Cheryl was arrested in Biology, just when Brandy had thought Biology couldn't have gotten much worse…

Apparently she was guilty… that was what she admittedv to being in front of the entire class with her hands outstretched willingly for handcuffs, tears glistening in her eyes. The confession did not take kindly to her reputation, gossip spreads, and soon enough, like wildfire there was rumors of Cheryl being the killer.

Brandy didn't believe a word of it, nobody cries like that after killing somebody. Cheryl may be a complete psychopath, but Jason was far to important to her for her to shoot him in the head; Besides, like Cheryl actually knew how to fire a gun. It would just get her manicure ruined and the bitch couldn't be having that now could she?

The paper just made things worse after Alice Cooper leaked the autopsy report on Jason side by side with a lengthy article on Cheryl. She scoffed over the breakfast table, holding her coffee in one hand and The Riverdale Register newspaper in the other, there on the front in big bold laters read 'Cheryl Blossom Guilty as Sin!'

"This is disgusting." she sneered at the paper "i know Alice Cooper is an ice-cold witch who's heart is likely the size of a shriveled raison, but this is a new definition of being low."

"Some people just aren't as compassionate as you are kiddo, hate to say it but the world ain't filed with rays of sunshine 24/7" Her dad responded from across the table besides Teddy, the younger boy eating a bowl of cereal quietly.

"This is insane though!" she argued, throwing the paper down on the table away from her, proceeding to shovel her own co-co-pops into her mouth. "first she leakes the information on Jason's autopsy and now this?! God, I never thought i'd say this, but I hope Cheryl's okay. And Betty for that matter."

"Whats an autoposey?" Teddy asked curiously, dragging out the complicated word.

Her dad looked unsure how to explain for a moment then replied "it's a medical term, bud. don't worry about it."

What a great way of saying an autopsy is where you surgically cut open a corpse!

"Okay" teddy dismissed, not that interested anyway, moving the topic along "Deeeee, when you hit the person yesterday did it hurt" he asked, looking intrigued.

She shrugged "A little bit."

"Is Juggie okay?"

"Duh. he's Jughead, he's always okay"

Her dad rolled his eyes and picked up his bowl to take it to the sink "I will stand by my parenting instinct that i'm supposed to disagree with you punching people." was all he added to the conversation, switching on the tap and letting the water spray over the bowl.

Teddy giggled, finishing off his cereal "You're like spider-man now. Spiderman saves people. I'm gonna tell everyone at school, even Harry who thinks spiderman is a stoopid superhero."

"What? Why am I Spiderman? can't I be ironman? he's so much cooler than Spidey." She complained.

"But.. ironman saves all the big people.. spiderman saves the little peoples- like- like Jughead!" Teddy explained to justify his case. Brandy opened her mouth for a moment to argue then closed it, giving her brother a fond look before her dad interrupted it.

"Ted, maybe it was a little bit cool that your sister punched someone but it still doesn't make it right so why don't we not tell anybody at school? Huh?" Her dad reasoned with a fatherly tone.

Teddy still had a massive grin "But Bran-Bran's like spiderman now."

Despite the uncomfortable expression her dad bore at the situation Brandy couldn't help but smirk smugly around a mouthful of co-co-pops. "Spiderman had to keep his identity a secret, remember?"

The little boy stuck out his bottom lip "Oh… yes. I forgot. don't worry, I won't tell anybody. Even if you isn't the real spiderman."

Sighing slightly in faux annoyance, she leaned over the table "Don't listen to dad, he's just jealous."

"Brandon" Her dad said with a warning tone.

"What?" she replied innocently over Teddy's giggles.

"you know what. Now come on, go get your bags before we're late for school" He ordered. Teddy smiled sneakily at her, stuffing the rest of his cereal into his mouth and hopping down from his chair to run and get his backpack. Her dad turned back to her "Promise me you won't get into anymore fights at school?"

She rolled her eyes "yes, dad. I promise."

He smiled, content with that answer for now despite the sarcasm lacing it "good, I just worry about you, sweetheart"

"i know, dad. But, really, I can handle myself" she reassured him as Teddy bounded back into the room with his things, grabbing her hand to pull her from the chair.

"C'mon Bran-Bran it's time for school!" he announced gleefully, leading her out the room towards the car as she sent her half-finished cereal a mournful look, managing to snag her bag that was in the porch before she was forced from the building and into the car.

.

