Chapter 8: My First Mystery!
* Aria's POV*
It has been two weeks and Archie did 2 mysteries without me, because they were dead ends and exaggerated stuff, and I got a head start in all my classes except my art, gym, and choir class. I was ahead in French but I still had to look up words, mainly for songs and song ideas, and kept everything in balance. It was easy with Betty and Dilton's help. Mostly Dilton's because Betty still tutored others. I just didn't want to feel like I was taking advantage of him. Maybe I can treat him to a burger sometime. Right now it's Friday and I was going to go with Archie to see Jughead today after school. I blushed softly at seeing Jughead today. I don't know why but him and Dilton are…...Different. I can't figure it out. Oh well. I tried not to ponder on it too much. After all, my 1st day at school getting flirted with, maybe that mild jealous tone I heard was because I made him feel like Archie does to him a lot when it came down to Betty and Veronica. I should try to spend time with him at school too. I got up, stretched, and decided to hop in the shower. It was only 6 AM And my aunt and uncle went out this morning to run a few errands and catch up with some friends so it was just me and Archie today. I grabbed my outfit I wore when I got tested by Dilton and headed for the bathroom. I had brought in my IPOD and a speaker to listen to my tunes in the shower, not to loudly of course, as I relieved my self, started the shower, and played 'I Was Made For Lovin' You' By KISS and hopped into the shower. I started singing and didn't fully realize how loud I was singing. By the time I was out and started drying off to dress myself I was starting to sing 'Hips Don't Lie' by Shakira. I had finished getting dressed, replayed the song, and started shaking my hips as I brushed my hair and tossed it up. I put on my Headphones, still singing loudly, and put on a touch of makeup and my earrings in as I danced out the door, put my pajamas in my room, and danced/sang my way down the stairs and to the fridge to heat up a hot pocket.
Once the song was ending I felt a tap on my shoulder. I jumped and shrieked as I turned around and had to stop myself from accidentally punching Archie. I put my headphones on my neck as I panted. "Cheese platters Arch. You trying to give me a heart attack?" I managed to pant out as I went back to grabbing my hot pocket from the freezer. "Sorry Aria. I didn't realize your headphones were on. Explains why you were sing and dancing down the stairs." He said as I froze and stared at him. "You saw that?" I asked in terror as he nodded. "Come on it's not that bad. Your waking up and goofing off. Besides you know your a good singer. I'm sure thats why you have a fan club already." Archie joked as I slapped him lightly. I went to the microwave and heated up my hot pocket and sat down at the table before pausing my music. "So when will you be ready?" I asked him. "Soon. I just wanted to grab food 1st before I grabbed a clean shirt from the laundry room." He told me. As soon as I heard the microwave bing Archie ran, stole my hot pocket, and made a run for it. My jaw dropped as I slowly realized what happened. "ARCHIE ANDREWS THAT WAS MY HOT POCKET!" I screamed as I heard him head for the stairs. I went to chase him but then figured it wasn't worth it. I decided to grab another one before I saw that there were no more. That was the last one. Yeah I was gonna kill him. I went to the cabinet and decided on double chocolate pop tarts and a mini bag of BBQ chips as I grabbed a Coke from the fridge. Archie soon ran down stairs and saw me put the 'breakfast' in my bag with my laptop as I glared at him. "Why are you having that?" He asked innocently as I glared an ice storm his way. "You took my hot pocket. More specifically the last hot pocket! Aunt Mary won't be back with more till later on today." I said still glaring a wizard of a blizzard at him. He chuckled and said "Sorry." As I rolled my eyes at him. "Buy me a burger or two from Pop's and we'll call it even." I told him as he nodded in agreement.
On the way there I had finished my pop tarts and my chips and was downing the last of my soda. "Honestly Aria. You need to eat better. Maybe you should eat a sa-" He started before I cut him off. "Don't say that word." "What? Salad?" He said before I started making gagging sounds. "I told you not to say that word. Remember? Ever since my mom went on that vegan diet when I was 10 I've hated veggies and nearly died of starvation from it." I reminded him as he rolled his eyes and continued driving.
