Heart of Stone

   Finally got around to making a multi-muse blog. Feel free to take a look. I’ve only got six featured so if you want a starter feel free to like this post! And specify a muse or I’ll just drop by your inbox. 

“I’m alive and still hot? That’s a good combination–I’m not gonna question it.”

Eliza was confused to say the least. The last she remembered, she was laying in her bed, old and tired, surrounded by her children; now, she was in the middle of some strange town, and judging by the smooth skin on her hand, young again. “What in God’s name is going on?” she asked no one in particular, looking around. 

✧ ☽ • Look, it’s [Clay Jensen] in the town square. They look just like [Dylan Minnette]. I heard they are [19] years old and they are an [canon character] from [13 Reasons Why]. Isn’t that amazing? It’s just sad that you are never going to return there. Welcome to Easthaven (ooc: Kelly, 21, CST, She/Her)

It was a typical night. Adam was laying in bed, lights turned down low, and he was reading a book. War and Peace, to be exact. His sleep mask was placed on the top of his head, and he was just about to fall asleep when he heard someone on his door step. “Hm.” Then, he simply shrugged and got back to reading. It was probably nothing.

Then, Veronica burst through the door. He knew it was her right away, mostly because she was the only other person with a key and the landlord didn’t seem to…exist. “Ronnie?” He placed a marker in between the pages and set it aside, rubbing his eyes as he turned on the light. “What’s going on? Are you okay? You’ve been crying…” Adam spent enough time with Ronnie to know when was upset. 

And he also knew she wouldn’t tell him exactly what was going on. So, he stood up and walked over to her. In normal circumstances, Veronica would probably yell at him to at least put pants on, but this was different. She was…too quiet. So, he just took her into his arms and held her tight. 

    She shook her head, her composure completely falling apart as soon as he pulled her close. Maybe she should’ve walked into the mist when she had the chance. There was talk about losing something, a quality or asset. Coming out of the mist never made you the same. And for once, Veronica wondered if she wanted to be the same. It was a curse to care so much, it was a curse to have feelings.

   Veronica muffled a sob, shaking her head before she could even muster up the words. She squirmed her way out of Adam’s grasp, waving her hand at him as if to excuse herself from speaking at the moment. “I’m sorry,” she croaked out, slamming the bathroom door behind her. Veronica turned on the sink and the shower and cried. 

>Adam just laughed, knowing he was getting on her nerves. That was the game they played. Who could piss the other off more. And in the end, they were still close friends. Friends. Right. Adam had to remind himself that’s all this way, and he needed to stop himself from getting too attached. Who knew what could happen in this place? 

“Right, I read them when I was a kid which would have made you…a sperm, in your dad’s sack.” He snorted then fiddled with his straw, shrugging. “Right. I mean…when you put it that way, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s not like you can call him up and say ‘hey, I’m in this creepy fuckin’ town and I dunno when I’ll see you again. Is it cool if I let other dudes in my lady cave?’” Adam laughed. 

   Veronica smiled, genuinely smiled. For the briefest of moments she felt... content since ending up in this place. Adam was good company. And maybe if things were different or if the opportunity presented itself, she might’ve toyed with the idea of -- No, that was stupid. They were friends. Veronica could be friends with men without automatically wanting more. Her fingers twitched against her lap, pleating the napkin she had snatched from the dispenser a moment ago.

   “If only it were that easy. Don’t get me wrong -- I do miss him. I just don’t know if he’s moved on or if I should. It wouldn’t be difficult. There are plenty of attractive guys around town,” Veronica shrugged, glancing up at the waitress as she set down their beverages and gave an update on the food. “What’s your type, Adam? What kind of girls get you hot and bothered?”

The silence that had fallen over them had caused him to awkwardly place his hands into his pocket not really sure what to do. He wasn’t sure if they had reached a friendship status where he could reach out and comfort the other but for what exactly? Was it something he said? “Are you okay?” Now he find himself asking the same question wondering what was going through her mind. If only he was able to read minds, now that power would be pretty useful at the moment. 

