━━━━━━༺༻ ━━━━━━ CHAPTER VI FASTER PUSSYCATS! KILL! KILL!
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𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 the staircase, each step echoing softly in the hallway. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the scene below. Sam stood in front of the hallway mirror, as she adjusted her hair.
Sam's question broke the silence, her voice filled with frustration as she continued to fuss over her appearance. "Do you think we have time for breakfast?" Sam's eyes remained fixed on her reflection. Florence glanced at the clock above the front door.
After a moment of contemplation, Florence nodded in affirmation. "Yeah, I think we're good." She replied with a warm smile.
"Maddie! You awake?" Sam's voice echoed through the house as she called out to her little sister. Florence couldn't help but chuckle at the scene unfolding before her.
"Yeah!" Maddie's enthusiastic response came from upstairs. With a smile exchanged between them, Florence and Samantha made their way to the kitchen, the scent of morning lingering in the air as they prepared to start their day.
In the cozy confines of the kitchen, the girls busied themselves with pouring cereal into bowls, the rhythmic clinking of spoons against ceramic filling the room. Sam's attention was divided between her phone and her breakfast, her thumb swiping across the screen. Meanwhile, Florence immersed herself in the pages of a book she was currently reading.
Mornings have been like this ever since Florence decided to stay with the Coleman's when the drive-in closed. Florence arrived at her friend's front door with a backpack slung over her shoulders as she had explained the struggles with her dad's alcoholism. Samantha, who got lonely living in the suburbs and taking care of her sister while her single mother worked 12 hour shifts, welcomed her friend with open arms.
Florence shifted slightly in her seat, her gaze still fixed on the pages of her book as she broke the comfortable silence. "What are you planning for the Variety show?"
Sam, mouth half full of cereal, paused for a moment before swallowing and offering a nonchalant shrug in response. "Nothing."
Florence's disbelief was palpable as she leaned forward, her eyes filled with a mixture of encouragement and conviction. "What do you mean nothing? You should totally do something." She insisted.
Samantha sighed, setting her phone down on the table with a soft thud as she met Florence's gaze. "Performing at school isn't really my thing. You know that."
"I know, but I really do think you should." Florence urged, her eyes flicking to the piano and the collection of trophies and medals displayed proudly in the cabinet behind it. "You have talent, Sam." She continued, her voice filled with conviction. "I think you should let Riverdale High know about it."
Sam smiled warmly as she gathered their empty bowls and deposited them in the sink with a gentle clink. "I don't know, I'll have to think about it." She replied, her voice thoughtful as she began to wash the dishes.
As she scrubbed away at the remnants of their breakfast, Samantha shifted the conversation. "You have any plans for today?" She asked, her tone casual as she rinsed off a plate.
Florence nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips as she packed her book back into her bag. "James and I are going to Pop's after school." She replied, the anticipation evident in her voice. "We haven't had a normal conversation since the memorial."
Samantha furrowed her brow in confusion, her curiosity piqued by her friend's cryptic statement. "What happened at the memorial to make both of you act this weird?" She asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"The Blossoms happened. They're, like, the most dysfunctional family ever. And I'm a Jones, I know dysfunctional families."
"Even the exterior of that house screams dysfunctional." Sam remarked, a wry smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"Yeah, but it's not even normal dysfunction." Florence added, her voice tinged with a hint of unease. "I don't know how to explain it."
As she scanned the familiar surroundings of the kitchen, Florence struggled to find the right words to convey the unsettling atmosphere that surrounded the Blossom family. "It's like they're actually evil." She finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Samantha settled into the chair across from Florence, her laughter echoing through the kitchen as she nodded in agreement. "Wouldn't put it past them. I'm not sure about Clifford, but Penelope looks like a bitch."
Samantha's statement elicited a burst of laughter from both girls, the tension of the moment disappearing. As their giggles subsided, Florence couldn't help but shake her head in amusement. "Bitch is an understatement."
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The couple sat in their usual booth at Pop's, the familiar surroundings offering a sense of comfort. They sat in silence, as Florence's head rested gently on James' shoulder, his arm draped around her shoulders.
In the stillness of the moment, Florence sighed softly, the sound barely audible over the hum of conversation around them. She lifted her head and chugged the remains of her chocolate milkshake before her gaze met James'.
"James." She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she searched for the right words. For a moment, she was lost in the depths of his eyes.
"How's Cheryl doing?" The unexpected question caught James off guard, as a question about his crazy parents was much more expected at times like this.
"She's alright." James replied, his gaze drifting to the window as he pondered his response. "Not alright, but way better than she was the day of the memorial." When he finally met Florence's eyes, he continued, his voice tinged with concern. "Mom's still not letting the whole River Vixens thing go. I think that's one of Cheryl's biggest problems right now."
Florence smiled softly at his words. "I didn't see her at school today, so I got worried." She admitted.
"Flo, don't worry. I won't let anything bad happen to her." Florence's worries were momentarily drowned out by James' reassuring words, a sense of comfort washing over her as he kissed her temple and gently guided her head back to its familiar resting place on his shoulder.
