Chapter Six

Gabby sat up straight, stretching out her back. She rolled her shoulders and groaned softly. She reached up, pressing her fingers into the side of her neck, working the tips of her fingers into the bruises that formed. Two straight days of working on her volleyball technique and she was nearly dying.

Her entire body hurt. Hurt in a good way. Their team was going to be amazing that year. Even Nancy, when she wasn't caught in a snark war with Gabby during their downtime, had certainly improved. She set up spikes for Gabby that were sent sailing over the net beautifully. And Gabby hardly missed any of the set ups for her, even when having to dive across the floor to get to it.

Now she was paying for it. Her muscles screamed as she stretched her legs across the table top of Pop's diner, carefully twisting her feet toward herself so that she could get the perfect stretch to her toenails. Was there anything better than the smell of nail polish on a beautiful, fall day? The smell of nail polish on a beautiful fall day with Pops' burgers cooking in the background.

Even Cheryl was convinced to put her strict Penelope Blossom-enforced diet aside to indulge in some of Pop's world famous—or Riverdale famous—foods. And as they continued to sit there for hours on end, laughing with and at each other when Gabby pulled out her camera to take pictures of themselves and their classmates who came through the door, ready for a good time. The Jukebox on their table was cranked as loud as Pops would tolerate, plates of food filling their table.

"So, what do you think of this polish?" Gabby extended her leg, ignoring the painful stretch of her calf muscle, and wiggled her toes. "Green? Or no?"

"Mm." Cheryl tilted her head. First to one side then the other. She tapped her fingers against her pursed lips. Finally, she leaned back in her seat, eyes squinting a little. "I don't know," She said. "I'm not sure green is a good color for you. I mean," she tossed her hair behind her shoulders, rapidly fluttering her eyelashes. "There's more than enough for you to be positively green about when you have me as your best friend. But for your feet, I'm not so sure."

Gabby tilted her head the same way. Looked at her feet through Cheryl's eyes. Hmm. Maybe. If anything, it made her feet look to be smaller. At least two sizes. And Cheryl and Jason always did tease her about her feet. Just as she was able to tease them about their freakishly bushy eyebrows they had before their mother and father became so into appearances and making their family look like they came straight from a magazine.

"Yeah, you're right," Gabby agreed. She reached for the bottle of nail polish remover and started to dab a wet cotton ball onto her toes, working to remove the polish. She looked up over her table, noticing the disgusted looks from those sitting behind them. Gabby rolled her eyes and raised her voice to say, "'Oh relax, we already ate our food." She waved her hand. "Just go back to your boring miserable lives. Shoo."

Cheryl laughed loudly, her voice booming around the diner. She picked up Gabby's camera and pointed it at her, prompting Gabby to make a funny face, lips pursed and eyes closed, before taking the picture. Cheryl turned her camera around, giggling when she saw the result. She leaned over, handing the camera back to Gabby, who smiled when she saw it as well.

Taking the camera back, Gabby moved her thumb over a few of the settings. "And save," she said. "Perfect to go in the Yearbook, I think."

"More like a personal ad," Cheryl teased, making Gabby shriek in surprise and slap Cheryl hard on the shoulder. Cheryl jerked in surprise, knocking her bottle of nail polish all over the table. Instead of getting angry, Chery laughed, grabbing napkins to clean her mess. The red polish smeared around, looking very much like blood before Cheryl took the makeup remover offered to her from Gabby. "Now, look what you made me do."

"You did that yourself," Gabby protested. "I'm not going to take the fall for you this time."

"Bitch," Cheryl taunted.

"Whore."

"You have to have sex to be a whore." Cheryl gave an exaggerated wink. "Always leave them wanting more, Gabby. That's what I always say."

"In my experience, that's not exactly true," Jason announced his presence. Gabby lowered her feet, sitting cross-legged on the cushion, watching as he slid into the other side of the booth with Polly. His arm held firm over her shoulders, Jason glanced in disdain at the table in front of him. "I think your table manners drives them away faster than your not putting out, which, again,"—he held up his finger—"in my experience isn't quite true."

Polly giggled quietly.

"At least I've got people interested in me," Cheryl said. She finished cleaning the table, tossing the cotton balls and napkins back toward him. "There's more to life than being married."

Polly laughed. "No, not married yet," She said. She laced her fingers together, stretching her arms forward to rest on the table top, cheeks burning red with a flush. "We're definitely too young to get married." Jason positively beamed at her, his smile nearly matching hers almost perfectly.

As if they were sharing some sort of secret.

Gabby's eyebrows rose. She'd seen that look many times before. When Jason and Cheryl were hiding something from everyone around them, becoming lost in their own little world as 'the Blossom twins', captured in many moments of the events and charities they attended on behalf of their parents. It was the same look Cheryl would shoot her across the room when they were separated in class for talking too much.

