Chapter 1 : The River's Edge (part 1)
My head lolled back almost reluctantly , never wanting to give in to this tiredness - the tiredness that is a result of everything that has happened this past few months . Remembering it makes me cry , dwelling on it frustrates me and nothing I used to do to release the stress is helping .
Veronica Lodge is not weak
I tell myself , as the overhead bins are being shut close and my wyes clamp shut with it . Looking out this window into JFK , where it's dark and sunny all the same , and I've left this place a hundred times before - school trips , friend getaways , family vacations , daddy's business trips … it doesn't feel the same at all .
Because this time , for once , I don't have a return ticket . I don't know when I'll come back , and I'm not privy to the itinerary when I get off this plane . Escape . Is it though ? I used to tell myself never run away from your problems , deal with them ( wether that be cruelly or not , regardless , I still dealt with them ) so why am I running now ? These hard things will catch up to me no matter where I go …
"Rest your mind , mija" I feel soft strokes in my hair . It irritates me only slightly that she might be messing it up . "Get some sleep dear , you need it"
I turn my head the other way , back out the window . As the familiar buzz of the airplane taxying on the tarmac vibrated through me , I think maybe it'll be okay . Maybe , in desperate times and gripping , squeezing pressures ; escaping is okay . Maybe this is the exception . And maybe , never returning home again might just be exactly what I need . It's a slow burn , I'm still anxious and stiff as the plane takes off . But once air flushes in me and I feel us settle in the sky , my mind shuts off and I surrender to sleep .
"Hermione Lodge !" A tall man in a dark blue uniform is snapping me out of my brain's frantic seizures . Everything looks different . It feels different . The air is colder than I anticipated ( luckily mom had told me to wear my cape ) and the smells around me swirl like they do in a foreign place .
Quite honestly this is the least busy place I've ever had my passport chopped .
Oh god , Riverdale is already giving me one of those vibes . Sure my mom can feel comfortable and cheery where this used to be her stomping grounds , but I personally feel sick .
Truly . There's a stickiness in my throat and it takes almost every cell in my body to not release a mean comment . Remember Veronica , reinvent yourself . That's the only way this is going to work .
It's only in the comfort of our limousine , when mom is chatting to the driver who she apparently knows , that I take out my phone and click the home button . I've been pretty distracted since landing . distracted . Because there's just so much to look at in this closet of an airport . Butter corn … the shortest custom line I've ever endured waiting in .. and I dare not enter the toilets .
My iPhone comes alive and it strikes me all so suddenly that everything I ever had in my past is pocketed into this tiny little object . My whole life . From the memories in my camera roll to the text messages - there's thirty , six from Chase and Justin respectively , asking if I made it and if I miss them already . Three from Posie asking how I like it , two nonsensical ones from Nick and the rest are from my Kings! Spence Cheer Squad group chat . Cameron is particularly talking about how they need to replace me for a new flyer .
It irks me they're already getting used to life without me . But I just reply to Chase and Posie because they're the only ones who aren't asking me difficult questions they don't realise I don't want to hear .
My natural habit is to scroll through Instagram with my earphones on while in the car , but something about this new place makes me want to look out the window .
Green . Green , forestry green . My throat tightens at the sight of it all because damn me , I still miss New York . And the signs of home that were tall buildings and busy streets , people unbothered and the feeling I could just be myself . That's all gone isn't it ? My stomach stops lurching inside out when we start seeing actual homes and buildings but it isn't long before we pull up in front of some place that is the closest to what I'll ever reside in back in Park Avenue .
The Pembrooke .
To get a clearer look I click the button that sends the window down . This is it . My start over . From what I knew all my life , but that life isn't so appealing , far from it now . So why am I still holding onto it with sweaty fingers . Let go , Veronica . Let go . Maybe it'll be over .
I step out and still can't tear my eyes away . This ?
"Now brace yourself" I hear my mother come up behind me . "The apartment's small , a pied - a - tierre , but quality always"
"Quality always" I repeat , mostly to myself .
