Chapter 12: Zombies Of Love!
*Aria's POV*
It was almost 3:30pm in Riverdale and after school was getting out soon. We all celebrated New Years together and had a bit of time off before going back to school. Now it was the beginning of February and it looked like spring was here already. It was nice enough to wear tank tops and shorts again. Not me. I stuck with the outfit I 1st arrived here in. Archie and I worked together to finish up a 'weird mystery' column for the paper. I will admit it was a good one. Either way we met up with Betty and Jughead when we finished and headed outside. They were discussing a project that needed to be done.
"How about we study together?" Betty asked.
"Sure." Jughead said nonchalantly.
"Sounds good." Archie replied.
"I'm out." I stated. Jughead and Archie both said "Huh?" and looked at me.
"How come?" Betty asked.
"I promised Dilton I'd meet him after school so we can get out science homework done for next week and he also promised to help me study for my french exam coming up." I explained as they nodded. We soon made it outside.
"So we'll have a study group tomorrow then?" Archie asked the two.
"Sure. Should I call and invite Reggie?" She asked as I scowled at the question.
"Only if you have to." Jughead said as I chuckled lightly. No body really liked Reggie but it confused me as to why we were friends with him. Soon enough trouble walked our way wearing a $200 dress. AKA: Veronica Lodge.
"And just where have you been Archie Andrews? You were supposed to meet me here at 3:30 sharp!" She said in an annoyed and angered tone.
*Oh boy! This again. She's been like this for a couple of weeks now.* I thought as Archie looked at his watch then at her.
"Um. Veronica? It's only 3:31." He said as I flinched. I know what's going to happen now. As she ranted on about being there on time I managed to slip away to look for Dilton.
*What is Veronica's problem? I mean seriously has being rich made her this selfish?* I thought as I sighed. I soon found Dilton and rushed right up to him.
"Hey Dilton!" I yelled and waved as I ran up to him.
"Salutations Aria. You ready to go?" He asked as I nodded. He didn't have a car and I wasn't going to ask Archie right now nor use my skates so we walked. Our first stop was at Pop's to get a bite to eat and study my french there before heading back to the school for the science stuff.
"How come we don't study at your house?" I asked him.
"Oh. Well. I don't really have people over. But maybe another time." He said in an awkward way while rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
I just smiled and replied "I get it. Whenever your comfortable. No rush. I won't even let Archie go in my room unless I really need him to and that's not often." adding in that confession to make him feel better. I guess it did because he smiled at me.
We arrived at Pop's and went inside. We waved at Pops, who waved back at us, as we took a seat at a booth in the middle of the place. I pulled out my french study books just as Pops came up to us.
"Hey kids. What can I get you?" He asked us.
"Got any specials today Pops?" I asked him casually but nicely.
"Well I do have curly fries today." He said as I smiled.
"Could I have that and a burger please? And some nachos with extra jalapeños?" I asked as I remembered them from looking at the menu a few days ago. Pops smiled.
"Of course. I was wondering when you'd want to try the nachos. And the usual coke no ice?" He said and then asked as I nodded.
"And you Dilton?" he asked as Dilton thought about it.
"I'll take a burger as well along with curly fries and a coke please." He said as Pops smiled at us.
"Coming right up." He said as he left.
"Shall we get started then?" I asked as he nodded yes. I hand him my book and we began.
"Okay. Let's start with 'Hello. My name is Aria. What is your name?'" He told me as I smiled at him.
"Bonjour. Mon nom est Aria. Quel est votre nom?" I answered.
"Correct. Next. 'I am looking for a nice place to eat. Any suggestions?'" He said as I thought about that one for a couple minutes before responding with "Je cherche un bel endroit manger. Tout suggestions?" I replied as Dilton nodded his head yes.
"That's right. Let's keep going." He said as I nodded. We did a few more before our food came. We were eating and practising before we were interrupted.
"Hey Pickle. Give me some money for nachos." I looked up and saw a rugged looking teen with dirty blond shaggy hair, a bad shadow beard, wearing a light brown jacket with a white shirt under it and a gold chain around his neck, two white bands on each arm, khaki short pants, black boots and white socks. Dilton looked a bit scarred and shook his head.
"S-sorry. B-but I don't h-have money for y-you." He stuttered. Did this guy bully Dilton and if so for how long.
"What a load of crap! How are you paying for this food then." He started. Now I was getting mad.
"W-well. I. Uh." Dilton said getting nervous.
"I'm paying for his meal and I would appreciate it if you left him alone." I said.
"Hey butt out yo-ouzah!" He started before he saw me. His eyes looked like they would pop out of there sockets. Before I could blink he was sitting next to me and an arm around me. Seriously, what is up with guys and putting there arms around me without my conceit?
