AJ usually isn't a morning person at all, but she knew that Fred would be home later in the day and she wanted to clean up the mess before he got home, so, much unlike her usual self, she pulled herself out of her temporary bed, moving quietly so she didn't wake Reggie up. She knew that she would have to deal with the consequences of letting Reggie spend the night, but that was a problem for later.

After making her way downstairs, she started to pick up the trash that littered the floor, groaning to herself as she went. While she was cleaning, Jughead sat on the sofa, reading a book and drinking a cup of coffee.

"You know, this was your birthday party, the least you could do is help clean," AJ said, crossing her arms as she stopped in front of her brother.

Jughead briefly glanced up at her before returning to his book. "I didn't want a party, and it was technically your birthday as well."

"Not my party tho. My name wasn't even on the cake," AJ shot back. She didn't care that she was left out, but she was annoyed she had to clean the mess alone.

The twins looked towards the stairs, hearing footsteps come down. AJ silently prayed it wasn't Reggie. She wasn't ready to have that conversation yet.

"Veronica. Hey, good morning," Jughead greeted the girl.

"Have a good night?" AJ added, smirking at the girl.

Veronica shot her friend an innocent look and walked more into the room. "Morning, Jughead," she said sheepishly before turning to AJ. "You can't really talk, AJ. I saw who-"

"Veronica," AJ cut her off, her tone sharp as she sent a glare to the girl. She gestured towards Jughead, silently telling Veronica that she didn't want Jughead to know.

"Oh, um," Veronica started, looking between the twins, "So listen,"

Jughead watched the exchange. He could guess what it was that his sister wanted to keep from him, but he wasn't going to push to find out if he was right or not. "Don't worry," Jughead said to Veronica, "my lips are sealed."

"Okay, cool," Veronica said, smiling awkwardly at the two before leaving.

Jughead watched his sister as she got back to cleaning. He wanted her to be happy, but he still wished she would have picked someone other than Reggie Mantle. However, for his sister's sake, he would try to be civil. "I'm going to head out to see dad," Jughead said standing from his chair, "I don't want to be here when your friend comes down."

"Oh, you know?" AJ asked, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly.

"It was a little obvious."

AJ gave her brother an awkward smile, "Jug…" She didn't know what to say. She felt like she owed her brother an apology, but she didn't want it to seem like she regretted liking Reggie.

"You don't have to say anything. I know," Jughead said before he left the house.

—

Archie's mom was home, which made AJ feel uncomfortable. So, she decided to go to the Southside before school to avoid being in the house with Archie and his parents. She was invited to go with Jughead to see their father, but she turned it down to hang out at the wyrm with her friends.

"I should probably be heading out," AJ said, glancing at the time. The school was about to start and she would probably be late as it is.

"Need a ride?" Fangs asked, standing from the table.

"Sure!" AJ said, smiling over at Fangs. She's glad that it seems like she's on good terms with her friends from the Southside. She hated being so distant from them.

AJ and Fangs talked and joked as they drove towards Riverdale High. "How's that hunk of meat of yours? You make up yet?" Fangs asked, wiggling his eyebrows at the girl next to him.

"Uh, yeah, we're good I think," AJ said, smiling down at her charm bracelet, remembering her birthday.

"Soooo?" Fangs asked suggestively.

AJ just rolled her eyes, "Nothing like that has happened," she said, a small laugh escaping her lips. "I like him a lot," she said honestly.

Fangs glanced at his best friend, smiling. This was a side of her that none of them were used to seeing. AJ has always sworn off relationships, and here she was, basically in one with a Northsider at that. It was so unlike her to sit there and gossip to Fangs about a boy.

—-

"I never understood the excitement over a dance," AJ said, sitting down at the table for lunch. She was tired of hearing everyone talk about the homecoming dance. It seemed to be the only thing anyone cared about. Jughead agreed with his sister but stopped when Veronica and Betty shot him a look.

"Don't touch me," AJ snapped the second a hand landed on her shoulder. She turned around, a glare on her face, ready to yell at the person who dared enter her personal space, but her face softened when she noticed it was just Reggie. "Oh, it's just you," she said, a small smile making its way to her face. She turned fully in her seat so that she could look at Reggie.

"Can we talk?" Reggie asked, looking around the small group. He ignored the dirty look he was receiving from Jughead, and just kept his focus on AJ.

AJ glanced around the table, rolling her eyes when she saw the excited looks on Betty and Veronica's faces. "As long as it has nothing to do with the dance," AJ said, not a hint of joking in her voice.

Reggie's face wavered slightly, but Veronica beat him to it before he could say anything.

