-

''I TOLD HER I WOULDN'T DO IT. NOT UNLESS YOU'RE UP THERE WITH US, JUG.''

Elizabeth Cooper sat the head of lunch table where Jughead Jones, Kevin Keller, Francis Micheal, Hazel Michael, Archie Andrews and Veronica Lodge sat that following day at school.

The who done it was solve, though answers were still on full delay. Clifford Blossom killed his son, Jason Blossom and gotten a tip from Mustang, who spotted Joseph Michael that last day he was alive and made a  call to Clifford. After assassinating him in the woods, and killing Mustang and blaming Hiram Lodge to cover up his tracks, he took a turn of events by killing himself. He had hung himself in the storage cellar of where they keep what was suppose to be all of the maple syrup, their founding network, but instead, discovered stashes of drugs.

Also known as the real business the Blossoms umpired on- well, more of Clifford's business, if anything.

Which explained the missing puzzle for the Michael's mystery.

As for Jughead, his life was threatened by Clifford as well if FP didn't confess for his doings.

Leading the group here, in the dark aftermath.

The ending of the case was suppose to be a relieve, good riddance. But it felt bitter and lonely, like at the end of the road there was no sweet surprise to congratulate them.

They were only left with a sad reality. Things in Riverdale had changed and Joseph Michael was really dead.

Finding out this news the second time was even harder than the first.

Jughead smiles vaguely at his blonde companion. ''I appreciate the righteous indignation, Betty, I do, but Jubilee's aren't my thing.''

The Jubilee, a commemoration for the so called great town Riverdale maintain for seventy five years and going. An event to sugar coat the dark truth that was revealed from Jason's Blossoms death.

Where Archie Andrews was offer to perform after the Pussycats and Betty gives an honorable speech full of sunshine and rainbows that occurs in Riverdale.

''Jug, how's your dad?'' Archie as he brought an onion towards his lips. ''Did you get in to see him?''

The drink Jughead lifted off of the table settled back down as he tells them, ''Here's the latest; Mayor McCoy wants my dad to name names in exchange for a lesser sentence.''

''What?'' Betty furrows her brows. ''Whose names?''

''The Serpents,'' He bluntly lets out. ''Sheriff Keller thinks they're the ones dealing the drugs that Clifford Blossom brought into town.''

Kevin then mentions, ''My dad says more and more drugs are hitting the streets.''

''Kevin,'' Jughead cringed. ''Relax, this isn't The Wire.''

Hazel pursed her lips and tilts her head to the side, silently scolding Jughead as he continues, ''My dad says they're not the ones dealing.''

Betty shakes her head vigorously. ''And meanwhile, Mayor McCoy hasn't even said the words Clifford or Blossom in public. It's all about how the Serpents are the problem, the villains. This is outrageous. I'm writing an article about this, and not just for the Blue and Gold, for The Register. This is a town story.''

Jughead lugs his head to the side as he quietly plead, ''Okay, as long as the article doesn't include my dad.''

''No, it is going to be about your dad, Jug,'' She insisted furiously. ''It doesn't matter how many Jubilees Mayor McCoy throws. This town's changed. That needs to be acknowledged. Why are people so afraid of the truth?''

As Betty stabs her plastic fork into her strawberry, lifting it up to eat, Veronica pipes up, ''Speaking of the truth..''

As the raven hair girl rises from her seat, Archie pleads with a twine of a hiss in his tone, ''Ronnie, seriously, stop.''

Hazel furrows her brows as she looks between the two while sipping on an a cup of coffee flavored french vanilla in the student lounge. What the hell was going on?

''Archie and I wanted to tell you..''

The red head was still looking at her, shaking his head in denial and his eyes were wide.

However, she ignores him and blurts out, ''We kissed a couple of times.''

The lid of her drinks falls from lips as she arches her brows, ''What?''

Was this couple of times before or after they kissed?

Betty nods her head, smiling softly. ''It's okay, V. I appreciate you being honest with me-''

''Is nobody going to say it?'' Francis exclaims.

