Dot and Kippi were on their way to the cafeteria for their lunch break. Things had gotten somewhat quieter the past few days. But peace was often deceptive. "With all this drama going on, I almost forgot that it was Jug's Birthday tomorrow," Dot told her.

"Let's throw him a party," Kippi suggested.

Dot shook her head almost aggressively. "Jug hates his birthday. No idea why, but he never had a party when we were little and I doubt much has changed on that front," she explained.

"Oh, well then maybe just get him a gift. Like a gift that he'll appreciate," Kippi said.

"What is that supposed to be? A new beanie? A real place to live that isn't an air mattress in Archies room?" Dot asked. The brunette sighed. "I feel like I barely know anything about Jug ever since I came back," she admitted.

"Oh come on, you'll find something he likes. It can't be that hard," Kippi assured her.

While at lunch, Betty revealed a master plan about Jug's Birthday to Dot. "We need you to distract Juggie, while we prepare a surprise party for him," Betty told her.

"Betty, I don't think Jug would like that," Dot said.

"Oh come on, Dot. I think we can agree that we all need a party to blow off some steam," Veronica interrupted.

"Yeah maybe, but Jug really doesn't like his birthday," Dot repeated, stronger this time. "Archie, are you really going along with this?"

He shrugged. "Sorry. I got overthrown on this one. And it's not really supposed to be a giant party, it's just us, really."

Dot sighed. Maybe things had changed and Jug would appreciate a little get-together with his friends. And Dot knew that right now there was no fighting Betty. Chuck Clayton was back in school and Betty was not happy about it. The only people who seemed to know why were Veronica and Kippi and neither of them would tell what happened that night they 'convinced' him to fess up for what he had done. The girl sighed. "Fine. What am I supposed to do?" she asked. Betty smiled as she explained the plan to her.

So come Friday night, Dot was sitting at Pops with Jug until she got the message that she could get him back to Archies house. "You know this is nice. Just a night at Pop's with you and a vanilla milkshake. That's all I need today."

"I'm glad you like it, but don't worry I still have a real gift for you later," Dot said, smirking at him.

"You don't have to get me anything," he reassured her.

"Yes, I do. And I already have, no takebacksies," Dot said.

"I'm just glad you didn't plan some kind of surprise party for me," he said, laughing a little.

Dot halted as she led the glass to her mouth. Just what she had feared. He still wasn't too fond of his birthday. This was trouble. All she could hope was that Jug would be a little forgiving. Just as they were about done with their milkshakes, Dot got the message from Betty that they were ready.

"Hey, Archie just invited us to watch a movie at his place. Wanna go?" Dot asked then nipped on her straw to get the last bit of milkshake so they could leave.

"Do I really need to be invited into Archies house?" Jug asked, amused.

"You get what I mean," Dot said.

"Yeah, of course, I'm up for it," Jug said.

"Great, then let's go," Dot exclaimed excitedly. She put the money for the milkshakes plus some tips onto the counter and grabbed her bag. "Fuck," she whispered as she got out of their booth.

As they walked into Archies house, Jug seemed to catch on pretty quickly when he looked at the decorations. "Please tell me you didn't," he whispered to Dot, who in return was already bracing herself for what was about to come.

"Surprise!" Betty, Archie, Kevin, Kippi, Joaquin, and Ethel all yelled in unison as they jumped out of their hiding spots. Veronica came out of the kitchen with a drink in her hand. Something was wrong with her.

Jug looked at Dot, unamused by the situation. "Surprise and sorry," Dot said as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Happy birthday, bro," Archie greeted, also a drink in his hand. Jug mumbled something to him while they were hugging, but Dot didn't understand him.

"Happy birthday, fellow writer," Kippi said, hugging him. Dot was just glad she didn't bring Reggie along.

He smiled at her, clearly trying to stay friendly despite hating this. "Thanks," he said.

Veronica congratulated Jug in Spanish and Kevin introduced Joaquin to him. Jug was not comfortable with any of this. It only seemed to get worse when Betty brought out the cake and sang him a rendition of theHappy Birthdaysong.

When the congratulations were done and the group had scattered, Jug pulled Dot aside. "You don't like it," Dot immediately said.

