Chapter One
Deep in the back of her mind, Betty knew that the journey she was about to begin would have real world consequences. That if they found out, people would talk about her and make judgments and tell her parents and – shhhhhh.
"You don't need to think about them" said that calming, bitter voice in her mind. "They can't fucking touch you. You're an adult."
She took a deep breath and added an extra few sweeps of mascara before inspecting herself in the mirror. She hadn't given in to this side of herself in a long time, not since she almost boiled Chuck to death in high school, and she was so excited she could hardly wait. Seeing herself in leather, fishnets, boots and too much eyeliner exhilarated her, empowered her. She was going to knock this out of the park, stomp on some balls or whatever, and earn some much-needed cash.
After exchanging a few last minute texts confirming all the details, she drove over and met Cheryl at the back entrance of the club with a sly smile and a kiss on the cheek. Cheryl had her flaming hair in twin braids, fake freckles dusting her nose, and an all too innocent smile.
"So you made it after all… If tonight goes well I have a feeling we'll be making a lot of money together. Follow." Cheryl snapped her fingers, opened the door, and made her way down a cliché long dark stairwell, Betty on her heels, vibrating with anticipation.
"So what -" Betty began.
"Shhh, you'll ruin the magic." Cheryl paused on the stair with a quick finger to Betty's lips, shushing her immediately in a quietly seductive tone.
This was already getting weird, and Betty knew it was only going to get weirder from here on out.
They made there way down a dark hallway with softly glowing fairy lights hanging from a mysteriously tall ceiling to a door that announced "OFF LIMITS". With a meaningful look, Cheryl led Betty into the room and immediately Betty was taken right back to high school cheerleading practice.
"Welcome to Vixen's, Betty Cooper. This time, you won't be second string, I promise."
She wasn't sure what she had expected from Cheryl's dungeon, but this definitely wasn't it. The room was almost an exact copy of their high school locker room, if their high school locker room also had a lounge area with a giant fuschia velvet Chesterfield. Cheryl perched on the arm of the sofa and gestured to a bench.
"Have a seat. I'm going to go over the rules."
"Ok, great, um –"
"Save your questions for the end. Rule number 1: establish your boundaries. Know what you are and are not willing to do before you enter a room with a client. Before you negotiate. This is the first and most important rule. Do not, under any circumstances, make exceptions. While this might be emotionally charged, this is a business, and at the end of the day you have to live with what you've done. So decide early what your hard lines are because trust me, you do not want regrets. They will beg, plead, and offer you wayyyy more money than you've ever had in your pathetic little life, but it will not be worth it."
Cheryl looked at her expectantly, with more sincerity that Betty had ever seen on her face in the span of their lifelong relationship.
"Ok" Betty nodded.
"And I want you to know that I do not care, and will personally respect whatever lines you choose to draw, or don't. At this point, I've seen it all. I don't really see you as a scat girl, but if you're down with it, I can always use another."
"No scat." As with all new endeavors, Betty had done her research. When Cheryl had approached her at Archie's engagement party last month, Betty had laughed in her face.
"Me? Betty Cooper, a dominatrix? Are you kidding me?"
"Think about it," Cheryl had said with intense eyes, "I know what you are, Betty. I see you, even if none of your little friends do. And now that you're back in town, you're probably looking for employment. Here's my card."
One month of curiosity induced research and boring interview after boring interview for jobs she really didn't want, here she was. At Vixen's, Cheryls Southside Dungeon.
Cheryl continued with her rules, and Betty began to see how much Cheryl cared about her clients and her employees. This wasn't just some pervy fun for her, this was her calling. And she was bringing Betty in for some reason – well, Betty knew the reason. Cheryl loved control, Cheryl loved knowing, and Cheryl saw potential.
The Chuck Clayton incident.
She had gone too far, but she had loved it, the sense of power over Chuck, having his life in her hands, having him beg for her, the looks he continued to give her for the rest of their time at Riverdale High.
10 years after high school and Betty had finally gotten herself together. She'd had a life in New York City, she'd lost her virginity, she'd had a promising career, time away from Alice Cooper, all the expectations of Riverdale – and she had grown up. Now she was back in Riverdale to care for Polly and her kids, and she needed an escape, something the opposite of domestic, and this was her chance.
Working at Cheryl's secret southside bdsm dungeon was the last thing she ever thought she would do, but here she is. And Betty could not be more excited.