''Say what?'' veronica jerks back with furrowed brows. She had a feeling he knew about their secret relationship, but why was he so against it?

''Francis,'' Archie shoots him a point look. ''Don't.''

''That night of Jughead's party,'' Hazel's eyes went wide as she chimes in, ''Francis, stop!''

''Hazel and Archie kissed.''

The dark locks that belong to Veronica Lodge as she and those around her turned to face Hazel Michael viciously when she accidentally lets out a small burp. That usually happens when she was really nervous, and the course of action only seem to make things even either more embarrassing or flat out worse.

This moment seemed to be both.

How could Francis be spill such information so publicly?

''But,'' Veronica mumbles, her eyes shifting down towards her tray in front of her. ''That was the night we-''

''Yeah,'' Francis nods his head. By now, he was much more soft spoken and sympathized the three. He hated to be the one to spill the beans, but it wasn't fair of Archie to keep that sort of secret from Veronica. Especially if it was hurting someone as close as his little sister. ''I know.''

''Francis,'' She whispers. Her voice was shaking, she felt so embarrassed. ''We talked about it, it's fine.''

Veronica points an accusing finger at her. ''Why didn't you tell me?''

''I was,'' She perks up. ''Until I found out about you two. I don't know, I thought telling you would make everything messy. I'm sorry.''

''Veronica,'' Archie softly calls but she was quick on her feet.

''I never felt so stupid,'' She cringed as she got up from her seat.

Hazel transferred her gaze from the figure of Veronica, who was walking away, towards Betty. She plead with her eyes, asking her for help, some wisdom that she always seemed to carry.

''I'm gonna go after her,'' She bops her head. As she got up from her seat, she advises to not only Hazel, but Archie, ''And while I'm gone, I want you two to work things out.''

''We have!'' They exclaimed in unison.

Jughead scrunched his lips to the side. ''Doesn't look like it.''

-

Hazel threw her head back and groans after receiving a frustrating text from Betty that Veronica wasn't so willing to talk to Hazel nor Archie any time soon.

Hurting Veronica was never the plan or intention. Veronica Lodge was the first friend she made, what type of person would Hazel be if she were to disrespect her of some sorts after the care and support she's offered?

It was later that evening and Hazel Michael was back at home, disturbed by her thoughts given she was home alone while Serena Michael was still at work while Francis Michael was hanging out with some of the guys from the team over at Pop's.

The sound of the doorbell ringing causes her to groan, but even louder the second time around.

She gets up from her bed and soon makes her way downstairs to open the door, revealing whoever it was standing on the other side.

''Ugh,'' She threw her head to the side once she seen it was Archie Andrews at her doorstep. ''I've seriously had enough of you.''

His brows jumped on his forehead. ''Look, I know you're upset,-''

''Upset?'' She cocks a brow. ''Oh, no, Archie. I'm not upset. I'm pist. No offense, but the last thing that I would ever want is for some boy to come between my friendships.''

''You just love to keep cutting me off, don't you?''

She rolls her eyes.

''Betty is right,'' He shrugs his shoulders suggestively. ''We need to talk this out before we approach Veronica.''

Her eyes enlarged as her arms flew from her sides. ''We already covered that part. We are ready to approach her, Arch.''

He shakes his head. ''No, we're not, Haz, just-''

She groans as she turns away from the open door. She linger back into the main hallway, rubbing her face as Archie follows her inside the residence, assuming it'd be better to take things inside instead of out in the open where he knew Veronica was over at Betty's house.

''Just think about it,'' He closes the door gently behind him. ''You can't even look me in the eye properly. You'll find a fly on the wall more interesting for Christ sake.''

She turned sharply. ''What do you want me to say, Archie?'' She folds her arms across her chest and hums, ''Hmm? What the hell are you expecting here?''

''Tell me how you feel, Hazel,'' He persisted. ''It takes two to tango if we want to give what Veronica needs, which is the truth.''

