Author's Note: Well, here it is folks, the moment you've been waiting for: Archie coming clean about him and Ms. Grundy.
Thank you to Boris Yeltsin for the review, it feels good to be back. I'll try to make it up with longer chapters ahead.
Read on, everybody!
Riverdale doesn't belong to me.
Chapter 47
"Guilt, innocence. Good, evil. Life, death. As the shadows around Riverdale deepened…the lines that separated these polar opposites, blurred and distorted. Archie Andrews is guilty. But of what?"
-Jughead Jones
Back at Riverdale High, Archie is in the hallway, headed for Principal Weather bee's office. Today will be the day Archie comes forward with rather, scandalous information about the disappearance of Jason and Polly. He was nervous about it, especially exposing his torrid affair with Ms. Grundy, but knew what had to be done.
After a moment of hesitation, Archie opens the door and waltzed right in. Weather bee, Sheriff Keller, and Detective Smith look up.
"Mr. Andrews, care to explain why you're here?" The principal asks.
"Yes. I have some information I want to share with," Archie answered.
"What about?" Charles questioned.
"About the 4th of July, Jason, and Polly." Archie replied. "I was at Sweetwater River with Geraldine Grundy, the music teacher. We both heard that gunshot. And another thing, I saw Polly prior to July 4th before she vanished.
Tom, Charles, and Weather bee raised their eyebrows in surprise. They weren't sure if they believed in him.
"Why don't you have a seat, Mr. Andrews?" Weather bee asks.
Archie complies and sat down in a chair, facing the adults.
"All right, start from the top." Charles instructed. "Everything that happened leading up to July 4th."
Archie exhaled and began to tell his story.
"It all started during the summer. I decided to help my dad full-time at Andrews Construction. He said he could use the extra hands. My neighbor Betty Cooper had left Riverdale for an internship in L.A. and my friend, Jughead Jones…well; we weren't on the best of speaking terms. More on that later." He explained.
"Anyways; with no school, no friends, and no football practices to fill my days…I figured, there might not be a lot happening in my life right now; but a summer job isn't the worst thing. I focused on helping my dad. He hadn't had the easiest past few months-what with the business struggling and Mom being gone."
"And where does Ms. Grundy come in?" Tom inquired.
"It happened like this…it was another hot and humid day…" Archie informed.
Flashback
Archie is walking by on the construction site wiping his face with the hem of his T-shirt, minding his own business when a Volkswagen Bug vehicle slowly pulled up. Sitting in the driver's seat is a mousy looking woman with honey blonde hair, by the name of Geraldine Grundy. She stops the car, eyeing him over her Lolita heart shaped sunglasses.
Archie takes notice of Geraldine.
"Archie Andrews? What are you doing walking in this heat?" Geraldine asked.
"Umm, building character?" Archie replied.
"Well, hop in. You'll die of heat stroke," Geraldine suggested. Archie complies.
That night, it was raining like cats and dogs in Riverdale. Amid the storm, Archie and Geraldine were engaged in a heavy make-out session inside the Volkswagen.
"Ms. Grundy is Riverdale High's music teacher-my music teacher. Every night, she would stop by and offer me a ride home, yet we'd always find ourselves back at our hideaway at Sweetwater River. And maybe a part of me knew that what we were doing was wrong…but it didn't matter. As time went on, my feelings for her became stronger than for anyone I'd ever met before. Ms. Grundy quickly became the most important person in my life." Archie continued.
Geraldine and Archie arrive at the Andrews house.
"Thanks for the ride, Ms. Grundy." Archie said.
"Geraldine," The music instructor corrected the red head. "And is that a guitar I see on your porch? Do you play?"
"I was worried that I wouldn't be good enough for her. That she'd run away, and I'd be back where I started a month ago. Alone. But when I played for her, she smiled at me, and…everything made sense."
The pair sat on the porch. Geraldine listens as Archie plays.
"You have potential, Archie." She remarked. "Have you considered…private lessons?"
"Ms. Grundy didn't have to ask. She saw something in me that no one else had, not even Betty." Archie added.
"We both knew the answer: yes."
"What were your original plans with Jughead before you ended up going to Sweetwater River with Ms. Grundy?" Weather bee asked.
"Jughead and I were going to go on a road trip for the July 4th holiday." Archie responded. "This happened near the end of June…"
One June day, Archie walked into Pop's.
"I stopped by Pop's after work cause I wanted to surprise Ms. Grundy with dinner. That's when I saw Jughead for the first time all summer. He looked…tired." He resumed.
Archie walks over to Jughead and he looks up from his laptop. A plate of burgers and a cup of coffee sits on the table.
"I was sort of in a rush, and wasn't particularly in the mood to reminisce, but a part of me really missed him." Archie admitted. "So, I sat."
"Well, well, look who's been hitting the gym." Jughead commented, amused.
"Spare a few minutes for your old pal?"