"Ignore that, she just has never been to a dance before," Veronica said.

"Because they're stupid," AJ shot back, standing from the table to follow Reggie. "I'll see you guys later."

AJ and Reggie walked away from the table, finding a table of their own a little ways off. "What did you want to talk about?" AJ asked, turning to face Reggie.

"I was going to ask you to go to the dance with me, but now I feel like I might get rejected," Reggie joked, running his hand through his hair. He couldn't deny that he was nervous, which was odd, since Reggie Mantle was not known to be nervous with girls.

"Oh," AJ said awkwardly, sending him a sheepish smile. "I don't do dances, Reggie. It's not my thing."

"Neither was Northsider's, but here we are," Reggie joked.

AJ couldn't help but laugh, nodding her head, "Right," she agreed. "You don't actually want to be seen with me-"

"I'm not embarrassed by you," Reggie said quickly, cutting her off. "I like you and I don't care what anyone else thinks."

AJ thought about it. Reggie got over a lot of things that made him uncomfortable for her. Like, the fact that she's from the Southside and her father is a serpent. She started looking at the bright side; the dance wouldn't be that long.

"We don't even have to stay for the whole thing! We could ditch early and watch a couple of movies," Reggie said, trying to get her to agree.

"I was going to say yes either way," she said, smiling at the taller boy. "But, since you offered to leave early, I might take you up on that."

—-

"So, who are you getting ready with?" Veronica asked, walking up to AJ and taking a seat next to her on the couch in the lounge. AJ glanced up from the book in her lap, giving the girl a questioning look. "Myself?"

"Where are you getting ready?"

AJ put her book down, turning to the dark-haired beauty. She watched the look, taking in her demeanor before asking, "Why all the questions, Veronica?"

"My house, of course," Cheryl's voice spoke from behind them.

Confused, AJ glanced between the two girls. "I wasn't planning on it," AJ spoke up.

"Well, it's settled! She won't be getting ready with you," Cheryl said to Veronica, a smug smile on her face. "Just tell Reggie to pick you up at the manor," Cherly turned to AJ, a knowing look on her face.

—

AJ walked from her room in Archie's house to Archie's room. She opened the door, not bothering to knock, "I hope you're clothed!" She said, entering the room with a bowl of popcorn in her arms. She noticed the two boys laying on their separate beds, a frown on her face, "Are you going to sleep already?"

"It's nearly midnight, AJ," Jughead spoke, leaning on his elbow to look over at his twin.

Shrugging her shoulders, AJ flopped down next to Jughead. "Whatcha two gossiping about?"

"Jughead is talking about moving back in with your dad," Archie said, also sitting up and crossing his arms over his bare chest subconsciously.

AJ rolled her eyes at his action. "I've seen you shirtless before, Andrews, and besides, you're not my time," she said, sending a wink in his direction.

"Yeah, you're not an asshole enough for her," Jughead muttered.

"Shut up, Forsythe!" AJ snapped, throwing a handful of popcorn at his face. "If you gave him a chance, you would know that Reggie isn't that bad," she defended the boy she was falling for. "Anyway," she said, wanting to change the topic. "Why the sudden change of heart? I begged you to stay with dad and you left."

"He's doing a lot better. He isn't drinking, he hasn't missed a day of work, and he even shaved."

AJ made a disgusted face, rolling her eyes once more. "So, shaving his beard makes him the father of the year?"

"That's what I said!" Archie said sending Jughead a pointed look.

"He also asked to read my work."

"Dad can read?" AJ joked. "But in all honestly, if you want to move back with dad, I am down. I've missed the southside."

Now, it was Archie's turn to have a disgusted look on his face. "Why? The Southside is full of criminals, drug dealers, serpents, "Archie listed off.

"Dad even engaged with my work. He asked questions about it," Jughead said, once again, ignoring the two.

"What kind of questions?" Archie asked, leaning closer in curiosity.

"Like who he thought did it," Jughead said, shrugging the question off.

"Who he thought killed Jason?" Archie clarified.

AJ rolled her eyes, "How dense are you?" She asked, "Obviously Jason, who else?"

Jughead laid back on the bed, "You repeating everything I say is getting really annoying," he told Archie.

"Oh, crap!" Archie said, sitting up, "I forgot, my mom likes almond milk in her coffee and we don't have any…" Archie threw the blankets off of himself, causing AJ to snicker at him only in his boxers. "I'm gonna go get some." Without saying another word, Archie threw the rest of his clothes on and left.

"That was weird," AJ said, laughing slightly.

Jughead just shrugged, "Probably off to see Veronica."

