Author's Note: Welcome back! I just want to take a quick moment to say thank you for all the amazing reviews! It's because of you guys that motivate me to keep writing. Well, without further adieu, enjoy the chapter!

~Sofi

Chapter 3: Secrets, Secrets, and More Secrets

Secrets are a common recurrence in Riverdale. Whether it be that you kissed your next door neighbor, or a more sinister mystery looming overhead, this town had no virtue towards this.

In Riverdale, if someone had found out your secret, you weren't safe. Your life would be over, that is, if the secret was horrible enough.

This was something Hiram Lodge had yet to understand.

Betty Cooper rose from her bed in a cold sweat. She checked the clock. 4:27. Have I only been asleep for half an hour? She wiped the dew from her forehead and pulled her knees to her chest. Betty could feel the slight tremble of her hand and the shallow shakiness of her breath. She didn't feel safe. Not here, not now. She glanced around her perfect little room, observing as much as she could in the dark light. She strained her eyes against the pale sheet of paper lying upon her desk, mocking her, but ultimately gave up. As she fell back on her bed, thousands of thoughts drifted through the young teen's endless mind.

Who wrote it? How do they know where I live? Was this real, or was it a prank?

Betty fell back against her sheets, sighing as she stared at the blank ceiling, not one thought leaving her attention. Closing her eyes slowly, Betty longed for the sweet relief of sleep, but it never came.

. . .

"Elizabeth! Time to get - Oh! Great, you're already up...and dressed!" Alice spoke, walking into Betty's room as if it were her own, "Well, get downstairs and eat breakfast, you can get to school early today." And with that, she left the room, not bothering to close the door behind her.

"Of course…" Betty mumbled, rubbing her eyes. She had gotten absolutely no sleep, her thoughts haunting her into the early hours of the morning.

She had put herself together okay, but there were some noticeable imperfections and differences to what the infamous Betty Cooper would normally wear. She had on a pear of high wasted jeans and had thrown on an oversized sweater. She had also lazily stuck her hair into her usual ponytail and nonchalantly pulled on a pair of white sneakers. This is not gonna be a good day. With that, Betty ambled out her bedroom door and headed downstairs for breakfast, never forgetting the note.

. . .

Jughead had decided to get to school early that day and get some work done on Archie's case. He entered the grand doors of Riverdale High and stopped at his locker before continuing down the halls towards the Blue & Gold room. His feet squeaked against the tiled floor as he set his bag down onto a desk in front of their investigation board. He spotted Betty's bag upon the table as well. She probably left it here from last night while we were working, he thought. He chuckled to himself and made a mental note to return it to her later.

"Juggy? What are you doing here?" Betty asked, visibly confused.

"Betts!" He said, being startled out of his position leaning against the desk, "What are you doing here?"

"I uh… Hey! I asked you first," She countered, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I came to work on Archie's case."

"I-I did too!" She mumbled, obviously lying.

"Betts, I know you better than that, why are you here?" Jughead replied sternly, walking towards Betty.

"I um, couldn't sleep…" She uttered, avoiding all eye contact she possibly could.

After she said this, Jughead could start to notice signs. Purple bags dangled low beneath her glossy eyes. Her iconic ponytail hung lower than usual today, and several wisps of her hair fell loose and framed her pale face. Her hands, no against her side, trembled ever so slightly. Her body slouched lazily to one sized and she just visibly looked tired and uncomfortable. His heart ached at the sight of his girlfriend's state, but that wasn't the only thing he could tell though. Something else was up.

"Betts," Jughead put his hands onto her shoulders. He could physically feel her tense up, "as your boyfriend, is there anything else you want to tell me?"

It amazed Betty how well Jughead knew her. He knew her better than she knew herself.

She held her breath and hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether or not the tell him. She sighed and walked over towards her bag, Jughead's eyes never leaving her. A concerned expression was plastered onto Jughead's face as Betty reached into her bag and pulled out a dull piece of parchment. A familiar feeling rose into his gut that Jughead just couldn't place. Betty's hands shook uncontrollably as she handed the note to Jughead.

Jughead opened the note and read the contents. Betty's brow knitted her face into a sad, worried expression. His whole body tensed, and his blood boiled hotter than it ever had. Every nerve in his body flinched as his hands tightened around the paper. A low grumble escaped his lips as he spoke.

"...Who, Betty? Who gave this to you?"

. . .

From within her pocket, Cheryl could feel her phone vibrate with a message. Her mind turned as she surveyed her screen. Cheryl, I need to talk to you and Toni ASAP. Meet at Pop's in 10? She contemplated replying to Veronica, but ultimately decided to, the intrigue it supplied her was much too strong.

Sure, c u there, She responded, then switching to text Toni.

Hey babe, going to Pop's. Meet me there in 10, Veronica says it's important.

Sure, see you soon love! Toni replied instantly.

Cheryl smiled at smugly at this. She sat up from her bed, leaving the comfort behind. She grabbed her shawl and handbag before heading downstairs and off towards Pop's.

. . .

"So, what's so important that we absolutely needed to be here?" Cheryl chimed as she took a good long sip from her milkshake.

Snuggled into a booth at the back of Pop's, Veronica pulled out a piece of parchment enclosed in a folder from her bag. She stared intently at the item, considering whether or not she should part with it. She handed it to Cheryl hesitantly.

"What is it?" Toni asked, sharing a glance with Cheryl and eyeing the file suspiciously.

"Listen," Veronica folded her hands across the table, "Those are… Those are all the horrible things that my father has done, and passing the information onto you." She said quickly in a soft yet audible whisper.

"And why are you giving this valuable info to us?" Cheryl replied as she tried to work things out in her head.

"My dad framed Archie, and there's no way to prove his innocence without exposing him. I need more people to know this in the case that anything should happen to me. I've gotta go now, but I'll see you later." Veronica whispered one more thing to them as she disappeared into the outside world, "Please, spread the word. I put a list of people in there I want you to tell this information to." And with that, Veronica gave a nod to Pop and exited the diner.

Cheryl and Toni cautiously opened the folder and surveyed the contents.

"Come on," Cheryl uttered, eyes never leaving the papers, "Let's go."

The couple gathered their things and left the diner, mimicking Veronica.

. . .

Veronica hurried up the stairs to her home. I've been gone way too long. She hesitantly and quietly unlocked and opened the door. She slowly closed the door behind her, heart pumping, hoping nobody would notice her presence. She silently tiptoed towards her bedroom.

"Veronica," a voice spoke from the dining room, "Now where have you been all day?"

"Daddy…" Veronica whispered, nearly jumping from the surprise, " Um, I was at Pop's with Cheryl and Toni." She spoke up straightened her posture.

"SInce when do you spend time with Cheryl, or that...Serpent for that matter?" Hiram questioned, standing up and turning towards his daughter.

"Well…" Veronica thought quickly, "We became close over the last few weeks and...we haven't hung out for a while."

"I see," Hiram grumbled, adjusting his overcoat.

"If you excuse me, I'm going to go to bed," Veronica turned to go to her room, but Hiram grabbed her by the shoulder and whispered in her ear.

"If you as so much utter one word of my doings," He began, sending a shiver traveling down Veronica's back, "Your mother will pay the price."

To be continued . . .

Author's Note: Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review! Not that much to say but this story is definitely starting to pick up some heat! I hope you come back next week.

~Sofi