"Mel, whats wrong?" she pestered as the other girl marched on ahead, not looking back over her shoulder.

"whats wrong is that my mother grounded me for this" she exclaimed, pointing to her still very much blue hair. Shocker.

Brandy bit her tongue to stifle a few giggles threatening to escape "Well.. what did you expect? You did do it to piss her off" she reminded the other girl who seemed to get even more annoyed by those words if it was possible.

"she didn't have to ground me though." she grumbled "now how am I going to meet up with Ginger after school?!"

Brandy had to do a double take before she was even able to respond to that. "Meet up with-WHAT? As in the Ginger that hangs around with Cheryl and the other side bitch? i'm just asking because you know WE HATE HER." she shrieked loudly.

Mel slowed as they entered the common room, smiling shyly upon seeing the girl on the other side of the room "she's actually really nice" she sighed earnestly, gaze not leaving the classic mean girl who was stood with a dainty hand on her hip besides Tina, messaging rapidly on her phone.

Brandy rolled her eyes and pushed Mel further into the room so they could sit with their own group of friends. "She pretty much made my life a living hell for me since third grade." she complained, not at all approving of this. "what part of that is nice?"

Mel pouted "we all have our faults" she defended.

Brandy grimaced but said nothing more, seeing Archie had come from the head teachers office which immediately caught her attention, he seemed to be telling the story of what happened whilst he admitted hearing a gunshot on July 4th to Veronica Kevin and Betty. She sat herself down on the ground by Kevin legs, listening as well as Mel plopped down onto the arm of the sofa.

Once he finished Veronica asked "so are you a suspect now?"

"My dad says we all are, including me." Kevin supplied for her, waving a strawberry lace that was in his hand about as he spoke, one of the few perks of being the sheriffs son was that you got the deets. And one of the many perks of being the Sheriffs sons friend, was that you also got all the juicy deets.

"not me girl. I don't know these people." Veronica said with a smug smirk.

"Wouldn't that be a plot twist" Brandy chuckled darkly from the ground earning a light kick from the Latina.

"Guys, should we maybe re-binge Making A Murder on Netflix tonight?" he jested but Brandy perked up at the mention of Netflix.

"Ha, ha."

"oh my god! We forgot about the sleepover guys! Well, no sorry, no guys allowed, but us girls seriously need to do that sleepover we discussed like two weeks ago" Brandy stressed, pinching a strawberry lace from Kevin who sent her a betrayed glare.

"a sleepover for just girls and you wont invite me? Hurt is an understatement, Montgomery." he said, sticking his nose up in the air away from her.

"alright a girls night plus Kev." she corrected, trying to hide her chuckle with her hand.

"Sorry, can't. Gotta stay late to work on the paper." Betty answered apologetically.

Brandy cocked her head to the side "paper? What paper? Oh jeez, did we get another english assignment whilst I was sleeping. Darn it.. Archie wake me up next time!"

"no, i'm going to try bring the Blue and Gold news back. I need to ask Jughead for his help, actually." she informed them offhandedly, deep in thought suddenly.

Why does she need Jugheads help?

Mel saw Brandy's somewhat shocked expression so jumped in "i can't make it either, grounded, remember?"

"Count me out too. i've got a date tonight" Veronica smirked, shifting in the chair to get more comfortable. The air changed the second the words fell out of her mouth.

"you do?" Archie asked quietly from his seat, jealousy evident in his eyes.

"which Riverdale hottie made the cut?" Kevin asked enthusiastically, swatting Brandy who was stealing another strawberry lace to munch on.

Veronica was about to respond, but somebody else did for her "Hey, V-LO. I'll swing by the Pembrooke to pick you up at 8?" Chuck double checked from the doorway as he put on his jacket, Reggie and Matt behind him.

Brandy was about to scoff and tell him to f-off, but Veronica smiled seductively at the guy "i'll be waiting" she responded smoothly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Cool" Chuck grinned smugly then left with the other two jocks following, Brandy was almost confused if not disappointed that Mel was so calm about that interaction, the blue haired girl just sat munching on the snacks available on the coffee table like she hadn't even heard the conversation. Talk about moving on quickly.

"You're going on a date with HIM?" Brandy exclaimed in disbelief, how many girls were hooking up with jocks these days, jeez.

"Chuck Clayton?" Betty added, holding the same shocked expression.

"no, seriously, before I try to comprehend that this is the version of reality we live in will you please explain why the hell you chose Chuck of all people to go on a date with?" she blurted out.

