The rest of the day doesn't go by fast enough for Cheryl. Maybe it's her excitement for tonight's date causing the minutes to feel like hours. She's never felt so giddy in her life. Even when she had asked Veronica on a date, she had more hesitation than anything else. Her nerves consuming her for most of the day, fear sneaking its way into her mind. This time however, she couldn't be more ecstatic. Her girlfriend asked her out on a proper date, and this time they both know the intentions behind their evenings activities. There's no room for heartbreak, they both want this, there's no doubt about that.
While the day dragged on, it's not to say it was boring. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Cheryl had a field day watching people who were quite obviously watching her. Seeing people's reactions to her and Veronica walking down the hall hand in hand were quite hilarious. Sure, they had that infamous hallway kiss yesterday, but those who weren't actually there to witness the event had a hard time believing the validity of the situation.
However, now that the girls were walking the halls of Riverdale high, hand in hand, and not in the way some best friends do, but in an intimate way, fingers threaded together, shoulders brushing together because they couldn't possibly be standing any closer. It was all the confirmation the naysayers needed to believe the rumors that had been entrancing the student population since the day before.
Some people smiled at the pair, some did double takes unsure if what they were actually seeing only to confirm their suspicions on second glance, but most people looked on in shock, ranging from the typical furrowed eyebrow to the more enjoyable, to Cheryl's delight, dropped jaw. Altogether, the general consensus upon learning the news about the two girls upgrade in relationship status was surprise.
It's funny how someone who was once so concerned with how people would react to her being friends with Veronica and the gang, no longer cared what anyone thought. She's so happy with where she is in this weird new life she was blessed with, and the people she now has surrounding her, it didn't matter what people would say or think. No one was going to take away her newfound happiness.
Chemistry was a particularly fun part of the day Cheryl thought. She and Veronica would give each other side glances and cheeky smiles every few seconds. It was like they were children who shared a secret, quietly giggling with each other. They tried to be quiet since the class was a lecture style lesson today rather than a lab, but neither of them could control themselves. Veronica couldn't help but gasp anytime Cheryl raked her fingers across Veronica's thigh. She would quietly reprimand her, but then slip her hand in Cheryl's to keep the redhead in line. Veronica promised to take the notes this class period as long as Cheryl did it next time, that way they could keep their hands interlocked, hidden underneath the table from the teacher and other students. They already cause a lot of trouble in this class, much to the teacher's chagrin, but now that they were actually dating they would only cause more disruption.
Practice was also provided some much-needed entertainment for Cheryl. Veronica insisted they make a formal announcement addressing the rumors, so they could have a productive practice, rather than one filled with quiet whispers and girls staring, watching their every move. Cheryl agreed that it made sense, but she wasn't exactly gung-ho on the idea.
"Yes the rumor are true." Cheryl began as she gathered up the group of River Vixens who were milling about the gym waiting for practice to start. "Veronica and I are an item. Any questions?" She crossed her arms over her chest, staring down every vixen, daring them to speak.
Much to her surprise, one of the girls awkwardly half raised her hand after a moment, quite literally taking one for the team, by voicing the questions on all the other girls mind, but who are too timid to say anything. "Wha- I mean how..? Uhhh-" At least she tried.
Cheryl rolled her eyes before turning around as if to walk away, "ugh never mind let's get started."
Veronica had to grab Cheryl with both hands turning her around to face the team. She wrapped an arm around Cheryl's waist pulling her close into her side, while placing her other hand over Cheryl's abdomen. "I think what Cheryl means to say is, yes we are dating now, but that's not going to affect how we run things around here, so there's no need to worry." Her smile is enough to get Cheryl to relax a bit, flashing the team a quick smile before putting her game face back on. Just because she's crazy in love doesn't mean she's going soft on them…
Perhaps the most interesting reaction she saw today came from none other than Archie Andrews himself. He stopped her in the hallway just before lunch, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Hey Cher can I talk to you a minute?" She looks around to see if any if their other friends are around, but alas it was just him.
At first, she was a bit confused. For one thing, her and Archie never really spent much one on one time together, usually just hanging out in a group setting, so it was a little weird for him to be actively seeking her out. Also, only two people in Cheryl's life had ever called her Cher, one being Jason, and now Veronica. She should be annoyed he even dared utter that nickname, but there's something so genuine about Archie's charm that it honestly doesn't bother her that much.
