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Mariah had begrudgingly got Veronica a present or two. It wasn't something that the dark haired girl would like but, it was something that would cause a reaction that would make Mariah smile.

She carried the two gifts in her hands as she walked into the student lounge where Kevin had wanted them to exchange gifts. Kevin was already there, a Santa Claus hat on his head. Betty, Archie, Veronica, and Reggie were also there. Josie and Cheryl arriving after Mariah. Cheryl wasn't participating in the secret Santa gift exchange but Mariah had asked her to be there for it. She was sure it was something Cheryl wouldn't want to miss.

"Alright, let's get this started," Kevin said as they all got situated. And so the exchange began. Mariah watched as gifts began being given, her face blank. When it was her turn to receive a present, Kevin grew excited. "Well, I was your secret Santa and I think you're gonna like your present," he said, handing her an envelope.

Mariah took it and opened it up, pulling out what was inside. "A coupon for a reduced priced piercing?" She read aloud, looking over at him. "I figured since you're on this whole, 'finding yourself journey' you might want to add to your new appearance. And I remember you telling me that you wanted to get your cartilage pierced so, now you can," he explained.

Mariah smiled, "Thanks, Kev. I will definitely be putting this to use." Cheryl snatched the coupon out of her hand. "Not if I can help it," the redhead spoke with a glare and Mariah rolled her eyes, snatching the coupon back from her. "Alright Betty, you're next," Kevin said.

Betty picked up the gift from the table. "Well, I think I know who picked my name based on these wrapping skills," she began. She opened it up and smiled. "Archie," she said in remembrance, looking over at him in surprise after opening up the present. "My dad and I were cleaning out the garage and I found it," he explained and Betty chuckled before showing it to the others.

"Swiss Family Robinson?" Veronica read. "Yeah, it's this old read-a-long record we used to listen to when we were, like, five. Oh, my God. I love it, Arch. Thank you," the blonde explained and Archie smiled. "And last but not least, Veronica," Kevin announced. Veronica smiled and looked at the table where the two gifts were.

"Which one is it?" She questioned. "Both actually," Mariah spoke up. The group looked over at her. "I couldn't decide what I wanted to get so I got both," Mariah went on, a sickeningly sweet smile on her face. Cheryl was already beginning to smirk, knowing that something was to come. She sat up in her seat.

"Oh, okay," Veronica said. She picked up the first box. "Whoa, this is a little heavy," she said. Mariah bit her lip to stop the smirk that was about to spread across her face. Veronica pulled off the lid of the box and pulled back the paper. Her smile quickly turned into a frown. She picked up one of the contents of the box. "Coal?" She questioned in disbelief.

"You've been a naughty girl this year so, Santa asked me to give that to you," Mariah replied. Cheryl burst out into laughter and Reggie chuckled. "Always a comedian, Mariah," Veronica said sarcastically. Kevin nudged her, "Seriously?"

"Oh relax, it was a joke. The other one is the real present. That's why there's two," the silver haired girl said. Veronica placed the box of coal back on the table and picked up the other box. This one was lighter than the first so if it were more coal, there was a significantly less amount. Veronica reluctantly lifted the lid and moved the paper away.

She smiled slightly, "It's a mug." She looked over at Mariah. "I love Christmas mugs," she spoke. Mariah smiled a fake smile, "I know." Veronica pulled the mug out of the box, a frown coming to her face once she read the words that were written on it. In a bright red permanent marker, Mariah had written the word 'WHORE' in all caps.

"It's a truth mug. You see, you hold it in your hand and then it tells you the truth about what you are. See, you're holding it and it's telling you that you're a whore," Mariah explained. "Ooo," Reggie said. Cheryl's mouth fell open in shock as did everyone else's. "Classy," Veronica said. "Truth hurts I guess," Mariah retorted with a shrug.

"I mean slut shaming me, really?" Veronica said. Mariah sighed, "You're right. I should've written homewrecker instead. Maybe next year."