"He's kind of a player" Betty explained disapprovingly.

"who cares? he's the hottest of the hot." Kevin gushed in awe "and he's the varsity football coach's son. In Riverdale, that's like dating a Kennedy."

Brandy sat thoughtfully for a second as she processed that one of her friends was now edging towards relationships with one of the biggest douches in school. Archies glare at the ground didn't go unnoticed by her. Finally she smiled up at Veronica "i want details, Ronnie. And next time, Scooby Snack it before you tap it." she ordered earning confused gazes from the boys, having informed Mel already of the code word.

Veronica beamed, twirling her hair "down to the tik." she promised with a nod.

Archie got up and stormed out.

Brandy frowned and got up to go after him "Imma make sure that.. uh he's uh... taking his vitamins? yeah.- OH, and the sleepoever talk is to be continued at a later date; this isn't over!" she told the rest of the squad then bounded after Archie "hey, Redzee, wait up." she called down the narrow corridor, Archie slowed so she could walk with him. "We need to talk" she declared firmly.

"This should end well..." he muttered.

"Remember that part of yesterday where I specifically gave you a very obvious opportunity to tell me everything and you just lied to my face? Yeah that's still fresh in my mind as well!" she began with a passive aggressive chirp in her tone.

Archie awkwardly scratched the back of his head "i'm seriously sorry about that..."

"Damn right you are"

"I told you it was complicated..."

"you and Grundy" she began, seeing his expression turn defensive in a nano-second. "spill."

"i suppose I do owe you an explanation..." he trailed off nervously.

"damn right you do" she nodded "you get with a girl over the summer and don't tell me? Jeez, I didn't sign up to be you're best friend to face this kind of rejection" she jested to lighten the mood.

"what could I say, Brandy? I was sleeping with your music teacher? Can you honestly say you wouldn't have slapped me?" he accused her.

She simpered a little "i wouldn't have slapped you. Maybe yelled a little. But I wouldn't assault you Archiekins your far to pretty for that" she assured him. "but… Archie… she is kind of.."

"a teacher. I know" he snapped slightly, agitated. "i get it, I shouldn't like her but I do. I can't help it."

She paused thoughtfully "is what you feel real for her? Are you sure this isn't just some… crush that you'll regret having in two years time?"

"Whatever I feel for her, its real" he confirmed with a solemn nod. "i know you don't approve.. but could you at least try act like you support it?"

She thinned her lips the sighed "look, I sure as hell don't approve of it and think i've missed about three music lessons this week because I didn't think I could look at Grundy the same way, but… if it makes you happy, then i'll try to accept it." Brandy promised.

Archie smiled down at her, wrapping an arm over her shoulder to give a short side-hug. "thanks, seriously, I appreciate it." he responded, sounding more relieved "you're opinion is important to me. And you forgive me right? I hate it when you're mad at me."

Brandy pretended to think for a moment, humming to prolong her answer "i suppose."

At that moment, Jughead rounded the corner with a sour expression, eyes locking onto Archie's arm draped over Brandy and his expression only worsened, not bothering to stop as Brandy waved a greeting at him and instead pushing passed them and heading towards where the blue and gold used to be set up.

"who ate his bowl of sunshine this morning?" she asked sarcastically as Archie pulled his arm off her, looking back in confusion. "Anyway, back to Grundy, if you guys are like… a thing, she was okay with you telling Weatherbee about July 4th?"

"i left her out of it." he said quickly.

"have you talked to her since?" she asked.

Archie faltered "..no..."

"oh man, good luck with that one then" she snorted.

.

That night she had Ballet practice so had her dad pick up Teddy after school. She stayed late until about 7pm before heading home due to the upcoming autumn ballet show which she had a lead part in. it was Swan Lake which she absolutely adored. Only problem was she needed some new shoes as hers were too worn and starting to give her blisters.

By the time she got home she was starving, walking up her porch carrying her ballet bag and flickering through her phone, frowning that she had no messages from , he always messages her. She decided to leave it and drop Veronica a message instead to ask how the date went. The Latina responded within seconds with…

V: Amazeballs! Bit boring tho so not my type + before you grill me for gos like Betz we just had a milkshake- get your mind out of the gutter!

She got inside and shut the door, locking it and dumping her back on the ground, retreating to the kitchen to find the Cooper girl writing in full concentration mode on a piece of paper at the table. Blinking in surprise she cleared her throat to make her presence know, the other girl jolting up startled.