"Hey babe. How about you buy me some nachos?" He asked as he smiled at me. He screamed abuser and other things that I didn't like. I pushed him away from me.
"Uh no. Trying to study and eat with my friend. Maybe when you don't look like a bum, smell bad, and don't scream 'bad guy' and learn boundaries and manners then maybe." I stated as I ate a curly fry. Man these fries were good.
"Aw come on babe. Give me a chance. Aw you did get me nachos." He said as he then grabbed my nachos and went to eat them. I grabbed the nachos from him and used my foot to put on his arm and push him off the booth seat and onto the floor.
"No touchy my food." I said in a childish voice as I sat my leg back down.
"What was that for? Come on babe." He started before Dilton stepped in.
"Vinnie your 19 years old and still in high school. She's only 15. I believe this would fall under paedophilia." He said before the guy known as 'Vinnie' glared at him.
"Shut up pickle. This does not concern you." He started.
"Actually it does seeing as how this whole thing started with you bullying my friend. And his name is Dilton not pickle. Plus he is right about the paedophilia thing. Your 19 and I'm 15. And don't call me babe or try to take my food. Also if I ever hear you threaten him or see you bully him again I will personally step in and make you stop." I told him as he glared darkly at me.
"Are you threatening me?" He asked me darkly.
"Nope! I'm making a promise!" I said with a bright smile before I waved my hand in front of him with a 'shooing' motion.
"Now off with you. Go on. Go before I have make you leave myself." I said as he growled.
"You shouldn't get me mad babe." He said as I rolled my eyes and looked at him with a dull look.
"Please. I've dealt with guys bigger and meaner then you back in the city. Heck even a 'puppy' is more intimidating then you are." I said as he got angrier. Before anything else happened Pops came over.
"Is everything alright?" He asked as he glared at Vinnie before looking at us.
"Yes. Everything is fine. He was just leaving." I said with a smile as Vinnie growled again before storming off.
"May I have the bill Pops?" I asked sweetly as he nodded and handed me the bill.
"I'll check on you two later." He said as he left. I put the bill aside and we continued eating.
"So who was that guy? I mean now I know his name is Vinnie and that he's 19 but not much else. Wait. Did you say he was in high school?" I asked the last part skeptically.
"His name is Vinnie Wells. He's 19 yes and he failed senior year of high school so he got held back a year. He's been bullying me and a few others for a long time. He's a bully, a thief, and now he's become scum flirting with you. I would be careful around him though. He's no joke Aria. He might severally hurt you." He said as I scoffed.
"I can handle him. Cheese. He makes Reggie look like a saint in comparison. Dairy milk if Reggie ever heard that I would never hear the end of it." I said as Dilton laughed lightly.
*Dilton's laugh is kinda cute.* I thought to myself.
"Still Vinnie is no joke. Just be careful please. He might seek revenge on you." He warned me.
"I will." I told him with a smile. We finished our food and, true to my word, I paid for the bill. Dilton wanted to pay but I told him it was my treat as a thank you for the times he's helped me out with school work. We were leaving, sun setting, when Archie, Betty and Jughead walked in. I smiled and waved at them, Dilton did to, as they waved back. Everyone missed the look Dilton and Jughead briefly gave each other before going separate ways. Dilton and I made it to the school and did our science stuff for a couple hours. It was dark and Dilton didn't want me to go home alone but I told him I was fine. I walked with him down his street and waved goodbye as I went down a different street. I found a spot to put on my skates and skated all the way home with no problems at all but kept my guard up in case Vinnie was near by. I'd have to keep my guard up more so then needed. When I got home I noticed Archie's car was still gone.
*Is he still out? It's kinda late.* I thought as I shrugged and went inside.
*Time skip to morning.*
I was running late for school.
*Dairy farm Archie. You could've waited for me.* I thought as I skated as fast as I could to the school. I sped past a very pissed off Vinnie and hurried inside. I made it into homeroom and took my seat. I took my skates off and put them away just in time for the bell to ring. I noticed Archie paying attention to Veronica and got mad. How dare he leave me at home to run late just to tend to her. I immediately went over to them.
"Archie Andrews you could've waited for me before coming to school. You know I need you as a ride." I told him as he looked at me. The way he looked made me nervous. He looked like a zombie and I didn't know why.
"Sorry. Your not my responsibility. If your so desperate for a ride then ask one of your boyfriends or get a car yourself. The only woman I ever want to care and tend for is my beautiful Veronica." He said as I huffed at that, trying not to shed tears, as I glared at him.
"Fine. I don't need you." I said as I sat back down. Jughead immediately came over to comfort me.
"What's wrong with him Jughead. I don't get it. Did I do something wrong?" I asked. I felt him gently hug me.