"Mariah, what the hell?" Kevin asked. "What, Kevin? You asked me to participate so I participated," she replied. "That's so messed up," Reggie spoke, holding back another laugh. "I think what she and Archie did to me was a lot worse, don't you?" She replied, looking between Archie and Veronica.

"You should be glad I didn't get Archie because what he would've gotten would've been a lot worse," she continued, glancing over at the red headed boy who looked away from her. "Besides, it's not like she needs anything else. I mean, doesn't daddy already buy you whatever you want?" Mariah added with a shrug. "You sound a little jealous there. Maybe it's because of the fact that I actually have a dad," Veronica snapped back. "You mean your criminal of a father who just got out of jail? If I were you, I'd be more ashamed than proud," Mariah retorted.

Cheryl let out a giggle, covering her mouth with her hand to suppress it. "Alright guys, that's enough," Jughead spoke up. "You know, why don't you just say what you've been itching to say to me, Mariah," Veronica said. "I think I already did," Mariah replied, pointing to the mug. "Guys," Betty tried.

"How many times do I have to apologize, Mariah?" Veronica questioned exasperatedly. "You think your apology means shit to me? It doesn't because you're not sorry and you don't care about me or my feelings because if you did, you wouldn't have slept with my boyfriend God knows how many times while we were together. And you wouldn't have started dating him immediately after we broke up. So, I'm not seeing how you're sorry at all, Veronica," Mariah responded.

"Well we're not together anymore," the dark haired girl said. "Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it doesn't," Mariah replied. "I fucked up! We both did. Are you seriously gonna hate us for the rest of your life?" Veronica said. "I don't hate either of you. I never did and I never will. I should hate you though. But hating you takes a lot of energy and effort so why bother? You don't deserve even my hate."

Mariah reached into the side pocket of her backpack and pulled out a small jewelry box. "All jokes aside, here's a real present. Something I would've given to you had you still been my friend. You don't deserve this but it's tradition so, here." Mariah threw the box at Veronica and grabbed her backpack, walking out of the lounge. Cheryl pursed her lips before following behind her friend. Josie also stood and followed after the two.

Veronica looked down at the jewelry box that sat in her lap, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "Are you gonna open it?" Reggie asked. "I already know what it is," Veronica muttered.

It was a necklace. The first Christmas that the two had as friends, they had both gotten the other a necklace. Ironically enough, Mariah had gotten a necklace with the letter 'V' for Veronica and Veronica had gotten Mariah a necklace with the letter 'M.' It was so strange and so random that the two had been surprised by the similarity in their presents for the other. Mariah's mother had said something about how they were meant to be friends.

Veronica had said something about how the necklace she got Mariah was better than the necklace Mariah had gotten her. Mariah disagreed and the two got into an argument about it. And then Mariah said, "Next year, I'll get you a 'V' necklace and it'll be better than this one and the one you got me." And so Veronica replied with, "No, I'll get you an 'M' necklace better than any 'V' necklace you could ever find."

And so they made a deal, a pact of sorts. They'd get each other 'M' and 'V' necklaces for Christmas and their friends would decide whose was the better gift. The loser would have to buy the winner whatever they wanted, within a reasonable price range of course.

It was a stupid little thing that two thirteen year old girls made just to one up each other. Both of them knew it was stupid but neither of them wanted to stop. And so the next few Christmases, they bought each other those necklaces and let their friends decide whose was best. It was their own little Christmas tradition.

Mariah had found that necklace months ago, before any of this ever happened, and bought it. It had been sitting in her room since then so she figured, she might as well give it to Veronica. And so she did. Veronica forcefully wiped away her tears and stood, grabbing her things and leaving the lounge.

Everyone remained completely silent, no one knowing what to say. "Well, that was intense," Reggie broke the silence.

°°°°

Okay this chapter is a short one and kind of a filler. Just wanted to get the secret Santa thing out of the way. Hope you all enjoyed it. DO NOT COMMENT FOR ME TO UPDATE!