Chapter 17: Cinemadness!
*Aria's POV* (P.S. one of my favorite episodes because it shows Reggie has a heart and how nerdy Jughead gets with movies and it's just a good episode in general.)
It was now science class, on a Monday, and we had to parter up to work on chemical compounds. I paired up with Dilton immediately since he knew chemicals better than I did. He was showing me what to do and I'm glad he showed me because I made an error in my notes. He told me if I would've done that then the chemicals would explode. Thank you smart guy!
"Dilton I owe you one." I told him with a smile as I mixed the last of the chemicals together.
"It's not a big thing." He said as I looked at him.
"Yes it is!" I told him as I moved the chemicals onto the work station and away from me.
"I would've probably got detention and had to clean. Not fun." I told him. Suddenly there was a small boom splat sound. I looked ahead and saw that someone messed up like I almost did and a big mess everywhere. Wonder who did that?
*Jughead's POV before explosion*
I had been transferred to this science class period because I had an opportunity to thanks to an open space. So I've been in this class for about two weeks now and, actually, rose my grade up a bit. When I found out Aria happened to be in this class I had decided not to goof around and show her how smart I could be. I had just got done talking to Archie, Betty and Veronica about the revival theater and asked if they wanted to come with me. Archie, apparently, made a date with both girls on the same night before he made an excuse and bolted off. I gave an annoyed look as I went back to Reggie, who I got stuck with, and was trying to think of who to take with me.
*Maybe Aria?* I thought as I stole a quick glance towards her and Dilton. She had chosen Dilton rather quickly. I don't think she realized that I'm actually somewhat good at chemistry when I take notes. I always do for this class. I hated the fact that she always chose Dilton for a partner. I wish she'd pick me for once. I sighed as I started talking to Reggie.
"Everything okay?" I asked him.
"Fat lot you care. Your to busy convincing some sucker to go see your odd ball monster flicks." Reggie said. I was getting a bit annoyed with him.
"If I go to the movies alone, then people will think I'm some obsessed weirdo." I told him.
"You are an obsessed weirdo." Reggie rudely pointed out. I put my fists on my sides as I tried not to get irritated even more.
"Yeah! But I'm an obsessed weirdo with feelings." I pointed out as I smiled. I saw him mixing chemicals and thought of something.
"Have you been following your notes?" I asked him as I looked into his open notebook. What I saw shocked me.
"Huh?" Was all I could say. I saw a picture of Reggie posed like he usually does when he flirts with girls. But that's not what shocked me. What shocked me was behind him he drew a few girls who were crying or had broken hearts around them while next to him was Aria, in an 'I 3 Reggie' tee, clinging on to his arm, looking up at him with a sweet smile and hearts around her, as she seemed love struck. I wanted to tear the picture out and shred it. I decided against it when Reggie started talking to me.
"Like I don't know what I'm doing." He replied before we were engulfed in smoke with a boom splat sound to go with it. When I cleared the smoke there was a huge mess. This can't get any worse.
"Jughead! Reggie! Stay here after class!" The professor told us. It got worse.
"Jughead. Are you okay?" I heard Aria ask me as she suddenly appeared by my side with a worried look. I smiled at her. She finally noticed me.
"Yeah. Just sticky." I told her as she then picked up a small rag and started cleaning me off.
"It's real bad. We might have to use some sort of powder to clean it off." She mumbled towards me. I felt like I was in heaven. Then the bell rang.
"Sorry Jughead." She said as she then left. Dang it! That's when Principal Weatherbee came in.
*Aria's POV*
I felt bad leaving Jughead alone, with Reggie, to suffer the punishment of Principal Weatherbee. I'm sure it's Reggie's fault somehow. I hope Reggie gets in trouble and not Jughead. But I know better. Either both of them would get in trouble or just Jughead. I sighed as I decided to wait for him outside of the school. Maybe a burger from Pop's would help. I waited for him outside for 35 minutes until both of them came out. I walked over to them.
"How bad?" I asked them. Judging how Reggie was smiling and Jughead frowning I knew what happened.
"I took the fall for Reggie." Jughead said as I grew upset. I punched Reggie in the arm.
"Ow." He yelped in pain.
"You need to learn to take responsibility." I scolded.