"No. You did nothing wrong. Betty thinks Veronica did something to him. Betty said Archie was at Veronica's house this morning singing to her. To be honest I think he was there all night because Betty didn't see him come home at all last night." He confessed as I looked at him. Archie never came home. But why?
"I smell a weird mystery Jughead and I don't like the looks of this one at all." I told him as I quoted my cousin's 'I smell a weird mystery' quote.
"You think so?" He asked me as I nodded.
"I know so." I told him. The bell rang and we were off again. In every class I had with him he was either with Veronica, giving her comfy chairs to sit in, foot rubs, doing her work for her ext., or he went to her class instead of his. At lunch when I ate with Jughead I noticed him in a chef hat and apron while serving her steak.
"What is wrong with you Archie?" I mumbled. Jughead comforted me as I tried very hard to figure this out. I had been trying to figure this out all day and came up with nothing except a spell. I had no leads other than that.
*Next day*
Okay. Archie wasn't doing so good now. He has been acting up for a second day now and the only thing I know from Betty and Jughead is that it happened at Pop's shop after Dilton and I left and it happened around the time he ate a burger and it had something to do with Veronica.
*I'm heading down to that Voodoo Lady and see if she knows anything about this.* I thought as I then saw Archie give Veronica a pillow. Wait. Why was he wearing a beanie. Then he took it off.
*What did he do to his hair!* I thought as I overheard him say "All I have is yours Veronica." before Veronica dropped the pillow and ran off. I hope he didn't put his hair in that pillow.
Archie soon chased after her as I picked up the pillow and opened it. I soon saw orange hair spill out and gasped. He did.
"This has gone too far." I said as I decided to get to the bottom of this. School was over and I immediately headed down to see that Voodoo Lady to see what's up. Without a car it took me a few hours to get down to the forest. I had to take off my skates to walk to her place. Let's just say it was near 4 AM when I arrived. I was greeted by a dog who started meowing at me? What the?
*Right. Voodoo. Magic.* I thought as she walked outside.
"What you want?" She asked me.
"I need help." I told her.
"come in." She said as I followed her inside. I explained what was happening to my cousin and she told me about the magic salt.
"Makes sense. My friends said he ate a burger and then acted this way. She must've used the salt on it. But how do I stop this?" I asked her. Just as I did Veronica started pounding on the door crying out "Miss Lucinda. Wake up. It's me Veronica." as Miss Lucinda got up and went to open the door.
"Speak of the devil and she shall come forth." I said as Miss Lucinda looked at me before opening the door.
"It's four AM. What do you want?" she said. Yeah I'd be pissed as well over being woken up at 4 AM but this is an emergency.
"I've been up all night hiding. Archie won't leave me alone." I heard Veronica say. I quietly stood up and got ready. I was going to strangle her for this. No joke.
"So? Things got a little too perfect for ya huh?" She asked her. I couldn't see her face but I could tell by the tone in Miss Lucinda's voice she was smiling a cocky smile at her.
*I like this woman already.* I thought to myself.
"He may have followed me. Please let me in." She begged. Miss Lucinda opened the door all the way.
"Oh alright." She said as she used her thumb to point inside.
"Your friend is already inside anyway." She said as Ronnie looked at her, completely missing me from her sight.
"Huh? Friend?" She asked as I then grabbed her neck with my hand. She gasped and looked at me.
"Aria?" She asked as I glared at her.
"You put my cousin's health at risk just to make him 'perfect'? He was fine the way he was. He has not slept nor ate in two days Veronica. He's going to kill himself from starvation, dehydration and/or sleep deprivation because of you." I said as I glared at her.
"Your friend's right. Then when he dies you'll have a real love zombie after you." She said as Ronnie gasped.
"Wait what?" I questioned in shock as I let go of Ronnie.
"You heard me right Missy." She said as my jaw dropped. A real zombie? Great. Just great.
"What do I do?" Ronnie asked. Miss Lucinda sat down and looked at us.
"I already told you the cure." She said.
"Wait. You know how to stop it and you didn't do it?" I questioned as I tried to keep my cool.
"But if I go back to that school and ring the bell then he'll find me." Ronnie whined as I groaned.
"I'll help you distract him but I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it for him." I told her.
"Sounds like a plan. But 1st I need that salt back." Miss Lucinda said as she held out her hand. Veronica dug into the pocket of the coat she took off but then looked scared.
"I-I don't have it. I must've left it a Pop's Shoppe." She said in fear.
"What?!" Me and Miss Lucinda yelled at the same time.
"You left it where other people could taste it?" She yelled the question.
"Veronica you idiot!" I screamed. I was starting to loose my cool.
"I forgot." She said as she looked about ready to cry. I cooled down and started to comfort her.
"It's ok. I might've forgotten it out of fear as well." I told her trying to calm her down.
