Chapter 29: Revenge Of Vlad!
*Third POV*
It was a dark and stormy night. Lightning was flashing all around. Then suddenly, in a quick flash, one particular bolt of lightning hit the ground. Normally this wouldn't matter but for the spot it hit it was a big problem. For you see, this was the spot where Jughead, Dilton, and Aria buried Vlad, the robot dummy, while Archie waited for them by the car. Now, after months, the electricity from that bolt of lightning awoken Vlad from his slumber. Vlad had soon reached out of the ground and laughed a maniacal laugh as he pulled himself all the way out.
"I'm coming for you my bride!" He shouted as he laughed again and soon took off into the night. He had found a cabin in the woods and, after shooing the meowing dog away, had found out that the woman who lived here was into voodoo and magic of sorts. He snuck in and found a potion with an interesting label on it. He stole it and ran off without waking the woman up. When she did wake up after he left she soon saw her bottle missing and gasped.
"I hope no one plans on using it!" Miss Lucinda said as Vlad dashed off near the town of Riverdale and began to form a plan.
"Aria Andrews will be my bride! I'll be rid of Dilton Doiley and Jughead Jones this time!" He shouted and laughed as he found a place inside a hollowed out tree to hide and plan.
*Aria's POV*
Today was Thursday. This was the weekend, which was the week after Robo-Reggie, we were going up to Betty's uncle's cabin for water skiing. Reggie didn't want to go so it was me, Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead. I didn't like the fact that it was going to be an odd number. Anyways Pops called me and asked me to work as a server for a couple hours, which I didn't think I'd do, and agreed to it happily. Now I was dressed in jeans and my French writing white shirt and my black knee high boots as I used my skates to get down to Pop's by 9:45 am. I rushed in and saw Pops at the register.
"Yes! Not late!" I cheered as I skated up to him.
"Hey Aria. Glad to see you here early. I hope you don't mind a couple extra hours." He told me as I smiled at him.
"Not at all." I smiled at him.
"I figured if you can serve then this uniform won't be wasted." He told me as he held up a black bag over a hanger.
"Huh?" I asked him.
"Well I noticed yesterday that while you cleaned up you also refilled a few drinks and helped out a bit more than I thought. So I've decided to test you and see how well you do with cleaning tables and serving people." He told me as I smiled widely at him.
"You won't regret it!" I shouted with glee as I took the uniform and dashed off into the bathroom to dress in it quickly. It was okay….I guess. It was styled old fashioned like where the skirt went to my knees and flared out a bit and black. I had a very light pink button up top, that was a heart top with puffy shoulder sleeve's like the top of Snow White's dress and it even had white lace trimming at the end of the shoulder sleeves. Other than that it was sleeveless. It also came with a tiny red bow tie and a white apron that was only a waist down one with lace trimming on it. I kept on my black boots and my black fingerless gloves as I pulled out my make up and touched up my usual black eyeliner with light pink eye shadow and added blush that looked spray painted on me. Also decided on strawberry lip balm to gloss my lips. I noticed a little hat like Pops and redid my hair into two low pigtails, using white hair ties I found in my bag, and pinned the hat on. The outfit didn't suit me well but better than a mini school girl skirt. I stepped out of the bathroom and quickly put my bag behind the counter. I had an idea.
"Hey Pops, if it's alright with you, can I use my skates? I can move faster with them and I promise I won't drop anything." I asked him and then let him know about the speed and balance as he looked at me with a small smile.
"Sure. It'd help with the to go orders too." He said as I smiled brightly at him.
"Thanks Pops." I said as I clipped my skates on. Soon teens were piling in. I was doing good. I did a few spins for fun to catch attention. It worked. I popped a few quarters in the machine to get some music going and man was this fun.
"Aria! Booth 5!" Pops said to me as I nodded and skated grabbed the tray of food to bring over to the booth. I soon recognized the group of guys laughing away. "Hey guys!" I said cheerfully as they fell silent and looked at me in my uniform.
"I bet I can guess who got what!" I said cheerfully as I looked at the food. Still no response. I put the food in front of them and smiled.
"Any refills?" I asked. Still nothing.
"Okay seriously guys! What the fudge?" I nearly yelled at them.
"And there's the proof of the real deal!" Geoff said as the guys laughed lightly.
"Sorry Aria. We didn't know you worked here. Also you look different in uniform." Ronin pointed out as I lightly blushed and adverted my eyes from them.
"Pops is letting me work here part time here so I can earn some money." I mumbled lightly. I then looked at them with a smile.
"So? Yes on the refills?" I asked them again. I got a few yes and got down what drinks they had as I skated to the fountain and quickly refilled before returning with a tiny spin.
"Alrightly boys! I'll bring you the check later." I told them as I skated off to the next open table. I opened the tiny note book and pulled out the pen from behind my ear.
"Welcome to Pop Tate's, may I take your order?" I asked without looking up.
"Aria?" I heard a familiar voice. I looked up with a huge grin on my face.
"Hey Dilton. Need a minute?" I asked him.
"You work here now?" He asked me.
"Yeah. Part time and first time server. I started on Tuesday and got called in and bunked up as a trial run." I told him.
"Do you really need money?" He suddenly asked me.
"Kinda. Allowance is good but lately I've had to use more then I needed on different things. It's hard to save up. I'm just glad I can do this." I said with a small smile.
"So, cutie pie, what can I get ya?" I asked him in a small flirty way as I got ready to take his order. I jotted it down and smiled at him.
"I'll be back with your drink." I told him as I skated off. I picked up a few dirty dishes on the way to the back to get Dilton's drink and maneuvered smoothly. I dropped the dishes off in the back and got Dilton's drink ready as I skated back over to him.
"Here ya go." I said with a smile as I set the drink down in front of him.
"By the way Aria, do you have any plans this weekend?" He asked me.
"Actually I do. I'm going with Betty, Veronica, Archie and Jughead up to Betty's uncle's cabin to water ski and other stuff." I said as he looked a bit disappointed.
"Wanna tag along? I'm sure Betty wouldn't mind. Plus it's easier to have 6 instead of 5 so we can all have a partner instead of one being left out or alone." I pointed out to him. I'm sure Betty wouldn't mind at all.
"Are you sure?" He asked me.
"Yes I'm sure. I spend a lot of time with Jughead and I feel like I'm not spending enough time with my other boyfriend. So maybe this weekend can help." I said with a smile.
"I, well, I." He started to say.
"Don't worry about the water skiing. I don't know how to either. Betty can teach us though." I said with a smile.
"Sure! Why not." He suddenly said with confidence.
"Great. I'll be back with your food and give you the details." I said to him as I suddenly skated off. I cleaned, filled out more orders, collected the bills, and gave Dilton his food and cleaned up after him and what not. Soon my 4 hours was up for the day.
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay a bit longer?" I asked him suddenly.
"Don't worry about it. You're good to go." He told me as I smiled at him.
"Alright." I said as I went to go change until I bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry Po-Aria?" Jughead asked in surprise.
"Hey Jughead. Perfect timing! I just got off my shift and was going to change." I said to him.
"Aw.~ But if I would've known you were here sooner then I would've loved for you to serve me." Jughead said as I blushed lightly.
"M-maybe next time." I mumbled out.
"You look cute in the uniform. Maybe you can wear it at the cabin and serve me some burgers?" He asked in a flirty teasing way. I blushed a deeper shade of red.
"D-don't tease me." I mumbled out.
