𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐙𝐄, riverdale [1]

TWENTY | Useless Banquets

Mariah, Archie and Cheryl all held umbrellas above their heads as they trudge through the snow. Cheryl had just tapped a tree and everyone was heading back to the Blossom's mansion. Two of the Blossom's board members were talking shit in front if the three teenagers and Mariah could feel her anger rising.

"I don't buy this dog-and-pony show for a second. Cliff can't control his own family, let alone the company," a man with red hair said to a woman with similar hair. "Agreed. And if he tries to put Cheryl forward as a successor... Do you remember what she did at the funeral? Crocodile tears," the woman said.

"Hey," Archie began and Cheryl interrupted him. "Archie, you don't have to," the redheaded girl said. "No, Cheryl loved Jason. What was she meant to do at his funeral, not cry? And yeah, Jason was on the football team, but Cheryl was at every single game, too, doing as much to help the Bulldogs win as he did," Archie said.

"Also 4.0," Mariah muttered. "Also she has a 4.0 grade point average. If there's one thing I've learned being in Cheryl's class, it's don't underestimate her and don't bet against her," Archie concluded.

"And if you two morons were capable of running this company, wouldn't you be running it by now?" Mariah questioned, tilting her head to the side. She gave them a faux smile and she, Cheryl, and Archie walked away from the two.

As the group continued the fairly long walk back to the Blossom's mansion, Archie wound up with Clifford Blossom. The two were talking about who knows what and Mariah didn't like it. She didn't want that man to corrupt Archie.

"There's a banquet at the Belmont Lodge and I would love for you to come," Cheryl said. Mariah groaned, "Where I have to spend more time with these people? I'd rather jump off a cliff."

"Why must I always beg you to do things with me?" Cheryl questioned. "Maybe because you always want me to do things that make me want to jump off a cliff," Mariah deadpanned. The two girls walk closer to Archie and Clifford and Cheryl goes ahead of Mariah. The redhead cut into their conversation as she approached the two men. "But nothing. You have to come. You can be Mariah's escort. It'll be the perfect date for you two. And maybe you can ask a certain someone a certain question," Cheryl said, tilting her head in Mariah's direction raising her eyebrows suggestively.

"I'm not going," Mariah stated firmly. "Nonsense, you have to come. You're practically family," Clifford said. Mariah fought the urge to gag and gave him a tight-lipped smile. "I'm wearing viridian. He'll need a proper suit, don't you think, daddy?" Cheryl said, turning to look at her father.

"I'll have my tailor fit you. If that's not a problem?" Mr. Blossom answered. "No. No, no, it's just I'm an Andrews, Mr. Blossom, like you said. My dad works construction, a fancy banquet's not really our thing," Archie said.

"That's precisely why you should come. People like you are the Bedrock of our town. You're hard workers," Mr. Blossom said.  "Plus, Mariah needs a dance partner," Cheryl added.

"I won't take no for an answer guys. My favorite couple deserves to have a night of fun while looking amazing. So, what do you say Mari? Archiekins?" Cheryl said, a hopeful smile on her face. Mariah and Archie looked at each other. The boy shrugged and Mariah sighed. "Sure, why not?" The blonde said. "Yay!" Cheryl squealed.

····

The next day at school was Friday and Mariah was beyond tired. She was borderline exhausted for some unknown reason. She honestly would have stayed home but, going to school was important. She needed to maintain her good grades and perfect attendance.

Attendance was weirdly important to her. When she dragged herself into the building she walked to her locker, which seemed to be light years away. As she got to it, Veronica rushed passed her in a hurry and toward the girl's locker room. Mariah furrowed her eyebrows and quickly followed after her.