* Time skip after school*
Archie, Jughead and I went to Jughead's house to decide what to do. Jughead sat in front of the TV and turned it on to a movie that was already half way done. "And now we return the monster movie marathon." We heard the TV announcer say as a movie came back on. "Honestly Jughead. Haven't you seen this one already?" Archie asked as eerie music started playing from the movie. "Of course I've seen this one. * Ohm. Munch* Everyones seen this one." He exclaimed while eating popcorn. Archie sat down next to him, and I sat next to Archie, as he started talking to Jughead again. "So why are we watching it again?" He asked. That was a dumb question. "Archie, it's a classic." Jughead replied. "He's right on that one." I agreed as I reached out in front of Archie and grabbed a handful of popcorn to eat. Archie leaned back, crossed his arms, and began pouting. "A classic dud." He said before he rose from his seat and walked over to the glass door, which lead outside into the back, before continuing to speak. "Come on Jughead It's a great day outside. Let's bust out the bikes and go for a ride." He suggested. "Shh." I told him as I scooted closer to Jughead and snatched another handful of popcorn to eat. "Yeah Arch. Shh. Here comes the bit where she finds out her best friend is a mindless zombie." Jughead agreed and added as Archie slapped his forehead. "Sheesh I know how she feels." Archie added as I rolled my eyes. "Mary I think you should see this. Mary? Mary~!" The lady in the movie freaked as Jughead scrunched up and started shaking as I continued to watched un fazed by this. "Never mind. Come on Aria." Archie said but I waved him off. "You go ahead. I don't get to watch horror movies often. If Jughead doesn't mind me staying I'll catch up with you later." I told him as his jaw dropped. "Yeah. You can stay. You can crash for the night to if you want. It's a twelve hour marathon." He told me. "Hey Arch if I call Uncle Fred and ask him and he says yes can you bring me my clothes?" I asked him as the movie continued. "Really? Oh fine. If he says no though I'll get you." He said. "If it's not too dark out I'll skate home." I told him as he shook his head and walked away.
After two movies I asked Jughead if I could borrow the phone before another movie started and he said "Go for it." As I called Uncle Fred. "Hello?" I heard him on the other line. "Hi Uncle Fred. I'm at Jughead's and I was wondering if I could stay the night to finish watching this 12 hour horror movie marathon. I've finished all my work and I'm a week ahead on most of my school work and finished today's and tomorrows chores." I told him as I waited for his reply. "Well normally I'd say no but this is Jughead so I suppose it's alright. But if you feel uncomfortable or there's an emergency you call me or Archie right away. Understand?" He asked me. "Understood. Thank you Uncle Fred. I'll call Archie and have him bring me some clothes for tomorrow. Thank you again Uncle Fred." I said over the phone as he chuckled lightly. "Not a problem Aria. I love you." He told me. "I love you too Uncle Fred." I said as I hung up the phone and called Archie. "Hey Arch. Uncle Fred said yes. Can you bring me a change of clothes please? Oh and some burgers from Pop's? You owe me and I have a $20 on my dresser you can use to buy some extras for me and Jughead." I told him as he replied with an "Ok." and then hung up. I grabbed a few cans of orange soda from the fridge and some candy from the cabinet before I, literally, darted and then hopped onto the couch next to Jughead and displayed the goodies in front of us just as another movie started. Once the movie was over the doorbell rang and Jughead got up to answer it. "Hey Aria. It's Archie." He said as I sprung to the front door. "Thanks Archie." I told him as I took my stuff and noticed my 'nevermore' throw was with my stuff. "I figured you'd want it." He said pointing to my throw as I nodded. "You sure you don't want to stay Arch?" Jughead asked as he shook his head no. "I've got a date tonight with Betty." He said as went 'oooooh' like in the TV shows when someone kisses someone. Archie rolled his eyes as Jughead laughed. "Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow." He said as he left.
I set my stuff next to the couch and pulled out the bag of burgers for Jughead and myself, letting him know it was my treat, as he prepared the sodas. I wasn't sure what time it was nor did I care. Once the movies were over the lady on the TV mentioned something about a contest and naming all the movies. As fast as lightning Jughead dialed and named the movies and won the contest. Once it was confirmed he won we decided to go to bed. Jughead offered me his bed but I told him the couch would be fine as I set up my throw, grabbed my PJ shorts and tank top, and went into the bathroom to change. Once I was done I saw Jughead set up some pillows for me as he waved and said goodnight before stumbling up to his room, Hot dog following him. "Goodnight. And thank you for letting me stay the night," I said as I barely heard him say no problem. I hopped on the couch and was out like a light.
