Chapter 11: The Christmas Phantom!
* Aria's POV*
It was almost Christmas time. The time for Joy and cheers, good will towards man, snow, music, movies, cookies, presents, and Family. Now normally my Christmas's sucked except when I got that phone call from Archie and perked up. This year I was away form my parents and with Archie so it's different. It was a week before Christmas and vacation had already began. I was so happy. I had done the school choir Christmas show and it turned out great. I got to do a solo for silent night, which no one knew about except me, the choir teacher and the choir class, so my aunt, uncle, cousin, and friends were shocked. The teacher had me stay after school, not only to practice, but to overcome my stage fright. I still have it but not as bad now. Whenever I see Archie it makes me smile and that makes me want to sing. Anyways I was wearing my jean pants tucked in my black winter boots with white foe fur trim and a light blue sweater with white snow flakes on it. I even braided my hair and put snowflake pins in it and silver bell earrings. Archie and I saved up money to buy all the teachers presents and small gifts for everyone in the school. I even made cookies. I found out Jimmy was going to see some relatives out of town for Christmas and that Ronin would be in Texas visiting his grandparents as well. I gave them their gifts and they gave me presents too. They told me to open them but I said I'd wait till Christmas. Geoff, Tyrone, and Tyler were spending time with their relatives as well so I won't see much of them, if at all, and Collins is free until Christmas eve and Christmas so he said he'd see me a few times at least. They gave me gifts too and I gave them gifts. I even gave Dilton a gift and he got me something as well. At the beginning of the day Archie and I took 45 minutes to make sure we gave everyone everything for Christmas. Now my only problem is that I don't have money to get gifts for Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Aunt Mary, Uncle Fred or even Reggie for that matter. I gave them cookies but thats not enough. I need to figure that out fast. I wasn't worried about it. I'll figure it out later in the day or tomorrow morning. Anyways after we finished we headed outside to meet with the gang. We walked out the door together in a good mood with bright smiles on our faces.
"Boy I sure do love Christmas time!" Archie commented when we were out the door.
"Me too." I said as I looked around and then up at the sky to see no snow and no clouds at all.
"What? No snow yet? Bummer." I said with a slight frown.
"Oh well! It always snows in time for Christmas in Riverdale." Archie said with a smile in his voice to match the one on his face as I brightened up at that.
"Yeah! It'll snow!" I said as we made our way to the gang. They looked bored and Reggie looked irritated but I wasn't going to let that bring me down and Neither would Archie!
"We've been waiting 45 minutes for you two." Reggie said in an irritated tone.
"Well we just had to make sure everybody at Riverdale High got there gifts." Archie explained.
"And you mean everybody." Reggie stated as I rolled my eyes at him.
"What can I say? We like Christmas." Archie said happily and casually as I nodded in agreement.
"Big deal. We all like Christmas. Especially all the presents we'll be getting." Veronica said with a smile on her face.
"And all that delicious Christmas food." Jughead added while licking his lips and drooling lightly. I held back my giggles.
*Jughead's so cute when he gets like that over food.* I thought to myself.
"And all that babysitting money I'll make when parents go out Christmas shopping." Betty added as she winked and smiled.
"And don't forget those bargains at the after Christmas sales." Reggie added in. He was right on that one. Once Christmas is over the Disney ornaments I collect and the nutcrackers I try to get go on sale between 75%-90% off. I always get one ornament every year since I was 5 and try to get nutcrackers as well. Never the less Archie turned and looked at them with a look of slight disappointment.
"But what about spending quality time with friends and family?" Archie asked them.
"Face it Arch, everybody knows the best thing about Christmas is the eats." He said as he started licking his lips and drooling again as I, yet again, held back my giggles.
"What about the spirit of giving?" Archie asked.
"It's fun to get too. Admit it Archie, there's gotta be something you want for Christmas. Come on. Fess up. What did you ask Santa to get you this year?" She asked.
"Oh that's easy. He wants a 'Weird Mystery' to start off the new year." I told them in a cheery voice.
"Well that and to make sure you get a proper Christmas Aria." Archie added as I grew shocked before my face softened into a smile.
"Aw. Really?" I asked trying not to tear up at that. He knew my parents didn't set up a tree or decorations and if I left out cookies and milk they would either eat them or throw them away.
"Yeah." He said as my smile brightened.
"The poor boy has Christmas and weird mysteries on the brain." Reggie said in a teasing voice.
"Well it's nice you want Aria to have a nice Christmas." Betty added in.
"Oh yeah that remind me. What did you ask Santa for Doll Face? Whatever it is I can get it for you." Reggie flirted as he wrapped his arm around me. I quickly brushed him off me.
"Well for starters all I want for Christmas from you is to stop flirting with me. And second I asked Santa for three things only." I stated as Reggie pouted at me telling him not to flirt with me.
"What was that?" Betty asked me.
"That Archie gets his mystery that he wanted for one. Two: I asked for everyone to get what they wanted for Christmas and well. The third thing is….Well...Embarrassing." I said as I shuffled from one foot to the next as I avoided there looks and crossed my arms in front of me.
"Well? Come on tell us." Betty said as I sighed.
"I asked to meet Santa. It's stupid but I wanted to give him cookies and apologize for all the years my parents either ate his or threw them away. I wanted him to know that I still believe in him and that he deserves them for all the joy and happiness he spreads around the world." I said as I heard Reggie laughing.
"That's stupid. I mean the weird mystery for Archie I get. The gift thing I guess but meeting Santa? Really? Ha! Santa's not real!" Reggie said as I glared at him.
"He is too real! I don't care what you say!" I said as I started pouting like a child.
"Easy Aria." Archie said trying to calm me down.
"He's not real. If you can't see him then he doesn't exist." Reggie stated.
"Reggie!" Betty scolded.
"You don't see air but that exists." I stated as Reggie rolled his eyes.
"Whatever. Come on Doll Face. How about I dress up as Santa and get you something nice?" He asked me as I glared at him.
"Oh Archie-kins. All this talk of giving must mean your getting me an expensive gift for Christmas. Right?" Veronica said as she clung on to Archie and changed the conversation.