"I'm grateful. I really am, but this is not me at all," he told her.

Dot sighed. She put her hands up defensively. "I knew you wouldn't like it. I tried talking them out of it but I am easily persuaded. You know that."

"I know but-" he was interrupted by the doorbell.

"Oh no. Who else did you invite?" Jug asked.

"Ididn'tinvite anyone. I didn't know Joaquin and Ethel would be here. Betty said inner circle only." Dot said, growing more defensive as they rushed for the door.

Before Archie could even open it, Cheryl walked in with what seemed to be the whole school behind her and Chuck right at her side. "Did you really think you could have a party without inviting Moi?" Cheryl asked.

"Or me?" Chuck added.

"Archie, where do you want the kegs?" Moose asked, easily carrying the giant beer-filled barrel on his shoulder.

Archie seemed to hesitate for a bit. "Screw it! One in the kitchen, one in the backyard!"

The people outside cheered. Dot fought the urge to smack Archie hard. He knew Cheryl meant trouble and that Chuck was the Devil reincarnated. There was no way they were just here to have a party and leave.

Jug ran off and the hoard of people stormed the house. Betty looked after Jug, seemingly feeling guilty as well. "I told you this was a bad idea," Dot said. She would have rushed after him, but he needed time to himself right now. So the girl sighed annoyed, as she took off to find Kippi.

The girl was standing in the kitchen, getting a drink. She was not happy that Archie had let in Chuck herself. Dot was already regretting ever having allowed this party to go down. "This just went downhill fast," Kippi said as Dilton was firing up the music.

The house filled up too fast for Dot at this point. She could understand Jug now. "Yeah. So much for the little get-together."

"I'm gonna go drown my sorrows in alcohol," Kippi said.

Dot wanted to stop her, but at that point, she had already spotted FP in the crowd. "Oh, fuck, me. Seriously, Betty?" she mumbled to herself. She turned back to her best friend. "Kippi, loosen up on the alcohol and stay away from Chuck."

"You got it, Miss Dorothy," the blonde said, downing the rest of the drink.

Dot almost ran into Archie when she was rushing into the garage. He ran off and she walked in, leaning against the wall. She bit down on her lip. "Hey."

He sighed. She couldn't tell if he was furious with her or Archie or just the world in general. "Hey."

"I'm so sorry about all of this. This was just supposed to be a little party with your friends," Dot explained.

"You're my friend. Archie, Betty, and Kippi are my friends. Everyone else that is here is people I would normally never hang out with," Jug said.

Dot sighed. "Why are you always like this, Jug? Veronica and Kevin really want to be your friends. And we were just trying to do something nice for you."

"By getting my dad, who you know has an alcohol problem, to a high school kegger? And inviting the whole school to crash the party?" Jug asked, becoming more heated by the second.

"I didn't know Betty invited your dad. And I didn't invite everyone in," she told him, not enjoying catching all the blame for a plan she didn't put together. She sighed, shaking her head. "I should've just said no to this in the first place. I don't know how to make you happy at all," Dot said, then left the garage to get back into the house.

Inside, Kippi was already standing by the door with an extra drink in her hand. Dot snatched it out of her hand and immediately started downing it. "Jug's not happy with this, huh?" Kippi asked.

"Of course not. What's been happening in here?" the brunette asked her best friend.

"Betty slapped Chuck. Valerie threw a drink in Archies face. I'd say everything is just fine." Kippi said smirking a little.

Dot wanted to feel sorry for Archie, but he had gotten himself into that mess when he hurt her just to get into a music program.

Jughead walked past the duo. Probably to finally get out of the house, but of course, Cheryl and Chuck wouldn't allow it. As if it wasn't obvious that they were carrying out a personal vendetta. "Where you going, guest of honor?" Chuck asked, blocking the door.

"Get out of my way, Chuck," Jug said angrily as he tried to push past him.

"Oh, but you can't leave now. We haven't even played our game yet," Cheryl said ever so innocently. "Listen up, party people!" Cheryl called out. "Everyone has their secrets. And we've all done our fair share of sinning. That's one thing my dear brother's death has revealed. So let's play a little game to get those secrets out in the open," she added as she locked the door and ushered everyone into the living room.

