It was Monday morning before the first bell. Cheryl Blossom was strutting down the halls in her 4-inch heels, her orange hair bouncing on her shoulders.

"Heeeyyy you!" Toni Topaz sang as she scurried to catch up with her girlfriend. They entwined hands naturally, Cheryl's red nail polish brighter than ever. Before Cheryl could say anything back, Veronica hurriedly pushed between them with her hand over her mouth, pulling their hands apart. It was obvious that she was crying.

"What the hell?" Toni shouted after Veronica. She shook her head. "Bitch."

Cheryl's gaze lingered on Veronica, and contemplative expression on her face. "Babe, don't you think Veronica is acting a bit... strange lately?"

Toni shrugged absentmindedly, once again taking hold of Cheryl's hand. "Maybe it's her parents. It's gotta be, what else could possibly damage her perfect, luxurious life?"

Cheryl eye's glimmered and her mouth turned upwards into a slight grin. "It could be Andrews that's got her flustered. Do I sense some relationship problems heading their way?"

"Oh come on!" Toni sighed. "They've been dating for two years now! A breakup seems very unlikely. If anything, he should be getting down on one knee with a diamond ring in his hands."

"Mm." Cheryl murmured passively. "Whatever's happening, I need to know."

"If anything is happening," Toni warned.

"Trust me, sweetie. I've known Veronica for 4 years now. I can tell when something is up with her. By the end of today, I'll get to the bottom of this, mark my words." Toni rolled her eyes lovingly as they continued on their way through the hallway.

"I'm here!" Cheryl announced as she barged into the music room, hands on her stopped strumming his guitar and glanced up at her.

"Hey Cheryl," Archie said. suspiciously. Students rarely came into the music room unless his friends were hanging out with him but generally they preferred the outdoor lunch tables. Cheryl showing up in a music room was quite an unusual sight.

She sat down on an empty chair and folded her hands in her lap. "I think you know why I'm voluntarily talking you, as uncommon as it is."

"Um... no,"

Cheryl cocked her head expectantly and chuckled. "Do you need a hint?"

"Yes, actually. I have absolutely no idea why you're here."

"Veronica, maybe?" Archie's eyes widened is surprise.

"What do you know about Veronica?" he asked gingerly. He needed to choose his words carefully to get as much information out of Cheryl without giving away too many details.

"Oh, I don't know..." Cheryl teased. She played with a lock of red hair, twirling it between her fingers. "Did you guys... fight recently?" She leaned forward in her chair.

"No." Inside, a wave of relief flooded Archie. Thank god Cheryl did know about Veronica's pregnancy. It would have been all over the school in seconds.

"No? I saw her tearing down the hallways this morning. Crying."

"Really?" Archie exclaimed. "What happened? Is she okay? Did you help her?"

Cheryl rolled her eyes. "Oh good lord, don't play dumb. It's obvious you're lying. What did you do to her, Archie? How did you break up with her"

"I'm not lying. And I didn't do anything to her." Frustrated, Archie set his guitar down next to him. "Okay, you know what Cheryl? I'm kind of busy right now so can you please leave?"

Cheryl opened her mouth in fake astonishment. "Leave? No one tells Cheryl Blossom to leave. I can stay if I want to."

"Cheryl, nothing happened between Veronica and I! We didn't fight, we didn't break up. She's fine, so just let it be."

"Oh, Archikins," Archie bristled at Cheryl calling her that. "She's clearly not fine. Since you aren't gonna spill, I guess I'll go have to talk to V instead." She stood up suddenly and brushed her hands over her skirt, smoothing it out. With a small smirk, she flipped her hair and sauntered out of the room.

Archie grimaced, not wanting Cheryl to bother Veronica as such a sensitive time like this. She doesn't need to deal with Cheryl as well as everything else. But, he couldn't have tried to stop her or it would have seemed suspicious. Sighing, he took a bite of his half-eaten sandwich. Another day, another issue. That's how life went in Riverdale.

"Veronica Lodge," Cheryl sang, strolling up to the table where she was sitting at. She as well as Betty, Jughead, and Kevin looked up from their lunch. "How have you been?"

Veronica shifted uncomfortably in her seat, glancing at her friends. "Um, fine, I guess."

"Really? How interesting! Tell me more."

Sighing, Betty exclaimed, "Cheryl, what do you want?"

"Nothing from you, ponytail."

"Oh I see you are still the queen of unoriginal and meaningless names."

"I see you are still the queen of wearing the same hairstyle for 4 years in a row. That's gotta be a record."

"Do you know what's really a record? The amount of makeup needed to cover your forehead acne."

Cheryl gasped. "How dare you! I've never had a single pimple on my face."

"Not hit puberty yet, huh? Sorry, but every other 18 year old in the world can't relate."

Cheryl scowled, flipping her hair over her shoulder. With a satisfied smile, Betty returned to eating her food.

Kevin cleared his throat awkwardly, changing the subject. "So, Veronica. Why aren't you eating lunch?"

"Cafeteria food is nauseating," Veronica mumbled. "Everyone knows that." Cheryl looked down at her tray. Sure enough, the chicken wings were untouched and the soggy fries were still there.

Oddly, Cheryl placed a hand on her back. "Veronica, if you are going through anything, you can always tell me."

"Okay..." Veronica answered, slightly alarmed. Does Cheryl know? she wondered. Judging by the looks on her friends faces, they were unnerved as well.

Leaning down, Cheryl whispered into Veronica's ear, "I know something happened between you and Archie." Veronica's mouth opened in shock. Abruptly, she stood up and pushed Cheryl out of the way.

"I have to go," she mumbled. She scurried off towards the doors to school.

Cheryl smirked. "Talk to you later!" she called.