* Time skip to 3pm next day*
Archie was driving Jughead and myself up to the Television station to pick up Jughead's prize. I had my headphones on, ignoring the conversation, while relaxing in the back seat as we pulled up to the station. The boys went in to collect the prize while I stayed in the car and relaxed. I started humming 'Jukebox Hero' by Foreigner when I felt them get into the car and the car moving again. I decided to pause my music and put my headphones around my neck and see what the prize was. "So Jughead? What was the prize?" I asked as he showed a decorated potato trophy. "This. A stupid potato." He said as I laughed so hard I fell back into my seat and had a few tears coming out of my eyes. "Laugh it up Aria. Laugh it up. It's a dumb prize." He mumbled as I tried to stop laughing. "Sorry Jughead. It's just too funny." I told him as he huffed a bit. We made it back to Jughead's house and went inside. We went into the living room, where I gathered my stuff, and saw Jughead put his 'Trophy' on the table next to the lamp. Once I got all my stuff up Jughead immediately turned on the TV for another movie marathon and sat down on the couch. "Jughead you can't just sit in front of that TV all your life." Archie said as I agreed with him. "He's right. I mean last night was one thing but I've noticed you've been in front of the TV everyday. If your not careful then it could affect your health and your school work." I told him. "Yeah. Big game tonight. Riverdale vs Springfield. What do you say?" Archie asked as I gave a questioning look to him. What kind of school holds a sports game on a Saturday? Then again it did rain Thursday and it was still muddy on Friday. Yeah it was early in the year for a game but Riverdale wanted revenge on Springfield from what I was told. I don't know. I'm not big on sports. Only reason why I'm going is to see Tyler, Geoff, Jimmy and Tyrone play. Ronin and Collins would sit at the stands and wait for me. It was better than sitting home alone thats for sure. "I say your blocking the view." I heard Jughead say as I snapped out of my thoughts and started heading for the car. "Whatever. Thanks for letting me stay here again Jughead." I told him. "No prob." He said as the boys continued.
I failed to notice the potato had started growing small green roots. By the time I put my stuff in the back seat Archie started making his way to the car. "No way of convincing him?" I asked as he shook his head. "Oh well. We're not his parents so we can't tell him how to run his life." I added as Archie sighed and agreed with me. "Let's hope he will be at Pop's tomorrow like he said." He told me as we got into the car and went on our way to the game. We had no idea of the danger Jughead would be in. After the game was over, Riverdale barely won, Archie and I went home to sleep.
* The next day*
Archie and I met Betty outside of Pop's to eat lunch. "I'm a little worried about Jughead." Batty said to us. "I'm a bit worried myself." I confessed. "Your telling me. He's turning into a couch potato." Archie said as Betty soon stopped him and pointed in a general direction. "That's not what I'm talking about." Betty added as I looked to where she was pointing and gasped. It was Jughead. He was standing in a flowerpot filled with dirt. He looked a bit pale and disorderly. He had dark circles under his eyes as well. I grew very concerned for Jughead right then and there. * Some thing's wrong with him.* I thought as I went over to him. "Uh Jughead?" I heard Archie say. "Jughead? Are you ok?" I asked him as he opened his eyes and looked around a bit. "It's nice to see you out of the house there buddy. But, uh, what's with the pot?" Archie said in a weirded out tone. "Dirt is good for you Arch. It's rich in nutrients that can be absorbed in the feet." Jughead said in a weird, monotone, hypnotic, almost zombie like voice as he stepped out of the pot. He then turned to me and gave me a creepy smile. "Care to try Aria?" He questioned me as I shuddered. * Some thing is definitely wrong.* I thought as I shook my head a bit. "Um. No thanks Jughead. I'm not due for a while." I told him hoping it wouldn't upset him or set him off. "Suit yourself." He said as I sighed in relief. "I think your freaky friend has finally flipped." Veronica said in her usual 'I'm better than you' tone. "Say Arch you could make it one of your stories. The weird mystery of Jughead's bogus brain." Reggie said as I rolled my eyes. Jughead's health was more important than the mystery column right now. "Note the bags under his eyes. I theorize Jughead is suffering from sleep deprivation." Dilton said as I went into thought about it. It made sense. Jughead stays up really late a lot to watch those movie marathons plus school within itself. But, as smart as Dilton was, I had a feeling it was something else.
