Chapter #12 Back To You
- whoa, you stress me out, you kill me. you drag me down, you fuck me up. we're on the ground, we're screaming. I don't know how to make it stop.
I love it, I hate it and I can't take it. but I keep on coming back to you -
Veronica knew she couldn't avoid Cheryl for that much longer, just like she can't avoid a lot of things. Her parents being one of them. The night she made it home at three in the morning, fresh off a flight and very very exhausted, Hermione had been up waiting for her in the second floor living room.
"Ronnie. Finally you're home"
"Mom what the hell!" Veronica shrieked, clutching her chest that was beating uncontrollably wild. The utter terror written on her face was lit only by the lamp that Hermione just turned on, revealing herself.
"Keep your voice down Veronica"
"What in the world are you doing sitting here in the dark?! No one sits in their own home in darkness unless they're freaking insane" her voice was still much too loud that it filled the huge room clearly, but she couldn't be bothered to quiet down.
"I was waiting for you to come home without your father getting suspicious. Do you know how angry he is? You leaving this building for more than a whole day and flying off to a completely different state without telling us! You should be appreciative that I'm still up waiting for you - I've been worried sick Ronnie"
"Oh please, mom" she crossed her arms. Much too tired to argue, but this is a matter she can't avoid. "How wonderful is that? You can't even be concerned for your own daughter with daddy knowing, because you're so afraid of him! And what about daddy? Does he only worry that I'll be out there doing something that'll effect his precious reputation again?"
"Ronnie please, stop" Hermione's eyes were pleading and tearful, she could see that much. But Veronica knew better than to expect any genuine concern from her. "You're my baby girl, of course I would be worried. And your father, please understand him mija. He might be harsh but he does care for you, if you were to only look at him from a different perspective you would see that"
Veronica could feel her face burning in fumes. She's tired, and mad, and this cheap ass excuse her mother is giving including bringing up her father is pushing her over the edge. Why her mom is even staying up waiting, she doesn't know. "Well I'm fine. I'm tired, I'm sure you are too. Shouldn't have wasted your energy waiting on me"
She headed up the stairs to her bedroom with long strides, making sure to stand tall and keep her nose in the air at it. She forgot how exhausting it is to be at home, but when she sees her purple and white room and the coordinated decor and she loves it to bits and pieces, everything feels a little bit better. Veronica doesn't know it but she does break Hermione's heart, standing there alone in the cold dark room after Veronica breezed past her. In the morning, Veronica slips into the elevator swiftly and silently without her father noticing; handbag perched on her arm and heels in hand because walking in them'd make too much noise. She breathed a sigh of relief, going to school actually feels like an escape.
(x.x.x.x)
Another one of the things Veronica can't avoid is Cheryl Blossom. She's practically a blaring red sign all around school, but being a junior while Cheryl is a senior, Veronica doesn't have to endure tip toeing classes with the self acclaimed Queen Bee. Veronica has a quiet day, many people are asking her about Josie as expected, but other than that she focused in classes and lays low in between, just having lunch with Betty and Jellybean while trying not to attract any attention.
The plan to stay out of drama all day is successful, but alas, cheerleading practice never fails to deliver. Practice hasn't even begun yet and here they are. In the locker rooms, about a quarter minute from Coach Casey blowing the whistle for lineup. Some girls are shimmying into the blue shorts, others are busy chatting against lockers and smoothening out high ponytails. Veronica is tying her laces on the bench when Cheryl comes waltzing up to her, loyal minions stuck behind her.
She stops shortly and folded her toned arms across her chest, Veronica sighed knowing this was coming.
"Word has comeuppance that your quasi boyfriend Archie Andrews is playing in the QB position jersey for our big game against Cupertino's demimonde of unsurpassable ballers so I must ask, what exploits did he commit to earn it?"
Veronica stood up, facing off Cheryl who had a hand on her hip cockily. The entire locker room is starting to hush down because everyone wants to watch the two of them, in some sort of hassle. Both girls have their silky locks in high ponytails that Coach demanded to do a 'dress rehearsal' if you will, and they look more similar in matching outfits and hairstyles than they like to admit. But Veronica can't care for anyone else looking at them other than the bitchy gaze Cheryl's giving her.
"Well, since our original quarterback Chuck ever so graciously dipped from life, Archie's rightfully and well - deservedly filling his spot"
"Why wouldn't Jason get Chuck's number? I can't believe Coach Clayton would want to give anything to Archie after..." she pursed her lips insinuatingly, all the girls gasping softly.
Veronica took one step closer to Cheryl. "Perhaps you considered Jason isn't qualified enough for the position? Oh, and Coach Clayton isn't coaching anymore, he's subbed by Coach Raco after Chuck's self inflicted accident. Maybe you need to update your source of comeuppances"
She tipped her head cunningly and the snickers were audible now, so Veronica left after making her mark. She pulled Betty along with her into the gym just as Coach Casey blew the whistle, feeling adrenaline run through her veins like she always does after putting Cheryl in her place. They ran their full routine and perfected all the little stunts, cleaning up the tosses and pyramids. It feels good to be back home, cheering, Veronica never thought about it before but she's going to miss cheerleading so much when high school is over.
(x.x.x.x)
"Hey Archie, need any help getting into that Quarterback jersey tomorrow?" Ginger Lopez says all flirtatiously, in passing where Archie and Reggie are standing outside the boys' locker room.
Archie grinned and grew a bright red. It's not that he isn't used to this, girls hit on him openly all the time even when he was with Veronica, though she never got mad because he never gave her a reason to be jealous. But there's a certain amount of reputation you get as the Bulldogs' quarterback, maybe the student body is just wired weirdly like that - Chuck went through the same thing and now Archie is. It's like since news went around that Coach Raco handed Archie the number 50 jersey with QB on it the female population has just been ready to sink their claws into him.
Ginger is one of those hangers on who thinks she's in the in crowd but really isn't, she's tolerated enough to attend some of their parties and has the guts to flirt with one of them but it's all just mindless playing. Another group of girls who they couldn't recall any of their names passed Reggie and Archie by, giving him all these gooey eyed looks and giggling.
"Damn, the girls are in heat aren't they?" Reggie breathed through his nose. He tried to remain unamused but Archie had a little inkling he might be kind of upset for not being chosen instead.
"Hey, it doesn't matter. Come on let's get to practice"
The Bulldogs didn't play around on the field. They all know Cupertino is notorious for being unbeatable, and it's the first away game of the season. They have to bring everything and win. Archie feels a ringing feeling in his feet as he warmed up, knowing all eyes and all hope will be on him for the win. It's not like the other boys can't guarantee them anything, but he's the main position player. It's also such short notice but he'll have to suck it up anyway.
He weaved with ease through defence line, dodging and dipping as he went. The goal was in sight and Archie took a shot with all his might. But the ball missed by a long shot, flying off the field and plateaued the rest of the team's anticipation. Archie cursed, pulling off his helmet and running off the field with the rest of the team in tow as Coach Raco blew his whistle. Just as they were approaching him though, he blew the whistle again; it sounded much more strangled and pitched this time if that's possible. Like he blew a really hard breath.
"Why are you leaving the field? It's a penalty!" He yelled angrily.
