The story you're about to hear is about a town, my town, is not what you'd expect. It's a relatively small town, and when you look at it from an outsider's perspective, it would seem like any other. Decent, safe, clean, innocent. But when you look beneath the surface, you'll see what secrets it holds. My little town is called Riverdale, and I guess the story starts at the beginning. It was the fourth of July, just after dawn. The Blossom twins, Jason and Cheryl, drove out to Sweetwater River for an early boat ride, why they did I have no idea. The next thing that happened was that Dilton Doiley, the leader of Riverdale's boy scout troop that day, found Cheryl sitting by the river, alone. The police were called and they searched the entire river for Jason's body, but came up empty. The Blossom's buried an empty casket a week later. Jason's death was ruled an accident. At that same time, Cheryl's story of Jason's death made it's way around the town. Cheryl claimed that as they were boating, she had dropped her glove in the water and that Jason had reached down to get it and accidentally tipped the boat. Jason panicked and drowned. By the time school had started again, everyone was still talking about the 'Fourth of July Tragedy'.

I wiped down the counter as I watched Betty Cooper and Archie Andrews walk into the diner. I gave them a smile as I threw my rag over my shoulder. "Lia, two burgers to go." Pop Tate called out.

"On it!" I replied, walking into the back to start the orders. When the patties were done, I started to assemble the burgers.

"Lia! I need those burgers!" There was a brief pause, "And a side of rings."

"Comin' up!" I pulled the onion rings out of the deep fryer. I halved the onion rings, putting one half into a basket and wrapped the other half in paper, putting it in the bag with the burgers. I grabbed the bag and walked to the front counter. A black haired girl in a coat approached me, "Two burgers and a side of onion rings."

"Thank you." She said as she took the bag off me. She gave me a small smile as she turned and left. I let out a whistle as I watched her leave. I then grabbed the onion rings from the back and walked out from behind the counter.

"I'm going on break." I announced to Pop as I walked over to my friends. I slid into the booth beside Betty. "So who was that who walked in?" I questioned as I bit into an onion ring.

"Veronica Lodge." Archie answered.

"She's the new girl that I'm showing around tomorrow." Betty added. The three of us talked until my break was over. When it was, I washed my plate and started to do washup. After all the dishes were cleaned, I sighed happily. I grabbed my bag from behind the counter and walked into the bathroom. I changed out of my uniform and into a pair of leggins, boots and a tank top. I quickly checked my makeup before shoving my uniform into my bag, swinging it over my shoulder. I walked out of the bathroom and shot Pop a smile.

"I'll see you next week Pop!" I called.

"See you later Lia." Pop responded.

TIMESKIP

I opened my locker and shoved my bag into it, pulling out the books I needed for my first classes. "Did you hear about the new girl?" A voice asked. I closed my locker and spotted the only other openly gay person in this god forsaken town.

"I met her at Pop's last night." I told him. I looked past him to see Veronica and Betty walking down the hallway.

"So what's the social scene here?" Veronica asked, "Any nightclubs?"

"A strip club called the Ho Zone." Kevin interjected as we appeared behind the duo.

"A tragic gay bar called Innuendo." I added,

"Friday nights, football games."

"Tailgate parties in the Mal-Mart parking lot."

"Saturday night is movie night, regardless of what's at the Bijou. And you better get there early because we don't have reserved seating in Riverdale."

"And on Sunday." I sighed as I drapped my arm over Betty's shoulders, "Thank god someone invented HBO."

"Veronica Lodge, Kevin Keller and Lia Johnson." Betty introduced, gesturing to each of us respectively. "Veronica is new here. Kevin is-"

"Gay." Veronica interrupted, sticking her hand out for Kevin to shake. "Thank god. Let's be best friends." Kevin shook it. I held out my own hand for Veronica next who shook it.

"Is it true what they say about your dad?" Kevin asked. I elbowed him in the gut, causing him to groan in pain.

"You can't ask something like that!" I hissed.

"That he's the devil incarnate?" Veronica questioned. "I stand by my father. Does everyone here know?"

"Small town, gossip is big here. Sorry." Veronica sighed.