"Plus , its the only piece of property in my name and not your father's"
Inside , I'm even more appalled . I try not to be really , but it's like a scene out of a movie I wouldn't ever bear watch . An old man with white everything comes up and the sparkle in his eyes kind of uneasily sends me a wave of comfort .
"Hermione ! Welcome home !"
"Smithers , oh you are a sight for sore eyes"
Smithers , definitely a kids movie .
"How was the ride ?" He inquires . I assume Smithers is our doorman .
"No traffic thank god . Smithers , I'd like to introduce you to my daughter Veronica"
"It's a pleasure miss" he smiles tenderly at me .
"Hi" I can't really say much else despite the thousand thoughts running through my brain .
"I'll get the bags"
"Would you ?"
"Oh" he turns back to them "and would you like some menus ma'am , so you can order in ?"
"Oh no . I have been craving one of Pop Tate's cheeseburgers since noon . Is his Choc' Lit Shoppe still open ?"
That completely convinces me I'm walking into a cartoon town and I can't keep quiet anymore "What is a Choc' Lit Shoppe and why does it sell burgers ?"
My mom just smiles endearingly at me . Something tells me I'll have to find out for my self .
We check the room and I'm happy it at least my bedroom fits my bed , as I was honestly concerned it wouldn't . Everything feels so out of place despite us having all our things arranged pre our arrival . I don't know anything . My fingers brush the spine of some books just feather light , out of focus . In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is what I read in freshman year . I can't believe I'm actually kind of living it now . Definitely . That's it . Riverdale is In Cold Blood .
I don't have a place in here . I'm obviously none of The Clutter sisters nor Susan Kidwell . It's honestly fucking comical Veronica Lodge doesn't know where she stands and who she is . The clarity of it all ends up pissing me off and I rush out the door to jump in our limo to Pops earlier than my mom asked me to pick the burgers up . Get to know this place , mija .
Well I don't know this place , I'm not a cold blood murderer or a surrendering victim or a peppy cartoon character for that matter . This place just reeks of new and when I see the Choc' Lit Shoppe it doesn't calm me . I grumble . Why am I being so complicated right now ? It's just a diner . Small , and toast box-y and when I walk in there it's just to pick up burgers okay ?
Strut in . Walk with you head high and your back straight because that's how you fall into yourself , that's who I am . No , no I'm supposed to try and break my walls down . I'm supposed to be different .
Try as I might , making an entrance is one of my many talents and part of the allure I hold - so when I push open that diner door and let the hood of my cape down I can't help shining on my own .
There's barely anyone in here . Old couple sitting next to each other in one of the red booths and soft music hums from the jukebox . I see the guy who I assume is Pop Tate . He's kind of like Smithers , that same hospitality even when he hasn't spoken . The warmth of a good person . He's Riverdale .
I walk to him to get what I came for , but in that moment of unsureness and dangling from a chain of being who I've always known and slouching my shoulders to not appear so perfect - the ringing bell of the this diner and the absence of New York City's chatter . Maybe I'm dramatic and overly emotional or maybe it's normal to feel like the sky is going to fall - in my head , my heart , my body spurs with unease .
I see him . Them , if you count a head of silky blonde hair pulled into a tight ponytail sitting opposite the boy I first set eyes on .
He's beautiful . Like me , somewhere in between . Not perfectly warm like the goodness in Smithers and Pop Tate there's more behind that structured face I just want to know .
He's …. wow .
Boys never know what hit them when I walk into the room and the fiery haired one with eyes stuck on me is no different . He can't stop looking at me and I try to hide my smile , I'll play this like all the other boys - hard to get . No , he seems softer than any player I used to know . He's more attractive to me than any of them too . Physically , yes but all the boys in Spence were conventionally hot too - there's just something about him . Golden lights accentuate every crook and shadow on his strong features . Even if I never see this man again , it'll be etched into my mind forever .
"I called in an order , for Lodge ?"
"Yeah two burgers , but you gotta wait" Pop Tate moves distractedly to get the work done .
I am a little early , and for some reason some part of me couldn't resist talking to the boy with - now that I can see him closer has champagne eyes and thick eyebrows that are naturally impressive above them .