The boys looked surprised between them, running back onto field with a newfound dwindling of hope in them. There's sweat dripping down all of them, burning calves and restraining biceps. The offence raced back to the pitch and decided on something so quickly it said a lot about their players. "Let Mantle take it!" They yelled in unison.
Archie scrunched his brows, not exactly shocked but more confused that the team clearly put Reggie's skill above his own. It doesn't desensitise him if only sets a wonder as to why Coach even chose him to play quarterback instead of Reggie who's more passionate, and apparently more advanced.
Everyone stood frozen in slow motion as Reggie made the important shot as time stirs to an end. The birds chirped louder, their eyes focused intently, and the air felt colder suddenly. Everything slowed to a halt as the ball then flew past the goalies frame and into the back of the net.
"Score!" A collective shout all around the field circulated.
Once again Coach blew his whistle, so they raced to the training room, to hear the decision on who'll be playing based on today's final practice. Reggie was feeling a magnificent stage of accomplishment, not trying to hide his proud smirk. Coach Raco slowly said with confidence "Andrews will remain quarterback tomorrow, Mantle will be in first, Blossom will go second, Mason third, Brown fourth and Richie fifth"
Archie remained extremely nervous, more than aware that people will be watching him even closer now.
"Andrews! A word" Coach called. "The rest of you, get a good night's rest tonight. No girlfriends sleeping over, no macking with the Vixens. Tell your parents tonight no if they ask you to go out with them. Tomorrow is a serious day, I want you at school by 7.30 am sharp. Remember to keep in your headspace -"
"Sacrifice everything else, fight against the odds, succeed" all the boys chanted in unison. Coach nodded, giving them a stern look and dismissing all except Archie.
The two of them walked a little ways away and Archie could already feel his stomach boil with nerves. Apparently getting this shiny new position isn't just beneficial to his social life, it reigns many pressures.
"Listen here boy. I put you in this position to make you better, because everything you've shown the team in the past proves you qualified. But now what's changed?" He put a hand on Archie's shoulder, levelling their eyes for the much taller man. "Are you distracted? I know a lot has been going on with you, but this will get you back on track" he shook him firmly.
"You can't be shackled by fear, insecurity, or self doubt"
"I feel like I'm not the only one doubting me, coach" Archie breathes with wisps of anger.
"Then feel those emotions - all the judgement, drink it in and fuel it for your fire. I chose you to make you better, because I can see it in you. You don't get motivated by pride, but by your accomplishments. Pride consumes the weak - now this is your one shot to get your life back on the right track. Give it your all, boy"
Archie stood left shaken, in the wake of Coach's pep talk and a very perspective practice. Is Coach Raco talking about Reggie, the pride? That's not fair. But he is right. With everything that's been circling around him this year. Scandals and arrests and lawsuits, so suddenly all his dreams and hard work from years before became second in mind. Now though, he has to focus back on what's important for his future.
(x.x.x.x)
Cheer practice isn't over until seven pm, doubling usual duration to make up for lost time. They'll be getting on the bus to Cupertino tomorrow morning after a final run through, with all the Bulldogs as well. Everyone is spent and sweaty, leaving the gym while Coach wraps up her pep talk. Only Varsity cheerleaders will be cheering tomorrow, to bring a more tight and skilled performance. For the seniors, it's something they can enjoy. One of the last times getting out there with the squad and giving it their all; but the juniors are feeling some pretty heavy pressure on their shoulders. Their performance will not only be verdict for their position the rest of the year, but it also plays a big part in the Ivy Representatives next week.
Veronica takes a long drink of water from her bottle, salivating practically for the coldness soothing her burning throat. All the girls are dispersing, but Betty is taking a seriously long time to get her stuff together and you could tell from her face that she's thinking deeply.
"Betty? Are you okay?" It's not just now, all of practice the blonde girl had seemed preoccupied with her thoughts.
"Hm? Oh, yeah" she turned around to face Veronica who's standing with her hip cocked and black water bottle in hand. There's pieces of stray hair from her tight ponytail that's sticking to her neck.
Veronica slung her cheer bag over her shoulder and sat there watching Betty for another moment. "You seem off. Wait.. you're not still freaking out about what we told you in New York are you? Because I promise, it's not as bad as it sounds. I mean it is bad, it's horrible, but we will figure it out. I've just been too busy and mad at my parents to sneak a question to them about it -"
"No, no. It's not that" Betty reassures her, finally zipping her bag and picking it up. They start walking across the gym together. "It's just.. I am really worried about what happens next week. I mean look at the stats. I'm a new student here, I've already done community service - no offence. I did a huge exposé on one of the golden kids here and to top it all off I missed like four whole days of school this week. There's no way any of the deans are going to take a mere interest in me"
"We all missed school this week" Veronica reminds her "Rely on the game tomorrow and skills of impressing to do the job. It shouldn't be that hard"
"Easy for you to say. You could talk your way into any school you want! I mean seriously, I don't even know how to impress somebody like that"
Veronica laughed through her nose and grinned, knowing that is one of her charms. "Fear not my little innocent, I can totally help you get prepped for the event. I'll teach you everything you need to know, and those old intellectuals would be crazy to not choose you. If you want, of course"
"Really? You could do that?" Betty asked hopefully. The sky around them had turned dusty grey and the air was cold against the bare skin of their arms and legs, exposed from their cheer uniforms. Neither of them wanted to shower at school since it's already so late, so they left right away.
"Absolutely. Do you want to?"
"Yes yes! I'll take any help I can get. After all you are the only person who knows exactly what she wants and won't stop until you get it, it's pretty freaking admirable honestly."
"Thank you! So tell me, which college do you have your eye on? And when do you wanna do this thing?"
Betty took a deep breath. After many years of dreaming, "NYU Tisch. Oh, how about now?"
Veronica pondered it for a moment. "Sure. Anything to avoid my parents right now sounds about perfect"
Betty couldn't be more excited, or grateful. She isn't exactly sure what Veronica had in mind but she must have a pretty good idea of what she's doing. "Yay! Okay, I'll just text Polly and tell her I'm going to your place"
They walked the short distance passing the football field to where Andre should be waiting for her, and it isn't lost on either of them that all the Bulldogs are practicing out here. They're doing suicide runs but it's warming down time so they're all joking around, shoving each other playfully and rolling in the grass. They look so hot, every girl would stop and stare. Just as Veronica and Betty walk past though there's only one boy in Veronica's eyes.
"Looking good there Quarterback" she teases, as Archie slowed to a stop. His red hair is falling on his forehead and he looks irresistible in that evening light.
He's a little stumped at first, cos Veronica looks even more beautiful with her hair all tied up showing her swan like neck and he's missed touching her with her hair like that after football games and cheer competitions.
"You too, head cheerleader"
She rolls her eyes but he can see her lips twitch, and a faint blush on her cheeks. "Not head cheerleader yet. That's still Cheryl"
"Oh well - you will be"
She's about to walk away and just leave their interactions for today at innocent flirtation but then suddenly she remembers how big of a deal this actually is and it's crazy how both of them - had been dreaming about getting the positions they are right now - have finally made it.
