Tall, Dark and.... ~ Reggie Mantle

Chapter Five: Heart of Darkness

"This is how my dad had his Jason Blossom murder board before it was trashed" I say.
"Any leads on who did that? Or what they were looking for?" B asks.
"Nope. No fingerprints. But they stole a bunch of files, background checks, and all the video and audiotapes of police interviews" Kev answers
"Hey, Betty..." we all hear from the door.
"Trev, hi!" Betty says seeing Trev. I wave at him and he gives a shy smile.
"Sorry to interrupt..." Trev says looking at the four of us
"Oh, no... Uh, it's okay. We're just, uh, working on..." Betty says
"Our murder board" Jughead says and I stop myself from laughing at the look on Trev's face
"Well, I just wanted to make sure we're still on for tomorrow?" Trev says...Hmmm a date..
"Absolutely, it's a date. I mean, I'll... I'll see you there. Bye" Betty says a bit flustered
"So, I'll see you. Bye" Trev says
"Bye Trev" I say waving buy to him
"Going on a date with Trev? Does Mama Cooper know about that?" My brother asks Betty.
"Kev, I'm not on house arrest" he gives her a look, "Okay, she's out of town at a Women in Journalism spa retreat. Anyway, it's not a "date" date"
"You just called it a date. You literally said, "It's a date." I say giving her the look
"That's just my cover. Really, it's an intelligence gathering mission. We should focus on the one thing we have access to that your dad doesn't. The kids at Riverdale High. You know, maybe Trev knows something about Jason he didn't think was important" Betty says
"Hmm...Whatever you say Betty" I say smirking at her
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"Betty, you're positively radiating Nicholas Sparks. Tell me everything about this Trev" V says
"Oh, there's nothing to tell" Betty says
"Oh really Trev is so adorable" I say
"Aren't you dating that jock douche" Jughead says, "Just one of Betty's sources, there's nothing romantic in the offing"
"I was just saying something, Juggie. No need to be touchy" I say taking a fry from Ron.
"Why is everything weird here? Why can't a date just be a date?" Ron says, "What about you, Archie? How's life in a PG world?" Arch gives a look of confusion, "PG. Post-Grundy. What, too soon?" I choke on my fry.
"Coach Clayton says I have a shot at being varsity captain. So I'm not thinking about anything else right now" Archie says
"And you're back to being boring" I say
"Are you, maybe, throwing yourself into football as a way to avoid your feelings" B asks
"I'm not avoiding anything, Betty, I'm trying to get my life back on track" Arch says
"I can help with that. I know Ms. Grundy was tutoring you" Val says
"Understatement of the year" I say and Kev nudges me.
"But there's this amazing songwriter from New York, who's an adjunct at Carson College? Incredible mentor. He does some coaching on the side and I told him about you. You wanna meet him?" she says
"Yeah, yeah I'd love to, but football..." Archie starts
"No, Archie can. And he will" I say.
"Call him if you want, but do it soon. His spots fill up fast" Val says giving the artists number.
"Thank you, Val. Hey, now you have zero excuse for avoiding music" B says smiling at Arch. Oh Sweet Betts.
"Sorry to interrupt Sad Breakfast Club, but I'm here to formally invite you to Jason's memorial at Thornhill this weekend. To my surprise and chagrin, mother added you to the guest-list. In case you're tempted to steal our silver candlesticks, don't. We'll be searching bags" Cheryl says coming towards us handing out invites.
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"Red 32. Red 32. Ready? Hut! Hut! Other side. Go left" I heard Coach Clayton say, he left me stay and watch practice for my free period. Honestly it was pretty boring and every time someone got hit I winced. "Well done, Andrews. Great hustle"
"Ah! What's wrong with your hand?" I hear Reg say to Archie. I quickly walk over
"Nothing. It's fine" Arch says
"You're not playing with a busted hand" I say looking at it
"I said it's fine" Archie says
"Archie, sit this one out, you'll thank me later" Reg suggests
"Are you really that scared of me?" Archie says getting in Reggie's face
"Fellas, are we going to chit-chat or we going to play?" Coach says, "Keller didn't I say not to bother the guys!"
"Sorry Coach it won't happen again" I say scurrying off to my spot on the bleachers
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