Dot only reluctantly sat next to Betty and Kippi and listened to whatever they had to say. "What the hell isSecrets and Sins?" Jug asked when everyone had quieted down.

"It's a variation onTruth or Dare. In which we own our truths. By telling it like it is." Cheryl explained. She could have really just been flat-out telling them that this was to get back at Veronica. "I'll start the game with Veronica Lodge."

Speak of the devil. "Naturally," Veronica said, somewhat amused.

"Let's begin with the day you and your mob wife of a mother came to town for a so-called fresh start. Tell us, Veronica, what's so fresh about defiling Archie Andrews in a closet?"

"That was your doing," Veronica reminded her, seemingly throwing Cheryl off her game.

"Moving on to dear Daddy Lodge. Isn't it true that your father, from prison, illegally purchased the drive-in land? Which makes me wonder. What else is he doing from behind bars?" Cheryl asked sheepishly.

That was new to Dot and she couldn't hate Hiram Lodge anymore at the moment. "Well, I can't speak for my father, but I can think of someone with a very dirty secret. Specifically, Cheryl killing her very own brother," Ronnie said, clearly ready to go there.

Cheryl swallowed harshly. "Everyone knows how much I loved my brother."

"Exactly. But did you love him maybe in ways that a sister shouldn't love a brother? And as you got older, Jason started to think it was strange, unnatural. So he chose Polly over you. So you shot him between the eyes with one of your father's many hunting rifles."

Cheryl wiped a tear off her face as Dilton spoke up. "This game is sick. I wanna go next," he announced.

"That's the spirit, Doiley. What secrets do you have to reveal to us?" Chuck asked.

Of course, the little rat only had one secret to tell. And only the friends knew exactly what that was about. "I saw Ms. Grundy's car by Sweetwater River, the day Jason went missing. I told Betty and Jughead, and then, Ms. Grundy quit her job and left Riverdale, like, two days later. And let's not forget that Archie was also at the Sweetwater that morning."

"Oh, my God, color me shocked, Archie Andrews. Is that why you became a mediocre musician overnight? Because you and Ms. Foureyes were pulling a Mary Kay Letourneau?" Cheryl asked, back in her game.

"Don't say anything, Archie. Don't get in the gutter with them," Veronica said.

"Wait, what? Andrews was banging a teacher? Well, damn, I wish I would have known. I would've added you and Ms. Grundy to the board of conquests," Chuck spoke up.

Kippi sighed, annoyed at the childishness of it all. It was moments like these when she wished she'd stayed home and watched an old movie with her gran.

"Classy, Chuck, as always," Veronica said, just as annoyed as Kippi.

"Wait a second, that also explains why Archie can't seem to keep a girlfriend to save his life. He's got serious Mommy issues. Anything to say for yourself, Arch? Were you victim or perpetrator?" Cheryl asked.

"Dilton Doiley plays with guns," Betty said in a poor attempt to turn the tables.

"Big whoop, Betty. So Doiley's a psychopath, everyone knows that," Cheryl said unimpressed, clearly playing in an entirely different league.

"Well, I guess it's my turn now. Boy, do I have some twisted secrets about not just one, but three of these girls right here to reveal," Chuck announced. "Starting with Kippi Goode. Or should I say, KippiFitch?"

"Stop it. You're going too far. That could ruin her life," Veronica said.

"Do I look like I care?" Chuck asked nonchalantly. "Yes, my fellow classmates, you heard right. Kippi over here, was trying to hide the fact that her mother was the cold-blooded murderer who killed her entire family and maid. Which makes me wonder, is she really so innocent? Murder runs in the family, right? So what if she murdered Jason and is now trying to play the sweet girl by exposing people like me in the school newspaper?" Chuck asked.

Even though Cheryl was obviously in on this, she seemed shocked. It looked like that wasn't part of the plan and just Chuck's personal vendetta against her for whatever happened at Ethel's that night. Kippi didn't react, maybe it was from the alcohol, or maybe she just didn't care anymore.

"Enough!" Betty yelled.