"Hey, congratulations. Seriously"
Archie smirks, that innocent boyish way but she can also tell he's surprised at her seriousness. And the blush isn't lost on him either. "Thanks, Ronnie"
(x.x.x.x)
"Alright. Project turn Betty Cooper into an official Raffles Royalty is about to take place, but we need food first" Veronica announces once Betty walks out of the bathroom in a fluffy white bathrobe that's probably the hotel's, into Veronica's bedroom. She's sitting on her bed and picks up the phone to order their dinners.
"You're going to turn me into - one of you guys?" She sits on the edge of the bed hesitantly.
"Don't worry, you're still the same you. It's nice to be different anyways, a good different. But just a little polishing up, I suppose."
She thinks this may be a bad idea, kneading her bottom lip with her teeth. But then she remembers everything from Riverdale, the girl she once was, and she doesn't like that girl anymore. No, now is the time to start fresh and bury that scared fragile part of herself with a dark past and hopefully move on from it. After all, be like Veronica? Now that sounds like an idea.
"Okay. Sure, let's get this started"
"Excellent" The raven haired girl grinned mischievously "Step one. Carry yourself like you know you're better than everyone around you. You don't have to believe that, but a confident energy will pull in more people than you realise"
"That sounds kind of cocky"
Veronica rolled her eyes. "Most of the time people judge you as impressionable, something to step on. If you stand tall and don't let anybody get to you, just pretend like nobody else matters in the whole world other than the people you care about. Don't be icy, but be sure of yourself. Let people know you're a force to be reckoned with just by walking into the room"
"How in the world do I do that?" This is already harder than she thought.
"Okay. Think about it this way. When you walk into a room, just keep telling yourself you belong there and nobody can tell you what to do. Try it"
Betty thinks this is ridiculous, but Veronica gets one of her shorter heels and makes her put them on to start practice walking around. "Don't slouch, not even a little bit. Don't look lost. Keep your head tall"
She keeps doing it over and over with Veronica's criticisms while digging into the seafood paella delivered to them. When she can make it across the floor without tripping and enough to apeace Veronica, they move on to the next thing.
"Number two, when they ask you what you do at Raffles. You can't say just act. You have to be a triple threat." She says firmly
"But I don't know how to sing or dance"
"There's that insecurity again! You can sing Betty, I've heard you go full out and you're pretty amazing"
"You heard me singing Kids in America with the actual song playing in the background. Anyone sounds good singing that"
Sighing dramatically, she still remained persistent "Just have something prepared that you're familiar with the lyrics and is easy enough. Not that they'll ask you to whip out into song or anything, but just in case"
"Okay, fine" Betty sighed. There is that one Wicked number she knows pretty well. "But I know like nothing about dancing"
"Didn't you say you did gymnastics as a kid? I'm assuming your one of the people who learned ballet too" Veronica narrowed her eyes.
"Okay, yes but I was literally three! It didn't last long!"
"If they ask you what your favourite style of dance is" she said slowly, the way you speak to a child, looking into her friend's eyes carefully "Say ballet because it's the foundation of all dance"
The other girl nodded. Her damp blonde hair looking paler and wispier than usual.
"Also, I've heard you refer to the school as Raffles Arts - just no. It's Raffles Institution. If you say the former, they will probably assume you're an outsider. I'll send you a link of Raffles' historical timeline too that you should read up"
"Triple threat, major confidence, know the school story. I got it"
Veronica raised a brow, silently asking if Betty's ready for it yet. She popped a piece of shrimp into her mouth "Ready to try the interviews?"
"Go ahead. Give me your worst"
"What is your purpose of being here today? Did mommy and daddy force you to make them proud?" She puts on the best professional voice, contradicting the very out of bounds question. It's just a starting point to get Betty's grill going.
"I know I'd be eligible to attend Tisch School of Arts at New York University" she sat up taller, straighter, speaking in a very assured and confident tone. Veronica would give her points for that, she sounds convincing.
"And why should you be chosen amongst the exclusive acceptance?"
"Why should I be chosen? Well I'm Elizabeth Cooper and, I know I'm cut out for it"
Veronica's face fell. "Nice work on confidence. But you can't just keep repeating 'I know I can get this' you have to tell them how you can prove yourself and why you want it"
"Okay, okay I know that" Betty paced the space in front of Veronica's bed. On top of it, Ronnie couldn't be more relaxed. She liked coaching people, though she doesn't do it often. Not many are worthy the tutelage of Veronica Lodge, after all.
"Everything that Tisch wants in a student you have to make it visible in you, okay? Major. What's your major?"
"Drama, it requires acting, directing, design and playwriting; all activities I can train myself in here at Raffles"
"That's good" she squints her eyes, lips forming into that proud little smirk that makes her heart race excitedly "That's really good."
After what Veronica deemed a successful interview portion, she sat Betty down for some keynotes of things to say and spark conversation with the deans to make things more interesting. The two of them sat crossed legged on the big white bed, door shut and the curtains open to a dark starry night out there.
"Presentation is key as well. You don't have to get big name brands, of course, if you can't afford them. Just make sure it looks chic or vintage enough to be timeless and work it well. Oh - also, heels are a must"
Betty frowned. "I hate heels. I can't wear them at this big event, I'll be too nervous to stay balanced! After all it's not like I have nice new ones suitable enough and I don't have time to go out and buy some -"
"Chill Betty. You can borrow one of mine. Showing up at Ivy Reps in a pair of flats? That's barbaric"
"You're so dramatic" she teased lovingly.
"That's what you have to be. Now remember - don't take yourself too seriously, have fun and be friendly. For every three things you say about yourself, ask them one about themselves so you appear interested in them. Don't mention politics or religion because it's the most controversial subject and anything you say might turn them off. Oh, and don't be so well - spoken like a robot. Real people don't do that"
She nodded anxiously, taking it all in. All of this seems very heavy to seep into her skin and remember, but she has to make sure she secures herself at the college she's dreamt of for years. And turn away every old part of herself, to become as magnificent and poise a woman as Veronica is, as Cheryl Blossom is, even Jellybean who is two years younger than her.
They went over her outfit for the day - really Betty asked Veronica to help her choose because she'd probably end up looking way too business formal. The dress Veronica produces from her closet is a white tunic top and flowy black skirt falling mid thigh - it's 'collegiate chic' as Veronica puts it. They try on their dresses, Betty's actually fits her like a glove and she does like how important and grown up it makes her feel.
Veronica on the other hand has a blue velvet dress with long sleeves that fits her snug, cut out neckline that she adores, and it too falls right in the middle of her thighs. She has these gorgeous electric blue strappy heels to match the outfit, and Betty has to take a few seconds to take in how stunning Veronica looks.
"Remember the thing I told you about walking in a room and owning it? I mean it. You can't let yourself go unnoticed by the people around you. It makes a huge difference"
"But how do I do that if I feel so - intimidated? All you guys have this down, you've probably been ready since middle school. I have no idea how to be confident and collected and fierce like you are. I can't pretend to be"
Veronica stops smoothing out the back of her dress, turning fully so she's facing Betty in the mirror's reflection. Her expression is serious and gone a little cold.
