❝ SEASON ONE, EPISODE THREE ❞
👭Body Double👭

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Guilt, innocence. Good, evil. Life, death.
As the shadows around Riverdale deepened, the lines that separated these polar opposites blurred and distorted.

"I'm guilty," Cheryl said in Biology class.
But of what?

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Isabella stood by her locker as Mr and Mrs Blossom dragged their daughter from the office, the brunette made eye contact with Clifford Blossom before looking down at her shoes ─ the older man really creeped her out. "This is concerning," Archie's voice caught Isabella's attention, she turned her head to him with a frown. "I don't think she's guilty of murder, Archer. But she definitely knew something more," Isabella replied before locking eyes with Jughead, the green-eyed writer shrugged at her lightly.

Isabella made her way over to Jughead, the beanie-clad boy had been attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation prior to the Blossom parents arriving. "Did you hear anything?" Isabella asked Jughead as they walked down the corridor away from the crowd. "I didn't hear much but she wasn't guilty of killing her brother, I heard that," Jughead answered before they stopped at Isabella's locker. "It's all gonna get worse from here, isn't it?" Isabella asked Jughead who had no answer.

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"So, are you a suspect now?" Veronica asked Archie after the redhead told them about his confession to the Sheriff. "My dad says we all are, including me," Kevin answered Veronica from his seat next to Betty, the small group were seated in the student lounge. Isabella had parted ways with Jughead who wanted to spend some time updating his novel with the newest information so she respectfully agreed and decided to spend time with her cousin instead.

"Not me, girl. I don't know these people," Veronica reminded them causing Isabella to snort, she shrugged her shoulders at the look the four gave her. "I just mean... I don't think it was any of us. I don't believe a student is behind this, 'cause literally, everyone we know would've caved, crumbled or ran by now," Isabella voiced as she focused on her nails, the black polish was chipping off reminding her that she'd have to paint them again to prevent herself from biting her nails.

"Guys, should we maybe re-binge Making a Murderer on Netflix tonight?" Kevin asked them with a serious expression, his eyes moving from Isabella to Betty then Veronica. "Sorry. Can't. Gotta stay late to work on the paper," Betty answered with a tight-lipped smile. "Count me out, too. I've got a date tonight," Veronica told them with a smile. "You do?" Archie asked instantly, the action didn't go unnoticed by Isabella who raised a brow in his direction.

"Which Riverdale hottie made the cut?" Kevin asked, his attention focused on Veronica who didn't get the chance to answer as another voice caught their attention. "Hey, V-Lo. I'll swing by the Pembrooke to pick you up at 8:00?" Chuck Clayton asked her with his classic smirk, Isabella instantly shook her head. "I'll be waiting," Veronica replied with a smirk of her own as Chuck lead his posse out of the room. "Chuck Clayton?" Betty asked as she pointed toward the door.

"You're going on a date with Chuck?" Kevin asked with a bewildered look. "That'll be a mistake, V. But you do you," Isabella warned her as her phone buzzed. "He's kind of a player," Betty added as Veronica looked from Isabella to the blonde. "Who cares? He's the hottest of hot, and he's the varsity football coach's son. In Riverdale, that's like dating a Kennedy," Kevin rambled while Isabella rolled her eyes. "And so not worth the trouble... I have been summoned, bye," Isabella told them before making her way out of the room.

"Bella!" Betty's voice caused the brunette to stop in the corridor and turn to the blonde with a small smile on her face. "How can I assist you, Betts?" Isabella asked as they commenced their walking. "I have a plan to bring back the Blue and Gold and~" Betty dragged out the last word with a hopeful smile. "And you want me to join because of my obsession with investigating crimes," Isabella continued for the beaming blonde who nodded in agreement.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to have the Blue and Gold's revival on my eventual college resume," Isabella breathed out before sighing and agreeing to join the Blue and Gold prompting the blonde to wrap her in a tight embrace. "Alright, I get it," Isabella said with a smile as she held the blonde in her own arms, the two pulled away and smiled brightly at each other. "I have a small task for you before you begin," Betty told the brunette with a faux innocent smile.

"And that is?" Isabella asked, she was a little worried knowing what Betty was like. "Can you get Jughead to agree to the Blue and Gold or perhaps hear my pitch?" Betty asked with that same hopeful look that made Isabella cave, the brunette nodded before saying goodbye to Betty to continue her path to find her best friend. She smiled as she spotted the boy sitting on the stairs with his laptop on his lap, his eyes focused on the screen as he typed delicately, almost like each key was another step closer to the answers.

Isabella cleared her throat catching the Jones boy's attention, he smiled before closing the laptop and standing up. "So I know you summoned me but I have a question to ask you," Isabella told him as she walked closer to him, unknown to her, his heart rate had picked up at that as he pondered over a million things that she could possibly ask him. "Betty has decided to bring the Blue and Gold to life and she has requested a talented journalist such as yourself," Isabella said with a smile.

"Flattery?" Jughead asked as he stepped closer to her, his head tilting down slightly to look her in the eyes. "Well, yes but it isn't fabricated, you are a talented journalist and I think this would be a great opportunity for you to delve deeper and create more ties, you know?" Isabella asked with a shrug before running her fingers through her hair. "Will you be participating in this reboot of the Blue and Gold?" Jughead asked her with a raised brow but she simply shrugged before turning and walking away.

"Where are you going?" Jughead asked her, he didn't like the lack of an answer. "Betty is expecting you at the Blue and Gold. Hear her pitch," Isabella told him before turning the corner leaving Jughead to sigh before grabbing his bookbag and following after her. "Anyway, why did you summon my presence?" Isabella asked once Jughead had caught up to her. "I was gonna suggest going to Pop's for milkshakes," Jughead answered her, a small smile appeared on her face as she looked at him, "We will after."