"Quiet! You're next anyways," Chuck yelled back.

"Leave her the hell alone, Chuck," Archie warned.

"Shut up, Andrews. Look, you may get a free peepshow every night, but you do not know her. Hell, Betty doesn't even know herself. Everybody knows why I got suspended. But what you don't know. She dressed up like a hooker, in a God-awful black wig, drugged me, handcuffed me in the Jacuzzi, and I almost drowned until she got me to say what she wanted to hear. And then she really lost it. She actually thought she wasPolly."

Betty sighed, looking down to avoid everyone's looks. "Are you good now? Did you get it all out of your system?" Kippi asked, annoyed when seeing Betty slouched over and nearly in tears.

"One more." he mouthed to her, holding up his finger. "One more secret involving the new girl,Dot," Chuck said. "Actually, Dot has two dark secrets," he went on. "For one, her daddy is an attempted murderer as well."

Dot grabbed the sides of the chair as if her life was depending on it. Her knuckles were turning white as she listened to the murmurs around her. She could even feel the eyes of her so-called best friends on her. The friends she had previously helped so much and whose secrets she kept like a diary.

"Yeah, that's right. Dot's dad maimed a girl while drunk driving. And that's not even it. No, not at all. Murder seems to run in her family as well. As just recently before she moved back here, she got her last boyfriend killed."

"That is not true!" Dot yelled enraged as she jumped off the chair. She was red in the face, her anger bubbling up to the surface. Everything she'd been keeping such a tight lid on, was about to come out. She was ready to claw his eyes out when he interrupted once more.

"Relax, I'm sure you'll treat your current boyfriend better. I mean, you knew this right, Jughead?" he asked.

Before he could even turn around Jug had already struck him across the face. Chuck retaliated by throwing him through a table. Finally, FP reverted into an adult and threw Chuck out onto the streets, telling everyone to leave with him.

Dot ran out to get home. She was crying now, unable to hold it in any longer. She was angry at everyone. But especially at Jug. He was the only one who knew about any of this. As she reached the end of the seemingly never-ending stairs, all eyes of the bystanders were already on her.

"Dot, wait!" Jug yelled, lightly grabbing her by the arm.

"What, Jughead?" she yelled. "Haven't you humiliated me enough at this point? You know I thought I could trust you! But clearly, I can't!" she sobbed. "So, here's your damn gift!" she hissed, throwing it at his chest. "And happy birthday!" she snarked. When she finally noticed the people watching the scene she lost it even more. "What the hell are you all looking at? Haven't you had enough fun with this amazing game yet? Screw you, Chuck, and you too Cheryl! I hope you have fun in hell together!" she yelled, then turned around on her heel and walked back to her house, where her mother was already waiting as she had heard the commotion at Archies house. She only heard FP yelling at everyone else to leave.

"What happened, baby?" Octavia asked as she embraced her daughter in a hug.

"I'm done with this damn town. I just wished we would have never moved back here!" she yelled as she wrestled out of her grip. She pushed past her to go to her room.

"Dot, please," Jug yelled as he ran across the street.

Octavia held a hand to his chest as he tried to run after her. "I think that's not a good idea right now," she said calmly.

"Please, I need to talk to her," he pleaded.

"Not now," Octavia repeated. She shook her head, closing the door.

"Thanks a lot, Betty!" he yelled as he walked back into Archies house.

"I'm so sorry," she said, her face stained with tears.

The next day things had seemed to have calmed down. Kippi ran after Dot immediately the previous night and she seemed to be the only person Octavia would let in. Both talked about how they'd be shunned at school now. Dot had felt extremely terrible for Kippi the entire time. Now that this secret she had worked so hard to keep was out Chuck made the entire school believe she could be a murder suspect too. At least from all of the texts Dot had received from Betty and Veronica, it seemed like they didn't want her out of their lives.

But Dot wasn't sure if she could trust anyone right now. Kippi had stayed the night and was still sleeping next to Dot. She drank a little too much the previous night. Dot was looking up at the ceiling. She couldn't sleep anymore and didn't look too good in general. She was so busy raging about last night that she had forgotten to get changed and wipe off her smudged make-up.