She slaps an arm against her thigh. ''Veronica has enough going on. Her dad is finally coming home, why can't we just tell her that we both agreed that that night, was a mistake and we decided it'd be best to stay as friends?''

He took a step forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. ''Friends?''

Pursing her lips, she nods her head. ''Yes, that is what I just said.''

He raised a brow. ''Is that what you want?''

''It's whats best.''

He takes another step forward, cocking his head to the side. ''That's not what I asked.''

''I opposed,'' She held her head up high, holding her hands on her hips. She knew what he wanted to hear and she refused to give in. There was no point in giving in, she'd just feel even more pain of knowing the facts ahead.

She rather enjoyed the oblivious friend zone.

''Why can't you admit to your feelings?'' He asks.

''Only if you admit to yours.''

''Hazel,-''

''I know what you said,'' She pursed her lips. ''I remember. But what you said and what you're doing right now causes a controversy.''

He furrows his brows, whispering, ''And what am I doing right now?''

This whole time, Archie grew closer and closer to the brunette. At this point, he only needed to take one more step before the two could feel each other's breathes. But, instead, Hazel takes that step forward, her tone prominently as low as his.

''Friends don't exactly stand this close,'' She watched his honey brown eyes constantly rise and drop from her eyes towards his lips. ''Or eye my lips like it's a spoon full of ice cream.''

She walks around him, hoping to crush any desire he thrived within that moment. She opens the front door again and turns back to face him. ''Friends also don't hurt each other. I suggest you figure out how you feel Archie Andrews before we look at Veronica any time soon.''

-

''I'm not surprised,'' Kevin raised a brow. ''When Veronica is mad, she becomes a little- what to say.. Unpredictable?''

Hazel stuffs a chip in her mouth as her and Kevin made their way out of the student lounge and into the hallway, on their way to lunch. ''I really do feel bad, Kevin, you have to believe me when I say that.''

''Oh, I do,'' He faces her with a hand pressed against his clothed chest. ''But, what's the hold up? Why haven't you guys talked to her by now?''

She sneers. ''Because now that Archie doesn't know how he feels, talking to Veronica and being friends again is all on hold.''

Kevin tilts his head to the side when a thought abruptly came to mind. ''Are you sure you feel bad because you didn't tell Veronica what happened between you and Archie, or do you feel bad because you liked what happened between you and Archie?''

Kevin turned to Hazel Michael, the brunette had her jaw fallen into a gape. How exactly was she suppose to answer that?

''Kev!''

Kevin Keller and Hazel Michael turned to find Francis Michael running up to the two. The look flashed across his features screamed panic. ''You guys need to hurry. It's Betty.''

Kevin and Hazel turned to each other with furrowed brows before the ran off down the hallway, Francis leading the way towards Betty locker.

There was already a crowd forming. The trio had forced their way through to find Elizabeth Cooper standing next to a pregnant Polly Cooper, eyeing Betty's trashed locker, astonished.

It was copies of her article in which Betty written of the truth of Riverdale, plastered all over with pig's blood smeared over in writing, Go To Hell, Serpent Slut. There was a look alike Betty voodoo doll pin aside from the message.

Hazel squeezed Kevin's arms and urges, ''Go get the others. Now.''

-

Hazel attempted to be as comfortable as possible in the solo chair as she sat in the student lounge that next day with Francis Michael and Veronica Lodge on the couch while Archie sat in the other solo chair, also trying to be comfortable.

Betty stood as she told her friends a new secret revealed in the Cooper household the day before, after the horrid mishaps that occurred at the blonde's locker.

''The craziest thing is, I have a brother out there in the world.''

Hazel smiled wide. ''That's great, Bets.''

''It's positively Dickensian,'' Veronica practically melted at the story. ''I love a long lost brother. How old would he be?''

''Mid-twenties?''Betty takes a guess.

''Oh my god,'' Veronica breathes out. ''A blonde Adonis, no doubt.''