"We caught up about life, about our jobs, and how I'd spent most of my summer thinking up those poems. I'm not sure he understood." Archie opened. "Hell, neither did I. But the truth was…my mind was elsewhere. It was with Ms. Grundy. In that Volkswagen Bug near Sweetwater. That's when he asked me…"
"Hey!" Jughead suddenly said.
"Remember when we were kids, how we used to road trip down to Centerville every Fourth of July to see the fireworks?" He asks.
"Why don't we go again this year-you know, like old times?"
"Sounds great, Jug." Archie agreed.
"I have no idea why I said those words-maybe because I was thinking of that movie quote…"
Archie received his to go order. As he's getting up and leaving, he bids goodbye to Jughead.
"So, I'll see you on the Fourth." Archie said.
"See ya, pal." Jughead said, holding up a peace sign.
"However, our next meeting wouldn't be nearly as friendly." Archie interjected.
"Right," said Charles. "Now, about seeing Polly Cooper the day before July 4th?"
"It was sometime around evening on July 3rd, I was in my bedroom getting ready for the camping trip with Ms. Grundy at Sweetwater River." Archie resumed.
July 3rd
Nighttime
Archie is in his room, walking around and getting everything packed for his July 4th trip with Ms. Grundy. His thoughts had drifted to Betty and how she would react to his relationship with Geraldine.
"Personally, I wouldn't have been able to tell Betty about Ms. Grundy-I knew she wouldn't approve; Betty was such a good girl she'd never be on board with anyone breaking the rules that way. But I wanted to tell her. Or, I don't know, just to talk to her about anything. About nothing at all. Shoot the breeze like we used to all the time, before she left for L.A." He confessed.
"Suddenly, I looked towards her bedroom window. And the light was on, which threw me off. A blonde head was looking through the dresser, opening and closing the drawers and shaking her head. For a moment there, I thought it was Betty; but then I realized she's in L.A. It was her older sister, Polly." Archie says.
The Andrews boy rapped on his window, an old symbol for getting one another's attention, way before having phones. Polly looks up. Despite it being his and Betty's thing, she slides the window open and gestured for Archie to do the same.
"What's up?" Archie questioned.
Polly glances over her shoulder furtively, as if she didn't want to be heard by someone in the house.
"Have you spoken to Betty recently?" Polly inquired, in hushed tones.
Archie shook his head no. "Nah, we really haven't talked since she left for L.A."
"You?" He asks.
"I've been trying to reach her all day," Polly answered. Archie seemed to notice there was panic in her eyes.
"I, uh…well, I was going to leave her a note, but I don't want-you know, Mom searches our stuff…" The eldest Cooper girl faltered.
"Leave her a note? About what?" Archie questioned, puzzled. Polly acting weird was enough to worry him a little.
Suddenly, Polly reconsidered, thus changing her mind.
"Never mind, whatever. It's fine," She said in response.
"I'll, um, keep trying her."
"You sure?" Archie asked. Why did everyone have so many secrets? And what would be the price to keep them so tight and locked up?
"Yeah," Polly replied. "Just…well, if you talk to her, or when you do-let her know I was trying to reach her?"
"Chances are you'll end up getting in touch with her way before I do," said Archie. He could have sworn that she looked both sad and scared for some odd reason.
"But yeah, of course."
"Great," Polly exhaled and her forehead relaxed. Whatever was going on with Polly, Archie somehow managed to say the right thing.
Shortly then, just from down the street, Archie heard three short honks from Geraldine, signaling that she is waiting for him. Her car is parked on a shadowy stretch where Fred wouldn't see him. Archie took it as his cue to leave.
"And that was the last time you saw Polly Cooper?" Charles inquired.
"Yes, sir." Archie answered.
"Were you aware that Polly used to date Jason Blossom?" Weather bee asks.
"Uh, yes." Archie replied. "Although, I only knew Polly through Betty. And I remember Polly dating Jason. Their relationship didn't last though."
"So, what happened with you and Ms. Grundy on July 4th?" Tom questioned.
"The morning of July 4th, Ms. Grundy and I were at Sweetwater River…" Archie began.
Sweetwater River
July 4th, 6 AM
Archie and Geraldine are sitting side-by-side together on a blanket.
"I'm so glad we decided to do this, Archie." Geraldine commented. "I was afraid you might have plans with some of your friends from school…"
"Nope. No plans…" Archie responded.
"In that case, let's make this a Fourth of July we'll never forget." Geraldine gently caressed Archie's cheek, the student and teacher engage in a passionate make out session. In the process, Archie unbuttons Geraldine's blouse revealing a peek at her pale pink bra.
"The gray mist blanketing Sweetwater River…the early morning breeze on her cheeks…her lips against mine…the moment was pure bliss…" Archie narrated.
"…. Shattered in a heartbeat by a gunshot we heard echoing across the water.
BLAM!
A gun shot loudly rang out, causing them to look up in shock and fear. They're in a daze, wondering who was it that fired a gun.
"After we heard that gunshot, Ms. Grundy and I ended up leaving Sweetwater River. We didn't say much during the ride home. We told ourselves it was a hunter, shooting a deer, or maybe someone lighting fireworks…though who's lighting fireworks at 6 in the morning on July 4th?" Archie continued.