"Wonderful. Ten minutes in and I'm already the Blue Jasmine of Riverdale High." Veronica then walked off. I slapped Kevin upside the head before following the black haired girl. Betty gave the rundown of the school with Kevin and myself butting in whenever necessary.

"Oh, and of course, there's the back-to-school semi-formal dance-" Betty was saying before Veronica interrupted.

"There's the hottie you were with last night. The red-headed Ansel Elgort." I frowned and looked at Kevin.

"Is he supposed to be good looking?" I whispered.

"Yeah, teen heartthrob." Kevin replied. I nodded in understanding.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Veronica asked.

"No, we're just friends." Betty said.

"No, he's straight." Kevin added.

"No, I'm gay." I threw in. Veronica eyed me, "Don't worry Blue Jasmine, I've got my eyes set on another." Veronica nodded.

"In that case, mind putting in a word?" Veronica questioned, "I've tried every flavour of boy but orange."

"Actualt, to clarify, Betty and Archie aren't dating but they are endgame." Kevin explained.

"You should ask him to the semi-formal then."

"That's what I've been telling her." I sighed, "But, there's rumors that it might be canceled 'cause of what happened to Jason. We'll know for sure at the assembly."

"Who's Jason and what happened to him?" Betty, Kevin and I shared a look.

TIMESKIP

"Thank you for that moment of silence." Cheryl said into the microphone. The entire school was gathered in the gym, filling up the seats. I had my arms crossed as sat next to Veronica, listening to Cheryl. "Many of you were lucky enough to have known my brother personally. Each and every one of you meant the world to Jason. I loved my brother. He was, and always will be, my soulmate. So I speak with the confidence only a twin could have. Jason wouldn't want us to spend the year mourning. Jason would have wanted us to move on with our lives. Which is why I've asked the school board not to cancel the back-to-school semi-formal." I clapped along with everyone else. "But rather, to let us use it as a way to heal, collectively and celebrate my brother's too, too short life on this mortal coil. Thank you all." At the end of the speech, everyone clapped loudly.

TIMESKIP

I sat at the table at lunchtime, listening to Archie's song. "Can I join?" Veronica asked as she approached. Kevin and I scooted over to make room for her. "What are we doing?" Veronica sat down.

"Listening to one of Archie's songs." Betty explained.

"I thought we were gonna have to pretend to like it, but it's actually really good." Kevin admitted.

"Wait, that was you singing something you wrote?" Veronica questioned,

"It's rough." Archie told us.

"It's actually pretty good." I said.

"No, it's great." Betty argued,

"It's incredible actually." Veronica stated. "The little snippet I heard. Is that your thing? Music? Are you doing anything with that?"

"Yeah, that's the plan." Archie replied. "So how's your first day going? Good?"

"Not to be a complete narcissist, but I thought people would be more…"

"Obsessed with you?" I supplied. Veronica nodded. "If you had come any other year, you'd be on everyone's radar, but since Jason's death this summer all eyes have been on Cheryl, she and her brother were really close."

"I should go." Archie suddenly said, "Meeting with Grundy then football tryouts."

"You play football too?" Veronica asked as Archie stood. "What don't you do?"

"Before you ask, Blue Jasmine, no, she has not invited-" Kevin started before Betty interrupted him.

"No not yet." She said, "And don't talk about Archie!"

"Veronica Lodge." A new voice said. I looked up to see the one and only Cheryl Blossom standing at our table. "I've heard whisperings. I'm Cheryl Blossom. May I sit?" Cheryl turned to our blonde friend, "Betty, would you mind?" Cheryl didn't wait for an answer, but sat down anyway, forcing Betty to move over. "So, what are you four hens gossiping about? Archie's Efron-Esque emergence from the chrysalis of puberty."

"Nope." I said, "There's barely any talk of that when I'm around."

"We were actually talking about extracurriculars." Veronica but in, "Weatherbee wants me to sign up for a few."

"Cheerleading, you must!" Cheryl exclaimed, "I'm senior captain of the River Vixens."

"Is cheerleading still a thing?" Kevin asked,

"Is being the gay best friend still a thing? Some people say it's retro. I say it's eternal and iconic."