"Hi"
"Hey" he looks a little dopey smiling at me like his just got eyes, and I can't help but wonder how old exactly he is . I'm told all the time my group of friends don't really act or look our age , my sense of assumption is really messed up .
"How are the onion rings here ?" I decide to ask
"So good" something about the way his eyes run over me from head to toe makes me think he's not talking about fried onion goodness anymore . I smirk , before realising the girl in front of him is present and we're not on sweet time to ponder each other . "Can we get some onion rings to go , please ?" I call to Pop Tate .
"My mom and I just moved here , so"
"From where ?" His eyes show interest and honesty .
"New York"
"Wow"
Like that wasn't the reaction I was expecting .
"So do you guys go to Riverdale ?"
"We do . Both of us" he replies fast and eager
The blonde says something but I don't hear it .
"I'm filled with dread" I admit to them
"Why's that ?" Oh … where do I even start ..
"Are you familiar with the works of Truman Capote ? I'm Breakfast at Tiffany's but this place is strictly In Cold Blood" I hope he got the reference , and he laughs heartily at it to my impression . A little too much if you ask me . Which makes me wonder if he even knows jack about what I'm speaking of . Boys do that all the time .
"Veronica Lodge" I introduce , never forgetting formalities .
"Archie" he holds out his hand to shake "Andrews"
Our skin touching feels hot and burning it amuses me I want to try and touch him again .
"This is Betty Cooper" he suddenly snaps his gaze from me and gestures to the fair haired female sitting in front of him .
"Wait …" I halt and recall some half - listened to thing my mom said about the school setting me up with someone to give me a tour and some All American poster name "are you -"
"Supposed to give you your tour tomorrow ? Yes . I'm your peer mentor" she laughs a little .
"Hey do you want to join us ?" Archie cuts our conversation short to which I sadly have to decline .
"My mom's waiting for me . But , to be continued"
and with that I picked up two hot burgers and a box of onion rings , the whole time thinking I'd at least see to faces I sort of know tomorrow at school . Mom isn't lying when she says the burgers are delicious . Not quite JG Melon - I kick myself for it .
"Are you ready for school tomorrow darling ?" My mom asks while we devour and dictate how our coming day will be . "As ready as I can be . Outfit is chosen and I'll be up early to do my makeup - I can't believe school here starts at 7.40 . Seriously"
Mom laughs as I roll my eyes .
"I met two other students from there at Pops"
"Really ? Who , did they seem nice ?" Mom took out her phone and put her burger down to start tapping on it .
"Very . Betty Cooper , the girl who's supposed to give me my tour . And .. Archie Andrews"
"What ?" Her head snaps up and her eyes have widened . "Woah , I said Archie Andrews . Why ?"
"Nothing , nothing . I just know his father - it's crazy to think of all their kids now" she dismisses it . I nod in understanding .
And that night as the darkness befalls me I'm tired enough that's its easy to sleep but between the stiffness of this brand new mattress and nerves I can't seem to swallow my eyes flutter awake sporadically . Not knowing at the time I was part of two other somebody's before bed thoughts . I might never admit it , even to myself anymore because I don't know what to believe anymore . But I do miss you daddy . I miss everything .
Like they say , sleeping on it makes things better . With a clear head and steady gaze I step into the ground of Riverdale High at 7.30 in the grey morning . I wear a brand new two piece structured dress and Laboutins to reign in my element . I wouldn't be complete however , without the string of pearls on my neck . It signifies a time when life wasn't as complicated , at least not for me .
"Hey ! Great , you're on time . Let's start now !" The peppy as they come Miss Betty Cooper popped up right in front of me . Wow . In the daylight I see her eyes are blue as the sky and she's dressed in a collared sweater that couldn't be more fitting to her personality .
"So , Riverdale first opened their doors in 1941 and-"
"And , hasn't been redecorated since apparently" these walls seem like they have mould trying to be covered by brand new wallpaper . Betty fell silent , probably stumped . "Honestly , I feel like I'm wondering through the last epilogue of Our Town"
I briefly think of Cameron , Katie , Chase and Nick walking up the steps into The Spence School with their muted coloured coats and polished shoes , heels on the girls and probably new statement handbags . They start rounding up all the cool kids and where and when they'll meet for lunch , last year I was there too and the image lightens me to a giggle .
