Chapter 7: Pending
"CHERYL? ARCHIE?"
Cheryl and Archie turned to see Kevin Keller looking at them, clearly stunned.
Archie quickly broke away from Cheryl.
"Kevin!", Archie exclaimed, trying to alleviate the situation. "What a surprise seeing you here. Let me explain what we were doing. You see, Cheryl and I have been dating each other secretly for some time now and we didn't want a lot of people knowing about it."
Kevin chuckled.
"Relax, Archie. I'm not going to reveal your secret. As long as you two are happy together, that's all that matters."
Archie took a deep breath, filled with relief. He noticed that Cheryl also had a relieved expression.
"So, who else knows about this?", Kevin asked.
"The only ones that know so far are you, Reggie, and my dad", Archie said. "Cheryl and I have a strategy to make sure no one else knows about our secret romance. Reggie and I are going to get tutoring lessons about English from Cheryl. It would make sense since Cheryl has the highest GPA by far in our entire class."
Kevin smiled. "Well, that's sounds like a smart plan. I'm so happy for you two. I didn't expect this because last year you said you had no interest in pursuing a romantic relationship."
"Well, that's true", Archie admitted. "I was so focused on football and my studies. Romance would have been a distraction. But that changed when I realized that Cheryl and I have more in common than we think. Kevin, I'm crazy about her now. I love her."
"I feel the same way about Archie", Cheryl said.
"Like I said before, I'll keep your secret", Kevin said. "Cheryl, I came here because I wanted to express my condolences for your loss. Your brother deserved better."
"Thank you, Kevin", Cheryl said.
Archie knew he hadn't talked often with Kevin after he had discovered Jason's body in Sweetwater River. He felt guilty for not reaching out to him and offering him support.
"Kevin, I hope you're doing okay", Archie said. "I should have said something to make you feel better after…what you went through. No one should ever have to go through that."
Kevin said, "Thank you, Archie. It isn't your fault. This is what I get for walking through the woods and alongside Sweetwater River late at night."
"Kevin, this isn't your fault", Archie said. "Cheryl and I will be there for you if you need anything. It's a painful experience."
Kevin nodded. "Well, I better get going. Good luck, you two."
"Same, Kevin", Archie said.
After Kevin left, Archie and Cheryl continued practicing archery. Archie's next three arrows didn't come anywhere close to the target. But the arrow after that hit the edge of the target.
"Your archery skills are getting better", Cheryl said. "But you still need to correct your stance."
Cheryl then wrapped her arms around Archie in order to position his arms in a proper and adequate position. When Cheryl felt like Archie was standing in a reasonable and proper position, she let go of him and decided to let him have another shot.
Archie pulled the string back and timed it carefully. Then, he released the arrow.
It went straight into the center of the target. A perfect hit!
Archie couldn't believe it. He was so ecstatic that he finally had a perfectly clean shot.
Cheryl hugged him tightly, clearly happy for him.
"I can't believe I actually did it", Archie said.
"I knew you could do it", Cheryl replied. "Just keep practicing and you will eventually get the hang of it."
Archie smiled at Cheryl. He clearly knew that she was clearly more happy spending time with him than with her parents.
"You know, the first game of the Riverdale Bulldogs football season is coming up", Archie said. "We need to conjure up some kind of a code. Some sort of communication or secret signal between the two of us that no one else knows. Well, maybe except for Reggie."
"I like that idea, Archie", Cheryl said. "What kind of signal should it be, though?"
Archie tried to think. Then, he came up with the solution.
"One of my paternal uncles, Oscar, died when I was just three years old. I have old videos in our attic that showed him going hunting with my dad and my other paternal uncle, Frank. Uncle Oscar had some kind of a whistling signal that would be a sign that he had found something that could be brought home. I'll call Reggie and all three of us can watch the videos together."
"A brilliant strategy", Cheryl said.
Archie called Reggie on his cell phone and described the plan.
"Sounds like ingenuity", Reggie said. "I'll come over to your place as soon as I can."
"Actually, come to the Blossom estate", Archie said. "If Cheryl and I are seen together in public by ourselves, it will arouse and provoke suspicion. But if you come with us on the other hand, everyone will think Cheryl is tutoring us."
"Okay, then", Reggie said. "Fair enough."
Archie and Cheryl then waited for Reggie to arrive. Archie knew that Reggie was known to be a slacker and sometimes would be late for class. It wouldn't have surprised him if Reggie showed up late for their meeting.
"Do you think that Reggie's dad hit him?", Cheryl asked.
"There's no way to be certain", Archie said. "Personally, that wouldn't shock me, but I don't want to get involved. It's none of my business."
