Chapter 18: I'll Try
Archie Andrews was feeling slightly more confident about the upcoming variety show. Now that he and Cheryl would be performing his song together, he could breathe a little easier. He knew he would be facing a lot of pressure from the crowd on the night of the variety show, but he was sure he could handle it. With his girlfriend by his side, he was certain that he would be fine. He felt like he was on top of the world. He felt like he could climb a really tall mountain, like Mount Everest. He was feeling so confident, that he was sure he could tackle any issue that he had.
Of course, he still hadn't told anyone else the secret of his relationship with Cheryl. Reggie, Fred, and Kevin were the only ones who knew about it. Archie was certain that he could trust them, even Reggie. None of them had a reason to betray him and expose his secret. Once Archie waited for the right time, then he would be more forthcoming.
Cheryl also was aware of the backlash that could come from the two of them being an item. Gossip and rumors spread around Riverdale like wildfire. Many of the adults in Riverdale were not fond of the Blossoms and probably wouldn't be approving the relationship like Fred did. Archie knew he had to be careful. Things could get ugly and unpleasant if he wasn't careful and discreet.
Anyway, now wasn't the time to think about that. Now he would have to focus on the tryouts for the variety show. He remembered the advice that a guidance counselor from his middle school had given him…
(Flashback begins)
"Archie, when you are performing in front of a live audience or speaking to an audience, try to focus on one person and try to speak to that one person. Try to pretend that you are speaking straight to that person alone. It should be someone that you really care about."
(Flashback ends)
Archie already knew there was someone that he could convey his thoughts to, someone he could focus on when performing his song. Someone that he cared for more than anyone else. Well, except for Fred.
Cheryl was that person and Archie would do everything he could to concentrate on her and his song. He wasn't about to let fear hold him back from accomplishing his goal.
Later…
"Well, I signed us up", Archie told Cheryl. "I think we might have a good chance of winning. The only ones who seem to pose as decent competition are Josie McCoy and the Pussycats band. You know Trev's sister Valerie is one of the band members."
"I can probably understand why you were so nervous", Cheryl said.
"Well, I know with you there, I should be fine", Archie said. "You're Cheryl Blossom! You can overcome anything. If anyone can withstand the pressure of facing a live audience, it has to be you."
"You are right about that, Archiekins", Cheryl said.
"Well, I have to head to class. See you later at tryouts, Cheryl."
Archie headed to class, ignoring a glare that Veronica sent him. He couldn't let anything distract him from his current objective.
Later, at tryouts…
Archie glanced briefly around the auditorium. Kevin Keller was managing the tryouts. He took a good look at some of their competition. This would not be completely easy.
Josie McCoy was seemingly confident. Valerie Brown and Melody Valentine also seemed sure of themselves. Archie always thought that Josie was a talented singer. After all, she didn't have her own band for nothing! Beating her would be tricky. Josie had more experience and spent more time with music and singing than Archie did. He knew that he and Cheryl would have to be diligent during tryouts and the actual show.
"Okay, guys", Kevin said. "Let me have your undivided attention. We're hosting tryouts for the variety show. If you want to perform, show us your talents."
Kevin then looked at the clipboard he was holding.
"Okay, Archie Andrews and Cheryl Blossom. Why don't you go first?"
Kevin shot Archie a quick wink.
"Absolutely", Archie said. He motioned for Cheryl to join him. He walked to the stage with Cheryl, holding his guitar with his right hand. He suddenly wasn't as nervous as he felt before. He knew the lyrics to the song, and Cheryl was there to assist him. What was he worried about?
"Hello everyone!", Archie exclaimed. "Cheryl and I would like to sing this song that I personally wrote. It's called, I'll Try."
"Yeah, try not to suck so much!", Chuck sneered. Archie could see that he was sitting in the back of the auditorium with at least three of the other players that had been kicked off the football team. The four jerks sat there, snickering. Ever since Chuck had been banned from playing football, he seemed to trying to antagonize and making snide comments every time when he saw Archie. Even though the moron had brought that upon himself. It wasn't Archie's fault that Chuck had chosen to harass girls for sport and humor.