"So what's the social scene like here ? Any nightclubs ?"
Betty doesn't get a chance to answer if she had an answer because another voice piped up around us and before me appeared a tall boy with that same really kind face and animated when he speaks .
"A strip club called the Ho Zone and a tragic gay club innuendo. Friday nights , football games and then tailgate parties at the Mallmart parking lot . Saturday night is movie night , regardless of what's playing at the Bijou and you better get there early because we don't have reserved seating in Riverdale . And Sunday nights , thank god for HBO" he lists off . I grin up at him for being so enthusiastic in the morning .
"Veronica Lodge , Kevin Keller" Betty stops and gestures between the two of them . "Kevin , Veronica's new here"
"Veronica , Kevin's -"
"Gay . Thank god , lets be best friends"
By the way he holds a firm hand shake and doesn't fade into the background like some of these kids do while not being obviously try hard . He has dark dark hair and seems completely trustworthy , I can tell looking into his sincere eyes . He seems to be cruising the top of my new friends list until the next thing he says .
"Is it true what they say about your dad ?" Well - what do they say about my dad ?
"That he's the devil incarnate ?" I cross my arms . So people here do know of me , and they know whatever it is they know - because even I don't have details about what daddy did . "I stand by my father" I tell them right on . Betty is clearly uncomfortable and I think Kevin regrets what he said , so we continue this tour and leave my dad behind us . When Betty talks she bounces and her step has a little jump in it , her and Kevin joke like pals do , when she laughs her eyes completely get lost in its sparkle . Innocence , she's clean cut - both of them are , and when I look at the faces she makes to describe each little thing meticulously I can't help and adore her .
"Oh ! There's the hottie we were with last night !" I spot Archie walking the halls looking fairly clueless just as Kevin said something about a semi formal dance - he's really tall from where I stand and pretty muscular underneath a loose varsity football type jacket . He immediately makes me brighten up with a smile . "The red headed Ansel Elgort"
All three of us are quiet for a moment and I really enjoy the feeling of us maybe getting to know each other . Excited even .
"Is he your boyfriend ?" I ask , remembering they were at the diner last night together .
"No , he's straight"
"No , we're just friends"
I'm too intrigued by him too laugh at the misunderstanding .
"In that case , mind putting in a word ? I've tried every flavour of boy but orange"
"Actually" Kevin cuts in quickly "Archie and Betty aren't dating , but they are endgame"
My heart clenches . What . Why . I should've assumed they were something - I did , but still . My inner self starts pushing forward the idea that I'll have him in no time and I don't even need to worry about Betty , I'll have him wrapped around my finger and probably my legs wrapped around him in no time.
"You should ask him to the semi formal then" trying . Betty's a perfect girl and her and Archie look so fitting . More than that , she has that longing look on her face for him , I already feel like I like her . And as part of my reinvention plan , helping a girl get her boy seems totally doable .
"She should , but I heard it might be getting cancelled because of what happened to Jason"
"They're gonna tell us at the assembly"
"Who's Jason and what happened to him ?"
There she is again , the red , hot headed queen that is Cheryl Blossom . She's dressed in black only for this portion of the day . She's brave , she's holding back way too many tears that should be spilling out . Have you ever lost someone you loved ? No , not in a break up way . Not in a goodbye mom or dad is moving away way . This is goodbye forever . Jason will never return - and the scarring last memory of him , the secret behind the truth is pounding against her heart almost physically hurting .
No one understands . Cheryl isn't obsessive . Or incestuous . No one understands because no one really knows Cheryl . Her heart has been torn out of her chest and ripped apart right in front of her . The worst part is she can't talk to anyone about it . Because one , no one knows the truth . And , Jason is the only person Cheryl ever talked to .. but she's strong , not a bitch like the boys on the football team used to whisper about her . Not like Jason used to defend her for . But not one person here would believe that . its a fairly chilly morning and the school auditorium has a nervous vibe tinging the hyperbolic students on bleachers .
