A/N: Hello! First, thanks so much for the lovely reviews! It's so good to hear from people who are reading this story, rather than me feeling like I'm thrusting it into the void where no one will find it. Second, as promised, more reviews=faster updates so here's the next little tidbit. Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think! :)
Ten.
It had been ten minutes since Cheryl left Veronica's car and entered the large wooden doors of the Thornhill mansion. Veronica was on edge the entire time. She turned the radio up a bit, hoping the music would keep her distracted. Nevertheless, time dragged on like it couldn't move any slower.
Veronica hated the idea of Cheryl belong alone in that house, or worse being alone with her mother. She could only hope that the redhead had managed to slip past the older woman and could get out without her noticing. It's not impossible, Veronica thinks.
Ten minutes. Halfway there.
Veronica stares at the doorway, anxiously waiting for Cheryl to pop out, suitcase in hand. That is when she isn't busy watch the timer she set, watching the milliseconds roll by changing the second digit at the slowest rate. She hoped she wouldn't have to go into the house to retrieve Cheryl. She's not sure if she could contain her anger if she ran into Mrs. Blossom.
Veronica only knew what she had briefly seen of Cheryl's relationship with her mother, at dinner the night before and at the reception following Jason's funeral, but that was enough for her to assume they were distantly strained at best. She saw the way Penelope grabbed Cheryl when reprimanding her about the dress she wore to the vigil. She saw the look of pain and sorrow on Cheryl's face. She also noted the slightest twinge before Penelope even grabbed her, Cheryl bracing herself, a clear indicator that she knew what was going to happen, that it's most likely happened before. Veronica would NEVER forget how Cheryl even recoiled from HER embrace for the slightest second after her mother left the room. The reaction an instinct.
10 minutes.
Veronica hesitates a moment, her hand on the door handle. It takes all her restraint from saying the heck with it and forgoing the 20-minute window she promised Cheryl and barging in Thornhill. Just 10 more minutes, that's not THAT long. Except it totally is, Veronica huffs, falling back into her seat. She turns the radio up a few more notches. The harmonies of the Haim sisters flow through the speakers as Veronica closes her eyes in an effort to loose herself in the music.
She thinks back on the conversation she had with her own mother this morning…."Why is she still here?" Hermione asked, her voice full of malice. "I'm not just gonna send her back to that house, she obviously doesn't feel safe there." Veronica rebutted, her defense game strong."That's not our problem Veronica. Get the police involved if you must-""Are you kidding me?" Veronica cut off her mother incredulously, "The Blossoms own this town, including the police, you think Penelope is gonna let them do anything to damn their name, any more than what Clifford has already done." She crossed her arms in front of her."Why can't she stay with the Cooper's? Afterall they are family aren't they." Veronica instantly regretted ever mentioning that information."They are too preoccupied with their own shit. Cheryl needs someone who will be there for her.""And that person has to be you?" Her mother's tone is questioning, full of disbelief. Hermione almost laughed. "Yes Mother, it absolutely HAS to be me." She stood up forcefully, arms still crossed. Her fists ball in anger, hidden behind her upper arms. "She can't be here when your father gets home, I want her out." Hermione demanded, leaving with the final word."She's not leaving!" Veronica called out after her fleeing mother. She even followed her down the hallway, giving up when she sees the bathroom door. She decided to turn her attention to Cheryl instead.
He doesn't even get out for another 2 months! Veronica thought. What does that have to do with it?
There couldn't possibly be a problem with Cheryl staying at the Pembroke until Hiram gets back, other than the annoyance it'll cause her mother. It's not like she's ever home these days anyway, too busy with whatever shady business dealings she's gotten in to. Cheryl could stay with her until her father comes home, and they can figure things out then.
Oh, who was she kidding, Veronica knew Cheryl couldn't live with her forever, but the thought of her leaving never really occurred to her before. She didn't want to think about what would happen if she sent Cheryl away. She shook the thought away, not allowing her mind to go there.
She has to focus on moving forward, for Cheryl and for herself. Veronica was determined for the both of them to come out of this better people, better friends. Friends, is that what they are? Veronica could only hope. She hated fighting with the redheaded socialite. It's not worth the energy. She wanted to use this move to Riverdale as an opportunity to start anew, to become a better Veronica, and fighting with Cheryl only brought her old self back. It was easy to be the New York queen bee with Cheryl, because she pushed her buttons in all the ways she was known to do to others. Cheryl knew the game, and she played it well.
Veronica had to admit, it was really nice seeing this softer side to Cheryl, she absolutely hated the conditions that led to it, but it was nice nonetheless. She felt lucky. Special. Cheryl had for some reason chosen her to let down her guard down with. She only knew the girl for a few short months, and they were at odds the majority of the time. Regardless, Veronica was happy Cheryl has somebody she can trust, and she may or may not be very happy that person is her.
The sound of a loud drum solo breaks Veronica's concentration. She turns the radio volume down to a dull hum. She looks down at her phone, the countdown still ticking on her screen…
Five more minutes.