Oh, well. Archie wasn't going to let Chuck ruin this for him. This was his chance to see if he had learned anything since he first expressed interest in music.
"Ready, Cheryl?", he whispered to Cheryl.
"Absolutely, Archie", she whispered back.
Archie then pulled the two microphones towards himself and Cheryl. He then started playing the guitar.
Can you hear me?
Am I drowned out in the crowd? Are you listening?
Or is everyone else too loud for you to hear anything.
Are you just gonna walk away?
Cause there are so many things I can do but instead I'll say
Cheryl sang along with Archie as the latter strung his guitar. Archie was feeling more confident and braver. He was, in a way, pouring out his open confessions to Cheryl. He didn't feel like he was singing to the crowd of students that were witnessing this. He felt like he was singing to the love of his life.
I'll Try
I'll Try
To let it go, let it roll off my back
Yes, oh I'll try
I'll Try
To let it go, let it go and never look back this way
Do you wanna be the one who points and blames?
Makes us feel many things
Cause in a word I can't explain
Why it hurts so much, you see
We weren't born with all this pain, I guess that's anything.
That keeps living day by day
And I'll Try
I'll Try
To let it go, let it roll right off my shoulders
Yes, I'll Try
I'll Try
To let it go, let it go and never look back this way
Back this way
I'll Try
I'll Try
To let it go, let it roll right off my shoulder
Yes, I'll Try
I'll Try
To let it go, let it go and never look back this way
Never look back this way
Archie took a deep breath as soon as he and Cheryl finished the song.
Most of the students applauded Archie and Cheryl. None of them were booing him. Archie glanced at Chuck, who seemed disappointed and slightly angry that his attempts to unnerve the captain of the football team had failed.
Oh, well. Archie didn't care what Chuck thought. The point was, he sang the song with his girlfriend, and it was successful. Archie only hoped that they could generate this type of success during the night of the variety show.
"Congrats, dude!", Reggie exclaimed as he slapped Archie on the shoulder.
Archie smiled back as Josie and the Pussycats took the stage for tryouts.
"Well, I think we're in good hands", Archie said to Cheryl.
Later…
It was the night of the variety show. Archie was waiting with anticipation. His fear and trepidation were almost gone, now replaced with confidence and assurance. He was quite certain everything would be fine.
Two hours before the show was about to begin, Archie had arrived to Cheryl's house. After briefly greeting her parents, Archie headed upstairs to Cheryl's bedroom. There, Archie had a chance to check out one of Cheryl's red dresses.
"What do you think, Archiekins?", Cheryl asked Archie.
"I think it looks great", Archie said.
Archie had chosen to wear a black shirt with jeans. He thought his choice of clothing was decent.
He hugged Cheryl tightly. "It should be quite a fun night."
"I agree", Cheryl said.
"My dad could drive us", Archie said. "I'll just call him."
Now, Archie and Cheryl both watched as Josie and the Pussycats took the stage. Archie thought their performance was quite exemplary, but he was sure that he and Cheryl could beat them if they gave their best effort.
As Josie was singing, Veronica approached Archie and Cheryl backstage.
"Archie?", Veronica asked. "Can we talk?"
"Sure", Archie said.
"Look, about what I said earlier, I'm sorry", Veronica said.
"Totally forgiven", Archie said. "Don't worry about it."
"Well, good luck, then", Veronica said.
The crowd then started clapping. It was clear that Josie and the Pussycats had finished their performance.
"Next up, we have Archie Andrews and Cheryl Blossom!"
The crowd then started clapping and hollering. The praise from the crowd certainly made Archie feel better. It was quite encouraging.
Archie and Cheryl both walked up to the microphones. Archie was holding his guitar. He looked into the crowd. He saw Clifford and Penelope Blossom in the back, neither of them looking ecstatic. Archie hoped that someday he could impress them and satisfy them. It would make dating Cheryl a lot easier.
Archie stood in front of his microphone. Cheryl chose to sit. Archie noticed Fred Andrews and Hermione Lodge sitting in the front row.