Taking a step back at the way the name of the girl he had been seeing left her lips left him even more confused. Had he missed something, did something happened between the two girls that he wasn’t aware of? “I do but the only question that really matters here is how we get out of here but I am sure you don’t have that answer.” If she did she wouldn’t be standing in front of him. “I’ve seen Jughead too you know. Which makes me wonder if Betty is around or heck even Cheryl.” 

   “Of course I’m okay, Archie. Why wouldn’t I be?” Veronica pressed on a smile, letting her hands fall back down to her sides after readjusting her neckline. “I’m sure you’ll be relieved to know that Betty and Cheryl are also here. Betty’s been here for almost as long as I have,” she turned to lead the way back towards town. 

    She doesn’t remember what motivated her to end up at his door step at this hour. She doesn’t remember walking there or putting the key into the lock. All she did was replay the 30 seconds of realization that Archie wasn’t her Archie anymore. Her hands were trembling. Shaken and terrified of this place. How could a place be so fucked up? If Archie didn’t remember, then who’s to say if her father -- whenever he is -- even realizes his daughter is missing?

   Coming through the threshold, Veronica dropped her bag to the floor and kicked the door shut behind her. “Adam!” she called out, squinting at the lock across the room that read a modest 2:34 am. “Adam, I-... I need to talk to you.” Because I don’t know who to go to and I’m sorry for being so damn selfish.

“I thought we were in that phase in our relationship where we share intimate details about our buttholes. Did I read the situation wrong?” He looked at her, deadpanning for a few moments before bursting into laughter. Of course, he said this right before the waitress walked off. He played it off, before giving his order. “These cheese fries are going to be so fuckin’ good.” Then, he raised his eyebrows and leaned closer to Ronnie. “Hm?”

“Shiiiit. That’s some heavy shit. Arkie right? no…Archie? Archie. That’s the one. Like the comics.” He snickered then shrugged, tensing a bit at the mention of her past beau. But he wasn’t jealous….right? “I dunno…I’m gonna say….nooo….?” His voice raised at the end, for proper infliction. “No idea. I dumped my girlfriend back home before I came here.”

    Veronica could feel her patience wear real thin, but a bubble of laughter left her regardless of his immaturity. She pressed back into the booth chair, stretching out her arms along the tabletop. Her fingers curled into her palms as she tipped her head from side to side. Sleep was already hitting her, but bed wasn’t in the agenda for another couple of hours. 

“Yeah.” He had confirmed with a single reply still trying to wrap his mind around everything that had happened thus far. Riverdale wasn’t the perfect place, and he had goals of one day getting out but this wasn’t what he had in mind. He had zero contact with his father which he worried for each day. He had even missed his blonde neighbour who had been one of his best friends since he was a kid. Even Valerie crossed his mind despite how little they had been together. She was the first normal relationship he had since Miss Grundy. Who despite how sick their relationship was a part of him still cared and missed her. 

“Even looking can be dangerous, there is something about it that…” Stopping midway he had shaken his head, thinking about that mist gave him a headache. Archie had stopped at the same time as she had, his hands dropping to his side starting at the girl with a tilt of his head. “Apart from everything that is happening I am okay. Still, haven’t lost it if that is what you mean.” The question made him think of what he had been doing before ending up here. “I remember texing Valerie we were setting up a date and I was heading towards her place before I ended up here. God, she probably thinks I stood her up.” Though that was probably the least of his worries at the moment. 

   And like that, everything went silent. The cruel truth hit her: Archie didn’t remember. Veronica might’ve stared at him for the longest time,a glassy look coming over her eyes. The name Valerie hadn’t come from his mouth since they got together, but at the mention of a date. It... didn’t make sense. Valerie didn’t like him, not anymore. But Veronica knew Archie, there was no way he could just pretend that what they had hadn’t existed. He was too kind for that. Not like Veronica, who was quick to judge and even quicker to leave a situation she didn’t want to be part of.

   “Valerie...?” Veronica finally spat out, her reaction flickering from shock to solemn to anger and finally -- numb. The corner of her mouth twitched and she swallowed heavily, “Yeah, I’m sure she’s wondering where you are, Archie.” Her pride would not be tarnished.