Author's Note: Here we go, peeps, a brand new and longer chapter. Enjoy!

Riverdale doesn't belong to me.

Chapter 34

In the gymnasium, the cheerleaders were going over choreography for the upcoming pep rally. The girls' rehearsal outfits consisted of yellow and white shirts, black and white shorts, tube socks with the yellow stripes and white sneakers. Only Cheryl wore the HBIC (Head Bitch In Charge) shirt.

"Stand down, Vixens, and listen up." Cheryl ordered, stopping practice.

"The weather's predicting a downpour the night of the rally…but already you're raining on my parade." She commented.

"With Jason and Polly so present in our collective consciousness…all eyes will be on me. 'Will this beautiful, exotic hothouse flower drown under the town's scrutiny…or be swamped by her emotions?"

"The answer, ladies, is no and no." The head cheerleader continued. "That said, I need star power. I need the Pussycats. Stay loose and limber, ladies; while I make a call."

Cheryl walks off to call Josie and her girls, while Betty and Veronica went into a corner and sat. The rest of the Vixens took a break.

"After this practice, I'll totally need a pedicure." Veronica remarked. "You?"

"I'll have homework," Betty answered bluntly.

"I know everyone grieves differently…but Cheryl's hosting a pep rally to cope with her loss. That's either brilliant or psychotic or both." Veronica commented.

"Yeah, well, Cheryl's not the only one who's lost a sibling." Betty added. "My sister is still missing, but I'm coping as best I can. At least Cheryl's not putting on an act…pretending she's a butterfly when she's really a wasp."

Feeling the comment being directed at her, Veronica speaks up.

"For the record, the only reason I went into that closet with Archie…was so that Cheryl wouldn't."

"Oh, so, you did it to protect me?" Betty retorted.

"Damn straight," Veronica snapped.

"Okay, so nothing happened between you and Archie in the closet, then?" Betty shot back.

Veronica simply crossed her arms.

"Yeah, that's what I thought." Betty sneered. "You know, Archie and I were fine before you got here."

"If by 'fine', you mean he was oblivious…and you were pining after him in quiet desperation." Veronica fired back.

"We were friends, at least." Betty pointed out sharply.

"You were walking on emotional eggshells, around him scared to tell the truth." Veronica retorted.

"Okay, you don't know me, Veronica." Betty snapped.

"It is not my fault he doesn't like you." Veronica clapped back.

Betty gave the Latina girl a look.

Veronica sighs.

"If that's what you're thinking. It's not anyone's fault." She clarified. "It's not even stupid Archie's. It's just how it is."

"Most of the time, the people we like don't like us back." Veronica continued. "Romeo and Juliet are the exception, not the rule."

Betty looks away.

"Look, never speak to me again. If that's what you want, I'll accept that."

"But what exactly did Archie do wrong?"

"I'm not taking any sides." Veronica denied.

"This is your way of trying to be friends again?" Betty snapped.

"Pussycats are in," Cheryl interrupted, walking over to the duo.

"Sorry, am I interrupting?" She asked, feigning surprise.

"As a matter of fact," Veronica began to say.

"No, you're not. I was about to come find you, Cheryl." Betty cuts off Veronica.

"I have a gift certificate for hers-and-hers mani-pedis and blowouts at Chez Salon. You want to come with me?"

"Don't do this," Veronica warned.

"Butt out, closet monster." Cheryl snapped. "You have forfeited your right to take the high-and-mighty road."

She turns to Betty, smiling.

"As pour moi, Betty, but of course." Cheryl accepted.

"I never say no to a pedi. And I was just about to suggest the same thing."

"Can I steal her for a second?" Cheryl asked Veronica.

Cheryl takes Betty's hand and the two walk away, before Betty gives Veronica a smirk. Veronica stands there, looking deflated.

A/N: Okay, I hope this chapter was longer for you guys. Now the next two are gonna be kind of short, but not too short. I'm so looking forward to writing the chapter after these two, plus the pep rally.

More to come!