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Cheryl ❤️🍒 + Toni 🐍💜 = sensational Where has my heart gone An uneven trade for the real world Oh I, I want to go back to Believing in everything and knowing nothing at all." Evanescence - Field of Innocence
Something was wickedly afoot in Riverdale High, the specter of some known boogeyman, claiming the students" souls. Its effects would be long facing - the lies a shadow upon the moon.
"And as the shadows around Riverdale deepened, the lines that separated these polar opposites blurred and distorted. "I"m guilty" Cheryl said in Biology class. But of what?"
It poured like the ectoplasm upon the walls of Amityville - as though it was some sort of harlequin demon. It was a whisper behind closed doors, was it true - or was it some urban legend? No it couldn"t be right?
The book of conquest.
"To clarify" Cheryl said. She was perfectly poised, like empress upon her throne. They were in the principal"s office. "I didn"t mean I was guilty of killing Jason." Her eyes were haunted, shimmering of unshed tears. Her voice hollow yet still carrying the calm finality of her entitled class. Though her unflustered voice couldn"t hide the unsteadiness in her timber. It was very clear she was trying not to cry. "I love him more than I do myself,"" she whispered. "But I am guilty. Guilty of lying about what happened on July 4th."
Please forgive me JJ - she thought.
Her voice catching and wavering, she couldn"t hide the emptiness. Her words sounded haunted even to her.
Yet she answered the Sheriff"s question with utter certainty. "The last time I saw Jason was July 4th. I don"t know what happened a week later or anything about the autopsy results." She felt a lump forming in her throat and tried not to sob.
"I don"t know what happened, all I know is the plan. JJ"s plan - it was bananas even for me. Jason wanted to leave Riverdale and never come back. He asked for my help to stage a tragic accident so that our mom and dad wouldn"t come after him. Our story was we went for an early morning boat ride," she paused trying to take a deep breath. "We traditionally go boating on July 4th every year, JJ and I. So mumsy thought nothing of us leaving so early from Thornhill, just before dawn. I"d say our boat tipped, capsized and Jason drowned. Already there were flaws here," Cheryl murmured. "He was the captain of the water polo team. We both took lessons for years and both swam well. I told him no one would believe it. He wouldn"t listen."
Sheriff Keller and Principal Weatherbee looked at each other appalled.
"In fact," she sighed "we made it to the other side dry as bones. We said goodbye on the Greendale side of Sweetwater River. He promised he"d call as soon as he was in a place he couldn"t be reached or pulled back by our parents. One month at the most. But everyday I waited for him to call, for an email - but nothing."
"Did you tell anyone? About the plan," the Sheriff asked curiously perplexed. "Any way that you can corroborate it? And you have no idea why Jason would want to run or fake his own death? Doesn"t that seem cruel?"
"No, he wasn"t .....Jason wasn"t cruel" Cheryl gasped.
"Ah so maybe this is just a web of lies" the Sheriff accused. "Something you"re making up to cover your own tracks."
Cheryl began to cry "no" her voice coming out clipped and panicked. "I didn"t kill Jason." She was gasping for breath "there was a gunshot that morning." Her voice got stronger "we heard a gunshot on July 4th. Maybe whoever killed Jason took a shot at him and missed that morning."
The Sheriff leaned forward over the desk. What was wrong with this girl" Didn"t she realise how guilty she looked? Honestly, he didn"t think Cheryl would kill Jason. Though he wondered increasingly if she knew who did. "You heard a gunshot. And you"re only just telling us this? Cheryl don"t you see how bad this looks!" Does she know who did this and is trying to protect a murderer? I needed to take a closer look at her parents.
"I was upset! My brother was murdered" she said angrily.
"So upset that you danced at the pep rally Friday night?"
Cheryl was in tears.
When the door slammed open Clifford and Penelope Blossom swanned in. And Cheryl noticeably stiffened.
"Mommy" Cheryl said fearfully - she"s going to kill me.
"Don"t say another word ---- Cheryl" Penelope husked. "Get up" she said almost threatenly as she yanked the crying girl to her feet.
Cheryl felt her mother"s fingers digging into her arm. She wanted to struggle. The hall wasn"t empty as the vulnerable girl, Riverdale"s HBIC - Bombshell - tethered upon the pedestal of her own design. She thought she should be sick.