She looked at her phone, somewhat hoping Jug had texted her. She needed to talk to him but wasn't sure if she should make the first move after the way she had yelled at him. It was nine in the morning and Kippi was starting to wake up. "Morning," Dot greeted.

The other girl blinked a few times, then groaned out in pain. "My head," she whined as she rubbed her temples.

"That's what you get for raiding Archies alcohol cabinet," Dot chided.

Kippi sighed annoyed, as she slammed a pillow over her head. "Have you heard from Jug?" she asked, her voice muffled from the pillow.

"No. I guess he needs time. Or he thinks I need time. I don't even know anymore," Dot said.

"Oh,crap," Kippi suddenly complained.

"What is it?" Dot asked.

"I never told Gran I was sleeping over. Curfew was midnight, she's gonna be so mad!" Kippi explained as she slowly fell out of bed and grabbed her phone to call her grandmother.

"You still seem a little tipsy. Are you sure you wanna call her now?" Dot asked as Kippi went for the door.

"I have to," the blonde said, walking out of the room. "Boyfriend incoming!" she yelled as Jug walked past her into the room.

He was carrying coffee Pops. "Morning," he said to Kippi who was quick to grab one of the coffees from him.

"Thank you!" she said as she pressed her phone to her ear.

"Wait, that was for-" he said.

"It's all good. She needs this right now," Dot interrupted. She patted the spot next to her on the bed. "Sit," she added.

He sat down next to her and looked up to meet her eyes. "You look like a panda," he noted.

Dot laughed, realizing she still hadn't had the time to change. "I know. I was a little too enraged to change last night."

"I didn't tell Chuck or Cheryl about any of this you know that, right?"

Dot sighed. "Of course I do. Even if you were trying to prank me, which I know you wouldn't, you still wouldn't stoop so low as to work with those two devils," she said. "Also I remembered that the internet exists and Chuck could have Googled all of that. Even if I don't understand why on earth he would do that to me when I have never done anything to him."

"Don't try to get into their heads. There's nothing behind those eyes," Jug said.

Dot looked at the cut on his face and his black eye. "Thank you for defending me, my little gloomy hero," she mused, running her finger over his cheek.

"You didn't deserve that kind of treatment. Neither did Kippi, Betty, Veronica, or Archie," he took a deep breath as he realized he was rambling. "What I'm trying to say is...you're welcome," he finally told her. Dot smiled, then kissed him.

"Hey, hey lovebirds. Sorry to interrupt," they suddenly heard in the door. It was Betty.

"It's okay, we're just about done making up," Dot told her.

"I think you mean making out," Veronica suddenly said as she walked in after Betty, followed by Archie and Kevin.

"Oh, good lord. Am I getting kicked out of the group?" Dot asked.

"No, you're getting an apology. And so is Jug," Kevin said.

"We're sorry we made it look like we were judging you yesterday. We were just a little shocked to hear about those things. I mean you could have told us. We're here for you and you know a lot of our secrets," Archie explained.

"I know, I'm just still dealing with all of this and I'm a little wary of who I tell. Youaremy friends, but I wasn't exactly sure if I could trust you yet. But from now on, no more secrets. That includes you three ladies," she said, pointing at Betty, Veronica, and Kippi. "You could have told me how you got that confession."

"Okay, okay. Let's just make a pact. From now on, no more secrets. We're family and family doesn't keep secrets. Sound like a plan?" Kevin asked.

The others nodded, smiling because they were, in fact, still friends, and people like Cheryl or Chuck couldn't break them down.

"Well okay, then I have something to share about last night," Dot admitted.

"What is it?" Veronica asked, suddenly intrigued.

"Well, Kippi might have drunkenly convinced me to record me covering a heartbreak song and upload it to YouTube and I might have tipsily obliged."

The group around her just laughed, this was a much-needed relief after everything that had happened recently.

"And guess what, you're trending," Kippi said as she walked back into the room with the YouTube trending page displayed on her phone.

"Oh, myGod, I need to see this!" Kevin yelled excitedly.

"No!" Dot yelled as she jumped over Jug's lap to get off the bed and grab Kippi's phone.