It was another day in Riverdale , the town of pep. Nicole Ross woke up with a groan the bright, white light of the sun hitting off the snow shining through her window, into her doe eyes. Archie Andrews was up early jogging around the town in his jacket and sweatpants. Jughead Jones was busy sitting in Pop's typing away on his computer while drinking a milkshake. Veronica Lodge was busy looking at outfit options for her first day of school at Riverdale High. Betty Cooper was sitting at the kitchen table with Alice and Hal eating breakfast. Cheryl Blossom was doing her make-up for the first day of the school year. Josie McCoy was singing in the mirror while brushing her hair. And Kevin Keller was in the shower while his dad got ready for work.
After getting ready and saying goodbye to her mom Nikki threw on her Serpent jacket on and grabs the keys to the to her motorcycle. She was out the door with time to spare. Nikki pulled into the parking lot and parked her bike. She hopped off and races into the building the cold chilling her to the bone. While running she bumped into her cousin Betty.
" Hey Nikki," Betty said as she steady her cousin.
" Hey Betts," she replied back regaining her balance.
" Let me guess you brought your bike to school." she said in a knowing tone. Nikki always took her bike everywhere. Even in winter. Why would now be any different than before.
" yeah. Let me guess you are still doing what your mother say," Nikki said in the same tone. Betty just rolled her eyes at her cousin. Nikki smirked and left her cousin standing in the middle of the hall.
She walked into her English class and sat down in the back of the class. The rest of the class shuffled in after a couple of minutes. Nikki first saw the bitchy, red head Cheryl Blossom, then singer/songwriter Josie McCoy, after her was writer Jughead Jones and and her cousin Betty Cooper. The person that caught her eye though was Archie Andrews. Archie was a football player that loved music. Nikki sat there staring at the red head she had know since she was a kid. She was a Serpent, but she stayed with her mom on the north side of town. People thought that all Serpents were nothing but trouble, some were. One very prominent Serpent was FP Jones , Forsythe Pendleton Jones Jr., Jugheads dad. FP's father was the original king of the Serpents until FP took over. Nicole would sometimes be told stories about how he never wanted to be a Serpent that he wanted a different life. He never explained to her ,though, what made him choose the life he lives now. She guessed it was for the best. She tried to stay out of adult business the best she could.
She sat there and waited for the teacher to begin class. The late bell rang and everyone in the room quieted down. Nikki looked up from her desk to find and brunette standing next to the teacher. Her eyes turned towards Archie to see him staring at the girl. Nikki sighed and looked back down at her desk.
" Class," she said getting their attention, " we have a new student with us this year. Everyone meet Veronica Lodge."
Whispers could be heard around the classroom as Veronica stood up front., " She came here from New York so please treat her well."
" That's okay Mrs. Monroe," Veronica said lightly.
" Nonsense. We all look out for each other right," she said looking at the class.
" Yes Mrs. Monroe," they all said at the same time.
" Ms. Lodge why don't you sit by Nicole." Mrs. Monroe said pointing to the back of the room.
Veronica nodded and went to sit by the blonde. Nikki heard a light chuckle escape Archie's mouth from what the teacher said. Anyone who knew Nikki knew she hated people. That's the reason why she sat in the back of every class. The class period seemed to end faster than it started. Nicole went to stand up and leave the room when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see Veronica.
" I just wanted to say cool jacket."
" Thanks," the blonde said back. Pushing a piece of hair behind her ear.
" What's the symbol on the back mean?" Ronnie asked.
" It's a family thing. I'll explain another time."
Ronnie nodded and the two girls left the room. The periods passed and everyone headed to lunch. Nikki was sitting with Kevin. Both were waiting for Betty to show up. Nikki looked around and saw Betty walking over to their table with Veronica following her.
" Hey guys," Betty said sitting down next to Nikki. Veronica sat on the other side next to Kev.
" Hey," the two said in unison.
" So I'm guessing you both met Veronica?" Betty assumed.
" Yeah, she sits next to me in English remember," Nikki said sarcastically.
" Don't take anything Nikki says personally. She is like this with everyone," Kevin reassured the brunette.
" I'm right here," Nicole reminded them.
" Nikki just.. she doesn't like people." Betty added. Though when Archie passed Nikki didnt defend herself. She stayed quiet till he was out of view.
" What was that about?" Veronica asked.
" What was what about?" Nikki said confused.
" You were silent when that kid passed," she pressed. Before Betty could answer for her Cheryl came up to them.
" Hey guys. Mind if I sit for a minute." She said pushing Betty and Nikki farther down the seat, " so what are you guys talking about? If it's about Archie Andrews I mean.. look at him,"
" We were actually talking about extracurriculars," Veronica said to the red head, " the principal thought it would be a good idea for me to get involved."
" Oh, cheerleading. We are holding tryouts today. And just so you know I am captain of the River Vixens."
" Is cheerleading still a thing?" Kevin asked looking around the table.
" Is being the gay best friend still a thing?" Ceryl replied coldly. Nikki coughed trying to keep from lashing out, " Nikki you should tryout to. I mean it might give you another lable other than the one you have. Plus you used to be one maybe rejoining could bring you back." Before Cheryl could finish Nikki got up and left the lunch area.
" I might," Veronica said, " if you tryout with me," she said looking at Betty.
" Oh. I'm sure she much to busy, but all are welcome," she said standing up, " follow me I'll follow you back. Cherylbomshell."
Betty stood up from the table, " come on let's check on Nik."
When the two girls walked into the bathroom they saw a cracked mirror with blood on it. They walked the rest of the way in and saw Nikki sitting on the floor next to a wall.
" Nik," Betty said to her cousin, " are you okay?"
When she didn't get answer she knew what that meant. Nikki was never one to lie , especially to family, so if you asked her if she was okay and she didn't answer you knew she wasn't. Betty looked back at Veronica and mouth "Go get Archie." She nodded and left to find him leaving the two cousins alone. Betty walked over to Nicole and crouched down next to her. She wrapped an arm around her and pull her into a hug.
" It's okay," she repeated till Veronica came back. The brunette noticed the seen and mouthed to the blonde who wasn't in tears "he's outside." Betty nodded and tried to get Nikki to stand up. When she was finally up Betty and Veronica lead her to the bathroom door and walked out. Archie was standing there waiting for Nicole to come out. He stood up straight when he saw the three girls come out. He noticed that red on Nikki's hand and the the tint I her eyes. When the girls were close to where Archie was he walked over and wrapped Nicole in his arms. Betty understood that they would neeed time alone. She grabbed Veronica's arm and pulled her away from the pair.
" Hey Nik. It's okay," Archie said soothing the crying blonde in his arms.
Archie was the only person in town who could clam her down when she was like this. For some reason unknown to everyone they had a connection that could never be broken. Even when Nicole joined the Serpents, he stood beside her decision. Archie would always comment about how alike her and her mother , Cassandra , were. In some cases he was right about that in others he was dead wrong. Nikki would go on about how different they were ,but he could see the similarities. Though, Nikki had proven time and time again she was a ticking time bomb waiting to go off he was there for her.
After Nikki was calmed down enough he walked her to the assembly. The two sat down and waited for it to start. About an hour later Cheryl had gone on about how her brother Jason was her soul mate and that they should use the semi-formal as a way to remember him. After that the last bell rang and the school cleared out. On the way out the door Archie was arguing with Nikki about she shouldn't ride her bike home. Of course she didn't listen.
-I did put the assembly last in this chapter to fit the new plot so please don't yell at me! And PLEASE PLEASE leave Reviews! Until next time