"Why didn"t you call us?" Penelope asked. She was more gentle as she led Cheryl down the hall. The whispers of the other students hushed like wind through a spectrum of trees. Cheryl felt for sure -- she was being marched to her execution.
It wouldn"t do to start any more gossip - Penelope thought. Careful not to actually hurt Cheryl - yet.
"Because she"s a liar, Penelope" Clifford spit venomously "and you know, my love. How we deal with liars in our family?"
"Hush - Clifford" the Blossom matriarch simpered. "When we get home you"re telling us everything."
And in a way Cheryl was right. After another beating and interrogation - she"d definitely feel dead inside.
Toni Topaz rode her bike down highway 20 - the wind at her back. Her pink hair billowing out like a comet. She"d packed her bag with her camera and food - an extra sandwich from the cafeteria. If it could even be called food. She had her music blasting over the speakers - they spun in the blow back - secured deftly on the handlebars.
She couldn"t help singing along.
After all - she had a night off from work. A welcome treat - since she was a workaholic. She had to be financially or she"d never escape her uncle"s double-wide.
She could have gone in she knew. They"d never deny her hours. She usually even worked on her days off always a permanent fixture at the biker bar. But today she"d decided to do something different. Recharge her batteries and unwind. As she headed back to Greendale, it was a photography kind of day.
Today was about Toni Topaz - today she was free.
Betty looked in horror at what her mother had deposited into her lap. She"d already been trying to reach Cheryl texting and calling her wildly. Veronica had texted her too. Neither girl had gotten a response and Betty was terrified. What if that Penelope physically hurt Cheryl? Although she always looked pristine - perfect. So maybe it was only verbal abuse - not that this was better.
Her eyes took in the disgust in an instant - CHERYL BLOSSOM GUILTY AS SIN!
"Oh my god mom," Betty said gasping "first you leak Jason Blossom"s autopsy report and now this?"
Alice just chuckled. Slander sells.
"Are you mad? You can"t go around printing lies."
"Lies. Let"s think ----long and hard. Betty, that entire family is guilty. And people are loving the coverage."
"You have to stop it. Stop sensationalizing such horrible things." She wanted to scream, but her voice didn"t waiver. What will Cheryl feel when she sees this - her stomach turned.
"It"s news sweetheart and we own the Riverdale Register anyway. And so we have a responsibility to keep the people informed."
"Whatever Jason did to Polly. He"s still a person" Cheryl"s still a person "the newspaper isn"t our place to air our petty grievances."
"You reap what you sow," Alice trilled irritated. What right did her daughter have to call her out?
"You should be writing the real story." Betty pleaded for her mother to see reason "What really happened. Who was holding Jason captive? Why was his body frozen? And Cheryl said she heard a gunshot on July 4th."
This bit of news - was one of the last things Cheryl texted.
Cheryl Blossom : I didn"t do it. But they think I"m guilty - the only chance I have is the gunshot I heard on July 4th.
"I am not writing a retraction ------- wait what gunshot Betty?" Alice says interested at last.
"Exactly - that"s what I"m saying" Betty fires back. "You need to report the entire story, not just your prejudices mom."
"Well ---- if you are so keen on reporting. Why don"t you come work with your father and me? The Register could really use a Lois Lane type like you."
Betty tried not to laugh. Since when did her mother know anything about Superman"s girlfriend. The reporter for the Daily Planet. She"d heard enough about Lois from Juggie who was obsessed with Smallville. This made her miss him - they"d lost touch over the summer. When he too mysteriously disappeared, thought he"d since returned. What is wrong with this town?
As Alice leaves the room Betty muses over her mother"s words. She didn"t want to work for her - but maybe the school newspaper.
"I"d rather be Nancy Drew!" she yells after her mother.
She is met with silence.
Guilt has a way of eating you up. Killing you from the inside out. As it bleeds into every part of your soul. Until one day - it becomes you. Suddenly all are - is your guilt. Gone is the innocence of youth and maybe you"re tainted. This is what Archie Andrews believes now as he sits in the same chair Cheryl occupied the day before.
He hasn"t slept a wink.
His voice is shaky but clear, "I -- think ---- I know something that may help. You know with the Blossom investigation," he says cautiously. "People are saying Cheryl heard a gunshot?"
"Yes that"s what she is claiming" the Sheriff said tiredly.
His words break the silence like their own kind of gunshot. "I heard it too."
I have to save Cheryl - I have to tell the truth.