This time, seconds after Jason and Polly exchanged it, Gabby looked to Cheryl. Cheryl looked back at her out of the corner of her eye. The corner of her lips turned up at the same time Gabby's did. If they were keeping a secret, they could get it out of them. And easily.

"But that doesn't mean it's not on the cards for you, right?" Gabby added. She rested her chin in her hands, locking the two with a firm gaze. Then her gaze shifted to Polly, her stomach clenched. Polly looked back at her, face twitching ever so slightly. "I mean, not that your mother would want that to happen, she does tend to be opinionated, don't you think? And she's not so fond of Jason, is she?"

Polly took in a deep breath through her nose. She moved her hand up to grasp Jason's lacing their fingers together. "Yes, well, what my mother doesn't know what hurt her."

"But the words she'll spew at you when she does find out is what's going to hurt you."

Jason then took the opportunity to jump in, after shooting Cheryl a desperate glance. Cheryl merely held her hands up and leaned back, a smirk curling at her lips. It was an interesting conversation and she wasn't going to ruin it. "But she won't find out," he said pointedly. He ran a hand through his hair as Polly shifted uncomfortably. "Look, I know you and Betty had a falling out—"

"—Ha!" Gabby interrupted. Understatement of the year. The fact that she and Betty used to be friends was such a laughable concept to her now. Especially knowing how she had turned out. Exactly as Gabby thought she would, just a little more insufferable than she thought. Exactly like her mother.

"But you and Polly usually get along, you don't have to give her a hard time."

Gabby flashed Jason a smile. "I'm not giving her a hard time, I'm giving you a hard time." Jason's eyelashes fluttered, watching her closely. "What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't poke some fun at your wife. Sorry, I mean girlfriend."

"I can't imagine why you'd turn down the Vixens. You would've fit right in," Jason said dryly. Polly made an offended sound, elbowing her boyfriend in the side. Jason smiled innocently in response then held up a hand, signaling for a waiter. "Anyway, I'm starting to get a little hungry, you wouldn't mind picking up the tab for me this time, right, sis?" He asked her.

Cheryl's eyebrows twitched upwards. "What's the matter? Get cut off by daddy again?"

"Again, would have to signify it happened a first time," Jason shot back.

"And we all know Jason can do no wrong," Polly said. She rolled her eyes. "Once we were talking in class and I was the one who got in trouble. Even though he was the one who was practically shouting across the room from me."

"That Blossom charm works like magic," Cheryl crowed.

Jason flittered his eyes towards Gabby, making her look away. Instead, she looked out the window. Spotted Archie, Jughead, and Betty walking along in the distance, heads lowered against the wind chill, hands shoved into the pockets of their jackets, and still having what appeared to be the time of their lives as they laughed while walking along. Jughead and Betty then waved goodbye to Archie as he cut across the street in the direction of his father's construction company, backpack bouncing along his back as he went.

"Well, what can I say? Us Blossoms can be persuasive when we need to be," Jason said.

"Don't remind me," Polly groaned. "I don't know how you managed to talk me into going to that…" Gabby watched Polly's reflection wave a hand, while trying to come up with the words for it. Her face screwed up in disgust. "fancy party you guys throw every year.

"The Blossom Maple Syrup Ball," Gabby, Jason, and Cheryl all corrected in unison.

"Yeah, that," Polly agreed. She leaned into Jason's side, pressing a kiss to her boyfriend's cheek. "But if it means I get to spend even more time with my gorgeous boyfriend, then I can deal."

"Sure, up until you walk through the front door and mom sees you two together," Cheryl pointed out.

Jason snorted. "And you think mom's not going to freak out when you walk through the door with Gabby? We all know how she felt about you and—"

"—We're out of here," Cheryl interrupted. Abruptly, she slid out of the booth and stood, flicking her credit card toward her brother, who caught it in his hand. "We've got more important things to do than sit here and watch you two all but pro-create here on the table in front of the miserable faces of Riverdale."

"Even though I'm sure you wouldn't mind the audience," Gabby added.

Bored, Jason rested his cheek in his upraised palm. "Coming from the girl who makes sure she has an audience for everything? When was the last time you did anything on your own?" He sneered at Cheryl over Gabby's shoulder.

Gabby did her best not to let the weight of his worlds fall on her. Tried not to think about the many times she was alone. How often she tried to avoid being alone for that very reason. That was the point of a best friend, wasn't it? Though, at the moment, Jason was being anything but if he was throwing it back in her face like that.

"I'm glad you're worried about the status of my social life, Jay." Gabby reached under the table, yanking her stilletos out from beneath Jason's feet and balanced against the table to put them back on before carelessly sweeping her nail polish, cotton swabs, and polish remover into her purse. She could buy another one if it stained. "How long did it take for you to crawl out of Polly's bed today?"