"Who says I'm teasing?" He asked me in a flirty way as I blushed harder.
"I-I'll be right back." I sputtered out as I darted into the bathroom. I got out of uniform and in normal clothes. I saw Jughead sitting at the booth and, before going there, Pops called me over.
"What's up?" I asked him.
"I got a lot of great reviews from your customers today. I want you to be a server from now on. 3-5 days a week for 6-8 hours and a 15-30 minute break. Sound good?" He asked me. I gawked at that.
"Yes. Yes of course." I told him.
"Also as an employee you get your food half off when on shift and free drinks. Oh! And here!" He was telling me before he remembered something and dug in his pocket. He soon held a wad of money and handed it to me.
"What?" I asked barely above a whisper.
"This is the tips you earned today. I'll also start paying you every week starting next week. You'll also get next week's pay and this week's starting next Friday." He told me.
"Th-thank you. Thank you so much Pops." I said as I hugged him.
"Jughead already ordered for you. He's over there waiting." He told me as I let go and nodded.
"Alright. Thanks again Pops." I said as I walked over to Jughead. I sat across from him with a huge grin on my face.
"What's with the grin? Get your 1st paycheck?" Jughead asked me. I smiled and laid the money down in front of him.
"Tips! For just today! For me!" I said in a near squeaky voice as Jughead's jaw hit the table.
"I'm gonna count it real fast!" I said as I began counting it up. Pops brought over our burgers and drinks with a smile.
"Counting tips?" Pops asked me.
"Yeah." I muttered as my jaw finally dropped.
"Pops? Did you count this right?" I asked him suddenly.
"Yeah. I did. I saw the little spins you did and had the music going. It was a nice show for everyone to enjoy. That's partially why you got tipped so well." He told me as I shook my head.
"Pops! It's almost $50! In just tips!" I said as I had to stop myself from shouting.
"And you've earned it." He said as he patted my head and left.
"Wow! You gonna save it?" Jughead asked me as he, too, was impressed.
"Yeah." I muttered as I put the cash in my wallet and put the wallet in my pocket. Soon Jughead and I were eating and laughing together. Jughead paid and we were now walking back to my house.
"I Can't wait to be alone with you." Jughead said as I looked at him.
"What do you mean?" I asked him.
"You and me, alone, by a beautiful lake with the moon shining down on us." He said as I got the hint of 'perfect date' plans.
"That reminds me. It won't be you and I." I told him.
"Yeah, I know. But Archie has Betty and Veronica so-" Jughead started but I stopped him.
"Not what I meant. I invited Dilton along." I told him as he then looked at me.
"Really?" He asked in both shock and disappointment.
"Well he's also my boyfriend and an even number is safer than an odd one. Plus he needs to get out of the lab more and I feel like I'm not spending enough time with him. I just have to let Archie and Betty know is all." I told Jughead as he sighed.
"Alright. Whatever makes you happy." Jughead said as I smiled at him. We took a short cut through the park and met up with Dilton half way through. We were unaware of doll eyes watching us from a hollow tree. We made it back to the house as I saw Archie and Betty ready to kiss.
"Sorry to interrupt!" I said kinda loudly as they jumped away from each other.
"Hey Aria." Betty greeted me.
"Betty. Dilton's gonna join us so it's an even group up there and so no one's left out." I told her as she smiled.
"Sure. No problem." Betty said as Dilton and Jughead entered the room. The plan was Betty and Veronica stay at her house while Jughead, and now Dilton, stay here that way we can leave early in the morning with no problems. Archie and I went into the garage, to find a few things, and that's when I realized something.
"Um, Archie?" I questioned him.
"Yeah." He said as he looked at me.
"Um, Where are they going to sleep tonight?" I whispered to him. Archie was going to say something but then had a look of realization on his face.
"Aria! You're staying at Betty's tonight!" He practically ordered.
"No way! Why?" I shouted out, completely forgetting the garage door was left open.
"Because they're your boyfriends and you shouldn't sleep in the same house with them." Archie pointed out.
"But Jughead has spent the night here twice and me at his place once! How is this different besides Dilton being here?" I asked him with a loud voice, unaware of 5 others listening in.
"Because before you were just friends." Archie started.
"I don't believe this! You're a hypocrite. I'm sure you've stayed the night with Betty and/or Veronica at least once and you're dating both! Plus we're all staying in the same cabin? So what?" I started to tell him off.
"I don't want you-" He started to say before I finished gathering the cooler and other things in a pile and walked off without a word. No way I was going to listen to him. I went upstairs to pack my stuff up. A couple pairs of shorts, my new hiking boots, a couple tank tops, my make up and jewelery, even if I don't use them, and my underwear. I heard a knock.
"Unless you're Archie come in." I said as I started searching for my swim suit.
"You okay?" Dilton asked me.
"Yeah. I'm fine." I said to him.
"I heard the argument." He told me.
"You did?" I asked in an embarrassed way.
"I understand where he's coming from though." He told me as I sighed.
"He's not being fair though. And, besides, I trust you two completely. Nothing will change that." I said to him as I went from a crouching position to a stretching one.
*Maybe I left it up here somehow?* I thought as I then felt arms around me. I made a tiny eep and, instinctively, put my hands on his arms. I didn't hurt him or anything but I, most of the time, reflexed like that.
"Sorry. Did I scare you?" Dilton asked me.
"A little. It's okay though." I muttered as I put my hands over his and leaned a little bit into him to accept the hug.
"If you need to talk, I'll listen." He told me in my ear as he then kissed my cheek lightly.
"Thanks. I'll be fine though." I told him as I remembered something.
"Dilton?" I asked him.
"Yeah?" He questioned me back.
"Can you let go? I just remembered where my swimsuit is." I told him as he let me go. I heard him take a few steps back. I went to the back of my closet and pulled out my wizard trunk before opening it and searching through it. I had a few things, like pictures taken here in Riverdale, or souvenirs from the mysteries in bags and jars, or other things too special to take out that I've kept in here. I reached to the bottom and smiled.
"Found it!" I nearly shouted as I pulled out a small shopping bag. I closed the trunk and shoved it in the back of the closet before standing up, closing the closet, and walked over to the small suitcase Archie loaned me.
"What is it?" Dilton asked me.
"My swim suit Aunt Mary bought me. The problem is it's a two piece instead of a one." I told him as I put it in the suitcase and went to my desk to pull out my brush, hair ties, and a few scrunchies to put in the bag.
"Is that really a bad thing?" He asked me as I stopped packing and looked up quickly at him and meet his eyes.
"My scar Dilton. I don't like anyone seeing it. Archie and my aunt and uncle have seen it and I don't want others to see until I get it tattooed." I told him as I heard my door open.
"You're getting a tattoo?" I heard Jughead say as I looked up. Dilton and I looked at him.
"Sorry. I was going to knock when I heard that." He said to me.
"It's fine, and yes I am when I'm 18. I don't know what I want yet but the scar is to ugly to keep and the procedure is both expensive and unreliable of a skin recovery because of the damage done." I told them both.
"What did you need?" I asked him in a concerned way.
"I wanted to bring you your toothbrush and paste." He said as he held it up.
"Oh." I mumbled out.
"You shouldn't get a tattoo. It's not natural." Dilton pointed out.
"Yeah. Tattoos are overrated anyways." Jughead said as he handed me the last of my stuff.
"I think they're kinda cool if you get the right one. Remember I'm an artist so tattoos are like art but put on skin instead of paper." I told them as I looked up and saw there mixed faces.