Fred smiled at Archie and Cheryl.
Archie took a deep breath, then began singing.
Can you hear me?
Are you drowned out in the crowd? Are you listening?
Or is everyone else too loud for you to hear anything.
Are you just gonna walk away?
Cause there are so many things I can do but instead I'll say
As Archie sang, he looked through the crowd. Reggie and Veronica were sitting near the front, seemingly enjoying the performance. Betty and Jughead were sitting next to each other on the far left, holding hands. Archie would have to ask them about that. Archie noticed Clifford and Penelope Blossom sitting in the back. Neither of them were smiling, but Archie could have sworn he saw Clifford looking at Archie with a fixated glance. He then shifted his focus back to the song.
I'll Try
I'll Try
To let it go, let it roll right off my back
Yes, oh I'll try
I'll try
To let it go, let it go and never look back this way
Do you wanna be the one who points and blames?
Makes us feel many things
Cause in a word I can't explain
Why it hurts so much, you see
We weren't born with all this pain, I guess that's anything
That keeps living day by day
And I'll Try
I'll Try
To let it go, let it roll right off my shoulders
Yes, I'll try
I'll try
To let it go, let it go and never look back this way
Back this way
I'll try
I'll try
To let it go, let it roll right off my shoulder
Yes I'll try
I'll try
To let it go, let it go and never look back this way
Never look back this way
As Archie and Cheryl completed the song, the entire auditorium erupted in applause. Archie took a deep breath, clearly ecstatic from the performance he and Cheryl gave. He could easily let his troubles roll off his shoulder.
As Archie and Cheryl moved away from the stage, Reggie and Veronica approached them.
"You were awesome!", Reggie exclaimed.
"I agree", Veronica said.
Just then Jughead and Betty approached them.
"Great job, Archie", Jughead said, smiling at Archie. Jughead briefly glanced at Cheryl but said nothing.
Just then Clifford and Penelope walked up to Archie and Cheryl. The others looked at Cheryl's parents with trepidation.
"Good performance, you two", Clifford said. "Archie, maybe you could come over to the Blossom estate someday. I might need your help."
Archie could only wonder what that meant. He wanted to earn Clifford's respect, but he had a bad feeling that he could be making a mistake.
Clifford and Penelope walked away, and then Fred and Hermione approached Archie and Cheryl.
"Great performance, son", Fred said.
"Thanks, Dad", Archie said.
A few minutes later, Cheryl nudged Archie.
"They're announcing the winners!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of Riverdale High's 75th annual variety show are…Archie Andrews and Cheryl Blossom!"
Archie could hardly believe it. He thought he was lucky enough to have the chance to perform one of his songs publicly, but he honestly felt surprised that he and Cheryl won.
Cheryl squealed for joy. Archie honestly felt drained of energy. Cheryl was clearly joyful.
"We won! We won!", she exclaimed.
"Yes, we did", Archie said, chuckling.
As everyone congratulated Archie and Cheryl, he suggested they meet privately in the music room.
When they arrived, they hugged each other tightly.
"You performed well, Archiekins", Cheryl said.
"I could say the same about you", Archie said.
The two glanced at each other before leaning in and kissing each other on the lips.
A few days later…
Kevin Keller was happy for Archie and Cheryl. He was pleased that they had won the variety show. But he was having his own troubles to think about at the moment.
Kevin couldn't stop seeing Jason's body. What were the chances that of all the people in Riverdale, he would be the one to find Jason's body?
Kevin had asked Moose and Midge about their shock about discovering the body. They both were shocked, but neither of them seemed as traumatized about discovering the body like Kevin was.
Kevin knew the healthy approach in this situation was seeing a therapist, someone that could help him in this situation. But he couldn't seem to think clearly.
Kevin briefly glanced at a knife that was sitting on his kitchen countertop. He hesitated, then grabbed it quickly.
Goodbye, world. Dad. Moose. Archie. Cheryl. I tried my best, but I just couldn't tolerate it.
Kevin then slit his arm with the knife.