It's almost sad and almost disappointing that Jason isn't here , no one can think of anything other than the fact that they don't know what to think . All they know is there was once a boy , the golden boy , and then his sister was found at Sweetwater River claiming he didn't make it .
Everyone except Veronica Lodge of course , who's posh self didn't turn up to this small town until the very last day of summer vacation . She sits the most clueless and unprepared next between Betty and Kevin . Betty , likes to tell herself she doesn't have to worry about what happened to Jason . It had nothing to do with her . He fell , it was an accident . Now he's dead .
No , it's more complicated than that . Jason may be dead but what he did to Polly still will never end , and mom and dad might be happy he's dead - but Polly will be devastated when she finds out . If she hasn't found out . If she's still actually thinking about them wherever she is . Now Cheryl Blossom stands at the podium confusing school assembly for her show ; like always , Veronica looks at Betty and sees much discolour filling her face . She doesn't know what it's about , but the girl next door isn't the same cheerful care bear she got to know in the hallways earlier .
Josie McCoy stands farther behind Cheryl with her fabulous girls Val and Melody , showing their support for the pale faced beauty queen . She's starting her speech with how lucky they all were to know Jason as a person . And how they all meant so much to him . She's half agitated by the fact that day one into sophomore year , an entitled , new - found - talent basic boy has tried his way into what she and the Pussycats have been building up to for so long . She knows who she is , she knows how much she's worth and in no time will she let anybody ruin her reign ever . Not again .
"Dude , Cheryl might be in mourning mood but she has gotten hot . -ter Not for me though , maybe you should try her Andrews" Moose snickers and hits his boy's back playfully . Not getting much of a response from the blank faced ginger whose eyes are lost in the direction of one unknown .
"What ? Come on , Reg don't you agree ?"
"Nah" Reggie doesn't spare Cheryl a glance despite her standing right up front . There's so many faces here and just a few stand out . Football and after parties sound all the appeal school year has to offer , but he's pumped and no amount of hot girl could amount to that . Maybe , one hot girl ..
"I do"
"Kick it Chuck , no one asked you"
"Oh please ! Care to have some respect for your upperclassman and football captain ? And as I was saying , Andrews should totally get it . I think we all know Cheryl has a thing for red heads"
"Gross dude . Who told you you're captain ? Wearing Jason's number ?" Moose looked intently at Chuck Clayton who just threw himself down next to the restless boys .
"I'm assuming . And hey - now that you mention it , since I will be wearing Jason's number ; maybe I should do Cheryl" he smirks .
"You're so fucking full of shit" Reggie shakes his head but his laughing .
They're disgusting and maybe a little crude because that's supposed to be 'locker room talk' but almost everybody in this section of the bleachers are aware of the conversation . That's garbage , Jughead Jones decides . What part of being in the company of other hormonal boys makes it okay to release some weird tension by talking about a girl just because you're a hormonal boy ? That doesn't even make it hot .
Hot . What ? Not in the context these perverts are putting it , anyway .
It's the furrow of dark brows , concentrated and devoted . Lewd speech happening six feet from him is almost dimmed , only focusing on the speech up front as almost an anchor . He can't believe it . Jason Blossom is dead .
It's the click of each letter on his laptop . No one sitting by him . He's always been an outcast , not the kind who people run off in fear of getting infected from ; the kind people stay away from because he's a walking , ticking , time bomb . And maybe he used to care too much . Maybe he's in a standstill the night Jellybean was pulled out the door in tears and a white bow in her hair . He doesn't feel proud of the lump in his throat he has to swallow . Even here , in the school auditorium when a teenage boy is dead and people are stressing about everything and nothing and school dance and football - Jughead doesn't get it . The hype , the pleasure to fit in , to find one place you belong . He doesn't belong . That's a given . There never will be something or someone that pulls him home .
For a while maybe home was red hair and lanky limbs but Jughead doesn't resist to repress and eye roll in the direction of him right now . He doesn't have lanky limbs . Now .
"Andrews has double guarantee on the team this year , what with those freaking monstrosities he's been lifting huh ?"