*That's right! I still need to make money!* I thought in a panic.
"Um. Actually. Aria and I spent all our money getting gifts for everyone else." Archie confessed as I looked at him.
"Way to throw me under the sled with you Arch." I said to him as he chuckled nervously at me. Veronica suddenly shoved Archie away from her.
"Andrews. Your hopeless." Reggie said as I rolled my eyes.
"Also named Andrews." I pointed out.
"Your lavish gifts on them. *Sniff sniff* But your going to neglect me?" Veronica said in a hurt voice as, even though she was being selfish, I felt a pang. I did the same thing to all of them.
"I'm just as guilty Veronica. I'm sorry. I ended up accidentally neglected all of you. I can look for a small job or two to get you all something." I stated as Reggie rolled his eyes
. "Your just as bad as Archie." Reggie stated. Veronica's phone rang and she moved away from us to answer it.
"You can give me a kiss to make up for it though." Reggie suddenly added as he came close to kissing me.
"Not gonna happen." I said as I shoved him away from me. I then saw Veronica hand Archie the phone.
"It's for you Archie-kins." Veronica said in a sweet and flirty tone. I wondered who it was.
"Hello? *Pause* Really?! *Pause* Thanks Mister Lodge. I'll be right down. Oh wait! Can my cousin join me? *Pause* She's right here." I heard Archie say as he then handed me the cell phone. I looked at it curiously before putting it up to my ear.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hello. Are you Archie's cousin?" I heard an older gentleman ask me on the other line.
"Yes. Aria Andrews." I answered politely.
"Ah! Your the girl my sweet Veronica has mentioned. I'm her father. Archie wishes to know if you would like to join him." He said.
"May I ask what it's in regards to sir?" I asked trying to be polite.
"I need a responsible teenager to be Santa in my store and also the tree attacked my last one. Veronica mentioned that you help your cousin out. I can make you an elf and pay you in cash. $10 an hour alright?" He responded as I thought about it. I did need a job.
"If it includes a mystery then how about adding an extra 10% off purchases in the store. For gifts for my friends, cousin, and your daughter especially." I said adding in Veronica to sweeten the deal.
"Hmm. You drive a hard but fair bargain. I guess I'll agree to that. I'll even throw in free gift wrapping." He said as I smiled on the other end.
"Then you have yourself a deal sir. We'll be down there in no time." I said in a cheerful voice.
"Great. Goodbye now." He replied as he hung up. I handed Veronica her phone back and looked at Archie.
"I'm in." I simply stated.
"Wow! Mister Lodge not only got me and Aria a job but a weird mystery to solve. Guess there really is a Santa Claus." Archie said as I smiled brightly.
"See? Told you he exists!" I said as I skipped over to Archie's side.
"And we start our jobs and mystery solving right now!" I said with glee as I grabbed my cousin by the arm and dragged him, while I skipped, to his car.
"Bye guys!" I shouted and waved.
"Bye!" Archie said as we made it to his car. What can I say? I'm excited. We hopped in the car and started talking on the way.
"You bargain well. I heard the 10% deal." Archie mentioned.
"Yeah. He also threw in free gift wrapping. Besides I'm used to bargaining in the city." I confessed.
"Well what will you be doing?" He asked me.
"Well while your Santa I'm going to be an elf. I figure that means taking pictures, handing out candy canes and keeping the line going. Stuff like that." I said with a smile. Archie was trying not to laugh.
"What?" I asked. "
You'd make a funny looking elf." He teased as I elbowed his arm.
"Hush." I added. We soon arrived to the store before it was opened. Once we got inside we were greeted by an older gentleman in a business suit.
"Ah Archie! Glad to see you made it. And this must be Aria. I'm Mister Lodge. We spoke over the phone." He said with a smile as he extended his hand towards me. I smiled and shook his hand with a polite yet firm grip.
"Pleasure to meet you sir." I replied to him as I let his hand go. He gave me and Archie our costumes to change into. My elf costume was a green sleeveless dress with white fur trimming that ended slightly above my knees, a black belt on it as well, red collar with silver bells on it, red and white stripped knee high socks, green pointed shoes with white fur trimming, a green little elf hat with red trimming, and I wore my green fingerless gloves that ended at the wrist and had white trimming with silver sparkles. I kept my hair the way it was and left in the earrings and snowflake pins. I redid my make up to light green eye shadow and silver eye liner with a touch of black to make my eyes look bigger. I put pink blush on my cheeks, that looked air brushed on, and clear lip gloss as well. I also added in silver sparkles on my exposed skin to really sparkle. And yes I even wore pointed ear tops to make my ears look like elf ears. When we were done he began to show us the store while talking to us.
"Archie. Aria. Christmas is our most profitable time of the year. I can't take a chance on having the customers frightened off. That's why I'm counting on both of you to get to the bottom of this 'Weird Mystery'." Mister Lodge told us as he led us to the Santa area.
"You can count on us sir. We'll be the best under cover operatives you've ever had." Archie boasted as I giggled at that.
"I'd rather you be the best Santa I've ever had." He said to Archie as he put a hand on his shoulder before he turned to address me.
"And for Aria to be the best Elf I've ever had. To be honest I've never had an elf help out before so this is a first." He admitted as I smiled even brighter now.
"Tis the season to make money you know." He added as I felt a pang in my heart. Money. That's all that seemed to matter really. Greed. I mentally shook my head as I kept a bright smile on my face. I wasn't going to let this bother me. Not at all.
"Uh. Right." I heard Archie say. I know he feels the same way I do.
"So this is the homicidal pine tree?" He asked as he pointed to a very large and very nicely decorated Christmas tree.
"Yes. This is the confer that supposedly attacked Mister Bailey. Or at least that's what he said when he quit." he said, mumbling the last part, as he walked us up to the chair 'Santa' sits on.
"Funny how no one saw it happen except him. But I suppose your used things like that. Right Andrews?" He asked as he looked at us both. I hated it when someone said our last names with both of us here. It always confuses me on whether someone was talking to me, Archie, or both of us.
"Absolutely! 'Weird Mysteries R' Us' sir." Archie replied while he sat down in the chair. I stifled a small chuckle and waited for instructions.