* Maybe Reggie's right about it being a Weird Mystery. Wait! Reggie! Right! Oh crackers now I'm loosing my mind.* I thought just as I heard a huge crash. I looked over to the table Reggie and Veronica were sitting at and saw Jughead holding fries and Reggie and Veronica covered in food. "This blouse came from Paris!" I heard her say as Dilton and Betty laughed. "The fries are good but not that good." Reggie said. "Oh I'd never eat french fried potatoes. No one ever should." Jughead said as he tossed the fries to the side. * Jughead? Not eat fries? Something is not right. I don't think thats the real Jughead. But then….Who or what is he?* I thought as he suddenly handed me a potato. "Keep an eye on my friend ok Aria?" He said as he handed everyone else a potato. "Uhm. Sure." I said as I tried to figure this out. I saw Jughead leave with the pot of dirt so I decided to sneak out and try to follow him.
* A few hours later.*
Following Jughead around wasn't easy at all. I had to make sure he didn't see me at all, almost got caught a few times, and all he did was hand out potatoes. Maybe I was wrong. I followed him to his house and decided to sneak in. I wasn't sure why I snuck in but I did. I heard the TV going and inwardly groaned. If he was sleep deprived then this was why. I sat the potato he gave me, yes I still had it and I wasn't sure why, down on the table near me as I peaked into the living room and saw him and hot dog sitting there watching TV. I went to go to him but then I saw him, another Jughead, stand in front of him. I silently gasped when I took a closer look at Jughead and hot dog on the couch. They were covered in green roots. I went to back up but then I heard a growl from behind me. I looked and saw hot dog, the fake one, growling at me as the fake Jughead soon appeared behind me and grabbed my arm. "Hey." I shouted and struggled. "You've seen to much. But don't worry, it's your turn now." He told me as he grabbed my potato and pulled me into the back room and to a closet where he tossed me, and the now sprouting potato, in. I heard Archie and Betty as I went to scream but the potato's roots wrapped around my mouth and a part of my arm. "Don't worry. Archie and Betty will soon join us." He said as he closed the door. I could hear muffled words as I moved around in the closet.
I ended up accidentally smashing the potato under my boot and that helped to get the roots off. "Archie! Betty! Help!" I screamed as I tried to open the door and couldn't. Suddenly the door flew open and I was grabbed and being dragged out of the closet and the house. I soon saw it was Archie and sighed as we got in his car and drove off. "Archie. Thank goodness." I said in relief. "What were you doing there Aria?" He asked me. "Well Jughead seemed too off and I felt like that wasn't the real him and I was right but was discovered soon after. Those potatoes are alive Archie." I told him as he nodded. "Yeah I know. They got Betty." He told me as I gasped. "What do we do?" I asked him. "We're going to Pop's. Hopefully we can find help." He told me as I nodded in agreement. "Archie. I'm a bit scared." I told him as he looked at me for a moment. "It's ok Aria. We'll figure this out and save them." He told me as I nodded. Now normally I don't get scarred but this was freaky enough to start to scare me a little. Soon we made it to Pop's as Arch and I hopped out of the car and ran into Pop's. "Listen everyone! We need to hide from the potatoes!" Archie started but when we were inside we soon found the horror that everyone in there was a zombified potato posed as a person. "Oh Archie-kins. You can't hide from the great potato." Fake Ronnie said. "Yeah. Weren't you listening to Jughead?" Fake Reggie asked. "Oh nuts." I mumbled as I grabbed Archie's wrist and made a run back to the car. We got in and started driving. "Not cool man." I mumbled trying to calm down a bit.