"Still, not only is that a small ways away but, I have to find the perfect piece to put there. Not something random but something that means an awful lot to me." I told them with a small smile.
"Still." Dilton said but didn't push it.
"So. Are we going to see you in a swimsuit without a shirt?" Jughead randomly asked me. I swear he was becoming bold and a small bit perverted. I couldn't prove the second one but the first one was there.
"No. And even if so I'm still wearing a life jacket." I told them both as Jughead seemed disappointed.
"You both should leave before Archie gets mad. Thanks for helping me though." I told them with a small smile as I closed and zipped up the bag.
"Where are you sleeping?" Dilton asked me.
"I'm not staying at Betty's with Veronica I'll tell ya that." I said to them.
"You're not?" Jughead questioned me.
"No. I'm not too big on girl talk, especially when it's my cousin *Shudders*, and I've been…..having some bad dreams lately. The last thing I need is to wake them up." I said as I shrugged and mentally starting to think of anything I forgot.
"Did they start after you went to that limbo realm?" Jughead asked me. I stopped my mental list and looked at him.
"Yeah. Actually they did. I don't always remember them but I keep waking up in a fright." I confessed.
"Perhaps I can work on a dream machine. It will take months though." Dilton told me as I smiled at him.
"I think I can wait." I said with a smile.
"So one or both of you might end up on the couch and if only one then the other will sleep on the floor or in Archie's room. Simple." I said with a smile while grabbing the bag and kissed each of them on the cheek before skipping out the door and down the stairs. Jughead and Dilton soon followed me as I reached the bottom and ignored Archie to head to the garage.
"Archie I need the keys to get into the trunk!" I yelled to him when I made it into the garage.
"It should be open!" He yelled back as I looked and saw the trunk was opened just like he said.I tossed the bag in there and shut the trunk.
"I'm closing the garage door." I yelled as I went over to the door and closed it. I was unaware of the eyes under the car watching my every move.
"I still think you should sleep over at Betty's" Archie told me as I rolled my eyes.
"No one's sleeping in my room either way." I pointed out as I walked over to him. I shut the door and went into the living room.
"But!" Archie was saying.
"If you're that worried about it then you sleep over at Betty's so your bed and the couch are open. You know me Arch. You and I both know nothing will happen and if they try anything I'll easily break their arm." I said as Jughead and Dilton chuckled awkwardly.
"You're right. I'm being over protective." Archie said as he waved a hand and brushed this whole thing off. I wanted to question it but decided against it. Actually all I did was shrug and head over to the movie rack.
"Anyone wanna watch a movie?" I asked them. Before I knew it Archie had left to, indeed, sleep over at Betty's, hypocrite, while Jughead and Dilton were arguing about a movie to watch. I grew bored of the 20 minute argument. I gave a loud whistle and both immediately stopped and looked at me.
"Chill guys. Seriously. If we can't decide on a movie then how about a few episodes of Star Trek?" I asked them.
"Fine."
"Fair enough." They mumbled with their heads turned the other way and a faint blush on their cheeks. I giggled lightly as I put the first season of Star Trek in and watched from episode one. By the time episode 5 came on I had to turn it off. I saw Dilton and Jughead fell asleep so I adjusted them, put a pillow under them, a couple sheets over them, then made my way upstairs to my room, slipped on a night gown that was thin, lavender, spaghetti strapped and went to my mid thigh, set my alarm, and was soon asleep. I woke up to 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica and groaned. I didn't have a nightmare but man was I tired. I looked at the alarm. 4 AM.
"Why!~" I whined lightly as I forced myself out of bed. I didn't like getting up early, especially during summer vacation. I stretched a bit before turning my alarm off. I decided to grab a quick breakfast, and even though I hate it maybe coffee, to wake up a bit. I sluggishly walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. I wasn't thinking clearly. I opened the fridge to look for food and saw nothing edible for me. I sighed and closed the fridge door. That's when I noticed it. A wasp. I screeched very loudly and began to panic. I made a run for it and felt a sting. Dang it.
"What's wrong?" I heard a panic voice ask. I looked up and saw Jughead and Dilton at the door way, clothes shuffled and hair messy, as they looked at me.
"Wasp. Stung me. Allergic." I mustered out in a panic as I checked my right shoulder blade where it stung me. I could see it starting to swell up.
"Where's your-" Dilton started asking me.
"Bathroom, upstairs, medicine cabinet." I told him as I held my shoulder. Wasp stings hurt. Dilton ran quickly as Jughead found the wasp still lingering around and got rid of it. Dilton bolted down and I showed him where the sting was. I wouldn't be able to reach it so he injected the EpiPen into the sting just as Archie bolted through the door.
"What happened? I heard you screech from Betty's!" Archie said as Betty and Veronica shot in after him.
"I'm okay. I just saw a wasp and got stung was all." I told him as I got up and threw away the used EpiPen and ribbed the sore spot.
"Do you need-" Archie started to ask me before he was cut off.
"I already injected the EpiPen in her sting. She should be fine." Dilton informed him as Archie sighed in relief.
"That's good." Archie muttered.
"You woke us up over a wasp? And from it stinging you? I get that it's a bug but don't you think that was over dramatic?" Veronica asked me these questions.
"You're one to talk." I muttered to her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Veronica said as she got upset.
"Veronica stop. Aria's allergic to bee stings and that includes wasps. The stings swell up and they could kill her easily with enough stings or a sting to her throat." Archie suddenly told her.
"Oh. I never knew." Veronica said as she then felt guilty.
"It's fine. I always carry an EpiPen in my bag and packed a few for the trip just in case. It's not a big deal." I said as I shrugged but then winced at the pain of the sting.
"So much for needing coffee to wake up. I'm gonna get ready." I muttered the first part before I spoke up for them to hear me.
"Alright. Since we're up anyways we might as well get ready." Archie pointed out as we agreed and I headed upstairs to the bathroom. I hopped in the shower real quick before drying off, tossing the gown back on, and head to my room to change. I tossed on my usual jeans and decided to wear my new blue single strap lightly sparkled top with butterfly pin where the strap was to look like it was holding it together, and a pair of blue sleeves that went to the elbows. They were like gloves but without the hands. I went back into the bathroom and put on my black eye liner with a tint of blue metallic in the black and light blue eye shadow. I also put in sea shell earrings and put my hair up in a sideways low ponytail so it was opposite of the sleeve. I looked over my choice once before I went downstairs and put on blue flip flops and then went into the kitchen.
"What's for breakfast?" I asked as I then got a whiff of pancakes. I started drooling immediately.
"Great timing. Jughead just made pancakes for us." Betty said as my eyes drifted to the cook and saw a pile of pancakes on a plate practically calling me.
"And this ones yours. My specialty and your favorite." Jughead said as he then added the syrup and the whip cream. He didn't have to tell me twice. I was over by him and the pancakes in a blink of an eye.
"Thank you!" I said happily as I kissed his cheek and pulled out a fork. I was eating them before sitting at the table.
"Geeze. You're such a slob." Veronica said as I glared at her.
"There good alright!" I said after I swallowed a mouthful of pancakes before stuffing my face again.
"I think it's kinda cute. She loves good food like I do." Jughead pointed out as I smiled a proud smile before sipping on some Peach juice Dilton got me.