"Good. Because whatever happens, you have to stay calm. Keep the kids happy. Speaking of which." He said as he trailed off the last words while walking away. I presumed he forgot to give us, or at least Archie, something.
"You don't look dangerous to me." I said in a cheery tone towards the tree as I went up to it and lightly stroked the branches to see, if it was alive, would react or not. It didn't.
"Aria! Don't do that! It might be alive!" Archie scolded me as I 'Pfft' at him.
"Archie! I doubt that." I said as I circled the tree once before Mister Lodge returned and told us the store was now opened. He handed me a camera, that deposits photo's right after you take a picture, with a stand and a bag filled with candy canes for the kids. I was setting it up while Archie practiced his 'ho ho ho'. We both failed to noticed a masked figure move a ceiling tile to stare at us. We also failed to notice, while I had my back turned, the tree shake a bit before it stopped just as I turned to Archie with a big smile.
"Ready?" I asked him. He nodded and soon the day began. Man was the day long. Some parents brought there own cameras but I still took pictures any ways. Kids were hopping on Archie, crying, reading off a long list, falling off his lap, me catching them just in time, stealing his hat, me getting his hat back, Me handing out candy canes, and one eleven year old who decided to try and look up my skirt. Yeah. Let's just say I had the kid by his ear and handed him to his parents and explained politely what had happened. They weren't mad about me grabbing their child by the ear and pulling him to them like that. I just said don't let it happen again and that he still deserves a Christmas as I gave all three a candy cane and skipped back to Archie to finish my job. I got back to see Archie had fallen asleep to one of the kids reading off a long list. Just as they finished I threw a candy cane at Archie, hitting his nose, as he woke up and saw the kid smiling at him and asking if he would get the stuff for him. Archie smiled and told him.
"Of course I will. I'm Santa!" He said as I took a picture. I helped the child off his lap and down the three steps before saying
"Merry Christmas little one." and handing him a candy cane before patting his head and watch him run off to his mother with a large smile on his face. I couldn't help but smile at that. Seeing these children happy made me happy. Soon the day was over and Archie was exhausted, slumped over in the chair looking like he was about to pass out, while I was just slightly tired. Mister Lodge locked up the store and began speaking to us.
"This has been the most profitable shopping day in the Lodge Department Store's history." He said as he began walking up to us with a bright smile on his face.
"Well Archie, you did much better than I expected. And I see that Christmas tree kept it's branches to itself." He said as he chuckled at the end of his sentence. I couldn't help but chuckle as well.
"And Aria you handled those children wonderfully." He turned to me with a smile as I smiled back.
"It wasn't that hard." I quickly mentioned before Archie sighed to catch both of our attentions.
"Yeah. I think that Bailey fella made it all up." He said before he turned away from the tree, I'm not even sure when he stood up to be honest, and looked at Mister Lodge.
"You know Mister Lodge, I can't believe how greedy kids are these days. Christmas is suppose to be about good cheer." He said while taking off the hat and beard. Archie was right though. Kids were greedy. But that's how some are. Not all of them were like that. Archie sighed before he continued talking.
"What am I going to be like after a whole Christmas season of this?" He asked hanging his head as he turned and walked away from us. I shook my head and bid Mister Lodge goodnight as I followed Archie.
*Christmas Eve*
It was now Christmas Eve, and our third and final day working, as we were almost ready for our lunch breaks. I had finished giving a little boy a candy cane and seeing him go to his parents when I noticed a little girl, about 6 with brown hair, standing by herself, holding a brown haired doll in a blue dress, near the entrance of the store that was like 30+ feet in front of me, with tears in her eyes.
*Is she lost?* I thought as I remembered her from not even an hour ago. She wanted a doll with red hair so her other doll could have a friend. I looked at Archie as he took a breather.
"I'll be back." I told him just as the phone rang for him to answer. I went straight up to the girl and knelt down to her hight.
"Hello there." I said to her in a sweet voice. She looked at me with her dark brown eyes.
*Those eyes look familiar. Why?* I thought as I smiled at her to comfort her.
"Are you lost?" I asked her as she nodded before speaking.
"I can't find my big brother." She said as I awed to myself on the inside at how adorable she was.
"Have no fear! Aria the elf is here!" I announced to her as I stood up and offered my hand to her.
"I can help you find him!" I said in a cheery voice as she smiled, eyes still watery, and took my hand. I decided to take her to where she last saw her brother heading off to.
"What's your name sweetie?" I asked her.
"Clarice." She told me as I smiled at her.
"That is such a pretty name." I told her sweetly.
"Thank you." She mumbled. I saw the toy section and looked at her.
"Ok. What does your brother look like?" I asked her.
"He's tall. Taller than you. He has Blond hair and brown eyes." She said to me.
"Ok. And what's his name?" I asked her. Before she could reply I heard someone behind me.
"Clarice! There you are." I looked over to the familiar voice to see Collins run up to her and hug her.
"Big brother." she said as she hugged him back. I was shocked. I didn't know Collins had a younger sister.
*That's why her eyes were familiar. She and Collins have the same eyes.* I thought as Clarice pulled back.
"My new friend was helping me find you. She's an elf." She said as he straightened up.
"Yes. Well. Thank you for finding her Mi-Aria?" He asked as he finally saw me. He looked shocked as he looked me up and down to see my elf costume.
"Hey Collins. You never told me you had an adorable little sister." I said to him. He was still flabbergasted to see me I guess.
"Wow. You know my big brother?" She asked me.
"We go to school together. I'm only an elf around Christmas time." I told her so I wouldn't crush her spirits. She smiled brightly.
"Oh! Your the girl my big brother talks about. The pretty red head with an angelic voice Aria!" She said as I blushed lightly. That seemed to snap him out of it.
"Clarice!" He scolded/whined.
"You should keep a better eye out for your sister. She was lost for a while." I said as I caught his attention.
"Yes. I know. I'm sorry. I expected to be done by the time she was. I guess I wasn't. Any ways thank you so much for taking care of her Aria." He said as I smiled at him.
"It's no problem." I told him.
"So? An elf? It's cute for you." He said as I gently blushed.