"Umm sure Arch." She hits him back with a nickname, in effort to keep the conversation casual. She tepidly steps to the side so they aren't in the way of the lunch crowd traffic. She nervously adjusts the strap on her bag. She's not exactly sure what Archie had to say, but she figured it had to do with Veronica. Veronica said he took the news really well when she chatted with him the other day, but she was still hesitant about Archie wanting to talk to her specifically. She was starting to get worried.
"I just wanted to clear the air so things aren't awkward between us." Archie begins, Cheryl could tell he had some nervous energy as well, fidgeting a bit and not being able to stand still.
"It's ok if you hate me Archie, I understand." There's more bite to her words than usual, the venom in her voice reminiscent of the old days when they had unfriendly stand offs. She's not sure where that response came from, chalking it up to her natural defense instinct kicking in.
He looks a little taken aback by her outburst, it's a side to Cheryl he hasn't seen in weeks and if it weren't for the fact he knows she's just being extra defensive, he might have just turned around and walked away. "What? No, no" he protests, "I'm cool with you and Veronica. There's no hard feelings. I just wanted you to know that." The sincerity shown through his eyes, looking at her desperately pleading with her to believe him.
Cheryl sighed to herself, feeling bad about her overreaction and quick judgment. "You really are too good Archie, I don't know why I ever expected anything less."
He shied away in flattery for a moment before responding, "I just want you guys to be happy, and if Veronica's happier with you then that's all that matters." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
"Well I sure hope you're right Arch." She bows her head, a bit unsure of herself.
Archie reached forward to place a comforting hand on Cheryl's arm, "Hey I've seen the way she looks at you. I think it's safe to say you do."
She smiled sweetly at him, thankful for his kind words. There's also a slight hint of a blush across her cheeks that Archie smile warmly at. He was happy Cheryl found someone who made her feel that way, even if it was with his ex. "Hey don't forget that YOU'RE my friend too. I'm always going to be rooting for you." He squeezes Cheryl's arm and flashes his signature goofy grin.
She tilted her head to the side, curiosity getting the best of her. "You always stood up for me, even when I was awful to you."
It's a statement, but the way she says it makes Archie respond to it like a question. "I like to believe there's good in everyone, and look, I wasn't wrong about you."
She laughed lightly at his point, "I wouldn't be so sure about that, but I appreciate the sentiment." She pursed her lips in an approving smirk.
Once again, he protested Cheryl's defeatist attitude. "Veronica wouldn't be head over heels for you if she didn't see the good in you too. Remember that." He winked after this, something that was out of character for the guy, but for some reason it felt so right in this situation. Cheryl couldn't help but smile brightly back at him. She nodded her head in acknowledgement, not knowing what to comment, but agreeable nonetheless.
And that was that, there was no animosity between the two despite their situation. No love triangle drama, no ill will for any party involved in said triangle. Everyone was genuinely happy for each other, perhaps that's a testament to their friendships which were built long before any romance was introduced. It was a surprisingly refreshing twist in events. Both Cheryl and Veronica couldn't be more appreciative of Archie's calmness and understanding, and Archie was just happy his friends were happy and also still his friends. There's nothing Archie values more than the relationships he builds with people, and he would hate for anyone, especially people as near and dear to him as Veronica and Cheryl, to feel like they can't be comfortable around him because of something as silly as a 'love triangle.'
Now that everyone had the opportunity to hash out their feelings, and communicated with each other, things were able to go back to normal as if nothing ever happened in the first place. It was an easy transition that the whole group, even Betty and Jughead, were grateful for. For Cheryl in particular, it was truly touching that all these people cared enough to not let this type of drama effect their relationships. She never had people who valued her in this way. It gave her such a fulfilling feeling knowing that no matter what crap life threw at them, they would be able to endure it together, because friends don't let friends fight alone.
A/N: Hello all! I wanted to get a quick update in before my work week starts, crazy hours this time of year! With that said I'd like to give a word of warning, and ask for your patience as things start to pick up in my life, work the holidays etc, my updates will most likely be slowing down. I promise I will do my best to keep the waits as short as possible, but I won't be able to guarantee an update every few days like I've been doing. I've never had a strict posting schedule, basically it was just me trying to post on every day off, or on the rare occasions I had a day shift, but I know how much it sucks to wait so I've always tried to be diligent. As always thank you so much to every one of you who reads, reviews, and shares this story. I am so overwhelmed in the best way over how big and special this story has become. I am truly thankful that y'all have been so nice, you make writing this story all the more exciting and fun! Please if you haven't, leave a comment, send me a message, share with a friend, hit that favorite button, go ahead! What's stopping you?! Much love!