"Thanks Dilton. I needed that." I told him as I kissed his cheek as well. I didn't want him to feel neglected at all. That was the point in inviting him after all. He smiled and continued eating. I swear Jughead could read my mind, or my stomach, because as soon as I emptied my plate he replaced it with another batch of peaches and cream pancakes and kissed my cheek. I smiled and dug right in.
"Geeze Aria, How much food can you pack away?" Archie asked me.
"A lot." I said through a small mouthful as I shoved more pancakes in my mouth.
"Do you even gain weight?" Veronica asked me. I swallowed the mouthful and looked at her.
"Sure I do. Since I've been here I've gained 14 pounds but it was weight I needed to gain anyways. I move around a lot and have a good metabolism so I can eat a lot and not gain too much weight." I told her as I shoveled another mouthful of pancakes down my throat.
"Wow. I never thought I'd meet the day anyone could eat as much as Jughead." Betty commented.
"I don't think she can." Archie said as I looked at them. I swallowed and puffed my cheeks out.
"I can." I pouted as they laughed.
"Trust me Aria, no one eats as much as Jughead." Archie said as Jughead finished eating and looked at us with a smile.
"It's true." Jughead said proudly.
"I could." I said in a pouty tone.
"It's physically impossible. Actually it's physically impossible for Jughead to eat so much and not gain a pound or even have his stomach explode." Dilton said scientifically. I pouted again.
"Next time we go to Pop Tate's I challenge you to an eat off. Loser pays the bill." I challenged Jughead as I pointed my finger at him.
"Fine. Be ready to pay though." He told me with a small smile as I smiled right back.
"Alright calm down you two. Let's hurry up so we can go." Archie said as I scarfed down my remaining pancakes quickly. Archie washed the dishes while Jughead helped put them away, Betty and Veronica argued about Veronica bringing too much stuff and had to narrow it down, Dilton and I were in the garage checking the list to make sure everything was set and the unknown of his presence, familiar dummy, hid under the car and secured himself to it to follow us all the way to the cabin. Once everything was set and in order we got in the car and drove off. Veronica was up front while in the back, from diver's side to passenger's, was Betty, Dilton and Jughead while I sat on Jughead's lap and rested my legs on Dilton's lap. I don't remember falling asleep but I guess I did because Jughead and Dilton woke me up to tell me we were there. I blinked and yawned before stepping out of the car and stretched.
"Have a good nap?" Archie asked me as he opened the trunk.
"Yes I did." I said with a smile. I looked around and gasped at the beauty I saw.
"Betty it's magnificent out here." I told her as I took in a huge breath of fresh air.
"I'm glad you like it out here." Betty said with a smile on her face.
"Betty, When Aria says magnificent that's a rare thing." Archie told her as Betty just looked at him in shock.
"I don't see what's so great about it. Oh well. It's nice to get away from Reggie and spend some alone time with Archie-kins." Veronica said as she then hugged my cousins left arm. I gagged. I grabbed my bag and rushed inside just as a fight started up. I went into the unlocked cabin and looked around. I was rustic but nice. It was better than nothing. Soon the girls came in and the arguing seemed to stop.
"Hey Betty? Where are we all sleeping?" I suddenly asked her.
"Well we only have three rooms so we can either sleep in pairs or threes." She said as the guys walked in.
"No sleeping with Jughead or Dilton Aria." Archie scolded me as I glared at him.
"Then you can't sleep with Betty or Veronica either." I told him as he looked at me with a glare.
"Alright enough. Either Aria can sleep with us or her and Archie can share the third room. Alright?" Betty practically shouted out to stop us from fighting. Archie and I showed me to the rooms and we went in one while the boys went outside to get things ready. Veronica immediately started a fight with Betty over Archie and I walked out.
"Nope!" I said as I walked into the third room and unpacked my stuff. I went downstairs and grabbed Archie's things to bring upstairs.
"Hey we're gonna go outside. Wanna get into a swimsuit and join us?" Betty asked me as both her and Veronica walked up to me, outside the third room, in swimsuits.
"Will you two stop fighting for 20 minutes at least?" I asked them. Veronica was going to say something but then Betty elbowed her and spoke up.
"Yeah. We'll try." Betty said in an apologetic way.
"Then I'll be outside in a bit." I told her with a smile. They smiled at me and then walked down the stairs to go outside. I sighed and went into the third room to put Archie's bag to the side. I went to my bag and decided to wear my swimsuit.
"Hey Aria." Archie called me.
"In the third room. You're bag is here." I called as he came in.
"We bunking?" He asked me.
"Sorry but Betty and Ronnie made me snap." I confessed as he sighed.
"Fair enough." He sighed out and shook his head.
"I'm going to hop in the shower quickly." He told me.
"Fine." I told him as he went down the hall to one of the two bathrooms with a shower. I sighed and then I got undressed and then wore my 2 piece halter tie top leopard print swimsuit. I loved it except you can see my scar. It was on my right side. It was bigger than my hand and the straps barely went over it. It was on my ribs and it spread thin to my upper right back. My tops can cover it easily but not this one. I hated it. It was reddish pink and wrinkled up. It was so ugly. I cleaned my make up off and decided to keep it off in case I went swimming later. I tossed my hair up in a bun on top of my head and took off my earrings. I also switched my blue flip flops for my black ones. I saw the scar again from the mirror and sighed again.
*I need to stop looking at it.* I thought as I started looking through my bag for a black top, sun screen and bug spray. I couldn't find it.
"That's odd." I mumbled to myself. I couldn't find the sun screen nor the bug spray.
"Archie might have it." I mumbled as I surrendered my search for a top and went into Archie's bag and grabbed the sun screen. I began to apply it when suddenly.
"Hey Arch! I need the sun-" I heard Jughead say as stopped rubbing the sun screen on my arms and looked at him with wide eyes. His eyes tailed my figure but then stopped at a certain spot. My scar! He saw it and his eyes were wide. I immediately covered it with my arms.
"G-Get out!" I shrieked out to him. He just looked at me.
"Jughead!" I shrieked again at him as my eyes began to water. He just walked in.
"I said get out!" I yelled at him. I decided to run out but he grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. I was shocked by this motion.
"It's alright. It's not that bad. It shows you're a stronger person." He said as he held me closer and rubbed my back. I let a few tears slip down as began shaking.
"What happened!" Dilton bolted in to see Jughead comforting me. I heard Dilton walk over.
"She's fine. I just walked in on her thinking she was Archie was all. I didn't see anything inappropriate. Just saw her scar was all." Jughead told him. Jughead then moved me and adjusted my arm so Dilton could see my scar.
"D-don't look. It's ugly. I-I hate it." I said as I buried my face into Jughead's chest to hide my embarrassment and shame.
"Aria you have nothing to be embarrassed nor ashamed about. You're still beautiful. You're also kind, sweet and so much more than a girl with a scar. It just shows you survived and that you're strong." Dilton told me as I felt him hug me as well.
"I'm sorry I walked in and saw it." Jughead said as I pulled away and wiped my eyes.
"I-it's fine. I'm just being over emotional." I said as I kept my gaze away from them.
"It's alright. That's normal." Dilton assured me.
"Try not wearing a shirt over it. The more you grow used to it the easier it will be for you." Jughead reasoned with me as I looked at them.
"B-but-" I started to say.
"Let them stare. It shows strength and bravery even more so when you show it." Jughead said, cutting me off, as Dilton nodded.
"I agree." Dilton simply said. Suddenly Archie busted in with a towel over him and a bruise forming on his arm.
