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
"GOOD EVENING FRIENDS! ARE YOU ALL HAVING A GOOD TIME?"
Cheryl's voice echoed through the microphone, prompting cheers from the crowd.
The dance had just begun, yet half of the football team was already sloshed. "As honorary chairperson and de facto queen of tonight's semi-formal, it is my great pleasure to introduce this evening's main entertainment," Cheryl continued with flourish. "To know them is to be obsessed with them. Though they usually perform their own material, tonight they're making an exception and debuting a cover of the song my parents claim they were listening to the night Jason and I were conceived. This one's for you, JJ. I give you Josie and the Pussycats."
Josie glanced at me with a nod, signaling it was my cue. I rushed backstage, swiftly changing out of my light blue formal dress into a dark denim short dress with a square neck and chunky body chain. I zipped up my black leather knee-high heeled boots and grabbed my microphone, securing the earplug just in time for them to finish their song and for mine to begin.
I strutted onto the stage, holding the mic up as Josie started to vocalize, "Ah-ah."
"Made it clear when you told me," I sang out, the crowd turning their attention to the stage, Josie and the Pussycats harmonizing as my backup singers. "Don't know why, but you gotta be lonely" I bumped Josie playfully with my shoulder, flashing a confident smile.
"Says it's hard, but you make it look easy, so I'm trying to live in reality," I continued, swaying with the music. "Decompressin', tryna ease the tension but you got me stressin', feelin' like I need to call when you sneak up on me, tell me that you miss me in your life."
We hit the choreography together, the energy pulsating through the room.
"I can't read your mind," I sang, noticing Archie and Betty in the crowd, their expressions unsettled.
"You say that you need to be alone, but night and day, want me at your beck and call. You say you know that you might be crossin' a line, wastin' all our time. To think that we could be casual," I pointed to the crowd, emphasizing the lyrics.
"You're not my friend and baby, you never were. Why the fuss if you say you just wanna be mine? I can't read your mind," I sang, locking eyes with Archie for a moment, his confusion palpable.
"Tell me, what's gonna happen when it's you and me in a room, but you know you can't have it? Oh, I'll be laughin'" I crouched down, connecting with the audience.
"When you say that you really have changed, finally found your way 'cause I'm close to your face," I continued, conveying the song's emotion.
"Double-checkin', did I get the message in the way you intended? Got me second-guessin' when you sneak up on me, tell me that you need me in your life. I can't read your mind," we clapped in rhythm, the crowd joining in.
"You say that you need to be alone but night and day, want me at your beck and call. You say you know that you might be crossin' a line, wastin' all our time. To think that we could be casual," I walked to the edge of the stage, ensuring Archie and Betty could see me clearly.
"You're not my friend and baby, you never were. Why the fuss if you say you just wanna be mine? I can't read your mind" I sang, delivering the message with intensity.
"You say that you need to be alone but night and day, want me at your beck and call. You say you know that you might be crossin' a line, I can't read your mind," I slowed to a ballad, holding the note on "mind" as the crowd erupted in cheers.
"I can't read your mind," Josie and the Pussycats carried the end of the song with me, our voices blending perfectly.
We posed together as the music faded, the crowd cheering loudly. "Clarissa Cooper, ladies and gentlemen!" Josie exclaimed, and we embraced, soaking in the applause.
Cheryl hosted the post-formal party at Thornhill. As I settled next to Josie, I noticed Archie glaring at me. I grinned at Josie.
"It's game time at Chez Blossom, kiddies. We're going old-school tonight. Seven Minutes in Heaven," Cheryl announced, the Vixens chuckling among themselves. "Who wants to start in the Closet of Love? My vote is 'A' for Archie."
"Wait, hold on..." Archie began, but Reggie interrupted. "Yes, Andrews, yes!" Reggie nudged me with a smirk, and I chuckled along.
"Alright, gather round, kids. Let's see who's up for a spin with the ginger stallion tonight." Cheryl spun the bottle, and it landed squarely between Veronica and Betty.
"Oh, no way!" Reggie laughed, and I couldn't help but smile in surprise as Cheryl decided, "It's clearly pointing to... the new girl. This should be fun."
Veronica shifted uncomfortably. "Um, I'm not doing this."
"That's up to you. But if you don't, house rules say the hostess takes your turn," Cheryl declared. They looked at me, and my eyes widened as Betty and Veronica sighed.
The two entered the closet as the Vixens whispered and giggled among themselves.
When they emerged, Betty was nowhere to be seen.
"Nailed it. Yes!" Reggie practically cheered. I approached Cheryl and noticed nude lipstick smeared on Archie's lips.