After lunch, Betty found Veronica, Kevin, Archie and plus a very disgruntled Jughead in the student lounge.
"So wait are you a suspect now?" Veronica was asking Archie conspiratorially. She could barely stay in her seat.
Betty was worried. She"d texted and called Cheryl multiple times and hadn"t heard a thing. She was determined to soften the blow her mother had dealt yesterday. Her phone lit up on the table and she grabbed it.
"My dad said we all are, including me," Kevin said laughing.
"Not me," Veronica chirped "I hadn"t even moved when he was murdered." She raised her eyebrow as Betty slumped back in her seat. A disappointed expression evident in her face. "What"s up sugar plum?"
Betty smirked - what"s up sugar plum? Really.
"You just seem so disappointed Bee" Veronica said cheerfully. "And it seems to have something to do with your phone."
Archie looked over curiously, while Kevin watched this exchange with the interest you"d give a car accident.
"Does our Betty," she giggled "have a crush?"
"WHAT NO!" Betty yelped. "No I am just concerned. I haven"t heard from Cheryl all day. I"ve texted her a bunch and nothing. I just thought maybe" she looked at her phone frustrated, "also haven"t seen her today."
"Seriously you"re worried about Cheryl?" Kevin mouthed surprised. "Fascist Barbie? Really Betty? What would your mother say?"
Jughead looked up absently and rolled his eyes.
"Oh is that all," Veronica said teasingly. "Why don"t you call her?"
"I did - like two times already."
"Well try again, isn"t it - third time"s the charm?" Veronica said smiling. "And I know she"ll appreciate the effort."
She"s assuming too much -----Betty thought.
Archie looked at Jughead slightly perplexed as Betty blushed hotly.
Veronica watched Betty bit her lip. Her cheeks flushing and she smirked. Oh so maybe our Betty Cooper isn"t as straight as I thought. And judging by their exchange at cheer practice lately. HBIC Bombshell has a soft spot for Betty. Well spaghetti is only straight until it gets wet. She"d had her share of same sex experiences and watching a blushing Betty. And now she wondered how she felt about this development. Am I jealous?
While the two straight boys looked disinterested. Kevin looked at Betty and then back at Veronica his mouth falling open - no way.
"Hey Manhattan princess" someone said lightly behind them.
Kevin whipped around - free period was shaping up to be better than Game of Thrones.
Veronica beamed at Chuck from his place by the vending machine.
"We still on for tonight?"
"Absolutely" she said smiling, ""pick me up at 8."
"You got it" he said. As he swept from the room a Hershey Bar in his hand.
Veronica looked smug and Kevin looked impressed. But Betty gave Veronica a look that said it all. What the hell?
"You have a date with him?" She asked confusedly. "He"s kinda a player."
"Oh my god who cares!" Kevin cheered "he"s the hottest of the hot! Oh Veronica he"s the coach"s son - he"s like royalty. I am so jealous. It"s like you"re dating a Kennedy!"
The next day, Veronica wouldn"t be quite so happy and Kevin wouldn"t be so jealous.
Cheryl was laying on Jason"s bed. She"d hated to skip school and mess up her perfect attendance. But today had been too much after seeing the morning headline. She promptly ran to the bathroom and thrown up. And as she lay on the cold unforgiving tiles, she wept.
Her belly hurt from the new beating she"d received the night before. "Oh Jason" she sobbed. He"d abandoned her forever - he"d never come back. He was dead. She pulled the covers tightly around herself crying harder.
She didn"t even care if she got another beating - which was likely. For sleeping all day in her brother"s bed. She wasn"t moving. And thankfully her mom wasn"t around today.
Her phone pinged again and there was another text from Betty. She"d been sending messages all day. And though it warmed her heart. Cheryl"s way of coping was to push Betty away. She didn"t feel in control. She didn"t feel worthy either of the attention. She also was slightly fearful of giving the girl the wrong idea. As much as she wanted to be friends. I really do - if her mother found out. She"d be annihilated. She"d only just got her privileges back this summer. Can I really risk it all again? For friendship - her stomach hurt, she was terrified.
Then the phone was ringing she wanted to answer it. She didn"t.
Betty sat listlessly on her bed. What did I do wrong? Why won"t she answer? Is she not okay?
She decided against calling again. Veronica was wrong - Cheryl didn"t care. And she should have listened to Kevin. She threw her phone down - hard and it bounced. She watched as it almost fell on the floor. She sighed - why do I care? I am being ridiculous.