"Aria! What's wrong? Did they do something? Another wasp?" Archie was yelling these questions in a panic.
"What took you so long!" I yelled at him.
"I fell out of the shower and landed on the sink before finally getting a towel and getting here." He told me as he looked at Dilton and Jughead.
"It's fine." I told him as I calmed down.
"But what happened?" He asked in a demanding voice.
"I came in here thinking you were in here instead of her. I came in to ask for sun screen and ended up seeing her dressed like this and saw her scar." Jughead confessed to Archie.
"We worked it out. Don't worry. Just. Juts go put on some clothes!" I yelled at him while looking away and dug in his bag to pull out his swim trunks and tossed it to him.
"Fine. NO funny business though." He said before telling the boys that last thing and walked out.
"I'll give you the sun screen when I'm done." I told him as I started to apply more on.
"I'll try to not wear a shirt over my scar. If I feel uncomfortable though I'm putting one on." I told them as I finished my arms and started my legs. I wasn't even thinking of my actions but when I got no response and looked up I saw them blushing. That's when I realized not only was this the most skin they ever saw from me but with the way I was rubbing the lotion on my arms and legs must have attracted them. I blushed a deep red.
"O-oh goodness! I-I'm an idiot! I'm s-sorry guys. I-I didn't r-realize. Oh Gracious." I said with a bunch of stutters as I grew embarrassed.
"I-I'll j-just-" I started to say as I then saw Jughead and Dilton turn.
"I-It's not your fault." Jughead said.
"I-Indeed. I-It's our fault. We're n-not giving you your p-personal s-space." Dilton added in as I hurried with the sun screen. I guess this was a bigger step than I thought.
"C-can someone rub this on my back?" I managed to ask.
"I will." Jughead said as I went over to him and handed him the bottle. I soon felt the sun screen on my shoulders and my back area.
"Under the straps too." I told him as I felt him slowly go under the strap.
"Dilton do you have bug spray?" I asked him.
"Yeah. It'll help repel the bees and wasps." He said as I smiled. He then left to go get it.
"I'm done." Jughead said as I looked at him and smiled.
"Thanks. And thanks for the comfort and talk as well." I said as I turned around fully as I kissed his cheek and then went over to my bag.
"You should get ready now." I told him.
"Right." Jughead said as he walked out the door. Once I grabbed my towel I heard another voice.
"Here's the spray." Dilton said as I turned and smiled at him.
"Thanks Dilton." I said as I sprayed it on me and let him spray my back.
"Thanks and also thanks for the pep talk as well." I said as I kissed his cheek and went over to my towel.
"You should get ready too." I said to him.
"Yeah." He said as he walked out the door. As I was leaving I saw Archie walk in.
"Aria. Are you sure-" He started before I stopped him.
"I'm fine. Jughead and Dilton are right. In order to get over this I need to not feel so self conscious and show off my bravery and strength." I told him as I smiled and patted his chest.
"I'll be fine." I said as I walked out the room. As I headed down the stairs and outside I had no idea Jughead was telling Betty and Veronica not to stare at my scar too much and to try and be comforting rather than make me feel awkward and/or uncomfortable.I had gone outside and I saw the girls and Jughead and immediately felt inferior.
*Welp. Confidence ditched me yet again.* I thought as I went over to them.
"Hey." Jughead greeted me as he held me close and kissed my cheek. The girls greeted me and actually avoided talking about my scar. I was suspicious about that but I decided to ignore it so I could relax and have a good time. I had started relaxing and soon we were all swimming and goofing off. Dilton and I learned how to water ski and it was actually fun. I had 2 wipe outs, kinda bad, but soon figured out how to do it. Dilton messed up a lot but admitted he liked it still and would keep learning. We then had a barbecue and enjoyed a bunch of yummy food. Before we knew it the day was over.I looked outside and decided to sit and watch the sun set.
*I should get a drink 1st.* I thought as I went into the kitchen and made a glass of lemonade before going outside. I sat in one of the lawn chairs and set the drink on a small table next to me.
"Mind if I join you?" I heard Dilton ask me.
"Not at all." I said as he pulled up a lawn chair next to me. We peacefully watched the sunset together, unaware of Vlad, as I sighed gently.
*Third POV*
Aria and Dilton sat together, Dilton fidgeting as he thought, as Vlad watched this from close by.
"No. She's mine." Vlad hissed to himself ans he quickly, and quietly, made his way behind the chairs they lounged in.
"I'm, uh, real glad you invited me." Dilton said as he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"What's on your mind? I can tell you want to ask something." Aria suddenly said as Dilton gapped and nearly fell out of his chair from her blunt statement. He had not seen her look at him at all and still knew. Vlad pulled out the potion and read the simple words, a spell, to make the potion go into effect when ready. Neither of them noticed him as Dilton fixed himself before speaking.
"Well, I'm not much of an outdoors person, but I wanted to thank you. You're right. I needed a break from the lab." Dilton confessed with a small blush.
"I know right? I'm so used to the city that Riverdale was wonderful. But even then this is nice. No technology, no mysteries, no globs or werewolves or robot dummy obsessed with wanting a bride." Aria confessed as she chuckled after her words. Vlad froze and listened on. He was now curious.
"Yes. I'm sorry about that by the way." Dilton apologized as he felt bad about Vlad. Aria just shook her head.
"You had no idea what would happen at the time. I'm not mad at you at all. Heck, if I had the stuff I might have done the same thing. Point is we didn't know and I could never be mad at you unless you did that intentionally. Then I'd have to break a few bones." Aria confessed and then joked as she lightly laughed. Dilton chuckled as he grew nervous. He knew Aria probably would too.
"I'm only joking Dilton. You're too cute to hurt. Unless you went evil." Aria told him as they both chuckled and blushed lightly. Vlad wanted to puke, if he could. How can she like Dilton and not him?
"Still, thank you, for getting me out here." Dilton said with a smile as she looked at him and smiled back.
"I'm glad to get you to come. I feel like we don't spend enough time together and I'd like to try to change that for the rest of summer. I know once school starts we'll be back to a normal routine." She said with a smile. Once Vlad knew they were distracted he poured some of the potion into her unattended drink. It glowed lightly for 3 seconds before it went to normal.
*Once she drinks this I'll say the chant.* Vlad thought as he snuck away to watch and could still hear them.
"I'm sorry I haven't been spending much time with you." Dilton apologized to her.
"That's alright. We can change that." She said as she grabbed her drink. Vlad grinned as she took a couple sips. Aria cringed and looked at her drink.
"I think I made this too sour." She said as she rose from her seat.
"Maybe some more sugar?" Dilton said as Aria helped him up.
"Yeah." Aria said as she was ready to leave. Suddenly Dilton grabbed her arm and lightly spun her to him. Aria gasped as he suddenly pulled her into a gently kiss. Vlad's jaw dropped.
*He's grown very bold.* Vlad thought as Aria's eyes fluttered shut and her ungrabbed unoccupied arm wrapped lightly around his neck. Aria and Dilton pulled away and blushed lightly.
"Th-that was bold." Aria commented as Dilton lightly smiled.
"I wanted to be, the proper word I believe being, spontaneous." Dilton said as they both blushed harder.
"W-well, um, I liked it." Aria stuttered out as Dilton grew a small smile.
"I read being spontaneous in a relationship helps to both improve it and makes the spouse smile. It seemed to work." Dilton said as Aria blushed harder with a small smile on her face.