Betty's phone began to ring, so she turns around to answer the phone call. ''Hey, where are you? Have you been getting my messages?''

Hazel kept fiddling with her nails, attempting to keep her focus on them for as long as Betty's phone call can occur so she doesn't meet the eyes of Veronica Lodge nor Archie Andrews.

She looks up with furrowed brows as Betty questions, ''Oh my god, what?''

Betty turns back to the group after a brief moment and Veronica asks, ''Where is he?''

''Southside High. He said it's where he belongs and that no one wants him here.''

Archie scoffs. ''FP warned me that Jughead would cut himself off, go to the dark side.''

Betty shakes her head vigorously, ''Archie, we can't let him do that.''

Francis perks up from beside Veronica and asks, ''So what the hell are we waiting for?''

-

In a much deeper part of town, there stood Elizabeth Cooper, Jughead Jones, Francis Michael, Veronica Lodge, Archie Andrews and Hazel Michael paired off into different areas while standing in front of Southside High school, in that order.

Betty was having a personal conversation with Jughead, Veronica and Francis were watching either Betty converse with her boyfriend or Hazel and Archie that stood next to one another faced in opposite directions.

They couldn't nearly take a peek at each other, it was unbearable.

''What else,'' Veronica turns to Francis with furrowed brows. ''did you know about Archie and Hazel?''

He shrugs his shoulders before looking back at the two. Hazel was rubbing her arms while Archie watched Betty and Jughead with pursed lips. ''That was it. I was waiting for Archie to settle something between the both of you, so you could both be happy.'' He looks back down at Veronica, who was already looking up at him in the snowy weather with wide eyes. ''Veronica, Hazel didn't want to hurt you. I'm sure Archie didn't either.''

She bops her head. ''I know. But, I don't want Hazel locking up her feelings because of me. I just wished she was honest with me.''

He swallows deeply and mumbles, ''Yeah. I think they're both pretty confused on how they feel right now.''

''Okay,'' Archie blurts, turning instantly on the heel of his foot to face Hazel. She looks up with wide eyes, her lips turning dry and cracks of it's skin appearing. Her nose was tinted with a shade of rose and tears crowded the corners of her eyes. ''I don't like this.''

Her face dropped in confusion as she shakes her head in a subtle motion, ''Don't like what?''

He moves a hand, pointing between the two. ''This, us. I want to be able to comfortable around you and not have to worry about who I'm hurting.''

She tilts her head to the side, narrowing her eyes. ''That's already too late, Andrews.''

''What?'' He whispers almost breathlessly.

She smirks slyly. ''Don't make me spell it out for you.''

Though, he kept his brows furrowed. Was he really that clueless, or was he just desperate for confirmation?

''I like you, Andrews,'' She heaves out. ''But if being friends with you would balance everything out around here, than that's what I'm willing to do.''

He shakes his head. ''Hazel,-''

''Archie,'' She chuckles dryly. ''I can't just waltz in as the new girl and destroy this bond you all have where the best friends fall for the best friends.-''

''Hazel,-''

''You don't have to say it,'' She nods her head. ''I get it. So can we just stick to what we have?''

He jerks his head back. ''No.''

She raised a brow. ''No?''

''Hazel,'' He sighs. ''I like you too.''

Her heart fluttered. Oh god, those had to be the best news she's heard since entering the unknown town.

A small smile quirked both corners of her lips as he snickers, ''Jeez, if you'd stop cutting me off, you would've heard it a lot sooner.''

''I thought you said it was too soon?''

''Oh,'' He cocks his head to the side. ''The kiss was. But since then..,'' He paused, studying her features. It was like he was trying to read for what he can't see in her. ''I don't know. There's just something about you I can't pull away from.''

She holds her head high and inhales, ''As flattering as that was,'' She breathes out through her nose. ''It's not exactly a happy ending yet. What about Veronica? Are you still in the mix about her o-''

''No,'' He immediately answers, full of confidence. ''No, I am sure that what I feel for Veronica doesn't compare to you.''

