Author's Note: My favorite Riverdale relationships. Please don't kill me.
#1: Betty and Jughead (Bughead)
#2: Cheryl and Toni (Choni)
#3: FP and Alice (Falice)
#4: Cheryl and Archie (Charchie)
#5: Veronica and Archie (Varchie)
#6: Kevin and Fangs
#7: Chuck and Josie
#8: Tom and Sierra
#9: Veronica and Reggie (Veggie)
#10: Jason and Polly (Jolly)
#11: Fred and Hermione
#12: Archie and Josie
#13: Kevin and Moose
#14: Sweet Pea and Josie
#15: Kevin and Joaquin
#16: Frank and Hermione
#17: Moose and Midge
Continuing the story…
Chapter 3: First Kiss
Hours earlier, at Thornhill…
When Cheryl was hugging Archie, he was feeling the warmth of her embrace. He was feeling so alive, much happier than he had ever felt before. He was sure Cheryl could say likewise. Even though he had no interest in pursuing romance before, he was glad that he and Cheryl were in a relationship now. He could only wonder how long that would last.
"I feel ecstatic", Archie said.
"Same, Archiekins", Cheryl said, smiling.
"This new romance feels…euphoric", Archie said as he held Cheryl's hand. He was feeling so joyful, but at the same time really nervous. How would everyone else react when they all found out?
"Archie, this summer I feel like we've been closer than ever before. So close that I trust you with my life and my future."
"Cheryl, I feel the same exact way. But we have to be careful."
Archie whispered that last sentence.
"Why is that?", Cheryl asked.
"Well, you know my father isn't exactly fond of your parents, no offense intended", Archie said.
"I understand completely", Cheryl said.
"And you know that Betty, Jughead, and our classmates from school might never understand this romantical relationship. The richest girl in school dating the son of a construction worker."
"Archie, I don't care what they think. I'm not interested in your social status or financial background. I just want you. And if they can't understand or respect that, then who cares what they think?"
"Cheryl, I know your feelings for me are pure. I'm not ashamed of you, not at all. But we should at least wait a few weeks or a couple of months before we tell anyone else. Our classmates at school might gradually adjust to the news. But your parents might have difficulty accepting this."
Cheryl smiled at Archie before holding his face with both of her hands.
"Archie, I don't care what they think. For years they've criticized me for the slightest things. My love for you is something that I have chosen. I'm not going to let my parents decide matters. But if you want to wait a while before telling anyone else, I understand completely. There's no need to rush."
Archie nodded. "Thank you. Like I said before, I'll talk to Coach Clayton and convince him to retire Jason's number. I'll do my hardest. For you."
Cheryl hugged Archie. "If only everyone in this town was as understanding as you are."
Neither of them spoke for a few minutes.
Then Cheryl said, "I'm hosting a party here tonight. Are you going to come?"
"Of course, I am, Cheryl. If it's important to you, it's important to me."
The pair hugged each other tightly before Archie left.
At the party…
Archie was sitting with Reggie and several other guys from the football team, just having a casual conversation. Archie was careful enough to avoid being seen talking to Cheryl. He didn't want to risk somebody getting suspicious or finding out about their new relationship.
Archie wondered how long Reggie and Mrs. Grundy had been "hanging out", to put the term of their disgusting romance lightly. How many teenage boys did Grundy seduce? He couldn't fathom how anyone that was a teacher could be prideful of being a predator. Archie wanted to help Reggie, but he also didn't want to seem like he was meddling into someone else's problems. He didn't want Reggie to think he was being nosy. But Reggie's fling with Grundy was something that needed to be stopped immediately. Still, Archie was smart enough to keep his mouth shut about the matter during the party.
"Hey, Archie, are there any girls you have any interest in?", Moose asked.
Archie's eyes darted over to Cheryl, who was on the other side of the room, before answering.
"No, not really. Like I said, I have to focus on school and my possible college career."
"Really? No girls at all? Not even Betty Cooper?", Chuck asked jokingly.
"Betty and I are just friends, that's all", Archie said.
"Sure, sure", Reggie said.
A few minutes later, Betty and Veronica walked over to Archie. Betty explained about how Cheryl had allowed both of them onto the cheerleading squad.