"I wish my dad was like your dad", Cheryl said.
Archie nodded. He knew his dad was one of the few people in Riverdale who seemed normal and pleasant. Even though Archie and Fred had argued at times, they always seemed to be able to make up and resolve any issues between them. Fred clearly loved Archie, even more than Archie loved Fred, so it seemed. Archie felt so guilty for not having appreciated Fred's sacrifices and endeavors for him. He only hoped that someday he would be able to return the favor.
"But I'm sure there were some good memories that you made with your dad", Archie said.
Cheryl looked at the ground. "He and my mother were always vulgar and nasty. I have the worst family in the world."
"But you're rich, though", Archie said. "Don't you enjoy all that wealth though?"
"Like I said before, Archie", Cheryl said. "I don't care about all of that. The money isn't what I want or need. I just want to be valued. That is something my parents have never done. You on the other hand, have recognized my worth in this world."
"Cheryl, I would do anything to help you", Archie said.
Just then Reggie arrived, huffing and panting.
"Sorry I'm late", he said. "I guess we better get going."
All three of them started walking towards Archie's house. As they were on their way, Archie checked in all directions to make sure there wasn't anyone in the streets that they recognized. The last thing he needed was to unfortunately run into someone that would bother them with questions. That was something that none of them needed. Archie only hoped that Betty wouldn't be seeing what they were up to.
All three of them decided to walk into the Andrews household through the back to avoid recognition. Archie figured the best plan of action would be to watch the tapes in the basement, where no one could see them because the windows were so small.
Archie opened the box containing all of the tapes. He decided to put the earliest tape into video cassette recorder.
The tape was thirty minutes long. Even though Archie didn't remember any memories of his uncle Oscar because he had been so young when the latter died, he could see through the videos why Fred respected him. According to Mary, Oscar had always been there for Fred and Frank. He really was a protective older brother. Archie didn't have any siblings of his own, so he didn't know what that was like.
But I can still be protective over Cheryl, Archie thought. I could still look out for her and be there for her.
There was no question that looking out for Cheryl was now his responsibility. With Jason now dead, Cheryl had lost the only person in her family that truly seemed to care about her, excluding Nana Rose. Clifford and Penelope obviously seemed indifferent about their daughter's well-being. They clearly didn't seem to care about Cheryl.
Well, I do, Archie thought. I won't give up on her.
As the video continued, Archie continued writing down various signals that Oscar was showing to Fred and Frank. He only hoped he could memorize them. Even when he had given maximum effort to memorize information for his exams, there were times when he had trouble remembering information.
"Your uncles seemed like nice people", Cheryl said.
"Yeah", Archie said. To this day, he still didn't know why Frank had left Riverdale. Fred never explained what had happened between himself and Frank. The past seemed to be too painful for them.
"Anyway, I have all the signals written down", Archie said. "Now we'll just have to have a code to represent each signal."
"Okay, then", Reggie said.
"If I whistle and put my fingers in front of my mouth", Archie explained, "It means that I am trying to kiss you, Cheryl."
Archie then pointed his finger at another signal that was on that page. "Oscar showed a signal in the video about putting the entire right hand in front of the heart. In our coded language, it will mean that I love you."
"I already know that you do, Archie", Cheryl said.
"A coded language will be necessary, especially in this example", Archie said. "I don't remember much from history classes in the past, but I remember studying about World War II during United States history in ninth grade. Apparently, the United States marines used a Native American language called the Navajo code to communicate with their allies during war. It was also used to prevent the opposing side from finding out about their plans."
"Sounds great", Cheryl said.
"I look forward to the day when we can publicly proclaim our love to each other", Archie said. "But we need to be cautious in the meantime. You two should probably take pictures of these codes and save them on your cell phones."
Cheryl and Reggie took pictures of the codes.
After they left, Archie put his head in his hands. He could only wonder how much longer he could keep this going.
As the days passed that week, Cheryl's parents mostly ignored her. Cheryl almost wished they would yell at her again. That had to be better than the silent treatment they were giving her.
On Monday, Archie knocked on Coach Clayton's office door.
"Come in", Coach Clayton said.
Archie walked inside the room holding Jason's jersey.
"Coach, I need to speak to you about Jason's jersey."
"Go ahead, Archie. What is it you need to tell me?"
Archie took a deep breath. He hardly ever confronted Coach Clayton, never mind to criticize a decision he made.
"Coach Clayton, we should retire Jason's number", Archie said. "I know you said I could wear his jersey, but it would not be right to ignore Jason's involvement with this team. He was the captain and contributed an immense amount of talent and accolades for this team. Coach, we have to honor Jason. He was the reason our team performed the way we did last season. His life was cut short. We need to show him respect."