"At Spence I sat at the top of the elites' pyramid." Veronica revealed, "I'm in. Betty, Lia, you're both trying out too."

"I am not doing cheerleading." I siated, "I don't have the time for it."

"Anyone's welcome to try out." Cheryl said, "But Betty's already got so much on her plate right now...and Lia herself said she didn't have time. And being a Vixen is kind of a full time thing, but open to all." Cheryl stood, "Follow me on Twitter and I'll do the same. My handl's CherylBombshell."

"Ok, go ahead and hate n cheerleading, but if Hipster Prince Harry-" Veronica started but was cut off by Betty,

"Oh, I'd love to be a cheerleader." Betty revealed. "It would look great on my college applications but last year when I tried out, Cheryl said I was too fat."

"'Too season five Betty Draper'." Kevin stated. "It was a great line." I glared at Kevin, "But not at all true."

"Well, you're a total smoke show now." Veronica said, "I mean it. Lia, back me up."

"As your token lesbian friend I can say with utmost confidence that your body is cheerleader perfect." I agreed before popping a grape into my mouth.

"And as hot and as smart as you are you should be the Queen Bey of this drab hive. Look, if you wanna be a River Vixen, I'll help you prep, I have moves."

"Ok, you know what." Betty started, "Show me your moves."

TIMESKIP

I hummed a random tune as I got my books out for my next classes, glancing at my reflection in the mirror. The same brown eyes stared back at me, my midnight blue hair falling in down my shoulders, hastily brushed this morning but I didn't care. I heard the familiar clack of heels as Cheryl strutted down the hall. She came to a stop next to me as she opened up her own locker. "Hey Cheryl." I greeted.

"Lia." Cheryl replied. We were silent until I grabbed all of my books and closed my locker.

"I'll see you at tryouts red." I turned and started to walk away,

"But your not trying out?" I turned as I walked backwards,

"I'm not." I turned back around and continued to walk.

TIMESKIP

I walked into the gym and sat down in the stands, dropping my bag down beside me. It was Betty and Veronica's turn to try out, and I wanted to see how it turned out, "We're blue and gold!" They chanted, "We're dynamite! We'll take you down and fight! We'll fight!"

"Wooh!" Veronica cheered as she stepped forward, "Go Bulldogs!"

"Ladies, where's the heat?" Cheryl questioned, "Where's the sizzle?"

"Well...you haven't seen our big finish yet." Veronica then pulled Betty towards her and kissed her. My eyes widened as I let out a low whistle. Cheryl turned and saw me in the seats. I gave her a small wave before she turned back around.

"Check your sell-by date ladies, faux-lesbian kissing hasn't been taboo since nineteen-ninety-four. SO let's see if you do better with the interview portion of our audition. Betty, how's your sister doing?"

"Um, Polly's fine, thanks for asking." Betty said.

"Veronica, has Betty told you about her sister yet?"

"Uh, no." Veronica replied, crossing her arms.

"Go ahead Betty. Tell Veronica about your sister and my dear brother."

"Polly and Jason dated." Betty admitted.

"I wouldn't say ''dated'."

"It didn't end well."

"In fact, Jason's probably why your sister had a nervous breakdown and now lives in a group home, isn't it?"

"That's what my parents think."

"What do you say about that Betty. Go ahead, the floor is yours. Whatever you've been dying to spew about Jason and how he treated Polly, unleash it. Destroy me." From where I was seated, I could see Betty clench her fists. "Tear me a new one. Rip me to shreds. Annihilate me."

"I just…" Betty un-clenched her fists, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. About what happened to Jason. I can't even imagine what you and your family must be going through."

"Veronica!" Cheryl exclaimed, "Welcome to the River Vixens. Betty, better luck next time."

"Wait...what?" Veronica questioned. "Why? Because you couldn't bully Betty into being a bitch?"

"I need girls with fire on my squad."

"I know what you need, Cheryl, because I know who you are. You would rather people fear than like you, so you traffic in terror and intimidation. You're rich, so you've never been held accountable. But, I'm living proof. That certainty, that entitlement, you wear on your head like a crown? It won't last. Eventually, there will be a reckoning. Or, maybe, that reckoning is now. And, maybe, that reckoning is me. Betty and I come as a matching set. You want one, you take us both. You wanted fire? Sorry, 'Cheryl Bombshell' my specialty is ice." I had to hold in my laughter. Finally, someone who can match Cheryl in bitchy-ness.