"You don't think I feel insecure too? And unsure of myself? Of course I do, all the time. But you can't afford to let people see you crack, be weak. I have to go out there and pretend I never second guess myself, never doubt myself. Fake it until you make it, you know? It will come naturally after a long time of practice, trust me"
Betty nodded firmly. She isn't going to let herself or anybody else down. That's when Veronica picked up the soft silk headband they'd bought at Barneys and placed it perfectly into her hair, completing the look with elegance and class.
"We can do this Betty Cooper. I believe in you. Got it?"
"Got it"
(x.x.x.x)
Veronica thought she had seen the last of Betty when she watched the blonde girl ride down the elevator, proceeding to keep her fancy dress and slip under her white sheets to fall into a much needed sleep. Tomorrow is an early day, and a strenuous one at that, wherein all her energy would be needed. But when her phone starts buzzing uncontrollably she sits up so fast it might've caused whiplash. Her eyes hurt from the bright screen, but it confuses her more to see Betty's caller id glaring back at her.
What the hell?
A part of her considered just throwing the phone to the floor, really. It's two in the freaking morning and she has to be up in like four hours! But after what happened to Josie, and just the fact that Betty calling her at two am carries some seldom importance, she decides against herself to pick the phone up.
"Hey Betty what is it?" Veronica said when she answered the phone, sinking into the heavy pillows behind her tiredly.
"Are your parents home? I really need to talk to you" Betty said softly through the phone. Veronica could hear her sniffling so she knew something must have happened.
"What's going on Betty? Why are you crying?" She sat more uprightly this time. This wasn't the mood she left Betty in just five hours before, giddy and happy.
"Can Polly and I come over right now? Just for a while I swear I just - my mom, and I need a place to go just for a moment. Would your parents mind?"
"Of course you can Betty and my parents aren't home. But you're starting to scare me, what the hell happened? Do you need me to send a car to pick you up somewhere?"
"No, Polly can drive" she gulped "I'll explain everything to you when I get there" Betty responded before hanging up.
About thirty minutes later they arrived at the Pembrooke Penthouse. Veronica had sent them up immediately, not wanting them waiting in the lobby with unnecessary security precautions at this hour.
She took in the sisters' less than good appearance. Polly looked like she had bruised blue shadows under her eyes, not the cheerful girl she sees at school. And Betty just looks downright shattered, duffel bag hauled over left shoulder. Veronica isn't sure if Betty forgot she had put mascara on her before but it's now all run down her pale skin and she looks to much like she did another time she showed up here late at night it makes Veronica's heart shake.
"Polly? Betty? Did something happen, did someone hurt you guys? You look terrible" she asked them as they sat down on the first floor lounge sofa.
"No that's not it... gosh I have no idea how to say this" Betty croaked out. It's usually vice versa, the older sister talks for both of them, but now Polly doesn't look like she could string a sentence together. She's motionless, detached from the world.
"Tell me what's going on so I can.. so I can help you" she ends softly. Veronica realises she isn't used to comforting people exactly, and maybe Betty is the one teaching her some kind of lesson tonight.
The younger girl looked at her older sister expectantly, Polly groaned in return. She couldn't bare to meet either of their eyes. "I.. I.. oh god it's making me sick just thinking about the words" she said as she buried her face in her hands.
The air around them became colder, sending goosebumps up Veronica's bare arms in a little fear.
"Come on guys you came to my house at two in the morning so stop being so damn cryptic and just say it, you're scaring me honestly" Veronica said agitated.
It took a moment, a long slow moment where Betty stared at the carpeting and Polly became delved into a shower of tears, her throat choking up the words.
"I'm pregnant" Polly whispered, just as a tear ran down her cheek.
Veronica's eyes grew wide awake. She didn't know what she was expecting but it wasn't this. This was the last thing she expected and the last thing she's ready to hear. After her initial shock she looked at a clearly distraught Polly and reached out to put her hand on hers.
"Well are you completely sure?"
"Yes" Betty sat up suddenly, breaking apart the connected hands. "Mom must have had some kind of maternal instinct and she went on a crazy rampage, tearing apart her room and found the pregnancy tests. It was like a nightmare seriously, she threw Polly out of the house like her heart meant it"
"Oh my god" she gasped "Wait how long have you known?"
"Just three days" Polly croaked painfully.
"With... with Jason?" Veronica's mind started turning for the worst.
"Yes, of course"
Shit. This is bad, and not just as bad as it was before. Veronica couldn't hide her distress in body language. The Blossoms - have a grand baby from their teenage son out of wedlock? And with a girl from less fortunate status than themselves? What it is is a disaster waiting to rain down on them.
"You have to tell him" she says quickly
"No. Not yet, he'll freak out and god knows what else will happen I just can't handle it"
"Well you have to at least tell Cheryl then!"
"Cheryl? Seriously V, are you joking?" Betty eyed her all condescendingly.
Veronica shook her head. "She's the type of person who puts all aside when her own bloodline is involved, trust me. Look I can't have this talk about wether or not you want to keep it because I'm sure you'll be thinking it through, but one thing's for sure. Even if you don't want to tell Cheryl yet, you have to pull yourself from the routine tomorrow"
"What are you kidding? That would piss Cheryl off like hellfire she'll hate her even more"
"Not as pissed as she'll be if you collapse in the middle of the field or puke in front of our big competitors. After all - you could get hurt. Just find a way to get out of that routine okay? So we can reblock it at final practice tomorrow"
Polly nodded, understanding that there's no other way around it with her situation. There was a long pause when the three of them just couldn't speak, but then Polly immediately started sobbing. Betty turned sideways and wrapped her arms around her, tightly, protectively."The Blossoms.." she sobbed "they're going to rain hellfire on me"
It took everything in Veronica not to cry. She knew just like Polly knew The Blossoms would be strictly against having this child. This complicates matters so much more. She could only imagine how Cheryl would take it, and she also knows Jason isn't ready to handle being a dad right now.
"It's going to be okay Polly I promise" Betty whispered as she cradled Polly's head in her lap.
"I'm here for you too. No matter what" Veronica reached out to her. "You can stay here for as long as you want and need. I can get a room no problem, you can even stay here with me if you need company"
"Veronica.. I couldn't. What about your parents?" She raised her head to look in the brunette's eyes.
"Please. I'd be able to hide a baby and keep it for six months without my parents noticing, this place is huge and they aren't as attentive to me as they think. There's a lot of things they don't know. Now, you should just rest and sleep. We can figure this out after the game tomorrow."
Polly thanked her profusely, and Veronica left to get the thickest blankets she could for them. When she finally did, she stopped at the stairwell - watching the scene of two sisters so obviously breaking down with each other.
"Listen to me" Betty said firmly "I don't care what mom or dad tries to do, or The Blossoms. I won't let them hurt you. You're going to make your own decisions about this baby you're carrying. I wasn't agreeing about your relationship with Jason before but that doesn't matter, I'm here now for you and the baby. I don't care what it takes nobody is going to do anything to you. I promise"
Veronica listened tentatively, not believing that she was in this position or more so that now, all her friends were put in a precarious position. Cheryl and Jason, whom she'd known since she was child like skinny and hadn't even started dating Archie. Jason who didn't care about girls yet at the time, all he focused on was football and golf with his father. She imagines a fifteen year old Cheryl, she didn't fill in her eyebrows as well back then, she strutted around in her cheerleader uniform and told stories about car rides with the other JV girls after practice to show off to Veronica. Are they ready to take this on? She knows deep inside Cheryl will be supportive, anything for Jason. But it isn't lost on her that the world, their parents specifically, won't be making this as easy as it could be. It's going to turn lives into mayhem.