"Yeah. Earned enough money to finish gift buying for everyone else." I told him as he nodded.
"Can she be your girlfriend? She's even nicer and even prettier than you said." Clarice suddenly blurted out as we both blushed red. I started laughing right after words while Collins got redder.
"She's bold. That's good for a girl." I said as I laughed a bit more.
"Clarice! You don't ask questions like that." He said as she looked confused. I looked at my watch before I looked back at them.
"I have to go now. My lunch break is over." I mentioned as Collins and Clarice looked at me.
"Don't tell me you used your entire break to help Clarice find me." He said as I smiled at him.
"Ok. I won't tell you. But I will say it was no problem. Plus I wasn't going to leave her there crying." I said as Collins looked at me. Suddenly I felt two small arms cling onto my legs.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean for you to miss lunch because of me." She said with sadness in her voice. I swore she would start crying again. I pulled her away as I bent down and looked at her with a smile.
"It's ok. I'd rather help a child out than eat. I'm not hungry anyway." I told her as I then reached in my bag and pulled out a candy cane for her and then I pulled out a snowflake hair clip I had, that I didn't use, and clipped it in her hair.
"Merry Christmas little one." I told her as she felt the clip and smiled brightly. I stood up and hugged Collins lightly before handing him a candy cane as well.
"Merry Christmas Collins. Take care of your sister." I told him as he smiled at me.
"I will." He said as I headed back to work. I had failed to notice the eyes from the ceiling watching my every move from the point Clarice was lost to now. I had also failed to notice that Mister Lodge had seen me with Clarice in the toy section before Collins came up to us until now. Needless to say I made it back to Archie just in time for our breaks to be over and start up again. It was slow so it was fine. I only made it 15 minutes in before I felt a tug on my skirt. I looked down and saw Clarice holding out a cup of Coco before she held it up to me.
"My brother says Merry Christmas." She says as I smiled and took the cup from her.
"Thank you Clarice. And tell your brother I said thank you as well." I said as she smiled at me.
"I will." She said and then darted to the door where I saw Collins waiting for her. He smiled and lightly waved to me as he took his sister's hand, saw me gently wave goodbye with a bright smile on my face, and walk out the door. I looked at the Coco and smiled as I started drinking it.
"What was that about?" Archie asked me as I explained what happened and how I gave my favourite snowflake clip to Clarice to make her happy and show her I wasn't upset about missing my lunch at all. Archie smiled and we soon started dealing with kids again. Now it was the end of the day and Archie and I went into the back area to change into normal clothes. We, yet again, failed to notice the masked man above us pull back the ceiling tile to watch us. I wasn't sure how but I guess after I got changed and sat down I fell asleep. Oops. I woke up and looked out to see Archie get out as well.
"Man. Guess I must've dozed off." He said as I was now next to him.
"I did too." I simply stated.
"Oops. Almost forgot everyone's gifts." He said as he went to go back through the door.
"Wait for me Arch! I'll go with you." I said as I chased after him to grab my gifts and drop off the elf costume as well. We didn't realize that the lights went off in the main room nor noticed that we were locked in and left alone and forgotten while we made our way into the basement. Only when we came back up, gifts in arms, did we notice the lights off.
"Great. Someone turned off the lights. I can't see a thing." Archie said as I followed him, to my best abilities, to set the gifts down on a table before going to the front door.
"You don't think we got locked in and forgotten, do you?" I asked my cousin as I tried not to hit anything.
"Naw! They wouldn't forget us Aria! They're probably by the door waiting for us." Archie reassured me as I sighed. But when we got there we saw no one. Archie pulled on the door but it was locked.
"Oh no! The doors are locked!" he said in worry as he couldn't open the door. I went to the other set and pulled but they were locked as well.
"Help! Somebody! Anybody! Help! We're still in here!" I shouted but no one was around.
*It's Christmas eve! Duh! No one will be outside!* I thought as I turned, leaned my back against the door, and slid down the glass as I sighed. We were locked in a store on Christmas eve with no way out until probably after Christmas. Oh joy!
"Wonderful! We're stuck here over night." Archie sighed as he leaned against the door.
"Cousin. I hate to tell you but tomorrow's Christmas. Meaning the store's locked tomorrow." I told him as reality struck him.
"Oh no!" He shouted as he moved away from the door and started sweating. Soon he turned around and started banging on the door as I rested my head on my knees in a fetal position to try and stay calm. We soon heard a rustle as I looked up and saw nothing but the tree in front of us.
"What was that?" Archie asked as I shrugged.
"I dunno." I told him truthfully.
"Now I'm Hearing things. It can't get any worse than this." Archie said as I glared at him.
"Don't say that! Something bad will happen." I told him as he then got mad and turned around.
"We have all the luck. We're going to spend all of Christmas in a department store." He said as he leaned against a railing and his back turned to me. I then had an idea.
"Wait a minute! Archie! The phone! We can use the phone to call Veronica!" I nearly shouted as I jumped up and made a run towards the tree where I last was a phone. If it wasn't there then maybe at the customer service area.
"Great idea!" He perked up. He started walking to where I was when I picked up the phone from the chair and turned it on. At 1st I heard a line but then it clicked off. The line was dead.
"Uh oh!" I said as I turned the phone off.
"What now." He said in a slightly annoyed voice.
"The lines dead." I told him as he groaned.
"It was worth trying." I muttered as I put the phone down.
"It was a good idea Aria." He said as he put his hand on my shoulder to comfort me.
"But now everyone's going to be so busy eating and opening presents that no one will notice we're gone." Archie complained as he looked around. Presents. Idea.
"Archie. Follow me." I said as I grabbed him and pulled him towards the presents.
"What are you doing?" Archie asked as we stopped and I picked up a small red box with a green and silver bow on it.
"Aria?" Archie asked as I handed him the gift.
"Here Archie. It's not much. Since we're stuck here I thought I'd give you your gift now to make you feel better." I told him as his face softened before grabbing the gift from me.
"Aria. You didn't have to." He whispered as I smiled gently at him. He then set it down and smiled at me.
