Beronica

Chapter Sixteen: Standing Up Betty Pov:

Veronica leaves me on the floor of the hall, surrounded by people taking pictures and whooping. I look past the many faces of the swarm to find Cheryl smugly looking at me. She holds her phone in hand just enough to let me see her photos. The most recent one is Veronica and I. It was her. She did this. I have to deal with all these prying eyes all morning. Some come up to me, saying they should have seen it. The jocks whistle at me whenever I'm near a girl, asking the other girl and I to kiss. I just ignore them.

I'm at my locker to pick out my books for the next class when Cheryl's voice breaks through my barrier. " Well, well, well. One of the lesbian lovers. How are you on this fine day?"
With a clenched jaw, I turn around to face the red demon. " I know it was you Cheryl."

" Oh? Too bad you don't have the picture to prove it," She smirks.

" Why the hell would you do this to us? We were so excited to come out and you took that away from us. You took our chance to come out and how we come out. " I spit.

" Enough with the sob story. My job as Cheryl Bombshell is to reveal all of this school's secrets. Including lesbian lovers like yourself and Veronica."

Through gritted teeth I respond, " don't. Call. Us. That."

" You aren't the boss of me, so deal with it." Cheryl says.

That's it. I'm done being pushed around. I'm done hiding my feelings. I'm done with Cheryl Blossom.

In an impulsive act of rage, I whirl around and grab Cheryl. She is shocked and doesn't have time to react. I slam Cheryl against the lockers, and I hear a shallow breath escape her. I probably knocked the wind out of her. I push my arm against the bottom of her neck. " Let go of me, you hag!" Cheryl coughs, squirming.

" No. You deserve this Cheryl. You're a stone cold bitch who is hellbent in ruining everyone's life, just so you don't have to dwell on how miserable your own is. No one likes you, so you make people fear you. Well guess what? I'm finished with all your crap and I'm not afraid of you. Never mess with me again."

For the first time ever, I see absolute terror in Cheryl's eyes. She was the scared one now.

I feel desperate tugging on my arms, so I turn my head. " Betty! Betty, stop!" It's Veronica.

I lose my grip on Cheryl and ignore her gasps of air. Veronica leads me away from Cheryl, but not by much. I glance at her. She is sitting up against the lockers, holding her neck. I see a tear run down her cheek. The slightest hint of guilt comes and goes. Veronica cups my face. " I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did because of what happened. But why would you hold Cheryl against the lockers?"

I take a deep breath. " Because she was mocking us. She's the one who did this. And I love you Veronica. You've been through so much, you don't deserve what's happened. I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you." I repeat.

I'm suspended for a week, while Cheryl is only suspended for two days. Her parents were enraged to find this out, but luckily Wheatherbee accepted the fact that Cheryl had been antagonizing me and uploaded a private picture without permission. Mom isn't at all pleased that I was suspended, but when she found out why, she was so supportive. It made me hurt for Veronica, who told me that her mother isn't talking to her. She hasn't disowned her yet, so Veronica calls it a win.