"Oh, Archie. Sometimes I think you may be the only decent person left in Riverdale. The only person who doesn't want something from me. Or who doesn't want me to apologize for who I am...or what I want."
There was a bitter gnawing in Archie's stomach as he walked away from Cheryl, fists clenched at his sides. He should've known better. He should've known Cheryl would use him like this, but here he was: always trusting, always hoping for the best in people only to be sorely disappointed. His feet crunched on the thin layer of snow over the concrete walkway, the chemical taste of Cheryl's lipstick still in his mouth. She'd forced her tongue in, just when he thought he'd made it clear he could be a good friend and not much else. As he was walking towards his dad's truck, the lowered voices of the Blossom parents caught his ears, hushed and derisive.
"They seem satisfied, but Uncle Bedford keeps asking about the drive-in land."
Furrowing his eyebrows, Archie took careful steps towards a tall bush separating him and the Blossoms. With just enough space in the branches, he could see everything-he was within view, but luckily they hadn't seen him as he paused by the bushes.
"I am so close to getting that land back," Clifford grumbled, holding his champagne glass expertly. "Hermione Lodge will crumble," he promised.
"Who would've thought she'd prove so resourceful?" No matter what Penelope said, she sounded contemptuous. Then, almost as an afterthought, she said casually, "Maybe we should've sent her to jail instead of Hiram."
Archie took in a quick breath. He couldn't help it. If the Blossoms had put Veronica's father in jail, they had their fingers in far more than they claimed-and they were much more powerful than he'd thought. But the Blossoms weren't deaf. Almost predatory, the couple snapped their gaze towards Archie, their eyes locking onto him immediately. Panic flared in Archie, his eyes widening as he stumbled back, his heart racing. Penelope's eyes narrowed and she murmured, "Looks like we found a Peeping Tom, Clifford dear."
A patronizing smile spread on her husband's face. "Security's around the corner, Archibald. You might as well come out from behind those bushes."
Archie scrambled away from the scene, nearly tripping. His heart thudded in his chest, setting every nerve on fire as he raced towards the truck and away from the secret he'd just discovered. But Clifford Blossom hadn't lied-the second Archie turned the corner around the lodge, he ran into something-or someone. Two men, wearing suits and disapproving frowns, glared down at him with crossed arms. His breathing shallow and haggard, Archie turned back to the formidable couple, who were now both closer.
Clifford held up what looked like a small remote and remarked, "Really, it's quite convenient to have access to a security team using something that fits in your pocket." His more amiable expression faded to a dark scowl as he said, "Just like it's convenient that you happened to be here to witness what my wife and I just discussed. You did hear us, after all-didn't you, Archibald?"
"Look," Archie said, "I was just on my way to my truck so I could head back home; I don't want any trouble-"
"Yet you've walked right into it," Penelope scoffed. Lips pursed, she caught sight of something on Archie's face. "Archibald," she said slowly, deceptively pleasant. "Is that Cheryl's lipstick?"
He swallowed, glancing over at the pool and half-wishing that Cheryl would walk over and talk some sense into her parents. But she was gone, and Archie was alone. "It-it wasn't my fault, okay? She-"
"Oh, it's quite all right," Penelope laughed, startling Archie.
"Wait-what?"
The Blossom matriarch smirked, crossing her arms and saying, "Cheryl is a Blossom, and she gets what she wants."
A shiver ran down Archie's spine, and he put his hands up in a placating gesture. "I'm sorry I eavesdropped, but can I just go home now?"
'Yes.' It's what Archie wanted to hear. As silence stretched on, the Blossoms looking at each other in wordless communication, Archie willed them to say yes. Time seemed to stand still, and a lump formed in his throat. Were they actually considering not letting him go home?
"No."
