❝ SEASON TWO, EPISODE ONE ❞
🔫 A Kiss Before Dying 🔫

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Our story continues.

The Mayor's Jubilee was supposed to change everything.

Be a new start.

But when we woke up the next morning,
Riverdale was still, at its heart, a haunted town.

Meanwhile, Archie Andrews,
who doesn't even have a driver's license yet,
is at this very moment careening down the streets of Riverdale,
trying to outrace death.

Now, I don't believe in miracles, usually.
But it was a miracle that Archie got his dad to Riverdale General without wrecking the truck.

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Isabella dropped her phone and jumped up from the bed, she tried not to freak out as Jughead sat up and turned his head to her. "What's wrong?" Jughead asked her. Isabella didn't hesitate to pull on her shoes and a jumper, her eyes stung with tears but she fought it. "Uncle F-Fred has been shot," Isabella told him in a panic, she sniffled as she searched for her purse only for Jughead to grab her arms and stop her. "You need to slow down, take a breath," Jughead cooed, he watched as his girlfriend did as he said and closed her eyes. "I'm not ready to lose anyone else," Isabella whimpered, Jughead pulling her into his arms.

"You won't lose him, Isa. We all know that Fred Andrews wouldn't go down without a fight," Jughead reminded her, his own mind was reeling at the information. After all the chaos with Jason Blossom's murder, now someone has shot Fred Andrews without being provoked. The couple finished getting ready before they got into FP's truck, Jughead driving while Isabella focused on keeping herself calm. Jughead rested his hand on her thigh, lightly brushing his thumb against her in hopes to help her stay relaxed until they got to the hospital.

The moment they got to the hospital, Isabella didn't even wait till Jughead had shut off the truck before she raced into the building. Isabella bumped into Betty and Veronica who were being trailed by their respective parents, she bit her lip as Betty grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Jughead caught up to them and stood with Isabella as they all looked to see Archie pacing back and forth in the waiting room, his Varsity jacket, hands, and jeans were covered in blood which made Isabella feel queasy for the first time in her life. "Archie..." Isabella's voice cracked as she said his name, he turned to his friends.

Isabella moved forward first as she wrapped her arms around her cousin, she sniffled after seeing the defeated look on his face. The other three moved forward and wrapped their arms around the cousins, the five of them were full of mixed feelings about this situation. "What happened?" Isabella whispered to her cousin, Archie's arms tightened around her for a moment before they all let go. Archie held his cousin's hand, the two sat together on the waiting room chairs with the others joining them. Jughead sat on the other side of Isabella and left his hand on her thigh for comfort and support.

"I came out of the bathroom and there was this man, a thief..." Archie began telling them, Isabella furrowed her brows as she bit down on her lip. "--Wearing this hood, with a gun on Pop Tate. And then he pointed it at my dad and he fired," Archie continued, Isabella tightened her grip on his hand as she closed her eyes. She couldn't imagine the emotional torment happening to Archie right now but she knew he'd be doing what he could to stay strong. "Oh, my God, Archie," Veronica voiced with a sad expression. "And then he--" Archie stopped causing the others to look up at him.

"And then he what?" Veronica asked him softly. "And then he bolted," Archie answered but Isabella knew he was gonna say something else, she could see it in his eyes. "And I was holding my dad. Pop Tate called an ambulance, and it didn't come so I drove here--" Archie sighed to himself, "--I don't know. Maybe I should've waited. I made it worse." Isabella shook her head before anyone could speak, "Don't say that, Archer. You were a hero, you got him here even in a moment of distraught. You were focused enough to get him help, you did the right thing." Everyone else stayed quiet as Archie searched his cousin's eyes for a lie, finding nothing but honesty.

"She's right. First Isa and Cheryl, now your dad. If you keep this up, you'll need a superhero name. Like Pureheart the Powerful," Jughead told him playfully in hopes to lighten the mood. "There isn't any new information," Alice spoke as she walked up to the teenagers with Hal and Hermione following behind her. "Your dad's in surgery. He'll be there for a while," Alice continued, Isabella nodded as she leaned back in her seat. "Archie, have you spoken to your mother about any of this yet?" Hermione asked as she squatted down to his eye level. "No. No, I haven't called her," Archie answered her, "I'll be right back."

Isabella leaned her head onto Jughead's shoulder, she interlocked their hands and took in a deep breath to keep her dark thoughts at bay. "Don't start your shit, Alice. Serpents wouldn't do this, not to Fred Andrews. You of all people should know that," Isabella snapped seeing the look that Alice was sending Jughead. "I didn't say anything," Alice sneered back. "You didn't have to. It was all over your judgemental bitch face," Isabella replied with a glare. "Don't start this," Hal warned Alice who went to say something more. "Unbelievable. At least you can't blame my dad since he's already in jail," Jughead told her. "I can't do this. Not today," Veronica said shutting everyone up.

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Isabella looked up to see Sheriff Keller walking toward them, she lightly nudged Archie who followed her gaze and stood from his seat approaching the older man. "How's your dad doing?" Sheriff Keller asked once he'd removed his hat. "He's still in surgery," Betty told him as she rested her hand on Isabella's shoulder in a sign of support. "Archie, I know this is a hell of a time for you. But perhaps we could go somewhere and talk about what happened," Sheriff Keller suggested. "Is it cool if I tag along?" Jughead asked, his hand squeezing Isabella's who sent him a small smile. "If you don't mind--" Sheriff Keller was cut off by Archie, "That would be great."