"I'll open it when we get out of here." He said as he pulled me into a hug. I smiled and hugged him back. I never liked seeing him upset. I liked it when he smiled. We had no idea that back at Veronica's three people were sitting on the couch looking depressed. Those three were Jughead, Betty and Veronica.
*Third POV At Veronicas*
The three were sitting there all depressed as Reggie walked in from the other room where the party was.
"What are you guys doing in here?" Reggie asked as he stopped next to them with his hands on his hips before talking again.
"There about to bob for apples on the veranda." As he used his thumb to point behind him. The three just sighed.
"We're waiting for Archie and Aria to show up." Betty said.
"Ah they're probably running late." He said with a scowl on his face.
"Come on Jughead. There's plenty of food on the buffet tables." Reggie spoke with a smile on his face. Jughead shook his head no before speaking.
"No. I always wait for Archie to give his Christmas toast, then I eat. It's Christmas tradition for me. I wanted Aria to hear it to." then he sunk his face into his fists again as he sighed. He really wanted to spend time with Aria as well. He was looking forward to eating with her. She never seemed to mind his sloppy eating and she enjoyed food just as much as him. Almost the whole town was here, except those who left for vacation or family emergencies like the group of guys except Collins and his family, enjoying everything. He wanted to see her face brighten up and her cheeks become rosy pink like they did when he complimented her or got to close to her. Reggie seemed to frown before it turned to a smile.
"What about you Veronica? Lots of presents under the tree for you." Reggie pointed out.
"Oh. Half the fun of opening them was having Archie-kins watching me open the presents." Veronica pointed out as she too sunk her face into her fists.
"He enjoys that so much." She said, barely above a whisper, as Reggie finally sighed.
"Make room for me." He said while moving his hands in a side to side motion. Betty and Jughead complied and moved aside so Reggie could sit in between them. He was soon in the same sad pose and state as the other three.
"Your right. Christmas just isn't the same without Archie. And I was hoping to see Aria as well." He said as all four sighed.
"Have you four seen Aria?" They heard as they looked up to see Collins, holding hands with a little girl, who looked around.
"Is she here big brother?" She asked him.
"No. Her and Archie aren't here yet. Did you meet her Clarice?" Betty asked. Betty knew Collins' sister Clarice. Sometimes she watched her when Collins either couldn't or wouldn't. Mostly couldn't. Clarice smiled brightly at Betty.
"Yeah! She's Santa's elf every Christmas. She's pretty too. She helped me find my brother at the store and even gave me this." She said as she pointed to the snowflake hair clip in her hair. It was big on her but just right for Aria.
*That's one of Aria's favourite hair pieces. She gave it to her? She's so kind and special.* Jughead thought.
"It looks very pretty on you." Betty complimented.
"Thank you." She said as she looked at Collins.
"Can we wait for her?" She asked him as he smiled at her.
"Why don't you go to the party and I'll get you when she's here. Ok?" He asked her as she nodded.
"Ok." She replied as she skipped back to the party. Once she was gone Collins' face became serious.
"Do you know where they are? Archie is never this late and he would've brought Aria with him." He asked and pointed out as all four shook there heads no. Collins then leaned against the wall and sighed.
"I'll wait then." He said as he sighed again.
*I'm worried about you. What could've happened?* Collins thought as all five sighed.
* Aria's POV*
Archie was sitting in the chair with his face leaning against his cheeks as he sighed.
"There's got to be some way out of here." He said lightly as I started gently pacing around. I didn't like just doing nothing. I was thinking of a way out.
"Maybe the vents?" I said towards Archie.
"No. The vents are high up." He said.
"Not in the basement area." I told him.
"We don't know where to go from there." He said as I sighed. He was right. We would either get lost or stuck up there. I had stopped pacing as I heard another set of foot steps.
"Huh?" I said as I caught his attention. He looked where I was looking as we both saw a cute little teddy bear walk around across the room from behind one of the counters.
*How is it moving? Are the batteries defective?* I thought to myself. But soon a toy robot followed suit.
"What the?" Archie muttered as he stood up in time to see the robot as well. Then we saw a doll and another robot. Archie covered his eyes.
"I don't know what's going on." He said as he removed his hand from his eyes before continuing his sentence.
"But I'm going to find out." I looked at him and saw him go to follow the toys.
"Wait for me. I'm coming to." I said as I quickly followed behind him. I didn't want to be alone in this store. We hid behind one of the counters and saw the four toys walk pat us, unknowingly, and go straight into the basement door before closing it.
*Why the basement?* I thought as Archie and I sneaked to the basement door before opening it and going inside.
"Oh well. Here goes nothing." Archie said, sounding worried, as I closed the door behind us. The hallway was long and creepy looking but at least it was lit up.
*This isn't so bad.* I thought as I then clung on to Archie's arm a bit.
"Its ok." He said as we continued down to the nearest door on the left of us. We looked in through the tiny window just in time to see the robot toy that was last in line enter through some flaps inside the room. We looked at each other and nodded before sneaking into the room. It looked to be the storage area where they put all the Christmas and other holiday things. All in all it screamed 'Scary creepy I'm going to mess you up' all over the place. I held back a small whine as we continued to the flaps. We went through them and saw crates filled with many different things.
*Must be the loading area as well.* I thought as we looked all around us. I let go of Archie to have a better look. We didn't see much until I saw a man in red robes with a hood and a bronze mask surrounded by more toys in front of us. I gasped as he spoke.
"Welcome Archie Andrews and Aria Andrews. We've been expecting you. Please join us." He said as Archie also saw him in the middle of the sentence and gasped. Soon the toys were making there way to us as we took a couple steps back. Archie had his hands in front of him while I was scrunched up.
"Uh. No thanks." I said.
"I don't think so." Archie replied but we looked behind us and saw more toys.
"On second thought, don't mind if we do." Archie replied with a worried smile on his face as I looked back at the mysterious man and nodded yes. The mysterious man then used his finger to signal us to come towards him. We had no choice but to comply. Where was help when you needed it.
* 3rd POV At Veronica's*
Everyone was having fun except Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, Betty, and Collins. They had been there for an hour and still no Archie or Aria. They were all very worried at this point. Clarice came in a few times and was starting to get sad not seeing Aria again. Betty had decided to go and call the house to see if Archie and/or Aria was there and if one of them would pick up. She tried three times before she came back.