Jason's eyes widened with an expression Gabby couldn't quite place. He sat up straight, ignored Polly's wide-eyed look toward him and said, "Gabby—"

"Come, come." Cheryl grabbed Gabby's wrist. "We mustn't keep our public waiting." She hitched her purse over her shoulder. "You better not charge so much to my card, Jay. I don't want to have to talk to mother and father about the questionable ways you enjoy your time."

Jason scowled at her.

Gabby stood and looped her arm through Cheryl's, the two sauntering out of Pops', brushing past Dilton Doiley and Ben Button, nearly slamming them into the door of the shop as they left. "Look, but don't touch!" Gabby snapped as they breezed past.

"Ooh, how positively nasty of you," Cheryl practically purred, tightening her grasp around Gabby's arm. "Do my eyes deceive me, or do you have something you want to get off your chest?"

"No," Gabby said shortly. She shook her head, brushing the loose tresses from her face, tucking them behind her ear. "But I want to shoot something."

"You took the words right out of my mouth."

Gabby walked through the front doors of firing range and walked up to the desk. Her eyes swept over the pictures of the celebrities that'd stopped by the gun range and took a picture with the man. Not celebrities that any would know, per se, but those that actually left Riverdale and made names for themselves. Mr. Malloy stood proudly next to each one, arms around their shoulders and protective goggles on their faces.

Gabby couldn't help but notice in the earlier pictures his daughter, and her classmate, Jinx Malloy smiling brightly along with them. As time went on, Jinx appeared gloomier than ever, almost dreading to be in the photos. Not that she was so surprised, Jinx certainly lived up to her name, Gabby couldn't remember a day going by without Jinx tripping over something, dropping something, smashing into something, or having overall bad luck.

That plus guns was probably not a good idea.

Mr. Malloy glanced up from the magazine he read to look at Gabby and Cheryl. His eyes turned toward the ceiling before he said, "How many times do I have to tell you that the next time I see you I want to see you with adult supervision."

Gabby flashed a sweet smile. "I haven't needed adult supervision in years, Mr. Malloy," She said. "And you know how busy my daddy is…" her voice trailed off, circling her finger along the glass case that showcased the numerous pistols and shotguns inside. "Making sure you get as much advertising as you can for the hunting season." She turned to Cheryl, placing her hand on her shoulder. "Your father shops exclusively here, right?"

"Yes, every hunting season my father, Clifford Blossom, makes a generous purchase to ensure that the Blossoms and the board of the Blossom Maple Syrup have an enjoyable hunting season with the best artillery they can afford."

Gabby tried not to burst out laughing when Mr. Malloy rolled his eyes. Not only was Cheryl's use of the word 'artillery' funny in general, she couldn't remember the last time she'd paid enough attention in class to know anything about war tactics, but because of how exasperated Mr. Malloy was.

He lowered his gaze to Gabby and said, "You're going to be the death of me." He pointed at her. "No, the high amount of stress you put on me will be the death of me."

"My mom said you'd keep an eye on me," Gabby reminded him.

"But I also don't think she meant for you to come in here as you please. Your father—"

"—My father doesn't care. He thinks it's great I know how to defend myself." Gabby paused and added. "Besides, it's better I do it here rather than out the back of my house where anything can go wrong." Like anything really could go wrong. A gun was an extension of her body. She took it more seriously than life itself.

Had it drilled into her head.

Almost literally. She could remember the times her mother took her along to the gun range, prancing along in a bright pink dress, a Barbie doll in one hand and her mother's hand in the other. Smiling excitedly up at her as she put the gun together and explained everything that went along with it.

"The world can be a cruel place, Gabby, I want to make sure you know how to defend yourself." And that was shortly before she started Gabby through the rigorous training to keep her in shape. For Volleyball, Julia explained, watching Gabby's progress over the years. Gabby frowned, remembering the days of having to miss get togethers, whining pitifully when her mother wanted 'one more set' of push-ups after she completed each one. Had her count out and weigh her food on scales. Woke her up early for volleyball drills and speed drills before school.

It was all worth it in the end, she'd progressed with volleyball and her general fitness much quicker than anyone before. Found herself happy with the body she grew into through puberty. Strong and lithe with just enough curves and muscle to keep the boys interested but not too intimidated.

It all seemed so worth it, even if it meant having the same conversation with Mr. Malloy every time she stepped foot in the shop, with or without her father.

Nevertheless, Mr. Mallow finally relented. Gabby knew he would. She'd been to the gun range by herself since she'd turned twelve. Riverdale was a safe and wholesome place, hardly anyone batted an eye when doors were left open and unlocked, allowing neighbors to come and go as they please. What difference did it make when the children of Riverdale got into their own ideas of fun? And besides, it Dilton Doiley, who had a fascination with guns, could wave one around with his Boy Scout troop, what did it matter if she got some practice in?