"Hey, can I take those?" Betty pointed towards the white blankets in Veronica's hand.
"Oh - yeah sure." She'd been so lost in thought sitting on the stairwell she hadn't even realised Betty had come up to her.
In a minute, the blonde girl reappeared and Veronica turned the lights to a darker hue so it's more comforting for Polly. They started walking towards the kitchen, silence lingering between them.
"I can't thank you enough for this. Really, V you're a life saver. God my head feels like it's going to explode"
"Of course, it's not a problem. Here, I know we shouldn't before cheering tomorrow but I think right now we all need some comfort food" she held out a carton of Häagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream and slid it across the counter.
"Thanks. Beware, eating the whole carton in one serving is normal for me" Betty warned
"Knock yourself out." Veronica also took a spoon and started nipping at the sides of the chocolatey creamy goodness. "How bad did you parents take it? I mean is she ever going to talk to your sister again?"
"I don't know. But she said... horrible things. Said Polly isn't her daughter anymore and, I hope she'd regret it if she heard herself back again. I don't know what's going to happen from here on out, V. But right now our lives are going to change forever"
"I still can't believe it" Veronica's mind is still awash in memories of Cheryl and Jason; the student body president with his wide trustworthy eyes the kind of perfect boy every parent wants their daughter to bring home, and the firecracker friend of hers doing flips next to her just twelve hours ago. "If you need me to do anything, just ask okay? I'll be there for you too, no matter what."
"Thanks." Betty put her hand on Veronica's "I love you V"
(x.x.x.x)
They worked through a systematic morning routine with not much sleep. Both girls eating heaps of fresh fruit and eggs for energy. Veronica acquainted Polly with her personal caretaker Carrie, making sure to have her at Polly's beck and call if she ever needed anything. They were tying the the white ribbons in their hair, spraying copious amounts of hairspray to keep the high ponytail in place and prevent any flyaways when Veronica realised she usually just does this alone. It feels nice to have somebody else checking over your appearance and making sure everything is in tact.
Andre drove both of them to school, bare legs shaking with nerves in their uniforms. The scene outside school is just as lively as it usually is before games. The football team is having a drill with Coach Raco, and the cheerleaders are running their number on the tracks outside right in front of where the big bus is parked.
"Finally you guys are here" Cheryl snapped. Her eyes switched between both girls suspiciously.
"We're not even late, Cher" Veronica reasoned
"Well we have major reblocking to do after your sister bailed on us. I knew we should've never let amateurs not up for commitment on my squad" she threw in Betty's direction.
They exchanged glances with a bite of their lips, remembering to keep cool otherwise Cheryl will figure out everything. "Fine. Let's start, okay? Oh, also your hair looks really good" Veronica comments to Cheryl's fiery red hair all pulled up into the same style as theirs, her white bow much bigger and jewelled with rhinestones to signify her position as the captain.
"Thanks" she pursed her lips tightly, turning around sharply to lead them forward.
When both teams are quite finished and satisfied with themselves, Coach Casey and Coach Raco have talked through the itinerary for the day between both parties they represent; its time to board the bus. The Bulldogs go in first only because Cheryl insisted The Vixens had to run their number as many times as possible, otherwise it would have been ladies first. Now that they're all older and both coaches are pretty chill - they let the kids choose their own seating unless there's too much commotion then they'll have to switch.
Veronica's adamant to choose one of the seats in the middle because she just knows all the Bulldogs will save a seat for her at the back of the bus. Specifically Archie, Reggie and Jason, but really all of them like her and Cheryl sitting close by so they can mess around together. It's tradition of theirs, though today Veronica can't handle sitting on a close proximity bus ride with the Blossoms twins.
Just as she's pulling Betty up the stairs with her, a strong hand pulls her back and stops her.
"Jug - what are you doing here? It's Saturday!" Both girls say at the same time.
"I need to talk to you" he says seriously. "Please, just a moment"
She glances back at the girls piling in and taking up all the middle space, and curses herself. "Hurry what is it?"
"Come here!" The very out of comfort zone (amongst all blue and gold sportsmen) pulls Veronica's arm even further away. Nobody else can hear this. "Look I was working all night long and flipping through the candidates of politicians that stood up for Senator Brooks' vacant seat. I couldn't get it out of my head"
Oh god, Veronica is already feeling a headache bubble at the top of her head. Both her and Betty have their arms crossed, but Betty is wearing a more invested expression.
"I know I said Xander St Clair is running for the spot, because he practically sold his campaigning to us Prep students - but I was searching the dark web and guess who else had been running for the spot? Manfred Muggs. And he was pretty deep in the race too, before all of a sudden Mr St Clair reigned supreme! I checked the timeline and it was exactly around the time when Ethel took her cranberry juice justice on you. You were right, Veronica. Everything you said about business and politics was right. It all makes sense"
"What makes sense?" Betty's blonde ponytail shook expressively.
"The Muggs were the ones who put the hit on Josie as a hit to your parents Veronica - all Mr Muggs connections with Lodge Industries are lost."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, your father must have let him go for some reason to elevate the St Clairs campaign, and now he's vengeful!" Jughead was almost bursting at the seams. If it weren't for a subtle soft pat on the arm from Betty that calmed him down, he'd just foam at the mouth.
Veronica took all of it in and calculated carefully. Yes, it makes sense. It all becomes clear, and tied neatly with a bow. Muggs put a hit on Josie to threaten Hiram, for some deal? It's almost too clean and obvious. But if he were the one to publicly expose her way back in the summer, for what? That doesn't add up. And what does her parents have going on with The St Clairs?
"Girls! Come on we're gonna leave!" A shout from Coach Casey inside called to them. They were brought to awareness that everyone else was already seated and they were the only ones still standing outside, clean cut cheerleaders suspiciously talking to the lurky reporter from the prep school.
"Look Jug, we have to go. I can't talk about this right now, but we will go back to this okay?"
He gave her a tired, exasperated look, and Veronica saw that he's just as invested in her life and safety as a great friend should be.
"We'll see you later Jug"
Her and Betty boarded the bus, Veronica grumbling when of course the only seats left were right at the back. She sank deep inside, ignoring all The Bulldogs jeers and thriving excitement, watching Jughead standing on the track getting smaller and smaller with all her unanswered questions too as the bus moved away.
(x.x.x.x)
The crowd is roaring with excitement already when we make it to the stadium. Cupertino High School isn't any private institution like our school, but they sure have strong sportsmanship and fierce passion, Archie thinks. His head is a little bowed as they make their way in, surrounded by students and parents who look at them like they're celebrities or something. He guesses its mostly Cheryl and Veronica and their crew, eating up the attention while knowing to work a crowd - ever the oblivious he is to the fact that many girls are in fact looking at him for being so handsome.
