When Jason Blossom is presumed dead, Riverdale shifts on its axis. Letting in the horror, and darkness that had been held at bay.
Archie, Veronica, Clary, Jughead, and Betty grapple with desires, love, drama, and murderers all while coping with the...
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Clarissa Cooper
WE FILED INTO THE GYM FOR THE ASSEMBLY AND BETTY, KEV VERONICA AND I
all found seats.
"Thank you for that moment of silence. Many of you were lucky enough to have known my brother personally. Each and every one of you meant the world to Jason. I loved my brother. He was and always will be my soulmate," Cheryl's voice resonated, and I looked down at my clenched fists, knuckles white. "So I speak with the confidence only a twin could have... Jason wouldn't want us to spend the year mourning. Jason would want us to move on with our lives."
As Cheryl spoke, I noticed Jughead Jones in the corner, someone I hadn't seen since becoming a Vixen. I smiled and waved slightly at him, and he nodded in acknowledgment before I turned back to listen to Cheryl conclude her speech.
"Which is why I've asked the School Board not to cancel the Back-to-School semi-formal," Cheryl announced, prompting cheers and applause from everyone in the gym. "But rather, to let us use it as a way to heal collectively and celebrate my brother's too-short life on this mortal coil. Thank you all."
The Vixens stood to leave with Cheryl, and at lunch, I settled in next to Kevin, eyeing my friends wearily.
Meanwhile, Archie played a song on his laptop just as Veronica approached.
"Can I join?" she asked, setting her tray down.
"Yeah," Betty nodded.
"What are we doing?" Veronica inquired as I angled the computer towards me.
"We're listening to one of Archie's songs. Surprisingly good," Kevin commented, swiping at me playfully as I stole one of his chips.
"Wait, that was you singing? Something you wrote?" Veronica asked Archie, who nodded.
"It's rough. Clare here is the songwriter," Archie gestured towards me.
"No, it's great," Betty interjected, tossing a chip my way. "It's incredible, actually, from the little snippet I heard. Is music your thing? Are you pursuing it?"
"Yeah, that's the plan. So, how's your first day going? Good?" Archie replied.
"Not to be a complete narcissist, but I thought people would be more..." Veronica began, and Kevin cut in.
"Obsessed with you? Any other year, you'd be trending number one, for sure. But this year, it's all about Cheryl going for the Best Supporting Psycho Oscar as Riverdale High's bereaved Red Widow," Kevin remarked, and I sighed. "Honestly, don't get me wrong—I loved Jason, and I was crushed when Mom told me, but something fishy's going on with his death."
"Hey, I should go. I've got that meeting with Grundy and then football tryouts," Archie gathered his things.
"You play football too? What don't you do?" Veronica asked with a smile as Archie walked away. I slid into his seat to give more room.
"Before you ask, Blue Jasmine, no, she hasn't invited him to the dance yet..." Kevin quipped, but I noticed Cheryl walking over.
"Not yet—" Betty started, but I cut in, "And don't talk about Archie."
"Veronica Lodge, I'd heard whispers. I'm Cheryl Blossom, may I sit?" Cheryl practically directed Betty away. "So, what are you four hens gossiping about? Archie's Efron-esque emergence from the chrysalis of puberty?"
"Extracurriculars. Weatherbee wants me to sign up for a few," Veronica deflected.
"Cheerleading. You must. I'm senior captain of the River Vixens, and Clary here is our senior manager," Cheryl announced.
"Is cheerleading still a thing?" Kevin asked skeptically.
"Is being the Gay Best Friend still a thing? Some people say it's retro; I say it's eternal and iconic," Cheryl retorted.
"At Spence, I sat at the top of the Elites' pyramid. I'm in. Betty, you're trying out too," Veronica declared, and I turned my head towards Betty.
"Of course, anyone's welcome to try out, but Betty's already got a lot on her plate right now, and being a Vixen is kind of a full-time thing. But the door's open for anyone! Follow me on Twitter, and I'll do the same. My handle is @cherylbombshell," Cheryl declared, standing up and walking away as Veronica began to speak.
"Okay, go ahead and hate on cheerleading, but if Hipster Prince Harry," and Betty touched her hand, "I'd love to be a cheerleader. It would look great on my college applications. But last year, when I tried out, Cheryl said I was too fat."
"'Too season 5 Betty Draper.' It was a great line," I chuckled, turning to my sister. "But not true at all."
"Well, you're a total smoke show now. I mean it. As hot and as smart as you are, you should be the Queen Bey of this drab hive. Look, if you want to be a River Vixen, I'll help you prep. I have moves," Betty encouraged, and I could see her contemplating.
"Okay. You know what? Show me your moves," Betty finally agreed.