"oh, Brandon, sorry. Your dad let me in and said I could wait in here until you got back from Ballet. I brought cookies that my mom made for you guys… also I and no idea your dad was a wild life channel type of guy. Who knew." she explained quickly, putting down her pen. It wasn't uncommon for Brandy to come home finding her friends lounging about like they owned the place, her dad was on good terms with all of them, even though he low-key favored Jughead.

"Thats fine, and yeah he says that David Attenboroughs voice is the reason he watches them… he's a weirdo like that." she drawled, diving into the fridge to locate some food and pulling out some leftovers from Pop's "want some?" she offered to which Betty shook her head at. "

"no i'm fine, thanks. I actually came over because I didn't want to listen to my mom brag about her article hit in the paper" she responded, going back to writing on the paper she had which was spiking Brandys curiosity somewhat.

"ugh, that piece of garbage." she rolled her eyes, then hesitated with a wince shooting Betty a guilty glance "sorry, I forget that she's your mom sometimes."

Betty waved her off "Don't worry, I'm in total agreement with you. It's completely unfair on the Blossoms. With everything they must be going through… god that was the last thing they needed."

"It's an insult to injury" She sighed tiredly, then as she stuck the leftovers in the microwave she peered over Betty's shoulder curiously "watcha working on?"

"My plan for the Blue and Gold, which leads to the second reason why i'm here" she replied, swirling on her stool to face Brandy "you're the only person I know thats semi decent with a camera, would you pretty please take photos for the Blue and Gold? It would really help me out" she pleaded with a puppy dog face.

Brandy rose her eyebrows "erm, sure. i'm not that good though, so don't expect like Peter Parker level photography skills" she jested, plopping down into the seat besides the girl.

"great" Betty breathed out in relief "thanks, I owe you, really, you're a lifesaver" she exclaimed, hurriedly scribbling Brandys name down on the paper besides 'Photographer'. She noticed Jugheads name was down my co-writer. "any good material you have just bring it to me and i'll stick it in somewhere"

"if I recall, you owe me double, now, Betz" she smirked, jumping up to grab her dinner as the microwave began beeping. The smell of Pop's food wafted around the kitchen making her stomach grumble hungrily.

"i'll get you a milkshake" she said dismissively.

Betty stayed for an hour more, the two girls deciding to work on maths homework together since Brandy actually sucked at it. Then Betty had to leave so Brandy decided to order some new ballet shoes then flick through the photos in her camera that she'd already taken. There was a wide collection of photos from the forest just up the road from where Veronica now lived, a few of the town, and a bunch of rivers; she purposely skipped past the ones of Sweetwater.

Then after flicking through for some time she came across the photos from last year at a fair that had passed through town, a smile wriggling onto her lips as she saw the photos she'd taken of her and her friends, the rides, a weird clown they were all sure would murder them, her favorite however was by far a photo Archie had taken when he stole her camera, it displayed her and Jughead. Jughead had convinced her to go on the dunk tank and she'd just come out of it soaking wet so decided to wrap Jughead into a tight hug so his clothes would also get soaked. That was the photo, her hugging Jughead whilst laughing, and Jughead desperately trying to escape, laughing none the less.

Smiling fondly, she flicked through a few more and was about to turn off her camera when she noticed something weird in the background of one of the carnival photos. The photo itself was of the ferris wheel and looked very aesthetic in her humble opinion. But she zoomed in on the line waiting to board the wheel. Hang on… was that her dad? See, her dad being in line for the carnival wheel wasn't weird, but her dad being in line for the ferris wheel with a fancy looking woman was weird. That didn't look like Rachel… who the hell was the girl? She was holding his hand. Romance. Yeuach.

What bothered her though was that she'd never seen this woman before in her life. It would help if she could see her face.. unfortunately in the shot the woman was facing towards the wheel and her dad was looking at the woman's face.

Her brain ached. This was definitely a tomorrow problem.

.

She was fifteen minutes late for school the next day, having got zero sleep again. All she could think about was that darn photo… what did it even mean. Why was her dad with some chick from the festival last year? He never said anything…

Shrugging those thoughts from her mind she arrived at school, thankful she had a free and found Veronica, Betty and Kevin all stood glaring daggers through a phone in Veronicas hand. Oh boy. More trouble

Inwardly she groaned, debating whether or not to just turn the hell around and get out of there, but her curiosity go the better of her so she valiantly strolled over like the good friend that she definitely wasn't, as she arrived she heard six words of doom.