"Hello! Welcome to our little public school. Look forward to a fair game" one scrawny boy greeted them. Reggie, who for some reason is uber snobby here just shakes his hand and nods curtly. The boy has pale skin, he's probably an inch taller than Archie and is splattered with freckles. Archie offers a nervous smile.
The smell of concession stand food, hot dogs and fizzy drinks fills the air while they're getting ready for first half. Archie is revolted by the obvious scent of stale nacho chips and molten yellow lava they pass off as cheese, scrunching his nose when one kid passes him by with it. He blocks all of it out and tries to jiggle his nerves, unsuccessfully.
It's about half a minute to when the girls run out, all decked and in Bulldogs spirit; he can feel the anticipation drumming in his toes. Just then, what seemed like the most perfect image of all time presented itself to him. Screams obliterate their hearing, all Vixens gone full manic mode ready to run out and steal the spectators' hearts. There's such a wild flurry of different hair colours and skin tones that pass him by, all the other boys smirk appreciatively at them, but Archie only focuses when he sees a raven haired ponytail and one tiny girl with larger than life energy and a 30 on the back of her uniform. Before he can even stop himself, Archie reaches out and catches Veronica by the arm.
Her face is startled. He can see the tiredness and stress on her face because he knows it's there, but otherwise it's well hidden under her stage makeup and you would've not noticed it. All the spinning and jumbled up emotions deep inside his stomach stop, when he looks into her wide eyes and feels solely the burning that is coming from his bare skin against hers. It's like that night at the Emma show all over again, when nothing could calm her nerves except to see him in the wings.
"Ronnie.. are we good?" He asks uncertainly.
God this boy has horrible timing. He would've asked are you good after seeing her intense talk with Jughead earlier, but instead this is all he can think about. She knows what it means, for them, it means... are we.. back together? That's just what's expected after a fight.
Veronica stares up into his eyes and curses herself so hard for almost falling for it, almost just willing to throw herself in his arms and kiss him senseless until all the passion inside her body is empty with his, and make this the best day of their lives.
But she knows, how complicated things would be and how much she still has to figure out. So she refrains from letting him in and it hurts, it hurts so bad. It hurts so much she wishes he never had the power over her like this, the only one who's got enough of me to break my heart.
"No, Archie. We're.. we're not -"
"Come on girls! Time to shine - let's show Cupertino how the Vixens open a game!" Cheryl interrupts all of their thoughts and banter before Veronica can finish. She figures it's for the best, backing away slowly while the electric on their skin fades away too.
"Good luck Archiekins. Just look for me on the sidelines"
And he does. He suddenly realises how much of his world revolves around Veronica Lodge, this fierce woman who's taken his heart by storm and is unforgiving with her attitude. Admittedly, Thunderhots are a more than advanced level skilled group of players. All of them have flawless technique and are well built - it's a solid fight against Raffles' Bulldogs.
When the first touchdown happens, Veronica can feel the bleachers above began to shake with the power of the pumped up crowd. She yelled in amazement with Scarlett and Betty on either side of her, starry eyes gazing out to their home players. In that moment you could see the crowd, the entire (small) but passionate Raffles team crowd on their feet, standing on the seats of the bleachers celebrating the first of what was sure to be many touchdowns, judging by The Bulldogs record.
Cupertino Warrior POMs is the dance equal of our Raffles Vixens, they perform first during halftime. Majority of chatter from them while both squads hung around close by is the POMs bashing them. It slowly started to dawn on the Vixens that no one on POMs likes them, snidely whispering about slutty uniforms and supposedly 'sexy' dance portion.
"Don't listen to them" Veronica says loudly, making sure to draw attention to whoever's around. "We don't need this cattiness, let's just go out there and show spirit alright?"
"NO TO CATTINESS!" Someone from the Bulldogs screams as they pile into the halftime locker room. All Vixens laugh, while the Cupertino Warriors seem to have just scurried off embarrassedly.
"We're Blue! And Gold! We're Dy - Na - Mite! We'll take you down and fight! Whoo! Go Bulldogs!" There's a lot of amazed screaming at the end of their routine, finishing with two tall complex pyramids joined together. Veronica knows everyone's looking at her standing tall at the very top with her leg pined in the air behind her back, and she's more than proud of herself.
Not many people can hold a scorpion that long and with particularly challenging balance, but she worked to get it right as surely as she is a perfectionist. Nothing can beat this adrenaline rush she's feeling right now, and as she round off back hand springed across the field Veronica realises she doesn't know how she's going to live once all of this comes to an end.
Their legs are like gummy worms with unlimited jolts of energy afterwards, so incredibly exhausted but way too pumped to watch the second half to give in to it. Now that they're more than fifty minutes into the game, it's a steady 2 - 3 with the Cupertino Thunderhots carrying home team power with their 3.
But Bulldogs aren't going to give up. They're so much more aggressive in the second half, determined to win this match it hypes everyone watching even more. Archie, Jason and Reggie ran to the pitch, receiving an occasional 'boo' from the home team crowd but the Vixens' cheering was overwhelmingly loud. Almost as soon as Archie felt the ball leave his hands with expertise aim, the ball made contact with the net. A goal! He didn't want to celebrate too much because he knew that was only one step of many to come.
Right when that happened Veronica burst into firecracker squeals and jumps, her whole body coming alive after seeing Archie nail that one play like a complete pro.
"Go Andrews!" She screamed as loud as possible into the field, stopping only to clap even harder and shake her pom poms like life depended on it.
Suddenly, the red head of hair turned around and he looked up to look right into her eyes - goofy smile all proud of her enthusiasm. Oh shit, that wasn't for him to hear! She wanted to coward away all embarrassed but she couldn't really wipe this uncontrollable smile off her face, not when Archie is smiling up at her like he's her white knight come to take his princess and live their happily ever after.
The other cheerleaders are clapping too, but Veronica's the only one so wildly enthralled about it - and when Archie dead freezes on the field, his eyes trained on Veronica and her bouncing off with joy, his chest heaving, jaw agape slightly, everybody notices.
Even all the other Vixens giggle and shove her playfully for it. One lady from the crowd taps her on the shoulder, leaning forward to ask. "Is that your boyfriend?"
If it were any other moment, she'd clam up and act cool. But not right now, not with her dream boy still gazing at her awestruck and their connection clear across the field. "He's something" she just replies honestly.
Eventually Moose has to hit Archie hard enough to get back into playing, the last twenty minutes on the clock with just one more shot that'll beat them out of their current tie with the Cupertino Thunderhots.
As the clock wined down, all Archie could see is tunnel vision and how to get this ball into his hands before it all disappears right before him.
Thunderhots had it - but the ball blocked by Bulldogs' goalie Taylor at the last minute. All this that and between, swapping out players and communicating with eye contact, making sure to never stay too close as to lose sight of the bigger picture.
"You boys brought the fire from back home over here and conquered them so far in their own stomping grounds.Even if we lose you've proved how well you work as a team, and maybe that is how we'll leave it. But with ten minutes left on the clock, like hell am I going to give up now. I'm putting my best bets forward. All that I said yesterday, first line, go!" Coach Raco slammed his hand hard and encouragingly on their backs with meaning, sending each and every player back out to win this game.
