Another Love~J.J. {1}

~23~

FASTER, PUSSYCATS! KILL! KILL!

* * *

Fear. It's the most basic, the most human emotion. As kids, we're afraid of everything. The dark...The boogeyman under the bed...And we pray for morning. For the monsters to go away. Though they never do. Not really. Just ask Jason Blossom.

* * *

        "So, Jughead..." Mrs. Cooper began, getting everyone's attention. Lia was over at the Cooper household for breakfast that morning, Jughead too. But they had other plans than just breakfast. "I suppose we have you to thank for Betty's ongoing obsession with this Jason Blossom ghoulishness?"

        "Actually, Mom, I was the one who asked Jughead to help me write it for the Blue and Gold." Betty corrected her mom, making her laugh. 

        "Relax, Betty. I'm just making conversation." Mrs. Cooper said and Lia looked at Betty, raising her eyebrows for a split second before bringing them back to normal again. 

        "Do you guys have a bathroom I could use?" Jughead asked. 

        "Sure, I'll show you." Betty said as she stood up.

        "No, no. I'll show him. Follow me...Jughead." Mrs. Cooper argued, standing up as well. The two Cooper's glared at each other for a moment before Jughead stood and followed Mrs. Cooper to the bathroom. 

        "Come on." Lia whispered, jumping out of her seat. She and Betty rushed to her mom's purse, pulling out her checkbook. Lia took out her phone quickly, taking pictures of all the pages as Betty flipped through them before they quickly sat back down, Jughead and Mrs. Cooper joining them once again. 

* * *

        ""The Sisters of Quiet Mercy." What is that? Like a church? Or a charity?" Betty asked as she held Lia's phone in her hands, looking over the photo on the screen. 

        "No. It's a..." Jughead trailed off before finally pulling up a website on his laptop. ""Home for troubled youths. Where disenfranchised teens will learn such virtues as discipline and respect, enjoying lives of quiet reflection and servitude."" 

        "Poor Polly." Lia muttered just as the lunch bell rang. The three of them packed up their things, making their way outside to their usual table so they could eat lunch. 

        "It's been months. There's gotta be a reason my mom and dad don't want me to see Polly. But I don't care anymore." Betty said as they all sat down, Jughead in between Lia and Betty. 

        "What are you guys talking about? Anything I can help with?" Archie asked as he looked up from what he was doing. 

        "What we're attempting is a stealth operation, Archie. If we go in there with the entire Scooby Gang, forget it, we're compromised." Jughead said, making Lia chuckle. "Well, don't you have to practice for the Variety Show anyways?"

        "Uh, no, I don't." Archie disagreed. 

        "Except that yes, you do. Thanks to a certain Veronica-ex-machina." Veronica said as she and Kevin sat on Archie's side of the table. 

        "What do you mean?" Betty asked. 

        "Oh, nothing. Just that I had a few words with our director/host, and reminded him that he's heard you sing on numerous occasions." Veronica replied, eyeing Kevin. 

        "Even though it compromises my artistic integrity." He muttered. 

        "Cutting to the chase, you have a slot if you want it." Veronica told Archie with a smile. 

        "Veronica, thank you, but you saw what happened. Playing my songs in front of you guys is one thing, but getting back up on that stage by myself...I'm not sure if I'm ready for that." Archie sighed and Lia was surprised he was actually showing the group his vulnerability. 

        "If it's a partner you're looking for, Veronica Lodge is more than willing and able." Veronica announced. 

        "Veronica, I didn't know you could sing." Lia stated.

        "Like a nightingale." Veronica nodded before turning to Archie. "What do you say, Archiekins? Be the Jay to my Bey?"