"She sure is the head bitch in charge", Veronica said.
Archie felt slightly angry about the insult referring to Cheryl, but he didn't show any emotion.
Cheryl then walked over.
"Hey, guys, let's play spin the bottle", she said.
"It's not really my type of game", Archie said as he was about to get up.
Reggie made him sit back down.
"Come on, Andrews. Let's have a little fun.", he said.
Archie surrendered. "Fine, go ahead."
Cheryl smiled.
"Okay, then. For the first round, I'll nominate 'A' for Archie."
Archie blushed, wishing he was anywhere else right now.
Cheryl spun the bottle. It moved for about twenty seconds before pointing right in Cheryl's direction.
"Archie and Cheryl!", Chuck shouted. "I never would have seen that coming!"
"Come on, Archie", Cheryl said as she grabbed Archie's arm. "It's all part of the game."
Archie and Cheryl walked into a storage closet.
"Remember, seven minutes!", Reggie yelled.
Cheryl rolled her eyes. "Boys will be boys."
"You know, I never would have imagined that our first kiss would have been in a storage closet. No offense or insult towards your place."
"Yeah, and our relationship just started a few hours ago", Cheryl said.
Archie hesitated before he lightly kissed Cheryl on the cheek.
Cheryl and Archie kissed on the lips. When that happened, Archie felt like the world had drastically changed. Before the summer started and Jason's demise, he wouldn't have cared for any romantic fling or relationship, never mind with Cheryl Blossom.
The two of them then started hugging each other, not daring to kiss each other for the rest of the night. Archie wanted to, but he felt like kissing right at that moment, didn't seem right. This relationship needed time to develop and dare he think it…blossom.
Pun intended, Archie thought as he felt Cheryl's hair near his chin.
Eventually the two redheads left the closet.
"How was your adventure in the closet?", Reggie asked jokingly.
"Stop it, Reggie", Archie said. "Show some class."
"Why don't you go next, Reggie, since you seem so eager", Cheryl said.
Reggie then nodded. "Fair enough."
Cheryl spun the bottle again. The bottle spun around for ten seconds before stopping to point right at Veronica.
"Oh, the new girl", Reggie said, smiling.
Veronica rolled her eyes in disgust as she and Reggie headed to the closet.
One hour later, the party was over. Archie and Cheryl smiled at each other for two seconds before Archie left for his house.
When he arrived on his block, he saw Betty Cooper, seemingly tearful.
"Betty, what's wrong?", Archie asked.
"I'm not going to ask what you and Cheryl did in that closet", Betty said. "But I am going to ask you straight if you love me at all, Archie, or even like me."
"Betty, of course I love you", Archie said. "You've been one of my closest friends. But I can't give you the most satisfying answer you want."
"Betty, I could never be good enough for you", Archie said. "You deserve a better person than me. Someone who will make you truly happy."
"It's not your fault, Archie", Betty said. "And I understand completely."
Archie nodded before walking inside the house. He felt terrible. He didn't know what to say. There was no question that Cheryl was the true love of his life. He wished it didn't have to be so awkward. It wasn't like he meant to hurt Betty. He just didn't have the same feelings for her.
Archie only hoped that should the day come where he would have to reveal his secret romance, he would be met with positive reception and feedback.
Hours later, to the present time…
Kevin Keller was pacing in his bedroom, going back and forth. He clearly couldn't think straight. He had a bottle of vodka that Moose had given him. Kevin drank from the bottle, trying to calm himself down.
"Kevin?", a voice asked. It was Tom Keller, Kevin's father and the sheriff.
"Dad, I'm not in the mood to talk right now", Kevin said.
Mr. Keller walked in and gasped when he saw the vodka Kevin was holding.
"Kevin, drinking alcohol is not going to erase your problems", Mr. Keller said as he took the bottle away.
"I just have a lot on my mind right now", Kevin said.
"What are you so worried about?"
Kevin stared at his father, not wanting to believe that they were even having this conversation.
"Hmm, let me think about it. I found a dead body of a high school student. And it wasn't like he committed suicide or died of a drug overdose. He was murdered. Yeah, that definitely isn't something to worry about."
Kevin said the last part with sarcasm.
