards the ground. She held her breath as we patrolled the halls. My heart raced, expecting somebody to jump out at us. Suddenly a locker door slammed causing us to jump. Betty's gun clattered to the floor. Thankfully she left the safety on or it would have gone off. She stooped down to pick it up while I scanned our surroundings. Then I saw it.
"Betty," I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Get up. Slowly. Don't talk. Just listen." She rose to her feet, clutching the gun.
"What's going on?" She breathed.
"I think you're right."
We listened for footsteps to echo through the hall and followed them. There in the chemistry lab were three people—a brunette, a platinum blonde, and a dirty blonde. They huddled together, talking. We pressed our ear up against the door listening and regretting not bugging the classrooms. Finally Betty pushed open the door. They turned to face us.
I'd never seen such an ill-fitting group of people. Standing before us was Evelyn Evernever, Polly Cooper, and of course Cindy Donahue.
"So you found Jesus, huh?" Betty nodded to Evelyn. "That was quick. Guess he wouldn't take a psycho bitch like you."
"Oh Betty, there are some things you don't understand. Don't you see that we're trying to help you?" She mocked.
"How could you help her?" I crossed my arms, watching them, reaching for my weapon of choice.
"Who do you think has been taking care of the Serpents for you?" She asked. "I mean your sister cares about you so much she's willing to do anything to protect you."
"Did you weaponize my sister against me?" Betty wore a look of disgust.
"Oh, on the contrary," Evelyn smiled sweetly, but her tone was acid. "We weaponized your sister for you."
And then it clicked. Polly was responsible for the murders, but she didn't know any better. And Cindy and Penny were close because Penny took care of her. Kurtz had no parents. It was just him taking care of Cindy which he obviously didn't do a good job at. So when he disappeared, it was up to Penny to help her. It occurred to me that the animosity she felt towards the Serpents was, in her mind justified. They had taken everything away from her, and by everything, I meant Kurtz. Then we murdered her mother figure.
"Wait, Polly is responsible for this?" Betty said angrily.
"Well I mean, technically I'm the one giving the commands. See the thing is. I don't care the reasons behind the killing, as long as every last one of you is dead." Cindy said. "I knew you were recording me. And I knew that you bugged my office."
"Then why would you show your face here?"
"Oh Betty," Evelyn stepped closer, into the light. Betty lifted her gun. "Don't you see? This was the only way we could get you…and him alone."
"What are you-"
"You know how they say 'an eye for an eye?' we like to think of it as…a brother for a sister. How is Jellybean doing these days?" Evelyn stepped closer.
"Betty…" I lowered my voice.
"Go." Betty jerked her head back. "And shut the door. We need to have a conversation."
I nodded and ran back to the gym. I signaled to Archie and Sweetpea what was happening on my way there. By the time I made it to the double doors I had an army. But it wasn't enough. Jellybean had disappeared right under Pyro's nose. I grabbed him by the shoulders and slammed him against the wall.
"WHERE IS SHE?!" My voice echoed over the music.
"S-She went to go to the bathroom. She said she'd be b-back."
I could tell I scared him and that he had no idea what I was talking about. My face was inches from his and I could feel his body shake. I looked him in the eyes searching for deception but found none. I released him. The music had stopped, and the students were staring at us in awe, most likely wondering if their prom night was going to end up in a fight. I ran back to the classroom where Betty stood, holding the gun. A body lay not even twenty feet from her. Betty wore a blank expression on her face almost as though she was in shock.
"Betty what did you-"
"She came at me!" Betty cried out. "I didn't think, so I just shot."
"It's okay," I pulled her into a hug, hiding her face from the blood. I know that she'd seem worse in our years together but if I could protect her then I would. "It was self-defense."
"She didn't have a weapon." Betty shook her head against my shoulder. "I didn't mean to, it just went off."
"It's okay, Betty." I squeezed her. "Did you let Archie know?"
"No," She shook her head. "Did you find Jellybean? Is she okay?"
"No," I shook my head sadly. "They got her."
As I said it my phone buzzed again. This time I knew who it was, but I read the text out loud.
Tick tock goes the clock. You're wasting time with your tears. Come find the little bitch or meet your worst fear. The poison that we use will destroy her in two days. The longer you take, the more we get to play.
"We need to check out the warehouses. Tonight." Betty said. "Let's go home and change.
It was a race against time. A race against the effects of poison. We didn't know what the serpents were injected with, but we knew of the long-lasting effects and what they were. And if I remembered correctly, we had less than a day before the organs started to shut down. I put my phone back in my pocket and followed Betty out. There was no time to explain. This ended now.
"Hang in there, Jellybean." I mumbled. "Keep her talking. We're coming for you."
AN: I don't usually post two chapters in one day, but I've been building up to this scenario since I started the story. I wanted Polly to be the bad guy even if she wasn't doing it for malicious reasons. Unfortunately, I'm swamped with homework and stuff, so I probably won't be updating until Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. Let me know what you think, and for the few followers that I have, thank you for being on this journey with me! I think this will be the first time I actually finish a story. Not too many chapters left, now. And yes, there will be a proposal and a wedding. I've even picked out a name for Varchie's child.