She left the room and her phone.
A minute later - her phone pinged.
Cheryl Blossom - 1 missed call
Bang - went the locker - it echoed down the hall.
Betty and Kevin looked slightly perplexed. They"d all come from lunch and now Veronica"s face was as white as a sheet. Her eyes looked slightly wet and she was shaking. Some students stopped to look. The Manhattan princess losing it in the Riverdale halls. It was a sight.
Phones pinged all down the hall as - the truth was revealed.
"Oh my God" Betty breathed - her hand to her mouth. "Oh Veronica."
Veronica was staring at her phone, almost unable to process the truth. "Does he really think he can get away with this? Does he not know who I am? I will cut the brakes on his souped up phallic symbol!"
Kevin looked at his phone and he too felt sick.
"What the hell is a Sticky Maple?" Veronica gasped outraged.
"It"s kind of what it sounds like - it"s a Riverdale thing" Kevin said cautiously.
"No, Kevin, it"s a slut-shaming thing. And I"m neither a slut nor am I going to be shamed."
"We need to go to the principal" Betty interjected.
"Forget it Betty, he"s the coach"s son - he"s the golden boy!"
"I"ll expose him in The Blue and Gold" Betty tried.
"No! Spoken like a true good girl who always follows the rules" Veronica snarled. "Well, I don"t follow rules, I make them" she said as she pushes Kevin out of the way "and when necessary, I break them."
She was storming away - leaving Betty in shock. "You wanna help me get revenge on Chuck, Betty awesome, otherwise get out of my way." She called over her shoulder. As Betty"s legs began to move and sped up to catch up with the furious brunette Manhattanite. "I"d welcome the help but you better be willing to go full dark, no stars. What do you say, in or out?"
Betty gasped as Veronica stormed into the locker room.
Oh God. - Betty thought. Oh Veronica --
I"m straight - I am straight - Cheryl kept reciting in her head. And I am going to prove it. I am going to get Archie Andrews to ask me out.
"Psst Archie" she leaned forward letting her long coppery curls fall seductively. She waited for him to turn around. Then she gave him her most dazzling smile. "Thanks to you Archie, I"m not the girl who cried gunshut" she says sincerely thankful. She lets him see this - the warmth in her eyes and voice. "You believed me when no one did - not even my parents."
"I just told the truth" Archie said smiling. Thank God. I couldn"t live with that guilt anymore.
"Which is why I want to repay your kindness."
"Cheryl, truly, that"s not why I came forward."
"Mmmm nevertheless, save the "aw shucks" for Betty." I am straight - I am straight- Cheryl kept repeating. As she bit her lip now - her eyes traveling all over Arhie Andrews boy suggestively. "I"m granting you one wish now Archie. Nothing is off the table," her heart pounding. What am I doing? I can"t do this --I can"t. "Except for my body" she said flirtatiously, the words came easily.
Archie looked away from Cheryl quickly an equally undiscerning expression on his face.
"Jason would want you to be rewarded."
She waited patiently for him to say something again she smiled coyly.
Just as she received a text and her cheeks flushed.
Betty: Come to the lounge, I"ll wait for you after class. Something has happened, please come Cheryl. Veronica needs us.
She gave Archie a perfunctory nod.
"Take your time Archie" she said. As she leaned right on his desk coquettishly, "but don"t wait too long, okay?" Her voice was incredibly flirtatious Archie noticed. As he looked up at her blushing - she was out the door even before the bell had rung.
He just stared. It was impossible not to - everything about Cheryl made you look. What have I gotten myself into?
Toni had tired of Instagram and so had graduated to Facebook by early Tuesday. She was on her phone and already logged in when the picture of Veronica Lodge went viral. Her mouth fell open. She hadn"t even looked up Cheryl yet. She"d simply just clicked on the photo, her heart had clenched sickeningly.
She was in study hall again, the sun warming her skin, fall seemed months away - today was absolutely gorgeous. Summer like --- but she felt the chill of some unknown presence. As she looked at the pretty dark haired girl with the caption "sticky maple." Her skin crawled, what the fuck - she thought. She knew exactly --- what she was seeing -- she was furious.
As she scanned the comments she was even more livid. How could anyone be so cruel, the pinkette knew cyberbullying was devastating. She"d had her share in the past which was why she didn"t use Facebook. I am a Serpent now - I am protected. Veronica doesn"t deserve this -- no one does.
