CHAPTER FOUR: RED WIDOW
Putting down her sandwich, Ozzie and Betty smile as Archie's song plays. Only for the moment to be interrupted by Veronica.
"Hey! Can I join?" She asks.
"Yeah." Betty nods. As Veronica moves to sit next to Kevin, the other Cooper pouts having her space taken away from her.
"What are you doing?" Veronica asks.
"Listening to one of Archie's songs." Betty says enthusiastically.
"I thought we were going to have to pretend to like it, but it's actually really good." Kevin says.
"Wait, that was you singing?" Archie nods. "Something you wrote?" Veronica questions.
"It's rough-" Betty cuts Archie off.
"No, it's great."
"It's incredible, actually, the little snippet I heard. Is that your thing? Music? Are you doing something with that?" Veronica questions.
"Yeah, that's the plan." Archie answers. "So, how's your first day going? Good?" Archie asks.
"Not to be a complete narcissist, but I thought people would be more-"
"Obsessed with you? Any other year, you'd be trending number one for sure. This year, though, it's all about Cheryl trying to win Best Supporting Psycho for her role as Riverdale High's bereaved Red Widow." Kevin says.
Ozzie tries her best not to laugh at what Kevin just said.
"Hey, I should go. I got that meeting with Grundy and then football tryouts, so." Archie pack his bag and leaves.
"You play football, too? What don't you do" Veronica asks.
"Before you ask, Blue Jasmine, no, she has not invited him to the dance yet." Kevin says.
"Not yet, and don't talk about Archie." Betty whisper yells as Cheryl Blossom approaches them.
"Veronica Lodge, I'd heard whisperings. I'm Cheryl Blossom, may I sit." She looks down at Betty for a moment. "Betty would you mind?"
Cheryl didn't give Betty time to move over before sliding onto the bench, pushing her so she was able to face all three opposite them.
"So, what are you three hens gossiping about? Archie's Efron-esque emergence from the chrysalis of puberty?" Cheryl questions.
"Extracurriculars. Weatherbee wants me to sign up for a few." Veronica pipes up, lying on the spot.
"Cheerleading! You must. I'm senior captain of the River Vixens." Cheryl flips her hair.
"Is cheerleading still a thing?" Kevin asks.
"Is being the Gay Best Friend still a thing? Some people say it's retro, I say it's eternal and iconic." She turns to Ozzie. "Your spots still open if you want it Oz?"
Ozzie says nothing as both all four were staring at her until Veronica decided to finally answer.
"At Spence, I sat at the top of the Elites' pyramid. I'm in." She looks over at Betty. "Betty, you're trying out, too."
"Of course, anyone's welcome to try out-" she looks down at Betty's lunch "-but Betty's already got so much on her plate right now and being a Vixen is kind of a full-time thing." Cheryl turns her head to Ozzie "But open to all!" Sliding off of the bench she stands by Veronica. "Follow me on Twitter and I'll do the same. My handle is cherylbombshell."
Waiting until the red-head was out of hearing range, Veronica opened her mouth.
"Okay. Go ahead and hate on cheerleading, but if Hipster Prince Harry-" Betty cut her off.
"I'd love to be a cheerleader. It would look great on my college applications. But last year, when I tried out, Cheryl said I was too fat."
""Too season 5 Betty Draper." It was a great line-" Ozzie steps on Kevin's foot with her heel "-but not at all true."
"Well, you're a total smoke show now. I mean it. As hot and as smart as you are, you should be the Queen Bey of this drab hive. Look, if you want to be a River Vixen, I'll help you prep. I have moves. " Veronica offers.
"I'll help as well." Ozzie says, moving out of her seat and over to sit on the other side by Betty.
"Okay. You know what? Show me your moves."