Ryder walked me home later that night. We had got together with Archie, Betty, Jughead, Tyler, Veronica - Mercy was still in the hospital - at Pop's and ate burgers and sipped on our milkshakes while processing what just happened just a few hours ago in the school cafeteria. I can't believe Dixie and Jezebel admitted - even accidentally - that they tried to kill my friend! And that they were planning on hurting Caddy and Tyler too!

Pausing at the bottom of the steps to the Cooper's house, Ryder leant down for a kiss. This time, the kiss was full of gentleness and relief, both of us happy that we were both alive and unharmed. Ryder pulled back eventually ever so slightly. "I love you, you know," he whispered.

"And I love you," I closed the small distance us and pressed my lips to his again. The kiss deepened, turned more passionate, until-. We pulled apart suddenly at the sound of a throat clearing. Looking up at the porch, I saw Jughead standing in the doorway and protective yet humorous look in his eyes. He and Betty had taken his motorbike over so he could drop her off, so they got here before us. I buried my head in Ryder's shoulder, embarrassed that Jughead caught us in a… moment. I felt Ryder's deep chuckle run through his chest. He pushed me away gently, looking up to his friend/girlfriend's brother.

"I mean no harm," Ry raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Good,' Jughead hopped down the step, his face serious. "Because if you hurt her, I will kill you."

"Jug!" I exclaimed, wacking his arm.

"It's alright, I understand," Ryder replied, "and I will never - willingly - do anything to hurt your sister. But you will have to get inline behind your Dad, though. He already promised to do the same."

I was glad it was dark out, my face was bright red. "Well, I better get inside,"I told the two guys. "Night Ryder," I gave him a quick peck on the lips and before Jug could say anything i ran up the steps and inside. Smiling, I heard Jug's and Ryder's laughter behind me.

...oOo…

The next few days past uneventfully, everything continuing as normal. There was still the whisper that ran through the halls at school of what had happened. It wasn't everyday that two girls were arrested for attempted murder in the cafeteria. Thankfully the gossip was dying down though. If I heard one more thing about Jezebel and Ryder being together…

Ryder and I had handed in our shared chemistry assignment that had brought us closer together. Luckily, we had done most of the work for the paper the week we had gotten the assignment, rather than leaving to the last minute, when we were busy tracking down a want-to-be killer.

Another good thing that had happened was that Mercy was released from hospital. Her wound had healed enough that she was able to come back to school, but she had to wear a sling, mainly because her fractured wrist was still healing. It was really nice having her back, even if she had to stay with her parents at the Five Seasons since they insisted that she stay close to them. They had listened to her presisting of staying in Riverdale even though she was close to being killed, and I for one do not know why Mr and Mrs Burnett listened, but they did, and hence, my best friend staying for the rest of the term.

It was one Friday afternoon, when school had finished, Ryder, Mercy, Tyler, Betty, Veronica and Archie walked with me back to the Cooper's. Jughead said he had Serpent business to attend to. I gave my brother a hug a told him not to do anything illegal. He just laughed and said, "like I ever do."

I pushed him away, chuckling myself, walking to where the others were waiting. The seven of us walked in a group towards Betty's house. We laughed and joked, about nothing and everything. I was really glad that I had such good friends, that stuck by me.

Soon we reached Betty's place, the others went through to the backyard. I headed inside to get Caddy, as a few of the others hadn't met her yet and were dying to. Caddy was sitting in her playpen when I walked into the living room, pushing around the building blocks that Alice had placed on the floor for her. Just the other day Caddy had started sitting up on her own and now she was a crawling machine!

"Hey sweetie," I greeted my little sister. I reached into the pen and picked her up. "How's my little baby?"

"She's doing great," Alice walked in from the kitchen, smiling at the two of us as she dried her hands on a hand towel. "Caddy's been very good today, sleeping for almost two hours this afternoon."

I looked at Caddy and mocked surprise. "You did?!" I cooed at her, smiling. She giggled in her her baby way in answer. I sat her on my hip and carried her outside.

The others had sat down on the arrangement of deck chairs and the porch swing on the wrap-around porch outside. I squeezed in beside Ryder on the swing, Caddy enjoyed the rocking. Mercy sat on Tyler's lap while he sat on a chair, and Archie and Veronica and Betty each sat in a separate chair.

Caddy reached for Ryder and he gently took her into his lap. I rocked the swing a little with my legs, smiling at Caddy as Ryder jiggled her gently on his lap. Veronica cooed over the baby, just as I suspected she would, but Archie sat back and was quiet. I suspected he wasn't genuinely fond of babies.

We chatted about all different things, and somehow we got on the topic of elementary school. I turned to Ryder. "Did you go to Southside Elementary when you were younger?" I questioned.

He face changed, his expression turning into one of distraction - he looked as if he had a flashback to his past.

"Ryder? Ry?" I tried to get his attention, tapping him on his arm.

He shook his head as if fazed. "Sorry, I was just remembering…" he trailed off.

I wondered - not for the first time - about my boyfriends mysterious past that he never talked about. Hopefully, I would be able to get him to tell me what he was so secretive about - eventually.

Author's note: Hiya y'all! Long note today…

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, been busy and trying to find what to write about. A big thank you to megan for reviewing and reminding me of all of the loose ends I need to tie up! Also, thanks to my friend Amber for helping me with the storyline. I was ready to leave this story, but she gave me inspiration. I want to thank everyone for reviewing or following/ favouriting my story and for just reading it in general! :) I will post a new chapter soon, and it will be a bit different because it's going to be a flashback into Ryder past! I really am looking forward to exploring my own character's past- even if I'm the one who makes it up!

You might have noticed, but I haven't added the Black Hood in this story in ages; in my AU he was Mr Svensen. So, basically, Hal is still away from his family and Hiriam is still in prison (hate that guy!)

Also, who saw the season finale? I loved it! I love Jughead in it! I really think that episode 21 finish was more of a cliff-hanger than the finale.. but whatevs.

One more note: I have another account now for Arrow fanfictions - I didn't really want to put is on my 'riverdalefanictic' page - so if you like Arrow, please check my account out. It's called ' youhavefailedthiscity23 '.

I should update again soon, but until then please review and favourite/follow and just read my story! I love your reviews!

Xx G