Once Gabby and Cheryl walked through the doors that separated them from the range to the lobby, Gabby's mind moved mechanically. She knew everything that needed to be done and executed it flawlessly. First goggles on. Then ear muffs. Then she set her weapons on the counter, separating the pieces from each other; bullets, magazine, pistol. Ensured the safety was on. Counted out all the bullets she wanted. Set her target up on the clips and flicked the knob that sent it as far down the lane as possible.

Cheryl perched on a seat behind her, lifted a magazine she'd brought with her, absentmindedly flipping through the pages. "So, we've got the nail polish choices down. What are you going to do about your dress?"

"Now, pay attention, Bug. When you fire the gun, you do have the chance of the casing flying back at you. It'll be hot. But that's okay, it'll only sting for a second."

Gabby snapped the magazine into her pistol, holding it carefully at an arm's length. She tilted her wrist backwards, looking to see if there was a round in the chamber.

"The gun may jam. Never point it to yourself if that happens. Just stop and look for me. I'm always here to help you, baby."

Gabby lowered her arms to her side, kept her finger away from the trigger. Steadied herself. No matter how many times she was used to firing the weapon in hand, it always took her a second to work her nerves out. Almost as if it was her first time again, hiding behind her mother's legs and peering out, flinching at every slight sound, wondering what would happen if her mother missed. But Julia never missed.

She shot a bullseye with every deft move of her hand. So skilled that while the gun jumped in her hand, it only moved a fraction, red burst of fire blooming from the front, like a rose blooming from the Earth. The hard expression on her mother's face melted into a cheerful smile when she brought back her target and Gabby cheered her mother on, clapping her hands together, Barbie forgotten on the floor.

"Gabby."

"What?" Gabby continued to stare at the target at the end of the range.

"Your dress," Cheryl repeated, laughing at the confused look on Gabby's face. She reached out and shook Gabby's arm. "What color were you thinking?"

Gabby, for a second, was about to snap at Cheryl. About to yell at her for shaking her when she had a dangerous weapon in her hand. She never distracted Cheryl when she and Jason were at her archery lessons. Instead, Gabby sucked in a deep breath, relieved that she had the foresight to leave the safety on, then turned her attention down the range. Her target was as far back as she could make it, less than a challenge, she'd mastered it years before.

"Now, make sure when you're shooting that you don't have any distractions around you. Just listen to my voice. Make the gun the extension of your arm. Make it your own finger. Hold the gun between your hands, your left hand cupping your right and slowly squeeze the trigger."

Gabby tried not to tear up as she heard her mother's voice, the last of her advice. The same as it always did when she was at the range. Could hear her soft, soothing voice as she explained all the steps to her daughter. A different tone than the one that she typically spoke to her only child with. Expecting. Militant. Holding at a certain regard. Reminders that she had to get good grades, had to be at the top of her class, had to be the best volleyball player, the best at everything. Had to keep the 'Rush' name going.

Not many husbands took their last name after their wives, but Julia Rush was a woman who knew what she wanted, with her husband standing by her side with support along the way. When their daughter was born, they were both overjoyed, knowing they wanted nothing more than to give her the life she deserved. It was planned for Julia to leave the military shortly after Gabby's birth. Unfortunately, life never worked out the way anyone wanted.

Gabby took in a deep breath, closing her eyes to steady herself. Focused on her mother's words, on the dog tags that hung around her neck, gently rising and falling with each of her breaths. Finally, Gabby opened her eyes and one by one, emptied the chamber of her pistol, sending a hole into the target in rapid succession.

Out the corner of her eye, Gabby noticed Cheryl flinch with each blast, bringing her hands up to cover her ears despite the bright red ear mugs she wore. Gabby finishing firing off the gun, set the gun back to safety, pulled the magazine apart, and reached to the knob on the wall that brought her target back to her.

Gabby smiled.

Five perfect shots.

Turning to Cheryl, Gabby was ready with her answer. She wanted to say, "I'm thinking of red" but knew it was a bad idea. Red was Cheryl's signature color, the Blossoms' signature color. Even Jason would be wearing a red bow-tie, even if Polly's dress was a dusty blue. So, instead, Gabby said, "I'm thinking purple."

A combination of the deepest reds and the coolest blues.

Perfect for the occasion.

Now, she just needed a date.

A/N: So sorry for the wait, had a lot of stuff going on. But I hope you all enjoyed it. I'm always thinking of new things/interactions within the Riverdale cast while keeping Gabby's story moving forward. I hope you continue to enjoy. And they needed to have a good, happy chapter at least once, right? Good for characterization and development. At least that's what I tell myself, lol.

Also, guest, thank you for your suggestion, Reggie will be showing up more.

Cheers,

-Riley