She kept scanning the comments - would Cheryl say anything? She found it nearest the bottom. There it was Cheryl Blossom in bold typeface.
Cheryl Blossom - Melissa Baxtor, you"re our student body president why aren"t you doing anything?
Toni"s heart flutters - seeing her name a rose among the thorns. She quickly decides that she can"t let this go. It would be against everything she believes in as a member of three minority groups. She clicks to add Veronica as a friend. She has no idea how her support of the brunette will change her life. Then she posts on the photo -- #justiceforveronica
She quickly sends Veronica a private message:
“Hey you don"t know me, we don"t go to the same school. But if you need someone to talk to? I am here. No one deserves what you"re going through." - Toni
Then she logged out of Facebook and headed to lunch early. She was starving --- she still wasn"t eating enough.
When Cheryl entered the student longue she found Betty wasn"t alone. She was holding court with nine other girls. Veronica was sitting front and center she looked exhausted her skin a sickly pale.
"Cheryl, good" Betty said seriously "sit please."
Veronica tried not to look surprised to see HBIC Cheryl Bombshell coming to her rescue.
The redhead sat gracefully across from Betty, her eyebrows arching in curiosity.
"I am sure by now you"ve heard whisperings of what happened to Veronica," Betty said. "It"s all over the school."
Cheryl bristled - how dare she infure she didn"t know what was going on in her school.
Betty saw the fire in the chocolate eyes, her stomach lurched, Cheryl looked outraged.
"Well the story doesn"t stop with Veronica," Betty continued. "I started asking around to see if what happened to her happened to anyone else. If anyone would go on the record."
Cheryl felt her stomach knot painfully, Betty"s eyes held pity and Cheryl wanted nothing of that.
"I will. 100 %" a well dressed girl with short hair piped up.
Betty sighed "it"s five guys from the football team, Cheryl. Chuck and his posse. Ethel was about to tell us her story."
"One day last year, Chuck and I talked in the library for 10 minutes. I helped him with a pre-cal problem and nothing happened. But the next day, he started telling people that I let him do stuff to me. Like sex stuff. And then he or one of his goons, wrote "sloppy seconds" on my locker."
"Yes, yes, we"ve all heard this tragic origin story" Cheryl said.
"Cheryl you knew?"
"There"s not much that happens in this school I don"t know Elisabeth" Cheryl said bitingly.
Betty blushed embarrassed as Veronica glared at Cheryl.
"And you didn"t do anything" the brunette gave the redhead an icy stare.
"It"s not my fight" Cheryl said dangerously, "though I sympathise" she said almost gently. "It"s not my fault Ethel never got justice."
"Cheryl, maybe not - but it should be. It"s happening to girls - girls on the River Vixens too." She turned to look at shorter girl "I"m very sorry, Ethel. What happened to you is horrible."
“Not as horrible as being a suspect in your own brother"s torture - murder case.“
"They"re running our lives and to them it"s just a game" Ethel said sadly. "They keep score and..."
Veronica nodded her eyes burning hotly until suddenly what Ethel said dawned on her. "Wait, what do you mean, they keep score?"
"Each conquest earns them points."
Cheryl felt a shiver goes up her back -- she"d heard this legend before---- but no it couldn"t be true.
"They keep track in some secret playbook."
"Okay, we have to talk to Weatherbee" Betty interrupts angrily.
"I already tried." Ethel shrugs --- "Weatherbee said that he couldn"t find anything - it"s hopeless."
"Well we just need undeniable proof" Betty"s insistence is honorable, Cheryl thinks.
But she"s being idealistic -- Ethel must be wrong - Jason never told me anything about this book. It"s just an urban legend fabricated by the jocks.
"Proof of what, Nancy Drew?" Cheryl rolled her eyes "that boys will be boys? Not that it makes it right. But I promise you, no book like this exists. It reeks of urban legend."
"What - how would you know, Cheryl?" Veronica muttered under her breath.
"It"s public record," Cheryl spit. "But before he died, my brother was co-captain of the football team with Chuck and Jason never mentioned it, and he never would"ve allowed it."
Betty looked helplessly at Cheryl and Veronica. She didn"t want another fight -- but she saw how angry Cheryl was -- maybe I made a mistake involving her.