"What the hell is a sticky maple?"

Oh crap.

"oh god, he didn't" she winced, alerting them of her presence. Her temper began rising as she put the pieces together, working out what Chuck had done before she'd even stopped walking.

"morning Brandy" Betty murmured.

"I repeat, what the hell is a sticky maple?!" Veronica demanded, getting more frustrated.

Kevin frowned at the people sending Veronica smirks "it's kind of what it sounds like. it's a Riverdale thing."

"no, Kevin, it's a slut-shaming thing..." Veronica corrected, fury bubbling in her eyes as she digested the act. "...and i'm neither a slut, nor am I gonna be shamed by someone named- excuse me?- Chuck Clayton."

"We did try and warn you.." Brandy offered judgmentally earning a glare being fueled by Veronicas dormant wrath.

"Ok, no offense, Brandon, but the last thin I need right now is 'i told you so's' because i'm not as on the ball with everything in this town yet" Veronica snapped back at her.

Brandy rose her arms up in defense. "it's not my fault I hit the nail on the head about Chuck" she muttered a response, rubbing at her eyes tiredly, having dressed herself in another pastel pink dress she owned.

"Does he think he can get away with this? Does he not know who I am?" Veronica raged, staring back down at the photo, Brandy peering over to see and sure enough, there was Veronica and Chuck smiling in the selfie, only there had been maple syrup edited over Veronicas face. "i will cut the brakes on his souped-up phallic symbol."

"or we can go to principle Weatherbee" Betty jumped in alternatively.

"about the coach's son? who's captain of the football team and Riverdale High's resident golden boy?" Veronica countered, feeling exposed and violated.

"she sorta has a point" Brandy grumbled.

Betty pressed on non-the-less "and/or I can expose him in the pages of the Blue and Gold- yeah I can do that!"

"No" Veronica cut the blonde off sharply "Spoken like a true good girl who always follows the rules" she shoved Kevin's phone back into his hands and pushed past them to stomp up the corridor. The group shared a look and then her and Betty trailed after her "well, I don't follow rules. I make them. And when necessary, I break them."

"Ronnie, calm down- we'll help you sort this out- just slow down before you scare a freshman!" she called after the furious Latina.

"Maybe it'll teach them the true colors of high school" she growled "you wanna help me get revenge on Chuck? Awesome. But you better be willing to go full dark, no stars. What do you say, in or out?" Veronica seethed through her teeth.

Brandy gaped for a second, not quite used to seeing the other girl so mad when she usually resembled a hyperactive puppy if anything. "Like i'd allow Chuck to go around hurting my friend like this without incorporating some sort of vengeance. And i'd totally still be up for this even if he hadn't hurt you. Just saying. He's a dick. Like we sai-" Betty nudged her to cut her off. "- But yeah, count me in."

Veronica nodded thankfully, turning to the unsure blonde "Betty?"

At that Mel joined them, saving Betty from having to answer the question by shouting "this is unacceptable!" waving her phone in their faces showing the picture of veronica and Chuck with an equally furious expression that matched Veronica's "i can't believe he'd do something like this! Hottie or not there is a line and he just skipped over it… bragging about it to all the guys in football practice, I mean like what a jerk."

"Mel," Betty hissed, seeing Veronicas face darken further.

"what?" The raven haired girl growled, hand tightening around her bag as her nostrils flared.

Mel nodded wildly "oh yeah, told the whole squad about it. Ginger told me she heard them when she was walking past the pitch. They said you were real -"

"out of my way, smurf head" Veronica cut the other girl off, striding towards the boys changing rooms.

Brandy sighed and tugged Mel's' sleeve for the other girl to follow, leaning into her ear "now look what you've done!"

"what?" Mel asked, confused.

The four of them reached the changing room and before any of them could stop Veronica she marched in without hesitation, shoving the half naked boys who happened to cross her path to the side, earning a bunch of odd looks, some whistling at her.

Brandy and co followed somewhat timid about entering the boys changing room. Mel bounding ahead verbalizing her complaints about the boys hygiene standards.

The smell was dreadful. It was musky, and sweaty, and like the boys hadn't showered at all. She scrunched her nose up in disgust, trying to not stare at the flock of bare, muscly chests surrounding her so she could save herself from the embarrassment of having a flushed face. Betty had taken to shielding her eyes with her hand.