"It's okay. We made a deal that I would take the fall if he goes to the revival theater with me." He said as I looked at him.
"Oh." I said in shock. I was sad now. He didn't even ask me.
*Did I make him upset? Did he forget to ask me?* I thought to myself. I guess Jughead saw my sadness.
"I forgot to ask you didn't I? Would you like to go too?" He asked me.
"Please say yes. It'll make it a little bit tolerable." Reggie perked up. I smiled.
"Sure. As long as I don't sit next to Reggie. I want him to suffer." I said as I smiled at him. Reggie pouted a bit from that.
"So it's Friday?" I asked as he nodded.
"Wanna eat at Pop's 1st before the movie?" I asked them.
"Yeah! Always!" Jughead said as I giggled at his attitude towards it.
"I guess it's better than nothing." Reggie stated as we walked off together.
*Friday At 5pm*
We finished eating at Pop's and made it to the theater 10 minutes before it started. Jughead paid for my ticket, he couldn't use the unlimited one for revivals which was sad, and he got a big enough popcorn to share. I got a candy bar and two soda's. I offered to get Reggie one but he refused. Oh well. Now we were soon getting to our seats, Jughead and I dragged Reggie to the 6th row to get a great view without a neck cramp, as it went Reggie, Jughead, and myself in the row.
"I remember seeing this once. It'd be nice to see it again." I confessed.
"This is one of the good ones." Jughead commented towards me. Soon the movie started and it was off to a good start. I didn't mind black and white films.
"The studio insisted on authentic Indian rubber for the monster suits." Jughead whispered to us.
"It's used to make them more realistic and better at producing less sweat." I added in.
"Yeah that's right." Jughead whispered again as he ate a handful of popcorn.
"Fascinating. I'm so glad to be here." Reggie replied in a sarcastic tone.
"Then take responsibility." I muttered as I ate more popcorn.
"You owed me one." Jughead pointed out as he offered Reggie some popcorn. Reggie held his hand up to signal no as Jughead reclined back. I tried to focus on the movie again.
"Don't worry about the time. The is the special 3 hour director's cut." Jughead mentioned.
"Sweet." I said while eating the popcorn I had in my hand one at a time.
"But this is so boring. Boring! Bo-odacious!" I heard Reggie as I figured he took notice to the female lead. Vanessa Blaze.
"Ah! I see you've discovered B movie scream Queen Vanessa Blaze." Jughead said, confirming my suspicions. I wish I was as beautiful as her. Flawless skin, unlike my freckles, long smooth bouncy hair, unlike my while long yes but not that smooth without work and not as bouncy as hers, perfect shaped eyes and lips, while my eyes were too roundish and my lips not as plump, and she even had a better body than me. She was perfectly curved and had large like breasts, while my body was stick like. No curve, not big breasts, just not perfect. I sighed out of slight jealousy and disappointment of my looks.
*Does Jughead like this kind of woman?* I thought to myself. I had ignored a small part of the movie and the conversation. Sometime during the movie I reached my hand into the popcorn bowl to get more when I felt a hand on top of mine. I perked up and looked to see Jughead's hand on mine. I looked at him and he looked at me. Our eyes met when we suddenly retracted back. I looked away from him with a red face. I didn't see his was red as well.
*Why did I pull away?* I thought to myself as I tried to watch the rest of the movie. I was going to be flustered for a while now. By now the movie was over and Reggie couldn't wait to see it again. I rolled my eyes.
*At least he'll cut back on the flirting.* I thought to myself. Reggie went one way home as Jughead and I started heading another.
"How'd ya like the movie?" Jughead asked me.
"It was better than I remembered. Especially the cut scenes I never saw before." I told him. I couldn't help but feel self conscious now.
"Is something wrong?" Jughead asked me.
"No. Nothing." I lied while shaking my head no. What was I supposed to say?
"Are you sure?" He asked, almost insisting, to make sure.
"Yeah. I'm fine." I said as we continued. I felt like I was being watched but I couldn't confirm it.
"Do you, maybe, wanna do something tomorrow?" Jughead asked me. I shook my head no.
"Can't. Going to see Tyler tomorrow." I told him.
"Oh. Okay." He said as he looked crushed. Did he want me to say yes?