"Okay, well I never met your brother, but I"m not lying about what happened to me. And Ethel"s not lying." Veronica said her voice rising "and proof or no proof - book or no book. I am going scorched earth on those privileged despicable miscreants." She took a few steps towards the redhead, "you wanna get caught in that backdraft, Cheryl?"
Cherly felt tear pricking her eyes, she didn"t want to fight with Veronica. She just couldn"t believe that Jason would ever let something like this happen.
"We"re beautiful, young, strong, intelligent women Cheryl -- I refuse to accept the status quo, back down or get out of my way."
Cheryl didn"t even try to stop Veronica. She stepped away from the crazed brunette. She wasn"t thinking what it looked like, letting the Manhattanite talk in such a way. She understood and wanted to help. She gave Betty a terse nod and exited after Veronica.
Betty isn"t the only teen sleuth - Cheryl reasoned. Besides Mandie Shaw is way more interesting than Nancy Drew.
When Veronica got home after cheer practice - she logged onto Facebook - I need to do damage control.
She noticed she"d gotten a private message from someone named Toni Topaz. She scanned the note and smiled gratefully. She clicked on her name and brought up her Facebook. The girl was beautiful --from her big coffee almond eyes to her curly mahogany hair with flecks of bright pink. Veronica gave a small gasp in a sea of hurtful words on her photo - only hers and surprisingly Cheryl"s diplomatic one - stood out. She liked Toni"s comment. And then she sent a friend request.
She seems like someone I would like as a friend or maybe more? And Veronica Lodge wasn"t stupid. It would be pure lunacy if she missed this opportunity, Toni was stunning. It"s not like I can date Archie now --- or Betty? -- her mind weedled. Even if she wasn"t interested in women. She"d be rude if she didn"t message her.
"Hi Toni - thank you for your support- we women need to stick together. I see you go to Southside, if you don"t mind a Riverdale Vixen for a friend, please accept my friend request. - Veronica."
Cheryl was on Jason"s bed crying again. She"d made sure her mom was asleep before sneaking back down the hall to curl up holding his pillow. How is it possible for your heart to continue to break - when it"s already shattered.
She couldn"t just lay here forever - Jason wouldn"t approve. He"d want her to help Veronica, she knew. Instead of laying here crying into his pillow every night. She felt hot anger blooming in her stomach --- she wanted to help but Veronica -- she might as well have accused the memory of her brother. "Oh JJ."
Still she logged into Facebook and looked at the photo. She looked at her comment and sighed. Jason wasn"t cruel ---she knew her brother --- he"d never let this happen. But the photo mocked her - but do you?
She wanted to scream, to throw his pillow --- instead she continued to read comments. She read all the way down quickly. She nearly missed the only supportive one, five from the last. It was simple #justiceforveronica - Veronica had liked it. Cheryl clicked like too as her phone suddenly vibrated - it was Tina.
Cheryl read the text and smirked. Okay I guess I am going out.
She might have been a little hurt that Betty hadn"t text her personally. But she"d get over it this once after all she was interested in joining. Not fighting. And probably Saint Betty wanted to avoid a fight between her and Veronica.
Betty swallowed nervously - in the school after hours, not exactly good girl behavior.
After Trip Brown, Valerie"s brother - had approached her in the Blue and Gold. So saying he had evidence of the book"s existence. This news had alite Veronica, like a captain at the helm of some gothic vessel. Who was now even more determined to prove Ethel"s story and also bring down Chuck.
"How depraved is this town?" Veronica said. Effectively interrupting Betty"s thoughts. "Not that football players behaving badly isn"t ----- well predictable" she finished. As Ethel and Kevin flaking her sides muttered their agreement.
"Colour me impressed" Cheryl husked.
Betty turned quickly as the others sighed an embarrassed blush hidden by the darkness of the wall. She might have known Cheryl would arrive, she always did. You can"t lie ---- it"s obvious you didn"t want her here --- afraid she"d say no or afraid of what assumptions would come if she said yes. Betty shivers nervously unable to look Cheryl in the eyes.
"A B and E with B and V. What would your holy roller mother say about this, Betty?"
"What are you doing here, Cheryl?" Veronica asked - almost frostily.
Ethel didn"t stop she wanted no part of this conversation. Her focus was on the book and she barrelled into the library without a second glance.
"Forget that - where did you get those thigh high boots? They"re amazing!" Kevin interrupted.