As they advanced through the room, Veronica accidentally bumped into Archie making the ginger boy almost drop the towel on his waist past the safe point if he hadn't used his ninja like reflexes to catch it. Upon seeing them he gawped "Veronica? Mel? What are you guys doing her?" he asked looking over Veronicas shoulder to see the other two girls "Brandy? Betty? You guys too?"

Brandy offered a small wave but Veronica wasn't waiting around and smiled as politely as possible "don't worry about it." she declared, moving forward but being blocked again

"-No-"

"i mean it, Andrews. Hit the showers and stay out of my way." She exploded in his face, pushing his sweaty body away from hers then storming past, Mel chewing her gum whilst admiring the look of semi-naked Archie before following, with Betty by her side with burning cheeks.

Brandy hesitated with a smirk "boy trouble." she supplied then playfully looked him up and down "nice abs Redzee, the legend speaks truth, they weren't a fake. Oh, and FYI you seriously stink" she then chased after the other girls who were just about to confront Chuck.

"Right on, Ladies" Chuck greeted them with a smug smirk, rubbing his hands together expectantly.

Mel folded her arms sassily "save it"

Veronica shoved her phone in his face to display the picture "This is disgusting. Take it down" she ordered sternly, sending him a challenging glare that all but dared him to argue.

"whoa. Whoa, why are you so wound up? it's a badge of honor." Chuck defended the image like it was something good, making Brandy scoff. "and you're not exactly in virgin territory after your closet date with Andrews."

"okay, that's beyond irrelevant, Chuck. you're not allowed to go around humiliating girls for any reason under any circumstances" Betty retaliated bitterly, waving her arms around exasperatedly then stumbled for words "..Jerk"

Chuck gave Betty an 'Are you serious?" expression before replying "look, I get you're not a closet kind of girl but hey, if you wanna ride the Chuck Wagon that can be arranged."

Brandy's temper flickered dangerously upwards and she stepped forward "Listen asshole, who the hell do you think you are, some kind of sex god that every female worships? Bouncing from girl to girl! Doesn't that make you the slut? Maybe Veronica did go in the closet but at least it was with just one guy" she retorted, staring at Chuck with disgust.

Chuck sent her a surprised look "and I suppose you're gonna punch me like you did to Reggie if I don't do things your way?" he countered.

"She'd punch you even if you did do things her way" Mel snorted.

"i'd like to see her try." Chuck scoffed in disbelief, looking Brandy up and down "Sorry baby, i'm just not into that kind of kinky crap"

"i will gut you Clayton" she shrieked, fully intent on pouncing on the boy had Betty not grasped her arm firmly to hold her back, the boy laughing at her pitifully.

Veronica shook her head "Let's keep this simple so that your preppy murderer half brain can grasp it. Take. This. the hell. down" she ordered again, walking so that she was stood right in front of Chuck, shoulders straight and confident as she puffed out her chest.

Chuck finally frowned in a serious manner that indicated he was done goofing for the second "Okay, that high-toned bitch attitude may have worked on the betas you dated in New York, but you're in Bulldog territory." he replied with a cocky smile, his jock goons barking all around the girls, one jumping out and pinching Brandys butt making her screech loudly and spin around frantically to find some jock she didn't even recognize laughing at her. "but please, fight back. You'll only make it harder on yourself" he threatened, moving to leave then eyeing Brandy about to pummel the boy who touched her "Matt, leave her alone, she's the freaks bitch, remember?"

The boy identified as Matt barked out a horrendous laugh that echoed in Brandy's ears making them throb, her anger was only cooking up a shit storm again. Furiously she stomped down this Matt's foot then caught up with Chuck and clamped a hand on his shoulder aggressively forcing him to turn and face her "listen here, buddy, you better enjoy this whilst it lasts because this right here is down right war. And when we're done with you, you will apologize to Veronica and every other girl you have harassed like this before or so help me I will take that bulldog crap attitude and wrap it up in barbed wire then shove it so far up your friggen-"

"And thats quite enough Brandy" Mel cut her off with a nervous laugh, grabbing her arms and pulling her away from a unaffected looking Chuck. "come on, calm down" she whispered into her ear and Brandy realised the entire changing room was staring at her bawled up fists and fiery expression. Slowly, she let he composure steady.

Chuck rolled his eyes "Girls" he spat like the term was an explicative then retreated from the room.

"BOYS" She screamed back at him.

.