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"If print journalism is dead, what am I doing here?" Jughead asked Betty as he leaned against the doorframe, Isabella smiled as she walked into the room allowing her eyes to take in the full sight. "The Blue and Gold isn't dead, Jughead. It's just dormant," Betty answered him as Isabella stopped next to Betty as the blonde brushed away the dust from her hands. "But waking up," Isabella added as she nudged Betty who nodded along with her words.

"You're writing a novel, right? About Jason Blossom's murder?" Betty asked him as he picked up a magnifying glass, twisting it in his hands. "I am. Riverdale's very own In Cold Blood," Jughead answered her as he looked through the magnifying glass. "Which started out as a series of articles," Isabella voiced as she pulled a sheet off of the computers, coughing slightly at the dust that filled the air. "I'm hoping you'll come write for the Blue and Gold," Betty told him.

"I just don't think the school paper's the right fit for my voice," Jughead expressed as his gaze landed on Isabella, the brunette looking fondly around the room. "Jug... Jason's death changed Riverdale. People don't want to admit that, but it's true. We all feel it," Betty expressed to Jughead as Isabella nodded along. "Yeah. Nothing this bad was ever supposed to happen here, but it did," Isabella continued as she smiled at the boy. "We want to know why," Betty finished off.

"Would I get complete freedom?" Jughead asked Betty while Isabella smirked knowing that the boy was already accepting the invitation. "I'll help and edit and suggest..." Betty told him as Isabella stepped forward, linking her arm with Betty's. "But it's your story, it's your voice," Isabella added with a pleading look on her face, the expression was enough to make Jughead Jones cave and Betty noticed instantly. "It doesn't sound like complete freedom, but..." Jughead trailed off looking between the girls.

"I'm in," Jughead told them bringing a wide smile to Betty's face while Isabella hugged him, Jughead instantly wrapped his arms around her, the sight made Betty smirk at Jughead who flushed pink. "Okay great! Um, in that case, I have your first assignment," Betty told them, she smiled as Isabella let go of Jughead but didn't step away, she simply turned so her back was to his chest. "And that is, boss?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin causing Betty to laugh as Jughead chuckled.

"There's one person who was at the river on July fourth that no one's talking about," Betty said with a pointed look toward the best friends. "Dilton Doiley," Jughead said before Isabella added, "And his Scouts." The three nodded together. "Exactly," Betty told them with a small smile, Jughead smirked before rubbing his thumb against the tip of his nose. Isabella winked at Betty before letting Jughead grab her hand and lead her out of the Blue and Gold leaving Betty smiling at the potential between the best friends.

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"So I'm assuming we'll be paying Doiley a visit tomorrow then?" Isabella asked Jughead as the two sat down at their booth in Pops. "You'll be assuming right about that," Jughead replied to her as Pop Tate approached the two. "Let me guess, the usual?" Pop asked the teenagers, he was glad to see Jughead no longer sitting alone and he was glad to see the smile on Isabella's face considering he knew the condition of Annelise Larkin.

"Just the milkshakes tonight, Pops," Jughead told him as Isabella nodded in agreement before pulling out a Stephen King novel from her bag titled "The Institute" and placing it on the table. Jughead smiled at the sight of the book before looking up at Isabella, the girl was looking at her phone with a slight frown. "What's wrong?" Jughead asked her. "My mom had an appointment today to see how things have moved along and... she refused the tests," Isabella explained with a sigh, she ran her fingers through her hair.

"Hey, I know it's not easy but you're strong and you had to get that from someone and I bet it was your mom," Jughead assured her as he grabbed her hand, gently rubbing his thumb across her rough knuckles from her training. "Yeah, you're right," Isabella replied to him as she took a slow breath, she wasn't gonna have an attack in front of people - she couldn't. "So I hear that the new girl has a date with Chuck Clayton," Jughead mentioned in hopes to help distract Isabella's mind.

"Uh, yeah. I warned her but she'll just have to learn for herself. I doubt they'll be the next "it" couple but I hope she knows what she's doing," Isabella told Jughead, she wasn't the biggest fan of the city girl but she definitely brought life and dramatics to the group and she did a solid for Betty with the Riverdale Vixens. "Yes, she does seem to have a certain... distinctive aura about her," Jughead said as Pops placed their milkshakes on the table. "Enjoy nighthawks," Pops said with a fond smile on his face.

"Well, Veronica is more Betty, Kevin and Archie's friend rather than our friend so, let's not worry too much," Isabella replied before scooping up some whipped cream. "That's a valid point, Isa," Jughead stated before the two fell into a peaceful and comforting silence. Isabella focused on the book resting in her lap while Jughead typed away at his novel, both of them finishing off their respective milkshakes along with Jughead sparing a few glances at Isabella.

Jughead walked Isabella home, he waited till she was safe inside before leaving the house and heading toward the drive-in where he currently resided, thankfully, Isabella didn't live too far from his place so he could message her quickly to let her know he was safe. Both teenagers fell asleep quickly that night despite the chaos that swarmed Riverdale, purely because they were thinking about each other and the soothing peace they only felt around one another.

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Rosemary Speaks

How cute are Jughead and Isabella?
For those wondering, Betty is not gonna get between them romantically.

[Also, I'm not sure if anyone would agree but like, If Chuck Clayton wasn't an absolute dick and the playbook shit didn't exist, I genuinely believe that Veronica and Chuck would be a cute couple. That's just my opinion.]

And for scenes that I won't be involving Isabella in, I'll be writing original content about her and Jughead or her and her family.
Just building the character that I adore.

See you in the next chapter!