Coach Clayton nodded his head, seemingly in agreement.
"That seemed like a wise decision. It's the right thing to do. It's a good moral, Archie", he said.
Archie walked out of the room, feeling slightly jubilant by his decision. He then texted Cheryl, I talked to Coach Clayton and he seems to agree that Jason's number should be retired. Your brother's memory is being honored.
Archie walked down the hallway and noticed Cheryl walking out of her biology class. She was looking at her cell phone and saw Archie's message.
Cheryl smiled and texted, That's great. Thank you, Archiekins.
Archie heaved a sigh of relief.
He then texted Reggie.
AA: I have a free period during fifth period. Maybe Cheryl can tutor us in the library then.
RM: Sounds good. If anyone asks us any questions, we'll just tell them our cover story.
Archie attended his classes that day, trying to be as diligent as possible. It was hard for Archie to not think of the anticipation of seeing Cheryl in the library and studying with her.
When fifth period started, Archie headed to the library. He sat down at one of the tables and started reading his copy of Hamlet. Two minutes later, Reggie and Cheryl arrived.
"So, Archie", Cheryl began. "Can you describe the plot of Hamlet in only five sentences?"
Archie then replied, "Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare in 1600 that depicts the story of a prince whose father was slaughtered by the prince's paternal uncle. The main protagonist is Prince Hamlet of Denmark. Hamlet concocts a plan for revenge against his uncle Claudius for murdering his father. The play follows his plan as he attempts to cause Claudius to feel remorse or guilt, though he already knows that Claudius is indifferent. Hamlet's hatred and desire for revenge cause a lot of individuals within their proximity to lose their lives."
"Well said, Archie", Cheryl said.
Then she whispered, "Archiekins."
Cheryl then turned to Reggie. "Reggie, did you memorize the definitions this week?"
"Yes", Reggie said. "Audacity means that someone is willing to take bold risks. Retract means to withdraw a statement as untrue. Nefarious means wicked or criminal. Paucity means…."
Reggie tried to think. It was obvious he was frustrated and did not remember the definition of the last word he had mentioned.
Cheryl then answered, "Paucity means that something is very rare and unique to find in a specific location."
Reggie hung his head. "It looks hopeless for me."
"Don't worry, Reggie. We all will have a chance. There's plenty of room for improvement regarding our studies. But we'll be fine."
Cheryl and Archie held each other's hands underneath the table for a few seconds.
All of a sudden, Betty walked into the library and saw Archie, Reggie, and Cheryl together at that table.
Betty quickly approached the table.
"What is happening here?", she asked.
"Cheryl is tutoring us in English", Archie said.
Betty scoffed. "Do you really believe that Cheryl is going to help you without having an ulterior motive? Cheryl has always been sneaky and conniving. She only cares about herself. She's a bitch."
Archie glanced at Cheryl. She looked down at the ground. It looked like she was about to cry.
Archie's fists clenched as he thought about Betty's invectives towards Cheryl.
"You don't have a right to say those things about Cheryl", Archie said. "You don't know what she's been through."
Betty looked at Archie. "Do you know what Cheryl is like? You shouldn't be around her. She's a bad influence."
Archie felt himself getting angrier. Betty may have been a childhood friend of his, but she was starting to act really judgmental.
"You don't have to dictate whom I can or can't associate with", he said. "I can make my own decisions."
Archie then raised his voice.
"AND STOP SLANDERING CHERYL!", he screamed.
Archie then realized that everyone in the library was now looking at him and Betty.
Betty had tears in her eyes as she stormed off.
"You didn't have to do that, Archie", Cheryl said.
Archie sat down. He couldn't believe what he had just done.
"I think I screwed up", Archie said. "I may have lost my childhood friend over a stupid argument."
"Friends come and they go", Reggie said, now starting to seem indifferent. "Anyway, I miss hanging out with Grundy."
"Are you still obsessing over her?", Archie asked. "Reggie, she's a bad influence. Not to mention she's a predator."
"Now look who's being judgmental", Reggie said. "She's so good-looking. You just need to know a person better to appreciate them more. I mean, look at you and Cheryl."
"The relationship between Cheryl and I is different from the relationship between you and Grundy", Archie said. "If you can even call the latter a relationship."
"Still", Reggie said. "You have to admit that Grundy seems so innocent and encouraging. I was thinking about the football season, and Grundy was giving me pointers."
Archie and Cheryl briefly glanced at each other. There was something fishy about Grundy and her backstory. And they suddenly both were curious enough to try to find out what it was.