Mr. Keller hugged his son, trying his best to offer him some comfort or support.
"Kevin, I know what you, Moose, and Midge discovered is traumatizing. It's terrible for anyone to find a dead body. Kevin, do you know how many criminals I've arrested for theft or vandalism or people I've arrested for street racing?"
Kevin looked at the ground.
"Have you arrested any murderers?", he asked.
Mr. Keller sighed. "Well, when I was working as a sheriff, I haven't arrested anyone for murder or manslaughter in Riverdale. Kevin, I know you'll be fine. What happened to Jason is a terrible tragedy. Someone sick enough to shoot him in the forehead and dump him in the river…"
Mr. Keller looked at Kevin straight in the eyes. "I'll catch the bastard that did this. And when I do, he'll wish he was dead instead."
The next morning…
Archie was shocked by the news about Jason's body being found. It was evident that not only was he dead, but someone in the town had murdered him.
Archie had to wonder who would be angry enough to want to kill an innocent teenager that did no wrong. It didn't seem right.
Archie texted Cheryl, I hope you're doing okay.
Cheryl texted back, I'll be fine. Meet me when we're alone, as soon as possible.
Archie walked to the school. The news about what just happened seemed to be spreading like wildfire.
Archie had read an article in the paper about Jason's autopsy. Archie already knew that Alice Cooper was the one who had written it. No one else seemed to have a bigger grudge against the Blossom family than she did.
He noticed Reggie and Chuck talking with each other in hushed tones.
"What's up?", he asked.
"Nothing", Reggie said. "Other than the big news about our quarterback. I wonder who will replace him."
"Football's not really important at the moment", Archie said. "Someone died, you know."
Reggie grunted, "Yeah, that's true."
"I got to get to class", Chuck said as he looked at his watch.
As Chuck moved away, Archie glanced at Reggie.
"The autopsy report that Mrs. Cooper wrote said that Jason apparently died around July 11th."
"Yeah", Reggie said. "And to think I was there and heard a gunshot."
"You what?!"
Several other students turned to look in their direction.
"Keep your voice down, Andrews! My dad would kill me if I got arrested", Reggie said.
"Sorry", Archie whispered. "But what do you mean by you were there?"
Reggie looked at the ground.
"Stupid Reggie", he muttered. "Don't know when to keep your stupid mouth shut."
"Too late now", Archie said. "So, what happened?"
Reggie sighed and looked at the ground.
"Remember when you said you saw me with Miss Grundy in the music room?"
"Yeah."
"Well, see, the thing is that the two of us hooked up", Reggie said. "I was jogging after football practice one day and Grundy pulled over in her car with those red sunglasses of hers. I just couldn't resist. I mean, Archie, she's hot!"
"Reggie, she's a teacher. I don't think it's even legal for you two to even be in a relationship."
"But, Archie, I think we might be getting serious."
"Look, you're a minor. She's too old for you. And anyway, what in the world happened when you said you heard a gunshot?"
Reggie sighed.
"Miss Grundy and I were having a picnic at Sweetwater River. We were kissing each other when I heard a gunshot. We didn't know what it was at the time, and we didn't care much about it."
"Reggie, you have to go to the police. You and Grundy need to confess!"
"Look, Archie, don't pressure me. I need some time."
Archie nodded as Reggie stormed off. If Reggie didn't tell the truth…Archie couldn't help but wonder if Cheryl would be in danger.
Archie headed to class, wishing he could get this day over with so he could speak with Cheryl.
A few hours later…
Betty and Veronica were practicing for the Pep Rally. Betty knew Cheryl was furious about what had happened to Jason. She knew it was best not to provoke her.
Meanwhile…
Kevin was still spooked about finding Jason's body. He didn't know how Moose was handling it. What was even more sickening was that whoever committed this murder was still out there, and no one even knew who it was.
Hours later…
After school, Archie headed to Thornhill as fast as he could. He had to speak with Cheryl and try to console her.
When Archie opened the door to Cheryl's bedroom, she hugged him, clearly sobbing and remorseful.
Archie kissed Cheryl on the forehead, trying to calm her down.
"Cheryl, it's going to be okay. You're safe, I've got you. You'll be all right."
Cheryl tried to relax in Archie's arms.