"I have Sunday free though if you don't mind going to the park with me while I work on my art project." I told him. He perked up right away.
"Sure! Maybe I can help." He said in excitement. Soon we parted ways and said goodnight. On the way home I still felt like I was being watched but I pushed it aside. Once I got close to home the feeling was gone and I could relax a little bit. Once I got home I had dinner and then went to bed. Maybe I imagined being followed? I didn't see anyone around. I decided to sleep for the night.
*The next day*
I was at Tyler's house and he wanted me to model for his project. I tried to tell him it had to be natural or in nature so he took me to the back yard and showed me a kitten, that comes around a lot, and play with him by the flowers. I sighed but said fine. It looked nice. We went inside and drank some soda and relaxed a bit.
"Do you need help with your project?" He asked me as I shook my head no.
"I'm going to the park with Jughead tomorrow and see what I can do there." I told him.
"You seem to hang around Dilton and Jughead a lot." He commented.
"Yeah? They're my friends." I told him.
"So nothing is going on?" He asked me out of the blue.
"I'm not sure what you mean." I said as I looked at him. Tyler suddenly pulled me close and kissed me on the cheek. I gaped at what he just did.
"Well since nothing is going on and your single then you wouldn't mind that." He told me with that sly smile of his. I was just at a loss of words.
"I'm willing to go slow and wait until you want to date but I don't want the other's to make moves on you. I know Ronin already did and so did Collins." He told me.
*Make moves? Wait. Ronin? That night I was attacked? And Collins? Christmas Eve? They made moves? Others? Oh Gingersnaps they're crushing on me.* I mentally smacked my head after realizing all of this.
"But I would like to kiss you for real." Tyler said, snapping me out of my thoughts, as he leaned in to kiss me with his eyes closed. I put my hand up and blocked him. He opened his eyes and they questioned me.
"Tyler. Your very sweet. But I'm not into you like that. I. Well I." I said as I put my hand down and looked away from him with a red face.
"You're crushing on Dilton and Jughead huh?" He asked me. My eyes went wide as I looked at him.
"How'd-" I started to ask.
"I can tell. I could on Halloween when you hugged Jughead. I saw it with Dilton in the halls a few times how he makes you blush lightly sometimes. I notice these things. I just didn't want to believe it." He said as he sighed. He then let go of me and looked away. I'm sure I made him feel bad.
"I'm so sorry if I lead you or the others on. I never meant to. I was never really flirted with so it's hard to tell. Reggie I can tell but that's Reggie. I'm sorry." I told him as I lightly touched his hand. He looked at me and smiled.
"Nah! It's my fault. I shouldn't have pushed like that." He said as he lightly smiled.
"I still want to be friends. I view you guys like brothers I never had." I said as I smiled at him.
"I understand that. I'll let the guys know and you can confirm it on Monday." He said as I smiled at him. I soon left and decided to eat at Pop's.
*I haven't ate all day.* I thought as I got there. I walked in and saw Reggie talking with everyone. I decided to go over and see what was up.
"Hey guys. What's going on here?" I asked as I pointed to Reggie in question.
"I was just telling them that if Vanessa Blaze ever met me she'd be all over me. If only I could go to Hollywood. Vanessa and I would make the perfect couple." Reggie said with confidence. He saw the look on my face.
"What's the matter Aria? Jealous?" He asked me. I shook my head lightly.
"Reggie. I'm not sure how to say this." I started off as I sighed and sat next to Archie.
"Vanessa Blaze is dead." I told him in a sad tone.
"What?!" He questioned and exclaimed at the same time. I nodded lightly and sighed again.
"She died in a plane crash 20 years ago. I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you. If you don't believe me then look it up. It was in the news papers. The only reason I know is because I looked up her name and saw the article online." I told him. I hated to tell him. What I hated more was the sadness in his eyes. He must really be in love to feel that kind of sadness.
"Say it ain't so!" Reggie practically hollered as he looked to Jughead. Jughead nodded.
"She's right Reggie." He told him. Suddenly Reggie got really depressed and rested his cheeks on his open hands.
"That's not fair." Reggie pouted. I felt really bad now.
"I do have some good news. The revival theater is showing another Vanessa Blaze film starting Friday." He mentioned.