"I'm actually impressed." Aria confessed. Vlad was in shock. He had been spontaneous with a dress and a ring for her and she rejected him. All Dilton did was pull her into a kiss and she swooned over him. How? Aria took another sip of her lemonade, when Dilton let her arm go, and she cringed again.
"Yup. Needs more sugar." She said as Dilton chuckled lightly at her face. Aria pouted and Dilton chuckled some more.
"It's not funny." She said as she puffed out her cheeks.
"I'm laughing because it's adorable when you pout." Dilton said as she blushed. They started to walk inside when Aria suddenly screeched.
"Wasp!" She yelped as she then threw her drink of the wasp before Dilton stepped on it. Vlad groaned and smacked his head.
*Of course she's one of those girls.* Vlad thought bitterly.
"S-sorry." Aria stuttered in embarrassment.
"Don't apologize. Bee allergies are nothing to laugh about nor be embarrassed about." Dilton comforted her.
*She's allergic to bees?* Vlad thought as he had discovered something new about his bride to be.
"Oh well, lost my drink, but I can make a new and better tasting one." Aria said as Jughead bolted out of the cabin.
"What happened?" Jughead said in a panic.
"I'm sorry Jughead. I saw another wasp. It's dead now though." Aria apologized before she went over to him and hugged him.
"As long as it didn't sting you then I'm glad." Jughead said as he kissed her lips lightly. Vlad was now in a, possibly permanent, state of shock with wide eyes and a dropped jaw. Aria and Jughead pulled away and smiled.
"I'm lucky to have two wonderful and caring boyfriends." she said with a smile as the boys wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her inside.
"She's dating both? How? Why? I deserve her, not them!" Vlad said as he snapped out of his shock.
"Let's hope she drank enough for this to work." Vlad said as he waited for everyone to sleep.
*Aria's POV*
I really need to stop screeching and screaming like a little girl over bees and wasps. I made a new, and sweeter, lemonade as I went into the lounge/living room area and sat on the couch.I was listening to Betty and Veronica argue who was better for Archie, as I tried to tune them out, while looking around a bit more. No TV but a few books. Maybe I could read one or read one of Jughead's comics. After not standing the arguing anymore I gulped down my lemonade and headed up to bed. I started to pass Archie on my way to the room we shared when I decided to give him a heads up on the girls arguing. He thanked me and still went downstairs. I rolled my eyes and decided to brush my teeth. That lemonade tasted too sweet now. I had now finished when I ran into Dilton and Jughead trying to get into the other bathroom. I laughed lightly at their actions and gave them a kiss on the cheek before heading off to bed. I felt really weird for some reason as I fell asleep. I don't know what happened but I felt myself get shook awake. I looked up and saw Betty checking on me.
"Betty?" I questioned with a dry throat.
"Are you alright?" She asked me. I went to get up but was hit by a wave of pain. What? I looked around and saw I was down stairs.
"How did I get down here?" I asked as I tried to get up.
"Don't move. I heard a noise and saw you on the ground, I think you fell down." She told me. I gave her a funny look.
"Betty I was in bed. I don't even remember getting up at all." I told her as she, after checking me over, helped me up.
"Well you must've unless you sleep walk." She told me.
"Betty, never have I once walked in my sleep. I must've been carried or something. I swear, if this was a prank from Archie, I'm tossing him down the stairs." I said as I muttered the last sentence about Archie. Never the less Betty helped me up the stairs and, after Archie checked on us and I scolded him for the stairs and the insisting he didn't, went back to bed and slept through the whole night.
*Vlad's POV*
Once everyone was asleep I decided to pull out the note and read the words.
"Here my voice and come to me,
hear my words like the sea,
follow my voice so that we may be,
together for all eternity.
Now you shall do what I want,
or my voice will forever haunt,
now you shall be what I wish,
for this is my true dish.
Aria is my lover's name,
I have loved only her all the same,
now follow me quietly and peacefully,
and be mine for all eternity."
I chanted and waited as I looked in the window. I soon saw my bride to be walking down the stairs. Her eyes glowed lightly like the potion. As soon as she was 1/3rd of the way down the glowing eyes stopped and she fell down the stairs. Betty Cooper, I remember her, came down and woke her up. They talked and then went up to bed. She didn't drink enough. I was close. So close. I'd have to try again tomorrow.
*Aria's POV*
I woke up with a groan. Man I was sore and tired. I then smelt pancakes. I practically leaped up and went to bolt down the stairs when Jughead entered with a tray of pancakes.
"Heard you fell down the stairs last night." He told me as I looked at him.
"Did Betty say that or Archie?" I asked him.
"Betty." Jughead said as he set the tray in front of me.
"I make chocolate chip strawberry with whipped cream." Jughead told me as I looked at the pancake. I blushed when I saw a red berry heart outlined on chocolate chips and whipped cream designed around it.
"Oh Jughead. It looks almost to good to eat." I told him as he laughed lightly.
"Well I wanted to bring it up so you didn't get hurt again." Jughead said as I then looked at him.
"Jughead, we both know I don't sleep walk. Someone must've moved me and then left or something. I'm actually worried." I told him as he pet my head and then kissed my forehead.
"I know. That's why Dilton, Archie and I are going to find out what. We're not telling the girls so we don't worry them." He told me as I smiled at him.
"I brought up a smoothie to help you feel better." I heard Dilton say as we looked over at the door and saw him holding a blue purple smoothie in his hand. He came over to us and handed it to me.
"How are you feeling?" Dilton asked me.
"I'm alright. Just tired and a bit sore." I said as I stretched and groaned out the last 3 words before smiling at them.
"You two didn't have to go through the trouble for me." I told them.
"None sense. You're no trouble at all." Jughead said.
"In fact we'd be horrible boyfriends if we didn't do anything after your fall." Dilton said as he kissed my cheek. I smiled a wide smile as we talked a bit. They soon left, a kiss from both, and I gulped down my food and smoothie. They tasted weird, a bit bitter, but I didn't want them to feel bad. I stretched and started to get up but then I felt light headed.
"Maybe a few more minutes." I mumbled before I flopped back on the bed and fell asleep instantly.
*Archie's POV*
After breakfast I decided to check on Aria. She never sleep walks, but then again she's never really gone camping nor spent the night in the woods before, and I thought the fact that she had fallen down the stairs and didn't know how she got there was weird. I was starting to smell a weird mystery. Especially when Dilton and Jughead pulled me aside to ask me to help them look for anyone or anything suspicious. I got to the room and saw she was asleep.
"Aria?" I called to her. She groaned lightly. I went over and saw she wasn't going to get up anytime soon. I know she hasn't been sleeping well so I decided to take her dishes and let her sleep. She needs it. Once I made it downstairs I told the gang to let her sleep a while and the guys and I started our search around the area to see if anyone or anything was around.
*Vlad's POV*
I waited until morning when I saw Jughead cooking and Archie come down.
"What ya making?" Archie asked.
"I'm making pancakes. Does Aria like strawberries and chocolate mixed?" I heard him ask.
"Yeah." Archie replied. Soon the others showed up and they chatted a bit.
"That reminds me, what was that loud thud I heard last night? Anyone know?" Dilton suddenly asked.
"Yeah. That was Aria last night. I found her at the bottom of the stairs and she claims she didn't know how she got there. I think she was sleep walking but she said she doesn't." Betty suddenly piped up.
"Wait she fell down the stairs?" Jughead asked as he flipped a pancake.
"Yeah. She thought Archie did that as a joke but I don't think so." Betty said.
