Save Me ≡ Cheryl Blossom

Ten

Winter came into Riverdale and during this time, the Kings would have a family reunion together at the Montague household. Meanwhile, the Blossoms would have this ceremony concerning their maple syrup business.

At school, the three siblings were hanging out at the longue room alone with no one else in sight. They were sprawled all about and Zander was grabbing sodas for the three of them from the soda machine.

Zariah wasn't sure if she should be worried about Xael being a part of a gang or not. But she does know that the Southside Serpents were the real deal, people who you wouldn't want to mess with.

As she remained lying down on the couch, her head lying on the armrest and her feet on Xael's lap, she sighs.

"Why are you... in that gang?" Xael's younger sister asks, looking at him. "Aren't you scared? You do know that they're bad, right?" Zariah quickly thanks Zander after being given a soda can and she pops it open after sitting up properly.

Zander chuckles, "He's not scared. He's in the damn gang, isn't it obvious? Now tell us, really, why are you with the Serpents? And how come you don't have any tattoos?" He squints his eyes at Xael.

"Well, they were the ones who saved me during a robbery back in the south. A boy named Joaquin took me in since I wanted to repay them and all, they're good people. Just don't get to their bad side, that's all." He explains to them, "And as for tattoos, it ain't really my thing." The twins nod at him with their mouths agape.

≡

This evening is about to eventful.

As they wait for their relatives' arrival, the twins and Xael had walked around their wide backyard. The three of them wore something comfortable but presentable as well, since it was winter and they don't want to entertain people while they freeze themselves—of course, they had to wear something to warm them up.

The snow falls on their heads and the cold breeze burning through their skin as they roam around freely on their own. Zariah was by their pool, feeling how bleak the water was and thought about Cheryl.

She knew that Cheryl was at her own manor, busy with the maple syrup business since she's now the next heir to the throne, noticing that Jason is now forever gone. Penelope was at school earlier and she witnessed her talk to Archie about something. She didn't even get to see Cheryl during school hours which was a bit unsatisfying for her day.

Meanwhile, Zander was looking at the trees covered in white. Besides him being supporting for Zariah and Cheryl, he was struggling about having a crush on Valerie. He knows that she's been dating Archie for a while now, and being the best buddy he is, he doesn't ruin their relationship. It was taking a toll on him though. Being friends with someone who's in a relationship with someone you like was never a good situation to be in.

As for Xael, he was nervous. Even though he was at the age of a senior high school student, he wasn't a twelfth grader student. Being a young kid he was then, he stopped at sophomore year because of a certain problem.

Bullying.

He was bullied for being thin, weak, and not being with his real parents.

Xael ran away from William because their father was a drunken man. Well, that was when Xael was born and young. William changed once Zariah and Zander was born because, apparently, having twins made him rejoice and sober. Being said, Xael was abused but Marissa cared for him, yet Xael knew it wasn't going to be enough. So, Marissa decided that he needs to be sent to foster care. For safety.