"Really?" Reggie perked up.
"Yeah. One I've never seen. Biker Chicks vs The Tiny Terrors. A real departure for her as an actress." Jughead stated.
"Yeah. In that one she's blonde." I added. Jughead and Reggie looked at me.
"I saw almost the whole thing. The power went out near the ending so I never got to finish it. Mind if I come?" I asked Jughead.
"Not at all." He said.
"I'm there." Reggie said, filled with excitement, as I smiled at him being happy.
"Fan boy." Veronica said to him. I giggled a bit. I ordered food and left for the day.
*Time skip to Friday*
A lot had happened before today. Sunday Jughead helped me with finding a nice secluded place in the park to sketch, Monday I did let the guys know how I felt about them and apologized for leading them on. They were bummed that I wasn't into any of them but they were happy that I viewed them like friends/brothers. I got an A+ on my art project, no surprise there, and managed to get a B- on a pop quiz in French class. Now it's Friday night and Jughead couldn't go but I was still going to see it with Reggie. As bad as that was. We finished the movie and started walking out.
"Wow! The ending was even more epic than I thought. Right Reggie?" I asked but no response.
"Reggie?" I asked as I looked and soon saw him drive off to who knows where.
"Really?" I muttered in annoyance. I shrugged and walked home from there.
*Saturday morning around 10:30 am*
I had skipped going out with Archie and said I'd meet him later. I wasn't feeling so good today. I heard the theater got destroyed last night during the final showing of the night until tomorrow in the late afternoon. Also found out that half the town got destroyed by either rabid raccoons or monkeys or something along those lines. I was hoping to both feel better and see if the theater was opened and cleaned up. I tried to eat something but I wasn't up for it at all. Uhg. I wanted to investigate this and see if this is a weird mystery or not. I'm sure it is. It's rarely not. I got ready and headed out with a few snacks and drinks in my bag for when I'm better. I had roamed around town and saw the mess. What ever did this did a good job at the destruction.
"Definitely not rabid raccoons." I muttered to myself. I rounded the corner and gasped at the sight. I saw little green monster imps trashing a car.
*No way. Those look like The Tiny Terrors. But how?* I thought as they spotted me.
"Attack!" I heard the one with the crown scream and then giggle as they came at me.
"Uh oh." I thought as, before I knew it, I was jumped on. I shrieked as they tore my new plain black tank top apart and threw dirt and oil on me.
"Shoo! Go!" I heard a familiar voice as they ran off. I looked and saw small car parts get tossed at them. I looked up at my savior as he helped me up.
"Thanks Jughead. Where did they come from?" I asked.
"No problem. We're not sure but we think they came out of the movie with Carlotta." He told me.
"Wait Carlotta? As in the biker chick leader?" I asked as he nodded.
"This has Reggie written and stained all over it!" I said.
"Yeah. She was with Reggie." He said as I groaned.
"That boy needs to take responsibility." I said.
"How much do you know about the movie?" Jughead asked me.
"Enough to know. Why?" I asked as he then started dragging me somewhere.
"Come on then. You're going to help us with this. I'll meet them at Reggie's." He said.
"But there heading for the daycare. Didn't Reggie say he had a 3 year old niece?" I asked as he looked at me.
"Your right. We need to warn Reggie." He said.
"But the sooner we get to the daycare the better." I mentioned. Jughead scowled in thought of what to do.
"Ok. You head for the daycare and try to get the kids out. I'll get Reggie and Archie fast." He said as I nodded my head and split up.
*He's cute when he takes charge. NOT NOW HEART!* I thought and mentally scolded myself as I ran to the daycare center. It took me a while to get there because they had let the zoo animals out and I had to avoid a tiger. Not fun. I was right. They were at the daycare causing trouble. They were messing everything up. I heard the kids crying as I ran into the room. I saw no adults and the king go over to a little girl with brown hair in pigtails and blue eyes with a pink sweater and a yellow skirt. I saw other imps eating the snacks, destroying toys, and scarring the kids. I'm mad now. I grabbed a broom from outside the room and ran inside and swatted them away.
"Get away from these kids!" I yelled and smacked a few. They didn't like that. I had my broom yanked from me so I grabbed some toys and threw it at them.
