It was a cold, quiet night in the small town of Riverdale. All the more reason for mischief to occur amongst the lives of the rebellious teens of Riverdale High's sophomores. Veronica Lodge, the new girl in town who made it up the school hierarchy through her inheritance and fame from her previous life in New York; had became more reckless when she entered Riverdale. Feeling a sense of freedom and a new kingdom to rule over since her father was no longer around. It gave her the flexibility of taking advantage of her mother's leniency. Quickly becoming close friends with the wealthy Blossom twins, Cheryl and Jason, it earned her the right to the rest of the gang.
Chuck Clayton, alongside with his more tolerable best friend, Reggie Mantle; was surprisingly the first student to show her any attention. Only to already know that he was no better than any other typical jock that wanted to bang you in bathroom on the first week of school. Lodge women were much classier than that. But how would she know ?
The Pussycats were the town's uprising divas waiting to be superstars. Josie, the leader of the group was much more involved with the rest of the gang rather than Valerie and Melody. She was Veronica's left hand woman while Cheryl, was her right.
Cheryl. The fire of the group while Veronica balanced this by her cold, icy exterior. The two became close friends, if not best friends, that ruled the corridors of Riverdale High. Most importantly, their wealth and reputation in the town barely got the two troublemakers into trouble.
And trouble was exactly what the night will soon be, as the group waited for the arrival of Polly Cooper. One of the two goody-two-shoes in Riverdale, other than her younger sister, Betty. When Jason came out about their relationship, Cheryl thought it would be a good idea to 'initiate' her into the group by diving into Sweetwater River. It's been quite while and Cheryl wasn't too sure if the girl would actually make it to her proposition.
"She's coming, right ?" Josie asked, as Reggie chuckled back a response.
"And if she doesn't, Blossom ?" He asked Jason, who was leaning on his car and rolled his eyes.
"We'll go back to the dance." Cheryl quipped, "after I slaughter her for making us wait here." She spat.
"Hey, Cheryl cool it. She'll come." Veronica reassured. As if on cue, a small silver car rolled up, as Reggie began whooping 'she's actually here!' as he shook Chuck's broad shoulders and scrambled to her car to open the door for her.
The blonde emerged from the car shivering, greeted Jason with a quick peck on the lips before speaking, "guys it's really cold out. I don't know if I want to do this."
"Hey, hey. Don't worry Polly. I'll be doing this with you." Veronica cooed, wrapping her arm around her shoulder and began walking towards Sweetwater River. She looked over her shoulder at her chuckling friends and gave them the finger behind Polly's back. Someone had to take one for the team. "We'll do it together, and everyone else will be watching us to make sure we're safe."
As the two walked towards the platform that hovered over Sweetwater River, the rest of the group followed. Veronica began stripping down her clothes until she was only in her under garments, which encouraged Polly to do the same, earning wolf whistles from Chuck and Reggie.
"Come on." Veronica whispered, as Polly gave her a small smile and followed the girl as they began climbing up the ladder, unaware of the snickers and giggles from the group below them. Finally at the top, Polly's nerves got the better of her.
"Veronica, I can't. It's too high."
"Yes, you can. I've done it. We've all done it, and I'll be right behind you." Veronica soothed. "On three."
Polly nodded as she prepared herself, oblivious to the smirk emerging on Veronica's face.
"One..." The two stepped a few steps back for a running start.
"Two..." Veronica nodded.
"Three!" And off Polly ran, gullible to the fact that Veronica stayed behind and watched the blonde dive face first into the water, hysterically laughing with her friends on the shore. It was then, after the splash that they realise Polly's limp body floated onto the surface.
"Oh shit." Chuck muttered, as the group began to panic.
"Oh my God, Polly!" Jason yelled.
"Ronnie! Polly's hurt!" Cheryl screamed, as Veronica began to panic. Quickly climbing down the ladder, as her friends told her to retrieve her. Veronica dove into the lake and swam as quickly as she could to Polly's body and brought her head above the surface of the water.