"There's no answer at Archie's house. I'm starting to get really worried now." Betty said as Collins shot up.
"Something must've happened to them." He said. You could hear the worry in his voice clear as crystal.
"Veronica, dear, how did you convince Archie to not sing off key this year?" Veronica's father said as he appeared through the door.
"Actually, Archie's not here yet. Neither is Aria." Jughead said while shaking his head lightly. Mister Lodge walked up to the teens.
"Too bad. I hate to admit it but I was beginning to enjoy those Christmas carols. I guess they grow on you." He said as Betty looked at all of them.
"They're not at home either." Betty mentioned.
"They have to be somewhere. I mean it's not like they got locked in a store right?" Collins said as Mister Lodge grew shocked.
"Well they were working in the store. I could've sworn everyone left when I locked up." He muttered as Veronica then lifted up from her seat and went to her father.
"Daddy. I'm really worried about Archie-kins. And Aria also. We need to look for them." She said.
"You're right. I guess Archie is like those Christmas carols. Annoying but you miss them when they're not around. Plus I like Aria. She's very kind." He said as Veronica grabbed both of her fathers hands before speaking.
"Well then everyone. Archie and Aria need us." She then let go of one of her father's hands and pulled him with the other as, those who were sitting stood up, followed Veronica's lead.
* Aria's POV*
The toys grabbed Archie by the back of his coat and threw him closer to the man, landing on his but in the process, as I kicked the toys away, trying not to break them, before they grabbed me by my braid and pulled me down.
"Ouch." I muttered as they dragged/tossed me next to my cousin.
"Who are you?" He asked as I got up to a sitting position to see the toys surrounding us.
"You can call me the Christmas Phantom." He said.
*Christmas Phantom?* I thought before he continued.
"According to legend, I was known as Chris Nicholas. The Lodge Department Store's Santa Clause." He said as the toys moved slightly away from us.
"I read about that. Years ago the place set on fire and only the basement survived it. This basement. You supposedly died in the fire." I said as he chuckled.
"Very clever Aria." He said as he chuckled again. I shuttered at that laugh as he continued.
"It has been 30 years since that tragedy. Forcing me to hide myself from human eyes." He said as he got up and started pacing around near us. Archie and I were soon to are feet as he paced around us and closer as well.
"Ever since then I've watched as how Christmas became nothing but greed and selfishness." He said as he stopped in front of us. He then put a hand on each of our shoulders' and continued to speak.
"For the past few days I've watched and marvelled at your generosity and kindness and warmth. And how you took time away from your needs to help a lost child." He said, mentioning me helping Clarice, as we both grew shocked. He was watching us.
"You two alone still posses the true spirit of Christmas. Archie Andrews and Aria Andrews." He said as he removed his hands form our shoulders.
"Well thanks. But it really isn't that big a deal." Archie said with a smile.
"It's true. It's just who we are." I replied also smiling. Maybe he wasn't a bad guy after all.
"And modest too. The only ones in Riverdale." He said as he made a hand gesture to show the entire out of view town.
"Riverdale. Bah Riverdale. Riverdale doesn't deserve Christmas." He said in anger.
"That's a bit harsh." Archie said.
"I agree. Everyone deserves Christmas. Even Ebenezer Scrooge deserved a chance to celebrate it." I said as I sighed thinking about my favorite Christmas story.
"She's right. Riverdale deserves another chance. No Christmas is harsh." He said as The Christmas Phantom suddenly raised a finger in front of Archie's face, making him lean back, as the Phantom spoke again.
"No it isn't. That's why I'm going to take Christmas away from Riverdale."
"Take it away?" I asked as he nodded.
"Really?" My cousin asked sceptically.
"And how are you going to do that?" He asked with a smile on his face. It was clear that Archie didn't believe him at all. The Phantom then took out a book from his sleeve.
"With this book of spells that helped me bring all these inanimate objects to life." He said as he showed us the book.
"Wait! They're not running on batteries? But magic?!" I asked/yelped as he chuckled.
"Yes. And I'll let them take every trace of Christmas from Riverdale." He replied. Archie and I looked at the toys and then at each other and nodded before we looked back at the Phantom.
"Not if we can help it." We both said in a raised voice at the same time.
"Not if I can find a spell to stop you." Archie said snatching the book away as I then pushed The Phantom onto the floor.
"Sorry. But people need Christmas." I apologized as Archie and I made a run for it.
"And I thought you two of all people would understand. Archie and Aria Andrews." He muttered. We didn't hear him as we ran up the stairs. I let Archie go first since he had the book. I was behind him in case the toys followed they could get me first instead of him. The Phantom was near the stairs as he pointed to us.
"Bring them to me." He said as the toys moved in.
"Faster Archie! Faster!" I yelled as we quickened the pace. The door was shut tight so Archie rammed it open. Once he did the tree came to life and got in front of us.
"Oh come ON!" I shouted in annoyance as we looked behind us and saw the toys getting closer. We started running.
"Out of my way you big sap." Archie yelled at the tree as he hit it hard enough to fling it back onto the toys behind us. Archie and I got to the clothes and hid in each part. I couldn't hear much, because Archie was muttering, but I did catch him saying back to normal. Then I peaked out and saw the tree found him.
"Sapling. I said you were big for a sapling. Really." He said as he was trapped. I ran out and rammed into the tree, knocking it down, as I grabbed my cousin by the wrist and dragged him down a different isle.
"Come on." I said as he then started to keep up on his own.
*3rd POV w/ the gang*
The teens and Mister Lodge were roaming the streets in a group shouting Archie's and Aria's name as loud as they could through the abandoned streets. Soon the group ran into Pop Tate.
"What's up folks?" Pop Tate asked them.
"Archie and Aria are missing." Betty told him with a worried look on her face. Pops grew shocked.
"That's terrible. I'll help you look." He said, volunteering to help.
"Remember when we had that bad storm last Christmas? Archie found an old hand radio so I could talk to my sister. He also used it to talk to Aria. Christmas just isn't the same without him. And I was hoping to share this with Aria as well." Pops said to them.