"I didn't." Archie said in a bitter tone.
"She might be sore. I'll bring her breakfast in bed to cheer her up." Jughead said with a bright smile as I saw him prepare a special batch for her. I took this as my chance. I grabbed a twig and tossed it at the other window.
"What was that?" Veronica asked. While everyone looked away I poured some of the potion on the strawberry part of the top pancake.
"I don't see nothing." Archie said when he went up to check. I hid and watched Jughead bring the food upstairs.
"I'll make her a smoothie to get her energized." Dilton said as he began to make a smoothie for her. How perfect was this? Everyone finished breakfast and went into the living room to plan the day out. Once he was ready to blend I did the stick thing again. Dilton jumped and then went over to the window as I poured more of the potion in the blender. The potion was almost empty but that was fine. I'll make her drink the rest to make her mine and be what I want her to be. Dilton went over and mixed the smoothie and potion together. He Poured it into a glass cup for her and then headed up stairs to give that to her. I waited patiently until everyone left. I snuck into the cabin and ran up the stairs to find her. Once I did I went right over to her. I climbed up the bed and looked at her sleeping face. Still lovely as ever. I pulled out the paper and read the spell again.
"Here my voice and come to me,
hear my words like the sea,
follow my voice so that we may be,
together for all eternity.
Now you shall do what I want,
or my voice will forever haunt,
now you shall be what I wish,
for this is my true dish.
Aria is my lover's name,
I have loved only her all the same,
now follow me quietly and peacefully,
and be mine for all eternity."
I chanted and soon saw her eyes open and glow a gentle pink like color, like the potion, before rising up. She's under my control now.
"What do you wish master?" She questioned me in a hypnotic, yet lovely, voice.
"Pick me up then bring us to either an attic or basement." I commanded her. She nodded and did as she was told. She carried me to the attic as I looked around.
"Perfect. Now help me set a trap." I commanded and she willingly obliged. I set a trap for those teens and I would have Aria as mine forever.I roamed the attic and saw nothing nice for her to wear except some old doll clothes.
"Aria." I called to her as she sat on an antique looking chair.
"Yes master?" She questioned me. I only had a few hours of control so I had to make this quick.
"Did you bring any dresses to wear?" I asked her.
"No master. I don't ofter wear dresses." She told me as I groaned.
"Great. I wanted you dressed as a bride." I mumbled as she looked at me.
"May I, perhaps, make a suggestion?" She suddenly asked me. The potion's affects were to make her obey, and perhaps, love, or at least imitate/mimic love, me as long as the potion worked. I could make her do what I wanted. Perhaps she's doing this as part of the potion's 'love' effect.
"What?" I snipped as I turned back and threw a few old plastic dolls and a bunch of doll clothes aside.
"I am to be yours for all eternity correct?" She asked me.
"Yes yes, and?" I asked her.
"Well I will eventually die soon. What then?" She asked me as I froze.
"What are you getting at?" I asked her in a suspicious way as I slowly turned my head to look at her. She smiled a sweet smile while her eyes were still pink instead of blue.
"Perhaps you could turn me into a doll?" She suddenly asked me.
"Oh? How so?" I asked her.
"How did you get me to accept your love?" She asked me. No harm in telling her I suppose.
"You must never tell anyone." I ordered her.
"I swear." She promised.
"I stole a potion to control you. I tried to use it last night in your drink but failed. I snuck it in your food and smoothie that you devoured. So what?" I asked her.
"May I ask what the potion is called?" She asked me. I just looked at her but decided to tell her for my own amusement.
"Potion de désirs pieux. Why?" I asked her again.
"Potion of wishful desires. You wish and desire me as yours and now I am. Perhaps finishing the bottle will turn me into a doll as to never die unless destroyed so that I may be with you?" She said and then questioned. Of course. It was in French. The directions said to chant and insert the name and desire.
"I think that'll work. I already control you so maybe that would work. You really are a guineas." I told her with a wide smile.
"Thank you master." She said as she waited my next order. I soon found a doll, that looked like a bride, and took the dress, shoes, and veil off it before chucking the doll. I put them aside and made sure everything was ready.
"Alright. All you have to do is call for help when I tell you too." I told her.
"Yes master." She replied as I told her to lay on the floor near the trap. I ran over and saw Dilton, Archie, and Jughead were looking around and calling for her.
"Now." I whispered to her.
"Help! Help I'm stuck!" She yelled out. I saw the attic door open up and they ran over to her. I then used the old fishing net and ropes and soon trapped them.
*Third POV*
Dilton, Archie and Jughead began to struggle and tried to break free but couldn't. They saw Aria on the ground.
"Aria! Help us!" Archie yelled but she didn't move.
"She won't listen to you, only me. She's mine now." Vlad laughed out as the boys gasped.
"That's a lie!" Jughead said in anger.
"Aria! Rise and show them how obedient you are." Vlad said as she then rose into a sitting position, legs bent on each side, and smiled at him.
"Yes master, as you wish." She said in a hypnotic way as they saw her eyes a pink like color instead of their usual bright blue.
"What did you do to her?" Dilton yelled out in shock.
"I found a potion to enslave her and I'll use it to fully make her mine. Maybe I could use this on you as well. It does do what I want." Vlad mused as he swished the remaining potion around in the bottle. Aria was seeing this and in her mind she was begging him not too. How could she even give him the idea to turn her into a doll. It was almost as if the potion also made her think of what Vlad wanted to make him happy. It disgusted her. She had to think of a way to get them safe and let him have her, for now.
"What do you think my dear?" Vlad suddenly asked. Aria decided to try and force her thoughts into words without twisting them.
"I don't think that is wise." She managed to say as she inwardly smiled.
"Oh? And why not?" Vlad asked in an amused manner. Was the potion wearing off?
"What if you need all of it to turn me completely?" She said as she smiled on the inside. Hopefully this would work or they'd be slaves as well.
"Why waste it on pathetic boys?" She suddenly added as she then felt horrible for saying that. She didn't want to say that at all but Vlad smiled as the three trapped boys gasped in shock.
"You're right. Why waste it on them." Vlad mused as he tried to think of another thought.
"Aria! What are you saying?" Archie yelled at her.
"She's thinking of ways to make me happy of course. The potion mimics her love for you to and puts it all to me instead. She'll obey me and have an imitation of love for me only." Vlad explained to them.
"Master?" Aria suddenly questioned.
"You may speak." Vlad told her as the boys watched her.
"Perhaps the person you stole the potion from would have something similar?" She questioned him on that.
"Perhaps." Vlad thought to himself.
"If we took the car and left them here they would not get to us in time and Betty's uncle is not due to arrive until Tuesday. Leave them tied up and trapped here for now. No help, no escape." She pointed out. Aria said this, with some pain, as she thought it would give them enough time to figure out a plan of escape or a way to follow them.
"I'm not even sure where it was. It was some cabin with a meowing dog." Vlad muttered out. So it was Miss Lucinda's place. Aria smiled at them.
"I know that place. Miss Lucinda lives with a meowing dog. It makes sense now on where the potion came from. I can't drive but I could try to." Aria said with a small smile on her face.
"Oh no you don't! I won't let you!" Archie yelled out as the three struggled even more.
"I think it's a brilliant idea." Vlad commented as he walked over to her. Unknown to all, Betty and Veronica had grown worried when the boys didn't join them after a long while. When they came in to check on them they had heard talking in the attic and had listened in on a good portion of the conversation as they made a plan to free the guys.
