Chapter 8: Background Information

Archie felt like such an idiot.

He wanted to defend Cheryl, but he hadn't done it in a peaceful manner. He knew he would have to control his temper if he hoped to preserve his friendships in the future. But how he could just sit idly by when people were insulting his girlfriend?

But then he remembered. If he wanted to keep the secret about him and Cheryl dating to be a secret, he would have to keep his mouth shut and hold his tongue when people were insulting or judging Cheryl.

The tongue indeed was a lethal weapon. It was so small, yet it could cause pain and hurt people with simple words. The worst part is, once those words were spoken, they couldn't ever be taken back.

Archie felt bad the rest of the day. He later saw Betty sitting with Veronica in the lounge. When Betty saw Archie, she immediately walked away briskly and angrily.

Archie sat down in the lounge for a few minutes, trying to think about how he could somehow make things right. He then walked to the music room.

Archie sat down in the music room and pulled out his guitar. He randomly played a few strings, trying to think. He hadn't made any songs, but he was totally fine with simply playing strings and just thinking.

Then, the door opened. Archie looked to see Cheryl walk in.

"Hello, Archiekins", Cheryl said. She wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Hello, Cheryl."

"I wanted to say that I was flattered that you defended me publicly", Cheryl said.

"I should have done it in a different manner", Archie said. "Betty and I have been friends for as long as we can remember. I remember we spent so much time together as children, along with Jughead."

"You can talk to me about that", Cheryl said, ruffling Archie's hair for a few seconds. "What did you do for fun with her?"

"We listened to some old records that my dad had kept in the garage", Archie said. "Betty also tutored me during first grade and second grade. She helped me with reading and with math. I came close to failing, but thanks to her I got through it."

"Wow", Cheryl said, smiling.

"After I passed my final test in second grade, I got down on one knee asked her to marry me. She then said to wait until we both turned eighteen years old."

"That's an interesting story", Cheryl said, unable to stop grinning.

"I messed up", Archie said. "I need to apologize to her. I just wish she would accept you, though. If only she would realize how amazing you are."

"Well, I may not have treated her the way I should have", Cheryl said. "Throughout most of my childhood, I have lashed out in anger at people that didn't deserve that treatment. People that deserved better."

Archie took Cheryl's hand. "Don't be so hard on yourself. I know why you were angry for all of those years. No one was there to help you. Until last summer."

Cheryl looked at the ground.

Archie held her face in both of his hands. "Cheryl, listen to me. I know that your heart is pure. You've been through so much. You're a strong person."

Cheryl smiled at him.

"Besides, I'll teach you about manners and proper etiquette with other students. Maybe, when the time is right, I'll see if you can hang out with my friends. Like Jughead, for instance."

Cheryl gave him a smirk with a knowing glance. "I wonder what other things you can teach me…"

She moved her hand down his right arm.

"I'm looking forward to that", Archie said. "But first, I'm afraid we have more troubling matters to discuss. It's about Miss Grundy and her origins. And why she has such interest in being intimate with Reggie Mantle."

"We could try using the internet", Cheryl said. "We could probably find old photos of her or some records of the high school she attended."

"Perhaps."

Archie then said, "Let's meet at my house. I'll use my laptop to find out more information about Grundy."

Archie and Cheryl headed to the Andrews household, both making sure not to run into anyone that would recognize them. Archie knew he couldn't keep living in fear. If he truly loved Cheryl, he would have to boldly proclaim his love for her. But if anyone else found out they were a couple, there would be much confusion and ridicule. Archie certainly didn't want to make himself look bad. But he also wanted to be able to tell people about his romance with Cheryl without any hesitation or dubiety. If he wanted to deserve Cheryl and the relationship with her, he would have to acknowledge his feelings for her.

Archie tried not to think about it. Right now, he needed to find out about Grundy's history.

Archie typed her name online in a search box. He was able to find her Twitter account. He also found her Instagram account, which was private. He saw her Facebook account, as well as her Linkedln account. All of her accounts on these social media platforms were clearly new, seemingly to have not even been around for six months.

"There's nothing that seems to suggest that she's even real", Archie said. "For all we know, she could have killed Jason."

"That seems to be a strange possibility, but I guess anything is possible", Cheryl said.

Archie found the photo of an old woman who had the same name.

"This is quite strange", he said.

Archie put his head in his hands. Cheryl put her arm around his shoulder.

"I think Reggie might be in trouble", he said. "I'm not saying Grundy might have been the person responsible for Jason's death. But it is obvious that she can't ever be trusted. How do we know she didn't steal that old woman's identity?"

"What should we do?", Cheryl asked.

Archie looked at her squarely in the eyes and sighed. "I can't believe I'm even saying this, but I think we should break into her house or car and try to find some evidence."

"We'll have to do this late at night", Cheryl said.

Archie kissed her on the forehead and escorted her back to Thornhill. He had to make sure that no one saw them or noticed them.

That night, Archie put on dark clothing and brought a mask along so no one else would spot them. Cheryl waited until her parents were asleep. Once that happened, she decided to sneak out the window to help Archie. He waited by the window to put her safely on the ground.

Archie and Cheryl ran as quickly as they could towards Grundy's house. He had to take a couple of shortcuts to avoid being spotted by Tom Keller or any other deputies that were patrolling the streets.

"You know, I feel kind of strange, breaking into someone's car and looking at personal property", Archie said.

"If we get caught, at least we'll get caught together", Cheryl said.

Archie hugged her briefly before checking to see if the doors were unlocked. Much to his surprise, the back door was unlocked.

"Not too bright, is she?", Cheryl asked.

"And they say I'm dumb", Archie said.

Archie perused the entire vehicle thoroughly, looking through old papers and documents that seemed worthless. He skimmed through the items in the car, until something fell out of the front of the trunk of the car.

Archie picked it up and saw that it was a driver's license. Grundy's picture could clearly be seen. But he also noticed that…

"Her real name seems to be Jennifer Gibson", Archie said.