TIMESKIP

I sighed as I turned the keys in my bike and got off. I pressed open with the garage button and walked my bike in, kicking the stand out and letting it stand. I closed the garage and walked into my house, turning on lights as I went. I dumped my bag on the kitchen counter and walked up to my room. I sighed as I opened my door. I walked over to my closet and opened it up. Among my usual dark clothes, shoved into the back of the closet was a dress that I never thought I would wear again. It was a lace, navy blue that, at the front reached my knees, but at the back brushed my calves. It covered my chest with and the lace itself had intricate embroidery. I sighed as I pulled it off the rack, laying it on my bed. I fished out a box from the corner of my closet and put it on the bed next to the dress, making sure the duest didn't get on the dress itself. I had a quick shower, washing my hair. When I got out of the shower, I saw that Kevin was calling me. I hit accept as I dried my hair. "Hey Kev." I greeted.

"We're still alright to go to the Semi-Formal together, right?" Kevin asked.

"Kev, we are the only two openly gay kids in school, no-one else will go with us."

"Fair point. I'll see you in a couple of hours."

"See you." Kevin hung up. I finished drying my hair, throwing the towel in the direction of my bathroom. I lightly curled my hair, letting the curls rest on my left shoulder. I applied some light makeup, eyeshadow and pale pink lipstick. I walked over to my dress and sighed. Taking it off the rack and un-zipping it. I gently lowered it to the floor as I stepped into it, pulling it up and zipping it. I opened the box and found a pair of strappy heels that my parents had gotten months ago, but refused to wear them. I sighed as I pulled them on, making sure they were secure before standing. I grabbed my baby blue clutch and transferred my phone, money and credit cards into it. I was touching up my makeup when someone rang my doorbell. I turned off all the lights in the house as I made my way to the door. When I opened it, Kevin was there, dressed in a nice suit.

"You ready?" He questioned, offering me his arm. I took it with a smile. He lead me to the Sheriff's Cruiser and opened the back, letting me get in before getting in himself.

"Hey Lia." Sherif Keller greeted.

"Hi." I responded as the cruiser started to move. We arrived at the school in silence. We got out of the cruiser swiftly. We went into the gym and saw it decked out with balloons and lights. I let out a low whistle at the grandeur of it. However, I raised an eyebrow at the large picture of Jason that hung in the middle of the room.

"I need to go bathroom." Kevin said, taking my arm out of his,

"We just got here!" I complained.

"I'm sorry." I sighed as Kevin ran off. I walked over to the refreshments, taking the ladle from the punch and pouring myself a cup.

"Can you pour me one?" A voice asked. I looked over to se Veronica in a black sleeveless dress,

"Sure." I said. I grabbed another cup and poured Veronica a drink. I handed it to her and took a sip from my own cup. We moved away from the refreshments table, "Who'd you come with?"

"Betty and Archie."

"Both of them?"

"I tried to get Betty to ask him but she turned it around so he ended up bringing both of us. Who did you come with?"

"Kevin. Perks of being the only gay kids in school, you have a confirmed date to any school event."

"Good evening friends." A familiar voice started. I looked over to see Cheryl standing on the stage in a stunning red dress, her hair resting on her left shoulder, "Are you all having a good time?" Veronica and I clapped along with everyone else, careful not to spill our punch. "As honorary chairperson and de facto queen of tonight's Semi-Formal, it is my pleasure to introduce this evening's main entertainment. To know them is to be obsessed with them. Though they usually perform their own material, tonight they're making an exception and debuting a cover of the song my parents claimed they were listening to the night Jason and I were conceived."

"I don't think we needed to know that." I whispered to Veronica.

"This one's for you Jay-Jay. I give you Josie and the Pusycats." Cheryl got offstage as the tune of Cyndi Lauper's 'All Through the Night' started to play. Veronica and I looked over to Betty and Archie were dancing. Betty was looking back at us. When we noticed this, Veronica and I gestured for her to tell Archie how she felt. After a bit, Tina Patel and Ginger Lopez approached Veronica and I.