Just like that he's gone too , the kind hearted soul . He isn't gone . He's stuck in some halfway point of falling into the trap of every cliche cool kids dream and still having time for movies at the Bijou on one special day with one special kid . And all this time Jughead thought he was a forever friend , it angers him he's even thinking like that because really shouldn't he know better than anyone else that forever doesn't exist ? So what shit is he spewing under that freaking beanie ? It's stupid . He shouldn't think like that .
Archie chose to blow him off this summer . That's his fault . His choice and his loss . Not , Jughead's .
Archie knows what he did , so why does it feel like he's just found out ? Why did he not think this through when it was happening - instead of now when she's sitting way too far from him . She's not even on the bleachers . She's at the the teachers row . Every memory flashes fast like shutter images haunting and clear , the heavy emotion he'd felt and the washed away admittance to what he did still lingers in his mouth .
He knew what would happen before it happened and he still let it happen . Nothing really looks or feels steady anymore . It's a stupid choice with some amazing outcome that he's beginning to realise has consequences . There might be Moose shouting or murmuring or really what he doesn't know . He's not thinking of anything right now except focusing on her . How am I going to get out of this one ?
"Which is why I've asked the school board not to cancel the back - to - school semi formal . But rather let us use it as a way to heal , collectively , and celebrate my brother's too , too short life on this mortal coil" Cheryl finishes flawlessly .
Everyone erupts into cheering chaos . Cheryl's relieved it's over and she can find comfort in Josie's kind arms that hug her right away . Betty lost herself being the only one sitting still thinking she can't be that easily happy . Jughead's had enough , he's done and out . Mandatory is mandatory but these extra moments of shared joy isn't what he signed up for . Archie's so startled all his teammates have rose to clap and he does too - but it's short and unsweet and eyes following after her fast heels . Don't leave yet . I don't know what I've just done .
After what felt like the hell turn of three periods apparently now is lunch time and apparently we pick up trays of food from a lady after lining up like I've seen at shelter homes and such my parents used to donate to . I've lost Betty and Kevin in the spur of classes , and admittedly juggling getting food and finding these Bananas in Pyjamas is pretty hard when I don't know where anybody hangs out at this time .
I'm also late because I spent six minutes checking my phone at my locker , seeing that Katie Courig has removed you from Kings! Spence Cheer Squad is pretty crushing . It hurts less than I'd imagined , and I'd known it was bound to happen . There aren't any texts from Posie or Chase or Justin , and a part of me wonders when I look at my phone background of the six of us sitting on a boat in Santorini that maybe I should stop expecting one . That part of me is over , and I do miss it ..
No one can understand how special it was to be part of something amazing like I had at Spence . The careless , full heartedness we were and painted the sunshine into the clouds when we were together . If ignorance is bliss I was clearly always ignorant before .
Stepping down the steps into what I guess is their lunch courtyard , I see Cheryl the queen of hearts sitting with her two basics and they turn to look at me . No , almost everybody does . While I used to be full shameless , having people gawk at me is now something I secretly still love . The jocks sitting at their table turn in their seats to look at me - honestly there's so much eye candy over there ( I'm not giving them my time of day , hard to get remember ?) - the stares , the whispers and stolen looks , at least that hasn't changed .
With a deep breath to a finding a brand new happiness , because it's a choice I'm willing to make , I spot a blonde ponytail and the boy with dark hair and something inside me lights up . Maybe they'll be it .
Betty is sitting next to Archie and some melodramatic tune is playing at low volume from his laptop . It's good , something I would slip in the sheets with alone or with someone else at home . "Can I join ?" They look at me
"Yeah"
"What are we doing ?"
"Listening to one of Archie's songs" oh really
"I thought we were going to have to pretend to like it , but it's actually really good" Kevin says in a mouthful of burger .
"Wait that was you singing ? Something you wrote ?" I wanted to clarify
"It's rough" he looks beaten down - I'm so fascinated by him , in the daylight and up close .
"No , it's great" Betty assures him like I know she should , cheerful and sunny again like she is .
"It's incredible actually , the little snippet I heard . Is that your thing ? Music ? Are you doing something with it ?"
"That's the plan"
Wow , a boy who sings is one you rarely encounter - especially those looking like him .