"I'm getting ready for the dance with Cheryl," AJ said randomly, munching on some of the popcorn. "and before you ask, I'm going with Reggie."

"Figured," Jughead said, glancing at his sister. "Alice Cooper invited dad and me over for dinner before the dance."

"Hm," AJ hummed, glancing back at her brother and making eye contact. "No invite for me? I'm starting to think Ponytails is trying to get rid of me," she joked before getting up, "I'm gonna go to bed, goodnight, Jug." AJ started walking towards the door, only pausing for a second when she heard Jughead say goodnight back to her.

—

AJ watched as Polly and Cherly walked around Mrs. Blossom's bedroom.

"How many wigs does your dad have?" Polly asked, glancing into the closet that seemed to hold just red wigs.

"One for every mood," Cheryl replied. AJ laughed at that, looking into the closet with a weirded-out expression on her face.

AJ watched Polly as she looked through some draws. It seemed as though she knew what she was looking for, what didn't question it. Instead, AJ watched the two girls. That is until Cheryl suddenly stopped talking. AJ glanced over. Cheryl was staring at a ring box.

"What is it?" Polly asked, the two girls moving closer to Cheryl to see.

"My nana's ring," Cheryl said, holding the ring close.

"Jason's ring…" Polly said, "He… he proposed to me with that exact ring."

AJ hides her sigh of relief well, neither of the other girls noticing. More evidence that pointed away from her father and the serpents, the better.

"How does your mother have it?" AJ asked, finally speaking up for the first time since they entered the room.

Cheryl struggled to answer, just staring at the ring. Annoyed with the whole situation, Polly reached for the ring.

"Hands off, Gollum," Cheryl snapped, pulling the ring back. AJ watched silently as Polly accused Cheryl's parents of murdering Jason. Cheryl reached forward, grabbing Polly's arm and twisting it slightly. "You are carrying precious cargo," Cheryl said, taking steps towards Polly, causing her to move backward. "But, if you think for one second those babies guarantee your safety, you're in for a rude awakening." Cheryl threw Polly's arm, not moving as Polly left the room.

AJ always knew she liked Cheryl for her harshness, and this time was no different. She couldn't keep the small smirk off her lips as she watched the scene unfold. Cheryl had a fire to her that AJ recognized from herself. "Well, that was riveting", AJ joked, meeting eyes with a teary-eyed Cheryl. "Why don't we just get ready for the dance?"

—

AJ's phone beeped, notifying her of a text going through. Glancing down at it, she noticed it was Reggie letting her know he was there. After saying bye to Cheryl and Polly, AJ left the manor, walking to Reggie's car.

"Hey," AJ said, meeting Reggie at the passenger side door.

"Hi, Angel," Reggie said, a huge grin on his face as he looked the girl over. "You look great." Reggie opened the door, helping AJ get in before running around to get into the driver's side.

"You don't look so bad yourself," AJ said, smirking over at the boy once he got into the car.

The two stayed silent as they drove to the school, soft music playing in the background. Even though they were silent, it wasn't uncomfortable. AJ felt safe with Reggie. Finally, they reached the school. Reggie parked the car, going around to open the door for AJ, but AJ hesitated on getting out. She was usually so calm, collected, calculated. She didn't understand why she was suddenly feeling her stomach do flips.

"Is everything okay?" Reggie asked, putting one hand on the roof of his car and the other on the door so that he could lean down to see her face.

AJ didn't answer at first, instead, she watched all the other students file into the school, huge smiles on their faces. This was new for AJ. She's never been to a school dance. Hell, she's never been to any school event. She was brought out of her thoughts by a hand on her cheek, "AJ?"

"Huh?" AJ asked, her eyes snapping to Reggie's face. She instinctually moved her hand to cover his. "I'm fine," she said, forcing a smile on her face, but it didn't do anything to ease Reggie's worries. In all the time Reggie has known AJ, he hasn't seen her so unsure. She almost looked scared to him, but he would never say that. "We don't have to do this, babe," he said.

"No," AJ snapped, "sorry," she said instantly for snapping at him. She was a little on edge. "We're doing this, Reg," she said, a genuine smile on her face. She grabbed Reggie's outstretched hand, letting him pull her out of the car.

As they made their way to the front door of the school, AJ noticed her father's car park on the side. She dragged Reggie over to the car, leaning on the open window. "Dad, Forsythe," she greeted the two, "Fancy seeing you here."

"What are you wearing," FP asked, glancing at his daughter's outfit.

"Oh, this?" AJ asked a grin on her face as she released Reggie's hand and did a twirl for her dad. "You like it?"