"Amy!" I heard Reggie say. I looked over and saw the king get closer to that girl. She must be Amy. I ran over and soon shielded her as he went to swipe.
"That's my niece you little creep!" I heard Reggie say as I protected her. Reggie had rolled a toy over and knocked him out.
"Amy. Are you okay?" I heard Reggie ask as I let go of her so he could pick her up and check on her. She had a few tears fall and they hugged each other.
*He cares so much for her. Why can't he always be this nice?* I thought to myself.
"Reggie! Get the king. You need to trap him in something. Archie! Jughead! Get these imps out of here. I'll get the kids to safety!" I yelled out as I took Amy from Reggie and looked at her.
"It's okay sweetie. I'm Reggie's friend. I'm here to help." I told her as she nodded and clung on to me. I soon gathered up the kids and kicked a couple imps away from them as I lead them to a safe part of the daycare. I couldn't leave them alone with out an adult.
"Aria hurry." Jughead ran in here.
"I can't leave them alone. Try to find a worker or a parent. I'll stay here until then. I'll meet you at the theater." I told him as he nodded and ran off. I was comforting the kids and cleaning there faces when a few of the parents arrived. They thanked me and took looked after the kids.
"Amy." I heard a voice as I saw a man who looked like an older and better looking Reggie. His brother.
"Daddy." She yelled and ran over to him.
"Thank you miss." He said to me.
"Thank Reggie. He helped a lot along with Archie and Jughead." I told him.
"You wouldn't happen to be Aria Andrews would you?" He asked me as I nodded.
"I'd like to chat but I need to help them get rid of those imps." I said as I darted off to the theater. I ran inside just in time to see Reggie jump into the movie on a bike along with Carlotta and the imps following behind him and into the screen.
"Reggie!" I yelled as I ran up to Archie and Miss Lucinda.
"How do we get him out?" I shouted as Reggie looked panicked.
"Now Jughead. Now!" I heard Miss Lucinda shout as then the filmed stopped rolling. I blinked and then saw Reggie on the floor.
"Reggie! Your back." Veronica, Betty and I said at the same time as we went over to help him up.
"Wow. I guess I did it. That's right! Reggie Mantle! Super Hero!" He boasted and I let him go. He's back. I then looked at Miss Lucinda and smiled.
"You knew just what to do didn't you? So that Reggie wouldn't be stuck there forever." I questioned her as she smiled and nodded.
"I made the portal so only those who escaped could go back. To bring Reggie back all we need to do was stop the film." She said as I smiled.
"You did this to teach Reggie responsibility didn't you Miss Lucinda?" I asked her as she nodded.
"I always know what's best." She said with a smile. I soon felt someone hug me tightly.
"Aria thank you! Thank you for helping save my niece Amy. Your an angel." He told me as Jughead came down and saw this. He looked upset of sorts.
"Reggie? You're welcome and all that. But your starting to choke me a bit." I told him as he let me go.
"Sorry." He said. Soon we headed home as Reggie helped clean up the town and put the animals away. Archie and I got started on the article. Man I missed a lot. Especially when Reggie emailed us his part of the story.
"And so the imps were returned to their movie world and Reggie gave up his 'new' girlfriend. ~Aria. There was a lot of clean up work thanks to the imps visit. Reggie was so delighted with this new responsibility that he helped volunteer to round up the loose zoo animals. ~Archie. Now see? If Reggie could stay that nice and responsible like I saw today then he'd have a wonderful girlfriend in no time. ~Aria. Getting off subject Aria. ~Archie. Sorry. ~Aria. Anyways. I guess it was seeing the scarred faces of those kids that convinced him to do the right thing. ~Archie. Especially since one was his niece. ~Aria. Of course Reggie gave up going to Jughead's movies. ~Archie. Which is good for me since I won't get asked out to them by Reggie anymore. Hopefully. ~Aria. You're doing it again. ~Archie. Sorry. Again. ~Aria. Anyways he gave up those movies, for now, but then again everyone has different tastes. ~Archie. …...In a little town called Riverdale! ~Archie and Aria." We finished the article and called it a night. I decided, before going to bed, to see if I can fix/improve my ripped tank top some how. But that's for another time as I soon fell asleep.