"1,2,3, Bulldogs!" They hansed in before spreading out together.
Archie blinked way too many times, losing focus and coming back in.
"Okay V just breathe. Archie can still win this thing and save it" Betty nudged Veronica with her elbow, a sure snap in her pressed lips.
Veronica already knows this, but she's praying and praying that he'll look up at her one more time so she can give him one more shout of support that she just knows he'll need.
"Come on Archie, come on" she tapped her feet impatiently, eyes on the boy looking straight ahead.
Reggie got the ball between two Thunderhots, snapping everything back into proper focus as it should be. If they win this later on, they'll have to thank Reggie for getting the ball back in their hands. He passes it to Trev, looking frantic as minutes fade away.
"Come on, come on" Archie muttered quietly, needing Reggie to pass to him.
"Ball! Ball!" Reggie shouted. Loud, over the screams and cheers, over the deafening whistles in their own heads. Trev moved like a pro, throwing the ball back at Reggie who, now in perfect position, sends it straight two feet into Archie's hands.
"Mantle passes off to Archibald Andrews!" The sports commentator announces. For a brief moment Veronica thinks this school must make fun of all their fancy first class names.
Then, Archie moves - he hustles through like a jaguar not giving up and right when the timing strikes perfectly he knows he has to find courage to make the goal.
His eyes flicker left side, every single pair of eyeballs looking at him but his attention is on her; angel with two pom poms held above her head and a distinct nod of approval - it's all he needs. 5,4,3,2,1 . The countdown only spurring him on, Archie chances all his luck and looks away from her just to score this goal.
Success.
"TIME!! Archibald Andrews made final strike breaking all ties loose - I can't believe it! Raffles Bulldogs are champions at last!!"
The whole stadium bursts like it's confines have finally been released, every person standing up and roaring with exuberance even if it isn't their hometeam that won the game. Pure anticipation and how close that last goal became made everyone hyped up.
Archie skidded across the grass, yelling out some expletives while all his other teammates piled on top of him like haystacks out of happiness - the hard win and tough journey pronounced in that moment.
This is a surprising win which caused a great sensation in the ground, literally shaking. The Vixens take off from their positions and run out to celebrate victory, running head first into their champions' league.
Veronica runs faster than almost anyone else, her speed only matched by that of head cheerleader Cheryl Blossom. She turns and looks at her, out of instinct, and right then they're so overjoyed by the win that it shines over any beef they have between them and they just smile at each other - pearly and bright eyed.
"Archie! Oh my god! Amazing last goal!" She screeched into his ear but he didn't mind it, much more excited that she's just letting him this close to her and how happy she looks like nothing bothering is on her mind.
"I couldn't make it without you" he promises, hands circling around her waist like they always do for embrace. Veronica can pretend to be all tough she wants, but a furious blush comes on her cheeks when Archie is holding her like this under all the shining lights and it feels like they just won life - nothing could be burst their bubble.
That is, until she watched Archie's face drain from joy into a confused stare, eyes looking somewhere behind her. She has her arms wrapped around his neck but he slowly lets go of her waist and she slides down him fast enough to see Cheryl take off running, from where she was standing right next to them before.
Archie is about to ask her something, but Veronica touches his chest gently before telling him not to worry before running after the girl.
I always do this. Running after Cheryl, like chasing fire. I'm always chasing fire.
Veronica chased the girl all the way back to the girls' bathroom, which is empty because everyone else is outside still part of the scene. She slows down from the far run with a loud exhale, stepping inside slowly now. Cheryl is leaning against one of the cold sinks, her face crumpled up with hot tears streaming endlessly.
"Cher.. what's wrong? What happened?"
"You don't get it" she hiccuped. Veronica took a daring step closer, Cheryl turns away the closer she gets. "You don't understand"
"Tell me Cherry, tell me what it is I don't understand" she says softly. This is the first time they've talked that isn't snarky back and forth, now she can see all Cheryl's walls breaking down for some reason unknown.
They stood still, only movement in Cheryl's jerky shoulders every time she jolted with pain. Veronica looked at her so precisely. She knows something about her, that Cheryl doesn't even know yet. An Aunty, Cher. You're going to be and Aunt.
"I'm alone" She whispered darkly "I'm alone."
Veronica moved right next to her this time. She put her arm around Cheryl's shoulders and rubbed them down, fingers stranding through her hair for comfort. "I am here. You're not alone, I'm here."
The older girl couldn't handle it. She was too pent up with emotion. Especially with Veronica being so kind to run after her, after all she's done is be a bitch to the girl, she still always sticks by. It's like the light that keeps chasing down every dark path in a tunnel, and Cheryl shivers when she realises Veronica is so much more of a light than anybody would ever believe.
"You were right. You were completely right, Little V. When you said I was jealous of you; I couldn't stand to see you and Archie so happy together. Even if you were broken up, you could still be together. I'm spiteful and horrible and I was a jealous bitch Veronica, I'm sorry"
"Hey it's okay" Veronica held Cheryl's head as she cried even harder. It's weird seeing her so puffy eyed and red nosed. "Why would you be jealous of us, though? You found your one and bright"
"It's part of the reason why I've been so... bitter lately. My parents they - they've been trying to keep Toni and I apart. We haven't seen each other in weeks"
"Oh my god, Cher" Veronica couldn't believe the audacity of Mr and Mrs Blossom, the lengths they'd go to tear apart two lovers.
"It's not an excuse. But I don't understand it!"
"Understand what?" Veronica asked softly. The red head seemed more frustrated than sad now.
"Me. I don't understand why my life has to be so cruel - what did I do to deserve this? While everybody else is enjoying their love life and just .. just whatever they want. I feel so trapped. Tell me why it has to be this way?!" She cried desperately.
This is when Archie finally caught up with his slow walk to where the girls had disappeared, stopping before the open door where he could see and hear Cheryl and Veronica leaning against the sinks.
"Cheryl, I don't know what to say. I can't explain why your life is the way it is but I'm sorry. And it's not hopeless"
Cheryl turned back around, fast enough to startle her, fast enough for Archie to gasp when she wrapped her arms around Veronica like a yearning child long separated from its guardian. It's when Archie's heart catches with the tenderness of Veronica's care and lovingness, that she rarely shows to anyone.
"About everything before... I am so sorry Veronica. Sincerely. I was so mean, and you're a great enough friend I can't lose." She held onto the younger girl's hand tightly, the other still slung over her shoulder.
Veronica blinked up into her tear stained eyes at a lost for words. "Well, I had it coming with all the shit I said to you too. I should've known something was going on, or at least figured it out"
"I hate that I destructed you like that. From now on, I promise to be as supportive to you as you've always been to me, V. Like I should have been a long time ago"
Veronica smiled, twinkling and meaningful before wiping away the rest of Cheryl's left over tears with the back of her hand. "Weird huh? Two fights in a bathroom and one make up? It's like bathrooms are our thing or something" she questioned while Cheryl splashed cold water on the burning skin of her face.