"We're beginning to realize that." Reggie said as they all continued to roam the streets and shout there names, hoping they weren't hurt or in danger. If anything happened to the cousins they knew and loved so much then they would feel horrible. They talked about food, gifts, money, sales and profits but never told them they liked spending time with them. They wouldn't get the chance to spend the usual Christmas with Archie and get to share it with Aria for the first time. They never shared the true Christmas spirit with them and tha'ts what hurt the most.
*Aria's POV*
We were still running from the tree and smashing through the toys to get to a safe spot and hope they wouldn't get us or the book. It wasn't long before we were stuck between bigger robotic toys and the tree. Archie dove left as I dove right just as the tree jumped and landed right where we used to be. Now we were split up. The toys chased me one way as the tree chased Archie. It seemed like they were purposefully keeping us apart. I was on the ground and about to be grabbed by a robot when I saw Archie swing from some tinsel and kick it, breaking it in the process, as he then ran by my side again.
"Thanks." I said.
"Thank me later." He said as we continued running for a bit longer. We made it to the doors and just as we were about to reach them a green glowing light appeared in front of us. We stopped and covered our eyes for a few seconds before it died down to reveal The Christmas Phantom. We both screamed as soon we had the tree behind us and the toys all around us. We were trapped.
"Oh no!" Archie yelled.
"Oh yes! Now nothing can stop me from taking Christmas away from Riverdale." The Phantom proclaimed. Before I could react Archie was on his knees in front of him.
"Don't do this. Please. Sure people have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. But that doesn't mean they can't remember." Archie exclaimed.
"So? What's your point?" The Phantom asked, pointing a finger at my cousin, as Archie stood up and continued.
"Don't you see? If you take away Christmas then you take away there hope that maybe one day people will respect it more. And isn't that what Christmas is all about? Hope?" Archie asked him.
"Hope huh?" He asked as I butted in.
"It's true. If you take away Christmas then you take away hope. And without hope then they days would eventually be dark and tragic. Believe me when I say I've started to experience that." I told him from the bottom of my heart.
"Hm. All right. Okay Archie and Aria Andrews. I'll make you two a deal. I'll take away both of your Christmas's while the rest of Riverdale keeps there's. We'll see how serious you two are about this." He said as he pointed towards us, making Archie back up to me more as I gasped.
"You mean?" He started asking as The Phantom spoke while moving his hands.
"That's right. No more presents to give nor receive. No more spending time with people or decorating or baking Christmas cookies. None of it. You two will spend your Christmas's alone. Without each other or anyone else. So what do you say? Do we have a deal?" He finished by crossing his arms over his chest. Was it worth it. My words flash back in my head of what I told the parents of that perverted kid. 'Everyone deserves a Christmas.' I then thought of Collins and Clarice, Geoff, Tyrone, Tyler, Jimmy, Ronin, Big Ethel, Moose and Midge, Veronica and her father, Betty, Aunt Mary, Uncle Bob, Pop Tate, and everyone else. Even Reggie. But most of all I thought of Dilton, who was excited any scientific proof of Santa like every year and Jughead when he was licking his lips and smiling about the food. The look on both of their faces when they had my cookies and waiting to enjoy this night. My heart ached more for those two the most. I sighed and looked at the Phantom.
"I agree." I said sadly.
"Aria." Archie said in a sad tone as I looked at him.
"I don't want you to not have a Christmas but I'm ok with it. Christmas was hard for me and your calls always helped. But I don't want anyone else's Christmas taken away. Everyone deserves a Christmas Archie. Even if we don't get one." I said as I sighed. I thought about the small bag of cookies I left with the presents and looked at them sadly.
"All I wanted this year was to give some cookies to Santa Clause and tell him sorry for what my parents did with the other cookies every year. If I have to give that up for everyone then." I said as I then looked up as one tear fell down my face.
"I gladly will." I said to him. Archie looked at me with sadness before he looked straight at the Phantom.
"I agree as well. Even if Aria and I can't see nor talk to each other on Christmas to spread the cheer we both know we love each other enough. I agree as well." He said as I looked at him in shock. He was right. As long as we cared for each other and the people around us then the spirit will never truly die out.
"But I keep the book." Archie told him. The Phantom began glowing and disappearing before he spoke.
"Sure. Consider it a present. Read it sometime. It's a Christmas classic." He said as he vanished. The tree and toys went back to there original places soon enough.
"Huh? A Christmas classic?" Archie asked.
"What did he mean by that?" I asked out of curiosity. I peaked over his shoulder as we both saw the book.
"A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. He tricked us?" Archie said out loud. How could we miss that? And how ironic that I had earlier mentioned this was my favorite Christmas story. We soon went for the door and saw it was unlocked.
"Oh well. At least he unlocked the door for us." I said as he nodded.
"There they are." We heard Pop Tate's voice as we looked over to the voice and saw Pops, Reggie, Betty, Veronica and her father, Jughead, and Collins run straight for us.
"Archie-kins." Veronica yelled in delight as she hugged him.
"Aria!" I heard Jughead as he hugged me before I was hugged by Collins as well.
"We've looked everywhere for you two." Mister Lodge said, as Veronica let him go, as we looked at him and then the rest of the group.
"You were looking for us instead of enjoying your Christmas Eve party? I'm sorry we ruined it for you. Archie said as I finally got air in my lungs from the suffocating hug.
"I'm sorry too." I apologized as well.
" Hey buddy. Christmas just isn't the same without you." Reggie said to Archie as he then turned to me.
"And knowing you and Aria are safe makes it a good Christmas." He said as I smiled at that. Jughead let me go as he went to Archie.
"It's good to have you back pal." He said.
"We're just glad your ok." Pops said to us.
"We missed you Archie-kins." She said as she kissed him on the cheek. Then Betty tapped her shoulder as she looked at her and moved away so she could hug him to. She then hugged him and kissed his cheek as well. Collins looked at me.
"I'm glad to see both of you safe. I was really worried about you. So was Clarice." He told me as I blushed a soft pink.