A lesson with Grundy rolled around and hand't gone as explosively as Brandy had expected it too, Miss Grundy had been really nice considering Brandy had missed nearly a weeks worth of lessons. They played the violin for a while whilst making small talk, unfortunately about how each of their summers went, Grundy obviously leaving out the Archie part of hers. Then it was over, and the tenuous hour came to an end so she could escape to the safety of the school corridor.

Shutting the classroom door she exited, humming the tune of one of her favorite songs; 'Don't go breaking my heart' by Elton John. She was just about to go drop her violin case off in the music cupboard and the hall was more of less empty…

Smiling she stopped humming and sang loudly "Don't go breaking my heart!" swaying her hips to the side at the tune playing in her mind, opening the cupboard and gently placing the violin case down on the middle shelf, shutting it after her. Before she could turn around a pair of hands fell over her eyes making her yelp slightly.

Then a warm familiar voice very near her ear said "i couldn't if I tried" to continue the song she'd started. Brandy whirled around with a bright smile to meet Jugheads own traditional half smirk.

"Well, hello there stranger" she greeted, putting her hands on her hips accusingly.

Jughead snorted "i saw you yesterday… you have an odd definition of 'stranger'""

She looked down at her nails, keeping the fake frown creasing her features dormant "no calls, no messages, for all I knew you were dead" she shrugged idly.

He lightly punched her arm "Brandy" he sighed a plead making her giggle as they both began to walk back towards the canteen "Accept the fact i'm an introvert who has low morals and rarely messages back to even close friends. Thats just how I roll"

"i know, dork. So, what were you doing lurking in the music corridor like a creep, you aren't thinking of taking up music are you? from what I just heard your singing could do with a bit of touching up..." she teased.

"that wasn't singing. I don't sing" he grumbled back.

"aw, c'mone Jug, sing the next line will you? What is it… honey if I get restless… baby your not that kind" she sang, looking at her best friend expectantly. "come on, your turn."

"i don't sing" he repeated blankly.

"pleaaase. Do it for me? i'll cry if you don't" She threatened.

"i don't care" he retorted.

"you're no fun"

"and you're an idiot."

"you like it."

"sadly"

Amused, she looked upwards at him as they reached the canteen "so, care to explain why you were waiting in music, was it for me? Aw, Jug you're so sweet" she cooed at him.

he sent her a dead panned expression "i need a companion"

"obviously, you haven't had a girlfriend since third grade...well... was she really your girlfriend? she bribed you. it doesn't count."

"not that kind of companion" he rolled his eyes and folded his arms "Betty hired me for the Blue and Gold to investigate the murder of Jason Blossom, a little bird told me your the papers photographer. Wanna team up and go on a hunt for Dilton Doiley?" he asked, rubbing his nose with one hand.

"Dioley… whats he got to do with...oh I totally forgot that he and his scouts were the ones to find Cheryl by the river. Daym Jug, nice thinking, I don't think even the cops are pressing him that much, like at all" she praised.

Jughead shrugged "it was Betty's idea, really"

ugh.

Blinking slightly in shock at the knot forming in her stomach she quickly added "so why do you need me to go with you? Why not take Betty?" the drop in her tone on Betty same was unintentional, but still there.

Jughead didn't seem to notice "Well, as marvelous as Betty is I wouldn't choose her to be my partner in crime." he explained blandly "Then there's the fact your the photographer for the paper, and we'll need some shots of the scout team if this gets published."

"i guess… so does this mean we'll be missing break and third lesson?"

"probably." he shrugged like it was nothing.

After a moment's thought she gave in "ok, whatever, I hate maths anyway so it's not like I have anything to loose"

that half smile made a return on the boys face "Good, lets go then before scouts training ends" he ordered walking on, then hesitating "oh and by the way, that was Elton Johns worst song, not that his other songs were any good." he said, the bounded ahead.

"Jughead Jones you take that back!"

.

No more than ten minutes later they were down on the fields where scouts training commenced, Dilton Doiley marching up and down a straight, horizontal, line of his scouts barking information at them like it was friggen gospel.

"SO, Sherlock, first thoughts?" she whispered as they crossed the field, turning her camera on to snap some shots. "any juicy deductions yet about Doiley?"

Jughead hummed thoughtfully, grimacing slightly at the wet ground that was soaking through his shoes "Doiley wasn't the only one there, he's just the only one being questioned. Hardly seems fair in my opinion."

"Very true" she nodded in agreement comically fast, raising the camera to her face to take a picture of the scouts in action before they disbanded.