"Cheryl's invited you to her after party." Tina stated.

"And she wouldn't like it if you didn't show up." Ginger added before the two turned and walked away. Veronica and I shared a look, what was Cheryl up to.

TIMESKIP

After the Semi-Formal, everyone made their way to Thornhill Mansion. Some of us were sitting around a table. Cheryl had changed into a shorter red dress and held an empty bottle in her hand. "It's game time at Chez Blossom kiddies." Cheryl said, "We're going old school tonight. Seven Minutes in Heaven. Who wants to tryst in the closet of love first?"

"I'll go." I said as I snatched the bottle off her. I placed it on the table and spun in. I watched the bottle spun, finally landing on the one and only Cheryl Blossom. I smirked as I stood, offering my hand to the redhead. She took it and I lead her to the closet. When I had set the timer and put the phone down, a pair of arms wrapped themselves around my neck as Cheryl pulled me into a kiss. I placed my hands on her waist as I backed Cheryl into the wall. Cheryl's hands tangled in my hair as we continued to make out. My hands slid around Chery's waist and I squeezed her but. Cheryl gasped, giving me the opportunity to slip my tongue into her mouth. I then gripped her thighs, lifting her up a bit so she could wrap her legs around my waist. To soon, the timer went off. I pulled away from Cheryl, both of us breathing heavily. I put Cheryl down and we smoothed our our clothes and hair. I pulled my compact mirror out of my bra and opened it, fixing up my smudged lipstick. When it was all clean, I gave it to Cheryl to do the same. In under a minute we both looked as if we only came in here to talk.

"Just so you know, this doesn't mean I'm gay." Cheryl stated as she gave me back my mirror. I smirked as I slipped it back into my bra, leaning closer to the red-headed bombshell.

"Of course not love." I purred. Cheryl's breath hitched. I straightened and opened the door to the closet, strutting out while swinging my hips. I walked back to the group and lent my forearms on the couch between Betty and Veronica. Cheryl walked out of the closet and stood at the head of the group again.

"Who's next? My vote is 'A' for Archie. Anyone care to second it?"

"Wait, actually-" Archie started.

"Yes Andrews, yes." Redgie cheered.

"Alright, gather 'round kids." Cheryl stated, "Let's see who's riding the ginger stallion tonight." Cheryl put the bottle on the table and spun it. I watched as the neck of the bottle as it landed on Veronica. "It's clearly pointing to the new girl." Veronica shared a look with Betty and myself. "This should be fun."

"Um, I'm not doing this." Veronica said.

"That's up to you. But if you don't house rules decree the hostess gets to take your turn." Very soon, Veronica had taken Archie into the closet Cheryl and I were in moments before. After a couple of seconds, Betty stood and ran out of Thornhill. I sighed as I straightened, putting my solo cup on the table beside me,

"Well, this has been fun Bombshell but I'm going home." I said as I walked out of the mansion, braving the streak home in the dark. When I got home, I pulled my heels off my feet and shuffled up to my room. I sighed as I fell onto my bed. I fell asleep. I was awakened by my phone ringing. I grabbed it and answered the call without checking who it was.

"Lia." A voice sobbed. I sat up in my bed, frowning at the tone of voice,

"Cheryl, is everything alright?"

"I didn't know who else to call. I need you to come to Sweetwater River."

"Yeah, I-I'll be there." I hung up and quickly got out of my dress, pulling on a pair of black leggins and a singlet top. I pulled my black boots onto my feet. I ran to my bike and bought it out of the garage. I quickly shoved my keys into the ignition and kicked the stand up, driving to Sweetwater River. When I got there, I saw that most of the town was present. I parked my bike and got off. I made my way through the crowd and spotted Cheryl's familiar red hair. I approached her and placed my hand on her shoulder. Cheryl turned and looked at me with tears in her eyes. "What happened Cher?" Cheryl fell into me, burying her head in my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her and held the redhead tight.

"Jason was shot." She sobbed. I stroked Cheryl's hair as I watched a yellow body bag walked past us.