Chapter Seven: Cheryl Blossom and Flambee
Rich and spoiled, bombastic and insufferable, there were so many words to aptly describe the brunette daughter of the Blossom family that you'd never run out of insults. Except, this young woman wasn't exactly as pampered or obnoxious as people thought she was.
"Why hasn't your Daemon Settled yet?"
"Are you a late-bloomer?"
"Hey, sweetie, look at my chameleon friend!"
"Don't forget to post your buddy's Settled form on Twitter, OK!"
"I heard Ronnie is looking for a late-bloomer to befriend!"
Oh, shout up all of you, Cheryl Blossom wanted to yell at them for not respecting her enough, especially after… that one day. True, Flambee was still Unsettled as she rapidly changed forms depending on her human's mood. Wait, was Flambee a same-sex Daemon? Apparently, she was.
Cheryl's mother Penelope didn't approve of it. Well, she never really approve anything that Cheryl did. All the praises and smiles and gifts were reserved for Jason, and now he's gone. Without her brother taking all the attention, the brunette young lady felt like she was being scrutinized for everything she said or did.
"Keep your head high and your steps confident, Cheryl."
"I know," the lady replied to her Daemon, walking away from onlookers.
"Really, what's with these people lately?"
"Oh, ignore them. They're just thirsty for new gossips. Nothing important."
"Then why did they mention Veronica Lodge?" Flambee queried, turning into a falcon on her shoulders.
"Hmpf!" An angry huff was all the red-haired student gave to her Daemon's question. Sad to know that school couldn't get any faster as she sat, walked, and interacted with her fellow students.
Most of them already had their companions Settled in various appearances. Birds, cats, dogs, rodents, insects, and reptiles, no matter where she looked, Cheryl felt envy bubbling up inside her. And yet, she remembered a brighter day in her youth, when she swore that Flambee would always be able to change forms and never Settle as anything.
Finally, after hours of agonized waiting, studying boring stuff under the watchful eyes of boring teachers, the school bell rang. Boys and girls with their spirit companions came pouring into the hallways, ready to move on with their lives.
How about Cheryl? Didn't she say she wanted to be a cheerleader? So, to whom should the young Blossom speak to? One of the football team's players?
"Hey, there they are!" Flambee said, turning into a moth.
"Who did you see? The cheerleaders? The players?"
"The football players. Say, do you want to talk to them? See if you can bribe them into giving you a spot with the River Vixens?"
"Nah, I'll pass. I don't want to beg for that spot; begging is for the weak."
"You can try applying some of your charm to Andrews. That guy really gets around, y'know."
"Oh, really?"
The young Blossom lady was quite incredulous at Flambee's advice, but she chose to give it a try anyway. As she walked closer, Cheryl could see three boys hanging out together. Archie Andrews and his wolf Daemon, Kevin Keller and his capybara Daemon, as well as Reggie Mantle and his iguana Daemon. From what little conversation she could hear, the three boys were… thumping their chests about who deserved a football scholarship.
Once Keller and Mantle departed, the red-haired girl and her Unsettled Daemon approached Archie with a loud cough. She then stated her name, her desire to be a part of the high school's cheerleader team, as well as a request if the other boy could secure a spot just for her. All in a terse conversation.
For a very brief moment, her eyes met Archie's, and a strange feeling swelled inside her. Hold on, what was this feeling, Cheryl wondered; why was she interested in a fellow brunette whom she knew very little about?
Before he could formulate a response, Betty Cooper and veronica Lodge appeared behind Archie and whisked him away with sultry laughter. Lodge's corn snake Daemon eyed Cheryl and Flambee warily before curing around the other woman's neck.
"What was that about?"
"That snake creeps me out, honestly."
And with a lazy handwave, Cheryl Blossom walked away, fuming at how those two girls broke the illusion between her and Archie Andrews.