''Okay, Romeo,'' She scoffs. ''Before you're ready to drink your poison, we still have to tell her what's going on.''

He nods his head in agreement. Out of respect of their friendship and loyalty they try to hold for the raven hair girl, any activities the two wanted to do with or to each other would have to be at a pause.

''Guys!'' Veronica exclaims. ''We have to go!''

-

The ice frozen upon Sweetwater River began crackling under the weight of Elizabeth Cooper, Jughead Jones, Archie Andrews, Hazel Michael, Veronica Lodge and Francis Michael.

Meanwhile, Cheryl Blossom was across the river, pounding her fist against the ice so she can deep into water, drowning her way to the death as Jason's fake story was once told.

''Cheryl!'' Archie yells.

''Cheryl, please!'' Veronica begged.

It was a surprise to see the red head stood up, wearing the same white dress Hazel and Francis were reminded at the funeral that she wore on Jason's final day of living.

She turns to the group with trembling lips, her hair a ruin mess with all the fly aways.

''Just come to the shore and we'll figure this out together, okay?''

Her trembling lips lifted up to a smile. It was working, she was going to be saved.

That is, until the ice cracked fully from beneath her weight and she fell in.

''Cheryl!'' They all screamed in unison as they charged for the whole Cheryl fell through.

It was a struggle, running through the pile of snow, especially with heels on. But the snow didn't seem to stop Archie Andrew, an athlete that was faster than everyone in the group. Even Francis Michael, and he exercises with Hazel as his trainer.

They soon approached the small hole and didn't find any strands of strawberry blonde hair floating from beneath. Archie was on his knees, desperately trying to search for her while everyone was standing around him.

It was like a light bulb lit above Jughead's head. ''The current has her. Spread out! Spread out!''

Jughead didn't need to repeat himself another time before the group began pushing the snow against the thin layer, trying find any sight of her before she could get to far.

''She's here!'' Archie yells. ''She's here!''

Searching for came to it's short end and they all ran to Archie's area, surround the view of Cheryl floating under the layer of ice.

''What do we do?'' Hazel asks frantically, pulling a strand of hair behind her ear. ''Do we stomp on it, or-'' Hazel broke out into a gasp when Archie threw a punch at the ice.

''Archie, be careful,'' Veronica cried out.

Hazel couldn't look any further by the sight of blood spurring out from the broken skin on his knuckles, dripping onto what could've easily been mistaken for concrete.

''Hey,'' Veronica cooed as she held on to her. She knew the image was equally as stomach churning for Hazel as it was for her. It was ice, built up for not just days, weeks, but for a good two months.

''Archie, let me help,'' Francis insisted, until Hazel swiftly turned to him to yell at him with Veronica, ''No!''

''I-'' He grunts, throwing a punch that was harder than the last. There was a line cracked through. ''Got-'' He threw another punch, his fist delving into some of the cold water. ''It!''

The ice was separated the more he kept punching. The sight made her sick, she knew it had to have felt like punching into thick shards of glass.

''Ugh!'' He exclaims, throwing both fists down at the ice. ''Come on!''

More and more kept breaking off, she didn't know how he was doing it. Hazel would've given at one punch.

His heart must have been really big if he would go through these extremes.

Once a hole was made, he digs into the water and pulls her out.

Veronica and Hazel held on to each other tight as Archie lays her down beside the hole, gently. He brought his ear towards her mouth and lips for any signs that she was still alive, still breathing. He must not have felt or heard nothing because he began pumping her chest and giving her mouth to mouth.

It felt like time was slipping away the more he had done it.

Were they too late? Was Cheryl Blossom dead?

About the forth time around, Archie pulls away from the red head coughing up the water from the river.

''Oh thank god,'' Hazel cried out, gripping on to her chest. The brunette turns to the raven hair girl who was just as out of breath as she was for being so scared, so worried for someone.

But with a sense of understanding, they nod their heads at one another.