New kid at riverdale high

New school

Stepping out of the car after a long flight, I stretch deeply, feeling the tension in my muscles release, savoring the refreshing feeling that washes over me. "Mom, go sit down—Donny and I got this," I say, nodding towards my ten-year-old brother, who is eagerly waiting to help. "What?" he says, his voice full of surprise. "Yeah, we do," I say, laughing as I reach over to ruffle his hair. He grins widely, proud to be in on the task. My mom chuckles at our interaction, her eyes warm with gratitude, and she heads inside the house. "Thank you, Toni," she calls back, her voice filled with love. I smile, and with Donny by my side, we start hauling our luggage and bags inside. By the time we've got everything in, I'm feeling the weight of the day lifting off my shoulders, and the aroma of Chinese food fills the air. "Mmm," I murmur appreciatively, grabbing a box of fried rice. "This is way better than the Chinese food in New York," I say, savoring each bite. "I agree," Donny says, his mouth full as he bites into an egg roll, earning a laugh from me. "Slow down, Donny," I tease, watching him grin sheepishly.

As the meal winds down, our mom steps into the room, her eyes soft but firm. "Okay, Donny, I'll clean up. You and Toni get ready for bed. You both start your new school tomorrow." She gives us a look that means business. "She's right," I say, pushing my plate into the sink. "Let's go, little man." Donny groans but follows me upstairs. I step into my room, feeling the anticipation of a new chapter in my life settling in. I strip off my shirt, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I flex, admiring the results of my hard work in the gym. "Not bad," I say with a chuckle, amused by the rare moment of ego. I head into the bathroom, turning on the shower and letting the steam fill the room. As the hot water cascades over my body, I feel the stress of the day wash away. I scrub every inch, making sure I'm ready for whatever tomorrow brings. After the shower, I brush my teeth and floss, making sure everything's in check before slipping into my pajamas. I dive into bed, the weight of sleep pulling me under almost instantly.

The next morning, the alarm blares through my room, jolting me awake. "God damn, this is loud," I mutter, slapping the snooze button. I sit up, rubbing my eyes, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep. "Mom!" I yell. "Yes, Toni?" she calls back. "What time should I leave?" I ask, still groggy. "Hmm, maybe 8:00 since school starts at 8:30," she replies thoughtfully. "Okay, Mom, say less," I say, but she's not having it. "Toni, don't talk to me like I'm one of your friends," she scolds, walking into my room, her expression stern. "My bad, Mom," I say, smiling sheepishly. "Breakfast is ready, honey," she says, softening her tone. "Okay, I'll be down in five," I respond, throwing on some clothes before heading downstairs. I find Donny already at the table, munching on waffles, syrup dripping down his chin. We both eat quickly, the tension of the first day at a new school hanging in the air.

After breakfast, I grab my keys, and Donny and I hop into the car. The drive is short, and soon I'm pulling up to his middle school. "Alright, bro, have fun," I say with a grin. He rolls his eyes but laughs. "Yeah, sure," he says, shaking his head before hopping out. As I drive away, I can't help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement building in my chest. I pull up to Riverdale High, and my jaw drops a little at the sight. "Wow, they really spent a lot of money on this place," I mutter to myself as I step out of the car. The building is immaculate, with sleek, modern architecture that makes it stand out from any school I've ever seen. As I take it all in, I hear a voice behind me. "I agree," the voice says, and I turn to see a tall guy with a confident smile. "Hey, I'm Sweet Pea," he says, extending his hand. I shake it, surprised to find someone my height. "Lemme show you around," he offers, and I nod, grateful for the help. We start walking, and he points out different spots in the school. "This is where the stoners smoke. Stay away from there," he says, laughing. "You don't have to tell me twice," I respond, laughing along.

As we walk down the hallway, I notice the students parting like the Red Sea, their eyes all fixed in one direction. Curious, I look up and my breath catches in my throat. A beautiful redhead is walking down the hallway, flanked by a blonde and a brunette, each one just as stunning. Her presence commands the attention of everyone around, and she exudes confidence with every step. As she passes by, she smiles at me, a smile that's both friendly and mysterious, and I find myself smiling back, unable to help it. "Who's that?" I ask Sweet Pea, still watching her as she walks away. "That's Cheryl Blossom," he says, his tone almost reverent. "She's the most popular girl in the school." I feel a spark of interest. "Yeah?" I say, intrigued. "Yeah, she is, but she's dating Reggie Mantle, so don't get any ideas," Sweet Pea warns, his tone serious. "Yeah, yeah," I say, waving it off, but my eyes can't help but linger on her as she reaches the end of the hallway and wraps her arms around a tall, athletic guy, pulling him into a kiss. So that's Reggie Mantle, I think to myself, feeling a strange mix of emotions I can't quite place. As Cheryl walked down the hallway, her usual confident stride was accompanied by the murmur of students moving aside, their eyes following her every move. She knew the routine well—being Cheryl Blossom meant being the center of attention, and she wore it like armor. But today, her thoughts were elsewhere, drifting back to the girl she had noticed earlier. There was something about her, something that made Cheryl's heart skip a beat—a feeling she wasn't used to, especially not for another girl.

She tried to push the thought aside, reminding herself of her responsibilities: cheer practice, the demands of her parents, and keeping an eye on Jason and Abby. But no matter how hard she tried, the image of that girl lingered in her mind, pulling her in with an unexpected intensity.

As she approached her next class, Cheryl took a deep breath, composing herself before stepping inside. Her gaze swept across the room, and there she was—the girl from the hallway, sitting just a few seats away. Cheryl's heart fluttered, and though she kept her face composed, she felt a strange mix of excitement and nerves.

Their eyes met, and the girl offered Cheryl a small, hesitant smile. Cheryl's usual confidence wavered slightly as she smiled back, a softer, more genuine expression than she usually allowed herself. The teacher began the lesson, but Cheryl found it hard to concentrate, her thoughts constantly drifting back to the girl. Why did she feel this way? Why was this girl occupying so much space in her mind?

When the teacher announced a partner assignment, Cheryl's heart skipped a beat again. Without a second thought, she turned toward the girl, flashing her signature Blossom smile. "Looks like we're partners," she said smoothly, hoping her voice didn't betray the nervous excitement bubbling beneath the surface.

The girl nodded, returning Cheryl's smile with one that was a bit more relaxed now. As they worked together, Cheryl found herself drawn to the girl's easy laughter, the way she spoke with a quiet confidence. There was a subtle connection between them—nothing overt, but in the way their eyes met a little too often, in the way their hands occasionally brushed as they shared the textbook.

By the end of class, Cheryl's heart was racing, but in a good way. As they packed up their things, Cheryl glanced over at the girl, their eyes locking once more. "Maybe we could hang out sometime," Cheryl suggested, keeping her tone casual even though her heart was anything but.

The girl's smile widened, and Cheryl noticed how her eyes sparkled. "Yeah, I'd like that," she replied.

As they parted ways, Cheryl's mind was buzzing. She had no idea where this would lead, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she wanted to find out.