"Do you know what this means? Soon a whole new batch of people will be devoted to you." Miss Lucinda said as we gasped. On no. Soon we heard banging sounds and people groaning Veronica's name.
"You need to ring that bell." I said as Miss Lucinda and I started to barricade the place up.
"But. But I'm scared." She said as she tried not to cry.
"You only have until sunrise to ring the bell otherwise they will stay like this forever." Miss Lucinda said as they started to bang on the windows harder.
"Is there a back door?" I asked as she pointed to it. I grabbed Veronica's wrist, yanked her up, and went to the back door just as a window broke.
"She'll pay for that." I yelled as I yanked open the back door and forced Ronnie to run with me to the school.
"There she is." I heard Jughead say from a distance.
*Oh Jughead.* I thought as I looked and saw all of them. Jughead, Archie, Betty, Reggie, Pops, a few other kids, even Dilton.
*Not you too Dilton.* I thought as I picked up the pace.
"Ronnie. Run dang it. We don't have much time." I told her.
"I can't." She started.
"Don't say you can't. I'm sick and tired of your rich girl snobby attitude. If you really care for my cousin then hurry it up." I told her as she then picked up the pace. I let her wrist go as we ran non stop there. It didn't take long, thanks to a few short cuts, before we made it there.
(The only reason why it took me longer before was because not only was I taking my time but I also tried to keep an eye on Veronica and Archie before loosing both of them. Also I kinda got lost going up there…..twice.)
But once we got there Veronica was grabbed by Reggie.
"Veronica! I can't live without you." He said as she pulled away from him and pushed him to the ground. We started running and got jumped by more love zombies. I pushed them out of the way as Veronica grabbed the rope to the victory bell. She pulled it but the rope broke.
"GREAT! FUDGING GREAT!" I yelled in pure anger as I grabbed her and ran up the stairs with her. We got jumped by Jughead as she pushed back into the locker he popped out of.
*I'm sorry Jughead.* I thought as we continued. I pushed a couple out of the way as I saw Ronnie get distracted by Betty, who was giving Ronnie her sweater, before she snapped out of it and continued running. I quickly followed behind as I helped her reach the top.
"Veronica. Hurry. The sun's almost up." I told her as we saw the sun starting to rise. As she ran for the bell Archie popped up from the vent. Veronica screamed as I looked in horror. Archie looked terrible. He was pale, had bags under his eyes, and he looked both starved and dehydrated. He was talking to her and coughing but I couldn't make it out. I got in front of Veronica and and pinned Archie to the ground.
"Veronica. It's now or never. Hurry." I yelled at her as Archie barely put up a struggle. He was so weak.
"Oh Archie-kins. I'm so sorry." She said as she then ran to the bell. She didn't get far though because she was surrounded. I then felt arms grab me and yank me up.
"I've got the traitor. We adore you Veronica. We want to stay with you forever." I heard the voice of Reggie behind me.
"Archie. You adore Veronica don't you?" I heard Ronnie ask.
"I adore Veronica." I heard him say.
"And you'd do anything for me right?" She asked.
"Anything for you Veronica." He replied. What was she getting at?
"Then if you'd do anything for me then please ring that bell." She said.
*Oh I get it now. Miss Lucinda didn't say Veronica specifically had to ring the bell. Wait. If she didn't have to then I could've. Oh well. Learning experience for her.* I thought.
"Anything for Veronica." I heard Archie say as he went to the bell. Reggie let go of me ad went to stop Archie while everyone was screaming at him to stop. Before Reggie could stop him Archie rang the bell just as the sun rose. Soon everyone was out of that love zombie spell and I sighed in relief. Archie looked much better and soon everyone was asking questions.
"Aria." I heard Jughead say as he came over to me.
"Magic salt caused everyone to be love zombies for Ronnie. Except me because I didn't eat it." Jughead grew confused.
"You'll read it in the article." I simply told him as he nodded. I saw Veronica hugging and kissing and saying things like "Your back. Your alright." And "I'm glad your back to yourself." She sputtered out.
So we all went home and I made sure Archie was alright. He was very tired, hungry and thirsty but that was normal. After Archie ate and drank we started getting ready for school. Once school was over we went home to type up the article.
"This article is going to be hard to write since I don't remember anything that happened.~Archie. Veronica agrees with me and we both told Archie that he was a real pain.~Aria. I guess that if any relationship becomes too obsessive then it's not fun any more.~Archie. I guess what he's trying to say is too much of a good thing really is a bad thing.~Aria. But everything is back to normal now.~Archie. Except you won't be going to the barber any time soon.~Aria. ….In a little town called Riverdale.~Archie and Aria."
We ended the article and went to bed. Thank goodness it was Friday night. We can both get some rest. Archie more so than me.