"No," FP simply said, causing AJ to laugh. "Well, I do," she said with a shrug, her confidence instantly coming back. "Now, if you'll excuse us, Reggie and I have some dancing to do. See you in there, Jug!"

"Hey!" FP said, reaching out of the car window and taking a hold of Reggie's arm. He instantly noticed his daughter's threatening glare, telling her father to release his hold on the boy, but her father didn't falter. "You better not get any ideas, boy," he said, his voice laced with a threat.

"Oh," Reggie said, making eye contact with AJ's father. "Uh, um, of course not," Reggie finally managed to say.

"Good. Make sure she gets home," FP continued. "My home," he clarified.

"Okay, he gets it, old man," AJ said, laughing. She pulled Reggie away from her dad, waving bye as they walked into the building. "Sorry about him," AJ said to Reggie.

Reggie and AJ spent the night together. They talked, laughed, and just enjoyed each other's company. That is, until a couple of jocks from the football team made their way past the table the two were at. "Reggie, man! I was concerned for you when you picked the freaks little freaky sister, but looking at her now, I can see why," one of them said, while a couple of others cat-called AJ.

AJ just rolled her eyes, not letting the immature boys ruin their night, but Reggie didn't just let it go as she did. He stood from his seat, taking a step towards his friends. "Back off, Smith," Reggie snapped, a glare set on his face. AJ rolled her eyes at Reggie's need to protect her, reaching out to grab his arm. "Reg, it's fine," she said softly, pulling him back towards the table.

"Yeah, listen to your freak, man," the same boy said.

"Call her that again," Reggie challenged, ripping his arm out of AJ's grasp. He shoved the boy backward, ready to swing at him, but AJ stepped in the middle, not wanting Reggie to get kicked out. "Reggie," she said, shooting a glare to the boys behind her. "It's not worth it."

Reggie hesitated before looking down to meet her eyes, nodding in agreement, "Yeah, okay," he finally said, wrapping his arm around her waist and dragging her away from the boys. "I'm sorry," he said, giving her a sheepish smile.

"Don't be," AJ said, smiling back at him. "You trying to protect me is cute, but I don't need protecting." AJ wrapped her arm around him, talking quieter, "Growing up on the Southside taught me all I need to know about protecting myself." And being with the serpents, AJ thought to herself.

"Joaquin?" AJ said suddenly, moving her arms from around Reggie to his hand. She dragged the boy over to Joaquin, a tense smile on her face. "Hey."

"Hey, Princess," Joaquin said to the girl, nodding to Reggie as a form of greeting.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, looking at him suspiciously, she glanced around, trying to see if any of her other Serpent friends were around, but she didn't see any.

Joaquin glanced at Reggie, not wanting to reveal too much in front of the boy. Even if AJ seemed to trust him, he didn't. He was a Northsider. "I'm alone," he said, indirectly answering her unspoken question about the other Serpents. "Well, with Kevin," he corrects.

AJ nodded slowly, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. She knew Reggie would hear, but she wasn't too worried about that. "But why are you here? Did dad set you up for this? Did something happened?"

"Not know, AJ," Joaquin said, noticing Kevin walking up to them. AJ just nodded, greeting Kevin quickly.

"Hey guys, have you seen Betty?" Jughead asked, walking up to the small group.

"You guys all need tracking devices," Kevin said, "but I saw her head into the hall with Archie and Veronica."

Jughead gave AJ a worried look, which confused her. What happened while I was with Reggie, she thought to herself. "Something weird is going on," Jughead told AJ, motioning for her to follow him. Grabbing Reggie's hand, she followed Jughead.

Turning the corner, the group of three found the other three they were looking for. "Guys… Betty," Jughead said, walking up to his three friends.

"What's going on?" AJ asked harshly, looking at the sad look on Betty's face and the guilty looks on Archie and Veronica's faces. She felt Reggie squeeze her hand.

"Why do I feel like I'm suddenly left out?" Jughead asked.

AJ snorted, rolling her eyes. "Welcome to the club, Jug."

Betty turned away from the twins, and Reggie, to face the other two. "Do you want to tell them or should I?" Betty asked.

"Tell us what?" The twins asked together. Jughead's voice was confused, almost hurt. AJ's voice was much louder, annoyed, her anger radiating off of her. She once again felt Reggie squeeze her hand, wordlessly telling her to calm down.

Veronica and Archie walked past Betty, standing in front of the twins. "We went to your dad's trailer to…" Archie started. "To search it," Veronica finished.

"Why would you guys do that?" Jughead asked, his voice sounding even more hurt.