"Trev told Valerie, who told Josie, who told Ginger, who told Tina who just texted me. Since none of you seemed keen say anything" she gave Betty a hurt look. "But nevertheless I want to help."
That"s when Ethel called out warningly as she held up the book she"d pulled from a secret compartment under one of the stacks in the library.
"Trev was right," Ethel whispered as she turned the pages. Everyone gathered round, Cheryl with the flashlight trained on the book with a gasp. Lists of names, pages and pages of them - numbers and rankings, perfectly written - met their eyes.
"New girl? Is that what I"m reduced to? Nine points."
"It"s better than "big girl"" sniffed Ethel, as she took in her own name. "Seven point five."
"Polly"s in this book...." Betty whispered.
Cheryl could hear the grief in her voice. And it stripped her bare. She gave a nervous gasp as she then realised who"s name was beside Polly"s. "Oh my God. I"m so sorry Betty." Now it was her turn and she was unable to make eye contact. "But this can"t be --- Jason would never...."
"It"s right there Cheryl!" Betty screamed "God your brother hurt my sister. This is what guys like Jason and Chuck think of women." She was so angry she wanted to punch the locker.
That can"t be true Jason loved me --- he sacrificed to pretend to date Heather --- he loved Polly. He"d told her that constantly.
"We"re objects for them to abuse," Veronica agreed.
"Right, and when they"re done with us, they shame us into silence. They have zero remorse for the lives they destroy." Betty continued -- for Veronica.
"Maybe I didn"t know Jason" Cheryl said tears spilling down her cheeks. She quickly turned off the flashlight so no one would notice. But her voice was thick and strained.
No one commented on what Cheryl had said. As Veronica took a picture to show their principal.
Sighing Betty approached Cheryl. Now trying not to scare the frightened girl. Who had backed away from her outburst and was now leaning against a locker a few yards away.
"These girls deserve justice don"t you think Cheryl?"
The redhead looked away sadly. She was sick and wanted nothing more than to disappear. Is everything I know a lie? Jason would never hurt anyone.
Betty was still talking though Cheryl missed most of it. She turned and walked away, her boots clicking against the floor. She was sure no one would even notice her absence. She was stupid to think she and Betty could be friends.
"Toni, the craziest thing happened last night. I can"t really get into it too much --- but believe me when I say Chuck will never bully a girl again. Betty scared him into submission --- she"s an amazing friend. I am very lucky to have her. And you too. Thank you for accepting my request. - Veronica."
Toni arched her eyebrows smiling -- and then her heart stopped. In the notifications it showed that Cheryl Blossom had liked her comment. Her cheeks burned and her heart began to beat at an irregular speed. She liked my comment.
The reality was impossible to ignore. The school could not hide the abuse lead by Chuck and his star line Bulldogs. "Coach Clayton to save his job, to save the schools reputation was forced to cut his own beloved son and his goon squad from the team."
Something wickedly afoot in Riverdale High had been claiming the souls of its students. And Betty had fought back and said no more. Like some harlequin demon whose mocking laugh had been a reckoning. Now a legend no more --- the truth was revealed by the new leader of the Blue and Gold. The youngest Cooper who"d written a scathing expose on the supposed urban legend. Watched as Chuck was suspended and took his walk of shame.
As its effects reverberated like a banshee"s cry - testing the beliefs of so many, including Cheryl Blossom. Who now stood sentinel beside the others watching mesmerized.
"Thanks, Betty. Thanks, Veronica" Ethel said smiling for the first time.
"No thank you Ethel for going on the record" Betty said equally happily. "You made all the difference - you affected real change."
"You"re the bravest of them all, Ethel Muggs" Veronica exclaimed.
Cheryl nodded slowly "#justiceforethel" she said. She was more determined than ever to prove that Jason had no part in the book of conquest. She"d prove it --- I"ll give you justice JJ.
Later as Cheryl and Betty watched the book burning in the trash. Betty had thrown it in and Cheryl had used the lighter, the flames jumping excitedly against the darkening sky. They"d walked through the fire - a friendship now forged with Cheryl"s admittance.
"Whoever killed Jason hurt him. Maybe Jason hurt people, too. If he hurt Polly, I"m sorry."
Betty nodded as she pulled Cheryl into a hug.
And they watched the pages being eaten hungrily - the story never forgotten - though the book would be nothing but legend once more.
Cheryl bit back a sob as Betty wept.
Something wicked had come to Riverdale. Or maybe it was always here.
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