I jogged into the gym after taking more time than I should've getting ready for practice, since Cheryl seemed to be in a pretty bad mood. "I'm so sorry I'm late, Cheryl-"

"Hold your horses, Dupree." Cheryl stopped me in my tracks. "Your pals Wallace and Gromit there told me your little plan about having the Vixens work your nostalgia night at the murder diner."

"Okay, woah-"

Holding her hand up, she continued, "This was your last straw, you're off the squad."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Hmm, no." She pursed her lips and crossed her arms, "Now get out of my gym."

I scoffed and turned back around, going back into the locker room to grab my stuff. I made my way into the student lounge and laid down on the couch, pulling my phone out of my bag along with some headphones.

I was laying there, listening to music and playing a stupid game for a while before I felt someone sit down by my feet. Looking at the subject, I seen Veronica. I pulled out my headphones and sat up. Betty came in right after and sat across from us.

"I am so sorry, Dahlia. I can talk to Cheryl and ask her to let you back on the squad." The blonde girl offered.

I smiled at her, "It's fine, Betty. Cheryl has been trying to nitpick at me since the semester started, if you weren't tutoring me already I would've been off before the first game."

"Are you sure you don't want us to do anything?" Veronica placed a comforting hand on my arm.

"No, I'll just give her some time to chill out, then sweet-talk my way back in, it might work."

"Are you still on for Retro Night?"

I nodded, "Yeah, of course. Wouldn't miss it."

•

I was surprised about the turn out, there was like six groups of people inside and more people pulling into the parking lot. I seen Josie rush in and walk right over to the person who set this all up, Betty Cooper. They started talking, presumably about Betty's plans to get most of the people here when Kevin walked over with two filled up milkshake glasses.

"Here you go." He placed the two milkshakes down with the other two already sitting on the round tray.

"Thanks Kev," I said, picking up the tray and wheeling past the group of girls talking. I pushed my way through the diner and to a booth towards the back to set down the shakes.

On my way back to the counter, someone pulled me into another booth, "Hey, baby."

Letting out a breath of relief, I looked up at my boyfriend, Sweet Pea, a smile on my face, "Oh my gosh, Pea, I didn't even know you came in."

"I don't know how you don't notice a giant." Fangs snarked from across the table

I rolled my eyes before kissing my boyfriend.

"You guys make me sick." I heard a mocking voice behind me, Toni Topaz. I turned around and she gave me a playful shove before joining Fangs in his booth. "How you been Northsider?"

"Pretty good. Stressed, but what's new with that?" I laughed.

We continued chatting for about 10 minutes before Betty's voice came from the counter area, "I better go, you guys want anything?" I stood up with assistance from the bench and Sweet Pea's hand.

"I think we should go, guys. It's getting a bit packed in here." Toni said as there was more people coming in since Josie and the Pussycat's performance was over.

"Okay," I sighed, "I'll come to the Wyrm tomorrow, check you guys out."

"How about I pick you up?"

"From school?"

"Yeah, no big deal right?"

I shook my head, "I'll just leave my truck at home in the morning."

"Dahlia, come on." Veronica's voice came through this time.

"I actually gotta go this time, bye." I turned and skated towards the counter.

"Sorry, I had to catch up with someone." I set down the tray on it's stack.

"Who is that someone, D?" Veronica smirked at me.

"An old friend." I lied. I knew she could tell, I felt my face heating up.

•••

The night went on smoothly and turns out, we raised enough money for Pop's to stay open. It was a fun evening, but the next morning was jarring. One of my best friends, Midge Klump, and her boyfriend Moose Mason were attacked by a man at Lover's Lane.