Author's Note: Here we are guys, the pep rally scene! Read on and have a ball.

Riverdale isn't mine, so, I own absolutely nothing.

Chapter 43

That evening, the pep rally took place on the football field at Riverdale High. The marching band played and everyone was cheering, all pumped up.

Majority of the audience held up pictures of Jason and Polly, in remembrance.

Charles, Sheriff Keller, and Principal Weather bee were there, talking among themselves.

Hal and Alice Cooper were also in attendance to support Betty and honor their oldest daughter. Alice even waves to her youngest.

Meanwhile, Archie (dressed in football gear) approached Ms. Grundy. Jughead watches them.

"I'm gonna come clean with Weather bee, Detective Smith, and Keller." Archie said.

Ms. Grundy looked at him, nervously.

"I was there. I heard the gunshot and I have to own that." He pointed out. "Plus, I saw Polly Cooper the day before she ran away."

"Archie, slow down," said Ms. Grundy.

"I'm gonna do it tomorrow," said Archie. "If you wanna come with me, then we can figure that out. If not…"

"…I'll respect that, and I'll do everything I can to keep you out of it." He continued.

Ms. Grundy doesn't say anything.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Grundy, but I have to." Archie apologized.

He meets Jughead's gaze, who looks away. The red head walks away from the music teacher.

He walks up to Jughead.

"Girl trouble?" Jughead asks. "You?"

"Grundy and me. We're telling Weather bee." Archie informed. "Or at least, I am."

Jughead simply looks at him.

"And, I didn't mean all that crap I said to you." Archie added, apologizing.

Jughead hesitates, before responding "It's cool,"

"We're not gonna hug in front of this whole town." He interjected, and Archie grins.

"So, why don't we both just do that bro thing where we nod like douches…and mutually suppress our emotions?"

"Yeah," Archie agreed. "But as friends, right?"

"To be discussed…over many burgers and many days." Jughead complied.

Happy, that he made amends with his best friend, Archie walks off. Even Jughead smiles to himself.

Archie bumps into Betty as he's walking.

"Oh, my God, Arch…your eye." She commented with concern staring at Archie's bruise. Betty gently strokes his face.

Before either one could say another word, Archie is dragged away by the rest of the football players. Betty joins the Vixens.

"To kick off this pep rally…I'd like to hand it over to our very own Mayor McCoy." Principal Weather bee announced.

He is standing on the stage with Coach Clayton and Sierra McCoy, Josie's mother, who is holding an umbrella.

"Thank you, Principal Weather bee," said Sierra, smiling.

"It is heartening to see so many of you here, even in weather like this. But a lack of heart and school spirit has never been the Riverdale way."

Standing in the front row is Penelope and Clifford Blossom. Even during a tragedy, they came for the tribute to their son, and to support their only daughter. Clifford and Penelope looked a little unsettled with the photos of Jason, but they remained stoic.

"Tonight's pep rally isn't like any other we've had in the past." Sierra continued. "And we shouldn't pretend that it is. Which is why I would like to dedicate this evening…to the memories of two of our brightest. Jason Blossom and Polly Cooper."

Cheryl exhaled at the mention of her brother and his girlfriend.

"We're with them tonight. Now, please, join me in welcoming to the field…our very own River Vixens…and their special guest stars; my daughter, Josie, and her Pussycats!" The mayor of Riverdale declared, shaking her hips a bit.

The crowd cheered as Valerie, Melody, and Josie appeared on stage.

"Hey, shorty

You're my candy girl" The Pussycats began to sing as the cheerleaders performed their dance routine.

"The kind with the swirls

Oh, so good

Baby out of this world

Look so sweet

Fell in love with your curves

Every time you speak

Conversation like syrup

S-U-G-A-R

You and her

Oh, honey, honey

Put money on that first

Let's keep it in the circle

You everything I deserve

Baby, want your sugar

I'm ready to get served."

"Sugar

Oh, honey, honey," Josie and Valerie crooned.

"You are my candy girl

And you got me wanting you"

One by one, the Vixens split and twerked, a bit to the side, as Veronica strutted forward.

"I saw this girl

I wanted to know her name

She got this body

It's driving me insane

Cause I need candy, girl

Your kisses rock my world

More legs, brown eyes

And your body look fancy, girl

Sugar

Oh honey, honey

You are my candy girl" Valerie and Josie continue to sing.

The Vixens finish off the choreography and Cheryl goes to appear on stage.

"And you got me wanting you,"

The audience cheered and applauded except for Cheryl's parents, who weren't in a festive mood. The cheerleading squad waved their pom-poms and Cheryl hugs Josie grinning.

Coach Clayton comes running up on the stage.

"All right, you all ready?" Clayton asks the crowd.

"Let's make some noise. Put your hands together for the Riverdale Bulldogs!"

Cheers and applause erupted, as the Bulldogs tore through the banner (held by the Vixens), running with Archie leading the way.

Cheryl claps and smiles, watching Archie.

Archie grins back at her. However, Cheryl's smile faded, for seeing Archie in Jason's number 9 jersey triggered a fond memory of Jason. For a moment there, Cheryl saw Jason running and grinning at her.

Heart racing; memories of walking to Sweetwater River…holding hands and wearing white, looking at each other, Cheryl asking Jason if he was scared…Jason shaking his head and saying no, receiving wedding pictures of him and Polly via text from her brother…Cheryl sitting on the river's edge, soaking wet ran through her mind. They were all terrible reminders that Jason is no longer with her, and he started a new life with Polly whom he's expecting a baby with…plus that she wasn't there with Jason to see him get hitched. Although he is in a haven, it was too much for Cheryl to bear.

Consumed by grief, pain, and despair; Cheryl ran off the stage.

Betty and Veronica exchanged glances, wondering what had just happened.

Charles, Tom, and Weather bee looked both startled and puzzled by Cheryl's sudden action.

Clifford and Penelope stood, looking rather concerned for their daughter; but they didn't bother to go after her.

Cheryl ran towards the girls' locker room, distraught, as rain drops fell.

Veronica takes off, following the flame haired girl. Betty joins her as well.

To Be Continued…

A/N: Aww, poor Cheryl!

Candy Girl (Sugar, Sugar) is a cover of the same song by Inner Circle and Flo Rida, an updated version of The Archies' "Sugar, Sugar." I must say I enjoyed the Pussycats' rendition of the song.

Coming up, Veronica consoles Cheryl and I'll throw in texting with Jason and Cheryl.

Another chapter coming your way!