"You're going to be alright." Veronica said as she swam them back to shore, not quite sure if Polly was even conscious to hear her.
"Grab her arm!" Josie shrieked, as Jason grabbed Polly's arm; while Cheryl helped Veronica out of the water. As soon as Polly was on the shore, her forehead oozing blood, the sound of another car and red and blue lights caught their attention.
"Guys we gotta go !" Chuck shouted, as he and Reggie noticed the police car. Not waiting for their friends, Chuck fled the scene in his own car. Reggie tugged on Josie's arm, trying to get her to leave until she reluctantly did, tears streaming down her face. Polly, regaining her consciousness slowly opened her eyes.
"Go!" Veronica shouted, at the twins. "Just go!" She screamed, as the sirens got louder and the Blossom Twins ran to their car. "Shh.. shh.." Veronica hushed, as Polly started groaning. Looking into the desperate green eyes of the blonde, Veronica cursed herself as she made the decision to leave the girl.
Grabbing her clothes, she ran to her car and started the engine knowing all to well, that the Sheriff was gaining in on her. She did a massive U turn, and sped through the construction site of Andrew's to see the obstacles ahead, she made a sharp turn and ended up crashing into a large set of logs. Coughing, Sherrif Keller shone his torch light on her bloodied face.
"Evening Sheriff."
The next day of school, Veronica's small bandage on her brow bone was a reminder to everyone about the indecent the night before. People were staring at her, but the only looks of praise she ever got was from her friends. Now, sitting in Headmaster Weatherbee's office wasn't new to the Latina at all. And it was definitely not a look of praise on his face. Sighing, as the man sitting across from her set four glasses of beer on the desk. "Recognise these ?" He asked.
"Too many to remember." She replied, with a sweet smile. Unamused, she rolled her eyes. "What ? Are you going to expel me?"
"Not yet." He said sternly, "For your punishment, you'll participate in school activities by working on The Blue and Gold. I expect a personal article from you every month."
"Seriously ?" Veronica scoffed, "It's the same time as Vixens practice."
"We all have to make sacrifices." Weatherbee said smugly, before turning serious. "Even Polly." Veronica felt a surge of guilt, as she averted her eyes from the man.
Leaning back in his chair, Weatherbee added, "and you'll be joining the Spring Play. It's time to spend time with different people, Veronica. Don't blow it."
"I can't believe you have to work for the Blue and Gold. Who even reads the school newspaper anyways ?" Cheryl rolled her eyes. She, Chuck and Reggie were walking her to the editing room before they headed off to football and cheer practice themselves.
"Do you think I like this any better than you do ?" Veronica replied, sighing.
"Sucks that you have to cop it, Lodge." Chuck smirked as Reggie elbowed him in response. Veronica narrowed her eyes at him as they reached the room.
"If it wasn't for me, you asswipe, you'd be off the football team you mother-"
"Okay! Boys, leave me and Ronnie alone." Cheryl sassed at the pair. "Don't you have balls to catch? Scram!" She barked, when the two didn't move until they finally did and went off to practice. Sighing she faced the Latina. "Are you alright ?" She asked softly.
"Fine." Veronica huffed, "It doesn't matter."
"It does." Cheryl whispered, as she leaned in closer. "Come over tonight."
"Cheryl..." Veronica drawled out. "We're over."
The pair had history. Cheryl took an immediate liking to the girl when she first moved to Riverdale. They became friends, best friends and lovers. That was what was so iconic about the duo. They were inseparable, even after Veronica had broken up with Cheryl because Veronica thought the two were better off as friends. But this never went well with Cheryl, who still had feelings for the former New Yorker.
Clenching her jaw, Cheryl stepped away from Veronica. She gave her signature fake smile which Veronica can easily read as, it's a smile, but I hate you. With that, the redhead flipped her hair and went on her way to Vixens practice.
