Beronica

Chapter Three: A Lunch With Friends Veronica Pov:

When Betty goes to class and we say our goodbye, I let all my embarrassment out. Why did I have to tell Betty about Cheryl and I being similar? And why the hell would I call Archie a snack? I mean he is a snack. But Betty's a whole meal. I guess I wanted her to think that I was interested in Archie, which I'm not.

I shove those thoughts aside when I hear the bell signaling lunch. Getting my tray, I move outside where the lunch tables are. I see a redhead, but it isn't Archie. It must be Cheryl. And I see the jocks, who are laughing at something. Behind them sit Kevin, Archie and Betty. " Could I sit with you?" I request.

" Absolutely," Betty responds.

I take my seat next to Kevin, across from Betty.

Just as I sit down, Arhcie gets up. " Sorry. I have to go practice guitar then go to football practice."

" So, have you asked him about the semi formal? They just confirmed it won't be canceled." Betty inquires.

" It doesn't even matter," Kevin throws his arms in the air, " Cheryl will just try to make it about Jason and find new ways for people to feel sorry for her."

Betty mouths something to Kevin but we're interrupted by Cheryl Blossom herself. " Veronica Lodge, what a surprise," Cheryl says, sitting down, " what are we gossipping about?"

Betty doesn't know what to say. But I do. " Weatherbee wants me to participate in something. I don't know what."

" Cheerleading," Cheryl responds instinctively, " you should totally do cheerleading. As Captain of the Vixens, you should try out."

" Okay, I've been a cheerleader before. Betty, you're coming with me."

" Obviously. Anyone is welcome, but Betty has a lot going on. Then again, everyone is welcome, toodles!"

Cheryl gets up and walks back to her table. " You can't hate on cheerleading but you can hate on that cheerleader." I say.

" I've actually always wanted to be a cheerleader. Cheryl thought I wasn't thin enough though when I tried out last year."

" Betty, you are a total smoke show. And as smart and pretty you are, you should be the Captain of the Vixens. Come on, I know a couple moves." I tell her.

Why did I say that? Call her a smoke show? Dammit, Betty probably thinks I'm a weirdo. But I swear that I saw her blush.

At cheerleading tryouts, we perform our hearts out. We chant, we spin, we even twirl. But Cheryl says this, " where is the heat? The fire?"

" Well, you haven't seen our big finish," I say.

I touch Betty's arm and pull her towards me. " Trust me and don't freak out." I whisper.

With a question on Betty's face, I pull her for a kiss. I touch her cheek, and bring my other hand to her neck. The warmth of her lips on mine. The feeling of her closeness. " Hm, you could do better. Let's skip to the interview portion. Betty, tell me, how is your sister?" Cheryl interrogates.

Betty, shifting foot to foot responds, " she's fine."

Cheryl's eyes flit to me. " Has Betty informed you of her sister, Polly?"

I shake my head. " Jason and Polly dated for a while. And it didn't end well." Betty says, uncomfortably.

" That is an understatement. Your sister had a nervous breakdown because of their breakup. That's why she's in a help home now, right?" Cheryl bites.

" That's what my parents think." Betty answers, quietly.

" And what do you think about that, hm? Spew something about Jason treating Polly badly." Cheryl continues.

" That's enough," I snap, unable to bear Betty's glazed eyes, " so what if Betty's sister had a breakdown? Why should that matter? This is cheerleading tryouts, not a police station. You want to interrogate Betty, do it with actual permission. So this is what's going to happen. Either you accept us as cheerleaders, or we leave and never speak to you again. Is that clear?"

Cheryl sits back and crosses her arms. " Fine. Veronica you're in."

Betty bows her head. " No. You want one, take us both. We come together. So if Betty isn't a cheerleader, neither will I." I refuse.

Cheryl huffs. One of the other cheerleaders bent over and said something.

" We do need another Vixen Cheryl."

" Fine," Cheryl rolls her eyes, " Betty and Veronica, you are now Vixens."

In the locker room, Betty and I put on our new Cheerleader uniforms. Betty is smiling with joy. " You look so good." I compliment.

" Thank you. You also look awesome." She replies, giddily.

There is silence between us for a second. " Why did you protect me back there?" Betty quietly wonders.

" Because," I answer, " I told you I used to be like Cheryl. And you didn't deserve what Cheryl was saying. I know it may be too soon, but I feel like we were destined to be best friends. So I stood up for you."

" Thank you. Now, do you want to practice our performance?"

" Thought you would never ask." I loop my arm through hers and walk through the doors to the gymnasium.

* A note about Cheryl not thinking Betty was thin enough to be a cheerleader, I am absolutely not saying that  you need to be thin in order to be a model or cheerleader, it was a representation about flawed viewpoints in the youth, and specifically to depict the character's toxicity. All bodies are beautiful, so don't change who you are. Okay that's it, toodles! :)