"I'm sorry to worry you." I said and would've continued had he not put his finger on my lips to hush me.
"As long as your safe and unharmed. That's all I wanted for Christmas." He said as he removed his finger from my lips and we smiled at each other. I then turned to look at the others. They all looked so happy. I was glad Archie and I didn't have to give up our Christmas's after all. I then thought about it. This book, The magic of the toys and tree, he knew our names and knew of our good deeds, Chris Nicholson? Saint Nicholas. Chris Cringle.
"No way." I muttered.
"What?" Collins asked me.
"I'll be right back." I said as I then bolted back inside and headed to the gifts. Archie excused himself and soon followed suit. I didn't hear Mister Lodge tell Archie he wouldn't complain if he sang to the carols. Archie went to grab the gifts but I stopped him.
"No. The basement. I think I figured out who the real Christmas Phantom is." I told him as I grabbed his wrist and the bag of cookies before heading down into the basement.
"What do you mean?" Archie asked me.
"Archie. He knew our names, he knew of our deeds, he could do magic." I said as he wasn't getting it right away. I just groaned as we made it back to the basement room where it all started. We saw him reading a long list. Seriously. If he didn't figure it out by now I was going to smack myself.
"I gotta know." Archie whispered as I smacked myself on the forehead. He was that dense. Archie sneaked up on him and tackled him to the ground as I went for the mask.
"Alright. I'll admit it was a bit fun Santa Clause." I said as I pulled the mask off to reveal Santa himself.
"No way! It can't be!" Archie yelled in shock as he flung himself off of Santa.
"Afraid so Archie." Santa said as I helped him up off the ground.
"You don't expect me to believe that your the real Santa Clause." Archie said as Santa undid the robes to reveal his outfit under it.
"Seriously Archie. I mean the clues are obvious now. Plus you wanted a weird mystery for Christmas." I said as Santa smiled.
"It's True Archie. And what better mystery then a Christmas Phantom. You believe in ghosts, werewolves and even aliens. Why is it hard to believe the real Santa Clause would come to Riverdale?" He said
"It's one of your stops. Every town, village, and home around the world is." I said as he then laughed.
"Exactly Aria." He agreed.
"Also your friends needed a lesson on the true meaning of Christmas. And a Christmas without you two did the trick." He said as he then scooped both of us into a hug. I smiled and hugged back as Archie did as well.
"Thanks Santa. This was the best weird mystery yet." Archie said as Santa laughed and let us go.
"Hey. Does Santa deliver or what?" He said while bending down to pick up his list. He then started walking over to his bag.
"Well. I've got my list so now I've got to go. I still have more presents to deliver." He said as he picked up his bag and was about to leave.
"Wait. Santa. You forgot my Christmas wish." I said as I rushed up to him with a small fancy hand made bag filled with sugar cookies, ginger snaps, and gingerbread men. He then turned to me and smiled.
"Oh yes. That's right. You wanted to give me cookies for the trip as an apology for your parents. Its alright though. I knew you were sorry every Christmas. I've never been mad nor disappointed at you for it." He said as I handed him the cookies.
"Still. Even a hard working man deserves a gift." I said with a smile as he smiled back.
"Thank you Aria. I always knew you were extra kind. Keep it up. Both of you." He said the last part to both of us as we smiled and nodded.
"I must be going now. Goodbye kids." He said as he said as he then left. We followed him out just in time to see the light glow disappear. We both smiled as we quickly went back upstairs, grabbed our gifts, and went out to meet the group waiting for us.
"Here. Let us help you with those." Pops said as he, Mister Lodge, Collins, Reggie and Jughead grabbed all the gifts from us. We both looked up as the snow was falling.
"It's snowing." Archie said in happiness as I then spun around and laughed while looking up at the sky before I stopped and saw something in the sky.
"Look." I said as I pointed to it. Everyone looked to where I was pointing and saw the outline of Santa's sleigh being pulled by the reindeer.
"Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!" Santa said as I smiled even brighter and waved at Santa.
"Huh? He is real?" Reggie said in shock as I giggled.
"See? Told you he was real!" I said in pure happiness. We soon made it back to the Lodge house and enjoyed the party. I got Veronica a pair of earrings and Betty as well. I got Collins new football cleats, Reggie some coal candy as a joke before handing him his real gift. It was a nice gold watch. I got Archie an alien invaders alarm clock and watch set that he always wanted. I gave Jughead his gift as he opened it.
"A cook book?" He asked as I nodded.
"Yeah. So you can try different foods. Also look inside the book." I told him as he did and gasped. It was a movie pass, that starts next year, unlimited uses of movie viewings at the theater for a year.
"How did you?" He asked as I smiled.
"Well turned out that little kid who thought it would be funny to look up my skirt's uncle runs the theater and I paid a decent deal for it as an apology." I told him as he then lunged at me and hugged me. I yelped as he thanked me. I got some stuff too. Betty gave me The Wolfman, Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy 4 pack book set. Veronica got me a lovely purple dress that sparkled with shoes to match. (It looks like a darker shade of Ariel's sparkled purple dress she wore in the end.) Reggie gave me a couple antique Candelabras. I loved them. Collins gave me sterling silver earrings. Clarice gave me a silver necklace, that matched the earrings, and said her brother helped her get it to give me. I smiled and hugged her. Jughead gave me the complete collection of Friday the 13th the TV series. I was shocked because it was hard to find. I hugged him and thanked him. Finally Archie gave me my gift. I opened it to find a Nutcracker version of the mouse king. I nearly teared up as I hugged him and thanked him. All in all Christmas Eve was wonderful. We went home later that night and typed up the column.
"There's nothing wrong with gifts and a big fancy dinner. But the best part about Christmas is spending time with the ones you love and care for. ~Archie. To make people smile and Appreciate the people in your life. ~Aria. That's something we will always remember and try to do….In a little town called Riverdale. ~Archie and Aria." In the morning we went down stairs to see Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob and do the usual Christmas stuff. Opened gifts, take pictures, eat breakfast, play games, watch movies all of it. Even play in the snow. At the end of the day Archie and I decided to go to bed. It was fun. A Christmas I will never forget and always treasure in my heart.