They arrived besides the scouts just as Doiley said "and in that moment of hesitation, you're dead" patronizingly, specifically into one boys face who looked like he was about to cry.

"At ease, Doiley" Jughead commented grimly, shoving his hands in his pockets, the scout leader turning to face them somewhat shocked. And in that moment of hesitation, he would be dead she thought humorously. "we're writing an article for the Blue and Gold. Hoping you can help."

Doiley stared at them with his arms crossed condescendingly "Dismissed. But stay close" he called over his shoulder to his scouts he broke line formation to go do their own thing.

"do you mind if I snap a few pics?" she asked sweetly, waving her camera in her hand to get his attention.

He considered it for a moment " Sure, but strictly for school purposes only." he warned and she gaped at him in disgust whilst Jughead rolled his eyes. In annoyance she turned the flash on and snapped a photo of him, purposely blinding him for a moment.

Before things could escalate Jughead cut to the chase "Cheryl and Archie say they heard a gunshot on July 4th, but the don't know who fired"

Click.

She snapped another shot of his face.

"Sheriff Keller already asked me about this, like I told him, my scouts and I, we didn't hear anything weird." Dioley responded defensively.

Click.

Jughead stepped forward challengingly "well, did yo see anything weird?"

Doiley put on a false thoughtful face, humming in a mocking manner "A white-winged crossbill, a long eared owl. Oh, and Cheryl, sitting by the river, soaking wet" he jeered.

Click

"So, what your saying is Cheryl and Archie are crying gunshot?" She asked, not facing them and instead the scouts who didn't look to happy getting their photo taken. "you think, Jason's twin sister, and Archie Andrews who was a fellow jock to Jason, are lying?"

Click

Dioley looked agitated "Look, I told you already, I didn't hear or see anything weird so I don't know what your trying to get out of this." he exasperated. Click. "Will you please stop that?" he snapped at her and the noise her camera kept making.

"Why, something wrong, Doiley?" Jughead questioned with raised eyebrows as Brandy lowered her camera with a smirk.

Doiley glared at them at loss for words "if you'll excuse me I have to get back to training" he dismissed himself without another word, sweating.

Brandy and Jughead shared a look "Guilty." she immediately concluded, flicking through her photos briefly then stuffing the camera back into her backpack.

"you think he killed Jason?" Jughead inquired curiously as they began departing.

"No… but i've never seen somebody squirm like that and not have something to hide." She theorized "then again, everyone in this town seems to have something to hide."

Jughead tapped her shoulder and pointed to an individual scout, the same one that Doiley had been shouting at when they entered the area. "That one, he looked at me weirdly when we were interrogating Doiley. He knows something."

She fought back a crooked smile "He looked at you weirldy?"

"Yes" Jughead nodded.

"You know that wouldn't stand up in a court right?" She stated, amused at the way Jughead sent her an exasperated glance "i mean, we can't just go off the fact that a guy looked at you weirdly and your getting all hot and bothered about it..."

Her bestie threw his arms upwards "Im not gay!" he shouted, catching the attention of some nearby. "That's not okay. He's not even our age."

"I know- i know! i'm just teasing" she giggled "We have are next mission then"

"I'll talk to him after school, you have ballet." Jughead reminded her with a playful flick on the head to which she groaned inwardly at (to the ballet. Not jughead. Obviously.)

"and miss you possibly scaring the living daylights from the poor innocent mind of that oh so naive kid back there?" She grinned "i wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll cancel ballet."

Jughead rose an eyebrow at her "if your sure..."

"always." She readjusted her backpack as they began walking back "you know, if this is going to be a re-occurring thing now can we at least have a cool team name? Blue and gold is boring. who chose blue and gold?"

Jughead shrugged "It's the school colors and Betty likes is."

She pouted "So we're not going to go down the whole Mystery Gang route?"

"no."

"… can we at least have code names?"

"If I say no are you just going to keep persisting?"

"most likely."

"… yeah, it's still a no."

Whilst shaking her head she pulled out her phone, seeing five new text messages. "Oh shoot, Betty's just sent me the bat signal- I gotta run- you stalk the kid and give me a shout when we're going to make our next move! Laterz!" Brandy saluted him with one hand then sped off up the field at top pace to make it back to the school.

She missed Jughead smiling fondly after her.

AN: i'm baaaack.

Sorta. This feels like another filler chapter for when things get real. oh well. hope y'all enjoyed.