"What tell is wrong with you?" AJ snapped, pulling her arm from Reggie and stepping forward. Her glare not leaving Archie and Veronica.

"My mom put them up to it. She was convinced he was hiding something about Jason," Betty said.

"That good for nothing, turncoat," AJ snapped, but before she could take any more steps forward, Reggie was pulling her back. He didn't say anything, not knowing what to say, or if saying anything would even help.

"We were wrong. All of us. We didn't find anything," Veronica said.

"And Jug, we were only doing it to prove that-"

"That my dad wasn't a murderer?" Jughead asked, cutting Archie off. "How did you… when did you know to go to his trailer?"

It instantly clicked for AJ and she spun to face Betty, a menacing glare on her face. She watched as Betty took a step back, a look of slight fear and shock on her face. "They knew he would be at dinner," she said, her voice low and threatening. "That's why you were so concerned about where I was getting ready for the dance?" AJ asked, turning her attention to Veronica. "You had to make sure I wouldn't be at the trailer."

Jughead signed, walking back from the group. AJ watched as he shook his head in disbelief, covering his mouth with his hands.

"No," Betty said, walking towards Jughead.

"That's why your mom invited my dad and me to dinner?" Jughead asked Betty.

"I didn't know what they were doing!" Betty said, defending herself. "Bullshit," AJ snapped, once again being pulled in by Reggie. "But yes, that is why she invited you guys," Betty admitted.

"To think I was going to pass moving to Toledo with my family for you," Jughead said, glaring at Betty. AJ's head snapped in Jughead's direction, a confused look on her face. "Toledo?" She asked, clearly confused.

"Dad was going to talk to you about it later," Jughead said quickly, glancing at AJ before turning back to Betty.

"There they are!" Kevin's voice echoed through the halls of the school, running towards them. The group watched as Archies's parents, Betty's mom, and Veronica's mom ran towards them as well.

"You have to listen. All of you," Hermione Lodge said.

Kevin stepped forward, "My dad just told Mayor McCoy about your dad, Jughead, AJ," he said, looking between the twins.

AJ felt her heart stop, a sinking feeling in her stomach. No, no, no, no, no, no, she repeated in her head, not daring to move from Reggie's grip.

Finally, Jughead asked the question they were both wanting to know, "What about our dad?"

"He was just arrested. For the murder of Jason Blossom," Fred Andrews said, looking at the two siblings sadly.

"No!" AJ snapped, "He didn't do it… he didn't!" AJ ripped herself from Reggie, glaring at everyone around her. "This is your fault!" She snapped at Betty, but deep down, she knew it wasn't.

She pushed past everyone, running towards the door.

"AJ!" Reggie said, talking for the first time since this happened. He was conflicted, Jason was his best friend… and to find out that AJ's dad was arrested for his murder. He didn't know if he should be mad at AJ or run to help her. It isn't her fault, he told himself, moving to follow after her. After Reggie took off, everyone else followed Jughead in the lead.

Reggie grabbed AJ's arm, finally catching up with her when she ran down the stairs. However, Jughead kept going, not stopping for anyone. "Let me go, Reggie!" She snapped, pushing the boy back. He was shocked, but he didn't let that stop him. He knew she was hurting. "AJ," he said again, moving towards her, but she only moved backward. "Leave me alone!" She yelled at him, glaring at him. "I should never have come! I should never have trusted you Northsiders. You're all self-centered. You don't care whose lives you ruin. My dad didn't kill Jason Blossom."

"I believe you," Reggie said, stepping forward again, but AJ shook her head, stepping back. Without saying another word, AJ took off down the road, running after Jughead.

—

Reggie walked into Pop's looking throughout the booths, hoping to find AJ, but he didn't see her.

"She hasn't been in all night," Pop said, a knowing look on his face. "But those ones have been here, looking for her brother." Pop nodded towards Archie and Veronica.

"Thanks," Reggie said, walking towards the booth that held Veronica and Archie.

Archie looked up, noticing Reggie, and stood to greet him, "Hey, ma-" Archie didn't get to finish his sentence before Reggie was throwing his fist at his face. Archie flew back into the booth with a groan, clutching his bleeding lip. "What the hell, man!" He said in pain.

Reggie just kept his glare on the boy, "What the hell is right!" He snapped, mad at his teammate for hurting AJ.

"Betty," Veronica said, standing to go to her. The other two boys followed.

"Kevin's dad said he found a gun in FP's closet… in a locked box," Veronica told Betty and Reggie.

"But we searched every inch of that trailer… there was no gun or locked box," Archie finished, still clutching his mouth. "Someone is framing him."