"So how's your first day going ? Good ?" Archie asks me . It's clear he still looks at me that same way from last night , my heart is fluttering and light from it .
"Not to be a total narcissist , but I thought people would be -"
"More obsessed with you ?" Kevin cut through . How blatant he is kind of makes it sound bad , but that was what I meant .
"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 Oscar for her role as Riverdale High's bereaved Red Widow" that makes me laugh a little .
"Hey , I should go . I got that meeting with Grundy then football tryouts , so" Archie gets up quickly to leave , disappointing two thirds of this table .
"You play football too ?" And didn't sit with the jocks , I guess he does like Betty somewhat "What don't you do ?"
But Archie is already up and leaving like he's got his mind elsewhere .
"Before you ask , Blue Jasmine , no she has not asked him to the dance yet"
"No I haven't and don't talk about Archie" Betty swallows her food and quickly adds in before none other than Cheryl Blossom presents herself to this very table .
"Veronica Lodge , I've heard the whisperings" her smile is one I know too well , one I used to dazzlingly sport myself .
"I'm Cheryl Blossom . Can I sit ? Betty do you mind ?" It's more of a command as Betty obviously just moves over so Cheryl can take a seat . Like I'd seen at the assembly , she has unpractically long red hair that flies around inevitably .
"So what are you three hens gossiping about ? Archie's Efron - esque emergence from the chrysalis of puberty ?" Something tells me Cheryl doesn't usually venture to this table . Betty said not to mention Archie
"Extracurriculars ! Weatherbee said I should try one" I said instead .
"Cheerleading !" Cheryl lifted her hands like it was obvious . "You must . I'm senior captain of the Rivervixens"
Wow .. River Vixens ? Really ?
"Is cheerleading still a thing ?" Kevin argues
"Is being the gay best friend still a thing ?" Cheryl shoots back without a second of thought . That's oddly impressive .
"Some say it's retro , I say it's eternal and iconic"
"At Spence , I sat at the top of the Elite's pyramid . I'm in" and cheerleading is more than a pom pom show it's actually a physically strenuous sport that took us to Nationals and medals and makes the best foundation of some of the best friendships I've ever had ..
"Betty , you're trying out too" Perhaps I need to introduce Betty to the wonders of Cheer and maybe she'll have a shot at being closer to Archie and they have some more common ground and - power couple chemistry.
"Of course , anyone's welcome to tryout but Betty already has so much on her plate right now and being a Vixen is kind of a full time thing -" I don't miss the quick look Cheryl takes at Betty's full plate of food . "But open to all ! Follow me on Twitter and I'll do the same ! My handle is @CherylBombshell" she announces before taking off leaving us in a whiff of perfume and her long curls flying behind her .
"Go ahead and hate on cheerleading , but if Hipster Prince Harry-"
"I'd love to be a cheerleader" Betty expresses "It'd look great on my college applications , but last year when I tried out Cheryl said I was too fat"
Bummer
"Too Season 5 Betty Draper" Kevin specifies "It was a great line , but not at all true"
"Well you're a total smoke show now" I say truthfully . I can totally see that preppy , pink almost nerd type girl sexy in her own perfect supermodel way - that's Betty for sure .
"I mean it . As hot and smart as you are , you should be the Queen Bey of this drab hive . Look , if you want to be a River Vixen I can help you prep . I've got moves"
A whole memorised tryout routine from NY actually .
"Okay ." Betty finally gives in , a smile growing on both our faces . "Show me your moves"
This is going to be fun .
tbc
Hey everyone ! This is ffxo . Thanks so much for reading 6000 words of this . As you can tell , this fic is going to be an extended , Veronica / Archie centric retell of S1 . It's really helping me since the show is on hiatus , I have time . To everyone who's read this - please review and get as many other people to do so as well . It really helps with motivation to write more ( and I need all the help I can get )
There will also be minor Bughead in the future but for now its all about Varchie and yes I will write out the other characters' goings ons for the sake of the story .
Apologies for any mistakes in spelling and whatsoever , please leave your thoughts ; likes , dislikes , questions , ideas and more below ! I love you , are you excited for this ?