Now she was alone. Knocking on the door of the Blue and Gold, Veronica bit her lip in nervousness. She didn't know why she was feeling this way. She was one of two Queen Bees in this hive so why was she so ... anxious ? Scared, maybe ? She knew exactly why.
Opening the door, was Betty Cooper a smile already on her face to greet whoever was on the other side. Little did she know, it would be Veronica Lodge. Her smile faltered at the sight of the raven haired girl as she remembered the sate of her sister and what had happened.
"Veronica." She said, as she stepped aside and opened the door wider. Not quite sure on what to say to the sister of the girl she almost killed, Veronica entered the room and felt all eyes on her. Just like that, Betty's bubbly persona was back again. All smiles and kindness radiated her, as she gained the attention of the other students in the room.
"Everyone, I'm sure you all know Veronica Lodge. She'll be helping us with the Blue and Gold this year so, make her feel welcome." The blonde smiled sweetly at Veronica and the girl wasn't sure if Betty even meant it. The blonde walked back towards Jughead, who was simply staring at her, but it felt like he was shooting daggers at her. 'Welcomed' was the furthest thing she was feeling. Sighing, she folded her arms and walked towards any other group in the room to help. Any other group but Betty's.
A few hours went by and surprisingly Veronica discovered all sorts of news that she wasn't quite aware of at all. All she ever knew of the school was the recent gossip. Occasionally stealing glances at Betty across the room who was helping everyone in their allocated jobs, Veronica dreaded the girl's presence, as she was now having trouble with the printer.
"Come on you stupid-"
"Need any help ?" Veronica turned her head to find the one and only Betty Cooper standing there with kind eyes.
"Uh, sure." Veronica muttered, feeling awkward and mostly guilty about what had happened to her sister. The raven haired girl stared at the blonde, as she checked the printer's paper draw and ink before turning to face her.
"Here, watch the buttons I press so you can learn next time." Betty said, as she was clear that the printer's paper and ink was fine. Veronica nodded, as Betty expertly clicked a few of the buttons on the screen and Veronica's pictures started to come out.
She gave Betty a small smile,"thanks."
"No problem." Betty replied. Just as the blonde turned to walk away, Veronica stopped her.
"Betty."
The girl turned around at the sound of her name, "yes ?"
"Look, I wanted to apologise for what happened with Polly." Veronica said, as Betty walked towards her again. "It was a stupid mistake and it took a toll on your sister. I got her out of the water but, I... I left her there. And I'm so sorry."
Betty's eyes were glassy, it looked as though she wanted to cry but she bit her lip and forced a sad smile. Before Betty can reply for herself, Jughead came over harbouring a protective demeanour.
"Is everything okay here Betts ?" He asked, glaring at Veronica.
"Yeah everything's fine. Go ahead Juggie, I'll be there soon." The boy nodded as he returned to his table, but kept an eye on the pair. "You pulled her out ?" Betty asked.
Veronica crossed her arms across her chest."Yeah."
Betty nodded as she processed this information, "My mother told me you pushed her."
"No, Betty I wouldn't do that-"
"It's okay. I believe you." Betty said, quick to forgive which stunned Veronica. "Let's just thank the Lord she's still alive." Veronica gave a small smile before Betty continued, "Forty two."
"Forty two ? What does that mean ?" Veronica asked.
"It's a to do list I have for my life. Forty two is befriend somebody you don't like." Betty explained, when Veronica didn't respond.
"What else is on this list ?" Veronica asked.
Betty smiled, "get a tattoo, be in two places at once, smash a car window." She recited.
"Smash a car window ?" Veronica repeated, rather surprised.
"I guess I want to feel rebellious." Betty shrugged.
"What's number one ?"
"If I told you, then I'll have to kill you. " The blonde left it on that note, as she went back to the table where Jughead was working on, leaving Veronica confused and speechless.