"The police. We've got to try the police." Archie said as I soon saw a shadow start to loom over us. I gasped as it put its hand on Archie's shoulder and spoke. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Archie got scarred and let go of the wheel. I tried to grab it but it was too late. We flew over the small hill and into some garbage cans. After a minute or so we were pulled out of our dazed state. The car wasn't too damaged and it seemed like no one was hurt. "Oh. Sorry about that. Are you ok?" I heard Dilton ask Archie. "Dilton?" I mumbled. I still couldn't see straight but I could hear just fine. "Aria? Are you ok? Can you see?" Dilton asked me. "I can't see well right now." I mumbled. "It's ok. Just don't sleep." He told me as he held my head up to look at my eyes. "Dilton. Is that you?" Archie asked. "Yes it is. I thought I was the last human left until I saw you and Aria run into Pop's. You should be fine shortly Aria." He told me as I started getting my vision back. "At least I'm starting to see." I told him. "Aria I'm so sorry." Archie started but I brushed him aside. "Wait. You said 'last human'. Does that mean everyone, including the cops, are potato people except us?" I asked. "Thats correct." Dilton said before I groaned. "Jughead said there was some 'Great potato' behind all of this." Archie mentioned. "Great potato?" I mumbled. "He must be behind the microwave transmissions I detected with my lab equipment." Dilton said as I finally got myself able to see again and pushed Dilton into the back seat. "Where? The TV station?" I asked as Dilton thought about it. "Possibly. How do you figure?" He asked. "This all started when Jughead won that potato trophy down at the station. The source must be there." I noted. "Well then lets go." Archie said as he got the car out of the trash area and started heading down there. "If we can turn off the transmissions then all of this should stop. Right Dilton?" I questioned him. "Precisely." He stated.
We were on our way there not knowing that beforehand we were being watched and also not knowing the trap set for us. We arrived to the station. I kept a look out while Archie and Dilton went to the window to see if they could get in. "We need to go to the transmission tower." Archie told me as I nodded and followed suit. Dilton was talking to Archie about the control box when I backed up to them. "Guys. We got company." I told them as they turned and saw an army of potato people walking towards us. They were soon starting to surround us, each of them holding a potato, and inching closer by the second. "Dilton, Archie. Both of you get to the control box. Now. I can hold them off and smash a few but you need to go." I told them. "What?" Dilton said. "Are you crazy?" Archie asked. "Dilton can tell you how to stop it better than I can and your faster at running than I am Archie. I can hold them off for a little while." I stated as they got closer. "But-" Archie started before I cut him off. "GO! NOW!" I screamed as I charged at them and started throwing a few punches and smashed a few potatoes. I saw they made it to the ladder before I was grabbed by a few roots. Before I could get them off of me I blacked out. It was like being in the zone for a while. Next thing I knew I woke up and started pulling the roots off of me and saw that there were no more potato people. Only potatoes.
What happened next was unbelievable and I'm actually here seeing it. I saw a spaceship hovering over Archie and the microwave dish as the door opened up and revealed a giant, multi eyed, mutated, green rooted potato, The Great Potato no less, as it had a mean look in its eyes and grabbed the dish with its roots. "Archie!" I screamed in terror as all I could do was watch from my spot. It started bending and twisting the dish and tower as Archie held on for dear life. "Archie. Turn the machine on at full power." He said. "What?" Archie asked as I thought about it. I realized Dilton's plan soon enough. "Do it Arch! He'll be baked!" I told him as he then flipped the switch on and turned it up to full blast. Soon the great potato got baked and let go of the dish as he flew away on his ship. Once Archie got down Dilton explained how the microwave dish turned into a microwave as I ran up and hugged Archie. I soon hugged Dilton too. "Thank you Dilton for helping Archie!" I told him as I soon realized I was hugging him to tightly and let go while blushing softly. We got back into town and checked on everyone, Especially Jughead, and soon found that everyone was ok and everything was back to normal. We made it home and Archie and I traded notes on the mystery from both points of view.
"We don't know where the great potato went after that but we never saw him nor his kind ever again. As for Jughead; he still watched TV, but he does other things too. It's like I, Archie, Had told him before. 'Watching a little bit of TV is great but too much can turn a guy into a zombie'. And as I, Aria, am pointing out the nation's big produce suppliers one weird mystery that still remains as to why no one orders that many potatoes anymore in a little town called Riverdale!" Archie and I ended the article as we saved and got ready for bed. This was an interesting weekend. I hope more things like this happen. What can I say? I like Weird.