The other girl laughed, throat tender from crying and all the screaming she did before as well. "You said it's a mean girl's background, so you were right"
"As I usually am" Veronica prompted
"Come on, let's get out of here" they linked their arms together and were about to leave feeling more than accomplished, shocked to find Archie standing there with a fond expression at both of them.
"Storm rained over?" He more specifically means on speaking terms again?
Cheryl and Veronica look at each other, nodding. "We are" Veronica grins back at Archie playfully
"Course we are"
(x.x.x.x)
The bus ride home is far from a humbling one, too much madness from hyper excited students who just won a big game. Practically nobody is sitting down, though Coaches don't mind because they're both chatting at ease in the front seat. It feels good to finally be able to celebrate and dance in between Cheryl and Betty, losing herself to the music somebody's playing now that amends have finally been made. This will also be some of the final moments of peace in their life before news of the offspring Polly Cooper's carrying will inevitably take its toll.
For now everybody stays moving and grooving, Archie and some of the other jocks are piled in the back seat because they're so tired but still shouting about nothing in particular.
Veronica eventually left the little strew of madness happening up front, to head over to where Archie is. After so long she's felt a lot of fear, an emotion she doesn't enjoy. It's leaving her burning and coiling and she has to feel something else.
"Move over boys!" She announces to Reggie and some other guy. They scramble up and cheer stupidly to let her slide in next to Archie, who's worn out and happy to see her.
"Hey you" he says softly at her
Instead, Veronica lifts herself onto his lap facing him, legs on either side of his thighs with a little innocent giggle.
"Woah hey - thought you said we aren't back together?" He's grinning as their noses touch and nuzzle against one another, his hand taking some time to find her waist.
"We aren't" she breathed "but winners deserve to be rewarded, right?"
He's so lost in all of her, from the pretty little jewels embedded on her eyelids for the game and the precise shape of her sharp brows. Her gorgeous smile, the one anchoring him all through the game, and he's stupidly in love with her.
"You are such a star, Archie Andrews. Out there today, and everyday" she tells him with their lips just slightly apart.
"You are too" Archie is stroking the soft exposed skin between my cheer top and skirt, inching the top higher "You look so good in this"
Veronica laughed lightly, her fingers grazing his jaw and just admiring how beautiful he is. It isn't until she lifts herself a little higher and sits directly on top of his zipper that Archie felt himself twitch shamelessly.
He smells so good. Like pure boy smell, after a fresh shower although she didn't get one. Veronica doesn't hide the obviousness as she wafts down to his neck and inhales the smell. Archie tensed, so worked up that he couldn't figure out what to do with his hands next and fumbled with her hem.
"You're moving your hands like you don't know where to put them" she moves from his neck briefly to tease him.
"Yeah. I'm trying not to put them anywhere you don't want them" he joked. They'd cross all physical lines with each other of course, but since breaking up he just didn't know what Veronica wanted.
"Don't worry" she grabbed his wrists and put them on the top of her thighs, long finger just barely underneath the skirt "You can do this"
Her breathy voice effortlessly seducing him, Archie could already feel himself giving a push upwards at that one. He recognised the look in her eyes too, she wants to get off. "Are you sure we should do this in the bus? People could see"
"No one's looking" Veronica said a little more pitched. He looked forward, all their friends still preoccupied with the karaoke going on up front.
He only began to realise his fingers were slowly and delicately rubbing her thighs. Some newfound recklessness - or desperation to be with Veronica, moved him to gently ease his finger under the hem of her skirt, crawling up and inching up her thigh. Every thought of her is making him harder, and there's no hiding that it's poking straight up into her and she can feel it. The craving he's had for her took over completely.
Archie's fingers kept on massaging up the inside of her thigh, well under her skirt by now. They don't have much time with this though so he gently pulled on both of her thighs to softly but forcibly pulling her thighs even further apart. Veronica let out a very quiet and gentle moan and opened up her legs for him, arms locked behind his head.
Enamoured by her, Archie moved his right hand past the spandex dance shorts they wear underneath cheer uniforms and rubbed his fingers up and down the material, feeling her dampness.
He rubbed her through it, tracing her wet slit and feeling the edge of the shorts where they meet the curve of the inside of her thigh. Veronica moved her head closer to his ear, breathing loudly to indicate how turned on she is but also providing hot breath on Archie's neck that spurred him.
Softly, and breathily, she whispered to him "You're making me want you"
"Me too baby" he whispered back. Still looking out for anybody who might notice them, luckily seeing none.
She felt his fingers slip inside her dance shorts and found her pussy and she knew she couldn't stop. She was so wet, he could feel how slick her labia is. He pushed his fingers between her lips and felt her opening. Her legs spread even wider for him and he pushed a finger into her. Veronica jolted forward, not bearing the overwhelming pleasure that came over her just then. Still, his smell in the close proximity is so intoxicating and with his finger deep indie her, she's driven over the edge with pleasure.
Veronica felt amazing, so tight and wet and Archie let out a deep moan at how amazing she felt. He pushed his finger slowly into her and started a steady rhythm inside her. Archie added a second finger, causing her to squirm and gasp again. He worked his fingers inside her while his thumb rubbed her clit, his lips trailing soft kisses up and down her bare neck.
Veronica's breathing got even more intense and she was bucking her hips in order to get more friction. Her hands hugged him closer to him, and Archie lifted one hand up to ghost at the front of her cheer top. He started to grab and squeeze her breast through the dress, smiling against her skin.
"You know your chest is all red and blushing? You're pretty cute when you're flustered" he jokes quietly.
Veronica all but sinks her fingers into him, hating how easily he can still make her blush after all these years. Archie rubbed the skin of her chest that isn't covered by the top, travelling up to her shoulder. He's so glad for the cover of darkness and all their friends ignorant as Veronica gets carried away with her pleasure.
"Fuck.. oh fuck.. fuck" Veronica whispered into Archie's ear "I'm going to cum.."
Archie thrusted his fingers harder into her, feeling her walls clench around him. She full on kissed him now, their lips colliding in a sloppy but passionate kiss that's so heartfelt it breaks him. Veronica's breath hitched in her throat for a few seconds, pulling apart from the kiss as her orgasm rocked through her body.
Eventually when her body calmed down, Archie pulled his finger out and licked them clean quite mischievously. Veronica smirked, holding his face in her hands and kissing him one more time to feel the fruitful fullness of his lips. She felt giddy and relaxed after the orgasm.
"What about you?" Veronica asked, ruffling her favourite shade of red hair between her fingers. Their faces were so close its almost hilarious.
"Not now" Archie bumped his nose with hers. "We're reaching school already" and with that Veronica slid off Archie and cuddled up close next to him. His hand on her back, her hands on his chest, looking out the window and talking to each other as scenery passes by. They don't care if any of their friends in here see that they've rekindled - what's important is she feels safe and light and happy and Archie knows he never wants to lose the fun only Veronica can bring into his life.
A/N: Hello people! Sorry about the longer wait, but well it's here now.
Aren't Varchie such rebels in that last scene?
I know many of you will be surprised by the events in this chapter ~ polly's pregnancy ~ but this was planned all along and is an intergal part of the storyline. Tell me what you thought of that, and anything else in this chapter?
Feel free to hit me up on tumblr too @ff16xo
Feeling uninspired so show me some love :)