"Hold this potion and, when I say drink, you drink it. Understood?" Vlad said as he gave Aria the potion.
"Yes master. As you wish." Aria replied as she took the potion. Vlad went and grabbed a baseball bat and went to hit the boys to knock them unconscious when Betty lunged at Vlad and Veronica went to get the boys loose.
"Drink!" Vlad yelled without hesitation as everyone froze and Aria drank down the potion.
"Here my voice and come to me,
hear my words like the sea,
follow my voice so that we may be,
together for all eternity.
Now you shall be what I want,
or my voice will forever haunt,
now you shall be what I wish,
for this is my true dish.
Aria is my lover's name,
I have loved only her all the same,
now follow me and transform peacefully,
and be a doll for all eternity."
Vlad chanted as he added in a few words and soon Aria began glowing and then shrunk. When all was said and done she had become a doll, with her clothes now too big and only in her underwear, as her shirt covered all of her with her holding it up. Vlad laughed before Betty lunged at him. Archie soon helped and Dilton opened him up as he screamed and struggled.
"Aria! I command you to-" Vlad started but then Dilton shut him off. He ripped out some wires just to make sure he was off permanently. Aria's eyes soon went to normal but she remained a doll of plastic and able to bend still.
"Wha-?" Aria started before she fell into a sitting position.
"Aria." Jughead yelped as the group surrounded her. She looked at them and saw how tall they were. She soon figured out she was still a doll.
"I'm still a doll. He can't control me anymore but now I'm a doll forever." Aria said as she looked sad.
"We'll figure this out." Archie told her.
"Betty? Can I have an outfit? I'm, uh, only in, um, panties." Aria said as she whispered the word panties to her.
"Yeah. Hold on. I think I have something you'd like." Betty said as she went over to a box and looked around. She soon pulled out an outfit ( Mai Valentine doll. images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=XhUYv2E7&id=DC9CF24B6F016072882E5962C57007913ECA246B&thid= 2E7fSLyp8MTPEvlhgClEs&q=mai+valentine+yu-gi-oh&simid=607997143851467452&selectedindex=93&mode=overlay&first=1) that looked like the purple was leather as it was on a broken blonde doll.
"I don't remember how she broke but you can have the outfit for now." Betty said as she and Veronica, while the boys looked away, dressed her up. Aria looked at the outfit.
"I actually like it." Aria said as she mused at it.
"But how do we transform you to normal?" Dilton questioned.
"Maybe Miss Lucinda could help. Vlad mentioned her meowing dog. If she made the potion then she can help me go back to normal." Aria figured out with a smile.
"Good idea." Archie agreed. Veronica carried Aria as they all piled into the car and drove off. While Veronica was brushing Aria's hair she spoke up.
"I'm sorry for the things I said. I didn't mean any of it." Aria said as she remembered her hurtful words towards them.
"That's alright. You had no control over your words." Jughead said as he forgave her.'
"Indeed. Vlad tricked us all and used us to turn you on us." Dilton agreed and comforted her as he too forgave her.
"Yeah. Maybe now he'll leave us alone." Archie said as he forgave her as well. It wasn't hard for them to forgive her. She wasn't herself at all. After a couple hours of driving, and Veronica using make up on her and styling her easy to style hair and putting tiny silver hoop earrings in her ears, they walked the rest of the way to Miss Lucinda's home. They knocked on her door and she answered.
"Yeah what?" She asked in an annoyed voice.
"Miss Lucinda, we need you help." Archie said to her.
"With what?" Miss Lucinda asked as Veronica held up Aria the doll to her.
"Hi Miss Lucinda." Aria said as Miss Lucinda gawked at her.
"Come in quick." Miss Lucinda said after a minute of shock. Once inside they explained exactly what happened and about Vlad.
"I see. And you drank it all?" Miss Lucinda asked as she wanted to confirm this.
"Yes." Aria said to her.
"Well luckily I have something to help." She said as she went to a shelf and grabbed a tiny shaker filled with blue and purple glitter.
"All we have to do is sprinkle this on you and you will be back to normal. So will those clothes with no Velcro either." Miss Lucinda explained as Veronica put her down. Aria went right up to her and readied herself.
"Alright. Let's do this!" Aria said with enthusiasm as she wanted to be normal, not just because of Veronica styling her but to not be a doll anymore. Miss Lucinda shook the glitter all over her and in a small glow she, and the clothes, grew until she was normal and flash like instead of a small plastic doll. Aria smiled and bounced around in happiness as she repeatedly thanked Miss Lucinda. She soon hugged everyone and was happy things were normal again. They all thanked Miss Lucinda for the help and apologized, not only for disturbing her, but for Vlad stealing the potion from her. They all decided to go back to the cabin and have the rest of the weekend to enjoy. Not only they hid Vlad in a box, taped it shut, and stored it in the attic, Betty also wasn't mad about the doll's outfit now a normal outfit and even let Aria keep it. They all enjoyed the weekend of swimming, playing, kissing, hiking, and summer weekend fun. Soon it was time to go as Archie and Aria dropped everyone off at home before they went home as well. After making sure everything was unpacked they used the evening to type up the weird mystery article.
*Aria's POV*
"And so that was our weekend. I'll say this, being trapped as a slave in an unwanted relationship was not fun at all. No will, no say, nothing. I never want to end up like that again. Not to mention being a doll wasn't fun either. I felt useless and helpless and that is something no one should feel like. ~Aria. It just goes to show all you readers out there that sometimes burying the past is not the best thing to do. You need to face it head on before it comes back to haunt you. ~Archie. Indeed. Many things can happen in life. Some times you might feel stuck or small, but with good friends, and an awesome cousin like mine, you can face them. ~Aria. Even if that something is a robot dummy who wants revenge and make your cousin a bride. ~Archie. In the end you should be with someone who makes you happy and gives you freedom. Anyone can find that if willing to look. ~Aria. ….Especially in a little town called Riverdale. ~Archie and Aria."
Archie and I finished the article, not to great a meaning but it was better than none, as I gave a small, squeaked yawn.
"Sorry this weekend didn't go as planned." Archie said as I smiled at him.
"Are you kidding? Other than being a mind controlled slave of a doll that was a fun weekend. We should do that again soon. The fun part not the potion morphing stuff." I said as I mentioned the not and the yes to stuff. Archie smiled and hugged me.
"Although I do wonder something." I said as I then pondered on my thought. Archie gave me a look as I stared back at him.
"Why do some of these weird thing revolve around me? I mean I've gotten hurt, kidnapped, lightly tortured, dressed up, mind controlled, transformed, almost became a bride twice, turned into a ghost of sorts, pulled into a type of limbo, seen heaven, had a ghost follow me and want me as a mom in a weird way, terrorized a bit by imps, had a robot like me, alien potatoes try to keep me in 'the zone' to morph into me, almost killed by your possessed car and live through horrible memories. I think I named them all. Why does that happen to me? Is there a story writer who loves to torture me of sorts or make me a type of Mary Sue character? (Lol. Mentioned me.) I'd like to know." I said as I sighed and felt tired again.
"Maybe Dilton could explain why." Archie said as I smiled lightly. Dilton was smart and if he didn't know Jughead might. I found out that Jughead and I were the 2nd smartest students in our school, Betty was 3rd, and, of course, Dilton was the 1st. Actually I was surprised with how smart Jughead was. Archie and I said our good nights as I changed into pajamas and went to bed.