"Then came the news that Jason and Cheryl had also been at Sweetwater that morning….and that Jason drowned. Plus, Polly running away from home. I had completely forgot that I saw her the day before she vanished, until now. Anyways, Ms. Grundy was a nervous wreck after hearing that gunshot."
Geraldine pulls up in front of the Andrews home.
"This is wrong," Geraldine said, full of remorse.
"What is?" Archie asks.
"Everything. Everything we've been doing. Let's agree that we will never tell anyone about this, Archie. Promise me. From now on, no more rides." Geraldine instructed.
"And I did keep my promise. I stayed quiet about everything…I knew putting distance between us was for the best…but not gonna lie, it still hurt like hell. Since then, Ms. Grundy and I avoided each other, until school started. We both agreed on doing private music lessons, and the last time we talked was at the pep rally. I told Ms. Grundy that I was going to come forward about us, Jason and Polly." Archie concluded.
"That morning when the investigation was announced and you were in the hallway, unable to make eye contact with me…you were wanting to come forward, but couldn't?" Weather bee asks.
"Yes, sir." Archie answered.
"Have you told anyone about your affair with Ms. Grundy?" Charles asked.
Archie shook his head.
"No one except for Jughead." He responded.
"Doesn't that seem cruel?" Tom asks. "That you would hide an inappropriate affair you had with the school's music teacher? And you have no idea why Polly was acting strange and wanted to leave a message for Betty? Plus, have no clue as to who fired that gun?"
Archie looks down in shame. He was uncomfortable with Sheriff Keller attacking him. Suddenly, he regretted coming forward.
Keeping his composure, the flame haired teen looked up at Sheriff Keller.
"No, I'm not being cruel." He said.
"You and Ms. Grundy heard a gunshot, and you're telling us this just now?" Charles demanded, raising an eyebrow. He glances at Tom and then Weather bee, who stood in the back, listening to the interrogation.
"I was scared! Everything was happening so fast in the madness following Jason's drowning and Polly's disappearance. Also, I was protecting Ms. Grundy!" Archie protested.
"So, scared, that you ran down the field in Jason Blossom's jersey at a pep rally yesterday?" Tom retorted, in an accusing tone.
Weather bee chooses the moment to interject before Archie opens his mouth.
"Mr. Andrews, we appreciate you finally coming forward with this information. We were going to take Cheryl Blossom in for questioning, but you stopped us from doing so, and this story of yours takes the cake."
"Because of you fraternizing with Ms. Grundy, you are suspended from school for two weeks and off the football team, from the junior varsity position. I will notify Coach Clayton and contact your father." The principal added.
"And Ms. Grundy?" Archie inquired. "What will happen to her?"
"She will be fired and arrested." Charles said.
"In the meantime, you stay right here." Tom instructed. He walks to the door, with Weather bee and Charles following him.
Once the adults left, Archie gets up and peeked out the door.
Charles, Tom, and Weather bee made their way to Geraldine's office. The door opens and Geraldine looks up in surprise.
"What the…what is going on?" She began to say.
"Geraldine Grundy, you're under arrest for having a sexual affair with a minor." Tom declared, walking over to her.
"On your feet, miss." Charles commanded.
Geraldine gets up, her body shaking in fear. She now realized Archie stayed true to his word. Tom puts the handcuffs on the music teacher's wrists. She is escorted out of the room with the trio.
As the group walked out in the hallway, a few students caught sight of Geraldine and they stepped out. It wasn't before long that Betty, Veronica, Kevin, Jughead, Cheryl, Tina and Ginger came out to see what was happening. Seeing Geraldine, the group all exchanged looks, surprised and confused. The entire student body was texting, taking pictures and recording with their phones.
When Geraldine caught sight of Archie in Weather bee's office, the ginger teen mouthed "I'm sorry." Geraldine simply looked at him with a mixture of hurt, defeat, and sadness.
Archie sighed. Not only did he come clean about him and Grundy; he is now being suspended from school and kicked off the Bulldogs. On top of that, Archie must go home and face the music with his dad.
A/N: Phew, long chapter!
And there you have it, the kick-off to episode three, Body Double with Archie finally coming clean and dealing with the consequences. It took me a while to write this chapter, but I hoped you guys liked it! I figured it was better this way that Archie confessed, instead of Cheryl. Because if that were the case; Penelope and Clifford would find out about Jason's whereabouts, they'd be angry with her, and come after Jason…ruining everything. Plus, Polly's parents would get involved. But, in case you're wondering, Cheryl will confess to Sheriff Keller and Detective Smith; eventually (down the line).
The dialogue came from my Riverdale Volume 1 graphic novel, plus Archie talking to Polly came from the prequel novel, The Day Before. Anything else, I just made up.
Up next, Alice shows off the latest Register newspaper to Betty, exploiting Archie & Grundy and then we'll get to Fred grounding Archie.
More soon!