Jughead kissed the side of Isabella's head before he followed Archie and Sheriff Keller, he glanced back at Isabella smiling as Veronica and Betty both moved toward the brunette and led her back to the seats. Isabella ran her fingers through her hair as Betty and Veronica shared a look, the parents sat near them as they all waited for news. "Personally, I don't remember Belle ever owning that jumper or those sweatpants... do you, Betty?" Veronica asked with a teasing tone, she wanted to distract Isabella so she wouldn't have an anxiety attack from overthinking.

"I don't recall seeing the clothes on her before," Betty replied before both girls looked at Isabella who was blushing. "Did you two?" Veronica asked while wriggling her brows. "No!" Isabella almost shouted before lowering her head and voice, "We almost did." Betty and Veronica grinned at her. "But we were interrupted and then we just decided to cuddle and watch a movie," Isabella told them as she smiled dreamily. "Something else happened though?" Betty asked due to the girl's fond expression. "He told me he loves me," Isabella told them, both girls held back a squeal.

"And I said it back," Isabella added as she bit her lip, Veronica and Betty hugged her as they were both very happy for her. "I'm so happy for you, Belle," Veronica told the brunette. "You two were practically made for each other," Betty added before the three leaned back against the seats. "Do you think Archie will be okay?" Veronica suddenly asked after some silence. "He'll need time but once Uncle Fred is awake, he'll push through," Isabella said in hopes to convince herself. The one thing that Archie and Isabella had in common was they both functioned off of their emotions which can result in some very bad decisions.

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Isabella sighed as she lowered her phone from her ear, she looked at the screen with disappointment. She had been trying to reach out to her father but he had yet to answer the phone or show up. "Hey," Jughead's voice pulled her attention, she put her phone in her pocket as Jughead wiped the tear that fell. "My dad is MIA again," Isabella told him before shaking her head and leaning back against the wall. "Anyway, where did you go after talking with Archie and Keller?" Isabella asked wanting to push her father to the back of her mind.

"I was asking Tall Boy for help," Jughead told her honestly, she sighed as she realized that the Serpents may be getting the blame again. "It wasn't a Serpent who did this. My parents were Serpents, Jug. Uncle Fred is Serpent by family," Isabella told Jughead sternly, he smiled at her before brushing her hair out of her face, cupping her cheeks. "I know. But people go astray and Serpents were laid off and it could've been a personal vendetta," Jughead explained to her, she nodded at his words before leaning forward to kiss him. Neither noticed the eyes on them filled with jealousy and envy.

Isabella joined Archie after learning that Fred had been placed in a room, she was anxious as she sat on the opposite side of Archie and grabbed her Uncle's hand frowning at the lack of response. "Dad?" Archie spoke softly, Isabella sent him a reassuring smile. "I don't know if you can hear me. Hopefully, you can," Archie continued as Isabella lowered her head to hide her watery eyes. "I'm only supposed to talk about good things, which limits my options, but--" Archie cut himself off with a scoff, "--What can I tell you?" Isabella reached across Fred for Archie's free hand, he instantly grabbed her hand.

"Archie's never been good with words, we all know this," Isabella teased making Archie smile for a moment. "But, uh, I can tell you something that will make everyone happy," Isabella said with a deep breath, "Jughead told me that he loves me. And I said it back." Archie smiled widely at the information before speaking, "And you didn't run away?" Isabella sent Archie a playful glare before shaking her head. "I'm done running away. I think it's time I start facing things head on which is why I know you're gonna be fine, because that's the Andrew way," Isabella told them, her eyes glancing from Fred to Archie who understood.

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One hit after another, the bag creaked with every impact. Shallow breaths could be heard in the room followed by the impact of a fist against bag. "You know, when I was your age, I was a fighter too," Annelise spoke as she stood leaning in the doorway, her silk robe covering her night clothes. "Mom? You should be in bed resting," Isabella replied as she turned to the older woman who waved her off, it was still the early stages of her illness and she still had her strength. "I never once backed down from a fight, you know? Even the ones that weren't needed," Annelise continued with a chuckle as she sat down to ease her daughter.

"Everyone in Riverdale knew not to start a fight with me because when I threw a hit, I meant every second of it. I'd never back from any fight, my bests were when they were one on one physical but it never stopped me from being good with verbal fights too," Annelise said as Isabella sat down next to her on the couch in the shed. "Oh really?" Isabella asked. Annelise cupped her daughters face in her hands, "Fights come in all forms. Physical, mental, emotional, verbal and the worst... are the ones that sneak up in the shadows of silence. But no matter what, my little Rocky, you fight back." Annelise kissed her daughters forehead.

"One day, you will face an opponent that will seem completely indestructible to all of your moves but trust me when I say, I will have your back," Annelise promised, "Even if I'm not here. Because I've been in the fight for years and yours... yours is just beginning. Life is a journey for some but for others, its a battle. And you can win." Isabella nodded before leaning into her mother's arms, "I don't wanna lose you." Annelise ran her fingers through her daughters hair, "There is nowhere you will go that I won't follow. I'm proud of you, I'll always be proud of you. And I'll always be there for you, I'll always be with you." The two held each other in silence.

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Rosemary Here!

And so we continue the story...
This season gets a little more confusing and I have changed a lot of it.

It will be a process to alter the story so no comments about how "this didn't happen" or "that's not right" as this is my book and I'll write it how I want.

Also, I'll be releasing episode by episode. So if I write an episode into three chapters, I'll post them together. If the episode is only one chapter, I'll post that alone. Unless I wanna leave y'all on a cliff hanger, of course!

See you next chapter!